Today is the Day!

Alright Ladies, it's 5:13 am and I am so excited about The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE's Open House.  Let's light the Queen City up today at Spirit Square! Be there by 3pm.  Dress up those curves, paint on your MAC lip glass, and slide on your favorite pair of shoes.  Go ahead, show your thinner counterparts why they want to be you!

I Wish I Was a Plus Size Model

If we were to be transparent just for the next few moments, we might agree that at some time in our lives we looked in a magazine, saw a show, or even another woman and thought, "Man, life would be so much easier if I looked like that.  If I was just smaller, thinner, taller" and on and on and on.  We've all done it at some point (maybe not today, not even last month, but some time in our far and distant pasts we dreamed of less of this and more of that).  

For some women, full-figured especially, these thoughts were nearly a chronic condition and tormenting for that matter.  Constantly seeing beauty portrayed in size 4, 36-24-36's, 5'11", shop anywhere, where anything, go braless, whatever!  A never-ending reminder of how supposedly unattractive or rather unwanted by American standards they were.  But, today is a new day! It's everywhere.  It's all around us.  Plus Size. Plus Size. Plus Size.  The latest trend.  The newest fad.  The "we've been here, representing over 70% of the U.S. for, um, years."  Opportunities to be a part of this target market and for retailers, take advantage of this target market are becoming more and more plentiful.  It's a most appropriate time for the tables to be turned with all this fashion, media, and retail attention we've garnered.  Give it a few more months, maybe one full year and our thinner counterparts may begin sharing this sentiment...

  

On the Air Today with BJ Murphy 103.3 WGIV!

Have you ever been in that deep, good old fashioned snugly sleep?  Well, that's what I was in the middle of when I received a call from my colleague, Tiffany Fant.  She had tried calling me several times but my phone kept reading "Private Number" and I said to myself, "Self, there isn't even a number, so back to nighty-night." (Sidebar: I am so not one of those folks that ignores calls because the number is not stored in my phone.  I run businesses.  My numbers are all over the Internet.  I answer the phone every time it rings. Ya' heard?)  Okay, so back to my delightfully interrupted sleep...

Finally, T. Fant texts me with these words, "Pick up the phone! I'm calling from work." Feeling reprimanded, I began reminiscing on my obedience to my Mom when she couldn't get me to return her calls when she would page me. Yes, I'm reflecting on transparent blue Motorola pagers.  Lol!  I call T. Fant and she passionately instructs me to get up and get ready to head down to WGIV radio station in Pineville (I live nearly 30 minutes away) and be there before noon (it was 10 am and I needed to put my face on, too)! Nathan Smalls had just posted on Facebook:

"TODAY IS RECORD DAY AT WGIV 103.3 FM. BRING YOUR CD WITH PICTURE AND BIO TO THE RADIO STATION 12PM -2PM ONLY AND WE WILL REVIEW YOUR MATERIAL FOR OUR ARTIST SPOTLIGHT. 9349 CHINA GROVE CHURCH ROAD, PINVILLE, NC 28134 ATTN. "NATHAN SMALLS."

ELIAH, my client at the The Consulting Studio definitely needed to take advantage of this opportunity.  So I packed up his demo, bio, and images filed them in a leather folder, stuck on my heels, beat my face, styled my hair (ha!), and left for South Charlotte.  When I arrived I was greeted by an unassuming gentleman who asked what I did.  Who knew it was the owner and general manager of the station, Mr. Frank Neely? We chatted for a few moments and then he introduced me to Nathan and BJ Murphy. Aware of the greatness of the opportunity, I could not fathom the fullness that God had planned.  As I introduced them to my artist, ELIAH, The Consulting Studio, and The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE, they each recognized the immediacy of PA Charlotte's Open House.  As Mr. Neely bounced around generous opportunities for my future endeavors (stay tuned for updates on that...), the star of The BJ Murphy Show asked if I was in a rush.  Of course I wasn't.  T. Fant only awakened me 2 hours ago.  My day wasn't due to start until ummm...6pm for the Celebrity Power Mixer at the Harvey Gantt Center. :) At that very moment, I heard God say to me, "Ask, seek, knock.  You did." In the next few seconds, Mr. Murphy asked if I would like to be on his show today at 3:30pm.  Without doing the dance of joy from the 1980's show, Perfect Strangers, I simply confirmed my availability coupled with sincere thankfulness.  

So today at 3:30 pm, The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE & your girl, Tip Jones will be ON THE AIR at Charlotte's oldest African-American owned radio station, WGIV 103.3FM.  I thank God for the opportunity.  

Love Ya'll!

10 Reasons to Choose The Plus Academy

1. We exclusively hire instructors who are reputable, notable, and leaders in their industries (ie. Liris, Chyna McGarity, Mia Amber, etc).
2. Industry-standard information is taught, equipping students to pursue successful careers in plus modeling.
3. Well-connected to the "top dawgs" in fashion.
4. Uh...Full Figured Fashion Week.  www.fffweek.com  Never been? Check it out.
5. Fully comprehensive program.
6. PA Directors have flourishing careers in fashion, modeling, entertainment, and marketing.  Gwen Devoe hires no slackers. ;)
7. A diverse menu of classes scheduled every semester.
8. More expensive than other modeling programs ($525).  Now, that's a good place to cheer! You get what you pay for, right?
9. There is no age requirement.  We encourage women ages 35 and over to register.
10. Become an integral part of the large network of The Plus Academies Nationwide, Bahamas, and New Mexico.  Plus, we have fun...and a lot of it!

Reserve your seat before someone else does. 

Pre-register Today!

Not Your Mama's Mary Kay

I don't know about you, but I remember pink Mary Kay bottles of an assortment of potions and lotions around my house when I was growing up.  Between foam washes, toners, foundations, and the occasional eye shadow palette, I had a great time playing dress-up.  I also remember my Mom painting on brick red lipstick and after 2 or 3 hours of singing in the church choir on Sunday morning, the quality of her make-up showed its true colors.  That was like 1985 and Girlfriends, the product was good then but it's phenomenal now!

Mary Kay is one of the leading skin care companies and women all over the world continue to change their lives and net worth by becoming independent beauty consultants.  Not to mention, they love their jobs (and are able to quit working for someone else).  How's that for living?  Beauty, financial security, and the ability to  inspire other women every day to do the same.

Independent Beauty Consultant, Sylvia Fierro, will be on site at the Open House on October 2nd at Spirit Square.  Stocked with the products you love and new goodies, too, you will have a chance to purchase all your favorite beauty effects and learn about Mary Kay's new products.  Come early (by 2:30) and receive a personal consultation with Sylvia.

Featured in Charlotte STYLE Magazine

As Charlotte Fashion Week really gets underway this weekend and the Open House next weekend, it is an honor to be showcased in this very fashionable periodical.

"Charlotte STYLE Magazine highlights Charlotte’s presence in the fashion and lifestyle industry to readers viewing the magazine in the Charlotte Region and around the world. We represent, embody and influence Charlotte’s STYLE community. We are the voice of the stylish, sophisticated and informed."

If you have a business, this is where you want to spend your advertising dollars. 

"Charlotte STYLE Magazine has the ability to expose upwards of 46,000 chic, fierce and fabulous fashion forward customers, making them aware of your business via our e-mail list, Twitter followers, Facebook fans, Facebook Group and Web site visitors. Best of all advertising with us is affordable so you can’t afford NOT to do it."

We can't wait to see where Charlotte Style Magazine takes The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE. :)

Custom Fit Shapewear for YOU, the Plus Size Woman

A Letter from the Creator of UR Tight, 

Ms. Loretta Spearman:

"We have designed special shapewear that is not on our website yet, but we will display and sell up to 11 styles that you can purchase and get custom fit measurements on-site the day of The Plus Academy CHARLOTTE Open House. Also, we will have an array of colors, so please come prepared to pre-order your new shapewear and bring your friends' measurements too.  We will also be giving away a complete set of custom fit shapewear!!!"

URTIGHT is a Body Image Apparel Company, who's main focus and goal is to ensure all products are designed with a main focus on the end user. We have designed and developed apparel which has health and wellness benefits of blood circulation & stimulation properties- which contributes to better health.


Our Custom design services allows UR TIGHT to focus on fit and ensure each customer has a personal measurement session with us, to achieve the absolute best results. Our designs offer smooth transitional colors and styles that will compliment the wearer as they make body transitions during weight reduction and redistribution.


The top quality fabric we use makes all the difference - who would ever think to make shapewear look and feel so smooth - you could wear it to the gym, and no-one would even say it's shapewear-- bright beautiful colors so transitional that it does NOT need to be hidden anymore. Our high- quality fabrication keeps the body amazingly cool, and dry- even acts as a body temperature regulator. You will not be disappointed in URTIGHT's performance care- no bleach, odorless, and sure to last years - you will want one in each color!!


Shapewear has never looked so good on your body, and performed so well- to better your body wellness. WELCOME TO UR-TIGHT!!!! Your body will surely THANK YOU. GET UR TIGHT CAUSE It's RIGHT!!!

Good Help is Simple to Find

It isn't all our fault. It's these guys who are making us so popular. :)

Thank you to Jameka Whitten, CEO of JSW Media Group and her team for their dedication and persistence.  If it snows on October 2nd (yeah right!), we know the exposure will render a great attendance because of their hard work.

With an extensive background in journalism, communications, business and marketing, Renaissance woman Jameka S. Whitten is poised to take the entertainment industry by storm. 

She is the owner of JSW Media Group, a boutique public relations, marketing and brand management firm focused on the entertainment, fashion and publishing fields. Jameka was the Co-Founder and former Executive Creative Director for SOTAC (State of the Arts & Culture) Magazine (now SOTACi) but resigned at the end of 2007 to pursue opportunities with JSW Media Group. In addition to owning JSW Media Group and serving as CEO, Jameka is the Chief Operating Officer for Amped 4-A-Cure, Inc, a non-profit organization that supports cancer research through music. She is also a managing partner with the|FASHION HOUSE, a full service fashion agency. 

Visit www.jswmediagroup.com and learn more about how their services can improve your event and business.