Young Entrepreneurs

I had the privilege of speaking to a group of young entrepreneurs today as part of the E CITY program –

Entrepreneurship:
Connecting, Inspiring & Teaching Youth

I really wish I would have had access to a program like this when I was in high school. When I entered the classroom, the kids were playing with Legos (these are 9^th and 10^th graders). I asked them what they were doing, and they responded that they were building a product model, with each colored Lego (component) being worth a different price value. Clever, I thought. I never learned that lesson !

While I was putting together my little talk, I realized some things about myself and my business, and about being an entrepreneur in general.

Some things about me:

- I wanted to have my own business since the summer I turned 7 – it was to be a flower shop downtown. Perhaps I was watching too much Three’s Company at the time. (Janet worked in a flower shop) I just think I wanted to be the boss. No surprise, if you know my personality. I even started making a logo and marketing materials – even though I didn’t know what those terms meant. I never stopped to think that I was only GOING INTO SECOND GRADE and probably wouldn't be legally able to incorporate for another couple of years :) But I think it proves that I am a natural entrepreneur. And I want to be the boss.

- I went to college with a purpose, but had to adapt and change course – from the sciences to a liberal arts focus.

- I was never a fan of school. In my life, K through college existed merely as a springboard from which I could start doing my own thing.

- I also was terrible working in a corporate job – although I’m sure it was just the wrong one for me. I need creativity and autonomy. Working in the insurance field was like a prison sentence for a free spirit like me.

And here are a few concepts I was able to share with them as I started my business and watched it flourish:

- My specialty is marketing. I can outmarket anyone. Media placements are really important to any business since people tend to believe them more than an advertisement or a pay-for-placement article.

- Always be engaged in learning. It’s not enough to do what you do extremely well. Become a student of the game – read books on business, marketing, finance, positioning, etc.

- Surround yourself with people who best reflect your qualities and those who you admire. Stay away from people who are negative and untrustworthy. Maintain your integrity.

- Get involved in trade associations so you can watch your industry both locally and on a larger scale.

- Know people in the media – I happened upon a copy of the Plain Dealer when I walked in. Today is Style Section day (yay!) and I mentioned I know style editor Kim Crow, pictured prominently on the front page.

- Duplicate yourself. Teach someone what you know so they can work for you and take over one day down the road.

- Be a great networker. I mentioned that no one would ever know from my high school and college days that I would be the networking queen that I am now. Someone asked me how I did that (really good question). I said that my sense of purpose and belief in what I do is so great that it propels me to do things I wouldn’t normally do. In school, I had no purpose, other than to get out as soon as I could.

- Develop bartering relationships – exchange goods and services in mutually beneficial ways with other businesses.

- Be an opportunist – in a good way. Look for things you can contribute to. Don’t be afraid to exploit a niche no one else is working in, or figure out how to do what is already being done better or more efficiently.

- Be a leader! If you see something is needed and no one else is doing it, don't be afraid to do it yourself.

– Always give back - volunteer your time and energy to both charitable institutions and when you’re successful enough, help to teach the next generation of entrepreneurs.

- Write out your 6 month, 1 year, 2 year, and 5 year goals. (I told them mine, which are quite far-reaching. I think they were impressed)

LisaMarie's Oscar Rebuttal

The lovely Ms. LisaMarie Luccioni had a couple of challenges for my Oscar fashion review. Here is her response:

Nooooooooooooooooooo.....Penelope Cruz looked bee-yoo-ti-ful.....

Reese! Looked glorious (if I had the body, that's what I would have worn...but then again, I have an affinity for more classic, bordering-on-boring sort of looks). But I just love her in general.

Meryl Streep. What the ??? I've seen her look good. Don't know what happened last night.

Jennifer Hudson. Totally agree. Absolutely.

Cate Blanchett. That body. That face. Striking, not regular "pretty". Plus she kicks...well you know...in talent.

I love Nicole! I love Nicole! I want to be Nicole!

***

For the record, the red carpet fashion maven and her daughter (Joan & Melissa Rivers) agree with you, LML! KK is still seen as a renegade in Oscar fashion circles....

Back to Yoga

It has really been too long since I have had a good yoga workout by myself. I’m trying to prime my body for a return date with Brenda the Yoga Nazi at Fitworks. Just jumping back into one of her classes is not an option since they are killer. It’s the equivalent of a yoga bootcamp twice a week. Not for the faint of heart by any means. Brenda's classes are a combination of ashtanga and vinyasa (flow) yoga. Not just your average power yoga, which is challenging enough for some people.

Before I start twisting myself up in all kinds of weird positions, I need to get my muscles back in gear. I didn’t realize I was so stiff. I may take a couple week’s worth of classes from a less difficult instructor in addition to practicing at home, just to ease myself back in.

In the past, I really got in great shape through yoga. I felt fabulous and had killer triceps. I want to get back to that point by May. I figure that putting it in writing and putting a date on it will make my resolve that much greater.

Killer triceps, here I come!

2007 Academy Awards Fashion

Okay, it’s the Monday afternoon after the Oscars and I have already been asked a dozen times what I thought of the last night's Oscar fashions.

It’s not as fun as it used to be to bash the stars on the red carpet thanks to Joan Rivers. But we can all still have our faves and least faves. There were a lot of beautiful dresses out there and very few horrible ones (thankfully!)

I could be catty like Joan, but instead, I choose to channel my inner Statler and Waldorf.

Onto the Oscar Night Fashions!

The Awful Dress Awards:

1) Penelope Cruz – just too much going on here. I also had a feeling, true or not, that this Versace dress would shed like a hairy dog.

2) Beyonce looked like she was attending a cotillion. I have never seen her use the “less is more” adage. Maybe she should.

3) Best Supporting Actress winner Jennifer Hudson in Oscar de la Renta. I think she was nervous and putting her hands in the pockets wasn’t the best way to show off the lines of the dress. The color didn’t pop on her and what was up with that wacky jacket? It looked like an afterthought because she didn’t want to show her shoulders.

4) I hated this Chanel dress Kirsten Dunst wore. I hated the bangs and the dark red vampy lipstick. A loser all around.

5) Anne Hathaway’s giant bow distracted from how beautiful she is, and the antique lace of the gown was really dated. Felt to me like an Oscar dress from the 70’s. Not something a bright young star should be wearing.

6) While the dress Jennifer Lopez wore was gorgeous, I’m not sure it was the best choice for her. Graciously curvy, the draping and flowing fabric made her seem larger than she is, and threatens to start more pregnancy rumors. It would have better flattered one of those stick-thin actresses.

7) Jada Pinkett-Smith – usually one of my red carpet favorites, this dress reminded me of an Oscar itself, and also of that golden torso shield choreographer Debbie Allen wore many years ago. Jada knows her body, knows what makes her look great, and this was a rare misstep. But, her son was super cute, so that (slightly) redeems her.

The Best of the Best:

1) Perennial favorite Nicole Kidman – Helen Mirren may be The Queen, but Nicole is the undisputed queen of the red carpet. Never a misstep, and this gown didn’t disappoint. Wow! (It also doesn’t hurt that she has the perfect body to show off her clothes to the maximum advantage.

2) Cate Blanchett is one of my favorite actresses and is coming into her own as a style icon. She seems to have an innate sense of what looks good and more importantly, what looks good on her. She favors understated looks with a little bit of bling. This pewter dress was a bit of a risk, but looked spectacular.

3) The midnight blue of this gown beautifully balanced Maggie Gyllenhaal’s alabaster skin and dark hair. The lines were perfect. Can you believe she just had a baby?

4) Kate Winset’s mint green Grecian dress was a winner. After 5 nominations, she better know how to dress for the Oscars! One of the finest actresses today, I’m sure her award is coming!

The Better Bad than Boring Awards go to….

1) Reese! The dress is pretty enough, but YAWN!

2) Rachel Weisz – Yes, pretty, but completely expected on the red carpet.

3) Naomi Watts – a version of what we’ve seen her in a number of times. We get it, Naomi, you like feminine and flowy! Give us something a little different next time.

And now, the Just Yucky Awards!

1) What was Meryl wearing around her neck? Didn’t she learn anything by playing the editor of a fashion magazine?

2) Elisabeth Shue’s big hair was too much for that high, cluttered neckline.

3) Please be blonde again, Cameron!!!

And finally,

The two dresses I absolutely loved. They were contemporary and still appropriate for the Academy Awards. They weren’t in the traditional Oscar mold, but they were equally fabulous.

Jessica Biel (lt.) and Celine Dion

It’s a Mod, Mod World for Spring

Snooping around the stores, I was surprised what’s coming in for spring. Where did these 60’s- inspired mod dresses and tops come from? Not that I am complaining – I love flowy, soft geometrics – but I just didn’t anticipate it. I’m not a trend junkie, but I was expecting menswear-inspired looks to dominate for spring.

So, my thought is this: COOL!

Mondrian-inspired color blocking seems to be back as well. I will avoid that and focus on the gorgeous soft prints that I always love.

There are also some fabulous shoes out there right now. This seems to be an “anything goes” shoe season with different styles, heel heights, and various heel shapes – wedges, chunky, platforms, stilettos, etc.

Flats are also going to be huge, but I am a heel girl, so flats won’t be in my rotation!

I am totally excited to do some serious shopping!

Fashion Pirates

I must be joining Miss Britney in the deep end - although I assure you I could never be as terminally stupid.

My style newsletter's theme for March is pirates. Yes, PIRATES. I watched the second Pirates of the Caribbean movie and I was dangerously inspired. So I built a newsletter around the idea of shopping for buried treasure.

I mean, who doesn’t love Capt. Jack Sparrow???

Thankfully, my stylish first mates (and co-writers) Wendy and Kelly are happy to go along with all of my crazy ideas.

Hey, at least I’m not boring. That would suck.

Plus it gives me an excuse to put a pic of Johnny Depp in my blog and to drink rum for the month of March! Coconut rum & Coke – one of my faves!

For those of you keeping track for Spring ’07:

What’s Hot: Eye patches, parrots, and pillaging

What’s Not: Peg legs and walking the plank

Yes, I know that's not a parrot >
It's a macaw. Duh.

You can register for my newsletter here.

Doing My Part to Save Britney

Just a little friendly advice for Ms. Spears:

I know you have been changing your hair color daily for the last couple of months since the divorce was announced. Brown, blonde, black - it takes a toll, doesn’t it? I’m sure your hair felt like straw. But you needn't take such drastic measures!!

Please allow me to make a suggestion
before you grab the electric clippers next time:

Run to your local Wal Mart and pick up an Alberto V05 Hot Oil Treatment.

All it takes is a little hot oil and no one will think you’ve finally slipped off the deep end.

The Yin & Yang of KK

I have always had a challenge because of the dichotomy of my personality. I seem to be complete yin and yang. Every one of my personality traits has its own inherent contradictory aspect. What’s up with that?

It is something I have had to learn to live with, and have even learned to embrace. And like everything else, I have learned to incorporate it into my personal style. It’s all about becoming comfortable about who you are.

So many people I see are lacking a healthy sense of self for some reason – they may have low self-confidence, see themselves in only one specific role (mother, caregiver, wife, etc), or they may mimic elements of others’ personalities or style because their own sense of these is underdeveloped.

It’s all about knowing who you are on the inside. Where is your inner beauty? What makes you unique in this world?

By this time in my life, I finally have a good idea of who I am, although I still have no idea where some of these personality traits came from:

* I write dress codes and teach conformity at major corporations, but am still a big proponent of “if it feels right, by all means, do it”.

* I am extremely aggressive, yet always diplomatic and accommodating.

* I am a high-level extravert, who enjoys being alone just as much as being in a crowd.

* I am straight-laced, but make no effort to hide my quirkiness.

* I have a prim and proper exterior and a subversive sense of humor that only my friends are privy to.

Instead of hiding or changing the things that make me unique, I celebrate them. It has taken some courage to do this, but every day, my style evolves as I come up with new ways to let the real me shine through.

Some ways I do this is to celebrate the yin and yang that is me:

I will wear something truly unexpected with something completely unadventurous, like a black suit with like a hot pink tank and hot pink leopard pumps.

I always wear a conversation piece – usually it is an interesting necklace. Or an over-the-top pair of shoes. Or a less-than-average bag. Usually just one of the above will do. The conservative side of my personality prevents accessory overkill.

I try not to match. Yes, that’s right. When I first started out as an image consultant, everything matched. In fact, it was too matchy-matchy. As I have evolved my own version of myself, I make sure that everything I wear works together flawlessly, but matching is not quite as important.

I wear unusual color combinations. Once-upon-a-time monochromatic dressing was soooo me. Now, it’s more a matter of creating visual interest and stretching the acceptable limits by being both conservative and outlandish. It’s not easy, but it sure is rewarding.

I mix patterns. I will pair a striped pair of pants with a print shirt and by following a certain set of rules, it looks fabulous. Really!

I think it is so important to infuse your personal style with elements of your personality – no matter who you are or what you do. It’s all a part of living your style and being an authentic and self-actualized human being. Being comfortable in your own skin cannot help but breed confidence and self-acceptance. When one feels good about oneself, the possibilities are endless.

The Other Side of the Mirror*

Last night, I avoided a serious yet potentially funny fashion misstep.

I was getting ready to attend a big event. I wanted to look chic in all black - an unconstructed skirt, V-neck top, fishnets, and tall boots. I was going to carry a red patent clutch for an accent. But - I looked at myself in the mirror and realized-

I LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE STEVIE NICKS CIRCA 1984

Maybe I reminded myself of the video for ‘Gypsy’.

Or was it the one with Tom Petty??

*Stevie Nicks album from 1989. I looked it up.

Little Miss Sunshine

I am super mega ready for nice weather. As I sit here watching the snow from my window, I want to see sunshine and blue skies and green. Obviously, I live in the wrong part of the country to expect that in February. Well, one day, I will probably split my time between San Diego and Cleveland. But right now, unless I want to book myself on a plane to somewhere else, this is what I have to deal with. Cold and snow and yuk.

Around this time of year, I always get an itch for summer. I would think this should come in March or even April, right? But no, I wish for summer every year when I just can’t take winter anymore. And that is right now - February 13^th at 12:30pm. I wish it would go away.

If I could predict it, I could book myself on a trip out of here for a week in the warm weather. But I have no idea when it’s going to strike, and it does so without warning.

I want 75 degrees and sunshine NOW. Is that too much to ask?

I make summer resolutions every year. Maybe it will make me feel better to share two of mine for this summer:

1) Wear more dresses. Dresses are festive and fun. I relate them to parties. I want to have a fun summer that is full of parties. Therefore, I will wear more dresses. I am such a girl, huh?

2) Wear brighter lipstick/lipgloss. I was watching Legally Blonde the other day and was inspired by Elle's pinky coral lipstick. I don't usually wear bright lipstick, so this will be a little adventurous for me. Will look good with a Mystic Tan, not pasty white like I am now.

Cleveland Fashionista: An Oxymoron?

I thought this was quite funny this past week when I was at a meeting downtown. The person I was meeting with expected me to be in New York at Fashion Week. I had to laugh out loud.

To people in my circle, I’m known as the ‘fashionista’ or ‘style maven’. I’ve even been called such in a few articles. I think it’s hilarious. We should all remember that Cleveland is a very small world and to be a fashionista here does not equate to being one in the rest of the galaxy. If I had attended Fashion Week, I would have undoubtedly dressed in a trendier version of my own style, but I still would have looked small-time compared to the REAL fashionistas of the world.

So I started thinking - what does it mean to be a Cleveland Fashionista? Is there such a thing? And if there is, how do you define one? Here is my attempt!

1) She bases her wardrobe choices on common sense, more than anything else. She wishes to stand out NOT because she is dressed like she’s right off a runway at Bryant Park, but because she knows how to pull together a creative yet sensible outfit flawlessly. Other women can look to her for style inspiration.

2) She is aware that Cleveland is not New York, Paris or Milan. She stays up on what’s happening in the world of fashion, but doesn’t feel the need to emulate it directly, for fear of looking completely out of place. She picks and chooses the trends she wears, based on her own personal aesthetic. She knows what looks good on her. And she avoids the things that don’t.

3) She dresses for the weather. Sense wins out every time in a climate like Cleveland’s. She may buy a sexy little jacket, but it may be velvet or even fine-wale corduroy because those have a better chance of keeping her warm! She knows that while turtlenecks are going to be big for Fall ’07, they are always big in Cleveland. Brrrr!

(Still, winter after winter, this Cleveland Fashionista doesn’t learn and still wears high heel boots when the sidewalks are icy. She chalks it up to bravery. She risks life and limb because she WILL NOT be seen in a pair of Uggs. )

4) She knows that those who are consciously mega-trendy are the real fashion victims. They attempt to follow a pack they can’t compete with – the celebs and socialites of the world. A Cleveland Fashionista understands her place in the fashion universe. She knows that being stylish is of primary importance. She realizes that trends spice things up and make life fun – but she doesn’t base every purchase on what the New York glitterati or celebrities in Hollywood are wearing.

5) She has a blue-collar style ethic. She spends her clothing dollars wisely. She invests in the classics and cautiously follows trends. She doesn’t feel guilty for the occasional splurge on an item she absolutely loves. After all, fashion is a guilty pleasure. She is not shy about sometimes shopping at off-price retailers and even brags about the deals she gets.

Her style may be on the conservative side, but with a definite edge, whether it is sexy, artsy, or even a little over-the top. She is not into labels so much as what makes her look and feel her best.

***

While “Cleveland Fashionista” may be an oxymoron, there is no dichotomy in being a “Stylish Clevelander”. There is a lot of style in Cleveland! Get out there and be inspired!!

Thank You, Newsweek

The impact of celeb party girls Paris, Brit, and Lindsay on the mental and social development of ‘tweens and teens has been a longtime concern of mine. What kind of influence are these obviously misguided young women having on young females? And how much should we be concerned about it?

I just finished reading Newsweek’s exceptional cover article “Girls Gone Bad”, which looks in-depth at the how the stumblings and bumblings of the “Brit Pack” are affecting our young women. Are they viewed as idols to worship? Or are they seen for what they really are - mere tabloid fodder - even to those more impressionable minds?

The result, surprisingly, is a number of positive statistics and insights from experts. Thanks, Newsweek, for taking on this subject. Instead of the “doom and gloom” outlook I expected, there are a lot of ways this country’s young women are heading in the right direction, despite the glaringly bad influences seen in the media on a daily basis.

Here are a few key points the article made and a couple of quotes I thought were eye-opening:

- A Newsweek poll found that 77 percent of Americans believe that Britney, Paris and Lindsay have too much influence on young girls.

- Experts say attentive parents, strong teachers and nice friends are an excellent counterbalance to our increasingly sleazy culture. (Yes!)

- It's a great time to be a girl: women are excelling more than ever in sports, academics and in the job market.

- While celebrity idols stumble in and out of rehab, the rates of drinking, smoking and overall drug use among teenage girls have declined in recent years, says the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan.

- "It creates a general sense that life is about being crazy, being kooky, having fun...," says Christian Smith, professor of sociology at Notre Dame. But the really insidious consequence is that teenagers often consider themselves immune to these influences. "They don't have enough perspective on how they are being formed by the world around them—and when they don't realize it, it can be more powerful," he says.

***

Some things to keep in mind the next time we see one of them in the media for some some ridiculous antics or publicity stunt. Let's hope Newsweek is right....

Growing It Out

I am not one to complain about my hair very often. It’s not my best feature, and not my worst. It’s just kind of there. I am a low maintenance hair girl most of the time. I don’t usually like to mess around with it. When I’m home, the top is clipped back and outta my face. When I go out, I either blow it out or set it with Velcro rollers if I want to give it extra body.

Right now, though, I am in an in-between stage between the cut I had over the summer, which was the shortest it has ever been, and where I want it to go, which is a long, layered bob.

But this in-between stage is killing me.

This Saturday will be 8 weeks since my last trim. The longest I usually wait is 5 weeks. The ends are dry and broken from blow drying. And I have another week to wait before I get it cut.

I’m spacing out the trims even more because it needs more time to grow. I am looking forward to longer locks for summer, but this spring is going to be a challenge. I can sense it already.

I sent a whiny email to LisaMarie last night and she sent back some encouraging words, which I can always expect from her – even on something as trifling as my straw-like golden locks.

Thanks, LML!! My hair and I needed that!!

You can always rely on your friends to coddle you in times of inconsequential griping.

Fishnets: Not just for streetwalkers anymore!

I have found myself in a strange predicament this winter. I have been wearing skirts with tall boots a lot when I go out. I either don’t want to wear standard tights for whatever reason or can’t find the right shade to blend my hemline with my boot.

The unexpected solution to this dilemma has been fishnet tights. I’ve bought standard black, several shades of brown, and even khaki. They have been a true revelation for me. When nothing else seems to work – pantyhose are out for casualwear, of course, and when tights don’t seem to cut it, opting for a pair of small-patterned fishnet tights has been the answer.

They don’t have to match your skirt or boot precisely but they should work to blend the two together so that your legs are covered and they don’t attract unwanted attention. Think of them more as a finishing point (working in unison with the other pieces you’re wearing to complete your outfit) than as focal point to draw the eye to your legs.

When opting for fishnet tights as a wisely-chosen fashion accessory, here are a few pointers:

1. They work best with a skirt cut just above the knee

2. Wear a knee-high boot - never pair them with pumps or risk looking too provocative

3. If your outfit is “busy”, don’t opt for fishnets – the more basic the outfit, the better

4. The smaller the fishnet pattern, the more appropriate they will look

5. Try to match your hemline color as well as possible for a seamless transition

(Speaking of seamless, make sure they don’t have a seam up the back – that is never a tasteful choice – and don’t select thigh-hi's for obvious reasons!)

Am I the only person who when they think of fishnets thinks of this???