Connection is a Wellness Practice

There are three fundamental principles that I try to abide by as both an entrepreneur and as a human being. These are the things that drive me every day. They’re my guiding force, my “why.” Last month I kicked off this series with the case for staying curious. Act Three will hold musings on all things creativity, but today I’m honing in on Act Two: the steadfast power of connection and how it serves me as the founder of MoGlow. – Mozh                     

Connecting the dots 

You know that buzz you feel after a stimulating conversation? It’s electric. The signs are all there: they’re making just the right amount of eye contact, their body language is engaged, they’re asking you thoughtful follow-up questions, they’re really listening to you—you feel seen. This is the kind of spark that I’m seeking every day, beyond the surface-level pleasantries, deeper than the “good, thanks, how are you?” The exhilaration of truly meaningful connection. 

Seeking connection has always been a through-line in my life, a practice that has set both my personal and professional life up for success. To understand and to be understood is an art that requires patience and effort, and trust me, it’s well worth it. Here’s how connecting deeper takes you farther in your relationships and improves your well-being, too.

As a general rule, I prefer to limit the small-talk weather forecast and cut to the good stuff. This doesn’t mean there aren’t levels to my communication with folks (I’m not going around asking my colleagues to share their insecurities); it just means that I make a concerted effort to truly get to know people—when appropriate. For the introverted, this may sound like a nightmare, but everyone has to find their own approach. My secret to connecting with ease is presence. 

If I’m engaging in conversation with someone, I try my best to momentarily put my own thoughts aside and really listen. It’s an exercise in mindfulness and can even feel meditative. I ask follow-ups to further grasp where someone is coming from, and I make mental notes to check in the next time I see them.

It takes a little extra effort when you’re constantly travelling, which I am! Over time, I’ve learned that meaningful relationships are not self-executing. It’s not always “convenient”, but that’s not the point. To stay engaged with the people I care about, I proactively reach out—even when the calendar is full. Whether it’s in-person or sharing a quick photo over text, touching base regularly is a priority for me because it makes us all feel good. 

That being said, a good conversation is a two-way street. When I create space for someone to open up to me, I’m prepared to get in the ring myself. Vulnerability creates depth, and when we’re willing to share our challenges, excitements, and uncertainties, we make room for others to do the same. When I lead with candor and openness, I find that my relationships, be it with my family, friends, or a new acquaintance, become rooted in authenticity and are stronger as a result.

Professionally speaking 

Over the course of my 30-year career in legal, and now, as the founder of a beauty brand,I’ve learned how important it is to truly engage with the people I work with. If I don’t take the time to get to know my colleagues—who they are as humans, how they live their lives, manage their time, the things that inspire them—how can I help create an effective work environment? We have to really get to know each other to learn how to work well together. 

Trust is another essential ingredient and a core foundation of our work at MoGlow. I believe people do their best work when they know that their ideas are valued—and it’s reciprocal. Bringing the brand vision to life required people who could see our perspective and understood our intent behind high-quality, luxury, and intuitive form and function. We all needed to bring expertise that complemented one another. Every stage of the process benefited from collaboration, trust, and open communication.

It’s straight forward: strong working relationships create a better culture and ultimately better work. It’s good for business! It literally pays to connect. When people feel understood and supported, they become more engaged, more creative, and more invested in the outcome, and this doesn’t just apply to the workplace.

For your health and wellbeing

Connecting is a ritual for better relationships and a better life. Social connection has been scientifically proven to lower stress, improve heart health, and strengthen the immune system. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with stronger social bonds have a 50% increased likelihood of survival than those with fewer connections. Spending time with your friends actually contributes to each other’s longevity. Permission to cement “hangouts” as part of your wellness routine: granted.

Connection has been a core pillar of MoGlow since the beginning. As a business, I believe the strong relationships we’ve forged have become our greatest competitive advantage. The positive ripple effect from having the right people around the table has helped transform our idea into a premium product and ultimately, into a successful launch earlier this year. And perhaps, that's the biggest lesson I've taken away from this journey: products are built by people, but great products are built by those who are deeply connected to each other and share the same vision.

Check back soon for part three of my Founder journey series: How to Become More Creative. Coming soon!