Creating A Brand | Part 3

Creating a brand is a very lengthy process. Colors, fonts, websites, logos, pictures, products, and so much more all need to be in tip-top-shape to launch your brand. Our mentees have accomplished so much over the past few weeks as they have developed their brands. On Wednesday our Mentees partnered up to continue editing and finalizing their websites.

Jasmine, our Co-founder & Executive Director, and Sandra, our Mentorship Coordinator, guided our Mentees through designing their websites. After working on designing, we transitioned into photoshoot planning. We want to make sure that our mentees have portfolios and product photos to add to each of their websites.

Planning a photoshoot is an important part of creating your branding and website. Products, models, staging equipment, photography equipment, outfits, hair, and makeup must be planned and each group should be prepared with a short list for their photos. Today we discussed the date, time, and details to ensure that everything will be set up correctly.

Our mentees get the experience of real-world scenarios and knowledge that will be useful for those who are planning to start a photography business. Stay tuned to see how the photo shoot went!

Photo Credit: Mariah

A Conversation On Vulnerability

How does being vulnerable make you feel? To kick off week 10 of mentorship, our Mentees engaged in a conversation around vulnerability led by Jasmine, our Co-founder & Executive Director. The discussion on vulnerability was sparked after Jasmine shared an experience she had in a women’s group. Each Mentee then shared a time where they were vulnerable with another person. We talked through how it made them feel and if it was a positive or negative experience. In sharing these experiences, the Mentees were able to see their differences as well as their commonalities.

One mentee shared that consent should always be at the center of vulnerability. If you feel uncomfortable, you can limit what you choose to share. It’s important that our mentees are aware of and respect consent with one other in what they choose to share during group discussions.

Following our group conversation on vulnerability, we separated into mini groups to connect and continue the discussion. Starting a conversation can aid in learning something new about another person, and discover how their lived experiences have impacted them.

Photo Credit: Mariah

Podcasting 101 | Xochitl Carmona

This Saturday, the mentees went through a podcasting intensive to learn all of the ends and outs of podcasting. Xochitl of Werk Mija shared what it takes to make a successful podcast. Xochitl shared that your podcast should be centered around getting leads to your business, recognition, and message. The mentees shared their favorite podcasts and how they connect to the importance of why people have podcasts.

Xochitl explained what a niche is and how it is important to have one to make your podcast stand out. They wrapped the podcast workshop up by going through the logistics of where and how to record as well as how to market their podcast. The mentees then partenered up and applied their skills to creating a welcome episode where each mentee chose the role of either host or guest. It was great to share and hear the epsiodes that they created. Some of our Mentees will be developing podcasts for their businesses. We look forward to sharing more about that soon.

Creative Aspects Of Website Design

This week in mentorship, we started with a 10 minute meditation session to give our mentees time to pause from the busyness of their day before continuing to work on their branding and websites. Most of our Mentees shared that it was their first time meditating and they enjoyed the time to pause.

Afterwards, our mentees partnered up to continue their work on their brand boards. Using the fonts, colors, logos, and other branding elements from their brand boards, the Mentees selected and began to personalize their website templates. We can’t wait to see the finished product!

Creating A Brand | Part 2

Photo Credit: Saffron

Today at the Firehouse, the mentees went through the building blocks of creating their brands. First, they picked Jasmine's brain by asking brand and business questions. The mentees asked questions about creating their pricing, how to build a business culture, and where to find different vendors for their products. Afterward, they began working on their logos and websites. Some of our mentees have business concepts and were partnered with other mentees to collaborate and brainstorm ideas for creating their business. Next week our Mentees will take their branding and begin building their websites!

Photo Credit: Saffron