At first glance – this picture looks like image of two of my nearest & dearest with Jessica Alba and me. It looks like a celebration of Jessica’s new Honest Company – her start-up eco-friendly brand dedicated to safe, sustainable products for the next generation. The newcomer line features a green, clean POV and a unique (jury out) distribution model focused on ease of acquisition for parents. I am impressed Jessica’s passion and drive – and her savvy partnership with Christopher Gavigan which helped bring her vision to life.
Nicole Felicano, Vera Sweeney, Jessica Alba and Julia Beck
Look a bit more closely (and know what I know) – and what you see are four women with passion drive and the ability to make it so. Nicole Felicano, founder of Momtrends hit a home-run as the host of Jessica’s launch event at (my personal fave) ABC Kitchen in New York. Nicole continues to hone her craft and scale her brand (and her sweet spot) – and has grown her vertical to include influencer liaison work. I am impressed but certainly not surprised with her accomplishments. Vera Sweeney, a woman whose ability to spot what is next is only surpassed by her knack for building powerful partnerships and her mighty and impressive work ethic. She and (sadly MIA) Getting Gorgeous partner Audrey McLelland -a multi-tasking goddess with striking good looks, contagious enthusiasm and endless energy- have, in addition to their respective empires (understatement) and collaborative brand, just announced that their newly born STRUT will be part of Fashion Week next month. As part of a partnership with other industry heavy-weights, these two will bring the first mom-focused runway show (with an array of brands and celebrity mom models) to take place during fashion week to life at Lincoln center.
WHEW!
Pull the lens back and you see something richer, deeper and worth a second look. This image captures the energy and the sisterhood of successful women at a moment of accomplishment . This is the knowing smile, the warm hug, the hard-earned exhale. It is a portrait of women with passion, drive, creativity, sticktoitiveness, savvy and likely sleep deprivation. This is a view of entrepreneurs (Mompreneurs if you please) with both focus and faith, women who have taken real-time chances with impressive results. And of course this an image of what we should strive for, mentor in and share with our daughters…
As the year ends, I find myself slowing and reflecting – appropriate I would say after the wild ride that was 2011. Looking back this was a year of remarkable challenges and frankly some very happy endings. And when I wander back through the months – one thing stands out and that is commitment. The deep, undeniable commitment of the Forty Weeks team to their clients, projects, partners, ideals, core values and biggest picture view of what needs to happen next. I continue to be moved by the way in which the entire team reliably navigates with such grace and passion. And frankly the results impress even the very hard-to-please me!
I am lucky to be surrounded by such remarkable people, engaging projects and to be at the epicenter of such a vibrant industry.
What do I see for 2012? Funny you should ask…
STRATEGY SESSIONS
This sector of our business continues to grow and thrive – in fact, this particular sweet spot of ours has lined up perfectly with the needs of some of our oldest industry friends as well as international newcomers, expanding brands and organizations in transition. The process of stopping and defining via the Forty Weeks Road Map has led some of our clients on the way to the very best of what is next for them – and of course, we take great pride in these critical accomplishments. Look for Forty Weeks to continue to lead the category in strategy and for new brands to find their way to our innovative methodologies.
PHILANTHROPIC PARNERSHIPS
It is where I live – in clear lane of ALL mothers needing the tools to survive and thrive for themselves, their children and their families. I have had a long-standing commitment to bringing the Forty Weeks savvy to a wide scope of philanthropic organizations. This year, expect to see some new milestones – think both brands and non-profits raising the bar both on what they will do to reach much needed funding milestones and awareness and also on what they will deliver to all women. This is both energizing and incredibly exciting for all parties and something we will take great pride in on an ongoing basis. Some hints – think celebrity, programming, anniversary and celebration.
INFLUENCER MEETINGS OF THE MINDS
There is a great deal to say about how the collective sum of the women I connect with on a daily basis is much greater than the individual parts. And the parts are outstanding too! It is community made up all of some incredible secret sauce. And with that power, commitment and drive I can hardly wait to see what comes next! Well I may have a little idea, but you will need to stay tuned…
CONFERENCES, SPEACHES, SESSIONS
Join us as we explore a wide range of topics with some of the brightest women in the business. Expect new, provocative topics, insights and calls to action in 2012!
BABYMOON, PAMPERING, PLEASE!!!
Oh yes, I will keep my “Fairy Godmother” wand well polished, my bump-style spree step-out in high gear, my craving radar at the ready and my pampering play list well studied — this is the fun part, and I would not pass on the privilege of sharing a little Gestational Girl-time for all the tea in China (oooh, tea sounds good!!!).
PHILANTRHOPIC HONORS
I did hear a little something…
CONTENT
Yes, there is lots brewing here and mainly I will say, stay tuned and you will not be disappointed
Am I a tease? Well yes, I am – but I promise the “what comes next” is the stuff that makes us all glad we came along for the ride. Happy New Year and I will see you all, with bells on, in 2012!
Today on Twitter I was overwhelmed and completely moved by being referred to as a Fairy Godmother. It was not the first time (thank you David Gaunt for the Dolly Levi comparison), but I must admit – in the big, reality show world of experts, gurus, and other super savants – all titles that clearly do not suit me, this one feels right. I know my wise friend Samantha Ettus would agree – this is my personal brand.
Nadia and Julia - Babymoon in NYC!
I have been in this space for quite a long time. And I have seen a great deal (understatement). Feel free to pursue the Back Labor Blog for a sense of just some of the madness I have witnessed. I have seen brands, trends and individuals rise from obscurity, take hold or more often than not – fade away. I have coined, encouraged, mentored, mediated and managed. I have advised, advocated and sometimes (ok, maybe more than sometimes) agitated. But in the final analysis what it comes down to is this – PEOPLE.
I have fought hard for one thing the care and feeding of expectant and new parents – ALL new parents. Be it my early, impassioned aspiration of helping brands to speak intelligently and with care to this very eager but also suddenly vulnerable market of new and expectant parents, or my desire to create real-time access to honest information from which parents can make informed decisions – or my sincere belief that brands, influencers and consumers alike have a real obligation to give back in a way that allows all parents access to this level of care and yes, honest, clear information. I have raised the bar and insisted that this industry can operate from a place of integrity and respect. And I am relentless in my pursuit and maintenance of this standard (mandate). It is no secret I am as tough as I am generous and I like it that way.
It is about respect. And with that comes care – and yes Jessica, Nadia and all of you beautiful creatures, that includes a blow-out and decadent nibbles when you are feeling at the end of your pregnancy rope. Because, to me, that is part of it too. There is fun to be had, life to celebrate and certainly there are quality relationships to forge. So, Bippity, Bobitty, Boop– I am happy – no, I am ecstatic, to be the Fairy godmother – it is nothing short of an honor and am I both humbled and proud.
And so while people keep popping up (oh should I have said Pope-ing) up in the expectant and new parent space – I am happy to let them have their Fifteen Minutes, two-seasons, blog-of-the-moment, what-ever floats their boat. If you need me, I will be here with my magic wand, making it so….
The energy around R Baby Foundation is swirling and quite remarkable. My in-box is brimming over expressions of gratitude for our roundtable but also with offers to do more to support RBF. The response to last Friday’s event has shown me just how powerful philanthropic moms can be. And this is right in line with my vision — the one where I am clear about just how much can be done through connecting for good.
My hypothesis for the day was simple — bring acomplished, strong, motivated, influential women into the room, introduce them to each other and to R Baby Foundation. Give them access to each other both personally and professionally. And of course, give them the tools, motivation and interest in applying their influence to the work of improving pediactric emergency care. Then, webcast out and tweet in a rich dialog with women everywhere — offering an intimate yet inclusive experience that all links right back to RBF.
Did it work – I would say so. Here are some stats for starters:
219 people viewed the event (from both USA and Canada).
The feedback from Friday’s event has been incredibly positive. I am thrilled that we’ve ignited the interest and opened the hearts of so many to R Baby Foundation. It was a most remarkable day. And I must add, one for the fashion records — everyone looked so beautiful! So I’d thought I’d share a little inside line on our looks and in specific, how to steal mine.
Hair: Blow, 14th Street – but of course (the official pre-event salon of Forty Weeks!). Kyle did a fantastic job of giving me just the right coif!
Brows: Red Door (really, really) — Bethesda based Nahid has been the keeper of my brows for as long as I can recall – and she earned that title yet again.
Make-up: Buffy and co produced flawless and individual looks for each of us. And, she did this as a gift to the Foundation. I could not take my eyes of off the stunning panelists. Here are a few of us, pre-program:
Beth Feldman, Lauren Parisier, Brenda Berg, Phyllis Rabinowitz, Nicole Feliciano and me!
My dress: Alice and Trixie – which I found locally (Luna, Bethesda) when I was helping IRLer Jamie Bernstein look for a dress – she ended up helping me!
Alice and Trixie Austin Dress
My Shawl: DVF’s new linen scarf has been as early go-to favorite and once again made the look! This was part of my February spree and really has already earned it’s keep!
DVF Linen Gauze Scarf in African Sugar
My necklace – I stumbled upon this piece at another local (Bethesda) haunt South Moon Under — I was on a mission for chunky (after IRL Alice and I failed on Valentine’s day to find something in Georgetown) and found this:
Leslie Danzis three loop with staggered tassel mesh necklace
Of course there was Spanx and boots (from another local -Bethesda’s own Zelaya) in the picture too. Frankly, I am ready for that season to end, but I digress!
Not bad for a girl who had no clue what she was wearing the week before the event! Thank you all for the incredible feedback. What a day – for fashion and for the Foundation…
I am still buzzing from yesterday’s energy. It was positively electric and contagious – and frankly game changing. Yesterday at the W, Union Square (to whom I owe lots of love and thanks), I gathered some of the most remarkable women I know to talk Priorities, Passions and Community. We came together in support of the R Baby Foundation and of each other – the results were big and bold – the stuff that lives on in your heart and mind forever.
Before we went live – I tried to express my gratitude to all the women in the room. Incredible moms and business women, bloggers and influencers who have been my friends (some new, some for many years) go-to women and partners – dedicated, reliable and encouraging without fail. I tried to articulate just what it meant to have such accomplished and caring women answer the call for me and for R Baby. And as I spoke I caught the eyes of these beautiful women -one by one – and what my words did not say, I know my heart did – “Namaste” – from the beauty and spirit in me to the beauty and spirit in you – and you know – that was the it, the moment, the mood and the energy. Share your grace and yourself with me and I will share mine with you – and together we will make amazing things happen. And we will…
We went live and got to it – sharing and discussing our lives in the raw. We all took great care neither to sugar coat nor to scare but rather to tell the truth about mompreneurship and our lives. The questions and the answers inspired a great deal of chatter on-line (over 500 tweets came in filled with questions, stories and encouragement). The information resonated and inspired. There is no question that anyone who participated walked away full of new considerations, ideas, inspiration and motivation.
We spoke a great deal about right brain thinking, intuition (gut listening as I called it) and questioning as cornerstones of our success. We talked about intention, clarity and family. We talked about what we’ve lost and what we’ve gained. We shared our source of motivation and support as well as our rituals. It was all there! We talked about our roles in helping to improve the state of pediatric emergency care not only by raising funds and awareness for RBF but also by empowering other women and their families to know their rights and responsibilities in an emergency medical situation. And of course, to exercise these knowing, as we do, that all emergency rooms are not created equal. The message and the meaning got through loud and clear. As my friend Ciaran Blumenfeld remarked (not in the room but certainly present on this project) – you’ve got to push, you’ve got to question, you’ve got to demand – both in your mompreneurship and also in any medical situation – show tenacity be your own advocate.
How will I ever adequately thank Emily McKhann and Beth Feldman for bringing the day to life through their incredibly engaging and vibrant moderation? Or Laruen Parisier, Nicole Feliciano, Brenda Berg and Kimberly Seals Allers for bringing their whole selves to the table to share the absolute truth about their lives as mompreuers stunningly raw and honest. Or my friend Phyllis Rabinowitz…pregnant and breathtakingly strong and vulnerable all at once – how to thank her for sharing the story of her harrowing loss and her journey back again to fight ( as she does every day ) to improve the quality of emergency medical care so that no parent, no family should suffer the tragedy of losing a baby? So really – I am not sure I can or will ever get it just right. The words, the deeds the expression – though I will try.
In the meantime – please watch our not yet edited version of Priorities, Passions and Community. Share it with the women in your life. This is my way of trying to both hold on to and share the wisdom and the love in the room yesterday – Namaste.
Bringing like minded people together is really one of best party tricks (after showing off my Gumby-like flexibility and encyclopedic knowledge of song lyrics that is) – connecting the dots well is just what I do. And I consider it a day well spent when a connection I’ve made works well, makes a difference and in the best case, makes the world a better place – benefiting all involved.
Friday promises to set a new standard for connection for good. I will be with my bloggy friends, my business friends and my beloved R Baby Foundation. We will join together to raise funds and awareness for improved pediatric emergency care. We will share in a roundtable focused on passions, priorities and community - examining how these there elements lead to success for women. It is my hope that all who participate in the roundtable will walk away with not only inspiration and connection but also a clear vision as to how they will step up and make a difference.
What I know is that each one of you has the power (and the goods) to ignite your passions, set your priorities and engage your communities in what is important to you. So tune in (webcast details are below), tweet in (#RBabyLive) and get ready — the world is about to change – for good!
Long ago and far away – in a city called New York at an event called Kids for Kids (to benefit Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric Aids Foundation) my little girl was just that (and proud too – to be making a difference the lives of African children)…time flies but the love remains! Wishing all of you love that grows and stands the test of time!
It’s the year of the Tiger – and here’s my Valentine!
Last week I let you in behind the velvet ropes of my latest bit of fun with the beautiful bump-goddess that is Jenni Hogan. I shared with you how we reached out to our friends (Song, Shannon and Jen that’s you) in maternity fashion land to help Jenni Hogan to find three frocks for consideration for her #GO RED Friday fun.
Jenni Hogan
All of my super wonderful friends offered up the best bump-fashion around and then went above and beyond – they all agrees to donate back to American Heart Association for anyone who used the code AHA. Talk about heart!
Here are the contenders – prepare to drool over these maternity dresses! And, the voting is still going on – join us pick, click and help us raise money for the American Heart Association…
Friday found me shivering over a steaming cup of latte with my IRL friend and on-line power-house Joanne Bamberger (aka PunditMom). We covered all the important topics – kids, home, restaurants and wardrobe (are we really dressing for the Mad Men party at Mom 2.0?!?!) and eventually settled into one of the very stimulating conversations that really is the cornerstone of our friendship. We were talking about mothers and activism, politics and causes. And I shared with her what I consider to be secret to all of this amazing female power (you will need to wait for her book to find out what that is!). I shared anecdotes of how mothers have rallied to support causes that feel both personal and profoundly important to them – engaging their friends, families and on-line communities for the greater good.
This morning I got an email from Brian Boyd telling me that we needed to bump R Baby Foundation’s Facebook friends to 100 ( at 10 am and before I got busy there were 25 friends) by Monday. And I took this as an outstanding opportunity to present my friend Joanne with hard evidence of the power of which I speak. And now, if you are reading this before Monday, you are part of a grand experiment. Can I do it? Can I harness the power of my twitter, FB, and IRL communities to help RBF reach their goal?
On twitter I have reached out to some passionate, engaged women who I feel certainly qualify as Philanthropic Moms; strong, community-minded, well-regarded women with a clear voice and passion. This is simply a random cross section. I actually think most of the women who I follow and engage with on twitter are just that (and exactly why I follow them) and for the sake of this live case-study/experiment this is the list:
And for you — if you are reading this, you are invited, encouraged and asked nicely to please go to RBF’s Facebook page and be a friend! Help me show Joanne the power of Philanthropic Moms.
Please forward along and keep checking back for the tally! If I can get us there by Monday one of the Moms listed above will will a pedicure on me (with me if you like!!!)!
