Girl em[Power]ment – Hope Cavell

Girl em[Power]ment – A Series of Short Essays.

Over the next few months Flancake.co will be bringing you the Girl em[Power]ment series, which consists of interviews with several working women of all ages in different stages of their career. These are women I not only find inspiring and interesting, but who I think women of all ages should know about and learn from. These women hold careers in several different industries, from creative design to politics. They’ll give us an inside look into what their job is like, how they got there, share their advice for twenty-somethings, and touch on what Girl em[Power]ment means to them.

[be sure to follow along on insta – @girlempowerment]

I’m so excited to be sharing with you all our next influencer, Hope Cavell. I’ve known this fab + funny gal for about three-ish years now, first through school and then through working together at Lola. She’s a ball to be around, and always exudes kindness + confidence, with such creativity and grace it’s hard to not have if rub off on you.

Introducing Hope Cavell, of Lola Boutique
Insta – @hopecavelll + @lolaboutique

Q: What is your current job title, and can you please briefly explain your career path?
A: I am the store manager at Lola in Fayetteville, Arkansas and also work as a stylist under my own name doing closets, etc. Within Lola, I dabble in social media and visuals [you often wear many hats in a small business!] I started working retail when I was 16 and have been doing so ever since. I’m lucky enough to have worked at two fabulous local boutiques prior to Lola. Different products, different clientele…but always fashion forward women’s clothing. My career path is foggy right now but I hope to transfer from the retail sector of things to more styling and creative work. 

Q: Where did you go to school and what was your major?
A: I went to the University of Arkansas and majored in Apparel Studies and Product Development. I also have a minor in Beer.

Q: How do you deal with negativity towards women in the work place [if at all]?
A: Overall, I’m a glass-half-full gal so I have that working for me. Sometimes you can ignore it and other times you can’t. Those times that you cannot, it may be time to reevaluate your situation or talk to someone in charge. Sometimes a little bit of action is all that’s needed. I’ve yet to be exposed to a male heavy work environment where women feel that negative pressure…let’s hope I never do!

Q: Who are your role models or mentors, and why?
A: My parents. They are amazing. And Lena Dunham.

Q: Have you ever felt unsure of yourself or felt that you weren’t “enough”, and how did you overcome that?
A: Yes….who hasn’t!? I still struggle with this. Comparing myself to others gets me in a dark place sometimes. I have to yank myself out of it and remember that everyone’s path is different and I am on the right one for me.

Q: What are other things you do [hobbies, projects, interest] that you feel passionate about?
A: Fashion, art, friends and family. 

Q: Is there anyone you think that is making a difference in women empowerment that you think we should all know about?
A: As earlier mentioned– Lena Dunham. She is smart but that creative smart that makes you think and laugh and feel. I don’t always agree with her politics or opinions but I respect her and look up to her for them. She’s taken her fame and created this platform for young women….that being themselves and having their own opinions is cool and sexy. Because it is!! Check out her newest venture in all this– Lenny Letter– an online newsletter via email.

Q: What do you do in your free time to relax?
A: Sometimes it’s a glass of wine, chatting with my momma while loving on my dog. Other times it’s a run outside full of explicit rap music.

Q: What does Girl em[Power]ment meant to you?
A: Lifting one-another up. That is so cornball but true. Girls are too hard on themselves so anytime you find yourself thinking something nice about someone, tell ’em! We all are going through hard stuff so spreading the girl power is vital. I think about my mom, my sister, my friends, my coworkers…So. Many. Bad. Bitches. I am truly inspired everyday and made better because of them.