On this episode, I answer another round of small business and career questions straight out of my inbox. I tackle how to add online courses to your resume, how to pursue a personal passion such as international volunteerism while also wanting to further your education/career, how and why businesses should be responding to customer complaints on social media, why you shouldn't be so quick to jump on the podcast bandwagon just because it's popular and more. - - Email hashtags@hos-pr.com to submit ...
Nov 24, 2016•28 min
*Anniversary Episode* Yes, that's right. Today, the Hashtags and Stilettos podcast turns one! It all started a year ago with the first episode "Done is Better Than Perfect," so it's only right that I talk about why that mantra still and will always apply to our lives and how we can apply it. Email hashtags@hos-pr.com to submit questions. Social Media: Instagram.com/MissSuccess Twitter.com/MissSuccess Show Notes: hashtagsandstilettos.com/done-is-still-better-than-perfect Like this episode? Rate a...
Sep 28, 2016•18 min
On this episode, my goal is to give you "invoicing 101" tips to create flawless invoices so that you always get paid on time! You will learn the questions you should ask a new client or partner before you create or send an invoice. How you should submit that invoice. The pieces of information that should be included and when it's appropriate to follow-up regarding payment after you've sent your invoice. Email hashtags@hos-pr.com to submit questions. Social Media: Instagram.com/MissSuccess Twitte...
Sep 24, 2016•30 min
On this episode, I answer your most pressing small business and career questions straight out of my inbox. I tackle the importance of streamlining your business's customer service response system, provide tips on differentiating your online store so that you can attract and retain customers, share alternatives to having interns or employees work out of your home office, talk about the benefits of staying in your own lane in business even when your customers are the ones who want you to branch ou...
Aug 10, 2016•29 min
Myleik Teele is the founder and Chief Experience Officer at curlBOX, a monthly subscription service that changed the way women buy and discover products for their curly hair needs. She is also the host of the #MyTaughtYou podcast where she provides invaluable career and business advice to thousands of women. On this episode, I caught up with Myleik, whom I first interviewed in 2012 a few months after she launched curlBOX, to talk about some of the things she said during that interview and to lea...
Jul 25, 2016•49 min
Marie Denee, better known as 'The Curvy Fashionista' is a fashion blogger, freelance fashion writer and a respected voice and influencer in the plus size fashion arena. With over eleven years of experience, Marie has made it her mission to continuously show women that they can be Curvy, Confident and Chic. In 2008, Marie founded TheCurvyFashionista.com after realizing that when it came to great stylish clothing for plus size women, options were limited. Armed with an MBA in marketing, fashion ex...
Jun 28, 2016•55 min
On this episode, I reference a 2012 blog post titled the "Sakita Method," and go deep on the tried and true strategies that I've used over the years to create my own luck in my career and in business. I swear by this method and can wholeheartedly say that if you employ the tips that I outline, you will be successful in getting a new job, client or opportunity. Don't waste another second of your life waiting for things to happen or allowing things to happen to you. You have more power and influen...
Jun 25, 2016•39 min
Olori Swank is a serial entrepreneur, celebrity stylist, fashion designer and she recently became an author with the release of her first book '101: The Blueprint for a Swank Life,' which she describes as a "fashion and lifestyle advice guide that provides tips on style, dating, finance, entrepreneurship and more. As a celebrity stylist, Olori has worked with notable names such as Keyshia Cole, Tyrese, Teyana Taylor, Lance Gross, Keke Palmer and others. Using the knowledge she gained from stylin...
Jun 06, 2016•44 min
Crosby Noricks is the founder of PR Couture, a top editorial destination serving, supporting and celebrating the field of fashion communications. Crosby is also the author of Ready to Launch: The PR Couture Guide to Breaking into Fashion PR as well as an experienced digital marketing strategist and business coach who is currently in the process of establishing the first trade organization for fashion communicators called Fashion Communicators International. On this episode of the Hashtags and St...
May 02, 2016•34 min
Renae Bluitt is the founder of Crush Media, a beauty PR and lifestyle marketing firm she founded in 2008. Although her firm has been behind campaigns for marquee clients such as EDEN Body Works, Elasta QP, Karen's Body Beautiful and many more, she is perhaps better known as the founder and editor of InHerShoesBlog.com, a platform she lovingly refers to as a "one stop shop for women who are the captain of their own ship." On this episode of Hashtags and Stilettos, Renae talks about why she chose ...
Apr 25, 2016•50 min
Networking has become somewhat of a dirty word and that's mainly because people are doing it wrong. Most people view the concept of networking as trying to know as many people as possible so that they can use them for some future gain. However, it's much more than that. Are you an introvert? Do you hate going to networking events and happy hours but want to build a killer network? Then the tips provided in this episode of #HashtagsandStilettos are for you. Show Notes: hashtagsandstilettos.com/in...
Apr 04, 2016•26 min
Tahira Wright (@ItsTahiraJoy) is the co-founder of The Cut Life, a blog and digital platform created in June 2013 to celebrate all things related to short hair. The Cut Life has amassed a large and loyal online fan base that recently crossed the 1 million follower mark on Instagram. On this episode, Tahira talks about that growth, The Cut Life's early beginnings and how her team plans to turn their digital community into a booming business as the authority on short hair. Show Notes: http://hasht...
Mar 21, 2016•57 min
Melissa Kimble is a social media expert and the founder of My Creative Connection, a platform for Black creative millennials that provides community, resources, tools and strategies to help them create the lives that they envision for themselves. On this episode, Melissa talks about the evolution of My Creative Connection and how the idea for the #BlkCreatives chat was born. She also discusses her creative process, her unique approach to cultivating ideas and she provides tips for how others can...
Mar 14, 2016•38 min
Mattie James is the editor of the lifestyle blog Mattieologie.com. Last Summer, after being unexpectedly laid off from her 9-5, Mattie decided to pursue her years-long dream of turning her blog into a full-time business. On this episode, we talk about the exact moment she was laid off and how she kicked her blogging business into overdrive and is making it both profitable and sustainable. Show Notes: http://hashtagsandstilettos.com/mattie-james/ Have feedback? Rate and review this episode on iTu...
Mar 07, 2016•50 min
Necole Kane is a digital media maven and the editor of xoNecole(.)com, the premiere online destination for millennial women. xoNecole covers a diverse range of topics such as business, beauty, sex, career and travel and seeks to educate, inspires, entertain and most importantly empower and remind women that not only are you in control of your own life, but you also have the power to rewrite the script at any moment. On this episode, Necole talks about life after shutting down Necole Bitchie, sha...
Feb 29, 2016•51 min
This episode tackles a question or conundrum everyone has experienced at one point in their lives: knowing when to walk away from an opportunity. Knowing what she knows now, Sakita shares tips on how to make more informed decisions in these moments instead of operating purely from a place of "need" or "want." Have feedback? Rate and review this episode on iTunes or send Sakita a message on twitter: www.twitter.com/MissSuccess.
Feb 24, 2016•19 min
Whenever I get overwhelmed with work or want to make headway on a specific project or task, I deliberately schedule a #PowerHour on my calendar. Designating some time to be fully present and give my undivided attention to one thing has done wonders for my productivity. On this episode, I also introduce a new segment called 'PR Problems,' where I discuss a celebrity or company who is in the news with a PR crisis or problem and I prescribe a solution for how they can navigate their way through it....
Feb 19, 2016•20 min
I recently joined the Joblogues podcast to discuss how anyone can use branding principles to position themselves for career success. On that episode, I broke branding down to its most basic level: "Your brand is not what you say it is, it is what the audience says it is." However, I didn't get a chance to go deeper and explain that while this is true, you have a great deal of power to influence how your audience views you and/or your business.
Jan 24, 2016•11 min
A great opportunity lands in our lap or a colleague suggests that we throw our name in the ring for a new job or project and instead of preparing a pitch or application, we instantly disqualify ourselves and make a list of all the reasons it won't work out or why we're not good enough. This is called rejection committee thinking and on this episode, I share a few tips on how to do away with this terrible habit. Show Notes: http://hashtagsandstilettos.com/stop-talking-yourself-out-of-shit-podcast...
Jan 19, 2016•8 min
Today marks the start of my 5th full year as an entrepreneur. I remember the day that I quit my job at the end of 2010 like it was yesterday. It's been an interesting five years full of highs, lows, really tough moments and major triumphs. I'm so grateful to have made it to this important milestone and wanted to share some of my experience and reflections with you. In this episode, I'll be sharing 5 reflections, 5 mistakes and lessons learned and 5 things that I'll be taking into the next 5 year...
Jan 02, 2016•26 min
We don't talk enough about money. And we don't talk enough about what happens at the negotiating table, when you're an employee or when you're a business owner. It's easy to make mistakes when you just don't have the knowledge or experience which is why I wanted to share some of my biggest negotiating fails. A lot of people are struggling privately when it comes to negotiating (and leaving a lot of money on the table in the process), so I wanted to be transparent about some major ways that I've ...
Nov 24, 2015•28 min
When James Wright's review of Patti Labelle's Sweet Potato Pie went viral, it sent the pies flying off the shelves at Walmart. It was a PR gift wrapped in gold and bedazzled in diamonds. Instead of riding that wave, Patti threw it away by saying that the pies were selling out before the video. On this episode, I talk about that crucial mistake, the nature of viral videos and if they can be deliberately created. I also discuss the power of social influence and how to leverage a "viral moment" if ...
Nov 23, 2015•19 min
If you've ever felt like giving up, quitting a job or project or giving in, this episode it for you. Lately, I've been having a lot of conversations with other creatives and entrepreneurs and a common thread seems to be that all of us have reached some sort of breaking point or moment when we're ready to quit projects or our entire business and do something else. In this episode, I share my own story about wanting to give up and explore the ONE thing we should do when those begin to seep into ou...
Oct 29, 2015•10 min
Fake gurus are the people who wake up on any given day and just decide that they are going to be an expert, coach, consultant or thought leader in a particular space, even when they don't have any actual expertise in that area. You can find fake gurus in your current work place, in your industry and especially on social media. But instead of getting frustrated that they are muddying the waters and making things difficult for people like you, who actually know what you're talking about, you shoul...
Oct 12, 2015•10 min
Most people don't understand what public relations is, but they know they need it. Evidence of this can be found during some of my recent conversations and on Twitter whenever I ask people to submit PR questions and get crickets in return. However, my inbox is consistently inundated with questions about different topics that fall under the PR umbrella. Which led to a recent epiphany: even though people know to bring these questions and issues to a publicist, they weren't able to make the connect...
Oct 10, 2015•13 min
We live in a world where influence among every day people, bloggers and celebrities is rightfully wielded as a superpower. Every business and brand wants a piece of that influence and to get the attention of their captive audiences, but when does it make sense to pay cold hard cash for it?
Oct 08, 2015•13 min
Sitting in traffic at a red light the other day made me think about all of the different automated signals we have in our life that enable us to mindlessly go with the flow and how that expectation then seeps into other areas of our life causing us to wait for some type of signal or green light to move forward. I thought about this in relation to all of the things we say we want to do and accomplish but we never make a move. Why? What are we waiting for? And what if the things that we’re waiting...
Oct 06, 2015•5 min
If you're not already blogging about your brand or business, you should be. In this episode, Sakita talks about the common excuses entrepreneurs and creatives give for not blogging, the benefits of using blogging to become a thought leader in your industry and the many platform options that exist that make it super easy for you to share your first post today!
Oct 05, 2015•15 min
Mitch, the founder of Boy Beads, a men's accessory line asked for advice on how to turn down business opportunities and requests that may be beneficial to his business without ruining the business relationship. In this episode, you'll learn to identify the moments or circumstances in your business when you should turn an opportunity down (1:20) and Sakita provides some quick examples of how to respectfully pass on a potentially lucrative deal without completely ruining the relationship (3:03).
Oct 02, 2015•7 min
On the first episode of the Hashtags + Stilettos podcast, Sakita talks about how to get more done by removing the pressures of perfectionism using two very simple concepts: the 'done is better than perfect' mindset and the 'Power Hour.'
Sep 28, 2015•9 min
