Be a force in your field !

Good Day all,

This week , I had the pleasure of visiting the David Mark Studio here in Pleasantville, NJ..... These 2 partners are out to, not only make a name and a brand for themselves, but to make a mark in our area and change the way things are perceived around here and also with the industry.
This is so on point to what I am doing with MY business that I had to write about the beautiful connection made here.

From the floor to the ceiling, from the wallpaper to the unique layout and decor, the David Mark studio is making a presence of excellence.

So I say, "Be a force in your field !"  Does this mean you are perfect??? NO. Does it mean you are un-approachable??? No. Does it mean you are out of reach for the main stream??? No..... It means that you put your integrity, your brand and your belief in what you do ahead of all the crap that is out there. You become the force regardless of what others are doing and saying and you make a mark in a good way . THAT is a force to be reckoned with !\

 The conversation and the feeling I got when speaking with David and Mark was so good. It is so nice to be aligned with others in the field who are willing to give you the time of day and understand what it is to fulfill dreams.

This industry - from modeling, to weddings, to the designs etc... is not so pretty, even though the product of the industry seems that way.  This area is the same.  There are many people out in my area that are trying to make positive change. It doesn't happen overnight but it is nice to see that there are so many people working on a common goal.

So whether it's a Town or Community, a County an area or whether it's modeling, designing, music, art, theatre , or events.... DO THE RIGHT THING AND BE A FORCE IN YOUR FIELD.

 I wish the David Mark brand much success. I look forward to a long and prosperous collaboration with them when possible and I am excited about what they bring to the area, to the industry and to the World.
 A Few photos from our meeting:

Visit The David Mark Web page at     www.dmdavidmark.com

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Samina Mughal Resort Wear and more from 4 A STAR....

Hello all and Happy Friday !!!

Hope you all had a great Saint Patrick's Day where everyone is Irish !!!   LOL

It's been a little crazy battling whatever is going around with this crazy weather.... let's start out with some photos....

                                                         

                                                                      "Poet"

                                                                   "Poet"

                                                                  "Poet"

First let's meet "Poet".. "Poet" is a one woman show of spoken word and theatrics . She can incorporate music and spoken lyrics and is also no stranger to the stage 

Next.................Samina Mughal new Resort Fashions hit South Jersey !

This is Cathy , one of our 4 A STAR models in the brand new Samina Mughal Resort wear !
You can shop on line at www.saminamughal.com   be sure to put in the code 4 A STAR 5% to receive a discount on your order.... see all the amazing designs both couture and resort wear there !
What a beautiful shoot at the Colonial Inn / Village Green of Historic Smithville !

Stay well and we will see you again soon !
Photos by Larry Berman Photography 

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What's the name of the game???

Hello all,

So the answer has probably baffled people over the course of time. Not only in the fashion/entertainment industry, but in life as we know it. It's the game of life, as they say. How do we define what we do and what we say?  I hear things every day that just baffle me. It's a crazy World. If you live in the fashion/entertainment industry , you know how "dog eat dog" it can be.
I started my Company, 4 A STAR, to be the change in the industry and regardless of how the World rotates, I will BE that change. The ones who come out of that, will be the ones who move on in life with integrity and grace. I make strategic alliances wherever I go.... and I know I have blogged about that in the past. That is very important if you are in business, even in life.....
Some things that sound so bad, will never change. However, if you WANT it to change, you have to be the first one to initiate change and you have to stick to your guns no matter what happens. Yes, there have been times when I feel that tug from the one side saying, "Go ahead, follow along with the others....that's the way the game is played.... "....then I get the other side saying, " You are the difference , you are the game changer, you are the one putting in the sweat equity to make a difference. ". So I go back to two sayings that I love.....
1. " I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference..... " 
2.   "Take a chance and go out on a limb.... after all, that is where all the fruit is.... " 

So let me talk about a beautiful casting I was at recently for a charitable fashion event to help feed the hungry. ( a cause that I am also passionate about)

I met some great people. All the people involved were superb. The models were awesome.
I have to add some of the industry game that I heard though..... stealing back stage.... models that will put food on other people's "stuff", "clothes", in their bags etc... to make them look bad. Photos being taken back stage of designers' clothes that are set for magazine releases.... Did we not just hear about this in the news??? How backstage "things" are being leaked out before they get a chance to release their............. "music", "clothing lines", "exclusive photos".....???
So this is all part of the game and my hats off to show organizer Orlando Gordon for not allowing certain things to take place behind the scenes at HIS show.  Again, Integrity and Grace.

These are just things I heard and , again,  make me question the industry that I love so much. I keep coming back to being the game changer..... being the first....
Nothing will change the negative things that go on in a "dog eat dog" World no matter what the industry is. However, BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. !!! That is the only way things can begin to look better.

I also want to point out that loyalty is also something missing in this industry. ( In many industries out there.) I will only work with those that have the same values that I do. I've also mentioned this before. I will give anyone the benefit of the doubt, but push the wrong buttons and you are done for good. Loyalty SUCKS in this industry. People often forget where they came from, who took them to the start of where they are now and who will stand by them through thick and thin. I don't begrudge anyone for moving in their own direction, however, loyalty should remain in tact. Things can always be worked out when you do the right thing and I , personally, will not change who I am. I will also give the best advantages to those who remain loyal and ask questions, and work things out so everyone can benefit.

Congratulations to the beautiful models that I met recently, including our own Hasheley Ani Chery .

 Also to the other wonderful models that I met this past week......

Eric

Glenda

Iraita

Josh

Nanette

Ruth

Sergio ( Geo)

Wendell

These are just photographs of their comp cards so the images don't really do them justice however they all ROCK !!!!

More to come as 4 A STAR makes waves in the industry .... including our "Salt and Pepper" steppers, our quarterly MMM meetings exclusively for models who want to be in the know.....
1st rule: Don't show up to a casting call without a comp card !!!!  If you don't have that, at least bring a photo or something for the people casting to remember you by !  
In the meantime.......

Enjoy your day and we will be moving and shaking again soon !

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Samina's Dresses Get around.... a passion for fashion...& more....

Hello all,

What a crazy month January has been. Need I say more. Viewing January as a planning month, it was surely hectic putting certain things into place and some of it still not done..... what the heck???

That said, we head into Winter Fashion Week with a bang.....

New York Shows, Atlantic City shows, all with A PASSION FOR FASHION....

Samina Mughal will be showing in New York on Thurs. Feb. 18th and we will be right there to cheer her collection on.... Where can you find her dresses next???

Check out our beautiful model, Kelsey Meredith in a gorgeous Samina Mughal gown. This shot was taken at the Annata Wine Bar in Hammonton N.J. at our annual Cross the Line Event.

Then, you can head over to Atlantic City Fashion week on the 26th and 27th for the main shows at The Claridge Hotel in AC..... Visit Atlantic City Fashion week on Face Book to get your tickets to this event. Come and meet me at a vending table too !

Samina will also be in this show with her fabulous collection. 

Contact me to see more of her line or to purchase an original Samina Mughal dress or gown !

Next we move on to the funny side of life with one of our newest clients Michelle Tomko. Michelle has recently received the coveted AC Nightlife award in the Comedy Category. 

She is riding in her own lane with the "Wedding Roast"  

Contact me to book Michelle for your next Corporate Event, Special Event or Wedding Party event !

And last, but certainly not least....meet our newest sensation..... Spoken Word Artist with a flair.... 

"Poet"

Stay tuned for more info about these artists, as well as Where Samina's Dresses will be next !

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How do we make a positive impact?

Good morning,

We need to keep a positive "pay it forward" if you may, around ourselves all the time. While it isn't always possible to be the most positive upbeat person all the time, it's important to give that off as much as possible. That energy will travel farther than you may ever know..... Check out these few positive impact stories.... One is the brand new article that was just done on our company in the Press of AC. It's nice to see all this in print and see the hard work of my business associates as we move to bring a positive impact to our youth and our community.... Thank you AC Press !

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/business/a-star-makes-business-out-of-south-jersey-talent/article_d30398f0-bbfc-11e5-aebc-bba2f063627c.html


Next, Check out how one of our local entertainers , and friend, found the positive .... not only did she enjoy the process....she SHARED the process !

From my friend and local talent, KELLY LAVIGNA:

Was having a rough day, so decided to take my lunch alone at the Hamilton Mall, eat some sushi and regroup to finish my day. I sat by myself and didn't even notice an elderly man sitting 3 chairs down from me, also alone. After about 30 minutes, I was full, so I pushed my tray away with some left over sushi and started doing some work on my phone. As I put on my coat to leave, the man said "Excuse me miss, are you going to eat that?". I followed my instincts in that moment and said, "Yes." Obviously a lie. But I've become so accustomed to turning a blind eye to those who ask for money (especially with all the time I spend in Atlantic City), that it didn't register with me that this man was so hungry, that he was willing to eat my scraps. I got up, threw out the left over food and began to leave to return to work. I made it half way to the door when something literally stopped me in my tracks. This man was not asking me for money to spend on god knows what. He was asking to have some food in his stomach. Food that I just threw in the trash. I knew in my heart that I would never give someone scraps that I had spent the last hour picking on. So I went to Auntie Anne's, bought him a pretzel and bottled water, and made my way back upstairs praying he would still be sitting there. I walked up, handed him the bag and he smiled the biggest smile I've seen all day and simply said, "Thank you". I said "You're Welcome, God Bless You" and smiled.
Moral of the story: I went to the mall today to try and get my smile back after a crappy morning. I didn't know I'd find it in the old man sitting just 3 chairs down from me looking for what might be his only meal today. We made each other smile today. I gave him what he needed, and he gave me what I needed. Realized that my day is not so bad after all.  



And lastly.... what is your dream in life??? How does that impact you and everyone else around you? What are you willing to do to go after that dream? 
Let's see what great message Steve Harvey sent our way.... 



https://www.facebook.com/SteveHarvey/videos/1653661894894669/



Now go out, catch that dream and make a positive impact any way you can !
Enjoy !

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Are you taking all of your shots????

Hello,

Boy it has been a crazy start to 2016. Not the calm before the storm.... LOL.... Just the storm ! ....and we are going to shake it up in 2016. I always consider January a "planning" month. It's really clean up, catch up, put things in place and it goes by so fast. So I have learned not to stress about my business in January for I spend a lot of it planning to soar come February !

At our recent mastermind series, we had the honor and pleasure of a Class Act speaker:
MONIQUE MANIGAULT  from Leverage Up !

She has a clear direction of where to take your business. How does she know this???? She comes from a family of entrepreneurs. She has a law degree under her belt and has experienced , first hand, many of the issues facing small businesses today.

Monique is an excellent speaker and is available for your events !  You can check out her site at:

www.leverageupyourbusiness.com 

You can also contact me to book Monique for future events or to set up a strategy session with her.

Thank you, Monique for being a part of our Mastermind and we hope to see you again in the future !

Utilizing all that you have and bringing THAT to the table is what you want to be looking at in your goal strategy.  Taking risks, taking your shots in life is so important. Life is so precious and we never know when it can be snatched from us or something can take us off our focus for good.

My motto for the New Year comes from a famous Athlete:

"You will always LOSE 100 % of the shots you don't take !"
Wayne Gretzky, Michale Jordan

Enjoy !

News to come from the Samina Mughal collection contest in Feb..... and don't forget....
"Who IS Tierney O'Rourke?"

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So let's start today by wishing all of the 11,600 readers a wonderful Holiday Season.... Merry, Happy, and good wishes go your way............

Monday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet some important people concerning our handbag release. So stay tuned for the buzz words, the teasers, the contests and all that goes with our fabulous release of the "Eye don't care" purse line next year....

In making the rounds in NYC... I came across the fun holiday give away of Stella Artois Beer.... Check out the cool photo.... Great way to go viral by sending your photo out on social media....
( AND I got to keep the glass ! )

Talk again soon....
Enjoy !




http://beautifulmoments.stellaartois.com/s/a8TR3kdK

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