What if you were to prepare for your ideal speaking opportunity?  What would that mean for you?  Would you get your signature talk ready?  Would you take a class to hone your speaking skills?  Would you practice your presentation thousands of times to have it just right?  You’re feeling great knowing that you’re really ready to WOW your audience with your presentation, then it hits you like a ton of bricks — you haven’t given one thought to what you will wear and how you will present yourself!  How many times has this happened to you?  You get so focused on the doing that you forget about being — being present and being seen!  You’ve spent all this time creating an amazing talk and beautiful slides to go along with it and no time spent on creating your impactful Unique Presence™.

I can picture the scene now: the night before your event you’re frantically going through your closet looking for something — anything — that fits.  So instead of walking into that room or onto that stage feeling confident that you look every bit as good as your presentation does, you decide to leave your personal presentation to chance, checking your confidence at the door.  How can you be your absolute best when you’re self-conscious about your appearance — ill-fitting pants, a top that isn’t quite right and shoes with heels so worn the nails on the heels are clickety-clacking all the way up on stage!  Instead of your ideal audience being focused on your dynamic presentation, they’re focused on how you DON’T look like the expert they imagined!  Your image is not congruent with your message at all.

Did you know that 55% of what your audience notices during a presentation is visual and only 7% is what you’re actually saying?  What kind of message are you sending? It’s time for you to prepare your wardrobe and image so opportunity can come knocking at your door.

Here are 5 tips to make sure you’re ALWAYS prepared when those opportunities present themselves:

• Know your personal style and fill your closet with clothes that represent your IDEAL SELF so that you show up confident, speaking from that place of authenticity.
• Use color to make a powerful impact, wearing only the colors that make you shine.
• Wear jewelry that draws attention to your face but does not distract your audience.
• Wear clothing that is tailored to fit your body beautifully.  Never wear clothes that are too big, too tight or too revealing.  Keep it professional!
• Take the time to prepare your wardrobe and pay attention to the details. Doing so shows that you care about your appearance, and that message translates to all areas of your business.

When you set the intention to be prepared for the dreams and desires that you want to achieve in your life and business, you are putting it out to the universe that you are ready for the opportunities to present themselves.  Take action today to make sure you don’t have to miss any opportunity to get in front of your ideal audience.

If you’re feeling confused about your personal style let me take you through my five step S.T.Y.L.E. system so you’ll be ready for all those opportunities coming your way!


1. an elegant, fashionable, or luxurious mode of living: to live in style.
2. a mode of fashion, as in dress, especially good or approved fashion; elegance; smartness.

(www.dictionary.com)

When I meet with clients or potential clients for the first time, one of the things they often tell me is that they don’t feel like they have a personal style. Which really isn’t true, because everyone and everything has a style. They just haven’t discovered it yet! I bet you know all the things you don’t like to wear and could make a long list right now if I asked you to. So now you just need to pay attention to the things that you do like and make you feel like a million dollars. Everything has style — lifestyle, personal style, home style, etc. We all have ways of doing things that make us comfortable. If I were to ask five women to wear the exact same piece of clothing or accessory, and I took a photograph of each of them, I guarantee each one would look completely different. That’s because we are all unique individuals and have our own Unique Presence™relating to our personalities.

What’s your Style story? We all make up stories about ourselves from messages we received growing up, as well as the ones we create in our heads. What have you created that is keeping you from being the best version of yourself? Are you sabotaging your own success with these stories? It’s time to let go of your past and step into the woman you are today — a brilliant, confident, sexy, savvy business woman, author, speaker, mother. Stop letting the little voice in your head get the better of you. Allow yourself to step into that bigger vision of yourself.

Fashion and style don’t have to be a challenge or big mystery that some women get and others don’t; you just need to do some detective work to figure out what feels right for you. It should be fun and another way of expressing yourself. Style is a reflection of what’s going on internally and expressed externally. It’s much more than looking beautiful — it’s about the inner confidence and self esteem that come with being the best version of yourself! Your personal style is speaking for you before you have the opportunity to say a word. It is your first visual impression that you make when interacting with a potential client, audience or management team. Whether it is your headshot on your website, your website itself or you in front of an audience — your visual appearance makes a big impact. It’s what attracts people to you; it makes them decide if they want to take the time to get to know more (which leads to liking and trusting you) or if they will move on to the next person.

Are you still struggling to find your personal style? Do you look in your closet each morning wondering what you will put on to feel the least uncomfortable? Wouldn’t you like to greet each day with confidence and grace? If you answered YES to any of those questions I would love to take you through my five-part S.T.Y.L.E. system to help you discover your authentic personal style. The transformation really happens once you start to believe you are the person you see staring back at you from the mirror. It’s the inner confidence that has you standing taller, feeling ready to be seen, stepping into the spotlight and allowing yourself to stand out and shine!

Contact me today to schedule your Spotlight on Style Strategy Session so we can see if you’re ready for your personal transformation!

Join me and my special guest, celebrity health and nutrition expert JJ Virgin for this month’s “Spotlight on Style” radio show when we’ll be talking about JJ’s new book “Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy!”

Blame Michelle Obama or any of the A-list actresses out there who flaunt their “great guns” in gorgeous sleeveless dresses. Stop being a hater. They earned those arms. They’ve also created a modern phenomenon amongst women called “arm envy.” Top wellness expert JJ Virgin says that “arms are the new accessory” and she’s not kidding! Put down the Prada and give away the Gucci. A great set of arms in a Target tank top says it all.

Please join JJ and me for my “Spotlight on Style” radio show on Tuesday, June 15th. We’ll be talking all about how to stop being self-conscious about your arms (and the rest of your body) and JJ’s plan to eat better, do cardio that works and burn fat so you look and feel great this summer. You won’t want to miss this one!

ABOUT JJ
Celebrity Health and Nutrition expert JJ Virgin is the premiere voice of scientific reason in the world of nutrition and wellness. She is the author of the new book, “Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy” (Simon & Schuster). Virgin is also a spokesperson for Emergen-C and Subway and spent two seasons as a health expert on “The Dr. Phil Show.” She is the co-star of the TLC reality series, Freaky Eaters.

JJ has provided nutrition and training programs for a wide variety of famous faces including CEO’s, athletes and celebrities including Gene Simmons, Ben Stiller, Tracie Thoms and the new big screen “Superman” Brandon Routh.

JJ has a PhD in holistic nutrition, is a board Certified Nutrition Specialist, has completed 38 graduate courses and is a master’s student at USF medical school in nutrition and metabolic medicine. Internationally recognized as the creator of the Weight Loss Resistance Revolution™ program, she is responsible for turning the most challenging weight loss resistant cases into stunning successes where clients stay lean for life.

Listen live or download the recording at www.blogtalkradio.com/laurie-mandato

Here are my top tips for getting fabulous headshots:

1. Put Your Best Face Forward – In order to do that you need to pay attention to Your Essential Self Care.

• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat healthy nutritious foods that nourish your body.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Exercise your body so you feel energized.
• Meditate.

2. Do Your Homework – Do some research to find the right photographer for you.  Look at their work to see if it resonates with the image you want to project.

• Know what your expectations are – be specific so that you’re happy with the end result.
• Ask about cost – what does it include?
• Does the photographer have a studio?
• Does the fee include hair/makeup?
• How many outfits/changes will they photograph you in?
• When you speak to the photographer, notice his or her personality.  Do you feel comfortable and at ease?  Are they listening to your requests?

3. Stand Out and Rock the Spotlight – Take the time to find out what colors and styles work best for you and your body.  If you aren’t sure about what colors really make you shine, then invest in having a color analysis.  It will take all the guesswork out of choosing the colors that work for your skin tone — and save you loads of money in the future.  Choose clothes that reflect your essence and authenticity so that you are feeling confident and empowered.  If you’re unsure about how to create that look, hire a professional to help you define your personal style.  Be willing to step a bit out of your comfort zone to really reflect the woman you are today!

4. Make a Plan – and a back up plan!  Plan out your wardrobe choices, and really think about how and where you will be using these photos on your website, marketing materials, book cover, product etc.  Think about your personal brand and how you want to be perceived — always be authentic and approachable.  Everything you do in your business should reflect your essence and brand.

5. Show Up and Allow Yourself to Shine – A great photographer will put you at ease and help you get the right shots, but you have to be willing to let the magic happen. Be willing to work with your photographer to create great photos!

• If you’re feeling stressed or tense, that will surely show up in your photos. Take a moment to BREATHE!
• If you don’t love being in front of the camera, let the photographer know so they can help you relax. Bring along music that you love, that inspires or relaxes you.
• Don’t try to look like someone you’re not.
• Be authentic. Allow the REAL you to shine through.
• Set Your Intention – What do you hope to achieve with these new photos?
• Have Fun!  Allow yourself to step into the spotlight with confidence, ease and grace.
• Visualize the end result – Create a vision board and gather photos/styles that you love, and create your ideal self!

©2010 Laurie Mandato

Join me and my special guest Lesley Bohm of Bohm Photography for this month’s “Spotlight on Style” radio show when our topic will be “How to Create Powerful Professional Headshots”

Whether you’re just stepping into the spotlight, or you’ve been there for a while, having professional headshots that reflect your authentic personality and style are a crucial piece of your marketing plan. Putting a face with your name on Facebook, Twitter, your website and blog, and in your printed materials helps current and potential clients “see” who you are.

Finding the right photographer is so important. When I decided to re-do my own headshots last year I chose the best of the best — Lesley Bohm. Her personality is non-intimidating, fun, and comfortable — a perfect fit for me. Lesley has a true gift when it comes to capturing her clients’ true essence and authentic self. Just take a look at the difference in my “old” headshot versus my new “authentic me” shot. Is that a dramatic change or what?

Please join Lesley and me for my “Spotlight on Style” radio show next Tuesday. We’ll be talking all about how to choose a great photographer and tips for making your photo shoot fun and successful. You won’t want to miss this one!

ABOUT LESLEY
Lesley Bohm is an accomplished professional photographer and artist who graduated from art school in Vancouver, Canada. She is very passionate about her photography. Her warm, inviting personality and abundant energy allow her to connect with her subjects to capture moments that translate into artistic and timeless images. Lesley has 20 years of experience in Los Angeles working in environmental portraiture, studio portraiture, and editorial photography. A number of her clients include high-profile names in the entertainment and music industry. Her work is widely published nationally and internationally in magazines, books, calendars, and advertising layouts. Lesley currently resides in the Los Angeles area with her family.

Listen live or download the recording at www.blogtalkradio.com/laurie-mandato

Whether you are an entrepreneur, executive leader, speaker or author you ARE in the spotlight — big or small. You’re being seen when you attend a networking event to promote your product or services, go to conferences as a speaker or attendee, promote your new book with a signing, and the list goes on.  How many times have you attended a conference or networking event having pictures snapped only to find yourself on Facebook?  Every time you leave your home or office you are in the spotlight.  Making sure you’re “media ready” means looking and feeling your best everyday — showing up authentically and confident. This should become a part of the process for achieving your goals. Dressing with intention will help you to manifest your goals and desires even faster.

The truth is … your image impacts your success and your income. Your outward appearance matters! Whether you’re stepping out into the speaking spotlight, showing up on Facebook and YouTube, or hosting workshops and events for your clients, your personal image is key to whether or not you connect with your audience in an authentic way. From professional headshots to casual pics that show up on social networks, to videos you post on your blog, to live appearances — you need to know you look your very best. And guess what? When you have that inner knowing that you look your best, you’re more confident, people react to you differently, and you open yourself up to receive all the abundance you deserve.

As an entrepreneur or an executive leader, your image needs to match your message and brand. As a solo-entrepreneur you are your brand! It should be equally as important to you that you are on target with that message so you’re attracting the clients you wish to work with, as well as being rewarded for your work and expert advice by charging what you’re worth and getting it. How people perceive you comes into play in that process. Your personal image is your unspoken calling card. What is yours saying about you?

If you’re not 100% positive that your public image is rock-solid authentic, be sure to check out my upcoming workshop “Media Ready! Step Up, Stand Out and Rock the Spotlight” on May 6^th in Boston. Register by April 28^th and save $200! If you missed the free preview call I hosted with great tips and information about the workshop, you can listen to it here.