4 Ways to Grow Your Personal Brand to Achieve Your Goals

4 Ways to Grow Your Personal Brand to Achieve Your Goals

Career, Career Growth, , , ,

From growing your business to getting a raise, achieving your career goals is closely tied to demonstrating the value you provide. Notice I said demonstrating. Remember a time when you brought a tremendous amount of unnoticed value to the table? Sometimes our bosses or clients don’t realize what our strengths are because, well, we’re not demonstrating them. Enter: personal branding. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the value you give by becoming known for the solutions you provide to your company’s or clients’ problems, in your own unique way. 

Simply put, people need to know what to come to you for. 

When I was transitioning from a career in local television to entrepreneurship, I took a lot of pride in being a “Jill of all trades.” I wore hats ranging from editor to videographer to writer to anchor. So when it came to wearing my latest hat of entrepreneur, I initially thought I could help companies with all. the. things.

The problem? I got lost in a sea of bios. 

People aren’t looking to you for a solution to a wide range of problems. They’re looking to you for a solution for a specific problem. When you demonstrate this, you’ll attract the people looking for your unique solution to their specific problem. 

Here are my four tips to create a personal brand to help you achieve your goals:

1.Know what problem you solve. 

If you’re in HR, you might help your company fill resource gaps. If you’re a copywriter, you might help a confusing or unknown message become clear. If you’re a nutritionist, you might help someone with dietary restrictions discover the right food plan.  

Whatever your role is, ask yourself: what problem do I solve?

2) Know who you solve this problem for.

As Marie Forleo says: “If you’re tawkin’ to everybody, you’re tawkin’ to nobody.” 

The influencers, music, TV shows and brands we love did not become lovable to us because they tried being lovable to everyone. They’re lovable to us because they catered to a specific target audience, which we likely fall within. 

2. Who is your target audience?

Get really specific. Using a nutritionist as an example, it’s much more powerful to have a niche as “a nutritionist for pregnant women” versus “a nutritionist for women.” Women, in general, have a wide range of nutritional needs, whereas pregnant women have more specific nutritional needs. And again, the more you can have a solution to a specific problem, the more you’ll attract the person or company with that specific problem. 

3) Know what unique solution you provide.

Now that you know what problem you solve, and who you solve it for, let’s talk about how you’re solving that problem. Let’s go back to the nutritionist. Any nutritionist can likely make a recommendation of what to eat. So what makes your solution unique? 

Think in terms of results. What result do you get your company or client? And how do you get them that result?

For example, a nutritionist for pregnant women might get their clients the result of: reduced morning sickness by providing recipes with nausea-reducing ingredients. 

4) Share your message. 

Having the clarity of what problem you solve, for who and how is especially powerful when you share it with others. You can think of this formula as your elevator pitch. It can be your answer to “what do you do?” And it can be your opening line in your bio. 

If you want to amplify your message even more, start posting about your expertise on social media. You could share industry articles, tips or insights into trends, for example. 

Thanks to the internet, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our value to help us achieve our goals. 

Going back to my story, once I went from a “Jill of all trades” to someone who helps female entrepreneurs amplify their message digitally, I started to achieve my goal of helping clients achieve theirs. 

I’d love for you to join my community on Instagram! Simply follow @empowerista and use #empowerista to give and receive support of fellow ambitious women. 

Here are more career and personal finance topics for you…

When Is The Right Time to Invest? (Good Question)  

The One Money-Habit All Wildly Successful Women Share

The News Podcast Every Working Woman Should Listen To

Questions? We’re here to help. Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!

Disclosures: We’re excited to be working with the team at Ellevest to start this conversation about women and money. We may receive compensation if you become an Ellevest client. 

Here’s What History Could Have Looked Like with More Women

Money, , , , ,

We spend a lot of time thinking about what gender equality could do for our future. But have you ever stopped to think what it could have done for the past?

This Women’s History Month, Ellevest is thinking about what could have happened if more women had been in power during key moments in history.  The history we’re writing now, today, can be better than the one of the past. Because what’s good for women is good for everyone; when women thrive, we all thrive.

Let’s do it for our families. For our kids. For the economy. For the environment.  And for the whole damn world.

Here’s What History Could Have Looked Like with More Women

Here are more money topics for you…

The One Money-Habit All Wildly Successful Women Share

The Personal Finance Tips Everyone In Their 20s Should Follow

The Money Advice Every College Grad Needs to Hear

Questions? We’re here to help. Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!

Disclosures: We’re excited to be working with the team at Ellevest to start this conversation about women and money. We may receive compensation if you become an Ellevest client.

Skimm This: The Daily News Podcast Every Working Woman Should Listen To

Skimm This: The Daily News Podcast Every Working Woman Should Listen To

Career, Career Growth, Productivity, , , , , , , , ,

Everyday life is jam-packed. Between work, personal life, side-hustling and pursuing personal interests, there’s a limited amount of time to read about current events. Social media has become a main news source, but with “fake” or even just biased news being forced into our news feeds, it can be challenging to scroll through the fluff and get down to the brass tacks.

While it can be hard to find the time to read the news every day, it is certainly important. Have you ever had that moment? I think we all have. That moment when your colleague, acquaintance, or family member wants to discuss what’s happening in the world, and you have no context?

If you’re one of the 7 million people who read the theSkimm, you know this news source breaks down the day’s key stories in a digestible yet smart format. That’s why I was so excited to find out about The Skimm’s newest podcast, Skimm This.

In a quick and easy 10 minutes, Skimm This not only talks the day’s top stories from around the world, but also goes into why it matters.

After listening to Skimm This during its’ debut week, I’ve officially become a devoted listener.

Scroll through for 3 reasons why Skimm This is all that.

1. You can multitask while listening to it.

I have a routine every morning. I wake up, work out, shower, and drink my coffee while I finish getting ready. This precious time is when I listen to my favorite podcasts. Now that Skimm This has launched, I can learn about the day’s top stories, explained, all while doing my hair and makeup. Talk about convenient.

2. You’ll have a conversation starter.

Stuck in a quiet elevator ride with a coworker you don’t know that well? Talking about current events can be a sound way to ease the awkwardness. Who knows, you might even make a new friend.

3. Each episode is packed with the most important stories of the day, all in 10 minutes.

It’s so easy to find a 10 minute block in your day, and even easier when you can listen while driving, working, or making breakfast. Who wouldn’t want to be in the know, especially when it’s so easy.

Don’t just take our word for it, try it for yourself!  Listen to “Skimm This” at 5pm EST every weekday. 

Next up, check out the one money-habit all wildly successful women share.

8 Money Myths We All Need to Stop Believing

The 8 Biggest Investment Myths That Cost Women Millions

Budgeting, Debt, Investing, Money, Saving, Saving for Retirement, Taxes, , ,

The best time to invest your money? Yesterday.

But, unfortunately there’s been an unspoken myth for decades that the investment world is meant for men. While the thought of investing can be somewhat of a daunting task, it doesn’t mean women can’t master the skill. In fact, the data shows women are actually superior investors.

And since research shows that at some point in their lives, 90 percent of women will be single, divorced or widowed, meaning they will be entirely responsible for their finances,  investing is a skill every woman should possess.

Because every single day you wait could cost Future You about $100. That’s like having $4 deducted from your bank account every single hour of every single day. Um, no, thank you.

You can thank two things for this.  First, despite what you hear on the media, the market has historically trended upward over the long term. (That’s fact) And second, the power of compounding.

If you’re a first time investor in your 20s, 30s, or even 40s, and you haven’t started investing yet, today is the best time to start. And trust us – It’s not as confusing as the bankers and economists make it out to be. In fact, you can sign up with Ellevest, the tech-enabled investment and planning company built by, for, and with women, in under 10 minutes and with no minimum.

To make sure you don’t fall victim to any old myths about women and money, we sat down with Ellevest co-founder and CEO, Sallie Krawcheck, to talk to us about a number of common misconceptions and why they’re simply not true.

Myth 1: Women aren’t that interested in investing.

Quite the generalization. Every woman has different interests; some are curious about investing and some are not. However, by and large, women are just as interested in investing as men are. In fact, according to Financial Advisor magazine and reported in Barron’s, 45% of women respondents indicated that they are interested in investing – and that’s a pretty big number. Perhaps women are just a little less vocal about their interest in investing?

Myth 2: Women are not “as good at numbers” – and math-like things – as men.

According to the American Psychological Association, girls make higher grades than boys in all school subjects, including math. What is, unfortunately, true about this myth is that women tend to believe the lie. According to AP Central, 45% of respondents adhere to the stereotype and report that men are “better at math” than women and less than 1% report that women are better than men. It’s 2018, and time to ditch this myth.

Myth 3: Men are better investors than women.

While men may tend to invest more than women, women are just as good or better investors than men at both the professional and individual level. CNN Money reports that female investors outperformed male investors by .03% last year. Over time, that percentage begins to build up. Need any more proof that anything men can do women can do better?

Myth 4: Women need more financial education before they can invest.

Regardless of gender, knowledge is power. However, women think that they need more education than men do which means that men are more likely to invest than women when they are equally educated on the subject.

Myth 5: Women need more hand-holding to invest.

This is one of the most hurtful myths out there about women and investing! In case you haven’t heard, women are becoming empowered more and more every day, and we certainly don’t need any hand-holding when it comes to investing – we can do it ourselves (with the help of Ellevest of course).

Myth 6: Women are too risk-averse to invest.

It is true that women do take in to account more risk than men, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing when it comes to investing and it shouldn’t deter a woman away from it. In fact, women’s risk awareness keeps us from making impulsive mistakes that men seem to make. CNN Money notes that men “have a bad tendency to buy and sell stocks too often” whereas “women are doing better than men and with a lot less risk.” Being risk-averse pays off, quite literally.

Myth 7: Women need an in-person relationship to invest.

Some women may be more confident meeting in-person with advisers before investing. However, the same could be said for men. What’s more is that women are starting to gain confidence in investing online because of women-focused programs like Ellevest. They are able to explore financial options in the privacy and comfort of their own home – at a more affordable cost, too!

Myth 8: The real issue is the gender pay gap.

The gender pay gap is a real problem that needs a real solution. However, the pay gap should be the driving force behind more women seeking to invest. Because we are earning less than men, we should be taking advantage of every penny by starting to invest right away, building compound interest through a diverse portfolio, and starting to make back some of the money we’re not earning from the gap.

If money is power, then it’s time for women to wake up and realize the true potential they hold in this world. The numbers and research already disprove the myths and it’s time to put it into action by creating a diversified investment portfolio.

Ready to get started investing? 

Invest Like a Woman - Open an account with Ellevest
PHOTO: Ellevest PHOTO: Ellevest
Natalie Yco How One Woman Overcame Obstacles And Reinvented Her Career

Natalie Yco: How One Woman Turned Setback Into Success

Career, Career Growth, Fitness, Health, Wellness, ,

On the most basic level, the secret to success might be the characteristics that are easy to point out, like next-level leadership skills or quicks smarts, and unmatched confidence. However, a growing number of successful women give credit to a less-talked-about quality: resilience. This is a learned skill that you adapt when you’re faced with adversity and setback.

“You are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. Like a muscle, you can build it up, draw on it when you need it. In that process you will figure out who you really are—and you just might become the very best version of yourself.” This was the advice Lean In author Sheryl Sandberg offered to graduating students at the University of California, Berkeley in a stirring commencement speech on Saturday (May 14).  Approach the strong women you admire and ask them how they learned resilience, and you’ll be surprised by their stories. We certainly were when we posed the question to Natalie Yco who is an award-winning group fitness instructor at Equinox and founder of YCO Active, a lifestyle clothing brand for women who aren’t afraid to be bold.

Can you start a business with no prior knowledge of the industry? “Absolutely!” Natalie tell us. For as long as Natalie can remember, she had battled asthma, and what some would see as a setback, Natalie saw as an opportunity. She quickly turned this setback into a successful career.

We sat down with Natalie to hear her honest story of how she became a leading fitness instructor and fashion entrepreneur. One thing is for sure, setback and failure are inevitable, and it’s what you do next that really counts.

We sat down with Natalie to learn more about her professional experiences and to discover what it takes to chase a dream.

Tell us about your background

“I was raised in a single parent household by the strongest spirited woman I know. My mother survived the Holocaust, raised a black child on her own and has been in remission from cancer for several years now. She is a tough 93-year-old woman, and she continues to inspire me every day.

I grew up with asthma, which made it tough for me to participate in sports. I didn’t have any athletic role models, but something inside of me wanted to pursue fitness. I tried joining my school teams, but every time I had to perform cardio drills, I had an asthma attack, so I quit. I was strong, however. I received the presidential fitness award, which I was so proud of, but anything that requires cardiovascular endurance was my kryptonite.

As luck would have it, I was introduced to weight lifting when I was 19, and immediately fell in love! Lifting gave me the confidence to dive into the fitness world. Several years later, a friend took me to a Tae Kwon Do studio, and I was so intrigued. I started taking classes and fell in love all over again. I didn’t expect to be good at it, and I felt empowered –– like a superhero! Around a year later, my instructor asked me to help him launch a kickboxing program. Who knew I could teach group fitness!

I received a BS degree in Sports Management from San Jose State University, but my path led me in the direction of encouraging others to incorporate fitness into their lives. At the age of 50, I feel blessed to have been introduced to this world.”

Yco Active Candace Moto
Yco Active Candace Moto Yco Active Candace Moto
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What have been your biggest challenges in your career and why?

“My business partner, Rachel Chavez, and I started YCO Active not knowing anything about the fashion industry. We were absolutely clueless, and we took advice from the wrong people. We made so many mistakes. However, we are soon to launch our second collection, and though it’s still not a smooth ride, we’re making every effort to learn from our previous setbacks so as not to repeat them. One of our strategies to avoid complications is to continue to learn as much as we can. We’re also very hands-on with the entire process. If something doesn’t go right, we want to know exactly what happened and why. If we aren’t involved, then we have no control, and that would be our fault. We’re so pleased with our new team.”

Yco Active Joan Of Arc Hoodie Top Sports Shirt
Yco Active Joan Of Arc Hoodie Top Sports Shirt Yco Active Joan Of Arc Hoodie Top Sports Shirt
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What is your passion?

“My passion is fitness and fashion. I’ve always represented other brands as an ambassador or master trainer, but for so many years I dreamt of having my own activewear brand one day. It makes me feel so happy when I see students wearing something I designed. Plus, combining two of my favorite passions just seems so fulfilling.”

Yco Active Lagertha Long Sleeve Sports Hoodie
Yco Active Lagertha Long Sleeve Sports Hoodie Yco Active Lagertha Long Sleeve Sports Hoodie
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How did you tie your passions to your current career path?

“The way I tied my passions to my current path is still in the becoming stages. We’re a new business, and I have so many ideas that I want to make a reality, which combines my love for fitness, fashion and helping others. I try really hard not to think about the future, focusing instead on what we have to accomplish right here and now. Otherwise, I drive myself crazy.”

Yco Active Josefa Legging Stretch Sports Pants
Yco Active Josefa Legging Stretch Sports Pants Yco Active Josefa Legging Stretch Sports Pants
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What triggered the desire to create your own clothing brand?

“I desired workout clothes that I wanted to wear, which triggered it all. I started writing notes about my ideas eight years ago. I liked what other brands were producing, but it was a lot more different than it is now. These days, there are so many amazing brands that have the aesthetic I would’ve loved back then. We want to be among those big brands and to compete not only in style but in functionality as well.”

Yco Active BOUDICA Bra Durable ABORBENT Sports
Yco Active BOUDICA Bra Durable ABORBENT Sports Yco Active BOUDICA Bra Durable ABORBENT Sports
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A key element of success is forging strong professional relationships. What practice do you use to cultivate them with your colleagues?

“Being new in business, I feel it’s so important to learn from others that are more experienced. I have no problem letting people know that I need their expert insight. I believe that when people understand that they may have the necessary knowledge to help someone be better, it makes them feel important and special. And they are.”

Yco Active Irma Long Sleeve Stretch Mesh Sports Top
Yco Active Irma Long Sleeve Stretch Mesh Sports Top Yco Active Irma Long Sleeve Stretch Mesh Sports Top
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What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

“The best career advice I ever received was to treat every day as a Monday and to stick it. As long as you have a passion for what you’re doing, keep going! I’m learning that we aren’t the only small business dealing with growing pains. It helps to learn that others, who have either succeeded or are a few years ahead of us, share the same experiences we have.”

Yco Active Burkina Bra Adjustable Straps Durable Absorbent UV Protection Sports
Yco Active Burkina Bra Adjustable Straps Durable Absorbent UV Protection Sports Yco Active Burkina Bra Adjustable Straps Durable Absorbent UV Protection Sports
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Next up, find out why castor oil may be even healthier for you thank you think.

Is Now a Good Time to Invest

When Is The Right Time to Invest? (Good Question)

Budgeting, Debt, Investing, Money, Saving, Saving for Retirement, Taxes, , , , , ,

“Is it a good time to invest?” Good question.  Here’s the short answer from Sallie Krawcheck and our friends over Ellevest: “Yes … but yesterday probably would have been even better.”

Why?

Because every single day you wait could cost Future You about $100. (Mhmmm). That’s like having $4 deducted from your bank account every single hour of every single day. Um, no, thank you. (Here’s how they calculated that.)

You can thank two things for this.  First, despite what you hear on the media, the market has historically trended upward over the long term. (That’s fact) And second, the power of compounding.

Compounding is what happens when your investments earn money, and then that money earns you even more money. And so on. And so on.

Take this example:

feb_article_compounding_returns_infographic-05
PHOTO: Ellevest

All that being said,  historically, the most successful approach to investing has been to tune out all the noise in the media and what you hear about predictions and “hot stocks”. Instead, invest consistently, a bit out of every paycheck, with an eye on the long term.

Why this is especially important for us women

ICYMI,  there’s a big gender investing gap. Women retire with two-thirds as much money as men even though we  live an average of 6–8 years longer. so, why do we have less money? There are a lot of reasons why, including the gender pay gap, and the fact that women take more  frequent career breaks. (BTW, Ellevest’s platform takes these things into account.)

It’s not cool. And it’s not fair. But it’s the reality of the situation. And it means we have to start investing – like now – like yesterday.

If you’re a first time investor in your 20s, 30s, or even 40s, and you haven’t started, today is the best time to start.

And, contrary to popular belief, you can start investing before you have a lot of money. Seriously—with a robo-advisor like Ellevest, you can start with $1, $5, or $500 … all good.  Making a few small, smart investments (like taking advantage of a 401(k) employer match) can have a big impact over time.

Ready to open your investing account? Follow the link below and you’ll be taken to Ellevest for more information

⇒ Get Started Investing With Ellevest
Invest Like a Woman - Open an account with Ellevest
PHOTO: Ellevest

Bottom Line

It can be fun spending money. It can be even more fun watching your savings grow. You’ll thank us later.

Here are more money topics for you…

The One Money-Habit All Wildly Successful Women Share

The News Podcast Every Working Woman Should Listen To

How Women Can Get What They Want in a Negotiation

Disclosures: We’re excited to be working with Ellevest to start this conversation about women and money. We receive compensation if you become an Ellevest client.

Questions? We’re here to help. Leave us a comment and we’ll get back to you!

15 Inspiring Quotes To Celebrate International Women's Day

15 Inspiring Quotes To Celebrate International Women’s Day

Career, Discover, , , , , , , ,

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women across the globe,  and this year’s theme is #BalanceForBetter.

To help get you thinking about what it means to be a woman, FTD has rounded up 100 inspirational quotes from total icons like Audrey Hepburn, Beyonce, Malala Yousafzai and more.

Once you’re finished reading through these quotes, download the gorgeous (and free) wallpapers for your desktop or iPhone – every time you turn on your device, you’ll be met with words of encouragement from other women who have your back.  

In honor of this important day, FTD compiled 100 inspirational quotes from icons like Audrey Hepburn, Beyonce, Malala Yousafzai, that will not only empower you, but they will also provide a metaphorical torch to light the way. Keep scrolling for 15 of our favorite quotes to celebrate the special day. Plus, since quotes brings out the motivating within, we designed a reading list of the best motivational books to get you through every mood and life event you find yourself in.

1. “Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.” – Oprah Winfrey
There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce
There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce There Are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce 14.95
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2. “A woman is like a tea bag — you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
3. “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” – Rachel Zoe
A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts
A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts 27.99
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4. “The challenge is not to be perfect…it’s to be whole.” – Jane Fonda
5. “I need to listen well so that I hear what is not said.” – Thuli Madonsela
BIRTHRIGHT: 5 SECRETS TO RECLAIM THE POWER OF YOU
BIRTHRIGHT: 5 SECRETS TO RECLAIM THE POWER OF YOU 19.99
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6. “I try to live in a little bit of my own joy and not let people steal it or take it.” – Hoda Kotb
7. “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” – Madeleine Albright
Please select product.
8. “I firmly believe you never should spend your time being the former anything.” – Condoleezza Rice
9. “A good compromise is one where everybody makes a contribution.” – Angela Merkel
Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change
Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change 28
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10. “You can’t please everyone, and you can’t make everyone like you.” – Katie Couric
11. “When I’m hungry, I eat. When I’m thirsty, I drink. When I feel like saying something, I say it.” – Madonna
Becoming
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12. “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.” – Brené Brown
13. “If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior
Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior 16
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14. “Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.” – Charlotte Whitton
15. “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” – Simone de Beauvoir
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up)
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up) 14.99
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Next, take a look at more inspiring books to apply to your life next year.

How Smart Businesswomen Dress For Success

Office, Outfits, Trends, , , , , , ,

Part of being a leader is also dressing the part – not an easy feat for everyone. Classic suits are always great, but sometimes the dress code calls for business casual. So, what do you do? Answer: add some personality.

After all, the right outfit can inspire you to be stand up taller, speak more confidently, and be more bold in your day-to-day.So, when it comes to dressing for work in 2019, we challenge you to try something new that will make your work wardrobe more empowering. Let’s get started. Here’s how smart, savvy business businesswomen dress success.

Keep reading to see the outfit tips that will make your business wardrobe more powerful.

SECRET 1: TRY LEATHER PANTS

A Love is Blind PHOTO: Sandra Semburg

Spice up your work wardrobe by swapping your black wool leggings for a pair of sleek faux leather leggings. Emmanuelle rocks the look with a pink sweater, and sleek, black pumps.

Shop our picks for the season’s best leather pants!

SECRET 2: INVEST IN A CLASSIC BLACK BLAZER

PHOTO: Sandra Semburg

Speaking of black — we love a bold black blazer and skinny ankle pants combo. Don’t forget some black pumps.

SECRET 3: DRESS IT UP WITH BLACK PUMPS

PHOTO: Sandra Semburg

A girl can never have too many black pumps. Powerful in their simplicity, a pair of black pumps will add polish to the most casual workwear outfit. So, whether you’re at the office or running between meetings, a pair of black pumps is always a chic choice that works well with everything from tailored suiting to skirts.

Shop our picks for the season’s hottest pumps!

SECRET 4: WEAR STATEMENT JEWELRY

Sandra Semburg Paris Fashion Week September 2011, necklace

Accessories are your way of telling someone who you are without saying a word. If it’s your day to be bold, we ask that you throw on a statement necklace or earrings with your work outfit. Believe us, your coworkers will feel your confidence.

Shop our picks for standout accessories!

SECRET 5: DRESS IN SUITING MATERIAL

Sandra Semburg

A blouse or a dress made of classic suiting fabric will make you feel strong and feminine—all at once. Wear to the office with a blazer and close-toed flats, switching to heels for dinner. You can also spin a date night dress to the office by pairing it with a long-sleeved shirt underneath. Either way, blouses and tops made of suiting material will make a timeless addition to your wardrobe.

Shop our picks of the best blouses from Equipment!

SECRET 6: WEAR ANKLE BOOTS

Ankle boots are timeless. Perfect for every day, we love them styled with cropped slacks or wide-leg pants.

Here are our favorite ankle boots this season!

SECRET 7: EMBRACE PRINTS

Sandra Semburg

If you’re looking for a go-to workwear formula, you can always rely on a DVF-printed wrap dress. The flattering wrap design elegantly nips in your waist. We love them style with classic pumps.

Shop the The Wrap Dress (AKA the dress that will never go out of style)!

What items make you feel powerful at work? Sound off below!

If You Save $500 a Month, Here's How Much Money You'll Have in Retirement

How Saving $15 A Day Can Make You A Millionaire

Budgeting, Debt, Investing, Money, Saving, Saving for Retirement, , , ,

There are a million “excuses” to put off investing for retirement. You aren’t sure if you know enough to get started. Retirement feels a hundred years away. You’re expecting a raise. You don’t want to “lose it all.”

But, the truth is waiting to invest can cost you big time. Even if you’re decades away from retirement, financial experts recommend that you start saving, and investing those savings, as early as you can. That’s because, the earlier you start investing, the more time your money has to work for you and grow.

Compound interest allows any interest earned to then accrue interest on itself so, over time, a small amount of money invested earlier will earn more than a large amount of money invested later. This is why the right time to take your money out of the bank and invest is almost always “now,” so that the power of compounding can begin to work its “magic.”

To put this idea into context, CNBC recently published a piece about how much you would have by retirement if you put away $500 a month (that’s $15-17 a day) starting at various stages of your life.

Here’s the breakdown of much you’d have by age 67 if you put away $500 a month starting at various ages.

If you start saving at age 25

With a 4 percent rate of return: $628,918
With a 6 percent rate of return: $1,055,703
With an 8 percent rate of return: $1,825,461

If you start saving at age 30

With a 4 percent rate of return: $490,213
With a 6 percent rate of return: $763,609
With an 8 percent rate of return: $1,218,422

If you start saving at age 40

With a 4 percent rate of return: $282,505
With a 6 percent rate of return: $382,235
With an 8 percent rate of return: $524,105

If you start saving at age 50

With a 4 percent rate of return: $142,185
With a 6 percent rate of return: $169,277
With an 8 percent rate of return: $202,501

Try out CNN’s helpful calculator here.

When I saw these numbers, I  just about fell out of my chair (and finally increased my allocation in my personal retirement account). As these numbers show, depending on how old you are now, putting away an average of $15 could make you a millionaire.

But, unfortunately, 65% of Americans save little or nothing—and half could end up struggling in retirement. That’s according to a new survey from Bankrate.com, which found that 20 percent of Americans don’t save any of their annual income at all and even those who do save aren’t putting away a lot.

How to start saving for retirement

I get it. It’s boring. And worse, it’s confusing  But, sometimes the hardest thing about saving money is just getting started. For starters, anyone looking to lower their expenses can consider making it a priority to eliminate debt, downsizing their home. or consider a side hustle.

Getting into the habit of saving any amount will be helpful for you in the long run.  If you need help with how to get started, here are a few tips:

If you haven’t already started investing, the simplest way to start is to invest in your employer’s 401(k) plan, a tax-advantaged retirement savings account.

Next, consider alternate retirement savings accounts, such as a Roth IRA and traditional IRA and SEP IRAs for freelancers and the self-employed. Check out these explainers on choosing between a 401(k) and an IRA.

Other goals

While retirement is probably going to be your biggest money goal from a dollars-and-cents perspective, some of your other goals may be able to benefit from investing, too.

Those goals might include buying a house,  starting a business, having kids, splurging on something (Italian countryside, anyone?), or just plain building up your wealth (I happen to love this one). If you have goal with a timeline of  tomorrow or several years from now, you can get started on them now.

So there you have it: retirement and #goals. Put that ish on autopilot and then get out there and make big moves.

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Here are more money topics for you…

Answered: 401(k) vs. IRA? Use Both If You Can

The One Money-Habit All Wildly Successful Women Share

I’m Self-Employed: What Are My Retirement Options? 

Best Probiotics for a Healthy Gut and Brighter, Better Skin

The Best Probiotics for a Healthy Gut and Brighter, Better Skin

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Probiotics aren’t anything new.  We’ve all heard of taking probiotics. Whether we consume them in food or in supplement form, probiotics keep our gut and digestive system healthy.  For me,  I remember my mother desperately trying to feed me yogurt against my will. She’d convince me it was full of “good stuff” that they would “help my tummy”. Of course, I now know that by “good stuff” she meant probiotics.

The benefits of probiotics are numerous: from a boosted mood to a healthier immune system. But recently, probiotics are being touted as a scientifically proven way to help improve our skin health.

How? It’s complicated. But, put simply: Research has shown that an unhealthy gut system can lead to anxiety, stress or depression. In turn, this “stress” leads to breakouts and flare-ups such as eczema, rosacea, and acne — all of which create inflammation, the driving factor of skin ageing. Hence, the importance of keeping probiotics aka the “friendly” bacteria in your diet.

As someone who’s been curious to try probiotics, the use of probiotics often comes up when talking about food. That said, it can be a complicated area to understand. Questions that often come up when discussing taking them include “What exactly are they?” “What do they do?”  and “When it best to take them,”  With this all in mind, I deferred to Sarah Greenfield, an RD and nutritionist for a little probiotic 101.

Ahead, find everything you need to know about probiotics, including the best ways to take them (psst: food isn’t the only way!), how they can improve your skin, our favorite products, and more.

What Are Probiotics?

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“When we think of bacteria, we often think about germs, sickness and disease. But the truth is your body is the natural home to trillions of microorganisms that are essential to your health and wellbeing,” states Greenfield. “Probiotics are the live bacteria and yeasts that live in your body and keep your gut healthy.”

What Do They Do?

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“Probiotics are friendly bacteria that patrol your intestines and keep your digestive system running smoothly by helping digest food, destroying harmful pathogens and producing vitamins,” explains Greenfield.

When Do I Take Them?

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“The best way to take probiotics is 20 minutes after you eat. This helps ensure that your stomach acid is lower and gives them a better chance of survival. However, getting them into your daily routine is more important than remembering to take them after a meal,” advises Greenfield. “You can take them in the morning or at night before bedtime and still get great results. Just remembering to take them is half the battle!”

For more helpful skincare tips and tricks, subscribe to Gregory Dylan’s YouTube channel, Boy Meets Beauty.

Craving more beauty secrets? Check these stories out:

10 Reasons You Should Be Using Castor Oil Every Day

These Are the Best 24 K Gold Masks for Every Budget

10 Ways to Reduce Bloating Fast