Tag: professional development

Oh Momma Monday: Tori Fox, Barre3

Tracy LathanBlog, In Our Community, Oh Momma Monday, Owning a Business, , ,

We are fortunate to live in a community with so many inspiring female business owners, entrepreneurs, bloggers and professionals. What I find truly amazing is that many of these women are also running households and raising young children. I, for one, am always looking for tips on how working moms are able to juggle everything. So during the next few months, Oh Momma Monday will be sharing a view into the lives of some of these busy women. Hopefully, something you read here inspires you!

Tori Fox wears many hats – entrepreneur, business owner, wife, mother of two young girls, motivator. In the spring of 2014, Tori opened Barre3 Raleigh-Five Points and since day one has been changing the lives, bodies and minds of women across the Triangle. Her positive energy is infectious – I was hooked after the first class! We were able to catch up with Tori to find out what inspired her to start her business and how she manages to maintain a healthy balance.

What is your occupation/business?

Owner, Barre3 Raleigh – Five Points

What inspired you to start your own business?

I knew what I wanted didn’t exist in Raleigh. So it was up to me to get it here. In a word – passion.

How has your career/professional life changed since becoming a mom?

It’s a lot more challenging to have a career once children enter the picture. I stayed at home until my youngest daughter was two and my oldest was five. If I’m perfectly honest, I have a lot of guilt when I’m working because I’m not with my kids and guilt when I’m with my kids that I have so much work to do. However, I wouldn’t trade either for the world. It just requires a lot of juggling.

Any tips for juggling work and motherhood?

I’m really working on being more present…present when I’m at work and present when I’m with my kids. It helps with the aforementioned guilt. Additionally, we live by the calendar.

Most important thing motherhood has taught you…

To appreciate the little things. My girls notice everything and often we must stop whatever we are doing (whether we are late or not) to admire things. Sometimes you just have to stop, take a breath and look at the beautiful things around you.

family2 crop

Describe your personal style.

Ah, I love jeans, comfy flats and soft t-shirts, but you usually find me in work-out clothes.

What is your philosophy regarding healthy eating/lifestyle?

Moderation! I do not deprive myself of my favorite comfort foods, but I don’t over indulge. We eat organic fruits, vegetables and meats whenever possible. We stay away from dairy (except my husband) unless it’s too good to pass up.

Obviously, I love exercise. In addition to teaching Barre3, I take it. Nothing feels as great as a sore tush. I love a great run, and I’m also exploring yoga these days.

What is a favorite place you have visited or trip you have taken?

Positano, Italy. The culture is so easy going, the scenery is breath-taking and the food is fresh, local and delicious.

What do you enjoy doing when you have down time? (Does that ever really happen?)

Sleep! Ha. Seriously, my favorite thing is travel.

What are your favorite Raleigh hotspots? 

My husband and I really enjoyed Death and Taxes. You’ll find me at b.good Raleigh 3-5 times a week grabbing lunch. I love Glenwood Grill bar for dinner with my good friend. The bartender, Chad, is the best. Umstead Spa. Acupuncture at Bloom Integrative Health. Dr. Dishman is fabulous!

What are three of your “faves” right now? 

Harvest Kale Salad at b.good Raleigh-add chicken and avocado, Rag n Bone Boyfriend Jeans (thank you, Style Hawk) and playing “Spot it” with my kids before bed. Gracie is finally old enough to participate.

For an inside look at other inspirational moms, check out these previous Oh Momma Monday posts.

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Five Commuter Essentials

Clairemont InternBlog, Raleigh PR Agency, , , , , ,

Travel is a staple in the world of PR. A perk of small town living is the lack of a commute in the morning. For four years my commute was a grand total of two minutes (four if I hit the one red light). Never did I expect to come face to face with the challenges of being a commuter until this summer.

My work commute should take exactly 40 minutes, but with traffic 40 minutes quickly becomes at least an hour. Now that I’m a pro at commuting, I’ve discovered five simple yet essential items that keep the trek enjoyable and maintain my sanity amidst a 30-minute traffic jam.

  1. A good playlist. Nothing helps me to unwind after a day at work quite like music. The popularity of applications such as Spotify is on the rise because listeners can tap into frequently updated playlists to get their fill of new music. I recently came across this Buzzfeed list that suggests 40 “must-have” summer songs, and just like that, I had 40 new entertaining tunes, most of which were new to me. The variation to my library adds a new spice to my ride and staves off boredom with my current music collection.
  2. A solid hairband. Car rides for the commuter can feel like a journey, and one thing that I find myself doing a lot during this journey is messing with my hair. I have to be able to pull my hair out of my face or it distracts me the entire car ride. And if you live anywhere with an intense summer (I’m looking at you North Carolina Piedmont), you’ll want a hairband to speed up the cooling process.
  3. A water bottle. Hydration is important, whether you are living in 97-degree heat or in the dead of winter.  Indestructible, non-sweating or just a quirky design, find a water bottle that you will use and make sure that it is full before you begin your trek.
  4. A big bag. If you are toting all of these items, you are going to need a bag to fit it all. I recommend a bag that is durable and made from fabric that you can easily clean. The versatile, easy-to-clean Longchamp is one of my favorites. Your bag should be able to hold your laptop, water bottle, agenda and a possible change of clothes. (You never know!) It’s a hefty task for one bag, which is why finding the perfect one is key; the last thing that you need during a long commute is to be rifling through multiple bags while driving.
  5. And finally…The last and possibly most important item that you must have is patience. Yes, drives home might take you over an hour, but losing your cool only makes it miserable. It doesn’t actually speed up the process. (Take it from me). Focusing on your breathing during traffic delays can take your mind off of the constant breaking of the driver in front of you. Use this time as a reflection to think about your day, your accomplishments, your challenges and how you can improve for the days to come. A few of the items on this list are made specifically for driving, which is an added bonus. Patience is the key to having a pleasant commute.

What keeps you sane while driving?

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The Beauty of Raleigh PR: Day 5 – “Business Casual”

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Entry-Level PR Job, Fashion, , ,

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.

It’s your first day at work. Your boss lets you know that the dress code is “business casual”. Honestly, you don’t know what that means; you rack your brain trying to think about exactly what that is. You leave your stuffy suit behind and decide to wear your strapless sundress. When you arrive to work, your co-workers look nothing like you. Embarrassed, you realize that a little clarity on business casual is needed.
For many recent grads just like me, the days of throwing on sweat pants and a t-shirt just to make it to class are long gone. My mornings before class would be hectic and frustrating if I had no clue what I was wearing. During my undergrad days, I somehow expected my closet to work magic for me (not!).

Transitioning into the work force means new clothes, and I was ecstatic about trading my TOMS for heels and my Levi’s for slacks. Business casual may seem simplistic to some, but I find that a lot of people have a hard time understanding exactly how to dress for work.

Appropriate attire may be discussed a few times during the undergraduate experience, but when you enter the working world, you are bombarded with the realization that business professional (compared to business casual) has distinct rules.

The definition of business casual is vague, and a lot of times there is no general agreement. Factors that affect the dress code at work include the size of the company, the climate outside and the culture of the workplace. The office expectation here at Clairemont is business casual with the understanding that formal events may require business professional.
Here are a few tips that I generated if you, or anyone you know, fears being a little too causal at work.

1) Less isn’t more. For the business world I have found that showing a ton of skin isn’t in vogue. Dress with modesty.
2) Play it safe; slacks and/or khakis are your best bet if opting for pants.
3) Jeans are not considered business casual.
4) Dresses and skirts should reach knee length or longer. Avoid skirts with low cuts or high slits.
5) Knit shirts, sweaters and polos work great with mixing and matching.
6) Strapless tops and dresses should be avoided at all costs.
7) Open-toed shoes are acceptable, but be careful with flip flops and sandals in the summer.
8) Blazers or sports coats can help to polish your look.

Double-check yourself with a few more questions:
1) Would I wear this to bed?
2) Would I wear this to the bar?
3) Would I wear this to a Halloween costume party?

If you answered “yes” to any of these, choose something else for the workday. Hope this helps someone tomorrow morning!

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iMedia Day at Elon University

Tracy LathanBlog, Professional Development, Social Media + Influencer Engagement, , , , , , ,

I recently had the pleasure of serving on a panel at Elon University for the iMedia Day of Professional Development & Networking. It had been many years since I visited the Elon campus, and I was blown away by how charming it is. Equally impressive was the School of Communication’s facility. Within its School of Communication, Elon offers a ten-month M.A. Interactive Media program – what a great way for communication professionals to add to their skill sets in a short amount of time!

The panelists for the event included myself, a representative from another Raleigh PR agency, a recruiter from a firm in Atlanta and a former graduate of the program (now employed by an interactive agency in California.) We collectively answered questions from the moderator and then fielded questions from the students on the topics of interactive media and successfully navigating the job search.  Questions included…what does “interactive” really mean? What are the most relevant tools we are using today? How do agencies incorporate interactive departments?

What really stood out to me during this discussion was the realization that there is very little we are doing these days that is not interactive in some way…and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Whether we are launching a Facebook campaign, providing hashtags for a client event so attendees can share via their social networks or creating animated graphics to be used on a trade show floor, we are interacting with our audience on some level.

The other topic we discussed at length with the students was best practices – the do’s and don’ts – for trying to land a job, and making a good impression once you have been hired. While some of these tips might sound like advice we have all heard before, what came out of the discussion was that even though things have become much more complicated, the importance of simple, basic courtesies have stood the test of time. Here are a few things the panelists shared:

  • Follow up! Don’t ever hesitate to call and follow up after sending in a resume. And please send a hand written thank you note.
  • Differentiate yourself. Bring samples, create a personal website, share your personal blog. We want to see your personal brand.
  • Do your homework. Come prepared with questions about the company and what your specific role will be.
  • Clean up your online presence. That means no graphic spring break photos!
  • Proof your correspondence. Make sure e-mails and cover letters are free of grammatical errors.
  • Present your best self in the interview. You have one chance to shine and make a good impression. Be professional but also be likeable. After all, people hire people they want to work with.
  • Look people in the eye and dress the part. Even if the company has a casual dress code, dress up for the interview.
  • Once you have started your new job, have a positive attitude! Be willing to jump in and tackle anything.

A big thank you to Maggie Mullikin for organizing the event and hosting us. Hope to join the group again next year! Whether you are a professional or a student, what does interactive mean to you, and how has it changed your role as a communicator?     

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Pitch Perfect

Tracy LathanBlog, Marketing, Professional Development, Public Relations, 1 Comment on Pitch Perfect

Those of us in the PR business have no doubt been asked by a client at one time or another, “How do we get more media coverage?” Unfortunately, the answer to this question is never simple since there are a lot of moving targets in terms of why some stories get covered and some do not. And, while a good story is a good story, I have found that the strength of the pitch is often the deciding factor in what ends up in the media.

Successful media pitching is an acquired skill…one that takes time, and often many failed attempts, to master. While there are always new techniques to learn and approaches to try, here are a few tips that have served me well over the years.

1.Tell a good story. Everyone loves a good story. A well told story can bring the most boring of product launches to life. Stories are personable, relatable. Here’s a great example…the goal was to help our client, C.J. Scarlet, create buzz and awareness about a new device she was bringing to market. But, it was her personal history and background that intrigued the reporter and made it an interesting story. Clayton woman’s high-tech jewelry packs crime-fighting punch.

2. Pick up the phone. With email and all the social channels readily available at our fingertips these days, it can be easy to forget to just pick up the phone. In my experience, the best media pitching successes have been when I was able to talk to a reporter live on the phone and pitch the story to them directly.

3. Think like the audience. Always think like the audience while planning your pitch. What aspect will be most relevant to them? Then, be sure to acknowledge the target audience in your pitch. For example, “I wanted to let you know of a new product that will be of interest to your readers…”

4. Tie your story to a larger trend. You will have a much better chance of getting a reporter or blogger to cover your story if you are able to connect it to a larger trend. Look for national news stories or trends and find a way to make a connection. Last year, we were introducing a revolutionary doorknob and decided to lead with the pitch of how families are very busy these days and often have their hands full, rather than focusing soley on the doorknob. Tying the doorknob pitch to a larger trend translated into prime media coverage, including this story from Handy Magazine: Become a One Trip Champ.

5. Timing is everything. This cliché could not ring more true in terms of media pitching. While we certainly can’t control a natural disaster or other emergency situation, you want to make sure there is not a big event or media story breaking when you plan to contact a reporter. It’s also important to consider time of the day and day of the week depending on who you are pitching. Which brings me to my next point…

6. Do your homework. Regardless of if you are pitching a Wall Street Journal reporter, or a local food blogger, it is critical for you to do your homework. Check out what types of stories they usually cover and read what they have covered recently before contacting them. Find out how they like to be contacted and what time of day might be best.

Like I said, media pitching is an art that takes time to master…so if you’re looking for media coverage for your business, make sure to find a PR team that is well-versed in the art of media relations. Interested in more? See our award-winning media relations for Triangle Family Services’ 10th Annual Gingerbread Benefit.

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