Inspirational Ghanaian Women: Celebrating Bozoma Saint John

Title: Former Pepsi Exec Bozoma Saint John Named Beats Music Global Marketing Head

Her celebrity endorsers at the soft drink giant included Beyonce, Kanye, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Katy Perry and Michael Jackson.

Bozoma "Boz" Saint John is joining Beats Music as senior vp and head of global marketing, taking the lead on all initiatives, from brand and performance marketing to collaborations with AT&T, Target and Beats Electronics, reporting to CEO Ian Rogers.

"Boz’s passion for music and experience working directly with artists on behalf of a powerful international brand makes her a perfect fit for Beats Music,” Rogers said. “We’re fortunate to have her on our team."

Saint John previously served as the head of the music and entertainment marketing group at Pepsi-Cola North America, where she was responsible for leading breakthrough integrated and sustained consumer engagement plans for brands across the company’s beverage portfolio. Saint John has spearheaded multiple 360-degree integrated branding programs that engaged tastemaker consumers through music, film, TV, print, online, grassroots, events and retail vehicles.

During her tenure there, she also activated celebrity endorsements with Beyonce, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Katy Perry and her idol, Michael Jackson, as well as managed brand integrations with the Super Bowl, Grammy Awards, MTV VMAs and CMA Awards. Her prior experience includes vp marketing for fashion brand Ashley Stewart and traditional advertising agency management at Arnold Worldwide and Spike Lee's SpikeDDB.

"When I was in the 10th grade I decided to run for a position on the student council with the campaign slogan 'Nuthin but a Boz thang' so you might say joining Beats Music is like coming full circle," said Saint John. "I've been working my whole career to get here! I'm thrilled, and ready to win."

Saint John has been named to Billboard’s Top Women in Music, and Top Executives 40 Under 40, Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People, Ebony Magazine’s 100 Top Executives, and was featured on the cover of AdWeek. She also contributes her expertise to various public interest groups, including serving on the Leadership Council for the United Nations' partnership with the PVBLIC Foundation and as a mentor for the Levo League.

A graduate of Wesleyan University with a B.A. in English and African-American Studies, Saint John is a native of Ghana (West Africa), raised in Colorado.



Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pepsi-exec-bozoma-saint-john-693020?mobile_redirect=false

Paulina says: I am beyond inspired, Bozoma Saint John is not playing !!!!!! She makes me want to be the best I can be -and that's epic. I would love to see Ms Saint John in Ghana inspiring women to greatness -in one form or another.... To keep up with all of Bozoma Saint John's fabulous happenings visit: https://twitter.com/SaintBoz

 

Africa Rising: Nigeria now has biggest economy in Africa..........

Title: Will luxury rush to Nigeria now?

Big (literally) news on Monday in the FT that on Sunday, thanks to a government recalculation, Nigeria’s GDP has now become the biggest in Africa, and the 26th biggest in the world, valued at $509bn. Why do we (we luxury folks, that is) care?

“The revision will have a psychological impact. It underlines to foreign investors that this country has a large consumer base. It validates the investment thesis,” said Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the minister for economy and finance.

So will luxury, which has thus far been dancing around the edges of the country (only Zegna and Hugo Boss have standalone stores in Lagos, opened last year, and Diesel recently joined them), but which these days really loves a new consumer base, rush in?

I have to say, I doubt it – at least in the near term. I think they may look more carefully at the country, and perhaps even explore options, but my guess is they will remain wary, at least when it comes to the kinds of brands that line the Avenues Montaigne and Montenapoleone. Here are some reasons:

First, there are the logistical challenges, which are meaningful. Second, last winter I was having a conversation with the CEO of an enormously successful international accessory brand that will remain nameless, and the subject of Nigeria came up, but when I asked about it, he shook his head. Aside from systemic factors, he said he just didn’t feel comfortable with where a lot of the money was coming from. It was partly, he said, a moral decision.

Now, it would be completely fair to roll your eyes at this and point out morals didn’t stop luxury from running headlong into Russia or any number of other countries (including the US, back in the days when the robber barons ruled the economy); that often in history the cycle of wealth goes from the more oblique to the acceptable in origin, and luxury is, in fact, a crucial part of that cycle, but nevertheless, I believed him. Which was interesting. And I don’t think he’s the only one with such concerns, as the globe (above) at the Chanel show in March 2013 illustrating all its stores around the world via little lights, demonstrated: Africa was, in their terms, the dark continent.

Luxury is, after all, obsessed with its image. And this is, in some ways, a question of image.
On the other hand, that GDP number is a big figure. And the population of Nigeria – 169m – is also a big number. So it will be interesting to see which impulse wins out: the rush to numbers or the protection of image.

There is clearly a struggle going on, as we have been trying to get an executive to join our Business of Luxury summit, which is taking place next month in Mexico City and will look at markets of the future (I encourage everyone to sign up and come – it’s going to be great), to talk specifically about this issue and guess what: they are all scared. No one wants to commit publicly, because, I venture to guess, they can’t quite decide.

Of course, luxury also has that safety-in-number thing – as consultant Robert Burke once told me, for an industry obsessed with creativity, it is remarkably “conservative” – so if a few more stores enter the market the whole thing will probably tip, and they will all start to look for space. In the end, competitive instinct may be the deciding factor.
In the meantime, however, anyone else have any thoughts? Maybe Paddy Power should start giving odds.

Source: http://blogs.ft.com/material-world/2014/04/07/will-luxury-rush-to-nigeria-now/

Paulina says: Good for Nigeria, I hope this positivity and prosperity trickles down to the ordinary Nigerian. Thus, we must all watch Nigeria right now --as big businesses and luxury brands rush to be part of this exciting buzz.....and growth. As for we Ghanaians, -we might have to wait for the next generation to come to power, for foreign money and investments, for visionaries, those with vision/mandate/policies and heart to come to power before we reach our Ziglag (mercy), but, and this is an optimistic but, we are not tooooo far behind -Amen.

Lessons on Life: It doesn't matter how long it takes -God will make it beautiful in its own time....

  Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho -now

Shalla Monteiro and Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho -now

Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho -before

 "Damned is the man who abandons himself." –Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho

　

　



Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UClzYq0T9cM
Do remember to watch it on Youtube....
　

"If you’re going to reach your highest potential, you have to make up your mind that you’re not going to be upset because things aren’t happening on your timetable."  Joel Osteen Ministries (https://www.facebook.com/JoelOsteen)

　

　

Paulina says: Its truly amazing when you see God's finger prints in someone's life/story. I think we must be uber authentic to ourselves and our journey to see this happen in our own. I see moments of it in mine (and my son's) and its breath-taking, -but only when I let go, and allow it to happen the way it was destined to happen. We must learn to be patient, and not abandon ourselves or our dreams because its taking forever. Thank you Christ lord Jesus............God bless Shalla Monteiro and Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho and his family.

More Info
Raimundo Arruda Sobrinho was homeless in São Paulo, Brazil, for nearly 35 years, and has become locally known to sit in the same spot and write every day. In April 2011, he befriended a young woman named Shalla Monteiro. Impressed with his poetry she decided to help him with his dream of publishing a book, she created a Facebook page to characterize the writing of Raymond. Neither could have expected what happened next.....For more information visit Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ocondicionado
  

The Juls Collection by Juliette Mills -on sale in Accra, Ghana on Sunday 6th April 2014 at Mensvic Hotel located at 2nd Lagos Avenue, East Legon from 1pm -7pm ...

"Since 2009, traveling around the world to showcase my designs continues to uplift me daily because of the wonderful new friends I have met and the ability to provide a fashionable handbag that is in a class of its own. As a handbag designer, it remains important to provide quality designs, while making all handbags affordable. I intend to design every handbag with you in mind. Whether you desire a more vintage or modern look, my designs will suit you for every occasion. From my heart to you, I present Jul's Collection." Juls Collection

　

　

　

Paulina says: Juliette Mills-Lutterodt is one of the most inspirational women on the planet, and probably the most under the radar Ghanaian female business icon to date. In fact, her story is soooo inspirational that I'm predicting --Juliette Mills-Lutterodt is about to blow-up and become the next big thing in the world of business!!!

More than a designer, Juliette Mills-Lutterodt is also a philanthropist, a breast cancer survivor and a celebrity hairstylist with a couple of high-end hair salons --Juls' Studio in the States.....

Juliette Mills-Lutterodt, one of Ghana's most feted style elite, society maven and all-round-inspirator -has an eye-for-detail, and knows the importance of a beautiful, well-crafted on-trend handbag and doesn't disappoint. Her 2014 iconic handbag collection, an exquisite collection of high-end, genuine leather, 'It' handbags and accessories aimed at the stylish confident-women-about-town are a must..

From the classic to the trendy, to the ladies-who-lunch and the sassy socialite, - Juliette Mills-Lutterodt knows her target customer -and offers a kaleidoscope of quality handbags for all occasions.   Though Juliette Mills-Lutterodt's stand out haute handbags can be purchased via her Juls Collections website, Juls' is also feted for her handbag trunk shows, and has an exclusive up coming show in Accra, Ghana at Mensvic Hotel situated at 2nd Lagos Avenue, East Legon on the Sunday 6th April 2014 from 1pm -7pm......

Do remember to RSVP via:

http://www.julscollection.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Juls-Collections-Italian-Leather-Handbags/166320453412382
http://www.pinterest.com/julscollection2/http://www.julsstudios.com/





  

 

 

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes a lot of hard work." - Ozwald Boateng

Ozwald Boateng

http://ozwaldboateng.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/ozwaldboatengofficial

Object of Desire: Ashanti Stool By Spode

Price: POA  / For more info Visit: www.soane.co.uk
 

More Info:

England, circa 1900

A decorative stool composed of Spode stone china, stamped to

the underside 'Copeland / Spode's Tower / England' and

depicting the 'Spode's Tower' design originally introduced in

1814.

 

The stool is inspired by the traditional seating of the Ashanti

tribe of Ghana, in commemoration of their suppression by the

British in 1900. The Ashanti uprising was triggered by the

British Governor of Ghana Sir Frederick Hodgson, who

demanded the right to sit on the sacred 'Golden Stool'; a

religious symbol central to the Ashantis beliefs and power

structure, permitted to be touched only by an elite inner circle.

The stool is illustrated in Spode's catalogue of Flower Pots and

Garden Seats.

 

Dimensions

   

570 mm wide x 455 mm high x 290 mm deep

21 in. wide x 18 in. high x 11.5 in. deep

50


******RE: Copeland "Spode's Tower" Pottery Ashanti-style stool.

Mother's Day / My Day.....................

Paulina says: I've been out of sorts-lately. The thing is..... its very easy to get ...well, a bit out-of-sorts when you're doing lovely things from your heart and one or two, who shall remind nameless -belittle it... I guess they simply haven't evolved beyond themselves ---yet.

Two and a half years ago, all hell broke loose in my life and I was crashed but I learnt, and continue to learn some very valuable lessons.

One of the biggest lessons I learnt about myself, was that, even when my dreams came crashing down, I was still able to pick myself up by God's glorious grace, get back onto the computer, and celebrate other peoples dreams and businesses.....and I like me.....very much for that.

I think that my problems has been that because somewhere along the way I got damaged, that --I felt I had something prove (to at least two people in my life), but now I'm free --and I don't feel that way -Amen.

I also feel that I was mis-educated along the way, and now I'm learning that what I perceived to be the small things in life --are truly the BIGGEST and BEST things in life --and I'm thankful and grateful for them.

Anywayssssssssss I just wanted to tell you how much I needed Mother's Day -today!!!!

I love my son sooooooo much. After God he is my everything. We cooked together today, and he made me this delicious fruit salad..

I hope your Mother's Day was everything you wanted it to be.

Lots of Love

Paulina xxx