Girl Crush!

Now before any of you get the wrong idea, what is MY definition of a Girl Crush?  Beautiful, intelligent, inspiring women who I truly respect and admire for their work ethic and accomplishments...especially those closely related to my line of work; PR!

Sooo I wanted to share with you three of my official Girl Crushes (more to come I just didn't want to hit you with them all at once)...be looking for individual features on some of them btw...if I don't get carried away and tell all in this one post!

And for the record...I'll never admire anyone as much as I admire my mother. A woman of extreme strength, spirituality and faith.  She truly raised me to be an extraordinary woman of God.  To be a poised, polished and pretty.  To be intelligent, intellectual, articulate and AMBITIOUS!  Words really can't express how I feel about this woman, she is more than perfect in my eyes. =)

Nicole Garner (@thegarnercircle): President and CEO of The Garner Circle PR, an Atlanta-based PR, lifestyle marketing and event execution agency with with offices in both New York and Los Angeles, ranks highly as one of the most innovative and out of the box agencies on record. Specializes in fashion, beauty, entertainment & lifestyle. Some of her accomplishments include Top 30 most influential women in the city of Atlanta, Power 30 Under 30, High Heels in High Places National Honor, Online PR award for the launch of the $50,000 sneaker for generating over one million mentions, and fastest growing PR firm in the SE region. I have been following this woman's every move since I was about 18, I've been trying to get like her ever since.

Ashley Small (@AshleyRSmall): President of Medley Incorporated, a public relations, new media, and special events firm that specializes in building brands in the luxury sector, including fashion, lifestyle, travel & hospitality, publishing and entertainment industries.  I had the pleasure of interning with Ashley and Medley, Inc and I absolutely LOVED every moment!  It was SO hands on and personal yet she gave me room for my own creative growth at the same time  She is an amazing entrepreneur with a beautiful spirit, she taught me sooo much (idk if she knows that), and I really do admire her.  Ashley also serves as the Jones Magazine social media and promotions manager.  I had the opportunity to be apart of some amazing events and promotions and also meet the cast (she was a cast member as well) during the 1st season of the magazine's reality show "'Keeping Up With the Joneses'" that aired on Centric TV earlier this year.  I was able to write my 1st official press release with Medley along with creating my 1st official media kits. I have great portfolio material and experience thanks to Ashley and Medley!!!

Christal Jordan (@EnchantedPR): An award-winning author, journalist and media trainer as well as the President of Enchanted PR, one of the leading entertainment PR boutiques in the southeast specializing in music, entertainment, and art.  I had the opportunity of interning with Miss Jordan as well.  One word: BOSS!  She is a busy woman and I had to be PERSISTANT to snag this internship. Thanks to her I know the importance of persistance and going after what you want until you get it.  I approached her via email in January 2010...and after 3 months, 2 interns, a few conference calls later and completing a preliminary assignment, I came on board as an intern/associate with the firm in early April right in the midst of Enchanted client Chilli's (TLC) VH1 Reality show "What Chilli Wants". We got right to work! {Be PERSISTANT Ambitious Girls!!!} I truly admire Christal from afar as I watch her juggle her extremely successful business and take care of her family at the same time (she has 2 children).  I've heard so many stories and stigmas about women in entertainment PR of how it can be nearly impossible to raise a family and handle your responsibilities as a PR practitioner at the same time.  Well guess what? Author, entrepreneur,  publicist, event planner, radio show host, talk show host, media trainer, and MOTHER at the same time....she does this. She has received countless awards and recognition for her expertise including the SEA award for Best Music Industry Executive. 13+ years in the game and this Ambitious woman does it WELL!  I have such a positive insight and inspiration to follow my dreams and also have a family now, when some male professors told me it was impossible as a woman and I'd have to plan and choose . Thank You Christal!

 I sure hope all my Ambitious Girls enjoyed and were inspired a bit. =)