Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh at Yourself...
Posted by Unknown at 8:45 PM
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A New First: My Workshop Series Launch!
Posted by Unknown at 2:29 PM
Hello and welcome to my blog!
For my friends, mentors and colleagues- I know an e-tour isn't necessary, but for the first time visitors- welcome to my personal blog, where my random musings are totally appropriate and writing like you talk is...okay;). Believe it or not, I have a life outside of Medley Inc.- one that is often humbling, always unpredictable and incredibly driven by passion and curiosity. All of which are shared, celebrated and reflected upon right here.
Clients and friends have always suggested that we (Medley Inc.) host webinars, seminars and major training courses. While I've always contemplated the idea, it just never seemed like a good fit...for two reasons:
1. We spend the bulk of our time (as a team) actually maintaining our clients social media and PR campaigns, many who have no desire or time to learn what we do.
2. While I can handle TV, group discussions and good old Houston socializing- I'm hugely intimated by large groups...and my few experiences with webinars have been too risky. Yes, I'm a digital gal- but technology fails and my nerves do somersaults when it does:(.
I've found that my greatest success stories, as it relates to trainings have been my one on one social media sessions with other entrepreneurs. Often times, a new business owner will reach out and just want to know why they should be using social media and how to use it effectively. They usually have the time to maintain their social personalities on their own, and are not yet at a point that hiring a business like Medley makes sense.
And thus, we arrive at "Brain Candy for Biz." My first workshop series, and a new venture that I'm pretty excited to offer other entrepreneurs and the newly web curious. The classes are limited to only 8-15 participants, so I can dive right in and get to know each person individually. As always, I appreciate your feedback- so please tell me what you could benefit from most at a future workshop.
Thanks for all that do! Click here to learn more and get your ticket!
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[VIDEO] Facebook Timeline Explained on Local News KHOU
Posted by Unknown at 8:46 AM
via KHOU.com
HOUSTON—Whether you like it or not, Facebook is rolling out a new timeline on March 30 and it will affect every user.
While most Facebook users don’t like the change, the new timeline is a new way to show off your page and will actually be groundbreaking for businesses.
Social media analyst Ashley Small gives explains what it’s all about!
For the newbies, here are some basic terms to know:
- Cover photo- the large photo at the top of your timeline, right above your profile picture.
- Timeline- your collection of the photos, stories and experiences that tell your story.
- Pin- a picture, update, video or link that you’ve selected to have prominent placement on your page.
- Highlight- a picture, update, video or link that spans across your page.
- Share- repost content to share with your friends.
- Tag- hyperlinked mentions of friends, organizations or brands. A tag links a person, page, or place to something you post, like a status update or a photo.
Have questions? Please tweet to me at @ashleyrsmall or email me at info@medley-inc.com.
Personal Branding: Living on The Edge with American Apparel
Posted by Unknown at 11:47 AM
Last week, I tagged along with my hubs for SXSW where he was working and I was (to my relief) just enjoying the ride. It was a pretty awesome experience, dabbling into the world of hip-hop with the likes of Nas, Ace Hood and Scarface. For sure, an extreme contrast with how I perceive my personal brand- but fun.
As always, the most random opportunities seem to present themselves at the right time (winking at the man above). Often times I decline, being that I know there's a stigma attached to the modern day PR girl. I blame Samantha from Sex and the City;). This job is not even 75% glamorous and managing your own reputation is equally as important as managing your clients. That said, when I was asked to model for an upcoming campaign by an American Apparel rep during SXSW, I immediately became suspicious.
"Why me, where do the pics go, do I get paid, are the pics going to be racy? Oh, I run my own business, so I really don't do any modeling...ha!" These are the thoughts and questions that surrounded my brain. Looking back, not sure what I said in my nervous attempt to digest the opportunity. But I do remember her stating that I was 1 of only 3 girls chosen during SXSW and it was a paid gig, and I was able to keep the clothes...."Ummm, where do I sign."
As an excessive consumer of American Apparel products, and an admirer of their marketing- I couldn't resist the opportunity. Plus, I understood that they are quite possibly working towards diversifying their market...I'm never mad at brands that support brown girls with kinky hair.
While the pics were indeed more racy than I would typically subject myself too, I actually walked away feeling liberated and confident. My teeny, tiny frame is usually hidden under layers, of flowy, vintage pieces and in urban communities thin is never in. With American Apparel, I found an opportunity to align myself with a major, global brand and introduce my e-friends, real friends and family to a side of me that is probably refreshing. I DO know how to "clock out and get loose" as my hubs would say...
As we all know, nothing is ever guaranteed until it goes to print, yet I feel like the highlight has already taken shape. In less than 24 hours I realized that PR girls can in fact model, party and embrace the stereotype a bit- without loosing credibility. The key is to "Align yourself with greatness," as stated by one of my BFF's, Andie. I expressed to her that God keeps presenting these very public opportunities to me, and I'm just curious to know why? Not questioning his decisions...but literally wondering what's the bigger picture. Curious.
Andie said, "It's because you align yourself with greatness." That's an amazing compliment to my friends, family, clients, mentors and colleagues, and one that I plan to fully digest. Thank you all for the social media luv, now go out and live on the edge a bit!
1 Year of No Shopping= My Best Year Yet
Posted by Unknown at 10:51 AM
Who knew?
The success of the company this year, is a result of so much more than just my goal to not shop- but I'd be lying if I said it didn't enhance my world a bit.
And now I have no desire to shop or spend my money on frivolous things. A guilty pleasure, form of therapy, desire to spoil myself through retail- no longer exists. Now I've learned to be fulfilled. Simply fulfilled.
Here's a recap of how it went down and my lessons learned:
1. It all started as a result of an amazing collection of vintage pieces that once belonged to my great grandmother. I think she'd be pretty excited about her first appearance on a national TV show...watch here:
2. For the first time, I attended Mercedez Benz Fashion Week in New York, on behalf of Status Management Group with Kevin Jeffries. HE is everything and a major blessing....there are some people who promise to invest in your career and your future. And there are others who just do. He is the latter.
See how I stretched my wardrobe at MBFW here: UPDATE: Life as a Non-Consumer...Not Even During Fashion Week.
3. Overall, the challenge allowed me to awaken my sense of fashion....which I had no clue even existed. Here's an archive of my posts, documenting the journey and a photo collage of some of my favorite looks:
Archives:
December 2010- When Being a Compulsive Shopper Becomes a Drag...
February 2011- No Longer a Victim...of Retail Therapy
June 2011- Update: Life as a Non-Consumer
September 2011- UPDATE: Life as a Non-Consumer...Not Even During Fashion Week
My biggest take-aways from 2011 are...
1. Goal- setting is cool...especially when you stubbornly and aggressively pursue them.
2. Kindness always wins. Sometimes it's just not worth the battle, often times the kinder person wins.
3. Take yourself seriously. Or no one else will...this was my year of looking insecurity right in the eye.
4. Manage expectations. This has pretty much been my mantra for the entire year. I learned to say "No," a lot more often, and I candidly advised others to, "Just tell me no," if they feel too pressured to commit.
5. Love and faith. The two things that I hope will never change as the years go by. When I look back at what counted most over the past year, it's being surrounded by love and having unwavering faith.
Thanks for reading friends! Know that there's always something to smile about, and that challenging yourself can open up entirely new chapters of your life. Until 2012....;)!
"Megan's Bracelet" Epilepsy Awareness Month
Posted by Unknown at 1:56 PM
Hello Lovelies,
November is a very special month and I hope you will support this cause that means so much to me. My best friend, Megan Ford, was diagnosed with Epilepsy this past summer and it has completely changed her life at the age of 25. Through her struggles I have learned there is not much education out there about Epilepsy and many misconceptions about how it affects the every day lives of many people.
November is Epilepsy Awareness month so I want to do my part to help education the masses and donate to the research. The color for Epilepsy Awareness month is Purple so for the month of November P.S. You’re Lovely will have some special pieces and $5 for each purchase will go to Epilepsy Research in honor of Megan Ford.
Throughout the month I will post information about Epilepsy, Megan’s personal story, and different pieces that you can purchase to support the cause. An "Epilepsy Awareness Month" page has been added to the blog where the pieces will be showcased.
Megan's post: I Have Epilepsy.
Take the "Get Seizure Smart" Quiz today and start educating yourself TODAY!
Blissfully,
P.S. You're Lovely
Check out the ETSY shop
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Support the Girls and Knockout Breast Cancer with Wacoal
Posted by Unknown at 4:26 PM
(Fit Specialist, Deborah Lamica and I)
1. A yearly bra fitting is a must. Shame on me for underestimating "The Girls." Discovered that I needed to go up a few sizes and felt relieved to know that these back pains weren't simply a result of bad posture. Apparently, I have a small back so extra support is needed, especially since I spend at least 12 hours a day hunched over the computer.
2. Get a fitting = Support Breast Cancer Awareness. When you attend a Fit for the Cure event in your area and get a bra fitting, Wacoal will donate $2 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Also for any purchase made during the event, $2 of the purchase will also be donated to Susan G. Komen.
Fit for the Cure is a series of events held at department stores across the nation such as Macy's and Dillards. Click here to see when the next event is happening in your city.
Below are additional pics from the event as well as a few facts on how Wacoal has impacted Breast Cancer Awareness through their community-based programs.
To date, Wacoal has:
- Donated more than $2.7 million to
Susan G. Komen for the Cure® - Held 10,397 Fit for the Cure events
- Fit over 507,242 women
Special thanks to Dee Brown of Morning Cup of Style for introducing me to the brand;).