Tiffany Dufu

A few days ago I was crying in an airport bathroom. My company, The Cru, was an SVB customer and the collapse of the bank created a crisis for our business and for me personally. In my moment of distress I decided to do the only thing that always works in helping me to solve hard problems in my life: I asked for help. But this time it was terrifying because I had to do it publicly by posting a video on LinkedIn, with no makeup or perfectly edited talking points. It felt like the most vulnerable act I’ve ever taken. Here’s what happened next:

The video went viral.
The Cru’s crowdfunding campaign, which I asked everyone to contribute to, skyrocketed.
Inbound requests from HR and DEI leaders who wanted to partner with The Cru to retain their women poured in.
And the media further amplified my biggest message: Not every tech entrepreneur is Mark Zuckerberg. We are regular Americans with mortgages to pay, visions to execute, and we need the hard earned money in our bank accounts to do it.

I’m happy to report that The Cru has secured access to our funds, which is now in a Bank of America account. 🎉

Here are two things I know for sure:

1)The universe conspires to buoy people who ask for help.
2)If you want something you’ve never had before, you’ll have to do something you’ve never done before in order to get it.

I can’t thank you enough for all of the love and support I’ve experienced since I posted that video. If you shared my post with your network, share this one too so they know I’m ok! 
Finally, if you haven’t done so already please contribute to our campaign by clicking here: republic.com/the-cru.

Invest in The Cru. Make Women's History.

#womenshistorymonth #startups #findyourcru

I’m really really trying to get serious work done but Beyoncé just dropped a new album and all I can honestly do is dance to it on loop. I’ve already sent a message to my team giving them permission to take a “Renaissance Friday.” Ever since I was a little girl music has been my serenity. I recently channeled my teenage self for my dear friend’s 50th (Happy Birthday Margaret!). My tank features a shot of me at sweet sixteen along with the top songs that were released and inspired me that year including Madonna’s “Vogue” and Indigo Girls’ “Closer To Fine.”
 
If I had to make a tank for this year, Beyoncé's “Cozy” would be on it. She launches the first verse with triumph over adversity: Dancin' in the mirror/kiss my scars/Because I love what they made. Then the chorus is a homage to the groundedness of a woman who’s been around the block a few times: Comfortable in my skin/cozy with who I am. I wish for each of you the freedom that comes with recognizing your power and deploying it to create impact in the world. What’s a song that inspires you to be your best self? Share it so I can add it to my playlist. Then close your laptop, and dance.
#musicislife #love #inspiration #freedom

I’m one of those counterintuitive feminists that love men opening doors, rap music, and Barbie. I’ll never forget the Christmas I finally got my first one - a brown ballerina Barbie with an afro and a wide nose. Many years later I learned that my mom had bought a generic doll she felt reflected my identity and painstakingly replaced it with the blond doll that came in the original packaging so that I would feel I had an actual Barbie. I added more figurines over time and stored them in boxes I would carry to my friends’ houses so that we could create imaginary worlds together.

Barbie emerged back into my life a decade ago when I ran a national women’s leadership organization called The White House Project. We trained women to run for political office and one of our partnerships was with Mattel to produce President Barbie. Our founder, marie wilson, felt that girls should aspire to something greater than living in a dream house with Ken. One of my most proud professional accomplishments was convincing the doll maker to finally design President Barbie with shoes that would allow her to remain upright. As Marie would often quip, “The leader of the free world should be able to stand on her own two feet.”

All of this to say that, of course, I was first in line to see the new Barbie movie and I encourage all of you to go - especially if you have no affection for the doll or the franchise or patriarchy or misogyny or capitalism. I don’t like spoilers so I’ll just say that you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I also encourage you to at least buy a ticket to support Greta Gerwig, the Academy Award nominated director. We need more blockbusters directed by women to pave the way for others.

Loved this interview with Issa Rae, who plays President Barbie in the film. Please share your own Barbie memories.

https://lnkd.in/ehw-RW69

#TiffanysFinds