Why not? Women, including those addicted to the outdoors, want to look good in their gear. And do it while showing off both their stamina and style in beautiful functional clothing. “A girl should be two things:classy and fabulous,” according to icon Coco Chanel.

No doubt you’ll find both in Krimson Klovers 2017 line of luxuriously chic sports fashion. So, get out and Live Boldly as the creatively patterned fashion knitwear line encourages. The lifestyle line goes beyond snow sports into a casual athleisure line that is bigger, bolder, younger, and still eco-friendly.

Seven years ago, Krimson’s key designer and founder, Rhonda Swenson, embraced her true inspiration in knits. Pairing a sweater obsession, a passion for luxury outdoor products and functional women’s style. Krimson Klover was launched, and she has not looked back. They’ve experienced steady annual growth, and a 40% increase over the past year alone.

HER magazine grabbed a few moments to pow wow with her and her team earlier this year at the 2017 Outdoor Retailers Winter Market. The Krimson booth was buzzing with retail buyers excited to see the new line and take in their dedication to the slow fashion movement.

“I’ve been buying Merino from the same company through three brands,” says Rhonda.

“With fifteen plus years working with these factories, I have a longstanding relationship with them. I’ve met the families and children, and vetted each location. There is trust in working with them.”

Supply chain integrity is key to Rhonda Swenson, and contributes to a global movement of wanting to embrace authenticity. Slow fashion has been a commitment, including knowing the origins of her product. Plus, she has dedicated ten percent of sales from both her ecommerce and retail outlets to different charities each month. Including Habitat for Humanity, Dignity U Wear, Pink Vail, Colorado Hands and Voices, First Descents and more.

According to Rhonda, “Giving back is truly what makes the world go around. It is a core value of our company, so we make it a priority.”

Rhonda has certainly had to overcome a big learning curve with her newest brand. Adding skirts and dresses to her knitwear line was no easy task, according to her. Luckily, she has the strong drive to get things done.

“I have this mentality to jump in with both feet and figure it out later.”

Rhonda says, “It’s sink or swim, and I’m not going to sink.” The true mark of an entrepreneur. She has created a dynamic team of women — her entire staff is female — she leads by example, gives back to communities and buys and sells with integrity. With 30 years in the industry, and three previous brands under her belt — Eir, Chompas & Neve — Rhonda is not a take “no” for an answer kind of gal.

More than ever women are refusing to have doors slammed in their face, accept the status quo, and are looking beyond slogans and clever memes to create their own business growth. Rhonda’s success and barrier breaking mentality fits this movement.

“Women tend not to take as many risks, and their fear keeps them from starting,” Rhonda muses.

To read the rest of our premium content, like this story – which is featured in the June issue of HER Magazine, download us in iTunes or Google Play. 

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The post Krimson Klover’s slow fashion movement appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

HER Magazine sat down with Aspling and talked about why she opened Balans and why it’s important to achieve mind/body balance.

HER Magazine: What is behind the meaning of the name Balans?

Marie Aspling: This is Swedish for balance and how I live my life.

HER: Part of your program is bringing the best in wellness from Sweden to the U.S. Was this something you grew up with, and part of your inspiration for Balans?

MA: Yes, absolutely. It was a big clash moving to the U.S. 12 years ago. There was a loss of balance, and also mindfulness.  This change inspired me to pursue this lifestyle, and educate people. 

HER: How does your background in biomedical sciences play into your preventive care programs?

MA: As a scientist I observed for a living, and now I study my clients and can follow them to see the change in their behavior and posture with the deepened connections. We’ve taken people off antidepressants and heart medication, so I know it can be done. I’m hungry for data, and now I track structural data with my clients. That’s how I started Balans.

It’s more than observing; it’s doing

MA: I focus on the visual component, and start with a postural assessment.

[Most people] don’t notice when their shoulders are up to their ears, or their back is rounded. I can show them with photos and tracking. I apply the theory of movement in everything from massage to daily life. When we re-assess they can see how they have improved. This is really what our deeper mission is, to empower individuals.

Making that important leap

HER: Was there a specific event in your life that propelled you from leaving your work in the scientific lab to launching a wellness center?

MA: The final switch came when I realized I wanted a bigger purpose, and my compassion needed to come out. I wanted to work with people. Then it just hit me drastically one day, and I walked into a health gym and applied for a job.

Eventually, in 2010, I founded Balans. I had built my massage clientele on the side, and integrated movement with those clients, and [the company] grew from there.

Aspling’s best advice

HER: For someone wanting to start a business, how do you suggest moving an idea or product forward?

MA:  I just naturally question everything, and drink up information, and realized if one way isn’t working there must be another way. So, I just jumped.

I knew I offered something no one else did. It doesn’t matter if you are selling cupcakes or some other product; it’s about what you know. I provide a service, and it is a valuable service

Stay true to yourself

MA: I don’t like the corporate mindset, or rules, or the fear-based behavior that comes with that, so going out to do it on my own, I could make my own rules and wanted to bring my clients into a less distracted place.

It was about letting them do what they needed. That was my strength, and people were attracted to that. [Balans] grew organically.

Delegation is important

MA:  I learned how to do things along the way, like build my website, design business cards. I didn’t want a partner because I didn’t want to lose control or change the concept. 

But, I also gave up a lot of responsibility, even in the beginning. Everyone on my team has keys and access the spa at all times, and we take care of it together. I didn’t want to be a burned out owner.

HER: Did you utilize advisory board members, mentors, or other women business groups to support your start for launching your business?

MA: I learn from everyone I meet, from the front desk girl to the highest-level client. Balans wasn’t created by any one individual. So this is something I look at every day.

HER: Marketing is always a big focus for business owners and entrepreneurs. Can you share some of the wins, and non-wins you’ve experienced in marketing your business?

MA: The non-wins are easy for me. Conventional marketing doesn’t work for me. I tried paper ads, and got maybe one return. For me, [the spa] is personal, and people need to touch and feel and experience our location, so it’s been word of mouth, and referrals. I don’t use Google ads and other stuff.

I just feel it’s important to be consistent, even if you only have $1000 a month. I’d rather give complimentary treatments to new clients and their friends as my marketing budget and get them to be loyal. Balans always has been and will be very personal. 

Focus on yourself

HER: Spas and the wellness industry are very competitive. What have been your biggest go-to resources for gaining a market share and staying on top of the industry?

MA: Yes, this industry is very competitive, and Boston didn’t need another spa, but our concept is so rare, I don’t feel we have any competitors. I don’t spend my time looking at competitors because I want to focus on my own growth. Others spas don’t compare to ours.

I do stay up to date on the competition, but the city is big enough for all of us, and I’m the only organic spa in the area. Clients will find a home, some here and some with other locations.

HER: If you don’t mind sharing with our audience your start up process, did you self-fund your project, or did you use outside resources, crowdfunding, investors, and anything else?

MA: I bootstrapped with my savings of about $16,000. When I started I was going through a divorce, and had my green card through my marriage, so I wasn’t even sure if I was going to be able to stay in the country. But I just did it.

Self-care is the key to work-life balance

HER: What do you do to keep your own wellness in balance?

MA: It’s about being mindful of the load and acting on it before it accumulates. A typical day for me starts at 5:30 a.m., but I don’t “turn on” until 8 a.m. No phone, no anything. I focus on what I’m doing, not multi-tasking.

HER: What do feel are some of the rewards of being an entrepreneur?

MA: That you can create what you want to create with no limitation, and you get to live and create your dream. This is real. You get to watch how it affects other people, both staff and clients, and the transformation and growth they have. I enjoy mentoring and being there for other people. That keeps me motivated. It’s hard work, but it’s also easy because these are things that come naturally to me.

Like what you’re reading? Access HER magazine’s monthly publication in iTunes or Google Play – it’s where we feature powerhouse women you can learn from and share exclusive content you won’t find here.

The post Organic immersion in Boston with Balans Wellness Center appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

A former marketing and design expert for large brands, Lisa represents the heart of a true entrepreneur. With Chewbeads growth she became largely self taught in navigating the ongoing design, production, marketing, and future of these hot selling mommy and me beads.

At HER Magazine we strive to provide powerful insights from those who have gone the entrepreneurial path, and share what we admire about top business owners. The entrepreneurial spirit is contagious, and humanity has an innate desire to create, so whether you are an artist or a business person you can take away a bit of knowledge from Chewbeads success, to take control of your own career. Let’s take a look at what our interview revealed.

HER: You spent years with J Crew, do you think your experience in that industry allowed you more insight into seeing this market gap for kids and pairing it with style?

Lisa Greenwald: Yes and no, it enabled me to do product development much better. I knew how to merchandise a line, do multiple colors, and think about pricing, wholesale versus retail, so it helped me start this business on my own.

I know what sells, what to look for in aesthetics, so this helped out. So I guess ultimately yes.

HER: Did this help with connections and knowing the manufacturing process when it came to launching chewbeads?

LG: Not really, I had to start from scratch. I knew what it was like to communicate with overseas vendors, and how to do business, as that is how it’s done these days. But I didn’t use the same connections and vendors, because it wasn’t apparel, so the differences were tremendous, this was something I reached on my own.

HER: How do you take a napkin idea to full blown production?

LG: It’s all about execution. It was really about detailing out what I wanted from vendors, getting samples, submitting them, getting new products and prototypes and find what you are happy with. There was a lot of R&D that went into testing to comply with safety standards.

We wanted to claim what it DOESN’T contain, lead, BB’s so there were several trails of samples and you end up with something you feel is saleable.

We started with one necklace in 14 colors, and pre sold to retailers, so we kept it one product until we had commitments from people, we needed proof of concept. We focused on what we believed, on what our core concepts were, don’t try to do everything. It’s way easier to tell your story with a targeted product and laser focus.

Read my full interview with Lisa Greenwald inside HER Magazine.

Access December’s issue by downloading our magazine in iTunes or Google Play

The post Teething Toddler to Mega Success appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Most of us have been taught that well behaved means being a quiet unassuming rule follower, with a sweet candy coating.

I consider myself a well behaved woman, you probably do too, but the ol’ depiction of sugar and spice and everything nice, just isn’t me. I’ve gotten a lot farther and had considerably more fun making my own rules, with no apologies for being a woman.

The definition of ‘behave’ is to — “conduct oneself in accordance with the accepted norms of a society or group.”

These accepted codes have become a dangerous deception of archaic thinking. You are the person who knows YOU better than anyone else and following other people’s rules may not get you as far as you think. It’s time to take the well-behaved woman to the next level. It’s time to live like a boss.

Why should you not be someone else’s definition of a well behaved woman? You may miss out on the ability to expose the real raw you.

Vulnerability is a level of strength many people don’t experience. It takes raw courage and wide open fearlessness to be vulnerable. A trait we are taught is just too risky. But I’ve learned that you can never know what is truly, indestructibly you without having been annihilated a few times. In that annihilation a phoenix rises with a force you cannot back away from, when you are shaken to your core, but have the choice to get up day after day, feeling bruised and broken, and still make your own way. This is the point when you say, I’m not afraid to be public and original, even if that means I fail first before I succeed. I’m raw and exposed and that makes me real.

Expected societal behavior crushes the unconventional.

Our work focused, beauty obsessed, material oriented culture adores the follower relationship. This fails women, moms, professionals and yes, men too. As a follower we are allowed to stop thinking independently as everything is fed to us. Most of the media’s profits come from helping us forget the truth that women are equal, powerful, and should not be easily crushed. Being “conventional” lacks originality and challenge. I say throw some misbehaving in there, we are women too multidimensional to fit any mold. So put on your highest, reddest, funkiest heels and start walking to your own avant-garde beat.

The incredibly attractive, desirable and passionate you may be hiding.

Are women well behaved if they enjoy their sexuality? What about if they make no apologies for what they wear, eat, drink, think or how they raise their families and make love? Yes, Yes, YES, I’m here to suggest that the definition of a well-behaved women needs some updating. In the 2015 version a woman can be well behaved and be outrageously outspoken, sexually passionate, and wildly successful at home and work. Intimacy and passion are mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. We should not be afraid to dare greatly or break claims that we have to be craved by the opposite sex to have a place in this world. Don’t hide your passionate and sexy side because of someone else’s definition of well behaved. If we hide, the deluge of internet sites or acts sanctioning behavior, invalidating women around the world will only thrive. If being upfront about your desires is misbehaving, I suggest you start immediately.

You may ignore your inherent skills to take risks and reach your goals.

Women have a natural intuition, I like to think — a glimpse of their future and the possibilities at hand. Keeping that intuitive skill under wraps may leave us cracked and dull, with little light left to shine through. Our light was meant to burst open our shadowed corners where our souls are waiting. Inherent instincts and skills can have consequences, but in this case they will be new levels of risk taking and goal reaching. Embrace those consequences and apply your intuition with reckless abandon. Because the real you will be there long after the naysayers have moved on.  

You’re letting the men have all the fun. Men misbehave in society all the time.

It’s often easily overlooked and accepted, even when that behavior leaves behind a wake of devastation. Those are boys, not men, and a well misbehaved woman knows when to let go of a boy so he can grow into a man. Especially the ones that tell us. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.” This isn’t to disempower men, we have our own power, and real men love competent women. It’s a reminder that living like a boss doesn’t mean reeking havoc on people’s lives, including your own. It’s not drama, or insecurity. Awful behavior isn’t “misbehaving” it’s just plain awful. Live with a fullness in life and keep it spicy, we can’t let the men have all the fun.

I’ve been told what to like, how to look and what I should do. Want to know where I’ve found the most happiness? In my own skin, doing what I’m comfortable with, in spite of the cool kids. Most of our lives we’ve been taught the virtues of behaving, now we’re revealing the importance of misbehaving.

To the women reading this today, start with finding one little element that confines you, one you are told defines you — and break it.

The post Breaking the Rules: Why Every Woman Should Do It appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

We snickered as our conversations collided.

Remember when we were nine and happiness was our imagination?

It was so real. Effortless. I contemplated happiness as we spoke. There’s something we’d seemed to have misplaced about it. Susana and I had shared life’s schoolings, dreams, adversities, accomplishments, and a little extra pleating around the eyes after a long night. Through it all, our spirits were still genuinely content.

But it delved deeper. When we are unhappy we question ourselves, our beliefs and others around us. The things that used to gratify our soul, no longer did. If you happen to live on planet Earth, you may be aware that life can be vicious at times. It affects us. How could it not? We’re human. Happiness is not an automatic right. It’s not a product meant to be bought, gotten, or taken.

I’ve seen people trade in their souls and abandon their closest family in search of happiness.

What had we gotten wrong about this?

Good ol’, in the flesh happiness is not a goal! It’s a by-product of living the the real you. It’s that certainty that we are scared to death of. Consequently, the more we put off living our life, the more we become incapable of living it.

I recollected my days in Spain. Spaniards seemed so easy going; they madly celebrated life. But it was a choice.

Here’s the thing that the unhappy us doesn’t realize. When we act from an affected, fake happy, people may keep smiling at us, talking to us, they might even say they agree with us. But deep inside, their opinion of us has changed.

Consider this: The top 5 things unhappy you is sick of hearing.

I don’t have the courage

Breathe in, fill your soul, and know that unhappy you, is lying!

I can’t let go, that person(s) hurt me!

Humans have complex psyches. We sometimes get hurt, and hurt each other. If you’ve been mistreated, pull that knife out of your back. You are not prey.

If I had what she had (does, earns, looks, etc) I would be happy.

Seriously? I’m going to remind you of what you already know. You are not her. You are wholly, perfectly you.

It’s too risky.

Hey you! Safe is the new risky. Leave behind what (or who) doesn’t work, and blossom.

I’ll do it later.

Umm, gloomy self. Let’s hope later, isn’t too late.

Those things you are betting your happiness on are an illusion. It’s time to change once and for all.

I was still distracted as I listened to Susana. Thinking of the effortlessness of a child’s fantasies so vivid they animate an entire group. They buy into a collective ‘vision’ feeding off each other’s happiness. I’m not speaking naively or suggest we revert to juvenility. I don’t live in a world of unicorns and butterflies. Make believe is investigating the possibilities of life. Have you ever been afraid of the dark? Funny, it’s not the darkened room that creates unease, but what we image is in it.

A million infinitesimal experiences have designed each of our marvelous twisted roots grounding us. We give courage to life by being the real us. The truth is heavy; that’s why so few people chose to carry it. I will not make the mistake of being wrong about happiness again. My ever enduring roots burrow deeper, unapologetically me, honoring life.

Finishing my omelet, I was at ease, knowing happiness is not a beautiful empty illusion. Happiness is out there blatantly trying to seduce us. It’s waiting. It’s patient. It treasures us. After all we are worth waiting for.

The post The Top 5 Things Unhappy You is Sick of Hearing appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

What was I doing here? Pushing my personal boundaries, my inner self replied. Being uncomfortable was comfortable to me, and this peak was a rite of passage not only for those in the Hoang Lien Son mountains, but from around the world.

A challenge was not going to stop me. Not on this mountain, and not in life. Pushing my physical body reminded me I was a mind with a body, not a body with a mind. I was in control, and I knew the many benefits of creating serious work-life balance. We need to take days off to reconnect with the outdoors, to offset the gut wrenching decisions we often make. It’s the beauty of a simple resolution.

For many of us, our constantly demanding lives are ruled by our workplace, and at times, our short and long term goals fall by the wayside and we feel like we have failed.

Guess what boss?! It’s time to give yourself a break. The new year is still fresh with hope and a promise of success, love, health, finances, family and yes, plenty of outdoor time.

There is no lack of extraordinary women, that includes you. Whether you are power suiting it to the top of the corporate ladder, have gone from selling lemonade to a seven figure website, or opened your first start up. You are a part of a tribe. Boundary crushers like Heather Anderson who set the speed record on the Appalachian Trail or Mayan Smith Gobat and Chantel Astorga who made history with the speed record scaling the Nose Route of El Capitan. These women took chances, made sacrifices, and didn’t wait for the perfect partner or perfect timing to break their own boundaries, they made a plan, and they accomplished it.

Don’t worry if you haven’t set foot in the outdoors since your high school prom. This is about what drives you to obtain your goals, and understand the reasons behind why you do, what you do.

Is it because the goal has importance? Or is it the act of obtaining the goal that’s important? Knowing this can help strategically drive your success.

Take charge of your work-life balance, whether it’s in the outdoors or in. Be the #bosslady that defines you, because the desire to reimagine the traditional workplace is very real, and women are driving it.

Be a Boss, Be Adventurous.

The post The Adventurous Boss Woman appeared first on HER Magazine ™.