About
Hilary Rowland: The Woman Behind Urbanette®
In a two-dimensional digital world, I’ll do my best to give you an idea of who I am.
Hi! I’m Hilary Rowland, the person behind all of this feminist fabulousness (jk).
As an equal rights activist, my purpose is to help educate and inspire women on the critical issues of self-esteem and female leadership. In keeping with these goals, I decided to use Urbanette® profits to help women in developing countries become entrepreneurs.
In a two-dimensional digital world, I’ll do my best to give you an idea of who I am.
- I launched the first ever online “magazine” back in 1995. Yup, you’re looking at it 😉 Here’s a bit of the magazine’s (and my) history. Around the same time I also launched the first ever online portfolio website, which is still going strong, but I no longer run.
- I’ve been writing since I was little, and I also contribute to a number of publications, and have a regular column (about urban life and my travels), on the Huffington Post.
- I’m a country girl at heart, living a city girl’s life. I grew up in farm country Ontario, Canada. When I was 18 I moved to Toronto. A few years later I decided I wanted more adventure in my life, so I moved to Manhattan. Over the 10 years I spent in NYC, I went from knowing nobody to feeling like a genuine New Yorker… then, after a decade in NYC, my husband and I decided to try out life in Lyon, France.
- My father is an author, journalist, and professor of business ethics and philosophical thinking. He has passed along those strengths (obsessions) in me.
- I hate wasting time in salons, so I cut and color my own hair. It’s much easier than it looks!
In Provence, summer 2017, photo taken by Michael Rowland
- Richard Branson is my idol and mentor. He’s an incredibly inspiring man and I wish I got to hang with him more often. Follow his blog here.
- I was a geek in high school (kinda still), and had a hard time fitting in.
- I’m very happily married to my soul mate (they exist!) He’s a contributor to Forbes, Conscious Magazine, and others (including Urbanette!)
- Yes, I’m friends with a lot of Hollywood movie stars and heartthrobs… I don’t really have much in the way of advice to give on that front, other than move to NYC, where you can’t spit without hitting a celeb.
- I wish that the world were like Shallow Hal, and that people’s outer representations reflected how much love and empathy they have in them.
- I have green eyes with a ring of amber, and I’d love to use that eyelash enhancing stuff, but I’m afraid it’ll turn my eyes completely brown (and I recently realized that castor oil does the same thing without the side-effects!).
- I love animals (which is why I’m vegan) and know that my life wouldn’t have been the same without my super lovable cats. (Rescue, don’t buy!)
- I have way too much clothing, though I bought it almost all on eBay. I love a bargain!
- I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was a teenager, and so I’ve never had a ‘real’ job.
- My brain is always running and if I wasn’t super busy I’d probably be bored silly.
In Greece, summer 2017, photo taken by my hubby, Michael Rowland
Check out the most recent articles I’ve written, comment below with your thoughts, or skip back to the homepage to see the latest.
A few personal articles to start with:
- Advice For My 20-Something Self
- 5 Things I Learned From Having Cancer
- How I Fell in Love in Mexico
- Hilary’s Tips: 10 Ways I Made My Wedding Easier
- 5 Reasons I Love Being a Vegan
- My International Life: From NYC to France
- My Big Fat International Move
- Why We’re Not Having Kids
In Provence, with my hubby, summer 2017
Check out hashtag #HilaryRowland for pics and videos on all the social media sites. xo
Fumi Rita Ariba
Wow quite inspiring. Am encouraged.
Micki Allen
“I wish that the world were like Shallow Hal, and that people’s outer representations reflected how much love and empathy they have in them.” Holy cow! I’ve found my soul sister. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am so happy to have found you and your amazing ‘zine!
Anila William
If you’re not busy, you’re bored? OMG! I like the way you think. It’s very competitive, and passionate. No wonder you’re so successful!!
Jurik Smith
My father is a writer too, but his talent never passed on to me. I love writing, but writing doesn’t like me. Ha!
Cristina Joseff
I always wait for your articles weekly. My friends introduced your magazine to me, and after reading a few articles, I got hooked on it 🙂
Paul Daiz
Your life is very inspiring. You worked hard for your dreams, and you deserve all your achievements today.
Angela
Wow! Is your husband a contributor at Forbes too? Cmon! You’re such a lucky woman here. Your life is almost perfect!
Nancy Smith
Seriously? You’re a geek when you are in high school? Well, it doesn’t look like you were. You’re beautiful, and adventurous woman, plus you have an amazing social life.
Isabela Quagliato
Your parents must be so proud of what you have achieved in life. You’re such a very talented, and inspiring person plus, you helped a lot of people from the third-world country.
Selli Coaze
1995??? Urbanette online was established in 1995??!!! Wow! We are at the same age. HAHAHA
Anyssa Delorso
It was not the same name by this time. She was just 15. That’s crazy :p