Happy 2019, ForbesWomen followers!

This year, the channel and the Next Step newsletter are taking their Next Step: My name is Maggie McGrath, and I’m the new editor of ForbesWomen. I’m thrilled to start 2019 at the helm of this very important coverage area; women made so many strides in 2018 but I believe there are so many more to come. I look forward to making ForbesWomen your go-to source for news and analysis about the female entrepreneurs, leaders and investors who are shaping and changing America’s many industries.

Though we’re only nine days into 2019, I’m already encouraged by some of the year’s early developments. Glenn Close’s Golden Globes speech about female ambition is one highlight; another, somewhat improbably, comes out of Washington D.C. The 116th Congress was sworn in last week, and has within its ranks the most diverse class of representatives the chamber has ever seen. Among the freshman Congresswomen are a number who have been called “unlikable,” a word that launched a thousand Twitter arguments but is one, as ForbesWomen contributor Tanya Tarr writes in her new piece, that female leaders across politics and business can use to their advantage. “It’s up to you to decide whether or not you’re going to let the ‘unlikability’ label seep into your consciousness. Successful leaders have a clear sense of purpose, know their own true north and stick to it, no matter what,” Vanessa De Luca, founder of theeditorinchief.com, told Tarr.

Will 2019 be the year of the “unlikable” woman -- or, better yet, the year we finally kill the term? I’m here for it.

Cheers,
Maggie

News Of The Day: LearnVest Founder Alexa von Tobel Raising $200 Million For New Venture Fund

Alexa von Tobel, the 34-year-old founder of financial services site LearnVest (and former Forbes 30 Under 30), is looking for $200 million to start a new venture capital fund she is calling Inspired Capital Partners, according to paperwork filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission Wednesday morning. If recent angel investments are any indication, von Tobel appears to be sticking close to financial technology, but with an emphasis on underserved populations.

ICYMI: Stories From The Week

“Women-centric” v. “women only”. The latest crop of workspaces for women are wrestling with the balance of meeting women’s needs while also welcoming men and non-binary workers. “Men and gender-fluid individuals must be a part of that conversation as the future of work depends on their support and input.”

MVPs of 2019. These are the women in sports to watch on the court, field, racetrack, and boardrooms over the next year.

A perfect match. Serena Williams is Bumble’s new Global Advisor, part of a yearlong partnership between the highest-paid female athlete and the self-described female-first dating app. Williams says she hopes to help women “to think like a champion, define their lives and ultimately, embrace the power we have within.”

Soap’s sexist history. The founder of oil-centric skincare brand Crude has become an advocate for abolishing soap, saying advertisers used messaging to persuade American wives that a daily, full-body soap cleanse was necessary for a happy marriage. Plus, she claims it includes unnecessary synthetic cleansers and exfoliants responsible for inflammatory skin diseases like acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema.

Boosting the family business. Four sisters saw an opportunity to save their mother’s shoe factory by redesigning its products and working with local artisans. Their brand, Kaanas, now appears nationwide in stores like Nordstrom Shopbop, Anthropologie, and ASOS.

In the latest Success With Moira video, Moira Forbes talks with actress-turned-entrepreneur Sarah Michelle Gellar about how she’s silencing skeptics and making her mark on the $7 billion dollar baking industry. “Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you,” Gellar says. “For every person that doesn't want to help you out, there are so many people that just want to offer advice and who have been through it.”

#1: Bring your whole self to work. Levi’s CMO Jennifer Sey avoided talking about writing and publishing her memoir because she was worried her coworkers would think she wasn’t committed to her job. Turns out, owning her passions outside of work actually helped her career.

#2: Define your expertise. Instead of leading with where you went to school or what roles you’ve held, your skills are actually the currency that will help you navigate your career. Your area of expertise will define what roles you’re qualified to fill.

#3: Learn to brag. An unwillingness to talk honestly about what you’ve accomplished can harm your career. Here’s how to get more comfortable with sharing your achievements.