issue #210 - the advice one
how to handle setbacks, the work-parenting juggle, packing, and more
I was really living my second book last week. We’re speaking, indeed.
On Thursday night, I hosted the very first Women Who Do event with MM.LaFleur (a speaker series I’ll be hosting every quarter). Jeanelle Teaves and Catherine Brown joined me to speak about juggling their corporate careers and family life with content creation, and there was so much wisdom shared in this conversation:
Jeanelle’s wisdom:
Catherine’s wisdom:
My own tips:
If you’re feeling drawn to your family and want to downshift your career, Mother Untitled is the ultimate resource (and has helped me find peace during my surgery recovery and downshifting last summer to enjoy our month in Vancouver). You may already be following their Instagram, but the newsletter is filled with so much wisdom - smart reads, excellent advice, and a delightful way to start a weekend morning.
create a family Gmail address for all school and activity emails and use that calendar to add and update events, pick up/drop off, travel dates, and family times when one parent is not available.
save your old packing lists to help prepare new ones - I’m using my Miami and Scottsdale packing lists to pack for altSummit in Palm Springs. I do this with the boys as well.
I was a panelist for From Setbacks to Success: Women and Resilience on Tuesday evening. Given that my pharma career is one where setbacks is the norm (and they are major ones), I had some solid stories to tell. I also offered my best advice in this Reel, and encouraged everyone to read
’s The 5 Resets and some romance novels.My fellow panelists shared some incredible advice as well:
Balance well-intentioned advice with your own gut and style. Rachel Liverman pounded the pavement when she raised her first round for Glowbar, and got countless no’s from later stage investors before negotiating and closing a private equity investment.
The only way out is through. This was a through line from every single speaker - there’s no dodging or shortcutting our way through a setback, but taking the time to process and push through is the only way out. There is an incredible book that will guide you through this process that I’ll be talking about in just a bit that I highly recommend.
There’s opportunity in what’s blocked from you. Katie Miller talked about the challenges of growing a cannabis business (from banking, digital advertising) and how many elements of DTC entrepreneurship was not an option to her given the business, and found creative opportunities in the more limited areas of what she could do - and those initiatives drew the engagement and sales for Miss Grass.
Don’t be afraid to redefine yourself - Kalia Lim talked about her layoff and subsequent sabbatical forced her to separate her work identity from her true one, which helped her identify her strengths and passions without it being tied to a specific company or role. This allowed her to pivot from building community to storytelling and supporting founders at Red Antler (where she’s kicking butt).
The Setback Cycle: How Defining Moments Can Move Us Forward
by
Setbacks are sadly my norm, not my exception. That said, I wish I had this book to help me process each one instead of chaotically flailing my way through them, especially at the beginning of my career. Amy’s book is so smart, succinct, and one you’ll mark up and return to often. It’s very worth your time.
You can find my 2024 reading list and reviews here, and purchase March’s reads here.
Circus by Sam Edelman Deana loafers ($55)
I purchased these loafers for my book tour nearly 3 years ago, and they’ve become my lucky speaking shoes since. They’ve taken me through my book and Taco Bell speaking tours, to the White House’s AANHPI’s forum last year, to long meeting days when I’m running around the city, and to my panel at UWIB this week. They have a ton of color and texture options at a fantastic price point, and they are still among my most comfortable shoes. My colorway is sold out (the black & white patent), but I love the current color and leather options.
You can find my monthly Amazon favorites here.
Young and Restless
published in
…and they always have - even when they don’t stand to benefit from their activism.
I’ve been saving Young and Restless for when I can give it the attention it deserves, and
’s interview with my favorite historian is proof that there is no such thing as the right time, but to be in the right mood for a book.And given that I’m a pessimistic about everything right now, I need to familiarize myself with the girls and young women who took action in times like these instead of wallowing and going down #KateGate conspiracy rabbit holes.
You can find every issue of #5SmartReads here, and subscribe to the daily newsletter here.
Sharing
I couldn’t help but get sucked into the Kate Middleton digital frenzy, more for the response and reactions to the situation than the situation itself. Three writers -
, , and - wrote some incredibly smart pieces on the significance of the doctored photograph/the Palace’s response and what it means for trust online and offline.The Unraveling of a Royal Fairytale (Culture Study)
Kate’s Photo-Editing Debacle: Untangling the Royal Mess (So Many Thoughts)
Making
Something Jeanelle mentioned on our panel is her at-home crostini date night with her husband. At-home dates are our jam right now, with both of us traveling for work a lot and generally being exhausted on a Friday evening.
Our spin on this is Friday dip night with veggies and crackers. This week I blended cottage cheese with lemon juice, za’atar, sun dried tomatoes and harissa and drizzled it with Red Clay’s spicy everything salt and Brightland’s new Castelvtrano oil. My only regret was not doubling how much I made.
Answering
Gentle serums that still transform your skin - for hyperpigmentation, for plumping and hydration, and for both.
The best slippers (I bought extra pairs for some of the women in my life)
The book I can’t stop recommending to people because it’s changed my life.
Reading
Vagabond Princess by Ruby Lal
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
Trying
Unguided meditations - this is how I’ve been practicing for the past week and have noticed a significant difference. It’s helped me stay off my phone longer in the morning, and I find I can settle into the practice more deeply. I begin my practice with 3 rounds of alternate nostril breathing, and then settle into deep breaths and stillness (until one of my kids inevitably runs into my room for snuggles)
Aavrani just launched their new hair care line and I tried the new recovery oil and boosting treatment, and absolutely love these products. Scalp massages are a regular ritual for me (with just my hands most days, with oil on hair wash days) and I can already tell these will be my go-tos for the foreseeable future.
What’s your best piece of advice?
xo,
HPN
Wow this issue came at the right time for me. I have my first solo speaking engagement at work this week. My content is ready, my weeks have been a mess, we keep rescheduling my prep call, work transitions, etc. Thank you for the helpful tips!
Loved this issue ! Esp the advice about the family gmail address. Going to try that.