There are many take always from the death of Whitney Houston.  I myself have recommitted to my purpose, why am I still here?  It is only by the Grace of God!

I would like to share an article by Rachel Quilty, a Branding Expert.  How does your story end?

Brand Yourself like Whitney Houston

How does your story end?  Personal branding is about determining your Mission. Each one of us is called to help others in a unique way that only we have been chosen to do. You have a unique cause and a legacy that will result from the fulfilment of that cause.

With the death of Whitney Houston recently I was saddened by the incredible loss of life and the potential impact that Whitney could have again contributed to society, and especially to aspiring young singers.

You only have to tune in to the auditions for the many singing and talent reality shows to recognise the Whitney Houston’s songs are popular, challenging and inspiring.

I am often saddened when I see people lost. My definition of lost is living a life without purpose. As people we often focus on our selves, what we have, what we don’t have. Really our job while on this earth is to serve others. Think about the times that have really made you happy and complete, many of us will identify it was a time that we were helping others. We felt truly valuable and valued.

One of the most difficult things you will be required to do is to remain on purpose and to tackle those issues and distractions that take us away from our purpose. They can be a host of different things such as self doubt, procrastination, depression, addiction, rescuing others and over nurturing. List is endless.

So the question I pose to you is: What’s Your Cause? What’s Your Legacy?
I have been reading Passion @ Work by Shivani, and was challenged when in the first chapter she asks, “Have you a Funeral Plan? What does it look like?” I often pose the question to clients about what their eulogy will contain.  What will others say about you at your funeral?  Shivani takes the issue to the next level and asks you to consider who will be there? What will they say? How will they react to your death?

With the passing of Whitney Houston, I deeply consider this insight and my life.

Will people mourn your passing? A significant loss to humanity because of the impact you made? Or will it be a quiet passing and hardly a tear shed because potential impact was never shared with others? Will it be large or will it be small? Will it be a celebration of a life lived large or a life half lived?
At the end of your life you will ask yourself these types of questions:
Did you make a difference?
Did you matter?
How were you significant to others?
How did you leave your mark?
How will you change a life?
What did you do that only you could achieve?

At the heart of personal branding is discovering your life purpose. Was Oprah’s brand the result of her identifying her calling and her platform and growing it? Absolutely.
Will Harry Potter and the story of a single broke mother who persisted with her dream to write his story remain an incredible brand long after the story is finished? Absolutely.

You have so much potential. Take a step into the adventure that should be your life too. Discover how you can build a brand like Oprah, JK Rowling, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. Learn how to discover, build and position your personal brand to live a truly memorable life when you grab your copy of Brand Yourself.

While Whitney Houston’s story has ended, may be too soon. The fact remains that a generation heard and was moved by her voice.  Her voice has faded but the memory remains of her beauty and the often difficult life of celebrity highlighted in the movie, Body Guard and the reality show, Being Bobby Brown.

I am moved by the memories her songs invoke and I am sad that so much potential, promotion and further opportunities were lost due to her inability to conquer her drug addiction that drew her away from her calling and platform. Despite the incredible success of her singing career we see a women still craving love, struggling with self doubt and self worth issues and losing the battle of self will to addiction.
Here are some interesting facts about Whitney that tell of a remarkable life incomplete:

• Born into Gospel Royalty, her mother Cissy Houston, was a gospel star. Dionne Warwick, her cousin, and  Aretha Franklin was her God mother.
• Begun performing in Church as a soloist at age 11.
• Won six Grammy awards included one for record of the year – for a cover of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You, and another for album of the year for The Bodyguard.
• 1987 – Released the album Whitney. She becomes the first female to debut at No 1 on the Billboard charts. The album includes hits I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Didn’t We Almost Have It All
• 1991 – Sings the Star Spangled Banner at the Superbowl. It is so popular it is released as a single and shoots to No 1 on the charts.
• After 9/11 the song becomes the first benefit song for victims.
• 1992 – Stars in the Bodyguard with Kevin Costner. I Will Always Love You becomes her biggest hit. The movie grosses more than $400 mill
• 1992- Marries bad boy singer Bobby Brown and descends into life fueled with drugs.
• 1993 – Gives birth to daughter Bobbi Kristina
• 1998 – Whitney was a strong opponent of South Africa’s apartheid rule and lobby’s for the release of Nelson Mandela with a benefit concert in London.
• 2000 – Sold over 170 million records before descending into a very public battle with substance abuse.
• 2001 onwards – Drugs continue to impact on Houston’s career ; concerts and appearances are canceled
• 2005- Viewers are stunned at the shocking contents of the reality show Being Bobby Brown exposing Houston’s habits and unhappy marriage.
• 2007 – Divorces Bobby Brown
• 2010 – In an interview with Oprah Winfrey she said by the time The Preacher’s Wife was released, “(doing drugs) was an everyday thing. I wasn’t happy by that point in time. I was losing myself.”
• 2012 -Dies on the eve of the 54th Grammy Awards. Stars offer many tributes to Houston personally and within the Awards Cermony, including:
• Kelly Rowland said Houston embraced and encouraged young female performers. “We lost our hero … I hope she knows how much she impacted, not just music, but the world.”
• Billy ray Cyrus said Houston “sang the backdrop of our lives”. “She really was the soundtrack of a lot of the emotions and storylines and different moments that we went through. She’s been singing the songs that we all were living.”
• Mariah Carey wrote, “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend … She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”
• 2012 – Jennifer Hudson sings a Whitney Houston medley at the Grammy Awards as a tribute.

Jump the Q! And Brand Yourself for a life of purpose! Your personal brand should reflect your abilities and potential. Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist, known as ‘the Authority’ on personal branding and author of must- have book ‘Brand Yourself’. Go to http://www.JumptheQ.com.au for FREE strategic branding  tips. Rachel encourages Jump the Q clients to think strategically when developing a personal brand to get that job offer, gain that promotion or win that client.

Jump the Q assists you to strategically and systematically leverage your professional profile and build your personal brand to become the authority in your industry. Get your free personal branding tactics and tips at http://www.brandyourselfblueprint.com

We assist you to develop your Personal Brand Strategy by:
- Discovering your purpose.
- Designing your best personal brand.
- Devising a personal marketing plan.
- Developing your Signature Brand.

Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Walethia Aquil
Phone: 810-732-2198
Email: walethia@graceandcharm.com
URL: http://www.graceandcharm.com

Announcing the Who’s Who Among Women in E-commerce for 2012

Walethia Aquil, CEO of Grace and Charm and the Creator of the Grace and Charm Success System named among The Top 100 Women in E-Commence.

Fort Lauderdale, FL(Tuesday, February 7, 2012). WE Magazine for Women and Women in Ecommerce are excited to announce the list of 100 Women in Ecommerce for 2012. These accomplished women are as different as their professions and ages (from early 20’s to late 60’s). These 100 Women in EcommerceTM represent their industries and professions as artists, astrologers, authors, internet marketers, photographers, coaches, consultants, manufacturers, clothing designers, inventors, event planners, personal trainers and everything in between. Some of the women have been in business for more than 20 years and others as few as two years. And what does each of these women have in common? They all promote their products and services on the Internet. Successfully.

According the Heidi Richards Mooney, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, “The women WE chose are considered to top in their respective professions and industries. Some are household names and some are known to a small niche of business owners and people they serve. Some were suggested to us by our readers and others we have been following online for years. We are delighted to showcase Walethia Aquil to our readers and the world as the 2012 Who’s Who Among Women in Ecommerce for 2012.”

Walethia Aquil is a graduate of The Protocol School of Washington.  Walethia  helps you build a new kind of wealth,“Social Capital” by equipping professionals and other service providers with training in proper business decorum and protocols in a step by step system that is specific to getting results in a competitive marketplace that gets results.

Now you can position yourself to never miss an opportunity due to fear, indecision, doubt, or lack confidence.  Learn how you can move from ‘Invisible to Impeccable’, visit Grace and Charm today.  Have an image or etiquette question email Walethia at: info@graceandcharm.com, direct number 1-810-334-5427 or 1-866-610-3746.

You can read more about these women in our latest issue:
About WE Magazine for Women: WE Magazine is published by The Women in EcommerceTM an organization that has been helping women do MORE business on the WEB since 2001. To contact the publisher, write Heidi Richards Mooney at P.O. Box 550856 ~ Fort Lauderdale, FL 33355-0856, call her at 1-954-625-6606 or visit: www.wemagazineforwomen.com.
Contact Heidi Richards Mooney, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief www.WEMagazineforwomen.com

heidi@WEMagazineforWomen.com 954-625-6606

Ask yourself this question: There are people waiting to help you why aren’t you meeting them.

The right relationship can be worth millions of dollars to you.

Grace and Charm Insight: “Networking is a lifestyle, not an event.” Walethia Aquil

In today’s business world, now more than ever it is important to build relationships.

Relationship currency can catapult your business to the next level seamlessly; the right connections can earn you millions of dollars.  If you don’t network your business will dry up.

• Reasons people don’t network:
• Unsure of the business and social protocols and formulas to making introductions.
• Uncomfortable initiating conversions and engaging in small talk at social functions with people they don’t know.
• Don’t feel at ease work a room, don’t know how to mingle and interact with strangers.

1. First change your mindset about networking.  Networking is not about how many cards you can hand out or how many you collect.  As a matter of fact the fewer cards you hand out the more you will seem to others as someone who has power and influence, someone they will want to connect with.

2. Change the way you think about your contacts.  Seek to add value to your contacts. Seek to give not to receive.  Successful networkers spend more time connecting others and being resourceful than they do looking for clients.

3. Choose the right event.  Join organization that your ideal client belongs to.  If you are an account, only attending events your peers attend won’t expand your network very much.
For more tips and and an in-depth look into how to network effectively be sure to join me for 10 Steps to Building a Powerful, Effective Network: It Not WHO you Know, but WHO KNOWS YOU!  This is a free call is rich and full of strategies you can implement immediately!

Mark your calendar to join me on Thursday, February 9 and plan to get on the call at least 5 minutes early…this training call will fill up and we have limited phone lines!
Click here to reserve your seat today.  http://bit.ly/z3pQV7
I look forward to teaching you all about ten of the best ways to get great results from your networking efforts.

See you on the call.

With Grace and Charm,

Walethia

Today image is as important as ever, and in order to showcase the best ‘you’ to the world it is vitally important that you take control of other people’s perception of you. Any time you are out in public or are meeting someone for the first time, you are sending a message about who you are. Following the list of etiquette rules below will help to ensure that you put your best food forward and are always projecting an image of class and refinement.

1. Always arrive on time – Being late is rude and shows a disregard for the other person’s time.  Making an effort to be on time lets the other people know that you respect them and are dependable.

2. Follow through – In business especially; if you say you are going to do something make sure to follow through.  This will help establish you as someone of integrity and someone who can be counted on.

3. Thank you – Writing a thank you note after receiving a gift will most certainly let the giver know that their gift was appreciated and displays good manners and class.

4. Don’t be ‘that person’ on your cell phone – It’s hard to imagine a world without the convenience of cell phones. However, proper etiquette dictates that cell phone conversations should be appropriate in both content and volume when in public. Conversations of a delicate nature discussed in public are in poor taste, as is the disruption caused by loud speaking. Remember that others can hear you and to keep your conversation appropriate for anyone to hear while in public.

5.Don’t be the office gossip – While you may be dying to dish on the latest office gossip, don’t do it! Office gossip causes an unprofessional atmosphere and sends the message to everyone else that they can’t really trust you. Instead, be an example of someone of integrity and don’t say anything about someone that would embarrass you if they found out about it.

6. Dress Appropriately – Being dressed inappropriately can cast you in a negative light and cause embarrassment (especially at a work function). If you are not sure what attire the event calls for try to contact someone to ask. However, if that not possible it’s best to err on the side of caution and slightly over dress as opposed to showing up in a sweatshirt and jeans to a business casual event.

7. Positive Attitude – Having a positive attitude in the workplace and in life in general, can take you far. No one wants to be around the ‘Constant Complainer’. Displaying a positive mental attitude exudes emotional intelligence and will make other want to be in your company.

8. Email –While it is an incredible communication tool that most of us couldn’t imagine life without, you want to make sure that your email communication is respectful of other and does not cast you in a negative light. When thinking email etiquette remember; Never write in all caps (this implies you are yelling), be sure your responses are complete and to the point, and never forward on virus hoaxes or chain letters!

9. Dining Etiquette – Make sure to remember your table manners. Nothing says ‘unsophistication’ like chewing with your mouth open or being a noisy eater. While it is good to know proper fork and knife placement, if you at least have the essentials of courteous dining manners you likely will be able to avoid embarrassment when fine dining.

10. Language – While it seems that slang is everywhere and every generation has their own unique array of expressions, it most certainly does not have its place in every situation. In the office, speaking to a teacher at your child’s school or generally any public speaking calls for  the use of proper language. This shows respect to the person you are communicating with and highlights your intelligence.

This list is not at all complete, what etiquette tip would you add?

Walethia helps you build a new kind of wealth, “Social Capital” by equipping professionals and other service providers  with training in
proper  business decorum and protocol’s in a step by step system that is  specific to getting results.  Now you can position yourself to never miss an opportunity due to fear, indecision, doubt, or lack of confidence.

Learn  how you can move from ‘Invisible to Impeccable’, visit Grace and Charm  today. Have an etiquette/image question email Walethia:  info@graceandcharm.com, direct number 1- 810-334-5427 or 1-866-610-3746.

Want to connect with me?  I’m only a click away.

Like my Facebook fan page:   http://www.facebook.com/graceandcharm
Join Business and Career Etiquette:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/graceandcharm/
Connect on LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/graceandcharm
Twitter:  @graceandcharm2
You Tube:  Grace and Charm Success Channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/walethia?feature=mhum

Introducing “How to Win Friends and Influence People the Grace and Charm Way” Teleseminar Series 2012

Now you can experience the power of Grace and Charm, our new monthly teleseminar series is comprised of relevant tips and strategies you can implement immediately.

These exclusive teleseminars are designed to give you the boost you need to uplevel your business or career so you can make the income you deserve and the impact you desire with less strain and struggle.

Right now, think about your biggest business challenge or headache. Now imagine being in the right place to receive a mind-opening strategy or solution for overcoming this challenge.

Every professional can benefit from How to Win Friends and Influence People the Grace and Charm Way no matter where they are in their business growth.

Our teleseminars are offered the second Thursday each month from 12:00 -12:30 (Eastern Time)  The teleseminars are complimentary,  however registration is required.

Dial-in information will be provided upon registration, and we encourage you to invite others to these free professional development learning events – the more the merrier!

Click here register for of all the How to Win Friends and Influence People the Grace and Charm Way Teleseminars Series for 2012 and register now for the rest of the year.  For questions or suggestions on at topic you would like featured, feel free to email us at:asktheexpert@graceandcharm.com

See you on the call.

With Grace and Charm,

Walethia helps you build a new kind of wealth, “Social Capital” by equipping professionals and other service providers  with training in
proper  business decorum and protocol’s in a step by step system that is  specific to getting results.  Now you can position yourself to never miss an opportunity due to fear, indecision, doubt, or lack of confidence.

Learn  how you can move from ‘Invisible to Impeccable’, visit Grace and Charm today. Have an etiquette/image question email Walethia at:  info@graceandcharm.com, direct number 1- 810-334-5427 or 1-866-610-3746.

Want to connect with me?  I’m only a click away.

Like my Facebook fan page
Join Business and Career Etiquette
Connect on LinkedIn
Twitter: @graceandcharm2
You Tube:  Grace and Charm Success Channel

Prom Dress Drive

Grace and Charm helps dreams come true for young area women.

On January 21 My Dreams do Come True, a community initiative created by Walethia Aquil, CEO of Grace and Charm, in collaboration with Danielle Green, CEO of Empower, joined forces to host a community event to collect new and gently used formal gowns for young area women.

The event was hosted by Bubba O’Malley in Burton MI with a $10.00 all you can eat pizza buffet.  The event was attended by over 171 men, women and children.  Some of the highlights included a belly dancer, a professional wrestling team and Ms. Black Michigan, Shantel Knox.

Moneys raised will be used to purchase greatly needed items such as hair and nail care for area girls wanting to attend their prom.

Over the past two and half years My Dreams do Come True has provided the community with over 100 new and gently used gowns, FREE

If you would like to donate a new or gently used gown, jewelry or other accessories please email: info@mydreamsdocometrue.org

The money we raise each year will go to My Dreams Do Come True to provide prom dresses and accessories to young ladies who otherwise may not be able to afford t…hem. We are also having a Prom/Formal Dress Drive during this event. We will accept new and gently used dresses. Please come and support a worthy cause.

We also will have a Pizza Buffet ($10.00 tickets)
Silent Auction
Spa Package drawing

Be sure to like our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Dreams-do-Come-True/165786510143476

2. Become a philanthropist. Philanthropy is not limited to those who give great sums of money.  Philanthropy as defined by The Free Online Dictionary is: deliberate affection for mankind, shown in contributions of money, property, or work for the benefit of others. I created an organization called “My Dreams do Come True.”  I can’t start to tell you the media opportunities  and brand recognition I’ve received by giving back to my community.

3. Practice good manners. People like to be around those who are kind and considerate.  You are also setting standards for others’ behavior and encouraging them to treat you with similar respect.

Grace and Charm Insight: Many people think etiquette is all about the fork you use.  It is not! Developing your social skills will:

• Increase your earning potential by opening doors of opportunity
• Enhance your relationships
• Attract better and higher paying customers or clients
• Clients become raving fans
• Increased self-esteem
• Position you to attain power and influence
• Win the support of others who can help you achieve your goals
• More media opportunities
• Establishes immediate trust and credibility

Business etiquette is a necessity even more in today’s business world where it does not only give you a competitive edge over the competition but also brands you as the preferred, partner to do business with.

4. Seek media opportunities. We are constantly vying for attention in a crowded marketplace. Publicity is one of the most effective – and inexpensive – ways to generate awareness about you or your organization. Plus editorial coverage is three times more credible than an advertisement and therefore, more effective than other forms of communication.

5. Develop the skill of listening. When you want to show someone you like them focus on them. Become interested in what they are saying or even doing. Attentively listen to them as they speak and become involved with their conversation. As they talk, paraphrase and ask them pertinent questions regarding what they are saying. If they are busy doing something and it looks like they could use some help, offer to help them. Both listening and helping are other ways to show people you like them.

Walethia helps you build a new kind of wealth, “Social Capital” by equipping
professionals and other service providers  with training in proper  business decorum and protocol’s in a step by step system that is  specific to getting results.  Now you can position yourself to never miss an opportunity due to fear, indecision, doubt, or lack of confidence.
Learn  how you can move from ‘Invisible to Impeccable’, visit Grace and Charm today.

Have an etiquette/image question email Walethia at:  info@graceandcharm.com,
 direct number 1- 810-334-5427 or 1-866-610-3746.

Want to connect with me?  I’m only a click away.
Like my Facebook fan page:  http://www.facebook.com/graceandcharm

Join Business and Career Etiquette:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/graceandcharm/

Connect on LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/graceandcharm

Twitter: @graceandcharm2

You Tube: Grace and Charm Success Channel

With Grace and Charm,

Walethia and Family

Your personal brand is a reflection of your vision of the world, your purpose in supporting that vision, your values and your passions. When you are clear about your goals, the messaging you create will be consistent with your personal brand.

Sixty-seven percent of first impressions are accurate. People judge you firstly by appearance, 
then by how you communicate, and finally by the words you use. Is your professional image an 
accurate reflection of your brand?

You can establish your credibility, increase your market share, and position yourself as the expert by improving all aspects of your professional image. Improving your image will have a direct effect on improving your perceived professionalism and quality of your brand.

1. Determine the “look” you want. Your physical appearance sends out a message. What message do you want to send?    

2. Reflect your internal values by you physical appearance. People expect this. If you went into a bank to deposit a large sum of money, and the banker was wearing a Mohawk haircut and an earring, would you leave your money?

3. Know that a good physical appearance is important to every aspect of your lifestyle. Everyone around you is affected by your appearance. A good appearance builds self- esteem and allows you to forget about your self and concentrate on other matters.

4. Evaluate yourself objectively. Evaluate the good points of your appearance and accept those things that can not be changed.
5. Begin with a plan. Consider the total picture you want to create and then address each individual part.

6. Compete only with yourself. Take your natural qualities and perfect each detail to the best of your ability.

7. Choose “quality” over quantity. Choose the best technicians to help you with your image, the best products for your skin, the best clothing your budget will allow.

8. Recognize that “balance” is the most important part of a masterpiece. When you look at a landscape scene and a tree is too large, the picture cannot qualify as a masterpiece.

9. Realize that your head and shoulders constitute the “focal point” of the picture. Since everyone looks you in the eye, this area is the most important part of your image.

10. Realize that from the shoulder to the waist is also a high visibility area. A man’s tie must hang exactly right to create balance. A belt worn correctly establishes good proportion.

11. Balance the ways your clothing “fits”. A masterpiece is the result of paying attention to every single detail.

12. Know that “color” is second importance. People will forgive you anything but being dull. Your best colors will make you look brighter.

13. Remember color is free. Even a sweat suit may be bought in color that is flattering to your natural color palette.

14. Create an individual style by using “contrast”. You are an original
15. Invest time in creating an outstanding appearance You may have to rise 30 minutes earlier.

16. Make good habits a part of your- plan. You may have to break old habits, such as sleeping until the last minute, and form new ones so that your best image can happen daily.

17. Begin where you are. Start today!

How you are known; your personal or business brand or your reputation is the most important 
thing as it is your promise to your client. It will ensure your business or personal integrity, if you 
seek to maintain it.

Need a speaker for your next event?  Consider Walethia Aquil.  Any business motivational speaker can entertain and present inspirational messages, but very few can deliver a speech that creates immediate perceptional and behavioral changes benefiting both the participant and the organization.

Contact information: walethia@graceandcharm.com Toll free number: 1.866.610.3746

Please feel free to use this article in your newsletter, on your blog, or website.  However, the following byline must be included in its entirety and the article must not be edited in any form and must be presented exactly as it appears here.

About the author:
Walethia is not trendy, she  provides her clients with foundational principals with practical applications that produce results. She shows entrepreneurs and career professionals a much more sophisticated way of creating brand awareness that is specific to getting results.  Results such as growing profits, taking control and making more money.  Now you can position yourself to never miss an opportunity due to fear, indecision, doubt, or lack of confidence. Learn  how you can move from ‘Invisible to Impeccable.’ Visit Grace and Charm today.
Have an etiquette or image question email Walethia at:  info@graceandcharm.com.
Direct number 1- 810-334-5427 or 1-866-610-3746.
Connect with me?  I’m only a click away.

Like my Facebook fan page
Join Business and Career Etiquette
Connect on LinkedIn
Twitter:  @graceandcharm2
You Tube:  Grace and Charm Success Channel