[The Boss Life] Helping You See the World

I'm so excited to introduce you all to the newest addition to the Boss Life series! Nikita is actually a fellow Washington College alum, but unlike me, who only state-border-hopped to attend school, she traveled half-way across the world from Nepal. While she knew she was going to be studying business management, she also knew she was interested in art. She was able to combine her interest in art and business by focusing on marketing, something she plans to pursue further. 

After graduation in 2013, she returned to her hometown in order to work with her family's travel agency, Shangri-la Holidays, and was given the responsibility of Suvayatra.com.

"We had been working with Thamel.com (one of the biggest online companies in Nepal) in order to improve our hotels' websites, and that's when the owner Bal Joshi and my uncle, Prabin Panday, got the idea of Suvayatra.com," she explains. "Now I and my partner, Prabha Gautam, along with the Shangri-La Holidays team look after [it]." 

"Suvayatra in Nepali means 'suva' good, 'yatra' travels; [the site] is an online travel portal which caters to clients on a personal bass according to their travel requirements." 

Suvayatra.com, of course, is not a simple travel website. "We are more like your personal travel advisor/planner. [The site] offers its clients a wide range of destinations to choose from, giving the best prices, hotels, and, most importantly, what the client is really looking for. We do not believe in building packages and sending off our clients... We are different in terms of the way we deal with our clients; I really don't know how many companies here actually pay attention and look at the individual needs of the client."

On her favorite Suvayatra package: "I would choose any of the inbound packages that we have, especially the ones for Mustang, or Far East Nepal. I haven't been able to discover this part of the world and would love to, because there is so much this country has to offer, and I can't wait to explore, and also provide my clients with the best experience and packages."

"A modern woman should inspire and be an inspiration, be creative, not be afraid to dream, and make it happen. Don't follow the trend, but set it. Always stand out, and just be who you love being."

So, what is it like to be a little over eighteen months out of college and helping to build a unique travel website? Interesting to say the least. "Coming home after being away for almost fourteen years is a challenge on its own. To create a place for yourself, make friends, get connected to people, and to just understand how Kathmandu's social dynamics function..." 

Nikita describes how hectic life in Nepal can get. "We have so many festivals, almost every month. Kathmandu is a really small place, so I get to meet my friends and family almost every other day." She has also been working on her health, shedding 20 kgs of college weight and working towards becoming more fit. 

"For now, I am really focused on Suvayatra.com, but I also plan to pursue my Masters this year. In the future, I hope I am able to create more markets for home based brands, mostly for clothing, and I am looking into exporting traditional jewelries and accessories from Nepal. I am also going to try to ensure that Suvayatra.com will make an impact on the tourism industry and promote the country."

And what's her number one travel tip? "I would say be open to everything. Travel is a part of learning on its own. Find yourself and really enjoy the moment in front of you."

Check out Suvayatra.

[The Boss Life] A Writer Living in New York

I’m so excited to introduce you all to the first boss of 2015, my friend, Darcy Zink! In case you're wondering what I mean, check out The Boss Life Intro.

Anyhoo, I met Darcy way back when I was a senior in high school, and she was my overnight host for an English major/swimming weekend. That was five years ago, in case you’re counting. While she was a freshman when I met her, nowadays she’s sort of an artist of all trades, with her main passion lying in writing. She will soon be adding published author to the top of her long list of accomplishments. Her young adult novel, Afterglow, is set to be released in late 2015/early 2016.

You should know from the start that Darcy is a through and through Baltimorian, raised from birth in the Towson area, her blood running purple from her undying support of the Ravens.

“I’m going to always, no matter where I end up, choose Baltimore because that is where I’m from, and I’m unbelievably appreciative… Baltimore shaped me into the person I am, the person I will always be.”

However, about a year ago, Darcy did what a lot of us like to think we’ll do, but never actually do. She packed her bags and moved to the Big Apple.

“The city of New York always interested me, mostly from my many seasons of watching ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Gossip Girl.’ Two months after I began modeling, I decided (on a completely impulsive whim) to submit my portfolio and head shot to a modeling camp in Manhattan during Fashion Week. Less than two days later, I got a call saying I was in… Modeling was my ultimate reason for moving up to New York. After a week of over a dozen castings, I signed with two agencies and moved up here, but my writing and the opportunities New York presents for me is the sole reason why I stay here.”

In case you’re rolling your eyes, thinking, “Of course! That’s how she’s funding her stay in NYC, she’s a freaking model. I could focus on my writing career if I was a model too,” think again. Darcy works hard for everything she has in this city, from working three different jobs just to make rent, being constantly rejected in both the publishing and modeling world, and even having hellish moments like “trucking through two feet of snow in five inch heels just to get to five minute castings.”

“There were many times where I second guessed myself and my writing after what seemed like hundreds of rejections from literary agents, times where I couldn't muster up the strength in the city any longer and had to return to Baltimore for a week to regain my mental strength. However, I’m grateful for all those negativities because I grasped the ability to sift through all the meaningless junk in my life until I settled on who I really am and what I want to do with my life.”

Darcy has recently taken a step back from modeling, which has allowed her writing to take the forefront of her life. As a writer living in New York, her days start at 6:30 a.m., walking to work on Fifth Ave and ending her days with editing Afterglow, a novel she is “infinitely satisfied with." After facing a series of rejections, “almost every day,” and experiencing a rut so bad she didn't even think about writing for a month, Darcy has taken a hobby that started when she was five and transformed it into a career.

“My favorite part of writing is, most definitely, having the leisure to tell my own story. I love taking the time to step away from myself to focus on a character I created and to elaborate on a story that includes their struggles, their accomplishments, etc. It sounds strange, but my favorite part of writing is the actual writing. I will never get bored when I sit at a computer and type until I can’t type any longer.”

"A modern woman should pursue everything in life that makes her happy without any second guesses. She should not allow anyone or anything to make her feel as though she is not good enough."

So, what advice does she have for all of us dreamers out there as someone who took her dream and made it a reality? 

“Don’t give up. I know that’s the sort of vague, cliched advice people hear every day, but really, do not give up on your dreams. If you truly believe you are meant to do something, find a way to make that happen, but understand that it may not be your Plan A or your Plan B. Be open to change, whether that means changing your goals or changing yourself. Don’t deny change because it seems frightening o unorthodox. Embrace it, and utilize it as a stepping stone towards finding your calling.”

Look out for Darcy as Afterglow becomes available in hardback, paperback, Kindle, and audio this year! Meanwhile as an official writer living in New York, she will be networking, working on her second novel, and looking towards more travel.

Book tour, maybe?

Here are some ways to keep up with Darcy: Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr 

[The Boss Life] Angie & Helene

I'm so excited to introduce the very first interview of this series! Angie and I worked together when I was still going to school down in Maryland, and (of course) we followed each other on Instagram around when I left. I knew Angie had a photography business in Annapolis (a very successful one at that), so I was intrigued when she started posting about a new Instagram, @helene_usa (now @shophelene). This was back in April, and there was no store link just yet, so I followed the Instagram, waiting to see if the store would appear. I'm a total sucker for stacked bracelets and the whole #armcandy phenomenon, so I jumped for joy as soon as I saw the post about the Etsy store opening up. I contacted Angie and asked her if she knew who the owner of Helene was, and if she/he would be willing to do an interview for this blog. She then revealed that Helene was actually her! She was kind enough to give me all the introductory details about this new jewelry business and what makes Helene stand out from the rest.

"I grew up in Palm Beach, Florida," she begins as she describes her background leading up to jewelry design. "The atmosphere there is so relaxed and luxe. It's contagious. I have always loved fashion, accessories, movies, and media-- anything that would allow me to have a creative outlet. I attended Full Sail University with a major in film as well as received my MBA. Soon after I moved to the Washington, DC metropolitan area to become a freelance fashion photographer shooting for a numerous designers, magazines, and dignitaries." Her photography business covers all that is chic in the DC Metro area--weddings, events, restaurants, fashion and lifestyle magazines, and much more. 

Like many of us in the Northeast, Angie found herself with a bit more free time with the Polar Vortex making it too cold do to much of anything else. "...I needed an outlet for my creative energy. I began to envision and create a brand that is all at once casual and chic. Pieces that need no special occasion to be worn; at the beach, by the pool, or an evening out on the town with the girls. The juxtaposition of fine metals with the natural, unadulterated stones make them very unique." Some of my personal favorites are the mixtures of white jade and gold, turquoise and silver, and the blue lapis and gold. She continues, adding that the process, "like any experiment of sorts, has had a lot of trial and error." She cites the "solicitation of opinions from friends and loved ones" in the initial creations and ideas.

On naming this new brand, Angie combined her grandmother's name (Helen) with her own full name (Angeline). "She has always encouraged me to take the road less traveled and to never shy away from a challenge. She told me to accept inspiration-- no matter where it may come from." 

"It has been incredibly fun and rewarding creating a wide variety of pieces that are high quality, statement pieces and have something that fits every personality," she says. On near future plans for Helene, Angie is unsure at the moment. "My mind is always moving, thinking of new designs and materials. However, there are definitely a lot of exciting and beautiful things in store!" She hopes that as the business grows, it becomes a household name, and that she can create a loyal customer base that will find pieces "to make them feel as beautiful as they are." 

Angie has hit the ground running with Helene thus far. After having a model contest, she just shot a gorgeous USA-themed shoot (as you can see in the pictures) to showcase the vibrant colors of her first round of bracelets. In addition to finding a place on Etsy, her pieces can also be found at Way Off the Beaten Path in downtown Annapolis, MD. I personally already have the wrap and 4 gold bar bracelet in tan and gold, and I wear them basically every day. Angie recommends wearing her bracelets stacked, of course! She loves to mix different colors and textures to create a new look and statement for each outfit. 

Check out Angie's personal website HERE.

Helene's Shop HERE.

Helene's Instagram HERE.

Hope you all become as big of fans as I have!

[The Boss Life] Introduction

Welcome to a new series of Samantha Elisabeth! As I'm growing this blog and trying to tap into different interests, I've been brainstorming and putting together ideas to share more than just my Instagram feed or random thoughts. This is the first official series that I really wanted to get off the ground because as someone in her early twenties, I know what it's like to be a little uncertain about your career. By interviewing these individuals and learning more about their businesses and how they started, I hope to learn and, furthermore, share what I have discovered with all of you. These people can be recent graduates like myself or full fledged business owners. The important factor is that they love what they're doing, and they don't dread going to work each day. 

A note on the video! Did anyone else watch "Ugly Betty" when it was on? I loved that show in all its zaniness, but nothing caught my attention and stuck with me quite like the ending scene when Betty's working in London and, basically, being the amazing person she was growing into the last four seasons. I remember I watched that ending scene, and a part of me knew I wanted a snapshot of my future career life to look something like it. 

Anyhow, the first interviewee will be Angie Myers with her brand new company, Helene USA! Here's a sneak peak:

I began to envision and create a brand that is all at once casual and chic. Pieces that need no special occasion to be worn; at the beach, by the pool or an evening out on the town with the girls.

P.S. Yes, this would be #68 on my 101 in 1,001 days list!