Shop This Look
How Did You Know You Were Ready to Run?
Inspired by our new collection, “Ready to Run,” we share the times in our own lives when we felt ready to take a big leap or make a big change.
In certain scenarios, it feels like it’s never a good time to take a big risk—to switch careers, to move to a new city, to have a baby. There’s always more money that can be saved, plans and backup plans that should be solidified, and the fear of the unknown whispering into our ears that it’s just safer to stay put and inline with the status quo. It takes a hefty dose of courage to shut out that voice, and finally take a leap. It also takes the belief in knowing that potential outcome far outweighs the risk, and that whatever you lose in the process is probably going to be worth it.
M.M.’s spring collection, “Ready to Run,” is all about embracing the unknown and taking that scary step forward. We’re celebrating women who are running for office, running across the country for a fresh start, or simply running out the door, ready to conquer the day. We understand that it isn’t easy, so we want to do our part to remind you that not only do you totally have this, but also, you look pretty great doing it. Think of our clothes as your armor, ready to take you on the next phase of your journey into the unknown.
Below, a few M.M. employees and Women of the Week share a time in their lives when they felt ready to run and confidently made it to the finish line.
“In 2008, I was working for an MP (Member of Parliament) in the Ugandan Parliament.
There was a bill coming up on the floor that would have established religious family courts that ran the risk of disenfranchising women and children. I knew that the bill should not pass. When I brought this up to my MP, she made arrangements for me to present my findings to the largest women’s lobby group in the country. When I stood up to speak, my hands shook, and I felt beads of sweat trickle down my back. But I stood, walked to the podium, took a big breath in and spoke. The bill did not pass.”
-Nisreen Hasib, Woman of the Week and COO of Unbound
Want more M Dash?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Thank you!
“I majored in finance in college and wanted to put that to use, and I was focused on what I should be doing and what was a ‘normal,’ realistic career path.
But I had always been interested in working in fashion. My husband was the one who finally pushed me to look into it. Honestly, I think he was a bit bothered that I was coming home unhappy every day.
I was scared of taking a paycut and not being taken seriously because I had never worked in fashion before, but I ultimately decided to take the leap. Starting as a stylist at M.M. was the first time I felt I’d found my calling. I started getting excited to come to work for the first time. I knew then it was the right choice, and I’ve never looked back.”
– Stephanie Jones, Senior Stylist at M.M.LaFleur
“The most recent time I felt ‘ready to run’ was when I signed my first book deal with Simon & Schuster.
At the time, the publisher had solicited me for a project—an incredible opportunity, but not one I was looking for, and to be quite honest, at the time I had been experiencing creative burnout. I took some time to consider the offer and ultimately decided to go for it—not because it was put in front of me, but because I wanted to show myself that I could take on a big project and this time—make it work for me. Before I started, I put in place a strict work schedule in place that made time for daily exercise, meditation, and home-cooking. Not only did I finish the book, Modern Manhood: Conversations About the Complicated World of Being a Good Man Today, but it’s a #1 New Release on Amazon, and I nailed my ultimate goal: I am in better mental, physical, and spiritual health after the project than before I started it.”
-Cleo Stiller, Woman of the Week and Emmy Award and Peabody Award-nominated journalist, speaker and author of Modern Manhood: Conversations About the Complicated World of Being a Good Man Today
“I recently made the move from a small town in Michigan to New York without a job lined up.
I decided to move to New York because I fell in love with the city, and as a young professional, I was drawn to the energy. I thought about moving for over a year and finally decided to trust my gut, break it down into actionable steps, and continuously tell myself and others why I was doing it. I told my former company I wanted to move for personal reasons, and they were very understanding. Because I had built strong relationships with my team, manager, and leadership at the company, they allowed me to work remotely from New York for a couple of months while I found a new job.
Once I packed up my life and moved to New York, I felt reinvigorated. Coming from a small town in the Midwest, I definitely had to adjust to the change in cost, subway commute, crowds, and everything that comes with living in a city, but it was worth it for me. I’m proud of myself for truly owning my path, and I encourage others to do the same. It was a bit of a risk moving to an expensive city without a new job lined up, but I made it work and trusted the process. Now I work for a company I’m proud to be a part of, in a city I love.”
-Julia James, Associate Product Manager at M.M.LaFleur
Written By
Caitlin Abber
Caitlin Abber is the Brand Editor at M.M. LaFleur, and an award-winning writer and content creator. Over the last decade she has held senior editorial positions at MTV, Women's Health, Public Radio International, and Bustle, and has bylines at InStyle and OprahMag.com.
See more of Caitlin's articles
