Tina Wells 2013-05-18T21:31:02-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/index.php?author=tina-wells Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Tina Wells Good old fashioned elbow grease. Don't Ever Quit! Dreams Don't Have Expiration Dates tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog// 2013-04-04T00:05:00-04:00 2013-04-04T00:05:34-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/

This post is part of the Global Mom Relay. Every time you share this blog, $5 will go to women and girls around the world. Scroll to the bottom to find out more.



My mother is an incredible woman. She has raised six children and managed her family and career, as well inspiring us all with her ability to get so much done. Her example of hard work and setting clear boundaries for us gave me both the confidence and freedom I needed to start my business at 16 years of age.



Not every parent can wrap their minds around their teenage daughter starting her own company. Her support and of course my Dad's, helped me maintain the drive and focus I needed to move my ideas forward.



The best advice my mother gave me was to never quit -- we were never allowed to quit! I've always worked hard for my dreams and much of that drive comes from watching my mom. She didn't just teach me life lessons, but ideas and concepts I use in my business every day. One important thing I've learned from her is that your dreams don't have to have an expiration date.



I have five younger siblings and a large extended family. Family is everything to me. We love being together as much as possible, especially when there is fabulous cooking involved!






Coming together around a table is an important part of my life. We always had our meals together and the dinner table was a lively place for conversation. My mom is very well known for her baking. If my mother had a stick of butter out on the counter, we always knew something special was coming! We take any opportunity we have to turn it into an excuse for her to bake. I'm a part of the Global Mom Relay today, so other families around the world have the chance to share good food and conversation together.






Each time you share this Global Mom Relay piece on Facebook, Twitter, or Email, or donate $5 or more through clicking on the above graphic, a $5 donation (up to $62,500 per week or $125,000 every two weeks) will be donated by Johnson & Johnson and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to theGlobal Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. Join us by sharing it forward and unlock the potential for women and children around the globe. For more information, visitwww.unfoundation.org/globalmomrelay. The United Nations Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, BabyCenter, The Huffington Post, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation created the Global Mom Relay, a first-of-its-kind virtual relay with a goal of improving the lives of women and children around the globe.

]]> Celebrate Read Across America Day: 10 Age Appropriate Books For Your Tween tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2783629 2013-03-01T21:21:43-05:00 2013-05-01T05:12:01-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/ Dr. Seuss' birthday. It's become a central part of our schools and communities and a day where we promote something that is so critical for our children: reading. But what happens when Dr. Seuss is no longer what your child wants to read? Or how about that dreaded day when your 8-year-old starts asking if she can read about a fantasy world where a vampire or werewolf is her love interest?

It seems that parents of tweens are unfairly caught between trying to keep their avid readers interested in reading while ensuring the content isn't making them mature too fast.

Don't fret, here are some age appropriate books that you and your tween can both agree on:





Tina Wells founded Buzz Marketing Group, a youth marketing and trendspotting agency, when she was 16! She's spent the last 17 years working with companies like Dell, American Eagle Outfitters and Sony Music. She's also the author of the popular Mackenzie Blue series. When she's not traveling the world in search of new trends, she resides in Southern New Jersey with her fab collection of shoes.]]> Have You Heard About Hand-Me-Ups? tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1525122 2012-05-17T18:07:02-04:00 2012-07-17T05:12:20-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
But have you heard about the hand-me-ups?

In today's tech-driven world, it is no surprise that our tech-driven Millennials are intent on getting their hands on the most up-to-date pieces of technology -- whether it be one of the new Ultrabooks like Dell's XPS 13, new Skull Candy headphones or the latest Nook.

But then you might wonder what happens to the other pair of headphones and the other laptop.

Well right now, we at Buzz Marketing Group have noticed that these gadgets are being handed up to Mom and Dad, thus bringing about the current hand-me-up trend.*

Millennials are often enticed by constant updates and continual upgrades, but they seem to remain wary about the value of each and every purchase that they make. So despite their need to buy the newest gadget, Generation Y is not interested in throwing away or stowing away the older laptops, phones, and other devices. Instead, these things are instead handed up to older members of the family.

You see -- parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are not necessarily as interested in getting their hands on the new-fangled stuff. Rather, they seem to be quite content to make use of the hand-me-ups, because these gadgets are still fully functional and extremely useful!

So what does this mean, exactly?

Well, first of all, the hand-me-up trend implies that the older generation is actually being exposed to newer technology faster than we had previously believed. They might not be as updated as the millennials (of course), but tech-saviness is definitely being facilitated amongst Generation X and beyond!

Also, we must keep in mind that many pieces of technology are going to be bought by the millennial generation but might very well end up in the hands of members of an older generation.

The bottom line: We all know that technology has been changing shape and changing size, but now we see it changing hands as well!


*The "hand-me-up" trend was listed as the #5 trend in Buzz Marketing Group's "Top 10 Trends of 2012" report. The "Top 10" report is a list complied by BuzzMG CEO Tina Wells and is based on a host of surveys, immersion experiences, and personal interviews with the buzzSpotter network, which currently consists of 9000 individuals from across the country.]]> Top 10 Products for Purpose tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1212867 2012-01-18T13:18:09-05:00 2012-03-19T05:12:01-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
1. TOMS shoes -- TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie was the trailblazer in this new field of social entrepreneurship. Since 2006, TOMS has given away over 1,000,000 pairs of shoes to children in need. For every pair purchased, the company donates a pair to a child in need. Besides being a great concept, TOMS are also fashionable, comfy-chic shoes. www.toms.com, @TOMS

2. FEED bags -- Launched in 2007 by Lauren Bush Lauren (an Honorary United Nations Spokesperson for the World Food Programme) and Ellen Gustafson (a former UN Communications Officer), the FEED bag has become the it bag among global fashionistas. A portion of the proceeds from each bag supports the WFP. Although the FEED bag is the hottest item, FEED Projects offers five different products ranging from the bag to a teddy bear. www.feedprojects.com, @FEEDprojects

3. The Giving Keys necklace -- Singer Caitlin Crosby started this awesome project in 2010 after an "Ah-ha Moment." After falling in love with her motel room key, she decided to put it on a chain. Once she was back home in Los Angeles, she asked a locksmith to engrave the word LOVE on it. On her next tour, she sold old keys with words like HOPE, FAITH, and STRENGTH engraved on them. The project continued to grow, but wasn't complete until Caitlin met Cera and Rob, two homeless 20somethings. She hired them to engrave the keys and ship out orders to customers. The project has changed their lives in a profound way, and that's really Caitlin's goal for all of us. Once you make a key with the word you want, your goal is to give it away to someone who needs it. Engraved LOVE? Give it to someone who needs love. PEACE? You get it. It's a new take on paying it forward, and it's impossibly cool. www.thegivingkeys.com, @thegivingkeys

4. Sevenly t-shirt -- In March of 2009, two young entrepreneurs left six figure jobs to embark on what would become Sevenly.org. The goal? To figure out how to make other people care about major social problems around the world. They broke down the world's greatest problems into seven categories: hunger, water, slavery, aid, disaster, medical, and poverty. The solution? A unique model based on seven. Every seven days, they would raise money for a new charity via a uniquely designed tee. And $7 from each tee purchased would be donated to the charity. www.sevenly.org, @sevenly

5. Falling Whistles whistle -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to the world's most deadliest war since WWII, claiming the lives of over 6 million people, with 1,500 people losing their lives daily. Falling Whistles, a campaign for peace in the Congo, started out as a small journal written about boys sent to the frontlines of the war. Armed with whistles, these boys were exposed to the horrors of war, too great to forget. Falling Whistles was established to advocate for and rehabilitate these boys. By buying a whistle, you support this great cause, and become "a whistleblower for peace." www.fallingwhistles.com, @FallingWhistles

6. F Cancer t-shirt -- When Yael Cohen's mother was recovering from her cancer treatment in 2009, Cohen randomly heard a passerby say " f--k cancer." The next day she made a t-shirt for her mother emblazoned with the phrase. Cohen is passionate about teaching her generation, Gen Y, about early detection of cancer, and her F--k Cancer" tees are must-have items. Nearly 90 percent of all cancers are curable if caught at stage one. It's Cohen's mission to make sure Gen Y is aware of this fact. www.letsfcancer.org, @letsfcancer

7. Pencils of Promise bead bracelet -- Pencils of Promise founder Adam Braun coined Profitable Purpose, and it's his goal to utilize for-profit tactics to promote his nonprofit. Pencils of Promise builds much-needed schools in developing countries, but Braun is doing so much more than that. He realizes that younger donors want to participate in their favorite nonprofits, not just donate. Donors can take trips to places like Laos, where schools are being built, or engage from their seat by watching videos of trips to these locales. Can't make the trip? You can always snap up one of PoP's trendy bead bracelets, knowing you're giving a child somewhere in the world the opportunity for a great education. www.pencilsofpromise.org @PencilsOfPromis

8. Breadpig Awesome Sauce - Breadpig was launched in 2008 by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian as an "uncorporation that deals in delightful geeky wares and helps people..." that "make the world less sucky," according to breadpig.com. Awesome Sauce is to Breadpig what salad dressing is to Newman's Own. This is the sauce you need -- especially if you can't cook. While you're on the website, check out a host of other products that range from t-shirts to cookies. www.breadpig.com @breadpig

9. Charity: Water Thermos hydration bottle -- Almost one billion people live without access to clean drinking water. That fact did not sit well with former NYC club promoter Scott Harrison, who founded Charity: Water in 2006. Since that time, the nonprofit has funded almost 4,000 water projects in 19 countries and raised over $40 million. While you can support this great cause in so many ways, my favorite product is the Thermos Hydration Bottle. Each bottle provides clean, safe drinking water for two people, and keeps it cold for up to 12 hours. www.charitywater.org @charitywater

10. Warby Parker eyewear -- Launched in 2010 by four Wharton students, Warby Parker (whose name is derived from characters in the unpublished writings of Jack Kerouac) offers affordable glasses to the masses. At just $95 a pair, almost 70 percent less than the average pair, Warby Parker not only offers stylish frames, it offers customers the opportunity to give back. For every pair purchased, a pair is donated to someone in need. www.warbyparker.com @WarbyParker]]> Top 10 Trends of 2012 tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1189277 2012-01-06T13:04:25-05:00 2012-03-07T05:12:01-05:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/ Conscious Consumption -- Millennials are still consuming. The recession proved to be more of a reset button, allowing them to focus on what's important. Brands like TOMS shoes and FEED are examples of how Millennials are purchasing great products while supporting philanthropic causes at the same time. This is a trend that's here to stay.

2. Profitable Purpose -- This term is frequently used by Adam Braun, founder of the nonprofit Pencils of Promise. For these organizations to survive and appeal to a new generation of donors, they will have to understand the power of profitable purpose. Millennials want to feel a personal connection to the brands they're supporting. Simply writing a check won't do; Millennials need the experience.

3. Cake Baking -- No, I'm not literally talking about baking a cake. This is an analogy for the process of making products. Millennials are more interested in the process of, say, baking a cake, than in buying the cake. So what does this mean for businesses? There needs to be more transparency with their consumers. A behind-the-scenes view of designing the new J. Crew collection might be the push needed to get Millennials interested in the product. Millennials like the process more than the product.

4. Instanity -- I introduced this trend in my marketing book, Chasing Youth Culture And Getting It Right. Instanity is simply the insane focus of having everything now. This is why I've dubbed Millennials as the "Microwave Generation." Just think of all the things we can do in less than a minute: snap and print a photo, find a book and download it to a device and even cook a meal. This convenience has led us to expect everything at the exact moment we want it. It's not solely Millennials driving this trend. We all want our economy fixed right now. We all want wars ended and our troops sent home right now. In this world of the 24/7 news cycle, there isn't time for "later."

5. Hand-Me-Ups -- Tweens and teens are swapping newer technological devices with their parents, who aren't as obsessed with having the newest and the latest. Maybe it's an effect of the recession, maybe not. Families are finding ways to be more resourceful post-recession and this includes parents and children swapping tech tools.

6. Warholism -- Although I coined this term a few years ago, this trend is showing plenty of staying power with our Millennials. They are not obsessed with fame; they just know it's easily attainable. This wasn't the case for any of the generations before them. This trend may eventually mean bad news for Hollywood. We've already seen the erosion of celebrities from the A-list trickled down to everyone else. And because of 24/7 media spotlights, even A-listers are losing their shine and appeal with every drunken hookup showcased all over the world. The real issue lies in talent. Do you have to be talented to be a celebrity? The Kardashians would reckon no. Even so, Millennials are moving on and moving fast. For instance, 2011 was the worst year at the box office in decades. Are Millennials quickly losing interest in A-listers? Would they rather stay home and make their own movies? They certainly have all of the tools to do it. There is no substitute for a great experience, but it's unclear where that experience will come from in the future.

7. Communal Consumption -- One word to describe this trend: Spotify. Music ownership is no longer a necessity. Renting our favorite songs -- or new ones we might be curious about -- serves us just fine. In all of my research over the past 15 years, I've always found that Millennials are committed to the music they love, see it as the soundtrack to their lives, etc. But do they want to buy music? That is the $100 million question. Well, at least now we know they don't mind renting it and sharing their picks with their friends.

8. Existential experience -- The real winners in Millennial marketing will understand how important it is to this demographic to have "once in a lifetime experiences." This extends from the simplest "coffee experience" to life changing service experiences in places like Africa. For a generation who gets so much flack in the media, they have truly figured out the meaning of life. They have watched their parents save every dime and invest in "big, safe companies" that have ultimately let them down. They are committed to living life to the fullest. Recording artists who perhaps make less money selling CDs are surely earning more via live shows. It's no accident that popular artists like Cee Lo and Lady Gaga have over-the-top personas and even more imaginative stage shows.

9. Technoholism -- In my book, I discuss how we're all becoming Technoholics, completely consumed with technology. This is not changing anytime soon. If you want to engage with Millennials, you must understand the role technology plays in their lives. When we get scared of it as marketers, we tend to disconnect with our consumers. Technology doesn't kill magazines or newspapers or music. What hurts these media is when we decide to stop innovating. Content is king and always will be. Create an interactive experience with content, no matter what the platform, and consumers will engage.

10. Segmented Engagement -- Sadly, the idea of having someone's "undivided attention" no longer exists. Our attention is divided in a million different places. We check text messages in movie theaters, tweet important speeches and shop and text photos of what we're buying. The list could go on forever. What this really means is that marketers have a smaller window of time through which to reach consumers. Say it fast, say it right. But has this really changed? Nike said, "Just do it" in 1988. Short, sweet, and to the point is nothing new.]]> The Coming of the Global Mobile tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.858262 2011-05-06T20:44:20-04:00 2011-07-06T05:12:01-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
How are today's marketers supposed to keep up with that? How do you keep product available for online distribution when you're not sure what the next big thing will be -- when a hot new item could explode overnight? How do you know how much product to keep in local retail stores when more and more Millennials are shopping online? These supply and demand issues are just the logistical tip of the iceberg in a mountain of marketing issues for making your brand appeal to today's Global Mobiles.

There are things that every product or service can do to make itself more appealing on a global level. First, you have to create a brand with global values. For example, we know that Warholism (the idea that anyone can be famous) is a major trend in the United States, but is it also taking hold abroad? Is reality TV as big in other countries as it currently is here? These are questions you have to ask. What are examples of global values? Things like love, happiness, style, and convenience all play on a global landscape.

Second, you must have a recognizable logo. Think about the companies that consistently make it onto Interbrand's list of the top 10 global brands: Coca-Cola, IBM, Google, Microsoft, and McDonald's, to name a few. All have recognizable symbols. Think about what your logo signifies to people all over the world. While product names are another element, this area is less restricted since it's the brand identity that matters most. I love the oft-cited marketing case study of the Chevy Nova, which supposedly sold poorly in Spanish-speaking countries because "no va" literally translates to "no go".

The truth, however, is that the Nova actually performed quite well in some Spanish-speaking countries, such as Argentina, Mexico, and Venezuela. While it's great marketing fodder, it's simply not a true story. The truth is that more attention needs to be paid to overall branding approaches, since (as I've said several times before) brands that focus on creating loyal groups of consumers and on providing product value can pretty much get through any crisis, complete with customer forgiveness.

Third, you should not even think about creating a global brand if your customers cannot instantly connect with you. This connection should happen through a company web site and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Clikthrough, and whatever other online experience is hot at that time. If you want to be global, you must be instant; there is no getting around this.

However, an important distinction is that being instant doesn't mean that you can't be exclusive. Just look at a brand like Louis Vuitton. It's extremely exclusive; it's even been known to allow only a few people into its stores at a time! The company sells its products at select retail locations, and it produces only limited quantities. Yet the brand is everywhere -- Twitter, Facebook, and, of course, the
company web site. Louis Vuitton spokespeople are athletes, models, activists -- people from every walk of life. This company understands the art of the global connection.

The fourth point for global brands to keep in mind is that traditional retail locations may not offer you the best solution. Pop-up stores are becoming increasingly popular these days, which might be an effect of the recession, since many malls and shops have tons of empty, available spaces. However, these stores aren't limited just to malls. Magazines are taking advantage of the trend as well, and publications like Teen Vogue and Self are providing brands with opportunities to interact with their consumers in new and exciting ways. Trade shows and live events also allow consumers to interact with the items that they love. Remember, it's about the connection, not just the visit to a traditional store.

Finally, you have to look for trends globally, not just what's happening in New York or California. The key to successful brands like Coca-Cola and hip retailer Urban Outfitters is that they are able to track trends globally while applying that information locally. A brand like Abercrombie & Fitch, for example, which is losing some of its U.S. popularity, has found a loyal fan base abroad, where the all American look plays well. Similarly, this country has imported many of its favorite reality shows from abroad; American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and Big Brother were all launched in England before they were hits in the United States. We even see some universal, cross- cultural values in these shows. Whether you're American or British, you still love dancing, singing, and family. These have global appeal.

Now that we know what matters, it's important to explore how this new breed of Millennials -- or global mobiles, as I like to call them -- will buy and consume products. It's equally important to know which brands are on their radar. That is a topic for a future post!

]]> Tribal Marketing tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.840584 2011-03-25T11:14:15-04:00 2011-05-25T18:40:24-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
Any parent or teacher will tell you that, although they may have similarities, all children are different. Yet we consistently make the mistake of behaving as if they all want and need the same things. While this is obviously practical and necessary on many levels, children become even less alike as they grow into their tween and teenage years -- and we still often act as if they're all cut from the same cloth. This true paradox is that tweens, especially, are bursting out of their early childhood selves, trying to figure out where they fit in, attracted to and afraid of the idea of more independence. They want to be "like the other kids," but they have already formed a distinct set of likes and dislikes. They face a substantial challenge in striking a balance between being like their peers and flexing their one-of-a-kind personalities.

Marketers -- and society in general -- have typically categorized people by their age. You might read something like, "Adult males between the ages of 35 and 45 are more likely to have a Facebook account than adult males between the ages of..." or "New Yorkers between the ages of 15 and 18 are using the subway at alarming rates." Classifying people by age makes it easy to survey them and is often appropriate. However, in an era of growing individualism and the use of technological profiles to display individual characteristics, it's important to see past the demographic boundaries and begin to define people based on their cultural attributes--instead of focusing first on numbers.

While we may be inclined to think of them as "ages 9 to 12," the 12-year-old may be making the same choices as a 15-year- old, and the 9-year-old may be an early adopter of certain trends, regardless of his or her age. It's not about how we view them; it's about how they define themselves -- and how the lines often blur between the tween and teenage groups. With that in mind, I've developed a new system for looking at teens and tweens by sepa- rating them into four tribes: the wired Techie; the conformist but somewhat paradoxical Preppy; the always-mellow Alternative; and the cutting-edge Independent. We'll have look at each of these in further detail, but first, it's important to explain why we need to look at Millennials in this way.

At some point, we began to blur the lines of which brands, products, and services should be consumed by whom. In another post, I'm going to talk in depth about the concept of a "tweenebe." Tweenebes are adults who want to be tweens. Now, they may not truly want to be 12 again, but they are consuming a 12-year-old's culture and loving it. Do you know those moms who love Justin Bieber? Are you one of them? Do you know dads who seem to enjoy rocking out to the Disney channel more than they should? It's okay; they're just enjoying the benefits of being a tween. I have to admit, in a society full of major economic, social, and political concerns, we'd all love to fawn over the latest tween singing sensation, read a Twilight book, or grab a Frappuccino with friends. Oh wait--don't we already do those things? I think that there are more tweenebes out there than I can even imagine.

As we look at these tribes, we have to ask ourselves: Do you have to be 13 to be a Preppy? Twenty something to be an Independent? No, you don't. That seems like an easy question to answer, but it has stumped marketers for generations. Now, I doubt that you'll see an ad for Tampax Pearl in Sports Illustrated or a Justin Bieber ad in AARP magazine, but you will see major brand extensions happening over the next few years. And I'm not talking about product development; I'm talking about market development. Marketers have to get outside of thinking in boxes, whether it's ages 7 to 12, 13 to 19, or 20 to 24.

Technology has created so many generationally shared experiences. Facebook is no longer for elite college students. Indeed, the fastest growing demographic on Facebook is women over 50. How people think, feel, and react to brands is a completely new experi- ence. Because of that, I've developed four tribes that I feel are universal. I think that these tribes definitely have subtribes (which I'll explore in the future at some point), and I do believe that consumers can belong to more than one tribe. But the tribal migration is happening, and has been happening for years. As with any good disruptive innovation, technology has forced us to deal with this issue.

Ten years ago, if you wanted to launch a new product for teens, you'd probably launch a major ad campaign in a teen magazine like Seventeen. You would likely reach more than 10 million girls and call it a day. Fast-forward to 2011, where readership of Seventeen is now about 4 million. Where did all those readers go? Well, they're online, of course. They're on thousands of web sites. How are you going to find them? Well, sure, you can just launch a campaign on a network of web sites and hope that you're going to reach your entire target.

However, there's an easier way. Targeting a tribe is also about understanding a mind-set. A tribe is defined as a "social division of people." The key word here is social. Social involves so many things. What are people doing? How are they doing it? With whom are they doing it? How often? How long? When? Where? This is starting to sound like an invitation to the best party. That's the mind-set a marketer should have when thinking about tribes, and that's why tribal marketing works.

If you start to think about these consumers--Preppies, Techies, Alternatives, and Independents--as tribes, and then think about all of their social activities, you can easily figure out how to reach them. Then you won't just be bowling in the dark. You will hit your mark every time.


Read more about tribal marketing in Chasing Youth Culture And Getting It Right. In stores April 2011.
]]> The Three Most Important Elements in Marketing to Teens Today tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.836452 2011-03-16T09:51:24-04:00 2011-05-25T18:40:24-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/ Chasing Youth Culture And Getting It Right.

Capturing the heart of a teen consumer is no easy task. Teens have completely different motivations than their tween and young adult counterparts. I believe that there are three things that matter to the teen consumer: inspiration, disruption and value. Teens need to feel inspired by the brands in which they invest their time and money, which companies like Pepsi have shown they understand. Their latest cause-marketing masterpiece, "Pepsi Refresh Project," has created a viral marketing juggernaut. Consumers are asked to participate in a voting process by selecting their favorite non-profit cause for micro-grants. They are also able to submit their own funding ideas in several key areas, including arts and culture, health, food and shelter and the planet. Almost two million people "Like" the campaign on Facebook. But inspiration via cause marketing strategies is not the only thing that's important to teens. Retailers like American Eagle Outfitters offer visual inspiration to teens, and brands like Apple -- with their cutting edge technology and upbeat advertisements -- are incredibly rousing as well.

While the notion of disruption may seem a bit counterintuitive, it's necessary in order for teens to embrace a new brand. We often hear about the power of disruptive technology, and one example I love to use relates to digital downloading. When music companies decided to phase out singles, teens and young adults began sharing files illegally online -- practices that were eventually replaced by legal services like iTunes and Amazon.com. No longer was it necessary to purchase a 14-track CD for the sole purpose of owning a single, favorite song; consumers simply didn't have to pay for music they did not want. However, record labels were not prepared to deal with this, and still have not recovered. Their initial strategy was to sue consumers, the majority who were minors, instead of focusing on solving their main problem: creating and distributing music consumers wanted.

This is a case where I believe disruption can also go a step further. Simply put, disruption literally means "an interruption or interference." It is about innovation and understanding where your brand fits into a consumer's mindset. Teens literally need to be interrupted to pay attention to your brand.

Let's think for a moment about a teenager's typical day. They normally rise around 6am or hit the snooze button, therefore throwing off the rest of their prep time for the day. They'll eat something for breakfast on the run (how nutritious that something is, isn't clear), dress, and either drive to school or catch the bus. They'll spend eight hours interacting with friends (and hopefully learning something.) Then they're off to sports, after school activities, a part-time job, or some combination of these. They're finally back at home in the evening doing homework, chatting with friends online, and (maybe) watching some TV.

There's a lot going on throughout that day, and at some point, a teenager makes a decision to either interact with your brand or not. Are they eating your breakfast cereal? Dressing in your clothes? Talking on your cell phone? Driving your car to school, or walking there in your brand of shoes? They're doing these things with someone's products, and how they decide what to use is a result of a series of choices -- both their own and others'. It could be mom who ultimately plunks down the cash for the purchase, a friend who lets them know what the "latest thing" is, or a team member who advises them on the apparel that will best improve their game. So whatever your brand can do to be disruptive - to make just enough noise to become relevant - is extremely important to this group of consumers.

Finally, you have to offer value. Any business student, upon writing their very first business plan, is told that they must offer a "value proposition." This is a simple statement that normally starts with "We promise to..." and ends with "give you the shiniest hair possible, the most stylish pair of shoes, the best fashion content..." But there is one ending that trumps all others: "at a reasonable price." When it comes to teens, price matters -- more than you think. It did even before the Recession hit. So you can only imagine how they feel about it in this post-Recession era. Teens have tons of expenses: lesser commitments like prom, clothes, and electronic, and the big ticket items as well, with college and a car purchase looming. The list goes on and on.. Value, indeed, is of the most importance these days.
]]> Fauxmance: The True Threat to Our Relationships tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.823750 2011-02-16T12:39:36-05:00 2011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
During my second visit, I told him I was scared I'd never be married. To my surprise and delight, Dr. Love was not at all concerned about this. He told me I was my own worst enemy. He called me a "linear thinker," and said that my ability to see things so clearly made me a very successful entrepreneur -- but was very detrimental to relationships. He also described my dating pool as a mountain with a peak. He told me I was at the top of the peak, and really, there weren't too many options at the top. He also advised against hanging out at the bottom of the mountain with tons of options. So, I'd just have to hang out a bit longer.

I could definitely see his point. I could be on Date One with someone, and completely dismiss our future together based on a few behaviors. "Better to know this now than spend five years with this person and find out later, " I'd always rationalize. It made total sense to me. And the majority of relationships that hadn't worked out in my early and mid-twenties were definitely bottom of the mountain type situations.

That was the last time I saw Dr. Love. He no longer felt comfortable taking my money because I was, as he put it, "one of the most emotionally sound people I've ever met." And we'd resolved that the work issue was just momentary insanity coupled with some frustration. I decided to write my tween book series, Mackenzie Blue, instead. Problems solved.

But as smart as Dr. Love was, it dawned on me that my linear thinking and bottom of the mountain dates weren't the problem. I had spent too much time in fauxmances. What, exactly, is a fauxmance? Well, it usually starts out with honest intentions. You meet someone, you instantly click, you have thoughts of procreation, you spend all of your time getting to know each other -- but there is no physical intimacy. You reason that that's coming soon. Your friends start to talk about you as "you two" and "Tina and..."

You get the point. My late twenties had become a cesspool for fauxmantic relationships. And to be honest with you, I was sort of okay with it. I'd read all of those troubling statistics about black women and their romantic pursuits, but, to be honest, I didn't think that applied to me. My thoughts were, "I feel really sorry for that 45% that will never get married." I wasn't one of them. I still don't really identify with that. I refuse to think negatively about my romantic future.

All my life, I've had a perfect example of what a healthy, strong, and romantic marriage is. My parents have been married for 32 years and have been friends for 39. In a world full of divorce and bitter breakups, every day I have an example of what's possible. My mom always tells me to marry my best friend, the person I will want to do things with when the romance fades. I don't think I've met him yet.

But I think that the fauxmances have been the problem. For some reason, the majority of my fauxmances involve attorneys. Make of that what you will. My first fauxmance was five years ago. We'll refer to him as McTrain, because we met on one. He fits into the category most fauxmances fall under: he liked me more than a friend and less than a girlfriend. He was incredibly intellectual, cultured (he was fluent in French and Tupac), and just really cool. But what started out as a decent fauxmance quickly became a hostile takeover of my personal space. He and I became us and we. At a dinner party, where I was clearly being pursued by a super-hot Ph.D. student, he quickly relayed stories of our trip to Cape Cod (ugh, sadly true), and our next stop at my friend's birthday party (yes, guilty as charged). I was shocked to say the least.

When I finally realized that this fauxmance was not working for me, I thought it would just end. Boy was I wrong. The person who wants and needs the fauxmance will fight tooth and nail to preserve it. It took an entire year of unanswered calls and texts for it to end.

Next came McArtist. He was absolutely perfect on paper -- artist, volunteer, religious, gorgeous, smart -- the list could go on forever. He loved children, dinner parties -- all of it. Oh yeah, except me. LOL. I credit my best friend (also named Tina) with getting to the bottom of this fauxmance. Her husband had become friendly with McArtist, and kept pushing him on the subject of me. Thanks to McHubby, the fauxmance was quickly over. But I'm happy to say McArtist is now one of my dearest friends, and now that I really know him, there is no way we would have lasted as a couple (he wants to live in the rainforest, and my hair is totally against that lifestyle).

This particular fauxmance perplexed me, so I had to seek advice from my brother, Marcus. As much as I hate to admit it, he gives good advice (and has an amazing love life in Florence with his Italian girlfriend). He basically explained to me that within my first two encounters with these guys, they were deciding what lane to put me in: girlfriend, friend. The reason I was having so many fauxmances was because these guys thought I was the girl they should marry, not date right now. And being the selfish men they all were, they decided they needed me "more than a friend but less than a girlfriend." So there I was, in fauxmance after fauxmance. That was the lightbulb moment for me, and the end of all fauxmances.

And come to think of it, I'm still friends with all of my fauxmantic partners. I just have zero interest in entering into fauxmantic relationships in the future. For years, fauxmances have actually benefited me too. I've been running my own companies since I was 16 years old. There's just no way I could take a day off to "heal my broken heart." I don't event think I could get an hour off for that. So fauxmances were a great solution. But they were also draining. My fauxmantic partner's problems became my problems, his work issue my issues. So I was really just getting a relationship with none of the benefits. No smart businesswoman, or woman in general, would ever accept that.

And now, at the age of thirty, I can truly say I have the best female friends in the world. I've ditched fauxmance for true friendship with them. They're my dinner party guests, vacation partners, confidants. I have a big family, my life is full of love, and I'm the happiest I've ever been. I can't wait to be in love and have children, but I'm perfectly content where I am.

And the next time someone pursues me for fauxmance, I have my safety kit prepped: a subscription to www.itsnotmyproblem.com, copies of my favorite recipes, and instructions on how to DVR Dr. Phil. ]]> Skins: What Do We Do Next? tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.812768 2011-01-23T20:19:27-05:00 2011-05-25T18:25:24-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
First, let me say that in posting my last blog, I hoped it would spark discussion among all of us about the role parenting should play in raising our children. I don't believe in government regulations raising our children. I believe that the more we turn to the government in this very personal matter, the less power we will eventually have. If Skins is canceled, I want it to happen because we the people decided it wasn't a good show, not because the government got involved and canceled it. I also wrote about this a few months ago when I discussed the government's regulation of McDonald's Happy Meals in San Francisco. I believe parents are smart enough to make decisions about what's best for their kids. And by the time I get around to having them myself, I'd like to know that I will have the right to also make decisions for my children.

But I agree that I could have offered some further insight on what we can do now. So here are a few ideas on what we can do to move forward.

1. Support the people who are creating positive content for our youth. In one of the emails I received personally attacking me, the gentleman told me to spend some time actually doing something good for young people. I gently directed him towards my tween girl property Mackenzie Blue, which I created a few years ago when I realized that girls were being too heavily influenced by negative stereotypes and Mean Girl culture. I'm one of many creatives who personally want to use our creative or marketing power to do something good. But if we're going to succeed, we need support. Even though girls love Mackenzie Blue, the biggest support network for it is actually parents and mom bloggers, who spread the word. I am very grateful to them. There are many other writers creating this type of content, and we need to seek them out and support them. On a side note, to those who think that I'm "in good" with the execs at MTV, let me remind you that they passed on turning Mackenzie Blue into a show on their network because it didn't fit with it's other content (or in layman's terms, "it's too positive for what's happening here right now"). And that is their right and their choice as a network.

2. Don't play the blame game. It seems over the last few years that the blame game has become as American as apple pie. Let's blame our financial troubles on Wall Street (not on our own overspending), let's blame our obesity problem on fast food companies and video games, and let's blame cyberbullying on TV and Facebook. Blame, blame, blame. And I've noticed every time we start to blame someone else, other than taking responsibility ourselves, we open the doors for more regulation. I believe that we need standards, rules, and regulations. I just don't believe they should be a result of our inability to self-regulate. And that also goes for blaming marketers. When I was growing up, my parents used two very powerful phrases often: "no" and "because I said so." I wanted toys and other things as a child, and when it was appropriate (Christmas and my birthday) I got it, and when it wasn't, my parents just said no. Is it now easier to blame networks and marketers than to just say no?

3. Realize that our children will do as we're doing. The tragedy in Tucson gave us all a moment to pause and consider how we interact with each other. I was shocked at the hubris of political influencers (who shall remain nameless) who used this tragedy as an opportunity to defend using negative imagery and words to discuss politics and values. Even worse, they used the toddler defense "he started it!" Seriously? As a marketer, I can tell you that we spend a lot of time deciding what words and images we should use. And we use those words because we want to, and because we know they'll evoke emotion. Our children don't need to turn on Skins to see images of people behaving badly. They only need to turn on any news network midday and watch adults engaging in middle school playground behavior. If we want our children to be better, we have to be better.

4. Create a spiritual awakening. I don't even think this has to be religious in some way, but we need one -- desperately. My dad always told me, "if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Skins is a work of art, and with all art, it can reflect the best or worst of its subject. Maybe Skins is an example of the worst of what our teens have become. It's not easy to look at the worst of ourselves. But the upside is, we can be better. We have to reexamine our moral fibers and really think about the values we want this next generation to possess. And we have to act now.

5. Please stop promoting Skins if you don't like the show. As a marketer, I can tell you that the PTC has singlehandedly given Skins more promotion than MTV could have hoped for. Is there a marketer over there? If so, they should be fired immediately. I don't understand why they think the best way to get a racy show off the air is to bring so much attention to it, everyone and their mother (and grandmother) will just have to tune in to see what's so bad. Next time, try to be a bit more stealth. How about developing a coalition of every faith-based and non-faith-based youth advocacy group, teachers, educators, and supporters who deem this content inappropriate, and send messaging to them telling them to black out the show -- quietly. Unfortunately, I think we all know that there are 3 million people in this country who want to see Skins, so that's why it's on the air. But maybe if a powerful enough group arises, we can also get good TV on the air. Oh right, that happened in January when Oprah launched OWN. I hope she takes pity on today's youth and launches an inspirational block for young people, and if she does, hopefully we'll support her. And other people like me who believe in positive and inspirational programming for our youth will have another venue to promote that content.

5. Don't trust your kids. Yes, I said it. Why on earth would you trust your kids to not watch this show or any other racy show? Parents are scared of technology, and they need to get with the program -- quickly. Block access to your OnDemand content (or restrict it with a PIN), inspect your cable bill to see what's being watched when you're not there, put filters on your computers, take the username and password for your child's social networking pages, friend them, and review their text messages and instant messages. Make it clear that you won't violate their "privacy" unless they give you a reason to do it. Is it an invasion of privacy? Probably. But my mom routinely told me that it was her job to invade my privacy when I gave her reason to. And when I was a teenager, I can guarantee you there was reason to. Teens will be teens, so parents should in turn be parents.

I read each and every comment on my last blog, and I must say that I was thankful for the support. But for those who wanted to talk about MTV's responsibility and who seemed to resign control of our teens to network TV, I want to say I strongly disagree. We have the power to create the culture we want for our children. And the moment we yield that power to the government or to any media network, we've lost the battle.
]]> Is It MTV's Job to Raise Our Children? tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.812353 2011-01-21T16:26:40-05:00 2011-05-25T18:25:24-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/ Skins a few weeks ago, before it's premiere. Since the first episode aired on January 17th, much has been written about the show -- even comparing it to porn. One theme that has emerged is MTV's responsibility to young people, and their role as a network when it comes to creating inspirational content for youth.

In my opinion, it's not MTV's job to create inspirational uplifting content for youth, unless that's stated in their mission statement. I also don't think it's their responsibility. MTV is a business -- not a non-profit -- and their responsibility is to their shareholders. To them they owe money and viewers. I can just see the rage-filled eyeballs reading this as I write. So let me explain.

I feel a little background on me, the writer, is needed at this point. I am the eldest of six children born to a pastor and his wife (also the daughter of a pastor). I've often joked that church is the family business. I was raised in church and still attend every Sunday, and also attended a Presbyterian private school. I know lots of Bible verses and catechisms -- and I still love Skins.

As a teenager, I also loved every single controversial show there was, from Beverly Hills: 90210 to Melrose Place and everything in between. I watched these shows in amazement. I was jealous of these teenagers and their glamorous lives. I lived vicariously through Brenda, Kelly and Donna. And of course there was my icon for life, Lisa Turtle, from Saved By The Bell.

But it was indeed a fantasy, because my reality was nothing of the sort. I don't even know how I'd get the guts to go binge drinking, sneak out of my house, or -- gasp! -- have sex and almost get pregnant. Why, you ask? Because I feared my parents. To be clear, I was not afraid of them. I respected them and their rules for our home, and they made it clear that these behaviors weren't acceptable. And they had this invisible type of surveillance that made the six of us think they worked for both the CIA and FBI. My mom actually once told me, "You can't spell Marcia (her name) without CIA." And she didn't crack a smile. My dad also frequently told us that God spoke to him about us to him through dreams. We didn't even know if this was true or not, but the fact that there could be some divine intervention about our wrongdoings was enough to keep us on the straight and narrow.

Indeed, when I talked to my mom about Skins, the conversation went like this: "The only view my kids had of MTV was a sneak view. And if you were not sleeping by 10 p.m., you were in your room -- where there wasn't a TV or computer." Simple as that.

My parents were serious about parenting, and raising six children was no small feat. My mom worked part-time until my youngest brother was old enough to go to school full-time. It was a sacrifice, and they gave up a lot of material things to make sure we all received great educations and proper parenting.

Sean Hannity asked me today on his radio show if I felt MTV had a responsibility to their viewers. No, I don't. I think parents have a responsibility to their children to not allow them to consume inappropriate content. And if their children sneak and explore that content (we did all the time), their family values should be strong enough to overcome it.

This is not too much to ask. Parenting is hard. The older I get, the more I understand the sacrifices my parents made for us. It's only now as we chat as adults that I realize that some of their parenting decisions were just as hard on them as they were on us.

My parents knew that they alone were responsible for the people we would become. All six of their children are college educated. None of us have ever been on drugs or been pregnant out of wedlock. My parents believed in living by example and believed that we would emulate what they did rather than just what they said. There was no room for failure and absolutely no room for excuses. My parents ran their family like a business; we were all aware of our mission statement, goals, and expectations as the Wells Family.

I absolutely concede that it was easier for my parents because there were two of them raising us. But at the end of the day, I believe that the hard work of good parenting pays off. I'm 30-years-old, and I would never want to make a decision that would disappoint my parents. They've sacrificed way too much for me for me to do that, even now.

As a community, we also have a responsibility to the single parents in our lives. How can we help support them? Can we offer a voice of value reinforcement? Even though I had both of my parents raising me, there was still a community of approved adults around me, offering advice. I had older cousins to talk to, aunts, teachers, and mentors who also reinforced our values. Raising great children really is a community effort.

I recently read Amy Chua's excerpt in the Wall Street Journal from her new book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, and joked to my friends that my mother must have been Chinese. Unlike Chua's daughters, we could host as many sleepovers as we wanted, we just couldn't sleep at anyone else's house, with the exception of our best friend. My sister and I even hosted an annual boys-only Super Bowl party. I can go on and on with stories about the great things my parents did for us, but the greatest thing they did was be there -- even when we wanted them gone.

So if you don't like Skins and think it's a horrible show, turn it off -- or drop cable altogether. Don't blame MTV for creating a show that emulates what teens are really doing. As I said in my review of the show, it's horrifying to me that teens are actually doing these things, but it's reality. Instead of wasting time and money suing MTV and making a fuss about the show, let's put that same energy into talking to teenagers around us about the consequences of the decisions they make and how they can do things now to ensure that later on, they've built the lives they want for themselves.

I truly believe that children want and need boundaries. I may have been angry with my parents over some of their decisions (not allowing me to go to co-ed sleepovers), but at this point in my life, I'm reaping the benefits. And on a final note, I always like to remind consumers that we vote daily for the brands we love and hate when we give or don't give them our money and our time. Nothing speaks in greater volumes than blacking out a network you don't like or not purchasing a product you don't endorse. These things exist because an audience exists. Let's not allow TV or the media to raise our children.
]]> Skins Wins Where Gossip Girl Failed tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.804676 2011-01-06T13:57:48-05:00 2011-05-25T18:25:24-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
Let's start with the cast, featuring actors and actresses I've never seen before. Their anonymity allows the audience to embrace their characters, not the actors. You too will fall for Tony (James Newman), described as "cocky and beautiful, good at everything he does." He's honest, and he makes no apologies for who he is. He spends the first episode consumed with his best friend's virginity. Stanley (Daniel Flaherty), said BFF, is a little lost, lacking confidence, and in love with Tony's sometime-girlfriend Michelle (Rachel Thevenard). Michelle seduces Tony the Old School way -- bump and grind dancing and teeny tiny skirts -- no Upper Eastside Agent Provocateur needed.

My favorite character out of the four episodes I've screened is Tea (Sofia Black D'Elia). Tea is a semi-openly gay girl (friends know, parents do not, as witnessed by her dad trying to set her up on a date) whose survival, MTV promises, "will become the most vital thing in the world to us." I completely concur. Tea is authentic in a TV world full of manufactured gay teens. When she starts hooking up with a guy and stops midway, only to erupt into laughter, you feel her pleasure and disgust.

The girls of Skins are tough, complicated. Take Cadie (Britne Oldford), who would normally be considered the weakest link. She's an anorexic, bulimic, pill-popping girl with no self-esteem. She allows Michelle to pimp her out for "really, really good drugs" and makes no apologies -- even after she takes the drugs and doesn't follow through with her end of the bargain. And yet, you'll adore her, and will her to be stronger. Unlike its contemporary, Gossip Girl, there is no rich girl drama involved in her psychosis. As her mother explains, she got a call from school when Cadie was in the third grade and they've been dealing with "this" ever since.

The cast rounds out with a few other notables including Abbud (Ron Mustafaa), a practicing Muslim who likes "dope, white girls, and rock and roll." Then there's Chris (Jesse Carere), who will "smoke/screw/steal/snort anything". He's also got a thing for one of his teachers, who sort of has a thing for him too. Eura (Eleanor Zichy) is Tony's younger sister, and she doesn't utter a word in four episodes. Daisy (Camille Cresencia-Mills) adds a little spice and might be the only girl strong enough to resist Tony.

These characters are brought to life by the brilliant writing team, headed by Elsley. There are rumors that there are teenagers on the writing staff, and a group of teens who check scripts for accuracy. That's definitely apparent. But the writing isn't the only thing that separates this show from the pack. In post-Recession America, we're not really interested in watching wealthy rich kids blow through trust funds, party at hotels, attend dreamy balls, and party in Paris. Some might argue (and ratings would support) that America's youth were never interested in that kind of show in the first place.

There is no talk of wearing this designer, getting into that private club. The cast is the party, and we're all lucky to be invited. And for all of the talk about how "shocking" this show is, what is most shocking to me is how real it is. It's an ice-cold look into the world our Millennials are living in. The girls on the show are willing to flash their private parts to anyone, guys willing to pass around girls like pieces on a chess board, girls happy to be pawned. If this is real teen life, it should be disconcerting to the adults in their lives.

And that brings me to the real issue with the show: the parents. Out of the eight lead characters, not even one has a semi-normal parent. To make a show like this work, you really couldn't cast parents who are in the know, and I get that. But the parents on this show are vacant, ridiculous, self-centered, laughable, and you're left wondering why. We can accept that teenagers are just living life and having normal, hormonal experiences. But their parents? Not so much.

The show isn't without flaws, and as an African-American, I am saddened that the one bi-racial girl (Cadie) also happens to be the one with all of the issues. But the show has defied enough stereotypes to let this one be corrected by Season 2.

When I first saw the campaign for Skins, I have to admit it reminded me of an MTV show from my teen years called Undressed, or as I liked to call it, Unwatchable. Skins is a scripted winner, which MTV needs desperately. Reality successes aside, Skins is going to be the breakthrough MTV needs to rebrand itself to the older Millennials the network may have lost. I can almost guarantee that the Parent Television Council is mounting their campaign as we speak. But the MA rating and late night timeslot (10pm) show that MTV is acting responsibly.

Skins will interest you whether you're a teenager or not. I sat down to watch five minutes of the pilot, and two hours later, I was haunted by the characters, wishing I'd run into one of them, and score an invite to their next house party. These teens are confident and unforgiving - definitely comfortable in their own skin.
]]> Never Get a Real Job tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2010:/theblog//3.797922 2010-12-17T16:43:07-05:00 2011-05-25T18:20:30-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
Enter Scott Gerber, Entrepreneurship Crusader. Gerber's mission is to create an entrepreneurial movement. He's doing this in two ways. First, Scott launched the Young Entrepreneur Council in October (full disclosure: I am a member of YEC). His goal was to assemble a group of leading entrepreneurs to offer advice to the next generation. Second, Scott wrote the ultimate guide to never getting a "real job," aptly titled "Never Get A Real Job."

"Youth unemployment and underemployment are Gen Y epidemics," said Gerber, the founder of the YEC. "Now, more than ever before, we must teach young people how to create their own streams of income and become self-sufficient small business owners. Who better to do that than their successful entrepreneurial peers."

Because of Gerber's persistent work, the YEC now contributes original content to various media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, and Mashable. Once users are registered on www.nevergetarealjob.com, they're able to submit questions to the panel. For Gerber, though, this is just the first step.

"The Young Entrepreneur Council is the first step in a larger campaign to transform Millennials into self-sufficient entrepreneurs. I have no doubt that the insights provided by our world class group of young business owners will provide readers with a practical, top notch small business education," said Gerber.

If the YEC is the first step, Never Get a "Real" Job: How To Dump Your Boss, Build a Business and Not Go Broke (Wiley, December) is the guidebook. Gerber is often referred to as the "Simon Cowell" of his generation. Like Cowell, he gives no-nonsense, practical advice. The book is a step-by-step guide to building a new business from absolutely nothing. My favorite section is titled, "Nine Ways To Become a Google Superstar." Even for the most seasoned entrepreneurs, the list offers areas that could use some polishing.

So if there's an entrepreneur in your life, or someone just told you they're starting a business, buy them this book. One day they'll be very happy that they never got a "real job."
]]> XIPWIRE Lone US Company Enabling Donations to Wikileaks tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2010:/theblog//3.793957 2010-12-08T14:49:48-05:00 2011-05-25T18:15:22-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/
Just 24 hours ago, the company began accepting donations on behalf of WikiLeaks. Although the founders, Sibyl Lindsay and Sharif Alexandre, won't disclose how much they've received in total donations, they will say that hundreds of people have donated, and those donors are making significant gifts to WikiLeaks.

Although the founders have not been able to establish a formal relationship with WikiLeaks yet, they have assured donors that all funds will be kept in an account, and the funds will be transferred once they've made a connection with WikiLeaks directly. "They've been a little hard to get a hold of directly," Alexandre said.

For a startup, having a relationship with a controversial organization like WikiLeaks might pose a PR crisis, but Alexandre isn't worried. He feels that people have the right to donate to whatever causes they want to. And as always, XIPWIRE is just stepping in to serve the needs of their customers. As a part of a statement, Alexandre said "It's a completely different story if they (Wikileaks) were illegal on some level, then definitely that's a line we would not cross."But they haven't done anything different than The New York Times and The Guardian."

Still, even though XIPWIRE is pleasing their customers, one has to wonder if there will be any repercussions from their corporate customers. This is definitely something the founders have given some thought, but they feel they've made the best decision for their company.

"We're fully aware that not everyone likes what Wikileaks is," Alexandre said. "But we are prepared to accept the consequences."]]> Sophia Bush and Austin Nichols Create Album to Raise Funds for the Gulf tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2010:/theblog//3.789856 2010-11-30T12:57:04-05:00 2011-05-25T18:15:22-04:00 Tina Wells http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tina-wells/ Gasoline Rainbows, out today. Gasoline Rainbows will be an iTunes exclusive download, available only through the popular online music store.

The compilation was brought together by actress Sophia Bush and actor Austin Nichols, most well known for their roles on the television show One Tree Hill. Sophia and Austin travelled, with Global Green, to Grand Isle, Louisiana, to visit the beaches and see the devastation wrought by the Deepwater Horizon spill firsthand. Moved by the stretches of oil along the once-beautiful beaches, as well as the devastation to the wildlife, they decided to help in whatever way they could, and this compilation is a direct result of that.

One hundred percent of the artist and label proceeds from Gasoline Rainbows will be used for Global Green's oil spill response to directly assist the communities, people, and ecosystems impacted by the BP Oil Spill, educate the public, push for more regulation (to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again) and advocate for a greener, cleaner economy.

Gasoline Rainbows will include material by some of the most popular names in music, alongside new up-and-coming talents. The compilation will include music by LCD Soundsystem, Phoenix, Silversun Pickups, Vampire Weekend, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, amongst others.

Not only will the compilation feature incredible tracks by the aforementioned artists, but it will contain three brand new, previously unreleased tracks as well. Singer-songwriters Amy Kuney, Damian Rice and City & Colour will all be providing never before heard material for the compilation.

Purchase the album today.

FULL TRACK LISTING:

1. "Gasoline Rainbows" -- Amy Kuney*
2. "Armistice" -- Phoenix
3. "40 Day Dream" -- Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros
4. "There's No Secret's This Year" -- Silversun Pickups
5. "At The Birds Foot" -- City & Colour*
6. "The Connoisseur of Great Excuse" -- Damien Rice*
7. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" -- The National
8. "Tighten Up" -- The Black Keys
9. "Let The Time Roll By" -- Onward, Soldiers
10. "Moth's Wings" -- Passion Pit
11. "Floating Vibes" -- Surfer Blood
12. "Mama Taught Me Better" -- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
13. "I Can Change" -- LCD Soundsystem
14. "Cousins" -- Vampire Weekend

*Brand new material
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