Category: Wonderfully Random

The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 13 – I’m Official!

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Wonderfully Random, ,

I have been so immersed with projects and client work that I didn’t get a chance to share my utter excitement about being added to our website!

Before interviewing at Clairemont, I conducted a somewhat broad search for PR companies around Raleigh. When I found Clairemont’s website, I fell in love with the color scheme and the compelling blog articles.

The “Our Team” section was my favorite. All of the team members’ headshots were beautiful, and the linked profiles to their social media really provides a tidbit on who exactly they are. As a student, I longed for the day I would be working in the “real world” and become a part of a company’s website.

All of my pageant practice of smiling in front of the camera didn’t go to waste, because I am now featured in that coveted section. Although it may seem trivial, this accomplishment was a joy for me. This one simple photo symbolizes the start of my professional career in PR. I have begun my career in PR ahead of schedule (I graduated six months early), and I can now call myself an “Account Coordinator at Clairemont Communications.”

I can honestly say that this job is the perfect fit for me, and I am so humbled to come to work every day. When I have free time, I am always popping on our webpage and looking at our team–which now includes me!

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency.

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The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 8 – In the Bag

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Wonderfully Random,

Editor’s Note: Clairemont enthusiastically welcomes Jasmin Sessoms to our team! Follow this former beauty queen’s journey as she documents her first 30 days in a Raleigh PR agency.

 I have to admit, my mother has better style than I do. Although you may not think so, there are so many fashion trends that spurred from our parents’ and our grandparents’ time.

For me, fashion is easiest to think about as an ever-revolving door. What goes around comes back around-especially when it comes to fashion. It’s sometimes difficult to keep track of styles that are timeless.

Perusing through old pictures of my mother in college is proof. Afros, bell bottoms, halter tops, high-waisted shorts and crop tops were all the rage then. Fast-forward three decades to Fayetteville State University and you will find many students walking around campus wearing the same styles.

For many, vintage is a fashion inspiration. There so many new fashion moguls emerging, while icons like Jackie Kennedy still have styles that live on today. I am constantly trying to integrate my vintage finds into modern ones and describe myself as “vintage chic.”

Recently, I raided my mom’s closet and ran across her collection of vintage handbags. Although I have a million purses (or at least it seems like I do), I find that quality isn’t something that many designers today care about as much. In my mothers closet I found the most amazing stash of Dooney & Bourke as well as Coach bags. Since my mother keeps everything like new, they are all in the original duster bag. Perfect leather with a little bit of vintage flare. My friends would kill to get their hands on these bags.

As a gift for getting my first professional job at Clairemont, my mother handed down her leather briefcase that she too used at her first job in Raleigh. Symbolic, yes. Being able to carry my mother’s precious bag really warms my heart.

So, do you have any vintage clothes from your parent’s closets? Or do you hold on to certain articles of clothing with the hopes that they will one day be back in style?

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Million Dollar Ideas

Dana PhelpsBlog, Wonderfully Random, , 2 Comments on Million Dollar Ideas
Start by finding something in a plastic packet or wrapper.

Nothing is more exciting than coming up with an idea for a client that results in something huge such as the company’s highest traffic day ever (check), the media begging you for the exclusive (check) or the CEO getting an invitation to meet with the President of the United States and join him in a news conference (check).

What about those super cool ideas you have that are totally unrelated to your job and your clients? You know the ones that come to you randomly in the shower or based on something you, as a consumer, want or need that doesn’t seem to exist. We all have them. Most of us can’t (or won’t) do anything with them when they have nothing to do with our careers or passions. Maybe someone else could. In fact, I wish someone would take some of my ideas and DO them.

One is for fast food restaurants. Why can we get BBQ sauce and honey mustard in dip-able containers but the ketchup is still in a packet that has to be ripped open and squeezed? I had this idea years ago. I think someone is doing it now, but there are still a lot of packets of ketchup.

My latest — and I think this is a great biggo whopper of an idea — a GPS system that alerts me when a school zone is approaching. Last year, I got a ticket for speeding in a school zone. I felt horrible. I travel by this school every day. But that day, my schedule had changed a bit, and I didn’t realize it was the time that the school zone was active. What if my GPS system could have alerted me? Surely that is possible.

Here’s one more. Remote control germ protectors. Yes, I thought I had overcome my germophobic ways until an unexpected stay in a hotel during flu season triggered a flashback. Even in the cleanest of hotels, I tend to wonder if they think to sanitize things such as the door knobs, phone and remote control. Until there is a product, I like to make my own by using the plastic covers from the cups in the room or the coffee packets. See my photos for my product demo!

What are some of your million+ dollar ideas that you have no time or interest in developing but sure wish someone would?

Carefully empty the contents.
It is almost a germ protector!
Voila!
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Friday Favorite: Escazu Artisan Chocolates

Dana PhelpsBlog, Wonderfully Random, , 1 Comment on Friday Favorite: Escazu Artisan Chocolates

We have a problem. We love Escazu Chocolates. No, that isn’t the problem. We love buying Escazu Chocolates for people who proactively recommend us to potential clients and others who do nice deeds. No, that isn’t the problem either. Many times we eat the “presents” before we can get them mailed or delivered across town to their intended recipients. THAT is the problem!

I recently confessed this to chocolatier and co-owner, Danielle Centeno, when I went back to Escazu to “replenish” (then straight to the Post Office, do not pass GO, do not collect $200). She laughed and sweetly suggested that I consider allowing them to ship our gifts. Well…nah, that would take all of the fun out of it!

I have seen Escazu bars in grocery stores in several states for quite some time now, and they are available to order online. I was absolutely delighted to find out the chocolate is made right here in Raleigh! Visiting the retail shop on Blount is aaaamaaaazing. First it is the delicious smell as soon as the door opens, then it is the absolute beauty of the display of hand-crafted artisan chocolates which makes the decision of what to actually taste nearly impossible. My favorite is the Beaufort Bar with Sea Salt, and I love the spicy hot chocolate.

Escazu gets a double favorite rating from us — a fave thing and a fave place.

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