Inherent Rebellion: What Happens When Women Disrupt The Status Quo By Chasing Their Dreams

You can’t make this up… “I'm a small business owner of Play Nice & Take No Sh*t , a creative content marketing agency that's focused on transforming corporate communications to be more authentic, honest, and human.?

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I started this company 15 months ago with $1,200 dollars in my checking account as a single 30 year old looking to break free from my career in Corporate America as a Marketer for Leadership communications, and create a brand that did the opposite of what I had been doing for years--bringing honesty, authenticity, and a human voice to companies looking to engage with their audience.?

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I saw an opportunity to be disruptive in a corporate structure that engrouges "sameness." And today, 15 months into my adventure as a female business owner, I've secured contracts with some of the world's largest PR agencies and corporate communication firms who are willing to write authoritative and emotionally compelling content. This didn't happen by accident-- I'm a firm believer that offering superior services isn't enough to be successful. You have to "hustle" everyday and turn "Nos" into a "Yes" like it's a second job. But most importantly, you have to stay the course, even when you have everything to lose.” -Rachael Chestnut , Play Nice and Take No Sh*t

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Being disruptive is automatically in your nature when you’re a female business owner. The fact that you’re not only a woman IN business, but a woman who OWNS a business is inherently disruptive.?

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When I started Rebecca Minkoff, I knew instantly that I was going against the grain. Yes, fashion is typically seen as a female field – and yet, the majority of fashion executives were men. I’m telling you this because I want you to know something: just deciding that you will be a woman in business is a major rebellion. And I’m so proud of you for being part of it!?

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This week we hear from Rachael Chestnut of Play Nice and Take No Sh*t and ?Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey , a National Geographic Explorer, as they discuss the inherent rebellion that comes when women take on roles of leadership in a man’s world. If you’re a disruptive founder or businesswoman who wants your voice heard and your story featured, please send us an email at [email protected] with your submission. We want to hear your story, in your words, the way YOU want to tell it!?

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“I'm an anthropologist and the first female Fellow and Polynesian Explorer in the history of the National Geographic Society. My first expedition was at age 50 (perimenopausal).?

I led a 9-member crew to an extremely remote island in the Pacific. So remote, in fact, that no one else from Nat Geo has ever visited. Never having seen a woman leader, the chiefs were perplexed when I met with them to bring my crew ashore. Once we landed, the men on the island took care of my male crew (selected for their ocean acumen and strength.) The island women took care of me. Here's what happened that changed my life.?

Very quickly, I realized that these women had never seen a mirror. They had no idea what they looked like. Beauty for them is based on kindness. They only knew themselves as luscious and sensual. Toothless 90-year-olds flirted wildly with my crew! I'm not immune to the struggles that exist around beauty. In 1978, I participated in the Miss America Pageant as Miss Hawai'i with hopes to win a scholarship to complete my education.

Traversing the full measure of this landscape provides me with unique insight.” - Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey , National Geographic Explorer

I absolutely love this submission, not only for the fact that Dr. Lindsey is a complete bad*ss, but for this sentence in particular: “Beauty for them is based on kindness.”?

That makes my soul light up. The kindest people I’ve met in my life are absolutely the most beautiful, regardless of whether they’re considered conventionally attractive. Now, I don’t plan on giving up my mirror anytime soon, but if we can all take some time to remind ourselves that kindness should come before what we see looking back at us in the mirror, well… I think the world would be a much more welcoming place.?

As founders, we’ve got the opportunity to buck conventional beauty systems and put kindness first – so let’s all do that!?