1. Figure out the things we want to do within the next 2 1/2 months before Public Beta.
2. Get a name for the project.
3. Set up our Teams.

I am happy to report that we accomplished all three. Here’s what we did.

For this meeting, Katie was the facilitator. It was her idea that we would all get identical pads of yellow post-it notes and mass-market Bic pens (supplied by her). Then she explained.

We would have a set period of time to write as many ideas with cheap Bic pens on yellow post-its. One idea per post-it, and each note gets stuck to a wall in haphazard fashion.

Once we had our ideas up on the wall, we then went through and started sticking them into groups on the wall, like topics with like topics, creating themes.

Then we discussed them.

It sounded like a good idea and a bit silly, so I was all for it. Our first topic was things we have to do within the next 2 1/2 months. I’ll spare you the details, but here is what we came up with. You’ll note that the ideas are a bit haphazard at times and vague. Often, several people had the same ideas, and they are included.

PR & Marketing
Define all PR/Marketing Avenues
Create a Social Media Presence
Write Press Releases
Outline PR/Marketing Plan
List of Places to Send PR
Who will write?
What does the average Josephine get out of this?
Specific groups we are targeting
Check for outside interest

Design
Get an image/brand ideas
Brand in place
Decide Design (colors & flow)
Blog design
Logo for project

Legal
Legal Forms
Terms & Conditions for Site Users
Contracts with Designers
Incorporation
Contracts with Bloggers
Agreements between Team Members
Set legal parameters for designer relationships

Development
Decide on platforms available to designers: forums, pages, etc.
Find similar projects
Website set-up
Website up and tested
Set up website – brainstorm together on that
Working web Beta
Email list sign-up
Keeping people from voting on the same person multiple times
Information needed for voters to fill out to be eligible for voting
Almost self-maintained structure

Blog Outreach
LTR to bloggers
Reach out to bloggers
Letter to bloggers
Affiliate / Word-of-Mouth plans/support

Sponsorship & Sales
List of potential sponsors
Sponsorship: Who? How to reach? Types of sponsorship
Recruit discounts & coupons

Internal Organization
Recruit more (remote) team
Written milestones (from each team)
Company structure
Meeting schedule
Teams laid out/planned
Create teams
Define roles
List of team members and responsibilities
Complete Yes/No on all ideas moving forward
Company organization
Points system
Prize structure

Designer Outreach
Categories of designers
Research designers
Designer criteria
Define who: Designers, public, bloggers… and how to get to them
Establish criteria for designers
Decide # of designers
Figure out guidelines for entry designers

Content
Find all possible related keywords and topics
Find content
Edited book and lessons
Website training (documentation/FAQs)
Establish leading benefits (ie. retailers, coupons, etc.)

Business Plan
Business plan (detailed)
Bank accts set up
Make a budget/forecast expenditures
Reports: What data?
Find all failure possibilities (JB good at this)
Money issues – spending, tracking

Name
Name?
Come up with name
Project/web name
Buy domain
Decide on a name

–

After a break to fuel up with some pizza and ceasar salad, we got down to the business of choosing a name. While we didn’t settle on one, we did narrow it down to three, and will be doing some research on choosing the right one.

FashionBallot
Proponents said this cuts to the core of what we are doing – voting for style. Detracters suggest that it is too narrow a concept.

SoMeStyle
Supporters like the addition of the “SOcial MEdia” in the name. Detracters worry that people will think it is some style.

Style182
Supporters love the short, descriptive nature (the project will allow voting for 182 days). Detracters are concerned that 182 is police code for drunk and disorderly.

We’re still working on these. *smiles*

–

The last thing on the list was to assign people to the different teams. I will be on all teams, since I am the coordinator. I am noted where I am a team leader only.

PR & Marketing
JB
@gardenofwords
CB
Design
Still need a team leader for this. I’ll be managing it now.
FP
Legal
SY
@gardenofwords
Development
FP
Me
JB
GU
Blog Outreach
@gardenofwords
Me
Sponsorship & Sales
Kev
CB
GU
Internal Organization
SY
FP
@gardenofwords
DP
Designer Outreach
CB
Me
Content
@gardenofwords
JB
DP
Me
Business Plan
SY
JB
CB

–

As we wrapped up, it was agreed I would compile the notes and go through everything, letting people know about their team responsibilities and making sure that everyone had the information that has been added to GoogleDocs so far that applies to their team responsibilities.

Also, I will be creating a contact list for all of us to get in touch with each other.

So I sent out the information from above cleaned up and including links to the GoogleDocs that apply to each:

For our next meeting on Sunday June 28, we’ll have a Brand Summit, record milestones from the teams. So far, I have led a meeting and @gardenofwords has led a meeting. I think it’s ideal if we each take turns leading, so this next meeting will be led by someone else. *smiles*

I’m not yet sure where we’ll have this meeting, but I’ll get it figured out.

1. manner, mode, style, way, fashion- how something is done or how it happens
(how something is done or how it happens; “her dignified manner”; “his rapid manner of talking”;“their nomadic mode of existence”; “in the characteristic New York style”; “a lonely way of life”; “in an abrasive fashion”)

2. dash, elan, flair, panache, style – distinctive and stylish elegance
(distinctive and stylish elegance; “he wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer”)

3. vogue, trend, style – the popular taste at a given time
(the popular taste at a given time; “leather is the latest vogue”; “he followed current trends”; “the 1920s  had a style of their own”)

Let’s examine these three examples. Number 1 focuses on a way of being or living and doing what needs to be done in a manner of your own. This is considered an internal style choice.

Number 2 blurs the line between noun and adjective and describes the manner in which a person behaves in the style of a group. This is also considered an internal style choice.

Both of the first two meanings are ways of acting and being. Both are innate, whether learned from life experiences, or shaped by ones personality.

Number 3 reflects an external style. This style choice is dictated by the mood of society and the quest for social acceptance through wardrobe choices.

Everyone includes internal and external style in their personal choices.

When you remark that someone has style, is it said with appreciation or a bit of envy? Do you use this as the highest compliment, or as a sarcastic remark, setting a person apart from the norm? How YOU view style shapes your personal choices in dress, decoration, and manner.

We will all have different ways of expressing these elements that apply to OUR lives, OUR shapes, and OUR personalities. A group of twenty women will have twenty different outlooks on style, because all of us are different, with our own clothing needs, activities, and style preferences.

I define style as exploring the parts of ourselves and our personalities that are unique to us and learning to present these things to the world in the best possible manner.

By doing so, we learn to celebrate individuality, and enjoy the things that make us different, because they also make us who we are.

ASPECTS OF STYLE: STYLE IS…

• A comfort zone.
• Always comfortable.
• Well-fitted.
• A portrayal of our truest selves.
• A portrayal of who we want and hope  to be.
• Our best selves.
• Our clothing.
• Our accessories.
• Our homes.
• Our means of expression.
• Knowing what to wear in the morning.
• Understanding our strengths and weaknesses.
• Genuine.
• Completely and totally unique to YOU.

Which of the aspects of style mentioned above resonate with you the most and why? Vote HERE!

STYLE NEGATIVES: STYLE IS NOT…

• Always following fashion.
• Worrying about a few pounds.
• Tugging and pulling.
• Wondering what others think about you.
• Only about dressing “Thin.”
• About how much you spend.
• Overloaded.
• False.
• Fussy.
• About rules.

Which of the negative aspects of style mentioned above resonate with you the most and why? Vote HERE!

But, it’s not all dreary work. a few weeks back, we had “Dress Like Your Co-Worker Day,” and many of us got in on the action. I went in dressed as my main partner in marketing crime at Queensboro, Jen B.

See, Jen B is the numbers to my creativty. The steady to my flighty, the realist to my dreamer. We work together 8+ hours a day, five days a week. I thought it would be amusing to set aside my high heels for a day and head in with my hair in a ponytail, sneakers and a relaxed attitude.

Imagine my surprise when Jen came into the office wearing bright colors, accessories (including a hat), red lipstick and heels! We dressed as each other without even realizing.

Ahhh. What fun. Here are the pics from that fun day, you can see many of us got in on the action:

http://queensboro.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/dress-like-your-co-worker-day/

One thing I have been thinking a lot about is green beauty and fashion. You know, Eco-Friendly stuff.

It seems like lately, the eco/organic/green sources have been throwing themselves into my path, and I can’t help but notice as they catch my eye. This gets me to thinking about my own values, and how I might be able to help promote these companies as I move forward.

I’ve decided that if the team agrees, we’ll have a section of our project specifically devoted to Green Beauty & Fashion. This would be one of the many categories, but I think a major one. What will be the difference between major and minor?

Well, a major category such as Green or BBW will not only have the category itself, but also have support information. For example, we’ll invite bloggers who are experts on the subject of green fashion and full-figured styles to share their views with our visitors.

These categories might actually be driving forces, in the sense that they are of high-interest, and will likely contain hard-to-find resources.

I have been having a great time finding these many resources, and I look forward to developing the ideas further.

I think I also need to focus a bit more on the categorization of Fashion and Style. I already started some of this previously in the profiles blog I wrote, but there needs to be more. Let’s see…

Health (not a big focus, but included)
- Exercise
- Eating Well
Skin & Hair Care
Cosmetics
Jewelry
- Earrings
- Neclaces
- Bracelets
- Brooches
- Rings
- Other
Accessories
- Hair
- Scarves
- Belts
- Hats
Clothing
- Tops
- Pants
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Jackets
Shoes
Handbags
Stylists/Wardrobe Consultants
–
Green
BBW
Casual
Business
Evening/Special Occasion
Designer

I am looking for women who really, truly want to develop a personal style for themselves. Women just like you.

What are you willing to do in order to develop a personal style that works for you?

What have you done, already?

To develop my own style, I read all the books. I had my colors done three times (with different results each time). I tried dressing like women I admired.

Then, I gave that all up, and found what really worked for me by focusing on myself – Who I am, my body type, my personality and what I love.

I’ll teach you to do the same.

I’ve already helped 5,268 women from over 37 countries find a personal style and add creativity to their wardrobe. Here’s what a few of them had to say after taking my courses:

“This class is not just about wardrobe advice, but also self-discovery. I do not hesitate to recommend this class to my friends; it was such a wonderful experience! “
– Jeanne W., San Francisco, CA

” This was a fantastic class that covered a lot more than just clothing. I feel like my confidence and self-esteem have had a workout as well as my wardrobe!”
– Karen T, Dorset, UK

” I absolutely loved this class. It came at a time when I was ready for a change. I am much more put together and confident in my clothing and it shows in my attitude. I received so much more than just learning about style… I learned about me and how I fit into things. I know you can’t print all of my hurrah’s that I have had during this class as a testimonial, but I honestly have to say that I haven’t had this much fun in a very long time. It has truly been eye-opening and tons of fun and education all rolled into one. “
– Mari H., Vancouver, WA

” I have learned so much about myself and feel more confident when I get dressed every day. Most of the frumpy clothes are gone from my closet! I feel better in what I wear these days.”
– Rhonda H., North Salem, IN

In the next two years, I want to help more women than ever feel and look great (my goal is 1 million women by Dec 31, 2010), and I have a plan to do that.

I want to give you my classes free.

Why? I’m getting ready to launch a brand-new program combining the world of fashion and style with real life for everyday women. Nothing like this has ever been tried before on such a large, but accessible scale. For this to be a success, we need your help.

Now, let me be clear. When I say I’ll give you the classes “Free,” I don’t mean without effort—I just mean that you don’t have to part with any cash to participate with us. In exchange for receiving these valuable courses, we need your help-lots of it.

If you want to magically transform overnight, then my program is not for you.

If you want to look just like your favorite movie star, this is also not the right program for you.

While I would love for every woman in the world to look and feel great every day, I know that the time and effort required to develop a personal style is great, and not everyone is up for the challenge. So, I’ll focus on women who want to put in the effort and give them all my best tips, tricks, and secrets for looking and feeling great, inside and out.

How You Can Help

What will I ask for in return for the free classes, tips, tricks and secrets? Feedback to help us improve our course. Before, during & after photos of you following the program and implementing the tips. Your enthusiasm and questions.

But most of all…

I want you to walk away from this project feeling gorgeous!

Still interested?

Here’s what to do:

1) Follow @thesomeex (that’s the project account) on twitter, if you don’t already. If you’re not on twitter, no worries. Just go on to the next step.

2) Blog about this, tweet about this opportunity and/or Stumble, Digg, or del.icio.us this post.

3) Leave a comment with the blog or twitter link or your Stumble, Digg, or del.icio.us id here (so we can check out the entry) plus a short note about why you want to develop your personal style.

I will contact you by email (from your comment posting) with more details about the project and asking for some additional information from you. By May 31, I will choose 20-100 women to participate. Everyone else will get a special goody, just for helping to spread the word.

No blog? No twitter? No social media accounts? That’s OK… Just post a comment letting me know how you found out about this special opportunity and why you want to develop your personal style. I won’t count you out!

http://twtpoll.com/jyc5hk

I love interacting with others. I twitter on the subjects of fashion, web and graphics design, philosophy, business and marketing.

I am building my network for a project I am working on combining social media with a coupon pack (think entertainment guide for fashion) and a public choice for best new designers (project runway for/by the people).

The goal is to do everything via networking, even building my team by people I meet, and to crowdsource, asking people to contribute small bits of their time to make the project better for everyone who participates: customers, team members, bloggers and designers.

*smiles*

http://twitter.com/thesomeex

Now, I’m going to go visit the profiles of others who have posted.

I finally set a date, and we’re going to start the process. I am excited and nervious thinking about what I’d like to have ready for discussion by then.  I want to present this as clearly and efficiently as possible to the team, so that we can delve right into deciding what needs to be done to make it happen.

I also intend to have the Dingo site set up by that time. Possibly also JomSocial? I could do maybe do that, with the projects I have coming in. It would be nice to have that to show off… *smiles*

Really gets me thinking. What is the simplest way to present the idea we are creating in a short video like this? How does one present something with this many pieces that has never been done before, yet make it instantly comprehensible?

Well, the key will be knowing what elements are going to be “musts.”

$10 bill.

Savings: Could be dollars ($500? $1,000). Could be coupons.

Swag: Cool pics of designer stuff customers can win?

Style Lessons: This is a hard one. Show Transformation? Show lesson pages online?

Voting: Show the ballots being cast? With designer pieces next to each ballot? Show 10?

I am beginning to see how some of this can come together, and I like it. It would be easy to create in Flash, and inexpensive, while getting the point across visually and simply.

Hmmm. The same thing for some testimonials/customer/blogger/designer profiles for different stages? I think that is a good idea, too. Photography. Do we need it? maybe. I know that not everyone else who participates aroud the country will have a photographer. Perhaps it’s not needed.