Mandy Van Deven, Founder and Editor of Feminist Review

Mandy Van Deven

Education:

Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA: B.A. Sociology/B.I.S. Women's Studies, 2002

Hunter College School of Social Work, New York, NY: MSW (Major Method: Administration, Minor Method: Community Organizing), 2008

Job title and employer:

Founder and Editor, Feminist Review (blog)

What do you do for a living and how did you end up doing it?

When I was a junior and senior in college, I worked as a Student Assistant at the Women’s Studies Institute at Georgia State University. During the summer of 2001, I had a lot of free time on my hands, so I decided to make a zine (Strike) because I had access to the copy machine, and my boss didn’t mind me using it. Over the next year, I put out two issues, which I both gave away for free and sold through online zine distros. In 2003, a friend of mine and I started Altar Magazine, which then merged with Clamor magazine in early 2006 in an attempt to increase both of our respective resources, but it wasn’t long before Clamor was forced to close its doors (http://clamormagazine.org/#farewell). By that point, I’d been bitten by the media bug and started Feminist Review, which provides a variation on typical reviews in that our reviews are written from a perspective that is critical of the culture, at large, and also allows for readers to ‘talk back’ to the review writer through posting comments about the review itself or the book, album, film, etc. being reviewed.

What are three of the most interesting things you have done or that have happened to you, career-wise or other?

I have learned an enormous amount over the past seven years about media production and sustainability, and a lot of that knowledge was gained through skill sharing, attending workshops, and trial by fire. My formal education is not in media work so I had a lot of learning to do when I started. What a blessing the internet can be!

I have also had the opportunity to meet a lot of amazing women and men who work in a variety of fields (i.e., publishing, music, film, community organizing), some of whom have name recognition and some of whom don’t. All of them are a constant inspiration for me, and I certainly feel privileged to have this kind of access to such incredible people.

What do you like about your current career?

I like that I have the flexibility to work at my own pace. I am not a fan of rigid daily schedules or office dress codes, so being able to do my work while I eat breakfast feels great. I also like that I can work where ever I am, since Feminist Review is online, which means that I can travel (for example, I’m currently in Calcutta, India) and still get my work done.

How does your career use your skills and what projects are you working on that best demonstrate them?

There are two skills that I am quite adept at, probably because I use them the most: one is time management and the other is supervision. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work going on at Feminist Review that makes the blog possible other than the more obvious writing and editing that takes place. I sell advertisements. I work to increase web traffic. I recruit new writers and maintain solid relationships with current writers. It’s certainly more than a full-time job, which is why we take up just a slight corner of the interweb… for now. We’ve grown significantly since our inception, and continue to grow a little more each day.

What career successes are you most proud of having achieved?

Really, I’m proud of it all. It has been a trying road, and I’ve made more mistakes than I’d like to admit, but I am glad for the education that these mistakes have given me. Hopefully, I do not repeat the more egregious ones. Every day that Feminist Review continues to be a source of alternative information is a success because media that engages critically with culture and politics is slowly being eradicated. I’m proud to be a part of the history and present of the global production of independent media.

How do you spend your time outside of work?

At present, I spend a lot of time learning how to live in another country since I just moved to Calcutta in June. I take Bengali classes twice a week. I am learning to cook Indian food, which I love because cooking is a passion of mine. I go for walks to become more familiar with the neighborhood that I am living in and buy small things, like books or jewelry, so I can figure out how to haggle with the market sellers. It’s all terribly fun, and also enormously time consuming. My goal is to complete just one new thing a day. So far, so good.

If you have children, how do you find the work/family balance?

I don’t have children, but I do still have the challenge of balancing my work with my relationships - with my partner, as well as with my friends and family. I used to work all the time; there was barely an hour of the day that I wasn’t trying to finish some project or another, and my social life primarily revolved around meals because that was the only time I would stop working. That changed once I started having stress-related illnesses – like constant headaches – and when my relationships started to fall apart. Now I keep things in check and tell myself all the time, “The work will always be there. You don’t have to do it all today.” This shift has really caused all aspects of my life to substantially improve.

If you were to start over again from college and still end up at the same job you’re currently at, what steps would you take differently?

I would have made more of an effort to have a formal mentor, someone who could walk me through the process along the way. Apprenticeships tend to be thought of as a thing of the past, but they’re informally around us all of the time. I think a lot of the difficulties that I faced, especially in the beginning, would have been easier if I’d had someone more experienced to turn to for help or to answer questions. And social networks are no joke either. It is so important to meet people who are working in your field to swap stories and advice with. Because I had no formal training, I felt very intimidated and insecure in the field and didn’t want to be “found out” as a novice. But we all have to start somewhere, and in giving way to my fears, I was my own worst enemy.

What’s the greatest career advice you have ever been given? What advice do you bestow on others?

This isn’t exactly advice, but there are some things that I think are very important to incorporate into one’s thoughts and actions, particularly when working in a field that makes you very visible and where people who disagree with you aren’t always kind when expressing their opinion. You need a support system to keep you grounded, and to help you sort out what criticism is and isn’t useful in becoming better at your work. A good friend of mine, who is a writer and activist I admire immensely, is very good at reminding me of the need for self-care, both physically and mentally, which is an essential aspect of human existence that is constantly overlooked and under-prioritized. Whether it’s having a chat with a friend at the end of the day or playing basketball or loudly singing in the car with the windows down or cooking a brilliant dinner, we all need to have a positive outlet for coping with the stress in our lives. It’s up to you to find yours.

What accomplishments – both professionally and personally – do you hope to have achieved 20 years from now?

I just want to keep learning, that’s all. I’m pretty easy to please in this way, and it’s something that is completely within my control to accomplish. I want to continue to challenge myself to do things that I don’t think I can do, or that I am scared of doing. For now, I’m just trying to remember that I can only take one breath at a time.

Emiko, Recording Artist, Songwriter and President

Name: Emiko

Job title and employer: Recording artist, songwriter, President of The 6412 Ltd Entertainment (a full service artist management, consulting and development company). Aside from the above, I run and own a recording studio in midtown Manhattan and am the Founder and Executive Director of AAMIA, (the Asian American Music Industry Association).


What do you do for a living and how did you end up doing it?
I’m primarily a recording artist and songwriter. I started playing the piano when I was two and I have been in music all my life. I entered the world as a classical concert pianist but when I was 8, discovered Billy Joel and hatched a plan to move over to rock n’ roll! At 12, I made my first pop recording, at 15 I had my own record out and a tour with a band. Music is something I was born with, but as time goes on, I’ve realized that my dreams have expanded. When I was younger, I wanted to be a “rock star.” Now, I want to be a mogul. I’ve learned that the most successful people in my industry are the ones who stay current, innovative, and blaze their own paths. So, how did I end up doing this? I just don’t accept “no” as an answer! Seriously. “No” is an excuse to me—not an answer.

What are three of the most interesting things you have done or that have happened to you, career-wise or other?
Good question! Three of the most interesting things I have encountered in my career are probably meeting the man who jump started my career in pop music, signing a deal with a major label/publisher and then realizing that that isn’t the be all end all to my career. So many people get into the music industry with the hopes of signing a major contract. They go to networking events, panel discussions, etc., to “learn” how to get signed by a major label. If I knew that the process was completely different from what the panels tell you, I never would have believed it! And you know what? It IS completely different! But I guarantee you no one would believe me!

What do you like about your current career?
The thing I like best about my career now is that I am my own boss in all the facets of my work. I’m the bandleader, the studio owner, the head of the entertainment company, the manager, the educator, and the artist! Oh, and to be honest, that it’s 9:30 in the morning and I’m sitting at my kitchen table doing this interview in my PJs! That’s definitely a perk of it!

How does your career use your skills and what projects are you working on that best demonstrate them?
At the moment, I have so many projects in the air. I am in the process of making my new album, I manage two other artists, produce a third, and my company is about to sign a partnership deal with a major distributor. To be successful in my industry, I firmly believe you need so much more than talent these days! The more you know, the more you can do. Tasks that I encounter on a regular basis require me to be a clear and decisive communicator, an effective leader, super organized, and have the ability to create everything out of nothing, often times. I don’t have a background in finance or business, but I got a crash course in it early on, and it makes all the difference in the world!

What career successes are you most proud of having achieved?
There are so many that I am proud of—most recently I would have to say – signing the deal with the major publisher, the licensing deal, and starting my new album. Those are definitely successes to be proud of. But, what makes me realize that my hard work is paying off? The fact that I have two artists under my wing who trust my judgment, that I love working so hard for, and the fact that people recognize me as an “idea woman.” It’s when people start to know you for your knowledge and experience and not just your talent that you know you’re on the right track!

What training and education have you completed and what did you take away from these experiences?
Like I said, I started playing the piano when I was two. My first teacher was my grandmother, who was a Julliard graduate. I credit my education in music to the Levine School of Music where I had two of the greatest piano teachers in the world, Lois Narvey and Jeffrey Chappell. To be completely honest, the last grade I completed was 7th grade. By this point, my parents and I realized that my life was in music and therefore planned accordingly. I got a job at the Levine School working with their Childrens’ Chorus and stayed there until I met the 10,000 Maniacs. You want to talk about education?! The Maniacs gave me the best education I could get in the industry. I learned what it was to be a real-life, signed, touring musician from their guitarist, Rob Buck. I have to give a huge shout out to my old manager, Paul Miletti. He really taught me everything I know about the business and I really credit him for giving me the staying power and the legs to stand up in this industry!

How do you spend your time outside of work?
Thinking up more whimsical ideas to add to my plan, of course! Honestly, I don’t have a lot of free time. In my industry, you only get out of it what you put into it and I have severely lofty plans for myself, therefore, I am working every chance I get. That being said, when I am not working, I am usually at the dojo, training Shotokan Karate. Aside from that, I love to try new restaurants, go to comedy clubs, and spend time with my family.

In what ways are you making a difference in other people’s lives?
By leading by example and educating them as they go along. Case and point, when I produce an album for an artist, I have them in the studio with me every step of the way, even after they’ve finished “their part.” It’s their album, right? So, they should know how it gets edited, mixed, mastered, and packaged. The most important thing I learned is that to be a success, you have to be taken seriously. And to be taken seriously, you need to have all the knowledge you can. I try to impart this on everyone I work with as much as possible. Also, it raises the standards of the products they put out. In my world, the best can always be bested.

If you have children, how do you find the work/family balance?
I don’t have children, but I am looking to start a family in the next few years. Currently, I’m really lucky because I get to work from home whenever I want to so making time for family isn’t really an issue for me. When I go on the road, however, it is somewhat of a balancing act, yes, but there are twice daily phone calls, emails, and video chats on a nightly basis. I keep in touch. They are my support system.
They also keep me sane and connected to the world outside the circus that is my career!

If you were to start over again from college and still end up at the same job you’re currently at, what steps would you take differently?
I can’t say that I would do anything differently—well, except for one thing. After making my first album, I realized that we didn’t have a PR budget for it. The record has been selling for about 7 years now, but it would have done a LOT better if we had a PR budget for it. I take the responsibility in being rather short sighted on that one and have made sure that it has never happened again.

What barriers have you overcome to get to your present position today, and what lessons have you learned from your mistakes?
The two biggest barriers/challenges I am overcoming in my present position are finding a balance in my life between work and life itself, and also knowing what I’m good at and being okay with my level of expertise. In the entertainment industry, you’re only as good as what you did yesterday and everyone always thinks they know better than you, and that can create unnecessary mis-steps and clouded visions for a lot of people, but learning your craft and honing it to the master level and then standing firm in your position is a fight well worth it. It takes a lot of time and heartache, but leaves you in a much better position in the long run! It’s a very hard lesson to learn.

What’s the greatest career advice you have ever been given? What advice do you bestow on others?
The greatest career advice I have ever been given was by the guys in the band, Smashmouth. They said that everyday, I should do something, no matter what it was, to advance my career. Even if it was as small as making fliers for a show or answering that one extra email, I was propelling myself forward. I have lived by that advice ever since I heard it!
The advice I would bestow onto others is this: Be clear about what you want to do in your life, and be honest with yourself about it. Do NOT get lost in believing your own hype. You MUST be able to back it up, and every day, the best can be bested. The amount of success you garner is directly proportionate to the amount of work you put in. Don’t ever tell yourself you are “good enough.” Good enough isn’t good enough. Always seek to be the best, and you can be.

What accomplishments – both professionally and personally – do you hope to have achieved 20 years from now?
Hahaha! I recently got asked that in a TV interview and I will answer it the same way: I want to be so big that tabloids will dig through my trash. What a wonderful problem to have! Seriously, I’d love to have a family (I’m hoping for two kids), and support them through my music and my business. I want them to grow up knowing that they can be anything they want to be and that they can make the rules to their own empires if they put the work in. I’d like a Grammy, sure, who wouldn’t?! I’d like to own the controlling shares in Viacom. But really, when I think about it, I’d like to be known for my creativity and my honest, superior standards that I hold in my industry.

Dr. Emily Splichal, Founder and CEO of Catwalk Confidence

Dr. Emily Splichal
Education: Doctorate in Podiatric Medicine (DPM); Master’s in Public Health

Job title and employer: Beth Israel Medical Center, Manhattan, NY; Founder and CEO of Catwalk Confidence_TM

What do you do for a living and how did you end up doing it?

I am a first year podiatric surgical resident at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan NY. I am a recent graduate of podiatric medical school where I was actively involved in research and in presenting at medical and public health conferences.

In addition, I am an exercise specialist. For the past 8 years I have been promoting healthy lifestyle and chronic disease prevention through exercise. I recently have started my own company called Catwalk Confidence which is a fitness DVD collection designed for women who wear stilettos. I have combined my passion for fitness and podiatric medicine through in these DVDs.

What are three of the most interesting things you have done or that have happened to you, career-wise or other?

Definitely starting my own company, Catwalk Confidence_TM. I am working with a business consultant who is helping me push the product in European and Asian markets and creating franchise rights to the workout. My training style is very unique with a special appreciation for the medical side of fitness, so by seeing my workout becoming franchised is an amazing accomplishment.

My passion for lecturing at fitness and medical conferences has taken me to many great cities across the United States. I have presented to audiences up to 100 doctors or exercise specialist. This July I will be traveling to Hawaii to present my research on balance training for diabetics.

My interest in writing, fitness and medicine has brought me opportunities to write for some amazing journals and magazines. I am a staff writer for Fitness Magazine, as well as various fitness websites and journals.

What career successes are you most proud of having achieved?

I am most proud of:

· My first publication in a medical journal

· Acceptance to present at my first major fitness conference

· Completion of an independent research project that was sponsored by a research grant I was awarded

• Starting up my own company

· Acceptance to the Beth Israel Medical residency

In what ways are you making a difference in other people’s lives?

I am helping people understand the importance of fitness in controlling chronic disease and extending people’s lives. Many diseases can effectively be prevented or managed with a regular fitness routine. The research I have done on balance training and pilates training for diabetics with neuropathy, has effectively shown that fitness is effective at reducing falls in diabetics. It is my goal to get the word out about the importance of reducing falls in diabetics and elderly by adding pilates to their routine. I have had many clients who have come to me with high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes and through our hard work are able to get off all of their medications and implement healthy diets and lifestyles, making them feel younger and happier.

What’s the greatest career advice you have ever been given? What advice do you bestow on others?

My advice is to definitely follow your heart. My education and career path was anything but straight. I had many hurdles to overcome but kept focuses on my dream to be successful and impact other’s lives.

Most people who had to achieve their dreams had to take a risk. As scary as it may seem taking that risk is necessary to move to the next level. In the end you will look back and realize that the struggles and long days/nights were so worth it!

What accomplishments – both professionally and personally – do you hope to have achieved 20 years from now?

Professionally I hope to:

· Have my workout franchised and available in the major European and Asian markets.

· I want to establish myself as a fitness expert/podiatrist who has a successful Manhattan practice

· I want to continue my love for research by regularly lecturing at both medical and fitness conferences across the U.S. and internationally

· I want to open a wellness center that will enable me to continue my love for fitness and medicine

Personally I hope to:

· Be fully confident and proud of who I have become as a woman in medicine

· I want to continue to build my friendships and network in the New York City community

· I want to continue to be happy in my career and not think of my career as work but my passion

· Begin a family