2013 has offered some fun speaking opportunities, and I’m beyond grateful for the wonderful people that have invited me to share some insights on one of my favorite topics- social media. When Shay and Ashlee asked me to be a guest speaker at their first Business and Branding Essentials workshop for photographers (and any business owner) in Tampa, I was thrilled! I planned on sharing essentials and key strategies on how to use social media the right way, tips on engaging the audience, and boosting a business’s online PR. I was so pumped on sharing as much knowledge as I could and helping business owners utilize social media tools in the best way, that I never imagined to gain even more than I had to offer. I met an inspiring group of entrepreneurs with BIG goals and passion. I walked away feeling inspired, having some major decisions I’ve made reconfirmed, getting re-introduced to myself, and creating 5 6 major action steps to keep me on track on my goals this year.

I can’t thank Shay and Ashlee enough for letting me be a part of such an amazing experience. As Shay mentioned during the workshop, I also wish this workshop existed when I first started my business! However, I’ve learned along the way, that it’s all in God’s time.

A HUGE thanks to the group, for being so warm and inviting! Shay, Ashlee, Katie, Amy, Ben, Shem, Dani, Lauren, Sheyla, and Brianna, I know 2013 has tremendous blessings in store, stay focused and don’t give up on your dreams (and keep those hashtags, @, and bit.lys spreading your news)! ;)

Carolina and Shem, thank you for providing your beautiful space for the workshop. It was perfection!

Thanks to these pretty cool sponsors: Kelly Moore Clark, WHCC , Every Last Detail, Chic Sweets, and Katelyn Brooke Designs.

Khaled passed by and grabbed some behind the scenes and created this lovely highlight video below (I thanked him in XO’s).

Enjoy!

Speaking Social Media at Essentials Workshop from Kismis Ink Photography on Vimeo.

Thanks Shem for grabbing these images behind the scenes:

LOVE these gals! So proud of them!

Do you notice how I’m trying to restrain my hands?! I didn’t do such a good job on keeping them in check as you may have noticed in the highlight video, ha!

Some Instagram iPhone shots I grabbed throughout the day:

Is it really almost March? 2013 is flying by, but not before offering the most amazing opportunities! Kismis Ink has a few surprises in store that we’ll be revealing in the next few months, so get excited! But first, I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be a guest speaker at the Essentials Workshop at the gorgeous new Blue Lane Studios on March 2nd. If you haven’t registered yet, you have a few more days so jump on it here!

I can’t thank Shay and Ashlee enough for inviting me to share some insight on social media and how it’s been a tremendous tool in my business success.

A few weeks ago, I posted these words below on my Instagram and I wake up with this truth daily. Set the bar high.

Happy Friday!

When Linda of Linda Marie Weddings & Events asked me to be a speaker at an upcoming ABC luncheon at the Crown Parlor, I was flattered, but at the same time my palms got sweaty and I thought I’d pass out. You see, years ago I had my heart set on becoming a broadcast journalist. That was until I received a letter stating that it was not in my best interest to pursue that career path due to my hispanic vowel distortion. What do you mean 2 and 1/2 isn’t pronounced tunahaf?!  Add to that the excessive amount of hand movement that I use while I talk (I think I missed my calling to be an air traffic controller) and it could get pretty crazy! However, the thought of sharing valuable insights on Twitter and social media (one of my favorite topics) and inspiring other small business owners surpassed any silly fears that I had. The delicious food, (endless tea, tea sandwiches, scones, cakes and desserts served on fine bone china with individual multi-level tier) sweet crowd, and charming European-esque tea room added up to a fun, unforgettable experience.

A HUGE thanks to Linda, the wonderful members of ABC and Mac & Vicky of Crown Parlor for the wonderful opportunity and great time! And a very special thank you to my hubby, Khaled, for capturing some snapshots of the day and putting together this highlight video.

Bonus points to whoever can guess how many times I moved my hands while speaking that day!

I’m honored to have been nominated for the 2nd year in a row to be a mentor for Thirst Relief’s Mentor Auction! If you’re not familiar with Thirst Relief, they are a non-profit who provides clean water to those in need
around the world. (www.thirstrelief.org) You can read more about them on this previous blog post.

Through their Mentor Auction, Thirst Relief will enable you to bid on eBay for a 90-
minute instructional session with some of the best photographers in the business!
That means you have the chance to spend 90 minutes with my beautiful face,
learning the ins and outs of photography to help you develop into a more rounded
photographer.

100% of the proceeds directly benefit Thirst Relief, meaning ALL that money goes
towards saving the lives of those in need!

There’s just one thing I need YOU to do before the auction starts:

Tell all your friends!! The easiest way to make this a huge success is to spread the
word! Make a blog post, Tweet about it, post about it on Facebook, knock on doors,
whatever you have to do!

You can get more info about the auction here: http://thirstrelief.org/site/auction

And be sure to check the auction out starting January 31st at 11PM EST here:

See you there!

The Thirst Relief Mentor Auction will start January 31st 11PM EST – February 3rd 11PMEST. You will be able to bid on a 90 minute session with a mentor of your choice/field and the highest bidder wins the session.

Here are the details about my mentor auction:
90 minutes of mentorship time by phone, Skype, Google Hangout, or in person (if in person, includes lunch at one of my favorite restaurants!). The sky is the limit on what we can discuss- fashion, the latest Dexter episode, your latest adventures and any topics of photography and business including social media, connecting & working with your clients to get the most relaxed and natural poses, marketing, shooting destination weddings, shooting & submitting stylized editorials/weddings for print and online submission. Your session will be catered to meet the needs of your business. If you aren’t a photographer or just getting started, you can still bid- this mentorship is open to everyone!

Also included: A goodie bag that includes our exclusive studio resource guide & much more valuable information. A follow-up 30 minute phone call with Mariana three months following your initial mentorship session to revisit areas of discussion.

I am thrilled to be a small part of the 2012 Mentor Auction! If my involvement impacts at least ONE life, it’ll be worth it to me. Please, take the time today and bid, spread the word and impact lives.

You can also help by:

• Donating your FaceBook status to say: Mentor Auction is happening 1/31/13-2/3/13! Save some lives today: http://thirstrelief.org/site/auction PLS RT
• Donating your Twitter status to say: Mentor Auction is 1/31/13-2/3/13! Save some lives today:  http://thirstrelief.org/site/auction
• Blogging about the Thirst Relief Mentor Auction: http://thirstrelief.org/site/auction

Your purpose is tied to a need or void in the world. Meet the need and everything else will take care of itself. -Simon T. Bailey

This week has been one of those weeks where I feel it in every part of my being that I’m on the right track with my business, and that the blessings God has in store for me are unimaginable. Happy clients, supportive friends, and connecting with like-minded industry professionals are some of the things I’m grateful for this week, because I can feel that they are all small steps in place to make BIG things happen.

In just a few weeks, it’ll be three years since I started my dream of becoming an entrepreneur, and the funny thing is I feel like I’ve finally come to a place where I know who I am and where I want this business to take me in the upcoming years. This realization has been the best feeling ever.

As a little Friday bonus, catch a glimpse below of Kismis Ink in action.

Happy Friday everyone!