CONTENTS
FEBRUARY COVER
MICHELE RUIZ BUSINESS OPTIMIZING YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE
8 STRETCHING ECONOMIC IDEALS
16 VONCIERGE FOR MODERN BRIDES
23 UTILIZING DEBT COLLECTORS
28 WHY CONTENT IS QUEEN
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EDITOR’S LETTER
5 MAKING CENTS
19 LIPSTICK CHRONICLES
22 STILETTO STATEMENT
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ISSUE 29 FEBRUARY 2014
Published by The Lioness Group. Founder, Natasha Clark.
Editor-in-Chief Katelyn Gendron Art Director Leo Pilares Director of Photography Denise Smith Columnists Kristina Chapell Aliyah Cherrisse Brenda’s Child Angela Lussier Contributing Writers Erin K. Corriveau Carley Dangona Paige Cerulli Tara McCollum Emily Thurlow
Š2013 Lioness is the first leading magazine for female entrepreneurs. We believe women are multi-dimensional creations who flourish, personally and professionally, when they take time to nurture their spirits. We celebrate the unique challenges and achievements of women in business. We believe women are multi-dimensional creations who flourish, personally and professionally, when they take time to nurture their spirits. Our mission is to elevate, educate and support female entrepreneurs.
welcome to editor’s letter Katelyn Gendron
When content is everything, we deliver! Are you familiar with the saying, “Content is King”? Well here are Lioness Magazine we’re switching that up a bit to let you know that Content is QUEEN, which is why we’ve jam-packed more of what you need most to navigate your entrepreneurial endeavors into this edition. From the digital communication strategies of Michele Ruiz, our cover story, to Karoun Charkoudian’s innovative methods to stretching economic ideologies, to MeeJung Jang’s niche bridal concierge business, we’re not only providing you with examples of female entrepreneurs who’re thriving in the marketplace, we’re giving you the roadmap. Have you ever wondered when it’s time to bring in the debt collector to get your client’s overdue revenue? Michelle Dunn will show you the way in this issue. How about learning how to optimize your busy schedule with applications such as EVERNOTE/ONENOTE, Michelle McCloskey can get those digital Post-it notes working for your benefit. What about knowing when to draw the line between providing your services for free to gain professional traction versus getting what your worth? Angela Lussier is offering tips to help you make sense of that delicate balance. And what about the must-have items for your Corporate to Cocktail Emergency Kit? Have you ever thought about having one of those in your desk? If not, Kristina Chapell has the roadmap to guide you from post-workday fatigue to Happy Hour glamour. I better stop there, however, because I don’t want to give too much of this issue away. We hope you enjoy this issue and that you’ll turn to Lioness next month to let us be your guide to entrepreneurial success. Good luck!
Katelyn LIONESS FEBRUARY 2014
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Move from a painful past to embrace your future By Julie Marie Mansfield
All hail the “V” word! If you’ve ever suffered abuse, chances are you went straight to victim. The violence of abuse – sexual, physical, emotional or verbal – is often enough to confine us to a life of victimhood, rendering us blind to the possibilities of our fullness.
Having suffered years of sexual abuse and all its baggage, I found myself leaning comfortably to the negative: victim, vulnerable, vicious, even vile. And perhaps you would too. One therapist actually asked me how I functioned, and at the time it was a simple answer: “because I had to.” What were my choices? As it turned out, they were many. I could have been straddling some pole in some seedy club. I could have been selling myself on some street corner. I could have attacked my veins with one numbing drug or another. I could have abdicated being a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife. And at times I did come perilously close to abdication but at least I functioned as best I could while in search of me. Years of burying the pain and hurt had manifested in anger, self-loathing, worthlessness and self-destruction. And yes, those I love were often caught in the torrent.
Fast forward a few years, my daughter put it best: “You function because you are too competitive to let them win.” And by then she meant my abusers. In remaining a victim, I was ceding myself to people not deserving of my thoughts, let alone my life. I’ve always been called stubborn and that’s not necessar-
ily a bad thing. It was that stubbornness that led me to excel academically, graduating top of my class from Temple University (with two young children in tow). It was that stubbornness that caused me to not settle for mediocrity. It was that stubbornness that caused me to want better for my children than I had for me.
It might have been easier to follow the script of a life interrupted by sexual abuse but in refusing to submit to what dictates victimhood, I found beauty in triumph. And it’s a beauty worth savoring as in doing so everything is redefined. There is no ceiling on aspirations. There is no boundary of compassion. There is no limit on love. If you can name it, you can claim it, and not just in some abstract, esoteric way. We often hear that unless we can dream it, we cannot achieve it. Well, I dream that soon, we will all find the wherewithal to shake the shackles of whatever confines us and find our own success. But it’s hard to find success when we haven’t defined success. It’s so individual, so personal that all we have to do is know what we want, and perhaps more important, know how to recognize when we get what we want.
These days, for me success means hailing the “V” word with new eyes and giving voice to victims, helping them transcend to valor, to value, to vibrancy – to victory!
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How to optimize your busy schedule By Michelle McCloskey TAKE THE TIME TO BUILD A SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS YOU
“It’s easier just to do it myself than to explain it to someone.” If you have said this before, you are not alone. Many people believe this to be true, and in the very short term, they might possibly be right. But this is faulty thinking that will keep you trapped.
Even if you’re faster or better getting some routine task done, it doesn’t mean that it’s a good use of your time. It’s far too easy to forget about opportunity costs – and value of your time. Every hour spent doing a routine task is the loss (or cost) of an hour that could be spent actually earning more money, doing something that helps your career generally, or generating new opportunities for yourself. Most salaried people really underestimate the value of their time. It’s much easier for professionals
and freelancers who bill their time hourly to see that paying someone to run errands two hours a week is actually a net-positive. But the same rationale applies to everyone. Your time is more valuable than you think.
By assuming it’s faster to deal with some nagging routine task yourself rather than explain how you want it done, all you are doing is temporarily relieving your anxiety and stress. You’ve checked it off the To Do list for the moment, but you’re not creating the infrastructure and support you need to have a functional, smooth-running system, whether at home or at the office, so that you’re not in a chronic state of recurring overwhelm and stress. Yes, it takes some time to introduce a new system or support person – whether a new employee, administrative or personal assistant, or mother’s helper – into your world and to get them integrated effectively, but just sighing and doing it yourself yet again is just putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg.
MAKING A LIST ONCE AND MAKING LISTS THAT WORK FOR YOU
The first step in creating an infrastructure of support for yourself is to stop keeping everything stored in your own head. You need to find a way to externalize and track information, not only for your own benefit but so that you can then find ways to delegate appropriately.
While keeping lists in a notebook, day planner, or notepad are time-honored ways of staying organized, for a busy person who is often in multiple places, this can be a challenge. How do you make sure that your lists are where you need them – especially when you’re juggling home, office, kids, and the rest of life? Who hasn’t had to recreate a list from memory on the back of an envelope in a parking lot? Keeping all of your lists and information in one notebook can be bulky, but having separate notepads doesn’t work well either. Moreover, as life becomes more and more digital, the information you’re trying to track is frequently spread throughout your email or in various Internet bookmarks.
This is where software programs such as Evernote and OneNote come in handy. Evernote and OneNote let you make lists in folders than can be accessed from your computer, the Internet, or your mobile device, and they sync with Outlook and your browser to allow you to save emails, webpages, PDFs, Word documents, and other materials in the same folders as well. Because the programs work on your computer, you don’t have to try to manage your life on the tiny screen of a smartphone, and with their app functionality, you also have all of your information immediately available when you’re on the go. You also can share folders, lists, and other items with others via email or the syncing functionality specific to each program.
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Being able to share information efficiently is the most important element of creating a supportive infrastructure for yourself. You can’t delegate or outsource tasks that are not good uses of your time if you don’t have a method for conveying the necessary information to someone else without a lot of duplication or repetitive effort. Programs such as OneNote and EverNote aren’t the only solutions. The key point is that to really optimize your time, it’s essential to find a way out of the triage mode where you’re just dealing with fires and to focus on the bigger picture. Carve out some time to figure out and implement an organizational system that works for you and that allows you to share and access information efficiently so that you can delegate or outsource effectively. Once you start delegating, your initial investment of time will pay off quickly. Time may be money, but your time is more valuable than anything.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS WE LIKE TO USE EVERNOTE/ONENOTE: • Projects: Set up a folder for a project. You can add Word documents with to do lists or drafts of documents. Add a PDF of the contract or invoices. You can clip or copy web pages into your folder, and instead of trying to find them again on your overcrowded bookmark lists, you’ll have the copy of the page and an active link in a convenient and logical location.
• Discounts: If you get an email with a sale you want to remember or a discount code that you know you’ll use, save it into a designated folder.
• Running Shopping Lists: Don’t worry about having all of your lists with you when you’re out shopping. Make them in Evernote/OneNote, they’ll already be automatically synced to your mobile device.
• Travel: Save all of your email confirmations for travel arrangements into a Travel folder, and instead of printing a sheaf of paper to take with you on the road, you’ll have all of your details accessible on your mobile device.
• Recipes: When you see a great recipe online or get one from a friend via email, save it in a recipe folder. You’ll be able to double-check ingredients lists while in the grocery store or have easy access to that recipe you saved while you’re at Aunt Joyce’s house.
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Ruiz builds brand on ‘Life as Latina Entrepreneur’ By Katelyn Gendron
Michele Ruiz, president and CEO of Ruiz Strategies in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., has never struggled with her life’s purpose as a woman of color in the workforce.
She knew she could be a broadcast journalist and a news anchor, so she became one for Channel One News in 1989 and then for KNBC-TV in 1998 in Los Angeles. In 2006, she knew she wanted to become an entrepreneur so she became one over a casual lunch with investors, founding SaberHacer.com, an educational site for Hispanics online. In fact, Ruiz has built her entire brand on her how-to knowledge, technological business savvy and dedication to her ethnic heritage, labeling herself as “Michele Ruiz – My Life as a
Latina Entrepreneur.”
“When I was at NBC they acquired Telemundo. I’m bilingual and I started paying attention to Spanish language media. We were sharing the same [office] space and I realized there was a void in the how-to educational content,” Ruiz explained of her idea for her first business, SaberHacer.com. “There was a lot going on in news, entertainment and sports but not a lot of education and how-to: How to obtain your citizenship, how to get into college or care for your health. It was created for the English market and then translated [into Spanish] but it wasn’t taking our needs and aspirational goals into account.
“I offered my ideas over lunch without a business plan. I’m a good communicator and that was my ‘Oh [explicative]’ moment
when [the investors] said they’d invest the first million [dollars],” she continued.
The five-time Emmy, and four-time Golden Mic Award winner ultimately decided to take the leap, becoming a fulltime entrepreneur after taking two months to create a viable business plan. Ruiz explained that while she is no longer involved with the operation of SaberHacer.com, having separated following the economic recession of 2008, she said she learned a great deal from that experience, which she credits for the success of Ruiz Strategies. “I never viewed it as a failure. The economy collapsed and it was almost like an act of
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RUIZ
God,” she recalled. “[I learned that] whenever you raise capital there’s a trade-off. You, as an entrepreneur, have a great idea that you truly believe in but you need the financial resources. First time entrepreneurs don’t really understand what that means. It becomes a marriage with your investors. They, at the end of the day, are investing in your because they expect a substantial, not a moderate, return for their investment. Now you’re entering into this partnership, which lends itself to conflict because they want to see a return sooner rather than later. As an entrepreneur, it’s your baby and you want control but they’re putting the money in.”
Ruiz called the year she spent following SaberHacer.com, as a time to “decompress and figure out what I wanted to do next. It helped me to become a much smarter entrepreneur.” It was then, she said, that she began to fully embrace the concept behind Ruiz Strategies and “Michele Ruiz – My Life as a Latina Entrepreneur.” “It started really as an opportunity to build my brand,” Ruiz recalled. “Digital communication strategies is a very new venture, especially for females and
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minority-owned businesses. It became very apparent that there was a need that we could fill. We wanted to tell stories in a compelling manner.” Her strategies have become gospel for her more than 26,900 Twitter followers (@MicheleRuiz01), as well as those subscribed to her blogs and the Fortune 1000 companies she represents as a brand ambassador. Her firm “develops and executes transformational content marketing strategies for world-class companies, large professional services firms, government entities and C-level executives leveraging the power of social media, new media, traditional media and virtual technologies,” according to Ruiz’s Entrepreneurial Story on micheleruiz.com.
When asked if she believes being a Latina has ever helped or hindered her business, Ruiz replied, “This is not just in your career but in business you have to be able to deliver. You’re not going to get anything because you happen to be Hispanic. If anything negative has happened it’s because people are ignorant. I view myself as a woman first and foremost and a Latina because I feel that I can help other women
RUIZ of color.
“I’m at a stage in my life where my mission is to help other women business owners and women of color because about 96 percent of business owners have microbusinesses, which means they generate less than a quarter of a million [dollars] in revenue and we need to change that,” she continued. “We need to help women [business owners] to generate meaningful revenue.” Ruiz said that ultimately her goal is to build Ruiz Strategies into a business viable enough to promote her dream of becoming a venture capitalist for women- and minority-owned businesses.
“When you help a woman business owner, you not only help her but you help her family and impact her family legacy for generations to come,” she said.
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Karoun Yoga stretches beyond traditional economic ideologies By Erin Corriveau
It was a winter morning, and I wasn’t feeling flexible. I was cold to the bone and needed coffee more than I needed air. However, that was not to be just yet as I was headed to Karoun Yoga, a West Springfield, Mass., business owned by yoga teacher Karoun Charkoudian.
The moment I stepped inside I immediately felt relaxed. The happy green color of the walls and the clean lines of the entry were calming and welcoming. I followed suit of the other students, removed my shoes and walked over to the front desk where Karoun stood. Although we had met once or twice in social circles, I reintroduced myself and shook her hand. Her genuine smile immediately put one on my own face and I felt instantly warmer.
A few moments later, we were all in the yoga room on our mats. We were a group of all shapes, sizes and physical abilities with no judgment. The music started and the class began. Karoun’s voice walked us through poses as the notes from the music carried us through movement. I stretched, I breathed, I twisted, I downward dogged. As I did, I noticed Karoun walking around ensuring that everyone was in correct alignment, suggesting easier poses to not push limits and praising good form. During the final moments of the class, as the lights came on after meditation, I felt better than I had in a while. The grocery list wasn’t on my mind, the laundry was just fine where it was and my body felt taller and more productive.
After everyone left, Karoun and I sat down on the floor together and I began to find out just where this relaxed, yet energetic woman came from and how she began her yoga adventure.
Q: We all have our passions, our drivers. When and how did you find your love of yoga? A: Ten years ago, while I lived in Houston, I started practicing yoga. Soon after, I found that I became better at my life. For example, I could tie my shoes much easier than before yoga. I was also able to find peace during yoga. Between school and my job at the time, there wasn’t much of that. I kept practicing and suddenly I had this self-awakening. I wanted to do something that had a lot more “heart.” This was something I knew I wouldn’t find at the corporate job I was in. I searched and found a group and took my first training around 2007-2008. Q. Having had an awakening, what led you to decide to go into business for yourself?
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Yoga instructors Kimberly Perry, Paul Menard and Erin McNally, join Karoun Charkoudian, founder of Karoun Yoga in West Springfield, Mass., in celebrating the one-year anniversary of the business in its new location. Photo courtesy of Karoun Yoga
A: In 2008, I moved back to Newton, Mass., and shortly after decided to move to Springfield, where my father’s family was. It was then that I realized something – there was really no yoga here. I saw a huge need. I wanted others to experience what I had – to have their own awakenings. I had come to an understanding through my own journey that there was a lot of pain in this world, and that yoga helps to heal that pain. It came clear to me then I wanted to heal pain, I wanted to heal the city. I was in the midst of the various levels of teacher trainings and I went for it! I opened my first studio on Pearl Street in downtown Springfield [Mass.]. That was five years ago this year. I had a decent following, there was almost no overhead so it was affordable and it allowed me to continue my teaching style.
Q. What do you feel, or hope to feel, that your students gain from coming to your classes? A. On a basic level, I want them to feel better – just better in general. Less frazzled about life or the day. I want them to feel better when they leave, be in a better place when they go home to their families, which just helps to improve our community. Coming here gives them peace, the chance to meet people and come together for class. I’ve seen some friendships begin to form and even a couple of reconnections. On another level, I’ve had students who’ve had high blood pressure go from medication to no medication, yet their pressure has lowered, just from practicing yoga. Another was able to regulate anxiety through yoga versus
medication. Back pain has also improved. Another student was told they had to have surgery to correct an issue with their ankle, yet after taking yoga for some time no longer needed it. This is what yoga can do. Q. So is this your favorite part of what you do? A. I’ve been doing inner work on myself as to what drives me and yes, it’s to awaken people. We were all asleep, going through motions every day. To wake up and feel better and to have them be able to do this as well is rewarding.
Q. I can absolutely see this. Just from this one class I feel a bit better, less stressed and in tune. I can see how important your students and their wellbeing are to you and your drive to continue to provide this experience and teaching for them. I noticed the majority of students during this class were women. Is this true for all of your classes? A. Yes, but male students are growing! I’d say we have about 80 percent women and 20 percent men but it’s definitely growing. Men are very different than women and their bodies respond in different ways.
Q. As an entrepreneur, how are you able to keep your business viable given the current economic climate? A. I have to say it’s definitely gotten better. It was so much worse when I started! My overhead has gone up moving to West Springfield, however, I have a bigger following as well. Overall, I keep my price points much lower than other studios so people
can afford to come, which makes the economy better. Also, as a business owner you have to be able to not only support yourself but your business as well. You’re putting in everything you have and I realized that’s OK. If it doesn’t work, I’ll still be alive and a beautiful person and I’ll keep going.
Q. What’s next for you, for Karoun Yoga? A. This past year was a year of “trial by fire.” I jumped right in. We moved in our new space here in West Springfield [at Century Plaza] and will be celebrating our one-year anniversary in this new location shortly. As a business owner, I’ve worked through some things. I tried some stuff, tripped over myself and I know I’m there now and moving forward. I have a really good system in place and excited for what this new year brings!
Q. As am I! You may even have a new student. Are there any final thoughts that you’d like people to know? A. I’d like to tell people to not have fear – to let it go and to move forward. Trust your path. I trusted mine.
She certainly did. Regardless of the “what if it doesn’t work?” Karoun held on to the “but what if it does?” She saw a need and she saw herself as the solution. It wasn’t perfect in the beginning but at least it was her path and she followed it. Karoun and her infectious smile and amazing, calming nature continue to awaken people, heal people. I know I’ll be back and I hope to see you there soon. Namaste.
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Making Cents
Knowing when to give something away versus getting paid for it By Angela Lussier
A few weeks ago, I had the exciting opportunity to sit on a panel of women entrepreneurs at Smith College in Northampton, Mass. The class was comprised of sharp, inquisitive women with a lot of insightful questions. One of the questions raised has stuck with me since that night and has me thinking deeply about the subject. The question came up when we were discussing the difference between generosity and getting things in return for your effort.
The question that started the discussion was: How do you get people to pay you for what you do? Our combined answers revolved around the same two areas: give things away to build interest and trust, and always look for ways to build credibility for yourself and your business to make your company more valuable.
The follow-up question to our comments is the one I can’t stop thinking about: If you are giving things away, shouldn’t you just do that because you want to, and not expect anything in return? Isn’t it manipulative to do something with a hidden agenda?
The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no because our businesses are a means to pay our bills, pay our employee’s bills, and investing the money back into the business. Unfortunately, business is not all about philanthropy, although it is a part of it. Giving things away should feel good, help the other person, and even help yourself.
I gave several examples of what I give away and why, like being part of an entrepreneur mentorship group, writing a column for an internationally-known corporation, and serving on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement. For each opportunity, my
reasons for giving away my time and energy were different, but the outcomes were similar.
Some of the reasons I give things away: I care deeply about encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship in my area and I like giving my time to aspiring business owners.
I learn a lot from being around other entrepreneurs and I get to build more credibility for myself and my business via mentoring.
I get to align myself with a major, respected, trusted corporation that millions of people interact with each day. It is a great opportunity to build visibility and credibility for my business and I see it as a marketing opportunity.
Making investments in my community energizes me.
Here are a few other reasons to give things away in your business: You feel so deeply connected to the cause, person or organization that you really want to be generous.
You are building your brand and credibility through the opportunity. It may not have monetary value today, but your business will grow through being associated with it.
You’re building trust with your audience and want them to get a taste of who you are and what your business represents before they decide to buy.
You are celebrating something and want others to celebrate with you.
Here are some reasons not to give something away: You feel guilty asking others for their hard-earned money.
You’re afraid no one would pay for it if you asked. You think you have to give your work away in order for customers to pay attention to you.
You feel bad asking for what you are worth.
Bottom line: Being generous should make you feel good, not desperate.
Once you have determined whether or not the opportunity is serving you, you can decide if it’s something you want to do for free, or ask for money.
There is nothing wrong with charging for your valuable time, insights, and energy. If you do determine that you want to ask for money, stand firm in your decision. Be confident in your decision when asking for what you are worth and make sure you have thought through how much the opportunity will mean to your business, beyond instant money today. If there is a hidden benefit for you, keep that in mind when negotiating. If the customer is well connected and could refer you to other businesses that is something to take into consideration as well.
The goal is to always make sure you are taking care of yourself and your needs to ensure that every deal you put together feels good and supports you. It is important to give things away but only when you are getting something in return, even if it is just the warm, fuzzy feeling you get from doing something you enjoy versus a strategic business move. Remember, you are running a business and your business needs revenue to grow. Creating a balance of freebies and paying customers is an important blend to keep an eye on. Over time, you will get very good at recognizing what is the right blend for your business.
Angela Lussier is the chief strategy officer and partner at the BrunoFox Group in West Springfield, Mass. She is an award-winning speaker, author, and business owner. Visit her website at www.theBrunoFoxGroup.com.
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Shriver continues discussion of women on the brink of poverty, encouraging entrepreneurism
recent legislation in California to introduce paid sick leave. “The Shriver Report is proud to serve as a platform for a conversation about what women need in California and around the country,” she added.
During her visit to Sacramento, Shriver also delivered The Shriver Report to Gov. Jerry Brown and met with members of the legislature, community leaders, administration officials, and with women living on the brink.
She Shares panel discussion on The Shriver Report, moderated by Dewey Square Group’s Karen Breslau, included Maria Shriver, Karen Skelton and Binita Pradhan, who was featured in the Report. Photo courtesy of PRNewsFoto/She Shares, Barbara Kinney
“For too many American women, the dream of ‘having it all’ has morphed into 'just hanging on,’” Maria Shriver said before a sold-out audience at She Shares, a conversation series presented by the Dewey Square Group. “Working women are at the core of our economy. Leave out the women, and you don’t have a full and robust economy. Lead with the women, and you do.”
In her first appearance in Sacramento, Calif., since serving as First Lady of California, Shriver, now a Special Anchor for NBC News, presented findings from The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink, the third in a series of groundbreaking studies of cultural transformations affecting women and families, produced in partnership with the Center for American Progress. The Report (www.shriverreport.org) examines the reasons that 42 million American women and the 28 million children who depend on them live at or near the brink of poverty, and proposes concrete solutions to this developing crisis.
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“California continues to be a leader in working towards economic equality, from the WEConnect events we held when I was First Lady, to the paid leave legislation being introduced this month,” Shriver said during a wideranging discussion that covered the lessons she drew from her time as First Lady, her family’s legacy in the War on Poverty, as well as LIONESS FEBRUARY 2014
Shriver, who is also a New York Times best-selling author, was joined onstage by Karen Skelton, editor-in-chief of The Shriver Report, and by San Francisco entrepreneur Binita Pradhan, one of the women featured in the Report. “Leaving women out of the conversation about social mobility and the national economy is like benching our starting line-up,” Skelton said. “This is about more than just our nation’s women, it’s about our families and their ability to succeed. This Shriver Report furthers a much needed conversation and offers tangible solutions as to how we move forward.” The She Shares discussion was moderated by Dewey Square Group’s Karen Breslau and is the latest in a quarterly conversation series launched in 2012 featuring trailblazing women who have made a difference in California and beyond. In partnership with the California Center for Civic Participation She Shares is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that also provides mentoring and networking opportunities for future women leaders. In the audience were six young women from the Sacramento area who were partnered with professional women from the She Shares community for a yearlong program of mentoring, workshops and career development. Each of the young women, together with her mentor, participated in a private discussion with Shriver after the event.
“It’s an absolutely wonderful event for young female professionals in the Sacramento area. The most valuable was the roundtable discussion with Maria. Her responses to our questions were relatable and personal, and we got to see a really human side of her,” She Shares mentee Lauren Michaels said. “It was really important that this was a nonpartisan group. I really share Maria’s ideal that it is important to connect with other people regardless of their party affiliation.”
The Lipstick Chronicles
Do you have a Corporate to Cocktails Emergency Kit? By Kristina Chapell
Drinks with the girls after work? No problem. Date after work? More of a problem.
With February earmarked as the month Valentines and love, you may be nervous about future dates but look no further; I am here to help you transition from work to date in no time.
Dates are hard enough on us girls. We are already nervous so let’s make sure we put our best foot forward. The key is to look yourself, but certainly your most gorgeous self. As with job interviews, first impressions are key so it is important to look pulled together and fresh, regardless of the day you just had.
In order to look your best your desk or office must have a Corporate to Cocktails Emergency Kit. Do you have one? If not, let’s start today.
First, one must start with a clean, fresh face. When we make ourselves up for the day it is often before 8 a.m. and now at 5 p.m. we have traveled to work (walked, rode a bus/train, drove), been around a multitude of people and germs and our foundation starts looking caked on or ragged. Keep face wipes close by to wash your face in order to freshen your foundation or powder. And, don’t forget to focus under the eyes – the place we look the most exhausted first.
because it takes too much time; especially coming from work. If you focus on lips make sure to choose a bright color. Apply a hydrating balm to soothe your lips, a little lip liner and your favorite color. Shimmery gloss can finish the look if you chose. For your eyes, focus on a subtle, barely there color and freshen you mascara.
If you chose to focus on your eyes, use your favorite color to line your eyes and play up your dramatic eye look. Use your face cloth to wipe away any excess eye makeup from the day and prep your eyes for new color. Shimmer is often good as are dark colors. For your lips, keep it neutral with the color and the gloss. What’s important to remember in all of this is men really don’t like too much makeup on women. We always hear guys say “she looks her best in sweats, her hair up, and no makeup on.” Well, we don’t want to scare anyone on the first date but we do want to look as natural as possible. Keeping our makeup fresh and simple will help us do just that.
Now that you know what steps you need to take to help freshen your face before your date, let’s review what you Corporate to Cocktails Emergency Kit should contain (see sidebar).
Next, have your favorite blush or bronzer on hand to keep your face looking fresh and glowing.
Now comes the part where you decide between lips or eyes. Don’t focus on both
Kristina Chapell is a single gal in her 30s making her way in the world. Passionate, savvy, and stylish; Kristina is a social relationship builder. You can often find her on Facebook and Twitter keeping up with the latest news and always supporting causes she is passionate about such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Link to Libraries, and The Business Channel.
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Your kit needs the following:
1. A cute travel bag to keep in your desk. 2. Face wipes. 3. Bronzer or blush. 4. Your favorite eye colors. 5. Neutral and bold lip colors for whichever you decide.
The following are not mentioned but should be kept on hand as well.
6. Toothpaste and toothbrush – yes, you should not skip this step! 7. A small vial of your favorite perfume 8. Hairspray and small brush (make sure to freshen up your hair too). So whether you are heading out on a date or meeting your girlfriends for a drink post work, you are now prepared. Keep your kit at your desk and bring it out as needed. Until next time be safe and have fun!
Founder and CEO Mee-Jung Jang
Voncierge makes wedding planning easy for the modern working woman
By Carley Dangona
There are thousands of last-minute details to consider when planning a wedding and most modern brides are forced to juggle their full time jobs with wedding planning whenever a spare moment arises.
This very experience is the motivation behind Voncierge, www.voncierge.com, a virtual wedding concierge created to tend to a bride’s needs on her schedule. Founder and CEO Mee-Jung Jang came up with the concept during the planning of her own wedding. At the time, she worked as an attorney in Manhattan, and found that many of the vendors were inaccessible when she needed them most. Jang persevered and her special day was everything she had hoped, but the journey there was exhausting.
“It was a really frustrating experience, especially for a busy, working woman, which these days most women are working or otherwise just busy,” Jang said, who was married in 2012.
She explained that she would have to book the appointments by phone during breaks at work. Many times, Jang had to leave a message because the vendor did not pick up.
Eventually, she would receive a return call, but usually when she was busy at work and could not answer.
“I couldn’t understand why I had to sit by the phone all day to book these appointments,” she recalled. “We’re so used to booking everything else online, doctor appointments, hair appointments – why do I have to chase everybody on the phone to book an appointment?”
The website, www.voncierge.com, offers access to merchants to meet the needs of every bride on her schedule. There is no more sitting by the phone, taking breaks to make calls or using personal time to plan a wedding.
Jang’s own experience compelled a major career change. “After I got the idea, I had to first decide to quit my law firm job. That was a really big step. I’ve always wanted to do something on my own. I have that entrepreneurial spirit. As soon as I quit it, I was not scared anymore. I dove right in,” she recalled.
Jang explained that she literally walked through the streets of Manhattan, knocking on vendor doors prior to venturing on her own to see if there would be enough interest to start Voncierge.
Being able to provide access to a menagerie of vendors is important to Jang. “The fact that I am doing something that helps other men and women out there plan their wedding, and helps resolve this frustration – that I know is really painful from my own experience – is really rewarding,” she said. Jang discussed how her experience would have changed if she had access to a company like Voncierge. “It would’ve saved me so much stress and possibly arguments with my fiancé too – it would’ve been so much better. I would say I became a bridezilla during my wedding planning because I was just so stressed with everything; it was really frustrating,” she explained.
Jang, a graduate of Harvard and Yale, founded the company in 2012. “We’re growing steadily,” she said. Vendor participation and customer traffic continues to grow.
Despite the success, Jang said, “Even if we reach one goal, there’s always something else to reach for. In my mind, there’s always something else we could be doing better or improv-
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Stiletto Statement By Aliyah Cherrisse
Garraud, Dream Catcher In Heels I bring to you in the this issue of Lioness a beauty and a bit of a rebel, but a sincere dear heart, Miss Tracy Garraud, a.k.a. Tracy G. She’s a young, vibrant radio personality for “SWAY In The Morning Show.” Tracy G. is also one you can find dipping into women empowerment, elite social scenes, and your Instagram timeline. A woman who believes in wearing her team estrogen sticker on her forehead, Tracy G. is always seeking to “EDUTAIN” (educate and entertain) through truth, empathy and a penchant for weirdness. Join me as I get all up in her “cool-aide” to see why Tracy G. has joined my, “Dream Chaser In Heels” Team!
TG – To be very honest with you, there are three things that constantly remind me that catching my dreams is a top priority – Tony Robbins’ audio books, everyday reminders that death can strike at any time and my darn Sallie Mae payments. AC – You have a bit of a free spirit. Is being true to yourself something you would say you pride yourself on?
AC – Tell our readers, who is the woman behind, Tracy G.?
TG – I like how you phrased this question because it subtly separates perception from reality, [laughs]. Tracy Garraud is a silly gal constantly on the hunt for ways to both enjoy and improve the world simultaneously. I’m a social introvert who loves deep analytical conversation, yet am always the one asked to make an inebriated toast at parties. I have a hefty amount of flaws, but am not hesitant to show most of them if I
believe it can help another in some way. I call my best girlfriends, wives, but don’t call my best guy friends, husbands. I’m capable of falling in love or lust with any gender that snatches my attention. Profanity is my pal, but not my best pal. Sexuality, anthropology, pop culture analysis and Nutella are my favorites of all subjects. I’ve heard I’m pretty unorthodox in thought and rather longwinded, so with that said… AC – When did you know that catching your dreams was a priority for you?
TG – I take that as a compliment [laughs] and yes, yes, yes! It’s so important to be aware of not only yourself, but your real life and digital surroundings because our subconscious is so “spongy” it can pick up on anything. I also think we should question who we are every so often, just to make sure that person is someone we like. That’s significant no matter what the career field, but I think especially within entertainment because there’s so much temptation to go against your personal values. For instance, it’s mighty easy to find yourself clowning on a celebrity for a quick joke, just because everyone else is doing it, but where’s that going to get you, your brand and your conscious? AC – How was it for you transitioning from journalism, writing, and news editing into this growing radio personality on Sirius XM radio?
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VONCIERGE ing.” She admitted that she a tendency to “set really high expectations,” especially in regards to her own life. “I guess that’s part of being an entrepreneur too. You can’t be satisfied with just the status quo,” Jang added.
Voncierge is not the first time Jang has ventured to pursue an idea on her own. In college, she wrote and published a book in Korean. “I got the idea for writing a book while brushing my teeth one day and thought it was a good idea, so I made it happen,” she said.
She credited her law background for preparing her to handle the stress of a face-paced life and multi-tasking atmosphere. “There are challenges every day. I have no regrets, but it hasn’t been an easy road for sure. That love for what you’re doing, that passion is what helps you overcome the challenges.”
Jang said that Voncierge is currently working with bridal shows and expositions “to bring our appointment booking software to the vendors.” The goal is to gain increased exposure. “Right now we’re focused in Dallas and New York [City],” she noted. Eventually, Jang hopes Voncierge will expand and be accessible to brides in more major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Vegas.
To accommodate the various types of weddings, Voncierge varies its offerings. “We have a wide range of vendors in terms of the style that they do, their price point – we want the bride to come to our site and see vendors that meet her style. We want to be the go to site for wedding planning,” she explained.
Jang said she is careful to research and meet with vendors to ensure they are “responsible and reputable.”
Her advice to brides about to begin planning a wedding: research, research, research. “Get a sense of what needs to be done and then book consultations with vendors,” she said. Voncierge features a “how-to guide” with articles that discuss topics such as buying a tuxedo and booking a photographer.
“We try to mesh together the inspirational part of wedding planning plus the practical stuff that needs to actually get done,” she added.
Jang commented that there are many sites available with thousands of photographs to peruse, but “just looking at beautiful photos doesn’t plan a wedding. [Voncierge] is about getting things done.” The site features photos but enables brides to take the next step by providing direct access to industry contacts.
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Stiletto Statement TG – It was a daunting, but incredible transition, that’s still happening. I say daunting because I was leaving my comfort zone to enter a very competitive, though rewarding, space that too many outside eyes seems narcissistic and “cool.” I’m so happy that transcribing isn’t a part of my regular life [laughs], however, journalism gifted me with an awesome foundation for radio, especially when it comes to delivering news and interviewing special folks. However, I also think it’s a bit wonky to use the word “personality” [laughs], like doesn’t everyone have a personality? Why should one take precedence over the other? You know what I mean? Just one of the strange things I have to not overanalyze [laughs]. But I love communication and have always felt like it’s my duty as a human being to share my experiences, dope and wack, with others. That’s my thing. Whether it’s going beneath the
surface of an artist to find their true essence and how it relates to others or just over-sharing my own crap to make someone laugh at their own. However, the great irony here is that I am also one who finds value in silence [laughs]. So I always remind myself that if I’m going to break the peace of silence, my words better be of high value. AC – You have worked with some major names such as VIBE, FUSE, CBS, Honey Magazine, and now SWAY from MTV and the “SWAY IN THE MORNING SHOW.” Which position do you think challenged or challenges you the most?
TG – Radio, for sure. Now this is the most fun I’ve ever had at a job, but they’re a lot more different elements to consider that weren’t present when I was a full-time jour-
nalist. For instance, I have to be up mega early looking more than decent and no matter what happened the night before or en route to work, I am expected to always be an “edutaining” extrovert once the on-air light is turn on. Interviews are also a bit different, because as a radio personality, the interview is just as much about you as it is the guest, since we’re all putting together a live experience for the listener. Awkward moments can’t be edited out and you only have but so much time to make your guest feel welcomed, comfortable and conversational. In journalism, there’s always a chance that you can spin a whack interview into a good story once you get down to the writing part, but that luxury isn’t granted in radio. As my boss Eminem would say, “You only get one shot.” Plus there’s this whole branding thing one has to cultivate. Sigh. Actually I take this all back [laughs], writing features can be the most frustrating, nailbiting, on-the-verge-of-imploding, maze of an experience ever. It freaking sucks! AC – Where did your love for entertainment derive from? And within the industry, which is your favorite department of entertainment to cover in your stories?
TG – My love for entertainment definitely started early with the performing arts, back when I was a delusional young thing who thought she was going to be some charmed, ubiquitous pop star! I absolutely loved to sing and dance, gosh especially dance, but it was Carson Daly who really had me thinking about using a microphone for interviews. My favorite types of stories to cover are pop culture trends, zany relationship theories and everything Kanye West. AC – Seeing as though it’s black history month and you’re a young, African American, influential woman, how big are you on culture? Do you feel you’re heritage has shaped you in any way?
TG – Absolutely! Black women have got to be the most resilient beings on earth! I almost feel like it’s an intrinsic trait by now. From my personal matriarch, to my flipping
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Stiletto Statement astounding younger sister to my wives to Shonda Rhimes to Kara Walker to Beyonce to Zora Neale Hurston to Oprah, these black woman and so, so many more have provided me with inspiration and proof that I am more than my conditioning. I am more than my social expectations. I can create, edit and/or sustain the life I want. And I only hope to work hard enough to make another black woman feel that way when they think about me. AC – Do you see yourself where you envisioned from say, five years ago?
TG – Actually and I thank the almighty universe for that! Five years ago I wasn’t laserfocused on radio per say – I was intimidated by my intrigue – but I had always daydreamed about being called on as a popculture critic to speak during shows and panels. Kapow!
AC – Why can we consider you, “A Dream Catcher In Heels?”
TG – Because I don’t just dream things into existence, I put wheels behind my vision and get to work! And I always remind myself to have a beauty and brain regimen. AC – The question everyone loves to ask; what can we expect next from Miss Tracy G.?
TG – Do expect to see a more streamlined Tracy G. brand that highlights gal empowerment, social and self-awareness, the politics of love and lust, and freedom of weirdness. Also, an overall radio presence upgrade and lots and lots more Tracy G.-led edutainment via television. Oh, and envious Instagram snaps of me downward-dogging in Thailand. Wish me luck!
WRITER’S NOTE:
"Don't ever be afraid to help yourself, love yourself and build your confidence level up. We are our own worse critics, so take the time out, figure out what you don't like, and then take the steps to fix it. Chase your dreams until you awake them. Second guessing yourself is not an option. Don't be afraid, for God gave us the spirit of love, use that love on yourself first!"– Signing off, Aliyah Cherrisse!
Aliyah Cherrisse, born and raised in Atlantic City, N.J., has grown to be a very educated, vibrant, and driven intellectual. As a graduate of Morgan State University, with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Marketing, Aliyah has put her studies to use in branding herself as the “Multimedia Personality” she is to-date. Currently pursuing her love of entertainment, Aliyah is known for her titles of “Fashion Show Production Assistant, Radio/TV Personality, Curvy/Full-Figured Model, Red Carpet Correspondent, Host, and Blogger,” but let's not forget to mention: this is all while being a single mother! With no intentions on slowing down, Aliyah anticipates what God has awaiting ahead for her!
Michelle Dunn
When the checks stop coming in
Collecting money from past due accounts is never easy. Many business owners find themselves in a tight spot with some of their favorite clients due to their outstanding balances. You’re grateful for their business, but even more grateful for their check.
So how do you recoup those overdue monies? Lioness spoke to top credit and debt collection expert Michelle Dunn about account management, collection possibilities and when it’s time to call a debt collection agency. Lioness: When should a business owner consider taking an account into collections?
Michelle Dunn: When all their in-house collection efforts have failed and/or it is costing them money to try and collect. For example, if someone owes you $100 and you are paying an A/R clerk or Credit Manager a salary, insurance and other benefits to continue to try and call and send letters to this customer – you have lost all profit and are now spending good money chasing after bad. Lioness: What would you say are two classic mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to collect debt on their own?
Dunn: Trying to collect with no training or knowledge of the laws in their state or the state the debtor resides in, and blindly picking up the phone and calling a past due customer without researching the account, having information, being ready with solutions or being overly emotional.
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Lioness: What are the benefits of using a debt collection agency?
Dunn: Using a debt collection agency is equivalent to going to the doctor. They know everything about debt collection that you do not. They specialize in debt collection. They do this all day every day. This is their business. Your business may be a service business or maybe you make and sell furniture – but you are not an expert on debt collection. Hiring a collection agency to collect on debts you are owed leaves you time to focus on what you are good at and your good paying customers and helps you grow your business while weeding out bad paying customers. Lioness: Are there any strategies that an entrepreneur could use to try to keep accounts from going in the rears?
Dunn: Absolutely! Avoiding bad debt begins before the sale. Have every new customer fill out and sign a credit application, check their credit, be careful when extending credit or offering credit limits. Don’t sell to someone because you are desperate for a sale. Make sure they have the means to pay you. You are in business to make money. Cash is your biggest asset, if you don't get paid, you lose money.
Lioness: Are there any words of wisdom you would share with female entrepreneurs when it comes to account management?
Dunn: Be pro-active. Set a precedence. Let potential customers know you mean business. Be smart, have every new customer
that you are considering extending credit to fill out paperwork. Gather information and make educated decisions. If someone doesn't want to fill out paperwork or have their credit checked – let them go to the competition.
About Michelle Dunn In 1998, when Michelle was getting a divorce and had two small children, she started a collection agency from home leaving her full time job six months later. Her agency did very well and grew over the next eight years until Michelle sold it in 2006 to write full time. Previously Michelle had worked as an A/R clerk and a Credit Manager, writing credit policies for many small and mid-size companies.
Michelle knew what business owners needed and had already written a couple of books that were selling well. “But it was still a huge leap,” she says. “I was a single mom with two sons.” I started putting together my ideas, set up an office in my home, and used the income from book sales to fund publishing more books.
Dunn is the author of many business books on the topic of credit policies, checking credit and collecting money. Today Michelle Dunn continues to write columns and books and presents webinars and offers consulting, sharing how business owners can limit credit risk as well as learn how they can prevent bad debt, and collect from past due customers. To learn more, visit www.MichelleDunn.com and www.Creditand-Collections.com.
Christine Parizo
Why Content Is By Christine Parizo
A common misconception about websites is that just having one is enough: it doesn’t need a lot of text, images, or updated entries. However, that misconception costs businesses untold amounts in sales. In today’s exceptionally competitive marketplace, where small and large businesses are competing for dollars in ever-tightening
Queen
budgets, websites need to be informative, engaging, and build credibility for the business to drive sales – and that requires quality content.
Content is more than just an About page and a Services page, and it certainly isn’t a static thing that stays the same for years. Unlike a print brochure, a website must be viewed as a living marketing document and
updated with photos, graphics, and of course, words. When done right, quality content establishes businesses as credible sources, gets businesses found in web searches (ah, the ever-changing Google animal menagerie update!), and ultimately convinces customers to buy from that company instead of a competitor.
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why content is queen For example, visit a large technology company’s website, like Tibco. The website features white papers (more on those in a minute), blog posts, articles, case studies, videos, and webcasts. For a customer looking for a data analytics solution, visiting Tibco’s site offers a ton of information that isn’t necessarily a sales pitch but does educate its prospects and customers on what to consider. A search for “enterprise analytics” (one of Tibco’s specialties) puts the company at the top of Google results. This is the power of content. While technology companies are extreme examples of content, smaller companies can still produce interesting content that drives visitors and converts customers. Here are just a few takeaways:
White Papers
For technology companies, white papers are typically 5-10 page long reports on a particular technology trend. They don’t read like a sales brochure; they read like objective, third-party documents. White papers describe trends in the marketplace, problems customers are having, the solution (conveniently the technology company’s solution, but in generic terms), and then the specific solution: the technology company’s product. The specific solution is the shortest part of the white paper.
In the business-to-consumer (B2C) world, white papers are often called special reports in public and bait pieces in private. They’re written about a variety of topics, from skincare to finances, and usually require a website visitor to submit an email address. They’re very effective for generat-
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ing leads as well as increasing search engine visibility, and if they’re well-written, they’re great for improving credibility.
Blog Posts, Articles, and Case Studies
Another important component of website content are shorter but still very well-written pieces, like a regularly updated company blog, articles or press releases, and case studies or customer success stories. Blog posts allow companies to optimize around keywords and offer tips to their customers, while articles and press releases not only keep content current but ensure that the company appears like a formidable force. Both business-to-business (B2B) and B2C companies can benefit from using blog posts and articles on their websites.
For business-to-business companies, case studies allow a prospective customer to step into the situation and see if the product or service would solve an existing problem of hers. For example, a payroll company may interview an existing client to describe the problem the client faced before engaging it, what the solution was, and how the client is doing now (saving money, being more efficient). Multimedia: Videos, Podcasts
Product photographs are a fantastic way to illustrate a company’s lineup. However, videos are gaining traction as companies demonstrate how to use their products, how they perform services, or offer tips that are related to the core line of business. These videos are also good for search engine optimization purposes, in addition to being
credibility builders.
Companies are also turning to podcasts as supplements or in place of company blogs. These audio files allow prospects and customers to listen to interesting content, like interviews or tips, on their MP3 players. Anyone with a good-quality microphone and a good script can produce one, too. Ultimately, a mix of both print and multimedia content is what keeps a website fresh, interesting, and engaging. Customers are more likely to buy from companies they trust, and the content is key to gaining that trust. Christine Parizo is the principal copywriter at Christine Parizo Communications (www.christineparizo.com), which specializes in white papers and case studies for B2B technology companies and marketing copy for entrepreneurs. A former technology journalist and paralegal, Christine now spends her days crafting snappy yet grammatically correct white papers and case studies, searching for misplaced punctuation, and staunchly defending the Oxford comma. She’s written bylined articles for various business and technology publications and was named Western Mass Women Magazine’s 2013–2014 Professional Writer Woman to Watch. Christine holds a bachelor of science in journalism and public information, with a minor in advertising, from Emerson College in Boston. She lives in West Springfield, Massachusetts, with her husband, two small children, and two mismatched cats. Follow her on Twitter @cparizo.