Women in Business Conference

Are you an entrepreneur who:

• Is looking to take your business to the next level and achieve more?
• Is facing challenges accessing capital to become more profitable?
• Wants to accelerate your brand to stratospheric levels?
• Is looking for proven tools and strategies to achieve maximum success?

Well look no further, it’s time to jumpstart your business success in 2012 by attending the Women in Business Conference and Expo taking place on Thursday 19^th January 2012 at London Met, 84 Moorgate between 9:30am – 4:00pm

The National Black Women’s Network in partnership with Lloyds TSB Bank Plc, London Metropolitan University and GV Media is pleased to bring you an exciting line up of powerful and inspirational speakers and the brightest minds to inform, motivate and empower you to achieve success against the odds in an ever changing economic climate under the Let’s Talk Business banner.

Why Attend

This not to be missed all day conference is aimed at savvy women who are interested or involved in promoting business and features:-

• Informative, educational expert sessions
• Entrepreneurial success stories
• Meet the Banker opportunities
• Motivating speakers
• Networking Luncheon

The Women in Business Conference will feature a keynote presentation from Baroness Wheatcroft of Blackheath (former editor in chief of Wall Street Journal Europe and editor Sunday Telegraph) and a panel discussion formed by accomplished and talented women from the business and political community; who will share their advice, strategies and recommendations on a variety of topics vital to women entrepreneurs and future leaders. You will be inspired by their stories and hopefully spurred on to create success on your own terms.

Our interactive workshop session covers social media, leadership, presentation skills, branding, marketing, personal and professional development.

There’s no doubt about it, the Women in Business conference offers a valuable opportunity to focus on growing your business and connecting leading members of the business community with savvy entrepreneurs, students, staff and alumni of London Metropolitan University.

And that’s not all.

This event provides ample opportunities to connect on a deeper level with both other attendees and speakers with the potential for future joint ventures and valuable business relationships.

Confirmed Speakers include Baroness Wheatcroft of Blackheath; Deb Leary OBE, CEO, Forensic Pathways Ltd; Cathy Walker. Head of Public Sector Marketing, Fujitsu Services; Sheila Elliott FCCA, MBA, LPNLP; Director BSS Group; Turly Humphries, CEO, Circle Sports; Sonia Brown MBE (founder NBWN and Sistatalk) and Jenny McDowell,  Manager, Business Networks External Affairs, Lloyds Banking Group – Commercial.

Confirmed Workshops include Innovative Approaches to Improve Your Bottom Line with Lloyds TSB Bank Plc; Women on the Move:  Passion Meeting Reality; Re energise Your Social Media Campaign to build Your Business; Superstar Strategies to Put Your Personal & Business Brand in the Spotlight Recognising Opportunities for Young Women in Business. Additional speakers will be confirmed soon, so stay tuned for further details.

Register

Don’t delay – register now at www.nbwn.eventbrite.com for this vital education and empowerment conference and join in the success!   It’s time to change the way that women do business.

Here’s to your success in 2012.

Self promotion essential or vulgar what do you think?

 

I read this article on women and self promotion on the Mail Online and had to share.  Please read and comment below, we are interested to hear your view on this topic.  We have met a number of women who vary from being self promotion guru’s to those that think self promotion is vulgar.  You can read the article here.

The First Lady Meets…Rococo Chichi Skin Care

Where does the name Rococo Chichi come from (it’s very cute)?

We wanted to have name that reminded people of decadence, and the rococo era was decadence itself and the “chichi” in French refers to luxury, over the top etc. So we put both words together and liked it and the more we said the more we liked so we kept it.

Rococo Chichi is natural skin care using whipped shea butter, could you tell us how you came up with the idea and why?

I started making the whipped Shea butters for myself, as I have very dry skin and I had also decided to wear my hair natural, the more I investigated on how to care for my skin and hair, Shea butter seemed to always be advised.  I started experimenting for myself and the results on my skin and hair were amazing, so I gave some to friends and family and the feedback was incredible. People used to tell me all the time “you should sell these”, so I did!

 

What sets you apart from other natural skin care brands?

What sets us apart is the texture of our butters, they are 100% natural and handmade; they contain no chemicals, preservatives, additives or perfume.

We also ensure that the raw Shea butter we use has been certified organic by the Soil Association and certified Fairtrade by the Fairtrade labelling organization (FLO).

Which is your favourite Rococo Chichi product why?

I love all the butters I make and I use them on a daily basis, but I have to say that the Vanilla Whipped Shea Body Butter always put a smile on my face, because it always makes me think of cake!

 

What are you doing to keep your products relevant in this poor economic climate?

We believe that our products offer value for money and our products are 100% Natural and are always going to be better for moisturising skin and hair compared to many very well know products that are priced at the same level.

What have been your biggest challenges and how have you overcome them?  (I imagine that skin care can be quite tricky.)

Spreading the word about RococoChichi is the biggest challenge, we believe we have a great product so letting people know about it is key. I have a scientific research background so preparing skincare is less daunting than people might think.

Where can we find you?

Website: www.rococochichi.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rococochichi/138074086223483

http://www.facebook.com/RococoChichi

Twitter: @rococochichi

With Rococo Chichi’s range of whipped shea butter for your skin and hair there is no need to have dry skin this winter.  The products look luxurious, shea butter is wonderful for any skin type and the packaging looks great which means equals useful Christmas presents and if you don’t celebrate Christmas they are great New Year presents, or just darn good daily skin care products!

Tickets £5.00: http://thefirstladychristmasfayre.eventbrite.com/
Under 16′s free

The First Lady Meets…Sascha Hurrell “Queen Edgina”

Sascha Hurrell – Digital Artist and founder of Queen Edgina

Your artwork is very cool, why did you choose digital art? 

While at university I experimented with combining digital imagery and painting. I find that it provides a lot more flexibility and can be adapted to any size or format. This especially works well when exhibiting at events and producing commissions.

What inspires your work?

Architecture is the central theme of my art so I take photographs of buildings, which display an interesting feature or facade. When taking the photograph I always have in mind what shapes, textures and colours will compliment the image. An essential element to my artwork is vintage fabrics. I love the history behind them, and often rummage around vintage shops to find an unusual design.

Describe your style…

I’d like to think my images are quirky and individual. Juxtaposing strong colours and textures is a key element and is often the most interesting and creative part of the process.

In addition to your art do you have other employment? If yes how do you juggle the two and everyday life?

I currently have full-time employment in London and manage Queen Edgina Designs in my spare time. I find making deadlines helps a great deal, as well as writing lots of lists! Most importantly I love being creative, which is what inspires me to continue designing.

What are your plans for 2012?

My plan is to continue building my portfolio and expand commission work. Researching the market, making contacts and attending fairs will be essential in progressing the business. My new collection of prints inspired by a recent visit to Valencia will also be available.

If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why?

I have great respect for the artist Howard Hodgkin. His incredible use of colour and shape really inspires me to be bold with my own work.

Where can we find you?

Website: www.queenedgina.com

Sacha’s work is very cool, her cards and prints would look at home on any mantlepiece.  I like the way she merges the old with the new and her experimentation with texture giving flat images a 3d feel.  Remember card is for life, not just for Christmas.

Tickets £5.00: http://thefirstladychristmasfayre.eventbrite.com/
Under 16′s free

The First Lady Meets… Jessica Valerie

Jessica Valerie – Jewellery designer.

What lead you to jewellery design?



I studied fine art painting to degree level and maintained my interest in
product design throughout my studies. Whilst studying I worked in various
jewellery retailers and decided to learn the skill of jewellery making
which I then combined with my artistic passion.

What materials and jewels do you use and why?

In each collection I use a selection of carefully sources materials and
components. These include freshwater pearls in all shapes and sizes as
well as semi-precious stones, i.e. moonstone, opal, rose quartz, jade and
turquoise. I often blend different the pearls with Swarovski crystals to
create a more contemporary design.

Where does your inspiration come from?



For each collection and jewellery piece I am inspired by absolutely everything to do with film, art, product design and the material itself.
 At the moment I am inspired by the glamour of the 1920′s and films such as,
’The Tourist’ which to me is the epitome of decadence!  What is the most challenging aspect of jewellery designing and how do you overcome this?

I would say one of the major challenges I face on a daily basis is knowing when a design is complete. I often find that there are so many different designs I can make I tend to keep building up collections when I should really take a breath.

Your work has been featured in a number of mainstream media, how did this come about and has it had a positive impact?



I have had a very positive reaction from mainstream media, which has built my confidence for my business. The highlight of my year to date was being approached by Vogue magazine to feature my new ‘eternity’ collection in their Christmas magazine. I also was shortlisted by Marie Clare magazine for one of their business mentor competitions.

What can we expect to see from Jessica Valerie in 2012?

Jessica Valerie will continue to grow and both existing and brand new collections will be developed. Towards the latter part of this year I have seen a big increase in our ‘bespoke’ service (a service that allows customers to design their ideas and the team here work with them to create an individual piece of jewellery), the 2012 aims would be to continue the success of this service and also to potentially add in fusion range that would really explore more of the semi-precious stone products.

Where can we find you?

Website: www.jessicavalerie.com



Blog: http://www.jessicavalerie.com/blog/

 

As you can see from the images in this interview, Jessica’s pieces are beautiful well crafted pieces that will bring subtle sparkle to any outfit.  I am looking forward to forward to purchasing an item or two, however I must remember that a) I am supposed to be buying Christmas gifts for people other than me and b) my credit card has a limit, not a target!

 

Tickets £5.00: http://thefirstladychristmasfayre.eventbrite.com/
Under 16′s free

The First Lady Meets…Iola Williams and learns about Zumba Zumbata!

Iola Williams – Zumba Zumbata founder

I have heard of Zumba, but what is Zumba Zumbata? 

It’s still the same Zumba everyone loves, but with more flavour.  African/ Black people always like to add more spice to things (whether it’s an extra ‘oh’ at the end of a word, or hot pepper sauce to a meal – you know what I’m talking about, right), and so (being of African Caribbean decent),  the same applies to me with my Zumba classes.  The bata is a traditional ceremonial drum (and dance) which originates from Nigeria (specifically of the Yoruba tribe) and was transported to Cuba during the slave trade. I’m taking the Latin-inspired fitness craze back to its African roots!

What lead you to train as a Zumba teacher and combine it with a more Afrocentric sound?

Dancing has always been a passion of mine. I’ve previously danced and performed with several groups (from street dance to traditional West African dance) but stopped years ago after injuring my knee during an audition.  2011 has been quite a challenging year for me, and I really needed a boost, so a friend of mine encouraged me to do the instructor course.

I’m glad you asked me about the ‘Afrocentric’ element…Whilst I love the concept of Zumba, as with many things (be it fashion, music or even invention generally) its strong African influence is downplayed. We shouldn’t get it twisted, most Latin dances and music genres, from salsa to samba or cumbia, are heavily influenced by African music/dance.  Also, I became frustrated with the annoying ‘African’ soundtracks available and so I’m taking the opportunity to represent in a more authentic style.

Iola with 2face Idibia

What do you do apart from Zumba and how do you balance this?

I’m a full-time student, working shifts, as well as a freelance writer and copy editor.  It’s not easy at all, but balance is integral to my health and wellbeing, and so I’m constantly working on being still and ‘me’ time (you can call it meditation), plus dancing (Zumba) is always good for the soul.

You have a health issue do you mind sharing this and telling us how it has impacted your life?

I had a (benign) cyst the size of a grapefruit and so was advised to have it surgically removed in June. The laparoscopy revealed that I have endometriosis, which is a gynaecological condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of the body, causing severe menstrual-like cramps and in worst cases, infertility.  On top of that I had a lumpectomy a few weeks ago, which turned out to be fibroadenoma – I believe it’s all relative in terms of hormonal imbalance.

Unfortunately, doctors (in my experience) are not well informed about the guidance or even medical advice to offer endo sufferers and so I regularly seek advice from my naturopath/Chinese herbalist.  I have drastically changed my diet – no meat, no dairy, no wheat, no gluten and definitely no SOY.  The internet, evening primrose oil and the love and support of friends and family are my lifelines!

I find Black women in particular tend to be more introverted when it comes our bodily concerns. I encourage everyone to get to really know their body.  If you have any concerns, share them with a confidant – don’t keep it to yourself as stress is the biggest factor in worsening conditions in most cases, always seek immediate medical advice, do your own research and be persistent (doctors are not Gods and do not know everything). Our bodies are our temples, plus they’re the only ones we have.

How do you stay motivated?

This may sound cheesy, but I’m motivated by my immediate circle of phenomenal people I am blessed to have around me. They provide encouragement and support, and kicks up the proverbial behind when needed.

In terms of fitness regimens, I’m very lazy. I joined the gym in September and I couldn’t tell you what it looks like inside – thank God for Zumba!

I also love a good quote/proverb, this is the one I’m using for now:  “When the music changes, so does the dance”, which for me means, don’t stop in the face of adversity, keep dancing.

What can we expect from your Zumba class at The First Lady Fayre?

FUN, Zumba favourites, afro beats and live drumming – so lose your inhibitions and don’t watch no face – it’s not Strictly and I’m no Janet Jackson either!

Do you have a class timetable?

Classes will commence in January 2012. You will be able to find the New Year schedule on my website.

Where can we find you? 

Web info: http://www.zumbazumbata.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Zumba-Zumbata/248165205234582

Twitter: @ZumbaZumbata   / @Iamiola

 We love the sound of Zumba Zumbata and cannot wait to give it a go!  Make sure you bring some trainers and comfy clothing to take part in the Afrocentric fun that is Zumba Zumbata.  We are also totally moved and inspired by Iola’s journey and have certainly made a note of the saying, “When the music changes, so does the dance”.  Iola’s tenacity and outlook on like is heart warming and motivational.  Life is for living so go and live it..in The Rag Factory with us on 18th December!

Tickets £5.00: http://thefirstladychristmasfayre.eventbrite.com/
Under 16′s free

Tina Lobondi new collection drop at The First Lady Christmas Fayre!

We are very lucky to have Tina Lobondi back at The First Lady Fayre this Christmas.  This talented designer will be exhibiting her new collection as well as pieces from previous collections.  I bought a TL piece at our May event and look forward to purchasing another!

“Tina Lobondi’s new collection was inspired by Asia and Africa meeting the European culture and classic cut. The dresses are elegant and easy to wear. The little black dress takes on a new adventure, as it is the main colour for this collection. With attention to details as her goal, the designer has probably created her best collection yet.”

 

Read our interview with Tina Earlier this year here.

The First Lady Meets…Allsorts Accessories!

The management group for the Allsorts Accessories enterprise is:

Shannon Bell
Sophie Bell
Deana Williams
Shannon Sharrard
Chloe Chantrey
Rosie Akril
Emily Gilbert

Emily and her tools

 Shannon S and Jewellery designer Suz

Shannon B hard at work

What is All Sorts unique selling point (USP)?

The USP for allsorts is that all the products are hand-made and designed by young people.  It is not only a product based business but a social enterprise designed to give “at risk” young women the opportunity to develop a positive future for themselves.

How did you get into jewellery designing? 

We started doing jewellery workshops as part of the activities that Ed and Mark (from positive futures) put on for us to do.  We really enjoyed making the jewellery and we all got quite good at it.  We were then invited to sell some products at the Positive Futures celebration event.  The response for our products was really good so we decided, with the help from Positive Futures, to look further into making it a viable business.

What would you be doing if you weren’t involved with Positive Futures?

If we weren’t involved in Positive Futures there wouldn’t be a lot to do.  Some of us would be involved in drinking out on the street or just hanging around, others would pretty much stay at home and not do much.  Positive Futures has given us loads of stuff to do and lots of fun trips, and now maybe a new business for us to run.

What inspires your designs? 

We make designs from the skills Suzanne has shown us and then do it in our own style.  We all have different styles so the jewellery is very eclectic.

What are your personal favourite products from your range?

The cards and bracelets are the best.  Because with the cards they are a thoughtful present and the bracelets are quite simple to make but look really good and you can do a lot of different designs.

What are the benefits of jewellery making and working with Positive Futures?

It is fun to do and now we have the chance to run a business it would be silly not to take up the opportunity.  It is a good session if you are stressed or your day is going bad because it relieves stress and you can sit and chat as well as make things.

What is the best business lesson you have learnt so far? 

The best business lesson we have learned is to work hard at sourcing stock and also be punctual and organised.

 What are your plans for 2012?

Allsorts is just starting so a lot of our time is spent on making stock at the moment, we have just set up a Facebook page – search “allsorts accessories” on facebook.

Facebook page click here.

Positive Futures information click here.

The First Lady champions entrepreneurship particulary amongst women.  It is our belief that it you are never too young to start thinking about working for yourself, as such we have partnered with Positive Futures to give a young accessory company called, “Allsorts Accessories” the opporunity to showcase at our Christmas event.

Positive Futures is a national activity-based social inclusion programme for young people aged 8 to19.

Launched in 2001, the programme helps young people from deprived communities steer clear of crime, drug and alcohol misuse and move forward in their lives.

At the heart of Positive Futures is a strong, shared commitment to reaching young people ‘where they are’, building relationships of respect and trust and supporting them to succeed.

Tickets £5.00: http://thefirstladychristmasfayre.eventbrite.com/
Under 16′s free

The First Lady Meets… Nina Gaskell, Queen of African Fusion Cooking!

Nina Gaskell – Author of African Fusion Cooking.

What is African Fusion cooking?

African Fusion Cooking is a blend of African ingredients, vegetables, fruits and so on combined into original recipes devised by me in a new way to appeal to western tastes. I also include herbs, and spices and other ingredients from India, south-east Asia and so on. Much of these have been picked on my wide travels.

Black eyed bean pie (nom nom nom)

How and why did you come up with this concept?

I am married to an Englishman so I adapt the ingredients from my roots to satisfy his taste. When I retired, I had accumulated so many recipes that I decided I ought to write them down and thus the book came into fruition.

Bread fruit chips

Tell us about your book?

In the end, I had to publish the book myself as it is virtually impossible for someone who is not a name on the tv to break into cookery publishing. The book consists of lots of general cookery hints, descriptions of the various fruits and vegetables and then detailed recipes for starters, mains, vegetables and desserts. As well as explaining what to look for in the fruits and vegetables, the recipes are also drawn up to be suitable for the busy cook and also those looking for economical recipes, especially in these straightened times. There are illustrations of some of the recipes in colour.

When you are not fusion cooking what do you do?

A lot of my time is taken up with experimenting with various ingredients. At the moment, of course, I am promoting the book through my website with my blog there plus Facebook, Linkedin, etc. I am hoping to set up a twitter account shortly.

How do you balance this with running being an entrepreneur?

The balance is not a problem, as the business is my hobby as well.

 

Fried Khadu (Indian Pumpkin)

How do you do you make yourself appealing in an economic climate when people are watching the pennies?

As noted above, the recipes are virtually all geared for the economies of the moment. Besides selling the book in paper form, it is now available as a Kindle e-book.

 

Where do you see your company in the next three years?

I hope in the next 3 years, that a major publisher will have taken up this book, and that I should be well on the way of completing a second book, because I am already accumulating more original and distinctive recipes.

 

Where can we find you?

Website: www.africanfusioncooking.com

I cannot wait to meet Nina, sample her food (yes she is bringing samples) buy her book and get African fusion cooking!  The food looks sumptuous, I think Nina needs a restaurant!  Well done Nina what a fabulous idea.

 

Tickets £5.00: http://thefirstladychristmasfayre.eventbrite.com/
Under 16′s free

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