Month: October 2021

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Project Spotlight: #OTRisOnline Digital Holiday Promotion

When the pandemic pulled up, small businesses were hit hard.

But I had an idea.

#OTRisOnline graphic

I especially enjoy working with entrepreneurs and Creators, so the OTR Chamber of Commerce is one of my favorite clients.

 

The OTRCC has always led the charge to promote and support neighborhood businesses, but with Covid-19 cases surging just in time for the 2020 holiday season and people gravitating towards online shopping, they needed to try something new that made it easier for folks to buy local.

 

After conducting research on the retail industry and analyzing results from a survey of local businesses, I proposed a promotion highlighting local e-commerce as part of a larger campaign.

#OTRisOnline combined curation, storytelling, and influencer marketing in a focused Instagram campaign that made it convenient and fun to shop local.

  • Alchemy candle OTR Cincinnati
  • The Little Mahatma OTRisOnline
  • tmbtitwi OTRisOnline
  • Wolfpack OTRisOnline
Online retail digital holiday campaign case study

Online retail digital holiday campaign case study

I created shoppable links to Instagram posts using linkin.bio and worked with TetherCincy photographers Kevin J. Watkins and James Bates to quickly create images of 30+ local merchants!

Services for this project included:

Merchant Logistics

Influencer Management

Product Curation

Graphic Design

Photography (via Tether)

Social Media Management

My experience in Media Analysis, Editorial Styling, Graphic Design, Photo Shoot Production, Copywriting, and Project Management all played a role in making this promotion a success.

 

As a result, the #OTRisOnline campaign played a key role in promoting local e-commerce and directly drove sales to neighborhood businesses!

 

If you or your business are interested in creating magazine-style content that sells FOR you, send me a message or set up a chat—I’d love to help!

Need help taking that first step?

Then you need a PowerUP Session! That’s how I help you clarify your audience, create a clear vision for your content that aligns with your business goals, and take ACTION to get your sales going. Learn more.

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You deserve to thrive this year ✨

OK, so last year was a little rough. But 2021 can be whatever we want it to be.

woman sitting in coffee shop

After a year of obstacles (we shall overcome ✊ </p> </div><!-- .entry-content --> </article><!-- #post-2780 --> <article id=

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It’s not what you know or even who you know. It’s who knows YOU.

The whole point of building your personal brand is because people need to know, like and trust YOU.

What do the Targets and Nikes and Apples of the world have in common with your favorite actors, musicians, and influencers?

 

They each have a distinct brand that people know, like and trust enough to buy.

 

Their brand tells their story: How they came to be, the experiences that shaped them, how they see the world.

 

Their brand communicates their vision: What type of world they want to create for the people they care about.

 

Their brand has a look: The visuals and colors they use, how they use style and imagery to clarify, emphasize, and convey their message.

 

Their brand has a voice: How they talk, the words they use (and the words they don’t.)

 

Yes, people know these brands and people because they have big platforms and (sometimes) a lot of money, but that wouldn’t matter if you couldn’t tell them apart. If they didn’t have their own distinct vision, story, look, and voice, TarNikApp would barely register on our collective cultural radar.

 

They’ve managed to combine the things that people pay attention to in an appealing way: A clear brand + consistent exposure.

 

The good news (or not-so-good news depending on what day it is) is that in this day and age, you don’t need to spend a ton of money or build a huge platform to have either of those things.

A clear brand + consistent exposure are key.

Storytime!

There’s a woman I’ve been following on social media for a while, and I started following her because it seemed like I saw her everywhere.

 

She was at conferences and hosting workshops and quoted in articles. Online, she was always posting about being a #girlboss and traveling to speak and promoting her brand. But I had no idea what she actually did.

 

I went to one of those conferences and she was there, at the head of a line of people waiting to speak to her. “Oh, that’s [redacted],” I said to a fellow attendee. “I’ve seen her around, but what does she actually DO?”

 

The people around me shrugged; they didn’t know either. But they still got in line to talk to her.

 

That’s when I realized: it didn’t really matter that people didn’t know what she did. What mattered was that people knew who she was.

 

It’s the opposite of what most of us have been taught about hard work and learning valuable skills and developing our talents. But I’ve seen “who knows you is more important that what you do” play out in too many different scenarios to call it a fluke.

 

And it’s not that hard work, talent, etc. are not valuable. They are. It’s just that people want to know who you are before they’ll really pay attention to what you do.

 

As an if-I-just-work-hard-enough-people-will-notice introvert it was a painful realization.

 

But then I started to see the value in exposure, for being known for your story vs your skills, because that’s the way people truly connect. There’s no need for hateration in this dancerie because we all have a story.

 

If you want people to hire you/invest in you/collaborate with you because you’re so damn talented (and you are!), they have to know who you are FIRST. And the best way to make that happen is to build YOUR brand.

 

You don’t have to wait until you’re “ready” to take action. Check out these resources, sign up for my email list, and set up a chat so we can figure out the best way to make sure people know YOU.

Need help taking that first step?

Then you need a PowerUP Session! That’s how I help you unpack your thoughts, create a clear vision that aligns with your goals, and take ACTION to get you started. Learn more.

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Petite Coat Edit: Puffer, Trench, Tailored, Teddy

Petite Fall Winter Coat Edit
Clockwise from top left: One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine

Here in New England it’s just about time to do my seasonal storage swap and be reunited with my favorite coats and boots (so excited to break out these lightweight Sam Edelman combat boots again)! Below are a few of my staple categories for a robust coat closet. If you’re building up a timeless wardrobe or refreshing an old one, I’d start with the trench and the tailored coat, as together they’ll cover most of your outfit needs and the styles truly last the test of time!

  • Trench coat
  • Tailored wool coat
  • Cozy teddy / sherpa coat
  • Down puffer coat
  • Plaid coat

Petite sizes in outwear always sells out first, so I’ve combed the web for classic picks that are well stocked starting in 00 or xxs petite. Macy’s actually has a great selection of petite coats from a range of brands, and is currently running a huge fall sale (ends 10/12)!

Sam Edelman boots 5 (also here), AT coat (very similar), Zella leggings xxs, similar sweater, T&B hat (2021 version), BP sunglasses, Gucci bag

1. Trench

  • Great reviews: Banana Republic timeless trench (xxsP – LP)
  • Detachable hood, reviews mention running slim: London Fog classic trench (xxsP – xxlP)
  • Oversized midi length fit in petites: Nasty Gal oversized trench (0P – 10P)
  • Classic tan trench: Lauren Ralph Lauren petite trench (xxsP, xlP)
  • Drapey trench: A+F drapey trench. Regular sizing only, so sleeves will fit long but the overall length works for someone petite. Have an older version that I love and wear regularly!


2. Tailored / Wool-blend

  • Chic longer pick: Seven (xxs P – LP)
  • Lady Day Coat for Less: J.Crew Factory wool blend lady coat (00P – 12P)
  • MICHAEL Michael Kors belted coat in camel, black & fuchsia (xxsP – LP) 
  • A+F double cloth blanket coat in cream, brown & grey (xxsP – xlP)
  • Calvin Klein faux leather trim wrap coat (xxsP – LP) 
  • A + F tailored wool blend dad coat (xxs P – xlP)


3. Teddy / Sherpa

  • DKNY soft touch coat in a feminine rosewood or camel (XXSP – LP)
  • Banana Republic Sherpa Cocoon coat (XXSP – LP) love the look with knit sleeve cuffs
  • J.Crew double breasted teddy coat (XXSP – LP)
  • Budget pick under $50: Boohoo teddy sherpa coat (0P – 12 P)
  • Budget pick under $50: Missguided Petite borg teddy coat (2P – 6 P)


4. Plaid

  • Love the soft colors: Calvin Klein Petite Plaid Coat (0P – 8 P)
  • Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Walker Coat (0P to 12P)


5. Puffer

  • Classic parka with great reviews: LL Bean 650 fill Classic Down Parka xxsP – xlP)
  • Under $100: Uniqlo ultra light hooded puffer (regular only, but xxs & xs can be petite friendly)
  • MICHAEL Michael Kors Belted Puffer (xxs P – LP)
  • Cole Haan down jacket w removable hood (Under $90 with good reviews; xsP – xl P)


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Twist Front Dress dressed up vs down

how to style a white dress for fall petite fashion

Socialite dress xs (also in black), DV sandals 5.5 (my review), BP sunglasses (old; similar), The Daily Edited bag, Club Monaco trench (old)

With many of us now working from home for the foreseeable future, I’m always on the lookout for transitional pieces that can be dressed down with sneakers and dressed up for the occasional meeting or trip to the office! I’m partnering with Nordstrom to share this simple but chic dress that can be paired a number of different ways including with casual flats for everyday wear, since I know many of you have ditched the high heels over the past year!

Twist Front Dress

These feels soft and stretchy just a tee shirt dress but the twist front takes the look up a notch and the long sleeves make it a great seasonal transition piece. The ribbed material is medium weight so it layers nicely with your favorite blazer, moto jacket and trench coat. The length hits me (5’) right above the knees, so it can be work appropriate for petite ladies especially in the black color. The sleeves on the xs are a little on long on me, but beyond that the rest of the dress fits well without being bodycon tight. I chose the white since it shows the twist detail off more clearly, but the black is a little more camouflaging at the tummy area! 

Styled for On the Go

how to style a white tee shirt dress with sneakers petite

AllSaints jacket 00, Everlane sneakers (very similar), Goyard tote (my review)
Styled for Work

how to style a white dress for fall work office

Socialite dress xs, Marc Fisher heels 5 (run narrow), Ann Taylor blazer, Sole society tote (old; similar)

little white dress petite bridal shower

I also welcomed in the new season by finally taking my chelsea booties from the Nsale out for a spin! They’ll be a little more flattering / elongating if paired with black tights as the temperatures drop. I love how they bring a little bit of an edge to this preppier outfit. This adorable plaid skirt sold out quickly but I’m keeping an eye for any restocks on it!

plaid skirt for fall

Caslon boots 5 (start in size 4!), Vero Moda skirt xs, BP sweater xxs, similar mock neck top

Thank you to Nordstrom for partnering on this post.