Ariel Lopez

Image of Ariel Lopez c/o Innov8tiv.com

Ariel Lopez is a career coach at General Assembly - and founder of 2020Shift, a social enterprise that is designed to educate black and latino millennials on careers in the technology space. I was most impressed by Ariel's work with 2020Shift - dedicated to setting students and recent graduates up for success, but most importantly filling the diversity gap with talent by providing resources and professional development. As an avid public speaker, Ariel enjoys sharing her expertise in digital media and technology and loves connecting people to opportunities. Luckily for Ariel, the things she loves the most is reflective of her day job, which allows her the freedom to cultivate her passion into profitable and innovative ideas to inspire others to pursue their career goals. 

ARIEL LOPEZ

CAREER COACH AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY & FOUNDER OF 2020SHIFT 

NEW YORK, NY

"I think it's just about putting yourself out there. A lot of business connections have happened because of a tweet or a LinkedIn message. You have to find what channels work best for you/your brand and be active in them."

How does your craft reflect your personal aesthetic?

My craft reflects the things that matter to me the most. I've always had a passion for helping people and as a coach I get to do that. 2020Shift is designed to help people elevate in their careers so I'm doing the same in that regard as well. I would also say I fell in love with tech as soon as I started working in the industry. It's extremely important for me to be a catalyst to help others find success as well.

How have the women in your life been instrumental in your life and career?

I would say my mom has been the most influential person in both my life and my career. My drive and work ethic are a reflection of how I was raised. My mom always said that you can be whatever you want to be and that your current circumstances don't define your future. I held on to those words and it helped shape the determination that has carried me through my career thus far.

"In terms of finding a mentor, network as much as you can and don't force any relationships; let them happen naturally. You'll have a gut feeling on who should be a mentor or not."

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

I think it's just about putting yourself out there. A lot of business connections have happened because of a tweet or a LinkedIn message. You have to find what channels work best for you/your brand and be active in them.

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)?

I make a point to have vision boards for every year; you'd be surprised how things magically come into fruition. I also recently went Being Mary Jane-ish in my apartment - hanging up small affirmations. Success is definitely a mental battle; if you can stay positive and on track, you'll accomplish your goals much easier.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

Mentors are super important and I have a few. I have advisors that are mentors, students and friends. I'm usually giving people advice, but learn the most about myself in those conversations. In terms of finding a mentor, network as much as you can and don't force any relationships; let them happen naturally. You'll have a gut feeling on who should be a mentor or not.

"I have a love-hate situation with NYC, but it's the most inspiring city in the world. When I wake up I automatically think: hustle. It's becomes a way of life."

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

Go after what you want and negotiate what you deserve (for those entering creative fields). For women starting their own business, keep your purpose and mission top of mind; that helps with riding the crazy roller coaster that is entrepreneurship.

Place that inspires me the most...

I have a love-hate situation with NYC, but it's the most inspiring city in the world. When I wake up I automatically think: hustle. It's becomes a way of life.

I feel most powerful when...

I'm teaching or speaking in public. I love engaging with people and hearing their feedback; it's also an amazing feeling to hear, "You inspired me to do XYZ."I love what I do because...I live in my purpose and I make an impact at the same time

Best advice I have ever received...

"You attract what you believe you're worth." I make an effort to shift my mindset to things that I want and believe I'm capable of doing.Connect with Ariel Lopez on 2020Shift, General Assembly, Twitter, and LinkedIn!

Rana Campbell

RANA CAMPBELLCONTENT STRATEGIST & FOUNDER OF RANACAMPBELL.COMORANGE, NEW JERSEY

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Rana Campbell, Princeton University alumni and Founder of lifestyle website: RanaCampbell.com. Rana and I instantly bonded over our passion for bridging the gap between vision and reality – as she shared her website’s mission to help individuals shine in their personal and professional lives. Rana’s work has been featured on FOX 5 Good Day New York, The Huffington Post, Princeton Alumni Weekly, and many more.

I tell this to everyone: be a student of your industry. Understand the space well. Understand your future customer's pain points and work on building relationships with them. No one can want your dream more than you want your dream. A lot of people talk about this in terms of “passion”, but I think this goes beyond passion. If you want to enter a field and create something that you actually want to see some tangible results from, you need to really be involved in the system and process of figuring out how to see something from ideation to execution. I think that’s where a lot of people have it wrong. They think talent alone will cause success. It may, but I think that having a larger bird’s eye view of the industry and the little intricacies can help insure long-term success.

How does your craft reflect your personal aesthetic?

I've always been a storyteller, talker, and question-asker. These parts of my persona have definitely translated into what I do now. For me, my site and brand is all about empowering and sharing the stories of others. That’s always been intriguing to me. I’m the type of person who admires and wonders “Why?” How did things get to be the way they are? At the same time, I’ve always wondered, “What’s the best way to share this and share with others? Perhaps that’s why I love marketing so much.

How have the women in your life been instrumental in your life and career?

The women in my life have shown me resilience and strength. I think one of the most influential women in my life has been my mother. When I think of her I think of sacrifice and resilience. My mother went through alot in her life, and despite almost dying when I was a baby, she is still here with us. All along she has supported me and through her sacrifice I have been able to accomplish so much.

Other important women in my life such as teachers, mentors, and even former bosses have been instrumental in my life because they both believed in me and pushed me. They showed me new possibilities for my dreams and also showed me the ways that I can navigate those open waters as a woman.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

I’m obsessed with reading. I always try to have a book in tow, if possible. I’m always trying to find new information to consume via blogs, news, film, social media, networking events, music, etc… I am like a sponge and revel at opportunities to learn new things. I think if you’re constantly seeking new knowledge, staying ahead of the curve is easy. This is where my love for asking “why?” comes in.

Rana Campbell

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)?

This one is a bit hard for me. Personally, I try to make sure to write everything down and revisit my goals from time to time. By keeping myself accountable, I’m able to keep track. For me, keeping track of my goals and staying creative don’t always go hand-in-hand. I feel that sometimes I have too many creative ideas which can cause an overload, which may cause me NOT to focus on my goals. There you have it… staying focused is what I find to be the most important thing. At the end of the day, I always try to remain positive. Burnout is real.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

Mentors are everything. Having someone who did it already and can show you the ropes can save you a lot of time and also guide your own journey. Mentors are another part of your support system- which every creative needs. One of my mentors is Gabrielle Simpson, who is a director of Communications at NBC. I’ve known Gabby (as I call her) from when she worked at CBS Corporate and I as an intern. She’s always been a great support to me and has pushed me to pursue new opportunities. She also helped open up alot of doors for me, which I would have a really hard time gaining access to (quite literally.) Gabby sees greatness in me – having someone who sees that in you and wants you to achieve that is the best thing ever.

Rana Campbell

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

I tell this to everyone: be a student of your industry. Understand the space well. Understand your future customer's pain points and work on building relationships with them. No one can want your dream more than you want your dream. A lot of people talk about this in terms of “passion”, but I think this goes beyond passion. If you want to enter a field and create something that you actually want to see some tangible results from, you need to really be involved in the system and process of figuring out how to see something from ideation to execution. I think that’s where a lot of people have it wrong. They think talent alone will cause success. It may, but I think that having a larger bird’s eye view of the industry and the little intricacies can help insure long-term success.

My dad once told me, “As long as you’re awake and have the ability to think, you should never be bored.”

Place that inspires me the most:

I get a lot of ideas while driving without the radio on. There's something about being on the move that gets my mind going. Honestly, I can get inspired from pretty much everywhere. Everything is a story to me. You just have to want to see it. My dad once told me, “As long as you’re awake and have the ability to think, you should never be bored.”

I feel most powerful when:

This may sound crazy, but I love being naked. I think there’s power in loving your body in its rawest form. True power comes from within and I think that moment of nakedness where you have nothing to hide behind is where we can start to build that power.

For the more politically correct answer, I’ll say, I feel most powerful when I’m looking good, feeling good, and am prepared. Those things give me confidence.

I love what I do because:

I get to meet so many different people and hear so many different stories. At the same time, I love inspiring others and helping others accomplish their dreams. This may be because I’m an ENFJ, but I really enjoy seeing other people smile and feel good about themselves. I also like presenting ways that individuals can start challenging themselves to open their eyes to something new.

I read a quote the other day that sums this up perfectly: “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.

Best advice I have ever received:

Don’t let what others think weigh you down. I say this is the best advice because it’s something I find myself working on every day. Having courage to pursue a journey that others may not fully support or understand is hard, but if you believe in yourself and start to care less about what “others” may say the possibilities are endless. I read a quote the other day that sums this up perfectly: “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”

Rana Campbell

Connect with Rana Campbell on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram!

Melissa Mercado

MELISSA MERCADOARTISTPG COUNTY, MARYLAND

Behind every artist is a muse; behind every successful man is a hardworking woman - and it takes a strong foundation for couples to thrive together in an ever-changing industry to help each other grow and stay on top of their game. I met Melissa through a good friend of mine, L aka Naturel, a couple of years ago - and I have always admired how she balanced motherhood & family and hustle as an artist. Melissa's artwork - "clean lines, minimal content and solid colors" - also reflects her energy: avant-garde - a modern woman who is not compelled to "choose", but "juggles" different aspects of her life, and never settles for anything less than great.

“I am inspired by all women, I feel like I celebrate who we are when I create - it's for us.”

How does your craft reflect your personal aesthetic?

I love to clean and organize pretty much everything. I'm a little bit of a minimalist as well. Those habits are such a big part of who I am that it carries over into my work. My artwork and design usually reflects clean lines, minimal content and solid colors. If you ask my family and friends, I'm a total Virgo! Even though it's not always achieved – I crave some type of perfection in anything I do.

How have the women in your life been instrumental in your life and career?

My mother is the reason why I even pursued art and design. When I was young, my teachers, principals and my mom created avenues for me to water my talent – they were all women. My mom pushed me to go to art/design school for college and showed me I can make a living off of my creativity. I am inspired by all women, I feel like I celebrate who we are when I create, it's for us.

“I don't think too much about staying relevant because that tends to fog up creativity.”

" Artwork comes from within, and it's hard to create if you are thinking about what everyone else wants from you - staying ahead of the curve is putting a piece out with a "fuck it, take it or leave it" attitude."

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

I love pop culture and fashion, so keeping up with trends doesn't feel like a task. There are so many resources available like social media, blogs and just walking around your surroundings. I don't think too much about staying relevant because that tends to fog up creativity. Artwork comes from within, and it's hard to create if you are thinking about what everyone else wants from you - staying ahead of the curve is putting a piece out with a "fuck it, take it or leave it" attitude.

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)?

I've said it before, I'm a Virgo but I'm also a mother – staying organized helps me achieve those goals; it's a part of who I am. My king and I made a culture of creativity at home and so as tired as I am, it's always in my face. Hanging out with our daughter stirs up all types of inspiration for us.

“We're not built to know it all, so we constantly learn from everyone around us.”

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

Mentors are very important. We're not built to know it all, so we constantly learn from everyone around us. My very first mentor was my mom, instead of introducing me to a conventional career path, she introduced me to art & graphic design. College had a very intimate setting so I had a lot of one on one time with my professors – too many to name but they all made a good impact on my career path. There was a point in my life where I entered the world of makeup artistry, beauty & fashion. I learned so much from the artists and photographers I worked with. Currently, I am blessed with loving and living with a huge inspiration, my king –Naturel. I can't wait to work with and learn from other artists and designers – my list of mentors will never end!

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

No matter how difficult things get – because it will get pretty unbearable sometimes – push through! Faith, hard work, and passion breed good results even if the results aren't immediate. You can plan life all you want, but you can't control what happens. Everything you go through – good and bad – leads up to your dreams and goals… so don't give up!

Place that inspires me the most... There isn't a specific place but where I grew up (PG County, Maryland) has a lot to do with the pieces I cultivate; some are inspired from the music, street culture and experiences I've had. As far as art and style, I find inspiration traveling, decorating my home and even shopping – as crazy as that sounds! Lol.

I feel most powerful when... I feel good, look good, and hold it down for my family!

I love what I do because... I can wake up every morning and decide what I am going to do with my day.

Best advice I have ever received... Love and take care of yourself first and you'll be able love and care for others.

Connect with Melissa Mercado on Twitter and Instagram!

Riana Stellburg

RIANA STELLBURG AKA DJ TITTAHBYTE HONOLULU, HAWAII

Music connected me with Honolulu-based DJ Tittahbye a couple of years ago and I've been vibing to her mixes ever since from this side of the world (New York City).

How does your craft reflect your personal aesthetic?

For as long as I could remember music was behind everything I did. ​As a child I was exposed to different genres of music because of my older brothers and the hobbies that my mom signed me up for. Throughout middle school and high school, I would research and 'Mp3 dig' for music that I liked and would record songs on the radio and make mini mixtapes for myself to listen to and became very protective over my tracks whenever someone asked about it. For some reason I never liked revealing my sources because I felt like my music taste was what made me different. I grew up in a Filipino-dominant middle school where all my classmates were listening to Top 40 and there I was in the back listening to my Black Flag and Gorilla Biscuits. Eventually my music taste started to expand in college and I began to share the music I was listening to.

I went out to a lot of underground hip-hop and punk shows taking photos, wrote about them in my school newspaper, and then eventually started putting together and promoting shows. My main mission was always to shed light on those underground underrated artists...something I still focus on today.

​I started dating a DJ and that's when mixing music entered my mind. I was writing a piece for a magazine and I gave him a track list to mix and then he said, "Why don't you just mix it?" He ended up showing me the ropes starting from vinyl first and then taught me how to DJ on basically any format. He stressed to me that my music selection was important and that I should never lose that. People still ask me, surprised "Wow you DJ now?" but then in my mind it's like...​about time.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/205400373" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]

How have the women in your life been instrumental in your life and career?

​My mother is your classic 63-year-old stubborn twice divorced Filipina, 1st generation to move to United States. Growing up she instilled great strength and determination in me and ​always made sure my back bone was unbreakable. She taught me that you could get anything you wanted as long as you made it your mission. One of the toughest generation barriers between us was that she was stuck in the traditional mentality of me becoming a doctor or lawyer to make money. Her rejection of my career choice just made me more determined to prove her wrong and it still fuels me.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

​I observe research, absorb and adapt. There are times I do feel defeated as if I'm going nowhere fast but then I snap myself back to reality and remind myself that nothing is going to happen if I’m not doing anything about it. ​

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)?

​I'm a die-hard fan of to-do lists and I have all kinds of them: short-term, long-term, daily, personal, business, etc. I'm a ​huge procrastinator and work well under pressure (even though I'm stressed out haha) and I always need a deadline. If I'm on a time-constraint for the day for example, I won't eat (and I do love to eat) or stop till the task is done.

My schedule is usually busy so I always make it a point to separate my personal and business environment. When I'm at home I try not to take my work with me and remind myself that my bedroom is for relaxing, unwinding, and taking a mental break, which is all very important to me.

As far as creativity goes, I can't force it or rush it otherwise it'll come out wack. If I’m stuck I’ll go do something that doesn’t require a lot of thinking until I’m re-energized to start again.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

Extremely important. Without their influences on me, I wouldn't be who I am today.

DJ Revise is my mentor, who is also my boyfriend and business partner, inspires me to strive for my best potential not only as a DJ but also as a person.​

As far as people I look up to...Sosupersam, TOKiMONSTA, Miss Lawn of Hellz Bellz, all bad ass girls doing all things that I love, running with the boys and killing the game. DJ Delve for his music programming and music taste. His mixes are the only ones that I can run back to back all day and I never get sick of it.

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

​Be prepared to work and to constantly adapt. Have true intentions and purpose behind what you do and don't ever lose sight of your roots.​

Place that inspires me the most…

Currently L.A. I went there back in April for my birthday and it was such a good break for me to get re-inspired and connect with some artists that I admire. I love the hustle that everyone has, it was very infectious.

I feel most powerful when... I'm DJ'ing on stage and everyone is dancing. ​I have such a great adrenaline rush and seeing people smile and move to the music I'm playing makes me crazy happy and just reminds me why I do what I do.

I love what I do because... it makes me feel vulnerable because I'm sharing my music taste with everyone and at the same time excited because the music I’m playing is making them dance and feel the way they do.

Best advice I have ever received… Do you boo boo.

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/202448766" params="auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" iframe="true" /]DJ Tittahbytes' Upcoming Events:+ June 24th – Green Leaf Check at The Safehouse [greenleafcheck.com/rsvp] + June 27th- Ginza Nightclub + July 2nd – Chitty Bang at The Safehouse + July 3rd – First Friday at Fresh Cafe + July 11th – White Rabbit at The Safehouse + July 30th – Green Leaf Check at The Safehouse [greenleafcheck.com/rsvp] + August 20th – Kehlani at The Republik [bampproject.com]Connect with DJ Tittahbyte on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Noël Descalzi-Fiorentinos

NOËL DESCALZI-FIORENTINOSFOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF WORK IT OUT HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY

Thank you to Noël for sharing her journey as an entrepreneur on HIMYB.com - and personally inspiring me to choose a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Tell us about Work it Out and how long you have been in business.

Work it Out is a healthy lifestyle studio that offers fitness classes and wellness packages that are customized specifically for our community. With two Hoboken locations, our studios are like no other. We’re far removed from the world of impersonal big-box gyms, our unique facilities and wide variety of classes and offerings let you set your fitness free, while throwing away thoughts of a lonely unguided road to health. We also offer a children's gymnastics program that is organically intertwined within our model. We are approaching our 4 year anniversary.

How did you come up with the company name?

Let me give you a visual:

You’re getting ready for a night on the town with all of your friends. You had a hard week at work but it doesn’t matter because you look fierce and feel amazing. All of a sudden your most ‘fabulous’ friend yells out (with a Z shaped finger snap) “GIRLLL…you better Work it Out!” You take one look in the mirror and have all the confidence in the world.

What is your company's mission?

Our philosophy is steeped in the belief that our diversity in our offerings will shape your body, energize your spirit, and empower your soul.

And what do you think sets Work it Out apart from similar businesses?

Set your fitness free has been a tag line of ours that we’ve embraced and lived by since our start. We gradually came to the realization that keeping up with our changing needs as women is a big part of maintaining that freedom. So we asked ourselves how we could support our client in their evolution, whatever direction it took. The answer was clear – by offering fitness that evolves with them. Whether you are working your tail off, getting married, having a baby, had the baby or have a growing child – We’ve got you covered. All of this paired with studios that exude positive energy. We go out of our way to make sure each person that attends class is happy and content.How does your current role reflect your personal aesthetic?

In every sense possible - I’m the oldest of 3 girls, with 6 and 9 year age differences between both sisters which meant, I was always the boss. For about 15 years my household revolved around my gymnastics career. For the most part, Work it Out was built on two stages of my life: During and After Gymnastics. The fundamentals of our gymnastics program come from everything I’ve ever learned from my time with the sport, like hard work, goal setting, confidence building and perseverance. The adult classes come from everything I learned after it was over like understanding how to juggle real life and healthy living. Also - I’ve always had a creative side with particular taste. Classic, clean. I think that shines through in the visuals of the brand.

Who are the women who inspire you and how have they been instrumental to your career growth?

Elizabeth Cutler and Julie Rice Founders of SoulCycle. Also, Lauren Boggi Goldenberg Founder of Lithe Method. These women inspired me to start Work it Out 4 years ago. I was living in Manhattan and used to take SoulCycle classes in the original Upper West side studio and saw how magical bringing together a community of people was. I grew up in a gym environment and understood that working out could not be forced. There had to be something special that people identified with in order to keep them engaged and coming back. Their studios made me understand that your work out is personal and you need to connect with it in order to stay committed.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

I’ve always had an eye for trends. For one, just taking a step into NYC and opening your eyes to the culture, the fashion, the risk taking, can help inspire you. Being aware of people, places and things around you. I’m very visual, so naturally I connect with Instagram. I love following personalities in my industries, all different types, from all over the world. I find it interesting how certain countries are so ahead.. I always feel this way about Australia for some reason. I keep Work it Out relevant by picking and choosing trends that inspire me and remixing them into something that makes sense for the brand.

With that said, how do you keep track of your personal and business goals? How do you stay focused (even when you are exhausted)?

I’ve found that I am a big picture thinker. If I have a clear vision of the big picture, it makes it easier for me to set smaller goals. Staying focused is difficult for me in an ever-evolving business because the big picture is always changing, depending on what opportunities come your way. It’s important to be nimble. Being patient, trusting your gut and making smart, well thought out decisions is something I live by. An occasional risk here and there is also important.

Do you have any mentors? If so, who are they?

The closet thing I have to mentors, are my start-up savvy friends. These are people that have gone through similar business obstacles and triumphs or are in the process of going through them.

A recent study found a lack of mentorship among young women. How important are mentors to you?

I lean on this group of people quite frequently. It’s comforting to have supporters in your corner that will give you unsolicited advice that you are not afraid to hear. I like that they’re relatable.

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

Go for it! Just know – it’s difficult to do everything on your own. There is power in numbers. Do your best to find a team that believes in your mission. Be patient. Also, mistakes are bound to happen. Don’t let them discourage you.

What place inspires you the most?

Central Park.

When do you feel most powerful?

When I bond and feel connected with my team.

Why do you love what you do?

Because it is an extension of me. There is something so fulfilling about creating a place that people love. It’s a part of their everyday lives and makes them happy. I feel indebted to them and a responsibility to grow it.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Concentrate on your team. A solid team equals a solid company.

Connect with Work it Out on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and Instagram!

Work it Out's signature classes include: Ride, Zumba, Barre, Bands, Interval Training, Pilates, Toning, Go Mommy, and more. If you would like more information, please check out their site: Work it Out - and join Noël and her fitness loving team.

Quiana Parks

QUIANA PARKSNEW YORK CITYDJ & FOUNDER OF DJ FOR A CURE

DJ Quiana (Quiana Parks) describes a day in her life as, “… a roller coaster of art, music, and expression, but focus is the essence.” Although Quiana never has a set schedule, she has her daily rituals: fitness routines and above all – prayer.

Music started at home for Quiana and it does not come as a surprise that she would eventually follow her path as a DJ, "Growing up everything in my household came with a personal playlist: cleaning, homework, family time, summer gatherings, and everything else in between. I owe it to my parents for my wide span awareness of different genres and the development of my love to DJ."

Quiana has been cancer-free for nine years, but when she was diagnosed with lymphoma – she remembers feeling completely numb, “I did not feel anything until I looked in the mirror. I would not look at it. But, when I did – that was when it really hit me… I hate chemo. Chemo was not my friend. I know it helped me, but it was more like a mean teacher there to help. I could not stand it.” It was a challenging time, but Quiana drew her strength and resilience from a higher source: God. She was not DJ’ing during her chemo sessions, but when Quiana overcame the battle in 2005 – it propelled her to start DJ For A Cure, a foundation that aligned her craft with a cause that she strongly believed in. DJ For a Cure aims to educate, support, and raise the awareness of cancer - by gathering DJs, visionaries, and survivors who use their creativity to empower patients and connect them through the power of music.

PUMA® and DJ Quiana Parks will kick off the summer with DJ For a Cure's 2nd event on June 26th in New York City (flyer below). There will be board games, prizes from Krink, music by DJs Austin Millz and Charles Browne, and hosted by DJ Kiss and Chef Roblé. Quiana will also be auctioning off one of her oil paintings as a donation to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

As a cancer survivor, what advice would you give to women who are going through the same thing you went through? Put yourself in the mind frame that you are cured. No matter how things look, there are two ways you can come out of a situation: feeling ugly – with a veil of fear OR having faith – and the beauty of never giving up.

Where can we learn more about DJ For A Cure? How can we help out? www.djforacure.com and www.twitter.com/djforacure – for more info check out the website and please donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society!

How have the women in your life been instrumental in your life and career? My mother introduced me to music. My sister supports me in everything I do. My mentors DJ Kiss and Sapphira M. HIll guide me along the way.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve? I just try to be myself and never worry about the trends.

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)? My sister Qyera keeps me balanced with all that I do!

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor? DJ Kiss and Sapphira are amazing and influential women who have helped me when Google could not, haha.

What place inspires you the most? Art Basel for their amazing music and artists.

When do you feel most powerful? When I am behind the DJ booth and everyone is dancing – even that one person in the room that you never thought in a million years would bust out a move, haha – that is when I feel most powerful.

Why do you love what you do? I get to live for a living.

Define your idea of success. Happiness.

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A Tale of Two Biddies

NIK ADAMS & EBONI MERRIMANNEW YORK CITY LIFESTYLE BLOGGERS, A TALE OF TWO BIDDIES

Describe a day in the life of Nik and Eboni of A Tale of Two Biddies.

Both of our days typically start really early. We try and get in some stretching or sun salutations and really reflect on what we're trying to accomplish. Words of encouragement to ourselves in the mirror or writing out our gratitude mantras are super important to us. It's a form of self-care to really prepare us to face this jungle of a city. During our commutes, we're clutching coffee, looking over emails and exchanging ideas to one another via text, really mapping out A Tale of Two Biddies for the day. After work, we have school! Both in degree programs, Nik has a class twice a week and Eboni is taking courses online so we give attention to that and then it's Biddie time. If we have an event, we refresh and head to that but if not we'll work on what's next for the blog and brand. Eboni's job allows for her to work on ATOTB things during the day while Nik is the night owl and tackles a lot, burning the midnight oil, with a pot of green tea by her side.

How did you get started with A Tale of Two Biddies? How does your lifestyle publication and brand reflect your personal aesthetic?

We started the blog as a platform for "the unknown"; we wanted to shed light on the talented people we came into contact with. The small businesses we support (Small Business Spotlight) and more personally, to have a space that is ours to publish with no restrictions – to be our own boss. Since then it's grown into so much more but the site and brand really reflect what we love or what we are into at any given time. It's a big hub for any creative person to find new things to try and places to go. Even the blog layout reflects our personal aesthetic; we're lovers of anything black and gold and that's engrained in our logo and site design.

Define "biddie".

"Biddie" is a slang word used mostly in the 90s. It describes a very feminine woman - sometimes sexual, often intoxicated. And like many slang words, we wanted to take back this word and use it for something positive.

YES, WE ARE VERY FEMININE. Yes, we've taken hold of our sexuality. Yes, sometimes, we're intoxicated. But, a "biddie" is much more than this.

We have tangible dreams and goals. We're all about pulling up our fellow (wo)man to help them achieve their goals as well. We love hard and we care about the world around us and its issues.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

Cultural trends change so often that we think it's important to do your own thing. When you find the thing that you love, own it and don't stray just because society is moving a certain way. However, because of the blog we have, we know it's important to stay abreast of everything that's happening. We do that by being active users of our social media outlets, staying current with various blogs and being Tumblr enthusiasts.

How do you balance your personal and business goals and stay creative at the same time (even when you are exhausted)?

We feel like balance is super important to stay on track. We both keep daily to-do lists and utilize the notes and calendar app on our phones.

Nik uses her time at night before bed to meditate and reflect on her goals.

Eboni uses her early morning time to work on gratitude and putting goals into the Universe.

How important are mentors? Who are your mentors?

Mentors are essential to everyone! Find one if you don't have one.

Nik's mentors are her aunts. They taught her self-love, work ethic, pride, and the importance of education. Also Jodie Samson is a friend of hers, she was one of the first people who truly believed in her dreams and motivated her to work for them.

Eboni’s mentor is her mother. She's always been a businesswoman and so wise about life, being creative and pushing until you reach your goals. She was one of the first people that told her she didn't have to go the conventional route to be successful.

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

Don't ever be afraid to take a chance. Your dreams should always scare you! Always remember that. You have to really just take that initial leap of faith and put fear in the backseat because the fear doesn't go away, you have to find a way to push past it and believe in what you're adding to the world. Don't let people put you in a box either. Go for yours.

Place that inspires us the most:

Nik is inspired by Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There's something about North 5th St Pier that reminds her that she has a major purpose to fulfill in life and never to let anything or anyone get in the way of that.

Eboni is inspired by the bookstore. It's one place where she can take her laptop, spend the whole day, and get more work done than she would anywhere else.

We feel most powerful when:

We feel most powerful when we click publish and another article is published in A Tale of Two Biddies. We know that with each article, we're supporting someone else's dreams in some way, expanding our reach, introducing people to new things, making folks think, and changing the status quo. It's a thrill.

We love what we do because:

We inspire people more than we think. Our drive, our consistency, professionalism, and our enthusiasm about what we do are uplifting to folks that rarely see two African-American girls in their 20's doing. Plus, we're breaking chains! We're letting young girls and women anywhere know that it is okay to love and BE themselves.

Define your idea of success:Our idea of success is happiness, peace, doing something you love, but also being able to give back to your community. Traveling, being free to be as creative as possible and bringing our friends along for the ride are also high on our list.

Best advice we have ever received:

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever" - Mahatma Gandhi

ABOUT A TALE OF TWO BIDDIES

A Tale of Two Biddies is a lifestyle publication and brand started by two young women on a quest for creative freedom and independence. We cover a variety of subjects such as art, culture, events, trends, food, music and much more. We aim to enrich our community by highlighting creatives within our reach, contributing to organizations dedicated to uplifting our environment and spotlighting all types of small businesses. We hope to spread positivity and a message that women can be multidimensional and the only thing stopping you from breaking from society's box is that initial leap of faith. We hope you come away with from Biddie experience with a new way of thinking, new connections and unlimited inspiration.

Shawna Strayhorn

Photo Credit: Amelia Alpaugh

SHAWNA STRAYHORN | NEW YORK CITYDIRECTOR OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AT REFINERY 29

How did you get started with your career? How does your current role as Director of Business Intelligence at Refinery29 reflect your personal aesthetic?

I graduated from Harvard in 2007. From there, I went into management consulting, a ripe business training ground. I quickly pivoted into e-commerce marketing and finally, just over 3 years ago, landed at Refinery29, coming onboard as the first marketing hire and the 13th employee. The ethos of Refinery29 is to cultivate personal style by mixing high and low and distilling down to only the very best. My personal style aesthetic draws on the same principals - mix designer with 125th street, vintage with so-this-season pieces. But, in the end, tie a look together with one eye-popping element, many times in black, and let the look sing.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

I believe there are two types of people in the "world": those that use the Internet to connect, explore, and discover in a true and deep way and those that do not, simply. What do I mean by true and deep -- that is, a rejection of the rinse-and-repeat nature of social media that engages only with the ideas, people, music, style, and friends that one is already familiar with in the human world. What is the point? Why sit at a wellspring of information and culture only to redraw the lines of your locality time and again? I use a reader to comb through content voraciously, follow links liberally, and seek inspiration for essays to read and songs to listen, etc. In addition, my city and neighborhood are fully-formed pillars of inspiration; many New York men and women style with effortless cool and Harlemites embrace pattern and bold shapes. Lately, I have been drawn to album art for inspiration. The project of bringing music to visual life in a small square is lofty (i.e., seeing sounds) and limiting (i.e., fixed space).

How do you balance your personal and business goals and stay creative at the same time (even when you are exhausted)?

I let technology work for me and eliminate the white noise. I am laser-focused on what needs to be done now and, in doing so, free myself up to dream, to fellowship. I use an email app to keep my inbox at 0 messages as frequently as possible. I push email reminders to myself (i.e., drinks, dates, plays, networking events) and delay messages and to-do items until they are absolutely time-critical. I save music, files, inspiration images, and documents to the cloud. I consume my news from RSS feeds in one central place (Feedly). My approach is not to let how I do the work impede me from doing the work. Mitigate the friction, make it easy, and get to the good, creative stuff.

I do my best thinking in the mornings. I rise about 5:30 each morning and take an hour to read, answer emails, and do some of the big picture thinking that only a good night's sleep can afford.

In my transition to business school, I faced the seemingly daunting task of committing my business goals to essays - a cathartic experience. In hindsight, I'm thankful for the exercise - my goals in 500 words double-spaced. Do I expect to pursue them down to the letter? No. But, the path as it stands, is mapped out. I expect detours.

Photo Credit: Amelia Alpaugh

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

Mentors are mission-critical. The best mentors, personal or professional, have a point of view that they want to impress upon you. It is simply not enough for a mentor to be someone "who achieves." A mentor not only achieves, but also has a credo on how she gets the job done and the language and perspective to pass on her knowledge. My life mentor is Jennifer Nash, Assistant Professor of American Studies at The George Washington University. I met Jen at Harvard; she was pursuing her PhD and I was pursuing my Bachelor's degree in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Define your idea of success.

Success is legacy - what positive thing will people remember you for and did it have impact beyond yourself.

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?My advice for those looking to get into fashion marketing is to have an editor’s eye for impeccable style and value, to sharpen your business acumen and analytical skills, and to be results driven.

Place that inspires me the most:

A specific place does not inspire me. However, I feel most inspired when I give myself time to think. It seems so intuitive. But, in the rush of life, time to "just think" is precious. If I have an hour, I'll spend nearly 45 minutes thinking about the problem -- what went wrong, what is up, what is down, and why. In a phrase, I like to put the problem back into problem-solving - don't rush the solution. Get intimate with the problem, get what the real rub is, and get it right.

I feel most powerful when: 

I wear lipstick and arrive 20 minutes early.

I love what I do because: 

I have the pleasure of gazing upon stunning, beautifully composed images daily. I derive such pleasure from being able to refine and focus my taste overtime and to appreciate and prop up things that are beautiful and special to me. My most rewarding career experience is leading Refinery29′s growth efforts. Through aggressive acquisition efforts, I lead Refinery29′s audience development growing the email database by 200% in one year.

Best advice I have ever received: 

Your inner-circle should be filled with people who are willing, able, and esteemed enough to challenge you and tell you "no."

About Refinery29Refinery29, the largest independent fashion and style website in the United States, is a lifestyle platform that delivers nonstop inspiration to live a more stylish and creative life. In addition to its global and local newsletter editions and 24/7 original editorial content, Refinery29 connects over 10 million visitors every month and over 1.25 million subscribers with content, commerce, and community, giving them all the tips, tricks, and tools they need to live a more beautiful life – and share it with the world.

Jelynne Jardiniano

image c/o nj.com

JELYNNE JARDINIANO | JERSEY CITY OWNER & FOUNDER OF LITM (LOVE IS THE MESSAGE)+AUTHOR OF RESTAURANT FROM SCRATCH

How did you get started with your career - and how does your current role reflect your personal aesthetic?

It all started with a simple job that I got at the age of 19: hostess of a small seafood restaurant in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I was taking a year off from college to rethink my initial plans to be a lawyer. During that year, I discovered my love for restaurants and returned to school and switched majors to hospitality.

Even though I have played (and continue to play) many roles in my business, I am a hostess at heart. I enjoy making people feel welcome and cared for.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

The marketplace is packed with noise on the topic of cultural trends and how to stay relevant. The pressure to implement the next best thing is a constant bug in the entrepreneur's ear. I am obviously speaking from experience. But what time has taught me is this: first know who you are and stay true to that. Once you accept that, listen to the people who matter: your customers, your employees, your community. Staying connected is the act of being open and humble. And staying ahead of the curve, I believe, is achieved when we let the moment inspire us.

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)?

Time is essential. In this digital world of instant gratification, we forget what nature has always offered to teach us: the tree takes time to bear fruit. I believe that it is in our haste that we are most susceptible to losing track of our goals and suffering from burnout. Creativity cannot be forced.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

I find that anyone who inspires me (whether I know him/her or not) is a qualified mentor. I've worked closely with a few professionals in the field of restaurant operations and even had a life coach. And while I have taken much of their advice, I cannot say that there was one person who had my sole focus. You need other people to help develop perspective. But to have true impact, you must act out of your own sincere desire.

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

Enjoy yourself, enjoy the process and take risks. Whatever the outcome, know deep down that there was nothing to prove, nothing to gain and nothing to lose. You came into this world complete, and you will leave complete. So why not make the world your plaything?

• Place that inspires me the most... Nature.
• I feel most powerful when... I'm on a horse's back.
• I love what I do because... I have creative freedom.
• My idea of success is... When you can take delight in yourself, without needing a reason.
• Best advice I have ever received... Pray.

Follow LITM on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter: @LITMJC!

About LITM:

An acronym for Love is the Message, LITM is Jersey City’s neighborhood destination for seasonal cocktails, American food and the local art and film scene.

Monthly art shows and film screenings are home to LITM, with over 100 exhibitions to date.

LITM140 Newark Ave.Jersey City, NJ 07302(201) 536-5557

Meika Franz

MEIKA FRANZ | JERSEY CITY OWNER & FOUNDER ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE

Describe a day in the life of Meika Franz in one sentence:

Wake up, feed baby, feed dogs, paperwork, pick vintage, steam/clean/ price/restock, eat, displays, manage employees, promote, put baby to sleep, answer emails, hang with husband, sleep well if baby lets me. ;)

How did you get started with your career – and how does your current role reflect your personal aesthetic?

As my family was in the sewing industry I have been involved in the fashion industry on some level for the past 20 years now. It was when I moved to London in 2004 however, to be with my now husband and business partner that I began working in vintage stores and found my 'career' in vintage. It has always been important to me to be unique and stand out from the crowd and vintage is a great way to do that as each piece is basically one of a kind.

Meika and her daughter Biba.

How have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your craft?

I am fortunate to come from a family of many interesting, creative and strong willed woman. My great Aunt May, the teacher and principal at the MGM studios school in the 50’s, taught everyone from Mickey Rooney to Judy Garland, my great grandmother an actress/singer and pre-follies Ziegfeld girl, my grandmother, a sewing shop owner, my aunt, an inventor of sewing products and my mother another creative, from designer to singer. My life has been full of inspirational creative woman. Growing up with this inspiration definitely helped to fuel my drive and taught me that I can do anything I set my heart on.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

Vintage tends to attract a lot of trend setters so I can often see from my customers what is on trend for the moment as well as what is to come for the mainstream. I also sell a lot to the design industry so I can see what they are looking for to inspire their future collections and keep me aware of what lies ahead in fashion.

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)?

Doing my best to maintain a balance of both my personal and business life helps to keep me driven and clear headed in setting and attaining my goals. The goal is keeping focused and positive, try not to think too much! The fear of becoming irrelevant and the excitement of attaining my goals drives me to keep working hard no matter how tired I am;) The creative process is something that I enjoy and is part of what drives me.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

I think mentors are very important. I have been very lucky to have several wonderful mentors in my life from family members, previous bosses, to past and present vintage store owners who pass down their tips and who offer advice to us. I know so many wonderful people I couldn't choose just one.

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

Do what you love, live your passion and stay positive no matter what. Never stop learning, and when things get tough, use that time to figure out what can be done to make things better and put it into action. Also, surround yourself with inspiring people!

Meika and her husband Warren in front of Another Man's Treasure in downtown Jersey City.

• Place that inspires me the most... I think I would have to say England. I have always been inspired by its creative and colorful history; I even named my daughter after one of its legendary shops and clothing lines ‘Biba’. I feel English culture encourages self-expression and standing out in a crowd.
• I feel most powerful when... I am not sure powerful is a word I would use, as I am always aiming to be better at what I do and I am easily my worst critic. However, seeing people wear the clothes that I choose and the positive feedback that I get about how the shop looks, and my eye for style definitely make me feel great .
• I love what I do because... So many reasons! I guess I could start by saying now much I love clothes. Since I could talk I was writing songs about dresses and modeling every piece of clothing my parents bought me. Haha. It's always been a slight obsession. With vintage you are seeing a quality that is rare these days in clothing, hand details like embroidery and beadwork that would take months or years to recreate today due to the lack of skills, as well as richness in fabrics, prints and colors unseen in modern clothing. I love the hunt of finding each piece and the story that sometimes comes along with it.
• I also love helping people find themselves with the clothes, creating a look that they feel expresses and empowers them. I have seen many people come out of their shell with vintage. Also helping women feel good about their bodies as you can dress for your body shape with vintage, choosing from every style and cut ever made, rather than just the modern cuts of the moment. I could go on and on...
• My idea of success is... Success for me is being able to do something I love so much and having the time to spend with those I love whilst doing it.
• Best advice I have ever received... To enjoy every day because life moves so fast!

Follow Another Man's Treasure on Instagram: @amtvintage and Facebook: amtvintage!

About Another Man's Treasure:Established in 2006, Another Man's Treasure is a kaleidoscopic array of vintage fashions, accessories, shoes and jewelry for men and women from the 1900s to 1980s, with a focus on classic vintage, high fashion trends and designer finds. The shop also includes an intriguing mix of records, books, collectibles and other vintage oddities. Another Man's Treasure has been featured in various publications including Paris VOGUE, Harper's Bazaar, Elle Mexico, Cosmopolitan UK, New York Magazine, Lucky, Time Out New York, NY Post, Vogue.com, Elle.com and numerous other blogs, video/movie shoots, etc.

Another Man's Treasure353 Grove StreetJersey City, New Jersey 07302(201) 860-9990

Anna Sian

image c/o karmaloop

ANNA SIAN | NEW YORK CITYMARKETING DIRECTORSTAPLE

How did you get started at Staple – and how does your current role as Marketing Director reflect your personal aesthetic?

My career path was never a straight one. It's been a circuitous journey, and a seemingly random one at that. But at each step I took risks, lived in the present moment and inched closer towards what I felt deep down was a better match for me. I received my Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth in Psychological and Brain Sciences. Not because it was my dream to become a psychologist or psychotherapist or really work in brain sciences at all, but because I took one intro class and felt that human behavior, and why people do what they do, was most interesting thing to learn about. Plus, my parents were firmly against me becoming a studio art major, so it was somewhat of a compromise. So I graduated with this seemingly impractical degree and moved back to NYC, where I was born and raised.

What followed in my post-college years were multiple part-time internships and jobs that each spoke to a different part of my personality, which when combined, somehow represented a more holistic version of my Dream Job. Over the years, I edited an art magazine, interned at a human rights non-profit organization and in fashion, freelanced in photography and volunteered with a Filipina women's organization, and worked as a hostess and runner at Japanese restaurants to supplement my income. Eventually I landed a higher paying job as a marketing assistant at an engineering firm, but I wasn't passionate about the engineering industry and I felt my creativity being stunted in that corporate environment. And then -- as both a blessing and a curse -- I was laid off. Unemployed for months, I floated around NYC until my best friend asked me if I wanted to join her band, Ava Luna, which was started by another one of our classmates from high school. I sang backup harmonies at first and later also played the keys. As part of Ava Luna I was able to tour the US and Europe, play at SXSW, the US Open and other memorable shows, but it wasn't all glamorous and it wasn’t enough to support me financially.

I suppose I was in the right place at the right time when jeffstaple of Staple Design needed a new assistant and I applied, interviewed, and was hired. For the first year I was still playing in the band and begging jeff for more and more time off to tour; eventually I was getting burnt out playing late night shows and coming to work in the morning. I had to choose between the band or the job, and Staple felt like the right choice. A year later, the clothing brand started taking off and there was greater need for marketing, at which point I was promoted. It seemed like everything that I had done in my fledgling career leading up to that point started to make more sense for the marketing work I would begin to do at Staple. Marketing at Staple requires me to use what I've learned from the worlds of fashion, psychology, photography, publishing, the music industry and NGOs all rolled into one.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

Cultural trends do change, like everything else. That’s why I don’t necessarily pay attention to trends. I think what keeps me and my work relevant to others is that I try to really listen to the things that truly interest me – if I myself am not inspired, then I can’t expect others to give a shit. What that means is constantly finding ways to travel outside New York or visit new parts of the city, reading, trying different food, supporting new artists, meeting new people and making unlikely friendships.

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)?

Luckily my personal and business goals require creativity.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

Having a mentor is necessary. My main mentor is my mother, who worked her butt off to get from the Philippines to NYC, started her own business and non-profit organization, all while constantly learning and trying to be a better person with each day.

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

I haven’t yet started my own business, so I can’t offer any legitimate advice for that, but my advice to any woman entering creative fields is to take risks and say yes to exciting (albeit frightening) opportunities. The future will work itself out somehow, so be fluid – the only thing constant is change.

• Place that inspires me the most... Crazy Legs Skate Club in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn… But honestly I’m most inspired every time I travel, and inspired again every time I come home to NYC.
• I feel most powerful when... I am with my friends and family.
• I love what I do because... My job allows me to be myself.
• Define your idea of success... There’s little I can say here without sounding trite. But success to me is being able to do what you love while helping others.
• Best advice I have ever received... Breathe.

Follow Anna on Instagram: @Annamal!

Steph Adams

STEPH ADAMS | SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER & FASHION/LIFESTYLE BLOGGER STEPH ADAMS CREATIVE + STEPHADAMS.COM

How did you get started with your career – and how does your current role reflect your personal aesthetic?

I studied graphic design and marketing for my Bachelor of Arts at Curtain University of Western Australia. I then started working in publishing as a Graphic Designer and Art Director over Vogue in Australia & London before starting my own business; Steph Adams Creative as well as my blog www.stephadams.com which is an inspirational blog on beauty, fashion & lifestyle. It's also an outlet for other brands and clients to get noticed online.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

I am travelling quite a lot and I find this helps to stay on top of trends as well as providing inspiration for new projects.

How do you keep track of your personal and business goals – and stay creative at the same time (even when you’re exhausted)?

I try and live a balanced and healthy lifestyle to stay on top of everything. I definitely need my sleep if I want to keep up the creativity. Usually if I need inspiration, I will go for a run or walk just to clear my head.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

My husband has been a great mentor to me and my best friend.

What is your advice for women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

That you really must love what you do before you go out and do it, because there are a lot of hard yards and nothing comes easy. Hard work definitely pays off.

• Place that inspires me the most... Every new place you go to is inspiring in a different way, my favourite is the South of France.
• I feel most powerful when... I've just had a boxing session.
• I love what I do because... I help people build their brands and businesses and it's what they are most passionate about and that makes me happy when I see others also achieving their goals.
• My idea of success is... I think if you have your health and love what you do as well as having loving family and friends around you, then you are successful.
• Best advice I have ever received... "You have a brain in your head and feet in your shoes, you can move yourself whichever way you choose." - Dr Seuss

Follow Steph Adams on Instagram: @StephAdams2012 and Facebook: Beauty Fashion Lifestyle by Steph Adams!

About Steph Adams:

Steph Adams is a former-model-turned-art-director-and-designer who has been working in the fashion industry and collaborating with brands for over 20 years. She is the founder of Steph Adams Creative, a boutique design studio with a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle clientele -specializing in luxury and commercial branding. She also runs StephAdams.com, a lifestyle blog that documents her musings on beauty, fashion, photography and travel. Her works have been featured on British Vogue, Vogue Australia, Elle, Net-a-porter, Conde Nast Traveller, Harpers Bazaar (UK & AUS), Grazia, Vogue Living, Marie Claire (UK & AUS), House and Garden, Gourmet Traveller, Vogue Entertaining and Travel, Fox Sports, Channel Nine, Donna Hay, Stylerunner, Ausmode, Styledby, Miss Moncur, etc.

Juliet Nwekenta

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JULIET NWEKENTA | LONDON FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTORDEE ROSA

Officially launched in 2011, Dee Rosa is a celebration of London-based designer Juliet Nwekenta's Nigerian heritage, lifestyle, and cultural inspirations through visually stimulating, intricate patterns and geometric shapes.

Describe a day in the life of Juliet Nwekenta, Founder & Creative Director of Dee Rosa:

My day usually starts with checking and replying to emails. I then form a to do list of what I want to achieve in the day. Sometimes it could be a day of drawing up new designs, or promotion and marketing, sometimes there are meetings, it really does vary. I also freelance occasionally as a music consultant and I just started DJing too plus I have a part-time job for now while the business finds it feet.

How did you get started with Dee Rosa – and how does your role as Founder & Creative Director reflect your personal aesthetic?

After graduating from University in the UK with an Advertising and Marketing degree, I just wanted to do something different. I always loved art/design and  was always drawing on the side plus I was a serious music head too. I decided to go down the music route, so I moved to NYC for a year to intern at a couple of recording studios after which I returned to the London and was A&R scouting and then more recently music consultancy.

I still had the design itch and wanted to start a streetwear/lifestyle brand with a bunch of my designs, all of which were patterns. I then started off producing a few tees, people liked them then I did a few more, then I moved on to sweatshirts.

I've always been a casual girl and I've always loved streetwear. I enjoy dressing up and bringing the heels out for occasions but on a day to day I'm very comfortable in jeans and trainers. As well as the clothing, I also love the whole culture of streetwear, the music, art & design and other subcultures. So my role as a designer reflects my personal aesthetic because I make things that I would personally wear with the hope that others would want to wear them too.

How have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your hustle?

All the women in my life happen to be hustlers (in a good way). My mum especially, is such as huge inspiration because she's always worked hard and kept a home. When my siblings and I were younger, she always came to our parent teacher meetings and school plays and even though she worked. My mum has always been very independent and as has always encouraged me to work hard and be independent too.

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What do you think it takes to make it in this business, especially for women?

I think first and foremost to make it in business you need vision, followed by passion and then comes strategy, hard work and focus!

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

I just like what I like and I gravitate to people, blogs and magazines that share my passions and likes.

How has social media shaped your life & career? What’s your favorite platform? Why?

Social media has been a great tool to reach out to supporters/customers and people that are usually difficult to get in contact with. I however have struggled with social media because being an introvert, I'm not used to really putting myself out there which I realise I have to do to promote the business. I am definitely embracing it and learning to make it feel more natural to me.

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How do you keep track of personal & business goals, prioritize projects, and stay creative at the same time – even when you’re exhausted?

Lists, lists lists. I used to hate writing lists, but it's the best way for me to stay focused and prioritize tasks

What are your must-have tools or apps to run your day-to-day grind?

My laptop and phone are very important for me to operate, I also need a pencil, colour pencils, and a sketch pad and I'm good!

What kind of gadgets would we find on your desk or in your bag?

My old Blackberry (soon to be replaced with a new phone) and my Macbook pro. I recently started Djing too so I have the Traktor S2 turntables or baby decks as I like to call them, some Sennheiser headphones and some speakers. I also have an E-mu Midi Keyboard from about 7 years ago where I used to make beats, I'm only just getting back into producing music.

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In a fast-paced industry where last-minute-anything can happen, what’s your fool-proof, go-to outfit that will last from morning meetings to evening events?

It would have to be nice top and jacket with some skinny jeans and comfortable footwear. I would then add some accessories for the evening.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

Mentors are extremely important to help keep you on track. Although I don't currently have a personal/direct mentor, thanks to the internet I feel that I have many mentors because I'm able to research the people that I look up to in business and life and learn so much from them. I would also class some older family members/friends as mentors.

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Define your idea of success.

My idea of ultimate success is being where you want to be, doing what you want to do, being with who you want to be with and being able to help other people achieve exactly the same thing. I think success is also being grateful for what you have and enjoying the ride of life.

What’s your advice for other women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

Learn as much as you can, have faith and work hard!

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GETTING TO KNOW... JULIET NWEKENTA

Follow Dee Rosa on Twitter and Facebook!

Top 5

Isis Arias

ISIS ARIASBrand Marketer & Event Producer | Around The Way Cool Girl

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Describe a day in the life of Isis Arias:

A day in my life is a constant variation of many things depending on what I'm working on. The average day consists of me waking up and staring at my iPhone, checking email, responding to texts, checking social media. It's not the best wake method, I should really work on meditating more but it's a force of habit. If I'm up early enough I tend to go for a jog or yoga, and then I'm in front of my computer for a few hours working on anything from emails to project plans, checking in on the marketing programs I manage, event research and logistic planning. The rest of the day tends to be scattered with conference calls, outreach and meetings, although I tend to try and schedule meeting days so I have more than one reason to head into the city especially since I work from home and mobile, so I'm often doing some of these things from the road!

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How did you get started with brand marketing and events – and how does strategic and event planning reflect your personal aesthetic?I started planning large events in college and became really interested in making great things happen and seeing them run well. My career path after college ranged from work in PR for the entertainment industry to celeb personality management and a lot of that dealt with handling people. I found that I was interested in the branding side but definitely wanted to work with a variety of brands and learn both the marketing side as well as the experiential. One lucky Spring Break, I had met a really eclectic group of guys running some marketing activations at Winter Music Conference (shout to Kenny Mac n the crew) and saw that they were doing some really awesome things with brands but were getting paid to show off products in a fun way, and giving away gear (product seeding as i would later learn). I had gotten into some guerrilla/street marketing after college so I was well aware of activations where you were giving out free stuff, but I knew there was more behind it. A gig with Sprite Green showed me how a small team could canvas an entire city and learned a lot about sponsorships and executing on a brand side. It was empowering to see your work in the eyes of your peers ("Yo, I see you guys EVERYWHERE!") and it was the start of my brand marketing work. That led to projects with Nike, Google and Hennessy, both on the marketing or events side. Personally, I love seeing a good brand via communication, imagery and experiences and I think I try to build that into some of my personal aesthetic, paying attention to signature things like mantra statements or even daily jewelry.It’s empowering to see women making moves in the scene like you — how have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your hustle?I have been blessed to have some amazing women from sister-friends to colleagues to mentors that have always been very supportive of my hustle. They have always were open with giving their time, sharing their honest opinions and advice and have always asked me the right questions to make sure that not only are my professional focuses in line with what I want for figure but also that holistically in life I consider the other things that are important: life, love, family. I in turn have always given the same to the young women in my life that are always looking for a quick chat or advice on their future. It's definitely important to me to see the next generation grow. Women have the power these days to do anything and there's no reason why we would have to choose career over family or vice versa. It's nice to know other women that have come before you and have done it successfully are there in support of all of your efforts.How has social media shaped your business in brand marketing or events? What’s your favorite platform? Why?Social media is a great way to promote brands or events. On the brand side, it's important for communication with consumers and its a great way to get immediate feedback ("I LOVE my new 'enter product here." Or "Hey 'enter company here' your customer service 'is the best/sucks') and while its not an exact study in brand insights it's a very easy thing to track. I read about a brand that was selling to a department store that wasn't interested in one of their specific products and they pulled up their Instagram account and showed the thousands of likes the piece received. The store couldn't deny it. On the event side, it's a great way to promote an event as well as have people interact with a brand experience on another level utilizing hashtags and then being able to check those hashtags to not just see who attended but what they thought about different elements from the actual event to talent to logistic things to think about - like how long it takes to get IN to a spot.Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?I have good friends. Seriously though, sometimes when I feel like I'm behind the times, I am constantly being "put on" to something via my circle of friends or even checking in to social media. I love culture and knowing what people are into so I tend to ask a lot of questions to friends and peers in the same fields from various industries. I read a lot, from magazines like Fast Company and Inc to the blogs (everything from style, home improvement, entertainment and baking) and checking into certain outlets online also keeps me at the forefront of what's going on. Having a PR degree and publicist background means I still love popping into a magazine stand and flipping through media from domestic to international to check the trends out. I love checking the fashion magazines in different countries (especially the Philippines) to see what the youth culture is from beauty and fashion to lifestyle.What are your must-have tools or apps to run your day-to-day grind? What kind of gadgets would we find on your desk or in your bag? My phone is most usually in my hand, my back pocket or within quick reach in my purse. Working mobile means getting my email is important on the road. My MacBook Air comes with me everywhere and it's the best investment I ever made. I recommend it to any road warriors who have to lug around a laptop (I did it with a 15" MacBook Pro and ended up with some shoulder/neck/back issues so Im an advocate to Go Light!) Mobile Internet is the ultimate life saver. I can't say how many times I have popped it on in meetings, sent emails in a cab or at various lunches (grateful for friends who don't judge me on quick responses on my phone or computer in the middle of a catch up) or at any location that hasn't caught up to free wifi. It's great in airports when I'm on the road and it's secure. Travel wise other items that usually come along are my pretty Molami headphones, Beats pill speaker and ill take my iPad on trips that I will have relaxation time on since I tend to read a lot of books on there.In a fast-paced industry where last-minute-anything can happen, what’s your fail-proof, go-to outfit that will last from morning meetings to evening events?A great dress and jacket that can easily have a day to eve accessory and makeup change. Especially when working on the road, you want something that looks good that is easy to wear and you don't have to think about it too much. Otherwise, well fit and polished outfits and a good pair of shoes. If the bag one's carrying allows for quick flat to heel changes, its definitely helpful when running from one meeting to the next. On more casual day to night days it's a little more New York - a tee and dark jeans or all black, leather jacket and stomp around boots. Red lips and great eye makeup can make anyone feel a little more dressed up as well.How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?Mentors are extremely important. I'm constantly inspired by the people around me both peers and older colleagues of mine. I have a few too many to name but there is a small circle of people I call on for advice either professionally or in life in general. I am always open to feedback and people's strategic advice especially when I know they are invested in me or have my best interests in mind.Define your idea of success.It's funny, when I was younger I thought success meant hitting a million and being married with kid(s) by 30. These days, I think I've hit a measure of success - I've worked with some of my favorite people on amazing projects and brands, I've been blessed to have the ability to travel, I started my own company and had a full successful year of business. I've gotten to a point where people call me because they want to work with me, they trust my ability to manage and work with a team, and they know that I execute and deliver well. I've managed to do things on my own terms and had the freedom to live my life while still doing meaningful work. i have a great support system and amazing friends and family. At the end of the day, isn't that all that matters??What should we expect from Isis Arias this year?BIG TINGS! Honestly I never know what opportunities are on the table for greatness but I do have a few substantial projects in the works that are long term goals so they're slow cooking!What’s your advice for other women entering creative fields?Be steadfast in your dreams. Never stop doing. Don't be afraid to say yes to things you are unsure of but interested in, and never be afraid to walk away from something that does not make sense for you, your goals or your brand. Work with integrity. Never give up. Get in, get it done. DO WORK.

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GETTING TO KNOW... ISIS ARIAS

Follow Isis on Twitter + Instagram and check out her site!

Isis Arias

Nola Darling

Jaquita Ta’le + Alex LavelanetofNOLA DARLING

Artists | Rappers | Singers

Nola Darling

Describe a day in the life of Nola Darling (Jaquita Ta’le and Alex Lavelanet):

No two days are alike, so it's hard to describe a typical day, but it could go anywhere from:

Wake up/Emails and Internet/Late Breakfast/Audition/Meeting/Phone Conference/Dinner/Home/Write/Netflix/Sleep or...Wake up/Gym/Lunch/Studio/Phone Conference/Trader Joe's Run/Movies/Home/Netflix/Sleep

How did you get started as a rapping and singing duo – and how does your music reflect your personal aesthetic?

We first met during a high school summer program for Acting at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Serendipitously, we were both in the Lee Strasberg School for Acting (the dude who made "the method") famous, and we lived directly across from each other in the dorms. Fast forward: we both ended up going to NYU for undergrad, and after graduation, (like many post-grads) decided to go on an international road trip. The twist is, while travelling around South Africa, London, and Amsterdam, we made a documentary (WORD?!) about international Hip Hop culture that featured local acts, as well as artists like Dead Prez and Aloe Blacc. While in Rome (ha ha) lounging at our hostel, our photographer/travel buddy LP made a beat that we geeked over and started writing to. It was kind of a lightbulb moment...like, "why aren't we doing this?!" And the rest is history...

Our music is very reflective of our Pan-African upbringing and cultural influences (prep school, classic Americana, Hip Hop, film noir), and aesthetically, audiences can see glimpses of that in our work.

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It’s empowering to see women making moves in the scene like you — how have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your hustle?

We got our hustle from our Mamas!! Shout out to both our Moms for being the most supportive, understanding, and loving ladies on the planet... We'd be nowhere without them. From encouraging us to following our dreams to making sure we always protect our spirits and hearts, our Mothers are living examples of the women we're working on becoming.

How has social media shaped Nola Darling? What’s your favorite social media platform? Why?

We've definitely been a "word of mouth" group and have been fortunate to get a lot of "blog love", so we've felt the support on all the different platforms from twitter to tumblr, etc. Right now, Instagram is the most popping (for lack of a better word lol) and is the most fun at the moment, because it's the most intimate and can feel like you're really getting a glimpse of someone's life. As of late, we've been a little quiet on all of the social media sites, but that's because we're gearing up for some big tings :)

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

Cultural trends do constantly change, so our number one priority is focused on always staying personally authentic and true to ourselves.

What are your must-have tools or apps to run your day-to-day grind? What kind of gadgets would we find on your desk or in your bag?

Must have apps: Whatsapp, Astrologyzone (love you Susan Miller!), Instagram, Sype, Netflix, Shazam

Bag gadgets: iPhone, and lipstick counts, right? LolDesk gadget: MacBook, mbox, speakers, and our new Turntables/mixer/Serato box set up!

In a fast-paced industry where last-minute-anything can happen, what’s your fool-proof, go-to outfit that will last from morning meetings to evening events?

Simple button down, skinny jeans, cute flats/trainers, a great heel to throw in your purse and switch out later, and most importantly, killer accessories.

How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?

Take advantage of ALL the mentors in your life. They are great folks to bounce ideas off of, to go to when you're asking yourself "am I crazy?," lol and they can potentially save you from making some of the mistakes they made when they were in your shoes...Again, we are SO blessed to have such supportive families. Our parents and grandparents were the first and remain the most important mentors in our lives. We also want to mention Beth Turner and Sandra Bowie, two artistic dynamos that went above and beyond the call of duty as our advisors at NYU.

THANK YOU.

Define your idea of success.

Waking up every morning and actually being excited to get to work.

What should we expect from Nola Darling this year?

New music, New videos, new collabs, new website, new acting projects. All. New. Everything.

What’s your advice for other women entering creative fields?

Do you, boo! Stay strong, work hard, don't get discouraged by the word "no", keep on keeping on, and put your faith in something greater than you. The magic is yours to make.

Follow Nola Darling on Twitter + Instagram!

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GETTING TO KNOW... NOLA DARLING

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Sarah Meier

SARAH MEIERCreative Director, Pormada | Host, Top Model Philippines | Author, Unscripted

Describe a day in the life of Sarah Meier.

It usually starts with roosters. If you've ever visited or lived in the Philippines, you'll know that the primitive still suffices for the resourceful, and being woken up by cockadoodling and the 6am church bell will always be more poignant than any iPhone alarm tone. My days struggle to claim that they have any sort of routine, which is why I'm entertaining offers to resurrect my morning radio show host status; it gives me a valid excuse to dip out of manic Manila nights before people start making fuzzy decisions, and also propels my ass to the gym at a regular hour. Other than that, it's a few hours at Pormada HQ, time on shoot sets, rocking the microphone hosting events, recording voice overs for fashion-related TV shows (I can now say Ermenegildo Zegna without hesitating), wine and cheese dates with friends, and a weekly 2-hour $10 home service massage. I have a beautiful daughter that likes bookstores, running around at the park, fine dining, manicures, and Jamba Juice, so her Dad and I switch off on dates with her to do those things after school.

Unscripted by Sarah Meier and Vicky Herrera

How does your current role as Creative Director of Pormada, including your book "Unscripted" reflect your personal aesthetic?

I'm not entirely sure either of them do. The thing about creating for a Philippine audience is that the reference points, things the larger portion of the market identify with, are not necessarily the same things that excite me. I like the classily executed off-kilter and provocative, the eloquence in grit, irreverent fashion pieces and layouts that demand more than a 2-second glance. 'Unscripted' was created primarily for a younger market, so it's cute and fun in a high school yearbook kind of way. We're still trying to define Pormada's positioning, but I'm excited about where I can take it in the next 12 months - looking forward to bringing on brands that embody individuality, so that we can wild out a little more on the creative execution. It really feels like everything I've tinkered with, from music to fashion, in above the line content, or on ground events, always involves a great deal of preparatory educating and exposing first. Grooming the next generation (of both consumers and clients) to be able to not feel alienated by things that aren't traditional. Television commercials here fall back on the same template that has worked for the past two decades; not because our advertising agencies aren't forward thinking and creative (they're actually quite fantastic), but because brands think consumers can't relate to a shampoo commercial if it's not throning bra-line length, straight, black hair; and consumers think that that's still the standard of beauty because it's all they see on TV. Chicken or the egg. Stalemate. The internet has sped up creative evolution significantly, so I'm grateful, but like I said, exposure is still just an elementary step. Application only comes when people start to find the balls to challenge the conservative, and trust, I'm not talking down on anybody. I'm still grappling with the same conundrum on a personal level. It's alarming how different I dress when I'm outside the country, or how judgmental people can get about my best friend's tattoo sleeve, or how salon after salon refused to cut another girlfriend's daughter's hair from waist-length into a semi-mohawk. But if Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter posts are any consolation, there's a shift happening - and it spans wider and deeper than just aesthetics. It's challenging bigger issues like separation of Church and State, and women's rights. There are some places you need a prescription to buy a condom, and we're the only country left on the planet where divorce is not legal. While we tackle overarching things like that, creative and expressive culture will continue to get caught up in the throes of conservatism and tradition.

Meet The Pormada Crew

It’s empowering to see women making moves in the scene like you — how have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your hustle?I grew up as the daughter of a pretty dynamic woman; one of the first Filipina supermodels to break the mold of what "beauty" was perceived to be in the seventies. Models used to be poster-children for colonialism; fair skinned, Spanish looking, more often than not, offspring of privileged families. Mama was a dark-skinned, exotic, half-Chinese broomstick with a 22-inch waistline, that in my memory, was the first girl I ever saw with a side shave. She never gave a shit about what people thought, and was named "Electrika", partially because of how much she shocked people (but also because she was "as thin as an electric wire). She never said no to me when I wanted to explore or experiment, so that planted a seed of "I can do anything I choose to excel in" early on. The women I surround myself with now, be they here in Manila or in cities across the globe, are all cut of similar cloth. Accountable for their own success, never ones to give excuses, open minded and entrenched in different cultures, passionate and strong, steeped in definiteness of purpose based on their intrinsic talents and how they can better the world with them.

Top Model Philippines Hosted by Sarah Meier

What do you think it takes to make it in this business, especially for women?A solid concept of who you are as a woman. If you can command respect because of consistency in quality character, work code, and creation, things that less secure women fall back on to get ahead (sexuality, for example) become supplementary forces in taking an already formidable entity through the roof.In the early stages of your career, what were some challenges you faced in your industry? How did you overcome those obstacles?I started really earning money as a model when I was about 14, and that career peaked when I was between the ages of 19 and 22. The challenges I faced were my own issues with being a model - I didn't like JUST being a mannequin, and so before my modeling career could start quieting, I used it to leverage a job on television at MTV. It was important to me to have a voice, because I adhered to this very contradictory "models shouldn't have an opinion" philosophy. You show up promptly, you wear what they tell you to, pose how they want you to, don't complain, don't suggest unless asked. That was my brand of professionalism, but it was killing me because I wasn't doing anything to dispel the notion that "model's opinions don't count". So I found a way to grab a microphone, on TV, at live events, on radio. Found more outlets to write. When my Wikipedia page changed text to say I was known for my wit vs. being a "supermodel", I smiled the dorkiest smile in the world. Why I get validation from Wikipedia is another issue altogether.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqHtDi3jfdE]Rogue Magazine Hot Seat with Sarah Meier

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?I revert to the relevance of timelessness, have conversations with people that have an aversion to social media, and like I mentioned earlier - my problem is not staying ahead of the curve, it is having to constantly pace myself so that the curve is still within striking distance.How has social media shaped your career? What’s your favorite platform? Why?Cryptic one-liners have always been my forte, so the advent of Twitter really gave me a platform to enjoy the internet in a way that I hadn't previously experienced. Career-wise, I started out as a writer, then made my name as a model, spent 5 years as a VJ for MTV, started a production company and creative agency, became a Mom, was a music and advice columnist (separately, lol), a radio show host, then published a book, and now am working on my clothing line, with clocking in as CD at Pormada and being hired as a TV show and live event host/interviewer in the in-betweens. To say that social media has been a helpful tool in communicating where I currently am (literally and figuratively) is an understatement. It gave me an opportunity to really think about the totality of my package, and helped create a direct line to people that could either inspire or appreciate that. It has been a massive asterisk to things fed to the public that aren't in sync with who I really am -- highly stylized photos, or heavily edited interviews, for example, which have always been the bane of my "you can't make money in this industry by keeping it really really real"-battered existence.

Rogue Magazine Cover Girl, Sarah Meier

How do you prioritize personal & business goals and stay creative at the same time – even when you’re exhausted?I don't know girl, you just do what you gotta.In a fast-paced industry where last-minute-anything can happen, what’s your foolproof, go-to outfit that will last from morning meetings to evening events?It's still all black everything for me; slim lines on the lower half, looser up top. A pointed closed toe shoe or boot, skin hugging bottoms and a boyfriend tank - with an irreverent blazer with killer lapels ready in my bag. Red or orange or purple lipstick. Have the winged out eyeliner on standby. Pulled back hair in a tight bun. Works for pretty much everything.How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?Mentors are everything to me. My manager, Joey Espino, has been a very important figure in my life, having represented and guided me in both personal and professional matters since I was seventeen. He started Philippine Fashion Week almost two decades ago and has been instrumental in shaping careers for some of the most successful people in our industry. I also found some incredibly inspiring people to emulate while I was taking a Publishing course at Columbia University - Christopher Cerf (Sesame Street, National Lampoon), Tina Brown (Daily Beast), Chris Mitchell (GQ), Bob Gottlieb (The New Yorker), and Sally Preston (formerly from Time Inc.). In the more, shall we say "urban" spectrum, Dan Cherry took me under his wing early on, Jeff Staple continues to help shape my perspective with every lunch date we have, and Omar Quiambao is straight up Yoda to me.

Define your idea of success.Seeing my little girl grow up to be a little spark of an empath and an indigo child; open-minded, expressive, kind, curious, worldly, generous, aware of the bigger picture and the role she can play improving it.What’s your advice for women entering creative fields?Feel beautiful. Kill it.

Follow Sarah Meier on Twitter! Follow Sarah Meier on Facebook! Follow Sarah Meier on Instagram!

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GETTING TO KNOW... SARAH MEIER

About Top Model PhilippinesTop Model Philippines is an exciting reality competition following its popular US format, America’s Next Top Model. Coming soon on ETC.Top Model Philippines (Cycle 1) is an exciting reality competition following its popular US format, America’s Next Top Model.The series aims to give fourteen aspiring models an opportunity to make it in the high-pressure and glamorous world of supermodeling. Each week, these girls are mentored by some of the Philippines’ most notable fashion personalities. The girl who stands out with global appeal will earn the coveted title of “Philippines’ Next Top Model” and get a chance to be signed with a top modeling agency.Hosting the show is top model, Sarah Meier. She joins some of the Philippines’ fashion experts in looking for the next top model.About PormadaPormada is a Hong Kong-based online shopping and fashion destination targeting the fashion forward and quality-conscious buyers.We value the satisfaction and happiness of our customers so the products we carry are of highest quality, and our service meets the highest expectations. Our pioneer market is the Philippine territory. We deliver nationwide, partnering with the country’s most reputable forwarders.About UnscriptedUnscripted is a book based on the conversations that transpired during the “The Dollhouse,” Sarah Meier and Vicky Herrera's radio show. The book focuses on the lessons learned from interviewing individuals who were deemed influential and innovative in their respective field. These influential people were interviewed in the segment entitled, “The Real OG.”Featuring a diverse roster that includes names such as Madame Imelda Marcos, rockstar Raimund Marasigan, educator Gang Badoy, iconic hip-hop group Mastaplann, and PBA legend Jeff Cariaso, the book highlights the lessons that each OG encountered in their rise to success.Inspiring and thought-provoking, The Dollhouse conversations are truly memorable conversations that last; and truly unscripted ones from the heart.

TheSnobette

SAMIA GRAND-PIERRE AND LOIS SAKANY

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TheSnobette

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Founding Editors of Highsnobette | Founders of TheSnobette | Stylists | Branding + Digital Strategists

Describe a day in the life of Samia Grand-Pierre (left) & Lois Sakany (right):

Samia: A regular day starts with meditation/prayer, a few sun salutations then If I have to work at my visual merchandising job I head out to the city. I try to check a few emails on the go and do some Instagram posts. I come back to the home/office after work and peruse Google Reader and do some blogging. If I have the day to myself, I’m usually online posting, doing research, reading various digital publications about fashion, advertising and pop culture. That routine will also be sprinkled with showroom and tradeshow visits, various launches, store openings, presentations and runway shows.

Lois: I work entirely from home and I’m usually sitting at my desk starting at 7:30AM and I’m here until 5, 6 and sometimes 7PM and then I often work on one weekend day, too. I’m a big believer in working really hard (which is a strength though sometime I overdo it). I have multiple jobs but when my focus is TheSnobette, I look for day-to-day fashion stories we can cover by perusing Twitter. We also receive a lot of emails from brands pitching stories. We have a stable of names we’re always excited to feature but we’re always opening to feature someone fresh and new. Definitely we think it’s so important to attend and cover fashion events and trade shows. We are blessed to live in a city that is one of the world’s centers for fashon and it would be foolish not to take advantage of that.

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Lois & Samia

What’s the history behind Highsnobette and TheSnobette – how did you get started with Highsnobette and what propelled you to start TheSnobette – and how do both brands reflect your personal aesthetic?Highsnobette was a column on Highsnobiety called Chicks with Kicks predominantly focused on sneaker culture, streetwear and anything we thought was cool, interesting or just fun. I commented on one of Lois’ posts, about seven years ago, we exchanged a few emails and next thing I knew I was virtually introduced to David Fischer, who founded HighSnobiety and I started contributing. A few years went by and David presented us the opportunity to run a women’s site independently of Highsnobiety, and Highsnobette was born.As far as aesthetic, the site became a reflection of our two different backgrounds and a shared love for individual style. For TheSnobette, the site Lois and I are launching this summer, we want to focus on the individual style elements we love, focus more on global women’s fashion with a streetwear edge and a few more surprises. Our aesthetic comes from a shared love of fashion informed by our background and also the shared consciousness of living in Brooklyn. We’ve been able to blend our love of athletic style with high end fashion as well as indie/underground fashion and design.

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adidas Originals | #WhiteSpaceProject - Curators, Lois & Samia

It’s empowering to see women making moves in the scene like you — how have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your hustle?Samia: First and foremost many of my teachers were female and I know that I still take with me many of the lessons they taught. My sister and I grew up pretty much inhaling anything fashion related. That encyclopedic knowledge of fashion we shared has definitely helped me to have good historical references about style and culture. I have an amazing sisterhood of friends in college who helped me to learn how to manage my time (getting a planner)and master multitasking. Lois is one of the fiercest women I’ve known since moving to NYC. She raised an amazingly talented, smart and talented son (also quite the hottie ) and she’s at the top of her game in financial reporting so she’s definitely been influential in me stepping my game up.Lois: Having met, interviewed or just watched the moves of women who have built something on their own whether blazing a new trail or building a business or movement is super inspiring. We live in an era when we don’t have to look far in the past to see a lot of amazing women who have broken through some very powerful barricades. They remind you to keep up the good fight and not to dare put down the torch. And I couldn’t possible recreate her charm and ability to build a good story, but I’ll always remember this one awards ceremony at which Diane Von Furstenberg gave a short speech and she concluded by telling the audience that ultimately each person has to be their own best mentor, which is true. If you’re waiting for the one person to save you or lead you out of the darkness, you’re doomed.

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Samia's Arm Candy

What do you think it takes to make it in this business, especially for women?In any field owning your craft, knowing your stuff, is the golden rule and that is valid for men and women. Be willing to do the work, go to the events, meet new people and develop yourself as an individual and having a clear vision of what it is you want to do. Have a voice and a clear point of view. As far as the fashion and digital spaces go, most of the top fashion bloggers, stylists and editors are females.Lois: Women are often taught from a young age to be sweet and agreeable but if you want to go somewhere as an entrepreneur and don’t want the life sucked out of you by vampires, you need to make peace with your fierce side and let her have a voice. What may feel mean or even aggressive is everyday, normal practices in the world of big business. I’m not saying be rude or a jerk, but be prepared to put your foot down and stand up for your visions and voice. People very rarely hand over power, it has to be pushed and fought for.

styled by Lois and Samia at sandbox studio at Project Las vegas

Sandbox Studio at Project Las Vegas - Stylists, Lois & Samia

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

Samia: I think staying observant and curious helps me to have a clear vision of where style and trends come from. For example knowing that SATC Carrie’s little gold nameplate is the kind of jewellery many young women of the Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem wore decades before it made it to magazines and TV shows as a trend is something you can only know about if you’ve observed it.Lois: Also, we both possess a lot of creativity so we have a good radar for what’s new and different. It helps tremendously to be in New York City because there are a lot of very creative people here and they’re often showcasing their ideas.[gallery type="rectangular" ids="963,964,962,961"]

Runway: Junkfood Art House ‘Le Look Smurfette’ NYFW 2013 - Creative Directors, Lois & Samia

How has social media shaped Highsnobette/The Snobette? What’s your favorite platform? Why?Social media has helped us to expand our reach and in many ways to get feedback from our readers. The readership of Highsnobette is made of many fashion insiders who don’t feel the need to comment or share their opinions but with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram we get a little glimpse of what our readers like. I’ve used most of the social media platforms but I have yet to have a favorite. I think they all serve a different purpose. My perfect platform would be a mix of Twitter, Instagram and Vine.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjshzBb18tI]Le Look Smurfette NYFW 2013

How do you keep track of personal & business goals, prioritize projects, and stay creative at the same time – even when you’re exhausted?Samia: For me it’s been learning how to pause and disconnect. Shutting off the phone, and laptop, grabbing my journal and writing or of just talking long walks with no specific destination in mind. Just letting my mind soul and spirit be in sync is the key. If I’m scattered I can’t accomplish much.Lois: For budget, I keep track of all my expenses on an Excel sheet. If Samia and I are working on a project, I track it separately. Outlook is huge for me to keep track of appointments and deadlines. I’d be lost without it. When I have multiple projects going on at once, it gets tough. On those days, a hand-written list sitting in front of me on my desk helps and I have a rule where I do the shit I want to the do the least first because leaving it hanging around mentally takes up a lot of space. I agree with Samia on disconnecting to keep up creativity. Sitting in front of a screen for too long really zaps my ability to generate new ideas.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co5L06WSvv0]Le Look Smurfette NYFW 2013 - New York Post

What are your must-have tools or apps to run your day-to-day grind? What kind of gadgets would we find on your desk or in your bag?Samia: I am a die-hard Blackberry fan but as much as I tried to resist my iphone5 works really well. Thanks to photographer/blogger William Yan, I’ve been able to get in on some cool apps like Camera-plus which takes picture taking on an iphone to the next level.As far as my bag, I usually will have my iphone, my camera for events, a small notebook (Maison Kitsune x Calpino or Field notes) and a Quo Vadis planner. I use the calendar on my phone but I also like to write things down. Old school pen and paper will always be cool in my book.Lois: It’s funny, Samia and I were maybe the last two people in the NY fashion world to have a Blackberry. We were teased regularly for it and we both finally crossed over within a couple of weeks of each other. I have a Samsung Galaxy, which I adore, my Blackberry is a distant memory, it was time to move on. I really don’t like carrying a bag but if I go to an event we’re covering I take a notebook, pen and my phone. I used to take a camera but the images on my phone are really amazing so that device as of late is sitting and collecting dust.

Lois Nails-Malody ehsany nail wraps-Gold and white art by Yuki-Stripe nail art by Maki.jpg

Lois's Nails - Malody Ehsany nail wraps, Gold & White art by Yuki, Stripe Nail Art by Maki

In a fast-paced industry where last-minute-anything can happen, what’s your fail-proof, go-to outfit that will last from morning meetings to evening events?Samia: I think my fail proof changes from season to season and with my mood, how I’m feeling about my body at the time. For the most part a slim fitting black top with a v-neck and some dark high-waisted, wide-legged, made-and-crafted Levi’s jeans has been kind of my uniform lately. I pile on the accessories, some heels or lately my Nike Sky Hi dunks and the day look turns into a night look.Lois: Pretty consistently throughout my life, I’ve been all about a good fitting pair of jeans in whatever the silhouette or wash that happens to be of the moment. I have always been a sneakers girl but really I feel better rocking a 2-3 inch heel and for summer 2013 I’m majorly into pumps. Right now I’m obsessed with my white pumps and have been wearing them non-stop.How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?Samia: I think it’s always important to be around people who have done what you do or at least know you and believe in you. It’s great to have professionals that you can go to for advice but I also find that cultivating great mutually supportive and encouraging relationships is vital. It’s good to be comforted after a career blow but having friends who can sometimes give you a tough talk to get you back on the saddle, or just be gut level honest I find to be paramount.Many of the women and men in my life have played mentoring roles. Lois Sakany, my co-editor , and co-founder of TheSnobette.com, Marylin Figuereo (aka Salomé) a super cool make-up artist, longtime friends Irmane Desrosiers and Stephanie Gustave, Ouigi Theodore from The Brooklyn Circus, artist/designer Ayana Evans and Dylan Plater (a super talented footwear designer).I’ve learn a lot about patience and kindness to myself from my Yoga instructors Jacoby, Roopa and Priscilla. And then there is this fabulous crew of NY females that I learn from just by being around them, looking at them do their thing flawlessly and perfecting their skill: Jules of Bijules, Katie of Good Peoples, stylist Rose Garcia, Kerin Rose of A-morir, Erin Magee of MadeMe, Farah and Dana of A Peace Treaty, artist Alice Mizrachi to name a few.Lois: I agree with Samia on cultivating supportive and encouraging relationships. If you read back on my quote from Diane Von Furstenberg, you’ll know I’m not huge on the concept of mentors, it’s more about finding help and getting advice from good people who can help you navigate new territory. Meeting Samia was a huge blessing for me because she’s very steady, unshakeable and a deeply good person and she helps bring me back to a more humane version of myself. So I’d say surrround yourself with multiple people who are honest, positive and supportive and who inspire you to be a better person. And beware of the dream killers, especially the ones that occupy your own mind!Define your idea of success.Samia: That is something I am still figuring out. I think doing what you love is a part of it, being able to reach out and help/support others is another .The rest of that definition for me is still being written…Lois: Feeling you pulled off a quality result, whether something as simple as a photograph or a well-written paragraph is my idea of success.

What’s your advice for other women entering creative fields or starting their own business?

Samia: Business owners especially in creative fields have to wear multiple hats. There was a time when you could just focus on your product/ service and the business would just operate on demand and appreciation but now I think having a presence virtually is almost a must at least in the United States. Word of mouth is still powerful l too so having good reviews on the web is as good as having a great reputation with your clients/customers.Figure out what it is that is your unique talent, skill, product and focus on that, perfect it. Line expansion is also not always the way to go. If you make bags, for example it does not mean that you need to make shoes or vice versa. And collaborate instead of trying to do everything on your own. Find others who excel in the field that is not your strongest and learn from them.

Lois: Creativity is a given but having a mind for business is critical. Over the years I’ve seen so many people who are incredibly talented but they don’t have a person who can help them organize and grow from a business perspective and they end up going nowhere. Money management is everything. And on that note, beware of working for free. It sets up a bad precedence.

Follow Lois on Twitter | Samia on Twitter | Highsnobette on TwitterFollow TheSnobette on InstagramFollow TheSnobette on Facebook

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GETTING TO KNOW... SAMIA AND LOIS

1. One Thing You Don’t Know (But Probably Should Know) About Me: Samia: That I’m a native French speaker who is fluent in English, Haitian Creole and can get through in Spanish.Lois: I love sports (esp baseball and basketball) as much as fashion and am the president of a youth baseball league n NYC.2. Place That Inspires Me The Most:Samia: Walking around downtown NYCLois: All of NYC, I especially love the diversity of my neighborhood, it jumps out to people who visit here and is amazing and powerful3. I Feel Most Powerful When:Samia: When I can extend kindness and give with no expectations in return. (It can be tough but it is possible.)Lois: At my heart I'm a beat reporter so when I'm on the chase of a story, talking with sources, making connections and bringing it all together to deliver an unheard piece of news or interpretation.4. I Love What I Do Because: Samia: It gives me an outlet to showcase various aspects of style, and be in touch with people from all over the world.Lois: It's enables me to express the most creative side of who I am but just as importantly create a platform for up and coming designers we believe in.5. Best Advice My Mother Gave Me:Samia: Always look presentable when you leave the house, even if it’s to run to the neighborhood store. Wear pretty lingerie all the time, among other jewels of wisdom.Lois: No verbal advice but as it relates to fashion she had great style and was all about making a statement that was subtle yet clear & a lot of times when I put on an outfit I feel like I am so my mother's daughter, just the punk version.

About HighsnobetteHighsnobette is a women's lifestyle magazine devoted to outside-the-box fashion, art and lifestyle trends. We're known for bridging the gap between streetwear and couture and believe that a woman's greatest asset is the gift of duality and complexity and females who can work those angles are beloved and admired by us. In the Highsnobette universe, four-inch heels and sneakers are just as sexy as tight jeans, a Fleet Ilya harness or a Chanel suit. What we like is what we like and we aren't motivated by what's supposed to be hot or trendy. Yes, just like the name, we're snobs and unashamed of it.About TheSnobetteEdgy fashion, style, streetwear, sneakers, music, art and other beautifulness found in life that inspire. From the OG editors of Highsnobette.com, Lois Sakany & Samia Grand-Pierre. Site Summer 2013!About Lois Sakany & Samia Grand-Pierre Lois and Samia are founding editors for Highsnobette (launched in 2008 under the umbrella of top-ranked streetwear site, HighSnobiety) and founders of TheSnobette.com launching this summer 2013.  Their areas of expertise include specialized marketing, event production, product seeding, influencer relations, advertising, creative services and beyond. Their specialty is providing brands with the opportunity to improve familiarity and appeal with fashion forward females. Clients include: G-Star, Kappa, Married to the Mob, Nike Jordan, Reebok, WeSC and many more.- PROJECT HIGHLIGHTSCreative directors for Sony’s Smurfette NYFW runway presentation: February 2013Designed and produced runway collection including 25 piecesOversaw design production for three Smurfette jewelry, bag and scarf licenseesOversaw go-see and chose models for runwayProvided direction and recommendation for all creative aspects of show: invitation, staging, p.r. agencyCurated and managed invitation list of “influential’ attendees including bloggers, designers and photographers

Creative directors for Adidas Originals #WhiteSpaceProject: April 2012

Curated and produced Adidas’s New York City White Space Project marketing event, whose goal was raising the brand’s profile among the female contemporary customer worldwideNote: New York #WhiteSpace video was most widely viewed of nine events worldwideIdentified and negotiated compensation for influencers  featured in video and in-store eventProvided direction and recommendation for all creative aspects of show:  wardrobe design, video direction, staging, planning of eventDesigned and produced wardrobe for video; coordinated samples from six clothing and accessory brandsCurated and managed invitation list of “influential’ attendees including bloggers, designers, musicians and photographers for in-store event held at Originals SoHo store

-ONGOING CONSULTATIONMembers of Projects Bloggers Project Las Vegas: February 2013, August 2012 and February 2012, August 2011

Invited to attend and cover Project as members of Blogger Project, a select group of fashion bloggers and editors chosen by brand marketing expert Marcus TroyPhotograph and cover upcoming launches from influential, trend-setting brandsAnalyze and provide coverage of breakout trends spotted on floorCoordinate and style Matchbox shoot including a variety of clothing and accessory brands

Member of Handbag Designer Awards Preliminary Judging Panel: April 2011, 2012 and 2013

Tapped by Hangbag Designer Awards to attend judging event and participate in selection of final nomineesNominated two years in a row by show-sponsor Timberland to be a member of the panelPhotograph and cover award event

Samantha Jo Alonso

SAMANTHA JO ALONSO

Co-owner/founder of 

FRUITION Las Vegas + Los Angeles

FRUITION LOGO

Describe a day in the life of Samantha Jo Alonso:

Consider me a maximalist. From the break of dawn to the strike of midnight, every minute and second is well lived. At 6am, I jump start my day with a 6 – 8 mile run. From there, my work day continues anywhere from writing e-mails, styling and producing shoots, operating 2 FRUITION retail stores, planning Mission I’mPOSSIBLE multi-city runs, serving at my church (Hillsong NYC) to social media producing for Nike Women, marketing strategy for Pretty Girls Sweat, and speaking engagements from coast to coast.

What’s the history behind FRUITION – what propelled you to start it?

The reason why things were the way they were in Las Vegas was because we had yet to approach a situation that was in need for change. With an undying passion and desire, we were prompted to disrupt the temperature in our city. We felt a strong callingto break the chains of limitations that was inhibiting Las Vegas from becoming a culturally dynamic city. We identified what was making us uncomfortable, took that discomfort and allowed that to propel us to create change. So we built our own door of opportunity, was obedient to God’s calling and the rest was history.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0oWx60gj0Y]

How did you come up with the name – and how does FRUITION reflect your personal aesthetic? We frame our world with the words we speak. The word FRUITION was always utilized in casual conversations. It speaks life, encouragement and abundance and there’s nothing more that we want than to share that message with our sphere of influence.

What were fundamental steps you followed before starting your business?

Samantha

The only fundamental step we took was a leap of faith!What challenges did you face when building FRUITION from scratch? How did you overcome such challenges?At the time when we opened FRUITION in 2005, I was 21 and my partner, Chris Julian, was 23. We didn’t have much financially but what we did have was an unwavering level of trust and faith. Being resourceful with minimal financial backing to build our first brick and mortar was a big challenge and test but God’s grace is sufficient – never lacking and never failing. With the willingness to persevere through beautifully afflicted challenges from the start of our business to this present day, we continue to remain at peace knowing that we’re being carried in the palm of God’s hands. As creative people, we’re naturally attracted to challenges; it’s what inspires us to be better and it forces us to find the solution, which at the end of day, is inside all of us. Adversities are constant reminders that God never appoints a fire unless He can bring beauty from the ashes. What is now our test will soon be our testimony!

It’s empowering to see women making moves in the scene like you — how have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your hustle?

My beautiful and loving mom has taught me lessons of strength and independence. After losing my father 13 years ago, she picked up the pieces, mended what was broken and raised 3 kids on her own. Her leading example is the fuel to everything I do.

Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?

I focus on not being of the majority.

How has social media shaped FRUITION? What’s your favorite platform? Why?

Social media has allowed our customers to virtually experience FRUITION’s overarching message, which is the intersection of fashion, culture, faith and sport.  I’m a visual person so Instagram is my preferred social media platform.

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How do you keep track of personal & business goals, prioritize projects, and stay creative at the same time – even when you’re exhausted?

On a daily basis, I write down my objectives on paper, broken down per platform. This process gives me more visibility on what I’m accountable for and if anything, keeps me living in divine order. At the end of the day, I put my confidence in God because it's hard to get off balance and off track when you’re in line with His calling.

What are your must-have tools or apps to run your day-to-day grind? What kind of gadgets would we find on your desk or in your bag?

My bible, an iphone, laptop and connection to the world wide web.

In a fast-paced industry where last-minute-anything can happen, what’s your fail-proof, go-to outfit that will last from morning meetings to evening events?

Samantha

My Fall 2010 Dries Van Noten Artisanal Moto Jacket.How important are mentors?The right environment is pivotal to your success. It’s critical to embrace environments that positively contribute to your growth and that’s why it’s key to get around people who will affirm you and celebrate who you are. You are the company you keep and if you associate yourself with eagles, you will learn to soar to great heights

Define your idea of success.

My life is a house and abundance is my roof – that’s my idea of success! As I go through life, I pray that God continues to use me for the good of others.What’s your advice for other women entering creative fields or starting their own business? What do you think it takes to make it in this business, especially for women?Sow the seeds of hard work to produce the harvest you want to see in the future. The voice of victory is within you. You were born at the right time, in the right place, with the right amount of gifts and talents to fulfill your heart’s desires! There’s pressure in your purpose but pressure makes diamonds, right? ;)

Follow Samantha Jo Alonso on Twitter + Instagram!Follow FRUITION on Twitter + Instagram + Facebook!

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GETTING TO KNOW... SAMANTHA JO ALONSO

SAMANTHA JO ALONSO

About the brand, FRUITION (via http://www.facebook.com/FruitionLasVegas): Open the doors of FRUITION and see a glimpse into the future, a vivid, palpable archive of history’s most innovative and distinct street fashions. Established in August 2005, by partners Chris Julian and Samantha Alonso, FRUITION set out to educate and uplift the street fashion community through their calculated offerings of vintage street styles for both men and women in an airy, yet playfully sophisticated environment. Constructed as an open and energetic palette, polished steel racks adorn smooth green walls and house garments like true pieces of modern day art. The intriguing dichotomy of vintage street for men and classic chic for women was developed with a sincere vision to promote originality, fuel creativity, and inspire a cultural revival within the street fashion community to reach higher levels of creative excellence. FRUITION and its distinct swagger is a physical manifestation of an educated and style driven lifestyle that has been meticulously crafted by a family of undeniably talented individuals whose strengths lie in a plethora of creative fields from music, to costuming and styling development, graphic and textile design, conceptual marketing strategy, as well as business structuring and cultivation.

To understand the mind set and execution of the styles being offered in the space, it takes a true knowledge and deep understanding of what street wear is and the colorful history behind its formulation to respect where it’s going. Our objective is to constantly educate our customers through knowledgeable and accurate customer service, detailed product photos and an innovative and concise website resource (www.fruitionlv.com), so that in turn we can push the creative envelope within the street fashion community further and further with each and every project we decide to pursue. FRUITION prides itself on carrying the most exclusive street wear product in the world from vibrant deadstock 80’s-90’s Nike / Jordan Flight apparel and sneakers, to candy striped Benetton and PoLo Alpine rugby’s, rare Afro-centric graphic prints trumpeting uplifting messages, sealed LL Cool J Troop jump suits, solid and abstract printed leggings, ornate floral sundresses, Designer scarves and accessories, chunky gold trunk jewelry, to even vintage multicolored shoe laces, it is safe to assume that there is no other vintage street wear boutique quite like this one in the world. With the strategic interpolation of contemporary street wear brands such as Skoold In Korectness (Siknuss) and the FRUITION private label, customers are creating innovative looks that are an amalgamation of true street fashion swagger with high fashion sensibilities.Not only are the products ready to wear but they are also inspirational building blocks for a plethora of up and coming street wear and couture fashion designers that frequent the shop. Taking inspiration and creating your own special interpretation of things is encourage

Anshia Tull

BE+PH LOGO

ANSHIA TULLFounder of Briclyn Entertainment + Co-Founder of Project Hygiene

Describe a day in the life of Anshia Tull:

Everyday varies but for the most part I wake up, pray to God for allowing me to see a new day. I drink tea every morning to get my day started. From there I begin on emails for both companies and touching base with my team members. I then move into checking all of my social media sites, conference calls, researching new opportunities and also checking on clients that have active bookings or projects that have been organized or programmed by Briclyn. Everyday I am booking an event or beginning a new deal or pitching a client for a new opportunity and this is constant.

Project Hygiene

Group Shot

Anshia

Anshia's desk

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On a Project Hygiene and Briclyn event day, I am usually up early, so I can have a few moments to myself and then I’m in event mode as well as focused. This consists of meeting with my team at the venue for briefing, sound checks with artist, meeting with their management to make sure everything we’ve worked for their artist is settled and together on show day. When the event begins, I look at the crowd to see the expression on their faces and that let’s me know if we’re having a successful show. We produce events to entertain the audience as well as make sure they're having a good time. We close out the night and go home to rest so we can do it all over again. What’s the history behind Briclyn Entertainment and Project Hygiene – what propelled you to start it (how did you come up with the name) – and how does Briclyn Entertainment and Project Hygiene reflect your personal aesthetic?Brice is my father’s middle name and Briclyn is my middle name. That name holds meaning and is special to me, it’s also very unique and no one has it, so I thought I would name it after myself. :)Project Hygiene was originally Operation Hygiene, but my sister and I decided to change the name because most of our events so happened to be project based.I’ve known since the age of eleven that I wanted to be in the entertainment field and one day own a production company. Throughout the years I’ve produced events based around community involvement because I love the arts and live music. I’ve interned and worked with different labels and TV Stations while in undergrad and grad school. In my last year of Graduate School at The New School in NYC I began to manage artists and book shows for artists. Briclyn was birthed out of me helping my peers get shows, get features with press and grow their career. I knew at the time I didn’t want to work at a label, but I wanted to start my own company and grow my own brand. I wanted to be an Entrepreneur.Project Hygiene was started due to an experience my twin sister witnessed with a client, because she’s a Protect & Placement Specialist for the Social Services in Atlanta, GA. She had a client who was being bullied because of their hygiene. She wanted to do more in the community and for underprivileged youth by providing toiletry products. She told me the idea and I loved it, we decided to develop it more and Project Hygiene was born to give a hand to underprivileged teens to promote Health & Wellness and to denounce bullying.Briclyn & Project Hygiene is a reflection of who I am as a person. I live what I do and love what I do. There’s passion in what I am doing and I believe others can see that and that’s the beauty in it all. What were fundamental steps you followed before starting your business?When I started my company I was a Media Studies and Media Management Graduate Student. I was applying what I learned in school to what I wanted to do with Briclyn. I also made sure to go after entertainment internships with companies I wanted to model my company after. I was interested in seeing how some of these companies were structured and I would research them. I read a lot of books on company success, everything you needed to know about the Music Industry as well as Artist Relations and Management Books.The most fundamental steps for me have been studying and researching people, places and things to be honest with you. I would also speak with others that started businesses and at 23 I began my own. From there I would study business principles because I wanted to make sure I was heading in the right direction, especially being a young entrepreneur who didn't go to school for business. I used my network as a fundamental step understanding this would help me in my net worth.What challenges did you face when building Briclyn Entertainment and Project Hygiene from scratch? How did you overcome such challenges?The main challenges have been finances and lack of team. When I first started Briclyn, I was a broke grad student really trying to make it. I started my company alone and I was still new to New York, so I just began to learn more about New York, network as well as partner with others who had similar interests and from there the Briclyn name began to buzz and people started paying attention to my business.I would also say being a young woman at the time and still in my early twenties, I had to prove myself. Many thought I lacked experience, so over the years I’ve had to prove that all my years in school, common sense and working hard made me capable to represent others and get the job done.As for Project Hygiene some challenges have been around us not having our 501 c 3 status as of yet, so people are not comfortable donating funds to our programs. However, we’re in the process of getting that done and we just became an Official Non-Profit and we've pretty much funded toiletry products and our bullying programs ourselves. It’s empowering to see women making moves in the scene like you — how have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your hustle?I believe I am a natural born hustler and some things come to me naturally. However, there’s a core group of women in my life who are extremely supportive. We’re all go-getters, trendsetters and we uplift one another. Many of them are entrepreneurs, so they understand the hustle. What do you think it takes to make it in this business, especially for women?You must understand what this business is all about. You must have common sense, because many are looking at us to fail. You must have a sound mind and be ready for anything, because at any given time something new can be thrown at you. I believe having thick skin is a must as well as being able to work with people. My industry is all about people and no one wants to work with someone with a bad attitude and especially a woman who has a bad attitude. Be sure that you’re able to communicate effectively and hold your own ground. I would even say have a strong support system of women around you, at times that’s pretty hard to find in this industry.Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?I network constantly and I research new markets. I study books/magazines like Pollstar, Billboard Touring, Nonprofit Operations and send newsletters to my network database via Constant Contact to keep them in the loop with Briclyn Entertainment & Project Hygiene. I stay active on social media to make sure people know we’re present in the online space. I even talk to my clients' fans and see what they like about our clients or what state should they perform in next. The consumer’s opinion is very important to us. I go to a lot of showcases, concerts, networking events as well as involve myself with other community service organizations that give back because there’s many opportunities to build in that area as well. How has social media shaped Briclyn Entertainment and Project Hygiene? What’s your favorite platform? Why?I realize everyday that social media has always worked in my company's favor. People are constantly watching the work we do. At times many of the work inquiries we receive comes from the online space. We’re pretty active on many social media outlets because of the events we produce and the clients we have, so people are always inquiring.My favorite platform right now is Instagram, because it shoots over to our social sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Seeing is believing and the photos we post tell about our company's story or talks about our work. I believe our Instagram accounts allow others to experience the work we’ve done even if they’re not in the same place.How do you keep track of personal & business goals, prioritize projects, and stay creative at the same time – even when you’re exhausted?I never thought I would have to rely on my calendar so much, but more and more I can’t work without it, or I may overbook my life. I try to map my life out by writing in my tablets and having a to do list. If I can stay on track with that, then it’s makes my day easier. There’s no right or wrong answer to this, because everyday is different and I am growing two companies at the same time, but I find it easier for me to work in the early morning hours around 2am to 5am. Around that time I am extremely focused when others are sleeping and not distracting me. Lol.I also have team members that help me balance some of the work. Every project I work on is different just like every client, but I try my best to follow up with the stuff that’s time sensitive and work on everything else throughout the day.As long as music is playing while I am working, then my creativity is never lacking. It’s truly like the cure for my exhaustion and get’s me motivated and I keep pushing.What are your must-have tools or apps to run your day-to-day grind? What kind of gadgets would we find on your desk or in your bag?On my desk you’ll find: 4 - 5 writing pads because I scribble in them throughout the day. Several pens, highlighters, external hard drives, thumb drives (USB), printer, books, especially a dictionary as well as tape, envelopes and whiteout. In front of my desk there’s a copy of the United States map and a physical calendar hanging. My computer and the following tabs stay open, Hootesuite, Facebook, Gmail, Youtube and my Google Calendar. You can either find Spotify or Pandora playing when I’m working. Instagram is up and running on my ipad, phone and I love the pic stitch app as well as the fun text app. I am constantly using those two apps to post on my clients, events and sending positive messages through Instagram. In a fast-paced industry where last-minute-anything can happen, what’s your fail-proof, go-to outfit that will last from morning meetings to evening events?My fail-proof go-to outfit is a cute blazer, blouse, black tights or a skirt. You can also find me in knee boots or a cute pair of comfortable pumps. How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?I believe mentors are extremely important and I think we all need them in life, to be a positive outlet and guide us on our path. I never really had a mentor outside of my parents. I’ve watched them both work extremely hard to take care of my siblings and I. My parents have sacrificed day in and day out so we could follow our dreams. To this day my parents continue to be my coaches and mentors on my path to success.Define your idea of success.Success to me is being able to put a smile on other people's faces and knowing my work is making a difference in people’s lives. If my hard work, time and efforts are doing that for others, then it let’s me know that I’m on my way to true success, happiness and building a positive foundation that will then bring wealthy success. What you put out is what you will get back and if my work is having a positive effect on others, so that we all may benefit from it, then I know I've succeeded. What’s your advice for other women entering creative fields or starting their own business?If you feel you’re capable of doing the work and can handle the task then go for it. In the words of Nike “Just Do It” write the vision, have a plan, stay focused and be great at whatever you do. Do not compromise your integrity for anyone. Remember you’re a woman so people will constantly expect for you to work harder and always communicate effectively. Keep your eyes on the prize, because your creative genius was meant to shine.

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Anshia Tull

Fiona Bloom

FIONA BLOOM

Music Industry Publicist & Founder of The Bloom Effect

I met Fiona Bloom in 2006 - the same year I got my feet wet in music publishing. Back then, she'd already been a 15-year music industry veteran - from on-air personality interviewing the likes of George Clinton, Wu-Tang Clan to Director of New Artist Marketing at EMI Records to executive producing albums, focusing on publicity/promoting live shows to Director of International Marketing at TVT Records to FINALLY launching her own consulting agency... phew! Is there anything this woman can't do? The first time we sat in a meeting together almost 7 years ago, Fiona exuded energy I could only get from two cans of Red Bull. She talked about musicians and projects she was working on - I could barely keep up with her on-the-go lifestyle as it felt quiet intimidating for someone like me new to the scene. She was everywhere - and wherever she was, so was the next best up-and-coming artist and/or band. Even Billboard recently listed her among 140 music business Twiteratti to follow. But, what makes this award-winning music industry publicist remarkable is her ability to make you feel like you're the most important person in the room. Fiona Bloom is the kind of person you meet for the first time, but walk away from the conversation feeling like you've known her for years. Her infectious energy and presence has made her a key player in the global music scene. You meet her and you kind of want to take over the world with her too... and that's what you call The Bloom Effect.

Describe a day in the life of Fiona Bloom:

Well, I try to have a banana being the first thing I eat daily. Then, after 2 big glasses of freshly squeezed lemon water, I check all of my social stats and answer posts, comments, tweets, read Billboard Bulletin, Grammy 365, A2im, Mashable, NYTimes, Hypebot and Vice. Then, it’s answering emails and returning phone calls... If there’s any time left... I work =).I am the Queen of Networking, so there’s usually piles of business cards that desperately need following up. Then, in the afternoon, I’ve usually scheduled 1-3 meetings – 1 in BK and 2 in the City. I work from an HQ in Bed Stuy. If I don’t have my own event to cover or work, I will find a band or two to check or hit up a couple of parties/networking events or screenings. Depending on the day, I try to get a work out in. This week was crap as I didn’t hit the gym once...Shame on me.What’s the history behind The Bloom Effect – what propelled you to start it (how did you come up with the name) – and how does The Bloom Effect reflect your personal aesthetic?The history behind The Bloom Effect is interesting. Everyone along the way has either said something about my words, energy, passion – how I have an ‘Effect’ on them and the running joke was always- give me some of that- whatever it is you have... I need it!So... a light bulb flashed and I thought - um... how cool would it be if I came up with The Bloom Effect for a company someday. My own... Thus - an entity was born. I bought the domain back in 2001 but actually didn’t launch until 2007. I had record labels and partners previously, also ran the Intl Marketing dept at TVT Records and had a brief stint doing A&R for a Swedish Metal label.... It was after, that I decided to go full steam on my own on Oct 2007 and have never looked back! My personal aesthetic is about growth, nurturing, developing and grass roots which is everything The Bloom is about... My surname says it all...What were fundamental steps you followed before starting your business?As far as fundamentals I followed, I looked at other successful business owners, measured their success and observed. Did a lot of research, read Richard Branson’s ‘Losing my Virginity’ and ‘Enchantment’ by Guy Kawasaki and others – I also used the techniques and guidance and trial and error from the other two companies I started. That helped me prepare.What challenges did you face when building The Bloom Effect from scratch? How did you overcome such challenges?Biggest Challenges were: Lack of Resources and Team. Overcame these by partnering, doing a lot of bartering and having interns around me. I've had to be very creative with budgets - went to many entrepreneurship workshops and networking events (all the free ones). I haven’t overcome these necessarily - I’m still facing them but strategically have partnered with like-minded companies, building collectives and being a part of meet ups/ think tanks/discussion groups.It’s empowering to see women making moves in the scene like you — how have the women in your life been instrumental in developing your hustle?Many women have inspired me but I’m not sure if I can attribute any one woman who has helped shape my hustle. If anyone, perhaps one of my former interns Sharon Carpenter. I’ve actually learned a lot from her... She’s smart, head strong, talented and gorgeous and has guided me in many ways and encouraged and given me motivation when there were days I’d just had enough! Otherwise, I’ve had the drive/hustle from day one really.What do you think it takes to make it in this business, especially for women?To make it in this business you need GUTS--- Chutzpah (Yiddish term) - my Granny always used to say I had that... It takes drive and a work ethic that’s 24/7 + the smarts...and especially as a woman— we have to be taken seriously so there alone we have to go the extra mile and earn that respect. Women have to work a lot harder. We also need to come together more as a gender and look out for each other rather than be knocking us down....The way men look out, we need to do more...Cultural trends constantly change. What do you do to stay relevant, connected, and ahead of the curve?For me to stay relevant which is extremely important in my industry, I stay open. I am a sponge and constantly learning and appreciating what others tell me. I especially look to younger folks to give me inspiration, ideas, opinions and constructive criticism. It is crucial to re-invent and surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage. I also try to read a lot, go out to product launches, premieres and again the Think Tanks, conferences/seminars and now and again webinars and forum chats.How has social media shaped The Bloom Effect? What’s your favorite platform? Why?Don’t ask me how but Billboard Biz named me one of the 140 most important characters to follow (Twitter) in the Music Biz— that was pretty cool. Social Media has allowed my business to reach artists, brands and fans from all over the world. It’s allowed communication to open up, allowed The Bloom Effect to better understand cultural nuances and subtleties and the best part— enabled me to travel Globally to speak about it.I would have to say my fave platform is Instagram, although I’m a Twitter’holic and a YouTube nut! Those three are so mainstream but I have to toot my horn for a second— I may have been the first or one of first music publicists to use Twitter. I was definitely one of first using MySpace back in day. I’m also a Wordpress hoar! Ok— well that’s more than one platform— sorry!How do you keep track of personal & business goals, prioritize projects, and stay creative at the same time – even when you’re exhausted?This keeping track and prioritizing is the hardest part of my life— Do I have to answer this (lol) - no, seriously - with great difficulty I find it hard to stay focused or keep clear-minded as half the time I am truly exhausted but then I get those boosts of energy where I can’t stop, can’t sleep and completely in over-drive and high! I am a very creative person and sometimes I feel that the business and admin and organization definitely stands in the way. This is a daily fight internally, and I struggle mentally but... Nothing’s perfect and the way I overcome it is taking a step back, quiet time, retire to bed early and/or punching bags, kick boxing!What are your must-have tools or apps to run your day-to-day grind? What kind of gadgets would we find on your desk or in your bag?My must-have tools/apps to run my day-to-day: My Time Machine (back up), External Drives, Skype, Facetime so I can chat with the fam, What’s up, my Voice Recorder, Google Calendar, Dropbox, Vevo mobile app, Google Maps, Spotify, and as far as gadgets on my desk or bag... iPad, USB, phone charger, Speakers, Flip, Olympus, Download cards.....I’m sure there’s more but that’s what I have for now.In a fast-paced industry where last-minute-anything can happen, what’s your fail-proof, go-to outfit that will last from morning meetings to evening events?Fail –proof outfit morning meetings to evening events is... black jeans, heels, nice tee from INC and a cardigan + hot leather jacket - ok, I’m boring in that dept (lol).How important are mentors? Who is your mentor?Mentors are extremely important. It’s funny as I haven’t had a mentor in years but I’m always constantly mentoring. However, I’ve just started with Kabbalah courses and will be seeing a personal teacher too. I hope that brings me more guidance/clarity.Define your idea of success.Success comes in all shapes and sizes. For some— it’s millions of dollars, for others it’s peace of mind... For me, it’s a combination of having luxury, but not overboard— I do want to own a home someday + have a second home in South of France or Tel Aviv and I’d like to donate to a few charities and give back to my family/friends who are meaningful in my life. Success for me is helping people change their lives, make progress and live a fulfilled life. Success also means balance and wellness. I am nowhere near achieving these things.What were The Bloom Effect's top achievements in 2012? What should we expect from The Bloom Effect this year?

• The Twitteratti 140 Characters to follow in Billboard— that was dope.

• My two amazing Intl Hip Hop showcases I produced for A3C and CMJ.

• Speaking with Yo Yo Ma and Paul Simon at the Polar Music Sessions/Polar Music Prize in Stockholm, Sweden - amazing company and prestigious awards show.

• Looking after 11 members of a collective from Southeast Asia – first time performing in America - helping make their dreams come true.

• Joining NYSC (finally got my ass to a gym)

What can we expect... More speaking engagements, cracking the voice-over world again as I used to do voice-overs. I did the MTV Video Music Awards in 1999 with Chris Rock. A book is in the works and will hopefully have a major breakthrough with one of my artists... We shall see. Oh, and may be a joint venture...What’s your advice for other women entering creative fields or starting their own business?My advice for other women-- stay true to yourself, be authentic, work your ass off but enjoy it too and love what you do and have a purpose. When you’ve checked off those things and you start your own business, maintain a thick skin yet sharpen your communication skills and be the dynamic woman you were born to be...Only You get in Your way!!!

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Fiona Bloom