I have to admit—I started writing this weeks ago when I returned from Chicago after appearing on WGN on Friday the 13th for the recent BOY MEETS GIRL® x Strawberry Shortcake collection drop (you can see more on it here). But life quickly went into full speed, and my writing took a back seat to IRL meetings, panels for a new book I’m featured in (see below), handling legal paperwork for upcoming projects, and celebrating my baby's big DOUBLE DIGIT birthday extravaganza ( he likes to party like his mama. IT is never a day it is a month lol). Yes, you read that right—I did a DOUBLE DIGIT DANCE, and you can check it out here!
My son, Dylan, brought this home the other day, something he made in his 4th grade class. It inspired the subject of this newsletter.
We all face rejection, but if we rise up and keep smiling through the journey, we will think outside the box and we can persevere, collaborate with others, and create change. Overcoming rejection or failure isn’t easy, and it’s not as simple as just saying, ‘keep moving.’ I talk a lot about this in my book. Have you seen the new TV series Nobody Wants This? I binged it and loved it. I mention it because my friend, actress Jackie Tohn, stars alongside Kristen Bell in this exciting new show. Jackie is also featured in my book Embracing The Calm In the Chaos, where she discusses the very topic of rejection. I’ve watched her work so hard for so many years, and as a fellow entrepreneur on a similar path, I can’t help but scream, jump up and down, and tell the world how proud I am of her perseverance and determination to move forward in the face of rejection.
Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 2, called UNSTOPPABLE, subtitle “If you believe that you’re unstoppable, you’ll own the risks you take and keep moving, learning, and building.”
On pages 19 & 20 I am talking about how I was rolling my bags on the Lower East Side in 2001 selling my clothes to stores with my then-boyfriend now husband. I got a lot of rejection until I found a Vespa Store that bought my clothes. “I’m pretty sure I knew Brian was the one when he trekked around the Lower East Side with me on the weekends, selling my vintage bags and tees. He would wait outside on the corner while I took my rolling bag into each shop. I’ll never forget a really awesome Vespa store that had no business selling handbags and shirts, but I convinced the owner to buy them on the spot and that it would be cool to hang them on his scooters. My sales tactic was that he was surrounded by both vintage and new clothing stores but he didn’t sell any clothing himself. I told him that if his windows showcased hip, upcycled clothing and bags, he would sell more Vespas. I should also point out that there were a lot of places that turned me away. When a buyer passes on something you’ve poured your heart and soul into, it sucks, but rejection is a big part of the game and you can’t let it stunt your progress. Instead, use it as fuel to get what you want. I asked my longtime friend Jackie Tohn, actress, comic, host, musician, and show creator, if she faced rejection on her journey. She noted: “There’s an almost inconceivable level of rejection that comes with choosing a high-profile career. Managing expectations and getting over heartbreak as quickly as possible are two important skills to cultivate. That might sound dark, but it’s a necessity. Of course, you can find unparalleled joy and wonder in the successes of any business, but it’s a long haul, so prepare as best you can for the ups and downs. I always say, no matter what profession you’re going into, there will be rejection. And understanding that is super important as you embark on the steps to building your career.”
Below is a photo on Page 16 of my book. One of my creations I sold to the Vespa Store ; )
Shout-out to a fellow mama, Melissa Llarena, whom I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with through the Hey Mama network, which I’ve been a part of since its inception. She recently reached out to share with me her amazing work and I felt there was a connection to this newsletter for you all. Take a listen to this podcast (link on photo) whether you are a mom or not it is about failure and felt it fit right here and has great advice.
MELISSA LLARENA is an author, imagination coach, consultant, speaker, and contributor to ForbesWomen articles that have garnered 4 million + views. She is also the host of Unimaginable Wellness, the podcast for entrepreneurs, founders, and creators who are also moms. Featured guests include GaryVee and Beth Comstock. Melissa holds a psychology degree from New York University, an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and a Transformational Coaching Academy certificate. She is training to become a meditation practitioner. Melissa lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and three sons
It takes many people working together to bring a collaboration to life—there’s no ‘I’ in TEAM. I’ve had the fortune of experiencing numerous types of collaborations, each with its own lessons. If you have questions on this topic, feel free to DM me, and you can also check out my book, where I dive into the highs, lows, and even betrayals that come with collaborations. Even when you think you’ve dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every ‘t,’ surprises can still pop up and catch you off guard. That’s why it’s crucial to LOVE what you do and WHO you collaborate with. Even then, things can sometimes take an unexpected turn, but ultimately, it’s up to you to make every collaboration the best for your brand or company, whether you’re an entrepreneur or an intrapreneur.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone I’m collaborating with right now. I’m sending a huge hug to each of you for your partnership, hard work, and belief in the work you’re doing and putting out into the world and working with me ; ) If you follow me over on IG or have read my latest newsletters you will know all the collaborators and collaborations I am currently doing.
Now for the Round-Up
Did I tell you I am in a new book called On Being Jewish Now edited and published by Zibby Owens?? I know I have told my IG, Twitter, and Facebook following but I honestly do not know if I have shared it here yet.
So here we go…. I can’t wait for you to read this book! It is called, ON BEING JEWISH NOW. It’s an intimate and hopeful collection of meaningful, smart, funny, sad, emotional, and inspiring essays from today’s authors and advocates about what it means to be Jewish, how life has changed since the attacks on October 7th, 2023, and the unique culture that brings this group together. The e-book and audio is out now—order it here! All profits will be donated to Artists Against Antisemitism, a 501(c)(3) committed to raising awareness of antisemitism in the arts and uniting the artistic community to build a kinder, brighter, more understanding future. Our organization was “accidentally” founded in November of 2023 by 33 authors—I am a founding member—who came together in a moment of darkness and uncertainty. We had a desire to do something in the face of rising antisemitism when the world and our social media feeds were filled with so much hate. I have shared this with you in previous posts here.
Last week we gathered with the other contributors in NYC which was incredible and I highlighted it here on IG. It was a moment to reflect and discuss the book and our stories. It was part of therapy for me too. I got to meet so many of my fellow authors who are on AAA with me too. It felt like we had known each other for a long time! Thank you
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Zibby and Rebecca Minkoff brought us together for a podcast, which you can listen to here. It was another therapeutic moment for me, and I feel blessed to connect with such incredible authors and advocates. Take a listen!"
Speaking of this amazing book and other authors! If you want to see me speak more IRL come join me here on Nov.19th at 7 pm at the Bedford Playhouse with fellow authors Barri Leiner Grant
, Stacy Igel (me), Jane Rosen, Amy Blumenfeld, Rachel Levy Lesser, and David Christopher Kaufman.And last but not least ( there will be a newsletter on this in more detail when the time comes) Happy Birthday John Lennon. I just saw
newsletter come into my feed I am excited to read it. If you do not know my love of Patti then read my book :) I stumbled upon this today with the world all signing along in peace if only we would see this every day! Let’s try to combat hate together and bring more of these moments together.I will share the below image in my IG stories later.
XO,
Stacy
Rejection + Thinking Outside the Box + Perseverance + Collaboration = Success