Manhattan overflows with great networking events, but this one was different.
High-powered women executives came together at the Fun, Fearless Money conference to empower others and to discuss all things business and career. Going forward, this Cosmo event will definitely be a part of my annual social calendar.
At this year's event, held in a downtown Manhattan ballet theater transformed into a classy, even edgy, space, I was intent on learning from the smart female executives in attendance: who they are, not just what they do. And what got them there.
Find out what's on their plate in the early AM that gets their always packed day started right.
Kat Cole balances egg whites with Cinnabon
Cole, the president of Focus Brands, which owns Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's, has devised a plan based on balance that adds nutrition and also lets her indulge in the goodies her companies make.
"This morning I had egg whites, avocado toast, and fruit. I have to eat like that to afford that Cinnabon later in the day."
Tyra Banks piles on the protein
It's hard work staying ahead of the creative curve for her TV show, America's Next Top Model, while creating a line of beauty products and preparing to be a professor at Stanford University. But that's all in a day's work for supermodel turned super businesswoman Tyra Banks, whose morning is protein-heavy but completely doable for you and me too.
"This morning I had Greek yogurt with granola, chicken sausage, and coffee."
Joanne Bradford opts for overnight oats
Bradford, the COO of SoFi, has a breakfast hack that every single working woman can employ. "I worked at Pinterest where we learned about overnight oats. Put your oats, soy milk, and fruit in a mason jar and leave it overnight, and the next morning it's ready. Have it cold or hot!" Hold the coffee.
Her family is big into meal preparation to stay on top of their health.
Michele Promaulayko eggs herself on
Promaulayko, the new editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, has the tough task of learning what her readers want before they want it. To keep it all together, she relies on the humble egg. "I had two hard boiled eggs this morning."