My childhood was horrible to say the least. I was constantly being kicked out by my parents from as young as 4 years old. They were horrible parents. The only adult in my life I could trust and count on was my Nana. She was always there for me whenever I needed her.
2. What drew your interest to writing books?
I always had an interest in writing. When I was 9 years old, my school submitted a poem I had written to a competition, and I won a publication in a poetry book. I started writing books after taking over the Solaran Faith. It was a way to publish the beliefs of the faith and get it seen by hundreds of people.
3. How did you become involved with the Solaran faith?
I have always been fascinated by religion, going from Christianity, to Wicca and others. But in 2007, when a friend told me about a religion that he had heard of, I was instantly intrigued. I went along to a meeting in Macclesfield forest, and I knew that it was the religion for me.
4. What do you tell people when they ask what the Solaran faith is all about?
I often get asked about it on the spot, and I can't think of a response because I can't summarize seventeen years of doctrine in the few minutes they expect me to talk to about it. But now, I give them the basics of it; we believe that the goddess Solara inhabits a separate realm or universe. She was a higher being that existed alone in a realm she had power over. She began to change things to suit herself. Over time she created life in her realm. That life would worship her and help her to create more life.
5. Is there anything else in particular that you'd like readers to know about you and your work?
I am currently working on a new novel called Mage of Magic. It is about an orphaned boy who rises to become a hero Sorcerer of a fantasy world called Valusia. I'm hoping to release the book in December on Amazon and wattpad for free.
Jamell Crouthers is a poet and writer who creates thought-provoking content about different aspects of life. His goal is to write poetry books on societal issues that we all face in today's age. Through writing poetry, he says, "it is an easy read for others, and it's a gateway to getting inside of my mind and how I write."
1. How did you first get started with writing poetry, and who are some poets whose work inspires you?
I got started with poetry when I was 13 years old. I wrote about life and thoughts that I had going on in my mind. As I got older, I wrote about my life experiences, love, and family. It wasn't until my 30s where I started writing about societal issues and more serious things regarding life.
A lot of the poets I follow on Instagram inspire me to write. Their poems relate to some life experiences I've been through. They give me a lot of ideas to write different things, too. I don't want to say names or anything, but I appreciate their work and self-expression through poetry. It takes a lot to share your thoughts and be vulnerable these days.
2. Why do you see poetry as the way to communicate your stories and ideas, rather than prose?
I see poetry as a way of self-expression. It's a lot of formulated thoughts all put onto a piece of paper. I find writing poetry and reading it as an experience that the reader will feel.
3. What's your process like for determining what goes into the manuscript of a book that you intend to publish?
I spend a lot of time brainstorming. I write everything down. I have a blue book with pens with me at all times. It's writing out chapters, developing the character I'm going to write about and thinking of a storyline for each character. I observe the world. I have a quiet personality at times, and that's where I'm thinking. I also talk to people and listen to their experiences. Listening to music gives me ideas too.
4. In sharing your work both in book form and through social media, do you get a lot of responses from readers?
With the readers that have read my books, I get a lot of wow responses and a lot of emotional responses from readers. It's an emotional rollercoaster for readers who read my books, and that's my goal. I like to create imagery and make people emote. I've had a reader tell me that she cried reading my book: that's when I knew I had them drawn in.
5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your writing?
I would definitely like to let readers know that my books are different. They deal with a lot of societal issues head on, and there is a lot of emotion that comes from the characters I've created. While it is fictional, these are characters that will relate to you in some way or they will relate to someone you may know. It's definitely not the traditional read. It's different but it's a good different and worth the read.
Michael "Lyfelong" Foster is a Filmmaker and Entrepreneur who has overcome many obstacles to achieve success. He has traveled nationally and internationally showcasing his films and connecting with audiences to show them exactly what The Michael Foster Experience is.
1. As someone who has always been involved with the arts, when did you decide to take up filmmaking?
It was around 2009 when I officially decided to take up filmmaking. I had so much experience writing creatively and doing TV production that I was already on the path. I remember I started writing out treatments and concepts for short films, but the problem was at that time I had no idea how to write or structure a screenplay. On top of that, at that particular time there wasn't a lot of people I knew that I could bring on board to help execute my vision. Some of that may have been because I hadn't done it (making a film) before and they knew me as the "Swagger TV" or "rap" guy. I decided to enroll in film school and learn the ins and outs so I wouldn't have to rely on others to execute my visions and to be taken seriously within the film industry.
2. Your films are driven by compelling main characters. How do you come up with the ideas for these characters and their experiences and struggles?
One of my favorite professors, Professor Keith Thomas, always would say you can find a story anywhere. So sometimes I would have ideas and concepts here and there that may have been inspired by something I saw or experienced firsthand in my everyday life. Maybe there was something I read in a newspaper article or blog post, or overheard in a simple conversation. Also, I spent a lot time writing songs for about 20 years, so I kind of adopted the same method to come up with characters and concepts. I listen to an instrumental over and over and whatever that music says to me determines what kind of character is constructed and what the tone of the story will be. Plus, starting out you're not working with a ton of money for explosions or aliens, so you have to make your story revolve around compelling characters and dialogue, and that's an area I excel in.
3. You seem to cover every aspect of filmmaking from writing, directing, producing, acting, and editing. Which of those are your strengths, and which ones do you enjoy the most?
I would probably say I'm strongest in writing since I've been doing that the longest, and all I need to do that is my imagination. After that I'd say directing because it's about having vision and being able to communicate with your actors/actresses in a way that empowers them to give their best performance. I feel like I do a great job with that. As far as what I enjoy the most, it really just depends on what I'm doing at the time because I truly just love creating. When I'm acting, I love being able to bring a character and dialogue to life. When writing, I love creating worlds on a page that was once blank. I can tell you the most stressful is producing because, of them all, that actually feels like work. You have to rely on so many things to go right and are responsible for pulling it all off with normally little to no praise.
4. Would you tell us a little bit about your fashion line?
Inner Elite is more of a Lifestyle brand. It represents a certain type of mindset of those who truly know what it takes to be successful. We decided to first represent the brand through fashion because wherever I'd go, people would always pay attention to what I was wearing. You'll be seeing the brand in a lot more places internationally in the near future.
At the top of the year we'll be officially launching the Talent Management/Business Consulting division in which we'll serve as a place to help those with elite level creativity become even better entrepreneurs and assist in guiding their careers to the promised land. We already have a number of actors/actresses, music artists, fashion designers, models and more on an international level that are looking to make the roster. But to be a part of the roster, you have to be the best of the best because that's what it means to be a part of the Inner Elite. As far as the fashion side of things, our President, James Saunders, will be focusing on growing that division. He already has a number of great ideas that will get us where we want to be. Our plan is to be one of the most recognizable brands on the planet.
5. What projects are you currently working on, and is there anything else you'd like readers to know about you and your work?
I have a feature compilation project currently out titled "Reel Lyfe Cinema vol. 1." That's a series of short films that I toured with on the national and international film festival circuit. It really touches on some very serious issues that we were able to bring to life with great leading actors and actresses. Shelton-Demar Lewis, who stars in "When Tables Turn," is a frequent choice of mine to work with because of his reliability, skill set, and passion. Actress Vee Wess will always hold a special place in my heart because she was the first person to ever believe in me as a Director in my first film "Evelyn Black." She's like the big sister I never had and one of the most talented actresses I've ever met. I've never seen a project quite like it as it consists of moments in time that can never be duplicated. I wanted this project to take people on a journey, and from what I've heard so far, it does just that. It can be downloaded at my website TheMichaelFosterExperience.com.
I'm currently close to wrapping up production on a feature film titled "#aSocialLoveAffair" that is being co-produced with a new media platform titled, "The Distinguished Network." Their focus is to provide an alternative platform for independent content creators around the world and put more focus on them and their work. Their CEO, Cleveland Elam Jr., wanted me to be the first filmmaker they partnered with, so this film will be the first one to debut on the platform in early 2017. The film is a romantic drama about how social media has such an impact on relationships this day in age. It stars Dorothy Lucey, who is also an award winning filmmaker, and myself along with supporting cast Shelton-Demar Lewis, Vee Wess, Nelson J. Davis and Brynn Mosley. It's been a joy working with the cast and crew, and we've really become a family. This is my first narrative feature film, so I'm really excited about it. It's taught me that producing a feature is truly a marathon and not for the faint of heart. You really find out what you're made of during the whole process.
I'm also in post-production for a short music film titled "Last Night in Panama." I was hired on to write and direct this piece by World Artist, "Zozan World." This is special because we actually went to Panama to shoot it. With this project and others to come like it, the focus is to bridge the gap between people of African and Latin descent through music, dance, and film.
Other than that I have more ventures and projects that are very major in the works on an international level. They involve some things that have never been done before, so let's just say I'm very excited about what the future holds. For those that want to keep up with it all, just go to TheMichaelFosterExperience.com.
Colleen Nye is an author who enjoys writing in various styles and genres: novels, short stories, poetry, romantic comedies, suspense thrillers, drama, and more. In 2012, she published first book in The Unattainable Series: When in Maui, her first solo novel and a romantic comedy. In 2015, When in Maui moved to Blue Deco Publishing with her second novel, Immersion, a dystopian tech thriller. In January of 2016, Colleen presented the first books in an anthology series named The Lunch Time Anthologies.
1. Why do you think you've always been drawn toward being a writer?
I have always had an overactive imagination, and writing my stories into actual books to share is rather therapeutic for me. Plus, I just love hearing when something I've written has brought happiness, comfort, or excitement in someone's life.
2. What is The Unattainable Series about?
The Unattainable Series is about two best friends, Alice and Vivianne, who find love in a place we all only imagine about... from their celebrity crushes. A change of a lifetime, right? But there's just one thing... one of them runs towards love while the other runs from it. It's a comedic look at how realistic characters would react to something so regularly unattainable. When in Maui is book one. Book two, When in Doubt, comes out this spring.
3. Would you tell us about Immersion?
Immersion is a dystopian tech thriller. It's a story about a small group of people in a world not unlike our own, but the economy is worse while crime is up, and a virtual gaming device called B.I.G.S. is adding to the chaos. These people know what the world is being lied to about... the B.I.G.S. is dangerous. The more you use it, the less likely you are to come out of it. Can they stop this corporation before they bring the world to its knees?
4. Would you tell us more about your Lunchtime Anthologies series? It seems like a very unique idea to me!
TLTA is kind of a brain child of mine while working outside of the home. I saw myself and so many others reading while on lunch breaks and wishing they didn't have to stop in the middle of a "good part" to go back to work. So I figured why not make a full novel with short stories and bits throughout it? Other authors write these short stories or bits that are their own stand-alone pieces yet fit into a larger picture storyline, creating a full novel with stopping points! Gable Heights is the first book, having been released Jan 2016 through Blue Deco Publishing. It's a crime drama. The second book will be out later in 2016. Each book is its own storyline, but they all have that same concept. It's a lot of fun putting these books together.
5. What are your plans for the rest of 2016--and what else would you like readers to know about you and your work?
2016 is VERY exciting! I am releasing When in Doubt in Spring, The Long Summer (a coming of age story) later this year, and possibly another book later in 2016, a sci-fi story. The working title on that is The Push. I'm also a part of and co-leading a five-book anthology release called The Debut Collective, and I have a short story in all five books. Plus, there will be the release of the second TLTA book! I'll also have a convention and signing tour this year. Among others, I'll be signing at:
Festival of the Arts – Authorpalooza at the Gate – Big Rapids, MI – Feb 20th
Women's Expo – Grand Rapids, MI – March 11th - 13th
Barnes & Noble – Lansing, MI – May 7th
UtopiaCon – Nashville, TN – June 23rd - 25th
Tulip City Author Event – Holland, MI – July 9th
Indies in NYC – New York City – August 6th
Penned Con – St. Louis, MO – September 23rd - 24th
I have to admit that I'm one of those people who doesn't watch a lot of videos online, but I've always had a weakness for animated explainer videos. These videos are generally pretty short, and they have a fun feeling to them. When I see a company or nonprofit or other individual or group using an animated video to explain about their work, it makes me appreciate that someone has taken the time to share information with me in a lighthearted way.
If you're interested in utilizing this type of video to promote a project for your business, check out the work of Again Studios, a friendly group of artists and designers who specialize in animated video production and who have made countless explainer videos for businesses.
The best way to get an idea of the work of Again Studios is to watch this animated explainer video that they made about their own business.
With a short, entertaining video, you can explain important concepts to viewers and describe your products and services in a quick and easy way. These videos are a unique way to catch the attention of potential customers--and a clever video can be the key to naturally getting a bunch of shares on social media.
A lot of well-known businesses use explainer videos, and the designers at Again Studios have made videos for such companies as Google, TomTom, and TD Bank. The videos are also great for causes and especially crowdfunding projects.
Let's be honest: people who visit a website often don't read all the content on the page, but they might well click and watch a short video. Plus, people often learn best in a visual way and are likely to retain more of what they see in a video rather than content that they've read.
Again Studios is a company based in India with an international scope, and they can provide voiceover narration for their videos from native speakers of American English, British English, French, German, Hindi, and Spanish. It takes about four weeks to create a video, and clients retain full ownership/copyright of the video and can use it in all sorts of ways, from YouTube to your own website to embedding it in a slideshow.
Visit Again Studios online to ask them about your own ideas and to learn more about how they can create an explainer video for business to meet your needs.
Do you love cute animal games? This game lets you be a cute penguin who is trying to catch fish, but who also encounters obstacles like snowballs and ice cones. The more fish you collect and points you rack up, the more colorful penguins you unlock. As with other games from Universal Games Team, you can compete against players all over the world using the global ranking feature.
I asked the game's creator to share what he wants people to know about the game and he described it as "a frustratingly addictive and challenging game with cute and smooth graphics." He added that his goal in creating the game was to give players an opportunity to test their reflexes with the high-speed action in the game.
The setting of this game is really fun, and as you play, be sure to carefully watch the behavior of the Antarctic and Arctic animals.
Founder of TrepRep, Michael Luchies is an entrepreneur, writer, and consultant who recently gave a TEDx talk on the subject of "The Importance of Being an Unselfish Storyteller." Check out his talk below, and visit him at MichaelLuchies.com.
1. Why is storytelling important for entrepreneurs?
Storytelling is extremely important for entrepreneurs. In fact, it's a necessity for their brand to be able to establish respect and resonance with their customers, grow, and survive, and it's what separates their brand from others.
The best brands today tell amazing stories.
Have you seen a Nike commercial lately, a can of Coca-Cola with someone's name on it, or even an episode of ABC's Shark Tank? These stories bring us closer to those companies.
There is a story (and in some cases thousands of stories) behind every company's brand, and the stronger that story (or stories), the more opportunities that brand has to earn and keep the loyalty of customers.
No one wants to connect with a logo; they want to connect with the brand and the people behind that logo.
After the homepage, a website's about page is the next highest viewed page. Why? Because we want to see how the business began, who's behind it, and why it began. This story helps us establish an understanding of and relationship with the business.
2. What separates a "selfish" from an "unselfish" storyteller?
Like storytelling in general, being a selfish storyteller is a natural part of our lives. It's also a necessity for the vast majority of human beings.
Examples of completely unselfish storytellers are monks and nuns. They dedicate their lives only to serve others, and the vows they take require unselfishly giving up the things that the rest of us seek to gain (money, family, fame, comfort, etc.).
With my TEDx Talk, "The Importance of Being an Unselfish Storyteller," I'm not suggesting that people become monks or nuns, but aware that the personal experiences and tough times and hardships they have been through can help others get through those tough times. These are the stories that can change the world.
What you ate for breakfast posted on Instagram or your blog post about reasons why someone should do business with you may serve a purpose, but are you posting these messages for you or someone else? The more we can even out the proportion of selfish and unselfish stories we tell, the better off the entire world will be. Inching closer to being an unselfish storyteller is something we should all strive for.
3. How did you come upon the opportunity to give a TEDx talk?
Networking and getting involved in things I love in the community.
In my years working for a nonprofit that worked with college students who had aspirations of becoming entrepreneurs, I learned the importance of building a network and the joy that came from selflessly helping others.
It was basically my job to help people--how cool is that?
From this experience I met many amazing people and continued to work with them after I had quit that job. When TEDx was launched in my area, Normal, Illinois, I was lucky enough to have been invited to participate.
If you want to speak at an event like TEDx, or do become involved in community events of this nature, start connecting with people who get stuff done. There are many people who talk about creating change and doing things, but very few people who take those thoughts and good intentions and turn it into actual action. I just got lucky enough to surround myself with a few of those people, and like to think I'm one of them as well.
4. In putting your talk together, what did you most hope that listeners would take away from it?
Too often, we worry about the way we will be perceived because of something we say instead of the positive impact it may have on others. We have to shift our mindsets a little bit to recognize how important being real and vulnerable in our communications to others is.
Leading up to the talk, I was scared and nervous about the talk. When talking to professional speaker coach and author Michael Port, he said that it's important to measure the fear you feel against your desire to get your message out to others. Since I had a significant desire to share the importance of being an unselfish storyteller with a large audience, my fear changed to anticipation. I was excited to share instead of being scared to mess up and fall flat on my face up onstage.
This same kind of shift in thinking is what I hoped to leave with listeners of my talk and people who watch it on the official TEDx YouTube channel. I want them to think of the value of their stories to help other people instead of worrying about how these stories may be used against them or the fear that comes with being vulnerable and giving away information that we’ve been told since an early age isn't appropriate to talk about.
Mentioning that I was held at gunpoint isn't fun or something I do to get people's sympathy or interest, but if one person gets the tiniest bit of comfort or decides to contact me to talk about it, I've been able to make a change that would've been impossible without sharing that piece of information.
We all have had our lives changed because of something someone else said. We can do this positively for others, but we have to be able to recognize these opportunities and not be afraid of opening up unselfishly to help. Each of us has the ability to be inspirational, motivational, and life-changing solely by speaking our truths and giving anecdotes and insight from our lives.
5. What else would you like readers to know about you--and about the ways that you help entrepreneurs?
Whether you're an entrepreneur, corporate professional, or unemployed, I'd like to encourage you to think deeply about how you communicate with others and what people around you need. Whether this is a story, helping hand, or something completely different, solving a need that people have around you will always be in demand.
With the entrepreneurs and small businesses I work with providing content strategy and management, I need to fill their need of connecting with people who need their help.
Regardless of what their business is and the products or services they offer, there are always more people they can serve and better ways to serve current customers. It may seem odd that writing can fill this need, but information is extremely valuable, and stories can be the vehicle for that information.
If you are interested in learning more about me or what I provide, I welcome you to visit MichaelLuchies.com, TrepRep.com, or email me right now at Michael@TrepRep.com and tell me how I may be able to help you or your business.
My mom is a retired preschool teacher, so there was a soft spot in my heart right away when I saw Marcie Kenny's website, Marcie's Caring Hands. Marcie is also a retired preschool teacher, and she has set up a blog to be a resource for parents of young children.
Her philosophy centers around the value of play for children, and her blog shares a variety of creative ideas that help us create the space and freedom to just be kids. In short, Marcie has taken her lifelong interest in child development and created a useful website with tips for all sorts of issues that come up with parenting, such as diapering, potty training, bedtime, and meals. She has lots of fun ideas for playtime, too, of course!
When I logged onto her site in early December, I found fun winter craft ideas like painting Christmas trees and putting snow in a water/sensory table indoors so that kids could play with it up close. Marcie also has lots of book reviews of books for children of all ages.
I love when someone sets up a website to share their knowledge and interests with the world, and Marcie has done just this. If you're a parent, an early childhood teacher, a daycare provider, or anyone who spends time with a child in your life, check out Marcie's blog for fun ideas.
Rebecca Lombardo is 42 years old and has been happily married for 14 years, living in Michigan. She and her husband have no kids but five rescued cats. Rebecca is bipolar, a mental health advocate, a blogger, and now a published author. Learn more about Rebecca and her memoir, It's Not Your Journey, by visiting www.RebeccaLombardo.com or the book's Amazon page. You can also keep up with Rebecca by reading her blog and following her on Facebook and Twitter.
1. What helped you find the impetus to start your blog?
I started writing my blog to help me relieve some of the pain, stress, and guilt from everything I have been through in my life up until now. I didn't even originally plan on publicizing it. I had always wanted to be a writer, but I gave up on that dream a long time ago. When I started to let people read it, I gained confidence from all of the people that were telling me how it good it was. Once I made it public, the response was overwhelming. I starting writing for me. I kept writing for me, and everyone that was learning from it.
2. Over the last two years, what's kept you motivated to continue writing and posting to your blog?
Bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, suicide--all of these issues are widely misunderstood. Once I realized I was reaching people, I knew that I needed to keep going. It was scary because a lot of people didn't know that I had this disorder, and I didn't know what they would say or do. However, the outpouring of support was amazing. It feels incredible to know that you’ve helped someone.
3. What was the process like of shifting from writing a blog to writing a book?
It was difficult. I wanted the book to read like a journal, which is why all of the chapters are dated. I wasn't sure I wanted all of these stories out there for the world to see, but since it had been my dream since childhood, I had to go forward. I can't even count the number of times I had to edit, rewrite, or eliminate chapters. Sometimes it was too overwhelming to be reliving all of these painful experiences over and over. I'm just glad I made it through.
4. How has it helped you to connect with others through your writing?
I think my other responses covered this. :)
5. What would you say to other people who are dealing with bipolar illness, depression, or other illnesses that cab make it hard for them to be able to write and create?
I would say, take it slow. Don't get down on yourself if you don't write a major best seller the first time you sit down to write. There are days when I can't write either. I don't get down on myself because I know that there will be a day when I can. I try to avoid deadlines and such. I hate setting myself up to fail. With the feeling of failure comes tremendous feelings of depression, and that's what we’re all trying to avoid. You may find that you're second guessing yourself, predicting that you won't be able to do it. If you're feeling like that I say, sit down in front of the computer or with a pad and paper and just see what happens. You may be amazed at what happens. Be nice to yourself. It's OK not to be perfect.
I strive to write about a variety of different artists and creative work on this blog, so I was excited to hear about Megan Pitcher and her project called Breakwall which is set to be presented at ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ArtPrize Seven occurs between September 23 and October 11, 2015 in downtown Grand Rapids. If you are in the area, you can see Breakwall at the Site:lab (Res345) venue. This link from the ArtPrize website has more information.
Breakwall is a dance piece that involves unique sound work/design as well. When dancers move through the sonic environment that Megan has created, it activates the sounds of waves. Her work has a strong basis in ideas of identity formation, and her choreography reflects an acute awareness of the ways that, in her words, "the small actions we do all the time define who we are." This awareness of the everyday also extends to exploring everyday images and how these familiar images as well as actions shape cultural expectations.
In short, Breakwall gives us a space to contemplate questions of the individual vs. confining social structures--and the ways that we can redefine conventional notions of female/feminine through our awareness, artwork, and individual actions.
Megan has created the hashtag #breakwallbodies which she encourages people to use whenever they make choices "to stand for women against the tides of cultural criticism."
I really like the notion of the tides/waves as metaphor here, and I'm looking forward to exploring more of Megan Pitcher's work. Check out the Breakwall page on her website as a starting point. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
Matthew Hatt is a former sous chef and Canadian outsider artist. His work can be seen hanging in all parts of the world. His art combines different styles and includes words that he thinks encourages the viewer to think. Check out his work on Instagram and Facebook.
1. I really like the textual aspect of your work. Why did you decide to include text in your paintings?
I think great art makes you think, and I starting adding text to create another level in my work. I wanted to create three "truths": my truth in what I am thinking in regards to the text, what the viewer reads into it, and what it actually means.
2. When you create a work, do you have the idea for the text before you start painting, or does the text occur to you as the visual part(s) of the piece comes together?
It all depends on the piece. Sometimes I create the visual first, and sometimes I know exactly what I am going to write before I start the visual. It all depends on the amount of time I can spend working on a piece at the time.
3. How did you find time to create your art when you were working elsewhere--and did you leave your job as a sous chef to be able to focus more your art?
I have always been creative and doodled and things like that. I worked for a sous chef for almost 15 years, but I had to give it up in 2006 when I was hospitalized for a mental illness. The kitchen was too stressful for me to return to. But then my Grandmother required a full time caregiver, and I stepped in. Been doing that ever since. I love it, and it gives me time to paint, when she doesn't need me.
4. What and/or who has influenced you as an artist?
Warhol, Maude Lewis and Basquiat. But mostly life. All the text in my paintings come from real life or some of my delusions.
5. What keeps you motivated to continue to create art?
It's basically an obsession. It's not something I could stop even if I wanted to. They are not all perfect, but it feeds my need to tell my "story."
Clients appreciate Teri Johnson's capacity to help them create clarity and expand possibilities while honoring their deepest truths. They value having a greater understanding of their strengths and how to apply them in creative ways, while reframing weakness as a point of entry for collaboration. Clients frequently report a significant positive shift in relationships.
1. What are the benefits of focusing on your clients' strengths when it comes to coaching?
One of the things we all seem to have in common is a great awareness of our not-so-strong areas. As a culture, we obsess over our shortcomings. By giving clients a focus on what they naturally do well and excel at, I give them a powerful shift in focus which energizes, inspires, and creates curiosity and a sense that, "maybe I am doing better than I thought I was." When we focus on using our strengths well, we move away from deficit thinking, which is draining. Someone could spend hours on correcting their weaker areas and still never master it. If they invest that time on what they already do well, the payoff is amazing.
2. When is the right moment in someone's career to spend time working with an executive coach?
Although people can benefit from coaching anytime in their career in terms of clarity and expansion, there are some points when it is most beneficial. One is when a person has been promoted to management because of their level of competence in other skills, like technical savvy, for example. If they have never managed people before, they would benefit from working through the transition with a coach asking powerful, clarifying questions and helping them structure the transition in bite-size pieces. Coaching can be helpful during any transition point, or when a person is unsure of what they want next and feel stuck. We have tools to help them zero in on what is most important and meaningful to them, and how to take the first step toward that.
3. What are some successes people have experienced in working with you?
Some people have doubled or tripled their income as a result of really looking at the value they bring and asking for what that represents in terms of dollars. Many have reported improved relationships in the workplace and in their personal lives. Some have recreated the way they work--going in a direction that allows them to use their natural strengths and working for individuals or organizations that truly value their contribution and leaving behind or delegating those tasks that drain them. Some have become more inspiring leaders, or finished a book or important project that had been stalled.
4. How is working with teams as a coach different than working with individuals--and how is it similar?
It is different in that we are honoring more than one person's opinion or experience, and there are multiple personalities and multiple strengths in the space, as well as many different agendas. However, that can be true of an individual as well, when they have inner conflict about the direction they want to take. The similarity between teams and individuals is that they have priorities and values they want to honor, and that becomes the starting point for both. There is more energy when we have more people in the space, whether it is a room or a virtual space. The energy can be calmer when it is one individual, and people are usually more willing to be perfectly candid one on one, where they might be reluctant to name something specifically in front of their peers. In each instance, we establish an agreement of non judgement and acceptance to make the exchange feel more safe. Everyone agrees to confidentiality.
5. What are some of your favorite things about your job?
I love helping people see themselves in a more powerful light, and own their talents. It is a privilege to be in such deep, personal communication with brilliant minds, and it teaches me that we are all much more alike than different, no matter how many zeroes are on our pay stub. I think the very best part of my job is celebrating when clients reach a personal victory and are on top of the world. It is amazing to be a part of that kind of journey, and I am grateful every day to get to do this work.
Brooke Clifton is currently studying web design and wanted to practice her online skills and thought what better way than starting her own e-commerce site. Through Illuminate Quotes, she works with an amazing hand-letterer to produce inspirational quotes that look great in a home office or can be a unique gift. In researching the market, she found that there were a lot of quotes available for sale, but none that would look great in a home, so she decided to design her own range. Keep up with Brooke and Illuminate Quotes on Instagram, and on her website, http://www.illuminatequotes.com.
1. What gave you the concept for your shop, Illuminate?
They say even the most successful people need a little inspiration to keep them on track, driving them towards their goals. Illuminate aims to provide that beautifully designed spark to inspire others to live life in a more purposeful way.
Experimenting with hand-lettering techniques, I fell in love not only with the simplicity and stunning design, but also with the way that no two letters are the same, which gives it that unique touch.
In furnishing my home after renovating it, I found a real gap in the market for this type of design. Starting Illuminate allowed me to create meaningful pieces to reflect my space and inspire me every day!
2. When I saw the name of your shop, a couple of meanings of the name came to mind--one being the illuminating nature of the quotes, and the other being hand-drawn illuminated manuscripts of olden days. What does the name of your shop mean to you?
To illuminate means to "light up," which captures the essence of the brand, that is, lighting up and inspiring individuals to be more creative, successful, and happy! I love that it also reflects a bit of history and can mean different things to different people.
3. How do you choose the quotes to feature?
I'm constantly blown away by those who achieve great success in their work, especially in creative businesses. My current collection has been created with the entrepreneur or successful go-getter in mind, aiming to motivate them to do their best work and not give up.
4. Do you have plans to expand to other products in addition to prints?
Absolutely! I am working on a collection of greeting cards at the moment. I am also developing the next collection of prints which will be in the same black and white simple style, with the subject of the quotes being something that is both playful and inspiring! Stay tuned!
5. Based on your experience so far, what's your advice for others with an interest in starting their own online store?
Get started as soon as possible, and experiment with different ideas until something feels right! Get to know your target audience inside and out, and look for gaps in the market that you can fill.
Starting an online store requires a good knowledge of web design that focuses on the customer experience as well as SEO and a targeted marketing strategy to drive traffic to your site. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, trust your gut, deliver an outstanding product or service, and you can't go wrong!
RamzySweis is the founder of NeverRepeataJoke.com. Get a taste for his work in the video below.
Ramzy has toured internationally and earned a reputation for himself by achieving the rare feat of never repeating a joke after 83 episodes at 53 comedy clubs in Indiana, New Jersey, LA, Nashville, Chicago, and the Middle East.
Another thing that makes Ramzy unique is that he invests in a cafe in Amman, Jordan where he performs in his native tongue. The Arab News formerly employed Ramzy to run a column, but he lost that gig after 14 months of writing bi-weekly columns as his editors feared for his safety as he lured 380K readers, and some of his work received an incendiary backlash.
Ramzy has spent a lot of time building a social media following and creating a niche in the market, a universal demographic and social empire appraised at $13K by Vocus. He counts 39K followers on Twitter, 10K fans on Facebook, and 2 million views as a YouTube Partner.
In Ramzy's own words: "We can contain class clowns running amok who are the life of the party. Ice-breakers. Diffuse tension. Without a creative outlet. Women become Instagram famous with a single scantily clad photo. Men are forced to amuse behind a computer screen. Loneliness reduces serotonin which is vital in health & functioning. Certain economic adjustments & social changes are imperative to avoid cultural disaster."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CRYSTAL M. LITZ, 213-321-2446
Transformative New Documentary Seeks to Unlock Your Creative Powers
Cracking Your Creativity Code Offers Powerful and Inspiring Journey Into Creativity
Santa Monica -- A new documentary film seeks to help each person tap into their limitless creative potential. Cracking Your Creativity Code, a transformative new film, has just been released on DVD, for streaming online and for private screenings.
Following in the conscious cinema mode of The Secret or What the Bleep Do We Know?!, Cracking Your Creativity Code takes you on a guided journey designed to awaken your full creative potential. Accompanying you on the journey--leading experts in the fields of creativity, neuroscience, psychology, meditation, and peak performance. The film also offers a companion handbook with exercises for use in deepening your creative powers and in conjunction with creativity workshops.
"Watch it once and become inspired… Watch it twice and become inspiring."
--Michael Bernard Beckwith, Spiritual Visionary and bestselling author
The release of Cracking Your Creativity Code also coincides with World Creativity and Innovation Week (http://wciw.org/) which is April 15 through April 21.
Some highlights of Cracking Your Creativity Code include:
CREATIVITY AS A LIFESTYLE
The film examines creativity from four perspectives: the rational, emotional, intuitive, and spiritual realms. Prominent creativity experts give viewers a veritable "Swiss army knife" to cracking your own personal creativity code, allowing a true connection with your most creative self.
CREATIVITY AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL
Rote memorization of facts and dates doesn't inspire a lifelong commitment to learning. What if we could find a new way of not only teaching, but learning in an intuitive and creative fashion?
CREATIVITY FOR BUSINESS CHALLENGES
Sometimes even the most productive teams or employees get "blocked." Cracking Your Creativity Code and the CYCC companion handbook include exercises that are perfect for team building and brainstorming.
CREATIVITY FOR ARTISTS
The film goes behind-the-scenes into the studios of artists working in various mediums as we learn about their own personal creative process--what is it that inspires them to create, and what keeps them motivated to see a project through to fruition?
CREATIVITY AS A SPIRITUAL/HEALING INSTRUMENT
Cracking Your Creativity Code explores the use of traditional psychotherapy with the integration of mindfulness and meditation to assist viewers achieve mental and emotional healing and open the path for higher creativity.
Cracking Your Creativity Code is directed by Santa Monica filmmaker Jim Wooden. The 90-minute film was inspired by Wooden's concern for creativity and art in today's culture. A companion handbook is available to assist viewers on their creative journey.
As someone who reads a lot and has a strong interest in zines and book arts, I love it when I find a book that's not quite like anything I've seen before. Enter A Terrible Tearable Book by Zen Thai.
Have you ever wanted to get your feelings out on paper, but journaling just wasn't enough? Are you a kinesthetic type of person who benefits from adding a physical aspect to a writing or meditative practice? With A Terrible Tearable Book, the author invites you to tear each page out as part of the process of reading/using the book. Some pages are meant to be torn out and torn up, as you work out the residual anger or negativity of a bad day. Other pages are meant to be pinned up on your fridge or wherever you like to keep encouraging notes.
Zen Thai is currently raising money for the publication of A Terrible Tearable Bookthrough this Kickstarter campaign. He has written four other books and has a solid understanding of the publication process.
When you pledge at $24 or more, you're reserving a copy of the book for yourself. There are two versions of the book: one version includes profanity, and the other is a "clean" version. At higher pledge amounts, you can actually be included in the book and even have your own, customized terrible tearable page based on your personal pet peeves. If you pledge any amount to the Kickstarter campaign, Zen Thai will send you a sample page from the book--and he hopes you'll make and share a video of yourself tearing it from the book.
This is a very cool project both in terms of expanding the boundaries of a typical "book" and in terms of being fun and participatory. Really I think this is just the kind of thing that crowdfunding was made for, and I hope that Zen Thai reaches his $3000 goal. As of this writing, he's already one-sixth of the way there. Visit his Kickstarter page to learn more.
Robert and Jonathan own a software and web development company in Miami Beach. They have half a dozen successful online businesses and just as many failed online businesses. Between the two of them, they have five children, all of whom are under six years old. Robert and Jonathan started Long Live the Internet to share their lessons and help people build their own online businesses. They write, "We strive to help people do it on their own. You shouldn’t be stuck in a job you hate with no control over your time. Join us and lets get you started down the path you really want today."
1. What are some common myths that you hear when you talk with people about starting online businesses?
I think the biggest myth is that you need to be technical to start an online business. This is not true at all these days. What you need is a willingness to learn and a drive to succeed. The rest you can learn.
2. I know people who would love to run online businesses but don't have specific ideas for products or services they could sell. How do you suggest that someone get started in terms of generating viable ideas?
3. What first attracted you to the idea of writing ebooks--and how would you define a "good" ebook?
It wasn't so much that we wanted to write an ebook. We really wanted to start sharing what we were doing with people starting out. An ebook was just another platform besides our blog that we were able to do this. I think a good ebook, though, is less pomp and circumstance and more actionable items. People want direction. I have read too many motivational books.
4. What do you think is holding most people back from starting their own businesses, and what's the first step to take to overcome any hesitations?
I think there are endless things holding each particular person back. It's completely different for everyone. The truth is there is never a perfect time, and the stars don't align. You just need to dive in. I'm a firm believer in lists. Create a checklist to stay organized, focused, and moving forward. I actually wrote a post specifically about this and creating an online business checklist.
5. Would you tell us a little more about your intent with Long Live the Internet and how you help people build their own businesses?
We have worked a long time helping clients on a work for hire basis. I'm hoping that with Long Live The Internet we can give people the tools and encouragement to start something themselves. You don't have to spend lots of money, and you just need some guidance. I'm hoping we can provide that.
I was glad to happen upon the CreativInn website. The idea behind the site is to help creative people share their work and be noticed. Creatives can sign up for the site and showcase their projects, link to their websites, share videos, promote events, and more. Also, if you are someone who represents artists, you can use the site to set up pages for the people you represent.
The best way to get an idea of CreativInn is to check out their directory. There are some interesting profiles to explore, with more added all the time.
In browsing the site myself, I found some cool photography work from several different artists. One listing that really stood out to me was the page for Le Village des arts de Dakar in Senegal. The village has exhibitions year round and supports Senegalese artists who work in many different media. The photo below is from the profile for Village des arts de Dakar, and I have to say that it makes me want to see more!
The site also has a blog which offers creative tips and tools. And you can follow CreativInn on Facebook and Twitter to learn about updates to the site.
In short, CreativInn is a new platform for artists, and I think it is going to grow quite a lot this year as more and more artists--and art enthusiasts--discover the site and what it has to offer. One of my favorite things about the site is that it has an international scope, so you can learn about artists and projects from all over the world. And isn't this one of the best things about the internet, that it allows us to share in the creativity of other people without geographic distance being a barrier?
Are you a web designer and/or a blogger who wants some WordPress inspiration? Check out GreatWPsites.com, a cool site designed to promote, inspire, and motivate web designers who use WordPress to build their sites.
1. What made you start the greatwpsites.com website?
I've been building WordPress sites for a number of years and often been frustrated by the lack of websites which display and show off completed WordPress sites, rather than the Demo themes created by the Theme Author.
2. Who is the site aimed at?
I wanted to create the site for people similar to myself, who understand the basics, but aren't masters when it comes to PHP or CSS.
3. What plans do you have for the site in the future?
We would like to accept useful content from WordPress masters with a view to helping our visitors create some of the wonderful sites we are displaying on GreatWPsites.com. Although we do feature sites that were fully custom coded, we prefer to focus on sites that were built using off the shelf themes that are available to one and all.
4. How do you attract visitors?
So far we have been relying heavily on outreach and also social media to promote the site. We have been doing very well with our traffic numbers considering our advertising and promotion budget has been less than the cost of a nice meal!
5. Which is the favorite site you have featured so far?
I would have to say Crunchbistro.com. It was actually a site that I had come across prior to starting GreatWPsites.com and saved it as a bookmark in my browser. I've been using Stumbleupon.com to find new great designs for a number of years and that one just stood out. I've researched the person who created the original design, and her work is just amazing; I'd love to be that talented.
Josh Sexton is the CEO of Hiiro Media. His company builds creative social media campaigns across all platforms, and they work with companies of all calibers. Hiiro Media focuses on storytelling in all they do to drive business results. Learn more about Josh by visiting his LinkedIn page.
1. How did you first become interested in working in the field of social media?
In 2009 when I Joined Facebook. I realized I could market and sell products from a distance and reconnect with those I lost contact with over the years.
2. What inspired you to start Hiiro Media, and what does the name mean?
What inspired me was being in college, and seeing how the same old stuff is being regurgitated over and over and over again. I realized the way we market and the way we sell things are changing as rapidly as technology is changing. And very few brands have noticed this.
Hiiro Media means creative story-driven marketing and branding. We find a way to tell a brand's story that captivates their audience and allows their audience to feel as though that company cares, that the company is human and not just trying to take their money.
3. Why is storytelling so important in a social media campaign?
Because it allows for the audience to feel connected. It allows for a brand's message to reach their audience in a more human, authentic, and transparent way.
4. What are some things that very small businesses or indie businesspeople/artists/etc can do themselves to help get the word out about their projects?
Hire me. Lol. What can they do? They can invest the extra time and effort in educating themselves on where their target audience is and learning how to create content that visually and emotionally captivates them. Find a creative and innovative way to inspire them to engage with the brand.
5. When is it time for an individual or company to hire a professional firm for help with utilizing social media to improve their business results?
When they sincerely wish to grow their business. Most companies think that just having a presence and posting words and pictures is marketing in the time we live in. What is scary is that companies with that philosophy fail because they think it's smart to throw things against the wall and see if it sticks.
