How A Business Coach Can Help You Unlock Your Potential As A Founder

Two women working together

Do you feel like your business is stuck in a rut? Maybe you're making some progress, but not as much as you would like. Or maybe you've plateaued and don't know how to move forward. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to find someone who can help guide your process. A business coach will work with entrepreneurs on refining their vision for the future, improving current processes, and providing accountability.

Selfmade, Brit + Co's program for female founders, provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to build their businesses through coaching and curriculum...designed specifically with women in mind.

To better understand how this experience works, we looked behind the curtain and got up close and personal with coaches from our most recent cohort. Taylor Dowd, Selfmade's Program Manager, noted that the coaches are a huge part of Selfmade's magic.

"It’s important that I give major recognition and appreciation to our Selfmade coaching team," Taylor said. "Niki Shamdasani, Bex Morley, Ashley Smith, and Ana Pischl have all made such a positive impact on the 350 women that were a part of our most current cohort. I was lucky enough to be a part of every accountability pod and coaching session, thus seeing the growth that both our students and coaches experienced. I got to witness everything from the raw, vulnerable feelings that these women experience while building the business of their dreams to many just as moving moments of celebration and cheers." Now on to the coaches' perspectives! We interviewed them on all things entrepreneurship and Selfmade: how they've found success personally as entrepreneurs, their advice for aspiring female founders, and standout moments from Selfmade's class of Fall 2021.


What To Expect From A Business Coach In Brit + Co's Selfmade Program

Ana Pischl is a Digital Product Strategist with eight years of experience working and consulting for various startups as a Product Manager. Her sweet spot is building 0 to 1, with an obsession with user experience and data. Her career throughline is connection. As a first-generation American, she has always been curious about systems, how to break into them, and, ultimately, provide others the opportunity to do so as well. As a result, she’s impacted people’s lives through technology alongside some brilliant teammates. Currently, she’s helping women (2,400 and counting) launch businesses of their own through Selfmade. In the past, she’s helped people move in the pursuit of their dreams and unlocked $20MM+ in revenue at Zeus, a YC company; generated $10MM+ in income for housekeepers at Fairy (acquired by Postmates); and democratized access to jobs for thousands of college students at her startup Kubby and as a founding team member at Leap (acquired by Facebook).

What brought me to coaching: First, I want to make starting and growing your business approachable and achievable for as many women as possible. While that starts with learning, it ends with action. So often, founders give up too early because they don’t know the steps, get lost in their many ideas, or don’t have the confidence to follow through. I’m here to help give founders a gentle nudge in the right direction and breakthrough anything holding them back. Secondly, my favorite part of working at Selfmade is connecting with our entrepreneurs. I love getting to know each of the founders that comes through our program. I feel really humbled and fortunate to help so many founders. They inspire me every day.

Strategies I recommend: Depending on the situation, I’ll pull in different strategies, from finding the nugget of a brilliant idea to fueling growth through partnerships and ads. The Selfmade curriculum covers everything from A to Z, but I can go deeper with individual entrepreneurs in one-on-one or group sessions. The lessons I keep coming back to are: (1) Setting up strong business foundations: learning to empathize and learn from your users, design thinking, and setting up your business fundamentals. (2) Learning from the world around you: talking to your users to validate your ideas and cut through the noise in your head. Putting your ideas into the world to get feedback. Focusing on not just your idea, but releasing some control and seeing what the world does with it. (3) Mindset matters: seeing where we have limiting beliefs and how we might be able to identify them and move past them. (4) Connecting and networking: Oftentimes, I’ll offer to introduce the founder to someone I think would be a mutually beneficial connection at the end of my calls. Having people around you that can help as mentors, friends, and partners goes a long way. (5) Lastly, how to sell as a non-sales person. This is always a tricky thing. But if we break it down, you have a business that provides value to people. Why wouldn’t you want to shout that from the rooftops? Why play small when you can have a big impact on people’s lives?

My most memorable Selfmade moment: My favorite coaching sessions are when others participate and offer each other feedback, encouragement, and support that extends far beyond what I alone can give someone. The most memorable parts of Selfmade are the connections you make. I admire the founders that show up consistently for themselves and others.

My advice for female entrepreneurs: The best learning you can do is take action. Put your ideas into the world and see what they can become. It’s really a beautiful thing. My second piece of advice is to remember that you CAN do it. One of my favorite quotes is: “Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, and you can influence it...once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.”


Niki Shamdasani is the co-founder of Sani, a lifestyle apparel brand inspired by South Asian culture. She also teaches design thinking to organizations ranging from PRX to UNC-Chapel Hill's Hussman School of Journalism. Before Sani, Niki was on the Program and Investments team of Matter, a startup accelerator and venture capital firm in San Francisco and New York. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2015.

What brought me to coaching: I have always valued the coaching I've received from others, so when I was first asked to help coach some student startup teams at UNC a few years ago, I was excited to finally be able to pay it forward. That's why I've continued to coach, including now through Selfmade. Everyone has to make their own mistakes, but if I can help people avoid making a few of my mistakes, and if I can be a thought partner for them, my journey as a business owner is even more worth it.

Strategies I recommend: The strategies I provide are around mindset and tactics. When it comes to mindset, I want the people I work with to become really comfortable with constantly changing and ambiguity. I also want them to have a bias towards action. Taken together, I want people to find ways to take action even when there isn't a clear path forward. It's important to test and refine. I also provide tactical advice around building a business, whether that's figuring out where to build your website or how to get started on TikTok.

My most memorable Selfmade moment: I will never forget a Selfmade student that came into the program with a cupcake business. She saw a fair amount of success with it, but she didn't feel she was solving a problem or need and thought she had to find a different business that did. There was one session when my entire pod group helped her brainstorm what gap she was filling. Some talked about how baked goods were an expression of love, but that they didn't have the time to bake themselves, others talked about how getting baked goods for themselves was a form of self-care. Hearing everyone express so many reasons they would want a business like hers to exist made a clearly visible impact on her. The last time I talked to her, she was still working on this cupcake business with more energy than ever!

My advice for female entrepreneurs: Never be the one to say no to yourself. Don't hold yourself back from reaching out to a potential customer, investor, or partner. Don't hold yourself back from raising your rates when the time is right, don't hold yourself back from that business expansion that feels scary. I have to tell myself whenever I preemptively decide not to send that email or make a call because I think I could get a no. Everyone will hear no's, but let that come from the other side. You never know when you might get a yes that you never dreamed of.


Bex Morley is a freelance illustrator and pattern designer who has sold and licensed her designs to well-known fabric, stationery, and home decor manufacturers worldwide. She is also a business coach and creative cheerleader who loves to help others find their own voice and get clarity on their business goals. Before working as an artist, she launched a successful jam business, manufacturing and selling to local retailers.

What brought me to coaching: I have always enjoyed analyzing how things work and helping people realize their full potential in life. I think I’ve always just done that automatically, so I didn’t think about using those abilities in any formal way. Gradually over the past few years, more and more different people kept telling me that I should teach or coach. I didn’t think about it much to start with, but eventually, I started to listen to the many voices that were nudging (and lovingly pushing) me in this direction. Once I decided to become a coach, I started to talk to people about my intentions, and it seemed that opportunities just kept presenting themselves to me. I said yes to those who led me in the right direction, so here I am. It’s one of the most natural and fulfilling things I have ever done.

Strategies I recommend: I have discovered that I’m very good at breaking down tricky concepts and putting them into easily understandable frameworks, which helps me explain things to people who want to understand things quickly. I encourage everyone to know the purpose behind doing something, rather than blindly following directions; to celebrate their differences and be authentic to themselves, because that is their superpower; and to have the courage to do scary things to gain confidence (rather than waiting for the confidence to happen first - because it won't). I also like to inject humor into coaching when appropriate because business doesn’t have to be dull and serious, and terrifying all the time. It can be creative, fun, and exciting! This can really help shake up people’s perceptions of what they’re capable of and change those self-limiting beliefs.

My most memorable Selfmade moment: I’ve been blown away by how smart, supportive, and inspiring the women taking the Selfmade course have been. I have developed so many valuable relationships over this cohort, and I know that many students have formed firm friendships that will continue going forwards. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with this fabulous group of women. Some of the biggest takeaways in my pod were: keep testing your ideas; don’t wait until you feel confident to take action; done is better than perfect; you won’t know until you try.

My advice for female entrepreneurs: (1) You are capable of way more than you realize, so keep challenging those self-limiting beliefs. (2) You haven’t failed until you stop trying. Everything else was just a test. (3) It is not your job to make other people feel comfortable.



Having spent ten years in medical device sales and three years coaching C-Suite executives from LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, and more, Ashley Smith's passion for communications has only increased over the years. Her awareness for voices, heard and unheard, is keen, and her heart extends to women who have conformed to societal expectations, which have crippled their ability to strive for excellence over perfection. From corporate leadership development to shelters for underprivileged women, Ashley and her team are building a strong foundation in what it means to be self-confident so all women can unleash their greatest potential and believe in the power of SHE.

What brought me to coaching: I've been a global communications coach with Own the Room coaching C-Suite executives from LinkedIn, Google, Facebook, and more. When I took the Selfmade course myself for the non-profit I founded, I found a community of like-minded women that I wanted to surround myself with regularly. So it was only natural to share my passion for coaching with my Selfmade sisters. When the opportunity presented itself, you better believe I accepted with gratitude!

Strategies I recommend: My approach to coaching is a blend of mindset and communication. I want to build a foundation of self-confidence in women so they can clearly, concisely, and effectively communicate what they need and deserve, whether it's in business or life in general.

My most memorable Selfmade moment: My biggest breakthrough was when I received this message from an individual within Selfmade, whom I'll keep anonymous. "Ashley, I don't want to take too much of your time, but I NEED to reiterate, you totally turned my world around. In the last 24 hours, I restarted my offline website, rewrote the bio and purpose statement, and wrote a blog entry in my own voice. I'm no longer consumed with making sure I explain every detail so I can't be thought of as a fraud. Instead, I'm recognizing I know just a little bit more than my reader, and my own unique voice makes my topics engaging!

My advice for female entrepreneurs: No one will ever believe in your dreams more than you do, so don't wait around for someone else to bring them to life for you.

Feeling inspired to find a coach? Enrollment for the next Selfmade cohort begins in the Spring of 2022. Until then, join the waitlist to stay up to date on all things entrepreneurship and announcements regarding the next wave of Selfmade.

Lead photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash.


Advancements in technology and shifting consumer behavior are constantly shaping the job market and causing it to evolve. So, some careers that have stood the test of time are becoming obsolete and facing numbered days.

Whether we like it or not, here are 10 outdated careers that may soon be a thing of the past because emerging fields are paving a new way forward.

Scroll to see which outdated careers might disappear sooner rather than later...

1. Warehouse Workers

EqualStock IN

Warehouse jobs, particularly those in large distribution centers for companies like Amazon, are at high risk of being replaced by automation. With the development of AI and advanced robots, companies are looking to automate tasks like order fulfillment, inventory management, and packaging.

Automation offers the advantage of 24/7 operation without the need for breaks or sleep, making it more efficient than human labor. Leaders like Elon Musk have acknowledged that making a full switch will be challenging. Nonetheless, the shift toward technology-driven warehouses is undeniable, and many traditional jobs will likely be transformed or phased out.

2. Librarians

Tima Miroshnichenko

Being a librarian was once viewed as a vital and secure profession. Now, digital tech has changed the way we access information, and with the rise of e-books, audiobooks, and online databases, fewer people are relying on physical libraries for their reading and research needs.

Plus, as books become more affordable and accessible, the traditional library model, which is centered around physical book rentals, is becoming less relevant. So, even though it's unlikely that libraries are going to disappear entirely, the role of librarians may shift toward digital management and online services.

3. Ride-Share Drivers

cottonbro studio

Drivers for taxi companies, as well as ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft, are facing an uncertain future as autonomous vehicles become more advanced. Self-driving cars, which are powered by artificial intelligence, are set to revolutionize the transportation industry and possibly eliminate the need for human drivers.

These vehicles will use apps to identify riders, calculate fares, and complete payments, all without any human intervention. This means the role of the traditional ride-share driver may no longer be necessary.

4. Customer Service Reps

Mart Production

AI and chatbots are increasingly replacing customer service representatives, too, as they're capable of handling a wide range of inquiries and issues. These AI-driven systems may offer faster and more efficient solutions and, in turn, eliminate long wait times for customers trying to speak to a human representative.

This, coupled with the fact that chatbots can operate 24/7, will help companies streamline their operations and cut costs. That's why many customer service roles are already being phased out.

5. Legal Secretaries

August de Richelieu

Even legal secretaries are facing threats due to AI-powered tools, which can handle tasks like legal research, document drafting, and contract management. These technologies are automating a lot of the routine work that once required humans and reducing the demand for legal secretaries in law firms.

Now, this role probably won't be completely replaced by AI. Even so, the automation of basic functions could still lead to lower overall staffing needs, particularly for paralegals and junior legal assistants.

6. Cashiers

Andrea Piacquadio

Walk into your local supermarket, and you'll see that technology has already begun to take over traditional checkout processes. With the rise of self-checkout kiosks, mobile payment options like Apple Pay, and even cryptocurrency transactions, the need for human cashiers is steadily decreasing.

Retailers like Amazon have already introduced cashier-free convenience stores, and other companies may follow in their footsteps.

7. Referees

Pixabay

Not even sports fields seem to be safe from the rise of AI. In fact, referees are increasingly being sidelined as technology takes a more prominent role in officiating sports.

Systems like goal-line technology and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) have already proven that AI can make more accurate and unbiased calls than humans. Another appeal of automated officiating lies in its ability to reduce controversial decisions that spark arguments among players, coaches, and fans.

8. Translators

Ketut Subiyanto

As AI-powered translation tools become more sophisticated, translators are facing stiff competition, too. These systems, which were once limited to basic word-for-word translation, are getting better at understanding context, tone, and nuance.

The improvement of machine learning will also allow for vast amounts of text across various languages to be processed simultaneously, increasing its accuracy. So, the demand for traditional translation services is expected to decline in the wake of faster and cheaper AI solutions.

9. Computer Programmers

Julio Lopez

AI-driven coding tools are advancing as well. Automated programming assistants and open-source AI libraries are streamlining many routine coding tasks, like debugging, code generation, and even basic software development.

Skilled developers will likely still be needed for complex problem-solving and other, more creative software design projects. But, developers whose roles focus on repetitive tasks may see reduced demand.

10. Dispatchers

Mart Production

Finally, human dispatchers may gradually be replaced by AI systems that can manage logistics, emergency responses, and customer inquiries. Things like advanced GPS tracking, automated scheduling, and real-time data processing allow AI to handle dispatch tasks with little human help.

Some cities have already implemented AI for non-emergency calls, slashing the need for human operators on the other end of the phone.

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Fans have been enthralled by Outlander ever since it debuted in 2014 — hence why the show has gone on to have seven successful seasons, with the eighth and final season expected to premiere late this year or in 2026. Fans truly can't get enough of Claire and Jamie's great romance, and it doesn't have to completely end with season 8...or not exactly. Outlander prequel, Blood of My Blood comes out this summer and explores your favorite family from a very unique perspective. This is everything we know about Blood of My Blood!

Here's everything you need to know about the Outlander prequel, Blood of my Blood.

What's 'Outlander' about?

Starz

Outlander follows Claire Randall, a British Army nurse who, after serving in World War II, goes on a second honeymoon in Scotland with her husband, Frank. He is an MI6 officer preparing for a new career as an Oxford historian.

However, Claire's life takes a dramatic turn when she is mysteriously transported back to 1743, where her safety and freedom are at risk. In order to survive, she marries a strong and charismatic Scots warrior named Jamie Fraser. Then, as their relationship deepens, Claire finds herself torn between two very different men and two conflicting worlds.

How many seasons of 'Outlander' will there be?

Starz

Whether you're an OG fan of Outlander or a newcomer, many are upset about it coming to an end soon with Season 8. The good news is that you have a prequel series to look forward to, Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

What is the 'Outlander' prequel 'Blood of My Blood' about?

Starz

Outlander: Blood of My Blood explores two parallel origin stories: the romance between Jamie's parents, as well as Claire's parents' love story during the war. The show will highlight these two love stories, set in different time periods, as they unfold side by side.

Who's in the 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' cast?

Starz

Hermione Corfield and Jeremy Irvine star as Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp; meanwhile, Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy play Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser.

The rest of the cast includes:

  • Tony Curran, Rory Alexander
  • Séamus McLean Ross
  • Sam Retford
  • Conor MacNeill
  • Brian McCardie
  • Jhon Lumsden
  • Sara Vickers
  • Peter Mullan
  • Sally Messham
  • Terence Rae
  • Sadhbh Malin
  • Alisa Davidson

Is there a trailer for 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood'?

Starz

Back in January, Starz released a 52-second teaser trailer for the show on YouTube, and it's clear the Outlander prequel will be packed with just as much passion as the original series. Eager fans in the comment section seemed to agree, with many sharing their excitement for the new spinoff.

"I can't wait to see the two love stories that gave us our favorite love story," wrote one viewer.

"I am so obsessed with Outlander, and I'm so excited to keep watching it in a different light," added another.

"Outlander is a very beautiful but brutal story, and I hope this new spinoff series captures that magic as well," noted a third.

Where can I watch 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood'?

Starz

You can watch Blood of My Blood on Starz!

When does 'Outlander: Blood of My Blood' come out?

Starz

Outlander: Blood of My Blood is set to premiere summer 2025! We don't have an exact date right now, but we'll update you as soon as we do! In the meantime, you can revisit the original Outlander series. All seven seasons are available to stream on Hulu.

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Probably everyone would agree that "adulting" is challenging, but nothing is quite as tough as initially launching your career. You're new to the field and uncomfortable, so you're bound to have some awkward moments, missteps, or simply embarrassing situations.

Thankfully, these bumps in the road teach us lessons that we can grow from. Nonetheless, it can still be funny to reflect (and laugh) about those cringe-worthy experiences down the line.

So, a bunch of women recently took to Reddit to share some of the most embarrassing things they did during the early days of their careers, and we've compiled their best stories.

Scroll to see all the most embarrassing things these women admitted to doing at work!

1. She thought a colleague was flirting. Spoiler alert: he wasn't.

Viktoria Slowikowska

"I was new to my role and attending a networking event out of state, lobbying for the first time. I thought one of the commissioners was flirting with me, so I stupidly considered leveraging that. I even gave him my hotel card, but he never came," one user said.

2. She spilled hundreds of hardware pieces down a hill.

cottonbro studio

"It was my first day with a new theater company as their master carpenter. Our shop was multiple buildings away from the theater, and we had to haul our tools and hardware over in shopping carts," a user recalled.

"I tipped over the shopping cart with all the containers of screws, bolts, and so on. Hundreds of little bits of hardware, all down the side of a hill."

3. She accidentally said "love you" to her team.

Edmond Dantès

"I was multitasking on a call and, in the end, when everyone said goodbye, I blurted out, 'Bye, love you!' to the entire team. I was humiliated," another user detailed.

4. She accidentally messaged her own boss about her lackluster raise.

Anna Shvets

"I was working in customer service, and I asked my supervisor for a raise because I was 'error free' and my call time states were pretty good. I had told my coworker (we were both in our early twenties) that I had asked for the raise, too. We were very open about our salaries," remembered one user.

"A couple of weeks later, my supervisor called me over to her cubicle. I sent an IM [instant message] to my coworker and said, 'Supervisor wants to talk to me. Called me over to her desk. I think I got the raise!' Spoiler: I did. It was just like $0.75 an hour or something dumb, but still, I was happy to get a raise," she continued.

"Immediately after, I messaged my coworker again and said something like, 'Yep, I got the raise. It's not as much as I would have liked, but oh well." I sent this to my supervisor and not my coworker. I heard my supervisor laugh and immediately go talk to the manager. I was so embarrassed."

5. She had a bucket of water dumped on her.

cottonbro studio

"Something that happened to me years ago: a woman dropped a bucket of rainwater on my head," revealed a user.

"She wasn't looking down; she meant to do it to one of my coworkers who used to leave trash by her door. She apologized, but still."

6. She fell off her chair (in front of her supervisor).

MART PRODUCTION

"I was working at a park district part-time and I sat at the front desk. One day, I got up to get something from another room. I come back, sit on my chair, and lean back," one user explained.

"I guess I leaned too far back, so I ended up falling on my tailbone. My supervisor was right there. I was like a couple of weeks in, too."

7. She made up her own phonetic alphabet.

Keira Burton

"I was trying to say the phonetic alphabet for a follow-up claim. I had the letter 'Y,' and the only word I could think of was, 'Yam!'" a user said.

"I laugh about it now, and I made the IT guy laugh, so win-win? But I definitely embarrassed myself at the moment."

8. She hit "reply all" while calling someone a jerk.

Mikael Blomkvist

"I hit 'reply all' in an email calling someone out for being a jerk. Ten years later, it's a department inside joke," a final user admitted.

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I am undeniably a chocolate lover by nature, and aside from Christmas, Easter is one of my favoritesweet treat-centered holidays because all the festive egg- and bunny-shaped chocolates hit shelves, sparking my cravings (and teasing my wallet).

I’ve probably tried every kind of Easter chocolate under the sun, so I’m ranking the 5 I view as the most classic. All of these Easter chocolates are great in their own ways and will certainly satisfy anyone when added to their Easter basket, so take this ranking with a grain of salt.

Read on for my full ranking of the 5 best classic Easter chocolates.

Amazon

1. Cadbury Crème Eggs

When I think of Easter chocolates, my mind immediately goes to Cadbury Crème Eggs. They’re filled with a gooey fondant that is downright addictive. Once you break through the chocolate shell, you’re faced with a deliciously silky sugar concoction that, for me, feels really nostalgic to snack on since I’d get one in my Easter basket just about every year.

While some people may find ‘em too decadent, I think Cadbury Crème Eggs are the #1 Easter chocolate, hands-down, because they’re always tasty. We love a reliable treat – but you definitely do have to enjoy these one at a time since they’re undeniably rich.

Amazon

2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs

Next up on my (very subjective) ranking of Easter chocolates is none other than Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs! I’ll take Reese’s stunning peanut butter filling in any form I can have it, but the egg shape this treat takes on for Easter just makes it feel even more special.

Amazon

Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs totally master the perfect balance of chocolate and peanut butter, which can be a nice departure for my tastebuds from just straight-up chocolate, like the other Easter chocolates on this list. Thus, I’m placing it in the #2 spot.

Amazon

3. Easter M&M’s

I love me a colorful treat, and I love me some M&M’s – which is why the Easter M&M’s that come in the cutest pastels every April simply had to place somewhere this ranking.

Amazon

Though I don’t view these as the most show-stopping Easter chocolates (they’re quite literally the same as the regular M&M’s you can get year-round in flavor and form), they’re still a festive treat worth snagging from the store. By themselves, I have to put them in the #3 spot – though I’d consider granting more points if you give ‘em to me on top of a slice of Easter cake.

Amazon

4. Cadbury Mini Eggs

My note about colors also applies to the next Easter chocolate: Cadbury Mini Eggs. Decked out in adorable pastel candy shells, these egg-shaped chocolates always come around at Eastertime – though they’re not really the first thing I reach for. Though, when I do get my hands on them, I find that their small size makes them extremely snackable, and they disappear quite quickly.

Amazon

5. Chocolate Bunnies

I don't mean to be the Scrooge of Easter, but at this point, chocolate bunnies are so expected. I have eaten many in my lifetime, but they never truly blow me away. Don’t get me wrong: I still love chocolate, but there’s also something that feels so wrong when I bite off the bunny’s ears. And face. And body.

It would take a really great chocolate bunny to impress me – most ones I’ve had are lower in quality and vary in being too thick or too thin to bite into easily.

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Flying doesn’t always have to be a stressful, chaotic experience. In fact, there are plenty of genius tricks to keep in your back pocket to make traveling as seamless and smooth as possible! From sneaky packing strategies to in-flight essentials you didn’t know you needed, these 7 simple travelhacks might just change the way you fly forever.

Scroll on for our 7 go-to travel hacks for making the trip easier every time.

Timur Weber / PEXELS

1. Roll your clothes.

Rolling your clothes is a huge help in saving space inside your backpack, duffle bag, or suitcase. Rolling garments tightly and packing them in is surprisingly much more efficient than traditional folding methods – plus it reduces wrinkles. Rolling comes in especially handy for bulkier items like maxi dresses, jeans, and jackets.

Timur Weber / PEXELS

2. Use packing cubes.

If you want to maximize even more space within your bag, packing cubes are definitely worth investing in. You can still roll your garments to pack ‘em, but placing them in packing cubes compresses their size down further. Plus, with multiple packing cubes, you can label each one and keep your things organized and easily accessible.

Tima Miroshnichenko / PEXELS

3. Bring an empty water bottle.

If you’re not doing this at the airport, what are you doing?! Probably spending $8 on a single bottled water. C’mon – bringing an empty water bottle is the simplest of all travel hacks. Just arrive with it completely empty to later fill it after passing through the TSA line. You’ll avoid paying for overpriced airport water and have limitless refill opportunities, even after you've arrived at your destination.

Valeriia Miller / PEXELS

4. Stuff small items inside shoes.

In the vein of more space-saving packing tricks, don’t underestimate the power of your shoes! From sneakers to boots, it’s so easy to use the insides of them to pack socks, lip balms, phone chargers, jewelry, or other small items.

Anna Shvets / PEXELS

5. Use a pill organizer for small items.

You can also easily leverage a pill organizer for the smallest of your small items like rings, earrings, earplugs, and more. Of course, you can still use a pill organizer for necessary medications or those ‘just in case’ painkillers.

Samantha Mandato / PEXELS

6. Bring a travel pillow and eye mask.

Travel pillows and eye masks are absolutely essential for long flights, or even shorter trips that you foresee yourself sleeping on. Bring them on your next flight, and you’ll immediately notice the difference from not flying with these must-have accessories.

Anna Gordon / Dupe

7. Download entertainment before you board.

Finally, to avoid risking total in-flight boredom, make sure you plan ahead and download your desired form of entertainment beforehand! Since you can’t always rely on in-flight wifi, pick out and download the movies, music, or audiobooks you want to tune into in advance. For a screen-free moment, you can never go wrong with a book or crossword puzzle booklet!

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