Your Circle= YOU
“I believe the moral basis for any effort will always be more powerful than a mere business strategy.”
Your Circle= YOU
The older I get, the more I realize that who I surround myself with matters, and it matters a great deal to my success.
I'm going to steal a minute of your time to share with you that I chose one hell of a man to surround myself with, forever. On December 19, 2015 I said "yes" when he got down on one knee and proposed. I was ecstatic; it felt absolutely right and absolutely normal. So my honey is the inspiration for this blog post. Our engagement got me thinking hard about all the business ventures I am working on and how extremely important it is to surround myself with people that believe what I do.
For example, TOMS shoes. For Blake Mycoskie's loyal army, do you think they're so much buying his shoes? No way. They're buying his One for One program. They're so moved by his heart and the fact that they're contributing to his mission of putting shoes on little kids feet in South America. There's heart and meaning behind his shoes.
Building Your Personal Circle
When building your personal relationships: friends, a husband or wife, or mentors. Always find people that have the same core values as you and that are moved by the same things your heart is moved by. This means values, beliefs, and work ethic. Now, that's not to discredit that opposites do attract, they do. Take Mark and I for instance. We're both very driven and motivated. However, in all honesty, he's really an extrovert and I'm more prone to an introvert. He also hates to be on stage, public speaking and I love it! Weird I know, but we're not talking about our belief in God or what we feel is important, like family & being proud of our work. Our core values are set, but we have different strengths and compliment each other nicely. We also lift each other up. We want each other to succeed and support each other in our ventures. What do your friends and personal relationships do for you?
Building Your Business Circle
I've come up with a New Year's resolution. It sort of snuck up on me and hit me in the face. It really comes from my heart however and correlates with Mr. Coon's quote at the top. Why do I keep chasing these companies and agencies that I know I'm going to have to put my foot down with as a model. I have a certain set of standards, what I will do and will not do. It's very easy to get caught up in wanting to "make it". Show a little more skin, wear this, just this one shoot. It can escalate very quickly, turning into an ethical drift that you never may have meant to happen. Corroding away at your core values and what you stand for. So in 2016, I have a new plan.
“I want customers, agencies, followers, & companies that are in tune with my values. Standing alongside for what’s important & believing that your worth is much more than how much skin you’re willing to show off... ”
I'm very proud to announce my exclusive group: Values First. This is a movement. I want to encourage young girls that they don't have to show off everything to get attention. Classy is beautiful. And to relieve some of the pressures the industry sets for what they should wear & look like.
For aspiring models, boutiques, photographers, MUA's, & emerging designers, I want to curb the industry's standards and have a community of ladies backing these individuals & businesses. "I'm worth more", "I'm a Values First Lady", "Values First Approved", these are just some of the things I want to hear this community shout, use as hashtags, support each other with, support each others businesses, and so much more. I would loveeee to hear a success story like this, "No, I can't do that photo shoot. I'm part of the Values First community & I've got 2,000 other members behind me; they would think this is wrong too. I'm worth more and I put my values first".
I want to make a difference. I want to be that positive role model for young girls and have a place for them to come and raise questions and debate about the standards the industry sets for them. So my daughter can know what a lady truly looks like and how they should act & what to expect. So my son can see how true ladies act and how he should view them, for their hearts.
I want to curb how "sexy" the industry currently is. Classy is beautiful and we are worth much more, but I need the help of my model and designer friends.
One voice can make a difference, but what could 2,000, 5,000, or even 10,000 voices accomplish? How can we change the industry and what WE expect from them, together?
#ValuesFirst
#ValuesFirstLady
#imworthmore
#ValuesFirstApproved
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