I have gained a wealth of knowledge working with charities specifically in helping with their donation procurement. I am so grateful for the not-for-profit organizations I have worked with over the past 10 years. It has all been an invaluable experience so much so that much of what I've gleaned has became a part of my Company's fabric and core values(I will elaborate in an upcoming post because the heart of a philanthropist and philanthropy in and of itself are priceless especially in how they relate to relationship building, character; integrity; trust and fiduciary accountability as well as responsibility.)
My journey has also given me the opportunity to work in the field of artist development as well as artist brand management for a handful of Indie artists and now it ALL makes-sense: ALL things were working together for the good...(Romans 8:28) and trusting the process was vital as well as a "major key".
A year and a half ago, I found myself faced with the "idea" and yes "reality" after having sent out a lot of brand collaboration inquiries with many never being answered; some with an automated e-mail reply; followed by an occasional "we will keep your information on file" to "we will get back to you..." and you guessed it they didn't yet there were those that I just had to follow up on and the rest is HIS-tory. I share all of this because these are all variables when you are curating your brand and vision. How could I give up? I could not give up because my initial consultation with my very first Influencer demanded that I stay the course, required that I be inspired by the vision we had so vividly spoke of and worked so very hard curating.
I began to draw upon the core foundation as well as key ingredients to "brand pairing". I believe that there are at least two. The core foundation being:
1) Influence, an according to Oxford Dictionary it means "The capacity to have an affect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself."
&
2) Inspiration, an Oxford Dictionary says that "It's the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative."
Everyone has influence to some degree or another yet it's how we curate and cultivate creative content to inspire and share within our circles of influence. Moreover, we must be authentic in our approach along with being transparent in our presentation as we engage with those within our circles of influence knowing the depth and degree of the intrinsic value our intentions have which should always be to inspire and promote a love for a brand who has love for your brand and when paired purposefully as well as organically create measurable as well as immeasurable growth; expansion on such a profound and even broader level often referred to as your reach whether micro or macro: both can most certainly inspire the cultivation of new followers; new fans; new subscribers; new believers, new, new, new, new new: who knew(that is another blog in itself because for me, it's all about perspective; imagination and faith.)
Please forgive my thesis yet it's all relative and how can I simplify a process that has changed me on so many #levels. We often become defeated because it's #YOUvsYOU and we do know who travels at the speed of thought! (Here I go again, I love learning and growing so as I post more you'll quickly see how much I anchor myself around those who can help me stretch and dare to dream: this is paramount as well as crucial to brand expansion and re-branding too).
So here is where I am led to share excerpts of an e-mail that reaffirmed that vision I wrote down 2 years prior and to see it manifested will ALWAYS keep me hopeful; humble; grateful; focused; determined; faithful and committed to my dreams and vision.
It was April 1, 2016
"Hello Ladies,
Thank you so much for reaching out to us and for your interest in our brand!
Is there a particular product or t-shirt design that you would like to share with
your following? We would be happy to send you something of your choice."
(an excerpt from my very first Influencer & Brand Pairing entitled, "Linda Delores x Alley&Rae")
I share ALL of this with you because at any "appointed" time, you can and you will receive your first or even your next "yes" because someone is going to catch your vision and grab hold of it and say, "We would love to collaborate with you."
I want to take this time to thank Shanda Aleiwe of Alley&Rae for trusting and believing that our Influencer and Brand pairing would Influence & Inspire creative content curation as a result of a beautiful brand collaboration. Thank you Shanda and Alley&Rae for ALL that you have done and continue to do.
Thanks for reading and we look forward to our next "share"..."b" inspired and DON'T STOP BELIEVEN'!
Linda Delores x Alley&Rae "created, curated and collectively collaborated" on April 10, 2016
https://www.alleyandrae.com/collections/womens-tees/products/dont-stop-believin-2
Follow Linda Delores on Instagram:
@linda.delores
