BLACK WOMEN VOICES

{ SHIFT+CONTROL }{ DIVI9 }{ BLACK WOMEN VOICES } MEET MAHALIA Y ANTONIO GONZALEZ - THE BOSS

Think Bold - Think ALTRNTV Rochester, NY based business specializes in graphic design.

Meet Mahalia Y Antonio Gonzalez recently launched ALTRNTV- A business that specialize in graphic design. ALTRNTV is located in the beautiful City of Rochester, NY. We create a unique experience for our customers that are in search of creations and artwork that are unique in degree and quality, and we implement the right tactics to differentiate our customers’ brands from their competitors.

Mahalia says, “I often share with my customers, the status quo is boring - do the norm (status quo) and let us UPGRADE you.”

We know a brand just is not about the greatest logo or most visually appealing pictures. Brands define you and your business, promote professionalism, build confidence and rapport with your target audience. Our unique creations are produced through imaginative skill unique artwork that allows our customer to present an opportunity for my business to bring into existence something to existence for my customers that are produced through imaginative skill unique artwork that translates to our customers social media, business marketing, and event planning. From custom instagram graphics to Eyecatching signage, I never look like everyone else.

A WOMAN OF VISION AND PLAN

Mahalia Y Antonio Gonzalez is a native

BY DR TUNYA GRIFFIN

of Rochester, N.Y. She lends her talent, time and service by sharing advice on enhancing natural beauty via digital platforms. Fashion is, of course, just one string on Mahalia’s guitar. She’s a superwoman, working a 9 to 5, while raising two young children and running her digital makeup tutorial channel. One of her keys to success is surrounding herself with like-minded, go-go-getter moms. In 2018, Mahalia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion and Textile Technology from Buffalo State College (BSC). While at Buffalo State, she collaborated with studentdesigners to create a runway fashion show. The show created a diverse and inclusive culture, one that provided students with a safe environment that allowed them to showcase their talent and vision, while offering an applied learning experience that supported students to support future careers in the fashion and textile industry.

To gain more hands-on experience, Mahalia interned at 26 Shirts. In her role as a creator/sales representative, she helped customers to create custom t-shirt designs. After graduating from college, Mahalia returned to her hometown and landed her dream job in fashion at Fashion Week Rochester. As an assistant coordinator, she conceived fashion design plans, coordinating advertising and marketing activities, while attending runway shows to stay current on the latest trends.

“Everything I have done in my life has led me to this moment - And I certainly believe I deserve it. I landed exactly where I needed to be, says Mahalia.”

CELEBRATE ALL WINS AND LOSES

Personally Mahalia leads by example! I celebrate all wins and I accept all loses. Here’s why? We have been sold the idea that one must be able to do it all - “I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never, ever let you forget you’re a man” - Lies! As a mother, wife, full-time employee, and new business owner I preach to women whose lifestyles are similar to mine that - The win is part of the process, also, the losses are a part of the process, chocolate cake on your children’s faces are part of the process, cooking dinner for your husband while forgetting to cook the sides are all part of the process. Embrace it all! Celebrate them both!

I have come to learn that, “perfection is an illusion, and FOMA (Fear of missing out) are words that we as women should escort them to the the landfill, cover them with soil, and pronounce the burial rights. The words Perfection and FOMA are the thief of progress. I want to stay in my own rythum, measuring my own progress, rather that allowing these two word to be the measurement for my progress.

“One cannot celebrate their wins if one feels the need to do all things well.”

Mahalia explained when she decided to take a leap of faith to start her business she did not have a realistic view that there will be days that juggling all

“I often share with my customers, the status quo is boring - do the norm (status quo) and let us UPGRADE you.”

l things well won’t happen and that’s okay. What I have learned is the most important element in perfecting my juggling act is vision, accountability, and embracing the messiness of life. This first step is deceptively simple, but without it, the rest of the process quickly collapses. No expectation is realistic without a clear and personal definition of what success and failure looks like to you. And rest assured you will fail at some things when you’re juggling many things and that’s okay - The key is, don’t quit on yourself.

The dictionary describes failure as “a state of inability to perform a normal function; a fracturing or giving way under stress; a falling short; deterioration, decay.” But it’s even easier than that! Failure is simply an attempt that did not meet all the specified qualifications. It is not only a step closer to realization of the vision, but often presents a new and better vision. Many of the wildly successful inventions emerged from what didn’t work along the road to some long forgotten vision. Chocolate chip cookies, Coca Cola, Post-it Notes, Scotchgard, X-rays, and even the worldwide web are notable examples.

Take a few moments and define what failure at your juggling act would look like, outward appearances – a personal portrait of someone who has not achieved it. Perhaps this reveals a snapshot of your life as you currently perceive it. For maximum revelation, don’t consider your answer too carefully. Then, what does failure at the juggling act feel like, the invisible elements, sleeplessness, nervousness, irritability, etc. Webster defines success as, “favorable or desired outcome, accomplishment, achievement, attainment, triumph, or victory.” But success is also very personal, and must be defined personally, and specific to the circumstances.

Take a few minutes to define the elements of success for your juggling act. How would you appear to those around you if you were juggling successfully? Paint a very clear picture of a person who has achieved it. Then ask yourself how it feels to be successfully maintaining your rhythm, the invisible elements, serenity, sleep, inner confidence. It’s important to capture your genuine feelings, so don’t work it out mentally.

Whatever our definition of success and failure, we are all too ready to embrace anything less than perfection and call it quits. That attitude rarely succeeds at anything. If we are to recognize success when it arrives, we must change our perceptions of failure. Experience, which always includes failures of one sort or another, plus an attitude of perseverance, will eventually lead to solid, lasting success.

If you will give attention to each of these questions and be candid in your answers, you will be well positioned to move forward, making the kind of decisions about your time and talents that will free you to have a greater impact on your surroundings. Soon you will be ready to take your juggling act on the road!

With that said, If you are a mom, wife, business owner, and working a 9-5 then pat yourself on the back and throw the idea of perfection in the garbage. Pack it in your car, and take it to the landfill - And just bury it.

All seriousness aside, celebrations are wonderful opportunities, at least from my point of view, to gorge myself with a cake and candles. If you don’t celebrate yourself then know that others won’t either so celebrate the wins and the losses.

“My customers partner with me to support them, because as we are working together to upgrade their brands, we pay special attention to the brand, but we also pay attention to the person.”

8 KEY AREAS YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR VISUAL BRAND CONSISTENT

Have you ever wondered what your social media followers think about you?

Is it possible you are sending mixed messages to your prospects?

This month we’re talking about the importance of personal branding and how it helps your business, specifically– how you come across to others - We help our clients keep their eye on the ball of their business while simultaneous juggling many things

Over the years I have seen a lot of business owners who haven’t taken time to define their brand, and what that sets them apart.

This “me too” method of marketing that mimics what competitors are doing isn’t effective.

“We create a unique experience for our customers that are in search of creations and artwork that are unique in degree and quality, and we implement the right tactics to differentiate our customers’ brands from their competitors.”

That’s why I feel it is important in my business to pay attention to my customers’ details. We have uniquely created designs for our customers, because we are paying attention to what others may miss. Our holistic and transparency has played a key role with growing our business. In response, I am compelled to share more what a visual brand is and how to build a strong one online.

Whether you’re creating a new brand or updating your existing one, your brand’s visual identity is the most important factor in your marketing.

Your brand is so much more than a website and a logo. It’s a user’s total experience and perception of you.

So every touchpoint a prospect has with you should have one consistent look and theme. This includes your logo, website, stationery, social media, videos, brochures, business cards, and of course your personal brand in how you dress and present yourself to the world.

A SOLID VISUAL BRAND:

- Helps people know what to expect from you. - Promotes professionalism and purpose. - Draws prospects who align with your ideas, attitudes and values. - Enhances confidence, trust and rapport with your followers. - Builds upon the existing brand experience they have with you in a positive (or a negative) way.

Visual branding adds real power to your marketing. It increases engagement and understanding. With all these benefits to personal and professional branding, it’s more important than ever to brand your visual content and images so you stand out from competitors.

How Can You Keep Your Brand Consistent?

How can you be certain that all the marketing you do resonates with your core brand?

Creating a style guide makes it easier to keep your marketing pieces consistent.

Firstly, ensure your brand is consistent in the following areas: - Headshot – Having a professional headshot goes a long way in developing brand trust. - Logo – your logo is the nucleus of your brand, everything else stems from that. Ensure it’s designed properly that includes the psychology of what it represents. - Colour Palette – Colours that will resonate with your target market and be meaningful to your brand. - Brand Message – This is the essence of your business that includes your slogan or tagline of who you are, what you do, and how you deliver value. - Fonts – Being consistent with the same one or two typefaces throughout all written materials as well as graphics - Design Elements – The use of borders, lines, shadows and filters should all become familiar to being associated with your visual brand. - Tone – Set the tone of your business presence and stick to it – whether serious, high-tech, sarcastic or soulful, this is a big part of building a solid brand presence.

CREATE A STYLE GUIDE AS

YOUR ROADMAp A style guide acts like a map that helps your team to stay on track. Sharing your style guide with key members of your team can ensure everyone knows the style guidelines and can follow them.

- Your copywriter and social media manager will understand how to write with your brand voice.

- Your graphic designer will stick to the fonts and colours your brand is known for.

- Your web design team can make sure your website and landing pages all have the same look and feel.

This is especially important for companies with virtual employees spanning in multiple geographic regions. Make it easy for your team to access your logo, fonts and templates. Always protect your brand. Double check when new marketing pieces come in that they conform to brand guidelines.

Here’s 8 areas you will want to keep your brand consistent in everything you do in your business marketing and social media efforts:

1. Website

Your website is the biggest brand statement your business has. It serves as a reference to make sure all other brand elements are in alignment.

That’s why I am so against people who use cookie-cutter template sites. They may look polished, but they lack the

“How can you be certain that all the marketing you do resonates with your core brand? Creating a style guide makes it easier to keep your marketing pieces consistent.”

warmth, connection and personality of a branded website (not to mention how badly they are built.)

Make sure the images you use are reflective of your ideal client. Use language that resonates with your target audience. Create an about page that helps your visitors understand your backstory and why you are passionate and good at what you do.

The more your website looks and feels like you, the stronger attraction tool it will be for potential clients.

2. Professional Headshot

I was very camera shy when I first started my business. So when it came time to get some updated headshots, I dreaded it. But I found that going through the process brought me confidence.

My new headshots are used as a personal and business branding tool that help me to be more recognized online. They are on all my social media profiles and on our website. Aa a result, people recognize me when I attend local networking events.

Investing in new headshots can truly jumpstart your brand and success.

3. Sharing Photos Sharing photos makes your marketing more personable and showcases your personal brand. Consumers love seeing the real person behind the business. So be mindful of when you are working or in group situations and see how you can snap pictures to show followers what you are up to. Grab a shot with a new friend you met while networking. Show the resort you are staying at for your business mastermind.

4. Video Creating videos helps build a strong following online. It’s important to have your videos match your brand too. Dress in a manner that is consistent with your brand.

You could also shoot it in similar places or locations. Whether that’s sitting at your desk, cooking in the kitchen, or standing in front of a green screen with a projected background, that consistent setting helps build familiarity.

Be warm, friendly and connective. If you promise to offer weekly video tips, then get them out on the same day each week so viewers can anticipate them. Create a custom hashtag for your video tips too - we created our eVision video eTips with the hashtag #eTip for consistency.

5. Branded Images Kick up the interest of your blog articles and social media with images. There are loads of free tools to help you make graphic quotes, infographics, and other visuals to add impact.

Make sure all your graphic images are consistent with your brand. Adding your logo makes it easy for people to instantly recognize the content is from you. For instance, the other day we reposted an older article about “6 Steps to Nurturing A Profitable Business”. We featured an image of an Emperor Penguin family. It suggested the idea of nurturing but also tied into our brand with the Penguin theme.

6. Social Media Social media provides so many opportunities for visual branding. From Facebook cover images to profile pics, to graphics, there are endless opportunities for people to learn more about what you do.

The images you use can evoke the feelings and emotions you want your brand to convey. The goal is for someone to look at your social media account and get an impression that helps them understand your unique vibe.

7. Free Giveaways When you are offering free reports, tools, and other goodies to visitors, make sure they have the same colours, logos, and visual feel as your other materials.

When it looks professional and makes a great impression, it builds credibility. Plus, it’s just one more piece of the brand puzzle that helps them understand what you do.

For example, our free giveaway is “The Ultimate Guide to Improving Your Website’s Profitability”. The cover features a headshot of me for familiarity. It has our brand colour of purple and includes our logo. So it looks and feels like us. If someone forwarded a copy of this to a friend, they would get an accurate sense of our brand.

8. Email Signature A graphic email signature can add visual impact to every message you send. Services like Wisestamp make it easy to add your logo, picture, and social

“My customers partner with me to support them, because as we are working together to upgrade their brands, we pay special attention to the brand, but we also pay attention to the person.”

l media links to your email signature.

We have designed many eSignatures for clients that exactly match their brand and it’s an effective way to enhance their brand with every email they send out. Have your virtual team members set up a signature too so you come across as a professional team to your customers. It’s really important to take a look at your brand as a whole to make sure everything is in alignment.

Is your visual brand - Clear, - consistent, - Authentic, - Memorable, and - In alignment with changes in the marketplace, your offerings, or your success? https://www.etsy.com/shop/ALTRNTV

Workbook designed and written by Mahalia Rivera

Anxious Black Girl Workbook: Transform your fears into your superpower: Rivera, Mahalia: Amazon.com: Books