Baby You’re A Firework

October 24, 2012Nina KovnerHEROES

  “The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts. An immense difference.”

 Henry Miller

Jodi DiPiazza, an adorable 11-year-old girl living with autism, uses music to connect with the world.

This video from Comedy Central’s Night Of Too Many Stars brought tears of joy to my eyes, to watch a young artist realize a dream against so much adversity. Beautiful.

It is so amazing what happens when we take a moment to step outside ourselves, and our never ending to-do list, and remember what living is all about; giving back and being of service to others.

If you are having one of those days, all wrapped up in your to-do list and need some inspiration or a reality check, please take a moment to learn Jodi’s story and experience Katy Perry and Jodi DiPiazza singing Firework.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=QX-xToQI34I#!

Jodi also loves the Internet, and created her own website when she was just 3 years old.  You can check out Jodi’s website by clicking here.  You can also follow Jodi on Twitter @jodigirl2001.

To learn more about how you can help beautiful young people living with autism like Jodi, click here.

Jodi + Katie are both true heroes in my book.  And I am so grateful to have discovered this story of hope.

(shared with LOVE from your passionista Nina)

Are We Too Connected?

October 23, 2012Nina KovnerENGAGE

“Social Media is about sociology and psychology more than technology.”

Brain Solis

When we talk about the social + digital revolution, many immediately think about the technology side of things.  The screens, the platforms, and the “smart” people behind all of it. It can sometimes be very intimidating.

We propose we think about it in a different way.  Instead of thinking about the medium or the technology, lets think about the power of the medium, and how it is engaging, empowering and connecting people both locally and globally.  Now we’re talking, yes?

Most people need to be connected, to be engaged, to be recognized, to be listened to, to seek knowledge and information.  And when we look at technology and platforms this way, it all becomes a bit more exciting and way less intimidating.

Beauty professionals are masters of sociology and psychology, you practice it every day in the salon, with your team and your clients.  So guess what, you got this!

But can society be too connected?  Check out this super funny clip from last weeks Parks & Recreation.  Can you relate?


(video discovered on NBC)

Is it really technology’s fault that we cannot put down our iPhone?  The honest answer is its not about the technology, its about how we choose to use the technology.  So no more hating on technology, instead, think about all the ways you can use these platforms to get closer to your dreams.  And yes, we can be too connected, but remember, its a choice.

If you are serious about learning how to engage and connect on social + digital platforms, we offer one-on-one coaching and mentoring to help you grow and become more discoverable on the web.  Click here to learn more about our program.  We look forward to helping you live your dream.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

J. Scordato Salon

Passionista Profile: Jacqueline Scordato

October 22, 2012Nina KovnerPASSIONISTA PROFILE

“I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.”

Vincent van Gogh

 

J. Scordato SalonJ. Scordato SalonJ. Scordato Salon

Meet Jacqueline Scordato, hairdresser, color educator and owner of J. Scordato Salon in beautiful Tucson Arizona.  Jacqueline has made a commitment to learning everything she can about how the social + digital space can help her grow her salon and more importantly, her team, to help them achieve their goals and dreams.  That is what we call true leadership, and something all owners can strive for.  Awesome.

Passion Squared: What are your current goals as a salon owner?

Jacqueline: As a new salon/salon owner I am constantly striving to create buzz and awareness that we are here and ready to serve our guests, while striving to build our salon culture.  Through that it’s a goal to help each team member find their journey in this industry whether it be print work, getting involved in fashion shows, or whatever else motivates.

Passion Squared: Which social platform are you focusing on to reach that goal?

Jacqueline: Right now we are focusing on our Facebook page.  Attending the social webinars have really opened us up to how important it is to focus and master a platform before moving on to adding another one to the mix.

Passion Squared: Why that one?

Jacqueline: We decided to start with and focus on Facebook.  Most of the age group we are targeting is found on Facebook so it made sense to begin there.  It also seemed to have the most information available on how to use it to build our business.

Passion Squared: What did you do?

Jacqueline: Webinars have definitely been key to understanding Facebook and exactly how it works.  In addition to that we joined a local social media networking group to help create more buzz by cross promoting on our page and meet other businesses.  We post daily with a picture, a caption, and an easy to answer question to try to engage people who’ve liked our page.

Passion Squared: What have the results been?

Jacqueline: We’ve been experiencing great results… It took about three months of daily posting on our page and commenting on others posts to start seeing a steady influx on our page.  Our own guests have started looking forward to our posts and have been interacting as well.  We’ve just hit four months of posting and are now experiencing at least one referral a week from our Facebook page!  So excited to see where it takes us after a few more months!

Passion Squared: Any other thoughts or comments?

Jacqueline: When I first opened the salon I was excited and active on our Facebook page and then began entering as many social platforms as we could.  With free time being a rarity I began to slow down on posting and became overwhelmed with so many different sites.  After beginning the social webinars with Passion Squared I began to look into Facebook again and have made it part of my morning coffee/wake up routine.  Now as I’m becoming more comfortable and efficient with Facebook, I can’t wait to branch into another platform!

To connect with Jacqueline and the J. Scordato Salon Team, you can find them engaging on their social pages…

J. Scordato Salon Website

J. Scordato Salon on Facebook

J. Scordato Salon on Pinterest

J. Scordato Salon on Twitter

Instagram @jscordato82

A big shout out of love and thanks to Jacqueline and the J. Scordato Salon Team for sharing their story.  We are so happy for your success and excited to watch you continue to grow.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

Instagram Cheat Sheet

Instagram Cheat Sheet

October 21, 2012Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

“How much does a hipster weigh?  An Instagram.”

Unknown

 

When we posted the joke/quote above on our Facebook page back in June, it seemed either nobody got it or did not think it was very funny.  Ah, the perils of learning what your community responds to.  Anyway, we still think its hilarious and discovered this awesome Instagram Cheat Sheet, perfect for all you hipsters out there obsessed with this platform as much as we are.  Enjoy.

Instagram Cheat Sheet(image discovered on Google)

Lets play on Instagram, you can follow us @passionsquared.  We would love to follow you back and watch how you are using Instagram to showcase your art, your business and of course, your awesome life.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

Pinterest

Very Pinteresting

October 19, 2012Nina KovnerENGAGE

“Think left, think right and think low and think high.  Oh the thinks you can think up if you only try!”

 

Dr. Seuss

Pinterest

Why Pinterest?
With all the social platforms available for us to engage on, Pinterest is one that has not taken off in our industry as much as others.  Yet Pinterest is one of the best ways to drive traffic to your website or blogsite and to become more discoverable on the web, just by being creative.  And more traffic to your website can mean more new clients.  Hmmmm.

Hair + Beauty Rule
What is alarming, very much like we see on YouTube, is some of the most popular boards on Pinterest are Hair & Beauty boards, NOT created by beauty professionals.  Just people passionate about hair.  Hey wait, isn’t that you?  Well yes, but if you are not on Pinterest sharing your passion for hair, then how can you become discoverable?  Think about it.

Two of the top 15 most popular pins ever on Pinterest are nails and hair.  One mom, Elizabeth Van Essen , who is not a hairdresser, had one of her how-to hair videos liked 7341 times, repinned 32,620 times with 99 comments. She has an entire website called Babes In Hairland dedicated to hair how-to’s. It may be something you want to take a look at if you are interested in Pinterest for your salon.

Check out these super cool facts about Pinterest:

A Marketer

by MDGadvertising.

Is Pinterest for You?
Are we saying everyone should be on Pinterest? No.  But what we are saying is if you have specific goals and want to drive more traffic to your website, to become more discoverable on the web to attract new clients, this may be the perfect platform for you to engage in.

Of course, when they get to your website or blogsite, you must be sure they can easily take some type of action.  Such as the ability to see your salon through pictures, browse your services and prices, and most importantly, can they make a reservation online.

If you are looking to better understand the Power of Pinterest for your salon or business, we have a super cool webinar recording on our YouTube channel PassionSquaredTV.  If you are currently on Pinterest, we would love to follow your boards.  You can follow us by clicking here.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)