Barring Katy Perry, who made her post-election feelings known last night when she donated $10,000 to Planned Parenthood, there was arguably no celebrity more upset by Tuesday night’s results than The Voice judge Miley Cyrus.
A longtime advocate for the LGBTQ community who made a bold confession on #NationalComingOutDay, Miley stands with a group that many worry will be marginalized with Trump at America’s helm.
On Wednesday night, Miley took to Twitter in tears, crying over not only the fact that “maybe she really is different” from the rest of the nation, but because her heart was breaking for Hillary Clinton, as well. “She’s fought for so long,” she lamented.
❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/kuETRP7tb0
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) November 9, 2016
But she didn’t let her disappointment drive her to hate. Instead, she continued on to say that as a “Happy Hippie,” (the name of her nonprofit supporting homeless and LGBTQ youth), she accepts everyone, just as they are ― even President-Elect Donald Trump. That doesn’t mean she’s abandoning her ideals, however: As she puts it so eloquently, she’s simply choosing to be a “Hopeful Hippie,” urging him to “treat people with love, and treat people with compassion and treat people with respect.” She even went as far as to invite him to have an open discussion with her on issues he might not understand from a point of view he might not share or be surrounded by.
And that wasn’t all.
Following her mourning, Miley, like Katy, is taking action.
Launched Hopeful Hippies to act on issues we care about! I pledge 2 support education w @DonorsChoose! Share ur pledge using #HopefulHippies pic.twitter.com/ezTUKuQtms
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) November 10, 2016
“No more crying from me,” she says. “I am accepting and hopeful, inspired and smiling.” Why? Because she’s doing something about her outrage. Using the hashtag “#HopefulHippies,” Miley is hoping to put the causes that matter to her (and all of us) at the forefront of America’s Twitter feed, regardless of political tendencies.
Case in point? She, for one, is pledging her support to education for youth, with others the country over chiming in to pledge to uphold their own honorable causes. So far, so good: Just check out some of the awesome pledges rolling in!
i pledge to help make sure everyone feels safe in their own skin #HopefulHippies
— ⚯͛ (@sassiscass) November 11, 2016
I pledge to put my love & efforts into helping the homeless community for people & our animal friends🌻share ur pledge using #HopefulHippies pic.twitter.com/ccfUHNilVf
— Darby Anne Walker (@DarbyAnneWalker) November 10, 2016
I will stand for women rights and social justice. I'll continue to show compassion for others & care for our environment. #HopefulHippies
— fani (@EstefaniLlamas) November 10, 2016
I pledge to send out love and respect – even when I disagree w/ people – and to not turn a blind eye to people in need <3 #hopefulhippies
— Quinn Fairchild (@QuinnInClovers) November 12, 2016
@MileyCyrus #HopefulHippies I work w/ Buffalo River Keepers & Esri GeoMentors. For as long as I breathe on this earth, I'll protect it.
— Tori Borealis (@ksquaredcomet) November 12, 2016
We think it’s absolutely genius, and exactly what our country needs right now. Way to go, Miley — “just being you” is pretty awesome.
Will you join the #HopefulHippie army? Share @BritandCo.
(Photos via Rob Kim + Kevin Winter/Getty)
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.