Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Melissa Vale, another superwoman who managed to balance a competitive day job and make a name for herself in the digital space.
I couldn’t miss the chance to ask her about her job, fashion must-haves, and go-to lunch spots in NYC. P.S. Check out her tips for aspiring fashion bloggers. She completely nailed it.
While I was in the process of building my social media presence for my real estate business, I noticed that my fashion-oriented posts were taking off far more.
Take note: these were just casual iPhone #ootd pictures.
I had covered fashion shows and events for years for other outlets such as the Huffington Post, so this was hardly unfamiliar territory for me. That time, I really felt that I had to at least give it a shot.
My MKT Studio leather jacket, any of my Balenciaga bags (from the most recent purchase last year to ones that are a gazillion years old), and my Bill Blass black suede slouchy booties – I rotate these staples in with just about anything.
Figure out what it is that you have to bring to the table – that’s how you build your audience and distinguish yourself from millions of other fashion bloggers.
Find a good photographer that really work well with you.
Engage, engage, engage. I always tell people: it’s literally like free advertising. When I was starting out, I was doing this non-stop.
Well, I’d be a bit of a traitor if I said any other city right? New Yorkers stay chic in even the worst weather so I think we have to get extra points for that.
Sant Ambroeus – I love all the locations but I have a special fondness for the Madison Avenue location.
Any of the Maison Kaisers – they have the best baguettes.
I know that I want to continue evolving my brand and connecting with my audience. I think the goal for many of us is to develop and give life to our business well beyond social media. You never know where this business is going to be in 5 years so it’s important to diversify. I would love to design my own collection someday! But until then, you can follow me on my adventures visually via Instagram or in long-form via my blog ; )
Learn how this seasoned entrepreneur tackles everyday life while managing her two successful ventures.
On this week’s Success in Stilettos series, The Ambitionista features
Jenny Q. Ta, Founder & CEO of Sqeeqee.com, the
first-of-its-kind social networthing platform and the inventor of an
interactive multi-player game Squiggy Piggy, she is also the Co-Founder of
VCNetwork.Co with
Shinta Dhanuwardoyo, a virtual “Shark Tank” for startups that bridges the
gap between modern entrepreneurs and forward-thinking venture capitalists
worldwide.
What did you want to do when you grow up?
Change the world.
Which women do you admire in your life?
Margaret Thatcher.
Name one activity that you do every day without fail
Say my prayers.
How long is your working day?
How long is your working day? At least 12 to 15 hours, or even
more.
How much sleep do you get every night?
I try to get a minimum of five to six hours, but on average it’s
probably less.
If you really want to dress to impress, what do you do?
Depending on the occasion or event, but I would just visit a mall and
grab a new outfit to fit that occasion. This is always the case.
What are your favorite brands for workwear?
It depends, but I’d say Zara. It’s simple, modern and they have small
sizes.
What’s your favorite everyday beauty brands/products?
Chanel.
What was the biggest obstacle you have faced that in the end
helped you?
Failure.
How often do you check your emails?
After every meeting. Most of the time, my daily work schedule is
back-to-back meetings..
How do you stay sane and on top of it?
Have a few fun chats with good friends or run for hours on the
beach.
What do you carry with you all the time in your purse?
An iPhone and a Samsung phone.
How often do you check your emails?
After every meeting. Most of the time, my daily work schedule is back-to-back meetings.
What do you splurge on?
A bit of fashion and travel.
What does success mean to you?
Seeing more women leaders with equal pay and respect in the
workplace.
If you could meet a younger you from 10 years ago, what would
you have told her?
Keep on going and don’t ever stop.
Caught between a strong mind, and a fragile heart.” – UNKNOWN
Get to know what goes behind the scenes in the life of a seasoned serial tech entrepreneur.
The Ambitionista is proud to feature Shinta Dhanuwardoyo. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia, she is the CEO and Founder of Bubu.com (Indonesia’s prominent digital advertising agency), an Angel Investor (co-founder of Angel eQ Network), and Co-Founder of VCNetwork.Co with Jenny Q. Ta, a virtual “Shark Tank” for startups that bridges the gap between modern entrepreneurs and forward-thinking venture capitalists worldwide.
What did you want to do when you grow up?
When I was young, I always told people I wanted to become a doctor, but at the end of the day, I just want to contribute and help human kind in the biggest possible way through technology.
Which women do you admire in your life?
My mom definitely, my grandma, Supeni. Supeni was one of Indonesia’s legendary women politicians. Her career was built from being Indonesia’s traveling ambassador during the 1960’s under Soekarno’s era (Indonesia’s first President). My grandma led a delegation of 19 men at the United Nation’s conference in New York in 1962. For that era, it was extraordinary. Of course, one day, I would love to sit down and hang out with Oprah Winfrey.
Name one activity that you do every day without fail
I always make sure that I learn something new every day.
If you are not working you would be … ?
Hanging out with my two daughters and husband. Head to the mall for some retail therapy with my daughters, or I would be shopping online 🙂
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
Bali, Indonesia (heaven on earth).
If you really want to dress to impress, what do you do?
I put on my Batik outfit. Batik is a traditional textile, which is done intricately through a resistant wax dyeing process. It’s one of the highest forms of art that can be found in Indonesia. (Here is my blog:
What’s your favorite everyday beauty brands/products?
Nothing in particular, but I love Guerlain, Armani, Chanel, and Dior.
What was the biggest obstacle you have faced that in the end helped you?
Failures that I went through in a number of my business ventures.
How often do you check your emails?
After every meeting. Most of the time, my daily work schedule is back-to-back meetings..
How do you stay sane and on top of it?
I think of my two beautiful daughters.
How do you get energized?
I feel energized after a glass of fresh squeezed orange mixed with strawberry juice.
Do you exercise? If yes, what type and how often?
I just do planks and squats daily for 10 minutes. Then on weekends, I hit the gym.
What do you splurge on?
I splurge on gorgeous Indonesian Batik cloths (yes, the best ones cost thousands and thousands of dollars) and the best pair of stiletto heels like Valentino’s rock studs and Louboutins.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is having a balance in life between work, family, social and spiritual life and to be useful for human kind.
If you could meet a younger you from 10 years ago, what would you have told her?
Don’t be afraid to stand out and think bigger than ever.
“Done is better than perfect” – SHERYL SANDBERG
Annie Leibovitz said “I didn’t want to let women down” and with her new traveling exhibition Women: New Portraits (which launched in London in January of 2016 and will make it’s way to ten cities around the globe) she most certainly holds up her end of the bargain. I’ve always been a fan of Ms. Leibovitz’s art and apparently the international bank UBS has too because they partnered with her to exhibit her photos and to remind all of us that we are surrounded by everyday heroes.
Which made me think about my everyday heroes. One of whom is my friend Kathy Patalsky. And it’s not just because she is obsessed with cute kittens as I am. Kathy’s love and dedication to animals took her on the journey that has made her a leading vegan recipe cookbook author and blogger extraordinaire. Not only has she devoted her life to healthy eating (while honoring animals), she also extends her gracious nature to the rest of us and I’m so happy to call her a friend.
Not every hero has to slay a dragon. (In fact Kathy would be very against that). This hero of mine makes the world a better place with small, but powerful, gestures of kindness and caring for all creatures while managing a successful blogging and cookbook career. We should all aspire to such compassion and achievement.
Come to think of it, it could be said that Annie Leibovitz has accomplished the same two goals.
So, who are your everyday female heroes and what goals do you think they’ve achieved? Not only will thinking about this inspire you, but it could also enable you to win a trip for two to NYC
To see the WOMEN: New Portraits exhibit. Here’s how: post a photo of your hero on Instagram and add the hashtag #ShareYourHero and tag @UBS. Every month between March – October there will be one winner.
