We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!
Photo: Polina Zimmerman for Pexels
It’s safe to say that nothing feels normal right now. In the infamous words of Ross Geller, it’s time to “pivot” in both our personal and professional lives. As part of our Ask an Expert Instagram Live series, we’ve tapped some amazing women—spanning CEOs, lawyers, fitness instructors, and more—to help ease the transition for us all.
If you missed their conversations live, don’t worry. It’s not too late to catch them all on C&C’s IGTV. Below, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite segments for you to watch (or rewatch!). Spanning a conversation with a lawyer about force majeure clauses to a chat with a small biz owner on how to unite a remote team, there’s something on this list for everyone.
We’re all spending the better part of our days on Instagram, so we might as well spend that time learning something, right? Scroll on to get started.
“Have the difficult conversations—don’t avoid them.”
—Jamie Lieberman, attorney and founder of Hashtag Legal
If You Want To... understand what COVID-19 means for your contracts.
Watch... How to Review a Contract for a Force Majeure Clause (and What to Do If You Don’t Have One)
What You'll Take Away... Most of us ignore the force majeure clause in our contracts, but they are super important in a time like this. Jamie Lieberman, attorney and founder of Hashtag Legal, talks us through what it means when it is impossible to carry out contracts in place. Can I cancel? Can I postpone? Do I have to give my client their money back? Jamie is here to answer all these questions and more. If you’re not exactly Elle Woods and you need a little legal advice, this is a must watch!
“Fear is something that you have to embrace as an entrepreneur.”
—Cyndi Ramirez, founder and CEO, Chillhouse
If You Want To... chill out!
Watch... How to Stay Chill During a Stressful Time
What You'll Take Away... It is stressful to be a business owner right now. Cyndi Ramirez, the founder and CEO of Chillhouse, walks us through the ways that COVID-19 has effected her business and how her self care centric business is staying afloat. Cyndi is #relatable for anyone struggling to find their place in the middle of a crisis. Watch to see the ways she is pivoting, embracing fear, and supporting businesses doing the right thing.
“Regardless of how talented you are, if someone can’t look at your resume and see how you’d be a good fit for the role, your resume is not going to be effective.”
—Michelle Lando, certified professional resume writer, personal branding expert, and founder of Write Styles
If You Want To... spend your downtime updating your resume.
Watch... How to Update Your Resume and Find a Job When You've Been Laid Off
What You'll Take Away... If you’ve been laid off, there are still things you can be doing to make yourself hirable. Michelle Lando, a certified professional resume writer, personal branding expert, and the founder of Write Styles, joins us to share all the ways you can be using your time off to expand your resume and find a job. Michelle recommends using this time to learn new software, get new certifications, take on small projects to show off your skills, and tailor your resume to your dream job. Take a look at all the tips on how to make the most of your time off.
“Know that, when you are feeling anxious, the anxiety will end. It’s okay to be uncomfortable right now.”
—Lo Bosworth, founder & CEO, Love Wellness
If You Want To... ditch your anxiety.
Watch... How to Take Care of Yourself and Reduce Anxiety
What You'll Take Away... Anxiety is at an all-time high right now as we face an unprecedented change in our lives, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do about it. Lo Bosworth, the founder and CEO of Love Wellness, walks us through her best self-care tips and ways to calm anxiety. Lo recommends sticking to a schedule, meditating, moving your body, and, above all, leaning into the anxiety and acknowledging and accepting your feelings. “Don’t be afraid to help yourself,” by watching for more tips from this wellness expert!
“What I would encourage you all to be thinking about, more than thinking about growth right now, is sustainability.”
—Gretchen Jones, strategic business advisor and keynote speaker
If You Want To... carry your business through this crisis.
Watch... How to Understand the Needs of Your Business During a Crisis
What You'll Take Away... This is anything but business as usual, but we aren’t throwing our goals out the window. We hear from Create & Cultivate founder and CEO Jaclyn Johnson’s business coach, Gretchen Jones on how we can adjust our business strategies in this crazy time. She talks through lay-offs, sustaining your business, budgeting, and being a good virtual boss. If you’re trying to keep your business afloat and adjusting to a new economic reality, DO NOT skip this must-watch IG Live.
“Think back to when fun was your number one boss, your number one motivation.”
—Grace Harry, joy strategist
If You Want To... find joy in isolation!
Watch... How to Discover Joy in Turbulent Times
What You'll Take Away... It may feel like the world is lacking joy, but that is far from the truth. While joy may not look the way it used to, Grace Harry, a joy strategist, joins us to share all the ways you can find joy while stuck inside. Whether you want to shake out the “sillys,” think back to your favorite childhood activities, or turn your house into an adult playground, joy is everywhere. Time to tap into the collective experience we are all having and bring on the joy!
“If necessity is the mother of invention, then COVID-19 is the mother of creativity.”
—Cindy Eckert, founder & CEO, The Pink Ceiling
If You Want To... use downtime as dream-time.
Watch... How to Be Innovative in a Time of Isolation
What You'll Take Away... We’re stuck at home, and as tempting as Netflix may be, we are using our downtime to dream big! Cindy Eckert, the founder and CEO of The Pink Ceiling, is sharing her tips for getting innovative. Whether you’re problem-solving for your business or trying to develop your skills, an hour a day of “creative time” is the number thing Cindy recommends for isolation time. Make time for yourself, your ideas, and to watch this video!
“Let’s get our bodies moving, let’s feel good together.”
—Megan Roup, celebrity trainer & founder of The Sculpt Society
If You Want To... have a lunch break sweat sesh from your living room.
Watch... 30-Minute Live Stretch and Sculpt Session with Megan Roup
What You'll Take Away... Fitness is more important than ever these days. Not just because we can’t stop snacking, but because movement is self-care. Megan Roup, a celebrity trainer and the founder of The Sculpt Society, brings us a quick work out that everyone can do from home. Put the computer down for 30 minutes and refresh your mind and body.
“Make sure you’re giving your audience and customers only what they want.”
—Vanessa Lee, cosmetic nurse, skincare specialist, and founder of The Things We Do
If You Want To... make use of digital and master the pivot.
Watch... How to Jump on Digital Even If Your Business Isn't Online
What You'll Take Away... Pivot is THE hot topic for business owners right now. Businesses everywhere are trying to figure out how to stay connected and make money as our routines have shifted. Vanessa Lee, a cosmetic nurse, skincare specialist, and the founder of The Things We Do, is sharing her quick shift to digital and tips on how to make it all work. Its time to get creative people! Whether it’s online consults, extra social media content, or offering new services, the pivot is essential.
“Being positive and optimistic yourself is really important. You set the bar. Even if you are freaking the eff out on the inside, you need to be as cool, calm, and collected as you can for your team.”
—Sonja Rasula, founder, Unique Markets
If You Want To... connect with your team and be the leader they deserve.
Watch... How to Unite a Remote Team
What You'll Take Away... Isolation can be really, well, isolating. But socializing at work and feeling like a part of the team is essential to WFH productivity. Sonja Rasula, Founder, Unique Markets, shares her tricks for staying connected and spreading positivity in our new digital workplace. It’s time to start a Slack channel for water-cooler talk, remind your employees that you too are a human, and avoid freaking the eff out!
“Use your values to determine what expenses are important, protect your company culture, and trim where you can without hurting your core business.”
—Sallie Krawcheck, CEO & co-founder, Ellevest
If You Want To… be wise with your $.
Watch… How to Make Smart Money Moves During COVID-19
What You’ll Take Away… For small business owners, money matters are stressful on even the best days, but now the pressure is on more than ever. If you’re feeling paralyzed, Sallie Krawcheck, the CEO and co-founder of Ellevest, is here to be your guide through this turbulent economy. Her first tip: control what you can control and stop thinking ‘what if?” Watch on as she breaks down budgeting, layoffs, and why you need to keep your eye on D.C. right now.
About The Author: Cassie White is an editorial intern at Create & Cultivate. She's a senior at Chapman University majoring in Marketing and minoring in Leadership. Cassie is from Denver, Colorado and is excited to be pursuing her passion for supporting women in business.
Missed out on Gina Bianchini’s incredible session from our Offsite? No worries! We’re sharing her insights on building a thriving community that feels like a real network, not just an audience.