🏫 The founder who said no to Harvard

💡 This new type of burnout has nothing to do with your workload.

💨 Turns out, it matters how quickly you reply during the job hunt.

💰 Your bank account should be working as hard as you do. Spruce is a no-fee banking app that actually pays you back—3.50% APY⁴ and a $100 bonus to prove it.*

🤧 WTF happened to sick days?!

⏸️ What is a power pause and why should you consider taking one?

*Spruce fintech platform is built by H&R Block, which is not a bank. Bank products by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC.

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Gmail Knows A Lot About You (Like, A Lot)

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Mélanie Masarin is the founder and CEO of Ghia, a non-alcoholic aperitif designed to change the way we think about drinking and socializing. Ghia was inspired by the summers enjoyed with her family in the South of France near the Mediterranean—moments spent entertaining friends, cooking together, and having conversations that lasted until dawn. Ghia is meant to create an aperitivo hour that, like those childhood memories, invites everyone to the table and transports you to a place of simple pleasures and connection without numbing the night. She is also the author of Riviera: Recipes from the Coast of France and Italy and Night Shade on Substack.

💰 What does being ambitious mean to you?

“Having big dreams and being really clear about what it's going to take to achieve them! Wanting big career goals often means leaving a different life behind and not being scared of what people will say about it. As women, especially in Europe, we're not taught about money—we’re taught not to talk about money, and time is money. My biggest regret is not becoming financially literate sooner (I’m working hard to catch up 😉). Putting wealth, financial literacy, and ambition at the center of female education is something I will continue to advocate for!”

😌 What's something you'd tell your younger self just starting out in their career? 

“Worry less! I’m sure many people say that. From a young age, I was a girl with a plan. Of course, nothing ever went according to plan, but I learned that the pivots in life that you don't plan for are often the most fruitful and rewarding. I probably would have trusted the universe a little bit more, maybe even enjoyed a little more. Building more fun into the hard work is a big priority for me these days—how you spend your days is how you spend your life.”

💼 What did you have to say no to in order to get where you are? 

“I had to say no to Harvard Business School. I got accepted right after leaving my banking job, but by then I had a new role I really loved that was a real challenge for me, and I wanted to rise up to it. I knew going to HBS would be an amazing experience, but it would’ve set me back financially with tons of loans, so I reluctantly let it go. When I left Glossier, I also turned down two CEO roles. One of those companies is no longer in business; the other exited for $1 billion. You can always wonder, but I'm happy I stuck to my guns.”

🗓️ What's an underrated productivity hack? 

“I won't say AI, even though I think women need to talk about AI way more, and I've been using it a lot to do more with less. In general, I really try to optimize for the times of day when I'm clearest. Meetings tend to drain my energy, so all thinking, planning, writing, and creative work happens before them. Meetings go in the afternoon, and more mindless work happens at night. It's been a complete game changer. I'm able to do so much more and show up better for my team because of it.”

🚀 What's the moment you thought to yourself, "I made it?"

“I don't think I'll ever think that I made it. My mom calls me l'Éternelle Insatisfaite (‘the eternally dissatisfied woman’), and for good reason. As soon as I achieve something, I take zero minutes to celebrate and want to do more. I love evolving and learning new things. The other thing is, just because you see a brand on shelves ‘everywhere’ doesn't mean the founder has made money from it yet or can stop. The middle part is often the hardest, and until I ‘make it,’ I am trying to enjoy the journey!”

Who should we feature next? Drop your ideas here.

🤎 The #1 thing on Executive Editor Victoria’s fall shopping list is a brown suede midi skirt (with tall boots and a three-quarter-length V-neck top? Ugh!). She’s currently eyeing this vegan one from GAP and this flowy, romantic one from Banana Republic.

🧠 Brain fog shouldn’t be a part of your daily routine. This brain-boosting supplement from Nature’s Craft is a nootropic blend built for sharper focus and lasting mental clarity, without the jittery crash of caffeine. Get 20% off with code BRAIN20NC.*

🍸 Social Media Manager Cheska is obsessed with these kiss martini glasses from Anthropologie. Her friends love them every time she hosts! She's bought six of them now, and honestly, she'll drink anything out of them at this point.

💤 Brand Partnerships Manager Janelle has been seriously jet-lagged from her recent trip out West, but the viral Lemme Sleep gummies have been helping her get back on EST. She never wakes up groggy, and they taste so good.

🍂 Speaking of fall, Mood Theory’s new fall line of graphic pillows (20% off) is not a want, but a need! Imagine a few of them on a velvet couch? Or your favorite reading chair? What Pinterest dreams are made of!

💻 Business Development Representative, Notion

🏬 Manager, Store Space Design, Walmart

📸 Budget & Administrative Associate Specialist, Canon

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