The best part? Selfmade now provides one-on-one mentoring with successful entrepreneurs who've been where you are right now and who care about making a difference for women in business. They include business owners, founders, VCs, and subject-matter experts in industries such as finance, advertising, marketing, licensing, fashion, and media.
Our summer mentorship program will feature a host of new mentors we're excited to connect you with, including:
Linda Xu, Entrepreneur and E-Commerce Expert
Linda is the co-founder and chief growth officer at Cart.com, a Series-A e-commerce technology platform that partners with brands to help them grow. Linda served as head of growth at Sitari Ventures where she oversaw strategy and operations. She has acquired and advised tech and consumer companies as a private equity investor at global firms including The Riverside Company and Lazard. Additionally, Linda spent a brief stint on the team launching Uber Freight. She loves all things food and plants.
Stephanie Cartin, Social Media Expert + Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur at heart, Stephanie walked away from her corporate career in 2012 to follow her passion to launch Socialfly, a leading social-first digital and influencer marketing agency based in New York City. Socialfly has since blossomed to over 30 full-time employees and has been named to Inc. 5000's fastest growing private companies two years in a row. The agency has worked with over 200 well-known brands including Girl Scouts, WeTV, Conair, Nest Fragrances, 20th Century Fox and Univision. Stephanie is the co-host of the Entreprenista Podcast and co-author of Like, Love, Follow: The Entreprenista's Guide to Using Social Media To Grow Your Business. She is also a recent recipient of the SmartCEO Brava award, which recognizes the top female CEOs in New York and a Stevie Award for Women Run Workplace of the Year.
Kristina Ross, Content Creator + Social Media Whiz
Kristina Makes #Content is a social media ✨funtrepreneur✨, creative strategist, and public speaker for all things Internet related. Four years as a magazine editor and producer/copywriter in the world of advertising (Mercedes, Cancer Research, French Kiss Records), Kristina packed her bags and decided to go remote with social media as she saw a booming industry. Since then, she built @thefabstory from 10k to 1m followers in just 18 months and now specializes in creative strategies behind social media advertising and user acquisition. Her campaigns have levelled apps from the top 50 into #1 in their app store categories overnight. Kristina's work and experiences have been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global and has given several talks at Harvard Business School on the big bad world of #content.
A.V. Perkins, Selfmade Alum and Creator of AVdoeswhat
A.V. is a DIY expert and creator of Avdoeswhat.com. What began as a traditional Do-It-Yourself blog has grown into a lifestyle platform that includes crafts, upcycled furniture and pop culture. As a digital host for HGTV Handmade, along with appearances in Bustle, The Pioneer Woman, and BuzzFeed, A.V. is determined to help thrifty millennials realize "Life is better when you Do-It-Yourself!" A.V. is also the co-creator of University of Dope, an exciting thought-provoking card game that celebrates Hip Hop culture.The first of its kind.
David Mesfin, Creative Director + Brand Expert
David is a multi-disciplinary designer and creative director with award-winning integrated campaign background, including the Super Bowl, FIFA, NFL, and global launch campaign. He has created global partnerships to increase brand awareness through traditional, digital, social, and experimental marketing campaigns, collaborating with C-suite leaders from Genesis, Hyundai, Honda, Sony, Adidas, Oakley, Toyota, Neutrogena, Land more to communicate their company's vision through creative and marketing. He has earned awards from Cannes, One Show, Clio, Webby, EFFIE, Communication Arts, Google Creative Sandbox, OC and LA ADDY, DIGIDAY, TED | Ads Worth Spreading, American Advertising Federation, FWA, The A-List Hollywood Awards, IAB Mixx, and Graphis.
Jasmine Plouffe, Brand Strategist
Jasmin is a brand strategist/graphic designer who helps female entrepreneurs attract their dream customers by sharing their story and taking their branding and graphic design to a whole new level.
Plus, our Selfmade Alum will be there to guide you along the way! Go from feeling alone to feeling deeply connected to a community of like-minded women. Our professional business and career coaches will encourage you to take the next step toward your biz goals via weekly Accountability Pods. Students will have access to a wide community of like-minded entrepreneurs, including experts, founders, future business partners, freelancers, and more.
This summer, Selfmade coaches include Niki Shamdasani, co-founder and CEO of Sani, a South Asian-inspired fashion brand; Emily Merrell, founder and chief networking officer of female-focused networking organization Six Degrees Society; Dr. Annie Vovan, whose career spans the corporate world, non-profit space, and service-based and e-commerce businesses; and Cachet Prescott, a business mindset coach and strategist.
Ready to take your business idea to the next level? Enroll in Selfmade Summer session today!
Interested in joining our Mentor Program? Apply here.
If it isn't crystal clear by now, we're BIG fans of the sneaker. Give us all the high tops, low tops, and everything in-between, because comfort really is the best accessory. And if you're not sure exactly how to pair your kicks with your favorite skirts and dresses — we've got you. Ahead you'll find seasonal street style galore featuring our favorite non-pant sneaker pairings.
Short and Sweet: Keep things simple and sporty by completing your mini dress with sleek sneaks. Pair short, flowy dresses with low tops to maximize leg length sans heels. Extra points for integrating trendy belt bags, statement earrings, and small specs. (Photo via Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images)
(Photo via Timur Emek/GC Images)
(Photo via Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
Redefining Layers: Why choose between a skirt and pants when you can have both?! This layered look transitions from warm days to cool summer nights. Avoid extremely long *or* short skirts and instead opt for mid-length styles over relaxed fit pants or joggers. Layer on, layer off. (Photo via Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
(Photo via Edward James/Getty Images)
Dress for Success: Vacation season is all about trailblazing while looking fab. Pack with confidence knowing just how good your summer smocks will look styled (and snapped) with the right sneakers. Say yes to socks and sneakers and belted and mullet cuts while avoiding floor-length dresses altogether. (Photo via Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)
(Photo via Melodie Jeng/Getty Images)
(Photo via Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
Skirt the Issue: Whether mini or midi (and every length in between) it's clear that skirts were made for sneaking around — in sneakers, that is. Bring on the plaid, the denim, and the animal print styles and ensure this summer is your most fashionable yet. Integrate a textured blouse or a trendy logo top to fully nail this warm-weather look. (Photo via Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
(Photo via Melodie Jeng/Getty Images)
(Photo via Christian Vierig/Getty Images)
