A sunny Sunday afternoon in Atlanta was the perfect setting for the Curvy Fashionista #TCFStyle to successfully usher in their second brunch for the series “Own Your Blog, Brand and Business.” This jam-packed brunch was filled with great food, valuable advice, door prizes, vendors and much more. We spoke to some of the panelists and the moderator, Kim McCarter, following the festivities.
We know that you ladies are business owners and you all look fabulous today, but how many times a week do you look fabulous?
Marie Danee: I’m usually in a scarf, with no makeup. You can ask my interns, they usually see me au naturel.
Kim McCarter: Being the face of my business, I am barefaced because I want people to get a true understanding of what it means to be a business owner. It’s not as easy as it seems. If you’re not romancing your hustle, you don’t get paid. You don’t have that direct deposit to fall back on.
What keeps you going?
Ty Alexander: My team and blogger boos since the beginning of my blog keep me going. It’s important to have your tribe, and as you expand on your blogger journey, you will find bloggers who are genuine and sincere about your journey. [In] the grand scheme of things, my journey will help others, so it’s not about competing, but it’s about rooting for others. Especially when it’s a Black girl out there. Knowing there are other people out there that look like me and have the same goals and dreams that I do, I try to help them as much as I can.
MD: My followers growing on this journey with me. Knowing that me sharing a picture allows someone to feel validated and accepted. Those little things keep me going. When fans say things like “I’ve been following you for eight years.” When people in the community feel empowered, especially girl power, it keeps me going.
Jessica Kane: When women open their soul to you. It’s pretty much an honor when you realize you’re skyping with women and you see through her tears that putting on a dress for her is as scary as jumping off a building, we are here making a difference and we’re changing lives. That’s why we do it; we blog to communicate and change lives.
Did you consider your blog as a business in the beginning? How is that a transition for you?
KM: Blogging is definitely about owning your own business. It makes it easier when you want to monetize and grow your following. You may not be a web designer but you may need to know a little bit of coding to fix something or want to learn more about SEO, branding and marketing.
JK: I’m a businesswoman, so I can’t help myself. I always think of opportunities or ways to connect with people for everyone to benefit. When you’re in a partnership with the advertiser, you both need to benefit from that. For me, yes I did consider my blog as a business because I came from the corporate world. You do a spreadsheet about what month, and what goals you have and you fill in the blanks to make sure to you’re making “X” amount of emails and calls a day, “X” amount of content and all of that, so for me, it was always business.
MD: My blog started as a hobby on the “Blogger” platform in 2008 after I finished my MBA in marketing. When I lost my job on Friday the 13th 2009, I realized there was something in blogging when I received my first piece of clothing from a company. I knew that there was some type of transaction there. Even though it wasn’t monetary, they were giving me clothes to write about and cover on their site. I stalked “Bad Snob,” “AfroBella” and Claire from “Fashion Blog Daily.” I looked at their blogs to understand the layout. Google Adsense was the only opportunity to make money, and you we’re lucky to get $10 for the month. So [I] kind of got real innovative and started utilizing every single resource. Have to stress that, you must use and exhaust every single resource.
What are your favorite forms of monetization?
MD: I like a mixture. As an entrepreneur, it’s important that you have multiple streams of income. There is marketing that goes into making money such as the cross relationships and finding ways to work together in partnerships. I like creating a series with a brand. Relationships are key.
As a business coach, building relationships is very Important. What are some tips on relationship building?
MD: Just saying “hi” and acknowledging them. Making assumptions [can] mess you up. Start the conversation and be respectful to everyone’s business.
Chante B.: Introduce yourself. Send a formal introduction letter. Some come back later and offer you opportunities. Be genuine. It all starts with a conversation.
TA: Find PR people and be polite. Ask them out to coffee to pick their brain. Make relationships with people who control the budget.
JK: Write on their business card what you discussed with them and what are your next steps. Use a spreadsheet. Write a note to remind yourself and schedule a time in your day to reconnect and follow up with people.
