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Cynthia Johnson

Co-Founder/CEOBell + Ivy

Los Angeles, CA

Member Since December 2021

Published content

13 Ways These Entrepreneurs Have Defied Traditional Business Wisdom

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Sometimes, breaking the rules leads to the biggest breakthroughs. For many entrepreneurs, taking an unconventional approach — whether in strategy, hiring or growth tactics — has led to invaluable lessons and unique successes in their businesses. But choosing to go against the grain isn’t without risk, as each choice shapes the path forward in surprising ways. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share moments when they challenged traditional advice. Through the lessons they learned along the way, they offer practical insights to inspire bold steps on your own entrepreneurial path.

Nine Ways Companies Can Better Engage and Persuade Younger Consumers

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To market to a younger audience, you first have to get to know them on a deeper level. Culture is rapidly changing, with influencer-recommended shopping and rapid content consumption becoming the norm. And as younger generations not only embrace this new culture but lead it, companies are finding themselves targeting a new demographic of consumers. However, taking the same-old approach won’t be effective if you want to gain the interest of young consumers. From marketing on the right platforms to supporting their favorite social causes, companies will need to consider younger generations’ differing preferences. Here, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council offer up nine ways companies can better engage younger consumers and the methods that have worked well for them. 

Is Your Brand Misaligned? 10 Red Flags (and Solutions)

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Watch out for these telltale signs that your brand may need some fine-tuning. Brand alignment is crucial to any business's success, both on an initial and ongoing basis. If your brand doesn't deliver on its mission and value proposition — or communicate this information in a way that resonates with your target audience — you might find yourself with decreased engagement, fewer sales and a lack of clarity on how to move forward. But how do you know if your brand is misaligned, and what can you do to fix the problem? Here, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share some red flags that your brand needs realignment, along with actionable steps to get things back on track.

Freelancer or Solopreneur? 14 Tips for Landing Your First Sale

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If you want to convince someone to buy from you, first you have to understand the value you’re offering. When you run a business in a creative industry, it might not always be clear how to monetize your work. Whether you’re an independent artist, a freelance creator or any other form of solopreneur, one of the first steps on your road to success is managing to land your first sale — and that can be a tricky endeavor on your own. Having each worked in the culture space for some time, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council know what it takes to run successful businesses in creative industries. Here, they weigh in with words of wisdom for aspiring or current entrepreneurs on how to land that elusive first sale, and what it takes to keep your business going even after you’ve earned your first customer.

Nine Ways Businesses Can Be More Transparent With Customers

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Letting customers get to know your brand on a deeper level can drive long-term loyalty. Customers are more informed than they ever have been before — and they’d like to keep it that way. In fact, a recent study by Sprout Social found that 86 percent of Americans believe transparency in business to be more important now than ever. They want to know who they’re buying from, what they stand for and what it truly is they’re purchasing with their hard-earned dollars. This knowledge can help drive loyalty and trust among consumers, earning businesses repeat sales and a stable customer base. But what are some of the ways companies can give customers more behind-the-scenes insights? As business leaders in the culture space, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council have a few tried-and-true tips to share. Consider their advice to incorporate more opportunities for transparency with customers and have a positive impact on your company's overall reputation.

11 Traits Leaders Will Need to Succeed in Today's Market

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Business may be changing, but certain leadership traits are timeless. At a time of economic uncertainty, social media and a tug-of-war between at-home and in-office work, running a business means taking on entirely new challenges current business leaders may not have ever experienced. To succeed, leaders will need to develop new skill sets and cultivate or improve certain traits that will allow them to confidently lead now and as the business landscape continues to change.  Here, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council discuss 11 of those traits, sharing why they believe all leaders need to cultivate them in order to succeed in today’s market.

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Bell + Ivy

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Media