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It takes a village! Keeping in line with our mission to elevate our programming content for 2014, we called upon great minds in our community for their advice, feedback and guidance on how to make our conference agenda NEW, REFRESHING, NECESSARY and GREAT. Chances are you already know one or all of these bloggers and social influencers, but on the off-chance that you are meeting them for the first time, here are their bios.
Send them a tweet to let them know you appreciate them!
Using his motto “The Gatekeepers Are Gone,” Lamar Tyler, along with his wife Ronnie, has successfully leveraged social media to move the couple’s website Black and Married with Kids to become the largest independent, African American marriage and parenting site on the web. Lamar and Ronnie founded the website in 2007 after finding themselves frustrated with the negative images of black marriage pervasive in the media. Relying on Lamar’s social media expertise, the site has grown in the last five years from a small personal blog to an international brand with nearly 340,000 Facebook fans.
Among the recognition received for his work, Black and Married with Kids was named a Must Read Blog by Parenting Magazine and voted into the Babble 100 Hall of Fame. Additionally, the couple was named one of Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 in 2011 and 2012 alongside names like President Obama, Tyler Perry and Will and Jada Smith. And most recently, Tyler New Media was nominated by Black Enterprise Magazine as 2014′s Family Business of the Year.
Along with managing the website, producing and directing films and developing social media strategies for well-known brands, Lamar travels the country screening his films, speaking on parenting, marriage-related topics, and social media to a variety of media outlets, and giving advice to aspiring bloggers on how to build their brands. Lamar and Ronnie are the parents of 4 children and call Atlanta home.
Maura Wall Hernandez is the Los Angeles-based editor of LatinaMom.me, a lifestyle and parenting site for Latina moms, and the author of the award-winning food and travel blog, The Other Side of The Tortilla. As a journalist, Maura has diverse staff experience working in magazine, newspaper and online media outlets. She holds a master’s degree in journalism and has spoken at local and national-level conferences on the topics of journalism, blogging and social media, including the Accelerate with Google Partner Summit.
Maura is an alumna of The OpEd Project and has served as a fellow with The News Literacy Project, a national educational program that mobilizes seasoned journalists to help middle school and high school students learn how to be smarter consumers and creators of news. She is the immediate past president of the Association for Women Journalists-Chicago.
As a blogger, Maura has developed recipes for brands such as Avocados From Mexico, the California Milk Advisory Board, Kenmore and others, and worked on the award-winning Mexico Today campaign with the Mexico Tourism Board. The Other Side of The Tortilla has been featured by The New York Times Diner’s Journal, NBC Latino, PBS Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and various other media outlets since its inception in 2009. Maura has previously contributed to the Chicago Tribune, NBC Latino, and other media outlets as an expert on travel and food in Mexico.
Stacy Teet is a professional blogger and social media consultant, curating for major brands like Better Homes and Gardens, Etsy, CamelBak, and more.
She uses visual storytelling techniques, word of mouth marketing, and in-depth trend analysis to help her clients build an online presence, drive traffic and make meaningful connections with their target audience.
She’s been recognized by Pinterest as a Top Influencer and dubbed the “Curator of Awesome” by Flipboard, two networks on which she has built a personal platform of more than 365,000 users.
A Miami girl with an Empire State of mind, Donnet Bruce has the ability to turn ideas into brands and grow those brands into a source of influence. She serves as the Chief Influence Builder & Connector that aims to transform brands. Her integrative marketing services focus on: Branding, Digital Marketing, Creative Direction, and Events.
She and her team link brands with thought leaders and work with brands to develop impactful experiential strategy. Her recent projects include: InfluencerCon, SoFlo Brunch Series, Epicurator App, Nubian Hair Oasis, Blogalicious, Social Media Week, and additional freelance projects.
With a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and background in Sociology she’s not only worked in this arena she’s studied it. Crafting unique and lasting experiences for tourism, food, entertainment, culture, beauty and lifestyle brands she’s the go to person to connect your company with the right influencers to take it to the next level.
When she’s not working you can find her checking out new restaurants, traveling, or taking in the latest in the cultural happenings. Whether or not she is on assignment, wherever she is, you can bet she’s never too far away from discovering the next great influencer.
Nikola Ahaiwe is a business and lifestyle coach, motivational speaker, and blogger. She helps new and aspiring small business owners create the life and business that they desire and deserve! She’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs break through the barriers that have been holding them back and go after those BIG, scary goals that they were always too afraid to chase.
Do you work from home or out of an office space?
I work from home.
Do you work alone? Work with a partner or team?
I work alone.
Tell us about your typical work day.
My day starts at 7am. I am up getting my 6 year old twin daughters ready and out the door for school. Once I drop them off, I try to get in an hour of exercise, shower, make breakfast, and be ready to work by 9am. First order of the day is to check my email to make sure there are no pressing issues that need to be addressed. If I don’t have any morning meetings or appointments scheduled, I’m usually writing a blog post, shooting a video for my YouTube channel, updating social media, researching new opportunities, working on an upcoming project, or doing some sort of marketing activity. I try to knock all of these things out before it’s time to pick up my girls at 2:30pm. Afternoons are reserved for the kiddos…making lunch, helping with homework, and getting in a little play time. A lot of my coaching sessions are done in the evenings because many of my clients still hold down a 9-5 job. I try to juggle those between making dinner and preparing for the next day. Once the kids are in bed, my brain kicks into overdrive, so I knock out some more work or get some writing done for the book I am working on. My days are pretty chaotic and usually require me to wear a Superwoman cape, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
What are your most productive work hours?
I am a night owl so I get my best work done when most people are asleep. Usually between 10pm and 1am.
What is your biggest challenge as a solopreneur?
My biggest challenge as a solopreneur is having to wear so many different hats. Since I don’t yet have a team, I am in charge of customer service, marketing, PR, accounting, etc.
If you were given $5k, what would you do with the money?
I would invest in a blog redesign, upgrade my marketing collateral, invest in a project concept that has been in my head for a while, and save the rest for a rainy day.
The one piece of advice I wish I knew when I started out is…
That everything doesn’t have to be “perfect” to get started. The important thing is to take the first step. You can learn, grow, and upgrade as you go.
My favorite book is… and why?
My favorite book is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill because I truly believe in the power of positive thinking and manifesting the things that you want into your life. That book taught me so much.
What is your dream job? Are you doing it right now?
It has always been my dream to work for myself and impact people’s lives in a major way. Becoming a published author and accomplished speaker, traveling around the world teaching, motivating, and inspiring others is my biggest dream!
Thank you, Nikola for participating in our solopreneur series. Nikola regularly features Moguels in the Making and shares social media and business strategy tips on her website. Visit NikolaAhaiwe.com to learn more.
Danyelle aka The Cubicle Chick is all about balancing work, life, and play while sharing tips, tools, and strategies on how we can all get the best of both worlds. We are all busy moving at the speed of light, but in doing so, we must make sure we are taking time out for ourselves and those who mean the most to us. Work hard, play hard, but live your life to the fullest, personally and professionally. She is also the co-founder of the women’s travel and lifestyle website, Around the World in Pink.
Do you work from home or out of an office space?
I work in my home office, aka my 20 year old son’s room before he went away to college.
Do you work alone? Work with a partner or team?
I work alone but often collaborate virtually with other partners and bloggers.
Tell us about your typical work day.
I wake up and try to think good thoughts as I help get my 10 year old ready for school. I pour myself a cup of ambition (whatever it is that day), check and reply to emails, check social media, and then go head first into my to-do list. That could consist of several conference calls and Google Hangouts, writing freelancing articles, editing pieces from contributors, working on my third book (Boom!), consulting. And yeah, I even fit in a massage or facial if I am on track to rewarding myself. This continues all day until my daughter comes home from school. Then it’s mommy stuff—homework, dinner, fun time, and then when she gets in bed, I start right back up prepping for the next day.
What are your most productive work hours?
I would say from 9:30am to 1:00pm. It may vary if I am traveling.
What is your biggest challenge as a solopreneur?
Staying on top of everything and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. Since I work my my lonesome, I am often my only cheerleader, so I have to make sure I am well organized. Also, making sure I take time in the day to stay active, since I sit a lot. I try to walk in place when I am on calls, and I purposely will leave my phone in another room so if I need it, I have to walk to it. This also helps me from getting distracted.
How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?
I have blackout zones in my home (I talk about this in my eBook) that are tech free places. The bedroom is one place that my phone is off. My laptop is also not allowed in my bedroom. This forces me to relax, unplug, unwind, and cuddle with my hubby. Boo time is the best time. But it is also unplug time. I unplug daily. And on most Sundays, I am offline (although some social media stuff is scheduled)
What is the biggest/best investment you made toward your brand/blog?
Currently, I would say hiring a PR professional to help increase my presence and field opportunities and inquiries.
If you were given $5k, what would you do with the money?
I would hire someone to develop a community for me for TCC that is independent of Facebook Groups.
If you could outsource one task so that you can be effective at your brand/blog, what would that be?
Social media. But I am Type A so I doubt that will ever happen.
What book are you currently reading? What is it about?
Rosemary’s Baby. I love old movies and I watched the 1968 film the other day so I downloaded the iBook. It’s about a woman who gives birth to the devil’s son. Weird. But very compelling reading.
What is your dream job? Are you doing it right now?
I’m living the dream right now. My dream. Honestly.
Check out Danyelle’s eBook – Shine: 10 Tips for Effective Work Life Balance and Like The Cubicle Chick Facebook Page to get the scoop on the latest “water cooler” conversations.
Monet Fitzgerald is the visionary behind curlsandmo.com, a lifestyle blog about all things natural hair and beauty with a little bit of health and inspiration sprinkled in. Just like many of you, she’s hustling before and after putting in time at her steady 9-5 gig. Go ahead, dream chaser!
Do you work from home or out of an office?
I work wherever I can! I have a home setup but my busy NYC lifestyle forces me to work on-the-go a lot.
Do you work alone? With a partner or team?
I work alone for the most part but occasionally I’ll do a blog feature and I have a few set volunteers who assist me at my monthly natural hair and beauty events.
Tell us about your typical work day.
I get the blog business done early morning during the work week and pack it into the weekends if I’m not hosting or attending any events. I’m up at 5:45am sending emails and making my daily green smoothie. After work I have “creative time”, when I’ll edit a post, create a graphic or post/engage on social media.
What are your most productive work hours?
Early morning until about 3pm then I get a second wind after 9pm and can get a surprising amount of tasks done (If I’m not too exhausted from my 9-5 corporate job).
What is your biggest challenge as a solopreneur?
Finding work-work-life balance. It’s hard to find time for yourself and loved ones when you don’t have anyone else you can rely on and most things are a priority.
When your work day gets stressful, how do you de-stress?
I shut off. No matter what is pending, I take some time to myself that night and watch a movie or enjoy reality TV. (My guilty pleasure)
If you could outsource one task so that you could be effective at your brand/blog, what would that be?
Emails! It’s so time consuming replying to emails. I wish someone could read them for me and forward only what’s important.
If you were given $5k, what would you do with the money?
Invest half and save half. Definitely upgrade my software and some of my technology devices.
What is your favorite book and why?
$100 Startup. It’s such a practical book with tips that are very easy to implement almost immediately and see results from.
Find Mo on Twitter and FB and if you are in the NYC area, join her MeetUp group to get the newest info on the hottest NYC hair and beauty events.
Sonia Smith Kang is the Founder and Creator of Mixed Up Clothing. She is mixed: Mexican and Black, born in Puerto Rico and raised in Hawaii before moving to California and marrying her Korean husband. Together they raise four beautiful multicultural children. The family speak three languages! Before starting Mixed Up Clothing, Sonia worked as a RN and was taught how different cultures react to being in the hospital. Off duty, she sewed clothes for her kids and when the orders grew out of control, Mixed Up Clothing was born! She uses the beautiful clothes she creates as the vehicle to teach and celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Do you work from home or out of an office?
Both.
Do you work alone? Work with a partner or team?
Alone.
Tell us about your typical work day.
I start at 6:30AM, checking emails and looking at social media. This helps me prioritize my day. Then it’s shower time and getting kids up and out to their schools. By 10AM, I’m downtown starting in on designs, checking in on production, marketing and publicity, working with interns or prepping for photo shoots. I leave downtown to start afternoon pick ups around 2. Kids go off to Korean language tutoring then it’s off to their Taekwondo or other sports. By 5PM, we are back at home for dinner then kiddie showers and they’re off to sleep. I’m up until about 11 or 12AM setting up the next day’s calendar, finishing up blog posts, social media prep or sending off emails.
Then to do it again the next day!
What are your most productive work hours?
10am – 2pm
What is your biggest challenge as a solopreneur?
TIME or lack there of. Having to balance mommy hood with being a solopreneur. And whether you are being mom or businesswoman, being fully “present” is hard. I’m constantly having to work on it.
What is the one piece of advice you wish you knew when you started out?
Ask for what you want, you might get it.
If you were given $5k, what would you do with the money?
I would hire part time either as an assistant with my kids or with the business.
What is your favorite book and why?
Lean In: Women. Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg The book encourages woman to get in there and get it done. You don’t have to be “bossy” to be successful and you don’t have to apologize or shy away from being a leader.
If you could have dinner with three people, who would you pick?
Sheryl Sandberg, Mary J. Blige, and Oprah
What is your dream job? Are you doing it right now?
Doing it!
Mixed Up Clothing is for anyone interested in learning about another culture as each item of clothing comes with a hangtag that tells about the culture. The company uses children’s clothing as the vehicle to teach; Celebrating cultural diversity and inclusion. To learn more about the company and peek behind the scenes, follow the blog and join the conversation on Twitter.
Quiana Agbai is a multi-passionate mompreneur who runs a blog on urban family life called Harlem Love Birds. In addition she runs Destination Wedinars, helping brides plan the destination wedding of their dreams and she just launched Trifecta Media Group with her sisters specializing in media, marketing, graphic design and PR services.
Do you work from home or in an office?
I work from home.
Do you work alone? Work with a partner or team?
For my blog and Destination Wedinars I work alone and for Trifecta Media Group I work with a team.
Tell us about your typical work day.
My family is my first priority so once getting my daughter off to school I work between 10AM – 2PM. Each day kicks off with making sure my morning’s blog post is ready to publish, returning emails and getting into NYC for meetings for my brand ambassadorship. Since I do work at home I also spend some time doing domestic things like cooking/cleaning/laundry.
What is your biggest challenge as a solopreneur?
Time allocation – I’ve been working through different systems for time management to find what works for me. With small children (a 3 year old and one on the way soon) and their unpredictable schedules it’s hard to stick to a hard routine!
When your work day gets stressful, how do you de-stress?
I usually will just take a nap – always makes me feel better. I also re-affirm the things I am able to accomplish vs. what I cannot. I’ve realized I can only accomplish about 3 major things each day and I’m thankful for those 3 things.
What is the biggest/best investment you made toward your brand/blog?
My Macbook Air – I’ve been saying for years I’d get one and I just did!
If you were given $5k, what would you do with the money?
Pay someone to completely take my blog from just a blog to a rebranded, SEO, WordPress website for Brand Quiana. With 3 main profit streams I want my name to be the portal to all I do and it gives me a headache thinking of doing this reorg all on my own.
If you could outsource one task so that you can be effective at your brand/blog, what would that be?
Upkeeping SEO
What is the one piece of advice you wish you knew when you started out?
Think in terms of Brand You in everything you do – I just started my blog as an online journal and didn’t think larger than that initially. It could be a good thing though because it came from a very pure/non-profit motivated place!
What is your favorite book and why?
For business: Never Eat Alone – it’s had the most actionable business book I’ve found most helpful for networking; I read it in my early 20s and it set the tone for how I build and maintain relationships. For personal/life: The Bible – all around timeless advice.
Quiana unplugs listening to music to uplift her mood. Follow her musings on twitter: @HarlemLoveBirds and engage with her on her favorite platform, Instagram.
Erin Martin is a Blogger and producer/host of a nationally broadcast and premier online radio show: BagLadies, targeting women which speaks to the reality of life, living and being a woman.
Do you work from home or office?
I work from home.
Do you work alone? With a partner or team?
I work alone.
Tell us about your typical day?
After sending kids to school, I typically check platform activity and update content on Instagram, Google +, Twitter, Blog and etc. Afterwhich, I respond to emails, conduct follow-ups, conference calls and identify potential sponsorship opportunities. I also manage social media activity for individual clients, curate content, and etc. The second part of my day is typically dedicated to client social media activity. I attend events as my schedule permits in the evening. Upon picking kids up, my time is dedicated to dinner time, homework and bedtime. Afterwhich, I check emails, do follow-ups and manage platform activity. No real set routine. I get it in however I can, whenever I can and wherever I can, 24/7.
What are your most productive work hours?
My most productive hours tend to be in the mornings between 9-11a and afternoon between 2-4p.
What is your biggest challenge as a solopreneur?
Doing EVERYTHING entirely on my own in addition to being a single parent. Finding the balance between family and work which requires making a conscious effort to not open my laptop or pick up the phone. Oh, and it’s very difficult to delegate because I’m so accustomed to doing everything on my own.
When your workday get stressful, how do you de-stress?
Just detach from social media for a bit. Not tweeting, posting, nothing. Fix a cup of tea. Take a break and get outside to grab a bite or go to my Parent’s house. As soon as I step through the door, I feel immediately relaxed and calmer. I go there to work oftentimes too.
What are your favorite apps or websites that help you succeed in your blog/business?
I don’t have any one app in particular that helps me manage my activities/deliverables. I keep and electronic and hard-copy to-do list. I text myself so I don’t forget stuff and I use my calendar. I know, real modern LOL!
What is your favorite social media platform?
My faves right now are Google + and Instagram. Both are just personal and I can achieve a great balance between sharing my personal life and my professional life (my brand). And both are good platforms that allow me to solicit engagement from my followers, my audience. And I see consistent growth.
If you were given $5k, what would you do with the money?
Invest in my brand – New PC (desperately needed), new camera (desperately needed) and other marketing materials.
If you could have dinner with three people, who would you invite?
Only three? Beyonce, Nene Leakes and Myleik Teele.
What are your favorite brands to follow on social media and why?
Nordstrom, Sole Society, Gain, and Wegmans because they engage. Because they are responsive. Because they seemingly care about their customers.
What is your dream job? Are you doing it right now?
Not yet. I love what I do but not fulfilling my full dream yet. That which I started as far as the show was so unintentional as far as the popularity and the response and opportunities that it has facilitated. As a result, it exposed me to the vast and expansive scope that is social media and I love it. I love the ever changing scope of social media. I was a writer before I even started the show. I’ve turned left in the last 6 months and have been rebranding in a sense. I had so many approach me about how I came up with the concept for the show, how did I decide on a platform to use, etc. And I so enjoy speaking about how I did it, how I endeavored to be just candid and transparent when it comes to on-air content. I love when explaining utilization of social media and how it benefits one’s brand that “lightbulb” moment. Anyway, my absolute dream job would be to take my show mainstream to satellite radio. So still be the host but have a production team behind it and more options for accessibility and a much larger platform which would enable me to pull more guests, solicit sponsorships, and etc.
When Erin is not dishing it up on Twitter and Google+, the DC resident enjoys unplugging enjoying a meal and outing with her best girlfriends.
Do you work from home or out of an office space.
Home.
Do you work alone? With a partner or team?
Alone.
Tell us about your typical work day.
I wake up and debate doing some form of exercise. I spend 30 seconds thanking God for everything he’s done and hasn’t done on my behalf. I spend 10 minutes to clear out any emails that are junk. I send texts and then go back to sleep for about 30-60 minutes. After that, it’s on! I send out emails first thing so people have all day to reply. I confirm meetings across the next 48 hours and then I allow my mind to wander for a bit. I’ve taken to doing one big ask each day. (We’ll see if it pays off.) Mid-day exercise and then some food. I head out (now) but try to make it back by 3pm before rush hour. Another round of email answers/replies. I think about clothes and read a magazine. It’s then time to focus on TV or reading….then off to bed
What are your most productive work hours?
8am – 11am
How do you unplug? How often do you unplug?
Yikes, I don’t unplug often, but it means no tech. I’m trying to do 30 minutes tech-free per day.
What three apps or websites you MUST visit daily.
Evernote, Instagram and WhoWhatWear.com
If you could have dinner with three people, who would you invite?
Mrs. Obama, Sheryl Sandberg and Diane Von Furstenberg.
If you could outsource one task so that you can be effective at your brand, what would that be?
Creating blog posts.
What is your favorite book and why?
The Noticer because it teaches you to observe and understand the power of perspective.
Visit BlueprintForStyle.com to get the latest style updates and tips. You can also buy Monica’s book: “Without Saying A Word: The Silent Power of Style here.
Antoinette Sykes is creator and founder of Antoinette Sykes International, LLC. As a Business Growth Expert & Life Coach, she helps business owners and organizations expand their message for impact and increase sales; while developing leadership skills from the inside out. She’s also a Blogalicious Conference Speaker alumni. (2012)
Do you work from home or out of an office space?
Home. Panera spots are my “out of home office” locale or the library.
Do you work alone? Work with a partner or team?
Virtual Team. I have a virtual assistant/online business manager and graphic design consultant.
Tell us about your typical work day.
On any given day it runs the gamut of gym time, walking the dog, eating while working and returning emails in the early morning. Like most, you jump over to social media and promise not to spend too much time. From there, the white board calls my name in my office of my “to-do” list. That includes sales calls at the TOP of the list each day, “touching” someone w/my message + having coaching calls. My calendar serves as my “alarm” and twice a week, I’m at a client site for the DC government where I’m offering executive coaching or a training session.
Snoooze…I know.
Thursdays and Fridays are my “creative days” where I write and develop new projects or flush out ideas. Oh..this is all inclusive of dance breaks or singing from the top of my lungs to my favorite Pandora song in rotation.
What is your biggest challenge as a solopreneur?
Being “solo”. And by that I mean, not having someone next to you to speak with like in a workplace setting. Or even just hearing the “buzzing” about. That’s the biggest challenge for me.
When your work day gets stressful, how do you de-stress?
UNPLUG – take a walk outside or hit the gym, call a friend for laughs & giggles. Step away from technology. Meditate and pray.
If you could have dinner with three people, who would you invite?
Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey & Will Smith
If you could outsource one task so that you can be effective at your brand, what would that be?
Blog manager/researcher.
Share one piece of advice you wish you knew when you started out.
That it takes a while to find your groove…all aspects of it.
What is your dream job? Are you doing it right now?
I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur – yes. But expanding that to a TV show is the bigger dream for my message to reach greater masses.
We should have asked Antoinette what is her favorite song to dance to during her breaks! Check out Antoinette’s Business and Leadership Boutik and circle her on G+.
