by Stephanie Berenbaum – June 24, 2010

Dani Klein Modisett: Wisdom Earned One Tip at a Time

Even in tough economic times, many college graduates leave school with the master plan of pursuing their dream career and making a gazillion dollars doing it.   But what happens when reality strikes and you find that no one wants to pay you for your passion (at least not yet), and you have to take a job that seemingly has nothing to do with your future?

Recent college grads & ANYONE who is unhappy at work, LISTEN UP: Instead of adopting the mind set that you’re trapped in a dead end job, change your attitude and you might just change your future.  According to one woman who’s been there, the job(s) you hate today may actually lead you to do something you love tomorrow!

Meet Dani Klein Modisett;  writer, producer, actor, teacher — and mom!  My first introduction to Dani was when a friend brought me to see Afterbirth – the live show Dani created, produces, directs and performs in.  Afterbirth features actors and writers performing original monologues about “how becoming a parent changed them unexpectedly and forever”.  The show was hilarious and dead on.  I loved it!

The night I went to see the show just so happened to also be the launch party for the Afterbirth book.  Dani was glamorous in a glistening frock, so funny and playing to a packed house.  I remember thinking – ok, here is a mom who also has a show, a book, a following… How did she get here?  I figured this much of a multi-tasker must have an inspiring story…

Dani’s college days were spent as a Theater major at Dartmouth – what could be more idyllic, right?  But, as we all know, the prestige of an ivy league education doesn’t pay the bills once you are on your own- you actually need to go out & find a job! Which is exactly where Dani found herself upon graduating.  With no slush fund from her family to fall back on, nor the prospect of a lucrative first job, Dani focused on the reality of affording life in New York City — while pursuing her dream of becoming a successful actor.  She soon found that in addition to memorizing lines for auditions, she also got a lot of practice saying,”May I take your order?”

In addition to waiting tables, Dani also picked up other jobs to pay the bills.  She put in time as both an administrative assistant and as a paralegal.  None of the above probably sound, on the surface, like they have much to do with her current career success. But these jobs, Dani says, are exactly where some surprising and invaluable lessons were learned that led her to where she is today!  As she says, every moment that you think is “the BIGGEST drain of your intelligence” can actually help provide you with skills that will help you succeed down the road.

Now, look, Dani’s not saying that while she was in the thick of an exhausting shift that she was blissfully focused on how much her interchange with angry customer #17 was going to help her stand up career one day.  But in retrospect, she sees the MAJOR effects of these seemingly uninspiring jobs almost every day!

by Stephanie Berenbaum – April 26, 2010

Mothers Pay for Mother’s Day?

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and with it, an annual tradition I look forward to.  I’m not talking about breakfast in bed or flowers, I’m talking about the annual survey from Salary.com on ‘What Moms Are Worth’. Each year, they survey thousands of moms to see which jobs best fit the description of the many things they do, and they calculate a “salary” accordingly.  As the mom of two young boys, I have to say the thought of monetarily quantifying all a mom does is more than intriguing – it’s about time!

Of course, the idea of ‘working moms’ is always a bit controversial.  Because, of course, all moms work – no matter if you have a career out of the house, run your business from home, or focus entirely on your family.  Depending on your mate, you may be married to someone who fully understands the value of all the hard work that you do.  Or you may live with someone who thinks that because you are not the bread winner, you aren’t really working.  Though few of us want to admit it, I think many Stay At Home (SAHM) & Work From Home Moms (WFHM) find themselves in the uncomfortable space that lies somewhere in between…  Sure their spouse realizes all the hard work they do, but at the end of the day, he might still come in and expect a hot dinner waiting for him on the table.  Women in both camps seem to long for one thing - recognition for all they do!

For many people who work outside the home, there is the instant gratification of the pay check and maybe even a raise! Heck, even a performance review to make you feel good about your efforts. But for the SAHM, sometimes it is easy to overlook her contribution both to the financial and overall well-being of the household.

Since having children, I have been both a SAHM and now a WFHM running her own business.  And while, yes, the cliché is true – being a mom is the hardest and most rewarding job I have ever had -  I can’t say that every once in a while I don’t long for the days of  my old stockbroker paychecks.  I have to be honest – bringing home a physical paycheck really was gratifying, particularly in a lucrative field.  If I had a really stressful week and then had a big bank account deposit to smile about, it did make things easier to take!

I remember once one of the guys I used to work with told me his wife (a SAHM) missed having a paycheck, but he thought her ‘pay’ came in the form of their children being polite, well behaved and kind.  While I agree this is huge payoff, and of course I am gratified when Noah says ‘excuse me’ instead of just shoving someone out of the way, I can totally understand wanting that pay stub which proves that you are recognized and valued.

This year’s Salary.com survey should be out soon, but according to 2009′s results, based on a survey of 12,000 moms, here’s what best fit their job description: housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, facilities manager, van driver, psychologist, laundry machine operator, janitor and chief executive officer. In my house I would also add plumber, nutritionist, animal control expert, waste removal expert, human resources manager, and business owner to the list. So, any guesses at to what the many jobs of a SAHM equated to in salary? A whopping $122, 732! And who knows, with your own customized description, it could be even more!

So, if my husband is reading this like he claims to read all our articles, my wish may be about to come true! Salary.com actually will allow you to print out a customized pay stub for mom!  Just check out their ‘Mom Salary Wizard’. It is one of my fave Fab & Fru Mother’s Day gift ideas (yes, husbands you should still get that Spa gift certificate) and a way to make a truly creative mothers day card!

I can’t wait to see what the 2010 numbers look like on salary.com, and if all the SAHMs out there got their well deserved raise!

How to Invest In Yourself – Without Spending a Dime!

By Andrea Moya and Stephanie Berenbaum- February 24, 2010

The other night I attended my first networking event – for what I hope will be my new career as a food writer.  I have to admit – I was completely unprepared! I wanted to come across like an exquisite, perfectly cooked Filet Mignon, but instead I ended up feeling like a deflated souffle! Under-dressed and noticeably nervous, I spent the cocktail hour glaring at my Blackberry and trying to look busy, all while typing messages to my friends that read: Help! What am I doing here?!

Become A People Person

Now, I know that networking and getting to know people in your field is an important part of advancing in your career (especially in this economy), but as I learned the other night,  it’s so much EASIER SAID THAN DONE!  Not many people love playing the networking game, but at some point, everyone has to learn how to bite the bullet and introduce themselves at events.  Of course developing amazing people skills takes practice, but the good news is that honing your skills is FREE!  So many people are finding themselves unemployed and needing to network not only to make a career change, but also to find a job within their current industry .  No matter which category you fall into, we can all learn something from my missteps…

I spent much of the evening kicking myself for not taking a cue from my boyfriend, a sound designer who is a master business card hustler. Since he’s decided to freelance, I’ve watched him change how he dresses, behaves, even how he answers his phone. And it works! So here’s what I’ve learned so far about networking, from my beau as well as from my own experience (or lack thereof) the other night!

Dress To Impress

When I walked through the glass doors of the venue, I felt as if I showed up to a performance of the Philharmonic dressed like I was going to a rock show on a college campus. While it seems obvious, looking good and feeling comfortable with what you’re wearing makes a huge difference in how you carry yourself and approach people. This doesn’t mean you have to wear a dress and heels every time you go to an event. However, a dressy shirt, nice shoes, black pants, and a stylish bag (big enough to hold a notepad, a pen, some make-up, and of course DONT FORGET your business cards) will get you through.

You don’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks – Target and H&M both carry cute, affordable, office-ready apparel. Feeling comfortable in your skin will make a big difference when going up to a complete stranger and engaging them in conversation.  We’ve all heard it time and time again, and it’s true: First Impressions are EVERYTHING!  Your physical presentation does matter so take pride in how look and what your wear!

Better Perks Instead of Higher Pay

by Andrea Moya– November 2, 2009

With nothing but layoffs and pay freezes on the news, the idea of asking for a raise seems borderline absurd. But that doesn’t mean you’re totally stuck. When a performance review comes along, remember that benefits and perks are also part of your compensation package and should not be overlooked.  You may be able to get extra days off or a better 401k plan – even if an out and out raise is out of the question!  And of course we are assuming you are a superstar employee who is working their tail off and who has made themselves indispensable to the company.  The kind of employee for whom the boss would pay you out of her own salary if she had to…

Time is Money

Ask for a more flexible schedule or even the option of working from a home one day per week. This will be particularly appealing to new parents or people with a long commute. If you absolutely need to be at the office every day but you’d like to spend more time with your kids, maybe you can ask to arrive late or leave early on certain days – of course with the promise that you will work from home to complete your assignments.

Another way to turn time into money is to request extra paid vacation time. It’s one of the easiest perks any company can offer. You can specifically request to have certain special occasions off like birthdays and anniversaries, which may be even easier to negotiate. In any case you’ll have to arrange for people to cover for you while you’re away.

Bank on Bonuses

If you are looking to pad your salary with more cash but have been turned down for a wage increase, ask if your employer would be open to setting up a system of bonuses. Bonuses or commissions should be achievement based and correlate to your direct ability and position to close a deal, generate other revenue for the company, or discover ways to save the company significant money.  This is also a great incentive for you to become proactive, motivate yourself, and show your employer that you mean business.  A win/win for everyone!

Retirement Raise

Your 401k may be feeling a little on the low side at the moment. But, like they say, what goes up must come down — and it will most likely go up again. During this slump, help yourself by convincing your employer to help you—by increasing the amount of contributions they match in your 401k. Depending on your salary, having them match your contributions by 50% will add quite a bit extra towards your retirement fund, which will lead to thousands of dollars additional interest over the long-run.

If they’re already matching your contributions,  but your 401k plan isn’t where you want it to be, try to negotiate a plan with lower fees or more diverse investment options. This is not just a raise; it’s an investment in your future.

5 Tips to Get Ahead at Work

A first job is like a first relationship: an exciting, new experience where you learn…often by making mistakes. However, turning an entry-level job into a career means taking what you’ve learned and putting it into action. Ok, so how the heck do you do that?

As a 22-year-old college graduate, I had the unique opportunity to interview a usually unapproachable entity within the workplace—my boss. Lucky for us, my boss is Fab & Fru co-founder Brandi Savitt. As the owner of three businesses, she had some very valuable things to say about how to get ahead within a small company (and probably a big one too), make yourself an invaluable employee, and turn your first job into a career.

Get to Know Your Company & Yourself

Take the time to really understand the mission statement and vision of the company you’re working for. This will not only help you connect to your job faster, it will also help you define your own interests and strengths more quickly. In turn, learning more about yourself builds confidence, leading you to take more initiative. This is a ‘you scratch my back, I scratch yours” type of scenario. The more you sharpen your skill set, and the more confidence (not arrogance) that you gain, the better your performance will become, and the more likely you are to advance. Always remember, your first job is just as much about getting professional experience as it is building a good reputation.

Observe & Take the Initiative

The movie The Devil Wears Prada came up a lot during my conversation with Brandi—appropriate considering Anne Hathaway’s character is also named Andrea. (And no, Brandi is NOTHING like Miranda Priestly!) The Andrea in the movie was an assistant to a tyrannical fashion editor, but she made herself invaluable by learning how to anticipate Miranda’s every diabolical whim.

Learning how to do things without being asked (or without being asked twice) is what will make you stand out in any company. Observe your superiors’ daily routines, and try to anticipate their needs. Whether it’s reporting on the status of something, making calls to vendors, even knowing when to offer up a well timed cup of coffee (if you are working for Steph, especially) you should take the initiative to get it done before you have to be told. If something comes up that you could never anticipate, then make sure to do it without being asked twice. This will show your boss that you are interested in taking the lead and that you’re capable of building management skills. If you make your boss’ life easier and are able to say, “Done,” when asked to do something – MAJOR BROWNIE POINTS TO YOU!

Is Running Your Own Company Right For You?

Yikes!  The unemployment rate recently jumped to 8.5% making the job market more competitive than ever.  Many of our super talented go-getter friends are looking for work and wondering what career steps to take next.  Perhaps it’s time for them to create their own opportunities?  Throughout history, it’s times like this where creativity thrives and many genius ideas are born. After all, necessity is the mother of invention, isn’t it?

So, for all those folks out there who are thinking about how to turn lemons into lemonade, we have some Fab & Fru advice for you to consider before taking the plunge and starting your own business!

Coming from a long lineage of business owners, I was raised to have a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit. In my mid twenties after several years of working 18 hour days as a freelancer in the film industry, I knew that I wanted to turn my career into a full fledged business that I could call my own.  As my idea percolated, I began to see my business plan illustrate itself in my mind’s eye.  Before even taking the time to properly plan things out, budget, or even go to my family and friends for advice, something just clicked inside, and I became literally ‘possessed’ with determination to turn my dream into a reality.  I vowed to myself that I’d find a way to make my plan happen…

10 years later, I often wonder, if I knew then what I know now, would I take the same leap of faith?  At the end of the day, the answer is yes.  In a way, there was a real advantage to having no clue what to expect in running my own company – my naïveté allowed me to operate on sheer drive alone – but the reality is that running your own business is not easy.  It can be a great ride, but it is always turbulent.  You need to be prepared to make sacrifices.  You need money, time, passion, support, and a thick skin to handle the responsibilities and pressure that come with the territory.

Having my own company is the right choice for me, but I also don’t believe that it is the right choice for everybody.  The question remains: Is it the right choice for you?

The best thing to do when you are considering embarking down the entrepreneurial road is to be prepared for anything, do your homework, and then follow your heart.  So, here are some realities to ponder while you hone your vision, work out your budget, hire a lawyer, incorporate, secure your financing, and put your five-year plan into action.   Remember, life is too short not to take a chance, but if you’re looking for success, you need the tools, the guts, and the will to see it through.

DO YOU HAVE…

Vision?
What will you be selling and how do you plan to run your company?  In other words – What is your mission statement? Anyone can have an idea, but you need to have vision to transform that idea into bankable results.

Passion?
Why do you feel so strongly about starting and running your own business?  Do you have an idea that can deliver?  Your passion must be strong enough to weather the ups and downs of the market in order for you to see your company down the long haul.  Passion is not enough to make someone a successful leader and business owner, but it is an essential ingredient.

Get Fired Up to Get Hired!

With jobs so scarce these days, and piles of resumes for employers to choose from, the pressure is even higher to make a stand out impression when interviewing for your dream job.  Many people assume they know how to act in an interview, but you would be surprised at how many commit seemingly basic errors.  After many years of being the interviewer and the interviewee, we thought we’d share some simple Fab & Fru tips on how to peak the interest of your potential new boss and get them to take serious notice of you!

Do Your Hair & Make-up!

Looking your professional best doesn’t mean you have to go spend money at the salon, but you do need to take a few extra moments at home to groom and gloss.  The interviewer should be able to focus on what you are saying without being distracted by your unkempt hair or uncovered breakouts!For more beauty tips check out–Summer Make-Up Tips: Look Hot When the Heat is On.

Dress for Success!

Yes, we’ve heard it time and time again, but appearances do matter. I don’t care how much of a super genius you are, if you show up dressed inappropriately you’ll have shot yourself in the foot before you even get through the door.  Know your audience and dress for the part.  Even if you are interviewing for a job in a casual environment, look professional!  It will signal to your prospective employer that you are respectful and are taking this opportunity seriously.

Save the crazy patterns for a night out with the girls!  Wearing loud, attention getting garb will probably result in you receiving the wrong kind of attention.  Yes, we know, you want to come across as a stand-out individual, but it’s probably best to look more classic & understated while allowing your dashing intellect and charm to set you apart (not that you don’t look great in your neon, scribble art blazer). We’re certainly not saying that you can’t show any style… If you’re looking to spice up your more conservative look, try accenting your outfit with a small accessory like a pair of earrings, a pin, a belt, or your shoes to reflect more of your personal flare.

Look Them Straight in the Eye!

It sounds simple enough, but many don’t do it: MAKE EYE CONTACT! A candidate can look great on paper, but I can’t tell you enough that there is nothing more disconcerting than having someone avoid eye contact with you for thirty minutes.  Avoiding the eyes of the person that you’re talking with, makes you seem insincere and that you lack confidence.  Yikes! When you walk into an interview, make sure that you firmly shake hands with your prospective employer…and look them in the eyes.  When you are talking to them…look them in the eyes.  When you say goodbye, shake their hand again and, you guessed it…make eye contact!