Today we celebrate International Women's Day with the stories of six incredible women. Different ages, and completely different walks of life, all impacted by Pieces of Me in different ways. We hope you're as inspired and encouraged by all these women as much as we were!

Bree Sabin

Bree Sabin (23) is an alum of Bowling Green State University. After receiving a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing last May, and has since moved from New Philadelphia, OH to Chicago, IL (with her mini golden doodle puppy) to chase her dreams. She is excited to continue her career in Public Relations and see where life takes her next! 

What are some of your hobbies/passions?

I'm a varsity cheerleading coach. I cheered in high school and always loved the spirit and pride I felt as a cheerleader. When the athletic director asked me if I wanted to coach I had to take advantage of this opportunity! I also love spending time with my friends and exploring Chicago! The best thing about living here is there's always something fun going on.

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years? What dreams do you have for yourself?

In 5-10 years I see myself staying in PR and maybe involving myself in entrepreneurship in some aspect. I've wanted to create a podcast about post-grad, city living and dating for awhile, so I think that's my next plan! This may sound silly but my dream was to live in Chicago and have a job that I love- which I do! I haven't started thinking about my next dream but my hope is that I'll be able to identify when the right opportunities are presented to me and take advantage of them!

What trait(s) do you wear and why?

I wear the bold trait every day! I got this trait as a gift from my mom towards the end of my senior year of college after a big event for my internship. I had a huge part in the planning and executing of this event and I worked with that event for three years. The bold trait is for individuals that stand steady and secure, unafraid to stand out from the crowd. That's exactly how I felt during that time.

I wasn't afraid to take control and be a leader. 

How has Pieces of Me made an impact on you?

Pieces of Me holds a special place in my heart! I interned with the Hatch the year Elsa was a hatchling and Pieces of Me was made. That was actually my first year as an intern and I just remember being in awe at how amazing the process was! This is actually the event that solidified my passion for PR and entrepreneurship. 

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

As women we really need to build each other up, not knock each other down.

Working in high school and coaching, I deal with teenage girls daily. I've had multiple conversations with them about being nice to each other and being there for one another and not letting people get in the way of their friendships. To me, International Women's Day means celebrating great friendships and the successes of all women!

Any words of wisdom you would like to share with others?

I actually have a tattoo that says "love yourself first."

I believe you have to love yourself and practice self-love to be happy in your own skin!

Do what feels right and leaves you feeling happy and loved at the end of the day. 

Maya Ramirez

Maya may be young but she is nothing short of worldly experience and travel. After winning Project Runway Jr. she gained not only perspective but confidence that has encouraged her to graduate from high school early, and travel from Ohio to Europe all while continuing to design. She is now working in Madrid, Spain as a Au Pair, and is deciding between schools in NYC, LA, Milan, and Paris. 

What are some of your hobbies/passions?

Besides design, my biggest passion is travel! I lived as an exchange student in Sicily last year and I'm back in Europe this year! I love learning about new cultures, and I'm working on language #3!

Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

In 5-10 years, I see myself fresh out of college and working on my own women's wear company. I want to own my own company because I love the idea of being able to see my vision from start to finish.

I was often told as a kid to "find what I love and then figure out how to turn it into a career." Starting my own business would do just that for me!

What trait(s) do you wear and why?

My three favorite pieces of me traits are ambitious, confident, and creative! I love the symbols are simplistic, yet are all different and reflective of the traits in their own ways! 

Who/what inspires or motivates you?

I have so many inspirations! Michelle Obama for her grace, Zendaya for her confidence, and my mom for her strength!

My mom, Traci, really taught me to think for myself and to stand up for what I believe in, so I will always admire her.

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women's Day is so important to me! It's a way to celebrate strong women, but also to recognize the work that has been and will continue to be put into making a more equal society.

 

Lexi Johnson

Loving mother to two, #bossbabe, and a creative soul- Lexi Johnson currently lives in Grand Haven, MI with her husband and two boys. While being a mom to two young ones is a full time job in itself, Lexi also channels her creativity into her blog, In the Hutch. 

What are some of your hobbies/passions?

I enjoy anything creative- it's life giving to me! Trying new foods, restaurants, and recipes. Traveling! I love to curl up and read a good book with a cup of tea. I also like to paddle board.

How did you start blogging? What made you interested in that?

I knew I wanted to do something creative- and blogging for this stage of my life is a good fit for me. 

What inspires your work from In the Hutch? How do your children play a role in that?

I'm a pretty spontaneous person and the blog allows me to lean into that while also being creative. Whatever has my attention at the moment– a product, recipe, craft, etc. I share a menagerie of my favorite things with my followers. My son Axel jumps at any chance to help me out with Hutch things which makes me so happy.

The name Hutch came from several years ago when I refurbished a large, antique hutch. It was a transitional time in my life (a nice way to say a tiny bit shitty.) I needed some soul searching + self care... during that refurbishing time I realized that being creative made me feel alive and that I need a creative outlet to be my best self.

The hutch was both literally and metaphorically instrumental in pull me out of a low spot. So the name hutch reminds me to be creative.

Who/what inspires or motivates you as a person?

So many things inspire me– a walk outside, traveling, flipping through a magazine. I find it so fun to glean inspiration from beautiful, everyday things and then make it "my own".

I hope that sharing things I'm passionate about brings inspiration and joy to others. 

How has Pieces of Me made and impact on you?

I love wearing my pieces and glancing at them throughout the day–it's like a pretty little reminder to keep being me!

It's also impacted me because I really love giving people gifts and I feel like Pieces of Me Me is one of the most meaningful gifts to give. 

Taryn Kutches

Originally from Norton Shores but relocated to Spring Lake Michigan with her husband and two daughters. Taryn is nothing short of a superwomen. She brings to light exactly what International Women's Day is all about. Finding your passion but not losing sight of your other priorities. As a co-founder of Parker Design co. and being a mom and a wife, finding balance is difficult but it's very rewarding. 

What are some of your hobbies/passions?

I love spending time with my family. A wonderful husband and 2 daughters, a 1 year old and a 3 year old. They keep us pretty busy, but we enjoy spending time outside and hiking with our pup, Tahoe. We also love to travel. I love going new places and experiencing new things! 

What is it like being an entrepreneur? Best parts? Worst Parts?

I would have to say it's a lot like drinking beer.

At first it's calm and you feel like you have it all together, then you might have a few too many and it gets really fun and crazy, but then all of a sudden you wake up the next morning and you feel awful. There are so many highs and lows and so many things to consistently be thinking about it the present and in the future. Even with all the ups and downs, it is very rewarding to sit back and realize this is something that you built.

Where do you see yourself and/or your company in 5-10 years?

I would love to see our company grow and offer additional products. I think we are in a very critical time right now. We're trying to figure out exactly who we want to be. Our bag is great for everyday use, work, and travel, but we are trying to narrow our focus and dial into one of these areas. So depending on which route we take, we would like to expand our product base within that segment.  

Who/what inspires or motivates you?

Hands down- NPR's How I Built This podcast. If you don't know what it is, listen to an episode right now, and you won't regret it. In summary it interviews founders of very large companies such as Crate & Barrel, 5 Guys, Kate Spade, etc. and it goes into all the details about how they got their start. It is so encouraging because in most cases the people behind these companies started off just like me and you. They didn't have a million dollars in the bank, or they didn't have family who already ran a business in a certain space. They just had an idea that turned into a dream and they turned that dream into reality.

My personal favorite is Sara Blakely. Sara founded SPANX and sold fax machines as a full time job for the first few years SPANX was founded. Her first production shipment came to her apartment door. I can relate to that!

What Pieces of Me trait(s) do you wear and why?

Part of this reasoning is why I wear determined. It's a constant reminder to stay focused and positive when the days aren't so bright and the answers aren't right in front of me. 

How has Pieces of Me made an impact on you?

I really relate to hearing other people's stories and I think we have so much to learn from one another so I love that Pieces of Me highlights other people's strengths, passions, goals, and inspirations. Usually I can find a way to relate or reflect on these stories and use them to help me keep going. 

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

Women are amazing. They do so many amazing things, and this day is really about celebrating who women are rather than if they work, stay home, have kids, don't have kids, etc.

I think this day is about accepting that there is no more "norm" for women. 

The new norm is they get to decide what kind of person they want to be. If they want to be CEO at their firm, more power to them. If they want to do both, more power to them! It's not about setting boundaries or standards for women, it's about accepting them for who and what they want to be.

Any words of wisdom you would like to share with others?

One thing I have learned recently that I think is so powerful is you don't have the power to affect what happens to you, but you do have the ability to react to the things that happen to you.

In other words, you are in charge of your own happiness.

A simple example: you step in a puddle on your way to work. You can allow yourself to get upset, make yourself believe that today will be an awful day because it started out horrible, or you can decide that it's just a little bit of water and it will dry in the matter of an hour or so. You can't change the fact that your foot is wet, but you can change how you react to it which will ultimately change your whole attitude for the day. 

Jessica Lauren

Making the trek from Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL like so many other Michiganders has suited Jessica very well. After struggling with a turbulent acting career, she found her love channeling her creativity into TWO outlets, a blog and a podcast, No Real Jewelry.

What are some of your hobbies/passions?

Lately, I've been really getting into DIY projects + cooking. When I first started my blog back in 2015 it was because I needed a creative outlet. It was such a huge hobby but in recent years I've been blessed to call it a business. So it's been fun discovering new things that I like outside of it.

I'm also a very passionate at home backup singer/dancer for Beyonce. I'll put her music on, throw on some heels and get my dancing on!

How did you start blogging and start your podcast? What made you interested in that?

Well I was not a successful actress here in Chicago and I was sick and tired of dealing with the constant rejection in my acting career. I was over having to wait on some casting director to book me if I wanted to be creative.

I was done asking for permission and hearing no so I created my own "yes".

What started out just as a creative outlet blossomed into a podcast, an online store, and so much more. I'm really proud of the lane I created for myself.

What Pieces of Me trait(s) do you wear and why?

I rock my hard-working trait as a daily reminder what I have to go hard in order to make my big goals and dreams happen!

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

It's a day to recognize the major contribution + impact us women have in our homes, communities and the world and I'm pretty excited about that!

Adelia Lauren

Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia but now going attended Miami University  in Oxford, OH. Currently focused on blending her love of science with her premedical studies and her love of creativity and communication while maintain her lifestyle and beauty blog! (She Laughs)

What are some of your hobbies/passions?

I love to dance, I have danced for over 15 years, I love expressing myself with style or beauty, and I also love to blog! 

How did you start blogging & vlogging? What made you interested in that?

Blogging was something I had always wanted to do, and when I finally started my brand I realized there was no better time! I had been following several influencers and from studying their content and how they run their websites I found the confidence to get started myself!  

Who/what inspires or motivates you?

Aside from my family and friends who helped me get to where I am now, I draw a lot of my motivation from the people I have met through social media! When I get to have real connections with people around the country just because I decided to put myself out there in blogging, it is such a cool thing. Also I just love creating content that I know my audience loves and they inspire and motivate me to continue blogging. 

What Pieces of Me trait(s) do you wear and why?

I wear the confident trait, and I also love the creative and ambitious traits because

I believe everyone should love themselves, do what they love, and follow their dreams. 

How has Pieces of Me made an impact on you?

I am especially impressed with all the philanthropic initiatives that Pieces of Me has done. It is amazing to see a brand encourage women with the concept of unique traits, but it is especially amazing to see the brand give back as well. 

What does International Women's Day mean to you?

International Women's Day is one of my favorite holidays! It is a time to remind the women around you that they are special and they mean something to you!

Any words of wisdom you would like to share with others?

You're never fully dressed without a smile! Also the only opinion that truly matters is your own.