Hello World! It’s me…again!

Am I really about to start blogging again?! Could it be?

I’m just writing my first entry in six years to get my feet wet. While I’m still interested in topics from a publicist perspective, I may chime in on other subjects that have grasped my attention over the last six years. A girl can do some growing in that time. Let me catch you up to speed with some cool updates:

• I’m a mom of TWO kiddos now! I’m bigger and better than ever and I have a love/hate relationship with my body but it’s more love than anything.

• I’ve relocated from and back to NC.

• While living in Los Angeles, I got to attend wonderful industry events in entertainment, network and actually work at several industry events, including an event at the Grammy museum for Ledisi’s book release back in 2018 (she is a very sweet lady).

• I worked at a PR agency in Malibu and it was there that I learned that I may not want the lifestyle of a publicist any longer. I was devastated because it took me years to get a physical job at an agency. While it was satisfying, I was constantly stressed after work, working after work instead of spending time with my daughter. I made the tough decision to leave. Maybe I’ll dive more into this subject in future posts 😉

• Job hunted while working, found a job, got the offer, sent it my two-week noticed and the new job rescinded their offer due to funding, after I left my job.
  
  Talk about a career climax for the movies.

• This pushed me to start something I had to finish. Through a long-time friend, I was made aware about an opportunity to become a licensed life insurance agent. Being licensed not only helped me and my family financially through unstable times, it showed me that I can really do the thing I thought I never said I wanted to do: sales.

• I’ve tutored elementary math from 3rd-5th grade.

• If you are interested in learning if you have sufficient life insurance, please contact me here and let’s assess what you currently have versus what you actually need. There are over 106 million adults without life insurance so there is a need that I can help feel. Getting a licensed was so satisfying!

• I now work full-time for a robotics company continuing my career goals in making sure clients are happy and satisfied. I couldn’t be more grateful.

• Oh I also started this blog around the first time I made my first “big chop” and cut my long hair down shoulder length. Just recently, I did another “big chop” to the exact still I donned back when this blog first debuted. Seemed like a good idea to start blogging again as well! Now I just got to get familiar with this platform again.

Lets see where we can take this thing the second time around!

Crisis Communication: The Big Bang Theory’s Leonard Hofstadter

In the second episode of season 11’s The Big Bang Theory, Leonard Hofstader was invited to an NPR radio show to speak on Caltech’s physics department’s new findings. Unbeknownst to him, he was completely oblivious to what he was actually doing not only to himself but on behalf of the  university.

Now let’s take a step back and analyze what was wrong even before Leonard arrived to the radio station.  Any guesses?  There was no clear indication of these two instances:

1. Leonard didn’t check with the university’s policies on external communication and public relations
2. Caltech didn’t provide proper media training for all of their research scientists before they agree to these interviews on behalf of the university

Poor Leonard.  He stuck with his integrity and told the truth about what was going on at the university or much rather, what wasn’t going on.  There was no great scientific find in quite a while and Leonard made it clear on public radio.  He even exaggerated about how much money those scientists were spending but had not found anything.  As you can imagine you would expect the reactions from his friends while the interview was proceeding, was also felt and probably shared with others which is why he got called into Dean Davis’ office….cue the wonderful Regina King!

The university had donors calling asking why were they contributing millions of dollars to the university with seeing no possible good outlook to the field of physics.  Dean Davis informed Leonard he had to write a retraction statement however the bigger issue was still at hand:

There was no internal communication sent to the other scientist addressing future guest appearances on behalf of the university.

It’s the university’s responsibility to ensure they’re still the finest school in the nation for physics, biology, arts….whatever!  Ensuring proper external communications will secure the university  more donations from their esteemed alumni and maybe other investors who want to be a part of history.  In order to do this, you must get your house in order.  Caltech needs to set up a media training session for conducting in-person, written and telephone interviews.  Leonard Hofstader was an introverted scientist who did not understand the consequences of his actions until it was spelled out to him via the dean’s uncomfortable conversation and via the death glares from his co-workers.

Media training could have prevented this crisis by teaching Leonard how to show the light at the end of the tunnel, even when it seems you will never reach the end or in Leonard’s case: discovering something revolutionary.  When you’re working for a company, the last thing you want to do is speak negatively (or not so positively) about them in public.

Always Be Ready

It’s hurricane season and here especially in North Carolina, we have to be extra careful. I work for a company that is open 24/7 as we’re in the food/grocery business. People need to eat!

With that being said, Mother Nature can make it so that you cannot go about your normal routine. After the devastation from Hurricane Harvey in Texas, the southeast quadrant of the United States is now bracing for Hurricane Irma.

It’s an unsettling feeling knowing that you cannot escape something that is destined to happen. Think labor after nine months of pregnancy: whether you’ve gone through it or not you know there is pain to be expected. It’s also good that you can prepare for it as best as you possibly can. A pregnant mother can consult with a mid-wife or go to a hospital for care during this painful time in need.

We can think about this in the food industry regarding drivers, distribution centers, restaurants, operators of all of these locations. Although we know what is to be expected, we can better plan around the short falls of our geographic location.  In Eastern North Carolina, we’re preparing to work from home if Irma was to hit as this area is known for flooding with the close proximity of the Tar River.  I personally was displaced out of my home for about a week last year due to Hurricane Matthew.  I was not as prepared for that Category 1 storm as I thought.  Having a backup location to operate out of has help some of the suppliers at work during Hurricane Harvey.  From my Hurricane Matthew experience, I operated out of my in-laws as the roads were inaccessible.

Tempers will flare when it comes to food as it should as it is a sensitive subject where all are impacted.   That is why it is essential to remain calm and always be ready for the unexpectedly expected situations and be of aid to a co-worker.  At work we call each other teammates and once the coach (President) calls the play, we put all hands in to “break” the huddle and execute the plan.

Always be ready… to help someone in need.

Climate control: Weathering tough times

Hurricane Harvey hit the city of Rockport, TX on Saturday, August 26, 2017.  The Category 4 storm has wrecked havoc on thousands of people in the Houston area. The storm is still affecting people three days later and devastation only getting worse.

With the unprecedented events from Hurricane Harvey, the National Weather Service is forecasting as much as 50 inches is to be expected in parts of Texas.  To aid the public in understanding the severity this storm may bring, and for future observation of higher levels of rain, the National Weather Service has updated their map to include two new colors.

Courtesy of the National Weather Service website

Courtesy of the National Weather Service website

Before the old map shows the greatest rain impact at “Greater than 15 inches”, with no clear end to what the greater means.  The map is now updated with the interval for dark purple to represent “15-20 inches” while the color plum now represents “20-25 inches” and light lavender represents “Greater than 30 inches”.

Through the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, the National Weather Service center’s update today reminds us all that even in the most unlikely event, it is still possible to have unhistorical events occur.  Although we’ve never seen 30+ inches of rain, that does not exclude that it is never possible to happen.

With more rain expected, many celebrities have participated in Kevin Hart‘s #hurricaneharveychallenge, donating $25,000 or more to the American Red Cross.  All citizens are encouraged to donate what they can to help.

Please keep everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey in your prayers.  DONATE if you can and remember the smaller towns near Houston that were affected are often overlooked when needing resources.

Loss ain’t a Loss, it’s a Lesson

No matter how blessed we are, we still find fault in what we haven’t accomplished yet.  We’re human…it happens… but it is important not to stay in a defeated mode.

Sean Carter a.k.a Jay Z always knows when to get me back on “motivation road.”  His recent album, 4:44, gave plenty of gems for us to take heed.  The album teaches the importance of assets and appreciation (The Story of O.J.) while highlighting barriers to success for certain groups of people (Moonlight) and how we can over come those barriers (Smile).

One of my goals in life as a parent is to leave a legacy for my daughter.  In Jay Z’s track Legacy, featured on 4:44, the song begins with his daughter Blue asking him “Daddy, what’s a will?”  I love how creative he is in the studio, explaining asset management to his five-year old.  While many of us will never experience the level of financial success as power couple Jay Z and Beyoncé, we have our paths to follow to reach what we deem as success.

So I close saying this, no matter how many “no’s” you’re told, just remember God has a bigger plan for you and that path was not meant for you at that time.  Practice patience, persistence and prayer and one day your lesson will soon be realized as an accomplished goal.

Happy Friday!

Blame it on the mi.. mi mi mi…millennials!

No matter what industry, it seems that the Millennials get a bad rap in the working economy: “They’re too lazy,” or “they’re non-grateful“. Growing up with technology has its pros and cons.

Photo credit of Jamie Foxx Vevo via Youtube

There is however a true difference between hard work and smart work. We hear Generation X and the Baby Boomers proclaim Millennials as not being hardworking because they don’t see the same efforts that they put into their work over 20 years ago. Well I for one am truly thankful for their efforts back then because it allows us to build on their foundation so that we can improve and streamline certain things. Faxing 20 people a press release when you can email the same release to the same 20 people in five minutes saves so much time.

Why does the gesture of saving people time not considered hard work? It is because of the hard work of the early adopters of technology such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs that has saved thousands of hours of time to focus on more efficient work in the last 20 years.

WE ALL have the option meditate due to an app, WE ALL have the ability to bank due to an app, WE ALL can date due to an app, order food, buy clothing and supplies through online shopping. It is the frequent daily personal use of technology that gives the false illusion that only Millennials turn to our phones for everything, but that’s not true. Our impact is deep. We impact restaurant sales and we start companies and become entrepreneurs more than any other generation to this date. Side note: why are Millennials the true test of casual dining sales?  It’s not, on average, that we make more money than any other generation at this time, I’m just saying…

Millennials are discovering that we can improve on ways to be better and/or to save time, if needed. We value our time and we want to know that we make an impact in the work we do in order to be efficient as much as possible. It’s because Millennials are so hell-bent on efficiency that we’re affecting industries services such as how the restaurants cater to us. More restaurants are joining or partnering with Grubhub, an online ordering/delivering service of nearby restaurants, or even having chains explore their own delivery systems. Offering free Wi-Fi often gets millennials into popular chains such as Starbucks or Panera Bread to study or work…maybe that should be something all restaurant categories should offer in order to get “the Millennial money”. We need places other than the office to work and brainstorm as well as bond with our teammates. I wonder what restaurant chain will catered lunch meetings AT the restaurant. Imagine how much more money will get spend at that restaurant?!

Now I know that fast-casual dining restaurants are not in the business of delivering however…they are also not in the business to losing customers. It’s because of Millennials that we’re challenging everyone outside of the millennial category to figure out how to improve on what they already provide. Don’t depend on the Millennials to figure out a solution only to tear it down based on how you’ve always done things. 20 years ago you needed to be in the office everyday while today…employees can fight for a different stance with the availability of Wi-Fi everywhere!

I challenge all seasoned working class people….be more innovative with the ever-changing times and stop relying that you can coast on the way you’ve always done things.  You might can float for a while with current methods and processes but eventually your competition will figure out your model and modify it to be better so here is what you do:

Don’t get comfortable.

If I Gotta buy a Toyota Camry, Ima do it Cost-Effectively!

First of all, congratulations are in order to rapper Kendrick Lamar’s sister for graduating school. To accomplish such an achievement deserves to be acknowledged first and foremost. Second, the Compton rapper celebrated his sister’s graduation by buying her a brand new Toyota sedan as a celebratory gift. The rapper caught heat from many social media users, stating the rapper could have given his sister a much “nicer” car.

Many people worry about why others spend money the way they spend it. We associate top dollar spenders with high earnings and expect the rich and famous to automatically purchase expensive houses and cars but that’s not always the case.

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Warren Buffet does not stay in a mansion but in his modest Omaha, NE home he bought in 1958 for $31,500. Yes that’s right the multi-billionaire lives as humbly as he did decades ago. So why bother Kendrick? This is the same rapper that bought his own home in Eastvale, just outside of Los Angeles, for $500,000…HIS own home. Why would someone spend more money on other people than themselves, with no return on investment? More importantly, why are we judging someone who is being fiscally responsible so that his children’s children can benefit and further their financial education?

What can we learn from both Warren and Kendrick? Never spend more than you make and can continuously upkeep. Taxes associate with this gift is part of the upkeep. Gifts in excess of $14,000 for the tax year of 2016 come with taxes that you have to report at the end of the year. We will never know if Kendrick’s sister will pay the taxes next year for this “gift” and guess what, it’s not our business. Kendrick’s sister may not be in a position at this time to keep up with the maintenance of a $100,000 car. Furthermore, I’m sure Kendrick’s sister loves the gesture, no matter the type of car. Also it’s time to worry about our own spending than to judge how “nice” other people’s gifts that are given.

Opportunities

Have you ever had an opportunity come to you that it was so scary it could work that you decided not to act?  Unfortunately I’ve done that several times in my life.  NEVER AGAIN.

After my recently missed opportunity, I decided to search for quotes that will set me straight for future references.  Would like to share these with you so that you will understand that although scary, sometimes you have to take the risk as it will give you big reward.

I hope these inspire you to continue to pursue your goals personally and professionally:

“Failure is only the opportunity more intelligently to begin again.”
―― Henry Ford

“We often miss opportunity because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work”
―― Thomas A. Edison

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
―― Winston S. Churchill

“I believe that every single event in life happens in an opportunity to choose love over fear.”
―― Oprah Winfrey

“Teachers Open The Doors, But You Must Enter By Yourself.” –- Chinese Proverb

“I Feel That Luck Is Preparation Meeting Opportunity.” -– Oprah Winfrey

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” –Albert Einstein

“Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.” –Anonymous

“Every moment wasted looking back, keeps us from moving forward.” –Hillary Clinton

“To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.” –Bruce Lee

This quote by Warren Buffet really hit home for me because although I retreat more on my pessimistic side, I know it’s the opportunistic side that will set the tone for how I want my daughter to chase her dreams.

For my Courtney:

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” –Warren Buffett

PRessed and stressed? Release, Cease and Desist

Being frustrated is a part of life.  It’s never good to hold on and internalize anger.

Have a best friend or friends you can vent to regarding any recurring frustrations.  Lately, I rely on my husband, my mother and my cousin for my venting and vulnerable purposes.  They understand what I go through and I return the favor to them when it’s their time to release their frustrations.

Here are some healthy ways to release that anger:

• Type what you WISH you could say in an email but do not put the email address in the destination box
• Draft a text to someone who constantly annoys you but don’t send it
• Vent to someone to understand if you’re being reasonable.  Sometimes I bypass the perspective approach and go right to the other person being wrong when in fact it was my fault
• Take a break from everyone, go walk around the office and ponder how you can approach the situation once the heat had died down

Just remember: release the anger, stop the brief vent and move on to other pressing matters.

Calm, Cool and Collected…Unfortunately

On March 7, 2017 I got into a fender bender.  It’s unfortunate that we live in a world that we constantly feel like we need to rush.  Blame it on the information age and speed I guess but there are situations where our full attention is needed.  Driving needs our full attention!

Anyway, here is what happened in a nutshell:

• I looked to make sure no car was coming before I backed out of my park, then I backed out
• As I was attempting to put my car in drive to leave, I looked again in my rear view mirror to see another person who works in the same building as I quickly put their car in reverse…and GUNNED it, without looking to see if there was anyone behind them
• He rear ended me with his bumper, puncturing and scratching my bumper

When I got out of the car I waited to see how he responded, knowing we both knew who was at fault.  The first thing he said was “oh man”, to which I replied “yep.”  There was no way I was going to apologize for anything.  As he requested to exchange information, I asked what happened.  He stated that he was in a rush and didn’t look where he was going.  He then apologized and stated that it was his fault.

First sign of relief but my guard was still up.  We both established he was at fault.  Unfortunately it took a while to get his insurance information because he didn’t keep an insurance card on him AND the car he hit me with was his girlfriend’s car.  As he was trying to get his girlfriend to get him the insurance information, I took pictures of the accident then submitted a claim through my Geico app (how convenient!) but because it wasn’t his car, I followed up with a call to the insurance company to ensure proper protocol.

The gentlemen at fault was actually surprised that I wasn’t angry or as he said “cursing him out.”  Granted I had every right to be “angry” as not only was he careless in the act, his nervous talks revealed that he likes to read emails while driving, but thought texting and driving was stupid.  I was truly bewildered at this statement.

Despite the accident and his confession of reading emails while driving, I told myself there was no reason to blow a gasket when everything will be taken care of and because of that I reassured him that everything will get worked out.  Accidents happen but owning up to them is critical.

He even stated that he was in my position before and he did not act as “nice” as I did.  The main reason that I was nice was because I knew it would be resolved and covered by their insurance.  The second main reason was I know I would not want anyone to yell at me if I was on the other side of this accident.  I’m no stranger to owning up to mistakes as I make plenty but sometimes that’s not enough.  People want to vent and put their anger on someone else when the opportunity presents itself.

The last but most important reason I did not get angry with this man was because I did not want to be portrayed as the “angry black woman.”  It is sad that I have to always think about this in everyday situations.  As I stated before, I had every right to be angry however I did not want to give anyone the reason to continue believing the stereotypical image of the woman of color.  This goes beyond the accident.  If a man yells or curses at work, he is passionate but if a women does it she is emotional or a b!t*h.  It’s time to stop this way of thinking.

Women should be able to show the same “passion” as a man without fear of any biased backlash or consequences that a man would never receive.