HSR ICYMI 🍁๋࣭ ⭑☕️⋆

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Time for my favorite part of the week, ICYMI!!!

ICYMI ₊♡₊˚⭑☕️⋆

♡ This Week’s Mantra: “Plan like an entrepreneur, train like an athlete, create like an artist”.

♡ This Week’s Lesson: Execution beats ideas. Just do it.

♡ This Week’s Quote: "You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." — Maya Angelou

♡ Start Up Gift Guide: This year we will be doing a start up gift guide and we would love to showcase your start up or ones you love! You can submit your picks HERE!

♡ Female Founder World Ticket Giveaway!: This week we are giving away 2 free tickets to the Female Founder World Summit in NYC on Nov 2! Make sure you respond to the poll at the bottom of the newsletter to enter.

♡ This Week’s ICYMI Update: Hi! It’s been a minute since I sat down to write some life updates. I got feedback from a founder I really respect (Hi Shannon!) this week that she missed my written updates and didn’t want to see me turn into every other newsletter. I think I’ve moved away from them (outside of the voice note) as we try to scale the newsletter from an insanely engaged but niche community (the best one ever) to the masses. In my head, I kept wondering, 'Does anybody even care what I’m doing?' But then I remember that’s exactly what I want from other HSR Muses like Jen Gray, who you’ll learn about below. So, here we go!

♡ This Week’s Life Update: I’m in love. I’m in love with the HSR Community, Lucky #3, my career, my daily routine, my body, my entire life. Taking the stage with Lucky #3 and meeting the HSR community in person at LA Tech Week was definitely the highlight of my week and makes me so excited about the future and where we’re headed. We had 75 incredible women and men join us for the first real HSR event, and I couldn’t help but smile while talking to everyone. More importantly, I loved seeing how many friendships and relationships developed within the HSR community. I feel like we need to do more events soon…? Other than that, I saw a forensic medium psychic and although I’m not ready to share what she revealed yet, I will be because it was insanely accurate and enlightening…

♡ This Week’s Schedule: And I’m off again this week! I’ll be everywhere—from SF for the 49ers game, to Northern California to volunteer with Defy Ventures at a prison through their entrepreneurship program, to Toronto for a photoshoot, and then to Nashville as a supportive girlfriend. Although it might seem overwhelming to some, I’m at my best when I’m booked and busy, and I already feel my personality coming back. Stay tuned for lots of vlogs, day-in-the-life, and travel hack videos. What else do you guys want to see?

Gab Waller really came through and saved the day with this iconic HSR red blazer. It’s not just a want—it’s a need for every HSR girl. With a defined, fitted silhouette, waist split, buttons to the waist, curved crew neckline, long sleeves, and adjustable buckle, it’s the perfect fit. I’m obsessed.

This Week’s Mood Board

This week’s mood board is pulled from the actual mood board for the photoshoot I’ll be in Toronto for… any guesses?

• HSR Case Study: $200M in sales and counting—how Beis defied DTC norms to become a travel powerhouse—and why I missed it.

Jen Gray: SVP Marketing at Recharge

♡ Tell us about yourself!

JG: Hi! I’m Jen, a long-time tech executive, currently at Recharge working with incredible brands and creators. I’m also a model, a podcast host, a mother chauffeur, and a wellness girly. My passion is in merging creativity with business and empowering others to excel in corporate life without losing their soul. My goal is to inspire people to chase their biggest dreams while still handling the daily hustle (skincare routine intact, of course), and challenge the conventional image of leadership in corporate America. 

♡ You're one of those multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs in residence at a big tech company (Recharge), but you're also a model, podcast host, and MOM... do you struggle with finding balance or how do you do it?

JG: I used to be really proud of my ability to multi-task, but as I get older, I find that being present is the key to balance. I tell myself (and my team) to be present in whatever you’re doing. If you’re in a meeting, be in that meeting instead of finishing tasks. If you’re at your daughter’s dentist appointment, be there and don’t check email. I schedule the hell out of my day, I’m ruthless with my time, I time block, and I try not to blur lines. 

♡ You joined Recharge after a year sabbatical, what did you focus on / learn to find the right place you're passionate about spending time?

JG: I really had to rebuild my identity. My intro was always “Hi, I’m Jen, I’m [insert fancy executive title]” and after years of striving and climbing the corporate ladder, I took the opportunity to rediscover the other facets of myself and my identity. I tried new things; I was a beginner at new things and was terrible at pottery. I learned to crochet. I learned to slow down. I embraced softer energy. I focused on the things that are core to me and what my true values are so I could show up in every new facet of “what I do” with a solid foundation of “who I am” and not confuse the two. 

♡ Recharge empowers routine-driven brands. What is your morning routine that helps you center yourself for the day ahead and set the tone for success?

JG: I stole this one from a conversation with Ally Love. She starts every day asking herself “how do you want to show up today?”. I love setting this theme for the day whether it’s introspective, quiet, bold, or creative. I address the morning puffiness with TSC Shop mint roller and quiet moment to myself and then do a big protein-focused breakfast. And of course, morning skincare. I’m also [gasp] off of caffeine. My cortisol levels and anxiety have thanked me for that one. 

♡ You’ve scaled companies through pivotal stages, from $20M to $100M ARR. How do you balance the pressures of high-growth roles with the need to maintain a slower, more intentional pace in your personal life?

JG: Scaling companies is a rollercoaster. The key for me is embracing different seasons; sometimes it’s time to push, sometimes it’s time to replenish. Leadership roles will take as much from you as possible and will not draw boundaries for you. After many years of raising my hand and burning out, I’m now clear on my non-negotiables. I choose the work that lights me up, that gives me energy, what gets me into flow, and I delegate the rest. 

♡ You helped Recharge launch its first-ever creator-led campaign for a B2B business. What inspired this move, and how do you see creators shaping the future of B2B businesses?

JG: Whether you’re B2B or B2C, people buy from people. Creators have such a fresh, authentic way of engaging people, and that is something that big corporations struggle with. The campaign was inspired by the idea that even in B2B, there’s room for fun, irreverence, and human connection. Creators bring that in spades. I think moving forward, we’ll see more B2B companies tapping into creators to cut through the noise, build actual brand resonance, and humanize their brand story.

♡ In a similar vein, how do you find the courage to make bold moves that might be controversial (including working with a creator called HOT SMART RICH) when you're in a boardroom of suits or tech / VC bros?

JG: Ha! This is a fun question. The amount of board meetings I’ve been in as the only woman… wild. And I’ve absolutely lost out on jobs, roles, and opportunities for having opinions, being different, and using my platform to be bold and uncomfortably honest. Being agreeable can get you far, but being bold can get you where you truly want to go. What good is success if you don’t like the person you are? Sometimes you’ve just got to own the room, pitch it with passion, and trust that your bold moves will pay off—or at least, reroute you to the path you’re meant to be on. 

♡ What’s a tech startup or app that has recently helped you save time or money? Bonus points if it’s helped with both!

JG: I use Notion for everything. It’s helped me build systems for my life: personal projects, team goals, podcast ideas, and even gift lists. My main page has the bigger goals and intentions I set for myself, as a mother, as a friend, as a leader, as a wife, and my financial goals. It helps keep me focused and acts as a mini manifestation practice every time I add a new task or list. 

♡ What’s your favorite productivity hack that keeps you efficient and on top of things while balancing work and life?

JG: Weekly decluttering and prioritizing. I spend 15 minutes every Sunday planning out my week, consolidating to-do items, and categorizing tasks. I also put blocks in between every meeting on my calendar for the week. This helps cut down on last-minute meeting requests, especially ones that might need a bit more thought or planning. It also gives me space to be more prepared and focused for each meeting. 

♡ What’s your favorite rich girl hack when it comes to personal finance?

JG: Learn to invest! You don’t need to be wealthy or a financial guru to get started—just dip your toes in, even with small, small amounts. Start by educating yourself on the basics of stocks and don’t be afraid to make a few small, calculated moves. The magic is in getting comfortable with the process and watching your money work for you. Plus, there’s something empowering about knowing you're building your own wealth, one investment at a time. I have been known to shout “make your own damn money” at college grads. 

♡ If there’s one book, podcast, or mantra living rent-free in your head that has greatly impacted your success, what would it be?

JG: “Show up for your damn self”. This one started as a way to help me stop no-showing on my early fitness classes, but has quickly turned into a life mantra. Avoidance, laziness, self-sabotage all have a way of creeping in. This mantra helps me get through that two-minute discomfort of waking up early, saying yes to a keynote speaker opportunity, having a hard conversation, going out and networking, and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone—because I know that growth always starts on the other side of those small, uncomfortable moments. 

♡ Where can people find you online to follow your journey and get inspired?

JG: You can find me on Linkedin, sporadically on Instagram. And hopefully picking up my podcast again soon (the 9-5 has your girl busy!)  

♡ What’s your current Top 10 for being your hottest, smartest, richest self? Whether it’s apps, beauty products, podcasts, or mindset tips, we’d love to know what’s keeping you at the top of your game.

JG:

1. Instagram targeting really got me with this one, but I love my Olend soft bag as my work bag. Work trips, board meetings, school pickup—it reminds me to not take myself too seriously.

2. Focus frequency when I need to get shit done 

3. Strength training, creatine, and protein (trust me on this) 

4. TSC Mint Roller goes with me everywhere 

5. My sleepy girl routine with Gracie Norton’s Nite Nectar

6. Seed pre probiotic every day

7. I try to read Jenny Slate’s Little Weirds once every so often to remind me to soften, slow down, and deeply enjoy life

8. DS & Durga Coriander is my go-to scent

9. Kroma 24k beef bone broth

10. Summer Fridays jet lag overnight eye serum

Consumer News

♡ the brands, people, places, things that have captured my attention ♡

♡ Women’s Health & Beauty ♡

• Glossier shared a message about the importance of voting and what’s at stake in this week’s NY Times - on Instagram

• Obesity rates drop 2% for the first time, thanks to GLP-1s - from Axios

• Martha Graeff launches Happy Aging to transform the $600B longevity market

  - from PR Newswire

• Emily Weiss: Resilliance has taken her from The Hills to Brooklyn heighs - from the NY Times

♡ Media, Entertainment & Creator ♡

• Taylor Swift is self publishing “Eras Tour” - on Salon

• Baz is back on that same controversial Times Square Billboard—this time as a new mom with her baby, her boobs, and a bottle of Bobbie - on Instagram

• Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show returns. But it shouldn’t. - from NY Times

• Lab-grown diamonds vs. natural: A growing popularity battle - from Axios

• Loewe and Fendi enter the Vogue Business Index Top 10 - from Vogue Business

♡ E-Commerce, Retail & Social ♡

• Recharge announces first-ever Tomorrow Brand Challenge - from PR Newswire

• Heaven Mayhem launches into Home - on Heaven Mayhem

• Louis Vuitton owner LVMH misses revenue expectations - from WSJ

• Why more Americans than ever are starting small businesses - from Sherwood News

• The FTC is making it easier to cancel subscriptions. Here’s what to know. - on The WP

♡ Tech, Business, & Investing ♡

• The CIA runs a nonprofit venture capital firm. What’s it investing in? - from Marketplace

TYSM, I♡U!!!!

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