We did it, we have entered a New Year, with new goals, new adventures, new obstacles ahead, and a fresh mindset. I hope everyone had a great holiday and took some much-deserved time off.

Just like that we are back to the grind, the hustle, the start of building our goals and aspirations. For empowHER, it’s a big year ahead. Our first event is this month, I have spent the last week trying to calm my nerves, imposter syndrome, and everything else that comes with starting a new venture. The only thing I continue to tell myself is, ‘You own all outcomes, you hold all power, and you are in control of your mindset’. So ladies, who is with me? Who is ready to take their ‘what ifs’ and turn them into ‘what IS’?

To kick off the year, I want to talk about something light-hearted and something all women can relate to - even you Carole, we know you are good with your money but you have done Girl Math. For my girlfriends who have been getting a kick from all the TikTok’s on Girl Math, this one’s for you.

In case you have no clue what I am referencing, ‘Girl Math’ is used to justify spending behaviors, particularly on significant purchases or items considered non-essential.

The amount I have laughed over this concept not because I think it’s dumb… well I mean, I guess it is. But I myself, have been "‘girl mathing’ since I was able to make purchases on my own. My own examples are absurd and I will save myself the embarrassment, BUT this is the year us girlies are making smarter purchasing decisions… am I right???!! Now that i have your attention and we are not going to make ridiculous excuses on our spending habits, let’s talk about how to make some real money this year!

Are You Negotiating Your Worth?

As the gender gap in tech becomes increasingly visible and well-documented, it's evident that this is a worldwide concern. It has been an issue for years now; however, with more awareness being brought to the problem – it can no longer be swept under the rug.

Glassdoor's research revealed a concerning gender gap in salary negotiation behavior. Only 52% of men chose to negotiate their salary, whereas a significant 68% of women opted not to engage in negotiations.

No matter your comfort level when it comes to negotiating your salary, remember the importance of your worth, your abilities, what you have accomplished thus far, and the positive impact you make. So stop negotiating with yourself and let’s work together to make sure you get that compensation you deserve. With yearly reviews right around the corner, here are a couple of things you should consider while prepping for these conversations.

1. Know your numbers: If you want to know how high you can go in negotiations for your job, the best way of learning is by researching the employer and position. Utilizing resources like Payscale can help guide you through this process.

2. Understand your value, embrace your worth: Remember, sis, you're not just another employee; you're a valuable asset. Own your skill sets and be prepared to articulate them. Write down ALL your achievements. I know this is tedious but trust me it will come into use when you have this conversation. This is the time to "brag" about your wins, advocate and be confident!

3. Silence your inner critic by acknowledging her: Recognizing when these thoughts occur helps to acknowledge the script of the inner critic, so you can tell that girl to hush and focus on your technical and interpersonal skills.

4. Utilize your network: Connect with other women in tech who have successfully negotiated for better salaries and benefits. Seek guidance from mentors who can provide valuable insights and advice. I like to talk to women outside of the current company I am working for but in similar industries. I was surprised by how transparent others will be on this topic. I don’t believe in hiding what I made as we need to start salary sharing more to ensure equality.

5. Handle objections with confidence: In negotiations, expect objections. Stay calm and respond confidently with relevant examples and data. Anticipate objections, prepare concise rebuttals, and reinforce your value proposition to counter pushback effectively.

Salary Negotiation Tips

Navigating salary negotiations requires finesse. Achieve a win-win outcome by striking the right balance and presenting your case effectively.

Start with Confidence: Approach the discussion with confidence, advocating not just for more money but for what you deserve. Believe in your worth to guide the conversation.

Be Clear and Specific: Clearly articulate your expectations, supported by evidence of your value. Share specific examples of achievements that align with the salary you're requesting.

Consider the Entire Package: Salary negotiations extend beyond the base figure. Explore benefits, bonuses, and other compensation factors. Sometimes, flexibility or additional vacation time can be as valuable as a higher salary.

Stay Positive and Professional: Maintain a respectful and focused conversation, centered on mutual benefit. Positivity and professionalism contribute to a constructive negotiation environment.

Her In Focus

We are thrilled to talk to Lindsay Wynn, Founder and CEO of Momotaro Apotheca. If you remember in my December letter I highlighted one of their many amazing products to shop for the holiday season. When I met Lindsay we connected instantly on women’s health, specifically vaginal health. A topic we tend to whisper and snicker about for some odd reason. She has created a product line of feminine care that truly helps women. We cannot continue to shy away from topics like vaginal health, pre & postpartum, sex wellness, and menopause. It’s part of our beautiful lives and embracing it, taking care of ourselves, and using products that are safe, organic, CLEAN are important and need to be spoken about more.

Que, January’s her in focus. Chatting with Lindsay we learned so much about the San Diego native, now residing in Brooklyn for the past 15 years. Let’s get into it and make sure you read right until the end because Lindsay is giving you a discount so you can get some amazing Momotaro products!

This was such an amazing interview, thank you, Lindsay, for taking the time to talk to empowHER. Your realness and rawness were very much felt in each answer given! If you would like to try Momotaro, use the code empowHER to receive 20% off your order.

Build & Foster Meaningful Connections

One of the many goals I have set for myself includes expanding my personal and professional circles with meaning. In a world where connection can happen at our fingertips, I am focused on amplifying the value through meeting in person, more coffee dates, activity-based meetups, dinner parties, you name it lets do it.

In our pursuit of personal and professional growth, cultivating meaningful connections is key. Whether aiming for career advancement, leadership roles, or the desired impact, relationships play a pivotal role. However, for some, especially introverts and individuals from specific cultural backgrounds, networking can be uncomfortable or even daunting. I think of 3 simple ways when making connections.

Authenticity - My dad has drilled “be yourself” into my head since I was a little girl. From the pep talks going into my first day of elementary school, to now when I am interviewing for a new role, pitching an idea, or speaking at an event. People gravitate and trust those who stay true to themselves and exude their authentic selves. A quick personal story. I was once told, by a male leader that I needed to “button up” the way I conduct my customer meetings, essentially telling me the way I am is not meeting the “professional" standards”, and he will help me build my vocabulary on topics, ect. I remember taking the feedback as I am always eager to grow, especially when it comes to articulating my thought process… trust me I know I can be theatrical and a little quirky. After sitting on this for quite some time I brought it up to another leader. Who I must say is a woman. Her reaction caught me more off guard than the original feedback. She said, “Well that would not make you, you. The reason you are successful with your customers is because of the way you communicate with them in your own style”. She fully supported that being “myself” was my superpower. It’s something that has always and will always stick with me, BE YOURSELF!

Networking with Purpose - Approach networking with a focus on quality over quantity. Identify individuals whose values and goals align with yours. Seek genuine connections rather than superficial contacts, and invest time in cultivating relationships that can mutually benefit both parties.

Celebrate Achievements - Actively celebrate the achievements of women in your business network. Recognize their successes, share their accomplishments within your community, and foster an environment that uplifts and acknowledges the contributions of each member. Celebrating wins collectively strengthens the bonds within the network. When my ladies win, I win! I have always had this mindset, one of the many ways I started empowHER to highlight the power us women hold and how we can create and build together!

So excited to host the first empowHER meet-up on January 12th, this is the start of many meetups to come this year. If you are in NYC and free from 8AM to 10AM come join us for coffee, connection, and great conversations.