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Evolution Magazine/ October 2013
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Questions and feedback: PO Box 104, Stewartsville, NJ 08886 Phone: (347) 669 2EVO Email: info@EvoMag.co Online: www.EvoMag.co Evolution Magazine is a trademark of the Evolve Media Group Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in full is strictly prohibited. Evolution Magazine is a monthly digital publication. Evolution Magazine welcomes all contributions. Evolution Magazine assumes no responsibility for content of advertisement. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is produced subject to errors and omissions. *Unless otherwise noted all stock photos are provided by Deposit Photos www.depositphotos.com.*
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Evolution Magazine/ October 2013
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Challenges Faced By Women In Business
When Money Kills! They say that stress kills, so how about debt?
Discovering Your Uniqueness When to Start Upselling
The Business Of
Fashion
Exploring the business of fashion and design with October’s Business Trendsetters
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February 2014 www.evomag.co
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Photo Credit: istock photos
TECHNOLOGY IN RECRUITING KEEPING UP WITH THE TRENDS Nora Elmanzalawy
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Evolution Magazine/ October 2013
A
s the art of talent acquisition continues to evolve with the advancement and adoption of technology, the introduction and use of new recruitment tools continues to flood the market. Paper resumes are being replaced with online profiles, face-to-face conversations are transitioning to digital, and work/life separation is a thing of the past. There are more tools available to recruiters, employers, and candidates than ever thought imaginable. The type and format of information that is shared during an interview process, for both passive and active candidates, is significantly different compared to a decade ago, and chances are the changes will continue over the next decade (and beyond). With all of the new game changing technologies comes an upgrade in the role and expectations of recruiters and candidates. The rise of digital interviewing is a great example, as that trend has been increasing over the last several years. Looks like it’s time to adopt yet another recruiting advancement. Aside from a challenged economy and high unemployment, which has resulted in the need for more aggressive and creative candidates, technology has significantly shaped the way hiring professionals recruit. Only a short time ago, it was unheard of to associate a candidate with a photo. Equally unfathomable was the notion of having access to their personal life, outside of credit and background information. Most digital, or online, conversations were limited to those with international family or friends. But alas, today’s talent hunt strategies include all of the above and more. LinkedIn has not only blossomed, it has boomed over the last decade, and Facebook went from a social venue to a talent acquisition portal. Now on the rise, we are seeing more and more digital interviewing tools and vendors entering the marketplace. As that medium becomes more utilized, Skype no longer satisfies the needs of an employer in identifying talent, so vendors like Montage, HireView, and InterviewStream are really taking off. Talent seekers are appreciating the value and benefit that live and pre-recorded interviews are bringing to the overall process, such as efficiency, cost savings, and convenience, which means candidates will most likely encounter a format of digital interviewing during their job hunt.
Luckily, in today’s social environment, digital platforms are more accepted and rapidly growing around the world. The usage of digital outlets increased an average of 8% worldwide, according to Dr. Angela Hausman of Howard University and owner of Hausman and Associates. In 2011 alone, the sharing of digital information, photos, posts, and videos saw an increase by 9X! Now, that’s not to say that the majority of the population is comfortable communicating with their prospective employer via a webcam, computer screen, and/or mobile device, however it is good to know that the trend continues to move in the digital direction. If you encounter a digital interview requirement, don’t run and hide. It’s probably not as bad as you think. There is plenty a candidate can do to prepare for a digital interview, both live and pre-recorded. The exercise should be treated exactly like an in-person interview, with the same level of preparedness, professionalism, and commitment. To overcome the potential awkwardness of conversing with a stranger via the web, consider having the conversation in a setting that is very comfortable and familiar, removing any other unnecessary concerns. Such an opportunity should be maximized, especially if it is a way to bring your resume to life early in the process. It is important to keep in mind that employers are not replacing face-to-face interviews with digital, entirely. Like behavioral assessments, digital interviews - especially pre-recorded are being utilized as a resource to aid in the efficiency of the interview process. The importance of in-person communication is not being undermined by this advancement in recruiting practice. New recruiting technology will continue to enter the marketplace in the years to come, which means hiring professionals and candidates will continue to be challenged to keep up with the trends. For now, let us digest and prepare for the latest trend in talent identification, by practicing our digital small talk.
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When to Start
Upselling? Susan Baker
H
ow many times have you gone to a store to purchase an item and had the salesperson try to sell you 10 other products while you were there? Next question; how did that make you feel? Or, in the words of Dr. Phil, how’s that working for ya? I don’t know about you, but it makes my hair stand up on end when someone tries to sell me the store when all I wanted was a stapler! Back in the day, when I used to work in the financial services industry, and this still holds true for today, you can’t just stop by to make a deposit because the people who work there have been trained and are expected to up-sell you to the max! And, even if you say “I am in a rush” they continue to try to manipulate another sale by talking faster. I recently took my dog to a new vet as I had won a “Free” Heartworm test. Most vets I have been to will do the blood draw in the exam room so that you can actually see it was done. Not this one! Worse than that, the vet walked in and started upselling me from dog bones to the idea that my dog needed yearly de-worming. No she does not!!!! I could go on, but I think you can catch my drift. When they
Focus + Strategy = Excellence
told me how busy they were I felt like saying, “If you just did what was needed for my dog and stopped trying to upsell me you could get to the next patient faster! By the way, as I should have known, nothing is for free. Between the test, rabies vaccine and the unexpected full physical it ended up costing me $100.00 and change. I will not be returning there!! The point I am trying to make is that “Upselling” does not work. It makes people cringe. It makes people run in the other direction, and the end result is that you might not sell them anything and you can rest assured they will never come back. Regardless of service or product, do not Up-sell!! Wait for people to ask you questions and then graciously answer them. You can help them uncover their future needs by handing them a brochure of what you have to offer and say, I hope you will consider me /us for any future needs; we are here to serve you! Everybody Wins!!
Discovering Your Uniqueness Michelle Brown-Dawson - www.Catalystsuccess.com
...find something that you absolutely love doing. And then get to love the way you do it. That’s the uniqueness of all of us. That’s it. Al Lewis
I
n business, people often struggle to find that intersection between doing what they love and finding clients who will pay them to do it. I’ve worked with clients who didn’t believe that people would pay them what they were truly worth. They would say, “There are so many others that do what I do. Why should someone pay me more?” My response to them is always the same: The issue is not that people are unwilling to pay. The real issue is having a mindset that prevents you from receiving the level of revenue you desire and deserve.
or your attention to detail. Think about comments you have received from friends, family, or clients about why they enjoy working with you or being around you. This is what makes working with you the best choice, no matter how many people may offer the same product or service. Remember this: “There may be many others who do what you do, but none of them can be YOU doing it!”
There are so many people nowadays that will hang out a shingle and say they are in business, but when you ask them why you should buy from them versus someone else selling the same product, they give a blank stare. It doesn’t matter how many people provide the same product or service that you offer. What’s important is that you can demonstrate why your service or product is better than the competition’s.
This is where you spend time getting real clear on your niche, or what some people call their target market. Who do you really want to serve? Who would need your services or products? When you have answered that, go one step further and ask yourself not only who you want to serve and who needs your service, but also who is willing to pay for the solutions that you bring?
To help you better explain your uniqueness and reach your ideal client, here are several steps: MAKE A LIST OF 30 UNIQUE QUALITIES THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE WHEN WORKING WITH YOU If you aren’t able to explain your unique positive qualities to a prospective customer today, take some time out of your busy schedule and create a list of 30 things that are unique about you and the service you can bring to your prospective customer. I know you are thinking that’s a lot, and you are right! But what you will find, as you create that list, that your individuality will shine through (so don’t stop at only 10 or 20). This list doesn’t have to be complex. For example, it can be your authenticity
WITH WHOM DO YOU WANT TO CONNECT?
WHERE DO THEY HANG OUT? Your niche is that group of individuals that are interested in what you have to say and offer. Once you know who they are, you must determine where they hang out, and go meet them there. You can't reach you ideal client by hiding behind your desk, computer screen, or email. Make a list of where you niche spends their time and make it a priority for you to spend time there as well. Remember, there are people who need what you have to offer, but you have to position yourself and your uniqueness so that they can experience your brilliance!
www.evomag.co
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Sylvia Browder
B
oth career women and those in business have faced many obstacles in past decades, and unfortunately, still today. Women in the workforce have battled glass ceilings, unequal pay for equal production, and undeserved stereotypical barriers. As business prototypes have changed with the advent and growth of the internet, so have the unique issues encountered by women in business. Below are five of these challenges and solutions to overcome them and achieve success.
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Evolution Magazine/ October 2013
Photo Credit: istock photos
Top 5 Challenges Faced by Women in Business…and the Solutions!
Challenge 1: Lack of Cash Flow Even the most brilliant business plan will fail without sufficient cash flow. Simply put, cash flow can be loosely defined as "cash in" (as generated by revenue) and "cash out" (to pay the expenses incurred to achieve "cash in." Inadequate cash flow can stifle a business into failure. Let’s just get real… your creditors, employees or suppliers don’t care about your cash flow woes. They want to be paid in a timely manner! Solution: To simplify this problem, as well as correct it, look at all facets of the balance sheet and income statement. Is there a lag time between the time you have to pay your creditors, suppliers, and employees, and when you collect from your customers? If so, you must pinpoint the problem areas and take necessary steps to correct them. Four quick solutions to manage your cash flow: • Consider factoring. In factoring, a business owner sells accounts receivable at a discount to a third-party funding source that pays invoices immediately. Chris Lehres, a loan officer for Versant Funding says, “A wide range of companies in a multitude of industries, including some with a negative net worth, that are losing money, and often even companies in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy are eligible for factoring services.” • Open a line of credit. A line of credit is a standard service provided by many banks and credit unions that serve small businesses. Your banker can best discuss the benefits of a business line of credit. • Offer several payment options to your clients, such as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or pay pal. • Track your receivables. Have a collection process in place so that you have a protocol to handle aging invoices. Challenge 2: Undefined Niche To Niche or Not to Niche…that is the question. What is a niche? A niche business is one that targets a very specific group of people with specific shared interest. A business with an undefined niche is like a ship sailing in shallow water. Creating a niche business allows you to market to your ideal clients. For example, if you were a behavioral psychologist targeting teens, you would market your services in places where parents are likely to find out about you, such as advertising in parent magazines, providing resources to local middle and high schools, or joining organizations geared toward parents. Solution: By understanding who and where your ideal customers are; it is easy to craft a marketing plan to target them. Here are three easy ways to target your potential clients: • Improve your website’s SEO with specific key words. • Generate exposure locally and virtually with professional speaking, seminars, or publishing a book or articles. • Craft a clear message that speaks to the heart of your customer.
sowing grass seed. It is much easier to grow grass from seeds if you know how fertile the ground is. You can scatter a handful of seeds over a wide area of dirt and some of it may, or may not, take root. Solution: Find others with whom to network and collaborate to gain sales. For instance, if your business sells cars, you might collaborate with a local automobile service company with the result that the purchase of a car includes a certificate for a free oil change from the car servicing business. Both businesses benefit and just increased the likelihood for repeat business. Challenge 4: No Social Media Plan Random tweets and meandering Facebook posts will result in a lot of time devoted to zero results. Before making another useless post, sit down with pen and paper and make a list of what you want to achieve from social media. To which social media do you belong? What are some social media marketing strategies that you have noticed from other companies? What do you have that will offer value? You may find that your company is spread a little too thin across the social media spectrum. Quality truly is superior to quantity in this respect. Solution: Create a social media marketing plan and stay the long haul. Establishing a strong presence can be a very time consuming process. It is unwise to expect your list of fans, followers or subscribers to grow overnight. Challenge 5: No Strategic Plan (after 3 years in business) Without a strategic plan, a business can become stagnant in the mire of what is immediately going on, rather than focusing on long-term goals. Successful businesses recognize the critical need for strategic planning and it is an ongoing process - it is never finished. Solution: An effective strategic planning process allows small businesses to take control of their future and stay focused on the essential areas that will result in sustained periods of growth and success. Here are six tips to help you in the planning process: • Assess the Current Business Environment • Focus on Important (SWOT) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats • Define (or Redefine) the Company’s Mission and Goals • Start with An End In Mind • Establish Mini Milestones • Plan for Follow Through If starting your strategic plan seems a little intimidating, download your FREE ‘Strategic Planning Strategy Worksheet.’ As you can see, there are many hurdles that can cause women to fail in business; nevertheless, many solutions to prevent failure from happening. These are my top 5 challenges; what other challenges do you think women face today?
Challenge 3: Not Understanding the Power of Referral Marketing For years, the mantra for success in marketing was "cold calling." Today, we know that cold calling is ineffectual, especially when compared to referral marketing. Referral marketing is promoting your business thru referrals and word of mouth networking to more effectively gain sales. When comparing referral marketing to cold calling, think of it as www.evomag.co
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The Noise Before Defeat... Are You Listening? Donnie Bryant
What do you think is the biggest difference between successful people and businesses, and unsuccessful ones? • Wealthy parents/investors? • The right connections? • Positive thinking? • “Luck?” While any of these could have a significant impact on one’s future success, none of them fit the bill. The more experience I gain, and the more I learn from high achievers, the clearer it becomes that strategic thinking paired with sustained action is the game-changer in business and life. 16
Evolution Magazine/ October 2013
Strategy Vs. Tactics
Having the Right Strategy May Be Overrated
Strategy is as ancient as the human race. Looking back through the history books, you'll notice that a large percentage of the major characters (good and bad) thought and acted strategically.
We can worry so much about "getting it right" that we never get it started at all. If you're not taking action to move toward your end goal, your strategy is worthless. It's better to act on a weak strategy than to waste huge chunks of time trying to come up with the "perfect strategy." As long as you're paying attention, you can adjust and improve as you go.
A strategy is a detailed, long-term plan. Rather than concentrating on their immediate circumstances, strategists examine the big picture. They know what they ultimately want to accomplish, and they determine the best roadmap to get there. They then make their short-term decisions in a way that pushes them in the direction of the long-term goal. The strategist's big victories are usually made up of a series of these smaller steps. On the other hand, a tactical thinker makes most decisions without reference to an overall goal. They want to do what's best for right now. A drastic example of tactical thinking would be the employee who steals from the job. It seems like a good idea right now; they get to take home extra money or free stuff. But if they get caught, they'll not only lose their job, but they'll have a tough time getting hired in the future. And there's the possibility of going to prison. I know a guy who lost a $50K a year job over less than $600 in theft. Was it worth it? Even if you took billions, like Bernie Madoff, the results are not positive. Why Tactics Are More Attractive "Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat." - Sun Tzu A tactic might be email marketing if you own a retail store, or arc welding if you manufacture cars. It's just one part of the process.
I've said all of this to get at one point. In business (and in life), the strategic thinking action-taker wins. The best candidate or the most qualified applicant doesn't always come out on top. This can be disheartening. We spend so much time and effort trying to become the best at our craft. That's a good thing. It's not necessarily the most important factor in our success, though. I fully believe that we should all try to be the best we can be. But we need to understand that being the best copywriter (in my case) or the funniest comedian isn't good enough. We need to know where we want to go, and we need to strategize the best way for us to get to that place. If the world's most romantic marriage proposer asked a woman he's never met to marry him, do you think she'll say yes? Don't bet on it. The tactical skill involved in being the best proposer is not enough. Strategic courtship will win every time. Take the time this month to clearly define something you deeply want to achieve. Think about the long-term steps you'll need to take to accomplish the goal. Then start to act. Make sure your strategy defines the tactics you implement, not the other way around.
It's hard to accomplish anything when you don't have a clear destination and a defined, but flexible, plan to get to that destination. You can be a skilled welder, but without blueprints (i.e. the strategy), you're not going to be able to make a car. These days, it seems like a new tool or magic Easy Button arrives on the scene every day. Do XYZ on Facebook, try this or that software, ad nauseam. They promise instant results. They claim to do all the work for you. Besides, strategy takes too long. Delayed gratification is no fun. It's natural to be lured towards them. We all want to believe the hype. It's disgustingly easy to be distracted. But you'll quickly diffuse your energy if you try every new tactic that comes along. Still... "Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory." - Sun Tzu I'm not saying that tactics are not important, or that pursuing tactical expertise is a waste. Quite the opposite. You'll need to make multitudes of short-term, tactical decisions on the path to reach the final strategic destination. The better you are at the tactical parts, the smoother the ride will be. www.evomag.co
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When Money Kills!!! Lavinia Osbourne (UK Contributor) www. laviniaosbourne.com
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Evolution Magazine/ October 2013
They say that stress kills, so how about debt? Debt creates stress; stress manifests itself in various negative ways, including debilitating illnesses, which can ultimately lead to death. In addition to this, and due to the ongoing financial crisis, the increase in people going into depression and/or killing themselves and their family because of debt and all the pressures that comes with it, death by suicide has gone up by 7% since the start of the recession. The short video report below highlights this.
I needed to understand why all my sacrifices had resulted in nothing, as well as how to change my distressful and distasteful financial situation around and not become a victim to it. So I started to read, attend events, speak to experts on wealth creation, then I wrote about my thoughts and findings via my first ever blog ‘Becoming Financially Savvy’, which I created myself by myself because I did not have the funds to outsource it. And it was a resounding success. It was how I started to build my online presence and reputation, although, at the time, I had no plan or strategy, just a passion to learn, understand, and share - a passion I still hold onto today.
This is not to say that some, if not many individuals, haven’t borrowed irresponsibly, because many have. But there are many more who have not, and due to a loss of a job, then the inability to find a new one, they have found themselves in stressful financial situations. I know because I have been one of them. When I lost my job, I lost my main source of income, and thus my lifestyle. That in itself was devastating!! As a consequence, all that I had built up in assets, and had been working for and toward, I lost over a two year period, including my marriage.
If you want to become the victor, rather than the victim, in this current economic warfare, and protect what you have, including your sanity, then you need to choose to become bigger than your situation. One way you can start to do this is to understand what money is, how it works, and how it is created!! www.positivemoney.org.uk is a great website to explore the myth behind how banks work and how money is created. Do check it out and join their cause if it aligns with you.
The shame and embarrassment of not being able to pay your debt and bills is overwhelming. Of having to financially rely on another when you have always relied on yourself is painful. Add to it the dread of hearing the phone ring or even the doorbell and not knowing whether it is a friend or a debt foe makes life crushing.
If you want to play the system to your benefit, then you first need to understand it. The knowledge will transform any feelings of overwhelm to empowerment and confidence. This can also be said about debt and bailiffs. What are your rights? How do you get rid of them, legally?! And then, just as importantly, how do you create wealth, preserve it, as well as protect your hardearned and won assets, and prosper?
We live in a visual, materialistic, and ‘I want it now’ world, which makes the pressures of keeping up with the Joneses even more profound, because we base our identity on what we have and own, rather than who we are and the value we give to the world. Being in debt makes you feel worthless, as if you no longer have an identity. You are simply a debtor and a cheat with no real prospects. This, in turn, affects your self-confidence and outlook on life. You no longer work to live but live to work, losing a little bit of your soul to the debt and the consequences of it with each passing moment. But this is not how it has to be! Again, I am proof of this. You have to overcome all the negative feelings described above and not fear your debt, but acknowledge it as a challenge to get over, a challenge you can overcome. Then, in the first instance, become mentally bigger than them, bigger than your distressful and negative money situations. You have to choose to become the master of money, rather than the servant of it.
To learn more, check out the latest blog post from Butterfly Wealth Creation’, So why is there so much debt?’ We are not slaves to the economy, nor society – we just ‘think’ we are. There is no reason for anyone to take their own lives over debt. It is unfortunate that information regarding money creation, how to beat the bailiffs, financial awareness and literacy is not taught at schools, college or even provided by established organizations such as the CAB (Citizen Advice Bureau) or government agencies such as HMRC. And yes there is a reason it isn’t!!!
Debt is a killer, but you can choose not to allow it to kill you, your dreams, and most importantly, your spirit!! That is what I did. I choose to get educated about debt and, in doing so, money, personal finance, and the economic situation. I needed to understand why the rug had been pulled from underneath me when I felt I had done all the right things: gone to school, got a good education, a good job, and invested my money on sensible things such as property rather than just clothes, partying and holidays.
www.evomag.co
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Business Trendsetter Eva Lous www.evothrive.com
B
reathe fashion in…breathe fashion out…get ready for the movement and the energy about to rumble in the desert of the sun. Phoenix Fashion Week at Talking Stick Resort is headed toward an amazing culmination of talents, designers, models, clothing, shoes, accessories, stylists, salons, hair, make-up, runways, boutiques, media, press, advertising, businesses, organizations, magazines, dreams, and visions. Don’t blink. Did you miss something? What more could you imagine or want? The organization of Phoenix
Fashion Week is about “Bridging Designers & Buyers” together, and the strong emphasis of business on the next level and showcasing talents at every turn. In a brief discussion and interview, we were given an inside perspective to the business of fashion from Brian Hill, the Executive Director for Phoenix Fashion Week. We learned that 2013 has been a year of expansion and innovation. Tools have been introduced and have been shared with the designers and teams. This has enabled opportunities to help build confidence for the team, to see them leave the nest, and see how they are going to fly. One example Brian shared was of Michael Poulos, designer and founder of Living Dreams, a beach lifestyle clothing label, who has come from the nest, is a reflection of the type of gogetter Phoenix Fashion Week likes to see, and has been quoted saying, “Go wherever you go – exercise it.” Being a designer in Phoenix Fashion Week in 2012, Michael learned, applied, and has lived the teaching and the ways of growing the brand by traveling and using the tools given to establish a foothold in the direction of fashion he wants to take his brand. Additionally, from the past years’ experience, the Phoenix Fashion Week team has gotten better at picking designers that fit the direction and goals of the organization. They have focused on taking the approach of helping the designers to understand what they want and where they want to be at the end of this fashion week journey. Teaching team skill sets has been one of the ways introduced by Phoenix Fashion Week that has taken a life of its own. Like Michael Poulos, who is living what he has learned, Samantha Patterson, another designer from Phoenix Fashion Week 2012, has also applied and went so far as to even organically represent the organization in her networking and travels. This is the creative design application of putting your own spin to what you have learned. This networking from Samantha introduced Phoenix Fashion Week to designers and fashion innovators from the east coast. There is evidence in this pattern of application that the teaming and expansion go hand-in-hand. The Brand Ambassadors play a huge role in also supporting the team, perpetuating the vision and knowledge of Phoenix Fashion Week through placement and sharing of information at events, fashion locations, and representation online, which in turn provides multitudes of opportunities to gain followers, educate individuals not previously exposed to a fashion week, as well as making the connections on a personal level and having the die-hard fashionistas lead the way in sharing the stories of Phoenix Fashion Week. 2014 and beyond, Phoenix Fashion Week will be looking to increase brand partnerships similar to those of Massage Envy and Green Street Realty. The structure in 2014 will target 12 major fashion events to be held throughout the year to ensure the continuous flow of fashion year round in Phoenix, AZ. A byproduct of the vision of expansion has been the number of requests that have come in from other regions and cities asking for brand duplication (defn: basically duplicating the blueprint of Phoenix Fashion Week and the Emerging Designer Program in other major cities and areas that currently don’t have this type of program presence). This will offer growth and increase in the number of Team Leaders and Directors that can be developed for other states. Who can complain about wanting to be copied
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Evolution Magazine/ October 2013
or duplicated in this scenario…I think no one can. And what a tremendous compliment to a program that is serious about helping others grow in their fashion business sense. Currently there is a waiting list of organizations/designers that want to be involved with the Phoenix Fashion Week program from both sides of the Mississippi. As technology rules most businesses these days, fashion is not excluded in this area. E-commerce and online sales to support the items and apparel from the designers along with effective advertising is another expansion phase that will surely grow the following and vested supporters to the Phoenix Fashion Week business model. Community and education continue to be sides of Phoenix Fashion Week that are evolving, and the blueprints are uniquely drafted. The creation of sustainable brands is one of the major goals for fashion here. Brian Hill believes in the philosophy and his quote is, “you have to ‘Live it to teach it.’” Based on their experience and other supporters, they are developing education programs that will be offered to help with putting on a fashion show on a budget, branding and development, preparation, ideas and pitches, and working plans. Fashion collaborations at this level are music to a fashionista’s ears, and help to establish Phoenix Fashion Week as one of the most forward-thinking business programs around. One of the great successes of the year has been the launching of the Fashion Hub in Phoenix. The location has become a meeting place, training spot, event venue, and so much more. In support of the surrounding community, Phoenix Fashion Week through the Fashion Hub seeks to be visible in the neighborhood and engage in giving from the fashion heart through member involved activities and volunteering where they can make a difference and impact. To continue the community and charity, the traditional “Fashionably Pink” Celebrity Runway Show will kickoff off Phoenix Fashion Week in October and will be focusing to benefit local breast cancer charities throughout Phoenix. They will feature the fashion week designers and their designs, inspired by the color pink, worn by local Celebrities and Breast Cancer Survivors, all in a new venue hosted by DOMUS Unique Contemporary Modern Rental Apartments. The representation of an organization that believes in their mission, purpose, and vision, and truly carries it out, is one that needs to be recognized. Phoenix Fashion Week demonstrates their knowledge and determination to help others grow in their business of fashion as an impressive leader, and one that strives to continue their evolution in this area. Phoenix Fashion Week at Talking Stick Resort, a force to be reckoned with...let the runway shows begin. Twitter: @PHXFashionWeek Website: http://phoenixfashionweek.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phxfashionweek Living Dreams: http://www.livingdreamsclothing.com/ Samantha Patterson Designs: http://www.samanthapatterson. com/ Talking Stick Resort: http://www.talkingstickresort.com/ DOMUS: http://www.domusphx.com/
TONI&GUY
Scottsdale Academy has made a splash this year with Phoenix Fashion Week at Talking Stick Resort. Their finest will be showcased on the runways this first week in October 2013 as the emerging designers utilize the stylists’ skills to help frame up the models’ hair and make-up to represent their clothing designs the most effective way. The established designers, emerging designers, and the hair and make-up artists / stylists work from the beginning of the program to the finale week in October to establish the look of the models and the styles that will represent each designer the best. There is much faith and trust laid in the hands of the stylists, as the looks must be unique enough to stand out; however, they must also mesh with the design philosophy to not take away from the presentation. This is difficult and tedious, and also requires a structured process that will provide for timeliness and a quick change of looks while being presented for runway. The hair styling and make-up is as much an art as are the clothing designs themselves. We had a chance to look behind the scenes at the TONI&GUY Scottsdale Academy, and were fortunate enough to see the foundation of where it all begins, and how their focus on education, process, and personalization all come together for their ability to cut, color, and style to allow for a flow that works with fashion at all levels. Zak Mascolo, Creative Director – USA, and Paul Joseph Marzioli, Vice President of Partnership Salons, along with the Artistic Team at TONI&GUY, presented an Advanced Education Preview that was opened to selected salon representatives from all over the valley on August 28, 2013. The main emphasis beyond the quality of the program was the immense focus on the overall and specific education that is made available to the stylists that participate in their programs. Like Phoenix Fashion Week, education is a cornerstone to their programs and providing experiential opportunities to learn application skills for the techniques that are taught in the academy was
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highlighted. They have twelve different areas of advanced education available that can be layered. The teachers and instructors are all experienced stylists for cut and color, which enables them to teach comprehensively so that students learn the necessary skills as stylists to represent their abilities. It is clearly obvious that the care taken in the representation is what resonates throughout the organization academy and salons both. The Academy provides students with a building experience that starts with the basics to the full salon experience by the time a student has completed the program. Versatility and personalization are emphasized for the stylists after the standard TONI&GUY techniques and applications of cut and colors are taught. One area that they particularly stress is making the cut work with the individual’s hair shape, face, and how the hair lays on the head. Rather than just apply a cut, the key is the personalization to accentuate and flatter the person’s face and head shape and hair direction. Body positioning to apply cut techniques was also explained as this can affect the entire outcome of the cuts applied. The TONI&GUY Artistic Team and main representatives exude passion about their organization down to the representatives from the salons. You can see the excitement as they talk about the difference in their organization and how they want to make sure how their vision and philosophy is understood and communicated to share their genuine authenticity and love of the art of style. TONI&GUY started over 40 years ago. They have 20 beauty schools across the US. They are established as one of the best in creative hairstyling. TONI&GUY is dedicated to education through innovation and bringing to their clients the best options and styling care internationally. To learn more about TONI&GUY visit http://toniguy.com/academy/beauty-schoolphoenix/default.aspx for information about their academies and locations.
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Style Image Studios Phoenix photography at it’s best! On the cover: Model/ Entrepreneur Summer Mineer,Owner of Pout in Pink Boutique (one of the biggest children’s boutique in AZ and nationwide). She is starting a women’s fashion line this fall as well.
About Stella
Stella Crowl, with Style Image Studios, is an award-winning photographer who specializes in fashion, pageant, and portrait photography. She currently shoots for publications such as Arizona Foothills Magazine, 202 Magazine, and Get Image Ready Magazine, as well as organizations which include Phoenix Fashion Week, Get Image Ready, and Arizona United States Pageants, and has just recently signed on with a few more pageant systems. She was born in North Carolina and traveled abroad all through her childhood with her military family, finally settling in Arizona. She is married to her college sweetheart of 12 years, with 2 girls and 1 boy. She is a full-time photographer, dance and pageant mom. 26
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In the spotlight with Debbie Jennings Mom... Model... Actor Darnell G. Davis www.EvoMag.co
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Evolution Magazine: Please take some time to tell our readers a little bit about yourself . Debbie: I grew up in Phoenix, AZ (where I still live!) My dad was a Police Officer and my mom was a stay-at-home mom to my younger sister and me. I was always a little salesperson to my neighbors; it was so funny. I sold everything from the tomatoes from our garden, to painted cigar boxes. I think they kept little jars of change by the front door, because every week, I came by wanting another 50 cents for something. I laugh at it now. I don’t know if I should go back and apologize or thank them for being so generous and nice to me all that time. I worked hard for my money, which enabled me to BUY things (2 lifelong habits – working hard and spending money). When I was 26, I had my one and only son. He will be 25 this summer, so you can do the math on my age. I had never really babysat much, so I didn’t know what to do with this little bundle God decided to bestow on me. Somehow, and very quickly, it seems, that little boy grew up. He served in the military, did a tour in Iraq, met his wife while he was serving, and is now a wonderful husband and father of 3 beautiful children. Yes, I am a grandmother. I absolutely love it. They live out of state and I miss them terribly. I visit 1 or 2 times a year, as my schedule allows. I am very proud of my son. He is such a sweet and awesome person. I am lucky to be his mom. I am a positive person. Ask literally anyone that knows me and they will tell you it’s true. I really don’t know why. It’s in my blood – it moves me. It POWERS me forward. I could write a book (and I will someday) on my life. I have had many years of incredibly bad luck and unfortunate major circumstances in my life. We all have, yes I get that. But if I were to address a crowd of people, I doubt they would actually believe what I would have to say. Most of them would think much differently of me, so I will just say this. Many years ago I was reading a book by the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, “The Power of Positive Thinking.” That book changed me. That, and therapy, of course. Haha. The most profound thing he said was “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it.” So basically, my happiness is up to ME. Happiness is a choice! I choose to be happy. Yes, we all have bad days and horrible things happen. But at the end of the day (or week, or month), I am happy. Choose to actively do the right thing with the 90%, and it will make a powerful difference in your life. Evolution Magazine: In one of our conversations, you mentioned why people find themselves not achieving the success they desire. Give our readers three habits that have pushed you toward your success goals. Debbie: Many people are inherently lazy and have the tendency to want others to do work for them. That will never work. You will never achieve success by depending on others to get you there. You must make your own success happen. Do the work and it will happen. Every day, I actively pursue and do things to make things happen in my life. It does not happen overnight, but you will see results over time. I do things every day that make me a more successful person. I work hard at it.
2) Be thankful and humble. One of the things I notice is that many people don’t take time to thank those who opened the doors and let them in. People who assisted in their life in some way, or perhaps gave them their big break after they worked hard for it. The ego gets in the way and people forget. Every step I take, I try to remember to be thankful and to keep my ego in check. This is very important. When an opportunity comes my way, I am so very thankful that my ego can’t possibly get too big. Attitude of gratitude! 3) Don’t listen to the naysayers. Make your own success, despite the odds and despite what anyone says about you. It’s all on YOU, and you CAN make it happen. People are negative and jealous and don’t want you to succeed. Maybe they just think you can’t do it. Don’t believe it for a second! You’re never too old or too poor, or too anything - you only have yourself to stop you. Don’t let others get in your way. Start small, but start somewhere. Your success starts with today! Go get it!!
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Evolution Magazine: As a habitual networker myself, I understand the importance of connecting with people wherever I go. How has networking assisted you in developing your business? Debbie: I can tell you that many years ago, before the world of social networking and computers, it was much harder to get any work done. All you had was the phone book! I believe what has made my acting and sales career so successful is the power of networking and the power of social media. I am all over the place! Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Stage 32, Model Mayhem, IMDb, you name it. There is no reason not to take advantage of these resources. People do not know who you are until you talk to them. I go to as many functions I can in my career field to get to know everyone I can. I post updates on my social media sites daily. I search resource directories and groups to find the people I want to get involved with, and I do all I can possibly fit into my calendar. The more people you can meet in your industry, the better. They will hire you, recommend you, and you get more work! Networking and social media go hand-inhand, and they create buzz! I have only been an actor for about two-and-a-half years, yet I have had more paid work than many of my colleagues in the same timeframe because of my hardhitting networking skills. It’s a daily effort. Go to the resume section of my IMDb page and take a look. It shows the results and power of getting yourself out there. I have also done my share of volunteer acting for the film school community, and taken the necessary acting classes to be at the top of my game. You have to always be training and learning new things. Never stop learning or networking!
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Evolution Magazine: You mentioned “The Power of Helping Others.” Tell our readers how helping others has helped you. Debbie: I used to think that Karma was a silly word, but it’s powerful. How do you feel when you have helped someone else? You feel AMAZING! Help out at a shelter or food bank and you feel thankful for what you have. Help at your church and feel blessed. Help someone who is a dollar or 2 short at the grocery store. Help your neighbor. If nothing else, you will feel great, and that’s a positive start to your day. What is your professional gift? Help another in your field succeed like you do – show them the steps. Volunteer to do the right thing for another who is seeking and searching and you will be rewarded tenfold. I have experienced this so many times. Every day, look for an opportunity to share your personal gifts, whatever they are with others, with nothing expected in return. The blessings are amazing because you feel incredible. If you feel incredible, you will achieve incredible things. This world is for all of us to share and be successful. If you have a giving heart, it will be given back to you. Smile at a child, God will smile back at you. Here are a few of the places you can find me: www.DebbieJennings.biz Twitter: @actressdeb www.facebook.com/DebbieJenningsActor http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4824944/
Thrive Public Relations
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Melissa
Evolution Magazine/ October 2013
M
elissa Ann Marie Farley is a film, theater and commercial actress and model currently working in the Phoenix, L.A. & Vegas markets. With more than a dozen short films under her belt, several feature films in distribution, working alongside Criss Angel and on popular networks such as CMT and HBO, Melissa has an insatiable appetite for the craft. Born and raised a Phoenix native, this summa cum laude graduate of ASU majored in Interdisciplinary Arts with an emphasis in media and performance and continued her education at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. When not on a film set this Italian fireball is a host on "This Guy/That Girl", a new kind of advice show, on the Cazador Radio Network. She also writes and conducts celebrity interviews for RUNWAY and she writes and conducts celebrity interviews for RUNWAY and Catwalk magazines as well hosts fashion commentary segments for RUNWAY TV. Melissa works full time as an Entertainment Producer for azcentral.com in addition to also running 17 hyper local websites and a blog network for AZCentral. She was also just recently brought on board to help manage the Filmstock Film Festivals with a presence in CO, UT, NM and AZ. For the last several years Melissa has co-run a green organization called Keep Arizona Beautiful and volunteers at various foundations and organizations for youth. You can read Melissa's weekly blog about the entertainment industry at http://MelissaAnnMarieFarley.com & follow her acting career at http://www.imdb.com/ name/nm4426539/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1. CONTACT INFO: Email: MelissaAnnMarieFarley@gmail.com Booking Info & Demo Reel: MelissaAnnMarieFarley.com IMDB: IMDb Melissa Farley Facebook: Facebook.com/ MelissaAnnMarieFarley Twitter: @MelFarleyActor Phone: 323-379-3228
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Raven
Raven is a native to Arizona, though she has traveled all over the world. She went into the United States Air Force at 18. She was stationed overseas for most of her enlistment. Raven immediately found a love for shooting and working out. She finished her term in the service and started going to school while working in Phoenix. One of her first jobs out of the service was for Mattel playing Barbie. She finished her undergraduate degree from Grand University. During the next few years, Raven continued doing promotions, movies, modeling, opened a small business, and started radio for KWSS. Raven’s true passion is interviewing celebrities, athletes and business owners. She was able to do interviews at Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night, which she loved. A year ago she began working on a local Television showed called Arizona Sports and Lifestyle, where she is able to do interviews in the Valley. Currently, she is on a nationwide tour for Dodge, driving and marketing vehicles. Raven will cover 25 cities in 25 weeks. When the tour ends, she will be launching her clothing and accessory line for women and children Photography by: Dave Kelley
Faith and
Fashion A men's fashion blog with God at the helm
by Tommy Tran
A Gentleman's Touch is a men's fashion blog dedicated to inspiring youth to be the best they can be. The way a man dresses says a lot about who he is, who he wants to be, and how he's feeling. This means that the first moment a potential employer sees a man, it will set the course of the job interview. On a first date, in the first moments that lucky lady lays eyes on you, what you wear represents who you are. When walking around in public, people notice well-dressed men.
The business of fashion is a nonstop battle to stay relevant. Every company out there is fighting for society's attention. High color contrast, trim to fit, fancy designs – every little variable is a part of a bigger equation to attract the public's eye. With such a competitive world of clothing, it's sometimes hard to keep up. Some of the guys from A Gentleman's Touch have some advice.
A Gentleman's Touch is on a mission to kill the word “swag” and replace it with “respect.” Respect for yourself, women, and the world around us. A Gentleman's Touch believes that, as men, we are called to lead by example. The way you dress is just the window through which the world views you. The way a man acts and how he treats people is what defines him.
How do you stay current in today's fashion world?
A Gentleman's Touch consists of five individuals: Geza Frey, Claus Larbie, KayJay Jones, Isaac Ampofo, and photographer Tommy Tran. Each young man brings different ideas to the table, as well as unique styles.
"High Fashion is expensive. Thrifting is a way to get good quality for good prices. Staying current is more about doing you, being how you feel in that moment, and then capturing it in the way your dress." -Isaac Ampofo
"This is your life; be who you want to be." -Tommy Tran Modeling. Clothing lines. Photography.
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Asking A Gentleman's Touch:
"I get a lot of influences and knowledge from Pinterest, GQ, men's fashion week, and vintage inspired, but all of that does not matter if you don't have your own unique style. You can either display art, or be the artist." -Claus Larbie
“I always try to keep my outfits fresh by different colors.” -Geza Frey “I always try and experimenting with different color -Geza Frey
y adding new accessories and experimenting with y to keep my outfits fresh by adding new accessories rs.�
Flash Mob Photography is a dedicated group of photographers that strive to take your special occasion and transform it into memories for generations to come. Founded with the joining of three photographers who each have the intense desire to produce amazing images, the Flash Mob has continued to grow to include photographers from across the country, all with varying talents, but the same goal: to capture your moments and create lasting memories. Flash Mob is available for all your needs. You can find out more about the Flash Mob by visiting their website at www.FlashMobPhotography.biz Wayne Salat Based Near: Philadelphia PA Current Project: Nuclear Family Series Harry Webb-Fish Based Near: Gettysburg PA Current Project: Landscapes Ramy Song Based Near: Lehigh Valley PA Current Project: Architecture
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It’s time to draw the a line in the sand against big-box retailers, fast-food franchises, chain stores and national brand restaurants
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Evolution Magazine: Please tell our readers a little bit about yourself. Jacque: I began practicing Yoga 16 years ago to balance out my long distance running. Being a competitive person, I really disliked it because it was SO HARD and I wasn't flexible. I stayed with it, though, for the 6-week session, and noticed after that short amount of time that I had gotten stronger. So I kept it up. After 2 years, I took a 40hour teacher training, just to learn more about Ashtanga, and from there, I kept at it, eventually getting my Registered Yoga Teacher certification. In 2006, I was looking for a full-time job, and decided to use part of my divorce settlement money to buy the studio I had been practicing at. I moved the studio to the current location in 2009, and it's been growing by leaps and bounds. The hardest year was 2008, when the economy took a big hit. I made it through with some belt tightening and optimism.
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Lehigh Valley
YOGA Evolution Magazine: Often enough we see that people find themselves not achieving the success they desire. Give our readers three habits that have pushed you toward your success goals. Jacque: Never make a decision based on FEAR. See yourself succeeding as you sit in meditation every day. Be passionate about your business, love everyone that walks in your door, and know that if you don't succeed in this endeavor, something else wonderful will open up. Evolution Magazine: You mentioned how Yoga can assist with building the entire man(woman). Tell our readers how helping others has helped you grow your business.
Jacque: Yoga is a mirror. You see your true self, your flaws, and your weaknesses, but also your potential and your strengths. Again, being passionate about what I'm offering people, believing in the life-transforming power of yoga is essential. I also practice DAILY. I'm always learning, studying, and growing in my own practice. I feel you must be authentic, or people won't respect you or your practice. Helping other people is what I love to do. I love everyone that walks in my door and see their potential and that they want to make a difference in their lives. One happy student = 10 + referrals.
Evolution Magazine: As an entrepreneur, you must constantly progress and develop your strategies. What are some of the ideas that are in development for you and LV Yoga? Jacque: Yoga classes taught in Spanish, Yoga for the Larger Body, Intro to Yoga for Men.
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1701 Union Blvd. Allentown, PA Phone: 610-776-2676
www.LVYogaStudio.com
www.NIATrainingAcademy.Net | Phone: (484) 597-6743
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
Restaurant Tips and Tricks To Keep Off The “Travel Pounds” Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC, FDN The Mojo Coach®
W
hile traveling often involves a change in our usual eating and exercise routine, one of the greatest reasons why we put on “travel pounds” is due to how we’re ordering our food and what we’re eating at different restaurants while away. Is there a simple way to navigate a restaurant menu? All it takes is a little education and as usual…a plan. Let’s start with a short lesson in menu reading. Certain words indicate a food choice is healthy and lean while other words indicate a food is loaded in fat, sugar and calories. What are some healthy menu words to look for when
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menu reading? Terms like baked, broiled, steamed, grilled, roasted, seasoned, poached, seared, and red sauce usually imply that the food is cooked with less fat. While these foods may still contain added fat in the form of oil, butter, and cream there is at least the potential for a leaner entrée when ordering foods with these descriptions. So if those are some of the words that indicate a leaner choice, what would be some menu words to watch out for? Words like fried, breaded, battered, crispy, cheesy, buttery, creamy, sautéed, stuffed, and white sauce are just a few. Descriptions like these indicate the food is high in fat and calories so if you’re choosing to order
foods with these descriptions, use your discretion and limit your portions. Now that you know some healthy and “red flag” words, what are some tips to use when ordering your meal? Here are a few ideas. • For a lighter meal, one option can be to order an appetizer (as long as it’s a healthy one) with a salad or two healthy appetizers instead of a high fat/ calorie entrée. • You can start with a clearbased soup or salad versus a cream based soup. • You can ask that the bread
Restaurant ordering doesn’t have to be a daunting and confusing task. It can be simple, delicious and enjoyable with some education and a few smart choices. basked not be put down on the table. If that’s not an option, make a rule about how much you’ll have before you go and stick to it! • At a buffet or salad bar, load up on the vegetables and watch out for high fat toppings and mixtures. • You can portion off half of the entrée and share it or pack it up for another meal. • You can use the opportunity to enjoy what the restaurant is known for; enjoying a small portion of those foods which are unique, interesting and symbolic of that restaurant while avoiding ordinary foods that you can have anywhere. • You can substitute fruit, salad or steamed vegetables in place of high fat side dishes • You can use condiments like ketchup, mustard, vinegar, lemon and salsa versus butter, sour cream, cheese or creamy sauces • You can ask for foods “dry” or with sauces on the side. • You can use the “fork trick” for your salad. Some of us have the best of intentions when ordering salad with a high fat dressing on the side yet by the end of the meal, they find they’ve used up most of the dressing. I always encourage using a salad dressing you love because salad is too important of a food to be turned off to by a poor tasting dressing. With the “fork trick” you can have a dressing that’s loaded without the damage! Here’s what you do: Instead of piercing the salad first then dipping it into the dressing try it in reverse! Dip the fork in the dressing first…then pierce the salad. You’ll still get the flavor you love without using nearly as much as if you did it the other way. I do this daily with my favorite salad dressing and one of the most high fat salad dressings there is-Thousand Island… and it’s worked for years!
So now that we’ve covered a few words to watch out for and some healthy ways to order, what are some behaviors to try so you can enjoy your meal guilt and weight gain free? • With food still left on your plate, you can casually add some salt, pepper or other seasoning that would make the entrée less appealing to you. • You can put your napkin on the plate indicating (even if it’s only to yourself ) that you’re done. • You can say something like “Wow that was great, I’m stuffed.” Making a public declaration like that or another you’re comfortable with may make you think twice about digging back in once again. • You can push your plate out of reach. • You can put the opposite ends of your utensils onto the plate. Now they’re unpleasant to pick up. • You can pay attention to things like: -The flavor, texture and aroma the food was designed to give. -The atmosphere and ambience of the restaurant.
-The conversations and connections with those you’re with. Being more mindful of your surroundings will help you feel more satisfied with less food. • When drinking alcohol, you can pre plan the amount you’ll have and stick to it! Remember, if you “fail to plan, then plan to fail!” • You can slow down! Put your fork down between bites, drink plenty of water to help pace yourself and enjoy heaping conversations versus heaping portions of food! One of the main reasons women don’t order foods healthfully is because they don’t want to inconvenience the waiter/waitress or bring attention to themselves. Remember, chances are the restaurant staff has heard your requests before. Also, if you don’t order a meal the way you’d like, the only person you’re really inconveniencing is yourself because you won’t feel proud of the choices you’ve made as well as the way those choices make your body look and feel. Restaurant ordering doesn’t have to be a daunting and confusing task. It can be simple, delicious and enjoyable with some education and a few smart choices. Enjoy!
Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC, FDN The Mojo Coach® Founder of www.TheMojoCoach. com is a weight loss, fitness, lifestyle, selfimprovement expert, speaker, spokesperson, author and THE secret behind some of the healthiest, most dynamic and successful people today. Sign up to receive videos, strategies, tips and resources to get you lean, fit, energized, healthy and happy! www.evomag.co
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When it comes to dating it is safe to say that it is not everyone’s favorite thing to do. But the truth is that it’s very similar to networking, with a couple of key differences. We all know that to be successful in business, you have to put yourself out there and meet new people. You don’t only go to one place to meet new people, but usually to many different networking events so that you can meet a variety of new people. The same holds true for dating: many tools need to be utilized. This includes letting your friends and families know that you are open to meeting someone new to date and getting out to many different types of events. One of the challenges of meeting someone at a networking event is how to transition from a business meeting to showing personal interest. The way to do this is by shifting gears a little and talking to them more like a friend, a bit playful. Lightly touch their arm when talking, smile and make eye contact a bit more than usual. Really paying attention to someone will make them feel special and create a more personal interaction. Singles events & joining a Meetup are great ways to meet other singles while usually doing something fun, such as a sport or a wine tasting.
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Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
The Business of Dating
Kimberly Petruska www.DatingAccessory.com It is important to realize that the way you THINK may be your largest obstacle. The reason for this is that many people compartmentalize when they will be open for finding someone. Such as when you are out for the evening with friends or at that one singles event. How often have you heard or said “I am so busy, how will I find the time?” The number one question I am asked is “Where are all the good, quality people to date?” The answer is everywhere and anywhere. There is not just one place between the hours of 5-7 that will have ALL the quality people; it doesn’t exist. So instead of waiting for that perfect time to present itself, you have to MAKE it happen. Yes, just like in business. So what exactly does this mean? The simple answer is to pay attention to who is around you while you go about your normal day and SMILE! When you see someone that “catches your eye” you can simply give a genuine compliment about something you noticed, such as their smile, or ask them a question. When in doubt, you can ask for the nearest coffee shop or the best ice cream close by. These are simple ways to start a conversation that you can use for anyone including that unbelievably attractive person standing over there. Dating should be fun and the more you think that it will be, the more it will be!
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