For those of you that missed our previous article explaining what #ActuallySheCan is, #ActuallySheCan encourages women’s empowerment in all aspects of life. Whether your goal is creating a business, getting healthy, or making sure you make time to breathe, this campaign is a movement of women supporting other women in their personal, health, wellness, societal, and fitness goals.
A picture of my friend (left), UNCW Her Campus writer Turchese Pantani (middle), and me (far right) at #ActuallySheCan on Wednesday.
Last Wednesday, Wilmington students had the opportunity to listen to Brittney Lewis, Director of Community Development and Strategic Planning at HerCampus Nationals guide a conversation with Jennifer Walsh, founder of Price & Glory; Kristen McGee, a celebrity Yoga Instructor; and Jo Piazza, an award-winning journalist, author, and editor.
What was unique about the “Path to Success Panel” was not the fact that these women were all successful in their own field (you need some sort of credibility to get asked to speak as a part of theses panels). What was unique was the energy these women created in the room. “This audience was making eye contact, they were wrapped, they were engaged,” comments panelist Jo Piazza. She later went on to see that the, “ability to give some small amount of advice that might stick in the back of someone’s head and be helpful for them later,” was empowering.
The audience was so attentive, as Piazza mentioned, because these three women were real, they were genuine, and they were inspirational. Hearing Walsh talk about being discouraged after not receiving a loan from a bank to start her business, or Jo Piazza get turned down after showing her editor her first book, I felt like there was only a slight difference than someone my age and these women.
Order from left to right: Brittany Lewis, Jennifer Walsh, Jo Piazza, and Kristen McGee. Photo courtesty of Jennifer Walsh.
All women, all people have dreams. These women took these dreams and through perseverance made them a reality. That is the difference between the women in the audience and the women on the panel. Panelist Jennifer Walsh mentioned the many times in life she never took no for an answer, and all these women had this same determination. This confidence came from knowing themselves and drawing from this knowledge to fuel their passions turned careers.
So much nowadays, I feel (as most college students do), we’re required to pick a major that would look great on a resume or succumb to a job post-grad that makes the socially acceptable amount of money. Panelist Kristen McGee originally taught yoga as a means to an end of an acting career, but instead found a passion in the art form of yoga and focused on this passion. These women took the time to stress throughout the duration of the panel that you could love what you do and make that love grow into something profitable.
So what is the secret to these women’s success? Well, first the conversation started with finding your own path. Especially in today’s world, there is no set path to success. The Internet, a central topic of the evening, evens the playing field when it comes to getting a new service, product, or brand out in the public eye. Find the path that is right for you and follow your heart as it leads your forward.
Secondly, the women talked about setting goals. Goals can be small day-to-day things or long-term that take years to come to fruition. The key is to set the goals and keep your eye on the prize. Jo Piazza, another panelist, talked about how just being vocal about her dreams led to her book being in O magazine, accomplishing a goal she thought impossible.
Third, these women talked about mentors and their value, but also the value in the people you surround yourself with. Walsh commented how important it is to, “find your group of people that you really love and [have] the[m] support you and you support them.” Walsh clarifies saying, “Those people in your life that you chose to have with you really will support you.” A general consensus from the night was that we live in a time not of competition, but of women helping other women and this environment feeds intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and personal growth.
Photo courtesty of #ActuallySheCan.
“To be able to share with women my passion, how I got on the career path that I did, explaining to them that when you set goals and you have a dream and you have a vision and you go for it, anything is possible in this day and age is incredible,” said Kristin McGee about her experience as a panelist. I personally couldn’t agree more. There is something special about hearing people talk about their passions, something infectious. I believe these women made their determination and ability to dream contagious last week.
So where to start this journey? How does one begin the journey to become a celebrity yoga instructor, an award-winning journalist and author, or self-made business owner?
“Look at where you spend a majority of your time. Think about your extracurricular activities the ones that you really enjoy doing,” Kristin McGee s says, “What are you talking about that excites you? It doesn’t have to be career related, because that’s when you can actually create your own career with something you are passionate about.”
To learn more about #ActuallySheCan visit their website!