Lioness Magazine - October 2013

http://www.tcsa.co/rulesofmarketing

BUSINESSPOWER OF WOMEN

7LIFE AFTER MASTECTOMY

15CHIKMEDIA BIRTHS BUSINESS

22DR. TAZ’S INNOVATIVE SCRIPT

25ASK AN ENTREPRENEUR

27STARTUPS DREAM BIG

29

EDITOR’SLETTER

5MANAGING ME

12STILETTO STATEMENT

19LIPSTICK CHRONICLES

24

CONTENTS

OCTOBER COVERRene Miller

ISSUE 25 OCTOBER 2013

©2013 Lioness is the first leadingmagazine for female entrepre-neurs. We believe women aremulti-dimensional creations whoflourish, personally and profes-sionally, when they take time tonurture their spirits.

We celebrate the unique challengesand achievements of women inbusiness. We believe women aremulti-dimensional creations whoflourish, personally and profes-sionally, when they take time tonurture their spirits. Our missionis to elevate, educate and supportfemale entrepreneurs.

Editor-in-ChiefKatelyn Gendron

Art DirectorLeo Pilares

Director of PhotographyDenise Smith

ColumnistsKristina ChapellAliyah CherrisseBrenda’s Child

Contributing WritersErin K. CorriveauCarley DangonaLamara HunterPaige Cerulli

Tara McCollumEmily ThurlowJennifer Sawyer

Published by The Lioness Group.Founder, Natasha Clark.

mailto:[email protected]

welcome to

LIONESS OCTOBER 2013 5

Katelyn Gendron

editor’s letter

Scheduling is everything these days. Whether you’re “old school” and prefer to jot everything down in a paper planner or leave it to Siri to remindyou, we’re constantly in motion. This month, Atlanta radio personality, Georgia Lottery host, and entrepreneur Rene Miller, shares with us how shemanages to balance three jobs thanks to two very important things: the power of her femininity and her watch. She believes we don’t have to dresslike the boys to be as successful as them. We can also manage our time effectively if given the right time piece (and dedication to adhering to it). Itend to agree with Rene, although I’d like to take it one step further because I believe that time should never be taken for granted.

Just ask Sara Tenenbein, who at 28 years-old tested positive for the BRCA1 gene and opted for a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of gettingbreast cancer by approximately 80 percent. Speaking to her for this month’s issue was an enlightening and inspiring experience because not only didshe have the courage to irrevocably alter her body but she’s also changed the way she views her own wellness. Sara has given up New York City’s ratrace for life in sunny California, while opting for allergen-free whole foods and regular exercise, while finally taking up the hobbies she’s always want-ed. I walked away from my interview with her questioning my own lifestyle and at the same time envying the strength she must possess to havechanged her life so dramatically throughout the past two years. I hope her story inspires more of us to live healthier, happier lives.

Health is a recurring theme in this month’s issue as our reporter, Tara McCollum, spoke with Dr. Tasneem Bhatia, founder of the Atlanta Center forHolistic and Integrative Medicine, who is working to change the way we look at medicine and the treatments we receive. She’s even provided our read-ers with a guide to how the busy professional woman can maintain her health. I’ll be the first to confess that I could certainly benefit from her sug-gestions and I hope you do too.

Katelyn

Time, our healthis of the essence

http://www.lionessmagazine.com


Movado was proud to serve as a premiersponsor of Variety’s 5th annual Power ofWomen Luncheon at the Beverly WilshireFour Seasons Hotel in California on Oct. 4.Presented by Lifetime, the exclusive eventhosted 450 guests, a list comprised ofHollywood insiders who came to cele-brate, support and pay tribute toHollywood’s seven most philanthropicwomen.

This year’s honorees included long-timeMovado global ambassador and EmmyAward nominee Kerry Washington(President’s Committee on the Arts andHumanities), Golden Globe and EmmyAward nominee Amy Poehler (WorldwideOrphans Foundation), and Co-Chairman ofSony Pictures, Amy Pascal (Teen Line). Aspecial Go Red For Women Award wasgiven to actress Elizabeth Banks by theAmerican Heart Association’s Go Red ForWomen and the Samsung Galaxy ImpactAward was given to Academy-Award win-ner Jennifer Hudson for her work with theJulian D. King Gift Foundation.

“It is an honor to support and participatein this important event,” Mary Leach,

chief marketing officer, Movado GroupInc., said. “I commend all of the womenhonored here today for selflessly donatingtheir time, energy and resources to bene-fit these important charities. It is an extraspecial honor to present KerryWashington with Movado’s Women ofDistinction Award and to recognize herexceptional achievement in public serviceand support of social causes.Congratulations to all of the incrediblewomen celebrated by Variety this year,and thank you to Lifetime for supportingthe 2013 Power of Women event.”

The event featured Variety’s PhilanthropyBazaar, which provides an interactive areafor guests to engage with the featuredcharities and participating brand part-ners. The goal of Variety’s Power ofWomen is to inspire and encourage peo-ple from all walks of life to get involved,give back and make a difference. Movadowas proud to present each honoree with aMovado brand timepiece to auction forthe benefit of her designated charity. Eachwatch was housed in a custom-designedgift box signed by celebrities attending theevent.

“It is an honor to support and participate in thisimportant event,” Mary Leach, chief marketing

officer, Movado Group Inc., said.

Annual Power of Women Luncheoncelebrates Hollywood’s mostphilanthropic, inspiring women

Actress Amy Poehler was honored forher philanthropic efforts on behalf of theWorldwide Orphans Foundation at the 5thannual Power of Women Luncheon inCalifornia.

Photo courtesy of Movado Group Inc.

Rene MillerJAZZES UP WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION

BY KATELYN GENDRON


or Rene Miller, a radio personality for Majic107.5/97.5 in Atlanta, a Georgia Lotteryhost and founder of Rene Miller Presents,time is a valuable commodity.

She insists she’s not a professional juggler,rather a woman who was “bitten by theentertainment bug,” when she first heardGeorge Benson’s “Breezin” on the radio.Miller’s tenacity and love for jazz landed hera job as a DJ at WABD in Tennessee just afew days later; fast forward 29 years andshe’s built a brand that’s expanded wellbeyond the confines of a radio studio.

“I’ve always had another business, besidesradio. You need to know what the publicwants to see and hear. I wanted to fill a voidin the marketplace, [which is why I founded]Rene Miller Presents,” she explained, notingthat her company specializes in event plan-ning, marketing and branding entertain-ment capital.

Her company has produced numerous livemusic events including the Michelob GotJazz Series and the Budweiser NusoulSeries – which drew more than 10,000 peo-ple each month to Centennial Olympic Park– and Atlanta’s Next Best competitionwhere musicians competed for the opportu-

nity to perform with Miller at the annual St.Lucia Jazz Festival.

Miller said Atlanta’s Next Best is her labor oflove as it allows unsigned artists to breakinto the industry; ‘it’s just one of the waysshe’s tries to “give back.”

“There are a lot of talented people out therewho never get a shot. This way they caninteract with producers and executives andprovide them with constructive feedback.This year, we added another element toAtlanta’s Next Best and are letting themrecord their first single,” she explained.

Miller was quick to note that while she mayhave multiple jobs – Rene Miller Presents inthe morning (and throughout the day), theGeorgia Lottery drawing in the afternoonand the radio gig at Majic in the evening –she’s earned a Ph.D. of sorts in projectmanagement by emphasizing the value ofher gender and the time dedicated to herendeavors.

“Women oftentimes forget the power offemininity. We should wear dresses andskirts; we don’t have to dress like the boys

Continued on page 11

Rene MillerPhotos courtesy of

Rosele Lee

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to be as smart and successful as the boys.You’ll get the respect,” Miller explained, not-ing that in addition to her femininewardrobe there’s one accessory she can’tgo anywhere without: her watch.

“I have to have on a watch everyday. It’s mymost important asset. I have a whole lot ofwatches. [My watch collection] is about halfthe size of my shoe collection and I loveshoes,” she confessed.

“I even have a life clock, a personal fiscalyear, October to October. Everything thatwas major happened to me in October,”

Miller added, noting that being named tothe cover of Lioness Magazine’s Octoberissue couldn’t have been mere coincidence.

Regardless of the month, time won’t standstill for Miller as she already has numerousevents in the works as well plans for thefuture of Rene Miller Presents, which shehopes will include “passing the baton in 10or 20 years to someone who will have thesame philosophy of service and explo-ration.”

When asked how she’s been able to main-tain her success and what advice she’d give

to aspiring female entrepreneurs in theworld, Miller replied, “I’m approachable,number one ... I’m an open book. I waslucky to find my purpose and my passion atthe same time.

“And also, don’t give up. I give up at least 10times a day and then something will happenthat just tells me that this is the right thingto do. If we allow ourselves to progress, [ourlives] will naturally move forward,” she con-tinued. “You’ve got to keep that same pas-sion and feel as when you first started.Keep it fresh; I’m open to things that comemay way. Let’s just put a period right there.”

Rene Miller

12 LIONESS OCTOBER 2013

Managing Me

Brenda’s Child has made it her life’s mission to inspire people through poetryand stories and through leading by example with courage, confidence, andintegrity. She emphasizes self-love, worth, and value. She also feels obligated totell the truth ... even if it hurts. Visit www.brendaschild.com

By Brenda’s Child

When the foliage begins to brighten anddays grow shorter it’s an optimal time toregroup and reflect on your accomplish-ments (the fruits of labor). As you sip onyour pumpkin spice beverage of choice, it’sprime time to examine how the seeds youplanted have blossomed into accomplish-ments.

October is not crunch time; it’s not themonth when you realize you’ve got 90 daysto lose 10 of the 15 pounds you promised toshed back on Jan. 1. Instead, it is time torelish in the successes of the year bothgreat and small. After all, there is no sensein watering and nurturing a dream if youdon’t take the time to enjoy the beauty in it.

Take a half-hour and write the first thingsthat come to mind, such as upgrading yourtraditional coffeemaker to a Keurig, or nothitting the snooze button three days a week.Be proud of any move you’ve made towardyour personal, spiritual and financialgrowth. As your list grows, and it will, youmay suddenly find yourself feeling as invig-orated as the autumn breeze. This new-found energy will set the tone for you to planahead for another year of excellence.

Happy autumn!

It’s time to celebrate the harvest of accomplishments

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By Katelyn Gendron

For Sara Tenenbein, 30, a wellness coach,writer and founder of the blog Me,Redone, in Los Angeles, Calif., the deci-sion to remove her breasts after testingpositive for the BRCA1 gene was not aboutsurrendering her femininity but ensuringthe quality of her life.

Tenenbein was a 28-year-old newlywed liv-ing with her husband, comedian SteveHofstetter, in New York City, when shedecided to undergo genetic testing due toher mother’s battle with breast cancer.She knew a positive result would mean an87 percent chance of being diagnosedwith breast cancer at some point duringher lifetime.

“For me it wasn’t about avoiding her expe-

rience, it was going to the hospital everyfew months. I’d lay there for an MRI for 45minutes. The anxiety and the waiting wasjust too much. It was a lifestyle choice forme. I wanted to have the surgery on myown time and the aesthetic outcome canbe beautiful,” Tenenbein recalled.

The beautiful outcome, she was quick tonote, was not without intense physical andemotional pain throughout the three-sur-gery, 12-month processes at MemorialSloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NewYork.

“Recovery from the mastectomy [the firstsurgery] is not that hard but the recon-struction [the second and third surgeries]is hell on earth. It’s exceptionally painful,”she explained, noting that tissueexpanders are needed to stretch the skin

after the mastectomy in order to makeroom for the breast implants.

“They look like alien boobs,” she said ofthe tissue expanders. “For a while youlook like you have a really bad boob job.”

When asked how the experience affectedher marriage, Tenenbein replied, “I said[to him], ‘I’m a lemon. I’m so sorry. We’rejust three months into marriage.’ But I’mincredibly lucky that I married a 6-foot-4husband who [didn’t mind] sleeping onthe love seat at the hospital.

“For any single women out there, it’s agreat way to weed out assholes,” sheadded with a chuckle. “If you are goingthrough this with your partner, they are notgoing to understand the emotional aspect

Woman makes life-altering decision aftertesting positive for BRCA1

Sara Tenenbein, 30, was a 28-year-old newlywed of three

months when she tested posi-tive for the BRAC1 gene.Photo courtesy of Sara

Tenenbein

Continued on next page


but they can help in other ways such ascleaning, cooking, etc.

“Some people say I’ve mutilated myselfbut my piece of mind is incredible now,”Tenenbein continued, noting that the sur-gery has not only altered her physicalappearance but drastically changed herphilosophy on wellness.

“I was eating pizza, Pepto [Bismol] anddiet soda; I looked tired and puffy [beforethe surgeries]. Now I want to understandwhat I’m putting in my body. I exercise reg-ularly. I take care of myself because Iwant to live,” she explained, noting thatshe’s dedicated to allergen-free wholefoods.

Tenenbein

Continued on next page 18

Following her mastectomy, SaraTenenbein decided to radically

change her lifestyle. She adoptedthe two dogs she’d always want-

ed, switched to allergen-freewhole foods and moved from

New York to California.

Photos courtesy of SaraTenenbein

http://www.denisesmithphotography.com


Tenenbein said she’s also committed tospreading the word about the importanceto genetic testing, being one’s own med-ical advocate, and the importance of sup-port groups such as FORCE (Facing OurRisk of Cancer Empowered), a nonprofitorganization dedicated to fighting heredi-tary breast and ovarian cancer. Her affili-ation with FORCE has also bettered herunderstanding of how testing positive forthe BRCA1 gene also puts her at risk forovarian cancer. She said she will mostlikely have a hysterectomy as well but fornow she’s focusing her efforts on well-ness initiatives.

“It’s changed how I value my life,” shesaid. “I have two dogs now. I always want-ed to play guitar and I bought one. It’sabout a journey.”

Tenenbein

http://www.brighterthanbefore.com

http://www.theceomamma.com/blog

By Aliyah Cherrisse

For this column I felt the need to share withyou a little story in hopes of inspiring you tochase after something that you have alwayswanted, until you catch it!

On Sept. 13, in New York City at The HotelPennsylvania my dreams came alive. I caughtwhat I had been chasing for almost two years:I’d finally been signed to a modeling agency(True Model Management) and had my firstclient to work with (Ashley Stewart), and this isall thanks to the platform that I workedtremendously hard to reach known as PlusNight Out (PNO). Thanks to the vision of onewoman, Jovanna Reyes, also known as“Curvysta Plus,” models from all over cometogether for this amazing night where the pos-sibilities of them leaving with a life changingopportunity were endless.

Before PNO, I had been dealing with someserious hardship. Employment was scarceand even with my college degree I couldn’t gethired for the smallest seasonal summer job.Never losing site of what it was that I wantedfor myself, I tried to keep my focus as much asI could. Not knowing where my next meal maycome from, where I would lay my head, orwhom I had in my corner, I felt lost and wasready to quit. However, the fire in me, the Godin me, the drive in me kept me a float. Due tomy financial trials, emotional battles, andwaning passion, I was unsure how I’d comeout from it. I have my God for whatever I need,but for some reason I couldn't speak to him. Ididn't know what to say or where to start but Iknew he was still near. Nonetheless, I was stillsurviving. I had to give up my place; my son

was now being affected by my dream chasing,my financial, and emotional burdens. I almostlost my car, and had no idea where moneywas coming from.

I was ready to call it quits. I was still travelingto shows and casting calls and I swear I haveno idea how I was making it. God was placingpeople in my path at the right place and theright time and I didn’t even know it. Everythingwas becoming so much to bear.

After attending the PNO casting call at theAshley Stewart in North New Jersey aboutthree weeks later I received that unforgettablephone call from Reyes herself. She said,“Aliyah, you have been chosen as a finalist!”My heart melted, my stomach dropped, andof course came the tears. From the momentof that phone call I started to say to myself,“You got it, it’s your time, and on Sept. 13 yourlife will change!” I had no idea how the nightwould go for all of the finalists were amazing.The stakes were high, but all I could thinkabout was, “This has got to be the opportuni-ty you sacrificed for, that you lost so much for,that you gave up so much for, and that youhave worked so hard for!" I claimed it. Therewas no looking back.

PNO is a fashion event exclusively for the plussize woman. The vendors, sponsors anddesigners are for the curvy fashionista. PNO,formerly, Fashion Night Out Plus, began in2011 in Olde Towne Alexandria, Va., as an out-let for “plus-centric” designers and vendors togather to highlight a curvy woman’s style.Determined to bring the same style, class andattention to the Plus Size community as thoseof more traditional sizes, “It’s a JR

Production,” expanded the vision in 2012.PNO would meet New York City in 2012 whereit was hosted at the Yotel Hotel and theresponse was phenomenal. Models, press,vendors, buyers and spectators came togeth-er to put on a fabulous show with feature plus-centric fashions from designers and bou-tiques such as Eddy and Bri, Lee Lee Valise,Alter Ego Clothing and Curvysta.

My road to becoming a dreamcatcher (in heels)

Stiletto Statement


Model: Aliyah CherrisseDesigner: Ashley StewartMake Up: K. ThompsonHair: Tanazia Nyelle & Yolanda NicolePhotographer: Ivory Jackson Photography



PNO 2013 bought on board the lovely JoanneBorgella of Nuvo TV’s “Curvy Girls” andAmerican Idol “Fame.” The designer line-upincluded those of Ashley Stewart, IGIGI, F3,Full Figured Fashionista, CurvaceousBoutique, Serita Bell, Chocolate SushiCouture, JustRaymona, Intimate Plus, andThe Cotrice Collection.

PNO 2013 added a twist where one lucky win-ner from their model search would win anamazing array of blessings. The panel ofjudges would host a casting in California,Atlanta, Maryland, New Jersey, and New Yorkwhere finalists would be selected to partici-pate in the main event in hopes of takinghome the Gold, where the Grand Prize winnerwould receive: a $500 Ashley Stewart Gift

Certificate; a modeling contract with TrueModel Management; a paid modeling assign-ment with Ashley Stewart; the cover in anissue of Daily Venus Diva Magazine; full edito-rial spread in an issue of Skorch Magazine;the cover and full editorial spread in an issueof Full Blossom Magazine; an editorial in PhatMagazine and in ModelCall Magazine; thecover and editorial in Plus Night OutProgram/Magazine; three professional photoshoots with renowned plus photographersJovanna Reyes, Marc Wyche and Doug Swain;an hour consultation with Model MakersConsulting Agency (valued at $150); andCatherine Schuller’s, “Ultimate Plus Size”Modeling Guide.

Well you guys, that blessed winner was me! Istill think about the moment I heard my namecalled and how my stomach filled with butter-flies as I awaited the names to be called. All Icould do was cry, shake my head in disbelief,and say thank you Lord! I am forever gratefulto True Model Management, Ashley Stewart,and Jovanna Reyes for believing in mebecause they made me a firm believer of thequote; “where there are a million no’s, therewill be that one YES!”

With True Model Management and AshleyStewart on Board, PNO opened doors that arehard to break down in the Full-Figured model-ing industry and I can only imagine what nextyear will hold for all the sponsors, designers,models, and vendors who come onboard. As Iwork out my reign as the first PNO winner (ofthis magnitude) there is no pressure but a lit-tle pressure to blaze the trail for the models tocome because this is one platform as amodel, designer, or even a vendor that youwould not want to miss out on being a part of.I am thankful to everyone who did help me

along the way especially those of a genuinesoul! Just think, last year, I was actually a blog-ger for PNO and it was from last year that Ireally started being even more proactive onthis dream!

Stiletto Statement

Model: Aliyah CherrisseDesigner: IGIGI by Yuliya RaquelMake Up: K. ThompsonHair: Tanazia Nyelle & Yolanda NicolePhotographer: M. Armstrong Photography


Model/Songstress/Designer/Personality:Joanne BorgellaPhotographer: M. Armstrong Photography

Well, I hope that this piece of my testimonyinspires one of you reading this, if not all, toget up and go after what it is you believed orwere told that you couldn’t do. Just know thatyou are not alone and you too can become adream catcher. I want you to dream beyondyour own imagination because anything ispossible. We all will be faced with trials butknow that, “The Fight Is Not Given To The SwiftNor The Strong, But To He Who Will Endure ItTo The End!”

Aliyah Cherrisse, born and raised in Atlantic City, N.J., has grown to be a very educated, vibrant, anddriven intellectual. As a graduate of Morgan State University, with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree inBusiness Marketing, Aliyah has put her studies to use in branding herself as the “MultimediaPersonality” she is to-date. Currently pursuing her love of entertainment, Aliyah is known for her titlesof “Fashion Show Production Assistant, Radio/TV Personality, Curvy/Full-Figured Model, Red CarpetCorrespondent, Host, and Blogger,” but let's not forget to mention: this is all while being a singlemother! With no intentions on slowing down, Aliyah anticipates what God has awaiting ahead for her!


Stiletto Statement

www.truemodel.netwww.ashleystewart.com

Founder of Plus Night Out: Jovanna ReyesPhotographer: Ivory Jackson Photographyhttp://www.PlusNightOut.com

Model/Songstress/Designer/Personality:Joanne BorgellaPhotographer: M. Armstrong Photography

Meghan Rothschild, of Northampton, Mass.,and Emily Gaylord, Easthampton, Mass.,recently announced the launch of chikmedia,a marketing and design firm focused on help-ing women-run organizations create compre-hensive marketing strategies.

Rothschild and Gaylord met four years agothrough their work with a local nonprofit andhave been working together ever since.

“chikmedia is a brain child born from a casu-al conversation we were having one day,”Gaylord said. “We were both assisting individ-ual businesses with marketing, PR, or designand relied on each other for professional inputon the work we were doing.”

“Something clicked,” Rothschild said. “Weimmediately knew this could work as we areboth very committed to exceeding expecta-tions. And we’re both hilarious.”

The two immediately got to work on a busi-ness plan, realizing that female-run organiza-tions were of high priority.

“Women running and owning their own busi-nesses is becoming increasingly more com-mon,” Rothschild said. “It’s important toremember that we are a small, female-runbusiness so we understand the importance offinding your voice in this economy.”

The pair is already working with a variety ofclients including everything from local talkshows to area authors, community nonprofitsto major restaurant chains.

chikmedia launched their website, www.chik-media.us, along with a Facebook page (face-book.com/chikmedia) and Twitter account(@chikmedia).

‘Chicks’ birth new businessdedicated to women

Meghan Rothschild and Emily Gaylord, both ofMassachusetts, have launched a new businessdedicated to aiding women-run businesses.

Photo courtesy of chikmedia

http://www.skincatering.com

http://www.womego.com


Kristina Chapell is a single gal in her 30s making her way in the world. Passionate,savvy, and stylish; Kristina is a social relationship builder. You can often find her onFacebook and Twitter keeping up with the latest news and always supporting causes sheis passionate about such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Link to Libraries, and TheBusiness Channel.

By Kristina Chapell

Relationships are never easy andI think we can all agree with that.They take work from day one.Whether we enter one open-mind-ed or skeptical, we work at rela-tionships. But, what we don’toften realize is break-ups takework too.

Break-ups are mentally taxing onboth parties (but let’s focus on thefemales for this article) and ittakes work to get out of bed somedays, to be happy the sun is shin-ing, or to put one foot in front ofthe other (all things we are usual-ly happy about). The sad and real-istic part is we’ve all been there.We’ve all had girlfriends comeover with wine, beer, tequila,chocolate, ice cream, and in mycase recently, cheesecake. We’vesat around the table or the couchlistening and agreeing andpreparing for the moment whenwe say “shots” or “dessert” andtry to make light of a tough situa-tion.

This happened in my circle recent-ly. My best friend and herboyfriend decided to call it quits,well really he decided to andnever really spoke to her about it;he just faded away. Anna enteredinto her most recent relationshipin a skeptical way, her heart hadbeen broken before and Marioseemed too good to be true. Hesaid and did all of the right thingsand we liked him too. We were sohappy for her; to see her smilefrom ear to ear. Months passedand we were all happy in Anna’s

relationship but then somethingchanged. He got more distantwith her and us (yes we were anadded bonus to their relationship)and one day just seemed to stopcaring.

As we sat around and talkedabout the events of the past fewweeks we looked back andthought about when we sawthings change; what was said ordone – on either side – so wecould try and say “that was it.”And, while she dated him we all“dated” him so we are all trying tofigure it out; we are all indulging inthe cheesecake and vodka.

Anna’s break-up got me thinkingabout the work we put in to moveforward and live through the pain.Many years ago my papa told methe pain of the death of a lovedone, the pain of the end of a rela-tionship, and the pain of a childlosing a teddy bear is no different;pain is pain. And, as I have experi-enced two of the three I have toagree. The problem is, pain iswork. It seems like the end of theworld and it takes work to get pastthe pain.

As we work through the pain wefind many ways to cope, or try tocope. We work on detaching our-selves from the relationship –deleting numbers, messages,throwing away cards, burning pic-tures and notes, and so on.Detachment helps us to move for-ward but it definitely takes time.

Talking helps too. We talk withfriends, run through different sce-

narios and seek input or some-times just need someone to listenas we talk. That someone can bea friend or a group of friends andfor some it could also mean atherapist to help us sort thingsout. Thinking things through andtalking about them can help youin future relationships too, hope-fully to help you see the red flagsbefore they come and go.

I am one for exercise after abreak-up. Not so much becauselooking good is the best revengebut because working out helpsme quiet my mind and allow me tofocus on what’s around me andbe present in the moment; butthat takes work too. It’s much eas-ier to stay on the couch eating bonbons than to put on gym clothesand sneakers and get out of thehouse. Walking also serves as aform of distraction. As we arepresent in the moment we hope-fully forget for a few moments thepain we feel; as with other thingswe choose as distractions – girlsnights out, work, etc.

Some people I know even take upwriting in a journal again – youknow that thing we did when wewere 13! I have been known to dothis on occasion myself – writedown feelings and thoughts to justget it out there. This can help sowe don’t bore our friends with thesame story over and over againbut it can also help us to see pat-terns and even learn a lesson orto form the relationship.

Another way to deal with the painis “out with the old and in with the

new.” Clean the house, organizeyour room, or in Anna’s case, buya new house! OK, well this wasalready in the works but the waytiming would have it is her housesold as her relationship ended. Idon’t suggest just going out andbuying a new house but if it sohappens like it does for Anna,cleaning and packing can be agood distraction, albeit an over-whelming one in which you needyour girlfriends, vodka andcheesecake.

All in all, no matter what we do toget through a break-up (and getthrough not get over) we mustwork at it. We can’t just wake upthe next morning and be fine, andif you do, then something is wrongwith you. For the majority, weneed to work at it and sometimesI think the work we do to getthrough a break-up is harder thanthe work we do to be in a relation-ship. Somehow even though arelationship takes work, it justseems easier – let’s not talkabout cheating, etc., here, let’sjust consider a “regular,” if we cancall it that now, relationship –then the work a break-up takes.

When your loveboat hits the ice-berg remember this – “a personcan get used to anything if givenenough time.” This comes fromone of my favorite books andmovie, “The Notebook.” It’s true,with time we can come throughthe other side; sometimes we justhave to work at it to get there.

~ xoxoxo KC

The Lipstick Chronicles

The Loveboat hits the Iceberg

Taz writes prescription for change


By Tara McCollum

In recent months there’s been a lot of talk onthe subject of healthcare, primarily on insur-ance plans and the costs of treatment, whichhas led to much debate in our country.Whatever side of the aisle you may be on inthis topic, it would be safe to assume that put-ting our nation’s health to the forefront of dis-cussion is a good thing, but are we really talk-ing about all that needs to be discussed? Dr.Tasneem Bhatia, known to her patients as Dr.Taz, has some ideas on changing the way welook at healthcare, and for that matter, our-selves.

Taz is a board certified physician who special-izes in integrative-holistic medicine, anti-agingand regenerative medicine, pediatrics andwomen’s health. In 2009 she founded theAtlanta Center for Holistic and IntegrativeMedicine, where she serves as medical direc-tor. It is there she hopes to be setting inmotion a change to our ideas on how we seektreatment.

“I wanted it to be a change where we changethe definition of women and children’s health-

care. It’s been a definite journey, treating onepatient at a time,” she said.

Going off the idea that “one size does not fitall” in medicine, Taz formed her center to helppatients navigate their health solutions frommultiple vantage points to live healthy, natu-rally. At the Atlanta Center, conventional meth-ods of medicine are combined with integra-tive practices to tackle medical issues, buttheir approach will often start by looking intovarious options other than going straight tomedicine.

“We come up with an individual treatmentplan and we educate patients on what iseffecting their health. The key is the patientneeds somebody to individualize their care,”Taz said.

Reaching her five-year anniversary sinceopening the Atlanta Center, Taz feels she nowhas a model that works and is ready to moveon, her sights set on opening more centers indifferent cities and states. For now though,Taz remains in Atlanta, often seeing patientswho come from out of state just to have a con-sultation with her. It is clear that through the

Atlanta Center and her many media appear-ances (she is a regular commentator on “Dr.Oz” and the “Today Show”), Taz has struck acord in people who are seeking somethingbetter, something personalized.

Beyond her ideas for changing the waypatients are treated, Taz is also trying to tack-le issues in both women and children’shealthcare that she feels, are frequentlyignored, citing cancer prevention as oneavenue that is not being explored enough.While she acknowledges the great advance-ment in cancer treatment, Taz still feels that“using nutrition and lifestyle” is an importantstep in prevention, hoping to bring light to thestrengths a healthy lifestyle could lead to.Other topics she looks to bring into focus aremanaging depression and anxiety and alsohormone health.

“Using birth control for things other than birthcontrol is a no-no,” Taz used as an example.

Advocating a healthier lifestyle and for one toeducate themselves on why they are feelingor experiencing the way they are may seem



Tara McCollum, a New York native, currently resides in Houston, Texas, where she haslearned to trade in cosmopolitans for margaritas, contemporary décor for bedazzledembellishments, and white winters for palm trees, but has held stead fast to her greatlove for the Yankees. With a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from State University ofNew York at Purchase, she manages an office for an electrical company by day and is aloving mother to three beautiful furry animals by night. Never giving up on her dreamsof one day becoming a novelist, she has slowly been documenting the crazy and unex-pected soap opera-like turns of her life in the hopes of one day entertaining the masseswith her unbelievable tales. Stay tuned.

like a no brainer, but it is no secret that pre-scription medicine has come to be seen as acure-all for everything. People want an alter-native and Taz provides it.

Simple health tips from Taz for the busy pro-fessional woman:

Food.“If you don’t put energy anywhere, put it intoyour food,” Taz said.

Maintaining a healthy diet is pantomime toleading a healthier life. Though it is preferredto match a healthy diet with exercise, Taz isfirm on her beliefs that starting with a healthyfood foundation is most important. The bestway to stick to a healthy line up would be toprep and plan your meals and to not think ofit as a “diet” but rather a lifestyle change inthe way you eat. For more information on thefoods and plans Taz suggests, check out herbest-selling book, “What Doctors Eat”, whereshe proclaims that, “food is medicine.”

Exercise.“Create a self care plan,” Taz said, “block atime out for yourself and put it on the calen-dar if you have to.”

Taz recommends planning some sort ofhealthy activity (running, dance class,strength training, etc.) three to four times aweek paired with something that serves tokeep you balanced. Taz enjoys a once a weekyoga session or acupuncture. Find whatworks for you to reach a calming center at theend or beginning of an often-busy week.

Sleep.“The majority of the time it is important to tryto get five nights consistently of good sleep,”Taz said.

While many of us have issues with achieving

a good sleep routine, Taz is not so quick tosuggest a sleeping aid, referring back to theidea that everyone’s problem with sleep is anindividual issue, so instead she recommendssearching for a personalized solution, notingmost often those with low magnesium levelsor with high stress levels tend to have troublesleeping.

Managing Stress.Following Taz’s three simple points for balanc-ing both physical and mental health with busywork hours is also key for managing stress.Maintaining a balance of healthy foods, goodsleep and taking time for yourself serves asan incredible force against the aggravationsfrom stress. For some quick tips, Taz suggeststaking a break and walking outside for just 10minutes. Getting outside, seeing and smellingnature can do wonders for regaining balance.Also, know your limits.

“Set boundaries and limits for what you signup for,” Taz said.

Beauty for the Busy Woman.“Your face reflects your habits of the last 20years,” Taz said.

Again, food, sleep and exercise are a part ofgood skin health as well. While there are cos-metic acupunctures and hot oil treatmentsthat can help you to look your best andrefreshed, Taz said things as simple as stay-ing hydrated and minimizing exposure to thesun can be just as beneficial.

It seems we hold the keys to our own health;we just need to find our keys and use them.

For more tips and information from Taz, checkout her website www.DoctorTaz.com andwww.AtlantaHolisticMedicine.com. Also lookfor her in “Prevention” magazine where she isa contributing monthly columnist.

Dr. Tasneem Bhatia


1) How long have you been in business? TheLove, Mich Collection was born in June 2008with the now best selling product, the CoffeeCozy. Over the last five years the collectionhas expanded to include women’s handbagsand clutches as well as custom bridal gifts.

2) Why have you chosen to dedicate your-self to this particular business/industry? Ithas always been my dream to work formyself. I’ve loved fashion since I was a littlegirl and had an obsession with purses andaccessories. It seemed only natural that mydesire would be to design and create myown fashion line!

3) What makes business/product unique?What makes The Love, Mich Collection andour products unique is that everything ishandmade. In a world of so many itemsbeing mass-produced it is a special thing tohave a handmade product and feel that con-nection with the artisan. Another thing thatmakes our collection unique is that I try tofind unusual but awesome prints and pat-terns that few others would think to usemaking for a really amazing product.

4) You could have worked for anyone andwould have been successful, why becomean entrepreneur? I’m not sure there is any-thing better than working for yourself. It is

both terrifying and exhilarating at the sametime. I like being the one who makes thedecisions and having no one to answer to.The success of this business lies on myshoulders alone and I wouldn’t have it anyother way.

5) What was your last, “why did I go intobusiness for myself” moment? The last timeI was up until 3 a.m. sewing to finish ordersjust to sleep for three hours, get up and do itall over again! I am a perfectionist about myproducts so it is difficult to hire help in thatarea of the business.

6) Every female professional should have__________. Pride! Being an entrepreneur ishard work and we often forget how much wedo and how far we’ve come. Take a minute tobe proud of your successes!

7) If you could steal some business mojofrom another mogul, who would it be andwhy? Martha Stewart. She built and contin-ues to build an incredible empire on report-edly less than four hours of sleep a night. Iwish that I could function that well on thatlittle sleep!

8) What is your business motto? “Goodthings come to those who HUSTLE.” Success

ASK An ENTREPRENEUR

Michelle Provencher, founder anddesigner of The Love, Mich CollectionSpringfield, Mass.

www.lovemichcollection.comwww.facebook.com/TheLoveMichCollectioninstagram.com/lovemichcotwitter.com/love_michwww.pinterest.com/lovemich/

Michelle Provencher

Images courtesy of The Love, Mich Collection



ASK An ENTREPRENEUR

will not show up at your doorstep, you mustgo out and work for it.

9) If you could give other entrepreneursthree tips, what would they be? (1) Priceright from the beginning. It is very hard toadjust later on. Know your market, knowyour products and price correctly.Underpricing, especially in the handmadeworld, hurts not only your business but yourfellow entrepreneurs as well. (2) Be polite! Itmight seem simple but often when you owna business it is very near to your heart, it isyour passion, and if something comes upagainst that you may respond emotionally.Take a step back, regroup and respondpolitely and with grace. (3) Know what youare good at and hire someone else to do therest. You may not be able to do that for manyyears into your business venture but it willbe so worth it when you can. It is natural tofeel like you need to do it all yourself but ifyou can hand off the things you aren’t greatat or don’t enjoy you will have much moreenergy and passion for the parts you aregreat at.

10) Has there been a piece of technology orsoftware that has been a lifesaver to you?Social media has really been the strivingforce behind growing my business. It is themodern “word of mouth.” Having a predomi-nantly online boutique, growing an onlinecommunity is essential.

11) What is your goal for the next year? Mygoal for the next year is to hire more help sothat I can concentrate on the thing I enjoythe most – designing! I also hope to havemore brick and mortar stores carrying myline.

12) When someone is telling their friendabout your business, what do you hope theysay? I am very much intertwined with mybusiness product because everything ishandmade. Personally, I hope that they say Iam kind and incredibly passionate.Professionally, I hope they say that theirLove, Mich products are extremely wellmade and their favorite accessories in theircloset!

Images courtesy of The Love, Mich Collection


Partnership with Johns Hopkins and BioHealth InnovationInc. will speed 10 health-tech startups to market

DreamIt Ventures is pleased to announce thelaunch of DreamIt Health Baltimore, a part-nership with The Johns Hopkins Universityand BioHealth Innovation Inc. to recruit, investin, and speed the growth and success of aselect group of early-stage health IT compa-nies. The program comes on the heels of asuccessful health IT program in Philadelphiaalso built on strong industry partnerships thatgive participants access and advantages typi-cally out-of-reach to startups.

“The key to making health care more accessi-ble is innovation, and the most fertile focus forhealth care innovation is in acquiring, storing,analyzing and sharing information,” Ronald J.Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins, said.“This accelerator project will have importantimplications for the future use of informationas we use technology to find solutions for themost pressing health problems of our day.Just as important, it sets up Baltimore tobecome even more central to the health careinformation revolution through the rapid vali-dation of solutions.”

Paul Rothman, MD, dean of the JohnsHopkins University School of Medicine andCEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, said,“Technology holds the potential to transformthe way in which we approach health care inthis country and around the world. JohnsHopkins has been at the forefront in develop-ing innovative solutions to the most pressinghealth care challenges. The partnership withDreamIt presents an exciting and unrivaledopportunity to develop the most cutting-edgesolutions at the crossroads of informationtechnology and medicine.”

The Baltimore program is expected to takeadvantage of the many strengths of theregion, giving participating startups both theopportunity to work closely with JohnsHopkins Medicine for potential pilots, andalso access to key individuals throughout theregion’s wealth of federal health care institu-tions including the Center for Medicare andMedicaid Services, the Food and DrugAdministration, the National Institutes ofHealth and the Agency for HealthcareResearch and Quality.

“Creating the first health IT accelerator inMaryland is a vital step towards enhancingthe innovation ecosystem in the region,”Richard Bendis, chief executive officer,BioHealth Innovation Inc., said. “This programestablished by DreamIt, Johns Hopkins andBHI – in partnership with the EconomicAlliance of Greater Baltimore – will help makeCentral Maryland more attractive and com-petitive to emerging and existing health ITcompanies and to the entrepreneurs wholead them.”

As with previous DreamIt programs, compa-nies will be recruited and selected fromaround the world and reside in Baltimore forthe four-month duration of the program. Inaddition to receiving an injection of capitaland donated professional services, they willbe paired and work closely with exited entre-preneurs-turned-mentors; benefit from anintense startup and health care curriculumtaught by accomplished practitioners; meetwith subject matter experts and investors;and, enjoy privileged access to executives,information systems and data from leading

industry players including providers, payersand biotech/pharmaceutical companies.Participants also benefit from a vast alumninetwork of 127 companies DreamIt Ventureshas helped grow since 2008.

Elliot Menschik, MD, Ph.D., and a soon-to-be-added DreamIt partner will manage the pro-gram. Menschik, a Johns Hopkins alum andrepeat entrepreneur, led the program inPhiladelphia. He earlier founded and ranHxTechnologies, a pioneer in medical imagingand health information exchange that wasacquired by MEDecision, the health IT sub-sidiary of Health Care Service Corporation.

“DreamIt has considerable experience work-ing with extraordinary people to create excep-tional companies,” Menschik noted. “We’velearned that, in health care in particular, themost important thing we can do to helpfounders and reduce investor risk is to enableaccess to resources typically out of the reachof most startups. Working closely with JohnsHopkins and BHI opens up stellar opportuni-ties for these teams to pressure-test andspeed to market their solutions to significantproblems that plague patients, providers, pay-ers and other industry stakeholders.”

DreamIt will accept applications from todaythrough Nov. 11 from startups nationwide inthe health care sector. To apply go towww.dreamithealth.com. Up to 10 startupswill be selected by Dec. 16. The program willtake place in Baltimore, Md., from Jan. 17 toMay 9, 2014.

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Lioness Magazine - October 2013

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