Sometimes I sit down and think about how terrifying it must be for people (Artists) who constantly put themselves out there for criticism, hoping to learn and grow from the exposure. We live in the world of Anonymous, where anything can be said from anyone online all in the light of opinions.

So for me, when someone decides to jump into the mouth of the shark, there are always something to learn from them.

I decided to sit down with one of YouTube’s very best, Nike Jemiyo as we spoke about her journey as an independent singer/songwriter, the opportunities from posting covers on YouTube, Criticisms and handling them.

Hi Nike, Great to have you on YHP, How are you doing today?

I’m great thanks!!

Can you quickly give us some background information about yourself?

I’m a singer – songwriter and pianist born and raised in London who is absolutely in love with music! Who isn’t, lol?

So how did you get into the whole music thing?

Well I’ve always sung in choirs from a young age. I started going to a classical music school when I was 15 where I had piano lessons and first started songwriting and performing so music has always been a huge part of my life.

Why did you decide to start posting your videos especially covers on YouTube?

Because a friend held a gun to my head and made me do it! (Jokes) But it was a friend who convinced me to! It was quite an emotional moment when he sat me down and told me that he thought I was wasting my talent. (I had let music take a bit of a back set because I was scared of failing). He said that he wanted to help me get myself out there and suggested posting covers on youtube – so I did!

Talking about YouTube, they are so many artists that have been bombarded by abuse through comments, how do you handle that, I have seen a lot of people that have either closed their YouTube account or chosen not to post cover at all.

I’ve been very fortunate as I haven’t really had too many negative comments and I rarely get the chance to read them because my fans are amazing and bombard them with unlikes which make them disappear! I do welcome constructive criticism though and it only make you stronger.

I can see you have an ever-increasing number of supporters, how instrumental has social media been in helping you build a presence and showcase your musical talent, especially building a fan base online?

Hugely! Youtube is really where it all started for me in terms of getting exposure and building a fanbase which has now migrated to Facebook and Twitter. Using social media has really helped me build relationships with my fans, it’s so cool being able to chat to them on a regular basis and get their opinion of my music!

Can you remember how it felt posting your first cover on YouTube; you were practically opening yourself to the world?

I was soooo nervous. You can tell that just by watching the video!!! I remember being anxious about what people would say about my voice and what I looked like. I can’t explain my relief and shock when the comments were really encouraging!

How effective has YouTube and other tools been on your career, tell us some of the opportunities that’s it’s given you?

Other than building a fanbase, it has opened opportunities for interviews, live gigs and pulled in interest from songwriters, producers, management companies and record labels!

Who are your musical influences?

This question is so hard, because there are so many! Michael Jackson, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Whitney Housten, Kirk Franklin, Ryan Tedder, Beyonce to name a few…

What sets you apart from other artists in your genre?

What makes me different is my love for the piano and the feel it brings to my music. I feel at home when it’s me and keys.

Who do you get inspiration from or wish to emulate in music and life?

Stevie Wonder’s musicianship is incredible, Christina Aguilera’s vocal sensational, Beyonce’s stage presence captivating and Michael Jackson efforts to raise awareness is truly inspiration! But there are so many people who have inspired me along the way, family , friends, people that have truly shown love and a desire to see change.

Who were your favourite musicians as a child?

Michael Jackson was definitely my number one favourite! My mum always tells the story of the time when I would disappear from her side while we were shopping and finding me dancing in front of a TV that he has was on!

How often and for how long do you practice?

Hmm…I should practice a lot more than I do. I have weekly rehearsals with my band. I would ideally like to practice piano and my vocals for an hour each day. That doesn’t happen..

Share some of your worst experiences, especially some failures you’ve had starting up and how you have managed to bounce back from it even stronger?

I remember one gig when I first started performing on the live scene I was really really really nervous. Apparently I looked petrified. Anyway I was the last act on the night (no pressure) and I was singing a pretty tough song by Christina Aguilera. I got the bridge and to my dismay my voice cracked. (NOT THE ONE) Anyway I wanted the ground to swallow me up and couldn’t get off the stage quick enough.

After that I started taking footage of myself performing and using it to work on my performance, I got a vocal coach to help and constantly asked for constructive feedback. Now – I can’t wait to get up on stage!

What has been your most memorable moment so far since starting on your journey?

It has to be the first gig that I put on for my fans last July. It was the first time that I performed in front of a crowd that already knew and loved what I’m about which is special place to be for an artist. It’s a night I’ll never forget.

What is the best and worst part about being a musician?

For me the best is being the position where you can inspire people with music. It is a privilege and hugely rewarding. Unfortunately it can often be a thickle industry where you’re loved one minute and not the next – you’re constantly trying to prove yourself as good enough.

Do you do music full-time?

Yes and it’s great! I finally have the time I need to develop myself as an artist to focus on writing music

How do you balance your music with other obligations –family, job?

I use google calender, it’s awesome, lol. More seriously, I guess I try and do a bit of everything each week. So I have family time, some evenings to catch up with my friends and scheduled in session work and well as songwriting each week – which seems to be working so far.

What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous, especially posting covers on YouTube?

Be aware that there are people out there who may give unconstructive comments but continue to be yourself because no-one can do you better than you.

What are your musical plans for the year ahead?

Well at the moment I am writing with some very talented songwriters and producers with the intention of getting a product together to take to major labels and get signed. Let’s hope that these plans become reality!

Thanks for your time Nike.

Latest Cover: Lil wayne – How to Love

Connect with Nike:

Youtube
Twitter
Facebook
Personal Website

Make Sure to also get her free EP@: www.reverbnation.com/nikejemiyo

A while ago I had the opportunity of interviewing a very talented singer/songwriter, Michelle Martinez, who I discovered on Youtube whilst listening to my daily dose of covers.

This is what we talked about.

Hi Michelle, How are you doing today? Can you give the readers some background information about yourself?

Hello to all! It’s a beautiful sunny day, so I definitely can’t complain! A little bit about me, I’m a singer/songwriter from California working the independent artist route while balancing college and growing my online fanbase. I’m basically a little girl with big dreams.

How did get into music?

I’ve been singing since I was a little. It’s all I’ve ever really been passionate about. I’m an only child, so music got me through a lot of lonely times. Once my parents saw my talent, they offered to give me voice lessons. From that I did showcases, joined competitions and lived for the feeling of an audience’s applause.
Then I began wanting to create my own music and here we are today!

Can you tell us how you’ve been able to balance school with music, most artists would probably leave school and focus on just the music, what keeps you motivated not to stop school?

It’s not easy, I’ll tell ya that! Haha. I had no idea what I wanted to do in life once I got to college. I knew I wanted to be an entertainer, but my parents weren’t too thrilled about that idea. Back then, there were no independent artists or online sensations. So I never really thought I’d be able to live my dreams and decided to just go through with college.

But soon after, a Japanese record label discovered me on Youtube. Long story short, I dropped out of school and moved my whole life to Tokyo thinking I had hit the musical jackpot. Little did I know I’d end up right back where I started. Things didn’t work out and I was back home and really disappointed at my choices. But I decided to chase my dreams harder than ever now that I had gotten a taste of what it was like to be an artist. I also learned that nothing is forever in this industry and knew I needed a back up plan.

So I decided to re-enroll into college because I just didn’t want to end up living at my parents’ house forever as I chase my dreams. Haha. And that’s what keeps me motivated to juggle the two today. Music is my life, but I’m smarter to know that having a degree can only help me in case I need a fallback plan.

How did you get into posting covers on youtube? Were you nervous?

I hated the idea at first. I’ve been doing musicals, castings, competitions and auditions since I was little. I lived for an audiences reaction to my performance. And here were people posting videos of themselves from their bedroom becoming more famous than me! I was outraged! Lol. But that was just me being too stubborn to accept that new technology was opening doors for people like myself who would normally never have the opportunity to get this far.

I had a Youtube account just to watch other peoples videos, but I never intended to make it a channel. But I posted one video dedicating a song to a friend for his birthday since he lived so far away. After I saw the flood of positive comments and requests to post more vids I warmed up to the idea and I guess the rest is history.

How many opportunities do you think social media has brought into your career as a music artist?

I can’t even count how many opportunities I’ve gained through social media. I’ve done more amazing things with my music in the last 2 years than I had done in the 14 years prior to that. It’s such a blessing to live in a new world of technology.

Would you advice any artist to look in these avenues?

Yes and no. If you’re the kind of person who takes everything to heart, don’t post your stuff on the internet. People can be very mean. If I had a dollar for every negative comment I’ve received on a video, I’d be a millionaire by now. Lol.

But you just have to ignore the people who are intentionally being hateful. Criticism is good to improve yourself, but know that not everyone is going to love what you do. Now if you have thick skin and don’t care what people say about you, the internet is your haven. Have at it. Try it out and enjoy the opportunity to reach millions with your talent.

Were there ever any moments that you just wanted to give up on your singing dream?

If so, why? So many times. I’ve experienced rejection, people screwing me over, deals falling through, people discouraging me, haters, just all sorts of negativity. And every time, there was a moment where I was ready to throw in the towel. It’s hard to love something and want something so bad when obstacle after obstacle prevents you from reaching your dreams.

This industry is hard. It’s not for the weak, because it’ll eat you up alive. But if I let those things stop me, I’d never be happy with myself. I know nothing worth it ever comes easy.

Who has been your biggest inspiration and why?

I think my biggest inspiration is the other artists that I’ve been on tour with and gotten to work with. I look at them and know they came from the same place I did. Just someone who had a dream who decided to make their dreams a reality. They know what I feel and we’ve all built a special bond because of it. They keep me on my toes and we push each other to keep bettering ourselves and constantly create more content.

Another inspiration are the fans. Hearing or seeing them enjoy my music and what I do is a huge push to keep going. If I put atleast one smile on your face during my video or live performance, I will have done my job.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given? The steepest part of a mountain is always the hardest to climb, but that’s when you know you’re close to the top.

If you could open for anyone who would it be and why? Beyonce. I love her! Her energy, her style, her performance skills and confidence are something I strive for. To be in the same show as her would be a dream come true.

What advice would you give to other female singers that are trying to make it in the world of music?

Be yourself. It’s hard, I know. Media demands you to be a certain way to gain success. But break those stereotypes of what is normally expected from a female and don’t be afraid to be comfortable in your own skin.

What has been the highest point of your career so far?

Today is the highest point. Everyday I gain another fan, create a new idea, explore another avenue. Every new day will be my highest point because it’s another day I chose not to give up on my dreams.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your fans, and are there any new songs that they should keep an eye out for?

Yes, look out for a few music videos from my album, some awesome collabs and a new single.

If you weren’t a musician what would you do with all of your creative energy?

Well I’m a Broadcasting Major at school, I’d definitely focus more on the behind scenes of Television and Radio. I’m used to being in front of the camera, but now I’m learning all the aspects of what goes on behind the camera. Maybe after my singing career takes off the way I’d like it to, I’ll look into Television production.

Any final words to your suppporters?

A big thank you to those who’ve been following my journey. There’s a lot to come from me and I appreciate your support. I would be no where without you guys! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!

How do you want people to describe you ten years from now?

A legend.

LATEST COVER: How to Love – Lil Wayne (COVER) Michelle Martinez

Connect with her:

Youtube
Twitter
Facebook
Personal Website

Don’t get to get your copy of her new album “ADRENALINE” now on iTunes & at

Fresh off her trip to Thailand, i had the opportunity of interviewing the beautiful, talented singer/songwriter – Lisa Lavie.
Here is what we talked about.

I know you’re currently on tour right now, how is that going?

I actually just got off tour with Yanni last week & then went straight to Thailand for 2 of my own shows with my band. It was GREAT! Such amazing experiences on the road!

For anyone just hearing about your for the first time, can you give some background information about yourself?

I’m a Singer/Song-writer from Montreal, Canada currently residing in Los Angeles chasing my dream, hehe!

How did you get into music?

I’ve been into music ever since I could remember. I started singing when I was 10 years old. My brother ‘Danny’ is a Hip Hop Dj (Dj Devious) and growing up listening to his music everyday blasting in the house definitely pushed me towards my career in music. I then started touring as a background vocalist at the age of 16 with a hip hop group called ‘Dubmatique’. We toured across Canada. After that tour is when I really started taking my singing career seriously.

How would you describe your (musical) sound?

I would say I have an R&B sounding voice with pop elements. My first album was geared towards a lot of pop ballads but this next album is going to have a lot more flare & radio friendly songs.

Why did you decide to start uploading videos on youtube, what was the story behind that?

I decided to start uploading videos onto YouTube 4 years ago when a cousin of mine introduced me to it. I was fascinated by the site and thought I’d upload one of my originals to see what people thought about it, I wasn’t sure I’d even get anybody watching it but before I knew it, I had hundreds of comments which turned to Thousands and then millions of views. I feel so blessed to have this amazing vehicle to reach the masses with my music!

What opportunities would you say it has brought you so far?

The opportunities have been countless. I’ve met so many amazing people through youtube & have performed at so many events through youtube alone not to mention that I’ve been able to build an online audience to which I could then share my music with. It’s really hard to get out there with your music unless you want to sign everything away to a major record label and that’s not my route, so this avenue is perfect for me.

Is this something you would advice any aspiring musician to look into?

I would say that you can’t give up, A lot of artists try for a couple of years and then just throw their aspirations aside. You gotta keep on going no matter the obstacle. I’ve had countless of obstacles & I still do but I choose to not let anyone or anything get in the way of my success, which is probably why I work alone as I’ve had too many people holding me back in the past! I haven’t met the right team to help me on my journey.

Where can fans catch you guys live especially on your tour?

I just came off of a 2 month tour & a couple shows in Thailand and won’t be touring for the next few months as I’m currently working on my 2nd album however I keep everyone up to date with everything through my newsletter which is www.lisalavie.fanbridge.com!!!

What are your musical goals and what lessons have you learned so far?

My musical goals are to continue being creative & writing songs that I feel, not only for myself but for other artists, To work with producers and people that see my vision, to reach a mass audience beyond the online platform, to travel the world performing & doing what I love and to be happy in the process. I’ve learned a lot of lessons. I’ve learned that I should always follow my intuition. When you hear or feel that little voice inside of you, always listen to it. In the past, I’ve pushed that feeling to the side and the outcome wasn’t so great, I’ve also learned that you can’t wait for the RIGHT people to come and take your project to the next level, you have to do it yourself.

What’s the best piece of advice someone ever gave you?

TO BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE!

What do you do when you’re not making music?

When I’m not making music I’m online replying to e-mail’s & messages on all of my social networks or watching Reality TV shows, LOL

Anything else you’d like to add?

I want to add that I appreciate everyone’s support on this journey I’m on. It feels great to go on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter everyday & see messages from all of my supporters around the world. I have the best fans & I feel so blessed!!!

Don’t forget to stay connect with Lisa on:

http://www.TeamLavie.com
http://www.youtube.com/LisaLavie1
http://www.twitter.com/LisaLavie
Facebook Fanpage

Jessie J – Price Tag (Lisa Lavie)

Eppic became interested in music at age 11. After watching the movie 8 milie with his Dad, he began experimenting with music, writing lyrics.

Although he said he only started off as a hobby but everything changed for him when his Dad took him to watch Eminem perform at one of his concerts, after seeing the energy of the crowd, the interaction of the artist with fans, the energy he brought on stage, he realised that this is what he wanted to do.

Here’s the full interview.

Hey man, Thanks for taking the time to speak with me today. How are you doing?

I’m doing great.

Can you give us some background information about yourself to get to know you better?

I was born in Washington D.C. on July 12,1991 and moved to Colorado when I was 2 years old.

Take us back in time, How did you get involved in music?

I actually got involved in music when I was about 11 years old. My father was watching ’8 Mile’ one day and I was so captivated by the movie from beginning to end. Once it was over and I heard ‘Lose Yourself’ by Eminem I immediately ran to my room, grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and I began to write. It started off as a hobby at first but then I started to love it more and more as I got deeper into and I learned how to structure verses and entire songs.

I was always the shy and quiet kid in school and so when it came to times where I had express myself and speak up I could never do it and that’s why I have such a passion for music and writing because I’m able to speak up and say what’s on my mind creatively. The passion and drive really sparked inside me when my father took me to see an Eminem concert for my 14th birthday.

The way the crowd reacted and how Eminem interacted with his fans and the energy that he brought on stage was incredible and that’s when I knew that’s what I wanted to do. It was until later when 2 of my good friends pass away that I began to write from a different perspective and actually observing different situations that were going on around me and that I wanted to write about real situations and not about what other rappers typically write about.

I wanted to bring a different vibe. I had always written for the lord, but it was after I brought myself out of this deep depression that I fell into when I really began speaking about god and how much faith I had in him and how I wanted to just spread the word through my music and to move people with every song that I wrote.

Where did you decide to actually take it serious?

It was definitely after the Eminem concert that I truly wanted to do music for a living. I had also done a few performances as well through high school, but I was so nervous that my legs literally went dumb before each show, but it was the feeling afterwards that I loved the most because having people tell you that they like what they heard and still support you even when you messed up a line or two was a great feeling and that kept fueling my passion for music.

Who were your musical inspiration growing up and why?

I would have to say my musical inspirations were and still are Eminem, Lecrae, and Jay-Z because I really look up to artist with great work ethic and in my opinion those three had the work ethic, the talent, but also the true passion for music that I really admire.

How did you hook up with Tyler and the Crew, would you say that also helped you as an artist?

I was in my first year, second semester of college and Tyler had just came out with a cover to ‘We Are
The World’ and I remember thinking it was a really good cover. So I began researching Tyler and the other artists that were in the video and I found out that Tyler lived in Denver. So I messaged him saying,” if you have the time please check out my music and if you like what you hear maybe we could work together sometime.” So a few days later he replied back to me saying he liked what he heard and that we should talk.

Then a month later Tyler calls me up to meet him and to record a cover to ‘Airplanes’ and the rest is history. I seriously thought I was only to going to record my song ‘Doubt’ and that was it, but god definitely had a plan. It was when I met Tyler when I met the band as well as the rest of the artists you see me collaborating with like Julia Sheer, Megan Nicole, and Jeff Hendrick. Meeting them has definitely helped me as an artist, there’s no doubt about it.

My style, flow, and how I express myself on each song has definitely improved by working with Tyler and the crew because they hear things that I sometimes miss and then they also tell me different ways I could say something in different parts of the song to make it more powerful. So yeah I’m definitely blessed to be able to work with them and blessed for everything that they have taught me so far.

Have you encountered any setback as an artist that you would like to share with us, especially how you came out of it?

Writers block is the worst thing that can happen to an artist. There was a point where I had serious writers block for about 2 months straight and I thought I was going to go insane. I’m telling you when I can’t write a song for long periods of time I don’t know what to do with myself and I begin to freak out haha.

Every day I was in the studio, but it felt as if I was forcing lyrics to come so my songs weren’t as great as I would had liked them. So what I did was I left the studio for about a week or so and got some fresh air and did other things to keep my mind off the music for a bit so I could calm myself down. But when I returned back to the studio eventually I felt great and was ready to write again.

What would you say has been your most memorable memory on your journey as a music artist?

Meeting and working with Tyler Ward and the Crew.

What has been the most valuable lesson learnt as an artist so far?

Always be different no matter what people think cause just know that you can’t please everybody.

What do you do when you’re not working on music?

Since I’ve been so focused on my music I haven’t had time to hang out with friends so I’m usually catching up with them, getting in the gym, playing basketball, and watching a lot of Big Bang Theory and House.

Who are the 5 artists that you could love to work with right now?

1. Eminem
2. Lecrae
3. Lupe Fiasco
4. B.o.B
5. Carrie Underwood

What are your top 5 songs at the moment?

-I Believe by Blessid of Union Souls
-Crush Crush Crush by Paramore
-All of the lights by Kanye West
-Another Day by Natalie Grant
-Set Fire To The Rain by Adele

What are your currently working on?

I actually just got done working on and releasing my first EP ‘Forever Imperfect‘. Now that it’s finally out I’m currently putting together ideas for a mixtape, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself and jump into that project just yet. So until I figure out what I want to do with that I’m just focusing on new covers/remix and collaborations.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I see myself on stage or in the studio working on new projects to put out and thinking of new ways to make a positive impact in someone’s life with my music. Also I see myself sitting side by side with artists that I have always looked up to having a conversation about the future and making a difference in music.

What advices would you give to young rappers out there looking up to you for inspiration?

If your heart isn’t in it 100% then you need to go find something else to do. There’s a difference between a hobby and a passion for something. Work hard and don’t let anyone tell you what kind of artist you should be because at the end of the day it’s your music and they don’t know what you are feeling. Also surround yourself with a strong team and positive people/artists because that’s going to make a huge difference.

Don’t forget to check him out on:

Youtube
Facebook
Twitter

Make sure to support and download his new EP – Forever Imperfect

George and Louis have always had an eye for music, grime music to be precise, not knowing that they would one day join forces to start a company focused on music with the help of social media.

George, who is based in Skegness has been listening to Grime since 2002 and even wrote to XL (Wiley first label he was signed to) at the age of 12, seven years later he finally got his wish to meet Wiley after he was invited to the Electric Boogaloo video shoot.

Louis, based in Peterborough previously did motion graphics for SB.TV and Roll Deep and met George via Facebook, “we spoke and shared the same drive to get involved in the industry and decided to start Launchpad back in May 2010, exactly a year ago.”

Talking about how it came alive for them “We were contacted by Wiley via Twitter about A-List, he then gave Louis his number. In the start of September, he phoned us and said “I’m giving you a single to start your label” and so we got The Radio Kid.”

In January 2011, they were invited to Radio 1 for a meeting with DJ MistaJam after originally contacting him via email after sending him two off their tracks entitled “The Radio Kid‘ and ‘Joombi‘.

They both quickly hopped on the train to London. “When we got to the Radio 1 buildings, MistaJam took us upstairs to the playlist meeting room where we sat down and he asked us all sorts of questions about Launchpad and gave us really useful advice”.

In March 2011, they were invited by Wiley for a networking event in Liverpool. At the event, they met with Canadian artist Tre Mission and producers such as Zdot, Dan Dare, Jay Weathers, Steel Banglez and Richard Turvey who all later met up at the Parr Street Studios for an all day and night producing session.

Explaining how the company has evolved and what it is doing right now:

Before meeting the likes of Wiley, our initial idea was to take unheard artists and try and develop a platform to further their career, for example a launch pad and that’s how the name came about.

What our label does at the moment is focusing on building up catalogues of Grime releases for the rest of this year, we’re in talks with various different producers and artists in the scene from a range of different areas to find hits we can release that will be a success online, on radio, at raves, and generally just with the audience of Grime fans.

Asking them what they were up to at the moment:

Right now, we are currently just networking with people in the scene, we are working on a particular project that we want to produce physical copies of, this project is our 4th release and still being finalised but will hopefully be our biggest release yet as we are working with a very talented producer and a number of different artists. We are looking to announce this in the next few weeks and following that will be airplay leading up to it’s release.

On the future:

So far we’ve released individual singles and an EP, but we’re really looking to sort a deal out with an artist to release their album. Albums are what we’d like to get into eventually. We want Launchpad to become more visual, so when we expand, a lot of consideration will be put into professional music videos for our releases.

We’re already developing our online presence, and so the website which is coming in the next few months will link well to our YouTube, we want to create a lot of content to engage with listeners of all music as well as Grime.

We’ve also spoken about looking at creating our own complication CD’s. Mainly we just want to grow as a business and be able to release music every month consistently. We want to work with artists we have before and find new ones.

From an early age Jessica was drawn into the entrepreneurial world after watching her dad run his plastic surgery practice, she knew that she wanted to start her own company one day.

It dint take long before she started implementing all her ideas, as a young child she was always interested in cosmetics, and makeup application, she was eager to be a part of the beauty industry.

As a teen, she did a lot of freelancing jobs for different people and events in her hometown Greensboro, North Carolina. Now Jessica is the Founder/CEO of True You Cosmetics – a vintage inspired makeup line focusing on women as icons throughout history.

This is the full story.

Hi Jessica, Thanks for taking the time to do this with me, How are you doing?

I’m great, I hope you’re doing well!

Yes I’m fine thank you

Tell us a bit about your background, how did you get involved in the make-up market?

Beauty is very important to me. When I was young I always was intrigued with cosmetics, and makeup application. I started creating cosmetic palette kits when I was a kid and knew that I wanted to be a part of the beauty industry for my professional career. I first started off as a freelance makeup artist when I was a teenager, doing makeup artistry for various people and events in Greensboro, North Carolina where I’m from.

How did you go from doing make-ups to launching your own collection? What inspired you to start “True You Cosmetics”? What is the story behind it?

I always wanted to have my own product line since I was a little girl. I thought it would be a perfect incorporation for my makeup clients as well. True You Cosmetics is a vintage inspired makeup line focusing on women as icons throughout history. All products are filled with antioxidants and in our newer collections all products are mineral based. Our first collection, the Iconic Lip Collection debuted in October 2010.

Talk us through the planning/development process of launching your own product under True You Cosmetics?

It took me a couple of years to plan True You financially, but in high school I created the initial business plan for my company. It’s important to map everything out. I kept that original plan and did a second version to add on to what I already had. The initial planning/development phase focused on sales, our target market and building our social media networks, publicity, marketing, and word of mouth plans.

What would you say was your biggest challenge in setting up the business?

I took a risk starting True You at such a young age. A lot of people ask why, or how? I wanted to start at a young age because I knew it was going to be a process and it would take time for the business to grow.

How have you been able to balance school and running a business so far?

It’s definitely a challenge but the way I get everything done is by waking up very early and going to bed really late. Yea, I may have missed a lot of the college scene type of activities by living my life like this, but my focus is building a strong foundation for my future beauty empire.

What do you love the most about what you do?

Building. I love seeing visions come to reality and progressing from them.

Most importantly, How has the journey been so far since starting the business?

With every business there are ups and downs. True You Cosmetics has gown tremendously since October 2010. We have received great publicity for such a short amount of time, from post from major beauty bloggers, major publications as well as TV Segments. Our customer base has grown a lot, and with such great testimonials we have been receiving youtube vlogger requests to show their users how to actually use the products. Everyday is different and I love seeing the growth.

What is an average workday like for you?

I start off around 5. This is a major time for me because I get out all tasks for the day and respond to all of my business mail. Everyday is different. One day I may have product photoshoot, another day I may focus on future collection. One day may be all about the design of the products. II usually have at least 7 meetings throughout the business week pertaining to True You.

What plans do you have now to expand your business further?

Within the next two years major changes will occur with True You. I start a medical dermatology aesthetic program in the fall and when I am done with school I will be opening up an affordable unisex skincare facial studio/flagship store where True You Cosmetics will be sold and applied. A skincare line will be incorporated with True You Cosmetics as well.

What would you has been the most memorable moment since starting the company?

Each of my products are personally named and influenced after a certain icon or a family member of mine. My grandmother (and best friend), Florence Baker Sample passed away in November 2009, and before she passed she got to try her signature Florence lipstick that I created for her. I never saw her without red lipstick and she was so excited about the launch of my company. Tragically, she died exactly one month later.

What are your 3 tips for running a successful company?

Be brave, don’t take no for an answer, and carry on.

Is the business profitable?

True You has now expanded not only online, but into international retail stores. We also have our direct seller program that will launch in the fall for anyone who would like to make money on the side selling True You Cosmetics.

So what’s next for you?

I graduate from college in May and will be going to dermatology school starting in the fall. As far as True You Cosmetics, we have three collections launching between now and October and will be launching a four step clinical restoring skin care line.

Any tips for female entrepreneurs looking to start-up their business, especially those that are currently in school?

You’re young and smart and some people will see that as a weakness or a strength. Know your brand and believe it. Use your college as a networking base for you business. See college students as your potential consumers. You never know when you may bump into them in the future or you may never know what they can do for you after college.

Thanks for your time Jessica.

http://www.trueyoucosmetics.net/
http://www.twitter.com/trueyoubeauty
http://www.trueyoucosmetics.blogspot.com/

UG started experimenting with music from an early age, with his mom teaching him how to play the piano at the age of three, although he admitted losing interest in music during his teenage years but everything picked up again for him when his dad gave him his first guitar.

This is the full interview with Singer/Songwriter from Berlin, Germany – UG (Urban Germany).

Can you give the readers some background information about yourself?

I am a singer-songwriter from Berlin, Germany.

So did you initally get into music? What is your first memory of being inspired by music?

I have had a strong connection to music from a very early age. My mom started giving me piano lessons when I was three. I lost my passion for music for awhile during my teenage years but picked it right up when my dad gave me my first guitar. I have been very involved in music ever since.

What made you decide to start uploading covers and songs on youtube?

YouTube presented me with a rare opportunity to share my music with the world so I started uploading some videos and got an overwhelmingly positive response from people all over the world. Naturally, that inspired me to keep going and I’m still in awe when I look back and see what wonderful opportunities those videos have created for me.

What has been your favourite cover and why?

I have several covers that bear a special meaning to me. “Because of you” by Ne-Yo was the first one I’ve ever done and I often feel like it paved the way for me. Then of course there is my “Nothin on you” remix that got an incredible number of views and got me a lot of attention as a songwriter.

What has the response been so far from youtube? What opportunities it has that brought you thus far?

The response has been phenomenal. YouTube provides artists with the opportunity to directly connect with their listeners and supporters which I think is incredible. My videos have given me the opportunity to travel and have shows all over the world. Also, they provided me with the chance to work on music professionally.

Is there a song or album that has been really important to you growing up and why?

There have been a number of songs and albums that were very important to my development as an artist. I grew up on R&B and hip hop music of the late 90’s/early 2000s (Boyz2Men, Joe, Craig David, etc.). Even though I enjoy the contemporary music we have right now I feel like I learned most about singing and writing music from listening to the latter.

What are you currently working on at the moment, What should your fans look forward in earing/seeing soon?

I am currently working on a lot of songwriting projects for other artists. However, I am also working on a new EP of my own from time to time and I can’t wait to share those songs with the world!

How would you describe your music? What kind do you think you play?

Songwriting wise I think I’m pretty versatile but I think I feel most comfortable with acoustic/pop/R&B music which is also reflected in the songs that I put out as an artist.

When did you realize you could actually do this as a career?

The internet has given me an opportunity to showcase my music. This has not only blessed me with attention from music consumers but also some people in the music industry. I have a couple of really good contacts now and the rare opportunity to do music on a professional level in the big leagues. How that will work out? I honestly don’t know but I am eager to find out!

What has been the hardest part in getting your music out there?

I think the hardest part nowadays is to set yourself apart from the rest and to find your own lane. YouTube for instance is crowded with talented people. Therefore, it is hard for most people to get people to discover and watch their videos.

What advice would you give to other musicians trying to get off the ground?

I think all you can do is put your music out there. Having a plan helps. What are you going to do once you have built your audience? What are the next steps? Often times, people assume that getting a lot of views on YouTube is the ultimate goal when it’s not.

It’s all about what you are doing with the attention you have gotten and how you benefit from it. Realistically, you cannot build a career off of doing YouTube videos and giving a couple of shows here and there. That won’t pay the bill for the next 10 years. So if you are aiming for longevity make a plan and think about what it is you want to achieve with you music.

Other than that, I always encourage people to put their videos up no matter what. I was very excited to have 50 people listening to my stuff in the beginning, just the same way I am excited to know that several thousands are listening to it now. I didn’t start off thinking I could possibly make career off of this. I just wanted to share my music and I think that’s something that you should keep no matter what level you are doing your music on.

Do you do music full-time?

I invest a lot of time in music but I haven’t finished school yet so I am not doing it full-time at the moment.

If you weren’t a singer/songwriter what would you be doing?

I am studying business and telecommunication networks and I could totally see myself working in that field in the future.

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?

Being able to travel the world to do music and signing my publishing deal!

Do you play any other instruments apart from the guitar and the piano?

No, not really. The guitar and the piano are my favorite instruments.

What bands/musicians have you played with thus far? Any gigs in particular that meant a lot to you or shows that were the most memorable?

I have shared the stage with a lot of talented people like Jeremy Passion, Gabe Bondoc, JR Aquino, SummerBreeze and others. My most memorable performance was probably the first “For your soul” show in San Francisco. It was my first show in the U.S.

Are you still looking to get signed, and how important is it to you? Do you feel artists lose creative control when their under the control of a label?

I am currently focusing on songwriting which is what I’ve always been aiming at. As for losing creative control as an artist when signing contracts that very much depends on what label you are signed to and at which point in your career you are.

As soon as there are financial interests behind your music you are basically bound to be influenced in your creative output which is understandable on some level. After all, from a labels perspective it’s nothing more than a financial investment at the end of the day.

When you give someone your money you tend to wanting to control what the person is doing with it. I am not saying that this is how it should be but I guess that’s just the way it is. If you can prove to a label that you know what you are doing and that your work will result in commercial success you will automatically have more liberties in your contract.

Do you have any goals you may want to reach with your music?

Yes! A lot of goals! But whether that will work out only the future can tell…

If you could perform with anyone in the world, either dead or alive who would it be? Why?

WAY too many to name… lol

Thanks for your time UG.

Don’t forget to connect with him on:

http://twitter.com/urbangermany
http://www.youtube.com/user/urbangermany
http://www.facebook.com/UGmusic

My Interview with Chris Easter. Chris Easter is the Co-Founder of The Man Registry, A company he started three years ago with his brother-in-law.

He started The Man Registry after finding it difficult to buy wedding gifts for some of his friends getting married. The Man Registry is currently the largest wedding planning website for men.

Hi Chris, Thanks for taking the time to do this interview with me, How are you doing today?

Doing great, can’t complain. Thanks for reaching out to me for this interview.

Can you give us some background information about yourself and what you did before starting The Man Registry?

I’m 27 and co-founded The Man Registry three years ago immediately after graduating from Webster University in St. Louis. I majored in business administration and always had an interested in entrepreneurship, even dating back to my childhood. I currently reside in Los Angeles with my wife, Kim.

So tell us, Where did the idea come from and how did you know it was the right one to pursue?

My partners and I had noticed that many of our friends were getting to the age where they were thinking about marriage. When it came time to buy wedding gifts for these friends, the options that existed were mostly kitchen and bath oriented and were definitely aimed more to the bride’s side of the equation. Furthermore, the more we researched the world of weddings, we realized we were looking at an industry that was ignoring half of its customer base. Men.

What is The Man Registry, what role do you play in the business?

The Man Registry is the largest wedding planning website for men. We offer wedding, groomsmen and anniversary gifts all aimed at the male demographic. Our site also offers articles, blogs and checklists that help simplify the marriage process for men. I’m one of the three co-founders and serve as President of the company.

How did you raise the money to fund the business?

My partners and I self-funded the business with our own capital. Since our launch, we have received one additional round of angel financing

What would you say was probably the hardest part of the whole start-up-phase?

Going into this, neither myself nor my partners had any computer programming or design skills. We had to learn on fly as well as hire a developer with a skill set that matched what we knew the website would require. We learned quickly that you get what you pay for and if you don’t hire the right guy upfront, you’ll pay for it double down the road.

What is your revenue model?

Half of our revenue comes from the sale of gifts (products) while the other half comes from advertising sales on our website and blog.

Are you guys profitable?

Yes. We became profitable during our 2nd year in business and experienced a 200% increase in sales from 2009 to 2010.

What is an average workday like for you?

I typically focus on social media and blog outreach while overseeing our customer service and sales teams. I’m currently writing a groom book for Penguin Publishing which has been taking up a lot of my time during the week.

Tell us about your most memorable moment since starting the business?

Last week, I was named a Wedding Industry Innovator of the Year at a ceremony in Las Vegas. This is very special to me as an entrepreneur because it proves that the time and resources I’ve put into growing this business is truly paying off.

What are your most significant products or services?

Our personalized series of groomsmen gifts consistently ranks as top sellers. We have dedicated an entire section of the website to these unique gifts that grooms can purchase for their Best Man and wedding party members.

What are the most crucial things you have done to grow your business?

Face-to-face networking and building personal relationships have helped the business grow in ways that it wouldn’t otherwise. The value of building contacts and meaningful relationships cannot be overstated in any business… especially the wedding industry where word of mouth is so powerful. I encourage all entrepreneurs to take part in as many networking events as they can and never turn down a meeting, no matter how insignificant they might think it is at the time.

What plans do you have now to expand your business further?

We have plans to eventually move beyond the wedding arena and build ourselves into other areas of men’s life including fatherhood.

What systems have you used to automate your business to give you more time for business planning and development?

We have a custom-built data manager that allows us to respond to customer inquiries, process orders and add new content to the website. This system saves us time and significantly decreases the manual labour and “busy work” that is so often associated with running a business.

What three pieces of advice would you offer entrepreneurs starting out today especially someone looking to into the same industry as you?

1.) Understand the risks of starting a business and be prepared for the challenge. Overnight success doesn’t’t happen often. Be ready to struggle, which will make the end payoff feel that much better.

2.) Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you. My goal is always to be the dumbest person in the room.

3.) Don’t be afraid to fail. Failing today makes us better tomorrow.

Thanks for your time Chris.

I recently had the opportunity of interviewing the amazing Kelvin Okafor. We spoke about how he started, his work so far and his plan for the future.

Hope you enjoy the interview!

Hi Kelvin, how is it going? welcome to YHP, really appreciate you doing this interview with me today. So how’s your day been going so far?

Very fine thanks. Thank you very much for having me.

Anyways, Before we jump straight into the interview, can you give some background information about yourself so the YHP readers can get to know you a bit better before we dig deeper?

I am a passionate 25 year old artist, who is heavily inspired by all things creative. Being extremely precise in drawing is what I’m most passionate about. I aspire to create art as vivid as eyes could see.

Great stuff, Where were you when i was sitting for my GCSE Graphics design exam (Laughter), Don’t worry no cheating would have been involved?

Ha! Well I’ve always believed in helping others. It’s a shame in this case I wasn’t of help.

But seriously dude, how did you get into drawing, how it all start for you?

As a child, I’ve always been fascinated with things creative. Drawing has always been a burning desire of mine. I was the type of kid who wanted to be the best at everything, but once I find one thing I’m incredibly intrigued by, I would work till my last breath trying to learn, understand and develop it.

Why have you chosen to work in graphite pencil? Why not watercolor, colored pencil, oil or some other color medium?

I am a big fan of all things traditional and humble. From a very young age, I’ve always found the pencil to be such a humble instrument. It amazed me, that with only one shade of lead, you can create so many tones and textures, and almost create the illusion of colour.

What has been your most memorbale moment so far as an artist?

My most memorable moment as an artist so far would have to be the moment I graduated from university. I knew that creating art was all I wanted to do, but the transition from working in a conformed structured environment, to having the freedom to work on my own accord completely motivated me. I knew that I could now work indefatigably and solely focus on one thing. I had a vision of the standard of art I wanted to achieve. Getting there, I knew I would have to work extra hard and sacrifice many things.

How do you keep so much focus in drawing some of these people, you spend over 25 hours on some of your drawings, thats crazy! This must take so much hard work and practice, How many hours do you spend practising each day especially when you just started?

I’ve always believed patience to be a virtue. Practice makes progression and I understand that exercising patience would only better my chances of achieving this. When I draw, I’m not fully concerned with how long it takes to complete, but rather concerned the effort I put into it. When I first began to solely focus on art, Daily would I spend up to 7 hours drawing with short breaks in between. Now, due to the fact that I want to work on larger scales, I work up to 15 hours a day.

So you’re actually a self-taught artist?

You’re right! Having studying art, calling myself a ‘’self taught artist’’ wouldn’t be fitted theoretically, but learning how to draw practically is a skill I possess from a very young age. I would draw from imagination and reproduce drawings from references. Over the years, the more I drew, the more understood my style and technique of creating. It’s learning process. There’s no limits or boundaries to how far our gifts and talents can take us.

What is your favourite drawing so far and why?

Hmmm.. That’s a tough one..(Laughter). I would have to say my ‘’I’m a fan’’ piece. The name of the piece was inspired by someone who is a big appreciator of my works. The drawing is of a fan I have at home. I’ve always been fascinated about the idea of drawing it. It was a challenge to produce but a joy to create.

Do you have a favourite brand of drawing paper?

Not particularly, but acid free type sketching paper I feel works well with graphite. In many of my drawings, that’s a paper type I’ve become accustomed to using.

About your favourite brand of drawing pencil?

That would have to be Faber-Castell pencils! I take one with me everywhere I go! (Laughter)

Do you do this full-time?

Yes I do! To be able to do something you‘re passionate about full time is a blessing. It’s a sacrifice! One where friendships and relationships has suffered. But true friendship and a genuine relationship is about trust and understanding. Fortunately, that is something I have been blessed with too.

What is the highest price that you’ve sold some or one of your drawings for?

That would be telling! (Laughter).

Where are you based? You seriously need to attend and draw live at the next YHP Connect, you should definitely draw me :0)

Ha! Sure thing dude! Lol. I’m currently residing in Tottenham, but no, I don’t support Tottenham..lol. Arsenal all the way!!!

Can you recommend any books, videos or other resources that will help new artists?

Understanding the history of art is imperative. That was the main reason I studied art at University. I would recommend new artists to read up on the past greats and visit art galleries and museums to get a real feel for their works. Before contemporary art, there was other eras of art. It’s good to know them so you would know what type of art originated before you and what your work may be categorised as.

Where do you get your inspirations? Are there any artists that have influenced you and why?

Greats like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo have heavily inspired, influenced and motivated me in so many ways. Not only by their works, but their ability to use their minds in such a way, it prompts emotion and innovation. They have not only mastered the arts but branched on to other fields like; Engineering, poetry, science, maths… the list goes on. That inspires me to push myself and utilise the capacities of the human mind.

As a human being, I believe we’ve all been blessed with special innate gifts. Being mediocre about them is like having the ability to fly but you would rather walk. I believe in the unbelievable and I am inspired with the idea of pushing yourself to a level beyond the norm.

How can people purchase any of your work or enquire about them?

They can contact me via email (kelvinokaforart@yahoo.co.uk) with any enquires regarding my art.

Throughout your experience as an artist, what is the most important lesson that you have learnt? Why do you find it so important? And how do you apply it now in your art?

The most important lesson I have learnt is to remain humble, kind and appreciative. Always remember the reason why you started drawing and never let anyone change that. There may be criticism, hardship or even humiliation along the way, but understanding myself first and finding ways to better myself in my craft is my main objective. Knowing this helps me remain focused, consistent and persistent with my passion. And also strengthens me with efforts to become a better person daily.

Do you have any tips or advice for people who want to learn more about working in coloured pencil?

Just continue creating with your desired medium. Through that, understandings and techniques will be acquired and realised with practice.

What do you have planned, what should we be expecting from you soon?

My own gallery is my ultimate aspiration as an artist. Till then, I will continue creating and presenting my works at various galleries and exhibitions here and overseas. My very own website is in the process of completion, before then, you can keep up with me on Twitter (twitter.com/KOkaforart) and see my latest works on my facebook page.

A new Monopoly inspired board game has made it’s way onto the UK market, aimed at the new generation looking to make a billion rather than a million. It will be released in the US this summer, when business students will have there chance to furiously defend there faux business empires. Here is a description of the game from The Economist.

If you are on your way to becoming a billionaire tycoon then your probably not wasting your time playing this board game, but if your not then this a fun upgraded Monopoly. Not content with a house in Mayfair? Then how about investing in a casino in Switzerland.

So here is your chance to be a Billionaire Tycoon. Well, sort off…