Hey NYC! Look out, here comes SABRINA ESHOO!

When I was seven years old I immigrated to Canada from Iraq, choosing to take advantage of the education offered here, not just in classes but actively seeking out anything that could expand my knowledge on a variety of topics. Throughout my life I have always had a passion for the creative side of life, seeing beauty and art as a part of everyday life, and using them to enhance my learning experience.

With the same voracity with which I took to loving art, I too threw myself into the analytical side of things, taking classes in civil engineering. I have always been a critical thinker, and have managed to accumulate a strategic way of approaching any problem, not relying solely on typical guidelines. Thinking ‘outside of the box’ is a saying that has never applied to me, because for me there never was a box to begin with, thinking critically with a creative flair is simply a part of who I am.

Currently being a student in Integrated Marketing Communications, I found myself staring out over the vastness that is social media with a feeling that can only be described as hunger. I understand when some people describe themselves as social butterflies, but to me, I am a social shark with a forever famished feeling. Social media is a forever evolving and changing way of reaching out to audiences, and being delicate can only reach so far.

I am, for lack of a better word, a “Jacqueline” of all trades, with a plethora of skills that can be put to use in any situation, or job title, that may come before me. Attending PivotCon is not only a chance to explore and meet professionals in my desired field of work, but a way for me to acquire more skills, adding them to my arsenal.

                                   

NYC - Meet Brittany Rennick

In 3 days I will have the amazing, one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to New York City for the Pivot Conference with 4 of my friends/colleagues/classmates I have had the amazing opportunity to get to know over the past 2 and a half years. We have learned so much together, and have shared a lot of unforgettable experiences and memories together

My name is Brittany Rennick, I was born and raised in the small town of Port Perry, Ontario. When it came time to start thinking about what program I was going to take in school. I knew I wanted to get into business with the marketing side of things, but I also loved doing graphics so that’s when I found the IMC program at St. Lawrence College and I realized that this was the right program for me and that it would be a great experience. . I am an outgoing, well-spoken individual who enjoys taking leadership roles while achieving goals. I am enthusiastic and enjoy taking on new challenges and opportunities. 

For me, I loved first year and I saw how much this program had to offer me, I kept looking forward to getting involved in different events along with working with real clients for our projects. At the end of my first year I attended a night of student excellence that the school puts on for our program. At this event they give our awards that show great work done in classes for outstanding projects. I won a “Greg Award” for my print campaign. That is when I fully realized that this program was for me and that the teachers really do give it their all to help us succeed.

After my second year placement I was offered a Social Media Marketing job for the summer with VFM Leonardo Inc. This job gave me the chance to go home live and work in the big city life of Toronto, I loved that I had this opportunity to show everything I had learned from this program. I was able to learn and mature a huge amount. I was able to develop experience, talent and confidence within the world of Marketing from my first Summer Marketing job.
 
I then took the job with VFM Leonardo Inc, I was the marketing assistant where I was doing all the Online Marketing with all social media channels. I was able to develop and schedule creative content on the different Social Media Platforms also on the company blog and website.

I am looking forward to travelling to New York City and taking in all of the information that will be offered at the conference so that I can prepare myself for the successful future in social media marketing. I aspire to be a successful social media marketer. I work efficiently and effectively and always ensure a proper job is done. I have great planning and organizational skills.

(Far Right Side) 

NYC - Meet Jesse Louise

Hello World! If you could describe me in two words, I think most of my friends would call me Fashionably Passionate. Kinda weird right? Well, I think you have to be a little ‘weird’ to make a statement and be an individual in this crazy world we live in. 

Let’s take a look at what makes me….ME, Jesse Louise Whale. First of all, I am from Lindsay, Ontario but quickly moved to Trenton with my mom and brother to begin elementary school. I spent the rest of these years in Trenton, then picked up and headed to Belleville for high school - where my brother decided to move with my dad in Port Hope. Just me and my mama left. I absolutely adored elementary school. In a nutshell, I was a part of every sports team, the drama club, the dance team - and put forth passion into every single class. I was the kid who had their hand up first, the one who wanted to read everything, the spelling bee champ, and the girl who always traded her gushers for someone's fuzzy pencil. And to be honest, high school wasn't any different, so I'll spare you the details. I have a genuine passion for meeting new people, diving into new things, and always striving to make myself a better person. 
 
I have a flare for style and I make it a goal to inspire people through my fashion sense. With this passion for fashion, I wanted to share my insights and secrets with the social media world and thus was born my new ‘baby’, ClosettCandyy.

ClosettCandyy, is an intimate look into my closet and how I visually depict my personality and the brand that is “JESSE LOUISE” through my clothing and styling. Fashion is my muse for everyday life. I'm constantly thinking of new ways to wear things, and breach the gap between what's on trend and what isn't. I tend to have a practical sense of what works and what doesn't, but have always been known as the girl who can wear anything (so I'm told!) I'm currently in the process of creating and launching a blog to share my passion with the world. I've created multiple platforms to highlight the main features on the blog and provide viewers with more than one resource. If you're curious as to why "ClosettCandyy" has double letters, it's simply because GoDaddy has bought the domain name "closetcandy" and is selling it for a ridiculous price. To be honest, I'm really diggin' the doubles. 

What's next for me after school? You ask a very good question, and if you were to see my face right now, you would see how much I light up. I'm eager to obtain an internship at Fashion Magazine in fall of September 2013. What exactly do I want to do? All of it. Every last bit. I want to eat, sleep, breathe, walk, talk FASHION. Deign? Maybe not. But anywhere from styling, organizing, closet keeping, visual merchandising - you name it, I can do it; and well at that. 

Now what would a girl like ME, want to do with New York City? Pshh, can't really think of anything but I mean, a trip is a trip right? HA! Who am I kidding, certainly not you or myself. Let me just start off by saying that I've never been, so my excitement level is WAY off the Richter scale right now. New York is an opportunity for me to explore outside of Kingstons' fashion sense. Yeah, I can get my fix from magazines and such, but I can't imagine the feelings that will overcome me when I stand on the street and just take it all in. New York City itself will enlighten my spirits and bring endless inspiration for blogs on blogs, on blogs. But Pivot is the real magic. I love people. I love talking to people who love talking to people about what they love. I can't wait to hand out that first personalized business card and talk myself up about fashion. I can't wait to meet the people who could potentially change my future. I really could go on and on, but I would hope you've got a slight hunch as to what I am going to take from my experience at Pivot 2012.  

The following is a list of my ClosettCandyy archive, excluding my blog which is currently private:

Twitter: @closettcandyy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClosettCandyy
Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/blog/closettcandyy
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/closettcandyy/

Hey New York City, are you ready to become just a bit more fabulous? I'm on my way. 

Take me to Pivot! - Introducing Jenny Orsatti

Only 5 days now until I have the amazing, one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to New York City with 4 of my friends/colleagues/classmates I have had the amazing opportunity to get to know over the past 2 and a half years. We have learned so much together, and have shared a lot of unforgettable experiences and memories together. This conference will be another experience I can add to memory lane.

My name is Jennifer Orsatti, I was born and raised in Mississauga, Ontario - just outside of Toronto - also known as the GTA. After finding out about the IMC program at St. Lawrence College, I knew that this was what I was meant to do. I still can vividly remember the first week of school of being so nervous and literally just diving into the program. Sink or swim right? The professors were there for all of the students - and always have been, allowing us to test the water of Marketing and Advertising. Over the past two and half years, I know that we, as a program, are very lucky to have the professors we have for all of our classes. Each one is always striving to do their best in making sure we are learning the most up-to-date trends in the world of Advertising, and being able to participate and attend events that will benefit us for our future paths and careers.

Luckily, I was able to pick up a Marketing job after completing my first year of the program. Instead of going home and picking up a part-time job back in Mississauga, I chose to take this opportunity and take this Marketing job here in Kingston with The Kingston Economic Development Corporation. Sink or swim, right? After being part of FUSE (a mentoring program in our program), I was able to obtain this job through my mentor - who I can never thank enough for this job opportunity. I was able to learn and mature a huge amount. I was able to develop experience, talent and confidence within the world of Marketing from my first Summer Marketing job.

Another amazing experience I had was with my second year placement. I decided to go out on a limb and cold call a company that was just recently new to Kingston. With that cold call, I was able to communicate through email, and even got an interview with the Account Coordinator. From that, I was able to secure a placement position with this company. This experience was undeniably amazing. The knowledge and experience I gained from this company is unexplainable. I was able to see how an agency worked, and it allowed to see what type of job I want for myself when I graduate - which is exactly what I got to experience at this company. Once my 3-week placement was finished, I carried on a voluntary position with the company because I knew I would continue to learn new things about the field, which I most definitely did!

I then took on another job with the Kingston Economic Development Corporation and the Entrepreneur Centre, where I was the Online Marketing Specialist. I was able to develop and schedule creative content on the different Social Media Platforms of the Entrepreneur Centre, along with other tasks. I have maintained this position through the summer and continue to work part-time during school.

I am looking forward to travelling to New York City and taking in all of the information that will be offered at the conference so that I can prepare myself for the successful future that is awaiting!

Take me to the Pivot!
(like 'Take me to the Riot' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxeIivNDtFU)

These Pivot students have clout & Klout!

 

 

Source: Uploaded by user via Sabrina on Pinterest

Getting to know the team... Lindsey aka the Prof

I am definitely a curious blend of many things. Most of my time is spent in the office or classroom talking about business, some stolen moments are spent either studying, with family or in my art studio.

I am locally known for my creative style; starting with a resume I printed on the side of a coffee cup to get my first marketing job. In 2001 I started Market Me, Kingston's first web marketing consultancy. As Market Me was growing, and I was settling in to my new city, I sought out organizations in the community that I felt passionate about. I quickly became involved in the Kingston Chamber of Commerce and JCI Kingston (the Junior Chamber of Commerce) to name just two. Since 2001 I have sat on over 15 boards for local and national organizations.

Just after my son was born I co-authored a business book called Trucker Management: Driving ANY Small Business to Success. The book offers easy-to-implement routines and provides specific, practical tools to help small business owners "drive" their businesses towards success. These resources are modeled from the long-established tools and proven practices used by truckers to safely and effectively drive their rigs to their destinations. Our book has taken us to Scotland, Ireland, Turkey, British Columbia, and throughout the US; to give keynote presentations and workshops on small business management.

My business style, profile and connections led to a very dynamic and successful contract at the Kingston Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO) during a major transition for the organization. Working first as a business consultant then as the Manager of Small Business I took the centre from one of the lowest performing centres in Ontario to the top performing centre in less than 1 year, all well managing the large team within the organization and balancing challenging stakeholder relationships. We offered more consultations, more workshops and showed a higher economic impact than any other centre.

I have been teaching at St. Lawrence College for nine years. I teach mainly in the School of Business, focusing on courses such as venture development, marketing, advertising and social media. I have even had the opportunity to teach a short course at the Royal Military College of Canada on Web Marketing and presented several lectures on marketing at Queen's University. I love being in the classroom, learning from students, and teaching them little tidbits I have garnished along the way.

Through my current work as the Web Marketing and Social Media Specialist at 14 Theories Web Development I consult on a variety of web marketing, SEO and social media strategies to their clients. I also present regular workshops on social media for small business.

We're Back!

Students are busy getting ready to attend the Pivot Conference again this year - in just two weeks!

This year there's a new spin on the partnership and on the fundraising to get there. One of the best new parts is that students that don't make the trek to NYC will still be participating... and learning (says the prof :-). The attending students will be hosting Google Hangouts for the students back in KTown on topics and interviews from those they meet at the conference. Sponsors and partners that helped the students get there will also be invited to participate in these discussions.

After the conference students will put their newly learned digital media skills to work to develop a new and cutting edge digital and live fashion show with a little flash mob thrown in. Phew - that's a lot to say.. and do.

So stay tuned, help out if you can, and send your words of encouragement to our students keen to learn.