INSPIREMS

Mississippi Book Festival 2018

8/10/2018

Happy Friday Y’all!
We hope that everyone had a fantastic week and the best first days of school ever! We wanted to share with y'all a family friendly event that’s coming up next Saturday, August 18th. The Mississippi Book Festival is a great way to get your family excited about reading! We love that this event is helping to continue Mississippi's amazing literary legacy. Keep reading for more information and mark your calendars!

The Mississippi Book Festival hosts its fourth annual “literary lawn party” on the grounds of the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson August 18, welcoming a roster of more than 150 authors featuring Salman Rushdie, Jesmyn Ward, Jon Meacham, Rick Bragg, Julia Reed, Angie Thomas, and many more.

Holly Lange, the festival’s executive director since its beginning in 2015, said the event has gained a national reputation among authors and readers, whose attendance topped 6,400 last year and continues to grow. “The festival has become a regular event on the schedules of thousands of book lovers throughout Mississippi and beyond, as we’ve drawn the best and brightest authors and thought-provoking panels to help us celebrate the love of books,” Lange said. “The entire day is filled with activities, entertainment, food, and, of course – books – for every age and for every interest you can imagine!”

This year’s 40-plus panel discussions, comprised of invited guest authors and moderators, will take on topics that range from art to civil rights to music, politics, cooking, photography, Southern history, poetry, mystery, and much more – and Lange said that doesn’t even include the offerings for children, as well as middle school and young adult readers. “Our lineup for young readers is particularly outstanding and reflects the hottest topics by a select group of some of the most popular writers in the country today,” she said.

The event will kick off at 9 a.m. with an unveiling of the first markers of the new Mississippi Writers Trail honoring many of the state’s distinguished authors, including William Faulkner, Margaret Walker Alexander, Richard Ford, Jesmyn Ward, Eudora Welty and others.

The daylong festival includes live music and food trucks, children’s and teens’ activities, and an Authors Alley area to meet, greet and shop with 60-plus self-published authors. There are also opportunities to connect with nonprofit and charitable organizations, as well as to shop at the largest “outdoor book mall” in the state, as booksellers’ white tents stretch across Mississippi Street, just steps away from all-day book signings on the south lawn of the Capitol.

For information visit www.msbookfestival.com.

To check out the ways you can help and volunteer visit: http://msbookfestival.com/participate#become-a-volunteer.

All photos and text sourced from Mississippi Book Festival

Stephanie Rhea Barcia {Insider Inspiration}

8/6/2018

Happy Monday y’all!
We seriously hope your week is off to a great start! We are so lucky to have gotten the chance to chat with Stephanie Rhea Barcia, the owner of Stephanie Rhea Photography. Stephanie never fails to wow us with her incredible ability to perfectly capture the personality of her subjects in a single photograph. Keep reading to hear from Stephanie about her experience as a female entrepreneur in Mississippi!

{Tell us a little bit about you!}
I’m Stephanie. Mississippi native, Tupelo resident for most of my life. Married to Juan Carlos Barcia, mom to Micah and dog-mom to Zero, our rescue Pitt. I’m a collector of Vintage trailers-currently renovating 3 Airstreams, 1 Shasta, and 1 Spartan Mansion.

{Tell me about your business!}
My husband and I are both entrepreneurs through and through and have several businesses, but our primary business is Stephanie Rhea Photography. We are a full service studio-offering wedding, family, senior, as well as commercial photography. Right now, it is run by my husband, JC, and me. We of course, hire help as needed.

{What kind of inspirational women do you look up to?}
As an entrepreneur, I look to women who have far surpassed me for inspiration. I heard someone say that "if you are the smartest one or most successful in your circle, you are in the wrong circle.” That speaks volumes to me. I want to surround myself with women and lady bosses that will challenge me, inspire me, and not let me stay the same in any arena in my life.

{What inspired you to start your business?}
As a single mother for over 10 years, photography was my creative outlet, and while I worked numerous jobs to make ends meet (and support my photography habit), I came to a place where I felt that I needed to give photography my 100% focus or lay it down completely and get a “real job”. I’ll have to admit that it was a scary and even risky decision to pursue a creative field-especially with a child who depends on you. But, as fate would have it, I met a photographer from Boston, MA in 2004 that offered me an intern position for a year to perfect my technical skills and learn the business side of photography. And, because I’m a “yes” girl, I packed us up, and that is exactly what I did.

{Can you speak to your experience as a female business owner in Mississippi?}
I am so fortunate that in my particular industry, often a female is the preferred contact. When we are working in Los Angeles, I go to as many female empowerment workshops/seminars as possible. Over the last few years, I’ve probably attended 10 or 12. One thing is for sure- The female force is on the rise…one phrase I hear often is “the force is female.” There is a global movement toward women in business, and as a female, it is a very exciting time to be alive.

{Is there any advice you would give to other aspiring female entrepreneurs?}
Keep learning! When you decide to turn your passion into a career, you are signing up for a lifetime of learning. Read books, listen to or watch Ted talks and podcasts. No one benefits from average. If you fail, learn from it, and move on. And, if you’re turning a hobby into a business, make sure you can make money in it.

A{What’s your favorite thing about living and working in Mississippi?}
Mississippi is an ideal place to start a business in a practical sense, because the cost is significantly more manageable than in many other places. But, what is exciting is that I feel an atmospheric shift toward growth, and it is wide open for fresh ideas.

Stephanie is also the owner of "The Campertini," a 1963 Shasta Mobile bar, which will be available for your events this fall! You can keep up with Stephanie by following her on her Instagram accounts @stephanierheaphotography, @ohhippiedayfotobus,@thecampertini, @renovatethis.
To see more of Stephanie's work, please visit her website.

All photos courtesy of Stephanie Rhea Barcia of Stephanie Rhea Photography.

Bright Lights Belhaven Nights {Events}

8/3/2018

Happy Friday y’all!
There’s no denying it now, summer is rapidly coming to an end and we’re not sure how to feel about it! The beginning of a new school year is always so much fun, and football season is right around the corner so that’s a definite plus! Attending Bright Lights Belhaven Nights next Saturday the 11th, is the perfect way to end a fantastic summer. Make sure you put this event on your calendar, you won’t want to miss it!

Bright Lights Belhaven Nights (BLBN) is presented by the Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation every year. 2018 marks the fourteenth year of the festival. You can attend the festival on Saturday August 11th from 5-10 pm in the historic Belhaven neighborhood. BLBN has something for everyone, it’s truly a family event. The event is presented by Mississippi Baptist Medical Center, C Spire, and The Manship and will have live music on three stages in the neighborhood. In addition to live music, local handmade crafts will be available for sale. If that wasn’t enough, fantastic food and refreshing beverages from Mississippi’s best restaurants and breweries will also be available.

“Bright Lights Belhaven Nights brings the city together and helps highlight the amazing community that we get to enjoy as residents of Historic Belhaven. For Belhaven residents, BLBN is second only to Christmas as their most favorite day of the year!” says Reed Hogan, long time Belhaven resident. This year Robert Randolph and The Family Band will headline the festival. The Weeks will also return home to perform at the festival. Until 8:00 pm there is a special area full of activities for children of all ages. Additionally, there will be an area of parked food trucks serving up delicious food and drinks.

Set in the historic Belhaven neighborhood, the street festival is an end-of-the-summer tradition that celebrates all things that make Greater Belhaven a great place to work, live and play, including art, music, children’s activities and food. Bright Lights Belhaven Nights has repeatedly been named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast for the month of August by the Southeast Tourism Society. The historic Belhaven neighborhood also was designated as one of American Planning Association “Great Neighborhoods in America 2014.”

Advance tickets are $10 per person and are available online at www.greaterbelhaven.com or $15 at the gate (cash only). Children ages 12 and under are free and must be with a supervising adult at all times. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
The festival will extend along Carlisle Street from McDade’s parking lot toward New Stage Theatre, and also turn onto Kenwood Place and extend into Belhaven Park. Free parking will be available along Belhaven streets that have not been closed off, and in the parking garage adjacent to Baptist Health Systems Medical Arts East at the corner of North and Carlisle Streets. The entry gates will be located on Carlisle and Poplar streets.

To learn more about Bright Lights Belhaven Nights including the band line-up, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/belhavennights, follow them on Instagram at www.instagram.com/greaterbelhaven and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/greaterbelhaven, visit them at www.greaterbelhaven.com/blbn or call 601-352-8850.

Photos Courtesy of the Greater Belhaven Foundation

Pirate Birthday Party {Events}

8/2/2018

Summer birthday parties are the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with family and friends. We absolutley love this darling pirate birthday bash Ashley Stubbs and Kendall Poole Event Planning threw for Ashley's precious little boy Bryan Hani. The Jackson Yacht club was the perfect setting for this fun get together. Keep reading for more!

{Tell us a little bit about yourself!}
My name is Ashley Stubbs! I’m originally from Louisiana but I’ve called Jackson my home for around ten years now. I am a partner at Butler Snow in Ridgeland, Mississippi. I’m a single mother to my amazing son, Bryan Hani.

{Tell us a little bit about the party!}
We were celebrating Bryan Hani’s fourth birthday. I decided to have the party at the Jackson Yacht club from 10 to 12 in the afternoon. I've learned that it’s hard to throw a fun summer birthday party. It’s so hot outside yet it is really difficult to find an activity indoors that will keep the kids entertained for the duration of the event! That’s ultimately why we decided to do a pool party. However, I didn’t want to do a typical pool party, I really wanted it to have some special, memorable elements. Kendall Poole Event Planning (KPEP) helped me bring the Pirate theme to life in such a fun, creative way!

{How did you decide on the theme for the party?}
Bryan Hani is currently obsessed with two things: pirates and Star Wars. I went with pirates because I thought the theme lent itself well to the venue. The Jackson Yacht club is right on the reservoir so the pirate theme felt just right!
I wanted to see the theme incorporated into as many facets of the party as possible. Beyond the invitations, the napkins, centerpieces, food labels, and party favors all reflected Bryan Hani’s love for pirates.

{What were some of your favorite details from the event?}
I absolutely loved the centerpieces that Anna Britain with KPEP made for the tables! I really wanted to see treasure chests at the party but didn’t think it was sensible to purchase any of the ones I saw online. Anna Britain took small styrofoam ice chests and spray painted them brown. She also fashioned the straps out of duct tapes and push pins. From there, she filled the chests with gold coins and beads. I thought they turned out to be just the cutest DIY project.

{What advice would you give to someone planning a similar event?}
Honestly the best advice I could give to someone trying to host a similar event would be to hire the help you need! I am so incredibly busy with work and traveling for my job, organizing this party would not have been possible without the KPEP team. Hiring an event planner takes so much stress out of the planning process and allows you to enjoy the event on the day of as much as possible. It was such a relief not to have to worry about the logistics of the party. I was able to spend time making memories with my son and our guests.

Event Coordinator: Kendall Poole Event Planning | Cakes & Cookies: Campbell's Bakery| Venue and Catering: The Jackson Yacht Club| Linens: Great Southern Events| Paper Products: Gifts by KPEP

Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge {Insider Inspiration}

7/30/2018

Well it’s Monday again y’all!
If you’re anything like us, your skin is in desperate need of some serious TLC after being in the summer sun. Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge is our go to whenever we need some serious me time. We got the chance to catch up with Lacie Clark, the owner of Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge and founder of Lacie Cotten, keep reading for more on what she has to say about her experience running her own small business in Ridgeland!

{Tell us a little bit about yourself!}
My name is Lacie Clark and I’m the owner of Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge and the founder Lacie Cotten, a lingerie and pajama line. I grew up in Madison, Mississippi. My parents moved to Madison after having lived in North Jackson. I attended Madison Central High School where I met my wonderful husband Will!

{Tell us about Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge!}
At Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge we specialize in lash and brow services. While we are a small business, we are staffed with some of the most talented estheticians in the state. We are proud to offer great customer service and an unforgettable experience for each client we see.

{What’s your favorite part of what you do?}
I definitely think empowering women is my favorite thing about my job. It is so fulfilling that I can provide them with a sense of beauty, and I love making them feel more confident in their own skin. I also love training new estheticians and helping them see and eventually reach their full potential. I am always encouraging them and constantly hoping they can learn from my mistakes!

{What kind of inspirational women do you work with on a daily basis?}
Each of our clients and employees all have their own story. Learning people’s backgrounds, their stories and goals.. how could you not be motivated by that? My work family is so amazing! They are eager to learn and better themselves; I love teaching them and encouraging them to be their best! We have bible studies and dinners to stay close and on the same page. It really helps when you’re surrounded by such genuine people who all want you to succeed in both work and life!

{What was the inspiration behind starting your own business?}
I just felt God was calling me to this business. I had been an esthetician for about 7 years when I felt that God was calling me to do more. Looking back, I can see how perfectly he prepared me to lead others through my past experiences. As a boss, I knew who I did and did not want to be.

{What’s it like being a female business owner in Mississippi?}
I love the sense of community in Mississippi. I am so fortunate to have family and friends here that have always supported me and my business. As far as being a business owner/entrepreneur, you just have to work hard and stay humble.

{What words of advice would you give to other aspiring female entrepreneurs?}
Set goals for yourself. Work hard. Be kind!

{What’s your favorite part about living and working in Mississippi?}
I love that we can get to know our clients and establish genuine relationships with them.

Lacie Clark is also the founder of the amazing lingerie line, Lacie Cotten. If y’all haven't’ felt these pajamas yet, you’re missing out! Treat yourself or someone you care about and pick up a pair from Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge, Gifts by KPEP, Taylor Collection in Madison, or Downtown Marketplace in Yazoo City! You can also purchase online at www.laciecotten.com

For more information on Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge please visit their website. You can call them at 601-707-5656 to book a treatment!

<<Previous

Forward>>

Mississippi Book Festival 2018

Stephanie Rhea Barcia {Insider Inspiration}

Bright Lights Belhaven Nights {Events}

Pirate Birthday Party {Events}

Drench Day Spa and Lash Lounge {Insider Inspiration}

Archives