March 8th marks this year’s annual celebration of International Women’s Day…
THE STORY
…It’s a day to call attention to importance of gender equality and highlight that the fact that women across the world deserve equal treatment in the workplace, in the government, in the media, in regard to health and on the playing field.
This years theme is #EachforEqual the premise of which is:
“An equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.”
When adidas asked if I would like to be a part of their International Women’s Day Campaign I was immediately on board. And when I discovered that one of the missions of IWD is Women Entrepreneurs I knew exactly where the focus of my post would lie.
This seems to be the year that many of us midlife bloggers are of the same mind. I mentioned at the beginning of the year that I was going to start leaning into building FFD into a business. Unbeknownst to me at the time, there was a whole group of us looking to kick it up a notch; to take our hobby and turn it into not just a side hustle, but a viable source of full-time income. Let’s call it the year of the Badass Midlife Bossbabe.
And I knew that for this post in particular, I wanted to shine the spotlight on a few of these fearless women who are boldly venturing into unfamiliar and uncharted territory. They are actively turning their passions into businesses and doing it on their own terms.
It is my honor to introduce all of you to Sam from Moxie Mama, Jennie from A Pocketful of Polkadots and Paula from dimples on my WHAT?. Each of these women is an inspirational powerhouse full of wit, wisdom, boldness and creative talent. Their individual answers to my questions were everything I had hoped for and more. Be prepared to be informed, amused and most of all, inspired…
Sam from Moxie Mama
5 things about yourself that you would like people to know:
- As confident as I seem to most people, I have crippling imposter syndrome that I fight against every day.
- Even at age 50, I still approach fashion as a child would playing dress up. It brings me great joy!
- Speaking of that, my passion is helping others discover the joy that can be found in their own image. Seeing that metamorphosis is so gratifying.
- I sing. ALL THE TIME. Music is soothing, spiritual and energizing for me.
- I’m not so secretly obsessed with true crime. I’m fascinated with fractures in the human psyche.
What business/blog goals are you working on for 2020:
- I’m continuing to expand my coaching business and a small group option, interviewing great guests for the the podcast, and helping midlife women lean IN to their MOXIE!
One piece of advice that you have for women in midlife:
- Do not hide your light from the world. This is a great time to reboot and shine!
FOLLOW SAM HERE: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter
Jennie from A Pocketful Of Polka Dots and A Pocketful Of Photographs
5 things about yourself that you would like people to know:
- I am the mom of four amazing sons.
- I am a self-confessed shoe-aholic.
- I’ve never met a hair color I would shy away from.
- I am the brains, face and photographer behind the fashion blog, A Pocketful Of Polka Dots where I have been featuring fashion for women over 40 (and now 50!) for almost six years.
- During the day I am an Executive Assistant at a federal non-profit agency that assists underprivileged families find affordable quality daycare. In my free time I run my own photography business, A Pocketful Of Photographs.
What business/blog goals are you working on for 2020:
- In the past I have been pretty passive about promoting my business, and this year I plan to change that by being intentional about regularly updating my photography website and its social media accounts. I have set up a manageable editorial calendar to keep me on track, as well as ahead of the game for planning seasonal advertisements. I am also researching and learning more about best practices for running the behind the scenes portion of a photography business. In addition, I have joined a weekly photography challenge called 52Frames to help me expand my creative eye and skill set behind the lens, as well as learn and gain inspiration from my fellow photographers around the world. I am happy to say since I joined this weekly challenge in January, I have twice had my photos selected as a Committee Pick (52 are chosen each week) out of an average of 2,600 weekly entries…one of those times my entry was in the top 3! That has really helped me know that I am moving in the right direction when it comes to following my passion.
One piece of advice that you have for women in midlife:
- Be confident in yourself and don’t ever think it is too late to start something new! Beginning a new venture at midlife can be so invigorating and challenge us to grow. While I love my 9 to 5 job, opening a side business that is completely my own has been so rewarding. I can see this as a venture that will carry me beyond retirement, as it is something I love and find truly fulfilling.
FOLLOW JENNIE HERE: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter
Paula from dimples on my WHAT?
5 things about yourself that you would like people to know:
- I was the mall Easter bunny my senior year of high school. If you know this and the next factoid about me, it sums up my entire life, the rest is just a bonus.
- A Godly life is my jam.
- I am a retired manicurist and ran my own business for over 20 years.
- I once laughed hysterically while my girlfriend was crying and my future boyfriend writhed in pain on the parking lot pavement after she slammed his knee between the bumper of her car and mine. He married me anyway and 36 years, 2 sons, and 6 grandsons later he knows I’d laugh at it all over again.
- I have not always been plus-sized (or almost) and it was a hard pill for me to swallow. But instead of wallowing in self-pity or killing myself to fit into a mold that society finds more acceptable, I’m making it my life’s goal to show women that we are beautiful and worthy of grace, love, and a great outfit no matter how we’re packaged.
What business/blog goals are you working on for 2020:
- I would love to take dimples on my WHAT? to the next level this year and start earning a viable income. Okay, I know this sounds like a commercial, but not only would I like to partner with brands that offer affordable fashion, but those that offer inclusive sizing for women. I’m looking for brands to share my love of helping women find solutions to common problems from closet organization to the woes of menopause.
One piece of advice that you have for women in midlife:
- You’re still significant and can do anything that you want. Too often, when our children leave the nest and we’re approaching retirement, we might feel like we can no longer have influence with our kids or in society. When in fact, you have got the time and the life experience to find your place of impact.
FOLLOW PAULA HERE: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest
To learn more about International Women’s Day and ways in which you can be involved go to InternationalWomensDay.com. Be sure to use the hashtags #EachforEqual and #IWD2020 on your social media posts to help spread the word.
THE OUTFIT
I’ve been pining for a pair of all white Stan Smith sneakers for a long time now. I already own the white Nizza Trefoils, but I really wanted the sleek leather look of the Stan Smiths. So obviously I went ahead and got a pair. Typically I’ve styled my other adidas shoes with skirts…tulle, chiffon, sequins…the girlier the better. This time though I decided to go for a sporty business casual look instead.
My menswear inspired black dress pants have been in my closet for years. They came from GAP and have held up incredibly well over time. I love the slightly slouchy boy vibe, and I kept that look consistent when I added my teal crew neck sweater and baggy white tee on top. I absolutely love the sporty casual feels that a pair of fresh white sneakers gives to just about anything that you pair them with.
THE TIP
I rarely make the statement that “you absolutely must have (insert item here) in your closet”. Every woman is unique and every woman’s “must haves” are different. However, on the short list of items that I feel work for everyone, is a good pair of white leather sneakers. No embellishments, no other colors…plain basic white. While canvas works, leather just holds up so much better, is more comfortable, easier to clean and in my opinion just looks nicer.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Sneakers: c/o adidas; Pants: GAP (Similar); Sweater: American Eagle (Similar); Coat: Vintage (Similar)
**Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post with adidas. All opinions, as always, are my own. Commission earned through shopping links in this post.
