A Night of Networking #ThePerfectPackage

I was scrolling through my timeline and just so happened to come across a flyer for a networking mixer that was happening in D.C. With me being me, I began to do some research. I read the caption and clicked through the individuals mentioned and came across Shieda and Allison's profiles. I noticed that they were hosting this event called #ThePerfectPackage that was happening the next day.

I thought it would be a great opportunity to network and meet some great people that I could potentially collaborate with but the way my bank account was set up, I honestly wasn't willing to pay for an actual ticket. So, I decided to reach out (thanks to Krystal for the encouragement). As a blogger, I always do recap posts on events that I've attended in the past but I never really reached out about a press opportunity. I was always scared that they would say "No. Who are you? What credentials do you have?". But this time, I built up enough courage to reach out and they said YES!

I was added to the VIP list and attended with my camera in hand; snapping pictures of everything and everybody. No, I'm not a photographer (yet), but I have a camera and I definitely put it to good use. I needed as much content as possible. These are the pictures that tell the story of my night at St. Yves.

#ThePerfectPackage was an event designed to bring influential people together to eventually collaborate. Two heads are always better than one, right? The two hostess who were both D.C based MUA's, who ironically came together to form this powerful event, invited many established and aspiring models, bloggers, stylists, hair stylists, photographers and of course other MUA's who were eager to come out and network with some of their peers.

The goal of the event was to offer a space for image professionals to connect with like-minded individuals in order to form a bond. "Your network is your net worth" was definitely the motto for the night.

I'm all about collaborating, but that isn't the case for everyone. A lot of people rather break the next person down than to build them up. Which sucks because we were all at the beginning stage at one point in our lives. In this industry (fashion industry), people aren't always going to be the friendliest. I get it. I honestly am not looking for any hand outs. But, if I respect you enough to want to collaborate or even just learn a little something from you, then I think that should be enough to get the ball rolling. That's why I adore events like this one. Being able to bring a group of like-minded and talented adults together in the same room, who are eager to get to know each other is a success within itself.

"When it comes down to being a creative artist, we all are one community and we all have to represent each other and help each other build our businesses and be exactly who we want to be".

- Neema Ali

The Mixxstress

Collaboration is key no matter what industry you're in. You can learn so much from working with other people who you may see as competition. You never know who they know or the type of connections they have that can get you exactly where you want to be and vice versa. My goal this year is to collaborate with other talented creatives in my industry who work just as hard as me and who are willing to work as a team to create magic. Everybody should get a chance to eat.

As a personal stylist and blogger, I'm always looking for photographers, MUA's, models and even other stylists to work with and potentially learn something from. I love listening to other's stories and understanding what techniques they've used to get where they are today in their businesses.

And the best dressed award goes to...

Heather Campbell, The Image Concierge

Crystal and I first saw Heather outside a the atm. Yes, the atm. Crystal needed cash so we stopped at the nearest atm while I was trying to figure out which way the direction of the event was. The walks by Heather. The first thing I look at is some one's outfit. It's the stylist in me, I know. I literally remember outfits that I used to wear in middle school and elementary school. It's pretty bad. But, that's besides the point.

I stared at her outfit as she walked by. I loved the color, the fact that it was a matching set and of course, the pop of color in her Tory Burch clutch.

Thank you Shieda and Allison for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful event. I'm glad to have been able to attend and connect with such talented people. I look forward working with all the people I met and will be on the look out for the next event!