Latest news with #Defy
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sephora knocks £50 off 'masculine' aftershave in time for Father's Day
'I love how great and masculine my husband smells when he uses this fragrance, is a very perfect one for every occasion. Is also a long lasting one!' Sephora has knocked more than £50 off a 'masculine' designer scent that could be a great option for Father's Day gifts. Calvin Klein Defy Eau de Toilette would usually cost £83 for a 100ml bottle but has dropped down to £29.05 for a limited time. It opens up with notes of bergamot and lavender before settling into a heart of vetiver and an amber base for something all round 'masculine'. It was crafted by Anne Flipo, Pascal Gaurin and Loc Dong who are all well established perfumers having worked on YSL Libre, Tom Ford's Amber Intrigue (£300) and Rabanne Phantom (£72) respectively. Defy has been described as a mature scent making it ideal for gifting for Father's Day. It's said to be fresh and masculine without being overpowering. Defy has pulled in over 390 five-star reviews on Sephora. One shopper said: "I love how great and masculine my husband smells when he uses this fragrance, is a very perfect one for every occasion. Is also a long lasting one!" A second penned: "My husband and I both love the scent of this cologne. It's definitely masculine, but it does have a lovely freshness to it as well. It's not overwhelming and settles nicely while not completely disappearing after a few hours. Overall we love it and would recommend it to others!" A third wrote: "It smells like something an older man would wear to be honest. My husband was not a fan - doesn't mean others wouldn't like it though. Just a more mature scent than he normally goes for." While this might not be the best option for younger men, this could make it a great option for Father's Day. A fourth added: "Lovely perfume is the new fragrance from Calvin Klein that will make you feel amazing. It's a fresh and floral lovely, packaging, projection, and value for money and an scent that defies expectations and captures your personality and versatility . Whether you're going out for a date, a meeting, or a casual day, Lovely perfume will enhance your mood and your confidence."
Forbes
28-04-2025
- Forbes
Second Chances, Stronger Teams: Leadership Lessons From Prison
April is Second Chance Month, a national effort to recognize the importance of giving people with criminal records a fair opportunity to rebuild their lives. But it's also a chance for leaders—of companies, communities, and families—to examine our own beliefs about talent, trust, and what it means to grow. I have had the rare privilege of volunteering inside York Correctional Institution, a women's prison in Connecticut. I joined Defy Ventures, a national nonprofit that equips incarcerated individuals with the tools, mindsets, and support to succeed as entrepreneurs and leaders. The women of York Correctional Facility have a lot to teach us about leadership. The people I met through Defy's in-prison program taught me lessons about leadership as potent as any business school course or retreat. Their lessons were raw, real, and—if we're willing to learn from them—deeply relevant to how we build stronger individuals, teams, and organizations. The women in this program have made serious mistakes. Some are serving long sentences. But they've also made a different kind of choice—one to reflect, to forgive, and to rebuild. One participant had become an expert in creating full meals using a paper bag, chip wrappers, and a hair dryer. Another aspired to launch a funeral transportation business for underserved families. A third hoped to be chosen to give the graduation speech at the end of her cohort's entrepreneurship training. They each displayed what psychologists call a 'growth mindset,' paired with extraordinary resilience. In a world that often values speed and scale, their commitment to self-awareness, creative expression, and joy—even behind bars—was a powerful reminder: leadership begins with how we lead ourselves. When we talk about diversity of thought, we rarely imagine a prison gymnasium full of women in khaki uniforms, brainstorming mobile party planning businesses or repair services. And yet, what I witnessed was some of the most inspiring collaboration I've ever seen. The mutual support and collaboration among the Defy participants is a model for any team. These women practice active listening. They build each other up. They share real-time feedback with a spirit of generosity and accountability. It's the kind of culture every team claims to want—and few actually build. Great leadership isn't about charisma or control. It's about creating the conditions for creativity, trust, and shared growth. And that's exactly what Defy fosters inside the walls of correctional facilities. One of the most important leadership mindsets is long-term thinking. And there's perhaps no more powerful long-term investment than the one Defy is making in people who society often writes off. Nearly one in three Americans has a criminal record, according to the Brennan Center. And recidivism remains a costly challenge: within three years of release, two-thirds of people are rearrested, contributing to $80 billion annually in incarceration-related spending in the U.S. alone. But with the right interventions, that pattern breaks. Defy Ventures' graduates have a recidivism rate up to 85% lower than the national average, and 90% find employment within 90 days of release. Many launch small businesses—over 200 to date—significantly outperforming typical reentry outcomes. These are not outliers—they are untapped assets. If you care about performance, equity, or social impact, second chances are not charity—they're strategy. Over 200 Defy graduates have started small businesses. What I saw at York wasn't a feel-good field trip. It was a profound reminder that potential is everywhere—and that the systems we design, fund, and lead can either unlock or suppress it. Second Chance Month challenges us to ask not just who deserves another shot, but also what kind of leaders we want to be. The women I met may have made mistakes, and lost years of their lives. But they have not lost their capacity to lead—with clarity, courage, and commitment. As executives and employers, we can choose to see that potential—not just in them, but in everyone we meet.
