winner orlando’s best magazine!
embrace the culture Movers& Shakers 2012 +
The fashion truck betterpress
An intimate Conversation with Ben ScHwartz by Peter Murphy + more Issue 20 February/March 2012 www.brinkmagonline.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 1
packed with flavor, not calories
2 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
OUR BEAUTY LINE * per 8fl oz serving
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 3
OF MONTREAL 1BSBMZUJD 4UBMLT 1PMZWJOZM 3FDPSET
r $ % -1 GFBUVSF OFX BSU CZ %BWJE #BSOFT r % PVCMF HSBN ZFMMPX WJOZM JODMVEFT EJHJUBM EPXOMPBE BOE QVMM PVU QPTUFS r 6 4 UPVS .BSDI m "QSJM
IN STORES 2.7.12 1JDL VQ ZPVS DPQZ BU 1BSL "WF $%T $PSSJOF %SJWF 0SMBOEP '- 1"3, · QBSLBWFDET DPN
BEN KWELLER Go Fly A Kite 5IF /PJTF $PNQBOZ
4 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
r $ % -1 GFBUVSF TQFDJBM i%FMVYF %JPSBNBu QBDLBHJOH r HSBN DPMPSFE WJOZM -1 JODMVEFT GSFF $% PG UIF BMCVN r -JOFS OPUFT JODMVEF HVJUBS UBCVMBUVSF PG BMM TPOHT
ISSUE 20 • February/March 2012 • WWW.BRINKMAGONLINE.COM
brink
18
Welcome to
BRINK
Welcome to the February/March issue of BRINK! Wow, so many exciting things have been happening here at BRINK, and I can’t wait to share them with you. We won Best Magazine in Orlando by thedailycity.com readers! This poll was open for about a month, anyone could vote and we came in first place. We’re such a small group here at BRINK, and we all work so hard to put our best foot forward and really give you — our readers — some great content as opposed to ad-filled fluff.
26
14 Features
•
12 Dinnerdate The newest dating sensation is to meet the actual date in person! Find out how this savvy site works!
•
16 DII DII recently released his album, Evolution of a Man,” and we caught up with him to find out more.
•
26 2012 movers & shakers BRINK has selected three top brands we think are moving and shaking in 2012. Watch these brands — Embrace the Culture, BetterPress and The Fashion Truck — move.
•
34 Beaulah anne Photography.
Fashion and beauty
•
18 style ringer BRINK stylist Leah Davis puts together these looks so you don’t have to do the work. Check out the latest and greatest must have items!
•
22 Street Style Everyday people. On the street. Coast to coast.
•
32 Beauty stringer Beauty Editor Michelle Cameau does the work for you and finds the latest must haves for men and women. This issue we collaborated with Beaute Speciale for something extra speciale! Valentine’s day beauty looks at the hot topic this issue!
Cover Photo by Jessica Castro www.jessicacastrophotography.com
Every Issue
•
7 the buzz The coolest items you can’t live without.
•
13 caroline knows Got a question for Caroline? Email at caroline@brinkmagonline.com
•
14 words with friends This month Peter Murphy sits down and talks to television star and comedian Ben Schwartz.
•
We’ve had some great contests going on this year. First, in January, we held our Instagram contest. We utilized the photo sharing social media platform by calling out to the users to submit tagged images (#instabrink) for consideration for publishing. Three winners were selected and will have their images prominently featured in this issue on page 15! This month, we’re flipping the script a bit. We’re having a Foursquare contest, and if the business (Charyli Boutique, Winter Park, FL) earns 50 check-in’s in the month of February, we will reward them with a complimentary full page ad for the April/May issue! It’s kind of like a pay it forward contest. Last, I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is that everyone keeps up with BRINK and joins in on the conversation across all of our (many) platforms. Everyone’s downloading copies of the magazine, reading it online, liking us on Facebook, picking up a copy where they can and so on. It goes quite a long way. It makes you, our readers, part of our extended team. Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you enjoy our 2nd annual Movers and Shakers issue. The entire issue is filled with movers and shakers with our cover guys, Embrace the Culture, on page 26. Enjoy and many thanks!
17 30 seconds or less Album reviews, movie reviews and Kyle M Menard book reviews in 30 seconds...or less. Editor in Chief editor@brinkmagonline.com 38 The last page Twitter feed, polls and more.
•
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 5
6 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
Our Pick!
the buzz
modus collection clothing Modus Collection apparel celebrates the inner prodigy that lies in all of us. Inspired by the spirit of chess, Modus Collection designs fuse fashion with lifestyle to deliver the ultimate form of self-expression for men and women. Modus Collection recognizes the unique qualities and talents that make each of us exceptional....even extraordinary. moduscollectionclothing.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 7
check this! Anna Hodge offers up major style tips every day on her blog, fash blvd. Now the blvd is coming to you. check out these style tips for spring! Tip One: Floral Prints It’s time to tap into your green thumb, spring’s hottest trend is officially in bloom. The spring 2012 runway was dominated by floral prints, advocated by every major designer from Diane von Furstenburg to Oscar de la Renta. My favorite way to embrace the feminine print is adding tougher accessories, like a denim jacket or leggings. Edgy additions will help transition this girly look from day to night flawlessly. Tip Two: Geometric Prints Thanks to designers like Carolina Herrera and Victoria Beckham, this retro inspired print is bringing the 1960’s back to the forefront of fashion and Hollywood starlets are flocking at the chance to get nostalgic. When incorporating geometric prints into your own wardrobe remember less is more. Opt for separates likes shorts or a blouse and try pairing it with solid colored pieces.
Acacia Creations Acacia Creations is proud to support its employees and the children of Kenya. Portions of certain sales benefit the children of Kenya by providing shoes and school supplies or medical care through Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, which provides life-saving support and care to underprivileged children and their families. Making its U.S. debut in 2007, Acacia Creations can be found in 2,000 retail outlets throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. The largest of these three handcrafted hearts measures about 4x4.5 inches. Each is treated with food-safe sunflower oil. Handcarved in Kenya from previously fallen olive trees. $16.00 acaciacreationsstore.com
Tip Three: Pastels No color feels more spring appropriate then the girly touch of pastels. Peaches and oranges were the leading hues during fashion week from designers such as Erdem, Jaeger, and Marc Jacobs who all showcased delicate palettes. A fabulous mint heel or peach blazer is all you need to brighten up your spring wardrobe. Tip Four:Tribal Prints Graphically ethnic lines and shapes that look like they were shipped straight from Africa are having a major fashion moment this spring, lead by celebrity designer and my personal style icon Nicole Richie, who’s latest Winter Kate collection shines with a slew of these tribal inspired pieces. For a subtle take on this trend, start small with African accents like wooden bangles or tribal printed flats. Tip Five: Fringe The roaring 20’s are back with a vengeance and Great Gatsby inspired designs kissed with fringe are more popular than ever. From dresses to jackets, it seems no apparel item is fringe exempt these days and style mavens like Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens are leading the pack. For a subtle take on the flapper style opt for a simple fringe handbag.
Quick picks!
The Cover Junkie Magazine $12.00 coverjunkie.bigcartel.com
VuPoint IP-P10-VP Wireless Color Photo Printer $99.99 amazon.com
8 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
U-Socket USB Wallplug $29.95 amazon.com
For more on Anna Hodge and Fash Blvd, visit fashboulevard.blogspot.com Concept by Megan Hyde
Yelp neighborhood pick: eola square, Orlando! User Reviews and Recommendations of Top
ment, Services and More at Yelp.com
Restaurants, Shopping, Nightlife, Entertain
Nick’s Italian Kitchen 100 S Eola Dr Orlando, FL 32801 nicksitaliankitchen.com Lisa W and her hubby “cruised into Nick’s Italian Kitchen, located in the Sanctuary Building downtown, excited to try the fresh Italian offerings. The restaurant has a posh feel about it, dark plum walls and large windows dominate the restaurant.” She glows about her dish and shares, “have no fear, shellfish lovers, this linguine with white clam sauce is a dish to order with enthusiasm. A nice portion of perfectly cooked linguine was served in a brothy wine sauce, with a plentiful portion of baby clams still in the shell. The sauce was a great balance of garlic, fresh clams and wine.”
The abbey
photos left page courtesy of Acacia Creations, fash blvd Photos this page and page 7 by garrett frandsen
100 S Eola Ave Orlando, FL 32801 abbeyorlando.com
Kelli M was “wowed” the moment she walked in. “The space is beautiful. The dark decor is accented by beautiful white chandeliers. The piano player in the corner adds to the ambiance, and the faux fireplace offers a funky touch. You have a number of options on where to sit; in a row close to the stage, at a table, in comfy love-seats, or at the bar. The size, decor, and bar make for a great intimate theater.”
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 9
walk about
walking and shopping is alive and kicking, so be sure add these shops to your next todo list when visiting the boston area. by deirdre eldridge photos by reinaldo gutierrez
What’s it about: “AllSaints is acclaimed for its unique brand of sharp edge, directional clothing.”
Allsaints allsaints.com 122 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02116
newbury comics newburycomics.com 332 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02115 What’s it about: “We have 29 stores spread throughout New England. We carry everything from new and used CDs and DVDs to an eclectic mix of trend and lifestyle products.”
Johnny cupcakes johnnycupcakes.com 279 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02116 What’s it about: “My name is Johnny, and I make clothes with cupcakes on ‘em. Have you had your cupcake today?”
What you’ll find: Strolling into Johnny Cupcakes is totally sweet. Bakery cases display delicious designs of these hip cupcake tees, hoodies and accessories. Salespeople sporting aprons and industrial sized mixers push the amazing concept even further. Forwardthinking keeps this boutique both fresh and unique.
What you’ll find: Antique sewing machines line the windows of this UK retailer. Ironwork and stripped down wood enhance the experience of the raw, edgy fashions. The inner rockstar in all of us swoons for striking denim, stunning leather and faded-to-perfection t-shirts. All Saints is not to be missed.
What you’ll find: Comics are only the beginnning for this Boston staple. Sports fans, underground djs, couch potatoes, and the street scene come here for wickedcool stuff. A giant chalkboard higlights the month’s releases for new music and DVDs. Did you ever want to wear the shirt or play with that action figure while watching your favorite movie or show? Look no further. There is something for everyone at Newbury Comics.
10 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
What’s it about: “We selectively buy trendy, inseason men’s and women’s clothing and accessories on a walk-in basis.
Rescue Vintage rescuebuyselltrade.com 244 Newbury Street Boston, MA 02116
What you’ll find: Boasting two locations on Newbury Street, this vintage shop is a delight. Funky high-tops, psychedelic handbags and an amazing men’s section set Rescue apart from the rest.
shopping rite
francesca's collections
cescas, There’s only so many reasons to shop at fran but megan hyde has found them all
When a boutique steals a lady’s fashionable heart, wows her stylish mind and just makes her feel like shrieking from atop her tallest pair of heels, it is a special day. Francesca’s Collections is that boutique. Killer clothes, unique jewelry and amazing knick-knacks that are positively swoon-worthy await and are meant to be seen through one’s own perfectly lashed eyes. There are plenty of reasons – including, but not limited to, a killer striped tunic cardigan just calling to be worn fabulously – to step into the adorably trendy boutique. Each store offers an intimate shopping experience and a feeling of comfort rushes over the soul. As all serious shoppers can attest to, it helps when your shopping environment is calm. That way, when you’re gushy over your fabulous find, it’s all the more exciting for you and encouraging to your fellow shoppers.
hand’s content. As a state of euphoria sinks in, start thinking whose birthday/ anniversary/going-away party is coming up and grab the perfect gift. The most unique options are available to choose from – sushi staplers to 1950s housewife memorabilia to sock puppet wine caddies. Options are never-ending. — Megan Hyde francescascollections.com
The clothes alone are a huge reason to stop in. Not only is every piece unique, but the prices are absolute perfection as well. You definitely get what you’re paying for, and what you’re getting is really good. Once you’ve stepped out of the dressing room, check out the jewelry. Enjoy the dangly earrings, sparkle in every bangle, and try each ring until your
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 11
DinnerDate is launching in Orlando, Florida, but it’s easy to see this going nationwide very soon. BRINK had the opportunity to speak with President of DinnerDate.com, Andrew Connell, and get his thoughts on the site, social media and entrepreneurship. How did you come up with the idea for DinnerDate? I have several friends who are single or divorced and they were all saying how hard it was to meet other single people, and when they talked about their experiences on our dating sites, they all seemed to have a story about a funny experience, a scary experience or a disappointment. So I came up with DinnerDate, which I believe improves upon all these elements – safer as you’re in a group, cheaper [because] you only pay for your food plus a $5 booking fee and much more fun [because] you meet a whole table of similar single people. The chance of real human chemistry is increased fivefold.
Dining For Dates Andrew Connell, President of DinnerDate.com, shares his insights on his new dating site and how singles are meeting singles By kyle menard Photo By dinnerdate DinnerDate has all the bells and whistles of a great night out, the only catch is that you don’t know anyone and you’re looking for love. Good enough, right? After signing up on the site, you pay for the “dinner” (actually, no quotes, its literal) dinner that most appeals to you. That covers the cost of the meal and a small service fee. Therefore, no monthly fees and no awkward (and sometime unfriendly) break up between the site and your credit card. Each dinner is designed to fit your needs, either gay or straight, young professional or 50’s and 60’s — seeking love is as easy as you want to it to be on DinnerDate.com. The site almost is reminiscent of that moment in “Millionaire Matchmaker” when Patti Stanger has those mingling parties and says “meet my millionaires!” — except we don’t know if anyone is a millionaire. Fingers crossed! After perusing the DinnerDate website, it’s clar that the site is easy for anyone to use and navigate. All you really need to do is sign up and show up. They actually say that directly on the site. Easy enough. You can see when people start signing up for events, you know the venue ahead of time and you can search by neighborhood.
12 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
Why did you decide to start this type of media and
platform? To bring the best of the internet (the ability to search and find similar others) and the best of restaurants (the ability to have great food and fun with some new friends). Are you worried about any DinnerDate competition? We believe we have a different offering to others and are focused on making that work. I really like the idea of DinnerDate. It feels very safe. It also feels very social media friendly. Is that something you knew you wanted to be a key aspect of the platform? Absolutely. You can complete your profiles on our site via either Facebook or Twitter – and more are planned. Safety is a by-product of meeting in a group of 6-12 other Dinnerdaters. Will DinnerDate be launching in other cities? Orlando is our home, and we have launched here first so we can find out from our friends the things they like. We are planning to expand, of course, and I want to help develop Orlando and build several digital businesses here. BRINK Magazine is all about giving emerging entrepreneurs and talents a platform – what kind of advice might you have for any entrepreneur reading this now? Love in your idea, move fast and stay very focused on whatever details you need to improve. dinnerdate.com
caroline knows Sit back, relax and let Caroline take it from here Dear Caroline, I’m kind of obsessed with accessorizing right now and love to PILE them on. Coco Chanel famously said to always remove one accessory before leaving the house. Do you think that rule still applies? — Obsessively Accessorized Dear Obsessively Accessorized: Chanel did indeed preach the gospel of fashion restraint but she also sometimes wore a gazillion pearl and chain necklaces all at once! The trick is balance: Want to pile on an entire armful of bangles? Then go without a necklace. Sporting a huge, blingy necklace? Pair it with small stud earrings. So choose one area to go wild and leave the rest simple…wearing everything at once just makes you look kind of crazy…and usually not in a good way! Dear Caroline, My friend ‘Sara’ has been in a relationship with ‘Brad’ for five years. Recently Sara looked through Brad’s cell phone and saw numerous text messages from a ‘James’. After reading the texts it became apparent that ‘James’ was actually a ‘Jen”’ and that some serious flirting was going on. When confronted Brad denied that he had cheated and Sara seems to have accepted that. It really bothers me that Sara is letting him off the hook when he is obviously up to no good. What should Sara do…and, as her friend, what should I do? — Lost in Translation Dear Lost in Translation, Flirty text messages are like gateway drugs—they can often lead to actual full-on cheating. It’s disheartening when a friend we care about won’t leave a bad relationship (and this guys is definitely a grade A jerk) but the decision to end it is hers alone. That time will come…it always eventually does. In the meantime don’t give your opinion unless it is asked for and simply be her friend. Hopefully Sara will soon realize life is way too short to share with a cheating douchebag. From the Vault: Dear Caroline, My girlfriend and I live together in a house that she owns. I pay half of the mortgage as rent each month which is comparable to what I paid for my previous apartment. Since I’m pretty handy with tools, and the house needs a lot of work, I spend a lot of free time helping with renovations. My girlfriend thinks I should also pay for half of any materials that go into the house since someday it will be ‘ours’, but I’m hesitant. Although I hope we will eventually marry there is no guarantee that will actually happen. I’m already spending most weekends working on the house and I think that—in addition to my rent—is enough. Am I being a selfish jerk by not wanting to pony up for materials when I legally have no claim on this house? — Not-Yet-House-Husband
Dear Not-Yet-House-Husband: True story: My friend (I’ll call her Jenna) was in a similar situation to yours. Jenna paid rent in her boyfriend Doug’s 1930’s house that was in desperate need of renovating. Jenna dutifully spent hours and hours chipping up old tile, scraping peeling paint, and dragging heavy planks of wood up the stairs. I recall an entire week dedicated just to sanding down wallboard which was such a dusty ordeal that Jenna suffered a severe allergy attack. Jenna spent almost a year of grueling work helping Doug create the perfect dream home for when they got married. And you know what happened after that? Once the house was finished Doug broke up with Jenna and within a year had met and married another girl—a girl who got to move right into that beautifully restored bungalow that Jenna had poured hours of back-breaking (and heart-breaking) work into. Jenna didn’t spend a lot of money on building materials but she did invest a huge amount of time, emotion and physical labor on the house that she assumed someday would be hers. My advice to you is this: if you enjoy spending your free time working on your girlfriend’s house then keep hammering away! But until you two are married—or you have some kind of legal claim to the equity you are helping put in the house--your money belongs in the bank and not at Home Depot. Email Caroline at caroline@brinkmagonline.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 13
Do you remember the first time someone laughed at something you did? I don’t remember the first time, but there is a story my parents tell me about: how I was in kindergarten, and I yelled out the word shit. The teacher said “BENJAMIN!” And I said it wasn’t me; [that] it was the kid next to me who didn’t speak English. When you first got into comedy, did you believe that you had to have a particular type of mindset to be successful? Do you still believe that? I don’t know if you have to have a particular mind set. I think different things work for different people. What worked for me was the idea of trying to stay creative and working as hard as possible. If I worked my ass off, I would have no regrets if I ended up with nothing – at least I felt like I tried my best. I would freelance anywhere, improvise as much as possible, write sketches and movie ideas, [and] audition for whatever made sense – anything that would hopefully lead to opportunity for me to make a career out of comedy/acting/writing. I still work as hard as possible and get anxious about getting my next job. I haven’t gotten a full eight hours of sleep in years. What’s the difference between comedy in New York and Los Angeles? I don’t know if I can put my finger on what’s different. I think if you are funny in New York, you’ll still be funny in L.A. and vice versa. What do you remember from your first few years at UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade)? I remember loving it so much. I spent so many hours there – whether it was taking classes, performing or interning. I remember performing in every show that would let me on stage and failing/learning from my mistakes. The community was amazing – being around so many talented, like-minded people. I remember watching the funniest people in the world perform in front of me every week for free and hoping one day I would be invited to perform alongside them.
Words With Friends like it or not, here’s what peter murphy has to say about ______. BY peter Murphy photo by Robyn Von Swank
Some refer to him as Jean-Ralphio — his character on the NBC show Parks & Recreation. Others recognize him from various online College Humor sketches, and, a select few, even scream out “BENJAMIN!” when they see him misbehaving. All of these are acceptable titles for a man so deeply committed to comedy that he once bought a fax machine just to send in freelance monologue jokes to David Letterman that at most would earn him $25 a day. His joke-writing spawned RejectedJokes.com, which paved the way for his many online sketches, his new book Maybe Your Leg Will Grow Back: Looking On The Bright Side with Baby Animals, and this year, Ben stars as Clyde Oberholt in Showtime’s new series House of Lies on Sunday’s at 10pm EST. Twenty-twelve is set to be a big year for the NY—born, LA—based, UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre)—trained writer/performer. So we’re glad he made the time to share a few “words with friends.”
14 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
What is your favorite “character” to play on stage? I like ‘em all. I like playing the straight man to people’s insane characters. I like playing the insane characters. I like jumping in the middle of a scene and hitting the game hard in a unique way. I like making people laugh. Is there anything that you wouldn’t parody because you consider it ‘off limits’? An enormous part of improv is saying “yes, and” to whatever your teammates put out there. Although, sometimes when I’m on stage and something feels like we could be offending someone terribly in a bad way, I’ll try my best to sway it back on track. But I think there is a lot of comedy to be had in uncomfortable situations. A lot of people believe there is a ‘secret’ to comedy. Is there? I’ll never tell. Where do you start when you begin writing a sketch or screenplay, and what would you compare your writing process to? With sketch, I start with the kernel of an idea, and I just force myself to write [and] see if I can get some funny out of it. With a screenplay, I’ll put a list together of ideas that I think I can turn into 100-page screenplays. I’ll look over the list, pick my favorite one and write a long outline. Is there a particular direction you see comedy going, and what have you seen change during your years of writing/performing? I think over the years you learn what your strengths are, and you start to refine them to make them as strong as possible. At the same time, you start challenging yourself by doing things that scare you to see if you can pull it off. What hairstyling tips can you pass on to our male (and female) readers? Don’t cut it until way too many people are like “ok, you look ridiculous; it’s time to cut your hair.”
instaBRINK BRINK had a call to Instagram users to submit images to be featured in this issue. Here are the winners and their images! - brinkmag (Instagram)
@beachandsauce Where was the image taken (or in your case, how did this picture evolve)? Wichita Falls, TX. I was getting extremely bored with normal shots and wanted to start layering my work as well as filtering... and this shot emerged! What’s one word you would use to describe this photo? Saucy. What do you love about Instagram? I love that Instagram it is one of the more real ways to socially interact along with sharing your portfolio. It’s also amazing to see what’s going on all over the world at one moment in time!
@kiki_baxter Where was the image taken? I was with my boyfriend (@ejsofla) in Gainesville, Florida and we took a short cut through an ally to get to a store on the other side. The walls of this ally were graffitied and looked pretty cool, so I asked him to stand there for a second while I took this photo. Clearly, he wasn’t interested, as he’s making a face and looking away from the camera. I was only allowed one shot, and this was it. What’s one word you would use to describe this photo? I would probably describe this photo as “contradictory.” What do you love about instagram? I follow other Instagram users from all over the world. I can see the world from a different perspectiveeveryone’s perspective-within minutes of just scrolling down my feed. Every day I see amazing photos taken by users in different countries and, to further appreciate their photo, I can simply use an Emoji, without even speaking their language. @karissaashley Where was the image taken? Lynchburg, VA on the lawn of a well known mansion, Point of Honor. History: It was once an area that Monacan Indians camped out and has since been built up and occupied by some of Virginia’s most remarkable citizens from the 19th century. What’s one word you would use to describe this photo? Fly. What do you love about Instagram? I love everything about Instagram. It’s such a positive medium for sharing your life with others. I love the thought that I can look back in a year and recall a memory from nearly every single day. It’s like a journal, but one that I actually keep. It gets even better when you start collaborating with people around you and just having fun. It’s not about living your life through a computer screen - its about taking snapshots of the life you are already living, and sharing those with others. It brings the world, it’s people and their cultures, together in such a cool way.
BRINK BRINK magazine PO BOX 2371 Orlando, FL 32802 info@brinkmagonline.com www.brinkmagonline.com PUBLISHER/editor-in-chieF kyle m menard EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT steven ozer BEAUTY EDITOR michelle cameau Copy Editor jacqueline ford Photo Editor garrett frandsen stylist leah davis Assistant trisha connell Social Media beauté spéciale megan hyde mary winkenwerder Senior Writers katie bassham megan hyde peter murphy caroline st clair Contributors melody austin colleen burns kevin cortez kris gilpin brandi murray contributing photographer jessica castro stephanie gale photography garrett frandsen reinaldo gutierrez max schwartz lauren gherardi natasha smith robyn von swank Find us online www.brinkmagonline.com LIKE US ON facebook www.facebook.com/brinkmag Follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/brinkmag WATCH US ON YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/brinkmag CALL US TO PLACE AN AD 407.456.4813 General love, questions, Comments inf@brinkmagonline.com Additional words and photos credited where applicable. Disclaimer: The views expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of BRINK magazine, or its management or owners. BRINK magazine has not verified the accuracy or completeness of the content of the submission but has relied on the warranty of the creator as to these factors. Please address any comments directly to the creator. No part of this publication may be reproduced or copied by any method, electronically or otherwise, without written permission from the publishing company. All information within is deemed to be true and reliable. The Newsstand Orlando LLC., and all those associated with this publication assume no financial liability for any misinformation or typographical errors in advertisements. We may at times recommend various businesses that advertise in the pages, but we make no claims as to their promises or guarantees or products or services. BRINKmag 2009-2010 contents The Newsstand Orlando LLC.
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 15
Profiler: DII DII speaks on making it happen and standing up for the music by kevin cortez Photo by Max Schwartz
D II, a graduate of central Florida’s Full Sail University, has been recording for the last five years, but it wasn’t until 2008 that he saw himself making a career out of music. “I needed a positive outlet and I turned to hip-hop music as a way to express myself.” Signed to Second Subject Recordings—alongside artists such as S.K.I.P, Soliloquist of Sound, AMIAM, and Ill Trybe—D II is making a name for himself in central Florida.
Confidant, smart, and true, D II is a lyrically driven rapper from Virginia, comparable to the conscious Mos Def and Talib Kweli. 2008 saw the debut of D II with his release, Evolution of a Man, but the future seems very much exciting for the rapper, as he’s currently writing an album that will be produced by Soliloquist of Sound’s Swamburger. 2012 will definitely hold a lot for talented rapper, with new projects, new music, and more performances.
16 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
It doesn’t sound like hip-hop and Orlando seem to mix that will, but local rapper D II will tell you otherwise. “It seems that there is a hip-hop community that stands by their music and fights tooth-and-nail to save/protect hip-hop here in the city. I’m joining that effort to continue and make a name for myself and for this scene,” he told me. “Talent and hard work have gotten me where I am now, it’s definitely not something that just happens instantly, and when given opportunity you, run with it.”
More on DII
Evolution of a Man The 9 track Evolution of a Man (including “The Time”) is DII’s first album and is available on Bandcamp today with a free download. facebook.com/DIImusic
30seconds
or less
music Anthony Green Beautiful Things Out Now Circa Survive frontman is releasing his second solo album to help kick off this fresh new year. Guest appearances come from Canadian singer Lights, as well as Chino Moreno from Deftones fame. Download: “Get Yours While You Can” Cloud Nothings Attack on Memory Out Now Lo-fi Cleveland rockers are on track to release their third album, Attack on Memory. Expect a catchy, raw, and rough sound straight from the garage. Download: “Staff Useless” Lamb of God Resolution Out Now Long time metalheads Lamb of God are up with their seventh album, produced and mixed by Josh Wilbur, just as their last release. Fans and listeners who anticipate this release have a chance to pre-order to get a bonus 12-track live album, available digitally. Download: “Ghost Walking”
Book Ringo Star Ringo 2012 Out Now Ringo is alive and still very much kicking as he preps his release of Ringo 2012 this January. The Beatles fans will definitely want to check this one out. Download: “Wings,” “Rock Island Line” The Internet Purple Naked Ladies Out Now OFWGKTA members Syd Tha Kid and Matt Martians are making their debut as The Internet at the end of January. The digital version was out back in December, but the physical copy will release exclusively on Odd Future Records. Download: “Love Song – 1,” “Cocaine,” “They Say” Air Le Voyage Dans La Lune February 7, 2012 French electronic group Air makes for very notable album this quarter, as Le Voyage Dans La Lune is fully inspired by the 1902 silent film of the same name. The digital edition of the album will come with an exclusive restored and colorized 16-minute version of the movie, strictly limited. Download: “Sonic Armada,” “Astronomic Club”
Dr. Dog Be the Void February 2, 2012 Psychfolk band Dr. Dog will be releasing Be the Void helping aid in a strong beginning of 2012. The absolutely tore up Orlando Calling last year, so expect this release to be solid. Download: “The Old Black Hole” “Warrior Man” Of Montreal Paralytic Stalks February 2, 2012 Psychedelic, experimental, and weird, Of Montreal’s Paralytic Stalks is something a lot of people have been waiting for. This album will release in multiple different ways, strangely including cassette, with all physical editions featuring free digital downloads. Download: “Wintered Debts,” “Dour Percentage” Galactic Carnivale Electricos February 21, 2012 Shake up funk, jazz, rock, hip-hop, and New Orleans, and you get the fusion that is solely known as Galactic. Eighteen years of existing and the group is back to drop Carnivale Electricos, a primal soundtrack to New Orleans and Mardi Gras. Download: “Hey Na Na” — Kevin Cortez
Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)
The Bust DIY Guide to Life: Making Your Way Through Every Day
Just what we need — another memoir. But this one is different, I swear! Mindy is funny, relatable, and would make a perfect BFF. She even describes what she thinks makes a great best friend as “someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night.” This book would go perfectly on your bookshelf with Tina Fey’s Bossypants. Now if only Amy Poehler would write a book; then the funny lady trifecta would be complete!
Fan or no fan of feminist mag BUST take note: you need this book in your life. With tutorials on everything from making cheese to deodorant, there is a little bit of something for every factor of your life in this handy guidebook. Not to mention the photography and the whole design of the book is super cool and would make a great addition to anyone’s coffee table.
— Katie Bassham
— Katie Bassham
by Mindy Kaling
by Debbie Stoller
film And evrything is going fine
my week with marilyn
Steven Soderbergh directed the late, great Spalding Gray in Gray’s Anatomy (1996), and now he has made And Everything is Going Fine — a documentary on Gray featuring rare, early solo performance clips and snippets of interviews with the actor/monologist. After years as a stage/film actor (once he was even in an adult film), Gray began to talk onstage in 1979 about his life’s experiences and 18 more monologs followed over the years. He always talked a lot about his mother’s suicide, and he always went back to talking about the image of water. Years later, he was in a bad car accident from which his pain never went away (apparently, during his last stage appearance, he suddenly looked a lot older and thinner and had to use two canes to slowly walk on and off the stage). Tragically, he would come to drown himself in the ocean in 2004. His books and solo films — like Swimming to Cambodia — are fascinating, funny and touching. Check them out as excellent alternative entertainments, and if you find that you enjoy listening to this smart, likable man talk about his life, watch this documentary too. — Kris Gilpin
My Week with Marilyn chronicles the infamous missing week from Colin Clark’s revealing diary (The Prince, The Showgirl and Me) published in 1996 but penned forty years prior while he worked as an assistant on the set of the 1957 rom-com, The Prince and the Showgirl, directed by and starring Laurence “Larry” Olivier and Marilyn Monroe. Years later, it was revealed that Clark spent that week escorting Monroe around Britain after her new husband left the country. In the British drama, directed by Simon Curtis, Olivier is played by Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), and Monroe is brilliantly played by Michelle Williams (Wendy and Lucy, Meek’s Cutoff). After a while, Williams’s convincing characterization of the Hollywood icon has you thinking you’re watching Ms. Monroe herself -- even down to the voice. It’s an interesting film showcasing how Olivier’s and Monroe’s work habits differ. Monroe is portrayed as demanding and unreliable. She shows up late, fluffs her lines, etc. — Lindsay Lohan kinda crap. And after a shoot, Olivier calls Marilyn the B-word. I don’t know the truth about MM (though I like her) or why everyone in the film strokes her ego with “You are a brilliant actress!” comments (I always thought of her more as a star, but that could be why they told her things like that). What made the duo so famous, however, was when he got her through a good take and cut the film together he made her look quite good. — Kris Gilpin
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 17
styist leah davis leahdavisstyles.com
sTYLE Ringer
photography nastasha smith plushglamour.com hair irina bilka irinabilka.com make up amanda stone wardrobe provided by charyli assistant trisha campbell Model danielle l Model roxanne yaist Charyli Boutique charylistores.com Evani Boutique
18 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
left page striped spaghetti strapped dress evani boutique $49 hook bow waist belt evani boutique $19 vintage quilted handbag evani boutique $49 coil cuffed bangle evani boutique $19 brazilian laced ankle boots Evani Boutique $89 this page dress-viereck charyli boutique $120 saako scarf-lace necklace charyli boutique $68 gold and silver cuff bangle evani boutique $sold out
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 19
this page one sleeve bandage dress evani boutique $69 brown leather feathered necklace evani boutique $29 blue glass feathered necklace evani boutique $39 faux fur Vest evani boutique $49 silver cross ring evani boutique $29 shoes, models own right page boatneck poncho, willow & clay charyli boutique $76 bcbg skirt charyli boutique $48 cross ring evani boutique $29
20 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 21
Street Style
shot by jessica castro
22 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
jessicacastrophotography.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 23
Movers and Shakers 2012
24 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
By definition, a mover and shaker is someone who is “a person who is active or influential in some field of endeavor” and BRINK has selected three of the best of the best for the 2012 Movers and Shakers edition. The next six pages will leave you inspired and hungry for more on what these engaging entrepreneurs produce in their day to day life. Embrace the Culture By Brandi Murray Photos by jessica Castro Betterpress by Kyle Menard The Fashion truck by Megan Hyde
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 25
BRINK Magazine 2012 Mover and Shaker Embrace the culture
E
mbrace the Culture (ETC) describes themselves as “cutting across all boundaries and preconceived notions of culture,” and they do just that. Embodying the differences in vision, philosophy, lifestyle, and clothing, the four-man team made up of Rosco Flevo, Shawn Dorman, Geoff Smart, and Jacoby Zepf bring to Orlando “the perfect personification of ETC.” Starting amidst the economic turmoil of 2009, Embrace the Culture was destined to stay one step ahead of the competition with their exceptional design team and design process. Striving to be a company where both men and women feel at ease, Embrace the Culture creates clothing for the “sophisticated yet casually inclined hoping to inspire a new wave of thinking.” Encompassing not only the ETC brand but False Gods and The Culture of Life, the designers have set their sights on bigger goals, hoping to be a worldwide brand within the next five years. Embrace the Culture, however, is not only about the future. Aiming to create an environment of inclusion, ETC states “No matter how disparate we are as individuals, our uniqueness is what makes our culture so influential. The power resides in us as a culture undivided to shape our futures.” Although we exist as individuals, ETC uses its brand to remind us that we are one. With t-shirts featuring the words ‘Ich Bin’ [meaning I Am] or the phrase ‘Product of Immigration,’ ETC declares that they are more than just a brand…they are a LIFESTYLE! Interested in learning how the culture-based brand began and the vision behind it? BRINK links up with the fashion house for an interview and spread showing you how to join the movement! Hungry for more?
26 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
“A team is made when the sum of all the individual parts is greater than each part by itself. “ Who is the man behind Embrace the Culture, and how did the vision to create the brand begin? Ryan Caraballo is the man behind ETC. Ryan is a very artistic and creative individual who draws his inspiration from a number of different sources. The original vision for ETC came from Ryan living in Germany. European culture and style are the two main inspirations for the vision and direction of ETC. How important is it for purchaser’s of the ETC clothing to understand its story? Very important. Our clothes stand out on their own and speak for themselves, but understanding our vision and philosophy adds so much more depth to the clothes. ETC has always been about more than just clothes; we believe we are creating a lifestyle brand more than anything, and our story helps explain that. Out of your entire line, which piece do you believe ‘embraces the culture’ the most and why? The Ich Bin and Product of Immigration shirts are the perfect personification of ETC. Ich Bin is german for “I Am,” which can be interpreted in so many different ways, and it captures the German essence and inspiration of our company. Product of Immigration cuts across all the boundaries and preconceived notions of culture. All of us come from somewhere else, so it’s the perfect message. With ETC being mainly a t-shirt line, do you believe your clothing is more appealing to men or women? We aim towards being a more male-oriented company, but it doesn’t necessarily work out that way. Women are much more fashion conscience and more inclined to try new brands, so, even though most of our designs are geared toward men, women make up a slight majority of sales. Men generally aren’t as conscience about their clothes and style, so that represents our main challenge as a brand; reaching that more difficult market.
Your shirts feature key and unique designs such the highlighted “C” for UCLA fans or the phrase “Ich Bin,” meaning “I Am.” What do these things mean to you? The Ich Bin concept is really the idea that ETC was founded on. It was the first concept Ryan came up with back in 20072008 before ETC was officially started. The highlighted “C” was just a random idea that came from watching the Men’s NCAA basketball tournament and doesn’t really have any meaning. All of Ryan’s designs have layers of meaning embedded in them, and we believe this is one of main things that sets us apart from the masses of other companies putting out t-shirts. How do you want them interpreted by fans of your clothing? They can really be interpreted in a completely individualized way. Each of us is unique and have our own backgrounds and influences that affects our perception. For most of the shirts, there is an obvious meaning or message and a few deeper ones that are normally interpreted in different ways by different people. Tell us a little about your new women’s collection: The Omens. Omens is our new line printed exclusively on scoop neck shirts. It is a more mature, somewhat darker line that centers on graphics instead of typography, which makes up the majority of our shirts. Omens are signs that mark important changes in life or circumstances and is representative of us growing and evolving as a company. What was the most difficult part about getting a business off the ground? [The] business plan/infrastructure and raising capital. Our core group worked for six months planning our business model and putting that into a written form that would be useful for investors. The most important part of the business planning is creating a sustainable
infrastructure so the business can run smoothly and expand when necessary. Infrastructure covers all aspects of business including design, products, technology, order fulfillment, supply procurement and financial planning. After all this planning, the next step was to raise the necessary capital to get started. We raised our start-up capital during the summer of 2009, which was during the worst parts of the financial credit crunch. This made it even more difficult because traditional avenues for acquiring capital were closed to us. Where do you see the ETC five years from now? First, a quick background: ETCFH has, as of now, three brands under it. Embrace The Culture, False Gods and The Culture Life. The first two are clothing companies, and in five years we would like to see our clothes in stores in the major cities of America, Europe and Asia, as well as our own retail stores for each brand. The Culture Life is the entertainment side of our business, and we would like to see that grow to include a record label, promotions and nightlife ownership. How do you stay one step ahead of what’s already out there? We are able to stay one step ahead of what’s already out there because we have an exceptional design team and design process. Our design starts with Rosco Flevo, our creative director. He sets the tone and direction of our overall design. Under Rosco is our executive producer, Shawn Dorman. He is responsible for making sure Rosco’s vision is executed. Shawn and our other two designers – Geoff Smart and Jacoby Zepf – all work together with oversight from Rosco to pull all the aspects together and make sure everything is cohesive. What do you think makes a team? A team is made when the sum of all the individual parts is greater than each part by itself. We have always kept that thought it mind when starting and adding to our team. We all have unique abilities that mesh well together. We leverage all these abilities and skills to create a sum greater than the parts. What advice would you give to future entrepreneurs? If you have ever considered or wanted to start a business, go for it. It is an extremely rewarding experience, and we all love what we get to do every day for a living. The other two pieces of advice we would give are start early while you still have flexibility, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice or help. Any last words? Stay tuned. ETCFH has a lot in store for 2012. ETCFH.com facebook.com/ETCFH
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 27
S
ome time ago, BRINK was contacted by BetterPress, app developers, to have its contents featured on their new site, BetterPress (a Citrrus platform). As a relatively new publication, we were in no position to say anything but, “yes!” When we visited the site, we couldn’t get over how immersive the experience to use BRINK content really was through the BetterPress platform (above). This really had us questioning “Who is BretterPress?” What we found was much more than we bargained for and this exciting group of entrepreneurs had brilliant insight and advice to share with our readers. We knew BetterPress was a great selection for a 2012 Mover and Shaker. BetterPress is a ‘A Citrrus Product’ – what can you tell us about Citrrus, how it got started and its core values? Wow, I’m excited you asked! Most people only want to talk about our products and don’t seem very interested in the company itself. We see Citrrus as the most important ‘product’ we’re building because the stronger we make our company, the better all our actual products will be. Citrrus was started in 2009 by a small group of people who were really excited by the impact we saw smartphones having on people’s lives. We saw
28 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
an opportunity to bring our experience designing and building core business systems and client-facing web applications for large corporations to the mobile app world. Our company is an active part of the push to move mobile apps beyond games and simple utilities and give users powerful and meaningful features. Citrrus exists with the goal of changing the way people interact with the world. What was the most difficult part about getting a business
BRINK Magazine 2012 Mover and Shaker BetterPress off the ground? Our biggest challenge has been a tendency toward modesty among the managing partners. We all have significant professional accomplishments and were trusted to make important decisions and manage large teams when we worked for other companies, but none of us feel comfortable talking about that. This reluctance has made sales and marketing particularly difficult. When your competitors are out there shouting about how unbelievably amazing their product or service is, you need to be comfortable talking up yourself and your product. We’re learning to see this less as bragging and more as a show of confidence in the kind of high-quality work we know we do. What can you tell us about BetterPress and its origin story? We were getting a lot of interest from companies who wanted to produce iPad apps that were essentially digital versions of documents they traditionally would have printed: things like annual reports, sales presentations and magazines. We quickly realized how amazing it would be if businesses could ‘publish’ this content as an iPad app just as easily as they can produce printed material. Creating an iPad app typically involves a bunch of developers and custom-written software. Neither fast or easy! I’m fortunate to have learned a lot about how companies produce printed material from my wife Jennifer who managed a creative services team for a large organization. Through her, I understood that creative teams ultimately produce nearly every document to be printed -from magazines to annual reports -- as PDF files that they hand off to the print vendor. We built the BetterPress platform to allow that same PDF-based workflow to produce an iPad app. Companies don’t need to involve developers or retrain their creative team on new software. In many cases, BetterPress can actually use the exact same PDF that was sent to the printer to produce an interactive, fullyfeatured iPad app.
What do you find most challenging and most gratifying about developing a product like BetterPress? Our biggest challenge is convincing our clients not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. People get really excited about publishing with BetterPress but often get bogged down trying to re-invent all their content to leverage every possible feature our platform allows (videos, links, etc). We encourage clients to take an incrementalist approach and immediately realize the huge benefit of taking their existing printed material mobile -- increased distribution, analytics and performance metrics, etc. -- and add in all these great ‘extra’ features over time. The most gratifying thing about BetterPress is the idea that we are at the forefront of a revolution in how people consume printed material. Do you have any expectations for BetterPress and its future? Our goal for BetterPress is to be the leading iPad publishing platform for corporate and public institution publications within the next 18 months. We’re really excited about an early partnership we have with University of Virginia publishing their alumni magazine to the iPad. We see a lot of potential applications of BetterPress in higher education. Where do you see the Citrrus and BetterPress brands five years from now? As Citrrus continues evolving its core business of mobile app consulting, I think we will continue to see longterm, multi-year relationships developing with our clients. Five years from now, I think Citrrus is going to have an amazing and ongoing story to tell about all the different companies we are helping leverage mobile. We also made a strategic decision at the end of 2011 to shift the majority of our consulting focus to apps for iPad and other tablets. We’re extremely confident that tablets are going to be heavily leveraged by all types of companies for enterprise apps in the coming years. BetterPress is a little harder to predict because we try to evolve the product with an agile approach. Instead of aiming for a well-defined, far away point, we like to rapidly iterate the product as we see the needs in the market develop. What I can say with confidence is that we will be enhancing the backend reporting and intelligence of the product to give our users an unbelievably detailed view into how people are interacting with their
publications. How do you stay one step ahead of what’s already out there? BetterPress is definitely not the only product out there for turning creative content into an iPad app. Adobe is clearly the 800 pound Gorilla in this space and has already locked up many large national magazines. We compare well with Adobe on a feature basis, and we are dramatically less expensive, but where we really shine is our simple PDF-toapp workflow. The ultimate publishing platform won’t be focused on having the best editing tools or even a killer in-app feature. There are already lots of great desktop publishing programs out there, and killer features are just commodities that others can copy over time. Apple has won over customers by creating, among other things, products that are incredibly easy to use. Similarly, BetterPress will succeed by continuing to lead the way as the most straight-forward, friction-free iPad publishing platform. What do you think makes a team? I’m a big believer in the management philosophy of Patrick Lencioni. Our entire management team has read The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, and we strive to build the foundation of our team by addressing each of them explicitly. I’d be lying if I said we don’t still struggle with all of them from time to time, but I can also tell you that being aware of them has made us a far stronger, closer and more effective team. I could give you a list of the dysfunctions, but I would rather encourage you to just go grab the book. It’s an easy read, and if you embrace it, it will change your company. What advice would you give to future entrepreneurs? I was incredibly comforted when I read anecdotes from many successful entrepreneurs about how much of a ‘roller coaster’ starting their business was. It helped me to keep going and know that big ups and downs are just part of the deal. Any last words? Since BRINK’s readership includes the Tampa Bay area, I want to express my undying love for Bern’s Steak House. Years ago, I was a software engineering consultant working in Tampa and was lucky enough to visit Bern’s more than my fair share of times with my project team. If you’ve never gone, it’s a dining experience to remember! betterpress.net
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 29
BRINK Magazine 2012 Mover and Shaker The Fashion truck
O
nly a mere summer ago, Emily Benson – like many who contemplate their next move after college graduation – found inspiration with the food truck revolution happening in her surrounding NYC neighborhood. With her desire to travel – and of course her love of fashion – she did some research and drove right in. The Fashion Truck offers a range of clothes, an assortment of accessories and a variety of services from closet organizing to personal shopping. It’s a one-stop fashion shop – well, truck. Read on for more exciting tidbits from this fashionable mover and shaker: The Fashion Truck.
What was your inspiration to begin something so innovative? Friends and family have told me that I started mentioning an idea for a traveling boutique two or three years ago. While living in New York City, I saw food vending transform to gourmet restaurants on wheels from the old-school carts selling hot dogs. I thought about the idea of putting a boutique on wheels. I love to travel and always imagined opening my own boutique. The Fashion Truck felt like it would be a socially relevant combination of my favorite things. In the summer of 2010, I was frustrated working in corporate retail and started investigating how a traveling boutique could work in real life. After extensive research and thought, I decided to make the idea a reality. I found out that www.thefashiontruck.com was available to buy, and I knew it was a sign. What is the overall perception when you tell or show folks The Fashion Truck? The most commonly heard phrase when people first come inside the truck is: “What an interesting concept.” I seems like people are running the idea through their head to try and figure out how it works. Do I have to pack it all up when I drive off? NO! Can I just park it anywhere I want? NO! Do I really drive it? YES! After thinking they’ve seen it all, I’ve presented them with something they have never seen, or heard of, and they are amazed. After the initial shock wears off, most women are hooked when they see the assortment of merchandise and prices. I know a ‘regular’ customer when they feel comfortable popping in just to see what’s new this week. How do you stay one step ahead of what’s already out there? I have always been a forward thinking, curious person. My parents still tell the story of how my preschool teachers would find me in other classrooms because I thought they were doing something more fun or interesting. As a visual person, I get information and inspiration from everywhere -- from a football game to runway shows to the street. My years of working with
the best in the retail industry have taught me how to absorb what I see and edit for my customer. What types of fashion does the Fashion Truck specialize in? The Fashion Truck specializes in trend apparel and accessories for women under $100. I buy what I like and would wear myself. My search for the most beautiful and well-crafted mix of items creates a unique assortment that appeals to my wide variety of customers. From basic items, like the famous Wrap Sweatshirt that looks great on nearly every woman, to fashion items, like wild feather headbands that you would see on Fifth Avenue. What services are offered through the Fashion Truck? One of the most utilized services I have right now are private parties. I like to call it the modern tupperware party. You pick a day -- most popular have been Thursday or Friday nights -- invite 10-15 friends over, and I pull the truck right up to your house for a private shopping experience. You get my styling advice and the best in fashion, all without leaving your driveway! I also love working with women to re-vamp their personal style. I offer closet clean-outs, outfit organizing and anything else you need help with. My goal is to help women feel more confident in their style. What do you think makes a team? Often people will think that I have a whole team behind me or even am a franchise. A majority of the business is done by me: ordering merchandise, ticketing it, driving the truck, booking events, maintaining social media -nearly everything. However, the support of my family has been so great that I do feel I have a team behind me. My father and I designed and built the interior of the truck together; going back and forth on function versus aesthetic. My mother and sister love seeing my latest purchases, so they will always pitch in by ticketing merchandise. Even my extended family pops in from time-to-time. My uncle came up with
30 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
and built the dressing rooms, my cousins have interned with me helping inventory, booking parties, spreading the word on Facebook. They are all so excited and proud of what I’m doing; they just love being a part of growing the business. What advice would you give to future entrepreneurs? Entrepreneurs need guts, drive and confidence. When I first started the business, I remember hearing ‘no’ a lot, to the point of where I almost gave up. Novel ideas and innovation are never immediately accepted by the masses, and entrepreneurs need to have the drive to fight for their business. Also, having the confidence to cope with being in the public eye is an important characteristic of being an entrepreneur. The Fashion Truck is something I’ve put my heart and soul into, so criticisms aren’t easy to hear. I’m still developing the skills to divide what’s personal and what’s business. Overall, through the stress of entrepreneurship, never lose sight of your love for what you are doing. Where do you hope to take the truck next, figuratively or actually driving? The Fashion Truck is staying in the Northeast for now. This year, the goals are to focus on booking more private parties and to get a regular stop schedule around Boston -- as food trucks have. The online shop launched about two months ago, and I’d like to work more on it mirroring the mobile boutique. What exactly drives you to keep driving the truck? I love that the view from my ‘desk’ is no longer the walls of a cubicle but the busy streets of Boston and the smiling faces of my customers. Being able to drive up, open my doors and present a new concept of retail to consumers ignites me with energy. Ultimately, experiencing the excitement of my customers continuously fills me with joy. thefashiontruck.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 31
32 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 33
The
New Girl Photgraphs by Beulah Anne beulahanne.com
34 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 35
36 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 37
The Last page
the barometer
feed
Madonna Superbowl performance. (Ok, we’re guessing. )
BRINK winning Best magazine in Orlando! Thank you TheDailyCity.com and readers!
Blue Ivy Carter. Just because.
John Carter with Antonio Sabato Junior!
@gorillashit Wowowowowowwow. @BRINKmag won @Thedailycity poll for Best Magazine. http://tinyurl. com/897anvw #swag on us
Orlando’s NBA All Star Weekend!
@Katianicole
Award Season overdrive!
What happened to Mishca Barton?
@BRINKmag Check out my promo commercial youtu.be/NYVuFqVx1PM
Seal and Heidi Klum. No one saw it coming. Katy Perry Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection Honey, let’s call it a day.
B
SOPA and PIPA Kind of scary.
@ashley_arano @BRINKmag you should check out The Style Inquisitor-amazing journalism/style blog run by fashion writer Ricardo thestyleinquisitor.com
Like us at facebook.com/brinkmag follow us @brinkmag www.twitter.com/brinkmag
We asked on brinkmagonline.com What’s your Favorite Thing About Spring?
15% The End of Winter
2% Spring Music Releases
3% More Daylight
10% Spri ng Bre ak
20% The Impending Arrival of Summer
10% Gardening/ Flowers 40% Spring Fashion
38 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com
www.brinkmagonline.com • BRINK magazine • 39
LOVE MUSIC? APPLY NOW TO BECOME A
WARNER MUSIC GROUP COLLEGE MARKETING REP!
WMG.COM/JOBSOVERVIEW
40 • BRINK magazine • www.brinkmagonline.com