💌 Inside This Week’s After Party - Edition #5

🍸 Opening Toast

From the desk (more like dance floor!) of Robyn Cohen:

“To the women who ask for raises, pitch new roles, and take no sh*t in meetings.”

We often think of power as something we must earn through time, through climbing ladders, through proving ourselves. But power is something that’s already in you. It’s been there all along, waiting to be claimed. 

It’s in the way you stand in a room. 

It’s in the way you speak up when others hold back. 

It’s in the way you dare to demand more, whether that’s a raise, a bigger role, or just the respect you know you deserve. 

This is your moment. 

Whether you’re in the C-suite, making a career pivot, or just getting started at 45, don’t let anyone make you think that your experience, your voice, or your ambition is less important. The world’s ready for what you bring to the table. It’s time to own it.

There have been very few times in my life when I’ve truly been unleashed at work, but when I have, let me tell you—it’s been a watch out, here I come moment. 

When I started my career as a makeup artist in Montreal, I never could’ve predicted where I’d end up. 

I started with M.A.C. Cosmetics and some local brands, but the minute I moved to New York, my world began to shift. 

I landed a position at the iconic Henri Bendels, working for Smashbox when they first launched. 

Then I worked with Nars and Aveda, building my network and expertise, but there was always something bigger waiting for me.

When I moved to L.A., I found myself at Barney’s in Beverly Hills, working for Molton Brown as they launched their makeup line. My career took an even more exciting turn when I realized I was in the heart of Hollywood and surrounded by celebrities. 

So, I thought, "Why not?" 

I connected with Paula Abdul’s makeup artist, and next thing I knew, I was hired as her assistant makeup artist for American Idol in its very first season. From there, I went on to do makeup for Paris Hilton and other A-list celebrities for LA Fashion Week, music videos, and other cool photo shoots.

But then came another pivot: skincare. 

I moved into the world of dermatology, working for a celebrity dermatologist and helping her brand make its way into major retailers like Henri Bendels, Victoria's Secret, and Nordstrom.

When I pivoted again, this time into tech and events, I launched the Girls in Tech chapter in LA and turned it into the largest and most active chapter, helping the organization expand to over a dozen chapters nationwide.

And when I thought, "I’ve done enough," another opportunity knocked. 

I was hired to transform the Impact Hub Salt Lake, and within five months, I increased revenue by 60% and reached 100% occupancy, a feat that stayed steady for almost a year.

Even when I faced roadblocks in the corporate world, I refused to stay small. 

In 2019, I launched the W Collective, and in 2022, Utah's 40 Over 40. With every pivot, every career change, I discovered new ways to unleash my potential and lead by example.

So whether you’re in the workplace and ready to unleash your own power, or you need to find the courage to do it on your own terms—don’t hold yourself back because someone else wants to keep you small. You have everything you need inside you. It’s time to let it out and make a mark on the world.

Let’s toast to the women who refuse to shrink. To the ones who own their power, no matter where they are or where they’re going. To us, the ones who are unleashed.🥂

💣 Truth Bomb

In a world that constantly glorifies youth, innovation, and the next big thing, it’s easy to feel like your years of experience are somehow a drawback. You’ve probably heard the whispers: 

“You’re too old.” 

“It’s time to make room for fresh perspectives.”  

“The younger generation has better ideas.” 

But let’s be real: none of that is true. 

Your experience is not a burden to bear. It’s the foundation of everything you’ve built, each meeting you’ve led, every decision you’ve made, and every challenge you’ve overcome has given you a unique lens through which you see the world.

That insight? It’s priceless. 

It’s wisdom that can’t be bought and lessons that can’t be learned overnight. In fact, it’s the very thing that sets you apart. 

Your seasoned perspective is an asset that no one else can replicate. So, while others may rush for the next shiny thing, you can trust that your proven track record offers a depth of understanding, stability, and strategic vision that’s irreplaceable.

Whether you’re navigating a pivot or holding strong in a role you’ve mastered, your experience isn’t something to be hidden or downplayed, it’s the key to unlocking new opportunities. 

When you stand up and own your journey, you become the authority in your field. It’s not about fighting for a seat at the table—you built the table. And if the world doesn’t recognize your worth yet, it’s time to make them listen.

👀 ASK YOURSELF:

• What value do I offer that no one else can?
  

• Am I fully leveraging my experience to its highest potential?
  

• How can I use my story to empower my next big move?

🔥 THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE:

Make a list of your top 3 professional wins over the past year, whether big or small, and find a way to share them confidently this week. Whether it's with a colleague, your boss, or in an upcoming meeting, remind yourself and others why you’re a force to be reckoned with.

🧠 WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?

Here are some high-value reads (and listens) to unleash your potential:

• ✍️ “How To Reinvent Yourself At 40: Finding Yourself Again” - The Suburban Tourist: This March 2025 guide provides a five-step process for women over 40 to find renewed confidence and happiness.
  

• 🎧 "The Power of Believing That You Can Improve" by Dr. Carol Dweck: In this talk, Dweck—renowned psychologist and author of Mindset, explores how adopting a “growth mindset” can help anyone unlock their abilities and achieve more than they thought possible.
  

• 📚 “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things” by Adam Grant: This brilliant book will shatter your assumptions about what it takes to improve and succeed.
  

🪞 Mirror Talk

“To the her who stayed quiet at the table — speak now. Or speak louder.”

We’ve all been there. That moment when we know what we need to say but hesitate, unsure if it’s the right time or place, or whether we’ll be taken seriously. The truth? It’s always the right time. Your voice matters, and it deserves to be heard. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; make this moment perfect by showing up, speaking up, and claiming what’s yours.

👑 The Guest List

Kara Swisher — journalist, tech critic, and unstoppable voice in male-dominated rooms.

Kara Swisher has spent decades navigating the tech world, unapologetically challenging the giants of Silicon Valley with her bold, no-nonsense approach.

As a journalist and founder of Recode, her unflinching reporting and commentary have made her one of the most respected and influential voices in technology. She’s known for her fearless interviewing style, where no CEO or tech mogul is safe from her probing questions. From Mark Zuckerberg to Elon Musk, Kara has held the most powerful figures in the tech world accountable for their actions and decisions.

But her influence goes beyond tech—Kara has built a platform that continually calls out the status quo, demanding transparency and accountability from those in power, whether they are men or women.

As a woman who carved her space in a male-dominated industry, Kara has earned the title of “The Most Dangerous Woman in Tech” and is a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion.

She doesn’t just comment on the industry; she shapes the conversation, making it clear that the rules of the game are not set in stone, and that women have every right to challenge them.

Her commitment to honesty and fearless reporting is a testament to the power of owning your voice and taking up space—regardless of who’s sitting at the table.

Whether she’s interviewing top CEOs or calling out the latest tech scandals, Kara refuses to shrink herself to fit anyone else’s mold.

Kara is the definition of owning your power professionally, reminding us that the fight for visibility and respect doesn’t end once you’ve earned your seat—it’s just the beginning. She continues to break barriers and shift the narrative for women in the tech industry and beyond.

🎁 Party Favors

• 📚 Read It! Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher: From award-winning journalist Kara Swisher comes a witty, scathing, but fair accounting of the tech industry.

• 🌟 Wear it! MantraBand Engraved Bracelet (“She Believed She Could, So She Did”): Wear your mantra as a daily reminder of your potential.

• 👜 Use it! Cuyana Classic Easy Tote: Elegant, functional, and perfect for carrying your dreams.

• 👖 Buy it! M.M.LaFleur - The Kick Flare Foster Pant - Eco PowerStretch: Polished, comfortable, and versatile—perfect for power moves.

📣 Last Call…

Before we turn the lights up...

What if this next chapter isn’t your second act, but your real debut? Hit reply and tell me one thing you're doing for yourself this week — no guilt, no justification. Just joy.

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Until next week,