Magazine Self-Awareness 5 Ways to Cultivate Yours
Burned Out? How to know when it's time to make a change
Issue 1 January 2022
WELCOME Photo by: Sofia Owen
These past two years have been a time of reevaluating and I know I am not alone in wanting to be even more confident in my decisions and boundaries going forward. From who I spend my time with, how I manage my inner critic, and for what occasions I will put on pants, I want to feel in control and intentional. But sometimes that is easier said than done. When work gets busy, the news is anxiety inducing, family wants the last of your energy, and we don’t quite know what to do with ourselves, it can seem impossible to feel in the driver’s seat of your life. If you are new to Rebelle, we have been gathering women together to share stories and experiences since 2017. When the pandemic forced our events online, we started searching for intentional ways to connect with one another. Those connections helped us through an isolating time and only this past November were we able to bring people physically together again
stories of exceptional women in order for us to see ourselves in their successes and breakthroughs. In this, our very first digital issue of Rebelle Magazine you will find stories of resilience and innovation that will bring hope for the future. We are celebrating the women leading the way in healthcare, software, and retail. Plus, we are reflecting on what should stay and what we can let go of in the months to come. What I hope you will find in these digital pages, are some ideas on how you can live with more focus on what matters most to you. If the way things have been are not working for you anymore, I hope you will join us and Rebelle.
No matter how we gather, our goal remains the same, to share the
Thank you for downloading our very first issue. 1
CONTENTS Wellbeing 4 No Regrets Rebelle Members & friends share the things they will never regret throwing out
6 Cultivating Self Awareness Five ways to deepen your self awareness
22 Amy meets Endo One woman's journey to receiving and recovering from the elusive endometriosis diagnosis
Money + Career 9 Build Your Squad The truth about finding support, friendships, and advisors
20 Burn It Down or Burned Out Are you ready to make a move to a new career or are you experiencing burnout?
Community 18 Phone a Friend Use your smartphone to strengthen your friendships
39 Gratitude As Your Guide How to host a thank you party to celebrate your friends and make new connections
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Women-Owned 10 What is FemTech? Who are the founders leading in this new space and why should we care
12 Boutique Life Our favorite shop owners and the spaces they've curated
30 ACQUIRED: Blue Ocean Brain How this female founded company is pioneering microlearning and making waves doing it
Creativity 26 Behind the Scenes A sneak peek at how Rebelle Con, our boutique conference, is designed to create connection among attendees
Lifestyle 18 The Rebelle Book List Recommended reads for every literary taste
32 Meals for cold days Recipes to restore creativity and comfort during cold winter months
NO REGRETS
OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPECTATIONS When I realized that I put too much time, resources, and energy into what other people thought and made the conscious decision to stop, it was the most freeing and most fruitful action I've taken in years, both personally and professionally. -Amanda Klingenberger, Founder, Linden Square
OLD CLOTHES that remind me of past chapters of my life as I move further into the new chapter of being a mom. - Sarah K. Wagoner, Coach for Working Moms Photo by: Sofia Owen
Clutter, negative thoughts, and other nuisances take up space and drain our energy. Why is it so hard to get rid of things that no longer serve us? We asked our connections on LinkedIn, "What is something you have no regrets about getting rid of it and why?"
OUR SECOND CAR COVID made it so that it was not at all necessary, so we sold it for literally what we bought it for thanks to supply chain shortages. Buh bye! - Lauren Howard, Virtual Care Strategist
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ANGER I had always enjoyed a good temper flare until I selfemployed myself into full burnout. On the recovery journey I realized that I could pick and choose what aspects of myself to nurture and what to discard, and I was just too tired to get upset about things I couldn't control. Now I have great perspective and ability to prioritize! It's a very powerful feeling to recognize something I would once have been very angry about, and to just walk away from it. -Paula Billig, Co-Founder, Creative Today
MY PURSUIT TO BE A PROFESSIONAL CLASSICAL MUSICIAN I was really only still pursuing because of my competitive nature. -Molly Korroch, Marketing Manager
GIFTS readytorebelle.com
CULTIVATING SELF AWARENESS FIVE WAYS TO DEEPEN YOUR SELF AWARENESS
Even if you spend a lot of time pondering your identity and how you became the person you are today, that does not necessarily make you selfaware. How you see yourself and self awareness are not the same things. Self awareness is more than understanding who you are. It is the ability to see your emotions and understand their influence on your thoughts and behaviors. It entails, as Katie Krimer, a licensed clinical social worker describes it, “meta-cognition: the ability to think about thinking [and] implies the ability to recognize ourselves as we see ourselves, but also to understand how others may see us based on what we know about human behavior.” As complex as that may sound, there are simple practices to help you strengthen the muscle that is self awareness, an incredibly useful tool in navigating challenging encounters and living a more fulfilled life.
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CULTIVATING SELF AWARENESS LISTEN TO YOUR THOUGHTS Many mindfulness practices (like meditation) can help you to see your thoughts as a separate voice from how you would speak out loud. How are you talking to yourself inside your mind? What are you saying and what is your tone?
KEEP A JOURNAL Writing down how you honestly feel, questions you have, or things that happened during the day can help you to process and see objectively how you respond to different situations. Regularly doing so will help you to eventually identify patterns.
CHALLENGE YOUR FIRST REACTION Slowing down when responding to a situation allows time to see how our reaction unfolds. If you are angry or defensive, step back and ask yourself why?
ASK TRUSTED FRIENDS FOR FEEDBACK In order to understand how others see you, you will need to hear from people who know you best. Using the perspective and honest observations from those we trust can provide an opportunity to see ourselves in a new light.
FIND A COUNSELOR OR COACH Therapy or other guided self-discovery practice can help you discover thought patterns that affect your mood. Some practitioners specifically use thought work tools to reflect back to you how you are reacting or responding to specific situations.
SPENDING TIME AROUND PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE YOU WILL NOT ONLY AFFECT YOUR CAREER, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
READYTOREBELLE.COM/SWELL
Build Your Squad SWELL BY REBELLE: PEER MENTORSHIP FOR WOMEN We created SWELL by Rebelle after hearing from too many women that they were looking for people “like them”. These were successful leaders, both inside companies and business owners, who had been head down hustling for so long, they forgot to look up. They wanted someone to talk to when things got weird at work, or when things were hard at home, someone who truly understood what they were going through and could help them decide where to go from here. Here are four ways you can find your support squad for all your important decisions. HIRE YOUR SQUAD Whether it a therapist, counselor, or coach, there is a time when the guidance of a professional is just the right kind of support. TRADITIONAL MENTORSHIP A mentor is someone who asks thoughtful questions. They can be a great resource to navigate professional decisions. PHONE A FRIEND Check out our article on page 17 for tips to strengthen your friendships. JOIN A GROUP We created SWELL to have a way to connect women with each other, to create a safe space to talk through challenges.
SWELL by Rebelle is a peer mentor program where ambitious professional women are matched with a small cohort (no more than 6 members). For one whole year, they meet once a month for a 90-Minute session. These meetings include group conversations facilitated by our trusted leadership coaches. Applications are open - visit reacytorebelle.com/swell ADVERTISEMENT
WHAT IS FEMTECH? A new segment of the healthcare industry is getting noticed by consumers, press, and most importantly, investors. There are so many things left unsaid when it comes to women’s health, from the mysteries of childbirth to a complete lack of conversations about menopause. Whether it is societal taboos or fear of vulnerability, women have not had the ability to openly discuss their symptoms and struggles. Thankfully, a whole new generation of founders are working to change this. The term “femtech” was introduced by Ida Tin, the Danish-born founder of Clue, a period and ovulation tracking app established in Germany in 2013. At that time, technology companies solving women’s health challenges were in short supply and underfunded. One of Tin’s motivations for creating language to categorize software, diagnostics, products, and services that use technology to address women's health concerns was to make the industry easier to talk about with investors.
Less than 4% of Venture Capital investors in the United States are women. And while that number is on the rise, there is still a need to get buy-in from men to grow these companies with investment dollars. Tin cited that men can say they have femtech companies in their portfolio vs. solutions for women “peeing their pants.” Fertility, period health, menopause, sexual health, pregnancy, pre/postnatal, to at-home screenings for cervical cancer. Decentralized Care Many factors are contributing to the growing interest in femtech companies. One being the broad adoption of telehealth motivated by the pandemic. This is creating even more space for specialized care.
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Fertility, menstruation, menopause, sexual health, pregnancy, pre/postnatal, to at-home screenings for cervical cancer. Startups like Gennev are taking advantage and providing the type of care that wasn’t available at local OBGYN offices specifically addressing menopause with education, products, and most recently the first telemedicine menopause clinic. Following a 20-year career in tech, with 15 of those years spent at Microsoft, Jill Angelo is leading the efforts as Co-Founder and CEO. She was named Inc. Magazine’s Most Impressive Women Entrepreneurs, opening the door and conversation for female founders in the space to follow. Remote Diagnostics Advancements in portable technology and artificial intelligence are changing the way women receive a diagnosis all over the world. MovileODT, a start-up based in Tel Aviv is using this technology to screen for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women globally and the second most common cancer for women in low resource settings.
MovileODT uses a smart colposcope (small device around the size of a smartphone) to take a photograph of a woman’s cervix. The image is then transmitted to the cloud via a smartphone, where artificial intelligence is used to identify normal or abnormal cervical findings. A diagnosis can be returned in 60 seconds. Prioritizing Women’s Pleasure Sexual health was once a hushed conversation in an OBGYN’s office, but that is changing thanks to physicians like Dr. Lyndsey Harper of an app designed to support women with sexual problems and questions. At Rebelle Con in 2020, the undisputed mic drop moment came from femtech founder, Dr. Harper. “Arousal comes before desire,” was the quote that left our heads spinning and sparked our “desire” to learn more about the education, erotica, and coaching available from the convenience of our smartphones. Designed by doctors and psychologists, Rosy curates evidence-based interventions proven to improve sexual function. Women’s Health has never been at the forefront of research and technology advancements, until now thanks to the innovative founders leading these mission driven companies.
THE NUMBERS $500 Billion
Only 4%
Women spend an estimated $500 billion a year on medical expenses.
Female-focused care is only 4% of global healthcare research and development spending.
$60 Billion The global femtech market is expected to reach $60 billion by 2027.
BOUTIQUES
WOMEN OWNED RETAIL SURVIVES The pandemic hit small businesses hard, particularly shop owners who rely on people walking through their doors. These business owners showed true resilience to keep their doors open.
Retail stores are more than simply places to make a purchase. Women shop owners are using their business as a vehicle for change. Whether it is sustainability, advocating for equity in the wellness industry, or creating space for community to come together, our neighborhoods are stronger when these businesses are thriving. But owning a shop has never been more challenging that it is today. With the instant gratification of click to buy and the restrictions and safety precautions needed to stop the spread, it is a true show of resilience that has kept these businesses operating.
We asked three shop owners how things have changed since they opened their doors.
Shop: Redeux Vintage in Lancaster, PA Owners: Alexandra & Avery Redeux Vintage offers highly curated, top quality vintage apparel.
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Curating the right assortment and variety of goods is a process that continues to evolve as a result of an ever-changing and a slowly more inclusive industry. Why did you open your shop? We opened to offer non-toxic skincare and life-care products, to be a platform for other women-owned + women-founded brands to grow and to connect and cultivate a community through representation, inclusion and accessibility.
Photo Owners: Bonkosi Horn & Morissa Jenkins Photos by: jen trahan @jen_trahan
Shop: Freedom Apothecary in Philadelphia, PA Freedom Apothecary is a space to learn, to heal and to connect deeply. Offering wholistic wellness products and services as well as community space
What about your work do you love the most? Oh my gosh — what don’t i love? Ultimately, the people. The conversations we have in the shop and online that bring people together who may have never connected.
How did you embrace e-commerce during the pandemic? In what seemed like it was overnight, we went from planning to never have an e-commerce platform at all to relying on it to carry us through our 13-month closure. as a result of adding e-commerce, we changed website platforms to make the entire experience more user-friendly. So much of what we offer and know that is needed can only happen through in-person connection — through workshops, conversation series, visiting guests, youth programming, etc. but embracing ecommerce has forced us to think differently about how we view ‘community’ and what we offer to cultivate it.
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Shop: Dear Neighbor in Richmond, VA When did you open your shop? Black Friday 2016. Why did you want to be a shop owner? Ever sense I can remember I loved fashion, Barbie’s, thrifting… anything clothing style related (Before we opened) I was teaching and growing a jewelry company. At the time and it just felt right. We found the property of our dreams, had it rezoned for commercial, and renovated it into a shop in our backyard. Has your product offering changed over time? Oh yes. We opened as a neighborhood gift shop and now we’re like goop but not as rich and more lingerie. What about your work do you love the most? I love when people leave the shop feeling good. I love finding the right piece for someone because the right fit really makes a difference.
Photo: Owner Kristy Cotter with son Rune in front of their billboard in Richmond, VA Dear Neighbor offers a curated selection of fine, vintage and handmade jewelry, lingerie, apothecary, and home accessories.
community
PHONE A FRIEND Talking on the phone for hours is a pastime of the past. But that doesn’t mean your smartphone can’t be a tool to strengthen your friendships.
When you think of them, text them. Remember a time that you shared that made you laugh? Driving by a coffee shop where you shared a cup? Whatever small reminder brings a friend to mind, send a short message to tell them you are thinking of them.
Random acts of kindness. Even if it’s not their birthday, it is easier than ever to send small gifts through text. Whether a gift card to Starbucks, or a small deposit in a Venmo account can make someone smile for no reason at all.
Listen as much as you share. Be as comfortable lending an ear as you are calling to vent. When the only time the phone rings is when you need to unload, you are not making the needed investments in your friendship.
Use your reminders. Mark down the dates that you share fun times together, things that your friend may not even remember, a celebratory dinner, a work milestone, or a movie you saw together.
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fran lebowitz
REBELLE BOOK LIST
OUR TOP PICKS FOR ALL KINDS OF READERS
Suspense The first in a thrilling new series from Emmy Award– winning journalist Tamron Hall, in which a reporter unravels the disturbing mystery around the deaths of two black girls, the work of a serial killer terrorizing Chicago.
Mystery/Thriller From #1 New York Times bestselling author Liane Moriarty comes a novel that looks at marriage, siblings, and how the people we love the most can hurt us the deepest
Historical Fiction A thrilling tale set in the crumbling city of Mystras, Greece, in which a scientist’s vacation with her young son quickly turns into a fight for their lives after they cross paths with a man out of time.
Memoir/Self-Help One year after the birth of her youngest son, she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. In the blink of an eye, she saw just how far away she was from living a life she actually wanted. Part memoir and part personal development guide.
Celebrity Read Heartbreaking, hilarious, and brutally honest, Going There is the deeply personal life story of a girl next door turned household name.
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BURN IT DOWN OR BURNED OUT Four things to consider as you decide, do you need to make a big change or simply take some time off? by: Shannon Siriano Greenwood
Spot the signs of burnout
01.
Job Burnout is defined as - a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. Signs of burnout include, lack of satisfaction with your accomplishments, finding it difficult to concentrate, lack of motivation, excessive irritability, and others. Sometimes burnout can be a result of problems in the workplace, and sometimes it is from working too much with no real breaks. Check-in, when was the last time you completely unplugged?
Review the toxic workplace checklist Lack of control is a common reason for burnout resulting from a toxic workplace. If you feel you have no control over your schedule, assignments, or workload and feel afraid of sharing that with your team or leader, this is a sign that it is time to make a move. Other symptoms of a poor workplace culture include poor communication, cliques and exclusion, high turnover, and unmotivated coworkers. If you have a gut feeling that stress is coming from the people you work with vs. the tasks you are completing, your workplace is the problem.
03. Look for your sparks Think of things that regularly bring you joy. This could be time spent with friends, walks in nature, reading a good book, or petting a puppy. If you can’t find a spark, this could be a sign of burnout or something more serious. Talking with a healthcare professional could be a good step before you make any big decisions like making a career move.
02. Visualize what is next Opportunities for growth do not always have to come from work, but if you do not feel challenged, you may have hit a plateau. Can you see yourself where you are currently at the end of 2022? If not, and if there is not an opportunity to do something different where you are, it may be time to make a move.
04. 21
AMY MEETS ENDO
ONE THE
WOMAN'S ELUSIVE
JOURNEY
TO
RECEIVING
ENDOMETRIOSIS
AND
DIAGNOSIS
:
RECOVERING AMY
FROM
CROSS
I never knew periods weren’t supposed to be
In reality, relief was still a world away. I had many
painful. When I got mine at 12, I figured the
instances of pelvic pain that had me in ER. My pain
horrendous cramps, vomiting, and passing out were
and symptoms were dismissed as just bad cramps.
all part of this feminine right of passage. By that
One time I passed out on the pool deck of my very
logic, so too was the heavy flow that regularly
important lifeguarding job, got to the ER and was
stained my jeans. I was the 7th grade queen of the
told a cyst had ruptured on my ovary. No reason for
sweatshirt-tied-around-the-waist look.
concern, see ya later.
It took about a year of that torture before my mom
In Pain. Period.
had me put on birth control. This seemed to assuage her fear of the pain I was in and my
I accepted this as part of my identity, assuming all
budding sexuality. Jokes on her though, I’d remain a
women had some form of pain beyond the minor
virgin for 7 more years—but fear not, that course of
inconvenience of a period. I never talked about it
hormones was doing something. In this case,
with my friends though, after all, periods were
slightly lessening the monthly pain of my cycle while
taboo. They were dirty, secret and shameful.
causing who knows what other side effects. In the
Having one that was heavy and hurt? I was taking
late 90’s, we called that a WIN.
that secret to the grave.
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I soldiered on through my teens and twenties, relying
To add another angle to it all, I’d just moved to a
on some form of birth control or another and a
new city and didn’t have much of a relationship
Costco-sized thing of Midol to survive. This was a
with my new OB/GYN practice here. It just so
band-aid solution, and as I approached thirty, it
happened that one of those Facebook-identified
started to peel off.
specialists was in the same practice, though. All I had to do was convince them that I needed to see
The heavy periods were back with a vengeance. I
this person and that my case deserved
had to sneak out to Target on my lunch hour to buy
consideration.
new tights on more than one occasion. The pain shifted from dull and achey to searing and came
My first attempt did not go as planned. I laid out all
with some fun new symptoms, namely exhaustion,
my symptoms (again) and requested referral to the
weight gain and painful intercourse.
specialist in the practice. No such luck. The practitioner I saw that day suggested we change
AMY MEETS ENDO
my birth control or put me on a drug that’s also used to treat prostate cancer. I couldn’t believe
My sister was the first to mention endometriosis to these were the only options presented. I cried in me. She’d been diagnosed two years earlier and had that office and felt completely dismissed. But I had ablation surgery to burn off lesions in her pelvic stood my ground. and abdomen. Sounded graphic. I was not interested in suffering the same fate. Like any little With my older sister’s voice in my ear, I advocated sister would do, I ignored her suggestion. for myself. Through tears, I refused those as solutions and didn’t back down on getting a referral By this time, I was married though, so while I was to the specialist. I succeeded. A few weeks later, I choosing avoidance, it was next to impossible to was seen by the specialist who described my case hide the impact this was having on my life from my as “classic.” Surgery was scheduled for the partner. So…I followed back up with my sister. By this following month. point she’d had her second surgery, this time excision —the gold standard of endometriosis treatment—to
THE NEXT CHAPTER
scrape the lesions out from between her organs. I wish I could say that that’s where my
STEPPING UP AND SPEAKING UP
endometriosis journey ended—with a diagnosis and a successful six-hour surgery. Instead, it's where my
My sister was truly my guide on this journey. I figured I’d go to my gynecologist and say “Hey, here are my symptoms. I have a family history of this
healing journey started. I learned to speak up for myself in medical settings and I gained confidence to ask questions and ask for help.
disease. Let’s do this.” Not so much. She laid it out for me: I had to find a specialist, pretty much plead my case, and pray. To find the specialist, I had to be part of this Facebook group where a random nurse lady vetted surgeons. I’d be lying if I said I felt confident about this approach.
Things resolved for a blissful year and a half before new issues emerged. This time, aching in my legs and back, severe constipation, and more pain. Just a few more of the hallmarks of endometriosis.
AMY MEETS ENDO CONTINUED
The hardest part of finding myself back in pain was
BUILDING A TEAM
the realization that what I’d been experiencing my whole life wasn’t a collection of symptoms, but
I didn’t want to be in pain though, I wanted to keep
rather a chronic disease. One that I’ll always have.
living. So, with the confidence I’d amassed since my last foray into finding treatment for this disease, I set
This new bout of pain got so bad that my husband
out to add to my team. I found myself an amazing
and I had stopped having sex. Major problem
pelvic floor physical therapist who helped me with daily
when you want to start a family. Even if I didn’t
exercises, and even had me bring in my husband in for
scream in pain with penetration, we knew we
some hands-on guidance to help us get frisky again.
faced an uphill battle when it came to conceiving
In addition, I sought out a massage therapist who has a
and carrying a child to term. Just more of the joys
solid understanding of the needs a body with endo has.
of endometriosis.
Add to that a fantastic therapist, and of course the guidance of my OB/GYN, and I finally felt heard and supported.
I don’t know what lies ahead for me or how this disease will shape my life next. Right now, I’m enjoying a lull in symptoms as I head into my 37th week of pregnancy. Yup. That baby that felt so far out of reach will be joining us shortly.
What I do know now is that there’s no shame in talking about periods and all their bloody realities. That women’s pain is real and deserves attention and consideration. And that I will advocate for myself and for others to get the treatment and validation they need.
By this time, I was married though, so while I was choosing avoidance, it was next to impossible to hide the impact this was having on my life from my partner. So…I followed back up with my sister. By this point she’d had her second surgery, this time excision—the gold standard of endometriosis treatment—to scrape the lesions out from between her organs.
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breathe She sat at the back and they said she was shy, She led from the front and they hated her pride, They asked her advice and then questioned her guidance, They branded her loud, then were shocked by her silence, When she shared no ambition they said it was sad, So she told them her dreams and they said she was mad, They told her they'd listen, then covered their ears, And gave her a hug while they laughed at her fears, And she listened to all of it thinking she should, Be the girl they told her to be best as she could, But one day she asked what was best for herself, Instead of trying to please everyone else, So she walked to the forest and stood with the trees, She heard the wind whisper and dance with the leaves, She spoke to the willow, the elm and the pine, And she told them what she'd been told time after time, She told them she felt she was never enough, She was either too little or far far too much, Too loud or too quiet, too fierce or too weak, Too wise or too foolish, too bold or too meek, Then she found a small clearing surrounded by firs, And she stopped...and she heard what the trees said to her, And she sat there for hours not wanting to leave, For the forest said nothing, it just let her breathe.
-Becky Hemsley
GATHERING SPACE PN
Those who attended Rebelle Con in November of 2021 were welcomed into a brand new event space in Richmond, Virginia. A traditional Mediterranean-style mansion with a modern addition, specially designed as an event space, the Maymont Westover Historic building was the backdrop for our team to create a one of a kind experience. Collaborative Effort for Visual Branding From the very beginning, planning this event is a collaborative experience. From the design of the website, curation of content, communications, and execution, everything is done by a small team of passionate women who love the work they do. We let our talented team do what they do best, create! We were excited to bring on a new team member this year, Caroline Wertzel, who was in the process of relocating from New York City to Richmond, VA. Caroline kicked off our process by creating a brand guide specifically for this event. She brought in shadow elements, a refined color palette inspired by the season, and introduced new fonts and design elements. It was great to have a newto-the-brand partner this year to reenvision what we could do for this, our first event back in person. Once that look and feel was finalized, it was up to our Event Designer, Mirna Brousseau to take the look and make it three dimensional. She started by presenting a mood board, which is always one of our favorite team meetings. In addition to being a gifted designer, Mirna is also a florist and event planner (triple threat), so she puts all of her skill sets to use for us to create visual moments throughout the venue and a vibe in each different space.
The final element to visual design is our Creative Director, Bethany Silva. She protects the brand at all costs and makes sure there is consistency both in the content we share, design of our events, printed materials and even how our logos and likenesses are used by other outlets. Bethany creates our Playbook (conference booklet) and other printed elements like directional signage, display signs, stickers, and gift tags. We try to think creatively about each and every element to elevate the vibe. All of these pieces play a role in creating an experience for our attendees.
Partnerships Make It All Possible Finding supportive partners is advice we share with women from the stage at Rebelle Con, but they are also words we live by. Paisley & Jade, a specialty events rental company owned by duo Perkins Morgan and Morgan Montgomery, has been a supporter of Rebelle Con since our beginnings. They beautifully curate one of a kind furniture pieces and let us raid their inventory of our events. This year, we were excited to bring on a new partner, new business owner, Jasmine Hunter of Dream Based Production. She provided unique outdoor picnic seating under our tent and set each place setting for the perfect photo opp.
BEHIND THE DESIGN Conversation with Mirna Brousseau of Brousseau Events Florals: This year's floral inspiration was a moodier palette than past events and lots of texture. I was obsessed with the brown roses that had a yellowish undertone. This was a little risk as I had never worked with them before, but they turned out perfect.
Decor: My goal was using layers and texture on the stage which is why we did pillows on the sofa on the stage and people ended up cuddling them, which was great.
Back Drop: We knew we wanted to do something unique with signage which inspired the blackboard that we used for the stage backdrop. I was drawn to the black and darker pieces looking at Paisley & Jade's inventory. We had some other things that came together accidentally like the green wall in the center of the venue. We had the wall outside, but it felt wasteful to leave it there all day, so we moved it and it became one of the main backdrop for photos.
Furniture: The furniture was a mix of contemporary and traditional which was a compliment to the venue as it had both styles in one building. I always use candles because I want it to feel homey, like we are sitting in someone's living room. It is the last sense that helps achieve a feeling of intimacy.
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Join our email list at readytorebelle.com
AQUIRED
BLUE OCEAN BRAIN
Only 37% of tech startups have at least one woman on the board of directors, which is why Blue Ocean Brain has us following along like the groupies of a boyband. This software company, founded by three women, is making waves in the professional skills development space by building out a micro-learning tool that companies can use to develop their team members. Blue Ocean Brain currently employees 45 people and serves organizations in 50 countries. The micro-learning platform hosts trainings on navigating change, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and communication among others. With the growing interest in online training, now that more employers are managing a displaced workforce, this company was positioned well for sale with interest from both private investors and strategic buyers. They just sold their company to a Texas-based e-learning company HSI. Why is this important? Because the ways in which women-led technology companies invest in growth is paving the way for companies behind them. “This is an important moment for each of us. This is a huge win and it feels great, but even though it was our baby and we’ve put everything into it, we also want to be a good steward for its growth trajectory,” Herring said to Richmond Times Dispatch who reported on the sale. We asked their co-founder and CEO, now Chief Learning Officer, Claire Herring a few questions about the sale.
Q&A WITH THEIR CO-FOUNDER When starting with two co-founders you went through LightHouse Labs, an accelerator program. How far were you in the process of launching? We had a beta version of the Blue Ocean Brain learning platform and about 10 clients during the accelerator.
What advice would you have for founders
You worked with an acquisition firm to negotiate the sale, what did it feel like to have over 50 entities, companies and private investors, wanting to own the business you built? We are grateful to the team at Transact Capital for the process they took us through and the way they helped Blue Ocean Brain enter the market. It was affirming to have lots of great high-caliber private equity and a few strategic buyers demonstrate strong interest and intent. We were fortunate to have an opportunity to vet these companies as much as they were vetting us.
considering a program like that? We would advise that founders develop some
Why did you decide that now was the time to
specific goals they are aiming to achieve before
sell?
entering the program. Some are searching for advice, or help with fundraising, while others may be looking to develop a go-to-market strategy and build new technology. Knowing what you need will
Market conditions were ideal to secure a growth partner that we believed could take BOB to an entirely new level including significant global expansion.
help you invest your time with the right mentors.
Until this sale, the business was self funded. How did you resist the urge to take capital early on? We struggled to raise capital in Richmond – I think that is changing but early on, there were fewer opportunities for early-stage companies. We attempted to raise money and were unsuccessful, and now are very thankful we were able to
How did you and your co-founders narrow down the offers and ultimately make your decision? Our focus was creating a sustainable path for people that offered growth and opportunity. We also looked for an organization that believed in the work with do at Blue Ocean Brain and would continue to support a high level of service for our clients.
bootstrap and secure a couple loans in the early days.
The sale was announced almost one month ago, how did you celebrate and what has changed? We aren’t great at celebrating personally but we had an amazing holiday gathering with all our Blue Ocean Brain people. Seeming them excited about the future is the perfect way to celebrate our success!
PN
TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SOUP
This meatless meal brings cozy comfort to weeknights at home.
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VEGETARIAN ENCHILADA SOUP
TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SOUP 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped 2 large carrots, roughly chopped 4 cloves garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil 28oz diced tomatoes 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 15oz cans cannellini beans (reserve liquid) 2 cups vegetable broth 1 egg yolk 1 cup chopped escarole 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Add the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic to a food processor and pulse until chunky, then transfer vegetable mixture to a large dutch oven and drizzle with olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes until softened. Add the tomatoes and red pepper flakes and continue to cook over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, until the mixture is thickened. Drain the cannellini beans, reserving the liquid in a small bowl. Add the beans and vegetable broth to the pot and continue to cook for 8-10 minutes. Whisk the egg yolk into the bean liquid until smooth. Remove the soup from heat. Add the egg mixture to the soup and stir until combined. Stir in chopped escarole. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving, then top each bowl with Parmesan cheese.
VEGETARIAN ENCHILADA SOUP 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 yellow onion, diced
In a large pot, add the olive oil, onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño.
1 green bell pepper, chopped
Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until the vegetables have softened.
1 small jalapeño seeded and diced (optional)
Add the broth, enchilada sauce, corn, tomatoes, and black beans.
2 cups vegetable broth 1 cup enchilada sauce 1 cup corn
Turn heat to medium-high and simmer for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low, then add cream cheese. Stir until combined. Keep on a low heat until ready to serve.
1 (10oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilis 1 (15oz) can black beans drained and rinsed 4 oz cream cheese
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CARROT GINGER SOUP 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large yellow onion, diced 1” piece of ginger, minced
In a large pot or dutch oven, add the olive oil, onion, ginger, and garlic and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the carrots, vegetable broth, baking soda, and thyme and bring to a boil. Once 1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the carrots are soft. into 1″ pieces 4 cloves garlic
Remove the thyme sprigs and transfer the soup to a blender. Do not fill the blender 1/4 teaspoon baking soda more than half full. Remove the plastic vent in the lid of the blender, then cover 2 sprigs fresh thyme with a kitchen towel. This will allow steam Croutons for topping (optional) to escape. Blend until the soup is perfectly smooth. 2 cups vegetable broth
Pour into bowls and add salt and pepper to taste. Top with croutons, if desired.
CARROT GINGER SOUP
Liz Thomson is a cookbook author and the blogger behind I Heart Vegetables, a site dedicated to delicious vegetarian recipes. She loves showing how eating healthy doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. When she's not playing in the kitchen, she can be found working on a DIY project with her husband or strolling around the neighborhood with their toddler foster son.
michelle obama
A T I T UDE R G STUDIES SHOW THAT PRACTICING GRATITUDE IMPROVES PHYSICAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, AND IMPROVES SELF ESTEEM, ACCORDING TO AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGIST AND PROFESSOR AT UC DAVIS, ROBERT A. EMMONS, PH.D., A LEADING GRATITUDE RESEARCHER. HIS STUDIES CONFIRM THAT GRATITUDE EFFECTIVELY INCREASES HAPPINESS AND REDUCES DEPRESSION. When I was struggling with postpartum depression after the birth of my first baby, my therapist and I were talking about gratitude. I knew I needed to focus on gratitude, but writing things down in a journal was not enough for me. I wanted to express my thanks to those who had inspired and supported me. I wanted to look them in the eyes, and say, “Thank You”. So I did what any good event planner would do, I hosted a “Thank You Party”. I made a list of 30 women, some who I knew and some who I didn’t, and sent them each a heartfelt message telling them how they had impacted me. I asked them to come for drinks and snacks at a local restaurant, and encouraged them to invite a woman who they wanted to thank as their plus 1. The result was a room full of women who were there to receive and give thanks to one another. It was the first time I had felt that kind of energy and I was hooked. I know that many people think networking is uncomfortable, and sometimes it can be, but making connections with intention (and through gratitude) will lead you to experience relationships, build your confidence, and open you up to opportunities you can’t even visualize at this moment. -Shannon Siriano Greenwood