How the Founder and CEO of Create & Cultivate Starts a Productive Workday

What's the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before you dive into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine.

Tune in every week here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

Jaclyn Johnson is one of those people who make me ask, "How does she do it all?” As the founder and CEO of Create & Cultivate—the fastest-growing digital platform and IRL conference for ambitious millennial women—author, and podcast host of WorkParty, Johnson has been helping pave the way for other female entrepreneurs to build the career of their dreams. 

While Johnson certainly keeps her schedule full of projects and meetings, she also understands that carving out time for her morning self-care routine, especially during quarantine, has been beneficial to her overall work/life balance. 

From her daily list-making habit down to her Nespresso pod of choice, keep scrolling for everything Johnson does and uses in the mornings to set up her day for success. 

6:15 A.M.

Morning! I typically start my day early, before the craziness of the workday begins. Usually, I am woken up by my two pups, Winnie and Noah, and the first thing I do is go on a walk with them.

7:30 A.M.

Next up, personal training! I have started a three-week HIIT personal-training program with my quarantine pod. If lockdown has taught me anything, it’s how to just veg out and eat (and drink) to your heart's content, so I knew I wanted to get back in shape in this new year.

I have been obsessed with Girlfriend Collective leggings, which are made out of recycled water bottles, and, of course, my Allbirds sneakers and cozy Feat hoodie. 

8:30 A.M.

Okay, time to get ready to work from home! I usually keep the vibes pretty minimal given I am just heading to my home office. Skincare-wise, I usually stick to the same routine: exfoliate using Codex Beauty Bia Exfoliating Wash, followed by Onekind serum and facial oil, and then topped with Codex Beauty Day Cream.

If I am spending time outside, I would always add Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen.

8:45 A.M.

For my makeup, I definitely like to keep my routine primarily low-key and clean. I use Merit's The Minimalist foundation stick, Kosas's Blush and Highlighter Duo, Honest Beauty's brow brush, and Thrive Causemetics' Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara.

And for lips, I love the KKW Beauty clear gloss and Saie's Really Great Gloss. 

9 A.M.

List-making and coffee time! I'll make a cup and top it with Califia Farms oat milk before starting my list writing. I obviously use our Create & Cultivate office supplies line at Kohl’s. Some of my favorites include the spiral notebook (the best notebook, IMO), sticky notes (a must for ideas!), and cute binder clips. I redo my to-do list every day to keep up with important items! 

9:15 A.M.

Time to record an episode of my podcast, WorkParty. I get to interview awesome women such as Barbara Corcoran, Tyra Banks, Sophia Bush, and more. We are dropping a ton of new episodes, which you can check out on Apple Podcasts.

Up next: My Skincare Line Puts Emotional Wellness First—This Is How I Prioritize Mine