The world of work isn’t the same as when our parents (or if you’re a Gen Z-er, your grandparents) were coming up the ranks. Industries are evolving rapidly and we live in a state of constant change. Unlike me, people don’t tend to stay 10+ years at their place of work. Today, knowing how to reinvent yourself is a must.
In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lesley Jane Seymour, former Editor-in-Chief of More Magazine and founder of Covey Club, a community for women over 40 seeking reinvention.
Lesley shares her own journey of reinventing herself after the magazine's closure. Her insights into the evolving landscape of work, the struggle for women's voices to be heard, and the persistent need for personal and professional growth resonated deeply with me.
About Lesley Jane Seymour:
Lesley Jane Seymour is a media entrepreneur and founder of CoveyClub, a club for life-long learners launched in February 2017. (A covey is a small flock of birds). CoveyClub holds a space for women 40+ while they figure out what is next for them. Women learn about reinvention through the virtual CoveyClub classes and the CoveyClub blog which is written by the best journalists around the world. CoveyClub also offers a weekly podcast called Reinvent Yourself with Lesley Jane Seymour highlighting women who have done it, tight one-on-one networking groups called Covey PODs, a private social app (CoveyConnect), 30-Day Challenges, and a yearly live bash in NOLA. Seymour is a certified Tiny Habits coach.
From 2008 to 2016, Seymour served as Editor-In-Chief of More Magazine, the leading lifestyle magazine for women over forty with a readership of 1.5 million and Editor-in-Chief and Social Media director of More.com. In July of 2015, Seymour created history by having the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, guest edit an entire issue—leading to 8.5 billion media impressions worldwide. In 2008, Seymour led More to its first National Magazine Award nomination. In 2012, Seymour was named Executive Director of Meredith’s Beauty Center of Excellence; in 2009 she was named number four on the 2009 Most Powerful Fashion Editors List by Forbes magazine. In 2024, Seymour was the winner of the ANA’s SeeHer Award honoring advocates for Gender Equality.
Before taking over More, Seymour served as the Editor-in-Chief for Marie Claire magazine, Redbook magazine, and teen book YM. She was Beauty Director of Glamour, and senior editor at Vogue. She is the author of two books: On the Edge, 100 Years of Vogue and I Wish My Parents Understood. In 2013 she was named Chair of the Editorial Advisory Board for Duke Magazine and a Global Ambassador for Vital Voices. She is a former trustee at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Key Lessons:
Embrace Reinvention: Lesley emphasizes the importance of having a reinvention plan in your back pocket. The modern work environment is rapidly changing, and being adaptable and prepared for these changes is crucial.
Importance of Mindset: A positive and open mindset is essential for success. People who are successful at reinventing themselves maintain a mindset that embraces challenges and opportunities.
Learning to Adapt: Lesley speaks about the perseverance needed in entrepreneurship, especially in creating and sustaining a community-focused business like Covey Club. Continuous learning and adaptation are key.
Value of Community: Reinventing oneself is easier with the support of a community, and surprisingly it is easier when this community is not your usual circle of friends.
Episode Notes:
00:00 - Introduction and Personal Updates
03:14 - Introducing Lesley Jane Seymour
03:52 - Lesley's Career in Print Media
04:08 - The Birth of Covey Club
05:54 - Challenges in Print Media
16:08 - Reinvention and Career Advice
18:21 - The Changing Business Landscape
27:17 - Building Covey Club
30:46 - Reflecting on Life Choices
32:18 - The Daily Hamster Wheel
33:09 - The Power of Community
37:45 - Investing in Yourself
42:51 - Mindset and Reinvention
47:40 - Learning and Adapting
51:53 - The Value of Strangers in Reinvention
55:24 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Sh*t You Need a Reinvention Plan