Hello world,
I meant to post at least once or twice last week but clearly neither post made it. It’s a new week though and I have a little unveiling to do – finally. I will be hard at work tomorrow and Wednesday. If I cross my list and check it twice, I will reveal my new look on Valentine’s Day.
Oh, how sweet that will be… if everything goes according to plan. Let the countdown begin. Hugs & kisses.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have to express my gratitude and share a confession.
First and foremost, I am very surprised that people are reading my blog. Somewhere on this thing called “the web” people are reading my blog. And for that I am grateful. About three months ago, I set out to start a blog but I officially launched my blog about ten weeks ago, give or take. In that time, I have had a few thousand views. I seriously do not have time to read and then re-read my blog. So, for each person who has ever skimmed, browsed or intently digested my blog, I say, THANK YOU!
Secondly, I have to confess that I am still not sure how this blog will progress. One of my closest friends suggested that I, “trust the process”. I am learning to do just that and then some. Thanks for being a part of my journey.
I will soon be transferring my blog to another platform and will have a new design. I am excited about what’s ahead for Color Her Lucky.
Thanks for your support!
Last Thursday evening was awesome! I was very fortunate to be a volunteer at the Washington Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business event. The reception and ceremony were held at the ultra luxe Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. I first learned about this event when I attended an MBA Seminar sponsored by WBJ this past spring. I pretty much decided that I HAD to be at this event. After many weeks and email exchanges, I got the a-OK from their events manager, Whitney. My role was to work the registration table and be on hand to help out in other capacities. Between school, work and volunteering I have a lot of experience when it comes to events – logistics, management, vendor relations, set-up, clean-up, etc etc. Let’s just say Whitney was impressed with my help, which is good because I had a great time and made a few contacts.
The event was a celebration of really amazing women who are leaders in their respective fields and occupation within the Washington D.C. metropolitan. Over 150 nominations were received. From the legal world to public relations to finance, each woman is well regarded and managing a healthy, robust company, department or firm. Part of the ceremony included short video segments of each honoree discussing the trajectory of their careers, tidbits about their childhoods including adorable photos, as well as words of wisdom for other women (ahem, like me).
It was really great to see the honorees with their yellow ribbons affixed to their name badges along with a yellow flower pinned to their dress or blouse. They all seemed so elated, a few even appeared surprised by all of the attention. Many brought their family members and each of them had a several coworkers who cheered for them as their video appeared on the jumbo screens. Actually, it was as if the event was a corporate pep rally! A big hootin-and-hollerin-photo-takin’-business-card-swappin’ extravaganza. I loved every minute of it.
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| I was too lazy to take my jacket off, lol. I wore a black and white dress w/ a geometric pattern and red pumps. |
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| Love my vintage jacket and H&M scarf. It was freezing! |
P.S. Shout out to Julie, another volunteer, who was another amazing woman I met!
Surprise! I cannot believe I am writing a post before sunset. I have yet to hit that sweet spot of uploading my posts the same time every day. Eventually it will happen. No rush.
Hmm.. what’s new. Actually, I got a quick glimpse of the office of Affinity Lab, an accelerator for businesses and entrepreneurs based in the U street area of D.C. I was on my way to an event for mentors with the DC College Success Foundation last night and stumbled upon their office a few blocks from the U Street metro. I know they offer different types of membership but I wonder if they have day/visitor passes. I would love to visit and see what the coworking space is like along with the various nonprofits and businesses.
I also went to Capital Cause‘s second annual Changemakers event, which honors young philanthropists for their commitment to service. I was an honoree last year. I continue to support the organization philanthropically and with my time by working with the events committee. Our event space, Capitale, was really nice. I didn’t take any pictures unfortunately. I am really looking forward to buying either a Nikon or Canon. I am almost certain that I will take more and share more photos (Tumblr anyone?)
This week I’ve been working on pitching, aka selling myself. I got inspired after reading a post from Susannah Breslin, a Forbes contributor. I read her blog, Pink Slipped, regularly because she has a very direct voice and offers good insight as a freelancer. I’ve been trying to get leads with online magazines as a contributor. One in particular, Ms. Career Girl, has some potential and I am exploring my options with that website.
Using social media has been helpful in finding opportunities. Twitter has been especially helpful but I’ve made some connections through LinkedIn as well. The LinkedIn Premium package is great. Being active on social media allows others to learn more about me. Big plus!
Speaking of learn more about me, I referenced someone I met at BlogHer several weeks ago. Annie, of Peach Prenni, has been so kind to not only read my blog but provide comments to my posts. Thanks Annie!
I like co-working. I like it a lot. Thanks to Foster.ly for hosting today’s “Women Focused Study Hall”. I wish K-12 education and college were more like a co-working lab. Ideas exchange. Networking. Problems. Solutions. Free WiFi! When women get together, there is truly a sense of camaraderie and a real desire to offer support.
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| Foster.ly gear. Be jealous. |
Traveling to the uber nice neighborhood of Chevy Chase was a bit of trek but as always, the time I spent mingling and brainstorming with other budding and established entrepreneurs was inspiring. Who knew coworking could be so much fun?! I have some follow up to do, obviously. I will need to take some time to think of my next move. After selling a few accessories and pieces of clothes at the Buffalo Exchange in Georgetown, I realize that I need less. The more options I have, the more distractions to be had.
It’s about that time. If I pitch to the right contacts, the right companies, then I could catch a lucky break. I have a mini challenge for the week and that is to pitch. Nothing more, nothing less. Pitch to marketing and PR firms/agencies every day this week. Pitch to websites and magazines that match my interests. Rejection is expected but it certainly does not hurt to try. Yoda was right – “Do or do not. There is no try”.
Happy pitching!
P.S. A special thank you to all of our veterans, past, present and future.
My single, most important goal today was to vote. I did just that and from start to finish, it was about a forty minute process. I went to the polls in the afternoon time to avoid the lines. Now the rest of the country and the world awaits the final results.
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| Civic duty, done and done. |
Enough about this very long and expensive election, here are my goals for November.
Wow, time really does fly. I had every intention to blog on Friday right before I called it quits for the evening. Little did I know that I would be babysitter numero uno for the evening and the following morning. My older brother owes me. I love my niece and nephew, so it’s okay. Those two are never a dull a moment. What has been lackluster is my ability to get work done. With family obligations this weekend, I feel behind already!
Back to Friday. I had registered as a volunteer for the 2012 Maryland Women’s Conference this past summer after a few key word searches via Google. I was looking forward to a conference that was more local and a little smaller. This conference was also a one-day affair like the last one I attended. The morning was somewhat rough but I still managed to exercise, eat breakfast and get on the road by eight. Per usual, I got lost and ultimately the trip took me two hours. I was comforted by the fact that the route was unbelievably scenic. Very picturesque, actually. My point of contact was a woman named Susan and eventually we found each other. I assisted one speaker, Anita Wilson, as she discussed the ins and outs of Social Security and Medicare. I found her presentation insightful though Social Security benefits won’t be a realization for me for another four decades. I was undoubtedly the youngest person in the room, then again, the conference was not teaming with young women but I spotted a few college students.
I really connected with a business owner, Nicole of Stacy Nicole, an interior design firm. She shared a bit of her personal and professional journey and struggles. She is willing to offer advice for someone like me. I got her business card and we’ve already started exchanging emails. She’s definitely not holding back by asking the tough, direct questions. Gasp! I actually have to fine-tune this vision of mine. The more questions, the more fine-tuning. Another person I admired was Jessica Hibbard of Stories and Ideas. I was really impressed with her business card, a simple and clean design. Her professional background (she’s a former Apple employee) is also impressive. She launched her own business earlier this year in Frederick, Maryland. Congrats! I wish both Nicole and Jessica the best and hope to continue to reach out to them in the future. The long drive was worth it because I left with more knowledge than earlier that morning.
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| 2012 Sponsors of Maryland Women’s Conference |
Another conference off my list. Next up? DCWEEK! I have a free badge that I picked up a few days ago. I was not able to pick up my Gold badge just yet because I was out of town. DCWEEK is a weeklong festival with the goal of bringing together designers, developers, entrepreneurs and social innovators. The festival hosts a variety of activities like a hack-a-thon and happy hour events as well as sessions featuring top industry speakers and guests. I scanned the schedule last week to select which programs to register for and attend. Several scheduled events are sold out. I plan on attending Punchrock’s happy hour later this evening, provided that my niece and nephew are out the door by then. The thought of engaging in a conversation not involving a two-year old’s babble sounds delightful.
It’s the last day of the month of October and it’s Halloween. I should be
expecting some children and maybe a few teenagers in a few hours. This
particular month went by quickly. I cannot believe tomorrow begins a new
month. 2013 is that much closer.
I am happy to saythat I did well in achieving my goals. I will have a full report soon. I
think the toughest, by far, was committing to reaching blog post number
forty. I did it, barely. Today’s post is number forty. I wrote a post
almost every day this month. Consistency was key and thankfully, most of
my posts were hearty, had good quality. There may have been a few out
of desperation or fatigue – or both. I have started to brainstorm a list
for November and it will definitely be shorter and more exact in that I
can focus on a few, rather many. Quality versus quantity is sensible.
I am ready to end cabin fever by volunteering at the National Capital
Philanthropy Day in D.C. I was a volunteer last year and will do the
same tomorrow. I have to get up early and head downtown in the morning
via public transit, which I haven’t done since the beginning of this
month. Time flies!
Today I was really inspired by a few sites and articles that I stumbled upon including H.Bloom’s SEED program, Mashable’s 44 Female Founders and a story about Daily Muse’s CEO All three were inspiring and encouraging. Just what I need to start a new month!
About that hurricane. Wow! Sandy was/is a big deal. So many homes and businesses are under water or completely destroyed. When the New York Stock Exchange shuts down for two days, that is very serious. Thankfully, my family and I are safe and sound. If you haven’t seen the coverage take a look at this video clip.
My prayers are with those families who are grieving for loved ones. My prayers are also with the countless men and women who are serving as nurses, firefighters, police officers and other first responders. You all are heroes!
This time last week I was in Milwaukee and the weather was rainy and cold. Now, instead of being in New York City to make my presentation in front of RachelChris, I’m home waiting for Hurricane Sandy to do what hurricanes do. Heavy rain, strong winds, etc etc.
That reminds me. As I was on the plane last week, I read a USATODAY article about Marissa Meyer, the new CEO at Yahoo! in regards to third-quarter profit earnings. I was happy to read that the company increased its profits under her leadership thus far. It is still too early to decide whether her plan to “grow and redefine” the company will pan out in the long run. Thankfully, the story did not revolve around her summer pregnancy and recent birth of her son. Why is the media fascinated when a women in a high-profile position becomes pregnant? Yahoo! was well aware of her pregnant belly before they hired her. She’s already started making serious hiring moves, so hopefully she is successful at Yahoo!. Speaking of female leaders in the tech world, check out Sheryl Sandberg’s fat paycheck. Winning! If you’ve haven’t seen her TED Talk, do yourself a favor and watch it. Thank me later.
It is very tempting to watch a marathon of Project Runway when your essentially trapped in your home. At least last night, I spent some time searching different topics related to marketing, social media and business school on Quora. This site is pure fun for me. I like to receive feedback and on Quora there is a plethora of advice from professionals, experts, enthusiasts. Everyone has something to say and the whole concept works well, in my opinion. Quora links to your social media accounts. By all means, invite your friends and followers for a discussion.
I finally started a page for profiles of women entrepreneurs. I will be featuring interviews very soon. I am looking forward to the insight they have to offer. If you know of someone or are interested in sharing your experiences, don’t be shy! Contact me.
colorherlucky 