Feature #61: Nina Brewton, Assistant Production Coordinator

Name: Nina C. Brewton  

Current Job Position Title: 
Assistant Production Coordinator

Company Name: M2 Pictures

Contact Information: infobaldheadqueen@gmail.com 

Special skills: 

I can clean house like no other...oh wait. Work skills...? Nothing special really! ;-) 

Describe your job story: 

I just recently wrote a blog about my job story actually, here it is (take what you'd like from it):   So, as I build my life as a writer and speaker, I work full-time as an "Assistant Production Coordinator" for a production company here in Hampton. In other words, I'm a receptionist. :-)

Some wouldn't think this job very glamorous, and they'd think right but I must say, I love my job and the people I work with. Besides having the freedom to write and work on my creative life freely, I am constantly supporting a company and individuals who work directly with the likes of Harpo Productions, Discovery Communications and Sony Records to name a few.

In other words, I'm cool by association, even as a measly receptionist.

Truth is, I have over 10 years of experience in administrative support and my heart for serving people helps me to keep things in perspective when I think about the careers that my peers have as full-time artists, educators, etc...

Over the years, God has shown me that my position, wherever I am, goes well beyond answering phones, keeping the calendars of executives and distributing mail. I have embraced my position recognizing the opportunity that I have daily to enhance the lives of those I work with. By simply being ME I am able to meet simple needs of stressed out producers, editors and researchers both in house and around the country.

Prime example: When I answer the phone at work declare, "Happy Monday! Thank you for calling...this is Nina. How may I help you?" *BEAM*

"Happy Monday!" normally catches people off guard. After giving pause, many callers express their appreciation for my enthusiasm!

Every day I seek to make someone's day brighter in whatever way I can, even if that means helping them to get over their "case of the Mondays"! Those who question my energy on Mondays will see that if they call on Tuesday, Wednesday or any other day, I generally share this same energy every morning even though I'm not a "morning person".

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? 

A writer and motivational speaker. 

Are doing your dream job? 

Yes, I'm just not getting paid my dream salary yet. ;-) 

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 

What I love most about my DAY job is the freedom it gives me to do/prepare for my dream job! I was literally able to rebuild my website, finish writing my book and do all that publishing a book entails from the comfort of my desk at my day job. 

I work in a creative environment so even the president of the company was encouraging me to "finish the book! We pay you to sit here all day, you better finish it while you're here!" #WhereTheyDoThatAt?

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

I see myself as a continuously successful, multiple self-published author who uses music/poetry/spoken word to inspire the lives of people both young and old. I aspire to delve more into acting on stage and on television.

Are you happy with where you are in life? 

Overall, I'm content. I'm always striving for more and often beat myself up over an apparent lack of progress/growth but have to remind myself to look at the big picture and to see me the way God sees me. 

What more do you want to do with your life?

I look forward to becoming a mother and raising and nurturing a beautiful, healthy family.

What drives/motivates you? 

Inspiring others to live better lives full of peace and joy drives me. The fact that God created me to love others and to teach them how to love by loving...it sounds so cliche but my heart is truly full of love for people in a way they've never experienced.  

What else do you do? 

I enjoy running and being outdoors. I find that cleaning is therapeutic so, I spend time cleaning house daily! I also sing at church and volunteer with youth ministries whenever possible! 

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

In everything, I find that building positive relationships is key. Whether it's with individuals at church, with former employers and even online. 

I came upon my current position through a connection on Twitter. A sister in Chicago that I met on Twitter (and have yet to meet in real life) connected me with someone she knows (from Twitter) who was relocating from Atlanta to Hampton for work. She asked me to reach out to the sister with hopes that I'd help her get adjusted to the area, which I gladly did. 

After meeting the sister from Atlanta, we remained in touch and about three months later, she text me asking if I had administrative experience. At the time I was wearing myself out working two part-time jobs as I worked hard to establish my life as a freelance writer (which wasn't going well...). Lucky for me, I have over 10 years experience in administrative support and immediately sent my resume to her. She forwarded it to the appropriate individuals and within two weeks, I had a new full-time job!

Again, not only did I have a new full-time position but I found myself working in a creative environment which allows me to freely work on my work as a freelance writer. I literally finished my first book while sitting at my full-time job!All hail the power of Twitter! LOL

So yeah...RELATIONSHIPS are important, even when looking for work!

Feature #60: Lizann M. Destin, Brand Manager/PR

Name: 

Lizann M. Destin

Current Job Position Title: 

Brand Manager/PR

Company Name:  

Brand Manager and PR for fitness company  “Fitness As A Lifestyle. LLC”

Contact Information:
Destined2n4@aol.com/ twitter:@destined4itall

Special skills:

I mange people’s lives for a living. I am forever organizing people’s lives and businesses. I am good at seeing someone’s dream and turning it into reality. The fact that I am well versed in writing, producing, and public speaking gives me the power to be great at what I do.

Describe your job story:

I’ve been in love with reading and writing from a young age, winning awards for writing short stories from the 3^rd grade. As I got older I struggled to figure out what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to be in charge of whatever it was. I joined the United States Navy right after high school, to protect and serve and to find my path. After five years, It wasn’t until my last year in the military that I realized what I wanted. I wanted to be in the media, I wanted to write, inform and educate people about what was going on in the world. I decided to finish up my Bachelors degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Clark Atlanta University. Concentration Mass Media Arts, I knew that I wanted a career that didn’t feel like work, I want to wake up every morning and be excited about what I’m doing, and I’ve found that in media.  

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager?

As a child my imagination ran wild! I was everywhere, I wanted to be Tony Danza from Who’s the Boss? Lol until my mom told me that wasn’t happening, she was like your not cleaning up houses! He just looked so happy! I wanted to be a doctor, and singer. Now I realize even as I child my main focus was to be happy, that is the thing that is most important to me.

Are doing your dream job?

I haven’t landed my dream job yet, but I’m on the path I want to be and I’m in the field that I love. I am fulfilling my dreams everyday by seeing my hard work turn into reality.

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 

I love being in charge and organizing things because I love to see things come together. It makes me happy that I am the key person in someone’s journey to their dreams. This the life that I chose.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years I see myself establishing multiple businesses in different markets and helping others establish their dreams of being a business owner. I want to be one of the biggest names in brand management.

Are you happy with where you are in life?

I am happy at where I’m at in life because I feel like I am exactly where I’m suppose to be and every goal that I set for myself a few years ago, I’ve accomplished and exceeded. I am happy but I am not content. I’m always trying to get better!

What more do you want to do with your life?

I want to wake up every day and love what I’m doing, I want to change lives in any way I can, and tell people my story. I want to live my life to fullest, with no regrets. 

What drives/motivates you?

My need to always do better and my fear of being less then the best motivates me. I truly believe that the only competition, I have is myself, so every time I accomplish something, I’m already thinking “what else can I do to get closer to my others goal?” “What else can I do to add value to me?”

What else do you do?

I am currently working two more jobs at the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Civil Rights) as an Automation Clerk, and at 11Alive News as a Producer.  I am also taking Small Business Management courses.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

Always try to do things that enhance your worth, take classes, learn a new skill, and find what makes you happy. Don’t be afraid to try new things and be persistence.

Feature #59: Corey S. Taylor, Founder/CEO

Name: Corey S. Taylor

Current Job Position Title: Founder & CEO  

  

Company Name:  

 Fitness As A Lifesyle, LLC 

Contact Information: 

faalifestyle@blogspot.com / faalifestyle@gmail.com / @faalifestyle on twitter 

Special skills: 

I am Atlanta's Number 1 Trainer, I provide High Intensity Interval Training - My clients are able to achieve more result's in just 25-30 minutes with me than most people are who spend up to an hour and a half with their trainer.

Describe your job story: 

It was a twisted rollercoaster of set backs, come ups and life lessons along the way, but after being an athlete most of my life and moving to atlanta for modeling, I quickly was able to recognize my nitch within the industry. Sports & Fitness have always been a part of my life, personal training allows me to stay in the competetive area of sports while also helping others achive thier inner athlete.

What did you want to be when you were a child/ teenager? 

Growing up an only child I was always considered the "artist", sports were fun but I loved to draw and paint and was even in a few art academies during the summers, my creative side manifested into a love for music and I took that as far as college, receiving a full music scholarship out of high shcool. All in all my interests have allways been hobbies that kept me curious while allowing expression.

Are doing your dream job? 

I'm on beaches coast to coast on city rooftops in parks & gyms working to be the best trainer every client / athlete I see has or will ever experience, and I get paid to do it, every day is a dream for me but with persistance and patience things can and always will get better.

What do you like MOST about what you do? What do you like the LEAST? 

I love the freedom that I have, no two sessions are the same and the entire city is my office, my creativity and passion creates an element that can only be experienced through a session with me, the only thing I don't like is that aren't enough hours in the day or days in the week.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? 

In the next 5 years I see my self operating primarily out of Los Angeles,California. Fitness As A Lifestyle, LLC will have a fitness studio in the Atlanta area with in the next 2 years, my market is world wide and I plan to change it one pound at a time.

Are you happy with where you are in life? 

I'm on the pursuit of happiness, I'm not there yet.

What more do you want to do with your life? 

I want to influence more people, I want to experience more challenges and gain more wisdom from life, I want to be able to show the world my talents, I want to work with the best and become better. I want to live long enough to exceed my potential and teach others.

What drives/motivates you? 

My goals keep me going. I have a fire inside of me that grows with each passing season,  I can't explain what it's like to wake up with the intentions of advancing on every opportunity that you may encounter that day, but that's what I do, thats how the city of Atlanta makes me feel. Life right now is pure sport and I play to win.

What else do you do? 

I'm also a working model, I've developed greatly over the past year with a boutique agency out of LA and am now seeking representation with the Fiteness Division of Whilemina Models, I'm done more spreaking roles on most of the LA/Atlanta based productions like BET's "The Game", Tyler Perry's "House Of Payne" and have most recently been featured in Columbia Records Artist RaVaughn Brown's music video which made the Track List for the movie "Think Like A Man" .I've most recently recieved a sponsorship from brands such as Vita Coco, Nitro Cut and Detour as an Athlete and ambassodor. I work closely with the 11 Alive news team as a trainer to the staff and most recently can be found In Kontrol Magazine with monthly articles, fitness advice & Information.

What is your advice to those who are seeking employment and have no hope?

 Trust your struggle; You have to put all your energy into putting your self in the postion to succeed, once you've found success, you then have the opportunity to do it gain at higher level and in less time. Hard work beats talent, daily.