Let’s Get Down to Biz!
Our first ever business event, #BlogHer19 Biz, was an impactful day of inspiration and information for women founders, content creators and social media influencers. #BlogHer posted up in The Riveter’s incredible event space on November 9th, and spent the day chatting with industry leaders about their experiences turning their passions into careers. One of the biggest takeaways from the day: Anyone can build a business if they work smart and HUSTLE!
The bootcamp for solopreneurs kicked off with SheKnows and STYLECASTER Editor in Chief, Justine Goodman and Kate Somerville, who shared how she built her powerhouse skincare brand. Tika Sumpter, star of the new hit ABC comedy, Mixed-ish, was joined by her showrunner Karin Gist. The duo shared how following their guts helped them make the right choices in their careers. The event also featured a multitude of other successful women including Jesse Draper, Pia Baroncini, Nicole Lapin, Sherita Rankins, Kwanza Jones, Maggie Q and more. We ended our evening with a keynote from Molly Sims, who stressed that perseverance and the ability to pivot have been the keys to her success as an actress, model, author and philanthropist.
We want to give a big hug and the warmest thank you to all our moderators, panelists, speakers, sponsors, and attendees for making #BlogHer19 Biz a day full of learning, encouragement, inspiration, and insta-worthy moments. We’re officially ready to make #MoneyMoves!
Read on for a few of our favorite mic-drop moments from our speakers on how to build successful businesses from the ground up, owning your finances at all stages of life, making your content discoverable, and so much more. Also subscribe to our newsletter and come back to our blog for business-specific learnings on SEO, brand building, finances, and more!
Kate Somerville just cleared our skin, inspired our business, and brought the house down
Kate Somerville spoke about her tough background leaving home at age 15 and growing up with eczema. Turning a negative to a positive lead her down the path to create the successful skincare brand we know today.
“Don’t listen to the naysayers. Success is your biggest revenge. Keep going and let those doors open for you.”
“I don’t like the word influence. You guys are authorities. Let’s change that word!”
“If you have success, and you’re a woman, look for other women to invest in to raise each other up. Consciously do it. And if you’re being invested in, arm up with a good attorney!”
“I can’t be anybody else. I will always be that farm girl. I will always have compassion. But I have a mission, so try not to stand in my way!”
“I’m going to be me. If I’m not authentic, people can see right through it. I’m real and I’m a little damaged. Some people will relate to me, and some won’t, but people who are unapologetically themselves do better than those who confirm.”
“When I started Kate Somerville, I had ZERO money. I remember saying, what the hell am I doing? Then I said, shut up and keep painting this wall. Don’t look at the big picture or you’ll get overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear. Make a list of what’s next, it’s the little details that matter to the bigger picture.”
“No one is going to save you. You can save yourself! Don’t look outside of yourself to be saved.”
Tika Sumpter and Karin Gist were working girl #GOALS
Tika Sumpter and Karin Gist talked about the pressures and opportunities of joining a highly successful TV comedy franchise with Black-ish, Grown-ish, and now Mixed-ish, and how being women with strong convictions lead them to where they are today.
“The no’s allowed me to be more confident and believe in myself.” – Tika Sumpter
“You feel power at times, and other times you feel powerless. That’s the reality of our business.” – Karin Gist
“Be nice to everyone because you should be nice to everyone. But you never know who is going to affect your life!” – Tika Sumpter
“Get out of your head. Be the best friend and cheerleader that you are to everyone else to yourself. All the time.” – Karin Gist
“What I have to say matters. It’s ok if you say no, but I know it’s a good idea and I’m going to get it done.” – Tika Sumpter
“Follow your gut. That alarm inside is telling you something.” – Tika Sumpter
“You’re smarter than you think you are. And don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. All of it.” – Tika Sumpter
Striving to be as cool and confident as Maggie Q
Maggie Q was featured in The Future Is Female Founded panel and spoke about expanding from her work as an actress to launching her brand-new business, QEEP UP™, an activewear line and conscious brand that is driven by her love for the planet and her devotion to ocean conservation.
“I’m a woman and I’m younger and I shouldn’t know what I’m talking about, right? I didn’t know anything about business, I grew up and we had nothing. For me, the struggle was so real. But I know who I am, and I know what I love. I want to create a generation of conservationists.”
“I’m self-funded and just closed my angel round. Make sure you’re raising just enough so you maintain control of your company, and give as little of it away as possible.”
“You know you’re doing something right when things start to unfold more easily for you. It’s not easy, as in there’s no work involved, but it’s more seamless.”
“I like when people doubt me. I love it! It doesn’t make me angry, sad or resentful. It’s my secret to take those moments and keep them. I don’t say, “you’ll see,” but I know it.”
The steps to success with Molly Sims
Molly Sims closed the day with a keynote pep talk perseverance, and how harnessing that power is the best thing women can do as they build their brands and businesses.
“I never stopped. Before acting was modeling. Before that was hosting. It’s the “maybe I could” that built this empire right now. It’s the little by little. It didn’t happen in a year.”
“Just keep going. Early on, my agency said, when you work off the $700 we paid for your plane ticket, you’re going home. I never went home.”
“I started putting my money where my mouth is, investing mainly in female founded companies, using my money, my will and my network for companies I believe in. That’s really empowering!”
“Authenticity is everything to me. The one thing I’ve been able to do well in my brand is I’ve been authentic. Be truthful to your brand.”
“I’m sitting here! I still love what I do. I’m still curious. I’m a core girl’s girl and I want you to be successful.”
“I’m a people pleaser and very southern in that way. I really try as a woman in her 40s to say no. Sometimes I say no more than yes. There’s a power in that. Every no I say is a yes to something else.”
“I always say to women, and men too, be ok with pivoting. I hate change, but it has brought the best things in my life. Indecision is the worst decision you’ll make.”
Our first-ever business event was a massive success! We hope you all gained insights to better your businesses. We are looking forward to more eye-opening experiences in 2020!