Entrepreneur.
Definition: A person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.
As I sat typing out this blog post in my fancy hotel room in New York City, I feel a sense of satisfaction that for me – comes from achieving financial security and a comfortable life because I have built a successful enterprise. Because I have built this fulfilling venture from the ground up, on my own terms and against many obstacles along the way.
I look out the window into the city and I realized that being your own boss and owning your own business is the classic manifestation of the American dream – take a chance, work hard and built something great – so you can achieve financial independence.
So why are so many women afraid to do it? And if they do, why is it so hard for them to achieve success? A Harvard study for example, found that only 10% of venture-capital backed startups are owned by women.
There are numerous reasons why it’s a harder battle for women to make it as an entrepreneur but part of the great news is – its 2018 and the conversation to help women reach financial and business parity is happening loud and clear.
A lot of companies – including finance software innovator Intuit are trying to get more women to manifest their dream of being a successful business owner and as they say – visualization is the first step so it’s important that we highlight and celebrate the badass women in our lives.
Intuit is running a contest that ends of this month – nominate an entrepreneur in your life by posting a picture on Instagram and sharing why you think they are a #GirlOnFire. You both could win SXSW tickets and VIP access to all things Intuit.
Here are the steps:
Post 1 picture on Instagram
Tag @Intuit in the picture
Caption must includes:
Name of the entrepreneur being nominated
Story about why they are a #GirlOnFire
Tag @Intuit
Use #GirlOnFire hashtag
Use #Contest hashtag
Use #Contest
The grand prize: a 4 day/3 night trip for the winner and one guest to SXSW in Austin, TX. Winner must be available to travel 3/12/18 – 3/15/18. Trip includes:
Two tickets to SXSW
3 night’s hotel accommodations
Round trip coach class airfare;
VIP access to Intuit’s activation;
If there is one cause that I can’t be more passionate about its advocating and celebrating all the amazing women out there who are working tirelessly trying to build and grow a business. So thank you Intuit for this great contest and I truly am excited to see who all of you will be nominating. Whoever they are, they’re already a winner in my books.
So who’s your # GirlOnFire?
For shares that include a brand URL, please include the #ad hashtag in your social share.
This blog post is created in partnership with Olay. However, all thoughts and opinion are my own (as always.)
I am not a cold-weather person for many reasons. In fact years ago when deciding on the next steps in my career development, the term “Good Weather” is right up there, even above essentials like “Great fashion stores” and “Amazing culture and people.”
So I moved to Los Angeles. But even in LA - renowned for beautiful weather all year around, I am not immune to dry weather woes. It’s no secret that cold weather sucks the moisture out of the skin, which often results in a dry and flaky complexion. So when temperatures plummet in LA—and as I type this I am bundled up in the thickest wool sweater ever—my winter moisturizers is always no farther than an arm-reach away.
Get winter ready - dress warm … and moisturize well
The thing is not all moisturizers are equal and so many claim to soften and hydrate our skin during winter, when in truth they just make us feel greasy. And greasy does not always mean it’s working. In fact, if it’s only sitting on top of the skin, then your skin isn’t absorbing the moisturizer well. And I can’t stress how much I hate greasy moisturizers - my skin is very oily by nature and anything greasy makes my skin look like an oil slick.
The texture is super-light yet it gives great hydration effectively.
The Olay Regenerist Whip tends to be different. Blended with Amino-Peptide Complex II to regenerate collagen and reduce wrinkles, this moisturizer absorbs quickly and makes my skin feel firm and smooth to the touch. It’s all thanks to the Active Rush Technology used in Olay Whips, which makes the Regenerist (and other Whips) pack a powerful hydration punch in such a lightweight formulation. Releasing 1000x its weight in hydration, Whips instantly absorbs into the skin. Again, just because your moisturizer feels heavy or greasy does not mean your skin is getting the moisture it needs.
Diminish fine lines and wrinkles by moisturizing daily and consistently.
Lightweight and heavily hydrating, Regenerist is a rare find—Olay calls it the unicorn of all moisturizers, and I think it fits! In fact, I’m eager to use this all the way through to summer—and you know the product is awesome when you look forward to using it.
With all that, I’m curious about your skincare regimen. What are your winter skin problems? Have you tried an Olay Whips product yet and what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments!
This post is sponsored by Uber. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own as always.
Evergreen but stylish that is. Kuala Lumpur is one of those cities in Asia that pulsate with both modern attractions as well as historical landmarks, thanks to its rich history of being richly multicultural. There’s always something to see here, whether you’re a tourist discovering the city for the first time, or a local just looking to explore.
I am lucky enough to know Kuala Lumpur both as a local (as I lived here during my childhood and have lots of family here) as well as a tourist – having now lived half my life abroad. I’ve also learnt to appreciate the city more – playing tour guide to a lot of friends who are visiting the city. I’ve curated the below list of places to go and visit if you’re in KL, with an eye for the stylish and sophisticated traveler who wants to be seen as in-the-know – not any ol’ tourist.
In Kuala Lumpur, I tend to use UberBLACK more than anything else. I love how easy, pleasant and convenient my commute and travel has been with UberBLACK. I also find that with Uber’s “Scheduled Rides” feature, I can plan my appointments and meetings more efficiently as most of the time, I find my car arriving to pick me up much quicker.
By the way, the Scheduled Ride feature can be used up to 30 days in advance, so if you’re a planner like me, you can easily schedule airport pickups to and from the airport easily in advance.
KL’s award-winning mega mall is that one place you need to block an entire day for. Pavilion Mall, in all its 7-storey-glory, sits in the heart of the upscale Bukit Bintang area. It’s first of all a shopping haven—you can find high-end designer brands, mid-range fashion labels, and popular local stores. There’s also a spectrum of dining options available in nearly every cuisine imaginable. But if you came to chill, there are recreational places for you to enjoy, too: check out the Golden Screen Cinemas and Red Box Plus karaoke hub.
The inside of Pavilion KLCC mall. It is a one of the largest malls in South East Asia and boasts almost 600 stores ranging from mid to high-end.
Up for a night of fancy dining? It can’t get any better than Strato Italian Restaurant. Perched atop Troika Tower, this fine restaurant boasts striking views of the city that you can enjoy over homemade pasta, scrumptious pizza, and decadent tiramisu, among many Italian favorites. The modern ambiance is only enhanced by the superb staff—I’ve personally had lively conversations with them!
Malaysia has its fair share of upscale shopping centers, but standout ones like Starhill Gallery simply keep people coming back. The luxe structure plays a huge part in the shopping experience: towering dome-shaped interiors and reflective marble floors comprise the mall. It’s home to the largest watch and jewelry gallery in the world, as well as powerhouse brands from local and international fashion scenes.
L: Starhill Gallery is a shopping destination catering to both local and international luxury brands.
R: The beautiful view greeting all diners at Strato Italian Restaurant.
If Pavillion and StarHill Gallery malls are all about the sophisticated and glamorous side of Kuala Lumpur – it’s time to get back to the essence of the city – how it all started. Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman is one of the first and oldest streets in KL. Before there were giant malls, there was Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, where ordinary people will go to get their shopping done.
It’s a busy stretch of a road dotted by dining spots and charming stores. The retail businesses you will find here go decades back and there are so many great finds at rock-bottom prices. Haggling and negotiating for a good price is common, and I know my mom and her friends still come here once in a while, as they get a sense of satisfaction from the act of getting the best prices possible for their purchases.
Taking a stroll through Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman immerses you into a cultural and shopping experience more authentic than any other!
A cafe that springs way back into 1921, Coliseum Cafe is a nostalgic destination in Kuala Lumpur. Just stepping into the place can make you feel like you time-travelled—the interiors are decked in vintage furniture and aged trimmings. To these day, locals frequent it for the hearty dishes—and the memories. If you’re a tourist, you’re bound to enjoy the tender steaks and Hainanese chicken. Down it with good (and cheap) beer and you’re in for happy hour, the Malaysian way!
And the best part about the Coliseum Cafe? It was a favorite of Ernest Hemingway, the famous American writer and novelist. He used to travel around South East Asia, and had stopped in Kuala Lumpur for a spell, frequenting the Coliseum Cafe often – perhaps he found inspiration here for some of his greatest works like “The Old Man and the Sea” ?
History and delicious food at reasonable prices. What more could you want?
I rarely go on vacations, but if I am on one, I wouldn’t deprive myself of a chance to visit a spa—and in KL, I have my favorites. The Spa Village at the Ritz Carlton Hotel is one. This serene retreat whisks you away from the hustle and bustle of the metro. Their services are a balanced blend of global healing practices and traditional therapies of the region for your maximum rejuvenation. It’s uber spacious and stylish, with a well-trained staff to boot!
The Spa is located at the Ritz Carlton, and if you are in KL do yourself a favor and dine at Ritz Carlton Hotel. The cuisine at this lavish hotel is award-winning for a reason. For breakfast (or brunch!), you can pick from a selection that includes a diverse array of international and local flavors—think fresh oysters, premium cheeses, succulent meats, vibrant desserts. It gets better—many dishes are prepared à la minute. Top it off with free-flowing champagne!
This rejuvenated area next to the Klang River is so new that I would not have known about it if not for my architect brother, who was involved in the rejuvenation project. The Promenade is a welcome respite from the heat and provides new perspective on the Sultan Abdul Samad courthourse, one of the oldest and historic buildings in Malaysia.
The Sultan Abdul Samad Promenade is situated behind the historic Sultan Abdul Samad buidling.
If you’re looking for an alternative to dining spots and relaxing spas, feel free to explore the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park. Sprawling across 20.9 acres of land, it’s one of the largest bird parks in the world and houses around 200 species, 90% of which are native to South East Asia. The birds roam freely overhead and on-land, making an incredible interactive experience for visitors.
I’ve never seen so many birds my whole life – including 7-8 peacocks – all of which are quite tame. The white peacock seen here is also one of the most beautiful creatures I’ve ever seen.
So one of the things I enjoy is getting souvenirs and gifts from my travels for my family and friends in Los Angeles. However, I am not a fan of campy keychains and t-shirts bought at the airport gift shop. In Kuala Lumpur, one of my go-tos when trying to find tasteful and sophisticated gifts is heading over to Ilham Gallery – a gift store that features art objects and souvenirs from Malaysians.
So many tasteful souvenirs to choose from at Ilham Gallery. The t-shirts feature well-known as well as up-and-coming local artists.
To cap off a full day of touring, nothing beats a dinner at the Kuala Lumpur Tower Sky Restaurant—also known as the Atmosphere 360. It’s the ultimate destination for you to enjoy sweeping views of the lit-up metro as you indulge in a lavish spread of Malaysian dishes. But the most interesting part is, it’s a revolving restaurant—so expect to have loads of fun looking for your seat as you go back and forth towards the buffet table.
