Being You Naturally Video

Being You Naturally!!

Hello World!

It's amazing that in the corporate and fashion world there are myriads of misconceptions.
Each of us was created to fulfill a specific assignment on the earth, and we are no mistake. Everything about each one of us is the way it is for a purpose. (Sigh) You can breathe a sigh of relief because you don't have to pretend to be someone you are not!! Being yourself really takes the pressure off, and allows you to flow naturally in your giftings and abilities.

While growing up, we all had someone we emulated, and having mentors is always a great thing. Just be careful not to forget who you are and your individual personality!

For the past two years, I went through major life transitions some of which were difficult and others, a learning experience. During this time I decided that I wanted to embrace the change of growing my hair out naturally. While I have nothing against "relaxed" hair, I was so thankful that I took the journey to becoming a naturalista!!
It's evident that in the corporate world, straight hair has greater acceptance, however, there are ways to still portray a professional image with your coily curls! :)

The journey helped me deal with underlying issues that most "women of color" have where curls are frowned upon. I just wanted to let you know that having natural hair does not stop you from being a success in the corporate world. You may have to put in a little more effort to maintain a professional look, but transition styling is perfect during this phase!

My personal natural hair video will be available for your viewing pleasure shortly. Life is filled with transitions so be encouraged! Growth comes in stages whether we are referring to hair, or the growth of your dream, business or ideas...To see your vision come to pass, it will require patience, time, the proper nurture and care.
You also need a supportive accountability group to assist you during times when you want to give up.

Get ready to embrace you all you...naturally....
Love who you are, and share that love with others....

At SageEden Media Group, we can coach you into a new level of confidence and greatness. It begins with you. The decision is yours!! I'm excited for you! All the best!

Customized Aisle Runners- Definite DO!

Hello to all of my fellow brides to be! As you are planning, by now you realize that a wedding is a lot of items to organize. From the dress, to the flowers you will hold, everything is a decision methodically thought out. When you are planning a wedding, a lot of times it is the little details that make a big impact but are also easily forgotten during planning. It is my goal to help you not forget any aspect of your wedding.

Think of it- your favorite photos to view from weddings include the bride standing as a loved one is helping her with her veil or dress in front of the ceremony venue. In this photo you see the beauty of the dress, the poignancy in the love and bond she has with her family and also the hope she has for this day. Another well loved photo is of the bride walking down the aisle towards her husband. I'm sure these are two that are on your must have shot list. Have you ever wondered if there was a way for you to carve out your mark in that photo- to make your photo one that everyone will remember?

Many photos get lost in the bustle of bridal photos. But you can make yours stand out. Where do you want your wedding ceremony photos to fall? Do you want to be memorable? Do you want high impact? One guaranteed way to do this is in customizing your aisle runner. Personalized wedding items are always a big success! Especially hand painted personalized aisle runners- they are more than just a fad- they afford you the opportunity to let persons truly see the style that you and your groom have. It adds a touch of class to your wedding day.

No matter your style there are aisle runners to suit your individual tastes. From beautiful simple designs for the more reserved to the elaborate designs for the more vivacious personalities. With a little creativity anything is possible. Many couples choose to simply have a word or phrase like: "Love", "Today I Marry My Best Friend" or "And They Lived Happily Ever After" on their aisle runner.

The key to an aisle runner is to match it to your wedding theme and style. You can add flowers, sea shells, stones, candles and many other items to the aisle runner to personalize it even more. If you are worried about length, don't be, because no matter the aisle's length an aisle runner can be created to suit you.

If you really are thinking of adding a customized aisle runner to your details, trust us they are worth it. Our CEO Sharell, who was married in June, had a very creative aisle runner for her nuptials. It was creative and showcased the colors and details that they wanted. It was created by SageEden and Whatever you dream of now as you think of your potential aisle runner- know that it is possible. If you aren't sure of the style you want research and look for photos for ideas of what would work well for you.

Customized aisle runners are a definite DO for any wedding- and they can fit any budget. Affordable, custom aisle runners designed in house by SageEden can be yours. For further information please contact us at sageeden@gmail.com. Until the next time stay planning, stay inspired, stay blessed!

Building good employer/employee relations

Hello and Happy Wednesday everyone! You're about halfway through the work week -- on your way to a well-deserved break this weekend.

Most of my posts have been about public relations, but let's face it, promoting your business is useless if your business isn't working well from the inside out. Without the mechanics of the organization working well, you can't create a good product. Part of what we do here at SageEden is training -- we teach entire organizations the soft skills they need to create loyal clients. 

Today, I want to talk about employer/employee relations. Having a workforce that is motivated to do good work comes from them feeling respected, comfortable and valued on the job. One way to ensure that employees feel this way is to give them credit where credit is due. When someone does a good job, commend them for it. It shows that you value them enough to pay attention to that good things that they do and lets them know that they are contributing directly to the success of the company. In this same vein, if an employee does something wrong, don't belittle them or point out their faults in front of others. Pull the person you are managing aside, clearly identify the problem and give suggestions on how to handle the problem next time.

Another way of building good employer/employee relations is to include employees in the decision-making process. Show employees that their thoughts and opinions are important and valuable. It is also a great team-building exercise to get everyone working together on finding a solution to a problem. Also, allow employees to feel like there is an open line of communication between them and managers. Allot time for comments, questions and suggestions when you speak.

A major complaint of many employees is that their employers aren't considerate of their outside obligations. Remember that your employees have lives outside of work. They too have children, spouses, parents, siblings and friends that require attention. Don't demand that employees serve the company 100% of the time. In the end, you will create a poor reputation for yourself and your business, and good employees will take their skills elsewhere.

All of these suggestions for building good employer/employee relations seem to fall on the employer. However, the employee also has a major role to play. Make your boss feel more inclined to build a good relationship by arriving at work on time, showing good work ethic, and displaying a positive attitude. No employer will make the effort to create a relationship with an employee who is always in a bad mood or slacks off on the job. Show yourself worthy of your employer's time and energy.

If you are interested in training for your organization, don't hesitate to contact us. What we have on this blog is just part of a wealth of knowledge we have available to share with your employees or co-workers. Remember -- good employees lead to good business.

Hope, Imagine, Succeed!

Hope is the dream of a man awake.

– French Proverb

Hope, imagination, purpose are all words synonymous with successful persons. Without a purpose you will never know when you have achieved success. Success is not an elusive item that only the elite can aspire to- it is something for everyone who dares to imagine.

If you have never imagined before- this might be hard but I want you to take a clear sheet of paper, a pen, and go someplace where you can truly be alone. Close your eyes and really think, imagine, dream of things you would like to do if you had an opportunity to.

What is it that you see as you close your eyes? For me I see publishing novels that will effect a change in the world around me. What is yours? Write it down. Writing down your dreams & goals helps you to remember them and have a point of reference. This becomes your preview of what you will achieve in your lifetime.

Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attraction.

– Albert Einstein

After you have written down your aspirations I want you to find someone who is closer to where you want to be and ask them to be your mentor & accountability partner. You don’t have to have just one but no more than four I believe is appropriate. Many of the great men & women of today had mentors who believed in their dreams even when they didn't. Your mentors will be a source of strength whenever you are feeling low or defeated. Choose persons who will have your back regardless of what you are going through or what happens.

Next, I want you to look at your influential circle and as you are looking at it make two lists. In the first list place the persons who are building you up and will motivate you upward; on the second list you would place your naysayers- persons who most likely have dreams themselves that they are afraid to speak into being, these persons would be the ones you will mentor as you grow. As you succeed you want to build up the persons around you. Being the change you want to see is good, but sometimes you have to create the change in others.

A strong imagination begetteth opportunity.

– Michel de Montaigne

Create the opportunities you need for your goals as you are working at them. You would be surprised how when you have a purpose you are more focused and find opportunities in places you would never expect. Open your mind to different paths that you may have to create to get to success.

Finally, I want you to remain awake to your goals, try not to fall asleep on the job of completion. Eat, drink, & breathe your dream. Sometimes we get busy ‘dreaming’ of our goals when we should be working at them. Look at every task in your day as something that gets you one step closer to your hopes.

What is it that you have a hope in? Is it that someday your small company will be a conglomerate; or maybe it’s that you would bring out creatively the voice that is within you? Don’t let the grave reap the rewards of your potential- it is rich enough as it is. Whatever it is that you hope in you have to dare to strive to achieve it.

Never forget that your imagination will spur you to higher heights- you just need to persevere & work at it. Now that you are imagining for more, believe in it and you will have it. As you have achieved your goals, set new goals & always continue to hope, imagine, succeed!

Believe that you have it, and you have it.

– Latin Proverb

For more information on goals, motivational & corporate training contact us at SageEden International Media Group for more information.

Training is Essential for Self/Professional Development

Photo from training done by SageEden

Make today a "Training Day"!

The old adage is true...you are never too old to learn something new.
The journey to self discovery doesn't happen overnight. As a matter of fact, it's a process that comes with many challenges along the way. However, it's up to you to turn those obstacles into opportunities!

Each year, I try to find ways to learn new things, to gain and give inspiration, and to also network with persons in my industry locally and abroad. Let's be real...Personal development and Training may be expensive but there are always ways to cut cost, expecially if you plan ahead.

Companies should invest in additional customer service and skills training for a number of reasons. Firstly, to remain on the cutting edge with technology, and innovation, you have to keep motivating your team and provide opportunities for diverse learning.  Training also increases your chances of learning new tips and tricks in your respective trade or industry.

Simply if you want each team member to be more successful on and off the job, training is a great idea. It gives each person less of an excuse to fail!

Additionally, investing in training keeps your organziation growing. You don't want to fall behind.

Markets are changing quickly and it's important to remember that training increases employee morale, boosts individual self- esteem, increases productivity and yes, saves time and money in the long run!

Organizations and businesses are only as good as the people in them!

Take advantage of local conferences. We can all learn from anyone. Sometimes we discredit the value of a seminar based on who is hosting it. Well...even Oprah and John Maxwell started small. However, each time you take the risk and go for your dream, you are building confidence in your ability to do something different, and building that same confidence in others to believe in your dream!

Each time I have personally invested in training I have not regretted it! Meeting new people is always amazing! Some of my life long friendships were developed through corporate training seminars or and educational meeting of some sort.
I have also met many of my clients through events where I have personally served as a trainer, or was gaining insight myself.

It's a beautiful thing to see yourself or your business blossom from a seed to a beautiful orchard!
If you need more ideas on training or would like for us to offer a training session for your organization, connect with us and we would be happy to connect with you!

Developing an awesome business website

For those of you who don't think it's important to have a strong website for your business, you need to immediately change your way of thinking. Your business' website is a chance to make a first impression -- and the first impression is the most important one.

These days, whenever people hear about your business, they won't be looking for brochures or fliers. These things are dying a slow death. Instead, they'll whip out their smart phones and iPads and put your business name into a search engine. If you're serious about your business, make sure the first thing that pops up is your website -- www.yourbusinessname.com.

I've seen some pretty terrible websites -- ones that have literally made me cringe. But again, here I am with some awesome tips that can help you with what seems like an incredible feat -- creating an amazing website.

1. Don't do information overload -- When people see paragraph after paragraph of information, they will not bother venturing any further into the site. Don't burden people with having to search for nuggets of useful information mixed in with mundane and unimportant details. Instead, choose the most important things about your business and feature them on the front page. Organize the other information into pages that visitors can choose to click on if it is something they are interested in.

2. Free is not always best -- There are many web hosting services that offer you free templates for your site. Sometimes you get your money's worth with templates that are very generic, boring, or just generally painful to the eyes. Find a website designer that will give your website the professional look it needs, as well as make your website reflect what your company is all about.

3. How do I reach you? -- This may seem obvious, but please remember to list ways for potential clients to contact you. I have visited sites that, apparently, were just up to make known to me that the business exists somewhere on planet earth. At the very least, make a reliable phone number and email address available to viewers, and make sure that the contact information is easy to find.

4. Give them a reason to stay -- Use sticky content, also known as content that attract site visitors and makes them stay. Sticky content includes blogs, videos and articles that turn visitors into customers. "How?" you ask? The longer people stay on your site, the more likely they'll turn into buyers.

5. What do you do? -- Don't make visitors have to guess what product or service you provide. Make it palpably clear from the first page what your business is all about.

6. Security is key -- If your website collects information from visitors, ensure that security systems like SSL (Secure Socket Layer) are in place. This will keep sensitive information safe and show site visitors that your business cares about keeping their personal data safe.

Branding

"A brand is a customer experience represented by a collection of images and ideas; often, it refers to a symbol such as a name, logo, slogan, and design scheme. Brand recognition and other reactions are created by the accumulation of experiences with the specific product or service, both directly relating to its use, and through the influence of advertising, design, and media commentary."[1]

Branding, we’ve all been privy to it in some way or another. Whenever we think of corn flakes one name comes to mind- Kellogg’s®, cameras we think of Kodak® or Nikon®, online shopping we think of Amazon.com® by now you get where I am coming from. Brands are a part of our everyday life.

In the Bahamas we experience brands daily. For instance, when a Bahamian woman is pregnant or planning a wedding everyone expects her to register at Kelly’s Department store. Whenever Bahamians want to get anything Apple® related the first place they call is Custom Computers. And so on and so forth for insurance, groceries, electrical supplies, shoes, clothes etc. We have been ‘brand washed”.

There is nothing wrong with brands and the companies with the brands both locally and internationally spent lots of time building their brand. And it is worth it because many people refuse to buy certain brands because they are comfortable with another. The question one (especially a smaller company) may ask is why do I need a “brand strategy”?

Branding is all about identity. It identifies you from the herds of other competitors both locally and internationally. You want people to know who you are & the standards your company has. Picture with me the Wild West Slaughter House where there were thousands of cattle ready for slaughter and ten owners arguing over who brought the best cows and in the most abundance. How did they solve this? By branding their animals beforehand a whole lot of disagreements were stopped. The slaughterhouse couldn’t say that Owner B’s cattle were Owner A’s because the brand differentiated whose it was.

Whose company is yours? What quality does your company have? Your product is quality- if you want to be differentiated you have to market your company’s brand in a way that no one can confuse you for your competitor. This is how you find & form your niche market- by branding.

The first and biggest aspect of branding is your reputation. This can make or break your company. Recently I heard a friend complaining about a store she visited that had amazing prices but very bad service in terms of item repairs & customer service. She went on to tell at least ten other persons who in turn shared with their friends. You can see how this goes. That store lost at least twenty potential customers. As you are developing your brand’s reputation remember to give quality service with quality rates to each customer who enters your establishment.

After your reputation a really close second is your logo. In Graphical Communications we were taught how to create Ideograms and learned the power behind them. Make sure that your logo is clear and different from the rest. A clear cut logo will take your company to places that no one else’s has. For instance wherever you see the mouse ears you think of Disney®, when you see the apple you think of a Mac® or even a more recent brand of the “F” in the blue box for Facebook®.

Finally another big aspect of your brand is to find out of the box ways of marketing your company. Locally over 17 years ago one company decided to give back to the community through the schools. They partnered with a local supermarket and donated a lot of computers and reading books to the public & private schools. When they did this they made sure that everyone remembered that if I want educational items I can go to that one company. They are still reaping the rewards of that gutsy move.

If you need help with your company’s media campaign, your brand strategy & marketing tips contact us at sageeden@gmail.com for further information.

Foot notes:

[1] Marketing Power Online Dictionary (http://www.marketingpower.com/_layouts/Dictionary.aspx?dLetter=B)

NB: We are not representatives (at the moment), nor do we endorse any brand or company mentioned in this blog post.

Making Facebook work for your business

Using Facebook is a great way to promote your business. There are currently over 800 million Facebook users, and 50% of them log into Facebook on any given day. For a business owner, being able to reach all of these potential customers is invaluable, especially when using a vehicle that is absolutely free. However, there is a science behind making your Facebook business page work for you, and I will share some tips with you.

1. Keep your personal profile private – If Facebook users can access your profile from your business page, make sure your risque vacation pictures from last year are not visible. Try to maintain a professional image on the social network – if Facebook users think they can’t trust you or you are not capable of getting the job done, they won’t solicit your services.

           2.  Don’t spam your users – Although the idea of pushing out your business’ information to Facebook users might be tempting, it is a VERY bad idea. If people find their inboxes flooded with messages from your company every day, they will not hesitate to delete your page from the ones they ‘like’. Also, it gives people a negative impression of your business – who wants to look like a desperate company? Spam is not only annoying – it can cause you to get kicked off of Facebook. Facebook is very strict when it comes to these things, so don’t lose your page and your profile forever.

      3. Create a visually appealing page – Design pages for your site that are more creative than the ones given by Facebook. Visit a site like Pagemodo.com and build pages that will impress visitors and make them want to share it with their friends.

      4. Make your page work for you – You can do myriad things with your Facebook page that help to build your business. Post links to your website, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blog. You can also create surveys to gather information on what your customers and potential customers want and need.

      5. Keep your page interesting – Everything on your page doesn’t have to be 100% business. Post quotes or (appropriate) jokes that visitors to your page want to share with friends. Put up coupons for products and services that people can only see if they like the page. Share useful articles that build your credibility.

Keep these tips in mind when you are building your company’s Facebook page, and in no time you will be bringing in clients you have never reached before! 

SageEden "Corporate Heels and Cooking Spoons" Video

Is a Destination Wedding right for you?

Hello to all of our blog followers & visitors! It is not Sharell sharing with you today but Natasha, the Marketing Coordinator here at SageEden. My contribution to this blog will be bi-weekly posts about the world of event planning. I will share with you some of my experience and tips gained as a Planning Coordinator of an Events company, my experience helping friends & family with their events, and my years of experience in the NGO/NPO Events planning.

Many brides dream of their once upon a time moment- me being chief among them. It takes us just a moment to fully grasp that in just a little while we will receive that which we have waited for- ‘forever’. I personally, have spent hours upon hours researching the perfect beach, the perfect hotel, the perfect location for my dream day. This is the day that we dream of all our lives, the day that we walk down the aisle as Ms. & return as Mrs. With all the ideas, the plans, the dreams that we have had we are floored when we finally do get the chance to implement.

Forever starts with that one blessed kiss, be it with two or two-thousand guests we search for it- like Ponce De Leon searched for the elusive ‘fountain of youth’- in every guy we dated seriously, in every guy we wanted to date seriously and now you have it.

Now that you have your forever, it is time to answer the real question- where should I have it?

Should you have it at a church, in a garden, on a beach, in your parents’ backyard or just a private civil service in the judge’s office? If you have stumbled across this blog it is most likely because you want a ‘Destination Wedding’ and need help figuring it out. This is where we come in.

Destination Weddings are: a great way to spend time with your friends and family on the most amazing weekend of your life; can be cost saving in addition to weeding out the 3rd and 4th cousins that mom wants you to invite and it allows you to turn what is normally a 5 hour party into 48 hours!

There are a few questions I found that can help any couple plan their dream day. Read through, discuss as a couple, and figure out what are your true dreams for your wedding.

1. How much does the couple plan on spending?

2. What type of climate do we want to get married in? Cold, warm or hot?

3. How long do you want your wedding “weekend” or “retreat” to be?

4. How far do you want to go or willing to travel?

5. How far are your most important guests willing or able to afford to go?

6. What will the cost be for your guests?

7. How important is your ceremony and what locations can accommodate your religious needs?

8. Will you be providing any rooms, airfare or meals for your guests?

9. How many guests do I want to share in my special day?

10. Do you want a formal or casual destination wedding and location?

I hope the questions and photographs have helped you with figuring out if a Destination Wedding is truly the thing for you. Be blessed, stay safe, and stay planning!

Your Perspective Determines How Far You Grow!

Look closely...What do you see?

Is it a rabbit or a duck? This picture portrays an optical illusion which causes us to look a little closer than normal.

Let's face it, most people have become comfortable with accepting their current state of being. Some even prefer to see the glass as half empty rather than half full to avoid false hope or being disappointed. Many of us are risk averse and never step out in life to try something new or different.

Your perspective in life will ultimately determine your destination. If you are dreaming of opening up a company, but can only see the obstacles in your way, then shift your focus to one where you recognize that if others have done it, then you can too!

The world of media and marketing have paved the road for many businesses that have simply started out at home with one laptop computer. With the proper branding and design, your company can portray the global image that you are working toward for the future, today!

For example, facebook, and many other social media sites, as well as numerous businesses that we respectand support, demonstrate that there is power in numbers. Ensure that your business idea extends beyond your circle of family and friends. It must be something that the masses, (global market) needs or wants.

What is your perspective on starting small and growing? Do you resent humble beginnings? I have realized that building a solid foundation is essential. Anything success that is attained overnight, often comes with future setbacks or simply won't last very long. Furthermore, we appreciate the success even more after the long battle through trials, failures, setbacks, and the like.

As I sit and ponder on how I can ensure that my thoughts remain global, I remind myself of the goal- to make a positive impact on the world, by providing information and innovative ideas to those I meet daily.
Expanding our thinking is a process, but our minds have to be opened to begin.

When we look at the business moguls of the world today, we sometimes forget that they too started out small, but grew in leaps and bounds by staying focused, choosing to overcome obstacles, building endurance by never giving up, and by remaining confident that their ideas were worth millions until someone else believed it!

Truly the perspective you choose today, will build or break your mindset. Think big, then plan for bigger, until your business is much larger than you.

While you are climbing the ladder, it is also important to help others each step of the way.
Greatness and Success only become lonely when you get there by yourself.

On the verge of giving up....

Everyone on the road to success is faced with unique challenges. Let's just face it...Challenges are a  part of the process.  So let me make it easy for you. You can decide- do I really want to be successful or do I just like how "success looks"?

Someone recently asked me, "What do you do when you work so hard, but don't see the benefits you envisioned"? I just wanted to share 5 tips regarding the same, because I know we all feel this way from time to time.

1. Stay focused on the vision.
You are the only person who can see what your vision looks like. To you, it is tangible and you can almost taste it, (pun on the words).
However, there will be distractions to either slow you down or discourage you from even trying to reach your goal.
Make the decision to stay focused and do something daily to help you to get where you are dreaming.

2. Make sure you are on the right path.
Sometimes we work hard and not smart. In essence, we have not fully engaged in our true calling, or we are doing too many things simultaneously, and not completing any of them. Trust me, I was the queen of being busy, working on a minimum of six projects at a time, and feeling burnt out before seeing the result of any one of them. One day, I had to sit and look at my options, then narrow down what I would give my time and energy to. Believe me when I say the choice was not easy, but I would rather be excellent at one thing, do well in a few others, and say NO to time wasters.
Be especially careful of those projects that just give you a "title" or recognition but no actual long term benefits or fulfillment.

3. Remain connected.
The saying that "birds of a feather flock together" is more true than not. Your circle of friends, or associates will give you a great indication of what your future looks like. For some of us, that's great news. For others...well let's just say that we have some thinking to do :)
No matter what challenge comes your way, chances are, someone has gone through it, and overcame it successfully. It is important for us to continuously enlarge our professional circle, take an analysis of our current circle, and yes, decide what compartments each individual in your life should be placed in. When faced with a challenge, it's better to talk about it, than to withdraw. No one will know you need help, if you never open your mouth! Trust me I had to learn this the hard way...let's just say now, I'm a talker! :)

4. Get Creative.
Take a trip, dance, meditate by the beach, meet someone new, or maybe read a new kind of book. Simply find a way to bring out your creative juices. Remaining stagnant or waiting for millions to drop out of the sky is not the answer. Throwing a pity party is also not a great idea, if you plan to be successful. One idea for you to get your mind going, is to start writing about some of your goals, dreams and aspirations. Seeing them on paper will actually bring life to them. Your faith combined with works will do the rest! Keep dreaming.

5. Never Give Up.
I remember being at a place where I wanted to give up on my business, among other things....then I thankfully gathered my senses (they were all over the place) lol...What was I thinking? Forfeit my legacy? The generational wealth that's tied up in the business that God has blessed me with? Throw away all the plans and goals I had written down? I think not!!
The moment I decided to literally stick it out, was when miracles started knocking at my door...profitable projects and clients that I never imagined started making requests! It's all in the decision to stick with it. I promise you that once you keep at it, work strategically and stay positive, you will attract what is yours, and that is SUCCESS!

Non-Conventional Ways to Promote Your Business

Hello dreamers, thinkers, and achievers!!!

Daily, our world is becoming smaller, and this wonderful melting pot allows for numerous benefits, depending on your perspective. If you are one who sees the glass half full rather than half empty, then you will be amazed at what you can do through networking and the application of modern technology for your business.

Many times small businesses that are working on building their brand through providing products or services, find that the budget for marketing or public relations is minimal to non-existent. Trust me, I know the growing pains all too well. However, it is essential that if you are not able to afford the high end agency fees, you find a way to implement a marketing strategy that will create a buzz about your company...that is, if you truly want it to grow.

I'd like to share on some of the creative ways that you can simultaneously affect change and increase your brand awareness.

Recently I was in a local pageant where I learned so much about myself, communicating with others, staying organized, and how to raise sponsorship dollars!! It was an amazing learning experience that I would not trade for the world. While I placed 1st runner up, the opportunities I had to share love, life and God with others was invaluable, and guess what else made it worthwhile?

I was able to represent SageEden because it was my title sponsor. Sponsoring or entering a local or international pageant is a great way to promote your business and support your community.
With little effort, my company gained a household name as being one of the leading boutique marketing/pr training and event coordination organization through repetition of its name within the media (print, radio, television)

Each time the name Ms. SageEden was called to answer a question or receive an award on Pageant night,  a feeling of new beginnings and amazing opportunity came to mind. (and thousands who I probably would have never reached or come in contact with, became acquainted with us)
The more you expose yourself and your company to the global village we call our world, the more accountable you are to produce quality work, maintain a high standard of excellence and do amazing things!

While I wanted to share my personal experience of subtly but profoundly promoting my business through sponsoring a local pageant, this also serves as a reminder of other ways you can build your brand.

Consider the following: 

• Create a jingle or really cool commerical that you can circulate via all the social mediums.

• Wrap your vehicle in paraphernalia that would clearly outline what your business is about and the services you offer. (mobile marketing)

• Stage a photoshoot, then circulate the photos via email and social networks along with media houses. (include detailed captions and provide some info on your business as well)

• Sponsor community building events.

• Partner with other larger complimenting companies that host large annual events and volunteer your services.

Remember that starting up a flexible and afforable media campaign definitely calls for strategic thinking and sacrifice of time if not money. You can do it, just allow yourself time to get creative!
If you need additional innovative ways to get started with your customized media campaign, share your thoughts, or email us at sageeden@gmail.com.

Does your business need Public Relations?

Use effective PR to ensure success!

Many small business owners try to do it all to save money or to ensure that everything is done correctly. You'll even find a lot of people struggling to create a flyer in design program on the computer, and calling it marketing, advertising, or public relations.

This is not public relations.

Public relations includes a number of actions whose end result is to present a company in the best light possible. And a good public image of your company, of course, leads to tons of lifetime customers, which is what every business wants. This is NOT achievable with even your absolute best flyer from Microsoft Publisher.

Here are some benefits of getting in touch with some professionals if I haven't convinced you to do so already:

• PR firms have connections to media houses that make it easier to get information about your company on TV, the radio or in the newspaper.
• They know how to put a creative spin on news about your business.
• They can help you create a strong online presence on social networks to help you reach millions of potential clients.
• PR firms can coordinate events and design presentations to promote your business.
• They can mobilize and execute successful advertising campaigns to bring in new customers.

These are just some of the benefits of hiring a public relations professional -- someone who is a writer, an artist, a psychologist and a business person all rolled into one. Also, if you're worried about the cost, most firms, including SageEden Media Group, have marketing or public relations plans at different price ranges. So consider it today -- it's something that could ensure the success of your business!

Ways I Embrace My Audience

The best way to be most effective when training or presenting, is to be fully engaged with your audience.
How do you do that one may ask...

Whenever we are called upon to train or present, we ensure that we do the necessary research. Here are some tips to get you prepared for your next speaking gig!

1. Research your topic extensively.
Try to find out as much information you can before you begin writing your presentation. Ensure that you make it highly media oriented, and visual. People are drawn to images more than words. It also helps if you bring your personality to the presentation as well!

2. Know your audience.
This will help you win them over. It's important to share anecdotes and some personal experiences when you are speaking. It adds flavor to your mix!

3. Know your presentation by heart.
In the event that something may happen to your written notes, or even if the powerpoint presentation you prepared has "technical difficulties" you can still win your audience over by speaking from the heart.
Passion for something always outweighs abilitiy to do something. Once you have practiced your presentation, you should be able to share it with others in a way that will be conveyed as genuine, relevant, and informative.

4. Connect with your audience through eye contact.
It's true that the eyes are the windows to the soul. With this in mind, it's vital to look your audience in the eyes while you are presenting. If you feel slightly intimidated, or nervous, find a few friendly faces in the room, and focus on them. However, be sure that you feel connected to them, and they feel connected to you. Another great way to establish a connection during a speech or presentation, is to ask rhetorical questions, request volunteers, or ask situational questions that would get the audience thinking, and also responding.
Your ability to connect with your audience will make the difference in your presentation. This will also decide whether you get called again in the future to speak :)


5. Ask questions and allow for discussion!
Many of us have heard presentations where we thought that the information was useful and the speaker did a great job. One thing was missing....there was no room during or after the presentation for discussion or questions.
One of the best ways to test your effectiveness as a presenter is to initiate a discussion  afterward. Ask someone to give a synopsis on what they have learned. Don't be afraid to answer questions from your audience. This allows you to be viewed as more credible. Remember that once you have prepared yourself, and researched your topic, you are ready to go!
Don't try to be someone else when you are presenting. Build your brand by bringing your unique personality and charisma and go ahead and WOW your audience.
If you need further media coaching, or presentation training tips, SageEden Media Group would be happy to assist. Email us at sageeden@gmail.com.

All the best!

Flaunting Your Corporate Heels and Your Cooking Spoon!

It's amazing that the world often sells us that working corporate women may be powerful behind her desk, but in front of the stove, she leaves much to be desired. 
I must admit, I too had fears about having to give up my ambitions or tune them down just a bit to be a great wife, but to my wonderful surprise, the balance is quite achievable.  (Three months and counting...:)

I decided to blog about this because I beleive many women today are missing out on the joys of being "domestic," Cooking the delicious dinners, preparing scrumptious desserts and mixing up the perfect smoothies to start the day off.
Managing a business involves much time and effort, so working smart is the key.
Imagine leaving work to enter an unhappy home where those needs have not been taken care of. (Not a great idea) Here are some ideas to help us business/corporate/entrepreneurial women stay in tune with our feminitiy and maintain great relationships with those we love.

Feel free to share some of your thoughts as well.

1. Decide what is most important.
I've found that prioritizing has been most helpful to me. It's always better to keep this thought in mind: Love people and use money...not the other way around. Remember that doing things to show your loved ones you care will far outweigh the success rate of "projects" you work on in the corporate environment.

2. Plan ahead for your meals and your day.
If you plan out your meals and tasks involving the home on a weekly basis, you will be less stressed out and feel like you have done well to receive happy faces both in the corporate world and at home :)
Keeping a journal or calendar helps too!

3. Dispel the myths.
Try to erase those thoughts of feeling "less than" if you are a homemaker, or even have dreams of being one. (I know there are many women out there who secretly wish that they can be homemakers :) It's ok ladies! It's a great job to have, and you even get more appreciation, especially if you have kids! ) The media has done a great job in the past portraying domestic women as weaker or less educated-- You can be amazing at both!

4. Practice Truly Makes Perfect.
It is a fact that the more you do something, the better you get at it. Start small. Try one new recipie a week and perfect it.
A friend once shared this website with me, and I have enjoyed the recipies listed indeed! Give yourself a new challenge, and I assure you that you won't be disappointed.
www.joyofbaking.com

5. Embrace All of Your Roles, and ENJOY them!
We "super"women are heroes to many. We are leaders in myriads of industries, decision makers, mothers, doctors, teachers, listeners, friends. I've found that embracing and accepting the many roles that come with the teriritory of being a woman is a fabulous thing! Try to fulfill each role to the fullest when it is needed most. I know that we love multi-tasking, but sometimes, it's better just to be fully present (mind, body and soul) at one place, at one time.
Relax, Think, Meditate, Work Smart, Laugh, Share, Confide, Love, and Live. Remember that there is a time and season for everything under the sun.
Make sure you are on point in those corporate heels, and making your mark with your cooking spoon in hand!

On your mark, get set, GO!!!