Five Successful Women Take Their Industries by Storm

FROM LEFT: Jill Martin, Alana Varel, Nicole Petallides, Amy Palmer, Rita Hazan

JILL MARTIN
Fashion and beauty contributor, Today Show; reporter, the New York Knicks; author, Fashion for Dummies
What’s your best fashion advice for women trying to balance a fashion-forward wardrobe and appropriate clothing for work?
“You need to have all the basics in your wardrobe, and then
you can incorporate trendy pieces. I’m a big fan of statement jewelry; I think it’s great to be the girl with the fab necklace.”

ALANA VAREL
Cofounder and COO, Starworks, a communications agency that connects brands with Hollywood stars
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten and still follow?
“The people that you see while heading to the top are the same people you’re going to see if, for some reason, you falter, so be nice to everybody. Regardless of where someone falls on the spectrum of life, you may actually learn something from them.”

NICOLE PETALLIDES
Anchor, Fox Business Network
If you Google your name, one of the first searches that pops up is “Nicole Petallides legs.” Does it bother you that people sometimes focus more on your appearance than your work?
“Television news is visual—great graphics, great headlines, great video, and sometimes, great legs. I’m kidding a bit—obviously the focus is always the news—but why not be smart and glamorous?”

AMY PALMER
Host, executive producer and founder, PowerWomenTV, a Web series that focuses on today’s working woman; TV celebrity news reporter, In Touch Weekly
What’s the perfect “power woman” outfit?
“Something that a woman can put on and feel feminine, sexy and powerful all at the same time. I think Diane von Furstenberg designs beautiful clothes for women. She’s also an incredible woman in terms of branding, business and lifestyle.”

RITA HAZAN
Celebrity colorist, whose clients include Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez and Brooke Shields
Some people skimp at the salon because they don’t want to seem vain—what’s your argument for spending a little cash on a great cut and color?
“When your hair color and cut are right for you, you look and feel beautiful and people take notice in a positive way. I watch women walk out of my salon with a swagger, like they know they look good, and that is priceless.”