Blatantly began as a belief.

We’ve always believed that life is about creating your world and building yourself (So much so that Alden’s high school senior quote was “Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself, so live the life you imagine”).

As college students and sisters, we collectively realized the important role reflection plays in this process, which sparked a desire to share it with those we love. Thus, Blatantly evolved into a passion project. Initially, we envisioned this newsletter as a professional development tool. We hoped to share it with those closest to us to assist in navigating the process of pitching yourself to the world. However, we recognized that reflection is an ongoing process that isn’t confined to specific spheres of life, which led to an expanded vision that ultimately shaped what Blatantly is today.

Our belief in creating your world and building yourself emphasizes the power of individual choice, self-determination, and ambition. This viewpoint accentuates our control of the values and experiences we surround ourselves with in the curation of our worlds. Yet, while we recognize individual power in this process, Blatantly stands firm in acknowledging the external factors beyond our control, including societal constructs, economic conditions, and systemic structures.

We are committed to fostering a community that embraces inclusivity and celebrates the richness of individual experiences. In addressing these external factors, we value creating an atmosphere where every voice is heard and respected and where every individual can participate in building themselves and creating their world.

As female business school students navigating future careers in male-dominated industries, we recognize the obstacles and expectations women face in the creation of their worlds. Thus, while Blatantly serves as a testament to our beliefs, we also want it to be an empowering beacon in the pursuit of equality and redefining our narratives.

In the spirit of reflection, we also want to acknowledge that while Blatantly is about looking forward at the world you’re creating, it’s equally about looking back at how far you’ve come. For us, this carries personal resonance as a tribute to our late mother: an incredible attorney, friend, mother, and role model. When you create a world guided by your values and identity, no one can take that away from you. Ingrained in our mission is our deepest hope that Blatantly helps you to never lose sight of what you’ve built and who you’ve become.

In sharing our collective experiences and perspectives, we hope to inspire and encourage you to join us and the Blatantly community.