Page 96 – Passion Squared

Passionista Profile: Nicoletta Gauci

November 5, 2012Nina KovnerPASSIONISTA PROFILE

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few”

Shunryu Suzuki

Meet Nicoletta Gauci, an international stylist and educator who has had her eye on her dream since beauty school, which she just graduated from in 2008. Fearless, beautiful, focused and talented are just a few words to describe Nicoletta. There is much we can learn from the beginners mind.

Nicoletta has already had a career many dream about. She sat down with us to share her thoughts about the power of the social web and how she is using the space to shape her career and achieve her dreams.

Passion Squared: What are your current goals as a stylist & blogger?

Nicoletta: I want to be able to continue doing what I love, which is styling hair and creating art while collaborating with other people with the same passion or varied passions that accelerate and enhance mine and visa versa.

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

Nicoletta: I have primarily been using Facebook, Hairbrained, Pinterest and Instagram along with blogging through WordPress.

Passion Squared: Why those platforms?

Nicoletta: Through Facebook I have been able to connect with current and future clients, friends and other industry professionals using my network that already existed before I decided to make a brand page. I feel like it is the simplest way to connect with your current audience and build connections with people you would normally not have access to by showing them your brand via your page and posts.

To grow my name within the industry I have chosen Hairbrained, communicating through images. Hairbrained serves as a direct feed to hairstylists and other industry professionals, which is sometimes hard to get at the beginning of a career.

I’ve created a blog which is now more of a platform to share all my other social media sites I use that acts as an interactive place for my followers to write about trends and give them how-to’s.

Pinterest and Instagram are similar but seem to be more so for obtaining connections outside your immediate circle of influence. Instagram is like a virtual shareable scrapbook and Pinterest is a shareable dream board deepening your connection and reach.

Passion Squared: What did you do?

Nicoletta: I have used Facebook as a place to share my new and up coming work and Hairbrained to do the same but for images, which really focus on the hair, most importantly I always credit the whole team so that everyone benefits from the posting. Pinterest I use more so to communicate my aesthetic both in my personal style and in hair and I often create boards targeted towards certain projects. Most recently I have begun to use Instagram as a live feed to the daily going-ons of my life in the beauty industry.

Passion Squared: What have the results been?

Nicoletta: I started my Facebook in March 2012 and through networking have reached 350 likes, my blog, also started in March, has about 1000 followers which I now feed my Mastery by Esani entries and other social media posts onto. Hairbrained had been fantastic for me to extend my reach to other hairstylists and stay hopeful that my eye is on the right path. My Pinterest has also had a great flow of traffic and has increased the level of communication with the teams I work with. Lastly, Instagram, my latest addition and addiction has grown by about 200 people in 2 months and has increased the buzz within my own network as to the work I am doing.

Through this self taught experience I have been able to take on the role of Social Media Design Leader at The Mastery by Esani and create added value to my career.

Passion Squared: Any other thoughts?

Nicoletta: Use your social media platforms to inspire and lift people up. We have the power to change the way a person feels or thinks with one image or quote posted online…change it for the better.

To catch up with Nicoletta and experience her passion around creating art and sharing it with our world, jump on over to her social pages and say hello.

Nicoletta Gauci Blog

Facebook Page

Hairbrained.me Page

Pinterest Page

The Mastery by Esani

Instagram @nicolettagauci

A big shout out of love to Nicoletta for sharing her story with us. You are a true inspiration and we are so proud of you!

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

You Made My Day

November 3, 2012Nina KovnerGIVE BACK

We love this short film because it shares in a creative and impactful way about how most of us are looking for “validation” through our connections with people. More importantly, it connects directly to the important role you play everyday with and for your clients.

When a client sits in your chair, they are looking not only for a great experience but also to receive validation of who they are by way of how you make them look & feel.

We take our hats off to all of you who make a difference in peoples lives everyday. For helping your clients be more beautiful, both inside and out.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

Here’s To The Crazy Ones

November 1, 2012Nina KovnerGROW

“Think Different.”

Apple

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX9GTUMh490&context=C4bcd90dADvjVQa1PpcFOEUxNcVH-PsxOct9ayg7pI-l6laL9r5O4=

Why does this message seem to all resonate with so many of us in our industry? Could it be that many of us felt at one time or still feel like misfits, rebels and yes, a bit crazy? And how cool is it that all of those ingredients are what can truly make us awesome and make magic happen?

Embrace your rebel, embrace your crazy, and continue to be you, because you are truly changing the world, one client, one student, one team member at a time. Wow!

A big shout out to the beautiful and rebellious people in our biz who choose to think different and in turn, change our world. We salute you, love you and thank you.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

Oh Sandy

October 31, 2012Nina KovnerENGAGE, GIVE BACK

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

Charles Dickens

(image courtesy of Instagram user @newyorkcity)

We’ve all seen the photos now, the news, the destruction, the lives lost from Sandy. We also have witnessed people coming together, being kind to one another, helping friends, family and even strangers.

The social + digital web has allowed us to connect, share news, get updates on our loved ones. It also can help us come together to help people who are in need. Each one of us can do our part, whether with our time, our money or both.

We discovered over 600,000 images on Instagram using the hashtag #sandy, as well as several MILLION Tweets. During the heart of the storm, “We are OK” was the most popular status update on Facebook, bringing some type of calm and comfort to millions who were so worried about their loved ones. WOW.

Here are a few ways you can help those affected by Sandy’s destruction.

Disaster Relief Fund
The NCA Disaster Relief Fund was established in 1955 to assist salons in rebuilding following the devastation of natural disaster. Over the course of five decades, the fund has been there for professionals in times of dire need.

Red Cross
Each year, the American Red Cross immediately responds to about 70,000 natural and man-made disasters in the U.S., ranging from fires to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and explosions.

FEMA
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

We can all do our part to help the victims of this devastating natural disaster. Even if you cannot give money, you can share resources on the social web, volunteer your time, anything, just do something. We thank you, and those in need thank you.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

Blog

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s mind there are few”

Shunryu Suzuki

Meet Nicoletta Gauci, an international stylist and educator who has had her eye on her dream since beauty school, which she just graduated from in 2008. Fearless, beautiful, focused and talented are just a few words to describe Nicoletta. There is much we can learn from the beginners mind.

Nicoletta has already had a career many dream about. She sat down with us to share her thoughts about the power of the social web and how she is using the space to shape her career and achieve her dreams.

Passion Squared: What are your current goals as a stylist & blogger?

Nicoletta: I want to be able to continue doing what I love, which is styling hair and creating art while collaborating with other people with the same passion or varied passions that accelerate and enhance mine and visa versa.

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

Nicoletta: I have primarily been using Facebook, Hairbrained, Pinterest and Instagram along with blogging through WordPress.

Passion Squared: Why those platforms?

To grow my name within the industry I have chosen Hairbrained, communicating through images. Hairbrained serves as a direct feed to hairstylists and other industry professionals, which is sometimes hard to get at the beginning of a career.

I’ve created a blog which is now more of a platform to share all my other social media sites I use that acts as an interactive place for my followers to write about trends and give them how-to’s.

Pinterest and Instagram are similar but seem to be more so for obtaining connections outside your immediate circle of influence. Instagram is like a virtual shareable scrapbook and Pinterest is a shareable dream board deepening your connection and reach.

Passion Squared: What did you do?

Passion Squared: What have the results been?

Through this self taught experience I have been able to take on the role of Social Media Design Leader at The Mastery by Esani and create added value to my career.

Passion Squared: Any other thoughts?

Nicoletta: Use your social media platforms to inspire and lift people up. We have the power to change the way a person feels or thinks with one image or quote posted online…change it for the better.

To catch up with Nicoletta and experience her passion around creating art and sharing it with our world, jump on over to her social pages and say hello.

Instagram @nicolettagauci

A big shout out of love to Nicoletta for sharing her story with us. You are a true inspiration and we are so proud of you!

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

We love this short film because it shares in a creative and impactful way about how most of us are looking for “validation” through our connections with people. More importantly, it connects directly to the important role you play everyday with and for your clients.

When a client sits in your chair, they are looking not only for a great experience but also to receive validation of who they are by way of how you make them look & feel.

We take our hats off to all of you who make a difference in peoples lives everyday. For helping your clients be more beautiful, both inside and out.

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”

Scott Adams

Yes, we know the theme of our content, our story, our message, and our goals, but until we actually begin trying different things, without fear of making mistakes, we will never know what makes our fans hearts sing.

We found this handy infographic with some tips for Facebook engagement. And while it may or may not be exactly how your community acts and reacts, its certainly worth a try.

Come on, go for it! What’s the worst thing that could happen? You make a mistake? We call that creativity.

Discovered on AmExOPENForum. Learn about data visualization tools.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

“Think Different.”

Apple

Why does this message seem to all resonate with so many of us in our industry? Could it be that many of us felt at one time or still feel like misfits, rebels and yes, a bit crazy? And how cool is it that all of those ingredients are what can truly make us awesome and make magic happen?

Embrace your rebel, embrace your crazy, and continue to be you, because you are truly changing the world, one client, one student, one team member at a time. Wow!

A big shout out to the beautiful and rebellious people in our biz who choose to think different and in turn, change our world. We salute you, love you and thank you.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”

Charles Dickens

(image courtesy of Instagram user @newyorkcity)

We’ve all seen the photos now, the news, the destruction, the lives lost from Sandy. We also have witnessed people coming together, being kind to one another, helping friends, family and even strangers.

The social + digital web has allowed us to connect, share news, get updates on our loved ones. It also can help us come together to help people who are in need. Each one of us can do our part, whether with our time, our money or both.

Here are a few ways you can help those affected by Sandy’s destruction.

Disaster Relief Fund The NCA Disaster Relief Fund was established in 1955 to assist salons in rebuilding following the devastation of natural disaster. Over the course of five decades, the fund has been there for professionals in times of dire need.

Red Cross Each year, the American Red Cross immediately responds to about 70,000 natural and man-made disasters in the U.S., ranging from fires to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and explosions.

FEMA FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

We can all do our part to help the victims of this devastating natural disaster. Even if you cannot give money, you can share resources on the social web, volunteer your time, anything, just do something. We thank you, and those in need thank you.

(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)

Disaster Relief Fund
The NCA Disaster Relief Fund was established in 1955 to assist salons in rebuilding following the devastation of natural disaster. Over the course of five decades, the fund has been there for professionals in times of dire need.

Red Cross
Each year, the American Red Cross immediately responds to about 70,000 natural and man-made disasters in the U.S., ranging from fires to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents and explosions.

FEMA
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.