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Friday, March 22, 2013

Monday, March 18, 2013

Make it Happen Monday: Consecutiveness Times Two

The goal for the week is have at least three consecutive blog posts and get to bed before midnight at least three nights this week. Remember, that time when I set a blog posting goal. It seems so long ago! Now that I have more of an idea of what I want to write and communicate, the ideas are coming. The actually posting... well, still working on that part, lol.

In order to truly accomplish this goal writing it down will help make it happen. Last week was really busy with a lot of positive developments. Ideally, I would have posted my thoughts and shared my experiences but time escaped me. I am going to do a better job at posting, just like the good 'ol days.

Here is how this week's posts will transpire (more or less)...

Tuesday: A collection of some of my favorite tweets over the past week or so. Look out for Tuesday Tweets!

Wednesday: I follow a couple of fashion blogs and I am impressed with the time and detail these bloggers put into their style and their blog posts. I love fashion but I could never maintain a personal fashion blog. The best I can do is have a weekly post of an article of clothing or an accessory that I admire. Look out for Wednesday Wear!

Thursday: Not sure yet about Thursday.

Friday: My favorite day to post! As I've mentioned so many times before, I like lists. I'm not sure what Friday's faves list will be just yet but I promise it will be good.

I was feeling a little under the weather, both literally and figuratively. I wish I had enough energy to write this post earlier, but better late than never. Midnight is approaching! Time to sleep.

Happy Monday!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Make IT Happen Monday: Application Time

A few months ago, I a met young woman interested in entrepreneurship and startups at a pitch competition at Georgetown University. In a serendipitous way, we met via Twitter while tweeting at this event. Score for hashtags.

What is great about our encounter is that she ended up being the first women of color running her own startup that I've met. I was impressed with her idea - layway plans for plane tickets. Since we've met she has been making it happen, including winning a hackathon in Atlanta at the end of 2012. Ama is the founder of Airfordable and is charging ahead. I'm really excited for her. Yay Ama!

Thanks to Ama, I learned one of her friends got accepted to a startup program in Boston. I was on Twitter and reading different tweets and came across their conversation. I was immediately intrigued about this intensive incubator-esque opportunity in a very techie city like Boston, Massachusetts. The program is now called StartupInstitute and has an additional site in New York City.

Every few months,  StartupInstitute reviews applications from college graduates and young professionals from all over the world. Their mission is to equip candidates with skills such as business development and product design to immediately impact a startup. I love the concept of the program and I have officially decided to apply. Lol, I haven't even told my family or friends so if I happen to get selected, then I will need to conjure up an epic story to weasel my way to Beantown.

I don't have a tech background but I won't let that deter me. My passion, imagination and work ethic are major bonus points. I really want to build the ideas I see in my head. Besides, if I want to meet like-minded folks, I have to go where they are, right? I know there are numerous startups and top-notch schools to surround myself. Moreover, if I want to see more diversity, I must choose to be part of the solution.

If I get accepted, that would be an amazing way to celebrate my upcoming birthday. It doesn't hurt to try, better yet, it doesn't hurt to try to make IT happen.

Happy Monday!



Friday, March 8, 2013

Friday Faves

Happy International Women's Day. Though in my last post, I mentioned that I would highlight a few of my favorite posts I think I'll save the vanity for another day. To celebrate International Women's Day (March 8th), here are a few of my favorite online resources for young women like yours truly.

1. The Everygirl - I discovered this site after Forbes.com listed it in not one, but two of their lists for 2012. It's a casual and carefree with topics ranging from jobs/internships, fashion and wellness. My favorite part of the site are the features. It's great to read about women who have really taken their professional lives into their own hands.

2. Learnvest - This financial-savvy site is targeted to women to ensure that women take control and understand their finances. Their motto, "where life gets richer" is clever and I'm finally going to sign up this year. There is a lot of great information as well as personal stories about women how have saved, invested and eliminated debt.

3. Levo League - I am a big fan of Caroline and Amanda for developing a professional site for young women. There is a ton of career advice, including office hours from women across a variety of industries. I really like the look-and-feel of the new design for 2013. The site continues to grow which is exciting to see.

These are just a few of my favorites sites that target young women. Though I would like to see more diversity, I think these resources have helped me (and so many others) in different areas of my life. Kudos to their founders! 

I will leave you with a particularly appropriate quote from the one and only, Madeline Albright -

"There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Belatedness

I thought today marked my six month blogging anniversary. Well, I was wrong, which is kind of funny because yesterday was a snow day. Some areas of the Washington metropolitan region got zilch while others got as much as a foot of snow. The mid-Atlantic is peculiar, fickle perhaps, in terms of climate.

The bright star was out shining so the white stuff melted away rather quickly. Speaking of quickly, six months sure has escaped me. The best of times, the worst of times. In honor of my six months, aka my blog's half birthday, tomorrow's faves list will be a collection of my favorite posts. That idea just came to me, so I need to spend tonight re-reading my posts. Fun times.

Oh, and for a little inspiration I will leave you with this poster that hangs in my friend's office. Look closely... at the bottom. The Swahili words translate to read "I am an entrepreneur".




 Here's to another six months! Let's hope I'm not a day late next time.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Make IT Happen Monday: Levo League Style

The first edition of Make IT Happen Mondays is coming a little late but better late than ever. Let's dive right in.

I attended a Local Levo event about two, maybe three weeks ago, on the campus of GWU. With February being such a quick, four weeks I am still adjusting to the beginnings of the month of March. At said event, there was a panel of women discussing their careers, business ventures, blogging, etc. It was very well attended and I felt really good afterwards; I even chatted with a few of the speakers, organizers and attendees for almost an hour.

As I walked back to the Metro station, I thought about the energy in the room. It was a comfortable, safe space for young women to ask questions about real-world situations. Crazy bosses. Entrepreneurship. Personal branding. Femininity in business. Networking. There were a lot of thought-provoking questions that created a healthy dialogue.

I wanted to create or perhaps re-create a similar scenario. The only place that came to mind was my alma mater, George Mason University, which has a very diverse student population. By the time I got home, I had panelists in mind, a theme, a location. The following day, I bounced the idea with a college friend. She gave me the feedback and support that I needed - thanks Amy!

Fast forward two weeks. I've been in contact with my alumni office to host a panel of female graduates to discuss life after college for female undergraduate students. There are many issues including the pay gap and family planning that are important for women to really consider prior to graduating. I am hoping that this panel is an opportunity for students to consider these issues and their circumstances in our post-recession world. I am waiting to hear back regarding some of the details and logistics for the event, which will tentatively take place in April. Fingers crossed!

And that's how I am making "IT" happen.

If you have a story to share, let me know so I can feature you in a future Make it Happen Monday post. 

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Oh and Happy Women's History Month. Fun Important fact to share - On this day in 1917, Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first female member of the U.S. House of Representatives. #progress. HuffPostWomen will be tweeting facts in honor of Women's History Month, so check them out for more information.
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