“Some studio people may not believe a woman editor can do an action film as well as a man,” she explains of obstacles she faces. “It’s silly, but I have come across it.”

In 2017, only 18% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 250 domestic grossing films were women. That’s an increase of only one percentage point, from 17% in 2016, according to a study by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film by San Diego State University.

“Like in all professions, one may need to prove themselves more as a woman because we don’t fit an expected stereotype,” she says. “It can be difficult and competitive.”

While the percentages of female writers and editors have actually declined, Riegel continues to shine in the industry.

She added several awards to her name for her work on “I, Tonya,” the darkly comedic biopic starring Margot Robbie. In fact, she was the only female nominated for Best Editing for this year’s Independent Spirit Award, Academy Award, and American Cinema Editors Award, for the film that follows Tonya Harding’s story from her abusive childhood to her shocking figure-skating career. She won both the ACE Eddie Award for Best Edited Feature Film (Comedy), and the Independent Spirit Award.

“The role of an editor has a huge impact on a film,” says Riegel.

The film “I, Tonya” maintains a tone that strikes a careful balance between pitch-black comedy and real-life tragedy. “The most challenging aspect of this particular film is by far the tone,” she says. “It’s a difficult mix of emotion, tragedy, and humor.”

She teamed up with “I, Tonya” director Craig Gillespie for the fifth time, having also worked with him on “Lars and the Real Girl,” “Fright Night,” and “The Finest Hour.” Together, they set a pace for the ambitious story while giving both the drama and the humor room to shine.

HER ROLE AS AN EDITOR

Riegel always knew she wanted a career in film, but at first, had no idea what she wanted to do. Through the process of elimination, she settled on post-production.

“Editing, as it turns out, is the perfect combination of both sides of my brain…creative and technical,” says Riegel, who enjoys the creative space afforded while working on independent films.

Although she doesn’t spend much time on the set, her work as an editor begins as soon as the shooting starts. She watches scenes over and over again, paying attention to every detail, the pace, the sound, the music — or a way to improve it.

“While in production (usually between 2-4 months depending on the project), I watch everything they shoot and begin the assembly by choosing performances, setting the initial tone as well as the pace of the film,” Riegel says.

She spends the next 6-10 months working side by side with the director refining the edit and also working with sound, music and visual effects.

Her advice for anyone wanting to get started in this field? Start.

“If you want to edit, edit. Cut everything you can get your hands on,” she recommends.

Forget whether the field is dominated by men — it’s up to you to begin.

The post The Editor of “I, Tonya” Talks Working in a Male Dominated Industry appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Dreaming of that new job? New car or more money? Say it enough, and according to Zenkina, it will come true.

“In the last two years, I’ve manifested the following: my soul mate, a 7-figure business, my dream car, being able to travel to any city or country in the world whenever I want, and other endless opportunities,” she says. “Magic happens when you open yourself to the power of your mind.”

The Master Mindset Coach, author, and founder of ManifestationBabe.com has a thriving business of courses and coaching programs. She is a firm believer in transparency and honesty and, as of this posting, has published her monthly revenue reports on her website through April 2018. Earlier this year, she hosted a Manifestation luxury retreat in Bali for women looking for their life purpose.

As a mindset coach and success strategist, she works for women who know they were always meant for more.

“I’ve had 490 students enroll in the very first round of Manifestation Babe Academy. I’ve also helped over 500 women transform their money mindsets via my signature money mindset mastery program, Rich Babe Academy,” she says.

Known for sharing her manifestation secrets and principles with her nearly 60,000 followers on Instagram, Zenkina believes anyone can and should achieve their highest potential. While you can see she’s manifested her dream life, it didn’t start so picture perfect.

HER LOWEST POINT HELPED LAUNCH HER DREAM CAREER

In 2016, she hit what she calls her lowest point. She was $25,000 in debt and living on her grandma’s couch, because she couldn’t afford rent in Los Angeles. At the time, Zenkina was trying to launch an online business — but wasn’t getting anywhere.

“I had always been obsessed with the human mind and its role in creating our realities since the film “The Secret” first premiered. Even though I knew how to change my life on an intellectual level, I didn’t actually apply the information. I would preach mindset, but I wasn’t walking my walk. I was afraid of taking risks at this time in my life,” she tells HER Magazine.

So how did she get out of her funk? She manifested her way out — and started to believe she could actually achieve her wildest dreams. Now she travels around the world while continuing to invest in herself and her business.

That’s why she started Manifestation Babe — so she could prove to herself that manifestation works. She began sharing tips on how to manifest on Instagram and two years later, turned that idea into a 7-figure personal development company.

“When people ask me how I came up with the name, Manifestation Babe, I always giggle. It was such a random download from the Universe, and I have no idea where it came from. A little bit earlier, I had an Instagram account called @fitrussianbabe. I changed the name because I never wanted others to think that I’m some conceited fitness model who calls herself a ‘babe.’ A few friends mentioned to me that they LOVED the “babe” in the handle and so I kept that in mind when creating my new Instagram handle,” says Zenkina.

MAKING YOUR BRAND SUCCEED

In the beginning, Zenkina says she had zero support from friends and family. At the time, they thought she was insane for thinking she could create a successful career online.

“It doesn’t matter if the world is against you. If you are on a mission, fully believe in where you are going, and the entire Universe will be on your side to help you manifest it,” she says.

Always a believer in herself, Zenkina focused on learning new skills every day to get her business running. By investing in personal development, marketing courses, seminars, books, and coaches, she was able to achieve her business goals. Let’s not forget she also continued to manifest success, which apparently continues to work for her to this day.

“I am always learning, experimenting, testing, and trying what I think will work. The difference maker for me really has been that I am NOT afraid to take risks. In fact, I love it. You never know what will work or won’t work unless you try it. I think that business owners should experiment more. They play it safe, and so they get safe results,” she says.

Another secret to her success: her business is not just work. It’s her obsession.

“I made it a part of my life. I called it life-business integration. This is where I don’t see my life and business as separate, but rather one entity existing together. This was the only way I could build it while working a 9-5 job, and then while traveling the world full-time,” she says.

Create a team that believes and trusts your vision. The people you surround yourself within your business matters. Find the right mentors who can help steer you in the right direction.

“A business is like a baby — it requires a ton of care in its early stages. You will find yourself giving all your energy to get it off the ground. However, once it grows up? It’s like witnessing the child that you birthed fully come to life. The more love you give it, the better it turns out,” she says.

HOW TO START MANIFESTING YOUR DREAMS

The “Law of Attraction” is the ability to attract into your life whatever you are focusing on. Zenkina claims anything you put your mind to, you can manifest into your life. According to her, it’s helped her achieve success both in life and finances. She even wrote a book about it, Unleash Your Inner Money Babe, a workbook designed to help you let go of limiting beliefs about money and unlock the mindset of abundance and wealth.

“It’s perfect for beginners who want to manifest their first $1,000 while up-leveling their money mindsets for even more money attraction,” she says.

How will you start manifesting your dreams? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Kathrin Zenkina on Instagram @ManifestationBabe.

The post Kathrin Zenkina: The Master Manifestor appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Justyn Comer thinks you should meditate.

Yes, it might sound a little out there to the uninitiated, but as a management consultant, author, and meditation enthusiast, Comer claims you can keep your team alert and on point by using core values of meditation.

“Meditation is training that keeps you focused and concentrated — this helps work get done more quickly and with better quality,” says Comer, author of Meditation for Life.

Turns out, he might not be far off. This mind and body practice can increase calmness and relaxation, and some research suggests meditation may even physically alter the brain and body, and could potentially help to improve many health problems and promote healthy behaviors.

Meditation expands our awareness, which is powerful — but it might sound a bit complicated if you’ve never tried it before.

WORKING IN YOUR FAVOR

The practice of meditation helps us change the focus and direction of our attention so that the mind is working in our favor again.

“Meditation recognizes that our mind as we traditionally use it has its strengths, but it also has its limitations. Sometimes our mind is our best friend; sometimes it is our worst enemy. Meditation improves our awareness such that it helps us see the difference,” Comer tells HER Magazine.

Take a minute to pause and notice that you are breathing. Pay attention to the air and your body as it moves while you are breathing. Instead of having your mind wander across all your worries, hopes and fears, take time to sit for a bit and try to stay focused on the present moment. Just breathe.

“At some point, you will notice that your mind has wandered. You can see where it went, and then gently return your attention to your point of focus,” says Comer. “This is meditation — placing the attention in the present, getting distracted repeatedly, and putting the attention back into the present.”

IMPROVING YOUR WORKFLOW

Stress is caused by different factors, and if you are feeling burnt out or lacking focus at work, that can have a negative impact on your career.

Sitting down and meditating won’t stop your mind from wandering between issues at home and work, but it will help you start to recognize it faster when it happens. By practicing meditation, you can train yourself to put the focus back where you want it.

“One of the benefits of meditation is our tapping into this part of ourselves a bit more. Our communication skills (both presenting and listening) are enhanced,” says Comer. “Our focus and concentration can help us be more efficient in our work, but clarity of thought and less stress also uses up less energy so that we can operate at higher levels of intensity for longer.”

After a few seconds of meditating, you might start to notice how easy it is for your mind to begin to think about other things. This usually happens after the first few seconds. When you begin to understand the nature of attention, it will be easy to figure out how you should run meetings and presentations.

KEEP UP WITH YOUR PRACTICE

There really is no best time to meditate. Whenever you have time is the best time to meditate. Most people with a regular practice choose to do so in the morning to make sure it gets done every day.

“It’s generally not recommended to do it after a big meal — but that’s mainly because you’ll find it hard to stay awake and focused,” Comer says.

By practicing meditation regularly, you will start to notice profound benefits show up in your life, according to Comer, who typically meditates every day. Some days, he meditates for five minutes all day long; other days, for 40 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening.

“Meditation is probably best known as a stress management exercise, and although one of my main messages is that meditation is so much more than just stress relief, it is also great at stress relief,” he says. “Meditation gets us to see our deep-seated attitudes, motivations, prejudices, and beliefs. Through meditation, we can start to see how our animosity towards our bodies can transform into kindness, generosity, and love. Not surprisingly, we end up treating it dramatically better once we respect it for what it is, instead of focusing on what it isn’t.”

The practice of meditation won’t stop life from being challenging, but it could help you stay calmer under challenging situations.

“Circumstances will arise where we have to experience the full range of human emotions including sadness, fear, jealousy, frustration, and anger. Meditation helps us manage these feelings more skillfully so that they don’t hijack our behavior as much, and we can bounce back more quickly,” says Comer.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR MEDITATING

1) Don’t make it into a big deal. Pause – take a breath, and pay attention to your breathing. That’s meditation.

2) Do it whenever you have a minute. If you wait until you can get five or ten minutes, you might be waiting for a long time and never get around to doing it. Take a minute here and there during the day and start to bring it into your life more regularly.

3) Don’t judge yourself for getting distracted. You’re human, and your mind likes to wander.  Most of the time it is an exercise of brief moments of focus followed by distraction followed by refocusing followed by distraction. The benefit is there when you are calm, and when you’re not. Just keep doing it.

See if your team will try it — and let us know if you notice a difference!

The post How to Keep Your Team Focused Before Meetings: Try Meditating appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

In The G&E Show, the power couple tells us how it is when it comes to the “business of marriage.”

“We’re not perfect, but we’re figuring it out. We have a very good thing, and we’ve been very successful. If I can fast-track somebody else’s success or help another couple get on the same page, then it’s worth it,” says Elena. “I want other people to experience victories — real victories.”

For her, balancing love and business comes easy when you are part of a dependable team. After more than a decade of being married, Elena and Grant have learned to validate each other and review their goals together; they always want to make sure they’re in alignment. According to them, success in this arena is about showing up for your partner.

“It’s holding myself to a higher standard, actively assuming a more responsible role, and holding myself accountable — not just in my marriage, but for others,” she says. “It means showing up 100% in my marriage.”

Early on in their relationship, Elena was responsible for pushing her husband to become a billionaire. She maintained that it was an attainable target and a goal she pushed him to achieve. “Everything should be about chasing down the money. Where’s it coming from? Go get it. Don’t waste any time. Bank it once you have enough of it. Put it into a real estate investment, because it’s a real hard asset that’s not like a 401k,” she says.

As you can tell, Elena Cardone is chock-full of advice on everything you need to know to up-level your business and your life. Don’t believe me? Read on for her key insights.

Just be ready to take notes, because you’re going to want to remember this.

1. ELENA CARDONE ON HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE

Cardone is also a businesswoman in her own right. Born in Madrid, Spain and raised in New Orleans, she started modeling when she moved to Los Angeles at 17.  She appeared in numerous high fashion print editorials and national commercials. The former actress also starred on the NBC series USA High, and appeared on guest starring roles on C.S.I., George Lopez, N.C.I.S., LAS VEGAS and Two and a Half Men. Now, Elena plans to add another title to her resume: Author.

She is currently working on the release of her new book, Build an Empire – How to Have It All, where she plans to inspire and equip others find the path of success in their careers and their relationships. “I’ll just tell you exactly what you need, just as if you started at ground zero,” she says. “You need a purpose.”

In the book, she plans to discuss what you need to know, and who you need to become — but the focus won’t be on money or marketing.

“You’re either building an empire, or you’re destroying one. If you are trying to build an empire, every single decision you make and every action you take should be from that viewpoint,” she explains. Using this strategy, “you will start to eliminate wasteful, even harmful, actions — and increase positive, beneficial moves that actually will advance you down the playing field.”

She adds another essentially Cardone tip: Don’t try to build your empire alone. Surround yourself with a team of like-minded people who will support your success. Find your tribe, and never stop learning.

“When you rise to the top, you need to take certain responsibilities and sacrifices and wear your hat as that role,” she says. “Knowing your roles is also very valuable in the empire.”

To achieve success, Cardone believes you have to stay close to the people who have your best interests at heart, and distance yourself from those who don’t. Stay away from anyone trying to hold you down.

“You MUST eliminate the people in your life who are liabilities. Liabilities are people who are determined to keep you the same. They don’t want to see you change or better yourself, so they will let you off the hook, give you sympathy (different from compassion), or worse, try to convince you to party instead of focusing on work.”

Download our Fall 2019 issue for FREE, featuring Elena Cardone

2. ON WORKING AS A TEAM

The G&E Show, available on iTunes at the Cardone Zone, gives the Florida-based couple a chance to collaborate and spend time working on a project they are both passionate about.

“In our relationship, we don’t bring 50/50. I bring 100; he brings 100, and we freaking rock it. We’re 200%,” says Elena. Topics range from “Be the Solution, Not the Problem,” to “Surviving the Slump,” and are chosen to spark conversations among their listeners.

“We’re always looking for new challenges and new friends. She’s always pushing me to do more, to be more, and I do the same for her,” Grant, named one of Forbes’ 25 Marketing Influencers to Watch in 2017, tells HER Magazine. “She’s grown in her ability to communicate effectively, and she’s grown in her financial awareness!”

By working to solve problems together, the couple knows they won’t take each other for granted.  The Cardones work together to reach their goals — a trait both her and Grant believe is essential in making every relationship succeed.

“We know what our purpose is as individuals and as a team — always,” she says. “When you fight wars and battle side by side, no matter the outcome, it builds not only the love but the trust in each other as partners.”

There is never a moment when they don’t support each other, which they credit as key to making their relationship work. A good tip: Before you can get on the same page as your partner, you need to figure out what you want to accomplish first — today, tomorrow, and every day.  Write down goals and understand the importance of why you are doing it.

“As a mother, she runs our house great. As a wife, I couldn’t ask for a better spouse. She lets me be me and doesn’t step on my toes when it comes to letting me run my five businesses. She runs the house, I run the companies — and it works! We aren’t doing a marriage or a job, we’re just doing our lives,” says Grant.

“I am genuinely his biggest fan, so I do whatever it takes to get him and our brand known,” she says. “I love when I see an idea that we thought of manifest in the real world and turn out to be a successful venture. It makes all the blood, sweat and tears moments worth it. It makes us more fortified as a couple when we celebrate real accomplishments and have victories.”

Although she has a great system with her husband, she holds value in finding time for personal development. “You’ve got to do your own thing,” she says. “Learn something new that challenges you.”

3. ON LIFE (& MONEY) LESSONS LEARNED

Cardone explains that focusing on being ethical, and surrounding herself with moral people, has been a key part of her growth.

“Work on bettering yourself,” she says. “Become an asset to yourself and others. All your spare time should go into self- improvement or training that will help you be more knowledgeable and prepared in your business and life.”

Her husband emphasizes that this woman is about integrity. “Ethical people — like Elena — achieve the results they desire and create success for themselves and their family,” he says. “She does what she has told others she would do.”

It’s a lesson that Cardone learned the hard way. Everything is always evident in hindsight, and she believes partying in her past was a major setback to her real potential.

Drugs and excessive drinking “had horrible side effects of depression, insecurities, self-doubt, lack of motivation and such an overall sense of self-invalidation,” she says, “that caused further bad decisions and prevented me from actually pouncing on a good opportunity when it was in front of my face. I never confronted that these effects were real, and even justified using drugs as a means to enhance my ‘creativity,’ when truthfully it did the opposite.”

A lot of lessons and tools she credits as invaluable to her success came later in her career, delayed because of her party lifestyle. Basic things she regards as essential now took a while to become a part of her strategy. For example, she wishes she would have known earlier how important it is to multiply your money; i.e., find a way to have your money working and earning income. She also used to believe that buying a home was a good investment, a common idea she now discredits heartily.

“That is a lie and a rare exception. Homes are liabilities that don’t pay you every month. In fact, they are pigs that need constant money thrown at them to maintain and keep up. I wish I would have known to invest in multi-family real estate assets, where you get paid every month from tenants,” she explains.

“Being a woman in power is not as easy as it might seem,” says Alla Mazurenko, one of Elena’s closest friends. Alla was a fan of Grant, and a friendship flourished after she became inspired by Elena’s determination.

“Elena gives the first impression of being unstoppable, that she will break all the barriers toward her goal — but behind that army-strong determination lies a wise weighing of priorities. Every person has her vision and wants to fulfill her potential. Elena has taught me to wisely evaluate the benefit of any action.”

4. ON THE DAILY HUSTLE

To manage all her roles as a mother, wife, host, and author, Elena doesn’t have time to make excuses for not getting things done.

“Cut out all the loaf time that doesn’t contribute to the forward motion,” she says. “As your empire grows and you become busier and busier, you will eventually have to hire people. This is a good thing. You will need people to do the things that you don’t HAVE to do. I utilize the valued people of my empire to get things done while I spend time with family — but this develops as you expand.”

In an average day for Elena Cardone, she’ll take her children to school, work out with a trainer, and then have another training session with a martial arts instructor. In the afternoons, she works on her book and brainstorms topics for the podcast, before picking up her kids from school, helping them with homework and making dinner.

“I usually read a bedtime story, and then I’m back with Grant catching up on social media, watching a movie, or plotting futures,” she explains of her routine.

5. ON FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE

Elena is in the final stages of writing her book, which will be available for sale at grantcardone.com — and she promises to include the necessary items for creating an empire-building toolbox. She’s also heading on a global world tour to expand her brand, all while striving to be an incredible mother who uplifts and inspires her two young daughters on their path to adulthood. “I am excited about our real estate portfolio and the opportunity we are providing for others to be a partner with us on that,” she says.

Although she maintains a lot on her plate, she always has something to look forward to. Her strategy is to focus on the future, and keep her attention on one simple thing: that which can you win together, with your partner — and with yourself.

“Learn how to be your own best friend,” she says. “Push yourself, be honest, forgive yourself and encourage yourself to gut up and do what’s right!”

Photos by Lyman Winn

The post Elena Cardone Wants YOU to Build an Empire appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

“I fell into a product line because I had a full clientele that I wanted to give the best products and service to,” she says.

Borboleta Beauty clients include celebrities like Katherine Heigl, not to mention our own HER Magazine Founder Nineveh Madsen. In the early days of the business, Madsen used to visit Jaynes’ rented booth space at a salon — and even receive the occasional home visit. Jaynes was, in fact, one of the earliest contributors to HER Magazine.

“Being the entrepreneur she is today, Kim definitely isn’t doing lashes anymore! She’s running a lash empire,” says Madsen. “She had a big vision for her business back then, and it’s been so amazing to watch the growth.”

COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION

In search of quality products that would make women feel amazing, Jaynes knew she was on to something. She researched and developed her own lash line of soft, natural-feeling lash extensions with clean adhesives for her clients. It wasn’t long before other artists wanted to buy from her.

“I wanted women to have support and not feel judged. The beauty industry can be very ugly, and I wanted to raise it and be an example that we can be kind and successful and not tear each other apart,” she tells HER Magazine.

Named after the Portuguese word for butterfly, Borboleta is a beauty brand and lash line that honors the ideal of empowering beauty by embracing diversity. The beauty company empowers thousands of women every year to take control of their professional lives through training programs like The Lash Academy, which provides both aspiring and seasoned lash artists the chance to keep growing. “I wanted to provide training and education that brought unmatched value to lash artists, to continuously master their craft and create successful, long-lasting careers in the industry,” she says.

From the beginning, Jaynes wanted to create a brand that stood for something.

“She’s a collaborator, not a competitor, and we need more women like her in business,” says Madsen, who is a big fan of Jaynes’ personal style and work ethic.

“I think, like with any entrepreneur, what’s helped her reach success is that she has kept going. She didn’t stop. I remember that it seemed like almost overnight her business exploded, but it’s been years and years of hard, consistent work. She gives a lot of credit to her team, and that’s so important as a CEO — being a good leader,” says Madsen.

Inspired by her love for working women, Jaynes attributes her company’s success to doing whatever it takes to make things happen.

These days, the lash entrepreneur starts her day in the office at 8:30 am in meetings with her different teams.

“I check in on all of our employees and see how they’re doing, and what projects they’re working on. I go through social media and see what is happening in our industry,” Jaynes says. “I strategize a lot with marketing and product and forecast latest trends in our industry. I usually end my day with a yoga class in the evening.”

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

When the training program was just getting started, Jaynes was running everything. “I was very overwhelmed, and I constantly found myself hitting obstacles,” she says.

During one of her first eyelash extension training sessions in New York City, the hotel she was presenting at refused to provide tables for models to lay on for the demonstration, she recalls. Instead of panicking, Jaynes realized she needed to find a solution without wasting any time.

“I caught a cab, ran to Home Depot, and bought 6 X 4 picnic tables and loaded them back into a cab. We had a successful training, and no one even knew about the tables and how we got them,” she says.

“Today our education program is the most sought out in our industry and we are considered the largest training program for lash extensions. We no longer lay our models on picnic tables,” she adds.

Without any formal business training or experience, Jaynes created a product line that was “artistically inspiring,” and a training program for lash artists. “I learned from mentors, past bosses, managers, and other professionals in my life — I never went to business school,” she says.

By being available 24/7, hiring the right people, and never giving up, Jaynes was able to create one of the leading lash extension companies in the industry.

“In the end, this is what brings me the most joy; to help others achieve their goals and love what they do.”

Follow Borboleta Beauty on Instagram @BorboletaBeauty

The post Kim Jaynes’ Borboleta Beauty Empire appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

In one simple 30-second elevator pitch, you should be able to explain who you are, what you offer, and what sets your idea apart from others. Investors hear new business ideas every day; you need to think about what makes your pitch unique and worth their time. Studies show women simply don’t seek funding as often as men — but if you don’t ask, your business is missing out on serious scale.

“The best pitches are those that summarize who you are and why we should invest in your idea in a succinct and catchy manner,” says Joseph Sprung, a venture capitalist, and creator of 30 SECOND PITCH, a free app available on the iTunes and Google Play app stores.  “We don’t need gimmicks or tricks  —  a clear and organized pitch is best.”

Sprung attributes his success as an entrepreneur to his instincts and intuition. He says his initial impressions landed him some of his best deals. He created 30 SECOND PITCH as a platform to simplify the funding process and help innovators realize their business dreams, and he’s seen enough startups to know the mistakes most newbies make.

When Creating Your 30-Second Pitch, Remember:

• Don’t give up on your ideas. Entrepreneurs should present what they would like to see if they were investing themselves, says Sprung. Believe in yourself and your idea, and have confidence that with the right investor, you will succeed. Ask for feedback on your business project and apply this advice to help you reach your goals.
• Learn from your mistakes. Don’t count a mistake as a failure; just get back up and try again. Even if things don’t work out this time, the experience will make you stronger for your next venture. Mentally prepare yourself for the ups and downs associated with starting a business — and don’t lose faith.  
• Trust the timing. Sprung came up with the concept for 30 SECOND PITCH years ago, but smartphones weren’t as popular back then as they are now. “It was cumbersome to upload videos, and the process was too difficult for consumers,” he explains. “The context all changed with the launch of the iPhone. Suddenly, a video camera was in everyone’s hand, and my idea became more relevant than ever.” Recognize when the timing is right, and seize the opportunity that best suits you.

An App for Your Pitch

30 SECOND PITCH allows entrepreneurs to connect with qualified angel investors to get capital, resources, and advice. Entrepreneurs who want to get noticed can record a 30-second video about themselves, what size investment they need, and why their idea is so unique.  

The pitches submitted remain private and confidential within the network. The best pitches are invited to present to an investor group, in-person or via Skype. Entrepreneurs receive feedback, and may receive capital to help jump-start their business.  You can submit as many pitches as you like, and if your pitch doesn’t get reviewed the first time, you can continue to try again.  

“Everyone on the investor team has been involved with financing startups from every industry, including retail, tech, hospitality, manufacturing, and health & energy. With a collective worth of approximately half a billion dollars, they are all highly qualified and very experienced when it comes to venture capital services,” says Sprung.  

Don’t forget to practice your pitch. Rehearse in front of a mirror before you hit submit.  Listen to the tone of your voice and pay attention to your body language. Make sure your hand gestures aren’t distracting. If you added too many ums or ahs, you might want to hit that record button again.  

“From my own experience as an entrepreneur, I have learned that the simplest and easiest ideas to communicate are the best. This app gives everyone the chance to sell their idea and possibly change their life with just a 30-second time commitment,” says Sprung.  

What will you say in 30 seconds?   

30-Second Elevator Pitch Examples & Template

If you’re ready to build your elevator pitch, we’ve got a template for you — with examples from real-world founders who used these very pitches to nab funding for their (now successful) startups. You’ll hear from Kara Goldin, the founder and CEO of flavored water empire hint, as well as Dr. Ximena Hartsock, founder of Phone2Action, the world’s leading technology company for civic participation and stakeholder engagement.

See how each of them developed a 30-second elevator pitch that wowed investors — and got them to the next level in their business. Plus, discover how to build your OWN 30-second elevator pitch with the included template. It’s all right here in this free download.

Download the free template (with examples included!) right here.

The post How To Create A 30-Second Elevator Pitch (With Examples!) appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Without any previous experience in the beverage industry, Goldin started Hint because she always had a hard time drinking plain water — she wanted something with a little more taste to it. She didn’t want to drink anything with any preservatives, which unfortunately flooded the market. Realizing there was a dearth of this type of product, she created her own company to meet that need. Since 2005, Hint has continued to grow in success, and is now a top-selling naturally flavored water, used as an alternative to soda and sugary beverages.

“I had a gut feeling that I was on to something that could truly change health in America, and help people live healthier lives,” Goldin tells HER magazine.

She took a risk and created this company without necessarily having the expertise at first — but those risks have seriously paid off.

By learning from mistakes and finding solutions, the brand became stronger and stronger, and is now stocked in Silicon Valley refrigerators, keeping tech innovators well hydrated at companies like Uber, Google, Facebook, Yelp, Linkedin, Spotify, Snap Inc., Instagram, and Hulu, according to Forbes.

The best advice she ever received? “Don’t be afraid to fly the plane before you build it.” When she launched Hint, she understood that she wouldn’t have all the answers at first, and there would be struggles along the way, but she continued to follow her passion.  “It can be scary to take a leap of faith,” she says, “but if you have confidence in what you’re doing and the passion to make it a success, it will be.”

Starting the Company

In the beginning, Goldin had no idea Hint would be such a huge success.  The flavored water drinks are vegan, gluten-free, have zero diet sweeteners, zero calories, zero preservatives, and use non-GMO fruits.  The company also has an oxybenzone and paraben-free water-resistant fruit scented sunscreen product.

“We knew consumers had a problem with sugar, and that this was a solution to help them drink more water that didn’t exist before — but we didn’t know if people would buy it or not,” she says of their initial uncertainty.

If you’re passionate about what you’re doing, go all in, she says.  There will always be people who will tell you no, or that it’s not possible, but don’t let that negative energy deter you from your mission. “A no from one person just means that’s not the right person to be part of what you’re doing; it doesn’t mean what you’re doing isn’t the right thing to do,” Goldin explains.

Before she became the CEO of Hint, Goldin was the vice president of shopping and e-commerce partnerships at AOL.  She led the company to $1 billion enterprise from ground zero.  When she started her business with her husband, they initially kept Hint a secret from friends and family because they didn’t want people to think they were crazy.

“No matter how much you believe in your own product, there’s no way to predict how successful it will be until you’re out there in the market, and we are so happy with the positive reception Hint has received and the immense growth we’re continuing to see.”

Beyond the Brand

Helping other entrepreneurs find success has become a second passion for Goldin. “I dedicate five hours a week of my time to mentoring entrepreneurs, and through these meetings I realized that simply talking through experiences I’ve had or challenges I’ve faced has been very helpful to these people who are just starting out, and I’m just one person with one set of experiences,” she says.

But she’s gone beyond just mentoring. Starting a company is hard, and no one can do it alone. It’s essential to have a network you can depend on and trusted mentors who can guide you along the way.  Knowing this, in 2016 Goldin launched the Kara Network, a video social network that serves as a digital resource for entrepreneurs.

“I hope that hearing these stories will inspire budding entrepreneurs to chase their own passion, but also provide some actionable advice and helpful anecdotes to learn from,” she says.

The Kara Network is accessible to anyone, and taps into the experiences and challenges of successful entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries, all of whom offer unique insights and points of view.

“I often call myself an accidental entrepreneur, because this was never something I had planned to do or sought out. I simply found something that I was so passionate about and motivated by that I couldn’t not do it,” says Goldin.

Goldin’s Next Move

Hint’s mission is all about making it easy and enjoyable to live a healthier lifestyle, whether it’s drinking more water or applying more sunscreen.  Products with the Hint name will always go back to this mission and solve a problem for consumers, Goldin explains.

“Right now I’m really focused on continuing to grow the brand and build on the positive momentum with the sunscreen, but we’re always thinking about how to solve consumer problems, and you can certainly expect to see some exciting developments in the future!”

The post Kara Goldin: The Accidental Entrepreneur appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

This businesswoman knows what it takes to become a great leader, and took some time to share her tips on what she’s learned throughout her career with HER magazine.

“Be authentic and be true to yourself. Leverage the skills of being a woman leader: empathy, collaboration, humor,” she says.

Kahng now serves as an independent board director for Gymboree and works closely with the CEO to help revitalize the business, brand, product and retail stores. She is also the author of The Closer, a fast-paced, fun, sports-focused story about women in business. The novel’s main character, Vivian Lee, seems able to weather any challenge while always maintaining her integrity. The book exposes the difficulties that women face in industries dominated by men, and why you always need to keep alliances with other women.

Knowing When to Leave.

At Nike, Kahng had several roles. She led the global retail expansion and innovation efforts, was on the launch team on Nike+ (the chip in your running shoe that “talked” to the iPod nano), and was the global head of Nike Cycling. As the first woman in that role, Kahng and her team turned the troubled business around.

“We grew revenue 300% and made the business profitable for the first time,” she says.

Even with so much success, she knew when it came time to leave the company.

“I left because I felt I had maxed out and didn’t feel intellectually challenged enough in my job,” she says.

At Nike, she learned how to win over a demotivated team, how to turn around a business and brand, and how to break some old paradigms and achieve success.

“When I was CEO/President of Lucy Activewear, my team and I moved with tremendous speed, and while VF Corporation was hoping we could make the never-profitable company turn a profit by the third year, we got the business profitable by month thirteen,” she says. “Before that, the company had never made a cent in its twelve-year history.”

What to Look Out for When Taking On a New Role.

When it comes to taking on a high profile role in a new company, Kahng says women need to be confident, have a clear vision that you communicate clearly, and be decisive.

“Establish a vision that excites people, and they will follow your lead. Make sure the values of your company are aligned with your values so you can lead with honor,” she explains.

Pitfalls can include not holding people accountable, not making hard decisions early enough, and not being laser-focused.

“My advice for breaking the glass ceiling is: if you don’t see opportunities, make them for yourself; don’t listen to naysayers; follow your gut; don’t be afraid to take risks. Sometimes taking the job no one wants can be a goldmine of opportunity for you,” Kahng says.

Why You Need a Female Tribe at Work.

It’s important that women find their own tribes to support one another. Kahng always looks around an organization for highly talented people and makes it a point to get to know them, offer them help, and vice versa.

“This proved invaluable as I continued building my career and reputation,” she says.

Having a personal board of directors is extremely useful for advice, to bounce ideas off of women you respect, and to have someone listen to a challenge you’re facing — and to provide some empathy.

“Being a female CEO is a lonely job, and you definitely need a network of supporters,” says Kahng. “It is possible for women to succeed in business with smarts, scruples, and style.” And, she adds, most importantly: “Women need to support and help other women.”

The post Former Nike Executive Shaz Kahng on Succeeding in a Male-Dominated World appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

“Girls Inc. focuses on the development of the whole girl, so she is equipped to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent,” says Judy Vredenburgh, Girls Inc. President & CEO.

Girls are uniquely affected by poverty, issues of sexual exploitation, substance use, and teen pregnancy. 1 in 6 girls will not finish high school according to Girls Inc., but the organization is working to change that.

“Our groundbreaking, research-driven, and girl-informed programming is delivered by expert and professional staff who build long-term mentoring relationships in girl-only, pro-girl environments to ensure girls have the support and skills to succeed,” says Vredenburgh.

Girls receive comprehensive programming in healthy living, academic enrichment, and life skills instruction. Through a network of 81 affiliates in 400 cities and 1,400 sites across the U.S. and Canada, the organization delivers after-school programming for girls ages 6-18 in partnership with schools and at Girls Inc. centers. Girls Inc. also advocates for legislation and policies to increase opportunities for all girls.

Many affiliates do not charge for their services; some charge based on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size, but no girl may be turned away because her family cannot pay. Scholarship funds and other resources are available to make sure of that.

How You Can Help

Beginning today, March 8th, International Women’s Day, Girls Inc. will receive 100% of profits from the sales of the “most beautiful bar,” created by superfood snack company Health Warrior and beauty icon Bobbi Brown.

“I’ve always believed that strength is beauty, so the opportunity to partner with two organizations that represent my philosophy on both sides — inspiring confidence in girls, and living a healthy lifestyle — was very cool,” Brown tells HER Magazine.

Brown is a firm believer that there’s nothing you can’t do when you put your mind to it. The makeup artist, author and entrepreneur has been helping women feel confident in their own skin for years, and encourages women who want to pursue their dreams to find a great support system and take a leap of faith.

“If you don’t try, you will never know what could have been,” she says. “If you don’t succeed, you can always do something else.”

The naturally pink Dragon Fruit Chia Bar features chia seeds, which can promote smooth and glowing skin, hair growth, anti-aging, strong nails and cuticles, skin cell repair, heal skin inflammation, and fights acne.

The 25g Dragon Fruit Chia Bar has 1000 mg Omega-3s, 3g fiber, and only 5g of sugar.

“Health Warrior is one of my favorite healthy snacks, and I believe in the brand, the ingredients, and in doing all I can to help girls grow up strong, confident and empowered,” says Brown, creator of justBOBBI, a modern lifestyle platform for all things wellness, beauty, travel and more.

Health Warrior wants to make it easy for people to eat well. Their ingredients are 100% real, gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free. The company hopes to sell as many bars as possible during the next six months to support Girls Inc.

“Health Warrior’s mission is to inspire people to live healthier lives, because we believe that healthier and happier people will make the world a better place,” says Julia Wing-Larson, Health Warrior VP of Marketing. “Getting healthier means getting stronger physically and mentally, and Girls Inc. helps girls do both.”

The bars will be sold in boxes of 15 for $19.99 until they sell out online, and will make their way into select specialty retailers, women’s coworking spaces and fitness studios.

“Together, we will equip many more girls to boldly face challenges, resist peer pressure, be the first in their families to attend and graduate from college, and beat the odds,” Vredenburgh tells HER Magazine. “With this investment, girls know someone is in their corner; they are confident and ready for the future; they will do their part.”

Celebrate International Women’s Day with us: Support Girls Inc. by purchasing a box of beautiful bars here!

The post For International Women’s Day, Support Girls Inc. appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

“I have mastered the art of multitasking! Family is always first,” says Laus.

As a transformation specialist, she has successfully transformed over one hundred women, and also worked as the fitness consultant/trainer for the Edmonton Oilers Octane Cheerleaders.  

She has graced the cover of Health and Fitness, Muscle Memory magazine and has also appeared in television commercials for Nike.

Two years ago, Laus resigned from her 15-year career as a police officer to pursue her love of health and fitness.  What motivates her about fitness is the journey that it takes to get to the end result.

If you’re considering a change in careers or jobs, she says, you need to make sure you are making the decision for the right reason.

“If you decide to jump, just do it. You will find your wings along the way because there is no other way,” she says.

In Laus’ case, she became a fitness expert because she wanted to help people achieve happier and healthier lifestyles.

“I learned that you really can do anything you put your mind to. You have to hustle, and make it happen because no one is going to do it for you,” she says.

Laus owns Optimum Training Centre, a 6,000-square foot personal training facility in Toronto, Canada, and she understands that the key to success is being flexible so you can balance it all.

Her routine includes early morning workouts while her husband is home with the kids.  She starts her workouts at 5am so that she can get back home as her four boys are waking up for the day.

“I try to make myself as available as possible (within reason), and then rearrange priorities as needed,” she tells HER Magazine.  “I will use car rides to make phone calls, check emails while doing cardio, and work on my online clients’ programs while I am waiting for my kids at their activities.”

Have you read our spring issue yet?

How Fitness Became Her Outlet

Health and fitness has helped Laus overcome struggles she faced growing up.  When she was 14 years old she broke her silence about being sexually abused, something she had endured for seven years.

“It was an extremely traumatic and emotional time for the next couple of years. I experienced a lot of emotions (anger, sadness, guilt, hatred, etc.) and needed an outlet to channel those emotions properly,” she says.

She turned to kickboxing where she channeled anger and negativity into something positive.  The sport allowed her to step into a world where there was no bias, no judgment, and no hurt.

“It protected me by teaching me to not only be physically strong, but emotionally too. The gym walls became my sanctuary, my safe place. I was able to protect my inner self, as well as learn self-defense.”

This year, Laus will be starting intense training for a competitive fitness show in June, and she hopes to qualify for National and International shows.  She began competing in figure and bikini competitions in 2005, but has trained and competed at an amateur level in both boxing and kickboxing for over 18 years.

Laus is dedicated to clean eating, training and motivating other women.  She shares her tips on maintaining a healthy diet and how to balance workouts into your busy schedule on her blog, Instagram and YouTube channel.

“I love to pay forward all that I have learned to others so that if they are hurting, or going through a rough time, I can help them,” she says.

The post Changing Careers with Nichelle Laus: Fit, Happy, Healthy appeared first on HER Magazine ™.