Motivated Monday - Don’t call it a comeback!

Hello lovies! I know you’ve missed your daily dose of the Bougie Budgetista because I know I’ve missed you too. In my writing sabbatical, I’ve come to experience many things and meet some AMAZING people. My vision has had a few revisions and now I’m back and better than ever! As some of my readers would say, I’m “down right motivated”!

So here’s the scoop – I met an amazing writer named Ashley Cisneros who has, for lack of a better phrase, lit a fire under my butt. She, like so many others I’ve come across, risked it all for her dreams, leaving a secure position in her field to explore new, more fruitful ventures. She’s now her own boss working on her own terms. A perfect portrait of a hustler, if you ask me. She has encouraged me to get back on my rock star status and write, write, write my way to my goal of working in my field while pursuing my passion in the fitness world. This project works in phases.

Phase one: Take your vision and make revisions

I had the opportunity to sit down with Ashley for brunch and just talk. Granted, we talked about everything from school to weddings to business ventures, successes and failures, and (most importantly) the lessons learned from it all. During our talk, I learned the importance of the “Everything but the kitchen sink” resume (officially known as a curriculum vitae, for you fancy folks) and tailor each resume to the position you’re applying for. Make your experience align with the job description to give yourself a leg up against the competition. Needless to say, I smacked my forehead and thought, “Now, why didn’t I think of that?” You know you can do it. You know you have the knowledge and skills to make that happen. Now think about all the qualifications you have to help you achieve your goal and put it on paper. Think about all the necessary steps you’ll need to take to get to finish line.

Phase two: You better (Net)Work, Honey!

I’ll admit, I’m not the best networker in the world. But I know people who are! And, believe you me, knowing is half the battle. Ashley, on the other hand, is a master at this art form. So, whether you’re a wall flower like me or a social butterfly like Ashley, the one thing we both recommend you do is get some business cards. You can make them yourself at home or have them professionally done. If you’re going to go the print route, I must recommend VistaPrint. They have amazing deals and wonderful customer service. Plus, what makes a bigger impression – ridges on your flimsy card and off center print, or 500 uniform, print quality cards that you only paid shipping for?

Phase three: Lights, Camera, and Plan of Action

Once you’ve figured out all the steps and possible side steps needed and met some key players in helping you achieve your goal, you now have to put your plan into action. Don’t have an action plan? Make one! Be it a vision board or a business plan or a mantra on a post-it on your bathroom mirror, you MUST have a visual representation of what you’re working towards. It’s a constant reminder that every single day, what you’re doing is getting you closer to where you want to be.

Through Ashley, I’ve met some wonderfully talented people. Where I lack, they have and vice versa. There is the potential for some seriously successful partnerships to flourish. But right now, I must focus on my writing. After all, that was step one in my master plan. If I am going to touch as many people as possible with my story and my passions, then I must write. 

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Pretty Boy (or Girl) Swag, FancyLo Style

They say "Don't judge a book by it's cover," but let's be real. When you're walking through Barnes & Noble, what makes you stop and browse through a novel you've never heard of before? The cover! The same same applies to people and their appearances. A well dressed person is more likely to spark the interest of those around them than someone who takes no pride in the way they look. "But it's the weekend... Why should I dress up on my day off?" Because you never know you're going to run in to.

Many of us have our normal nine to five, to which we give 110% Monday through Friday. But once it hits 5:01pm, our focus turns to our own pursuit of success. Since the world's down time is our grind time, we are constantly at work, but during those off hours, we get to be the boss. To those of you who morph into Super-CEO the minute you clock out, ask yourself "What does my weekend wardrobe say about me?"

I have a colleague who I love dearly. She has a vibrant spirit and a killer work ethic. But, up until recently, I would see her at the office looking like she had given up on herself. She's so exhausted by the daytime job, her MBA, and her own grind that she opts to hide from the world behind frumpy garb rather than take the time to unleash her inner diva. "I set out something fabulous the night before, but when I wake up in the morning, I just don't feel like making that effort anymore," she told me. With a closet full of Cole Haans, Stuart Weitzmans, and Michael Kors, she defaults to cheap flip flops and oversized sweaters that do nothing for her. She would swear up and down that she was what she likes to call FancyLo - low maintenance, but still put together. But unfortunately, her look was taking "Lo" to a whole new level. Borderline "Sloppy", actually. The more we got into our conversation, the more I realized that I wasn't seeing the half of it. If this is how she presented herself during the work week, then how on earth was she carrying herself on the weekends?

This got me thinking. How do you pull off "low maintenance" without looking like a hot mess? First, we have to start by putting your sweats where they belong - next to your gym bag and/or your cleaning supplies. Next work on your closet and make it easy to navigate. Section it off in three parts - Daytime (work), Evening (play) and Weekend (relax). Each section should make one cohesive statement about who you are, where you're going, and what you're going to do when you get there. Since weekends are normally a time to kick back and relax at your local coffee shop and work on your boss status (assuming you're like the rest of us), stock your closet with über comfortable basic pieces that say "I care about myself and my work and so should you." Skip the tailored shirts and slacks you wear all week and opt for well fitting tees in a natural material (both long and short sleeved), laid back oxford shirts, comfy sweaters, relaxed cargos, breathable leggings (for the ladies, of course), and a great pair of jeans. Stick to neutral colors to you can grab and go without having to put much thought into how things go together. The great thing is that a lot of these essential pieces are not expensive at all and you can stock up without breaking the bank. Ladies, finish off the look with a pair of adorable ballet flats, gladiator sandals or riding boots. Gentlemen, depending on your personal style, go for boat shoes, casual sneakers that show off your personal style (like Pumas or Nike SBs), or just stick with a classic and throw on a pair of Chuck Taylors. Bottom line, your weekend wear should be chic, simple, but always put together. Sometimes, less really is more.

In the great debate about the definition of FancyLo, my colleague argued that I was far to Fancy and I didn't have a Lo bone in my body. I couldn't disagree with her more. Just because I like the finer things in life doesn't mean I won't go grab brunch in a sweater and leggings (à la modern Flashdance) with little, if any, makeup. I just want my exterior to always reflect my interior. And until this conversation, she wasn't letting her amazing personality and talent shine through her wardrobe. The next day, when I saw her at the office, she looked adorably laid back - hair done in a chic pony tail, a simple but well fitting black sweater, and a printed A-line skirt. And now I know her weekend wear was equally as sophisticated. I couldn't have been more proud. She finally understood what I had been fussing with her about for weeks. If you look good on the outside, you'll feel good on the inside.

Everyone has a little FancyLo in them. I do it city style. She's all California girl. Midwesterners add their own flavor to it, etc. The point is that FancyLo should never be just Lo. There should always be some effort put into your effortless look.

So as we kick off the weekend think about what you're about to throw on to run your errands. If you were to meet who could become your best client, would you feel good about the impression you made when you handed him or her your business card? Marinate on it and have an awesome weekend!

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Portrait of a Hustler: Shawntel O. Asemota of SOA Event Concepts, LLC

T.G.I.M.! Thank God it’s Monday! Most folks dread this day, as it marks the start of another torturous work week at the office. But there are few individuals in this world who smile at the mere mention of Monday. To them Monday indicates not just the beginning of the work week, but the chance to create new opportunities for success. It’s grind time!

As many of you know, I’m quite the late bloomer. Though I have a job that provides me a comfortable living, I’m not in love with it. It’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life. And to be 100% honest, I’m still not sure what I want to do with my life. But now, I at least have an idea, all thanks to my best friend and entrepreneurial mentor, Shawntel O. Asemota.

I met Shawntel in the summer of 2007 at the University of Georgia in a step aerobics class. She has a certain je ne sais quoi about her that instantly drew me to her and made us fast friends. Shawntel initially starter her college career thinking she was going to become a lawyer, then retire as an event planner. She soon realized that law just wasn’t for her and switched to advertising that helped her creative juices flow freely. With her advertising degree she got a job right out of college with a direct marketing firm. Realizing that corporate America wasn’t for her she quite to pursue her passion, and reach success as an event planner. And so, SOA Event Concepts, LLC was born.

Let’s face it. Being an entrepreneur takes hard work, determination, discipline and faith. I’ve always admired Shawntel’s drive and work ethic. She is a master time manager and multi-tasker, juggling building her brand, blogging about her experiences as the Unemployed [but Empowered] Entrepreneur, freelancing as a relationship columnist, working as an event coordinator at her new job with Event Design Group, rubbing elbows with fellow grinders in her industry, and still finding time to balance and build on a successful relationship with an equally ambitious “boyfriancé”. There is nothing this woman can’t do, and yet she still finds time to be an amazing friend to me.

So in the spirit of Mondays, I encourage all of you to stop looking at today like the plague, take a  page right out of Shawntel’s proverbial book, and start seeing the world through SOA colored glasses – it’s a new beginning full of networking opportunities, business ventures, and the chance to build your own personal empire. Now, as my lovie/BFF always says, "go forth and conquer your dreams" even when everyone else is having a bad case of the Mondays.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista

Oh You Fancy, Huh?

bou·gie [bü-zhē]

-adjective

1. Aspiring to be a higher class than one is.
2. Extravagant, often to the point of snobbery.
3. Anything that is perceived as "upscale" from a blue-collar point of view.  

It seems so simple to tack on a negative connotation to such a simple word. To most, when they hear the word "bougie," all they really hear is "stuck up," "arrogant," "cocky," "siditty," "fancy" even. But when you take a moment and really delve into the origins of the word, we find a much simpler and respected meaning. To be bougie is to be a hustler.

Let's look back to the late middle ages. Western Europe was in turmoil. Britain and France had both suffered multiple famines and the black death. Fields were left with no one to work them. Landlords were so desperate for employees that they raised wages to entice workers. And those workers took heed. In fact, some expected more. Much more. In the 14th and 15th centuries, artisans and tradesmen arose and became an economic powerhouse. They branched out and conducted business in favor of their own interests. These early entrepreneurs had their eyes on the prize and through their hard work, made it to the top of the social ladder - rubbing elbows with nobility. The bourgeoisie was born.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the bourgeoisie established themselves as the prominent middle class. They rallied for changes in property laws, expanded trade and commerce and established a capitalist economy. By the late 19th century, this social class had was retiring and living comfortably off their own investments. Now, correct me if i'm wrong, but last time i checked, this is what we all strive for - success and comfort. Today's entrepreneurs share the same mentality as the bourgeois did in the 1700s. With hard work, dedication, and innovation, this social class moved up from being commoners in a feudal economy to being recognized as nobility. By encouraging thinking outside of the box and even gender equality, and by being disciplined enough to focus in perfecting the skills necessary to be the best at what their trade, the bourgeois created the blueprint for today's hustlers to follow.

I've caught so much hell for calling myself "The Bougie Budgetista." I mean, I’ve actually been told "I would never want to be considered bougie." All I can do is laugh at those poor souls. Why wouldn't you want to be successful? If you don't want success as desperately as you want to take your next breath, then please, do the rest of us bougie folks a favor and step aside. We're on a mission to get to the top and you run the risk of getting trampled over.

Now, once you're safely on the sidelines, take a moment and look around you. See if you can spot the hustlers grinding right under your nose. You see that young woman sipping a latté in Barnes & Nobel? She's actually thumbing through event planning magazines getting ideas for her next project while simultaneously typing her column for an online publication. You see that well dressed young man at the sushi restaurant at 2:00pm having lunch with some older gentlemen? Did you notice his 9 to 5 work badge on his hip? He's actually holding a business meeting with the owners of the newest night club in the city, negotiating a contract for his promotions company to host events on Thursday nights. Mind you, the young man is on his lunch break at work. It's 6:00am and you're going for your morning jog and you notice a man leaving the studio with a red bull in his hand. He's actually been up all night, working with his artists while checking the progress of this t-shirt company and confirming his next three MCing gigs for major greek events. And did you notice the young woman at the fabric store debating between two couture designers' patterns? She's actually an aspiring designer, making beautiful renditions of Europe’s hottest looks for little if any money, just to get her name out there. And the next time you're at your city's hottest night spot, take a look in the VIP section. You may just see these fabulous individuals there after months of hard work and sleepless nights poppin' bottles. After all, we are bougie.

♥  - The Bougie Budgetista