Every leader is an Artist!

Now that summer is completely over, and and University is in full swing, I’m delighted to be able to say that summer ’12 has been my best ever! It’s hard to let it all go, “the starry skies and brown eyes”, creative escapades, and conversations on cool, but the seasons have no choice but to keep it moving , and fortunately, so do I. I’m now programming my mind for exams, thinking about revival, HUGE special projects, and as usual, leadership.

This post is for leaders, and those interested in being leaders. I was inspired by some information I read on the topic of “every leader being an artist”, and I felt like I needed to share my views as well. God has been speaking to me for a while concerning something I call “Genesis 1 Creative Power”, and although I’m still not completely clear, they are pieces that I want to share in this post.

“The Art of Leadership” is a phrase we’ve all heard before, but what does it really mean? “Art” can mean something completely different to each of us in this context, from creating logos,to motivating or casting vision for employees, but one thing is for certain that the “art” of leadership requires some inspiration and creativity. No one wants to follow the leader who can only tell us what exists. We must to be able to see the future, explain it to others, and mostly, create it.  At this point, we marry the two concepts. In Genesis 1, we see the first manifestation of visionary leadership and raw creative power. God had a vision and manifested it in a very distinctive way, He did it with words, alone, but these weren’t just any ordinary words. “God said” is the constant in Genesis 1, and special attention should be given to that.

I agree with the point totally that effective leadership in itself is an actual art form, and not metaphorically an art. The same characteristics that distinguish great from pedestrian artists distinguish exceptional leaders from their mediocre counterparts. The greatest leaders and artists give us perspective on our social condition (good or bad) and greater appreciation of our world and ourselves. They challenge, excite, comfort, and motivate us, bringing us closer together by forging a sense of community. Leadership and art both animate social encounters, and they can change our lives in ways that are very invigorating and real.

While people may disagree about the quality of a given work of art, we generally know how to communicate our experience of what we’ve seen or heard. The same criteria that governs how people respond to particular artworks, applies to this other art form, leadership. On the positive side, for example, leadership may be described as inspiring, creative, passionate, and engaging, but on the other hand, may be perceived as unpleasant, anesthetic and pedestrian.

I think as leaders of today, and tomorrow, we need to think differently about our leadership techniques and strategies.  Below is an excerpt from the book Out of Minds: Learning to be Creative by Sir Ken Robinson, where he sums it all up. Thanks for the read, and in the mean time be inspired!

“There was a report published in the fall by IBM called Capitalizing on Complexity. It was based on a survey of 3,000 CEOs of for-profit companies, non-profits, social entrepreneurship and public sectors from around the world asking what’s on their minds. What was interesting about it was that this year the CEOs said they had three overall priorities. The first priority was running organizations that can respond to complexity because the world is getting more complex every day. Second was how to run organizations that are adaptable and resilient to these changes. But the top priority was how to promote creativity in organizations. The answer to these three priorities of complexity is to think differently about people and to reposition the role of leadership.The role of a creative leader is not to have all the ideas; it’s to create a culture where everyone can have ideas and feel that they’re valued. So it’s much more about creating climates. I think it’s a big shift for a lot of people. “

Visionaries Presents! | 12.01.12

Continuing on with my list of international features is a beautiful young lady who has been doing damage out there in Trinidad and Tobago. I’m extremely excited about this feature, not only is she my favourite jewellery designer right now, but there are tons of areas where we can relate, because she’s got  #islandboydreams too, well #islandgirl haha. I know there’s a lot to learn from her because she’s a genuine creative, with many giftings, so if she’s teaching, I’m definitely listening.  She comes to Barbados later this month where we connect, then shake the world together.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Visionaries Presents! | Ameika Louis

12.01.12 | Get ready!

My favourite Photographer today!

If Instagram taught me anything, it’s that anyone and everyone can be a photographer, and it definitely encourages people to do so. This app, being so simple, has given me a deeper understanding of the art, and an appreciation for the individuals who hone the craft. I know tons of photographers, from the serious to the not so serious, the posers, right down to the ones with an additional body part known as “DSLR”, and although I appreciate them all, 13th witness is my favourite photographer today!

I first heard about this dude about a year ago from Maestro Knows, and I didn’t need to take Levi’s word to know that he was the real deal. Hailing from New York , the city that breeds creativity, Timothy McGurr AKA 13th Witness is a testament to that. His father is “Futura 2000″, one of New York’s illest graffiti artists, and with all that momentum on his side, he carved his own name into the culture of photography. With videography talents as well, he’s worked with various companies like Jordan Brand and New Balance, as well as shooting music videos for the likes of Lupe Fiasco’s Japanese Cartoon and Cypress Hill. His work is very popular, especially through the  platform of Instagram, and I’m glad that he takes the time out to give us insight into what the world looks like through his lens.

Visionaries Presents | Monique Henry-Hudson!

“I don’t think anything…but imagine everything”

We are in transition. Summer’s over now, and the air’s getting cold and delicate. Well not really, because where I’m from it’s “Summer” 365, so I’m actually referring to where I am now, where I actually started writing this post. All over the world, everything becomes naturally beautiful with the appearance of the autumn season, and although they say “Melancholy is the autumn” because of the falling of the leaves , something beautiful is blooming over here in New York City.

Lots of people are shaking the world in some of the smallest of ways, and I can assure you,without even making mention of her craft, this young lady is one of them. She is beyond the shadow of a doubt, one of most kind and nice persons I know, and because I got to meet her mother as well, I know exactly where she got those qualities. She’s always giving back, volunteering here, lending a hand there, the epitome of a true servant leader. Her positivity is infectious, even in the light of situations that occurred in her past, and I’m incredibly inspired by her creation story.

I know lots of great things are on their way to her, and that’s why I want to present to you Monique Henry-Hudson!

1) Tell us about Monique Henry-Hudson,who is she?

Who am I? Every day I think I get closer to knowing and understanding who I am spiritually and professionally. Right now I can say that I am a storyteller, an Artist, and an Animator. 

2) As a creative, tell us about some of the things that inspire you and why.

I draw inspiration from everything.I believe that my mind is currently over saturated due to the vast amount of resources that are so readily available. Between the blogs, e-books, books and websites, so many images are constantly coming at me, that one way or another , they find their way into my work.

3) How do you translate your inspiration into production?

 In terms of taking that and making it a project, I try to have a rather clear intent on why I want to make something. I always plan before, even if it is a little sketch or a few sentences just to remind myself of  what my original purpose was.

4) Tell us about “SimplyRobotix”, and why it was created.

SimplyRobotix is my brand so to speak. It is the name in which I distribute all of my artistic work. It was originally created because in my sophomore year of college we needed a website and had to update it with our assignments for our professor to grade.

5) What is the purpose of it now?

Right now SimplyRobotix is serving the same purpose. It is still a website showcasing my work. We all just have to wait and see what is in store for SimplyRobotix in the future. You can view SimpleRobotix here

6)  Do you work alone, or do you share your creative space?

I work alone for the most part. I’m venturing into collaborative work but nothing is confirmed yet.

7)Support systems are important, how has support been for you? 

I’m very blessed to have such a strong support system. My parents were my original cheerleaders. They always encouraged me to follow my heart’s desire. In college I had to deal with the passing of my father and I was so fortunate to have my youth group, friends and classmates to lean on during that tough time period. It really does take a village to raise a child and I am definitely grateful for mine.

8) What does it mean to be creative, and what is your creative process like?

To me, being creative means having the courage to accept the challenge to do the things the little voice in your head says is too crazy to do. My creative process varies depending on what I’m working on. Like I said I’m a planner. Maybe it is my paranoia of things going completely wrong but when it comes to paintings, drawings and illustrations I always do a little sketch. When it comes to stories I try and reduce the story to 3 sentences that summarize what it is about. When it comes to animations I create brief storyboards to as a pre-visualization of what I’m aiming to achieve. 

9) Do you think that creativity is something we are born with,or do we develop into a creative person?

 I think we all are creative individuals. Some of us are shown how to tap into our creativity at earlier ages than others, and we all have unique ways in which we are creative. Lawyers for one, I perceive to be creative individuals and they have nothing to do with art in the traditional sense.

10) Lawyers? Let’s talk about them. Why do you perceive them to be creative individuals?

I think they have to be creative when presenting cases to a judge and jury. Especially if your client is guilty, you are still trying to paint them in a light so that they do not get the maximum punishment.

11) If you can have lunch with anyone who would it be?

If I can have lunch with anyone I would have lunch with my future self. Is that too narcissistic? I’m interested in the wisdom my future self would have for me now. Would she tell me that I’m on the right track? That I should’ve made a left where I made a right?

12) That’s very interesting, so how do you handle your fear of the unknown?

I try not to worry about the “unknown” I can admit that I’m always thinking about the future, but I’m not afraid of it.

13) What does it mean to be a visionary to you?

To be a visionary to me would mean being driven to make your dreams a reality. A visionary person is also of service to their community and is an uplifting, selfless individual. 

14) Do you think you have the ability to be an influencer in your city?

 I do believe I have the ability to be an influencer. I’ve never been the type to withhold information from people who could benefit from it.

15) New York city is very fast paced, how has the culture affected you?

How hasn’t NYC’s culture affected me is the real question! I say that I’m desensitized to a lot of things because there are so many cultures outside of my own from the time I step out my building door. I can eat food from places I’ve never visited. It is the melting pot that it is often referred as. 

16) Tell us about the ”Save The Date” project you worked on.

The “Save The Date” flyer on my website was for my friend Jade Seaberry’s fashion Showcase to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, and to help specifically aid current patients and families that are taking care of someone with cancer. It was In memory of Margo Bassett and Joseph Pugh. You can find the fashion showcase here.

17) To persons that want to give back and be of service, where do you recommend they start?

I suggest starting with people who have helped you. Start with your school and your church. Then reach out to centers and nonprofit organizations. They are always looking for volunteers.

18) What would be your dream project?

My dream project would be directing and producing my own short and have it distributed across the world.

19) what’s next for Monique Henry-Hudson

What’s next?! Well I will be a mentor for a high school student this year for the first time. In November I will be attending the CTN Animation Expo in Burbank California. I’m also launching a new website later this year as well as beginning development for a new independent animated short. I know it is a lot, but an artist is always looking for outlets to have their work exposed to an audience.

 20)Lastly, what advice would you give to all women in the world, who are pursuing their dreams?

My advice to women, particularly young women such as myself is to first accept the fact that we do not NEED to have it all right now. We are young and obsessed with trying to accomplish so much by the time we’re 25 or 30 or 35 that we let good times pass us by because we are consumed with the good times we expect later. Pursue your dreams! Live your life! Work hard, and remain dedicated to your craft and your dreams and you will see how things will fall into place

Visionaries Presents! | 30.09.12

“Mo’ Magic!!!!!!!” ahaha. This young lady is the first of my long list of international features, so take note, this is one momentous! She is a legitimate influencer to our Millennial Generation, and what makes me smile about her is that I think she’s completely oblivious to this fact. I met her a while back in Pennsylvania, where I realised there was something extraordinary about her, and although it feels like we’ve known each other for ages, every time we talk I learn something new about her.

As usual, I’m excited about this post. If you’re into Computer Art or 3D animation, you’re going to really enjoy this, and if you’re just like me and your art skills aren’t that good, but you enjoy hearing about all things creative, then you’ll enjoy this one too!  I meet up with her this month to make history in New York City, and then after that, I share her creation story with the entire world! =D

Visionaries Presents! | Monique Henry-Hudson

30.05.12 | Get ready!

“Goodbye Summer” | Stay Tuned….

Jeff Staple and Staple Design.

Watsup?! You know that when I’m incredibly inspired, I automatically get this burning desire to share my inspirations with the world. I’ve been looking at some street wear moguls through my lens as a brand owner, and just like The Hundreds, there’s this guy called Jeff Staple, who has been sticking out like a sore thumb!

With his hands in just about everything, Jeff Ng aka Jeff Staple has masterfully created an entire world of communicating through design. Not known solely for his massive “pigeon” sneaker collection, the founder/owner of Staple Design, Staple Clothing, and the Reed Space is a graphic, web, and clothing designer, artist, DJ, writer and entrepreneur. He is responsible for the design work for companies such as Nike, Burton, Gianni Versace, Royal Elastics, Triple Five Soul, The Fader Magazine, The Gap, Sony Playstation, and Apple Computers.

I’m elated to know that Reed space and Staple design are located in New York City. I’m not going to let the entire cat out the bag as yet, but here’s the paw, for 2013, Freedom 5 will be doing something HUGE, and it will include this guy along with some other names like Scott Sasso, Shoichi Amemiya, just to name a few. I’m stocked already! Influencer conferences, tradeshows, blue skies and bright smiles. It will be history in the changing, we like to call it #islandboydreams.

Below is Jeff’s creation story, by Eighteen Eighty.

press play and be inspired!

 

Innovate on Purpose!

Innovation is indeed imperative! When we think of its concept, Apple an Google with their revolutionary technology and systems should automatically come to mind. These companies not only define what it means to innovate on purpose, but these guys are Pioneers! true “Leaders of the Pack”. I’ve been taking notes on how they go about doing what they do for a while, because the concept of “Studying the Greats” is still very real to me.  I’ve learnt that as much as the concept of innovation is revolutionary, it is very evolutionary as well. The more you are able to integrate this mindset into your business and into your life, the more innovative they both will become.

I was reading some information I found on-line about these companies, and not only do they hire the right people, but they are specialists at cultivating environments that produce innovation. Their organisations are filled with people known as “Perpetual Innovators“, persons who are always seeking out, adapting or implementing ideas- new or old. This is HUGE! and this is just a small aspect of their blueprint.  Reading the article sparked something in me, which lead me to some other useful information that I knew that I needed to share with my readers.

Below is an extremely effective to do list, taken from an article I found on www.inc.com. It will teach you how be creative and innovative on purpose, which will then help you to be  more attractive to organisations that are built on that foundation.

1. Change your behavior and self-image – Be progressive, develop necessary attributes and motivation. Develop a love for new ideas, new things, new ways, new technologies, new systems and put your ideas in writing.
2. Take action! Have the courage and self-confidence to be an innovator. Dare to be different! Failure will occur — but we learn from our mistakes. Emotions can aid creativity — control stress and be persistent.
3. Welcome change and challenge of problems — be open-minded, flexible.
4. Apply ideas to every facet of your life—in your personal affairs, career, school, business—everywhere. Always ask: “In what alternative and better ways can it be done?” Generate innovative and creative solutions, ideas, concepts, and theories. Develop a sense of humor. Be sensitive to opportunities. Use checklists.
5. Study innovation, change and creativity as well as how to win idea acceptance. Educate yourself. Take any courses available. Develop a passion for your problem. Learn to be a good team member, leader, and perpetual innovator.
6. Be curious and observant. Develop a spirit of inquiry. This is the way to originate problems. Practice using the complete method of creative problem solving. Avoid constraints on your thinking. Spot key factors.
7. Ask What? Why? Which? Where? When? Who? How? If? Constantly reflect on all aspects of your problems. Don’t pre-judge ideas too soon. Don’t let your ego stop you from saying, “I goofed!”
8. Develop your reflective thinking ability and thinking skills. Daydream about your problem. Jump back and forth among logical, critical, judicial, imaginative, and wild thinking. Improve through study and practice.
9. Build your knowledge and intuition base through reading, surfing the internet, and other activities. Keep neat files. Learn how to research, to visualize.
10. With a loaded mind, use triggers to stimulate ideas, insight, and illumination. Utilize activities listed in #1 above to trigger your storehouse of memories and connect with what you read, hear, see, or think, thereby producing ideas by gradual insight or illumination. Be sensitive to opportunities.
11. Load your mind with data, basic principles, theories, and concepts about your problem — REST — then be sure to start thinking of your problem again. Gradual insight or a leap of the imagination may occur. I started the list immediately!

Thanks for the read!

and in the mean time, be inspired!

Visionaries Presents | Alicia MG!

“To all the ones who think this is still just a dream,
that think things are still going to be the same in five years…
to those who can’t feel the rumblings..
the vibrations..
the energy..”

…cha.”- Alicia MG

One of the best parts of what I do, has to be when I get to be friends with amazingly talented people, who are constantly pushing the direction of what’s cool, what’s right and what feels right to them. I love the feeling of connecting with all these light bulbs, all with different creation stories, experiences and perspectives. Like I said before, this one is extra special. I had so much fun interviewing and getting to know her, and for someone as eclectic and culturally connected as Alicia is, she’s the cool kid that’s furthest from trying to be. Her work ethic and credibility are contagious, and her God given versatility gives her that “touch”, that will anoint her business, and all her projects. She is a true influencer with distinctive creative direction,and that’s why I want to present to you Alicia MG!

1) Tell us about Alicia Griffith,who is she?

Alicia Michelle Griffith. I had to change that. There are many Alicia Griffiths, so I legally made my middle name a part of my first, so now I technically don’t have a middle name. With that being said, I’m 22, born and raised in Barbados and I love to travel. Everything I kind of strive for right now, as much as the experience is taking me in life, the finances are taking me on aeroplanes haha. I love music, I CAN’T live without it, I hate stress, I hate anxiety, and I’m not good with shouting and pressure and noise. I’m in my gap year right now, I finished my undergrad in Communication Studies with a concentration on film production in Montreal. For a part of that I did an exchange in Hong Kong and that was really great for me.

2) Tell us about Hong Kong.

Hong Kong was amazing! The culture is completely, I mean literally on the other side of the world. As much as it is very cosmopolitan, there’s a big mix of everyone there. It was British up to about 15 years by now, so all my Professors were fully British. We went to China when I was there too! Actually, we left Beijing about 3 days earlier than expected, and  since I’m a vegetarian, the carcases hanging everywhere was an uncommon experience for me. Hong Kong really puts everything into perspective, and you realise how small and just how mobile you are. There’re so many people, and you could just zig zag through the crowd, it kind of just frees you. I think I kind of re-found myself, because you’re with a bunch of strangers and you can’t go on reputation or things that you go for when you’re in Barbados. You can’t ask someone “Hey do you know this person? tell me about them”, you really have to learn to trust your instincts in everything you do. You’re in a different culture, different language and you have to learn to feel things through, and it really tunes you into people. I think that is one thing that travelling does, when you have to communicate with anything  except words, you really get to know people.

3) Give us a list of you’re all time favourite things to do.

My best friend, my dad and I play this game, where if you can choose 5 things in the entire world that you like to do, what would they be. Mine came down to laughing, dancing, eating, I mean I love good food, like the flavour, if I could just put it on my tongue and spit it out, that would be fine too haha, I love to cook and I love getting lost!

4) Getting lost?!?! What’s so fascinating about getting lost?

Because you don’t know!!!! I love the thrill of finding out how to get home, the adventure of it all, the quest! haha

4) I know that you’re a Jet setter, how important is it to you to travel, and why?

My friend Khadija Bullen, tweeted me one time and said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” If you know everything about a place, what’s the fun in that? You’ve conquered it. What now? are you just going to sit there? I love the feeling I get when I’m inspired, it comes from the slightest of things,and travel just opens it up for me and gives me more opportunities .

5) So tell us what inspires you?

 Everything! I’m so darn sensitive!!, I’m a girl!!!! (I’m dying with laughter at this moment) ,you tell me a story and I’m like “omg! I can do a film about that, I’d like story board it”.  To narrow it down though, there’s music, artists and creative people, you catch it, its contagious you know? I love talking to people and watching how people interact. I love to learn about new things, and basically just taking in life.

6) What’s your favourite film and why?

Oh my gosh! It’s so funny, this is the worst thing to ask me. Most people don’t get this, but I studied media, I’ve been studying media exclusively, from the time I was 16. My homework was to sit and watch movies, my essays were about watching movies. I had to watch with the soundtrack off, watch with the video off, watch it again and then write an essay, so it takes a lot for me to sit down and enjoy one. With that being said though, my favourite movie I think would have to be “Catch me if you can”.

7) Why did you study Communication Studies with a concentration on film production?

Originally, I was going to be an Engineer or Architect, so for CXC, Maths, Physics, Art  etc. were my subjects. I then had this brilliant idea to be a club promoter and my mother, being the loving lady that she is said, “Sure! follow your dreams”. That then fell through the window very quickly, so I decided to go into public relations and then I did communication studies, which is theory of media communication, and the program I chose had a practical aspect. In my first year we did film, video sound and graphics and then I went on an exchange. When I returned, I did film, and then by the time I graduated, I realised that I didn’t want to be a media producer, and I didn’t want to be a journalist. Everybody kept asking me when I returned to Barbados for my occupation, and I told them I don’t know…I’m a Rockstar! haha. That’s why I took a year off, because I was actually going to go straight and do my Ph.D in media  communication studies, and I was going to do a complete socio-cultural break down. I wanted my thesis to be on musical genres, and my final paper would have been on music as culture; the culture of Hip Hop, the culture of Reggae and the culture of Punk. Then I realised! I don’t want to be a Doctor at 24! and that if I decided not to stay in Academics, there’s really no getting out of it with a Doctorate. I took my gap year, worked, and I concluded that I didn’t want to have to chose between PR, Branding, Advertising, or Corporate Culture. I just knew that I wanted to be Creative Director of a company, in such a way that I could do photography, video, write, and compile everything into one, doing which ever, when I feel like it. So that lead me to what I’m starting in September, which is an Dual Masters, split campus, it’s an MA. in International Marketing Communication, and Msc. in International Marketing Communications strategy. It’s one semester in London and one in France.

8) If you can have lunch with anyone who would it be?

That’s a very interesting question, but I’d have to say my Mom and my Dad. My mother has this way of being annoyingly right all the time, and they have always given me sooo much space. Every decision I made in life was completely mine and I love them a lot.

9) What does it mean to be creative and what is your creative process like?

Creativity is probably on of the the most important things. It ties into everything, all the basic things in life, creativity makes it better. To be creative to me is to portray an idea regardless of the medium. Everything that I write or take a picture of, anything I create period, I’m trying to say something. Everything is very organic in how I work, nothing is forced, and I don’t stress myself out, I just breathe . The most beautiful things come when I’m not thinking about it, and when I’m in a separate space, and with that being said,I think the hardest part of being a professional creative is balancing work and your own expression. That’s been a battle I’ve had for a while, which is why I don’t see my self as a professional photographer or writer, so I refuse to put my name across my pictures.

10)Do you think that creativity is something we are born with,or do we develop into a creative person?

Every one has the power to be creative, but every one isn’t. If you want to be creative, you will be. There’s nothing else to be said.

11) Do you think you are an influencer?

I don’t think about those things. Honestly, if I influence people it’s not on purpose, I just love to be happy and be a good example. If my joy influences you, then I’m glad, because I love to be around happy people too!

12)How do you translate your inspiration into production?

Well, my photography works in two ways. One is when I just have a picture day, I literally just take up my cam and drive. I set different challenges that inspire me, like only taking right turns, or staying on the coast, and the photography comes as a result of those challenges. The other way is completely flipped, where I have an idea, I set the shots up, and I make the idea come to life.

13) How important are associations to you?

Very important! Having the right people around you, with positive influence is crucial. If you have a vision of where you want to go, you have to be able to see the type of people that will help you get there as well. I’m against negative people, whether verbal or non verbal. I also make it a point to have people in my life who are also doing something with theirs. It’s very unlikely that you will be wishing well for someone in their life, if you aren’t doing anything with yours, that’s fake! It just isn’t human nature.

14) What does it mean to be a visionary to you?

When you told me that you wanted to interview  me for the Visionaries series, I was like “Woa!, when did this happen?” I read your message about five times, and I was forever asking myself why. In my opinion, it basically means someone who has a vision, but as simple as it seems, it’s not. They set their goals, see their journey, and once they see it, they can achieve it. They’re cautious because they know dead weight is bad, but I think a very important part is going easy on themselves, and being patient, because the road may not always take the route that they feel is best. I also think a visionary knows when it’s a good diversion or bad diversion, and they’re having fun in their journey, regardless. Life really is as simple as Yes or no, and I think visionaries have that understanding, which enables them to see infinite possibility and opportunity.

15) How long have you been into photography? and what makes a good photo to you?

I first started photography about 5 years ago when I was at Barbados Community College. For the first time, outside of my parents I saw someone who was completely head over heels about their job. I mean my photography teacher really loved photography! and I’m like “Oh my God! I want to be this happy!” I was incredibly inspired!  I’m all about composition man, it doesn’t matter what camera you have!  How I take pictures, mega pixels doesn’t matter that much to me.  I love depth to field, it’s about focus for me.

16) What kind of camera do you use?

 I have like an amateur camera, its the Nikon D5000. It’s at the top of the amateur range.

17) In your life, do you think there is anything you could have done differently?

Yes, I think about this all the time. Dropping technical drawing. Like this isn’t going to sound very humble, but it’s really hard being very good at alot of things. People don’t realise, but being a straight “A” student can make life a little difficult at times, especially when it’s time to choose. A part of me will always regret not doing Technical drawing, Physics and Art, to do Interior Architecture, becasue I’m a very huge fan of design and very much into architecture. Sometimes I think I cut myself short, but then it’s hard to say, because then I may not have done Communications at University, and then I may not have been where I am now. Other than that, I really have no regrets.

18) Lastly, what advice would you give to all women in the world, who are pursuing their dreams?

The most important part of pursuing your dreams, is the verb to pursue. Until you do that, it doesn’t matter the amount of motivational quotes  you read, or as many tips about being productive you take in, if you never get up and actually go, you’re wasting your time. You have to do it every single day. To all you beautiful women out there, be confident in your pursuit, and just look fabulous doing it!

If you made it to the end of this interview, I hope that you can appreciate the wisdom expressed by this extraordinary individual. I really believe that God is going to position her in places where very important people will understand and value her greatness, and will want to align themselves with her. Alicia is one of those people that will leave a mark on this world, and how is she going to do it?

simply by being herself, I guess .. ^_^

“we strive for simple lives, not simple minds.”

We have two options: change the world, or leave the world. ‘Accepting it’ is not an available choice.” – Alicia MG

elevate.

Island boy dreams…

To those who know me and follow my posts, know that I’m a huge fan of  The Hundreds. I love the lifestyle connection and versatility of their brand, and I can honestly say that every time I visit their website, I leave inspired and incredibly motivated to take my clothing company to the next level. Bobby Hundreds and his entire team are hardcore definers of the cool and recently, they all came together from all points of the globe for their International Sales meeting in New York City.

Some of my readers may be wondering why is this so important, why am I taking time out to write about a team of people I may never meet and may never know who I am, but it’s so much bigger than that. I’ve got something I like to call “Island Boy dreams”, cause where I’m from on this little rock , it’s not normal to be dreaming this big. I’m believing that one day I’d have an International sales meeting too, that would inspire many indie companies to create something of value and something that is built to last….