MAGAZINE
5 TIPS TO ENGAGE YOUR BRAND ON SOCIAL MEDIA
INARBI NICOLE: 10 Essential Criteria for a Smart Business Name Reigniting Your Passion: When You Fall Out of Love with Your Business
March/April May/June 2021 2021
Billionaire Mom on the Move
+6 MOMMY
MOGULS TO WATCH OUT FOR
innovativemindsmedia.com
Supermom on the Rise: Get to know iNarbi Nicole and how she balances daily life, being a mom, and a business owner.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
07 Editor's Note 08
08
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5 Tips to Engage Your Brand on Social Media By Tania Marshall
10 Reigniting Your Passion By Ashley Dapianco 14
10 Essential Criteria for a Smart & Successful Brand Name By Dominique Winfield
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Billionaire Mom on the Move: iNarbi Nicole Cover Interview By IMM Magazine
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Six Mommy Moguls to Watch Out For By Editor-in-Chief, Matia Johnson-Buggs
29 Benefits of Podcasting By Rick Saunders
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Essential Criteria For A Smart & Successful Brand Name BY DOM IN IQ UE WI NF IE LD
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31 Six Amazing Ideas for Your instagram Stories By Catrina Daniels
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Editor-in-Chief Matia Johnson-Buggs
Creative Director Executive Producer Contributing Editor Graphic Designer Art Director Staff Writers Contributing Writers
Taylor Klein Marcus Daily Kelsey Carter Dayna Elefant Wesley Sherman Cassie O. Lopez, Tania Marshall, Tiffany Davis, Emilio Cruz, Derek Hough Tania Marshall, Dominique Winfield, Micah Santiago, Ashley Dapiaco, Monique Johnson, Tiffany Poe, Rick Saunders, Catrina Daniels
Contributing Illustrator Dayna Elefant
EDITORIAL OFFICE 11411 Lake Arbor Way, #1111 Mitchelville, MD 20721 info@innovativemindsmedia.com IMM Magazine is published content created by Creative Expressions Group, Inc. www.innovativemindsmedia.com
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FI ND Y OUR HOM E I N THE CI T Y
OCTO PRIME 6 | IMM Magazine
PRIME CONDOMINIUM
editor’s note We as entrepreneurs need continuous support and encouragement on a frequent basis. We wear so many hats, personally, and professionally. We are cooking dinner, managing a 9-5 job after being home for more than a year, and do not forget, we are holding down a household! Although I am kidless, I am constantly in awe at the mommy CEO’s in which I am surrounded by. That is why in this issue I chose to honor a dear friend of mines, iNarbi Nicole, Billionaire Mom on the move! She’s a mommy of vivacious twin girls, and a certified salon owner in Baltimore, Maryland, and I am floored when I think about her growth over the past ten years of knowing her! She brings a wealth of knowledge to the hair industry, and in her exclusive interview, she dishes on her passion and what’s next in store for iNarbi. Since the number of moms out here doing amazing things is countless, I chose to honor six other mommy moguls in the entrepreneur industry who are doing great things. From event planning to opening cosmetic lines, these women are going above and beyond! In this issue, we also feature steps to reigniting your passion when you fall out of love with your business, and also tips on engaging your social media presence, because let’s face it, your brand is a baby and it needs you! So cheers to you CEO, and enjoy this special, personalized, mommy mogul issue. Plus, share the wealth and tell a friend to order a magazine! Are you tuned in? Innovative Minds Media has recently launched our podcast! Listen to us on Apple Podcast, Google, Spotify, and a plethora of other platforms. Join CEO Matia Johnson-Buggs as she brings motivational pieces, branding and marketing vibes, and special guests. Also follow us on our handles below:
Best Regards,
facebook.com/InnovativeMindsMedia/ instagram.com/innovativemindsmedia/
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5 Tips to Engage Your Brand on Social Media BY TANIA MARSHALL 1. Connect with your audience. Engage in comments and follow other like-minded brands. 2. Create a call to action to boost engagement. Give your audience small asks to perform. Some include: “Double tap if,” “Comment below if,” “Tag 3 friends,” or even, “Share an emoji.” 3. Use and follow hashtags that are relevant to your business. 4. Show rather than tell. Use reels with captivating stories. Make sure you tag like-minded entrepreneurs. 5. Create connections offline! Whether it’s through events or developing a podcast, collaboration builds a unique community and creates “word of mouth” offline, which can transcend online. So what are you waiting for? Start engaging your brand on social media today!
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Passion
REIGNITING YOUR STARTING A BUSINESS is a lot like starting a new relationship. There is a courting stage, a honeymoon stage, and everything in between. It is fresh, it is new, and most of all, it’s exhilarating. You want to savor each moment and you love learning something new. But what happens when the Honeymoon is over and we are falling OUT of love with being an entrepreneur? Unfortunately, being a small business owner is not always going to be dinner on rooftops with red roses and chocolate truffles. However, like in any relationship, you can put in the hard work by rekindling the flames of passion. Check out these reasons why entrepreneurs often abort their brands early, and take note of these key steps to help your brand rekindle the fire.
BY ASHLEY DAPIANCO 10 | IMM Magazine
REASONS WHY ENTREPRENEURS GIVE UP: 1. EXPECTING FAST RESULTS: We live in a
microwave world and we expect microwave results. Anything worth having takes time, and success definitely does not happen overnight. Allow yourself the time and energy it takes to succeed on the journey, trial and error and all.
2. NOT BELIEVING IN THEMSELVES: There’s a difference between a salesperson and an entrepreneur. A salesperson has three things: faith in themselves, faith in their company, and faith in the product they represent. Well, entrepreneurs ONLY have themselves, their company, and their product that they represent. So it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when all you have to count on, is YOU.
3. GETTING STUCK IN THE PAST: As entrepreneurs,
capitalizing on emerging trends is important.
4. DWELL ON MISTAKES:
Your previous baggage will prevent you from succeeding in the future, if you keep holding onto it. Trying to figure out what went wrong only scares you away from trying again in the future. The best way successful entrepreneurs are always looking at the pointy end of new innovations. Take some time to discover what new trends are going on in your market and make room for those with your brand. The most to move forward is by reframing your past mistakes into learning experiences. 5. FEAR THE FUTURE: When we question our brand’s validity, anxiety for the future can rear its ugly head. It’s important to focus on the now so we don’t psych ourselves up for the future.
6. “KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES:” We
have so much around us that can steer our attention in the wrong way. Social media, the fear of missing out, that sometimes we often get caught up in other people’s brands and begin to copycat. Let’s not keep up with the Joneses, and instead refocus on our brand, mission, and objectives. It’s all about authenticity! 7. OVERWORKING THEMSELVES: This is the number one culprit for entrepreneurs falling out of love with their brands. If you are rarely taking a mental or physical vacation away from being an entrepreneur, then you are doing yourself an injustice. You don’t have to be “on” all the time. Put on your out of office through email and social media. Take those moments or days where you do unwind (no phone, no appointments, and no laptop) and refresh yourself so you can recharge.
8. RESISTING CHANGE:
The entrepreneur who has unwillingness to change and thinks the market will stay the same is in for a world of pain. Many entrepreneurs give up because they feel like they are being left behind. Be flexible to the changing trends, trying them out to see how they can work for you and your brand. Pause and ask yourself these questions. Out of all the reasons above, where am I at in the process? Am I feeling hopeless? What can I do to fall back in love with my business?
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Here are some ways to rekindle the fire: 1. REMEMBER WHY YOU STARTED: When was the last time you revisited that business plan, media kit, proposal, or even mission statement? Or do you even have one set in place? Revisiting why you started in the first place can help reignite your passion, and steer you back in the right direction for your brand.
2. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM: Before you can
fix what’s wrong, you have to be able to identify the problem. Have you ever done a climate check for your business? If not, make this a regular weekly thing. Ask yourself, “How did the week go? How were my social analytics? How were my sales?” Try this out with any issues you can identify and see if you can come up with solutions. Sometimes if we are feeling overwhelmed, it is because we are taking on too many tasks, and delegation would be an easy fix to our problem. 3. ADJUST YOUR EXPECTATIONS: No one is perfect, and sometimes setting high standards, and trying to live up to them on a weekly basis can set you up for failure. Be extremely honest with yourself, and your brand’s expectations.
Rekindle the
Fire
4. HAVING AN HONEST HEART-TOHEART: Just like in any relationship, when the
wires are crossed, it’s time to have some honest dialogue. So here’s what you should do: listen to your business, tell your business what you need from it, and hold yourself accountable.
5. SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER:
Set up a regular recurring appointment to do check in’s and see how things are going. And feel free to make adjustments as necessary. As a bonus, think about getting a financial accountant, advisor, mentor, or influencer to help guide you. You can also utilize online classes from LinkedIn, Google, Masterclass, or even at an online university. The more knowledge you have under your belt, the better off you will excel.
Happy rekindling!
So, here’s to you and your business. You put all that work into it, why give it up so easily? IMM Magazine | 13
10 10 10 EssentialCriteria CriteriaFor For Essential Essential EssentialCriteria CriteriaFor For A Smart Smart& &Successful Successful A AASmart Smart&&Successful Successful BrandName Name Brand Brand BrandName Name 14 | IMM Magazine
DO MI I QU BBY Y DO MI NN IQ U E EWW INI FNF IEIE L DLD B YBDO Y DO MI MI NIQ NU I QE UW E IN WFI N IEFI L DEL D
10 Essential Criteria For A Smart & Successful Brand Name Instantly conveys what my business relates to
10 10
Sparks the interest of my target audience Is simple to pronounce and spell Is easy to remember and recall
Is distinct and unique from competitors Has no risky copyright or trademark issues
Essential EssentialCriteria CriteriaFor For AASmart Smart&&Successful Successful Brand BrandName Name Website domain is available, ideally the dot com Social media handles are available
Reflects my brand's mood and personality
Will remain relevant as my business evolves B YBDO Y DMI O MI NIN QIUQEUW E IN W IFN IEFI LD EL D
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BILLIONAIRE MOM ON THE MOVE The term “Supermom” does no justice for this entrepreneur. iNarbi Nicole, a 34-year old powerhouse and stylist, is a mom with two twin girls and is an entrepreneur/salon owner in Baltimore City, Maryland. But it doesn’t stop there. Vibrant, Vivacious, and with a heart of pure gold, she is a force to be reckoned with. She is exponentially utilizing her God-given talent, and if you know her personally, you would say the same thing. By uplifting women and making them feel good inside and out, iNarbi is on a mission to take the hair industry by storm. She is focused on God, family, expansion, and work-life balance, as any other rockstar mom would be. Book your next appointment today at M Luxe Salon and check out this official entrepreneur’s highlight below: IMM: When did you first fall in love with hair? IN: At the young age of seven, I realized I had a love for hair. My very first client was my cabbage patch dolls. I would use my bows and barrettes to style their hair as if they were being serviced in my salon. I discovered my WHY when I realized my skill set, talent and love could transform women and make them feel a sense of confidence. IMM: What’s your definition of a Billionaire Mom and how did you transform into one? IN: Being a Billionaire Mom is a mindset. It is exponentially multiplying your God-given talent in pursuit of life-changing prosperity and influence that impacts the world and generations to come. My transformation began after having the twins. My passion is rooted in my experience as a mother in pursuit of providing a better life for my children. My twins motivated me to ensure I wasn’t only giving my children life, but I also give life to their experiences, humanity and their futures.
IMM: You’ve been raised in the church and learned faith early on. How do you incorporate faith into your everyday journey? IN: James 2:14-26; Being raised in the church, I learned early on that “faith without works is dead.” This mantra, having
a vision, prayer and staying focused are things I incorporate into my daily routine. Having faith is definitely a part of my lifestyle. IMM: What are three of your greatest qualities? IN: Being Creative, Innovative, and Professional. IMM: What are some of your salon’s most popular services? IN: Micro-links are the most popular service, healthy hair care, and color.
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IMM: How do you maintain your successful customer base? IN: M Luxe Salon culture creates a luxurious experience for executive women where you can come and “let your hair down.” I take time to understand my client needs on a professional and personal level. At M Luxe Salon, we embrace self-care. My focus as a CEO/Stylist is to create a luxury experience and environment. M Luxe Salon takes pride in loving on our clients as well as their hair. IMM: What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-today busy schedule? IN: Delegating and Outsourcing. Being a mother, creative and CEO can be very challenging. I realize we’re in times of transformation and in order to grow my brand, businesses, and community I had to activate my FAITH. I knew it was time to create a team of individuals who can add value to my business and brand. Creating a team has allowed me to delegate tasks and responsibilities - taking pressure off me therefore I can focus on expansion, creativity, and work-life balance.
IMM: You’re a woman of many talents (entrepreneur, singer, businesswoman, etc.). What motivated you to jump into the studio as “Curl boss?” IN: I’m a child of God. Being raised in the church, I led the Praise and Worship at my dad’s church for years. I always had a love for music. Being a pastor’s daughter, spirituality and having a relationship with God has always been number one to me. Music has always been my passion; gospel was never my focus however I knew I was led to do ministry. Creating Curl Boss allowed me to share my talent of music and make it work for my brand as well. I was so excited to create Curl Boss because that’s what the average woman is dealing with day to day: she’s embracing her curls, embracing who she is, she’s a Boss Chic a.k.a Baddie, she’s taking control of her life, and she’s doing IT! This song will not only promote my business and my brand but will also show me being that role model. I want to show the world that everything you say you’re going to do can be done and you can have fun and be a mother, an entrepreneur, a black woman doing IT, like you can do IT all!
IMM: In what areas has being a supermom changed you? IN: I became a real woman iNarbi with her twin daughters, 8 yearIMM: When you’re not who was taking leaps-of-faith olds Bri-Bri (left) and Ari (right). in the salon, what are some and making moves daily. I activities you love to do? empower myself; we’re talking IN: I love spending time watching movies and about a little girl who struggled with staying snuggling time with the twins, traveling, and interifocused during school, not knowing my voice as a or decorating. young teen. I evolved into a boss woman, creating, executing, and maintaining a business, and building communities. I was always driven, after having my IMM: What’s next for iNarbi? daughters I knew I had to ensure my legacy didn’t IN: I’m continuing to expand M Luxe Salon globaldie. I knew the marathon must continue! ly, growing my brand and creating a community of Billionaire moms, stay tuned!
To keep up with this Billionaire Mom on the Move, visit @mluxethesalon and keep tabs on iNarbi at @_thebillionairemom on Instagram.
French Connection IMM Magazine | 19
C'EST LA VIE, MON CHERIE | FRENCHCONNECTION.COM | MONMACARONS
Six Mommy Moguls to Watch Out For BY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, MATIA JOHNSON-BUGGS
Being a mom can be the greatest asset in helping a woman grow as an entrepreneur. It can teach grace, humility, and compassion - all must-have leadership qualities needed for women maintaining a brand. In this section, we highlight five unique brands and six mommy CEO’s who are fulfilling their passions and utilizing their unique talents in the industry. So flip through our exclusive interviews and if you feel inspired, make sure to collaborate with these dope women and their brands! 20 | IMM Magazine
Bioactive Beauty that
Balances
Coming from a powerhouse family of entrepreneurs, it only seemed fitting for CEO of AcARRE™️, Tracey Kearse, to join the pack and birth her own beauty masterpiece. AcARRE™️, a beauty line created on the foundation of utilizing plant biodiversity, is her pride and joy. “While working for a skin and hair care company, I was approached by a friend looking for a product that she could use on her scalp. At this time, my sister also came forward requesting a high-quality multi-use product for her face and scalp. These inquiries planted the seed for me to develop a product with multiple uses for skin and hair.” Thus, AcARRE™️ was born, unique in its own right due to its bio-active ingredients that rebalance the microbiome, nourish, and rejuvenate the skin and scalp for aging prevention. Each product contains a rich source of ingredients for purity and sustainability from plant biodiversity. And behind the brand, Tracey serves as a multifaceted entrepreneur. She is an esteemed chemical engineer who has worked in product development and marketing for over fifteen years. With such a strong tenure, Tracey’s most satisfying moment is seeing the before and after results from her consumers. “This assures me that I am making great products that people can use,” she beams, and for good reason. She also has had her fair share of celebrity approval. Friend and Makeup Artist Latrice Johnson has used AcARRE™ products on actress Regina King. She is also no stranger to furthering her brand’s presence and cultivating relationships. “Creating customer partnerships and collaborations have helped me build my customer base. Also, by reaching out to retailers to carry AcARRE™ has built our customer base as well.”
So how does this mommy mogul measure success? “Success
to me is making money without spending money. When you’ve created the right product, it really sells itself. Success is also being an inspiration to my son, family, and friends, which is what I do every day. Creating consumer, esthetician, and makeup artist partnerships because that helps create a larger sales force for AcARRE™ than just a team of one. And like any other mompreneur, being a mom has shown Tracey what unconditional love is. She finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family. “My son is always ready to go, so I love that he is willing to experience new things.” For 2021, Tracey has more brand partnerships planned, sponsoring virtual trade shows, and is also working on a beauty campaign for the summer, and getting into a few retailers this year. AcARRE™ continues to make moves and create more brand awareness. She is also working on a new development to launch by the end of the year, so stay tuned for more details and keep tabs with beauty and skin health tips at www.acarre.co. IMM Magazine | 21
Destined to
Design Getting married is stressful enough. Thankfully, CEO and design stylist Sherrian Thompson is providing ease with Oak Bridal Accessories, an online boutique specializing in one of a kind brooch bouquets, headpieces, and jewelry for brides. As her unique work has recently been featured in Washingtonian and on ABC7 News, Sherrian Thompson designs special handmade pieces and is providing heirlooms for brides to pass down to their younger generations. Sherrian first fell in love with bridal styling when her mother got married in 2002. “I remember her thinking about every detail when it came to our attire!” the stylist mentions when reminiscing on that special moment. “She was absolutely stunning and her headpiece was to die for. Seeing and getting messages that brides are in love with my creations brings me the most joy! It’s extremely fulfilling to know that they chose me on one of the most important days of their life.” Motivation is the key driving force behind this CEO moving forward. When asked from where she pulls her inspiration, this CEO mentions that her biggest motivation to create comes from knowing that her creations will be in someone’s photo album forever. But the fear of perfection doesn’t lie there. Sherrian is a firm believer that you don’t have to have every single moving piece in place to begin. Building and cultivating relationships also comes at ease for this entrepreneur. “Sometimes your raw talent is enough to get started and the Universe will provide you with more as you go. Take joy in the growth of your business instead of stressing about what you don’t have. It will all work out.” The power of word of mouth, and clients recommending your business, goes a long way. Along with her go-with22 | IMM Magazine
the-flow attitude, she believes in planning her social media ahead of time to balance out her busy schedule, and also keeping up with some of her favorite trends like show stopping headpieces. “Keep it coming,” Sherrian beamed when asked about her favorite. “I love it. It’s your one day to be extra, so why not go for it?” When asked about her designs for brooch bouquets and floral crowns, Sherrian made it official that Oak Bridal pieces are original and one of a kind. “I never use the same pattern. When I am designing, I let the brooches tell me where they want to go. It is such an organic creation. When brides order from me, I always tell them it’s not going to be exactly like the picture, and they are actually excited to know that theirs will be uniquely made just for them.” Going forward, Sherrian has big plans for Oak Bridal Accessories and is continuing to cultivate relationships and expand the brand. “I am pleased to have the local Washington, DC area (DMV) Bridal Boutiques want to carry some of my accessories in their stores. So far I have one coming down the pipeline with hopes of more to follow!” And to our soon-to-be brides, here’s to looking your best with Oak Bridal Accessories on your special day! Stay tuned and continue to keep tabs on Oak Bridal at @oakbridal_llc, and visit the website at https://oakbridal.com/.
The CreatHers
on Deck
GEMS Events & Design is in the business of creating lifetime relationships with clients and vendors. They have been able to bloom through this tidal wave of unexpected events due to their strong connection with their clients and passion for creating and connecting with people!
Through working together in a fast-paced environment at a banquet hall, Tiffon and Imani developed the experience of planning and executing multiple events at a time. They have successfully completed up to six events in one day. Although it is not usual for the pair to be working on many things at once, they make it a priority to give all of their clients undivided attention.
Both CEOs, Tiffon Jones and Imani Magruder, are CreatHers (women who love to create) and they love to be personable during and after events, sending season greetings and gifts when milestones occur. Setting a firm foundation and creating everlasting bonds is how they create future events and earn referrals from clients. Their service is a true reflection of them, so they always strive to outshine any competition by being just the GEMS they are. Tiffon’s love of event coordination and design, started with creating milestone celebrations for her sons. She loves to see their reaction to the completion of the event. She assisted at work functions and with family members affairs, while Imani has always been creative and enjoyed watching many TLC wedding shows and seeing spaces transform. This piqued an interest for her to pursue a career in event planning. She loves that every event is unique in its own way and collaborating with new people regularly. The ladies decided to form GEMS Events and Design as a partnership because they grew an appreciation for supporting each other through various events while working together. The partners agreed that they both complimented each other and their visions for their business aligned. Gems Events and Design is all about transforming blank spaces into memorable experiences. They love assisting their clients in their planning process and giving them an event where they can be fully present. They create so you can celebrate!
One of the perks of being in a partnership is being able to conquer twice the amount of work in a short period! Having a partnership helps with checks and balances and allows them to divide and conquer when needed and work efficiently! Both CEOs agree that their number one support system in business, outside of each other, would be their husbands and families. “In our line of work, we are required to be flexible with our client’s and the vendor’s schedules. Our husbands offer a tremendous amount of support by being hands on, and team players when things may come up. Events can run from 3-14+ hours in one day. Our family members have been amazing with offering an extra hand on projects and promoting our business by word of mouth and social media. We are able to grow with their love and support, and we are truly thankful.” Follow GEMS Events & Design on Instagram at @gemseventsanddesign today to keep tabs on these mommy moguls. IMM Magazine | 23
The Collective
Conveaux CEO Danisha Baughan is the powerhouse behind Conveaux cards and she is building a successful customer base beginning with authenticity. Her brand’s motto, “Less Conversations, More Realizations,” speaks to her own personal character as well. “I don’t hold back, I show up as my 100% self and I take accountability. I share my experiences and provide my guidance, NOT my opinion. Whether during my in-person events or on social media, I grow support by being relatable to my audience.” Her brand, Conveaux, started as “The Chat N’ Chew Experience,” a small friends and family gathering held in her living room to discuss the barriers to successful minority relationships. The purpose was to have a candid yet authentic and much necessary variety of woman vs. man perspectives. The first gathering consisted of 20 family and friends, with a variety group of married/in a relationship and single. Participants dissected topics of concern in black relationships over food and beverages partnered with a few breaks for games/activities to cool down any tension from the topics. But for Danisha, the idea of Conveaux didn’t just magically appear overnight. Danisha credits her key driving force behind becoming an entrepreneur to advocacy and legacy. She defines success by achieving things that genuinely make her soul happy. “Success
is living your truth and experiencing the things that continue to positively impact you. Success is achieving goals ordained for you as an individual, conquering life according to your own unique design. I have a deep passion to advocate for my people, my culture, our future as a race. I felt the best way for me to do so 24 | IMM Magazine
was by taking matters into my own hands as an entrepreneur. I continue my work with dedication to be a change agent and with the drive to create a legacy for my children.”
So, what has been her most satisfying moment in business? “When I receive the feedback from clients. Learning how Conveaux has changed their mindset, their lives, and also their relationship status. It makes my heart smile when someone reaches out to say ‘they found their partner because of Conveaux’ or ‘they took their relationship to the next level’ due to what they learned from our services.” Conveaux provides a variety of techniques that are efficient and effective. Conveaux believes in break-
And like any other mommy mogul, Danisha gets her motivation from her family. “My favorite part about mommyhood is the unconditional love I learn and receive from my children. I get to learn so much from them while also setting an example that matches what I believe in. I love being able to make time for them even when the time is limited.” Moving ahead, Danisha plans to bring back fun and informative group events but with a new twist. She is shifting her focus on digital content and plans to add more strategic techniques and services to her business model, which will include working with younger adults and teens on their relationships with self and others. Danisha is ecstatic about what the future brings for her brand. “What differentiates Conveaux from others like us is that we give our attendees the opportunity to listen, share, learn, guide, network and continually work on personal improvement. Our service style does not force people to feel like they are in a lecture or therapy session. We lead by example by sharing experience, lending our guidance and also receiving attendees’ perspectives.” Create an open space and start the conversation on Instagram at @Conveaux.
Mommy Moguls
ing barriers and building stronger bonds. Some of their key marketing tools are client testimonials, use of real life experiences, and their most popular product; the Conveaux Cards. All of which highlight the barriers and solutions to today’s relationship experiences.
CEO Danisha Baughan with her support system. IMM Magazine | 25
The Cosmetic
Connoisseur The motivation behind being an entrepreneur can be complex for a lot of people, but for Mia Pixley, the maven and CEO behind MilanLaurenCo, the reason is simple. “In 2017, I birthed a beautiful baby girl named Milan. Becoming a mother brought an abundance of purpose into my life.” Before her pregnancy, Mia worked at Sephora and soon became a freelance Makeup Artist. That’s when her passion began to amplify. “I worked with many different skin types and the majority of my clients lacked knowledge in skincare and/or the importance of maintaining a routine...which is imperative, especially if you wear makeup often. During this time I didn’t have problematic skin. I actually never did until after having my daughter.” Thinking back, Mia continues, “After my pregnancy, I struggled with problematic skin, no money, no car, and no job. I was living with my mom and falling into postpartum depression like quicksand. My mom would buy me whatever I needed and after a while I started feeling bad just asking her to continuously let me live for free. All of the products we got from Walmart, Target, and Sephora were not helping me. I was also depressed and really not taking care of myself. I knew I needed to find a way to be a full time mom, while making money to support my child and myself. Through being raised by an entrepreneur, starting a business happened to be the lightbulb that went off for me. It was really the only way I could be a mother and provide.” With determination and perseverance under her belt, Mia began formulating and creating recipes that would help her own skin. After revealing her creations to family and friends, they encouraged her to introduce her products to a larger audience.
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In 2018, Mia first released MilanLaurenCo. with two skincare products. Originally, the plan was to create a full cosmetics company after one solid skincare routine was created. However, the customer base fell in love with her current products and in return, Mia fell in love with discovering how to properly take care of herself as well; mind, body, and soul. For Mia, passion, family, and drive is what furthers and separates her brand from other competitors. “I hand-make every product. My creations came about through always being extremely creative and innovative. In high school and college, I was obsessed with YouTube and my naturally curly hair. I created DIY conditioners back then and return-
ing to my roots helped me formulate a lot of the skincare products I have now. Going completely organic changed everything for me, and I knew that it would help others. I didn’t know how many, but 2.5 years later I have 30+ skincare products for the entire family, treating a plethora of skin concerns, dermatologist recommended and for ALL ages.”
lanLaurenCo. transformed into a reputable brand. Through grinding and staying consistent, a year later the brand continued to grow as 2020 became the year of “tunnel vision.” Mia beams as she thinks back on her overall progression, “I began seeing consistency in my numbers that would help me execute goals for 2021.”
From the beginning, this mommy mogul has created a space for anyone struggling to find the light at the end of the tunnel. As a hands-on CEO who believes in creating unique connections,
So, what’s next in store for Mia and MilanLaurenCo? “This year, I plan to open my first store and I finally feel like I’m reaping the fruits of my labor. I couldn’t be more proud of the woman I have become and the brand that I’ve built.” And as for her journey in motherhood with Milan, Mia’s got that in the bag. “Having someone that loves me unconditionally is really the best part because the feeling is mutual.”
Mia is at the forefront of her brand. “I
make it very clear by interacting with each and every person and making them feel appreciated and valued. Doing so has helped me form a community, build trust, and rapport. I make myself available to help everyone on their journey, whether that be in skincare or self care. This is also how I have built a successful customer base. Building that trust = returning customers.” Impacting her community comes as one of Mia’s biggest ambitions. “My most satisfying moment in business has been just hearing how the products I have created are helping entire families, from infants to adults. I believe this is how success is achieved, through making an impact.” While impacting her community, Mia is a firm believer of “word-of-mouth” marketing.
Shop exclusive products at https://milanlaurencosmetics.com/ and follow this health and beauty vixen on Instagram at @miaelocin__.
MilanLaurenCo. products are top notch and promote self-care.
“I introduce my brand no matter where I am, or who I’m talking to. You never really know who you’re talking to, so learning how to speak with confidence has been my best marketing tool. It’s important to be knowledgeable and confident in what I have to offer. I call it organic marketing.” By honing in on her marketing skills and planning for the future, Mia declares that 2021 is the year of execution. With a growing fan base, in 2018, Mi-
Mia with her beautiful daughter, Milan. IMM Magazine | 27
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BENEFITS OF
Podcasting By Rick Saunders On frequency wavelengths, the human voice can connect with people when words on a computer screen cannot. One huge benefit of having a podcast for your business is this: We get to hear your voice. We get to connect with your topics. We get to connect with your personality and buy into your brand. We get to put a voice with a name when sometimes written words behind a blog cannot give us that true connection. Besides being able to generate content, having a podcast makes it possible for you to build lucrative relationships. Here are the benefits of producing an intimate level of content to your audience: 1. Podcasts make information personal. In a podcast, the content is communicated directly to you, the listener, either verbally or through video. That’s a much more intimate way of getting information than reading it from an e-mail or document. 2. Podcasts are convenient and easy to consume. Once you subscribe to a podcast feed, new podcasts are automatically downloaded to your computer as soon as they are available. You can listen to them at your convenience.
3. Podcasts cut costs. Because podcasts are delivered digitally, they eliminate many costs associated with other forms of communication including postage, printing, and paper. 4. Podcasting is a time-efficient form of communication. You can listen to podcasts while you do other things at work or at home, or during your commute. Some types of meetings can be eliminated in favor of podcasts, saving time and improving productivity. 5. Podcasts are portable. Once a podcast resides on your computer, if your computer is portable, you can take the podcast with you and listen whenever or wherever you want. Or, you can transfer the podcast to a personal media player such as an iPod. With so many benefits of having your own podcast, it’s only fitting that you get out now and gain leads, build up a valuable library of content, build influence, and promote your products and services. Happy Marketing! IMM Magazine | 29
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Brand Personality Adjectives Checkmark the adjectives that apply to your brand personality Adventurous
Empowering
Playful
Ambitious
Energetic
Professional
Bold Bold
Flirty Flirty
Quirky Quirky
Calm Calm
Fresh Fresh
Radiant Radiant
Cheerful Cheerful
Glamorous Glamorous
Relaxing Relaxing
Clean Clean
Innovative Innovative
Rustic Rustic
Confident Confident
Invigorating Invigorating
Sleek Sleek
Dainty Dainty
Minimal Minimal
Sophisticated Sophisticated
Daring Daring
Modern Modern
Spiritual Spiritual
Elegant Elegant
Natural Natural
Vibrant Vibrant
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@INNOVATIVEMINDSMEDIA @INNOVATIVEMINDSMEDIA
Six Amazing Ideas for Your instagram Stories B Y C AT R I NA DA N I E L S Are you getting frustrated with developing Instagram content? As a mom, social media is the last thing you should be worried about. If you are stumped on what to show, see our full detailed list below for some much needed inspiration:
1. “A Day in the Life” - Give us a behind the scenes look to what you do on a daily basis, anywhere from how you conduct business, to what hair products you use, to what you are having for dinner.
2. Run a poll or ask a question - This can be professional or personal. The key here is to create active engagement.
3.
Tell your story - People want to hear your authentic voice and get to know you! Break down the wall between you and your audience.
4.
Have a giveaway - Audience Appreciation is essential to giving back, whether if it’s a spa certificate or a Visa gift card.
5.
Share a testimony - Have you recently received victory over a hard situation? Tell us about it! Your strength in the face of adversity can encourage others.
6. Share case studies or results - No matter what industry you’re in, your audience will always be concerned with what’s going on in their world and around them. Be that resource of knowledge and spread the wealth. Share results or case studies and keep your audience in-the-know. Start your research today and stay consistent with your IG stories by using the tools above. But most importantly, make it FUN!!!
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