Coal to Diamond….Brilliant Transformation Under Pressure

Coal to Diamond: Brilliant Transformation Under Pressure

COAL TO DIAMOND: BRILLIANT TRANSFORMATION UNDER PRESSURE

Article by Darlene Dunn
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Magazine: Issue #17

Do you hear the voices of those from your youth? Voices that tell you want you can’t do.

Do you hear the voices of family and friends? Voices that tell you to play it safe and don’t follow your dreams.

Are you letting these ‘voices’ dictate your success, or rather, your lack of success? It’s time to put the pressure on and put these ‘voices’ into the trash where they belong. It’s time to transform and renew your MIND!

This renewing of your mind isn’t easy because first you MUST force out all the negative thoughts.

• Speak your vision daily.
• Maintain positive self-talk daily.
• Get time with your mentor.
• Network with other visionaries.
• Fill your brain to overflowing with positive to force the negative out.

Through the process you will find yourself transformed into the Brilliant Diamond you really are!!

Don't Let "HOLES" In Your Brand Steal Your HAPPY!

DON'T LET "HOLES" IN YOUR BRAND STEAL YOUR HAPPY!

Article by Kelsey Borlan Lee
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Magazine: Issue #15

“A Brand is not a product or a promise or a feeling. It’s the sum of all the experiences you have with a company.” -Arim Kassaei

So you are running your own, lucrative, exciting, passion filled businesses… right? If the answer to this is not a resounding YES!!!!!!! Then its time to take a good look as to why not. I would argue that your brand itself is the single best way to measure the health, status, and overall sense of wellbeing you experience in your business. Great branding is an honest and accurate reflection of who you are AND it speaks directly to your ideal clients. If both of these elements are not firmly in place within your brand, then its going to be pretty hard to run the business (and ultimately live the life) of your dreams! 

So, here are a few question to help get your creative branding juices flowing:

Your company name - Does it tell potential clients anything about what your business does?

Your logo - Does it speak to what you do or who you are?

Your products & services - Are they luxury items or necessities? Do you want a high-end feel? all american? boutique?

Here’s a huge one: your website! - Is your site user friendly? Does it showcase your business at its best? Can your clients get a feel for who you are and what you are about simply by clicking around your site? If not, this is a problem & you are inevitably loosing business

How you dress is an important one! - Do your clothes align with your brand or work against it?)

Social Media - Does your genuine voice shine through? Or, are you a self-promotion machine?

What is your brand promise? - Do you deliver on your promise?

OK! So, your brand is the whole package. Its what sets you apart from every other photographer, every other designer, every other coach, every other business. Then, what happens when one or several of these elements are out of alignment with your brand? Well, these are what I call “holes” in your brand. 

When people encounter a hole in your brand, they will get confused, pause for a moment, and one of two things is going to happen. 

 • If they already like you and/or if your branding is mostly in place and this is a small hole , they will keep going. 

OR

 • They will simply walk away to find someone else who they can more easily understand and relate to. 

Obviously, this is NOT what you want to happen. So, how do you avoid this? How do you rest assured knowing that the people who click away are leaving for the right reasons (they are simply not your ideal clients) rather than the wrong ones? 

Well, I would start with a quick DIY brand audit by going over the above list of brand touch
points. At the same time, ask yourself, “does my brand make me happy?” and, “does my brand speak to my ideal clients?” 

If you find that you just have a few minor brand elements that you can tweak, great! Get to it! If on the other hand, your answers are all over the board, then it might be time to consider getting some help and objectivity. Or perhaps, rebranding all together might be the right choice. 

Stop loosing customers, time, and money! Instead, invest in yourself and your company by
building a brand your customers can be OBSESSED with!

---

Create Your Cameo: Put Your Best Brand Face Forward

Put Your Best Brand Face Forward

CREATE YOUR CAMEO: PUT YOUR BEST BRAND FACE FORWARD

Article by Kimberly Manning  
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Magazine: Issue #14

As a little girl I was fascinated by the cameo brooches and necklaces in my grandmother’s jewelry box. Silhouettes of Roman goddesses carved into ivory stood out against darker backgrounds, dangling from chains or propped up on earring posts. 

In Victorian times, one of a woman’s prized possessions was having her likeness carved into a cameo, a miniature piece of art for everyone to see. Cameos are the original head shot. Here’s how to maximize yours and put your best brand face forward.

If you’re in business, you need the right head shot. Because people want to connect with people, a good head shot can help build trust, create credibility and get people engaged with you and your brand. 

---

Here are 6 tips to make your cameo appearance classic.

1| It’s about your expression.

Sure lighting and location are a factor, but it’s the expression on your face that creates the energy of your head shot. What “look” expresses your brand?

2| The focus is on your face.

This seems obvious but is so important. A good head shot crops in on your face and eliminates unnecessary background. 

3| Hire a professional.

Taking a head shot is an art. Unless your friend or brother-in-law is a professional photog, hire someone who is. Don’t use a selfie. Your head shot image is an important part of your business brand. It’s worth the investment. Go pro.

4| Don’t shoot in a studio.

Nothing looks more stilted than a head shot in a sterile studio. Be in your natural environment where you feel comfortable, can express your true essence and the energy of your business brand. 

5| It’s all about the squinch.

Pro photographer Peter Hurley recommends squinching to take a better head shot. To do this squint, then relax your eye muscles…oh bother, check out the how-to video here.

6| Pick one.

Take a lot of photos but select one image that you’ll use throughout your branding – on your website, products and as your social media avatar. Have a few other shots that support your key image that you can share with partners or for special promotional projects.

Your head shot is an important piece of your business brand. It’s an opportunity to showcase the best version of you and your brand. Be sure to get a good rest and drink lots of water the day before your shoot. Nervous? Breathe and repeat the mantra “I never take a bad picture.”

You’re a classic. Put your best face forward. You deserve a great cameo. 

---

Personal Branding: 6 Things That are Killing Your Business Image

6 THINGS THAT ARE KILLING YOUR BUSINESS IMAGE

Article by Marlo Wright  
Photo Credit: Pinterest 
Magazine: Issue #11

Personal Branding and Brand Image

Just because you are a grassroots company doesn't mean you have to look like one. With all the affordable applications available for marketing, branding and publicity, there is really no excuse for any small business to look like one. 

Often times, we lie to ourselves, take shortcuts, misallocate funds, in efforts to make the most out of what we have. Taking shortcuts can be detrimental to your branding.

Here are examples of things killing your business image:

• Free business cards - the floppy texture is unappealing and screams novice
   
• Professional email  - the world of free is appealing, but professional email addresses are so cheap, it's worth the investment. 
   
• A phone line for business - you can easily get a free phone number to distinguish business from personal calls, so you don't answer like your mom or bestie is calling.
   
• No elevator pitch-  articulate, and be courteous. Give enough for them to want more.
   
• Confidence - no one knows you just started your business. 
   
• Professional Attire - Please dress accordingly - regardless of what of your industry. Just as much, an unkempt presence is as undesirable. 

Don't know where to begin? Ask! Asking professionals that have already done it in your industry is a great way to get the creative juices flowing. They may approach things differently, but can be a resource to get you pointed in the right direction! 

Research! As the business owner, it is imperative and your responsibility. Remember most new small business owners have more time than capital. 

Read! The most important part of business is continual learning! Reading, listening to topics, watching documentaries. 

Being in business is challenging and full of unforgettable experiences that will make or break you. As a grassroots business owner, you have so much freedom to test the waters and defining greatness for your company. Enjoy the ride!

Beauty Tips: 16 Industry Artists' Beauty Tricks that Will Change Your Life

16 INDUSTRY ARTISTS' BEAUTY TRICKS THAT
WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Industry Beauty Tips

Article by Gina Marie DeAngelis  
Photo Credit: This Is Glamorous
Magazine: Issue #10

1. Beautifully Buff

Use a buffing brush to blend any foundations or  BB creams , it’ll make your skin look flawless & as if it was airbrushed.
~ Makeup Artist Andria Farrell 

2. Sugar Scrub Switch

Make your own scrubs, for your face with Organic Raw sugar and honey. For your body use sugar and coconut oil.  
~ Makeup Artist Angie Johnson

3. The Day After

After  washing your hair apply a beach spray or lavender spray at night. Wake up in the morning take small sections of hair and wrap each around a one- inch wand. Make sure to stop several inches from roots and leave the ends out. Make sure to add your favorite shine spray  followed by a light hold Hair spray.
~ Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist Gina Marie DeAngelis 

4. Sun Safety

Wearing sunscreen SPF 30 everyday is a must. It will help prevent premature aging of your skin. Sun exposure and sun damage can dramatically age a person .
~ Makeup Artist Samantha Ward

5. Define

Always use an eye shadow pencil or shadow that is two shades lighter than your actual color.  If you are blonde than use two shades darker.  
~  Makeup Artist Taylor Tanaka 

6. The Many Magical Powers of Extra Virgin Olive Oils

Its chemical free and has many uses other than for cooking. For chronically dry hair only, apply a small amount of the oil to your hair for 5 minutes as a deep conditioner. Rinse thoroughly .
~ Makeup Artist  Jenny Karl 

7. Prime on

Use your favorite primer To help for a smoother application  of  Make – up  shrink pores & help your face seem creaseless throughout the day and night . Always use your ring finger to apply your eye creams and concealer since its your lightest finger and thinnest area of your skin. It puts the least amount of pressure.
  ~ Makeup Artist Katie Johnson 

8. No Poo

Replace your shampoo with Honey Baking Soda or Apple Cider Vinegar.
~ Hair Stylist Cassidy Nilles 

9. Baby Soft Lips

Brown sugar, petroleum jelly a teaspoon of vanilla extract and honey . Mix it together then store it in a mason jar. Your lips will be Kissable.
~ Esthetician Steph Stadherr 

10. A Clean Face is a Happy Face

Always wash your face at the end of the day even if you didn’t wear makeup. Why you ask? Because the environment around you. You get dirt and debris on your face which will  make you break out. Always Moisturize  after you wash your face.
~ Makeup Artist  Robin Rebbe 

11. Bombshell Body

Use a Dry Shampoo for added texture and volume. Spray a bit of the shampoo in damp hair at the roots all over it creates  a lot of body and keeps the style longer.
~ Hair Stylist Bianca Rosinia

12. Attention Getter

Part your hair in the center to create an illusion of defined cheekbones
~ Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist Gina Marie DeAngelis

 
13. Plump your pout

Add a lighter concealer to your Cupid’s bow and center of your lips on top of lipstick to give you fuller lips.
~ Makeup Artist Rachel Dubin

14. Spring in with Cheeks

Suck in those cheeks  for an instant contour line, apply your favorite contour powder or  shimmer free Bronzer in the center. Don’t forget to Buff it out slightly to diffuse the edges.
~Makeup Artist & Hair stylist Gina Marie DeAngelis

15. Styled Sleek

Spray your bobby pins with hairspray before using them it will  help hold  your style better.
~ Hair Stylist  Desirae Kotnik

16. Lips for Days

Line lips fully with Lip liner before applying lipstick for super staying power.
~ Makeup Artist  Melissa Eastwick