Philanthropist, Businesswoman, Parent, Author, Model
www.care.org

Christy Turlington has been a figure in the zeitgeist for nearly 20 years; she is a supermodel, entrepreneur, yogi, author, activist, and mom. She’s been on the cover of countless magazines, including Vogue and Time; she started two companies - Nuala and Sundari - lifestyle clothing and skincare respectively, which spring from her innate connection to eastern philosophy. She’s traveled to Afghanistan and throughout Africa to communicate messages of peace and inspiration to women and those who are struggling to transcend circumstances of poverty and illness. She is a powerhouse in every sense of the word: she is creative, productive, and receptive to change and new ideas. Indeed, these are the qualities of great Ladies Who Launch.

What I learned from Christy: From heartache can come balance. Measure the success of a project by the quality of the relationships.

Model to Mogul

From the moment I was a fulltime model, after graduating from High School and moving to NYC, I was making a plan to go back to school and finish my degree at NYU. I never thought that I would have such a successful run for as long as I did, nor did I think I would have to tear myself away from a “career” to finally fulfill my dream. I knew that I would keep seeking new adventures, and completing my education was definitely an adventure. In terms of timing, I had already been modeling for many years and when you do something for a long time - whether there are alluring aspects to it or not - the excitement fades to some extent. Going back to school, starting two businesses, writing a book… all of these have been wonderful challenges that I’ve sought out and learned from.

It Takes More than Good Genes…

I am forever grateful to my parents for their genes that allowed me such a privileged life, and for the array of experience that has come from such an odd career. My success in one field completely paved way for other (fields). But, I owe that success to my ability to make solid and lasting relationships throughout my life.

Turning Points

It took some time to realize how to begin to take control of my life and take actions toward a future that I wanted, as opposed to just running with an opportunity such as becoming a fashion model. I was fourteen when I was approached and it was more than ten years later that I realized that I had more to learn about myself. Quitting smoking at the age of 26 and then returning to school were the two most important choices I made for myself. Both earned my own self-respect, which was more important than any one else’s.

On Fear, Doubt and Failure

I had more fears about the future when I was very young. I think those fears had more to do with the unknown, coupled with an impatience to get out and see the world. Later in life, I had some fears about whether or not I would find a soul mate and then again I experienced a healthy dose of fear of failure when launching my businesses. My yoga practice helped me to work through any of those feelings and keep me focused on the present tense rather than fearful about the future.

Brilliance While Lying on her Back

When I went back to school, I put the rest of my life on the back burner. I was incredibly fortunate to have a few contractual relationships, specifically Calvin Klein and Maybelline, who were incredibly supportive of my decision and worked really hard to schedule around classes. As I was finishing up my degree I started to have an abundance of business ideas, many of which came to me during yoga classes while in Sivasana pose.

Need + Brains = Invention

Sometimes, the busier you are, the more productive you are. When I had the idea to start Nuala, I was literally running from school, to yoga class, to my Sundari office, all the while popping in and out of meetings and even the occasional airport. Needing some kind of apparel that could carry me throughout that kind of day resulted in the creation of Nuala.

The “Don’t Think… Just Do” Strategy

I am forever trying to get a better hold on my energy. I could certainly be more efficient. Sometimes I think I function better when I don’t have the time to think about how I am going to juggle life!

True Success is About Relationships

Success is when you can look around yourself and see a diverse collection of friends who conjure up memories that bring a smile to your face. My partners and I went through it with Sundari but we are all great friends now and have moved on to building our families. Any business endeavor that results in lasting friendships is a successful one.

Taking Good Care

A combination of things keeps me centered. And when they don’t, they help bring me back to center. Those things include spending focused time with my family, nurturing my own well-being (whether it’s making sure I eat well or practice yoga or find quiet time to read), and finding time for various charitable endeavors.

What’s Now and What’s Next

I have been focused on being an ambassador for PRODUCT (RED) as well as working with the organization CARE (www.care.org). Right now, I am not looking for new business opportunities, per se, but I am certainly keeping myself open to recognizing opportunities and being prepared to jump in when they present themselves. I still enjoy writing very much and some day I hope to attempt another book - but at an entirely different pace from the last one.

Doing Good vs. Doing Business

The two, at least for me as a businesswoman, cannot - and, rather, need not - be separate. The companies that I started, both Sundari and Nuala, incorporate philanthropic aspect to their core brand identity. Through both of them, and through my own company Turly, Inc., I have had the great fortune of partnering with organizations from V-Day and Peacewomen.org to CancerCare, the One Campaign, and (RED). In fact, PRODUCT (RED) is a terrific example of how business and “doing good in the world” can affect change in harmony, both at a consumer level as well as a global level. I think a great challenge to the business world - and one that I believe will only become more important - will be to really consider the global community, rather than just the global consumer.

Helpful Mantra’s

In the past I often used “let go” as a personal mantra and find that it is a good one, for me at least, because it is all too easy to hang on to much more than necessary.

Looking Back

I know better than to spend too much time thinking about regrets when I have been so blessed and learned so much - though that’s not to say there aren’t moments when the name of an ex-boyfriend comes up and I get chills. Once again, yoga has helped me to stay right here, right now, while regret is about living in the past.

All Priorities Are Not Equal

I think that making my family my priority makes it easier to find the balance in every other aspect of my life. I also know that being fulfilled personally can come through many channels. Recognizing that there are aspects of my life that I need to nurture for myself - from my philanthropic work to taking the time to read a great book - only makes me more whole for my family.

On Women and Men

I envy the ability men have to live in the moment and truly focus on what is in front of them with little to no effort. Sadly, they often do this to the detriment of many of their relationships, whereas we women have a hard time NOT considering others with little to no effort. I am proud of our ability as women to empathize and nurture. I watch my son and daughter and am amazed at how different the sexes truly are. I still hope they surprise me as they evolve, though.

Everyday Teachers

I have had many teachers throughout my life and continue to learn every day. Everyone from my yoga instructor to my agent to my mom and sisters and husband, and even myself, I consider to be teachers. My career, too, has been a great teacher. I have had many years in an industry that has helped me learn how to value myself because while so much focus was being paid to what was happening on the outside of me I was able to really delve inward ironically. Presently, my children have become my teachers. I would say that they are my yoga and parenting is a practice like any other spiritual practice.

Advice to Fellow Launchers

Find a way to do what you love. Be brave and be true to your values. There is always some need for compromise, but often less than you might think.

Christy’s Favorite Quote:

“Be a lamp unto yourself” - Buddha

This Featured Lady was profiled by writer Kathy Freston, author of The One: Discovering The Secrets of Soul Mate Love.