Tyra Banks book Modelland # 2 on New Yorks Times best seller list

I am happy for her...I prob won't get the book but happy some enjoy it!

Keri Hilson joined Michelle Obama's Lets Move Campaign

Angela Simmons Peta Ad

I just seen this pic of Angela Simmons and I'm not in love with it for a couple of reasons.  First I just don't really like the picture ( the actually ad) than the message.  I have been to many churchs and read plenty bible verses and articles and never have I read that eating meat is a sin.  Maybe I am the ignorant one & if I am excuse me but I haven't heard this one before.  I know other faiths believe or feel they don't need to eat meat but idk. I don't know what religion or faith she is but I'm real curious to know if she doesn't eat any meat & if that includes all animal products such as fish and eggs....

Kelly Rowlaand Here I am contest

Take a photo of yourself holding up a Here I Am sign and show Kelly who you are or where you’re from. The most creative photos will get prizes. The grand prize winner will win an iPad and three runners up will win signed autographs!  Please make sure that we can see your Here I Am sign in your photo!

Planning and event 101

I am going to highlight a few tips about planning an event!

1. Give yourself enough time to plan properly ( at least a month).
2. Don't rely soley on social media to market, use your telephone, postal mail and if you really want to make an impression you can actually physically invite some guess while giving a paper invitation.
3. Set a reasonable budget.
4. This is probably the most important BE ENGAGED with your guest, when the hostess makes you feel welcome it makes a world of difference!!!!!
5. Set goals as to how many people you want, time line, etc.
6.  Make an agenda that you could pass on to guest so they know what to expect or if more informal have it just for yourself so you feel more confident and in control.
7. Be prepared it will make it ssssoooo much more fun for you and your guest ( a relaxed in charge hostess is a better hostess)
8. Send out Thank yous are some how let guest know you appreciate their time.

Hope these are found to be helpful and leave a comment or question!!!!
xoxoxo....Nicki's Beauty Bar

Business Tips from Black Enterprise

I came across an article in the latest Black Enterprise Magazine small biz section.

5 tips for revving up your business

and I thought I should share for anyone who is in or thinking of going into business....

these are the points I found most useful.

Jamilah Barnes Creekmur who used to be a driving force with allhiphop.com had these tips

• Consider adding value before raising the price

so if you must raise the price for whatever reason add an additional service or quality to what you are offering so that the customer doesn't see it as higher prices because something comes with it!

• Don't forget to be innovative

sometimes offer things to your customers before they know that they need it or heard of it.

• Partner Up

this has proven to be the absolute hardest thing for me to do.  I would have loved and still would love to partner up but it is ofetn times hard to find someone on the same page as you are and that is not threatened by the possibility that you will make more money or take some out their pocket.  With me being so new at business I still have that fresh newbie attitude that thinks everything is going to work but not everyone is so receptive.  That does not mean stop trying because I am definitely not going to. 

• Plan Accordingly

this is also something that I have to work on because a lot of my planning begins and ends in my head and never makes it on paper.  I might execute the plan but don't have it written out so it's hard to track later on down the road.  I know how important a paper trail is so that is a MUST for me to get better at.  Jamilah states "that a lot of small business owners want that multi-million dollar business but don't understand the investment and sacrifice it takes to get to that point."

• Understand that Communication is Essential

Heard many times It's cheaper to keep a loyal customer than it is to acquire a new one.  Because the loyal customer has an emotional connection to your brand it is important to have a loyalty program or retention program.  "She also advises entrepreneurs to under-promise and over-deliver.  This may mean follow-up calls, remembering customers by name, etc."

I found this article to be helpful and a reminder of things I heard before but ALWAYS important to keep incorporating them into the business, so I hope this has been some use to someone else!


ttyl....xoxoxo....Nicki's Beauty Bar

FNO 2011 Soho District

Hey Dolls & Gents!!!

SO I went to fashion night out In NY this year!!! It was sssooo myuch fun and tons of people...crazy street fashion.  I went to the city first to Macy's where Ms. Jay was and Rachel Roy, & Joss Stone performed outside!!!  It was crazy packed in there too but nothing like the the SoHo District.  Since it was my first time I didnt know that was the place to be!  I also heard that the Meat Packing District is LIVE as well.

The events start @ 6pm and they are on time (my experience) and from what I heard people saying was that they weren't going home tell 2am...& so hitting up partys tell 5am...so it be all the way jumping!!!!!  There were I would guess @ least a thousand people out in the SoHo District if not more.  You mainly just socialize, most of the store have pop up bars serving drinks ((UMMMM))...the AX drink was so delish! I believe it was Sephora who was giving out little champagne bottles of MOET.  I didn't see a lot of people shopping with the exception of Mac and Steve Madden.  But it was a really good time.

Next time I will hit Soho first and Meat Packing District Second and since Im not from NY I flew in that day and basically got to my hotel @ 6pm and had to just rush out so I was super tired and didn't have time to change:(...I wanted to get a lil more chic but I said hey I'm here so make the best out of it instead of getting all chic but missing most the events...oh well

So in short it was a great time and I prob will do it again!!