The Birth of My Guardian Angel

We all have them don’t we? We experience things that make us ponder if our guardian angel just saved our lives and yesterday was my total experience. I was involved in a bad car accident which left me with bruised ribs and a pounding headache but fortunately my daughters and I are alive. As I sat back and read the numerous messages flooding my inbox I sat back and thought about what some of my friends were saying about the incident. Clearly that I am lucky to be alive and they are absolutely right and even more so that the only two people in the world that I would die for were not injured, actually they were asleep.

Now that leads me to the topic of this article because I am not a very religious person (although I had been in the past) I am very spiritual and I also take heed to the signs that our Greater Power shows us. Some dear friends know a lot about my childhood and others don’t but for the sake of this writing let me share a few things with you.

I was raised in an era in NYC where parents left their children with their parents and partied HARD and as a result I was raised by my grandparents in Staten Island, at ten years old my lifeline at the time passed away and my world crushed beneath me, my grandmother had left the world and left me to deal with the hardships of no parental guidance and no support.

Now here is where this story gets weird.

On October 15th 2003 the Staten Island Ferry crashed into the pier and killed 10 people, I was supposed to be on that ferry sitting on the very side that ripped apart. (I remember the young woman who was killed because we greeted each other every afternoon) I was saved because I had recently graduated college and October 15th was the final day I would take the ferry. I had gotten a message from my career counselor saying that I didn’t need to come because a small accounting firm named Salibello & Broder decided to hire me as their Junior Accountant. (What this meant was I would be on a later ferry not that ferry that crashed.)

She Saved Me.

Present. October 15th 2009 I almost lost my life in a collision in Staten Island. But something stopped my vehicle from sliding all the way into the middle of the street. I escaped with only bruised ribs… ONLY bruises. I pass street poles with flowers on them every day for people who had lost their lives because of such collisions and my children and I had escaped.

She Saved Me.

Ora Lee Futtrell my grandmother who I lost and suffered depression to was born on OCTOBER 15

This writing is dedicated to the woman who shaped and saved me. My guardian angel.

Zanade

Gasp! You can't say that!!!

Dinosaur Blood

She was meant to last
Crucial moment in time she surpassed
It cannot taste no worse
Dinosaur blood quench the thirst
Fever risen to temps hotter than volcanos
Passion drives and a whole new lows
climax high; faster faster
Dinosaur blood not a minute after
No more fucking relaxation
Doing this myself lubricated munipulation
Banging the streets making concrete feet
Making you fear this master of deceit
Think I'm spitting rhyme but it's evidently clear
It's stupendous shots spearheaded in your ear
Reckless actions torn from the mother
Dinosaur blood is your pain from another
No it won't stop because its strength she desires
More and more hate keeps taking her higher
You watching her and she's watching me
Until extinction comes; what will be WILL BE!

Her Alter Ego.. She can get pretty nasty!

With effort they are good liars
Some pack it up and give it to my suppliers
Could you tell me that I'm not thee elite?
And I could tell you it's too good to be seen
But I beg to differ
Just allow me your time and I'll break the Richter
Or better yet tempt me to see what kind of prose you get
Your times a virtue but I'm already set
That's just the purpose behind my madness or free verse as you call it
Given fancy titles and get it twisted like an alcoholic
Or just as dysfunctional as a dynasty
Or an empresses here to ravish the masses
Because no work of art comes without lashes
Turning the tables of the clinically insane
So I suffer so elegantly that you don't know what to say
Straight sending me text's with your blessings
But simply there’s no meaning in your message
And there's nothing more that I can do
But be a heartless bitch that has had more of a bad story or two
Then wrote a killer passage for you to construe
Like the words are in a bottle with a hidden lesson
And I'm always ready for a battle
Picture me by the sidelines with my horse, pads and saddle!

Zanade

Celebrating My 1st No!

It’s a mere matter of opinion to say that a “NO” is a failure, and I would like to challenge their logic. I listen to stories of failure and see progress. Are you confused? Then you cannot possibly be an entrepreneur but that's ok don't feel bad many of us don't think that we are or are capable to be entres as I like to call them but we are! Allow me to share a very personal story with you regarding my new start up Designing Women Inc.

I can honestly say I didn't want to tell too many people about a certain competition I had entered because of the whole bad karma thing but since I lost I guess its ok to share this with you! (Smiling)

Anyway a very good friend of mines referred me to this business opportunity through Staten Island Economic Development Corp. a very well established organization. Apparently the women’s division had an entrepreneurial opportunity for start ups and me being me decided to send the application their way! Thanks Marie by the way!

The requirements were simple enough as they only required a business plan, financial projections and a desire from the applicant to succeed.

“That’s I” says the Cat!
I had all of that so I went for it!

As my mentors and close close close friends read this they will recall me making mention of this competition...

After weeks of research and altering of my IDEA I sent in my 35 page application with my fingers crossed and a strong faith in what Designing Women is all about. Women networking and branding better while being eco friendly and elegant all at the same time!

But other than that the application was out the door and I tried my best not to think about it until I found a letter in my box from the committee chair! What was I suppose to think? Me being illogical at times didn’t realize until just this moment that that letter wasn’t a rejection but rather a confirmation of receipt of my application. Whew!
I didn’t tell anyone about it yet again just to keep the good motivation karma thingy going.

But then I received another letter a month later and it was very thin so I knew what the contents were. I remember an old friend who took the GED test and failed always told me if the envelope is thin its bad news unless it says Department of Treasury ha! So I prepared myself for the very words that mean “No you didn’t get it!”

“Hello Zanade Mann”

“Thank you so much for your recent application to the Staten Island Economic Development Corp we regret to inform you that your business plan has not been accepted into our women’s incubator entrepreneur program”

(Sinking feeling)

I sat back and stared at the letter that ultimately said that your idea was not a good fit for our program. I learned from a very wise man that before you question others you must question yourself and I fell upon that saying and thought of every possible reason that my great idea would be rejected…

Numerous thoughts later I came to the conclusion that my idea is different and totally defies the norms of what the old boys club thinks is correct, I have created a company that is totally new for this totally new world that we as Gen Y’s are inheriting! Of course they wouldn’t “get it” because this idea is not heard of.

Designing Women is a company that incorporates designer products with designer services for the new world! It’s a project that aims to socially connect women to others that will create new businesses, put women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond in better positions of power and make them feel relaxed while moving up that corporate ladder or while they venture into their very own companies. D.W enhances branding of women who dream to be models, actresses or any form of personal recognition. D.W products will help the world while still giving the designer woman a sense and touch of elegance. So how could I expect them to understand my idea if they are still figuring the entire concept out themselves?

Thankfully, being around so many powerful men and women I have learned that you need rejections, naysayer’s and failures and I totally understand why! It helps you more with your daily grind for greatness, it empowers you on the lowest days because you know that if Gates was rejected or even Jobs was turned down then you still have an active chance to get your IDEA started!

So in short I would like to thank Inc Magazine, Don, Samantha, and the rest of you who believe in more for the new world!

I graciously accept the nomination of my official reject for Designing Women Inc.! No sweat No tears just realization and acceptance and words from my celebrity mentor Oprah Winfrey, a woman who at times had failed or been rejected

“I don't believe in failure. It is not failure if you enjoyed the process.”

Later,

Zanade

My Realization

Hey everyone!

Have you ever had random thoughts running through your mind that you needed to share with someone?

Well how lucky the DIVA is to have you!!!

1) When walking through the subway station everyday I notice a loud, blinking sign announcing that a "Brooklyn bound train is approaching Whitehall Street" so like the normal New Yorker I am I jumped down the stairs in 4 inch pumps hoping to catch the R train... But much like a joke I missed it!!! Was I angry yes because everyday I take the same trip and the same sign flashes doubtful words across its screen and to my amazement the train just left!

But today it was a different story and as I walked down the stairs the sign haunted me! "Brooklyn bound train approaching Whitehall Street" and I realized it was full of junk and I slow dragged myself onto the platform HA!

2) I realized that there are some really important people in my life... Some I neglect and I am not ashamed to admit it but I always follow up and treat them all with respect.. But then I see there are people who are NOT important to me and as much as they want my time I don't give it and that being said 2006, 2007 and 2008 are a mere thing of the past.. If you are not in my circle or aspire to be then I have written you off ENOUGH SAID!

3) I realized that it is so much easier to blame others for what kind of life you have, I myself have been guilty on occasion of this but honestly there is no way you can live this way! Over the weekend I had the pleasure is watching Madea Goes to Jail and as outlandish as Tyler Perry may seem he has some awesome messages. He said you can't live your life without forgiving those who have hurt you or you will spend your life bearing what has happened oppose to moving on and being prosperous!

4) Speaking of Mr. Perry... I realize that he is by far ONE intelligent man and an even better entrepreneur! I could go on about him but if you are not aware of what type of business mogul this man is you need to do the research yourself!

5) I realize that my mom was hot STUFF in her prime! At 5'5 long black hair to her behind, chestnut eyes and a nose to KILL for she was IT! Like seriously she worked in the Playboy Bunny Bar!!! I have all the pics to prove it but shhh... DON'T TELL HER!

6) I realize the number 1111 means something... I just have no idea what it MEANS! Remember Jim Carrey's movie The Number 23???

7) I realize that I am the most low maintenance DIVA you know! It doesn't take me much time to dress or apply make-up ...because I look great in anything and I don't wear make-up.. Guys love that for some reason; maybe I should pitch that to Cosmo Mag!

8) I realize that some things I post or my poetry may seem a bit OUT THERE but it is sooo normal to me ..So does that make you weird???

9) And lastly for today I realize that lack of sex can distract you! LOL

Later DIVAS!

Zanade

5 Things the Music Industry Can Teach You About Branding!

We have all been through it... This plagues us all! You can't seem to understand why at 10 a.m. in the morning you hear Beyonce's "Single Ladies" playing in your head! How did you ever come to LOVE this song? Well it is NOT a coincidence rather a successful thumbs up for music industries marketing team!

Throughout the years record labels have used the same methods to DRAW YOU IN! So let's say YOU are not in the music business... and are wondering what the heck does this post have to do with me? Well it is quite simple ladies! I plan to show you 5 key things record labels do to draw you into their BRAND and how YOU can use these same methods to build YOUR brand!

1)Consistency
The music industry thrives on CONSISTENCY. What does this word mean?
Anything that is capable of being reproduced... POINT BLANK!
Your brand should have a consistent message, a consistent image, color, theme, program or whatever you specialize in IT SHOULD BE CONSISTENT or people become confused and shy away!

2)Repetition
What does this word mean? Simply the repeated use of the same word or word pattern as a rhetorical device. It sounds similar to consistency but it can be quite different. You want your brand to be consistent but you always want to show repetition in what you are doing with your brand. Think of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" once more... How many times do you recall hearing this song on the radio? From Hot 97to Z100 to whatever other station you frequent. This was NO ACCIDENT, people tend to become addicted to something when they are constantly reminded that it exists..SO MAKE YOUR BRAND EXIST IN THIS WORLD!

3)Networks
What do I mean? The power of networking is essential in any relationship both personally and professionally. Music industry leaders stay well connected and so should you! When the late Aaliyah needed a new movie script Joel Silver remembered her from Romeo Must Die and instantly called her in for a reading! Her team had maintained a relationship with movie directors etc..
Do the same... value relationships, get connected and most importantly answer your EMAILS!

4) Remember Your Target Market
Whatever you brand is, it must have a specific market! This is important to know... who are you selling/marketing to? Would you see Celine Dion at a Heavy Metal concert singing "My Heart Will Go On?" NO... ABSOLUTELY NOT! And I don't think her label would set that up anyhow!
Market specifically! And be consistent!

5) Keep Appeal Alive
What do I mean? Be able to attract interest or draw favorable attention to your brand! That is what THEY do! Mariah Carey very appealing! D'Angelo WAY appealing! You see where I am going with this? As you watch the growth of your fav artist you can see how much more visually appealing they become! It is not a coincidence!

So get with it ALREADY!

Any specific questions please contact me at zanademann@yahoo.com or hit me up on Twitter!
www.twitter.com/zanade

Love Ya!

This article was penned by Zanade L. Mann
All Rights Reserved!!!

5 Ways To Brand Yourself Right Now!

Ok, if you know me and follow my numerous blogs you are fully aware of Designing Women Inc. and if not then I officially invite you to jump on board to the best business to help you succeed from now to INFINITY!

Side note: Designing Women Inc. is a business of products and services exclusively designed for the OPTIMISTIC woman in YOU! From The Art of Networking, Branding and consulting services to an array of beauty products this company is all ABOUT YOU!

So this blog solely speaks of BRANDING

Do you have one clue what branding is? Yeah you can Google it but I am positive you will be HIT with too many results to decipher which ones are credible... But lucky you Zanade CEO of Designing Women Inc. will give you a head start!

Branding is: The process of creating a unique, positive and recognizable identity for a person, product or service.

So how would you get started?

1) Get to know social networking sites! Who cares whether you prefer Facebook over Myspace... It's all about getting your BRAND out into the social networking world!

2) Create a mantra, a saying, a quote anything that is YOURS! Take me for example many people know me as the Networking Queen that follows the saying "To Infinity and Beyond!" ... So with that being said...create yours and stick with it!

3) Grab a Twitter account! www.twitter.com (Might I add President Barack Obama has a Twitter profile!) Yeah! So get with it! Along with famous people and places like Starbucks, CNN and Beyonce!

Follow me www.twitter.com/zanade

4) Think Different! What is so unique about what you are doing that you know will create buzz???

5) CREATE A BLOG! Now you may not have 200 comments or 15,000 followers but your BRAND will be picked up by Google... FAST! And that builds SEO (Search Engine Optimization) which is very important in this digital world!

Thank you for giving yourself a chance to learn and grow! NOW GO OUT AND CREATE YOUR BRAND!!!

Zanade Mann
Designing Women Inc