NY NOW Podcast

What’s your Jam?

• NY NOW • Season 1 • Episode 90

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Jumping into the world of social media is so much easier for some people than others. But this simple school of thought holds true whether you are an interior designer, product creator, or a letterpress designer- our brand is our story, and our story is us. Some of the easiest things that we can do to promote our business and build a loyal community is right in front of us so here is a little push or maybe your reminder to do some easy actions to help build your community and comfort level in front of the camera! Listen in as Jalonda Hill and Amy talk about some of the fundamentals of building and promoting your brand… through your story telling. 

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Thank you for podcasting with NY NOW! We look forward to connecting with you across all our platforms and seeing you in person!
Website: nynow.com
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Dondrill Glover:

Welcome to The New York now podcast, a modern wholesale market for retailers and specialty buyers seeking diversity and discovery, gathering twice a year in America's design capital, New York City. It's where buyers and designers on Earth have refreshed and dedicated collection of eclectic lifestyle products. Hello, everyone, and

Amy Loewenberg:

welcome to The New York now spotlight podcast. I'm your host, Ian Lowenberg, senior relations manager for New York now, community spotlight podcaster and all around retailer advocate. My focus is to bring you important information, conversations and perspectives from both sides of the aisle. Today's conversation is with someone very special, digital creator Jalonda. Hill, we met at what's new what's next at the New York City Design Center. Both of us were at the let's talk what's new and next InDesign session. It was an interactive session where we were able to have a lot of back and forth with the moderator and the panelists. It really wasn't long before Jalonda began speaking. And I'm not kidding when I say that the room shifted. It was really interesting to see the crowd began to take notice of her and listen, her picture and her video was being taken. And I could tell that she was just something special. She was speaking about developing our brands through storytelling and was giving us some resources and life experiences that she's had. So whether you're an interior designer, a product creator, or a letterpress designer, our brand is our story. And our story is us. So some of us are great at this, some of us need a little help. Some of the easiest things that we can do to promote our business and build a loyal community is right in front of us. And we just need a little push. Or maybe a reminder to know that we are all going to be able to relate to what Jalonda is saying, We will come away with some new direction that can build on what we have, or create something new. This is a time of evolution more than ever, and it's time to try the things that maybe we were hesitant to, and just tear down those walls that were built through insecurity and fear. So let's tell our story. And before that, let me tell you a little bit about Yolanda. Originally setting her goal on becoming a Bengals cheerleader. Cincinnati native Jalonda Hill went from full time nail technician to the CEO of Joey Eric House of Style and is now one of the top social media influencers in 2022 the true definition of God and grit Jalonda says, who is a married mother of three spends her days spreading joy through her content with her love of fashion and passion for style. Currently on the verge of 150,000 followers on Instagram, her organically grown EXO tribe, as she refers to them is being provided the most enjoyable lifestyle content, which can include jolenta rollerskating, through her kitchen, as well as being a part of her travels and enjoying life with her. Let's get started. So Wanda, I am so excited to be talking with you today. Thank you so much for jumping on to this with me.

Jalonda Hill:

Thank you, Amy. I'm so excited to talk about all the good stuff that you have laid out. Thank you. Thank you. Oh, you're

Amy Loewenberg:

welcome. You're welcome. And I am truly pumped for this conversation. So we're just gonna dive right in. Okay.

Jalonda Hill:

Absolutely. All right.

Amy Loewenberg:

So I have not had a conversation with anyone who didn't not agree to some degree, that the importance of sharing stories is fundamental to building brand and community. And as someone who loves to share other people's stories, as I am, when did you first discover that you were such a great that you were so great at sharing your own story? Or that you even wanted to? Like, was there a shift in your life or your career? Like how, how did this passion present itself to you?

Unknown:

The first time a few years back because we had our own boutique business. And I would only post pictures, like stock photos, of course out of myself from different companies, vendors that I work with. But once I started posting pictures of myself or videos of myself, I think engagement really increased. So I realized, okay, people want to see people. So I just really started to focus on that. And eventually I had hired a brand manager. And she had recommended she recommends that she recommended that I would read this audio book called Building a story brand. And it really talked about the art of storytelling and how important it was. And I noticed when I started doing it organically and just, you know, wake up in the morning with you know, my scarf on my hair on my hair, you know just not going to be so perfect that people can relate to that. And just a little light bulb went off like wow people You want to be able to relate and you don't have to be perfect.

Amy Loewenberg:

So I really mean, I think that's incredible. Because when we look at Instagram, and we see all these, like picture perfect, like, we know what's behind the scenes, like, I know that when I see somebody like making the perfect charcuterie board and their wine in hand, like I know, it is just a mess surrounding them, like I know that,

Unknown:

right? Oh, for sure, like flip the camera around, and you will see like kids shoes everywhere and the dogs over here to make it look like amazing for for the camera, but I just really believe that organic, you know, all natural, you know, relatable, really, really builds community and connection with people.

Amy Loewenberg:

And it presented that to you just in your following for your boutique, obviously. Oh, yeah, with

Unknown:

the boutique. And then the other thing there was a shift with so there was two sisters that I used to travel with, we were traveling like shows with FAR boutique. And I noticed that they had shifted on social media from selling merchandise to, you know, traveling to Cabo and posting different things in their stories, like literally like it was like a reality TV show. So to say it, those are just my words, but they would show like going to a wedding and going to this place. And I'm like, What are they doing? I can do that. So that was another thing that shifted. For me, I enjoyed my boutique business. But I knew I wanted to shift in a way that I could actually basically live your life, and share that organic with your community, and even work with brands and not have to have some sort of weight as far as the boutique industry part of it. But that really opened up the doors to like really just growing with the community being relatable. I have never had that much engagement in my life. Litigation is great. Thank you, thank you, even when I first decided to say, hey, I want to shift gears and really tap into social media and being an influencer. You know, we had 3500 followers, roughly, you know, and as of like, maybe a week ago, we hit 140 646k, which is huge and organically, ya know, I followers, it was just, you know, posting rules and content, which I can go into more details about that, too. But it definitely is, it's almost unbelievable, but it's happening, it's happening. Well, it's

Amy Loewenberg:

authentic. I mean, the visible aspect of storytelling is an important one, and you clearly are doing a stellar job at that. And you're keeping yourself visible, we can all agree that both buyers and brands should be using social media to their advantage. So tell us why this is such an important resource to not just embrace but to help us discover new and exciting opportunities, like you did.

Unknown:

Yeah, I believe it's like, the number one platform or number one tool that anyone can use business or personal to, like really build your brand, your community, a product. I mean, your reach is, it has the there's like not much of a limit on it. For different communities, you know, people that you can reach out to commercial and social media, it's free. You know, you don't have to pay any money. I mean, you can boost posts, but I don't even do that you can post reels, it's totally free. It's gonna take you some, you know, a little bit of creativity, and some time, but I would definitely tap into that. That is definitely like, what's happening now. And I really think, you know, even with COVID, and everything that happened years ago, I think that really shifted things and made everything you know, everything's online, people are getting things delivered. It's definitely like online, and just to be to tap into social media.

Amy Loewenberg:

Well, we're gonna get into a few pro tips later. But I think that we can all agree that some people are actually better at doing social media than others. And like, how, what what about those people who aren't comfortable with being seen on social media? Like, how do we help them?

Unknown:

Amy? That is such a good question. I've actually met people who are like, I'm so camera shy, or I don't want to be like, so it's okay, because I follow lots of people. And you might as well you don't realize, like, they're not even showing their face, it might be their hands, it might just be a pan of a living room. But before and after. It can be I know, one lady that I follow that has, I don't know, maybe a million followers, roughly. But she does daily affirmations, there's like words on the screen, and, you know, relaxing music playing behind it, and she'll get over a million views on our videos, no face and sight. So if you are a little timid, a little shy, there's ways that you can work around that, like don't let that stop you. Right, you are putting yourself in a box or your business and your brand if you're not really tapping into social media because you're a little more nervous. So I would focus more so on the aesthetics of if you are an interior designer, like I said the before and after of a project where you don't have to have your face in there or if you're into cooking, you know, just like the grocery shopping, it's your hands moving until you're comfortable with like showing your face. There's ways around that. So don't let that stop you

Amy Loewenberg:

know what I did still it still present your story. It's still a personal way to show that you're actively involved in this. I mean, I know that for me. I will sometimes when I do my store visits I'll I'll show my hand opening the store You know, and then doing the video in they know, it's me, you know, they know my rings by this point. So it's still representational of like, oh, Amy's going into another store, you know

Unknown:

for sure, no, I agree. And then there's also stories with it for Instagram, those that have accounts on Instagram, you can even tap into stories a little softer with showing your face maybe a little bit if you get to that point, but become relatable to you, even if you're super shy. So show up as that person because your community I believe you're attracted by even people that have similar personalities to you might be a little more laid back reserved. But you can still even show up within stories and give yourself a little more room to show up organically.

Amy Loewenberg:

Yeah, I mean, I remember people were pushing me to do that. And by the time I finally did, suddenly, I saw my engagement increase, because they were not just identifying that Amy's doing this, but they were relating to what I was doing.

Jalonda Hill:

No, that's that's your that's spot one.

Amy Loewenberg:

No, it really is taking the plunge and doing it right. Like, like, how did you feel the first time your face was on? Like, were you pumped? Or were you nervous?

Unknown:

I was nervous. Yes. What am I doing now? What am I seeing? Yeah, the more I did it, it was just organic. You know, like, if I'm going on a trip, or if I'm going, you know, I'll take with like, Hey, I'm headed to Dubai in two weeks. Like, I didn't pack my stuff. So it makes us like community like it's my girlfriend's like my friends like, Okay, you're going on a trip, make sure you pack this. So they engage with just people that want to go to Dubai, or that have been touched by there in your DMS like, Oh, I was there, you know, two years ago makes you go visit this place for giving you suggestions just like your best friends would they make you there become friends with this community of people that you've never even knew? Yeah. And like even over the last 12 months, I It's you would think I've known these individuals since I was, you know, in like elementary school, I would you know, play dodgeball together? No, I just met them through social media and 99% of them I've never seen face to face. Yeah, we've built this, like, this, no trust factor into just being organically mean, you know, and I know everybody can do that. But it's just a matter of timing, where you're like, Okay, I'm gonna do this. So,

Amy Loewenberg:

yeah, I love it. Like, you're you're making sure that your travel list is complete, you're making sure that your itinerary is complete through complete strangers who actually are not strangers anymore. The same on on our side, you know, in more of the Home and Gift industry, you know, where was that product sourced, or you know, what I really wish you had. And now we've got brands who are, you know, learning about new products that they should be carrying or creating? Right? So we want an amazing platform to help us grow not just our own presence, but it's our business. It's

Unknown:

our brand. Yeah, I agree. Yeah.

Amy Loewenberg:

So um, you know, on another note, in trade shows, there are some written rules of ethics that we should be practicing, like asking to take pictures, when you're in somebody's booth before just assuming that we can. Are there any rules of ethics that we should maybe know about, and like immediately practice for social media?

Unknown:

Two things I can think of immediately, is, of course, getting permission to use someone else's content. Because I've had people take my reels and like, literally post them on their page without a mention, or it's like, actually being that you're using my, you know, digital property. So just getting permission when it comes to that. And I definitely don't recommend buying followers. Any it might seem kind of small, but you know, you buy all along. Yeah, you'll have 100, you know, say 200,000 followers, and then you're you got like two likes, on posts. There's no engagement, there's no community there. So I

Amy Loewenberg:

actually don't really even understand buying likes, I mean, you're trying to present yourself as bigger than maybe you are. And to your point two likes.

Unknown:

There's no engagement there. Oh, yeah, no, yeah, I would I would not do that. Like, just do it organically. They'll come and reels would help with that with social media and all that stuff. But I definitely would, that would be my two. Yeah, so the to download. Don't just don't I wouldn't do that.

Amy Loewenberg:

So ask permission to share content and make sure that we're tagging when we get the approval. And then we don't need to buy any followers. We don't need your action. Oh, yeah, I totally hear you. Sharing stories is a form of promotion and your engagement is incredible. I'm seeing views over 11,000 on some of your reels and likes in the 1000s You're clearly making an authentic connection with your community. The interaction back and forth between you and your followers is incredible. But I'm going to do a little bit of a shift here. We also know that we must be in constant mode of acceptance to change to remain relevant and which you clearly are by your growing base. You're evil Loving and growing. And we're watching you. So what has been your biggest challenge of change for you for change, acceptance? And then what have you learned from it?

Unknown:

I would say the technical aspect of it, moving from more of a handwritten calendar to a digital planner, using all those systems, so that your team, okay, so for a calendar, if I have a handwritten calendar, they can't see, okay, I have a dentist appointment tomorrow. But if it's on a digital on the app that everyone uses, it helps with the communication, they can know what's going on. So it just took me a while to get adjusted to that. But I learned that it was a system that I needed, like, weeks and months and years, you know, for a long time. But more effective. It's

Amy Loewenberg:

make make makes it more effective. So let me ask you, like, are you planning out your posts and rienne? And scheduling them? Or are you like, doing it and then editing it and then posting it immediately? Like, do you have a calendar,

Unknown:

of your point have a calendar, we are planning it out. So there's certain days, so like, on Sundays, I'll typically do like self care, post, um, if there's some holidays that are coming up, so we're definitely mapping that out. Whereas before, I would just post whatever, whenever, you know, there was no rhythm, right? There was no real, no system to it. Now there's even specific times do you want to post a 9am? At 12pm 3pm 6pm 9pm? Those like peak seasons? Correct? My peak seasons, peak seasons? Times, yes. For social media. So just really being able to like get out of the mode of just doing whatever, whenever and just having a system to really build and be consistent.

Amy Loewenberg:

So I think that would probably be one of the biggest, like, areas of change and acceptance for me because like, I'm trying to create consistency in my posts, like, maybe a Motivational Monday and a store tour Tuesday. But I find that I'm not always sticking to that if there. Is that a negative? Or do you feel that it would behoove me to stick to a rigid schedule of what gets posted on what day?

Unknown:

I like that. I like the the Motivation Monday and the tour, it's you said tumors on Tuesday. Yeah, I love that. And then there's ways that you can actually batch create your content for those days, so you don't feel so overwhelmed. When you create. Batch create is when you pick a specific time of the week. So say your batch creation date is on a Monday, okay, you'll maybe the week before you map out the songs, you're going to use the type of content you want to create, whether it's a store tour, or DIY or cookie recipe. So you have maybe 10, different reels, 10 different pictures that you want to take where it's mapped out, and you'll create all that content in one day. Now, it might take you you know, four to six hours. And the more you do it, the faster you'll get. I think the first time I might have made like two reels and like I was like, I'm exhausted. But the more you do it, the more comfortable you get. So you're not so overwhelmed. And you feel like oh, you're in the moment. And I need to post something today, because I haven't posted anything today. Because so in your content, it looks like it's rush kind of thrown together. But it was really planned out. It really definitely makes a difference. But batch creating is a must. Because it's less time consuming. You can knock out like I said so much more. I mean, your art your hair and makeup is already done. And you just go for it and you feel more confident, more planned out. That is definitely more effective.

Amy Loewenberg:

What about stories versus real. So I don't really know what the difference is. So

Unknown:

stories, of course, they have to tack on, you know, your headshot, right? And social media on Instagram to actually get into your story. So the reach is not as big, however, reels, unfortunately, add some hashtags that are searchable based on your content, but reels have such a wider reach. And I'll even compare that to they call it a static posts, which are the pictures that you see that are non videos, those will only reach the followers that you have. So if you have 10,000 followers, you can get up to maybe 10,000 people that will see it maybe maybe not depending on the notifications, all that stuff. However, if you post a real with those 10,000 followers, you could reach up to a million people because it's it reaches the masses, there's like no cut off. Got you.

Amy Loewenberg:

There are no boundaries. I've noticed that too. I also have noticed that like people are actually like you'll see those trending songs. And if you use them it would you know it's it's wise timing to attach it to one of your reels. And then you have people who are following those songs listening and watching your reel.

Unknown:

And I'm so glad you mentioned that it is so true. And what I would recommend a lot some of those trending songs you might not want to get up there especially if someone is shy, they might not want to get there and do the whole dance that's trading without doing any dance. I can do the hokey

Amy Loewenberg:

pokey but I'm not doing

Unknown:

so then you could take that training audio and it might just be a tour of a home Before and After, you just kind of make it. Because I've done that before where I'm like, I'm doing the math right now I'm just going to do a styling, I'm gonna do what I do, I'm gonna style an outfit and present audio. And the other thing too, even with the reels is to be able to three things, these just couple of tips is to even with the was just being relatable, yeah, and then to be able to educate, influence, or entertain. So all real should either those three, influence, educate, or entertain,

Amy Loewenberg:

I love it, I'm writing it down. Actually,

Unknown:

when you're doing those three things, it's going to hit and you're adding adding value is like number one, I'm getting really excited. But it's adding value to your community, whether it's a recipe or if someone's moving into a new home, and you're moving to this new space, you have this old cabinet, instead of throwing it away, let's like, sanded down, let's repaint it, let's add some, you know, some new hardware to it make it look brand new, kind of mixing the high and the low, but showing them how, okay, maybe some DIYs depending on what you're you know,

Amy Loewenberg:

green. Yeah, depending on what your jam is, I'm just thinking about like out the base of our community being like, mostly independent retailers, like we have a couple of buyers who are, you know, fantastic at, you know, presenting their stores, and literally showing themselves on a buying trip or heading out to Pennsylvania to do vintage antique shopping and, and their community now knows that some of those pieces are going to be found within their stores. So, you know, just taking it and adding those layers of you know, what, what is relatable to style and fashion. And what you do, and bringing it into a store is to me is very much the theme. Yeah, they want to be relatable. We want you to shop in our store. We want to educate you with what our store is and who we are and what we have. And we clearly want to entertain you because then you're going to think of me, when you have to do your holiday shopping. Hello, it's fall, we're thinking about, you know, buying our holiday gifts. And I love that What about like planting seeds? This is about like, where are we going? Like, would you? Are you seeing any trends or any like vibrations of like, social media moves so fast? It's not just song and like, what's the latest dance? You know, reels weren't as important as they were, you know, last year? Are you picking up on anything that we might be getting into? And if not, because I don't want to put you on the spot? What are some of the seeds that we can plant right now? And germinate into our own current platforms that can help us be more relatable for our community?

Unknown:

That that is? I like that question I would say for sure we spoke about before is like building that community. I think it's really moving digitally. Like, I know people still buy commercials, or as far as marketing. But like I said, I believe with COVID Things really shifted. And, you know, individuals are like really focused on, you know, they're creating the content, they're putting out the reels, or even the Tick Tock videos and companies are seeing how mass that engagement had expanded. And I feel like that has just opened up a huge door to chips. You know, back in the day, it was like MySpace was the thing. So if you're still like really trying to promote them, I don't think MySpace is still around. Hello. But just I never had a space. I've never had one, but to be able to ship with the times. And I just really feel like it's definitely like more digital. Like, even when you go into the grocery store, like there's less cashiers, the checkout areas, like check yourself out type thing. Yeah, everything is moving like this digital, easy, convenient, and to be able to ship with that. And then just kind of piggybacking off of what I was saying, as far as building your community, you know, whether it's getting, you know, you can definitely still build an email community. You know, I definitely wouldn't stop doing that, you know, except getting emails and just really, really connecting with your community. Like don't be afraid to do that. Because in the end, that's who is going to be buying from you who's gonna they like they know, they trust you. Right? So just figure out a way to really tap into that. And

Amy Loewenberg:

what about like asking them Do you Do you ever like post questions out like,

Unknown:

surveys, stuff like that? So basically, as far as like general,

Amy Loewenberg:

like, do you like these pants or these pants or like, you know, do you like or do you like this picture that fixture?

Unknown:

Absolutely. It's just like your girlfriend's If you're out buying a wedding dress, or some jeans, or any, you know, a dress for an event, you're gonna texture for him say, Hey, I found this dress, which one do you like more that also increase your engagement and you know, more than likely, or needing help you're indecisive about something. So you can post that with your stories, and then use your stickers in there that have the polls, and they can say, Oh, I like this and more like that anymore. And it creates engagement and there, and then, you know, they pick dress, you know, number one, and you wouldn't say like, I picked that dress, you know, so I just really like builds just like a community, it really goes back to community.

Amy Loewenberg:

Yeah, I mean, that is really what I'm hearing and all of your responses, you continually go back to community and continue to go back to storytelling. And and really what it is, is it's telling your story. And I think if our listeners get anything from this, I mean, I certainly love being relatable. You want to educate you want to employ and flash entertain, that is all adding value.

Unknown:

Yeah, I definitely want to go over the pro tips. So I have three, that I would definitely suggest reels. Two different things. If you're not creating reels start, like I said before, it has your biggest reach compared to a static post. So definitely jumped at that. And like I said, your camera shy, you can do different things where you're like, not physically on camera. And if you are creating reels currently, I suggest looking at your top three performing reels. What are the highest numbers on those top three videos? And what type of content did you create to get those numbers, that's what your community is coming to you for. So if it was about you doing a before and after, for you styling a home, if it was you traveling on a styling trip, you were in Paris, or in New York, you know, so go by those numbers, they they're going to tell you exactly what they're coming to you, you know, to see that content. So that'll help you continue to build that type of content, because it's working. And it also quality with how you're recording. It aesthetically pleasing, even if it's you know, some good natural lighting, but also holding your camera steady as you're recording, you know, mixing up your different angles, as you're shooting it, you can chop it up, you know, as I say, chopping it up, but do different angles, and you want to have a steady camera because you you've probably seen reels where they're kind of moving on, you're like, Okay, that's giving me a headache. Yeah. And then within your first three seconds of your wheel is your key time to get the attention of your audience. So you want to grab your audience's attention within that first three seconds, because you've seen reels where you look at something, and you're scrolling like, you're scrolling right past because you're like, you just weren't interested, you just kind of kept going. So you got to be able to grab their attention. Yeah, within those first three seconds of that reel. And the second tip I would also add is the book. It's called Building a story brand by Donald Miller. And it goes into extreme detail. My marketing manager had actually recommended to me last year, like, what's the name of the book, so I actually just got the audio version of it. And it really goes into detail about being a storyteller and the different aspects of it. And it just all clicked like it all started making sense of, oh, that's what I'm actually doing. And then it just even gave me more value as to how to take it to another level. So you get the book or you can do the audio, but I highly recommend that to anyone is wanting to really grow and build their brand. It has to like gyms within that. And then also to delegate or hire help. Like you were saying, you have someone that's helping you do, you know, different things,

Amy Loewenberg:

do a little call out for Cesar Diaz, who does all of our editing and, and produces all of our podcasts and webinars. So

Unknown:

thanks a shout out. Because you can get so overwhelmed. It's just you, you or your team, and that you're trying to tap into Yeah, you know, me creating reels and really growing your brand. It's definitely gonna wear on you. And then you don't want to get burnout. Because burnout, burnout is real. Yeah. Would you say it's real? Oh, hell yeah. So just figuring out the things that you like, what do you love to do? And you can focus on that, like, what is your jam? That's my friend, what is your jam on your jam, and then try to delegate the rest of the step. So like, for me, I'm not techy, setting up a computer, like, I'm gonna hire someone to come over here and do that, because it's gonna stress me out. And it's just not my thing. You know, so I've heard someone say, you know, do what you do best. And hire for the rest. Wow. Yeah. And then if you can't afford it, and currently, you know, maybe get an intern, there's probably so many individuals in design school, for interior design, that are looking to kind of get their foot in there and work with someone that already has an established community. customer base. Yeah, they might do it. You know, it might be like a six week internship is spot on. Yeah, to give yourself some breath of fresh air. Yeah,

Amy Loewenberg:

I mean, I was gonna say they're often people on a sales team that are or could possibly be better at social media then then the owner of a store and so we should be utilizing their help. But to your point, there are students that are aching for the opportunity to learn what you do. And yeah, I think that is a great idea if you can't afford it, seek an intern, for sure.

Unknown:

I totally agree. It I'm telling you especially, it'll feel so much better. You'll, you'll think to yourself, Man, I should have done this a long time ago, like what was I waiting on? Wear every single hat, you know, yeah.

Amy Loewenberg:

I mean, I was literally saying that the first time I did a real I was like, what took me so long, like, like, Why did I wait so long? I get so nervous of like, I'm gonna do it wrong. And then people are gonna laugh at me. And then I realized, you know what, everybody's doing a little bit wrong. So let's just, you know, I'm sure if you looked at anybody's Instagram, from their first post to their last, you're gonna see a lovely trajectory of experience and skill.

Unknown:

Oh, for sure. And I'm glad you just said that, because it reminds me of my first real, I literally, I was just like, Okay, I heard about real, they're like, You got to start doing them. Same thing that we're talking about. And I'm like, I'm nervous. But I gotta do what? Yeah, I did her. I just, I was like, Okay, I'm going to start with this little sequins skirt behind my closet. So another tip is to start with what you have, you know, start with a little skirt out of my closet, first store, and I showed maybe like, five different ways to style it. You know, you know, a table that you have, you might show you two different ways of styling for Thanksgiving, or how to decorate a small space. You know, just bear with what you have. And yeah, oh, my gosh, I was so stiff. Amy. I was so stiff. Like I was back at it. And I laughed so loud. Number one thing that I got out of that real is that I jumped? And I did it. Yeah, I didn't let fear stop me from doing it. Yeah. And now here we are today, you know, fear can definitely try to get a hold of you. And, you know, stop you from really taking those necessary steps to grow your brand to grow your business. And to just take things to the next level.

Amy Loewenberg:

Isn't that what you call the true definition of God and grit?

Unknown:

Oh, my gosh, absolutely. Seriously, I'm telling you his favorite is literally, it's a game changer. For Well, I

Amy Loewenberg:

mean, I can see how it's changed your game. I I love how you talk about like looking at your numbers and gauging because those are that is a direct line as to what your community wants to see and what they're more engaged with. So give them more of that.

Unknown:

Oh, yeah, for sure. For sure. Yeah, as I look back at some of my resume. Oh, yeah, that one that they're not here to see that. That was that? I did. But I'm like, I won't do that. Again. Yeah, I'm not a great gauge to show you what direction to go in to show you where you need to shift. Especially if you're confused on like, Okay, what's working? What's not working? The numbers will show you. Yeah,

Amy Loewenberg:

for sure. Yeah, just look at those insights. I noticed immediately when I moved in a certain direction that I had a significant amount of views compared to what I had before. So I now have like, brought that into, into my little practice here. I'm on no Jalonda Hill, but I mean, you, Amy see. Amy.

Unknown:

Amy. You know, I'm so glad you said that. Because there's only one Jalonda who there's only one AMI you know? Yeah. And you can find your tell you, you have a lot of potential on it. I look at you. We all do. It's just really into that, ya know?

Amy Loewenberg:

Yeah, yeah, we got to take the plunge. I really appreciate the fact that you're talking about like, tick tock and everything that's new right now. But you're still going back to traditional marketing, which is email, right? So the importance is not to lose the what's the right word, the trajectory of where your email is going, just because there's something new in the foreground, we have to continue. We just have to build we don't want to like create, bring in something new and let go of something that is supporting of our of our foundation.

Unknown:

Oh, for sure. I would definitely say continue to build the emails. If you have a website, of course, keep that website, you know, revamp it, if you need to, if you don't have a website, get a website, because there's times where there was one day where social media went down. Yeah, you would have thought, oh, my gosh, what are we going to do? You know, yeah, the platform wasn't there. You can post anything that day. So just imagine if you had all of your eggs in that one basket, or if it went down for a week, like what are you going to do? Your text community or your email community, or even the website your landing page? I definitely want to keep building that.

Amy Loewenberg:

Yeah. Well, I am thoroughly impressed with what you've accomplished in just a year organically. Like, you know, when, as I made reference to in the introduction, I met you at what's new, what's next at 200 Lex, and the literally the attention that just kind of came buzzing around you, I just knew that I needed to meet you. And I knew that you would have really fun, important bits of information to share with our community, we have people who are doing what you're doing. And then we have people who really are just still trying. And I think that you are a really important voice for some of our newer social media communities that are just just trying to, you know, keep up, keep up with the Joneses, you know, I know like, I'm never going to be able to accomplish what you do, I don't have the time, I don't have the wherewithal, I'm just gonna keep watching what you do, I'm probably going to emulate so just please know, that is the biggest form of flattery, I will always, always tag you. But you've been able to provide a really good amount of just like beginning steps for people to just to remember, and to remind them of lat, you know, you got to keep on, you have to bring yourself into the story, right? You, you, you do it in some small baby steps, you can do it by like just using your hands, or just some sort of aspect of you personally, that can be your store or your home, and that you are always looking to add value. So with that, I'm gonna say, is there anything else that we've left out or that you'd like to add, I want to hear about what you're doing next. Or like where we can find, we find you.

Unknown:

So on Instagram, it's XOJA ll en da, actually all social media platforms that that's that is the handle. That's where you will find me on Instagram. And I'm just gonna piggyback off of something you were just saying because it was so good. One thing that I thought about in the question you asked a little bit ago, as far as when did the light bulb kind of go off for me? Last year, in November, my skin had broken out so bad. Well, two things. I'll talk about the scan and then also finding your lane. But my scanner broke out really bad. I woke up on Monday and I had like maybe 20 bumps on my face. And I was just like, oh my gosh, and you know, I'm visual. And I'm always in stories. I'm like, Oh my gosh. So even as the day went on, it got worse. And my skin over the next slide text my dermatologist or my esthetician Excuse me. And so I sent her a picture. She was like, What? What happened? What did you eat? So we're trying to like dissect my whole weekend and figure out how to my face breakout. So long story short, it got so bad. I mean, I had like these huge bumps under my neck. And I was like there's no way I can. And I don't like wearing makeup. I just I like lipstick eyeliner. But as far as foundation, I typically go without it. Like right now I have a little glow going on. And I just was like, Oh my gosh. So I knew the moment that it happened. Like I cried. I text my manager. I'm like, There's no way I'm getting in stories. So we just kind of had some filler stories going on. But I knew I started documenting the day that it happened. I knew eventually I was going to share the story with him because I didn't know how long this was going to last. And when I tell you that was one of the largest moments of engagement. I mean, it still grows now. But they were in the DMS like oh my gosh, my skin is just like that right now. Oh, my daughter went through that. And we were just talking about, you know, how to fix your, you know, confidence and people making comments about your face or you know, your friends like, oh, what's wrong, you know, so just it really just opened up this door where I'm just like, I knew before that I can still be myself, but it just really showed in the moment of you going through this traumatic experience. For me, it was scant at the time, there was so many other people that could relate to it. They were going through it. And we went through that together. Yeah. That together. So it was just it was I was just I was amazed, honestly, like, What in the world? It was it was incredible. Yeah. And then the supportive community.

Amy Loewenberg:

Would you say, the supportive community, it's

Unknown:

just it's great. It's heartwarming. Sure. Oh, for sure. And then I was also going to add to just as far as like finding your lane. Yeah. With social media, it's like you said, I'm busy. I don't have time to do this. I wouldn't even suggest for individuals to think of, you know, maybe two or three things that you love to do. You know, you might you might love to knit or to fish or to cook and in for you to talk about that or to do that. It's not as nervous as you like doing something else. So that you can start incorporating that within your stories too. And then your community will like Oh, I love to knit too. I had no idea that you were a knitter or I'd love to see, you know, so that's just another way to really build it. community, you know, just think of one thing that you're very passionate about has nothing to do with, you know, interior design or nothing to do with fashion design or marketing. But it's just that, that Heart to Heart relatable thing like, that people can relate to. With. Yeah. Yeah, for sure that connection is priceless. Yeah,

Amy Loewenberg:

the connection really is priceless. I mean, I, I'm always so like, like, happily. I don't even know what to say. Like, I'm tickled. Like, anytime somebody sends me something in a DM and they're like, hey, I really liked that or like, hey, you know, I saw you went there, you should check this place out or just like, thank you so much for highlighting my my store or my my product, like the fact that they took the time to write me a little note. I mean, I've built so many relationships, just like you said before, with people who I haven't even met. Yeah, it really is the power of community, I love just being able to share something personal about yourself. Taking these small steps, and you know, we can change our lanes. We don't have to veer across five lanes, we can just step over into one adjacent you know, just by adding in a little bit of a personal aspect and and we can still do that within our you know, highlighting our stores, or whatever it our brand or service, whatever it is that we're highlighting. I love it. And I really do love all that you were able to share with us today you are just a blessing to talk to I'm I'm so happy that we cross paths I honestly I couldn't be happier. Oh, me too.

Unknown:

I still have our selfie that we took I think you're just put down what I love with what you're doing. So I'm just thankful that you were able to, you know, take time out of your schedule and connect together and just give some valuable information to the masses, you know, to help people to kind of push them more into their purpose and yeah, yeah,

Amy Loewenberg:

sometimes we'll do that sometimes we only that I will take that and say thank you and I will tell everybody to please follow Jalonda on Instagram and find her on whatever platform you use. She is a dynamic woman you're gonna want her wardrobe you're gonna like I'm like I want that I want that.

Jalonda Hill:

I can send you the link honey.

Amy Loewenberg:

And there you go building community and building brand awareness. I love it. A thank you so much for your time as always a pleasure talking with you and we will be talking so much more. I will be seeing you on the in the aisles of New York now coming up in February you will be my special guest woman get get a little live IG going on with you. And, and yeah, the fun will continue for sure. So thank you so much. Oh, thank

Unknown:

you. It was an absolute pleasure. I just adore you. You're so amazing. Thank you so much, Amy. Back.

Amy Loewenberg:

atcha. Have a good day.

Jalonda Hill:

Thank you. You too. Bye. Bye.

Amy Loewenberg:

I hope you enjoyed this conversation with Jalonda Hill. She's truly one of my new favorite people. Make sure to follow her on Instagram at x o j a l o n d a. And don't forget that New York now is an online 365 sourcing and connection platform. Make sure to sign up and sign in. And definitely connect with me when you do. Thank you so much, and I will talk with you soon.

Dondrill Glover:

Thank you for listening to the New York now podcast. Make sure to tune in weekly for engaging and insightful conversations. Touching on the most relevant topics facing our community today is in New York now.com To learn more about our market and how you can join in all the conversation