We already have over 150 fabulous women on our interest list. If you know any dynamic ladies who might be interested in membership/coworking please share this link so we can add them to our Carlsbad distribution list: http://herahub.com/carlsbadlocation/

More Information On Membership Benefits and Packages. 

Keep the champagne on ice ladies, we are fixing to celebrate!

The post Announcing The Newest Addition To The Hera Hub Family: Carlsbad appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

What are organizations doing to prepare the next generation, especially women? We all know that Hera Hub brilliantly answers this question, through it’s collaborative co-working space. Hera Hub allows varying demographics to collaborate, network, and gives both sides the opportunity to influence one another. Hera Hub already created cultural awareness though the exposure that collaboration offers. Exposure and brilliance through osmosis is what will potentially prepare Gen-Y to fill Gen-X’s high-heels. The shift from the generational transition will be strongly felt, in fact it already has, even Jack Welsh and Maya Angelou are on Twitter. I can’t help but wonder how the corporate world and broader workforce will handle the change that generational influence brings,“in order to thrive in the post-baby boomer landscape, companies need to put serious thought and effort into smoothing the intergenerational transition for leaders from Generations X and Y. Organizations must find ways of transferring as much knowledge and experience as possible through directly mentoring next generation talent, so that tacit knowledge can be transferred, and written knowledge can be cemented” (Boggis-Rolfe, R., 2013). I was recently laid-off from a company that I served for four years.  My younger colleague and I were let go, not because of performance issues or capability but because we didn’t possess the “experience” needed. In fact, my position’s job description required ten years of working experience. Meaning, if you factor in college, anyone under the age of 30 isn’t qualified. I was hungry for development and knowledge, constantly asking be taught, mentored, guided but was not fed, so I got the boot. It’s clear that companies, just like my previous employer, are failing to see the power of collaboration and mentoring.  The workforce must change it’s perspective and focus especially as we tend to operate in silos whether they are industries, genders, ages, or even levels of experience. It is clear that collaboration is the anecdote to the segregated workforce we have all fallen victim too. An office space layout indicates how antiquated the workforce is–accountants sit on this floor. Recruiters are on that floor–we are all separated.

What are YOU doing to prepare the next generation of female leaders? Gen-X, Gen-Y, and millennials together will promote collaboration and cultural awareness; the very skills required for the future. The next time you think about closing your door for a conference call, contemplate keeping the door open and giving them the opportunity to LeanIn and learn from you. These actions together, will prepare our next generation of phenomenal female leaders.

The post Gen X and Y, Come Together Right Now! appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

Our culture has a dangerous obsession with youth and for what? Twenty-year olds are usually hot messes with erratic interests and massive insecurities. How do I know? Honey, I am living it. All of my friends spend their Friday nights mulling over their Quarter Life Crisis, nights spent with bottles of wine and girlfriends encouragement are MANDITORY in order to survive the 20s. However, this is the grand design of life, as your twenties are a time to make mistakes, give you bruises and kick your you’re your 20s will give you new layers of skin, thicker and tougher, it will soften your heart and mold us into the woman we want to be.  This tumultuous soul searching isn’t what we see in the media though, we see twenty year olds in movies that have million dollar wooden floored lofts, six packs and perfectly parted hair. Wiggaty what? This truly isn’t the case. I want to celebrate the women over thirty, the entrepreneurs, mothers, and woman that are LIVING. We do not celebrate you ENOUGH.

I always tell my clients that they are fabulous; these gorgeous silver haired stunners that don’t feel beautiful, talented, or smart because the world has failed to give them encouragement; they’re simply burnt out. Well, this post is for YOU. The wall Street Journal and LinkedIn posted a glorious article about women over 40 being the true innovators.

We once again have this image of a young MAN creating the new social media platform in his dorm, innovation has not become associated with millennials but these stories are exceptions not run-of-the-mill. Whitney Johnson, Speaker, Strategic consultation, Investor, author’s article, Get Innovation Right: Tap Into Women Over Forty, confirms this point “The average founder of a high-tech startup isn’t a whiz-kid graduate, but a mature 40-year-old engineer or business type with a spouse and kids who simply got tired of working for others,” says Duke University scholar Vivek Wadhwa, who studied 549 successful technology ventures. And “according to data from the Kauffman Foundation, the highest rate of entrepreneurship in America has shifted TO THE 55–64 age group, with people over 55 almost twice as likely to found successful companies than those between 20 and 34.”

Per New York Times Article, Innovators Get Better With Age, “research indicates that a 55-year-old and even a 65-year-old have more innovation potential than a 25-year-old. He also notes that the directors of the top five grossing films in 2012 were in their 40s and 50s. While Nobel Prize winners may make their break-through discoveries earlier in life – the average age is around 38 – typically it takes twenty years to socialize their ideas, meaning they don’t receive recognition for their achievements until around the age of 60.”

I want to take a moment to applaud the profound women at Hera Hub that have encouraged my business. At times it feels like society encourages women to push against one another rather than support one another; this large elephant in the room often gets ignored but fueled. There is a beautiful synchronicity in women of varying ages coming together; women in their twenties can feel supported, encouraged, guided, and empowered. The learning isn’t only extended to the twenty-somethings, it’s a binary relationship, forty-somethings receive the same support, encouragement, and empowerment. Christina Vuleta, founder of 40:20 Vision has started a blog based on this methodology. Log on and share your ideas and start the beautiful relationship of sharing and empowerment.

So, pop the cork and raise your glass innovators and know that science proves that you truly get better with age. I can’t wait…

To see more women who are disrupting, innovating, and making an impact check out Whitney Johnson and Christina Vuleta’s: 40 Women Over Forty to Watch.

The post Like Fine Wine, Women Get Better With Age appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

This isn’t what we’re taught. In fact, when I was laid off I was expected to smile and say “thank you”. We are conditioned that it isn’t okay to be hurt, upset, disappointed, or frustrated with our employers. We have to find the silver lining, even in bad news because that’s “professional”. What if there is no silver lining?  As Dan boldly proclaims, “you don’t have to find the positive in everything others say to you. You aren’t tough enough to win until you’re angry enough to do what’s extraordinary. That only comes when you have thin enough skin to feel the sting of being wronged. That painful sting makes you then work relentlessly to make that feeling go away.” It’s okay to get mad, as long as that anger is used to make you better, not bitter.  In fact, smiling and “dealing” with an unstable and unhealthy work environment made my life unhealthy and unstable. Don’t say “I’m fine” when you know you aren’t. I was constantly pushing my feelings for my job deep down during the day and taking it out on myself and the world around me when I got home. Forcing myself to be positive at work, made me negative everywhere else, 30lbs worth of negative.

Since the news of my forced exit I feel free. I have been speaking my truth and harnessing my frustrations into productive energy. Taking ownership of my disappointments, anger, and frustrations has helped me to cope. My friends, you don’t need to be a Stonewall Jackson to get ahead. A placid face and stoic soul are not the makings of a queen; at least one that is remembered far beyond her passing. It’s okay to feel what you feel. Speak your truth and if it manifests in tears, you’re not less a person or employee for that. Get mad, get sad, get frustrated because it will make you bigger, badder, and better.

The post It’s Okay to Get Mad As Long As It Makes You Better Not Bitter appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

I was jazzed to see Diego Rodriguez’s post on LinkedIn, The Heart of Leadership. He shared a brilliant story about a very public and bold display of authentic leadership in 2003, when in front of 20,000 strangers; 13 year old Natalie Gilbert forgot the lines to the Star Spangled Banner.  Upon her first stumbling of words, the crowd started to muster, confused with how to proceed. Should they laugh? Cheer? Sing?  You could even hear some boos a’ brewin’, when the Portland Trail Blazers head coach, Maurice “Mo” cheeks, marched onto the floor, stepped behind her, placed his hand on her shoulder and helped her with the words. This kicked over the first dominoes and the rest began to tumble, as the audience started singing along until she was finished. At the end of the song Natalie looked up at Maurice hugged him and said “thank you.” Had he waited another second contemplating his move; [deciding between do I help her? or do I wait till this is over help? ] her reputation, self-esteem, spirit could have been crushed. He made himself vulnerable, leaned in, and demonstrated true leadership; authentically and courageously.

As Diego shares, “What is leadership? Here’s my definition: it’s about making positive change happen which otherwise would not have happened”. True leadership is about sticking your neck out or sometimes your singing voice, to support someone else. How easy would it have been for him to just laugh or say “aww” and not do anything. it’s risky to step out and be vulnerable. Leadership isn’t just in large acts or grand speeches, it’s in small actions that when threaded together provides credible authenticity. Your actions either empower (lead) or crush (diminish) the human spirit.

I urge you to be bold; to be a voice for others, especially when they are struggling to find the words. I leave you with these profound words by authentic leader, writer, humanitarian, Maya Angelou” “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

How are you showing up today? How are you leading?

Guest blog written by the fabulous, Skyler McCurine

The post Authentic Leadership appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

Felena and I spent a Saturday morning having a delightful dialogue about young women in science. In particular, what can we do to encourage young women to pursue science, technology and mathematics.  Our conversation took an interesting turn when we discussed how we talk to young girls. I immediately reflected to earlier in that week when my colleague brought his daughter in for an office visit. Most of my female counterparts knelt down and pinched her cheeks, complimenting her on how pretty her dress was and how lovely and adorable she is. We raised our voices and bent down, literally making our bodies smaller to address her. That right there is how it starts.  Be mindful of how you compliment young girls and each other! The tendency to celebrate other women for something physical is far too common. “I love your dress!” “You look so thin!” “You are so beautiful!” While these things may be true and can be very nice to hear, they also reinforce that the physical aspects of ourselves are all that matter [or all that are noticed].  For the month of May we are encouraging our happy Heras to compliment themselves and others on non-physical elements. “I love your business”, “You have such an ingratiating presence”, “I noticed that you took a leap of faith this week and I applaud your bravado”. Get creative ladies but don’t get physical. The next time you see a little girl, don’t hunch your back and bend down to meet her, stand tall and invite her to rise to the occasion. Ask her questions about what she loves and encourage her to lean into those brilliant desires. Let’s start high fiving instead of pinching cheeks.

Thou Shalt Receive:

As a stylist, I can’t help but care about my presentation. I always add special touches to declare my unique space; a broach here, an extra jangly bracelet there and a head scarf just because. I do this intentionally; the more audacious the outfit, the more confident I feel. Contrary to what you might think, I can get dressed in about five minutes. I usually don’t spend obscene amounts of time preparing my outfits and I sure as hell don’t have them picked out the night before. Always the lady, I pick what’s clean or on the floor and build from there. However, one morning in particular I was stumped on what to wear.  I had torn through every article of clothing in my closet and was running late.  I just settled on something I wasn’t that jazzed about and rushed into the office.  From the moment I entered the double glass doors I was showered with compliments, all of which I turned down. “Oh this? I hate it but thanks”.  My colleague came up to me and said “You look beautiful today” which started the proverbial diatribe of “Oh no, I look fat, blah blah &*^&^%&^%$&”. She said “hey, just take the compliment, goodness”.

When someone is gracious enough to give you a compliment, shut the hell up at take it. If you don’t believe it than perhaps you have some soul searching to do. I have been working on simply saying “thank you and I’ll take that”, after receiving a compliment. I don’t know why we as women feel the urge to resist a kind word or have the insatiable urge to question someone’s sincerity as if we couldn’t possibly believe that compliment to be true. We say “you really think so”, “I didn’t sound dumb at the meeting yesterday?”. Instead of receiving a compliment we are insecurely requesting for more validation.

I watched a powerful video by Dove regarding self-perception. They asked an FBI sketch artists to draw images of individual women, based on their description of themselves; Dove than asked strangers to describe that same individual for the same artist. Which drawing do you think was better? The sketches described by the individuals were mutilated; in short they just didn’t do them justice. The video demonstrates how hard we are on ourselves; we critique every finite detail in the end belittling the power and beauty we naturally demonstrate. We see things that strangers don’t find to be true.  Stop fighting what makes you wonderful and receive what you are given—especially in the form of a compliment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaOjMXyJGk

It’s May you Happy Heras and so starts our challenge of Giving and receiving. Share your brilliant examples of giving and receiving compliments below or on our Facebook page, you fabulous woman, Yea YOU!

The post Compliments: Thou Shalt Give and Receive appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

———————————————————————————————————-

Look at What’s Bugging you- look at what irks you and perhaps ask, can I solve this problem?

You’re Never Too Told- startups may sound like a 21rst century phenomena started by a group of twenty something app developers and web designers. While there may be many young people that fit this bill, success does not only belong to the millennials.

Be Present in Life- as founder and CEO of NewMe Accelerator shares, “I’m sure you can relate to how overconnected we all are. Something as simple as having a cup of coffee becomes a juggling act of replying to emails and managing schedules. It’s easy to miss a potential piece to your innovation puzzle when it’s right under your nose if you aren’t there”.

Ideas are abundant; Drive isn’t – great ideas are a dime a dozen but those who hustle, to see that vision come to fruition, are rare.

Let your Subconscious Do the Work- listen to your inner compass, even when you hadn’t realized it was turned “on”.

Attack Practical Problems- “make a note whenever you encounter a service or a customer experience that frustrates you, or wish you had a product that met your needs that you can’t find anywhere. Then create it yourself.”

Head Into the Weird Places – there is a beauty hidden in the obscure. People hold incredible stories. Literally we are living in a sea rich with love, heartbreak, challenge, innovation, the human spirit can teach us profound lessons even if its from the person sitting next to you on the bus or standing in line at the post office. Listen to the underdog stories, eat where no one else sits, as CEO of Venture Capital, Victor Hwang, beautiful expresses, “Watch and listen to weird stuff. I enjoy watching obscure documentaries and listening to unusual podcasts. It’s thrilling to find cool ideas lurking just a few clicks away. Walk in weird places. I take walks in hidden suburban neighborhoods, department stores, community colleges. When you’re walking with no purpose but walking, you see things in fresh ways, because you have the luxury of being in the present.”

Search for a better Way- “As one goes about their daily life, it is useful if they routinely ask themselves, “Isn’t there a better way?” You would be surprised at how frequently the answer is, “Yes.”

Think Big- Go big or go home. Make the world a better place. Fail fast and pivot quickly.

Taking it To Martket: “We typically think of these ideas as the thing that sets these great entrepreneurs on the path of success. However, an idea is only that until you do something with it. Great entrepreneurs also discover the strategies to deliver the new innovative solution to the market.”

Listen to the People Who know-”Get customer feedback: Listen to customers and create products and services that give them more of what they like and/or remove what they dislike.”

Get Inspired by History-You often hear about the pursuit of the new new thing. But I believe entrepreneurs have a lot to gain by looking into history for inspiration.In the mid-’90s, some beer enthusiasts and experts called us heretics for brewing beers with ingredients outside of the “traditional” water, yeast, hops and barley. So, I started researching ancient brewing cultures and learned that long ago, brewers in every corner of the world made beer with whatever was beautiful and natural and grew beneath the ground they lived on. We now make a whole series of Ancient Ales inspired by historic and molecular evidence found in tombs and dig sites.” – Sam Calagione, Founder and President of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Inc.

Be Prepared to Shift Gears- entrepreneurs can bob and weave with the likes of Muhammed Ali or Mike Tyson but keep practicing. You will have to learn to dodge, reassess, and act quickly, all the time.

You can’t Rush the Brain- I don’t know where great ideas come from. I am not sure anyone does. I am not even sure how I come up with my ideas. The brain does its thing, and out pops an idea. While you are waiting for the brain to get its act together, do what you can do. Do the doable. Meet with people, schmooze, have a laugh or two. Build mock-ups and prototypes. At the very least, collect other people’s problems. That’s always a guaranteed doable.– Saras D. Sarasvathy
Isidore Horween research associate professor of business administration, University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

Words of experience from the greats who have learned the hard way. Keep going and with the rising of each sun, know that your business CAN be.

The post How Entrepreneurs Come Up With Good Ideas appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

————————————————————————————————————-

As a successful investor, I have the ability to donate a portion of my income every year to non-profit and charitable organizations.  The more money I earn, the more I donate.  Over the past several years, I have donated to Access Youth Academy, the San Diego Women’s Foundation, my stepdaughter’s school, and various performing arts organizations.

If you think like I do, you may have wondered if the money you donate is being used efficiently and effectively.  It is hard to tell sometimes what the real impact of your money has on an individual or family.

I developed a passion for investing (and now I teach other women how to become successful investors) because I saw it as way to ensure that I would always be self-sufficient and wouldn’t have to stay in a job I hated or marry a man for money instead of love.  I wouldn’t be here today if my grandfather hadn’t invested in ME.  I worked so hard in high school and was fortunate to be accepted to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.  Even back in 1986, the cost of attending this Ivy League school was $24,000 per year.  With grants, loans and a work-study job, I had two-thirds of the cost covered; my grandfather paid for the rest.  I owe my financial success to my grandfather who invested $8,000 per year over four years so I could get the best available education in finance and become an independent woman.

My grandfather’s act of giving to me wasn’t a handout, it was an INVESTMENT.  That is the guiding force I use in my philanthropy.  How can I reincarnate his act of giving into my investing in other people, primarily women?

I recently discovered a San Diego-based non-profit called Women’s Empowerment International (WE) that provides microfinance loans (nearly 8,000 to date) and business training to women in Mexico, Honduras, Ghana and San Diego – so they can start businesses and work their way out of poverty.  These loans are often as little as $50 to $100 and  more than 98% of the loans are paid back…with interest.   I am so jazzed about WE that I have decided to donate half of the profits of my new book, “Empower:  Women’s Stories of Breakthrough, Discovery and Triumph” to WE.

Empower contains inspirational stories of 25 women who overcame life’s greatest challenges in order to start their own businesses, raise money for research for a child with rare disabilities, recover from a debilitating stroke, travel the globe to help others in need, or rebuild their lives after a father’s suicide.   I am honored to be one of the 25 authors of this book and hope that my journey to financial independence through investing will inspire and motivate other women to also prosper. Please consider purchasing a signed book at the event and help fund another woman’s path to financial independence.

True leadership is about acquiring knowledge and then empowering others with that information. Laurie, we applaud your drive and leadership. We are so proud of you Laurie!

Support Laurie and Women’s Empowerment International by purchasing your copy of Empowerment today!

The post Empower: Women’s Stories of Breakthrough, Discovery, and Triumph appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

One of the day’s most moving performances was facilitated by San Diego’s Monarch School.  Founded in 1987, this innovative K-12 school is built on a foundation of love. This nationally recognized institution is a school for homeless children. Their mission is to “provide excellent academic and supportive environment in which any student in San Diego County who is impacted by homelessness will receive a rigorous education and grow personally to become a highly motivated, contributing member of society’.   A student and two teachers shared Monarch’s story through song. Our Hubettes sitting in the audience decided to support this heart-filled mission.

Hera Hob hosted a clothing swap, spearheaded by Ellen Scott Grable, to raise money and merchandise for the Monarch school and its campus store. Hera Hub
members came and brought wonderful clothing items, to be sold for $1. 100% of the money raised went straight into the Monarch Shool, money that would support them opening their new facility, yesterday.

Guests tour the Monarch School’s new $15 million dollar facility. The Monarch School was able to open it’s doors all through private donations.

Mayor Bob Filner kicked-off the opening of the 15 million dollar facility, while guests celebrated immaculate new campus. My words don’t do the impact that this school has justice. The profound impact that the Monarch School has had on San Diego County, is best described by one of its 5^th graders, Savannah “it’s so wonderful that someone would actually think of us and make a difference for us” (Cha, V., 2013).

There are more than 18,000 homeless children in San Diego and Monarch school bravely answers this need, through providing structure, stability, food, health care, transportation, therapy, empowerment and opportunity. From TEDxSanDiego, to our clothing drive, to the opening of a multi-million dollar facility, it’s wonderful to see how a seed of inspiration has flourished into something beautiful.

Support the Monarch School.

The Monarch School’s TEDxSanDiego Performance: From Homeless to Hopeful!

The post From Inspiration To Action: The Monarch School Opens Doors to New Facility appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.

Per John Zenger and Joseph Folkman (the Sheryl Sandbergs in the Leadership and Talent Development world) women outscore men in leadership effectiveness.  Booya boys! I always knew it to be true in my heart but now we have the stats! Research shows that patriarchal leadership attributes, with the heavy hand perspective, are passé. Collaboration and integrity (attributes associated to my X-chromosome queens) are in greater demand in the new innovative and flat leveled work force, “the primary reason, Zenger suggests, is that accepted leadership styles have changed over the years. While the “command-and-control style” once dominated the business world, more feminine attributes like collaboration tend to fit today’s business model better” (Koplovitz, K., 2013)

Of course the idea of collaboration (“feminine attributes”) has to deal with its fair share of nay-sayers, “unfortunately, even though the business leadership climate may be swaying toward a more collaborative atmosphere, there are those who wonder if collaboration is a sign of weakness. Collaboration can be seen as a weakness when women: ask permission, appear indecisive, or fail to assert a strong point of view. Bah, humbug.   Collaboration is a noteworthy cause, as it deems all players worthy of playing on the field, instead of pushing people (especially subordinates and minorities) to the sidelines.  That being said, my fine fellow females, just be mindful of the perception that collaborative approaches can have (I know I know, add that to your already long list of things to be mindful of as a leader): intent versus the impact. The intent of collaboration could be to incorporate as many key players as possible in order to achieve maximum efficiency but the impact could be the perception that you have to ask permission from everyone before you can be decisive.Stand firm in your leadership and revel in the fact that we are predisposed to being better leaders. Add that to the LONG list of why we rock.

As James Brown says “this is a man’s world” but Ladies, Chakakahn also says “I’m every woman, it’s all in me” and which one of the two is still alive to tell the tale?  Exactly. Innovate, collaborate, and give the Y-chromosome something to talk about and of course, marvel at.

The post Women Are More Effective Leaders… Duh! appeared first on  | Coworking | Workspace for Women | Entrepreneur | Network | San Diego.