Spotlight on the Professional Entertainment and Sports Association Summit 2013

By: Janai Crudup

Attention LLR readers, make sure you mark your calendars for the 3rd annual PESA Summit on March 4, 2013! This event is one you do not want to miss, especially if you are interested in entertainment, sports, fashion, music, television, or film. The event has grown to new heights this year with a whopping 400 expected students from over 15 different schools eager to learn more about the entertainment and sports industries and 50 professionals ready to share their tips and knowledge. Taking place at the University of Georgia’s Tate Grand Hall, the Summit will have a series of panels and workshops for students to attend. There are three different sections of panel discussions totaling three, but students will choose one discussion for each section.

Upon arrival, only the first 250 guests will receive a special “swag bag” but all guests will receive breakfast. Following breakfast will be the opening keynote address by Coleman Breland the chief operating officer of Turner Network Sales. Breland is also over the domestic distribution, sales and marketing of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. This keynote address will be one you do not want to miss.

In the first session one can choose to attend “College vs. Professional Sports”, “Fashion Exposed”, or “Crossroads: Professionals Who Do It All.” Panelists in these sessions vary from Jeff Morander, the vice president of the National Hockey League, to Randi Layne, the president of Catwalk Productions.

The Current State of the Film Industry”, “International Entertainment”, and “Off the Strip: Nontraditional Entertainment Careers” are panels that can be found in the second session. Speakers such as Angie Simmons the executive vice president of multichannel platforms at QVC and Howard Berzack the sponsorship and events manager at United Parcel Service will be on speaking during this session.

In the final session students have the option of attending “The New Music Business”, “The Offer”, and “The Marketing and Communications of the Show Biz”. Attendees are able to hear people like the CEO of Grand Hustle, Jason Geter, and the human resources director for the Atlanta Braves Lara Juras, along with many others.

Finally the event will end with a closing keynote address by Bob Williams who is the President for the Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena. This will surely be a great way to end an amazing event. There is no question attendees will leave with more connections with professionals and more knowledge in the industries of interest.

Now that you know all about what the Summit is and who will be there, here is why you should be in attendance to this year’s Summit.

1. Meet students who are interested in the same things as you. Often time’s students forget that at events like the Summit you get to interact with more than just professionals who are in your field of interest, you also get the opportunity to meet other students who are striving to be in the same field. Connect with these students because one day you might end up doing business together in your field of choice!

2. This could result in unexpected opportunities. You never know, you could connect with an industry professional that see’s something special in you and wants to give you the opportunity to intern or work for their company. Just come with the best you and anything is possible!

3. Learn from professionals who have the positions you want or can explain how to achieve your career goals. Knowledge is everything and the speakers at the Summit have lots of tips to share with you. They are eager to share how they got their positions and give you suggestions on how to get the position you want! If you decide to attend at least you will leave with a better understanding of the entertainment and sports industries and what can beat that?

Regardless of the reason you decide to attend the PESA Summit, attending is important because no matter where your curiosities lie in entertainment or sports there is a session for you to learn something more! There will be tons of opportunities if you attend the Summit; do not miss the chance to take this opportunity!

For more information or to register for the Summit go to pesasummit.com.

 

 

MUAH,

Big Rich Boss B&%CH: Exclusive Interview with Ashlee Wilson Hawn of Big Rich Atlanta

 Big Rich Boss B&%CH: Exclusive Interview with Ashlee Wilson Hawn of Big Rich Atlanta

By: Krissy Ann

Atlanta is home to the young, flashy, and fabulous. The downtown streets are flooded with diamonds, divas, and drama. It’s only right that network television captures the lavish lifestyle of Atlanta’s Elite. Lipstick Locker Room caught up with an all encompassing divalicious, beauty who is far from big but undoubtedly rich and shamelessly born and raised in the city streets of Atlanta, Georgia. Miss Ashlee Wilson Hawn is the newest Reality Television Diva and cast member of Style Networks’ Big Rich Atlanta which airs Wednesdays at 8pm on Style Network. If you caught the first episode which aired Wednesday, January 23^rd, then you know that Ashlee is the “Boss B%#CH”. She speaks her mind and lets the people have it. In her six inch stilettos she kicks ass and takes names, but who is the real Ashlee Wilson and what is the story behind the Diva? LLR’s Krissy Ann met with Ashlee to get the inside scoop.

Krissy Ann: Where were you born and raised?

Ashlee Wilson Hawn: ATLANTA GA IN BUCKHEAD AT PIEDMONT HOSPITAL SEPT 28, 1984 AND I GREW UP IN SOUTH GA WHERE I ATTENDED PRIVATE PREP SCHOOL AND VERY QUICKLY EXITED AS THAT SMALL TOWN “WORLD” HAS NEVER BEEN FOR ME AND THANKFULLY I WAS A CHILD WITH A WORKING MODELING, DANCING AND VOCAL CAREER SO I DIDNT LIVE IN SOUTH GA FULL TIME AS MY MOM HAD ME WITH AGENTS AND COACHES FROM ATLANTA TO NEW YORK

KA: What are your likes and dislikes?

AWH: I DISLIKE LIARS, NEGATIVE AND JUDGEMENTAL PEOPLE TO THE CORE!!!!!!!!!!! I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER UNTIL YOU LIE TO ME!!! NO REASON TO LIE JUST BE HONEST…I WILL LOVE YOU FOR THE GOOD AND BAD AS LONG AS YOU ARE HONEST!!!!! I DESPISE A JUDGEMENTAL PERSON- MY ONLY JUDGE AND JURY IS GOD!!!!! I RUN FROM NEGATIVITY LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU SPEW ANY NEGATIVITY WHAT SO EVER, I WILL RUN FROM YOU!!!!

I LIKE/LOVE….HONESTY MORE THAN ANYTHING!!!!! SOME PEOPLE SAY I AM TOO HONEST (BRUTALLY HONEST) BUT I ONLY GIVE WHAT I WANT IN RETURN!!!!!!!!

KA: How would you describe your sense of style?

AWH: MY STYLE IS SOOOOO DIFFERENT FROM DAY TO DAY BUT I AM ALWAYS DRESSED LIKE A DIVA IN MY OWN RIGHT….ONE DAY I MAY BE BOHO CHIC WITH A HEADBAND THEN I MAY BE IN A CHANEL SUIT AND DIAMONDS THE NEXT DAY THEN ROCKING A CRAZY ALEXANDER MCQUEEN OR GIVENCHY LOOK WITH SPIKES THE NEXT…YOU JUST NEVER KNOW ME…I AM FASHIONABLY BIPOLAR AND I FREAKING LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

KA: Do you consider yourself a DIVA?

AWH: I AM A LOVER OF ALL THINGS GREAT, GRAND, AND GLORIOUS!!! I AM A VERY OVER THE TOP DIVA AND I DO NOT AND WILL NOT EVER APOLOGIZE FOR IT!!!!!! I AM THE DEFINITION OF A DIVA AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\

KA: On the show you refer to yourself as the Boss and you run things effortlessly, might I add, but how did you come about being the Boss or HBIC?

AWH: THEY CALL ME THE BOSS BECAUSE MY GRANDADDY GAVE ME THAT NAME WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL. HE HAD A SMALL DESK PUT ON TOP OF A LARGE DESK FOR ME IN THE OFFICES OF WILSON INTERNATIONAL (OUR FAMILY BIZ) AND WOULD TELL ME I WAS “THE BOSS.” I WOULD TAKE MY “JOB” SO SERIOUS AND TAKE NOTES ALL DAY OF THE ACTIVITIES I SAW IN THE OFFICE AT OUR FAMILY COMPANY AND REPORT BACK TO MY GRANDADDY WHO WAS THE ULTIMATE BOSS 🙂

KA: What are two things in this world that you love and can’t live without?

AWH: I LOVE MY DOG “HARRY WINSTON” AKA:WINNIE SOOOOO MUCH!!!!! HE IS A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE AND MY LITTLE COSTAR ON BIG RICH ATLANTA. HE IS A SHIHPOO AND AN ABSOLUTE GENIUS AS AUDIENCES CAN NOW SEE HIM IN THE SNEAK PEAK OF HIM EATING STRAWBERRIES OFF OF A FORK LIKE A HUMAN LOL

I CANT LIVE WITHOUT HELPPPPPP ALLLLLLL AROUND ME!!!! I HAVE TO HAVE MY DRIVER, RAFIK, ALL OF MY BUILDING STAFF FROM CONCIERGE TO VALETS TO BUTLERS TO HOUSEKEEPER ETC….MY PERSONAL ASSISTANT IS A MUST HAVE AND I CANT LIVE WITHOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY STYLIST PARIS SCOTT, HAIR GOD KEON BRUNSON, MAKEUP ARTIST JEREMY DELL….GOTTTTTAAAAA HAVE THEM TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE AS A DIVA

KA: Now that you have completed taping of the first season of Big Rich Atlanta, How does it feel to be a budding reality television starlet?

AWH: BECOMING A BUDDING REALITY TV STARLET, FEELS SO INVIGORATING AND EXCITING! I LOVE GOING INTO MY CHARACTER AND ENJOYING THAT TIME IN ANOTHER LAND….

KA: Exactly, how was the Big Rich Atlanta experience?

AWH: BIG RICH ATLANTA, IS A LIFE AND WORLD OF ITS OWN!!!! I PINCH MYSELF TO THINK I AM APART OF SOMETHING SO HUGE! WORKING FOR NBC UNIVERSAL STYLE NETWORK IS OVER THE MOON UBER COOL IF I MUST SAY SO MYSELF!!!

KA: Without revealing too much detail, what can audiences expect from this upcoming season of Big Rich Atlanta?

AWH: AUDIENCES CAN EXPECT BIG RICH ATLANTA TO LITERALLY MAKE REALITY TELEVISION HISTORY FOR SEVERAL REASONS AS THERE ARE THINGS THAT “GO DOWN” ON THIS SHOW THAT HAVE NEVER HAPPENED TO THIS MAGNITUDE ON TELEVISION!!! BIG RICH ATLANTA WILL LEAVE OUR AUDIENCES THIRSTY FOR MORE AND MORE……

KA: What is next for Ashlee Wilson Hawn?

AWH: THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR ASHLEE WILSON HAWN….I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON DIVARELLA MY LIFESTYLE BRAND AND PHILANTHROPY- RAISING AWARENESS AGAINST VIOLENCE AND HATE….I AM REALLY JUST SOAKING IN EVERY MOMENT WHILE HUSTLING LIKE THE BOSS 🙂

The “Boss” aka Ashlee Wilson Hawn, said it best, the drama seeking audiences have much to anticipate in the upcoming season of Big Rich Atlanta. Boss Ashlee is a natural born hustler and I have no doubt she will go from the small screen to changing the world in no time. Lipstick Locker Room looks forward to covering more stories on Ashlee and all the beautiful Georgia Peaches of Big Rich Atlanta. Be sure to tune in!

xo.

Dawgs On Top: Why Georgia Will Dominate Nebraska in Capital One Bowl

By: Loni Danielle

Five yards shy of the National Championship; the Georgia Bulldogs will have to settle for the Capital One Bowl. However, the Capital One Bowl is something that the Dawgs are used to, as they last appeared in this particular bowl game in 2009 with a 24-12 win over Michigan State, and this year the winning trend should continue.

Georgia is favored over Nebraska, and after the heart-breaking loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship the Bulldogs should be ready to play with vengeance. No doubt about it the Nebraska Cornhuskers are talented, but they just don’t stack up the Georgia Bulldogs. Aaron Murray has accounted for 3,466 yards on offense, 31 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, in comparison, Nebraska’s quarterback, Taylor Martinez, has tallied 2,667 yards on offense and 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. Today, he will have to face Georgia’s explosive defense, which includes Jarvis Jones, who only needs two sacks to break David Pollack’s single-season record, which could possibly make New Year’s Day a very long day for Taylor Martinez. The Cornhuskers running game is a force to be reckoned with, but the Dawgs will be just fine as they counter with the freshman duo, “Gurshall”. Both Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall have a combined total of almost 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns this season, with stats like these, Nebraska will have a hard time keeping up with them. Nebraska recently had a hard time stopping Wisconsin and Ohio State’s run game and gave up nearly 1,000 yards combined in the last two losses. With that being said, the Dawgs should have no problem with their ground game against the Cornhuskers. With both teams looking for a win after losing their respective conference championship games, Georgia looks to be the team with the most momentum after such a strong performance against second ranked, Alabama. The Dawgs showed everyone that they could compete with any team, which is why the Dawgs should not break a single sweat with Nebraska on New Year’s Day.

Picture courtesy of @CapitalOneBowl

So You Want to Start Your Own Business?

Starting your own business can be scary, nerve-racking, a leap of faith! But if you’re determined and focused on your goal, it can most definitely be done and yield successful results.

Most college students have thought about starting their own business and if you’re serious about bringing your idea to manifestation, here are 3 quick tips to help get you started

1.   Create a business plan.

• According to Kiplinger.com, one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is not writing a business plan. It’s important to research, research, research in order to discover how you plan to market your business, how you anticipate making a profit, etc. PLAN.

2.   Acquire business experience and training.

• No matter how driven and excited you are for your business, working for someone else and working for yourself are total opposites! Make sure you seek proper training and advice about how to effectively run your business. It would also be wise to gain experience in the field of your prospective business.

3.   Find a way to finance your startup business.

• Most business owners’ biggest obstacle is finding a way to fund their business in the beginning. The number one route businesses take is to request a bank loan. Depending on the credit score, a loan of $50,000 or less will most likely be granted, according to Stever Robbins, business consultant and startup veteran of nine companies. If that doesn’t work out, some entrepreneurs decide to borrow money from family and friends. If you decide this is the way you want to go, make sure to be explicit when explaining when the money will be repaid and the amount of time in which it will be repaid.

This Christmas, I had the privilege of interviewing my two older cousins, who started their very own business, Bro’s Grill, at the beginning of last year. Like most entrepreneurs, brothers Eddie and Lorenzo Covin did not see success without highs and lows. In the interview, Eddie and Lorenzo will briefly offer insight on their journeys as business owners!

Bre Carissa Chats with Two Business Owners

Be sure to check out their restaurant, Bro’s Grill located at 1205 Winder Highway in Lawrenceville, Georgia!

Good luck to my future business owners!