I remember when I first graduated from undergrad ten years ago and wanted to get into logistics and operations for the fashion industry. I then wanted to do fashion consulting which was more in the ways of styling but I knew that I wanted to work on the business side. Fast forward 2 years and I am graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising because I wanted to gain a better understanding of the fashion industry's inner workings and couldn't find a Master's program with what I wanted to do, (I had never heard of LIM or Fordham in NYC otherwise this entire story would have been different). I worked for a bit in product development, and could have continued in that direction, but left to obtain my MBA (a desire that was left incomplete when I lived in ATL). Now I have graduated with my MBA in Organizational Behavior and Management and have completed my thesis. Now that is a story in and of itself.

So my thesis is on Workforce Development in the Fashion Industry in LA. I was (am) frustrated with the way that Los Angeles boasts being a fashion capitol in its own right, but does little about the lack of infrastructure within the industry. None of it's schools offer a graduate or law program in the industry (granted Fashion Law JUST became a thing), and many of those have to put together pieces of an education and work experience just to make a small living. On top of that since this industry here on the west is filled with smaller companies and not many have a true hierarchical structure, which isn't a bad thing.

I use the word "navigate" a lot on this blog because that is mainly what the purpose of this blog is, my way to navigate through life, career, and purpose. It justifies my lack of a straight line and clarifies the diversity of my journey. Recently I posted:

And I mean it. As of 2010 only 7.4% of PhDs are Black. That is not broken up into gender, and it doesn't really need to be to hit home on how low of a percentage that is. Then taking into consideration the points I was making earlier about the lack of postgradute programs within the fashion industry on the west, there is a space to build something new and needed. Though my interests lean more toward economic development within low income areas utilizing the creative economy as a whole, there are opportunities that I want to create for those who are coming after me.

In the meantime I will be mind mapping and journaling it all out in my Passion Planner. Putting the pieces together and guessing about the picture the entire time.

After an almost 2 year hiatus (mostly due to graduate school) my largest dilemma with this site has been to rebrand. Asking questions like "Do I need a new site?", "Should I brush up (or flat out improve) on my grammar and writing skills?", "Do I create a schedule to make this site more consistent with posts?", "What will they think of me?"  The problem is, if I took the time to answer all of these questions let alone try to answer/rectify them before writing I would never write. So I googled a new template, posts may be a bit infrequent and some (most) will not be of journalistic qualities, but I will keep on writing. It will it get better, bigger, the target audience, message, and purpose more well defined. But who controls it's direction? Me or the demands of the public?

Since the very tag of this site is noting all the open tabs in my head I know that the narrative is controlled by the council of Me, Myself, and committee member I, but that doesn't fully eliminate the pressure. Working through finding my voice and choosing to stay silent when there is nothing to be said is a delicate balance that I wonder if any of us, blog or not, have managed to master.

Two women who are on opposite sides of the narrative spectrum, but mastered controlling it fully well are Beyoncé and Necole of XONecole.

Silence is Chosen

After covering the September Issue of Vogue Magazine with no interview Beyoncé was further examined about her choice to go an entire year (or more) without answering one direct question to the public press.

Necole was known for her pop culture gossip site Necole Bitchie, but decided after many years of covering the (often negative) news of others, she wanted to change her story and public output to a new lifestyle site that provided post to uplift her followers and not feed on the ever increasing FOMO that plagues the population. In the final post on her blog Necole was completely transparent with her audience for the reasoning behind her transition.  

Both approaches were effective for the women in controlling how they are/were perceived by the media. But what if it's not the media that is interpreting you? What if your public is your work place or your business organizations, your church? What if you don't have a media and publicity team to filter your thoughts through? Our lives go through constant change and transition, and in that time who we are, how we define ourselves, and how we want to be defined changes.What is the best way to control the narrative? That is what I am still trying to figure out. I don't really know when to be silent, or when to speak up, and after a few mimosas that line is even more blurred, but I am starting to get used to the bumps and the bruises on the journey to know.

 Here's to getting it wrong on the journey to getting it right!

As of late I have been bitten by the domestic bug. Making an effort to be a bit more proficient in the kitchen, I have taken to apps like Epicurious, and have been trying new recipes for when I have an actual family to feed. Most times those efforts may taste good, but aren't really photogenic, this was not one of those times!!

It is a beets and tangerine salad with arugula and mixed baby greens. For the dressing:

• 1/4 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar
• Dash of sugar
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)
•  Trader Joe's South African Smoke seasoning (to taste) 
• 3 tbs lemon juice 
• 1/4 cup olive oil 

Feel free to play around with the measurements so that the taste matches your preference, but it was a great success for my guests!

-MT

Happy New Year 2016!

If you can tell there has been a bit of a makeover here on the blog. First, I changed the name. No longer "No Fear, Just DIVA" now FirstThree, Inc. to streamline the brand. Second, the layout. It's not exactly where I want it to be, but it will get there in time. My goal is to take this from such a specifically focused space to a more of a lifestyle/all encompassing site. This will happen over time and I ask that you all bear with me. From improving my writing technique, to content and consistency, and finding this site's (my) voice this will be a process. So no promises!! I am learning about time management, and not piling too much on my plate, so who knows where this thing will take me, but I am hoping that you all will be patient, and stick with me while I try to figure it out.

Your support means more than you know!! Happy New Year, and here is to a new year with new goals and new growth opportunities!

-MT