Julia Lynch
📍 NYC, NY | Content creator and personal brand expert
📝 Editor’s Note
One of the perks of moving from California back to North Carolina is proximity to family. In our case, we live a 5 minute walk away from brother-in-law and his wife.
This proximity works well as we’ve gotten into a cadence of trading off babysitting so that one couple can have a date night. We alternate Wednesday nights with one person from either couple going to the other couple’s house. So the date night couple goes out while the babysitting couple is divided. We typically time it for after bedtime.
I’d highly recommend it for my friends still in LA where the hourly rate for a babysitter is $35+ 😱.
Without further ado….
Why Julia?
Julia’s Instagram account, @smarterinasec was recommended by Meghan Guffey a few months back. Julia puts out great content and it's awesome to have things come full circle from a recommendation to a profile. This is what Meghan had to say about Julia, “it doesn't matter who you are, what industry or life stage you're in, Julia scours the internet, podcasts, shows, you name it and shares extremely insightful recommendations and evaluations on all the content and news out there.”
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Self-Description
I'm a varsity reader, writer, and eater. I was terrible at all childhood sports, so I got my varsity letters by burying my head in books and submitting book reviews to my local newspaper. I've translated these passions into a career in content creation & personal branding, where storytelling is the foundation of everything I do.
Julia’s Recommendations
Written in her own words…
Content
@jeanelleteves (Linkedin) (Instagram)
Jeanelle is a dear friend of mine who is the Chief Commercial Officer of Bugaboo USA. In addition to her day job, she's also a content creator who shares insight into her life as a mom of two in NYC, productivity tips, and leadership lessons. She also shares about household management and her husband's role as a stay-at-home parent, which is a perspective we don't often see on social media. I know you will learn so much from her!
Product
Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock
Sometimes I wake up at 6AM, read my book in bed, work out, and start my day. Other days, I stay up late—and wake up at 9AM gasping for air and in a sheer panic. My 2024 resolution was to create a more consistent morning routine, and the Hatch alarm clock has helped with this immensely.
At $199, it's an investment—but looks beautiful on your nightstand and wakes you up with beautiful sounds vs. a blaring alarm. I've only had it for two weeks, and already swear by it!
Digital Tools
TooGoodToGo
Every time I use this app, I'm always thinking...ok, there's gotta be a catch!!! And there isn't. It's an app dedicated to ending restaurant food waste—and passing off soon-to-expire foods to consumers at a deep discount. I've snagged $40 worth of food from Juice Press for $10, $60 worth of Eataly goods, and more cheap deals otherwise unheard of in NYC. The app is available in major cities across the US and expanding rapidly.
Well-Being
End-of-day WFH 'commute'
As someone who works 100% from home, it's easy to be tethered to my computer. Last year, I implemented a "commute" for myself—a walk that I take every day around 5:30PM to signal the end of my workday. It's done wonders for my mental health and is a way for me to unwind and ease into the evening (whether I'm staying in or going out).
Watch
NYAD
If you're looking for a kick in the a** to start 2024, look no further than NYAD. It's a movie about sixty-four-year-old marathon swimmer Diana Nyad, who was the first person to ever swim from Cuba to Florida.
Starring Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, you will be sobbing by the end (and evermore inspired to achieve your goals).
Food & Drink
These two recipes never fail to impress guests (and pair perfectly for dinner parties). Plus, they make for great leftovers!
Chrissy Tiegen's Chicken Lettuce Wraps (I omit the vegetable oil in the sauce as well as the water chestnuts)
What's Gaby Cooking's Rainbow Summer Rolls (I make the dipping sauce with PB2 and omit avocado so the rolls stay all week)
Hillrock Estate Distillery
A dirty little secret about the whiskey industry...most whiskey brands don't make their own whiskey. Not Hillrock! They are one of the few distilleries in the world that grow, distill, and bottle everything onsite in the Hudson Valley. This results in a super smooth taste that will convert any whiskey doubter. As a dessert lover who would rather have a margarita cupcake than a margarita, I only drink when I feel like it's worth it. Hillrock and nice wine are my only exceptions. My favorite is the Solera Aged Bourbon.
Professional
Scent pairing
As someone who has a large collection of candles (and continues to acquire more), I recently came up with a way to enjoy my candles a bit more strategically. I now pair my candles with a specific task (cleaning, cooking dinner, working out, WFH, reading in bed). The scent of the candles often pushes me through when I'm feeling unmotivated. More context in the Reel linked above!
Gift
Travertine Eucalpytus Steam Shower Spray
The best shower spray out there. I adore this Black-owned small business, and have purchased over a dozen times since I discovered this product a few years ago (for gifts AND to replace the bottles my sister stole). This eucalyptus scent is SO strong and lingers! I've tried other brands, but their scents dissipate within seconds. This brand is truly superior.
The perfect gift for new parents, "people who have everything," and anyone who could use a bit of self-care.
Music
MOM get out of my room!!
All millennials will appreciate this angsty Spotify playlist, which is stacked with songs from Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Ocean Avenue, and more.
Travel
Domestic Travel Destination: Philly! I lived in Philly for two years while my BF was getting his MBA at Wharton, and WOW. An unmatched restaurant scene, great cost of living, and so many cultural activities. I'm embarrassed that even though I'm from NJ, I only went to Philly once before moving there. More of my Philly favorites here:
International Travel Destination: Mallorca. Such a magical place. I went last fall, and was blown away by the food (fresh seafood), low cost, and history (many artists have homes in Mallorca as an escape from Barcelona). I stayed at the El Llorenç Parc De La Mar (standout boutique hotel), but highly recommend booking a massage / spa treatment at Cap Rocat.
Travel Hack. This hack caused some controversy on IG & TikTok, but if you have a few extra items that you can't fit into your carry-on, hide an extra bag in a paper bag from an airport vendor. More of the nitty-gritty here:
Amazon
White Wooden Chain
I moved back to NYC this summer, but am still putting the finishing touches on my apartment. This white wooden chain is the perfect item to stack on coffee table books (and adds elegance for only $25!)
Open
Be the instigator and make it happen. I’m 30, which means that my friends are in vastly different life stages. Some are single, some are married & have kids, and some are in serious relationships. With every passing year, I know that the window to take long, international trips with friends is closing 😔. So if you want to travel…pitch it to your friend group and take action! Or go solo! (I'm currently in Buenos Aires with friends, so I had to share this rec!)
Plug
You can find me on Instagram @smarterinasec and TikTok @smarterinasec
You can also subscribe to my weekly Substack VARSITY READER, where I share article roundups, career tips, and more
If you're interested in working with me as a career coach, feel free to book time with me directly on my website: https://smarterinasec.com/. I've helped hundreds of people navigate major career changes, launch consulting businesses, secure board positions, and so much more.
P.S. For those doing dry January or looking for a solid NA option, my wife highly recommends Non-Alcoholic Corona. Pop a lime in there and find your beach…..Friend of the program, Matt Huang also wrote about several solid NA options.