VMH Magazine - Issue 37

CONTENTS

6 20

TravelTrends Breakin2023 2023NewLanes, GoalSetting& Vision

Travel in 2023 will be about saying “no” to normal, breaking routines and searching for experiences without compromises. Whether it’s flying to those once-in-a-lifetime events or hosting group celebrations at a vacation rental home, travelers are no longer adapting to the next new normal, but creating their own status quo altogether.

If you’ve set a goal for yourself, remain focused on the mission to reach that goal. I’ve learned that distractions are put in place solely for the purpose of strengthening character. Yes, it is difficult and sometimes I felt like throwing in the towel, but there’s was always something that ‘slapped’ me back into reality.

VirtualAssisitants

forSmallBusiness

Virtual assistants are the unsung heroes of the work-from-home era, helping executives, business owners, and other professionals to stay efficient and focused on the core business amid a very unpredictable pandemic environment. Here are the top virtual assistant skills that businesses need to keep an eye on when hiring.

12 25

Instagram, JeminiPowell &MarvelStudios

When Jemini Powell started doing flips from off her family car in 2015, she didn’t know that it would eventually lead her to a stunt gig in a Marvel movie Flash forward to today, and she’s landed a role in the latest Black Panther film.

VMH magazine is your resource for business, entertainment, and lifestyle content.

Editor’s Note

VisionBoards&2023

Vision boards contain a tempting promise - if you can only picture your future well enough, it will inevitably become a reality. Recently, science has emerged to back the belief that simply focusing on what you want from life will manifest results, and more and more people believe that changing the direction of your thoughts can unconsciously shift your actions and result in real changes

But how much truth is there to these claims? How much of a difference does having a “vision” really make?

Plenty of studies have shown that vision boards are one of the keys to success - Forbes cites a study showing that 1 in 5 small business owners used a vision board when starting out, and 75% of those entrepreneurs said that today, they’ve achieved the vision that they first set out on their boards. In this case, vision boards clearly had an impact.

However, it seems that just as many studies have proven the exact opposite, and that visualization efforts can actually work against you. In one study at the University of Pennsylvania, senior college students were ranked based on how often they visualized having their dream job after graduation After a two-year follow up, the students who had spent the most time visualizing their success had lower salaries and had submitted few applications on average Here, visualization was associated with distraction rather than results!

Vision boards: The good, the bad, and the useful

Vision boards do have a lot to offer, but they also have some elements that can lead you to get to hung up in your daydreaming. If you ’ re deciding whether you might want to try using one, here are some common points to note:

They allow you the space to dream. One of the best things about vision boards is that creating one can prompt you to broaden your horizons Often in life, we can feel so limited by our circumstances that we don’t even stop to consider what else might be possible A

vision board can give you a way to open yourself up to different paths without having to worry about investing real time or money into the decision, at least not yet. They create the opportunity for a free space, one built around what you want, and not what you ’ re coming from.

But they can box you in Wait, wait - weren’t we just talking about how vision boards allow you to consider new possibilities and aspire to your biggest dreams? Well, yes, and that’s still true Just be careful not to take your vision board too literally. If you treat your vision board as your only possible outcome, it can end up closing you off to other opportunities you hadn’t considered - or worse, make you feel like a failure if your real life isn’t quite measuring up yet. Your board should act as a guiding force, not the final word on what your future looks like

They force you to make the hard decisions Perhaps you have a blurry, overcrowded idea of what your life could look like, but aren’t able to narrow it down to what you really want. In that case, seeking out specific items and pictures that inspire you and committing to placing them on your vision board can be a great first step towards clarifying your goals, and keep you from feeling overwhelmed by a lack of direction

On the other hand, they can be deceptive This is one of the major pitfalls people fall in to with vision boardsinstead of taking them as a source of inspiration for their reality, they use them as a substitute for reality This can easily lead to deceiving yourself about your real circumstances, and therefore prevent you from taking the necessary steps to actually move you forward.

But they can keep you on the right track Let’s face itour commitment almost always wavers, even if the end result is truly important to us On the path towards any goal worth achieving, you ’ re more than likely to face a few obstacles that lead you to wonder whether it’s even worth it, after all Vision boards can serve as a valuable reminder in these instances, refocusing your attention on what you ’ re striving for.

Editor-in-Chief

Vikki Jones

Travel in 2023 will be about saying “no” to normal, breaking routines and searching for experiences without compromises Whether it’s flying to those once-in-a-lifetime events or hosting group celebrations at a vacation rental home, travelers are no longer adapting to the next new normal, but creating their own status quo altogether

“We see a detailed and robust picture of travel into 2023,” Expedia Brands President Jon Gieselman said. “We’re seeing a surge in trips to culture capitals, a new wave of interest in wellness retreats and a spike in demand for outdoor destinations beyond just beaches and mountains. It’s not a new normal so much as people branching out to unexpected trends in what we’re calling the ‘no normal.’”

A close look at these trends suggests there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to travel in 2023 Insights sourced from the company’s first-party data, and from custom research of thousands of travelers and industry professionals across 17 countries, show food, abundant space and unconventional destinations are influencing travel choices

Foodie-Menities

Kitchen credentials are a must with travelers looking to plate up at their own convenience in a private vacation home. Outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens and air fryers are the top three foodiemenities travelers crave. Additionally, nearly half of U.S. travelers (43%) use cooking to cut down on costs.

Travelers are looking for amenities in their vacation rentals rather than focusing on location In fact, more than half (57%) of travelers would rather book a unique vacation home to be with their people in a lesser-known destination than a less interesting, less equipped vacation home in a popular area

Cowboy-Cations

Rustic getaways are on the rise as travelers crave private vacation homes with abundant space and exhilarating views. Cue the cowboycation, offering an intimate escape in the rugged wilderness. Demand for homes in western destinations increased by more than 30% from September 2021-August 2022. Plus, 42% of US travelers find inspiration in outdoorsy destinations and landscapes that include loglined cabins, flickering fires and sweeping vistas

Travelers can live out their western fantasies by booking a luxurious lodge, ranch retreat or farmhouse that fits the whole crew Destinations across Montana, Colorado and other western states spring to mind, but the cowboy-cation is not confined to the U.S.

For a home on the range in Europe, travelers are booking converted barns and farmhouses in Italy, Spain, France and the United Kingdom. Thrill-seekers can also embrace their inner cowboy in Australia, where farmhouses in the outback overlook acres of wineries and wild brush.

Hidden Gems

Travelers are exploring unassuming locales and new places. Top hidden gems in the U.S. have one thing in common: beautiful lakes where travelers can take in tranquil views Demand for private vacation homes in these unconventional destinations has increased by 30% or more since September 2021:

Nampa, Idaho

Greensboro, North Carolina

Layton, Utah

Irmo, South Carolina

Oneonta, New York Hampton, Virginia Bristol, Rhode Island Spokane, Washington Las Cruces, New Mexico Missoula, Montana

Find more ideas to plan an adventure that’s uniquely your own at Vrbo.com or by downloading the app.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

"The Spark Driver platform has made a huge difference in my life," driver Christina Hinssen said.

"It gives me the flexibility to make deliveries when I want and I can spend more time with my daughter. It has given me extra cash to pay off my car and make extra house payments to get my house paid down."

Written By Vikki Jones

E S S E N T I A L S

T R A V E L

Virtual ASSISTANT

Skills That Make Businesses More Flexible

3 ATTENTION TO DETAIL

Important communications, information, memos, and documents would always go through virtual assistants. It is important that virtual assistants have a keen eye for factual and typographical errors, off messaging formats, and other possible mistakes before they become public Virtual assistants can literally save businesses by having a keen eye for details.

4. ADAPT TO PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS

The pandemic has forced businesses to embrace digitalbased operations with the rise of work-from-home arrangements. And in this “new normal” of work, virtual assistants have become very valuable in navigating the “new normal ”

Virtual assistants are the unsung heroes of the work-fromhome era, helping executives, business owners, and other professionals to stay efficient and focused on the core business amid a very unpredictable pandemic environment. Here are the top virtual assistant skills that businesses need to keep an eye on when hiring.

1. TIME MANAGEMENT

Virtual assistants must have the capability to deal with multiple clients and schedules all the time Without proper time-management skills, it is easy to miss out on important details which may result in lost productivity. It will be best if the aspiring virtual assistant has knowledge of cloud-based calendars and scheduling tools.

2. DATA ORGANIZATION

Information is king in the digital age, and for virtual assistants, dealing with bulks of data can be difficult without the proper tools and skills Knowing how to keep files in a properly labelled, cloud-based storage is crucial in making information readily accessible when needed. Top-notch virtual assistants also know the importance of having secure storage for details like account IDs, passwords, client information, appointments, birthdays, and other information that can be crucial in a project.

Online calendars, scheduling platforms, automation tools, cloud storage – it seems like every task has a tool for it these days It is true and a lot of them can be learned easily through online courses. Applicants with knowledge of the latest productivity tools, including those in the Microsoft, Google, and Apple ecosystems will have an easier time adapting to the role

5. BATCHING INSTEAD OF MULTITASKING

There are better ways to handle multiple assignments than traditional error-prone multitasking Batching is one of the top skills of a virtual assistant that allows for more efficient work. Instead of doing multiple tasks for each of the clients’ need, seasoned professionals lump together similar tasks at certain parts of the day. For example, instead of responding to emails as they come, top-notch virtual assistants can set a time in a day for email correspondence, enabling them to have better focus

6. RESOURCEFULNESS AND RELIABILITY

Once in a while, virtual assistants will find themselves in a dead-end, especially when tasked with finding solutions to the client’s needs Some would find themselves giving up, but for resourceful people, these dead ends are new beginnings. Virtual assistants that can be relied on to work independently save business owners a lot of valuable and helps for a seamless workflow

Virtualassistantscanbereliedonto

arrangements, and managing email accounts Some virtual assistants specialize in offering graphic design, blog writing, bookkeeping, social media, and marketing services.

7 COMMUNICATION

Crucial instructions can be lost in translation if a virtual assistant is not fluent in your language. That’s why one of the top skills of a virtual assistant that most businesses are looking for is communication. Virtual assistants who have good written and verbal communication skills will have an easier time adapting to your business needs

8 TIME FLEXIBILITY

Working remotely can be a drag if your virtual assistant is not in sync with your work hours. Anything big can come up within business hours and virtual assistants who cannot work within the same schedule will have a big problem with many tasks. But with a global talent pool, businesses can look for virtual assistants that have no problem adjusting to their time zones for better flexibility

Virtual assistants will continue to be in demand as the world embraces the digital age. Typical tasks a virtual assistant might perform include scheduling appointments, making phone calls, making travel

For an employer, one advantage of hiring a virtual assistant is the flexibility to contract for just the services they need, and outsourcing will be key in finding the right talent for your business. Outsourcing virtual assistants will free you up for strategic thinking while reducing overhead costs More time on the core tasks means faster growth for the business. This article originally appeared in Emapta.

workindependentlysavebusiness ownersalotofvaluableandhelps foraseamlessworkflow.

As you prepare yo warmer months, y detoxification as eliminating toxins period may includ combined with lig

According to A ancient Indian sc body healing and may be beneficia these steps towar experts at Buddha Teas:

Aim for a Healthy Lifestyle

Before considering the specifics of daily routines and phases of detoxification, it’s important to focus your lifestyle around healthy practices. For example, aim to minimize stress by participating in uplifting activities such as mindful walking, meditation, spending time in nature or other hobbies that put you at ease. Remember to rest both your mind and body, and get an appropriate amount of sleep each night.

Preparation Phase

Take 3-7 days to prepare your body for detoxification The start of your journey should involve the elimination or drastic reduction of caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs.

5 Steps to Detoxify Your Body Naturally

Active Cleansing Phase

During the 7-14-day active phase, it’s important to create and follow a singular diet of kitchari, which consists of mung beans, basmati rice, spices and vegetables As a complete protein that’s easy to digest, kitchari helps reset your digestive system while restoring digestive fire and supporting the elimination of toxins If you’re looking for a place to start, consider trying a few different recipes online, or purchase from a natural foods store

If kitchari isn’t right for you, opt for oatmeal in the morning and steamed vegetables or vegetable soup with basmati rice for lunch and dinner. Be conscious of portion control; eat enough for satisfaction without overeating. Aim to finish your evening meal 2-4 hours before sunset.

Another important aspect of the active phase is liquid intake. Drink hot water with lemon juice in the morning. Throughout the day, consider a hot tea with bitter herbs like Buddha Teas’ Detox Dharma Blend. This delicious option consists of carefully chosen herbs and spices that come together to help eliminate toxins. Other effective hot teas include nettle leaf, dandelion root and dandelion leaf.

Create a Morning Routine

To stay on track during the active phase, it is helpful to create routines, starting with your morning wake-up call After brushing your teeth and other daily to-dos, try relaxing techniques like sipping 8-16 ounces of hot water with lemon juice, self-massaging, taking a warm or hot shower or bath, gently exercising and combining these activities with an appropriate active phase morning meal

Create an Evening Routine

Proper relaxation prior to bedtime can help encourage restful sleep. Avoid watching TV about one hour before bedtime and consider massaging your feet with herbal oil for a few minutes before rinsing with cool water. Drink a peaceful beverage like a milk substitute mixed with Buddha Teas’ Golden Milk, which is developed from an Ayurvedic recipe that provides satisfaction and comfort while supporting the body and mind.

As your active phase comes to a close, slowly reintroduce foods like dairy, wheat, soy, meat and fish. Continue activities like gentle yoga, walking, tai chi and qi gong then rejuvenate your body with hot beverages like turmeric ginger tea, chaga tea and mushroom tea.

Learn more about detoxification and its benefits at www BuddhaTeas com

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

B u s i n e s s a n d l e i s u r e Travel Effortlessly

@shopvikkijones

Overthepastyear architecturaldesignsawasurgeinnature-inspired earthtones suchascalming shadesofblueandgreen Homeownerscanexpectthistrendtocontinueintothecomingmonths but withwarmer richercolors

Thisongoinginterestinwarmneutralswithearthyundertonesandpinkandblushshadesislikelytobe increasinglypopularin2023ashomeownersbecomemoreadventurouswiththeircolorchoicesasa formofcreativeexpression

TrendingColors

Selectingtherightcolorsforyourhomeprojectisofteninfluencedbybothyourpersonalpreferences andthelatestdesigntrends Somecontemporaryoptionstoconsiderinclude:

EarthTones:Warmer,natural-lookingearthtonesareversatile workingseamlesslywithjustabout anydesignorarchitecturalstyleofhome Sometrendinghuesincludemutedterracotta,green yellowandplum

WarmNeutrals:Althoughtheyrenottypicallyusedasstatementcolors warmneutralsbringa senseofcomfortwhilealsoofferinganinviting blankcanvastoletindividualityflowfreely Ontrendoptionsincludeshadesofdarkbrown,caramel,tanoroff-white

Rich DarkColors:Thesedeep saturatedhuescanmakeahousestandoutandlookmoremodern whilestillofferinganodtowarmerhues Chocolatebrown brickredordarkjadearepopular choicesforthosewhopreferrichhues

PinkandBlushShades:Variousshadesofpink roseandblushwillbeincreasinglypopularchoices forhomeownersexudingagreatersenseofself-expression Inhomedesign,lookforthesecolorsto appearincoral,pink,red-orange,raspberryorblushtones

SweetPastels:Therearesignshomeownersarereadytobringcolorsbackintotheirhomes Expect toseesweetpastelshadeslikesoftpink mintgreenandlightpurpleinfurniture,decorand accessories

MaterialswithTexture

whichcanhelpyouvisualizeprojects orfindotherstyle inspirationatglengerycom

Trending Colors and Textures Inspire 2023 HOME DESIGN

ColorwithBrick

Brickisoftenselectedforitsfunctionalbenefits butitsalsoan appealingbuildingproductduetoitsversatilecolor textureand sizecombinations Colorcanevokeacertainmoodandassistin achievingadesiredoutcome Often architectsanddesigners evenincorporatemultiplecolorsorcreatecustomlooksbyusing multiplebrickcolorsandstyles

Tohelphomeownershoneinontheperfectlooktomatchtheir visionforcontemporarydesignandalignwithanticipated2023 colortrends Glen-GerywillintroduceitsinauguralBrickColorof theYear,aprogramthatshowcasestrendinghuesthatlendwell totrendingaesthetics

Reflectingcontemporaryearthy nature-inspiredcolortrends the PittCafeSeriesconsistsoffoursoft,neutral-toned,versatile bricks,rangingfromcreamywhitetoearthtoneandbrown-gray withhighlypronouncedtexturalfeatures Whatsmore,theseries canbeusedforbothinteriorandexteriorapplicationsformodern orcontemporarydesigns

Relax your mind and body.

CREATING NEW LANES

V I K K I J O N E S

VikkiJones,Editor-in-Chief

PhotographedbyGarryJones

GOAL SETTING 2023

Ifyou’vesetagoalforyourself,remainfocusedonthe missiontoreachthatgoal.I’velearnedthat distractionsareputinplacesolelyforthepurposeof strengtheningcharacter Yes,itisdifficultand sometimesIfeltlikethrowinginthetowel,butthere’s wasalwayssomethingthat‘slapped’mebackinto reality.

Iamfounderof VMH,apublicationthatencourages readerstoembracewealthierlifestyles.It’sdiverse contentincludesselfcare,homedesign,businesstips, abitoffashionandeditorialsthataidinlifestyle improvements.

Needingachangeofenvironment,Idecidedto purchaseatickettoINC.Women’sSummithosted

inNYC Imetanumberofwomenentrepreneurs andlistenedtothesuccessofthemultimilliondollar keynotespeaker, Herstoryandsomanyotherstoriesimpactedmeina very,verypositiveway BythetimethesummitendedI wasintearswithshame.Inevershouldhaveentertained thethoughtof‘givingup’.Thesuccessofallthesewomen coupledwiththeirverypositiveenergygavemethewind beneathmywingsthatIneededtokeepgoing.

WhatIlearnedfromthisisoftentimesdistractions, unhealthyenvironmentsordepletionofenergyfrom thosearoundyouaremajordistractions.Fortunately,I hadenoughsenseintheabovescenariotoassociatewith like-mindedpeoplethatultimately‘gave’mesomething versus‘depleting’me

Althoughit’stoughto‘remain’focusedonyourgoals, sometimesyouhavetostepoutsideofyourboxinorder toreachyourdestination.

“ENHANCE YOUR VISION”

Afewkeyelementsyoucanincorporatetoensurethe greatestchancesoffollowingthroughonthegoalsyou imagine.

Focus on things that actually motivate you. It’s easy to dream about a nice home or beautiful vacations; but do these things actually make you wanttowork?Trytothinkaboutgoalsandideas that actually inspire you to put in the effort, whetherit’stheprideyou’llfeelinaccomplishing something or the smiles you could bring to your family’s faces. Anything that really sparks that instinctinyouisperfectforyourboard,becauseit won’t have you feeling so distant and out-oftouchfromwhatyouwant.

Connect it to your everyday life. Your vision doesn’thavetobemadeuponlyofpicturesfrom magazinesandtheinternet-youcanalsoinclude trinkets and souvenirs you ’ ve picked up in your everydaylife,onesthatremindyouofexperiences you want to have more often. Elizabeth Rider from HuffPost includes items like inspirational notes from the people she admires and objects fromretreatswhereshefeltpeacefulandfocused. This can help your vision board feel more grounded,sinceyoucanassociateyourworkwith thingsyou’veexperiencedbefore.

Visualize your process as well as your goal. A study done by the University of California found that while only visualizing end goals didn’t have much of an effect on the performance of student athletes, visualizing a trainingprocessdidimprovetheiroutcomes.If you ’reactuallygoingtoachieveyourgoal,you also have to imagine what it will take to get there. While this can be a bit more difficult, process vision boards are a great way to get a jumpstart.Ifyouchangedonethinginyourlife rightnowtogetyouonthewaytoyourgoal, whatwoulditlooklike?Putthatonyourvision board-andwatchitbecomeareality

CLEAN MINIMAL DESIGNS

I N T E R

"Make yourself seen and heard." @shopvikkijones

You look so chic.

BELIEF, PRACTICE & INSTAGRAM VIDEOS LAND JEMINI POWELL IN MARVEL STUDIOS

Photos Courtesy Jemini Powell

When Jemini Powell started doing flips from off her family car in 2015, she didn’t know that it would eventually lead her to a stunt gig in a Marvel movie. Flash forward to today, and she’s landed a role in the latest Black Panther film.

The path to get there wasn’t an easy or straightforward one, but there was one constant - Powell always remained driven by her persistence and passion, and pushed through any obstacles she encountered with strength and determination With that experience behind her, she was able to take advantage of opportunities when they became available

Powell had long been involved in acrobatic sports, participating enthusiastically in gymnastics classes from a young age But she had never really excelled at the dance elements that gymnastics required, and that and other personal reasons led her to quit Even so, she couldn’t seem to give up on flipping completely

That’s when a new avenue of pursuing her passion opened up to her. She began to be inspired by parkour videos, she started experimenting with doing her own gymnastics outdoors, off of walls and other structures. Unfortunately, early attempts didn’t always end well - Powell says some of her first flips resulted in semi-serious injuries, including a concussion.

But a few negative experiences didn’t dissuade her, and she began training in a more structured - and safe - style. With the help of backyard mats, parkour gyms, and training partners, Powell has steadily devoted herself to improving her abilities over the years. Flipping, of course, does still have its dangers. But for Powell, the risks were worth the freedom of movement and challenges that parkour and freerunning provided

Once she began training in earnest, she had started her Instagram with the idea of documenting her practice gaining exposure, wanting to share how her flipping was progressing While she thought of parkour merely as a passion, she also knew that it was something she wanted to share

Powell felt that her persistence and skills were worthy of being seen, and vyalued the motivation that she received from positive feedback. With the help of Instagram, she was able to see just how far she had come.

“It was in my heart”…“I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

And she’s definitely come far - while her early videos show her doing relatively simple, if still impressive tricks like back flips off walls, her latest videos are nothing short of amazing. A look at her Instagram will show her swinging across bars, making eight-foot jumps, twisting and flipping off surfaces, all with evident elegance, precision, and strength.

As Powell had been continuously progressing and

down the carpet in a delicate yellow dress, and you’d think she was a natural.

The experience of meeting fans of the film was surreal, though; “It felt like an out-of-body experience ” Having only recently been just a Marvel fan herself, she feels lucky to have the experience of being on the other side of things

A week or so after the audition, she received an email inviting her to be a Dora in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever “I went to my mom and said, ‘Can you read this? Or am I dreaming right now?’”

A’Lashell

A NEW LINE OF COSMETICS FOUNDED BY THE WEBSTER'S AN INSPIRATION FOR WOMEN

For many women, the right makeup can be a real confidenceboost.That’’snottosay,ofcourse,that youdon’talreadylikethewayyoulooknaturallybutaddingjustatouchofshadowtobrightenup youreyes,oraglossysheenonyourlips,canhave youfeelingreadytotackletheworld.Thesamecan besaidofabrightredlip,andthat’stheideabehind A’Lashell. The makeup company was recently founded by husband and wife duo April and LaShawnWebster,andissweepingtheindustryby storm.

The brand began with a compliment - LaShawn mentionedthathelovedhiswife’ssignaturenatural look and bright red lipstick. From there, the idea blossomed that April might venture into the makeupindustry.

The idea of inspiring confidence fits in perfectly with the rest of the Websters’ philosophy Both husbandandwifedeeplyinvolvedwiththeirfaith, and April has also founded April Webster Ministries. The brand is an outlet for her writing, speaking,andcommunityinvolvement,andaimsto make a positive impact by providing resources on healingandspirituality.

When asked about their process for starting the business,theybothputvisionatthetopofthelist Theybelievethatwitharealvision,therestofthe processwillfollowsuit

“Positivethinkingisachoice.And,it’sapractice,” LaShawn says, explaining how the two are intertwined for the couple. They’re firm believers insurrounding yourself with ideas and people that inspire you, and help give you the confidence to moveforward.

LaShawnandAprilWebster

Themomentofinspirationbehindthecompany,then,makes perfectsense.LaShawnsaysthathissuggestiontoAprilthatshe start the brand stemmed from his belief that you should “sell thingsthatyouuse,somethingthatyouwouldtakesomepride in.”Thatway,ifyoucanbelievegenuinelyineverystepyou’re taking,youhaveeverychanceofsuccess.

AsAprilisafrequentattendeeandspeakeratwomens’events, thecouplethoughtthebrandwouldbeagreatwayforherto showcase,andshare,herlooksandherideas.Asanimpassioned speaker who cares deeply about sharing her faith and empowering others, it seemed like a natural extension of her mission

Aprilsaysthatpartofhermotivationwastobeabletoinspire women to know that they are beautiful, blessed, and bold - a phrasethat’ssincebecomeA’Lashell’sunofficialmotto

ThisconnectiontoApril’spersonalityistheoriginbehindthe brand’s name, as well - April’s first initial, combined with her middlename,Lashell.

Buthowdidthecouplegoaboutgrowingtheircompanytoa full-blowoperation,fromonlyanideaandagreatname?

Aprilsaysthattheworkstartedin2020withavisionboard,and afairamountofpraying.Animportantpartoftheprocesswas devoting periods of time to asking God for direction and the right connections to allow their vision to come to life. From there,sheknewthatalltheywouldneedtodoisputinthework andfollowthrough.

Sure enough, things came to fruition in a matter of months Aprilbeganreachingouttopublishingcompaniesandfiguresin themakeupindustryinMay,andbegantofindsomesuccessin two or three months By November, the brand was up and running

April acknowledges that these things take time, and a continuousamountofwork,buttheideaisalwayscentraltoher planning:“It’saprocess,butinthatprocess,youalwayshaveto havefaithtobelieveinyourselfandbelieveinwhateveritisthat youwanttoaccomplish.”

Researchandlearningarekeyaswell.Startingout,Aprilsays, “Ihadnoclueaboutlipstick…Ijustknewitlookedgood,andI wantedtowearit.”Butbybeingdrivenandactivelyseeking newconnections,shewasabletolearnalotinashortamount oftime

LaShawnsharesasimilarethic;whenyoucareaboutwhatyou do and belive in your work, you develop a natural curiosity Armed with that, you have the strength and motivation to keep asking questions and search out the tools you need to succeed.

Aprilalsopointsouttheimportanceofvisionforstayingtrue to your principles and remaining fearless in the face of setbacks Sheknowsthatthingsarealwaysgoingtogettough, butapassioncanhelpgiveyouareasontopersevere

On the practical side, the couple also shares their advice on howtobalancepursuingyourdreamswiththeobligationsof dailylife.Notonlydotheyhaveanewbusiness,buttheyalso havea1-year-oldbaby.Aprilsaysthatthecommonsaying“it takesavillagetoraiseachild”isdefinitelytrueintheircase.

Thecoupleisgrateful,then,fortheirstrongsupportsystem, andtheyknowthatyoucan’tgetbyrelyingonlyonyourself Thatalsomeansthatcommunicationiskey;theytrytobeas open as possible, with regular family meetings and planning sessions

Andbalancecanmeanlearningwhentotakesometimeaway from business, as well. Part of April’s planning involves scheduling time both for herself and for her family, and she choosessetdaysinadvancetomakesureshehasnothingtodo.

More than anything, the Websters hope to keep the momentumgoing,andserveasaninspirationforotherstotake stepstowardsachievingtheirgoals

LaShawn wants listeners to know that they’re worth the investmentinthemselves:“whateveritisyou’retryingtodo, you ’reenoughtodoit.”Thatself-confidencewillgetyoufarin lifeandinwork,asthesuccessofA’Lashellproves.

Rightnow,there’sagreatrangeofredlipsticksavailableonthe site,alongwithseveraldifferentshadesofglossesandpencils. Duetotheirsuccess,afewproductshavealreadysoldout The brandhopestoexpandsoon,however,oncetheirinitiallaunch hasgainedfurthersteam

“It’s a process, but in that process, you always have to have faith to believe in yourself and believe in whatever it is that you want to accomplish.”

INTERIOR DESIGNER SAMIAVERBIST TRANSFORMS OFFICESPACES FORCLIENTS

Huntington Beach-based interior designer Samia Verbist offers comprehensive, exhaustive interior design and room renovation. She exhibits her skill throughanotablecasestudy:amodernofficespacein OrangeCounty

In her recent blog article, Modern Office Ideas for Sparking Collaboration, French-born and Huntington Beach-based interior designer Samia Verbist, and her business, Samia Verbist Interior Design, exhibit how combining creative ideas can transform rooms for clients

The office space, hardly inspiring meaningful collaborative work, needed a creative jumpstart. Orange CountyinteriordesignerSamiaVerbistknewthismodern officespacehadexcellentdesignpotential."Thefirsttime I saw the office space, it was a blank canvas. The walls and floors, which we couldn't change because it's a rented office, were neutral with beige and dark gray hues," states Verbist in her blog article. But she quickly emphasizedhowmuchofanassetitwas.

Interior Designer Samia Verbist

Orange County interior designer Samia Verbist crating an outdoor space

STARTING A BUSINESS

If you’re looking to start a business, one of the biggest obstacles can be knowing where to start Many opportunities exist for small businesses today, including support and funding for start-ups, especially for minority business owners Starting a small business doesn’t have to be complicated Consider these five steps to get on the right track.

1 Do Your Research

Make sure you understand the current market for your business. This step is crucial to turn an idea into a full-fledged business plan Ask questions like:

Is this product or service in demand right now?

Are there similar products and services out there, and are they succeeding?

Can this product or service be delivered safely for employees and customers?

Could the business support rapid growth if it really took off?

Ask other business owners about challenges and rewards to explore whether this is a good option for you. Use market analysis tools recommended by resources such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) to get to know the market for your business

2 Write a Business Plan

No business can find funding, investors or partners without a solid business plan Learning to write a comprehensive plan also forces you

to fully think through every aspect of your proposed idea. The SBA can help with research of business plans Enlist the help of other business owners during the process, if you can, to understand how their plans helped them and what to avoid

3 Fund Your Business

Every business needs capital to get started Your business plan’s financial section should provide a clear idea of the capital you need to launch Most businesses rely on multiple financial sources, including:

Personal funds

Bank loans or personal loans

Investors

Crowdfunding

SBA loans can be one option. For example, Huntington Lift Local Business is a small business lending program focused on serving minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses. A top SBA 7(a) lending program, it has developed creative lending options and other features to help bring relief, recovery and growth to small businesses Through the program, businesses can secure SBA-guaranteed loans from $1,000-150,000 with:

Zero origination fees

SBA fees paid by Huntington

Lower credit score requirements

Free financial education courses

Checking accounts with 24-hour grace overdraft fee relief and service fees waived for 36 months

Flexible, longer-term repayment options

“The pandemic has caused people to re-evaluate and seek out a change, with many choosing to start their own business,” said Maggie Ference, Huntington’s SBA program director “Everyone deserves a shot at success and our program delivers a solution to customers when they need it most, whether for a startup or an established business looking to grow ”

4. Develop a Marketing Plan

Creating a brand identity and communicating it well is crucial to success Consider hiring or contracting marketing services to help you choose your business name, create a logo, build your website and develop a strategic marketing plan to get the word out about your business

5. Take Care of Business

Dotting the “I’s” and crossing the “T’s” is necessary for every business Details include choosing your location and registering your business; applying for required licenses and permits, including federal and state tax IDs; and opening your business bank account Also consulting with an accountant experienced in helping small businesses can ensure you have your financial ducks in a row Starting a small business is a daunting challenge, but it can also be a rewarding opportunity. Taking the time to fully explore and utilize all the resources at your disposal can help your business become successful. Find more advice for small business owners at huntington com/smallbusiness/small-business-resources

VMH MARKETPLACE

EVOLVE BREEZE

Marketing is a critical component of any company's long-term success, and it's always changing and evolvingHub Spot

Seasoned marketer knows the importance of performance analytics to optimize their strategy, - Sharp Spring

To create your own, choose a topic that interests you It can be anything from fashion and beauty to travel and the news

Consumers today are well aware that the content businesses create is agenda-driven. They’re not likely to respond positively to salesy content, so brands need to develop better strategies to build authentic relationships with their audiencesSharp Spring

Creating a message that speaks to your target audience is only the first step to success in online marketing - Sharp Spring

Influencer marketing, mobile-friendly website design, short-form video, virtual events, and experiential marketing are the top trends marketers leverage - Hub Spot

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BY VIKKI JONES