Friday, October 22, 2010
Passion Always Sells
There's nothing like intense desire. Awaking with it on your mind, unable to concentrate throughout the day. Eating and drinking are even dwarfed by the gentle reminder of its existence. You crave it. You can taste it. Frustration overtakes you because you are unable to experience its tangible qualities. The first time you laid eyes on it, nervousness, goosebumps, and speechlessness surrounded you. If only you could experience it every day. Just quit your job and do it all day!
Passion. What's yours?
The way I think has always been so innate I never considered it a talent or gift. At 7 years old, my third grade teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said with great confidence and assurance, "An obstetrician like Dr. Huxtable and entertainment lawyer because Michael Jackson is going to need one. I have to have my own practice because I don't want to work for anyone like Mr. Stone." (Mr. Stone was my mother's employer at the time and uncle to famed Oliver Stone.)
Oh, I had promise. :) I thought a little differently than my peers. My desire was to employ others; to come up with cool ideas, inventions, and "stuff" that others could help bring to life. I believed I would be as good a boss as I was a thinker and dreamer. Experiences in junior high, high school, and college changed all of that. College freshman at 16, I majored in psychology with the goal of being an industrial and organizational psychologist. Anything I did had to be something that the masses hadn't already glued themselves to, but my proper planning skills were no where to be found. I believed my creative thinking skills would guide me through the quicksand of statistics and that studying was unnecessary because I was supposed to be a "naturally-born-genius." I wasn't and I never graduated.
I was told I was a dreamer and dreamers don't do, they simply dream. I was fooled into believing that for about 10 years. Building business ideas, planning adventures, retreats, and trips at age 13, I knew I loved creating and executing. (Executing is doing, right? I thought so.) The only thing that ever came natural to me (and it wasn't schoolwork despite the early graduation), was listening to someone rant about their talent and automatically developing a business surrounding their gift in my head. I would get excited and begin asking "what if you did this or that" questions. I was more excited than they. I felt like a bit of a weirdo. I guess it's similar to how an artist may feel at times. They think in colors or maybe in music. I think in business.
I have launched over 5 since that tender age of 13 and conceptualized over 30 on paper in full form. It's my passion. It's what I would do for free if money were no object. It's what I did without thinking so I didn't even realize it was a talent. I remember asking my mom, who is a gospel and jazz vocalist, "What's my talent, Mommy? I can't sing, dance, or play the piano." She didn't know what to tell her sad and confused child, so she nurtured each individual interest through the years with the hope that I would uncover my passion.
Now 31, I manage three businesses and am fully self-employed doing what I absolutely love. It keeps me up at night and wakes me early in the morning.
If what you do 40-60 hours a week is not your passion, what is it and why aren't you doing it? If you haven't found "it" yet, ask yourself, "What would I do for free if money were no object?" Your answer will speak volumes. Your "it" satisfies, excites, and drives. You've written about it, talked about it, and dreamed of it for some time. Others recognize it in you and are willing to invest their time and money because they believe in your passion. Education is necessary. Skill is required. But, passion? Passion sells. A stranger listening in on a conversation you have about your "it" will want to know more because of how you speak about it. Just think about the love of your life and how you speak about them unlike anyone else you mention. Everyone knows how you feel about them. You're passionate.
Start living your passion, if you haven't already. The resources are available. Time will be made. Begin revealing that intense desire. It has a magnetic pull to all you need to succeed. Work hard and be faithful.
For assistance with unveiling your "it" and/or selling your passion, please contact The Consulting Studio at info@theconsultingstudio.com.
Passion. What's yours?
I was told I was a dreamer and dreamers don't do, they simply dream. I was fooled into believing that for about 10 years. Building business ideas, planning adventures, retreats, and trips at age 13, I knew I loved creating and executing. (Executing is doing, right? I thought so.) The only thing that ever came natural to me (and it wasn't schoolwork despite the early graduation), was listening to someone rant about their talent and automatically developing a business surrounding their gift in my head. I would get excited and begin asking "what if you did this or that" questions. I was more excited than they. I felt like a bit of a weirdo. I guess it's similar to how an artist may feel at times. They think in colors or maybe in music. I think in business.
I have launched over 5 since that tender age of 13 and conceptualized over 30 on paper in full form. It's my passion. It's what I would do for free if money were no object. It's what I did without thinking so I didn't even realize it was a talent. I remember asking my mom, who is a gospel and jazz vocalist, "What's my talent, Mommy? I can't sing, dance, or play the piano." She didn't know what to tell her sad and confused child, so she nurtured each individual interest through the years with the hope that I would uncover my passion.
Now 31, I manage three businesses and am fully self-employed doing what I absolutely love. It keeps me up at night and wakes me early in the morning.
If what you do 40-60 hours a week is not your passion, what is it and why aren't you doing it? If you haven't found "it" yet, ask yourself, "What would I do for free if money were no object?" Your answer will speak volumes. Your "it" satisfies, excites, and drives. You've written about it, talked about it, and dreamed of it for some time. Others recognize it in you and are willing to invest their time and money because they believe in your passion. Education is necessary. Skill is required. But, passion? Passion sells. A stranger listening in on a conversation you have about your "it" will want to know more because of how you speak about it. Just think about the love of your life and how you speak about them unlike anyone else you mention. Everyone knows how you feel about them. You're passionate.
Start living your passion, if you haven't already. The resources are available. Time will be made. Begin revealing that intense desire. It has a magnetic pull to all you need to succeed. Work hard and be faithful.
For assistance with unveiling your "it" and/or selling your passion, please contact The Consulting Studio at info@theconsultingstudio.com.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Official Chocolatier of The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE
The Dessert Specialists have just signed on as The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE's "Official Chocolatier"! Prepare your palates for sheer decadence, dessert designed with you in mind, and outstanding service from the chef and owner, himself...Sadruddin Abdullah. What does this mean for you? It means you get to sniff, touch, and taste at the Open House and Finale events (and if you're a student, you may experience private tastings throughout the course. Oh, the perks. ;) You will be hearing a lot more about these culinary sweeties in the very near future. So save room for dessert...
Learn more about the array of desserts that suit your tastebuds at www.dessertspecialists.com. Yeah, go now!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Truth About the Brand of You
Fact #1: Nobody cares about you or your story except you and your story.
Fact #2: Your target audience simply wants to know what you can do for them.
It seems harsh but it's true. Consider how you shop. You seek out the best sales, quality, name brand, etc. Often we don't even care which retailer provides it as long as it's at the price we want it or the brand we prefer. Think about how much you concern yourself with Rite Aid versus CVS or Target versus Walmart or Dollar General versus Family Dollar, Nordstrom versus Dillard's. Not much at all. The main questions are "who has it" and "who has the best deal".
As you build the brand of "you", what are you offering to your target? What are they seeking that you are providing or better yet, what unique attributes do you possess that they don't even know they need yet? Personal branding has been a topic of great conversation. Individuals attempt to brand themselves for entrepreneurship, dream jobs, and even to seek out a mate. The question still remains the same. As a business owner, the potential customer wants to know how your company can help them. A new employer needs to know that their investment in training and hiring you will provide a high return by way of productivity, delegation, etc. We all know that a new mate hopes their life will be enhanced and improved financially, emotionally, and spiritually by partnering with you.
You want to be a plus model? There are a few hundred thousand plus size girls and women with the same aspiration and already tagging themselves such. What makes you different? What are you offering? You have a nice website. Check. You're on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ModelMayhem. Check, check, check, check. You're doing everything you're supposed to and so is everyone else. What else 'ya got? Try stepping outside of the box.
Try these 3 simple Guerrilla marketing strategies*:
(Pssst...don't be afraid to leave a comment. We care about what you have to say. :)
Fact #2: Your target audience simply wants to know what you can do for them.
It seems harsh but it's true. Consider how you shop. You seek out the best sales, quality, name brand, etc. Often we don't even care which retailer provides it as long as it's at the price we want it or the brand we prefer. Think about how much you concern yourself with Rite Aid versus CVS or Target versus Walmart or Dollar General versus Family Dollar, Nordstrom versus Dillard's. Not much at all. The main questions are "who has it" and "who has the best deal".
As you build the brand of "you", what are you offering to your target? What are they seeking that you are providing or better yet, what unique attributes do you possess that they don't even know they need yet? Personal branding has been a topic of great conversation. Individuals attempt to brand themselves for entrepreneurship, dream jobs, and even to seek out a mate. The question still remains the same. As a business owner, the potential customer wants to know how your company can help them. A new employer needs to know that their investment in training and hiring you will provide a high return by way of productivity, delegation, etc. We all know that a new mate hopes their life will be enhanced and improved financially, emotionally, and spiritually by partnering with you.
You want to be a plus model? There are a few hundred thousand plus size girls and women with the same aspiration and already tagging themselves such. What makes you different? What are you offering? You have a nice website. Check. You're on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, ModelMayhem. Check, check, check, check. You're doing everything you're supposed to and so is everyone else. What else 'ya got? Try stepping outside of the box.
Try these 3 simple Guerrilla marketing strategies*:
- Create your own t-shirt with a tagline (include your website). If people like it, they will buy it, and spread the word about you.
- Vlog (video blog) about your model training, casting call and fashion show experiences. (Only discuss the good. Never discuss issues you had with anyone or anything. It's a small world after all and you don't want to be the bearer of bad news. Trust me.) As you share information about your experiences, you help other models. You become a wealth of helpful information and useful content.
- This one will cost you a little. Create your own iPhone application. (Need help? Contact Helpfulnerd.com for specifics.) Everyone loves a cool app that engages.
Now, go make a name for yourself!
-The Pretty Guerrilla
(Pssst...don't be afraid to leave a comment. We care about what you have to say. :)
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Must-Have Text for the Plus Size Girl
It's official! The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE has gotten their hands on the incredibly popular "Curvy Girl's Guide to Style". Author, Chastity Garner, gives you tips, tricks, hints, and straight talk in her book about dressing full-figured you. This is "the" book for plus size style!
Grab yours now! Limited quantity. $15.00 and only $3 shipping.
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A portion of all proceeds will be donated to City Dive, Inc.
PAC Director, Tip Jones
In 2006, she and business partner, Ms. Jay Jarvis, released their plus size urban couture collection, BLUR Custom Dezigns. She and BLUR have been featured in Plus Model Magazine...read more