This is the first in the highly anticipated series, The Divas Circle 2011 where I will be featuring posts about the women who inspired me in 2010.
I’ve followed Linda “Princess Dominique” Grosvenor on twitter for a few years now and though we have yet to meet in person, it seems as if I know her.
As an entrepreneur myself, I was immediately attracted to her tenacity and business savvy. Building an empire is tough and building an empire despite circumstance can be a terrible feat for anyone. As I was struggling for motivation and strength to work through storms in my life, I sought out like-minded individuals who could offer encouragement to me.
Princess Dominique™ the brand and the woman behind it has done just that – offer encouragement. It wasn’t done by giving me words of wisdom every day. The encouragement that Linda gave was showing me how to create and run a successful brand by simply using her normal daily activities.
Since 2004 she is a full time blogger at MissPrincessDominique.com where she has us all salivating over the latest hot shoe to buy and has her readership anticipating the latest Weekly Shoe Giveaway™.
This and much more made me want to know more about the women behind the brand.
Q. You started blogging about your love affair with shoes in 2004 and now are one of the sought out names in fashion blogging. Was there ever a time when things underneath the shoe (so to speak) became overwhelming for you? What keeps you from giving up?
A. I don’t think that the process ever became overwhelming for me. The brand did experience growing pain–as in what are we going to do next, but I believe when you love what you do it doesn’t feel like a job at all. I’ve heard people say that all my life, but I never knew I’d actually find something that I love to do as much as this. Sharing amazing brands with my readers is something I am totally enamored with.
In the event that I ever felt like I wanted to give up, all I would have to do is read some of the messages that my readers have sent me or go through the comments. They truly appreciate the time I take to bring them shoes news and fashion with a fresh spin.
A. For me inspiration is all around me, in magazines, department stores, television and even commercials can inspire me. Sometimes I look at a color be it a deep shade of lilac or a blood orange and want to run with it. Some days I’m excited to share just photos and other times I want to talk about something deep and a little philosophical. I’m just glad that my readers are hanging on no matter which way the wind blows me.
A. Women can definitely have it all. I do this full time, however, I encourage women to develop excellent time management skills. For me, I set specific time aside to do what I love. There are hours that I use Twitter and Facebook and there is a time to research and read up on new designers and create blog posts and then there’s managing all of the emails. When my husband is off from work, that’s our time. Blogging can wait. There are times when my husband is off, but I just have several quick messages to send or a winner to pick for The Weekly Shoe Giveaway and I do that and log off because spending time with my husband is inspiration too. Even when he says, “Go and handle your empire!” I know that a kingdom is nothing without its king.
A. Ironically enough I just read an article that talked about the crippling economy not affecting shoes purchases at all. Women, no matter the income bracket are still making provisions to be able to buy shoes they love. As long as women love shoes Princess Dominique, Inc. will be there with high heels on hipping you to the fabulous newcomers and veteran brands all across the world.
A. I’d say a solid 7 hours [a day]. I’m up at 4am, but then I’m in bed by 9pm. I believe to function and think clearly you need rest. Trust me, I am definitely an advocate of sleep. Now of course I probably dream shoes or wake up with ideas that have been dancing around in my head all night, but I’ve seen too many tired and overworked entrepreneurs make mistakes that can affect their business for years to burn the candles at both ends like that. My motto is work smarter not harder.
A. The Plural Thing: Spiritually Preparing for Your Soul Mate is a book that changed my life. The inspiration came to write it when I was in a 3 year separation period from dating. I was reflecting on all of the mistakes that I’d made and that those around me had made as well and God was sharing with me how I could have done better–how He expects us to do better in relationships as a whole.
A. I would say stay on the pulse of your vision, whether it’s fashion, relationships, television and wait for your opportunity. So many people are in a hurry to jump out there and be seen or noticed, but timing is everything. You don’t want your business or idea to be the equivalent of an undone cake. When your time has arrived you’ll know.
A. I’ve watched women both near and far and great and small and gleaned anything I could from people who are trying to do something positive. I would say that my Mother always taught me to give my best effort and so many people underestimate the support of a loving spouse. I’m thankful to have both. I’ve been a published author for awhile and inked my first major book deal back in 2000 with BET’s now defunct Sepia Imprint.
A. When it comes to trends you really have to stay on the pulse of what’s happening. Any way to reach your key audience I say at least give it a try otherwise you’ll be pegged out of touch. You should see the look on some people’s faces when people tell them that they don’t have a Facebook account or a Twitter account. It’s what’s happening. They are all sub-cultures in their own right. There are things that go on in the Facebook/Twitter world that you won’t hear about on the evening news. I can definitely say that my readership has doubled since I joined the Twitter and Facebook revolution. The Princess Dominique brand would be stagnant and on its way to being non-existent without it.
A. Television, definitely television. I was asked to appear on a segment back in February, 2011 for The Today Show to talk about shoes. It’s funny because it just fell into my lap. Networking and featuring another author on my blog did it. The publicist I was so gracious to by featuring her author, in turn thought of me when NBC approached her and asked if she knew anybody that could talk about shoes. I had fun with the segment and am now doing shoe video reviews and commentary on YouTube. So, yes, I definitely see television in my future.
Hope you enjoyed the post! Be sure to follow The Diva Diaries on twitter and Join the group on FaceBook.
XOXOXO,
The Diva!
2 comments
I appreciate the opportunity! I'm normally on the other side of the interview table so this was fun for me!
You are so welcome! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with my readers!