🌟 Miss EmpowHer Note
Welcome to another empowering week with Miss EmpowHer! This roundup is packed with opportunities, stories, and resources just for you.
Forwarded this e-mail? See previous posts and subscribe 👉 here.
🗓️ Add To Calendar
ForbesBLK Summit – Exclusive for Miss EmpowHer
Dates: October 8–10, 2025 • Location: Atlanta, GA • Ages: 21+
We’re so excited to welcome the members of Mis EmpowHer to the ForbesBLK Summit. Join rising stars, founders, and creators for three days of connection, learning, and growth. Expect can’t-miss speakers like Stephen A. Smith, Robert F. Smith, Kandi Burruss, and Beatrice Dixon, plus a private concert and nonstop networking.
Member Offer: $400 Tickets (retail $1,000)
This discount is valid for new ticket purchases only. We are not able to refund previously purchased full-price tickets.
👉 Register Here
CultureCon
Hey Girlies ! Exciting news . We’re giving away tickets to @culturecon to a few lucky Her Collective by @missempowher waitlist members . You must sign up for the waitlist by September 23rd EOD to be eligible.
🚀 Resources for You
Founders
Video Rec: On TikTok, creator Karo (@karosaves) shares how she took an app viral and raised a pre-seed in eight months with no startup background. Her three lessons: distribution is everything, ask for help early, and pick momentum over perfection. Distribution = brand, community, and reach. Ask mentors and founders, even via cold DMs. Keep shipping and learn from real users.
Takeaway: In consumer, the moat is audience and speed, not fancy code. If you’re a first-time founder, focus on getting your product in people’s hands, listening hard, and iterating fast. Visibility plus feedback beats polishing in private.
Professionals
Video Rec: On TikTok, creator @miriam_tinny recaps a piece on why small talk often flops. We default to safe prompts like “How was your weekend?” and trade facts, then walk away feeling distant. Stronger connections come from riffing together. Treat the chat like co-creating a tiny world: build on what the other person says, toss in “that reminds me of…” or “can you imagine if…,” and turn moments into inside jokes.
@miriam_tinny If we’re riffing, I swear hours could go by!!! But if we don’t have riff chemistry, every second is painful lowkey lol #riffing #brainstor... See more
Takeaway: Don’t aim for perfect answers. Aim for play. If you want better small talk, follow the thread, add a playful bridge, and make something together in the moment. That’s what creates spark.
Creatives
International Artist Hayama Residency
Visual Artists applications for the 2026 International Artist Residency in Hamaya, Japan just opened for anyone 21+ years old working in any creative medium.
Designed for artists to rest, research and reflect, selected residents will receive a roundtrip flight to Japan, shared accommodations with one other artist-in-residence for 4 weeks, and a weekly allotment of $200 USD for meals and local transportation.
Video Rec: On TikTok, creator @theefashionmix breaks down how NYFW actually works. Most people aren’t paid to attend. You cover your own costs, which can stack fast (she says it can hit around 10k for the week). Invites are mostly PR-driven and super last-minute. She even found out about a show at 2 a.m. Pitching the brand throwing the show isn’t the move; focus on PR teams and showrooms instead.
@theefashionmix I’ve never done a long form video on here butttttt NYFW / New York fashion week is so gatekept so here’s how New York fashion week works -... See more
Takeaway: Fashion Week is a PR engine. Access runs on relationships, fast replies, and a flexible schedule. If you’re trying to go, build PR contacts, pitch the value you bring, plan a realistic budget, and be ready to confirm seats on short notice.
Investors
Post Rec: On Instagram, @chikauwazie argues that Silicon Valley is chasing the wrong problems. She contrasts a Lagos-built offline payments app built for $200 with a Valley team raising millions for a water reminder. In places like Lagos, Nairobi, and Accra, builders design for outages and missing infrastructure, not convenience.
Takeaway: Real innovation solves hard constraints. Fund different problems, use different metrics, bring in different perspectives, and design for extremes. If you are building for real needs with limited resources, you are not behind. You are ahead.
🔥Who is Hiring?
Digital Commercial Director, e.l.f. Cosmetics and e.l.f. SKIN
We are seeking a commercially-savvy, data-driven, and boldly disruptive Digital Commercial Director to lead the commercial performance and merchandising of our digital commerce ecosystem across North America. This role will oversee e.l.f. Cosmetics’ direct-to-consumer channels, including elfcosmetics.com, the e.l.f. mobile app, social shopping platforms such as TikTok Shop, and future DTC innovations.Marketing Vanguard Program (MVP) Graduate Internship
We’re looking for digital natives who are passionate about fusing art and science to define the marketing skillset of the future. Participants will gain exposure to the existing consumer and brand planning experience. This role will work across all phases of marketing, from concepting to production to activation. We believe in delivering a premium, compelling, and authentic experience to all MVP program participants.