As Sheryl Sandberg once said: It’s time to lean in; Jaclyn Johnson - CEO of Create & Cultivate responds: Now we stand up!
Create & Cultivate is the fastest-growing online platform and conference for millennial women in business. They are gathering the next generation of curious creatives, entrepreneurs, and CEOs to spark conversation around the topics women are passionate about these days: From building a business to raising money, to the challenges and triumphs of being a modern working woman in today’s world.
Create & Cultivate is my kind of spirit and that’s the reason why this book was at the very top of my reading list. And guess what? I inhaled it, reflected on the topics inside this book, and reviewed it.
The author suffered a massive blow in her early twenties. She was on an upward career climb and confidently moved across the country for a job—and then, was abruptly let go. Attempting to turn that closed door into an open window, she launched a company with a trusted business partner. Soon after, she discovered said business partner had made detrimental decisions to the company without her knowledge. Before she knew it, she was in the throes of a brutal business partner breakup. In Work Party, Jaclyn shows how she turned distrust into determination, frustration into fuel, and heartache into hard work.
Work Party is a new approach to work for a new generation of women. It combines real talk, confessions, failure, vulnerability, advice, and lessons learned along the way. It's a fantastic read for women who want it all and can have it all.
There’s only saying yes, figuring it out, and knowing there will be a few bumps along the way.
My favourite parts of the book & main takeaways:
I love how Jaclyn describes the magic of the initial stages of her first business. I could feel her excitement and uncertainty all over my body while reading: "It was us, cheap furniture, laptops, and unfettered enthusiasm propelling us forward into an unknown and exciting space (metaphorically and literally)". She encourages women to cherish and celebrate this special time of their first company because it will probably never get better and purer than at that moment.
Know your shit! The advice she gives while you’re pitching your idea to potential investors/partners is priceless. Always be ready to unpack your elevator pitch. Arm yourself with your biggest wins and key references, know who is going to be in the room (know more about them than they know about you), and be ready to talk money. Walk into any room armed with the know-how to knock ‘em dead. Do everything to make it your room – if you’re sitting down, find a reason to stand up. Refresh the room’s vibe and create a little momentum.
The burning questions you must ask yourself about building your business, your tribe, and your and brand, mentioned in this book. Bring in the experts – staff your weakness, bring in people who are smarter and better than you, and don’t make promises you can’t keep (at least not in the beginning). And when it comes to hiring people, the interview questions on page 121 are very insightful.
This book is not the best entrepreneurship/career book for women I’ve ever read but it is an easy read and still very delightful. I recommend it to my generation – Millennial women - because we’re here to inspire us also the next-gen of CEOs and bosses who can make all the change we’ve been talking about real.
My favorite quote:
Let’s all take a moment to remember that life can change in an instant. You can’t predict when you will get a phone call, a letter, a text, an email, or a small note via carrier pigeon that alters your future. Let’s all remember that life-changing news happens completely at random, and sometimes when the stars align, you get an email that you didn’t know you wanted (or needed) to receive so very badly. Be ready to leap when opportunity knocks.
About the Author:
Jaclyn Johnson is the CEO of Create & Cultivate, the fastest growing platform for women seeking to build the career of their dreams. Jaclyn has been named to Forbe’s 30 Under 30 for Marketing and Advertising, an Adweek Disruptor, and a Woman of Note by the Wall Street Journal.