Celebrity Stylist Olori Swank Isn't Afraid To Take Time Away From Boss Chick Mode
As a part of our Friday Nights, Saturday Mornings feature, we're talking to some of our favorite boss ladies about their weekends, their way. How do they relax, recharge and refuel? As we all know, life shouldn't be all about work. It's what we do beyond business and career that help keep us motivated and able to dominate for the week ahead.
Serial entrepreneur, celebrity fashion stylist, and author Olori Swank is a busy woman. On any given day, her schedule can include working with clients, running her clothing boutique Swank Blue, and managing her digital platform for ecommerce entrepreneurs, eBoutique 101. Olori keeps it real on how she decompresses, refuels, and takes time for self - even though her day-to-day can be a bit unconventional.
Here's how Olori does her weekend, her way:
How Olori spends her Friday Nights:
"I've learned to stop living my life for the weekend, so there's nothing too different that happens on a Friday night than any other night of the week. The routine isn't particularly the same on every Friday either. I tend to gravitate towards activities my spirit is craving the most at that moment. It could be anything from diving into a new book (Atomic Habits by James Clear is a current fave); to writing a new book (I'm currently working on my fifth one). Some Fridays I want to be more social, so I'll cook and invite a few of my close girlfriends over to eat, drink champagne and chat about whatever we have going on in our lives at the moment. These nights are definitely way more meaningful than hanging out at the club and I feel have done a lot more to strengthen our friendships."
Courtesy of Olori Swank
"I've learned to stop living my life for the weekend, so there's nothing too different that happens on a Friday night than any other night of the week. I tend to gravitate towards activities my spirit is craving the most at that moment."
How she powers up on Saturday Mornings:
"On Saturdays, I'm typically up at around 4 AM or 5 AM (even when I try to do the "sleep-in" thing, I'm still up by 5:30/6). What I do with the rest of my day really depends on the projects I have going that week. If I'm in the middle of something major, I'm typically working on Saturday (which I've come to realize, I actually enjoy the most out of all my activities.) If my workload isn't as heavy, I enjoy ordering some breakfast and doing puzzles. The more challenging the puzzle is, the more excited my inner nerd is. Regardless of my workload, I always try to do wellness checks on various friends. A simple phone call asking how someone is doing can go a very long way."
Courtesy of Olori Swank
"If my workload isn't as heavy, I enjoy ordering some breakfast and doing puzzles. The more challenging the puzzle is, the more excited my inner nerd is."
Olori’s ideal Girls' Night:
"My favorite way to catch up on girls' night is to cook and invite everyone to come over for dinner. My friends and I also have random mastermind sessions. Everyone will come over with a notebook, laptop, and a bottle of wine or champagne. We'll strategize and drink until the mastermind eventually turns into us blasting trap music as loud as the speakers go and having a full-out dance party in my living room."
Courtesy of Olori Swank
How recharging helps her business:
"Taking time away from business from time-to-time is good because when you walk away from something to go experience something else, you return with a different perspective. Oftentimes my breaks from boss chick mode allow me to do my work better when I return because I have a new, fresh perspective."
Connect with Olori Swank on Instagram @oloriswank.
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Rana Campbell is a Princeton University graduate, storyteller, content marketing strategist, and the founder and host of Dreams In Drive - a weekly podcast that teaches you how to take your dreams from PARK to DRIVE. She loves teaching others how to use their life stories to inspire action within oneself and others. Connect with her on Instagram @rainshineluv or @dreamsindrive.
This Couple Almost Let Their 8-Year Age Gap Keep Them From Finding Love With One Another
How We Met is a series where xoNecole talks love and relationships with real-life couples. We learn how they met, how like turned into love, and how they make their love work.
I’m willing to bet that this is not the first time you’ve seen this couple. Dalen Spratt is a television producer, owner of a tailored men's suit line, and creator of Ghost Brothers: Haunted Houseguests, which is currently streaming on Destination America. Stacey Spratt is also a serial entrepreneur, focusing mostly on events and the nonprofit world, and she is the owner of two award-winning craft beer bars called Harlem Hops. But their accolades are not what united them.
The couple met years ago at their alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, when they were still working to create the life they have now, and if you had told them then that they’d eventually tie the knot, the pair probably would’ve laughed in your face.
Today, they’re new parents, flourishing in their careers, and each others’ “teammates.” When desiring love, Dalen recommends not looking to other couples for advice. And Stacey advises staying true to what you want. “Don’t put age or limitations on love and children. If God could do it for me, why can’t he do it for you?”
Here's How We Met.
How did you meet?
Dalen: We met in 2005 when she was advising the Greek sororities and fraternities in college. She was old as hell in college, and I was a young buck (laughs). Everybody had a crush on her, but I didn’t think much of it. Then, in 2007, we were in the same grad school class, but she still wasn’t trying to see me then either. I had to catch her five years ago; I was very patient.
Stacey: Yeah, everybody in our grad school class called him Young, Fresh to Death because he was always dressed in B-school (what CAU affectionately refers to as business major classes), and we’d just wear sweatpants (laughs).
So, I know Dalen was always attracted to you. But what about you? Did your attraction to him develop over time?
Stacey: So 2006-2008 – all the years went by. I don’t think we were really thinking about each other at all back then. Years later, I had an event in Dallas, and I booked him to be a speaker. Then, a few years ago, Dalen posted a photo of him on Instagram, and I slid in his DMs. I remembered him being so young and handsome, and I’m like, I should hook him up with my younger cousin. His response was: "If you’re not hooking me up with you, no thank you." But I still thought he was too young at the time, and he started pulling receipts. Taraji P. Henson was dating someone young at the time, Gabrielle Union–
Dalen: First of all, I didn’t do that. You did that.
Stacey: Okay, I did. I thought he was a cutie pie, but that age thing was on my mind!
"Dalen posted a photo of him on Instagram, and I slid in his DMs. I remembered him being so young and handsome, and I’m like, I should hook him up with my younger cousin. His response was: 'If you’re not hooking me up with you, no thank you.'"
Courtesy
Talk to me about the first date. How did he change your mind?
Stacey: Our first date was at Tin Lizzy's in Atlanta. During that time, he was living in Dallas, so it was long-distance. But he came into town, and we just had a good time. We talked a lot, which we still do. It wasn’t anything fantastic.
Dalen: Don’t downplay our first date.
Then, walk me through your courtship. How did you get to the next level? What was that conversation like?
Stacey: I think he knew at age 43 or 44 I wasn’t playing around. But also, I think it just naturally progressed.
Dalen: Yeah, it just happened naturally. And I’m going to be honest, I don’t think initially either one of us thought it would be as serious as it was. She thought I was too young and I wasn’t ready for marriage, kids, and all that. I think we both thought we were just hanging out. But after spending so much time together, a lot of stuff started happening. Like, she had to have surgery early on. It wasn’t just time together; it was intimate time. Next thing we know, we just never left each other. That’s why we still don’t have an anniversary date because we never really asked.
"It wasn't just time together; it was intimate time. Next thing we know, we just never left each other. That's why we still don't have an anniversary date because we never really asked."
What made you want to commit to each other?
Dalen: The moment I knew Stacey was for me was from a phone call. I don’t really like talking on the phone, and I can be really blunt sometimes. But we were talking, and I said, ‘I don’t really feel like talking anymore.’ And she was just like, okay, and hung up. I wasn’t trying to be rude, and she understood that. It sounds bad, but that’s how I knew she just got me. I felt like she could get my random awkward moments, and she does to this day.
Stacey: For me, I liked him as a person. Even when times get rough and tough, I could still like him as a human. He is my best friend. We have time. We laugh until we cry, and it’s just always like that. Even when we get pissed at each other, something happens, and we fix it. Also, how he treats his mother. That’s a momma’s boy, but I’m a daddy’s girl – so I get it. I know how I want to be treated, and I see how he is with her and that’s beautiful.
What are some important lessons you’ve learned about yourself through loving your partner in this relationship?
Dalen: I grew up an only child and she grew up with siblings. So, when you have someone who is used to doing things by themselves, there is definitely a learning curve when you get into a serious relationship. It’s funny now, but it was definitely a process.
Stacey: I agree – definitely the only child thing. There’s times I look at him like, did you ever live with anyone else? That comes from being momma's baby, too. I have to say, my “mother-in-love” spoiled him. But also with Axel (their daughter), that brings another level of patience.
Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
What was the biggest challenge that you had to overcome together?
Dalen: We’ve gone through a lot within the years we’ve been together. We suffered two miscarriages – I’d say that’s the biggest.
Stacey: Having those miscarriages and trying to understand what’s next and what our options are was a lot. I had two myomectomies (fibroid surgeries), and he supported me through that time. Also, still, it was on my mind that he’s eight years younger than me. I was wondering if I can’t carry [a child] what that looks like for us. We had very real conversations pretty early in our relationship.
"Having those miscarriages and trying to understand what’s next and what our options are was a lot. I had two myomectomies (fibroid surgeries), and he supported me through that time. Also, still, it was on my mind that he’s eight years younger than me."
What do you fight the most about?
Dalen: Nagging. Stacey nags; she’s a complainer. She’s that momma that will look in a room and just hunt for something to complain about. Like, I’m worried for Axel when she's in high school.
Stacey: It’s because I like things to be in place. He leaves stuff all over the place. I can tell where he’s been in the house because something is left around. So he says I’m nagging – but it’s like, just get your stuff.
What are your love languages?
Dalen: Stacey is gifts all day.
Stacey: *thinks*
Dalen: We’ve talked about this. xoNecole is about to cause problems in our home (laughs).
Stacey: Obviously I love you. *thinks again* It’s words of affirmation.
Dalen: That’s it.
What’s your favorite thing about each other?
Dalen: I’ve always respected her business-mindedness. That may sound superficial, but it’s not because I’ve never been with someone who thinks like me. It’s one of my most treasured things about her. I remember one day, I was just running through ideas with her, and each time Stacey had a suggestion on how I could make it better. It’s just very comforting. She takes whatever I’m doing and elevates it – including me.
Stacey: I love Dalen’s hustle and creativity. He’s been on multiple shows, and he continues to create, produce, and reinvent himself and the product he’s putting out. I love that we can create together and bounce things off each other. Even though we may be in different arenas, there’s nothing he can’t offer me great advice about. I love that drive.
Finally, how did you know it was love?
Dalen: Well – she said it – first. (laughs)
Stacey: And he looked at me and smiled! He didn’t say it back. We were on a trip, out of the country.
Dalen: We were arguing when she said it, and she just threw it out.
Stacey: But we continue to do that. We’ve spent holidays and everything outside of the country.
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Russell Wilson Opens Up About The ‘Gift’ Of Being A Stepfather And The List That Led Him To Ciara
Russell Wilson is opening up about the divine moment he knew he was ready to take on the title of a father.
During an interview with the I AM ATHLETE podcast, the 35-year-old Denver Broncos quarterback opened up about the moment he knew Ciara was the one. This realization occurred after he listed the qualities he desired in a woman during a dinner with a friend. In a remarkable twist of fate, he met Ciara just three days after jotting down those qualities, which fit the R&B singer to a tee.
RUSSELL WILSON: The Climb To Winning | I AM ATHLETE Podcast
“Right before I met [Ciara], I wrote out my five non-negotiables,” Wilson told the host, I AM ATHLETE. His list detailed his future wife to be “a woman of faith,” a woman that was faithful, had her own identity and her own dreams, someone “that was going to love me the way my mom loved my dad on his deathbed, when he was at his lowest," and most notably "a woman who would tilt the room," which he explained as a woman that "when she walked in the room, all the furniture would slide her way... because of who she is and the woman she is."
“... And so I prayed about that … I wrote it out actually on a napkin at dinner,” he continued. “... Three days later I meet [Ciara]."
After developing feelings for the “Crush” singer, Wilson was then introduced to Ciara’s son, Future Zahir Wilburn, and soon felt a divine calling to step in and become a stepfather to the Future.
Russell Wilson on Meeting Ciara’s Son Baby Future for the First Time
"When I walked in the room and I saw, you know, little Future — he's nine months at the time or whatever — he crawls in my lap and it was like, you know, this is going to be my responsibility," Wilson recalls to the hosts. "I remember leaving that night and God said, saying to me, 'Raising this child it's going to be your responsibility.' I prayed to God, asking 'Are you sure this is what you want me to do?' He said, 'Son, this is for you.'"
Although Wilson found the initial notion of stepping into a father-figure role to be scary, he saw it as an opportunity aligned with God's plan.
"Yeah, I think scary in just the sense of, not scary but it was just more so an opportunity, like, 'Okay God, this is what you want me to do?' You know stepping in to raise a child with Ci and this and that and realizing ok God I know she's the one for me but also I'm going to take this responsibility as well…” the Super Bowl champion shared.
Russell Wilson On the 'Gift' of Being a Father
“I was ready for that," he added, “...What a gift.”
He continued, "Even Jesus himself, like Joseph, he was a stepdad. I was like, 'Okay.' He wasn't biologically his. So okay God, you're going to give me this opportunity to love the way that you were loved, the love that you want us to love."
Wilson and Ciara married in July 2016 and a year later, their first child, Sienna Princess Wilson, was born. The couple then welcomed their second son, Win, and in December 2023, they celebrated the arrival of their third child, daughter Amora.
For Wilson, the greatest gift is to be able to raise children with Ciara and be a beaming example of what a loving and present father — and husband — can be.
“When you’re raising children… you’ve got to love every single child as if they’re yours,” he said. “That's been the greatest gift of raising Future, Sienna, Win, and now Amora. It’s like, man, God gave me that opportunity to raise them and to love them and to care for them… And there's no difference.”
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