Last night, Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren gave a rousing speech in New York City’s Washington Square Park. I was there with my fellow activist friends Debra and Susan. We all agreed that Warren gave off the energy of a winner. View this post on Instagram Sound up! Walking onstage to @dollyparton ‘s #9to5…
Business
Flashback: The Agony and Ecstasy of a Small Business
Yesterday’s post about the challenges of combining art and commerce reminded me of an essay about small business that I wrote for the Huffington Post in 2012. And, like I said recently, it’s occurred to me that I need to republish all my Huffington Post pieces on this blog, because they could vanish at any…
Wednesday’s Video: I Couldn’t Fool Eryn a 4th Time!
Well, this is awkward! In today’s video, I brag about about my ability to plan a surprise for someone, and then I fail to surprise my target. I’m going to put the blame on my right-hand woman Eryn, who was also my would-be victim. She didn’t give me much time to work with. Planning a…
#NOPE of the Day: Bad Jewelry-Biz Tweets
I swear that I spent a good part of yesterday frozen in the cringe position. View this post on Instagram LMAO!!! This is how you know you’ve been on a controversial industry panel. When someone captures you at this moment and it symbolizes the whole event for them. 😹😹😹😹 cc @_eryn_elizabeth @therealbernmack #halp #goldconference #jewelrybusiness…
Every Bacio Della Morte Begins With K
The New York Times still has some great reporters, despite itself, and Taffy Brodesser-Akner is one of them. Her New York Times Magazine story about gender discrimination and sexual abuse at jewelry-industry giant Signet Jewelers’ Sterling division — and the resulting class-action lawsuit — is a must-read. Keep in mind, plenty of facts about the…
Fashion Repeats Itself: High-Heel Flip Flops
Emilia Petrarca, fashion writer for New York Magazine’s The Cut blog, recently alerted Twitter to two pairs of high-heel flip flops. Heeled flip-flops are coming pic.twitter.com/3xqOvLN3Kx — Emilia Petrarca (@EmiliaPetrarca) April 2, 2019 Both pairs are made out of leather, so it’s probably more accurate to call them “thong sandals” than “high-heel flip flops,” which…
And the Best Super Bowl Ad of 2019 Is …
To be honest, I barely looked at the game. I was there just for Cardi B’s Pepsi commercial — and she was barely in it! — so I was gratified by Burger King’s 45-second-long ad starring the late Andy Warhol. I appreciate expensive corporate risk-taking … when it causes no harm. How many people watching…
Wednesday’s Video: Advice About Advice
I’m continuing my series of YouTube videos about business issues and my advice for this week is to be … wary of advice. Naturally, my advice is an exception to the rule. You should trust me 100%! As I explain in the video, I didn’t take all the bad advice I was offered over the…
Wednesday’s Video: BS Your Way Through a Business Plan
People considering entrepreneurship often ask me if they need a business plan. My answer is, yes, you should have one. My caveat is that it will probably be complete bullshit. Yep, lots of business plans that are full of optimistic bullshit, and that’s true whether they are drawn up by a one-person company or by…
Wednesday’s Video: Career Advice for Disruptive Times
My latest YouTube video is a continuation of my series of job and business tips. This time, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from the my own surprising career path, which took me from journalism to jewelry design. Today I reveal the faulty logic behind two bits of conventional wisdom: That NOT having a Plan B…