Work Smarter Not Harder || Jessica Zweig of SimplyBe

If you are new to Cedar & Rush, Work Smarter, Not Harder (WSNH) is a weekly column showcasing Chicago’s leading ladies – think CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and everyday women making a difference – and how they work smarter, not harder. I decided upon Monday so we can kick off the week as productive and as motivated as possible. If you love a particular piece of advice or have any tips of your own, please share by tagging #WSNH2015 on Instagram and Twitter.

Guys, I am glowing over today’s guest! Jessica Zweig is someone I have looked up to since I was in my early twenties! I had first heard of Jessica through CheekyChicago. Given her huge success, she has since gone out on  her own and launched a marketing company and brand, SimplyBe. Her inspiring newsletters and videos are kick ass, so to have her on Cedar & Rush is an incredible honor. This girl has built her business from the ground up and as you’ll soon find out, offers REAL, tried and true advice. So take notes and enjoy one of Chicago’s most authentic babes!

Please explain your job and any other networks and projects you participate in on a regular basis. Since launching my own brand SimplyBe and jessicazweig.com, the opportunities I have had in just these past few months have been truly incredible. Currently, I am working with the global company WorldVentures, leading an international dining and entertainment program launching in Singapore, London, Chicago, Dallas, Norway and Australia. It’s been mind-blowing for me as an entrepreneur to sink my teeth into a project this massive. In December, I officially launched my own marketing and branding consulting agency, The SimplyBe Agency, and am working with a handful of really unique and amazing clients. In less than two months time, I am basically at capacity.  I also recently launched my own YouTube Channel and show called SimplyBe TV.  It’s an interview show where every week or so, I chat with an inspiring Entrepreneurial Babe with an inspiring story or message.  I think women in business have such an amazing opportunity to learn from each other and with my show, I intend to make that dialogue more prevalent, more purposeful and more empowered.  Overall, I have been blown away by the response since my launch and the opportunities that have been unfolding in such a short period. It’s been a blessing on so many levels.

How did you get to your current position? I created my own position. I think I am just a born hustler. My friends and family ask me how I balance it all and the truth is, I wouldn’t want it any other way.  I have always said: “You can’t teach ambition.”  I have a fire in my belly every single day to create, to push the needle, to take risks, to step outside my comfort zone in order to grow. Not everyone is going to understand what I do or why I’m doing it, but I have truly let that noise go.  So, the short answer to this question is: hustle hard, don’t make excuses, take risks, believe in yourself and believe in your choices without apology. If you do this, you will always stand out and rise above the competition.

What time do you typically get up in the morning? 6 or 7 AM.

How do you take your coffee and what do you typically eat for breakfast? I drink my coffee black.  I make a green smoothie every day. I use my Vitamix to blend up a smoothie made with Shakeology (a vegan, organic protein powder that tastes insanely delicious), plus almond milk, spinach, banana and almond butter or PB2.

Quickly walk us through your morning routine: As soon as I get up, I need my coffee. I make my smoothie and then usually meditate for about 10-20 minutes before starting my day. I think creating that space and peacefulness for yourself before you jump into work is critical. If I get up at 6 AM, it’s because I’m taking a yoga class, SHRED or Pilates (I just became obsessed with Flex Pilates in River North.) I try to be at my desk, in my inbox and working by 8:00/8:30 AM.

What is the best way to get your foot in the door of your dream job?Create your own dream job. There are no doors. Only windows. Don’t wait for someone else to call the shots on your life.

What resources do you use to stay organized and remember tasks? I am old school and keep a notebook and post-it notes with me at all times.  There’s a method to my madness.

What mistake do you see people constantly make that they should be aware of? Being expectant. Entitlement. Thinking that success comes easy and that you don’t need to pay your dues.  Talk to anyone who has achieved a great level of success, financially or otherwise, and they will tell you it involved countless lost hours of sleep, rejection, failure, tears, immeasurable stress, fear and struggles they won’t ever talk about.  If you want to build your career, be willing to roll your sleeves up. And always, always remain grateful and humble.

How do you conquer your inbox? File, file, delete. Repeat.  I strive to keep it under 50.

How do you format your emails? It really depends on who you’re talking to. I try to be direct and to the point (everyone is too busy to read long emails!!) but I am a fan of a warm welcome. I’m known to drop smiley faces and ‘xo’s’ when it’s appropriate. I would say 90% of my communication throughout the week is via email, so the more human I can be, I am. Why not? If you’re getting your job done, being sincere, speaking articulately and presenting yourself professionally, there’s no reason not to let your personality shine through.

How do you make time for working out and staying healthy? Fitness is a huge part of my life. Working out is a non-negotiable for me. I schedule my workouts into my calendar and treat them the same way I do meetings and other appointments. I work out 4-5 days a week and I’m a class junkie. I do SHRED, Flywheel, Flex Pilates, Bare Feet Power Yoga.  And now that I travel a lot for work, I always find a yoga studio or a gym in the city I’m in and make time for it. As for diet, it’s all about balance. I love my wine and I LOVE to dine out. But I limit both those things to 1-2x per week, compared to 4-5x a week in the past. I don’t eat dairy or gluten and try to generally eat clean and organic. I have definitely changed my lifestyle and it’s made all the difference.

What are your favorite tips for keeping an organized workspace? I think it’s most important to create a workspace that feels good to you. Go for positive energy over tidiness. My home office is my haven. I am a fan of lots of color, art that inspires me, a yummy candle, great pens, natural light and good music. Always good music.

What other pieces of advice/tips can you share? Constantly educate yourself.  I recently got asked to create a Use Case for a technology roadmap for this global program I’m helping build. I had never heard of a ‘Use Case’ in my life and I’m not a techie in the slightest. But, instead of panicking and passing off the project to someone else, I spent three hours on Google teaching myself Use Cases. The Internet is the new MBA. There are incredible digital courses, programs, workshops, webinars, TedTalks and YouTube videos available on anything you crave to learn about. Read books. Attend lectures. Hang around people who are smarter than you. Don’t say: “I don’t know.” Say: “I don’t know yet.” And then ask questions, take action and assume some humility so you can grow. The moral of this story…when I presented my Use Case to the head of the IT department, she told me it was one of the best Use Cases she’d ever seen. Who knew? I certainly didn’t! Know that you don’t know everything, you never will, and constantly be open to learning.

Favorites: 

* Favorite Apps: FaceTune, SnapChat, Angel Numbers by Doreen Virtue and I still Shazam constantly.

* Favorite Resources: Feedly, Ms. Tech, YouTube (I freaking can’t get enough of YouTube these days) and SocialTriggers.com, Simon Sinek and StartWithWhy.com.

* Favorite Books: The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte, Contagious by Jonah Berger, Launch by Jeff Walker, Growing into Grace by Mastin Kipp, GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amaruso, Master the Money Game by Tony Robbins and my favorite fiction book of all time is The Kite Runner.

* Favorite Programs:  B-School, Blog That Converts by Derek Halpern, Reel Marketing Insider by James Wedmore.

* Favorite Websites:  Entrepreneur.com, Inc.com, GalaDarling.com, SheTakesOnTheWorld.com, TechCrunch.com, MindBodyGreen.com, DanielleLaPorte.com, TheDailyLove.com and AlexandraFranzen.com.

* Favorite Gadget: My new iPhone6.

*Anything else? If you haven’t noticed I’m obsessed with my dog. And my husband.  And my friends and family. I feel extremely and utterly grateful and blessed every. single. day.

A huge, huge round of applause to Jessica for being real and sharing so many nuggets of advice! You truly shine and so excited to see where you fly!

Up Next? Chicago’s hottest foodie, traveler and rocker, Kelly Rizzo, of Eat.Travel.Rock! Always in the know, you can find Kelly hosting her own show or attending Chicago’s exclusive events.

Want more? You can find all Work Smarter Not Harder posts right here.