Hi!
Welcome to the first issue of the Hero with Girl Power newsletter, a space to celebrate and encourage dream chasing women.
Some background: Hero with Girl Power is inspired by the children’s book I wrote for my daughter, Princess Genevieve: The Hero with Girl Power. I’ve been a goal-getter my entire life and it’s brought me so many amazing, fun opportunities and experiences. From writing for Teen PEOPLE magazine while I was still in high school and meeting my favorite bands, to actually working for bands after I formed my own music PR company in college, and then publishing my own ‘zine and launching an Internet TV show. Then came writing and self-publishing books. If I want it, I go for it.
It’s my passion to create content and share stories that spark joy and motivate others to live their best lives.
When Princess Genevieve came out, I had grand plans. But then, COVID 19 happened and the world started to fall apart, so I decided to pause. Now, I’m ready to get back in action!
Come along!
WHAT DOES GIRL POWER MEAN TO YOU?
I started asking girls of all ages and life stages:
“What Does Girl Power Mean to You?” I’ll be sharing responses in each issue.
“Girl power is the freedom to be unbound from expectation, unrestrained by convention, and wildly unapologetic in the pursuit of whatever it is in this world that makes your soul soar.”
– Lauren Veteri, founder of Dola Media and Former Executive Producer of VH1’s Love + Hip Hop NY.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different." - Coco Chanel
I love this quote because if you’re following the pack, you’re not being true to yourself. Do what you love, even if you feel like no one relates to you. You are making an impact on someone, even if you don’t realize it or have the social media following that others deem “successful.” I’m starting this newsletter and I will promote the heck out of it and hope people subscribe, but even if they don’t (uh, why would you not?! I kid…) I know I am doing something that I love and enjoy.
BTW, you can subscribe right here, so you never miss a post!
FEMALE FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT
HarperIman Dolls were launched by a mother and daughter team who are committed to making dolls of color that represent the type of dolls that they wished they had growing up.
“Our mission is to create dolls that help reinforce how beautiful our children are by providing them with positive affirmations of themselves through dolls that they can actually identify with,” say HarperIman founders, Cynthia and Kathryn. “We hope to promote positive self-image in children. We shouldn’t be left to identify with dolls that do not share our same skin tone or texture of hair. Our dolls are meant for light imaginative play and we want little kids to be able to have dolls that look like them and share the same style as them — dolls that reflect who they are and who they want to be.”
HarperIman dolls are adorable and totally captured my attention on Instagram. You can even order a custom doll!
EXPERT TIP
Practice gratitude every single day.
“Each morning write down five things from the day before that you are grateful for in a little notebook or on a card. It shifts your mind for looking for the positives and good in every day and most times what you end up writing down are the small moments that seemed insignificant at the moment. Make this part of your morning routine to take 5-10 minutes to notice these little things. Gratitude helps you see the positives even from the hardest days and even if it’s as simple as having tacos for dinner the day before or the unexpected hug at bedtime, it really helps you reset and appreciate the happy moments of each day.
-Melissa Jones, founder, Girls Positivity Club
HERO WITH GIRL POWER
Shout-out to Katie Crenshaw, author of @bodycanbooks for being totally raw and vulnerable on her Instagram—something that is SO needed and refreshing. Katie posts about her divorce, life struggles, therapy sessions, mental health, motherhood, and of course, body image. As she states in her bio, Katie creates “the perfect space for people who aren’t.” Here’s to you, Katie, for keeping it real!
BOOK SPOTLIGHT
The Gap Decade by Katie Schnack
Reading The Gap Decade (@thegapdecadebook) by Katie Schnack is like having a girl’s night out, but you don’t have to do your hair or makeup. Each chapter is a conversation piece that ends with you feeling emotionally supported and connected. Katie details her life journey from college to motherhood in an honest, raw, and very humorous storytelling style. I want all my friends to read this book because we can identify with it in so many ways- from dream chasing, to having faith during hard times, to dealing with anxiety. I’m lucky to call Katie my real-life friend and fellow book publicist, but you don’t have to Skype with her daily to feel the same. You should, however, follow her @katieschnack because she has a home farm and posts the most adorable photos of her baby pigs, goats, and horse. And if I was ever actually motivated to leave my house for a girl’s night out, I’d want to go there.
THE FINE PRINT
Thanks for reading this newsletter, which was written on my laptop, as I sit in my car waiting at the school pick-up line. How is that for making time for your passions and multi-tasking? How do you make time for your passions? I want to know!
Connect with me on Instagram @thejoellesperanza and @herowithgirlpower
To submit for a spotlight in the next issue of Hero with Girl Power, email me at joelle@joellesperanza.com
Always grateful,
Joelle
Empowering girls of all ages and life stages.
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THE STORY SELLER (calls for expert sources for stories and I am writing and links to published stories)
www.joellesperanza.substack.com
HERO WITH GIRL POWER (Calling all dream chasers, momprenuers, side-hustlers and freelancers! Sharing tips and inspiration)
www.herowithgirlpower.substack.com
TRASH THE DRESS (How to navigate divorce in your 20s and celebrate the life you were meant to lead. Subscribe for expert articles and community)
www.trashthedress.substack.com
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