6 Tips For Developing Your Brand!!!

Here are my tips for Brand Development:

1) Create A Circle That Matters. (Your Squad Represents how your brand moves.) Bosses hang with other Bosses!

2) Utilize Your Network: “Your Net Worth Is Within Your Network”-Willie J

3) Allow Yourself Space To Dream Big, But Execute The Vision. (Lessons will occur, but you have to at least go after the dream and make it happen.)

4) Get Your Brand In Order: File the proper paperwork, Ask Questions, Invest In What Your Don’t Know, Hire A Team. (If you cannot afford a business coach or lawyer, etc. barter with them. (Ex: You run a bracelet business & need a lawyer, give the lawyer some of your bracelets in exchange for them drawing up your contracts.)

5) Allow Room For Growth & Rest: Take a vacation, get some sleep, or rejeuvenate your energy by enjoying your hobbies.

6)Show Support To Other Entrepreneurs: There is room for everybody to win. Buy from other entrepreneurs this promotes growth in the business community, shows support to other business owners, and allows us to build more successful streams of income.

Thank You all for reading and these are some tools to add into your resources as you continue to pursue great things in your careers! Please feel free to share this & I will have more on the way. I appreciate everyone for continuing to take this journey with me and know that I’m focused and am ready to share a lot more with my Starrahs!

Shift Your World The Rest Will Follow,
-Willie J (Brander/Creative Director)

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Creating Your Own Lane!!!!

Sometimes life gets demanding as one gets older. Your views change, people change, & your circumstances evolve. For me the challenge has been how do l make life happen the way l envision it & still be open to the inevitable changes. For me it’s been ever-changing. The main lesson l continue to learn from life is to stay in motion even if it hurts. l remember being in college as a freshman signing up for spring semester and then calling home to find out my father had died that morning. My family had been trying to get a hold of me, but l had my phone on vibrate because l was in class that morning. Here it was something tragic had happened at the same time, as l was signing up for my adulthood future. l’ll go into further detail later this month as it marks my father’s 10 Year Anniversary of him relaxing in heaven. I said all of that to say, l had to keep moving even when l cried my eyes out. I had to get in the mind frame that l had something bigger to complete and that if l gave too much energy into my father’s death. I too would be defeated, full of regrets, & not able to enjoy life as it was intended for me.

We all are put on earth to do great works, so wasting ones talent to appease your family, friends, or whomever else is a faux pas. Every day is a new day to try something new, give way to a new idea, try some new food, create a new positive habit, etc. Right now life is moving me into my place in the Mogul World. I’m throwing an event on October 18th, 2014 called “l Got $5 On lt” this the first event l’ve put together and there is a lot of work involved. I have much respect for event planners and having this kind of stress is not for the weak. I’m still finishing up a few things, but am so glad l started planning this early. Word to the wise, EARLY PLANNING= A HAPPIER YOU! l started doing meetings back in August and then got some dates in mind & the rest flowed from there. l’ll be doing a post about the event once it’s over, so don’t worry Starrahs, y’all will be in the loop.

l want you all to know that if you want to be successful than you’ve got to roll with the changes. For years l did events for other people or threw my own touch to someone else’s party. Now l am ready to take the risks and see how l can add my spin on things from beginning to end. I wanted my brand to grow and here a created opportunity to do so. I cannot wait to announce some of the other projects I am doing in the coming months. All I can say is my voice is being heard and the right people are taking notice. The best part about these experiences is not the material or monetary gain; it’s about building an ongoing business relationship that’ll create a new lane for other STARRAHS to follow. Someone gave me a start because they saw potential in where l am going. Now l am using my potential and help other’s brands grow, which in turn will help me evolve too.

Starrahs Don’t Be Afraid To Help Someone Else You Might Create Your Lane After all!

Still Figuring It Out,
-Willie J

 

Happy 2 Years!!! Still Writing…

Happy 2 Year Anniversary to the All Things Willie J blog site. When I created this labor of love it was a way for me to pour out what’s going on in my world. I know that I’m not the only one who goes through issues, struggles, success, & understanding of who they are. I knew that my intention was to create a conversation and an outlet to make us all wonder what we’re capable of. This year has been one of many transitions and rolling with life as it comes. I normally plan things out, but l didn’t see some of the obstacles I’d have to overcome. I have to give honor to GOD for keeping me sane & still pushing through. Even during the days when I didn’t want to say anything or let those closest to me know I was going through troubling times. It looked like I had it all together, but behind my SMILE I was hurting. I felt like things weren’t going to get better for me even though I kept my mind as positive as can be. I just felt defeated and down.

My 27th birthday was a few days ago and it was a good and simple one. For my previous birthdays, I’d be in another city taking a vacation. This year that wasn’t an option for me, however, I created my own adventure this year. I got a chance to seek out some wise advice and my friend took me to dinner. I ended the night with a glass of wine & a red velvet cupcake. It was nice receiving love from my friends on my birthday and that made me feel special. Most times I’m so consumed with doing for others that l have to take time out for myself. Oh I have no problem getting on a bus, plane, or train to get away when I need to refuel. The best lesson for me that night was: “You are where you’re meant to be.” I kept reminding myself that l may not understand why things are where they are in my life, but I am in good standing. Most people would have given up and not focused on what trying times are teaching them. I’ve been reflecting on what these struggles have been teaching me.

Then I begin to think about how fast 2 years has gone by and my site is still going strong. During this time of transition for me, I can still OWN something. When I knew my finances began to fluctuate l had put aside the money I needed to keep this legacy going. I’ve always been someone who taught the value of owning your BRAND and finding ways to make it WORK. That’s exactly what I did.

Recently, a friend of mine told me “Look how far you’ve come Willie? You went from a blog site, to a radio show, and you’re still doing other things.” I had to take it in because they were right, I’ve got more work to do, which is why I celebrate every milestone in my career. I don’t want to be 50 years old and start reflecting on my career at that point. I’ve got enough time right now. I also took heed to some of the advice the wise woman told me on my birthday: “Stop over analyzing everything. Don’t beat yourself up because you’re doing the best you can. The little steps you’re taking now are having greater impacts in your life than you realize.” I must say she was on point because I’d forgotten to just be. My brand is doing well and just because I’m not seeing it’s frugalness at the moment, there are great outcomes happening because of me doing the work.

I encourage everyone to continue speaking your life into existence. It may not show up when you want it to, but eventually it’ll manifest at the appropriate time. I am holding on to my dream of moving out of my hometown and planting my Starrah SEEDS on new soil. My soul is meant to LIVE and be FREE. The truth is I’m bored here; my soul is already in my dream city kicking it, making the proper moves until we meet up. I will continue to do the work and step outside of my comfort zone and stretch my brand further than I can see.
Thank You for making these 2 years a good start, warm welcome, & letting me know that what I have to say still has value.

Breathing in my success,
Willie J

 

Where Will I Go….?

I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. It’s been 9 years since I graduated high school. When I left for college I had it all figured out. I’d graduate with my degree and then I’d move out of Ohio. At the time my life was taking many twist and turns due to family issues going on, so I had to take care of in-house first. Now that storm has passed, the idea of me moving has come back full force. I know where home is, Cleveland will always have my heart. At the same time if I want my brand to expand I’ll have to open myself up to another city that can provide me with the proper resources. I have a few places I’d love to live in, but not sure which one to choose. My best friend and I were talking about moving in general. We both have degrees and realize that relocating will be in our best interest. She brought up the fears of moving to a city where you don’t have family or friends to lean on. It’s a valid reason, but many of our friends have relocated and found success in cities they’d never think of being in.

Then my mom is worried about me moving because she doesn’t think I’d make it. What she fails to realize is if I can survive being unemployed and still staying afloat surely I can make it wherever I go. I don’t have any children or responsibilities and this would be a great time in my life to venture away. Plus I have a lot of ideas that require more backing and guidance. Life has many challenges, but regrets are hurdles too. In order for me to figure out where I need to be it’s time to do more affirmations. Recently I looked at a few grad school programs for my Masters, but nothing seems to fit at the moment. I refuse to rush into school to gain more status. I’m doing pretty well with my Bachelors.

My radio show “All Things Willie J” is molding into a quality hour program that provides my audience with valuable knowledge. I expanded the show and have a few segments that are going to become signatures of who I am. For example, “Starrah Motivational Thought” is a spot where I give inspiration to those who need it. One highlight of this experience was having my Insurance Agent, Amanda Polasko talk about the importance of having LIFE INSURANCE. That is a topic that I speak with many friends and family about. So many of us don’t have life insurance, which than bears more weight on the family during their time of grief. If you can save at least $20.00-$30.00 dollars a month then it’s possible for you to get some kind of life insurance coverage. Even if it’s for $5,000 dollars every cent counts and you can always increase your coverage amount at a later time. I know we’re in trying times, but WHEN THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY.

In closing, having a radio show has opened me up to the possibilities of going global and being in a new city that embraces me. Cleveland has given me continued support and I know that wherever I go, I’ll represent my hometown well. 2013 is my year of transitioning and gaining more insight into who “Willie J” is and what he’s meant to do here on earth. Now that is worth exploring whether I’m in the BIG APPLE, the BIG EASY or ACROSS THE POND.

Starrahs where would you want to live if money wasn’t an issue for you? What would you do there and why that city suits you?

Traveling Comfortably,
Willie J