
###Katia Beauchamp, Co-Founder and CEO of Birchbox
Shes focusing on being more thoughtful every day.

In the nine years since Beauchamp founded Birchbox, its been a whirlwind. Shes had four children, and her last pregnancy entailed being on bedrest in the hospital for the last trimester. "I was overwhelmed by the amount of love I felt coming at me from family, friends, and even strangers, she says. It motivated me every day to see how fortunate I was versus feeling sorry for myself. So this year, her goal is to pay it forward by focusing on the good things in life, including the people around her. Despite her busy CEO schedule, this year, I am going to overcome those challenges to be a more thoughtful wife, daughter, mother, and friend, says Beauchamp. My aim is to make bigger efforts with my people." Her secret to following through on that? Writing it down. "Journaling is a big part of bringing awareness back to the great things in life, she explains. I love the Five Minute Journal because it's so doable [even when Im busy] and shapes my perspective each day."


###Shan-Lyn Ma, Founder and CEO of Zola
This year, shes focusing on quality time with loved ones.

Ma revolutionized the wedding registry model with the website Zola, much to the relief of style-savvy couples everywhere. While taking her company to the next level is always at the top of her mindand requires constant attentionshes also realizing that work-life balance goes hand in hand with the success of her business. Making time for herself makes her a better leader. Over the past few years, my morning routine has morphed from craziness and caffeine to journaling, meditating, taking my dog Noe for a walk.and, well, still caffeine, Ma says. In the evening, I have a skincare ritual that helps me unwind before bed. Her next step for the new year? Hanging out with family and friends more. My brother is planning his wedding, which I am so excited about and, of course, I have a lot of opinions, she says. My goal is to enjoy and make time for those special moments with him and my family.

Shes focusing on helping others help themselves.

Thomas is the brains and heart behind Mama Glow, a lifestyle brand, website and womens center in Brooklyn, New York that offers inspiration, education, and holistic services for expectant and new mothers. For her, self-care is a crucial part of her work and life philosophy, so she knows first-hand the difference it can make. Sometimes we spend so much energy looking after others that we forget to pour that same energy into ourselves, Thomas says. Part of my mission this year will be holding space for other caregivers who dont make time and space for themselves. Shes working with new team members and a global network of doulas to support self-care for everyone. I am committing to hosting more healing circles in our womens wellness space in Brooklyn because they are so transformative, she adds.


###Kristin Cavallari, Founder of Uncommon James
Shes focusing on improving her work-life balance.

Cavallari, who runs Uncommon James, a jewelry line designed for on-the-go women, and also is the author of the New York Times bestselling books True Roots and Balancing in Heels, is ready to slow down this year. Her jewelry business grew so fasta good thing, obviouslythat she had to pitch in everywhere in the company (also a good thing, she says). But it cut into her time with her family. I went from taking and picking up my kids every day at school to it now being [my husband] Jay [doing so] most days, Cavallari says. I miss that, so I want a little more balance. She plans to stay hyper-focused and mindful of the time when shes at work so she can be present with her family once shes back home.


###Sadie Lincoln, Co-Founder and CEO of barre3
Shes focusing on soaking up every last minute with her kids.

While Lincoln seems like your typical wellness guru, she has the business acumen to match. She started barre3, her innovative fitness class, in one Portland, Oregon studio in 2008and since then, her company has grown to 140+ locations worldwide. Mindfulness has always been an integral part of her life, but now she feels like its more important than everespecially when it comes to her family. Being more present in the lives of my children is absolutely my priority in the coming year, says Lincoln. Im focused on simply being there for them during the day-to-dayeven the seemingly inconsequential moments, like driving them to sports practice. She knows that epic bonding isnt going to happen all the timeshe admits that shes not some superhero mom-slash-CEO who can do it all, and her husband and nanny provide hep. But when its my turnMondays, Fridays, and the weekendsI am all-in and dedicated to being a mom like it's my only job on the planet, Lincoln says.


###Jen Rubio, Co-Founder and CEO of Away
Shes focusing on nesting.

Since chic luggage brand Away took off, 30-year-old Rubio has been on one whirlwind journey after the next. Her next stop is much closer to home. Ive traveled over 200,000 miles this past year and was fortunate enough to visit some incredible places, from Siem Reap in Cambodia to Amangiri in Utah, she says. But what Im most looking forward to in the next year surprisingly isnt where Im going or what Im crossing off my travel bucket list. Its spending more time at home in New York with some of my favorite people. Having recently moved into a new apartment, Rubio cant wait to settle in, host her friends, and turn it into a true home.

If you need inspiration for your new year goals, these innovative execs share advice thats worth taking.

If you need some serious inspiration in the life goals department, youd do no better than turning to this group of smart, thoughtful, down-to-earth women. As CEOs, company founders, and influencers with major followings, theyve all achieved major success in their fields. But, like many of us, that doesn't mean they have it all figured out. Heres whats on their minds as they look toward the upcoming year. 

Six Powerful Women on What They Hope for the New Year

Birchbox: What makes your position in the beauty industry so unique?
Jen Atkin: As a hairstylist, CEO, and founder of OUAI, I'm always thinking of new ways to innovate the beauty industry while remaining authentic and creative. We've grown our product offering in response to the demands of our customers on social media, which have inspired new innovations like our Dry Shampoo Foam that are one-of-a-kind to the beauty market. I love being be able to help build one of the most popular hair categories that takes our customers' favorites to the next level. As a brand, were doing away with unrealistic campaigns and trying to get you out of the bathroom in 10 minutes or less. Were relatable, we have a voice, and we celebrate diversity.

BB: What does it take to have that kind of influence?
JA: I grew up in a sheltered household, but I was taught to set goals and achieve them, to multitask, to push myself. Always stay true to what I believe and try to say, "YES!" instead of "no." You have to be disciplined and believe in the hustle. Also find a mentorsomeone who you really respect and will be open to your questions.

BB: What are your goals for how women approach beauty?
JA: I want to stop making the conversation just about women being pretty and start celebrating the spirit and power of being a woman through our collection and content. I want to empower women to learn how to do their own hair by giving them the resources and products that make it easier to do (without a stylist).

BB: If you could choose one piece of career advice, what would it be?
JA: Don't let the internet rush you by staying humble, working hard, and not comparing yourself with anyone else. The internet also makes it easy to expect success overnight, when in reality, it takes years of hard work to begin to build a long-standing career.

Birchbox: Tell us a little bit about your career path.
Karen Griffin: Until 2010, I worked for 23 years in hospital/surgical product development and sales. It gave me the experience to know how to launch and manage the lifecycle of products and product categories, and prompted the thinking and ambition to create my own skincare brand, Real Chemistry. I was inspired by my own desires to address my personal skincare challenges by building a solution rather than searching for one.

BB: How did you overcome challenges starting your own beauty brand?
KG: I had two major problems: I didnt have enough cash or resources to get my rather complex hero product into enough hands to truly drive proof of concept at scale and test the brands viability. In addition, the product was efficacious, but the packaging was not optimized for the prestige market. I found partners and strategies, including Birchbox, to address both challenges. I didnt throw the fight at that point, and I didnt listen to the voices saying it couldnt be done. It helped me to be clear about my goals, be confident in my abilities, and carry on. No one will drive your dreams but you, so never give up!

BB: What is your side hustle?
KG: Im on the board of a local non-profit focused on helping women after they are released from prison, and I have a team of developers working to build apps which solve real-life challenges.

BB: Any words of wisdom?
KG: Failure is the very best teacher. Dont be afraid to try and failI have learned more from my failures than any of my successes. If you have a good idea, try to implement it on a small scale to see if anyone likes it or responds positively to it. Ask for feedback and then really listen. Start over again and again if you have to, but dont give up if you think your idea solves a problem.

Maggie Ford Danielson, Global Beauty Authority of Benefit Cosmetics

Birchbox: What was your dream job growing up and how did it tie to what you're doing now?
Maggie Ford Danielson: My first dream job was actually to be a marine biologist thanks to an amazing science teacher I had in high school. Then I moved on to wanting to be a doctor and did a few pre-med courses in college. I ended up graduating with a double degree in French and economics and now I work as a global spokesperson for Benefit. Even though I pursued a totally different path, it just goes to show that you should always keep your eyes and ears open for new experiences. You never know where youre going to end up. Always stay curious!

BB: How did you end up in the beauty industry?
MFD: After graduating college I moved to NYC and got a job as an assistant to the vice president of a marketing company called RPG, which specializes in beauty. I was doing standard assistant work: making copies, getting lunch orders, learning the ropes of being a working person. I stayed there for five years, working my way up to project manager where I was responsible for campaigns and managing client relations. Its really where I forged my own beauty relationships outside of the people I knew growing up with Benefit Cosmetics, where my mother and aunt are the co-founders. To be honest, I never thought Id end up working at Benefit. But after five years at RPG, and after developing my own contacts and place in the beauty industry, I was ready for a change and realized that I'd actually been avoiding my destiny in a way. Also, my younger sister Annie, who had just graduated college, did in fact want to work at Benefit so it seemed like the right time to approach the brand and see if there was the right opportunity for us.

BB: How has your job evolved since?
MFD: My first official job at Benefit was managing special events. My sister and I became spokespeople for the brand, traveling to different countries and telling editors and customers about the brand and our new products. This year will mark my 10 year official anniversary at Benefit and my focus now is to help drive sales and brand equity on a global level by leveraging my unique knowledge of the brand, my selling skills, and my passion for all things Benefit.

BB: What do you think is the most important lesson for women in business?
MFD: I dont love the phrase you can have it all because that implies that with hard work alone, you can make it all happen. Hard work is 100% necessary, but in my experience you also need a lot of help and you have to be prepared to sacrifice certain things. Im a full-time working mom of two young girls. Do I wish I could spend more time with them? Absolutely, every day. However, I truly believe that by me doing what I love, and setting a good example for them, that ultimately they will benefit from that. Whatever free time I have is dedicated to them so time for myself is very limited. Im also very lucky to have an extremely supportive and helpful husband as well as amazing child care. Without that support structure, I couldnt do what I do.

How to think like a (beauty) bossstraight from the female masterminds behind some of Birchbox's customer-loved brands.

In honor of International Women's Day, we're celebrating with career (and life!) advice from some of our favorite beauty bosses from customer-loved Birchbox brands. Read the inspiring stories of Jen Atkin (CEO of OUAI), Karen Griffin (CEO of Real Chemistry), and Maggie Ford Danielson (Global Beauty Authority of Benefit Cosmetics) and get a glimpse into the lives of these hard-working beauty heroes.

Meet the Female Innovators Behind OUAI, Benefit Cosmetics, and Real Chemistry

Favorite song: "Canon in D Major" by Johann PachelbelI used to love playing it on the piano

Dream job when you were younger: Detective or secret agent

Area of focus: I'm a filmmaker and currently work as a creative producer. I'm always making short documentaries and narrative films. At the moment, I am writing a couple features that I would like to direct.

What was the turning point of your career?
It was when I moved to Chile after undergraduate school. I have dual citizenship, but at the time, had never lived there. The U.S. was in financial crisis and the Chilean economy was on the rise. I moved without any contacts, except for some family, and found a way into the film industry. I worked with very talented directors and cinematographers, trying to absorb what I could on the job. At the time, I was making documentaries on the side, but after reading scripts and working on [film] sets, I realized there were a lot of stories I wanted to write. That is when I decided to pursue narrative filmmaking.

What's been the greatest example of someone supporting women you've experienced in your career?
One of my former female co-workers helped me get the job I have now. Having experienced catty and competitive female stereotypes in the workplace, it was refreshing to see a young woman going out of her way to help other women get ahead in their careers. I have the same responsibility to women in my industry, and through helping one another, we can change the status quo.

How do you keep yourself motivated and feeling empowered?
When I get too caught up in my thoughts, a good friend of mine taught me to always find humor in tough situations.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments (in your career, personal life, or both)?
My proudest accomplishment is overcoming an eating disorder. I don't talk about it much because it's something that has taken a while for me to feel proud of. When your mind and your body are at odds, you stop trusting yourself. Overcoming anorexia as a teenager forced me to pull myself up when I was very down. I had to be vulnerable, to be patient, and to reconsider my relationship with myself and others. There is a lot of pressure and a lot of business built around looking a certain way and my experiences have taught me to have a lot of compassion for people's body issueswe all have them.

Can you share one piece of life advice, and one piece of career advice?
In terms of lifeit is about the journey, not the goal. I constantly have to remind myself that the process is what you learn from it. So, whether it's frustrating, scary, or exciting, that's part of the experience. In terms of career, always look for opportunities to grow. If there are none where you are, look elsewhere.

Five questions with Valerie Schenkmanfrom her proudest accomplishment to the turning point of her career.

We can't wait for you to dive into our new column where we spotlight amazing female entrepreneurs, thinkers, and leaders who inspire us by speaking their minds and living out loud. Get to know the experiences that shaped the people they've becomeand, in the spirit of Women's History Month, unearth how they're changing the narrative for women.

Spotlight On: Valerie Schenkman, Director and Producer

Favorite book: "No One Tells You This: A Memoir" by Glynnis MacNicol

Dream job when you were younger: A journalist like Christiane Amanpour

Area of focus: Ive worked at a think tank, various PR agencies, at a veterans organization, at Google and now for myself. I run my own consulting business, host a few podcasts and write. Im really lucky that I have a career where I get to just be myself and do what I love.

How do you keep yourself motivated and feeling empowered?
Im really lucky to be a very internally motivated person. Surrounding myself with generous, smart, and hilarious friends is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I love to watch my friends win and soar to new heights. What a treat to share even a tiny bit of that experience with them.

How do you maintain a good work/life balance?
After going through some life-changing medical stuff recently, Ive realized that work isnt everything. Putting your health, yourself and your relationships first is the only way youll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. I work from home most of the year, but Ive had to put in structure in my work day so Im not working all day. Ive also started giving myself vacation days and I intend to take all of them every single year.

Which passions and hobbies helped influence the person you are today?
I took my first plane ride when I was 10 days old and havent stopped since. From distant trips to shorter excursions away from home, travel is a life-changing experience and a chance to get outside your comfort zone. Ive learned so much about rolling with the punches and opening my mind and heart to new experiences.

Who's one person that inspires you?
My friend Shani Hilton, the executive editor for news at BuzzFeed, is my hero. Her work ethic is legendary and Ive learned so much from her both personally and professionally. Shes very successful, but always makes time and space to help and inspire everyone around her.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women leaders in the workplace?
There are many big issues that face women in the workplace but the gender pay gap is one that immediately comes to mind. It affects women of all ages, races, and education levels. At its core, its just another form of workplace discrimination. My hope is that one day all employers can show that they are committed to supporting women in the workplace by closing the gap.

Five questions with Aminatou Sowfrom her passions to her inspiration and how she stays motivated.

Spotlight On: Aminatou Sow, Writer, Influencer, and Host of &#8220;Call Your Girlfriend&#8221;

Favorite books: The "Harry Potter" series

Dream job when you were younger: Fiction novel writer or animator

Area of focus: My current job is doing outpatient therapy and comprehensive neuropsychological/psychological evaluations. I currently work at TEAMCare Behavioral Health in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where I am completing my postdoctoral fellowship.

What was a milestone of your career that changed its course?
It is one thing to read in a textbook about the difference that therapy can make, but experiencing it myself was one of the most rewarding and important milestones that has continued to keep me driven toward achieving my career goals. Working in mental health can be challenging and stressful, but when you start to see someone grow and change as a person, overcome obstacles, and lead a better life, it all feels worthwhile. I now feel privileged that I can help someone when they are going through the worst times in their life, identify the root of a problem that has been plaguing them for years, and collaborate in finding solutions. Knowing that I can make a difference has driven me to pursue my doctorate, work hard, and continuously expand my knowledge and range of skills so that I can continue to help my clients find success.

How have your experiences shaped you into who you are today?
I have always been interested in understanding the reasons why people feel and behave the way they do. As a child, my parents encouraged me to be kind, caring, patient, and infinitely curious in every facet of my life. They often reminded that my name, Samantha, means listener, which is a fitting reflection of the person I grew up to be. One of my major goals in becoming a psychologist is to change the way seeking or receiving psychological help is viewed by the general public and even by clients who receive mental health services. My conviction is that it is important to convey that seeking mental health services is not a weakness or something to feel ashamed of, but is in fact a healthy thing. Anyone can find themselves in therapy at one time or another, and helping to remove the stigma is an important step toward making it easier for people to get help when they need it.

Can you share one piece of life advice, and one piece of career advice?
My best piece of life advice is to be very deliberate in creating your support network. Whether it is friend, a romantic partner, or a family member, a healthy relationship should feel equal and caring to everyone involved. Be selective about the people you choose to surround yourself with and make sure they are people who do not detract from your life. As far as career advice, I highly recommended that if you are interested in a career, find a way to get firsthand experience regardless of your age. Do an internship, shadow, volunteer, or get a summer job, but do something to learn more about what it is you want to do from people who are actually doing it. Even if you cannot get work directly in your desired field because of your lack of experience or age, you can still develop skills that will help you in the future in other ways. For example, retail jobs are an amazing way to gain patience and perfect your customer service, babysitting teaches you creativity and how to manage different personalities, and selling cookies may help you develop tenacity. Hard work and determination are half the battle in achieving your career goals.

How do you maintain a good work/life balance?
I find that maintaining a good work/life balance often comes down to self-care. Many people tell me they feel selfish in carving out time dedicated just for themselves, but it does not mean that you need to dedicate hours each day or go significantly out of your way. An act of self-care can be built into your daily routine, and can be as simple as cooking something a bit special for yourself, wearing a sheet mask, going for a short walk, or taking ten minutes before your family wakes up to drink some coffee uninterrupted.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women leaders in the workplace?
One of the biggest challenges for women in the workplace is feeling comfortable being a leader. Women in leadership roles often face heightened internal and external criticism which can undermine the desired feelings of competence and authority. For example, if female leaders are viewed as passive or collaborative, they may be criticized as weak, overemotional, or a pushover. If they are assertive, they get called cold, aggressive, and demanding. Regardless of their leadership style, women are often riddled with self-doubt and insecurities about how they are being perceived by those they are leading. Accordingly, it can be very challenging to feel confident and competent in a leadership role. Of course, male leaders may also experience these concerns, but in general, women are more likely to experience high levels of insecurity as a leader.

One of the most important things to do as a female leader is to recognize and be comfortable with the concept that you will never be able to please everyone. Find a working style that suits your personality, be flexible and listen to feedback, and work to avoid self-sabotaging your own success by doubting your own ability. Always remember, you earned your leadership role through your hard work and skills!

Five questions with Samantha Weinerincluding what she thinks is the biggest issue women have in the workplace and how they can move forward.

Spotlight On: Samantha Weiner, Psychology Resident

Six Powerful Women on What They Hope for the New Year

Meet the Female Innovators Behind OUAI, Benefit Cosmetics, and Real Chemistry

Spotlight On: Valerie Schenkman, Director and Producer

Spotlight On: Aminatou Sow, Writer, Influencer, and Host of &#8220;Call Your Girlfriend&#8221;

Spotlight On: Samantha Weiner, Psychology Resident

Spotlight On: Aminatou Sow, Writer, Influencer, and Host of “Call Your Girlfriend”