Image: Forbes.com

Used correctly, Linkedin can serve as the catalyst that initiates the transition to the next phase of your career. The free members-only service (there is a premium version too) can eliminate the barriers that stand between you, prospective employers, colleagues, clients and mentors. But a good Linkedin connection begins with the invitation.

After you’ve identified someone that you’d like to connect with, avoid the impulse to use the default invitation language and tailor your note to the type of connection that you seek.

On the next few pages, you will find customized examples of Linkedin invites for six different scenarios. Feel free to add additional suggestions or best practices in the comment section.

What to write when…

…you want to connect with a former boss or colleague

[THEIR NAME]

We worked together at [COMPANY NAME] in [DATE/YEAR] and I would like to reconnect with you. I currently work at [COMPANY NAME] and think there may be an opportunity to collaborate at some point in the future. I’d love to catch up with you sometime. Please let me know when your schedule permits.

Best regards,
[YOUR NAME]

MEET Taja Lindley, the founder of the organization, Colored Girls Hustle. At 27 years old, Lindley is not just the founder of her own organization, but a well-rounded Brooklyn-bred African-American female who practices as a visual artist, performer, full-spectrum doula and as a reproductive justice activist. Combining her many passions and talents into one, Lindley uses Colored Girls Hustle as her own ultimate “hustle,” emphasizing talent and the arts to celebrate the beauty and art of women of color.

MN: You just recently co-hosted an event, along with HelloBeautiful, where you launched your inaugural handmade accessories line, Luminary Sol, for Colored Girls Hustle. What brought on this collaboration?

TL: Kelly Thomas, the founder of HelloBeautiful, is a good friend and fellow entrepreneurial artist who I respect and adore. We decided to support one another and publicize our venture through a collaborative event called the “Beautiful Hustle” Sip and See Extravaganza. The event featured a fashion show, trunk sale, and live percussion, and a dance party followed. It was a success! So many of our friends and supporters came out to buy products, network and brought positive energy and feedback to share with us. The launch event was so much fun and we decided to host monthly “Beautiful Hustle” parties this summer.

MN: Tell us more about your organization, Colored Girls Hustle, and what type of service you focus on.

TL: Colored Girls Hustle is my hustle: it’s a space where I share my art and creativity to honor, celebrate and adorn the bodies and lives of women and girls, especially in communities of color. I focus on three main expressive elements:

Adornment: a daily meditation, adornment is a practice of decorating and praising our bodies. Colored Girls Hustle produces handmade accessories to inspire women and girls to admire and revere themselves.

Workshops: in groups large and small, Colored Girls Hustle facilitates creative arts workshops and trainings for youth and adults that cover topics of body exploration, health and wellness, and self-image. Colored Girls Hustle also offers Self-Love Parties: intimate, sex-positive gatherings where participants work on a creative project that will celebrate/honor/adorn their bodies and affirm their sexual expression.

One-on-One Creative Exploration Sessions: Colored Girls Hustle works with women and girls one-on-one to explore their own creative arts practice. Engaging in these sessions help women and girls discover their artistic interests and talents, or can help them navigate healing and transformation.

Source: forbes.com

What do you do when you are physically attracted to someone at your job? We are used to passing attractive people in the street or on the subway, but we usually never see these people again. But when that person is in the next cubicle over, things can sure get awkward. When we see people over and over they really begin to stand out to us. Having a coworker you are attracted to can be a recipe for disaster though. You see them every day, make cordial conversation about the weather or traffic coming in that morning. All the while, you are both scanning each other, sizing each other up. There is a certain seductive factor that goes into office romances. But there are many reasons why becoming more than friends with someone at your job might not be the best idea. Here are some reasons to stay away from office temptation:

You are the company you keep is how the saying goes. Successful women have learned the art of sacrifice, discipline, and all the other good stuff that contributes to success; but in addition to these traits, these women also understand the important role of the people in their lives.

Contrary to what some individuals  force themselves to believe, people really do need people and the need for human interaction is a major part of success. But not only do successful people need to surround themselves with other thriving and hustling folks, there is a need for a range of different people who can inspire and literally help push you to the top.

From the big mouth friend who serves as your unofficial PR person to the hater from high school who wants to see you fail (yes, even haters have a contributing role), successful women usually directly or indirectly have these seven people in their lives.

Elaina Watkins

By Marc W. Polite

Skin care is often an afterthought when it comes to what most people consider a marker of health. It is a challenge to get people to recognize the importance of skin care in the context of total health. One person who is getting this message out is Elaina Watkins, the founder of Blue Marble Body Care. Started in 2010, the company offers natural skin care products and educates its clientele on the pros of using non synthetic ingredients. Prior to starting her own business,Watkins was a bookkeeper for a tech company.  Madame Noire contacted the entrepreneur to learn more about Blue Marble Body Care and how she became involved in the skin care profession.

MN: What made you start Blue Marble Body Care?

EW: My oldest son of 5, Craig was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Craig’s diagnosis raised my consciousness of the chemicals we were exposed to. I learned that there were many synthetic and toxic ingredients in the skincare products we were using so I started making my own at home. I discovered an additional benefit to making all natural products as many of the skin problems my family and I were suffering from – such as dry and irritated skin – soon disappeared. I started Blue Marble Body Care to enrich and empower the lives of women and their families with nutrient-rich skincare and with education (through blogs and ‘Do It Yourself’ videos) on caring for the skin naturally.

MN: How much money did it cost to launch the business?

EW: I launched Blue Marble Body Care with $1000. The money was used for ingredients and basic supplies for all of my products.

MN: In your video, you use the term “skin foods.” Could you explain the concept for our readers?

EW:  Sure. ‘Skin Foods’ are foods for the skin. It is the same nourishing foods that are great for the inside of our bodies that we have infused in our products to be used for the outside of our bodies. We use such ingredients as Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera that moisturizes and nourishes the skin with vitamins and minerals.