The New Ambition
Marie Claire's Power Play Summit
I just returned from the grand opening of our 7th Pizzana - in Houston, Texas. After two years of construction, it was a thrill to see the dining room filled with happy customers. And the glowing reviews I’ve been reading online have almost made me forget about all the delays along the way…. almost! I will share more about my Houston trip in an upcoming email. But first, I’m dying to debrief on the Marie Claire Power Play Summit from last week…
Marie Claire knows how to host empowering events, and this year's summit at the Proper Hotel in LA was no exception. Under the helm of new Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike, this year’s theme was “The New Ambition,” and brought women together to redefine what ambition means for them, personally and professionally. Ever since Reese Witherspoon's iconic rallying speech "Ambition is not a dirty word," almost a decade ago I've been captivated by the topic. So, I was extra excited to soak it all in!
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The day began with a powerful performance by bestselling poet Rupi Kaur. I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't heard of this Insta poet, but upon looking up her IG handle, with a whopping 4.5 million followers I'm clearly in the minority! Afterward, somatic healer Biet Simkin led us through a session of her signature breathwork. She promised to make us feel “high” on our own breath. And when she cautioned the audience against standing up because we hadn’t signed medical releases, I assumed she was joking. But moments later, my friend Nyakio and I were clutching each other’s hands to steady ourselves. As promised, Biet’s simple, yet specific series of breathwork almost knocked us off our chairs!
Next up were a series of panels: Daniella Pierson, founder of The Newsette and the youngest wealthiest self-made woman of color, shared her unexpected path to building a media empire. She spoke about her ambition stemming from the pursuit of freedom - for herself and her immigrant mother. With her newest venture, Be A Breadwinner, she has doubled down on that ambition by building an educational platform to help other women take control of their financial health and independence as well.
Later on, Tina Knowles took the stage to share the journey of launching daughter Beyonce's haircare line, Cecred. With a process spanning over six years and countless iterations, she emphasized a different kind of ambition: patient ambition, one that is driven by the desire to create the best product possible. Tina also reflected on her own ambition evolution, having shifted over time from a focus on achievement to now an emphasis on giving back, health and happiness.
Capping off the evening, Courteney Cox provided more powerful insight into how ambition can change and even strengthen over time. The Friends star admitted that earlier in her career, she may have lacked the confidence and willingness to pursue opportunities outside her comfort zone. But now at 58, Cox is more ambitious than ever. With her luxury home goods brand, Homecourt, she's taking more risks and putting in the effort reflecting, "I don't feel like an imposter anymore."
As panelist Marley Dias put it, “The rules around ambition are changing.” And the beauty of this new ambition lies in its versatility and personal significance for each one of us. As we evolve, our ambitions can and will take on new and unexpected forms. Ambition can extend beyond career milestones to encompass a holistic journey of personal growth and positive impact. Ultimately, success isn't just about achieving specific goals, but about growing as individuals, making a meaningful difference in the lives of others, and crafting a legacy that reflects our deepest values and aspirations.
Now, I challenge you to redefine and expand your ambition:
What dreams or personal goals are you passionate about pursuing beyond your career?
How can embracing a wider definition of ambition help you become your truest, best self?
What hobbies, skills, relationships, or self-care practices do you want to explore and deepen?
Don't let ambition become a relentless hustle. Instead, allow it to be a driving force guided by compassion, purpose, and balance. Unlock your best life by being ambitiously unbounded in your vision. The future belongs to those embracing ambition's many forms. I can’t wait to see where it takes you next!
XO,
candace