Magic in Manhattan

Posted on June 18, 2015 by MarleneMB

Buckets of rain kept pouring down as we drove through the streets of Manhattan. My nephew maneuvered in and around the traffic to get me to my book signing event at Sister’s Uptown Bookstore. He was determined to get me there on-time for my “Special Event” as he called it.

The torrential rain was just another obstacle I had to face on Tuesday. The day started with me arriving at the airport only to be told that my flight. This was cancelled due to some difficulties at the arriving airport. My heart almost stopped! I told the valet that there is no way I will miss getting to New York that day. I had my book signing after all. He instructed me to go to the main reservation desk.

Wheeling my bags frantically and praying unceasingly, I found one of the JetBlue personnel who directed me to the front of a line. She told me someone would be able to help me. When I approached the counter the young man said there is a seat available at the same time to JFK instead of Westchester, my original destination. I told him I would take it. A little over an hour later I was on my way to New York.

Knowing that I made it to NYC on-time gave me the strength I needed to be optimistic that folks will turn out for the book signing despite the rain. This faith proved to be true. When we walked into the store, I was greeted by one of my sorority sisters. She came all the way from Sheepshead Bay to support me. This was more than an hours ride on the train.

Not long after, others turned out for the event. My heart was filled with joy as my friends and family came out to support me. I saw folks I hadn’t seen in years, including my brother that lives in the United Kingdom. This will be one of my favorite moments in this journey called “Life!”

If you are faced with obstacles today, here is what I recommend:

Don’t give up.
Take a deep breath and believe that it will work out.
Have faith in yourself that you are strong enough to handle it.
Enlist the aid of others that will take some of the burden off you.
Push forward and see the magic unfold.

It was a thrill to be able to conduct one of my book signing in one of the few books stores left in Harlem. I am so grateful to the owner, Jenifar (I even like the way she spells her name), and her assistant in being such wonderful hosts. If you are in Harlem, check them out at 1942 Amsterdam Ave. They were a part of my Magic in Manhattan.

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Marlene M. Bryan is a Distinguished Toastmaster, DTM. She is a certified speaker and leader by Toastmasters International. She is currently the District 47 Public Relations Officer, and leader of the Public Relations Team. She provides her services to over 3800 members throughout the district. Marlene is the owner of Marlene M. Bryan, Corp and Small Biz Evolution, LLC. She is a speaker, an author, and a coach.

Treasures Thursday – A Day with the Authors

Posted on September 4, 2014 by MarleneMB

Do you want to write a book? Do you need to learn ways to publish and market your book?

Many people have the desire to write a book to share their personal messages or knowledge of various topics. However, they struggle with getting started or deciding what to write. Or some folks have written books but don’t know how to published or market them to their audience.

It was with this premise in mind that a group of authors got together and planned “A Day with the Authors” event scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 (10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.). These authors will share tips, experiences and secrets to the attendees in special workshops/panel discussions.

This wonderful event is being hosted by Seminole Casino Hollywood Toastmasters club in conjunction with Friends of the African American Research Library and Cultural Center. It is a privilege and honor for me to work with these other exciting authors to share our knowledge with our communities.

Please watch the video to learn more about the event and download the flyer. Share it with others!

Sharing your knowledge with others to help them grow is the one of the best feeling one can have, in my opinion. It not only adds to their growth, but also to yours.

Keep Living a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

No Wallflower at the University of Miami Diversity Networking Night

Posted on September 24, 2013 by MarleneMB

Recently, Alicia Rodriguez, Director of Employer Relations at the University of Miami, invited me to be the keynote speaker at the university’s Diversity Networking Night event. The goal of the event was to engage a diverse group of students and alumni of various backgrounds with potential employers. My task was to provide them with tips for successful networking and job interviewing skills.I was honored to be the keynote speaker at this event. I love being able to share information with the students at my Alma Mater and to give back some of the wonderful folks at the University of Miami.

I worked with Maria Tomaino, Associate Director Events & Marketing within the Toppel Career Center, to ensure that the material I was sharing met the goals of the center. She was very professional and so energetic and I was impressed by her diligence in getting everything organized in order to produce a high quality experience for the participants. At the event, Maria was on hand to welcome me and provided me with the information and the equipment I needed to present to the attendees. She was such a great support to me.

The presentation went well. There were over 150 people in attendance. The students and alumni had fun performing the networking exercises as well as the demo job interview session. Many of them approached me after the event to thank me for giving them new ideas about successful networking and how to conduct themselves in a job interview. I was very impressed by the entire occasion, Maria and her team as well as the enthusiasm of the students/alums. I walked away feeling more blessed by them and their positive attitude for the future. Kudos to the Toppel Center team for hosting another wonderful career affair.

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Please visit my website: www.marlenembryan.com.

Social Media – Attraction or Distraction

Posted on February 12, 2013 by MarleneMB

I joined social media to promote my businesses and to build my brand awareness. I started out on LinkedIn in 2007 because it is a viewed as “the” professional social media site. Since then, I have joined Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, etc. In its Nov. 2012 Internet report, Pew Research states that over 69% of adults in this country are on one form of social media. (63% are men and 74% are women…no surprise there!) We women are social creatures.

I have found that managing these many social media sites is a full time job; if one is not careful. At first I was happy to post information about the products and services we offer and updating my professional information. I grew my market base and met new business partners via social media sites and social media events generated from these sites. Life was great.

Then I got hooked into Facebook with my family and friends updating every life’s events: vacation trips, trips to the movies, trips to the mall, etc. OMG (Oh My God), WHT (What the Heck) as I have learned to type from social media. These sites were eating up my time. I developed a love-hate relationship with them. If someone followed me on Twitter, I felt obligated to follow him or her. If they mentioned me in a tweet and retweet (RT), I had to thank them and mentioned (MT) them if I want to grow my followers.

I was drowning! One day, I had a revolt and decided that I was mad as heck and I wasn’t going to take it anymore. I decided I’m not going on for the rest of the week. That lasted about ½ day! Can we say addict? Anyway, I found out that I was not alone, about 54% of the women and 42% of men that are on social media get on every day. (Pew Report 2012)

Many people said that social media is a distraction. In a recent Mashable, an online technology news site, article, reporter Jennifer Shore writes that social media distraction may be costing the U.S. economy $650 Billion or $4,452 per company! We spend over 12 billion hours on social media, annually. Wow! Think how many pairs of shoes or power tool one can buy! (Hahaha).

Don’t hit the panic button yet. We still have some control. As with any self-indulgent activity, we have to power to moderate how much we do or use something. I have resorted to use tools such as Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to manage most of my social media sites. These tools allow me to view the sites simultaneously and to post information across all. I also have allotted specific times when I will jump on these social sites. According to Pew about 61% of people state that they generally take breaks from Facebook. This is due to boredom, too much gossip or simple as a way to fast for Lent.

Personally, I take breaks to focus on getting my projects done and to stay focus on being creative and connected offline. When I feel like I have sometime important, or inspirational, I jump online and share it. I have learned to use social media as an attraction and not a distraction. See you on LinkedIn or Facebook or Twitter or YouTube or whatever!!!!

Live a Diamond Life! Live a Life of Purpose!

Please click to like my fan pages: MarleneMBryanLLC and HigherRoadConsultingCorporation

Please visit our websites: www.marlenembryan.com and www.higherroadconsulting.com

Learning from a Master…Better Yet…A Mistress

Posted on January 4, 2013 by MarleneMB

My head is still spinning from the precious moments I spent with Conni Gordon. Conni is ninety-years young and has been a painter for most of her life. She is a gifted artist, author and speaker. Conni has taught folks like Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Larry King and recently Bonnie Hunt how to paint in one sitting. Besides being so talented, she is a wealth of information. She had such great marketing ideas for me to improve my marketing skills. Here is a video of Conni on the Bonnie Hunt Show (skip to 1:48).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9G-h7z0ySTg]

Throughout her life, Conni has met many celebrities such as Picasso, danced with Robert Goulet and dated Tarzan! Wow! She has sold over 17 million of her books. Conni has spoken around the globe. But that is not what impressed me about Conni. Although, these are great accomplishments, I find Conni to be such a warm-hearted down-to-earth person. She is eager to teach others her craft. Conni also navigates her way around her iMAC like a pro! I hear there is a movie in the works about part of her life. Yet, one would never know it upon meeting her.

Conni is sweet and humble and giving. I asked her what keeps her going. She said the look on people’s faces when they realize that they CAN paint after stating that they have no ability to do so. She also donates her time to different charity organizations. Conni also teaches others how to improve their lives and pursue their dreams. I count myself to be blessed to meet this Wonder Woman and look forward to spending time with her again. Once again I feel like such a winner because I continue to meet people, like Conni Gordon.

Until next time…Keep Living a Diamond Life. Live a Life of Purpose!

Please click to like my fan pages: MarleneMBryanLLC and HigherRoadConsultingCorporation

Please visit our websites: www.marlenembryan.com and www.higherroadconsulting.com