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The Power of Social: Lady Gaga

October 16, 2016Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”  Mother Teresa

NOTE: This post was originally shared on April 1, 2012 which is significant as it was nearly 5 years ago yet it is as relevant today as it was then.

(via YouTube)
Lady Gaga builds one of the world’s largest fan bases by using the web to talk directly and openly to her community. This film celebrates Lady Gaga’s special and unmediated relationship with her fans, the Little Monsters. The making of this film is a demonstration of the power of the web in its own right. The entire project, beginning with Lady Gaga’s shoot in NYC on May 8th 2011, to shipping materials to the television networks for air, took 10 days.

Within hours of the release of her new single “Edge of Glory” on May 9th, fans began uploading videos on YouTube, making the song their own by dancing to it, singing it and playing it on all kinds of instruments. Lady Gaga then posted a message on her website asking for more videos to be used in the film project. Fans responded within minutes and uploaded hundreds more videos. Back in the editing room, in real time as fan videos streamed in, editors were putting them into the film.

The film was completed on May 18th in time to air during Lady Gaga’s performance on the season finale of Saturday Night Live, and to also live on the web and turned into a commercial for the launch of Google Chrome. Wow.

 

We love Lady Gaga; we love the social web; we love you and hope that you will take this video as a lesson from Gaga on the power to use the web to transform your relationships with your own “little monsters’ in a way that will propel your business, brand, career (and life) forward!

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina xo

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Give Me A Reason To Believe

August 21, 2016Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

Stories are attempts to share our values and beliefs. Story telling is only worthwhile when it tells what we stand for, not what we do. Simon Sinek

(This post was originally published on April 8, 2013. Over three years later, it remains as relevant as the day I wrote it.)

When you hear the word “marketing”, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? For some, it may be fuzzy, for some, you may think about the services and products you sell, maybe some of you are thinking about promotions, brochures or advertising. Or maybe some of you are saying, I have no clue, but it’s not my job. I am here to tell you if you are trying to sell something, it is your job. Your job as a brand owner is to give me a reason to believe.

I Feel Stories
When I hear the word marketing, I see, hear and feel a story. I always have. And now more than ever, both online and off, people want stories. They are looking for meaningful relationships with businesses. They are looking for your why. Your purpose, promise, and passion.

You see, there are so many products and programs and so many platforms to scream about them, about how awesome they are, and how they are so much better than everyone else’s. But guess what, the consumer is smarter than ever, and with all the noise in the marketplace, products get lost, but compelling stories stand out.

I Know You Cut Hair, But Why Should I Care
I never received a formal education in marketing. Yet I was responsible for marketing one of the biggest global brands of professional hair care in the world. And I was good at it. Why?

Because I did not see products as products, I saw them as solutions, as part of a bigger story and worked tirelessly to bring meaning and value to each and every thing I marketed. The same idea goes for your biz. Why should I come to you to get my haircut? There are a gazillion other options I have. Why you?

Creating A Relevant Story
 When it comes to marketing something and creating a compelling story, I ask myself these simple questions:

1. Why am I creating this program, product or service?

2. What problem am I solving?

3. What is the brand purpose WHY) and promise (HOW)?

4. Who am I creating this for?

5. Why will they want my product, service, program or business?

Give Me A Reason To Believe, Please
So what’s your story? Your why? Your purpose, promise and passion? I want to know before I choose to engage with your business. And here is a hint. If it’s hype and BS, I will see right through it. If you promise me the world, I will doubt you. I want the truth. And I want you to give me a reason to believe.

Are You Ready to Create Awesome?
Are you an owner or independent entrepreneur and want to learn more about marketing your biz and creating compelling stories that connect with the ideal client you would love to serve? My A School for Owners online coaching program may be a good fit for you.

Check it out and as always, if you have any questions or just want to say hi, I’m listening.

Love + Awesomeness- Nina

PS: Our stories now live on multiples platforms, both online and off. To learn how to get your story onto your social pages, you may like this weeks Passionista Biz Tip About The About Section. Enjoy.

Passion Squared Blog- Independence

Are We Really Independent?

July 3, 2016Nina KovnerGROW, MY TRUTH

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”  Coco Chanel

As I sit here on the day before Independence Day, I have been reflecting on my journey and what freedom looks like and feels like for me. You see, we all have different ways we define independence and freedom. And for me, it comes back to empowerment.

Now, lets first begin with the textbook definition of independence: according to Merriam Webster it means… “freedom from outside control or support : the state of being independent”

Here’s the thing. If we are in business, we thrive on “outside control or support” so are we really independent? I say kinda, but not really.

I say we are more interdependent. As we need each other. As opposed to dependent, like, I cannot exist without you.

OK, so I’m getting a little deep into semantics, so lets go back to empowerment.

Empowerment to me means…
Thinking for ourselves
Finding our voice
Wisdom to make decisions that feel good
Courage to set healthy boundaries
Confidence in knowing what is good for us
Embracing our whole, imperfections and all
Owning our story and being proud of it
Self awareness and all that comes with it
Lighting the path for others
Being strong enough to ask for help
Standing up for what we believe in
Challenging the status quo
Not living by society’s standards
Taking the road less traveled
Owning our choices

And I could go on and on. So on this Independence Day, I sit in gratitude for the choices I have made, all the good ones, and all the not so good ones, knowing that I am the creator of my journey and because of all those decisions I have the honor of helping pave the way for the people I love. That is true independence to me.

What does independence mean to you? Create some space today and reflect.

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina

 

 

 

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Why Would I Follow You?

June 27, 2016Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

“The cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”  Henry David Thoreau

I mean really, why? This is the question I ask myself daily, and one I believe we all must ask ourselves, online and off.

Why would I follow you?
Why would I book with you?
Why would I review you?
Why would I refer you?
Why would I talk about you?
Why would I work for you?
Why would I pay you?
Why would I come back to you?

If you cannot answer these questions with clarity and intention, its time to take a step back and look at your brand. This is your story. Your purpose. Your promise. Without those, you are not a brand. You are simply a business. One that can be easily replaced with the next “best” thing. The next “shiny object”. The next “lowest price”. The next “contest”.

Brands add value.
Brands make me feel something.
Brands speak to me on an emotional level.
Brands create revenue.
Brands have life.
Brands inspire me to take an action.

Why did you choose to follow Passion Squared?

Love + Awesomeness-

Nina

 

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A School Stories: Richelle Brigola

May 30, 2016Nina KovnerA School Stories, GROW

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. My Mom

This A School Story begins with a little bit of history; I have known Richelle since high school. How? We both went to Dana Hills High School in Dana Point and graduated together in the Class of ’84. Richelle and I reconnected (yes, 30th!) at our 30th high school reunion last year, and that is when I learned she had created an awesome life in the world of hair. What a gift it is to work with such a cool human that I have so much history with. Love how the world works. I am beyond thrilled to share Richelle’s story with you…

N. What does passion look and feel like to you?
R. Passion to me looks and feels like that moment when you create an amazing piece of work on a salon guest and think to yourself “Damn!  I can’t believe I did THAT!”.  It’s going to bed at night thinking about what you will be creating the next day in the salon.  It’s waking up psyched to put plans into motion.  It’s realizing that you are looking at everyone’s hair, make up, clothing and in your head you’re giving them a make over.  It’s a constant buzz that doesn’t stop.

N. Why did you join A School?
R. I joined A School out of curiosity… I re-met Nina at our high school reunion.  She told me about Passion Squared, I checked it out, it sounded interesting and I signed up.  It’s probably the best business decision I have made!

N. What have you learned on your journey in A School?
R. My journey with A School has been more than just a learning experience…  A School has given me the confidence and tools to believe in myself and to trust the process. A School has made me feel part of a larger community of caring and supportive individuals.  I have learned not to compare myself, my salon, or work to others.  My journey is my own and it is okay to walk a different path.

N. Why did you become an owner?
R. I became an owner out of necessity… the salon that I was working at was falling apart.  The owner was dealing with some major personal issues which the affected the vibe and community of the salon.  It was never my goal, but I am happy how things have worked out.  I am fortunate to have found a small studio and I have three awesome stylists working with me as independent contractors.

N. What is your biggest lesson so far being an owner?
R. My biggest lesson so far as an owner is sometimes you have to put on the big girl panties and they’re not always comfortable!

N. How do you handle difficult situations with clients or team members?
R. In dealing with difficult clients or team members I try hard to take my ego out of the equation, take a step back and view the situation from the other person’s point of view.  It also helps me to let a little time pass so that I am not reacting. This way,  I can take the time to analyze the situation.  I will admit that I do not do well with conflict. If I am able to make it go away quickly and easily,  I will!  That is not always a good strategy and I am working on that.

N. What ONE tool would you say is the most effective in marketing your business and why?
R. The one tool that is most effective in marketing my business is still word of mouth.  I do post my work on Instagram and Facebook and my clients love seeing themselves or their friends on social media.  I think this helps drive the referrals.

N. Where does your inspiration come from?
R. My inspiration comes from my Mom.  She owned salons during most of my childhood and was a nail tech who developed her own acrylic line.  Interestingly enough, she was a salon owner and doing nails before California required nail techs to be licensed. Sadly, she is no longer able to work in the beauty industry due to health reasons.  I have learned from her the value of believing in one’s self and to take chances… you never know where it will lead you.

N. How do you practice self-care?
R. Practicing self care is just that, practicing… I try very hard to attend CrossFit three times a week, walk the family dog with my husband in the evenings and have regular massage appointments.  I also have started scheduling lunch breaks when I am working.  These things don’t always happen because some days or weeks it’s too crazy busy and that’s okay.

N. Coffee Bean or Starbucks?
R. Starbucks!

N. Favorite quote?
R.”If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” -My Mom

You can find Solo Capelli Salon and Studio Line on Instagram and Facebook!

A big shout out of love + gratitude to Richelle for sharing her story with us. I just love how the universe works and how we have been brought back together, so grateful to be on this journey with you!

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina

If you are a creative small biz owner in the pro beauty world and looking for a ton of love, support and help with creating an awesome biz + life, A School may be a good fit for you.