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Woman Wednesday: Jessica

September 5, 2018October 5, 2020Posted in Uncategorized, womenTagged advice, beauty, blog, brand, career, college, comfort, cool, cute, deals, dreams, education, educational, environment, fashion, feminism, for women, friendship, future, goals, hiking, inspiration, Inspirational, inspire, job, life, love, mass media, money, motivation, people, photography, shorts, stories, story, support women, teaching, tips, travel, traveler, travels, trends, true stories, value, washington DC, women, women empowering women, women empowerment1 Comment

*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below.

Q and A with Jessica, Hunterdon County, New Jersey

“I remember flipping through a magazine one day (out of boredom), and I came across an article about hiking. And the editor decided to highlight “Legs strong enough to hike all the way to the top.” This statement resonated with me, because I started hiking with my friends around that time. On day 1, day 2, day 3…and okay let’s say up to day 30, I felt pretty weak. But every time we went, I was a little bit stronger, a little bit faster, and I was not running out of breath. I could see and feel the progress I made. So, I was not the best I could be on day 1, but to keep up with my friends, I had to keep going even when I was tired. I had to eliminate the mental barrier that said, “I can’t do it today, so I shouldn’t even try.” If you have a goal in mind, keep going, because you might be surprised by what you can do.”

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: There are two ways I can answer this question- professionally and personally.

Professionally, it is marketing. I was really lucky to have found this passion at the age of 18. At the time, I was working at American Eagle Outfitters and taking two AP classes I enjoyed- drawing and psychology. I loved my job at American Eagle, but I was not a pushy sales-woman. I like getting creative, but I was not an artist. I found human behavior to be fascinating, but I wasn’t the next psychologist. Marketing was a combination of various things that already interested me.

And personally, my passion has become traveling. I have been able to visit some exciting places including Sri Lanka, India, and the UK. The best part about traveling is remaining quiet behind a camera and snapping a photo of the architecture and people. Recently, I was getting lost in London. Exploring is a liberating feeling. I’m either alone with my thoughts and camera or meeting someone new.

Next on my list is Greece!

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: I was somewhat quiet; I didn’t come out of my shell until I was about 16-17. I hated large group gatherings, being on a team, class projects – you name it, and I felt uncomfortable. In school, I’d rather zone out or people watch. I hope my former classmates didn’t think I was a creep for staring.

Overtime, I became an extroverted person. I have no doubt that there is correlation between finding my passion(s) and finding my confidence. When I finally found something that I was both good at and had fun doing, I wanted to talk to other people. I wanted to reach out and connect with the people who enjoyed the same things.

Side note: I don’t stare as much. I now read about industry trends and user behavior. Unless I am a tourist behind a camera.

Q:What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like others to know?

A: You are stronger than you think you are.

I am not only talking about physical strength.

I remember flipping through a magazine one day (out of boredom), and I came across an article about hiking. If you don’t live under a rock, typically a strong statement will be enlarged and bolded. And the editor decided to highlight “legs strong enough to hike all the way to the top.”

This statement resonated with me, because I started hiking with my friends around that time. On day 1, day 2, day 3…and okay let’s say up to day 30, I felt pretty weak. But every time we went, I was a little bit stronger, a little bit faster, and I was not running out of breath.

I could see and feel the progress I made.

So, I was not the best I could be on day 1, but to keep up with my friends, I had to keep going even when I was tired. I had to eliminate the mental barrier that said, “I can’t do it today, so I shouldn’t even try.”

If you have a goal in mind, keep going, because you might be surprised by what you can do.

Almost ten years ago, I tore out that statement and put in a book. It’s still on my desk.

Q: What would you like others to learn from your story?

A: Do not be afraid to make decisions to improve your life, and do not be afraid to seek help.

Over an extended period of time, I experienced one unfortunate event after another. Even when things were going well, I sometimes wondered if I will, metaphorically speaking, fall…again. I did not surround myself with the right people that could fully understand what I was going through and support me. Unfortunately, this caused me to battle with depression.

I decided to go to counseling and remained in it for about 3 to 4 years.

I noticed there was a common theme during my sessions. I need to navigate through the current situation and keep my end goals in mind. To me, this meant I could not put my entire life on pause. I could not call in sick and distance myself from the entire world like I wanted to.

I’m no longer enrolled in counseling, but when faced with stress, I adjust and make decisions for my own mental, physical, and financial wellbeing. I frequently wear a compass necklace as a reminder to navigate through life and keep moving in the right direction.

As I answer this question, I wish I could turn to the counselor I met with during high school and the counselor I met with during college who both helped me and just say, “Thank you.”

Q: Why should women take roles in business?

A: I am going to follow up with a (sassy) question…or two.

Would a company like to limit themselves?
Is it a women’s obligation to stay at home with no option to pursue a career?

I can answer both questions for you, no.

A company requires diversity to fuel new ideas and enhance the potential for profitability and expansion. If they would rather limit themselves to only about half the population, that is their choice and their risk. But nobody can deny the fact that there are female leaders and entrepreneurs that are driving economic growth.

Not all women desire to be caretakers.

As someone who works in a business environment, I feel that I bring value to my team and to my employer (at least that is what my paycheck tells me). If I propose a campaign idea that my male peers did not think of and it directly results in sales (and yes I actually have), then I deserve to be there.

What I do brings me joy, so I’ll be sticking around as long as I bring value.

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Woman Wednesday: Caitlin

August 29, 2018August 29, 2018Posted in Uncategorized, womenTagged advice, brand, by women for women, Child, comfort, cool, dreams, education, educational, Faith, fashion, feminism, for women, friendship, future, inspiration, inspirational story, inspire, job, Learn from others, life, lifestyle blog, love, mom blog, mother, motivation, others experiences, people, religion, single mother, stories, story, teaching, tips, trends, true stories, true story, value, women, womens stories, young mother1 Comment

Q and A with Caitlin, College Park, Maryland

“Even the person who seems to have it the most together has problems, and we are all one big mess. I learned that what I considered to be a weakness was actually a strength that allowed me to help others with the same issues. I remember saying that I hated my life, that I wanted to be someone else, someone normal. Your day is coming. You just have to take those baby steps until they become great strides. Then one day, you will look back and only have some memories of that time, long ago, when you were struggling. If I can do it, you can do it. We are no different. Set your mind, and keep it set.” -Caitlin

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: I currently work as a Kitchen and Bath Designer, and I absolutely love the ability to get creative and face challenges head on with my clients. I enjoy painting, hiking, and reading in my free time. Yoga has always been something that helps ground me and keeps me energized for the day ahead.

But let me tell you about my real passion— my family! I have a super energetic seven-year-old who LOVES arts and crafts! We have a poodle named, “Georgia” who keeps us busy and loves cuddling with us! As a single mother, there is never a dull moment! I am passionate about many things. As far as being a mother, there is nothing more rewarding and challenging all at the same time. My daughter has taught me 2 things. #1 to ALWAYS have fun no matter what and #2 to never stop asking questions.

Pictured: Poodle, Georgia

Pictured: Caitlin and her daughter

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: First, let me tell you that I am the oldest of 6 children. Oldest child + Big family = Great responsibility. There is a really large age gap (16 years between me and my youngest brother). I assumed title of “mothers helper” around the age of ten. This meant changing diapers, babysitting, meal prep… the whole nine yards. My youngest two siblings were high risk pregnancies so my mom was at UMD after they were born for awhile. Due to her absence, I really had to step up and help my dad take care of the other children still left at home. As much as I resented my childhood being “cut short,” it taught me a lot. I attribute my OCD responsibility and “take charge” attitude from that point in my life. At a very young age I took on the responsibility of “mother” and learned very quickly that waking up in the middle of the night with a 4 year old who’s having night terrors and a 1 year old who’s hungry, isn’t the best of predicaments. I learned about balance, how to put others needs first, and how to work as a team with my parents to achieve an expected end result.

Pictured: Caitlin and her daughter

Q: What were your experiences in school like?

A: As far as schooling goes, I bounced around a lot from school to school. By the time I entered high school, I had been to a private school, public elementary school, and homeschool. I was never in one select school for longer than 2 years at a time. I was a competitive figure skater through middle school, and skating was LIFE.

Because of other family circumstances, I had to give skating up. I went in to a new school, once again, making a new set of friends. By the time I finished 11th grade, I just wanted to go to college. I pulled myself out of school, enrolled in a homeschooling group and completed my senior year over the summer before my senior year in high school would have started. I left for college that fall and attended Marymount University for Interior Architecture and Design.

Looking back, I was sad that I never established a consistent “friend base.” I will never know what it’s like to go through 12 years of schooling with a group of friends, creating that forever bond and the countless memories over the years. I will never have a class reunion, a senior yearbook to look back on, or the experience of walking across the stage for my High School graduation.

Q: What’s something you learned by constantly moving?

A: While being sad about not creating a consistent “friend base,” I am extremely grateful for the constant “bouncing around” during my school years. It allowed me to see many different walks of life and forced me to be an extrovert. I made many friends along the way, and I am very grateful that I never fit into a “mold” but rather was able to get along with everyone by being myself.

Moving around a lot made me very adaptable to life and change, which helped me get through my divorce. My senior year of college, I found out I was pregnant. My then-boyfriend and I immediately got married in the courthouse to please our very religious families. To me, this was just another change. We got married, I graduated 3 months later, and had our daughter 2 months after graduation. We had a home built and moved from VA to MD 8 months later, all the while planning our big “church wedding.” We were in the house for 5 months. Four days before our church wedding, my ex-husband said he didn’t want to be married, he wanted to be single. He handed our daughter to me and told me to leave.

We called off the wedding 4 days before, having to still pick up flowers, my dress, pay the caterer and call 180 guests. Panic set in and completely consumed my life. I had just turned 24 years old and set into a deep depression. I did not understand why this happened to me. I had always been a “good kid.” I got good grades, went to church, and obeyed the rules of being a decent person. I gained nearly 30 pounds in a month from stress eating and spiraling downhill. To this day, 6 years later, after many court battles, custody battles, fighting for child support, I look back at it all and realized that in the midst of all the struggle, the depression, the debilitating anxiety, I found my faith.

I learned that you have to chose to be happy, even on your worst day. I learned that it’s OK to carry around a brown paper bag when you feel like hyperventilating and it’s OK to be HUMAN. It’s okay to be real and have real feelings.

Q: What would you like others to know from your story?

A: Even the person who seems to have it the most together has problems, and we are all one big mess. I learned that what I considered to be a weakness was actually a strength that allowed me to help others with the same issues. I remember saying that I hated my life, that I wanted to be someone else, someone normal. I was in church one day and everyone was giving the “sign of peace” where we shake hands. I was recently divorced and was by myself. Ironically, everyone at church that day seemed to be a couple or a family. I was so angry the entire service, sitting there, in the back row, looking around at all the people I considered lucky—because they looked like happy families. I sat there boiling over with anger. I watched as everyone was shaking hands during the “sign of peace.” The service continued, and I just wanted to leave. All of a sudden, a very old man tapped me on my shoulder (I was so annoyed at this point that I just turned and gave him that “what, do you need me to move?!” look). He just took my hand and said “peace be with you, you know… I always save the best for last.” He smiled and just walked away. I left the church that day bursting into tears. That day, I decided that no matter what happened, the best was going to be saved for last, and if my life wasn’t what I wanted now, it was only going to get better. This has carried throughout my life and now, entering my 30’s. I am more grounded in faith than I have ever been. I can honestly say I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything else in the world. It was through them that I came to appreciate the little things and little blessings in life. Most importantly, I learned to be thankful for the hard times. If there is one piece of advice for anyone dealing with anxiety or depression, it is to fight the good fight and never ever EVER give up. Your day is coming. You just have to take those baby steps until they become great strides. Then one day, you will look back and only have some memories of that time, long ago, when you were struggling.

If I can do it, you can do it. We are no different. Set your mind and keep it set.

Pictured: Caitlin happy today with her daughter and Matt, her significant other.

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Woman Wednesday: Brittany

August 22, 2018December 26, 2018Posted in Uncategorized, womenTagged advice, beautiful people, beauty, blog, brand, career, college, comfort, cool, cute, deals, dreams, education, educational, environment, Faith, fashion, feminism, for women, future, goals, inspiration, Inspirational, inspire, job, lessons, lingerie, love, mass media, model, money, motivation, New Jersey, people, Princeton, Princeton NJ, quality, sexy, shorts, small business, teaching, the future, tips, travel, trends, utility, value, washington DC, women, yoga, yoga classes, yoga instructor1 Comment

Q and A with Brittany, Mercer County, New Jersey

“Life is short, and you should do anything and everything you want to/love. Whether you are miserable at your job, doing things that don’t serve you, or you want to do things that seem out of reach, whatever that is…work toward your goals, do the things you love, and don’t stop loving your life.”

@BlissfullyBritt_

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: My passion is practicing yoga and bringing it to others. I came to yoga after being interested in it for a long time and never having the time to pursue it. For a long time my sole focus was on school, and then college and then finding a 9-5 job. I started to feel like I was losing myself and didn’t have any hobbies or things just for me. I eventually became so miserable with the lifestyle I was living, left my job and threw myself into all of my interests, yoga being one of them.

After continuously practicing yoga for a couple of months, I felt like a new person and realized just how much I was neglecting myself. I enrolled in a yoga teacher training program and graduated this past June. My new focus is bringing yoga to others. I truly believe there is something in it for everyone- whether it’s the exercise through holding poses, learning how to breath, or the spiritual aspects to it. I think the general skills you learn in a yoga class can help any individual be more present and mindful in every day life. I’m working on brainstorming how exactly I want to do this while teaching/subbing occasionally at the studio I trained at!

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: In my younger years, my mom got me involved in lots of extra-curricular activities. At the time I hated it and always felt busy. Later in life, when I was looking for a hobby for myself, I appreciated that I had some exposure to different things to try out. One of my favorites was gymnastics, and I believe my childhood love for this is what drew me to yoga and made me start this path toward a career in yoga! I also used to play the piano and guitar, was very artistic and liked to paint/draw. Exploring different extra-circular activities led me to finding my passion.

Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like others to know?

A: Life is short, and you should do anything and everything you want to/love. Whether you are miserable at your job, doing things that don’t serve you, or you want to do things that seem out of reach, whatever that is…work toward your goals, do the things you love and don’t stop loving your life. This realization smacked me right in the face when I left my job that I only have one life and I realized how I was getting caught up in all the wrong things, trying to live in this box that society teaches you to live in, and I wasn’t truly enjoying life. Smile, be happy, travel (if that’s your thing), love, do, create! Just find whatever it is you love to do and do it, and get rid of/leave behind anything that does not serve you. Listen to your heart and not other’s people’s opinions if they bring you down.

Q: What would you like others to learn from your story?

A: I would like others to know that you can start over at any time. The things you want are within reach if you visualize and work toward them. Be patient and work in baby steps.

Q: What does feminism mean to you?

A: Feminism is important to me. I think a lot of people can take feminism as a negative thing, but I see it as being proud of being a woman, or (if you are not a woman) recognizing all of the positive and beautiful things that women bring to the table.

Q: Why should more women take roles in business?

A: It has taken a few decades, but there are more and more women in business now than ever before! We are equal inhabitants of this Earth and should be involved in all of the things we’ve created as a society.

You can reach Brittany via email at: Brittthatcher314@gmail.com or on her instagram @BlissfullyBritt_. She is trained in Aerial Yoga and floor yoga and is available for one-on-one sessions or group sessions! Feel free to contact her about questions, inquiries, or to just say hello! 🙂

Professional photos: Credit to Dennis Pike Photography

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Woman Wednesday: Lucia

August 1, 2018December 6, 2018Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Q and A with Lucia, Montgomery County, Maryland

WATCH LUCIA HERE VIA A SHORT VIDEO CLIP.

“From my story and from my family story, I hope that others, especially women, are empowered to keep dreaming and to not lose hope even if there are many obstacles in the way. Because by achieving their dreams, they will inspire a new generation of women to keep dreaming and succeeding.”

Q: What is something that you are passionate about?

A: My end goal has always been and will always be to create a positive impact and change. One thing that has always run in parallel to my academic career and now my professional career is giving back to society the opportunities I was able to access. Part of that drive has been a result of my own story and that of my parents and grandparents. My family really epitomizes the American dream. I came here when I was five, and I was able to see my parents transcend economic barriers. When we moved here from Peru via the Visa lottery, my parents had to start from scratch all the economic progress they had achieved in Peru.

Q: What were your younger years like?

A: Growing up, there was always a focus on education and that education was the pathway to success. It was something that they ingrained in me. I was also able to see the different barriers to better education. I went to a high school in Florida that had about 950 students. The majority of the student were from families of lower income or immigrant families. Additionally, when I was in school, because my family’s economic status was still improving, I was not able to afford additional tutoring classes or SAT prep. On the other hand, by the time my parents and younger sisters moved to Maryland, our economic status had changed. My younger sisters had better opportunities and were able to afford to access additional educational help. They were also able to attend a good public school (ranked one of the top public schools in the country). All three of us, however, have been much luckier than my grandmothers were. Both were very smart but because they were born in different place and a different time, both never finished elementary school. My grandfathers were able to at least finish high school. As a result of being a witness to those stories, I want to help bring access to better education, especially in remote areas of Peru. In those remote geographical areas, children, especially girls, are still not able to attend school properly or there is not enough funding to provide good schools and good learning environments.

Q: What is your current career?

A: I am currently a securities analyst. My path to the financial industry was non-traditional. I graduated with a biomedical engineering degree, with a focus on Computational Biology, from Johns Hopkins University. I always thought until my final year that I would be working within that industry. I thought I would be modeling biological system. It was an industry that was challenging and had a lot of potential to create impact and change. However, my path changed due to my senior design project. During senior year, I worked on a design team focused on developing a medical device that would help deliver a new developed drug to rheumatoid arthritis patients at home. Because our team was composed of five people and I had an artistic eye, I ended up taking a role that was specific to market research. It was as if a whole new world had opened up.

Q: Did you ever imagine that you would get into finance?

A: Numbers had always been something I was comfortable with but the application had always stayed within engineering. Working on my design project, specifically on the marketing side, showed me that numbers could be applied in a different setting and still be fun and challenging. It led me to pursue my M.B.A so that I could better understand finance and marketing. This led me to my current role.
But for me, my path doesn’t stop within the financial realm. It is a stepping stone to the dream I have had since I was in High school, which is to create a for-profit social enterprise.

Q: Is there another influence in your life that has made you passionate about this goal?

A: Additionally, I am driven to want to have a positive impact on society because of my faith. A lot of people tend to become uncomfortable at the mention of religion and faith. Often, people are surprised that I am religious, because I seem open to things that seem to be the antithesis of what they associate with my faith. But for me, it is that faith that leads me to have hope that even with all the injustices there can be a better tomorrow and a better society, one where people have equity regardless of gender and race. It is in part what drives me to give back to society and why I am inspired to start a social enterprise focused on education.
As I said, I am driven to continue learning and dreaming because of my family story. My family is always my source of inspiration and my grandmothers and mother are my strong female role models. They didn’t let their circumstance define them and continued to pursue their dream. My grandmother, my mom’s mom, wanted to ensure that her daughters and her children were educated. My grandfather, who was a traditionalist, wanted my mom and aunts and uncles to work to provide an additional income to the family. But my grandmother refused to concede on that point. As a result, all her children are educated and all her grandchildren will be educated. She never stopped dreaming; even now, she lets me know her hopes for the future. From my story and from my family story, I hope that others, especially women, are empowered to keep dreaming and to not lose hope even if there are many obstacles in the way. Because by achieving their dreams, they will inspire a new generation of women to keep dreaming and succeeding.
When I think of how things were for both my grandmothers (and grandfathers) and how things are for me, I realize we have come far but that there is still more work to be done. I know that there is still an imbalance in power.

Q: What are your thoughts on feminism?

A: For me, feminism is helping women access the right tools to be able to achieve their dreams and aspirations. It is empowering women to continue dreaming, regardless of the age. It is also about teaching men that empowering women is not a zero sum game; by empowering women, we all win. Only by talking about it and by addressing the barriers that women have in society can we close the gap. More women need to join industries that are male dominated and men need to join industries that are associated with women, such as nursing and child care. Only by shifting what we perceive to be feminine and masculine and by empowering women with the right tools (access to education and positions of leadership) will society change.
I am proud to be a feminist but I know that the word still carries negative connotation for many people, including other women. I hope that in the future everyone is proud to say, “I am a feminist.”

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Woman Wednesday: Valerie

July 25, 2018December 6, 2018Posted in UncategorizedLeave a comment

Q and A with Valerie, Baltimore County, Maryland

WATCH VALERIE HERE VIA A SHORT VIDEO CLIP.

“I always knew I wanted to do something to help others. It’s just in my nature to willingly give all of myself to a specific task, idea, or person.”

Q: What is something that you are passionate about?

A: One of my biggest passions is helping others. I always knew I wanted to do something to help others. It’s just in my nature to willingly give all of myself to a specific task, idea, or person. I have been working two jobs as a full time teacher and part time bartender for about two years now. Anyone who is a teacher knows how rewarding the job is. Anyone who is a teacher in an urban area knows how challenging it is. I have so many stories you would not believe unless you are a teacher in an urban area. It is my job to teach these kids. It is my job to not only teach these kids academics, but teach them how to be a strong, independent, and a leader in their community.

Q: What is a typical day for you?

A: During the school day, I take on many roles: teacher, friend, mother, counselor, mentor, …you name it, I do it. Whatever I can do to make my students successful, you better believe I make it happen. I teach in a Title 1 school in Baltimore. I accepted the job knowing that it was going to be challenging, but nothing could have prepared me for what I got myself into. I was tested and doubted. Many times, I doubted myself. I would run to the bathroom crying, “I can’t do this. I’m not cut out for this,” but every time, I had to suck it up and head back in there, because I had all these children counting on me.

All I want to do is to make a difference and do what I love. A lot of time, my lessons turned into life lessons that my parents taught me. Some students weren’t as lucky to learn these at home. As challenging as it is, I wouldn’t trade it for any other profession.

I hope to make a positive impact on my students each day, and I hope they know that they make a positive impact on me. Teaching is not only my career, but my entire life. I remember on Mother’s Day, one of my kids asked me if I had children. I said, “Yes, 29.” I was surprised to see that they came back with flowers. These kids have changed my life, and I will remember them forever. I am lucky to have a career where I feel loved and appreciated by my students when I walk in my classroom. Sometimes they have a funny way of showing it, but when it comes down to it, they know I love them with all of my heart, and I know they love me. I have learned so much over the past two years teaching that I will carry with me in my everyday life.

Q: What do you want others to take away from your story?

A: My whole life I’ve been surrounded by strong women who fight for what is right and for what they want for their future. There are so many amazing women out there getting shit done. I only wish that women continue to stand together and speak their truth. My advice for women is to remember when times get tough, toughen up. Just know that you are stronger than you think you are. I think sometimes we forget that we can make a difference, and we can make anything happen with enough drive.

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