Four Minutes With On The Dot

Most of us have either seen or been inside a Starbucks coffee shop, with its green, two-tailed mermaid logo displayed on every possible surface, packaged product and paper coffee cup in the vicinity. Since its inception in 1971, the coffee enterprise has expanded beyond Seattle and onto just about every bustling city corner throughout the world. On the cusp of 2018, the billion-dollar company opened its largest store and roastery yet, in Shanghai, China. It features a tea bar with 3-D-printed materials, an in-house bakery and three massive coffee bars in a 30,000-square-foot space, so I’d say a visit is in order. But first, coffee! The post Rosalind Brewer: She’s Spilling the Coffee Beans appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Here’s a little trivia for you: Name this country. I’ll give you a couple hints. It’s slightly smaller than the state of California and more than 127 million people call it home. It’s also the place where PlayStation and gel pens were invented, and it boasts stunning mountains, parks and beaches, and has a wealth of historical landmarks and a welcoming culture. That’s right, the answer is Japan. Today, we’re talking specifically about Japanese cuisine, just one of the country’s many contributions that enhances our lives. Japan’s tourism slogan is “Endless Discovery,” so let’s delve in and discover a little more about this ancient and spectacular island nation. The post Niki Nakayama: She’s a Master of Japanese Cuisine appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Every single day, we are faced with bad news. I’m not talking about your favorite MAC lipstick shade being discontinued. I’m talking about wildfires in California, hurricanes in Puerto Rico, earthquakes in Iran. It can seem dang near impossible to find a glimmer of light in a world so fraught with tragedy. But take heart in the stories that give you hope, like the homeless veteran who spent his last 20 bucks on gas to help a stranded female motorist, and the more than 14,000 people who donated $400,000 to that good-hearted man. Today, channel the good stuff. The post Kelsey Crowe: She’s an Emphatic Empathizer appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Are you an avid runner? If not, think about some reasons you might want to take up the activity. It’s a great way to make friends, helps release stress and may even aid in liberating you from feelings of anger and sadness post-breakup. If you’re feeling some major work-related stressors, pounding the pavement might help clear your head. Oh yeah, and it’s free to run. Plus, there’s that whole getting-healthy-and-staying-in-shape thing. You might not be a runner now and you may never be, but there’s no harm in trying it out and putting your best foot forward in 2018. The post Shalane Flanagan: She’s Running Down Her Dream appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Think back to history class in grade school. What do you recall? For me, it’s the memory of a specific teacher thoroughly explaining how, throughout history, women weren’t provided equal rights to men. My girlfriends and I were aghast and confused. “What do you mean women couldn’t vote and couldn’t own property? Girls couldn’t play so-called boys’ sports?” I’m appreciative of that teacher for enlightening and emboldening me to continue to fight for the rights of women. And as I think back fondly about all those times I beat some boys at kickball, I always remember just how lucky I am, how lucky we all are. The post Teresa Younger: She’s a Modern Feminist Voice appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

A while ago, I set up a Google Alert on my computer for the phrase “women in tech.” I am, quite frankly, astounded at the results. Dozens of articles are on the web about this subject matter. More women in tech in the news? Yes, please! But here’s the thing: For every one inspiring story, there are nine about the challenges women in tech face that’ll leave you in a dismal state. I’ve found the best way to really get to know what’s going on in this industry is by connecting with women working in tech directly. For starters, there’s an excellent list of 100 ladies in the tech field you should definitely follow on Twitter, but we want to hear from you too. Who should we follow? Let us know @OnTheDotWoman on Twitter. The post Simone Giertz: She’s a Robotics Queen appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Today, we’re talking about uniqueness. The first definition of “unique,” according to Merriam-Webster, is simply “being the only one.” I guess back in the day, people were pretty fickle about the word’s usage, often insisting something is either unique or entirely non-noteworthy. Of course, over time, we’ve loosened up a little with regard to that definition, and these days, “unique” means to stand out, to be distinctive. At On The Dot, we’re all about championing women’s uniqueness. After all, who wants to be simple or common or a boring old dime a dozen? The post Sonja Rasula: She’s Curating a Unique Empire appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

One aspect of what many women find appealing about crafting is the act of using their hands, getting away from the glut of electronics and making something original. From Paint-By-Numbers Kits in the 1950s to velvet paintings in the ’70s and Perler beads in the ’90s, most of us have dabbled in some sort of craft fad or two. The cool thing is that when you make something yourself, it feels more special than your average Target impulse buy. So, whether it’s your bedazzled purse from middle school or your new DIY T-shirt, today, wear it proudly, crafty lady! The post Midge Blitz: She’s Crafting Wearable Feminism appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Motherhood, though a wonderful experience, also has its drawbacks. Giving birth used to be something to legitimately fear, with as many as 4 percent of women dying during childbirth in the 17th and 18th centuries. If you think that fear has passed, think again. Childbirth is still the sixth most common cause of death for American women between the ages of 20 and 34. I know what you’re thinking: Why do you have to be such a bummer this morning? Knowledge is power, my ladies. If we don’t care about our fellow women’s health outcomes, who will? Think about it this way: Today, you get another opportunity to effect some positive change for other women. The post Laura Stachel: She’s a Guiding Light in Health Care appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

In Toy Story 3, Barbie meets Ken. Sure, he’s good looking, rockin’ six-pack abs and a killer smile, but it’s something else that really catches Barbie’s attention: his closet. From cute cowboy getups to disco-ready outfits, Ken’s got it all. Plus, he ends up being a sweet guy. Ken and Barbie’s shared obsession with their wardrobes aside, they were clearly made for one another. And while Ken’s closet doesn’t exactly cause my heart to flutter, it got me thinking about how important it is to have a real connection with someone. Today, take a few minutes to let those who are important in your life know how you really feel. And you don’t have to be all dolled up when you do! The post Haneefah Adam: She’s Giving Barbie a Makeover appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

I came across a magazine article recently that urged readers to identify their signature fashion style. I posed that question to a male friend, who knowingly described his wardrobe as “comfortable meets lumberjack.” I’ve been wrestling with the idea for days and have yet to identify my own signature style. So, I turned to the experts. One style guru suggested I pick five items from my wardrobe I’d wear every day if no one were keeping track, then ask myself a few questions about each piece, about everything from the color to the silhouette to the fabric. Supposedly, the answers will help me identify my personal style, whether it’s boho chic, vintage French elegant or, more likely, Mama-needs-coffee casual. The post Katrina Lake: She’s Curating Your Signature Style appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

At a concert I recently attended, the band played several songs about love, both lost and found. One of the musicians talked about playing a particular breakup song she wrote when she was just 19 years old. During the course of the last decade of singing the song, she said she was in awe how connected audience members were to it. The emotions of a breakup, regardless of the details, are something pretty much everyone can connect with. Today, we’re talking about not only surviving but thriving after a breakup. This is your reminder, ladies, that you’re better without your ex! The post Natasha Adamo: She’s the Expert on Post Male Syndrome appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

What have you learned as a woman coming of age? For me—and this might seem a little corny, but it’s true—it’s to simply be myself. There are plenty of profound reasons to be true to oneself, but when it comes down to it, it’s just plain easier. Pretending to be something you’re not is exhausting. Today, take a few moments to contemplate not how you want the world to see you, but who you really are. Then allow your true self to shine! The post Kristin Neff: She’s a Self-compassion Sage appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

There’s a word that’s been bugging me lately: normal. If you look at Facebook groups, online forums and the like, you’ll see tons of comments from women asking what others do so they can measure themselves by what’s supposedly “normal.” When you type “Is it normal…?” into Google, you’ll see more than 1.8 billion responses. Defined as “conforming to a standard,” “normal” is a word we should reserve for test results and mathematical equations instead of applying it to our value as humans and women. I say we embrace that wise internet adage: Normal is just a setting on the dryer! The post Issa Rae: She’s Embracing Awkwardness appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

It’s 2018, and I know what you’re probably thinking about: those dreaded New Year’s resolutions. By now, you’ve seen all the articles suggesting what yours should be, how to stay committed to them or, conversely, how to just plain avoid them entirely because they’re unattainable. I’ve got a different idea. Rather than putting a 365-day time stamp on your resolutions, give yourself a season, as in the season of winter or simply a season of your life, to work toward attaining your aspirations. If your goal is to save more money, spending less might come easily in the first few months of the year. As spring rolls around, that resolution might mean adding a side-hustling job to bring in a little more income, but preparing for that in advance sets you up to succeed. However you approach New Year’s resolutions, remember you’re only human, and forgiving your shortcomings is the first step on the path to resilience. The post Kayla Itsines: She’s Your New Year’s Resolution appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

There’s a silly joke that’s made the rounds on the internet that I just had to share. A kid sees a floppy disk and says, “Oh, you 3-D printed the ‘save’ icon!” There’s a reason why we all love it. For those who don’t remember, floppy disks were a mainstay until the mid-1990s, before saving data to CDs, the cloud or to a zip drive became all the rage. For a frame of reference, a floppy disk isn’t even big enough to hold one modern-day song. Talk about the worst playlist ever! So, while you might reminisce about the “save” icon of the past, I think we can all agree modern technology beats it any day! The post Jessica Naziri: She’s Making Geek Chic appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

There are plenty of ways to make a workplace more inclusive. Spoiler alert: Throwing beanbag chairs and a juice bar into the mix isn’t one of them. For women, no matter how many Luna bars you toss our way, we won’t back down from demanding our real needs at work. Equal pay, flexibility, safety and plain old gratitude go a long way. Today, ladies, don’t shy away from telling your employer exactly what changes need to be made to ensure your office is a welcoming place for female employees, clients and visitors. The post Katie Dill: She’s Lyfting Your User Experience appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

When you get home from a long day of listening to your colleague Randy ramble on about how overworked he is, the last thing you probably want to do is whip up a homemade meal. Generations of busy women before us definitely felt this way too. That’s why dining out has long been a welcome option for those who could afford it. But the price of dining out has increased significantly, putting a whole new spin on the phrase “bringing home the bacon.” For instance, did you know that in 1838, a mere quarter would buy you a perfectly cooked steak? In 1912, 50 cents would get you an entire meal at an Italian restaurant in San Francisco—including dessert. And as recently as 1966, for a little more than two bucks, you could sit down to a fully prepared Christmas dinner. Talk about a meal deal! The post Martha Pincoffs: She’s the Original Grainster appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

If you’re a sports fan, you’re probably not shy about rooting for your favorite MVPs in the game. You always choose them in your fantasy league and ruthlessly defend their honor against naysayers. But what about everyone else who plays a role in ensuring the game goes off without a hitch? From water boys and girls hustling on the sidelines to concession-stand workers to the refs on the field, there’s so much more that goes into a rockin’ game than just the lauded players. Even in Little League, the game relies on patient coaches and encouraging parents offering orange slices and milk cartons. Today, whether you’re rooting for the home team or calling all the shots, take a moment to give a nod to all those folks behind the scenes making sure all the bases are covered. The post Carla Williams: She’s Ruling College Athletics appeared first on On The Dot Woman.

Ladies, do you have a portrait of yourself or your family? I’m not talking selfies here; I mean real paint-on-canvas art depicting your lovely face. Albeit somewhat rare these days for average folks, portraits have quite the storied past. Some of the oldest portraits in existence date back to the year 1,000 A.D., and depict Chinese notables, with plenty of British monarchs and religious and political figureheads gracing the canvas later on. Common people have long been painted as well, from intrepid mothers to inspirational muses. So, what are you waiting for? Track down a skilled portraitist, settle into a perfect pose, then enjoy your portrait as a wonderful remembrance to be celebrated in your family for generations to come. The post Amy Sherald: She’s a Real Work of Art appeared first on On The Dot Woman.