Why Do VW's Have Their Own Fan Club?

I am always fascinated by how a brand can carry its own emotions, whether it be Starbucks for its little taste of luxury or Nike for its always cool, innovative athletic wear. In particular, I have always been interested by Volkswagen, because VW owners seem to combine as their own family. If one VW owner meets another, I can almost guarantee that they like each other more, just for the simple reason that they both chose the same car manufacturer. Apparently, simply owning a VW says something about you. 

Maybe it says that you're free-spirited. Or maybe it's that you're just unique. Maybe, you just like the style. Whatever the reason, there is something invisible there that all VW owners get. While I do not know the exact recipe behind it, this added value or prestige of a product is known as brand equity. It is the intangible value that cannot be pinpointed, yet is somehow communicated to increase a company's overall image or reputation. 

This is somehow done by the marketing folks. Yes, all you engineers, you are quite smart, but we do have something here. We know how to communicate a feeling behind a product that goes deeper than its noticeable features. No, it is not just what the product can immediately do for you. It is what choosing that product above all others says about you. 

So, why did I write this? I don't even own a VW myself.

Simply put, I have always been intrigued by this ever-lasting brand and have had the chance to meet a woman who is currently selling her VW Van shown at the top. I talked to Carol about all of the good memories that she has had while driving that car from dropping her boys off to cruising around our good ole hometown of Columbus, Indiana. 

It definitely is a feeling in and of itself that goes beyond the great German car engineering. And thus, I want the VW to end up in the right hands. Therefore, if you know of a VW enthusiast or are one yourself, please get in touch so that I can ensure that the next owner will love the car as much as she has. 

E-mail me with any questions you may have at jsscbrwr@gmail.com

Great Things Never Came From Comfort Zones

 

As college graduation draws nearer, I find myself with a feeling that I have never quite felt before. For the first time in my life, I can no longer blame my parents. No, if something does not quite turn out how I had planned, I might end up pointing the finger at myself. This is both exhilarating and scary as all get out. 

Growing up, I always wanted to be older. I often labeled myself as an "old soul" since I had such deep thoughts about life that others did not even consider. I am like an eighty year old woman in a twenty-two year old body. Don't get me wrong, I consider myself an exciting, adventurous eighty-year-old, but, nonetheless, the metaphor seems to hold true.

So, now the time comes when I am to make a decision about my future career. Where will I be in the next few months? For years, I have dreamed of becoming a career woman that is independent and works her butt off in pursuit of her passion. I have dreamed of going out on my own, my lonely little self, and making it happen. Now, that time is real and while there are many factors outside of my control, the question is whether or not I will have the courage to do what I have always planned to do.

At this instant, while I have had my fair share of doubts, you had better believe that I am about to step outside of my comfort zone. When it comes down to it, there really is no other choice. If I did what I was only expected to do or what was easiest, then where would the fun in life be? I would simply be living for others. Now, that's just disappointing. 

Outside of my comfort zone though...what does that really mean? To me, that could mean moving anywhere from Oklahoma to France. Or, it could mean taking on a job position that I did not previously see myself in, but suddenly have a calling to chase. While outside of my comfort zone does not have to mean I move off somewhere far, it does mean that I should step outside of the box a little. To you, it might mean something completely different. To each, his own, right? 

But, as you take a look at your life, please ask yourself: Are you doing what your family or friends or society, in general, believes to be right? Or are you listening to that little annoying voice inside of you that just will not shut up? After all, if it will not shut up, maybe it is telling you something…

Selling Antique Items:

While trying my best shot at being the third member of American Pickers, I have listed a few of the cool items I have had the chance to research and am currently selling. Simply follow the links below to get more information. 

Original Ralph Waldo Emerson's Friendship Book: Emerson's Book

This little book is an incredible collection of Emerson's essays. 

It was originally given to a women by her suitor and has been kept in the family since. 

Perfect for the Emerson enthusiast. 

Handmade Quilt with incredible detail: Handmade Quilt

This is the most detailed quilt I have ever seen. With beautiful red flowers comprised of multiple layers, it truly stands out above the others. The colors are vibrant and truly complement one another. If you have any questions at all, please contact me. 

Beautiful Teapot Set with Gold Trim & Painted Flowers: Teapot Set

Eye-capturing Tea Set with beautifully painted white and pink flowers fading into a green background at the top. Gold Trim all around. Inspected and valued by auctioneer. 

Antique Set of Pottery Dolls: Antique Dolls

Gorgeous pair of pottery dolls. Designed with small purple flowers and gold details. Inspected and valued by antique specialist. 

Italian Capodimonte Flower Set Collectibles: Capodimonte Flower Decoration

Gorgeous Flower Set made by Capodimonte. Pink and Yellow Flowers arranged in brown and tan pottery. Inspected and valued by specialist. 

Antiqiue Green Glass Collectible with Gold Accents: Antique Green Glass Decor

Beautiful Green Glass Collectible with Gold Painted Children and Marble Stand. Inspected by antique specialist.

Original Paul B. Reeves Painting: Painting

Unique Set of Native American Sand Paintings: Sand Paintings

Interesting Sand Painting Art with detailed and vibrantly colored Native American Figures

Antique Book By Henry James: The Portrait of a Lady, 1881: Henry James Book

When Life Takes You Over: Alzheimers, the Growing Epidemic for the U.S.

When I saw The Notebook for the very first time, I wept like a little baby that enjoyed hearing its own cries. And, no, this was not because of the charming love story that every girl falls in love with, at least, in the beginning for me. It was due to one particular scene that gets to me every time, perhaps because it became all too real to me several years ago.

Specifically, when the elderly version of Alli, played by the wonderful Gena Rowlands, begins dancing with her late, great love Noah in the nursing home, she is suddenly overcome by an all encompassing fear and confusion. This utter loss of reality is due to another evil spell brought on by her Alzheimers Disease that has begun to take over her life. Every time I see this, I cannot help but feel for all the people that actually have to experiene this horrendous disease. Among the millions, my grandmother was one of the victims that spent the last fourteen years of her life being broken down by its terrible side effects.

She, like all, was undeserving. Luckily, I was old enough (around 7 years of age) when she was diagnosed with Alzheimers, that I can still remember who the real Marcia Brewer was. Simply put, she was literally an angel from Heaven; she never said a curse word and always made everyone around her laugh and smile. I could only dream to be as sweet as she.

 But, the creepy part of the whole situation is that Alzheimers took her over completely and turned her into an entirely different person. To me, soon after diagnosis, my grandmother had already passed, because the woman that still sat in front of me was someone that I loved, but someone that I did not know. Not only did she no longer know me, but I no longer knew her, either. Quite a sad ordeal if you let it take any space in your mind at all, yet the hardest part was definitely not for me. Her husband, my grandfather, shared the greatest burden of all of us. In perspective to what he had to go through, I have had nothing to complain about, whatsoever.

My Grandfather, who I used to call Grandad, was quite the hero to me. He took care of my sick grandmother for years on end and never complained once. I am in awe of his strength, still to this day, years after he, himself, has already passed. To watch your wife slowly turn into someone else and forget who you are is a larger struggle than I have ever had to face. Yet, it is all too common for many people across the world today. 

To put this all into real terms, today, over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimers Disease, including an estimated 200,000 that have yet to even reach the age of 65 yet. Even more shocking, by 2050, up to 16 million are expected to have the disease, as predicted by the Alzheimers Association (“A Future Without,”2013). However, it is vital to note that this disease affects much more than just the respective victims of Alzheimers Disease. 

As I stated in the case with my grandfather, the caregiver is often the one hit the hardest by the after-effects of this ugly illness. In fact, 60 percent of Alzheimers and dementia caregivers rate the emotional stress level of caregiving as high or very high. Within this group, over one-third report symptoms of depression. In other words, Houston, we have a problem.

  

So, what are we doing to resolve it? I do not know about you, but it obviously runs in my blood, and probably many of yours as well. This may be sad to think about, but it is necessary for us to take action now and find out what is in our hands and what we simply cannot control. After all, even if Alzheimer’s “doesn’t run in your blood”, the direct costs of caring for those with Alzheimer’s to American society in 2013 will total an estimated $203 billion. Specifically, that is $142 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. Unless something is done, Alzheimer’s will cost an estimated $1.2 trillion (in today’s dollars) in the year 2050. Costs to Medicare and Medicaid will increase over 500 percent. Now, that statistic is not so easy to ignore, is it?

Alzheimers Quick Facts: 

Therefore, there are three main things that you can do right now to make a difference: 

1. Research to find out more about Alzheimers Disease in order to first enlighten yourself and then others. To get started, here are a few examples of great resources: 

• http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp

• http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet

• http://www.alzheimers.gov/

2. Donate to the Alzheimers Association to increase the speed at which research is accomplished so that better drugs can be created to finally find solutions to this currently incurable disease. To do so, please visit the following:

• http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp

3. Lastly, read below to learn how my grandmother was still able to speak to me even after her passing.

 To put it into better detail, when looking through some of my grandmother’s old things, I came across a very well-worn Bible of hers. The Bible was literally overflowing with notes of hers that explained some significance to her, somehow. Now, whether you are a Christian or not at all, this was extremely exciting for me to learn some of my grandmother’s personal thoughts years after I had the pleasure of speaking to the real her that I missed so immensely. Here are just a few of my favorite quotes she spelled out for us to read.

Any woman who is married to a man who thinks he is smarter than his wife is surely married to some smart woman.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its worries and sorrows, but it helps only to empty today of its strength.

·         He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness…

So, if you could get anything out of this little story that I have shared with you, at all, please let it be that you understand how quickly time is fleeting…that this urgency should give you less time to waste worrying about yourself and more seeking out your purpose in this life and what you can do to make life a little better for others. While I mess up every minute of every day, to me, there is really no other way to live. If my grandmother taught me anything, it is to make the most out of what we have and to make your life not about yourself, but to give it a greater purpose. If you are wondering where to start, why not a make a difference in something that virtually affects all of us already? After all, 'tis the season to be thinking of others. 

Additional References: 

A future without alzheimer's. (2013, October 28). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/research/overview.asp

The notebook [Television series episode]. (2012). South Carolina: Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332280/

Thank the Groundswell: Just Fab, More like Just Fronts

In this moment, thousands of consumers are writing about your products, your businesses and, ultimately, your reputation.  Whether it be on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook or on ratings sites like Angie’s List, the word is out there about your company. Someone in the world that has virtually NO AFFILIATION with your company is more than likely building some part of your brand for you. This is often referred to as the Groundswell Effect as defined by Josh Bernoff and Charlene Li in their excellent book unambiguously titled, Marketing in the Groundswell (Bernoff, 2009).

In effect, the Groundswell is a social phenomenon caused by a huge force of customers throughout the world that combine to voice their opinions on the internet. Because of this, customers are far more powerful than ever before. They have created their own armies throughout the internet. Their strength lies in the sheer numbers that were previously separated by distance, but now forever connected by the internet. This can be seen as a brilliant opportunity or a disastrous hazard, depending on each individual firm’s perspective.

When most businesses consider the Groundswell, they feel that they must be on the defense, because they approximate that consumers only write about them on the internet saying something negative, yet, this is not the case. Consumers most often write about extreme experiences, whether that be positive or negative.  Even so, when a company is maliciously attacked on the internet, the business still has the power to combat these opinions by responding in a helpful and professional manner. The way a company reacts can mean just as much as the things that were originally said about them.

If It Sounds Too Good to be True, It Probably Is…

With the ever-increasing power of the consumer voice on the internet, comes several sites that expose companies for what they truly are. One notable site is referred to as Scam Book, in which a long list of companies and their said lawsuits and any other dirty laundry is explicitly “aired-out”.  Among these companies, Just Fabulous or JustFab.com has, unfortunately, received 886 complaints in total.

Furthermore, this company is significant to me personally, because I have dealt with them first-handedly. However, the following is not an ongoing rant about how terrible JustFabulous.com is. Rather, it is intended for others to use it as a way to learn from my experience. Briefly, Just Fab is a shoe subscription site, but is advertised much more so as an online shoe shop that sells each pair for only $39.95. Likely, many have heard of this website/service due to its high level of advertisement via social media, television and various websites.

Specifically, Just Fabulous is headquartered in El Segundo, California. The online shoe and accessories website differentiates itself by providing registered members with “style experts” to assist in personalization throughout the shopping experience. This gives shoppers an opportunity to have their own stylist along the way. As an extremely business-minded person, this sounded like a somewhat innovative idea to me, so I became intrigued by their business model and, of course, as a girly-girl, their shoes, as well.

Even more, Just Fab advertises itself as a normal, non-membership based, online retail website, through widely distributed banner advertisements featuring statements like “Deals on heels”, ”Every pair only $39.95,” “Celeb Styled Shoes & Bags” and, most importantly, “Join for free” as formally defined in the lawsuit against them (cite lawsuit). What was not so clear to me, and countless others, is that JustFab.com is a monthly membership service where consumers are charged $39.95 per month to receive products, or in my case, simply advice.  

During the registration process, I was required to register an account. However, the home pages of JustFab.com completely lack any information identifying the company as a “shoe of the month club” or that there is a reoccurring monthly charge. Conversely, these pages repeatedly promote that the shoes are sold for only $39.95. More specifically, I have included an excerpt from the lawsuit against Just Fabulous Inc. in order to better highlight my point:

"The JustFab.com website is designed to steer consumers away from any relevant pricing information, and instead, immediately push them through registration to the "Fashion Personality Quiz." 

"After completing the quiz, the consumer is then led to a webpage where they are asked to fill in basic contact information, including name, address, and email."

"There is no information provided to the consumer regarding any membership obligations during the fasion quiz or on the personal information submission page." (Scambook Official, Just Fabulous Class Action Lawsuit)

After completing the simple style quiz in order to register, I was then led to a page where I was asked to fill out basic contact information. On this page, there was not any information providing my upcoming membership obligations. Most importantly, I was not required to submit any payment information. Thus, I was not under the impression that I was enrolling in a membership program. 

If I Only Had a Time-machine

Upon registration, there is a pop-up stating a one-time discount of 50% so that the shoes would become a mere $19.95.  At this point, there is an agreement in order to finally complete the registration process and receive the discount offer, before finally purchasing the shoes. Therefore, this is where I, among hundreds of others, messed up. We did not read the entire agreement, because we were under a completely different impression. From this, please let us all learn!

In exact, I lost a sum of money over 500 dollars. To some, this is not much, but to a college student like me, 500 bucks means something. Furthermore, I did not receive ANY SHOES from this, because the shoes that I was supposed to pick from (and still pay more for, in addition) were e-mailed to my spam folder in my e-mails. Simply put, even if I was loaded, spending this money was completely worthless, because I received nothing out of it.

Everything is Negotiable

In about less than one minute after finding this out, I decided to call JustFab to see what they thought of my situation.  I did not plan on resolving the issue during this particular conversation, but I needed to gain some background on their original offer, before proceeding. After all, everything is negotiable, friends. Don’t let others tell you that it is not.

After speaking to an employee, I could tell that I was definitely right about everything being negotiable. I felt like I was bartering for shoes at a flea market. Therefore, I politely told the man that I needed to do some more background research and speak with my (nonexistent, but why would he need to know that?) lawyer first.  During this time, I found countless articles targeting JustFab.com, including the lawsuit that I decided to read. From this, I gained an understanding that I had more in my favor than I realized.

With this in mind and the idea of my father learning about my negligence still in the back of my head, I decided to react to this situation in the most professional and fair manner as possible, as I would always hope to. Immediately, I called the company back up and countered that I wanted a 100% refund, because I had not received any compensation in any form, for the money I paid since I was under the wrong impression of their website. While I admitted to my mistake of not thoroughly reading, I also stated that I believed their site to include false advertising.

However, in no way did I try to argue with the employees that were simply speaking on the phone with me. I simply tried to speak assertively and fairly. Therefore, the woman that I was then speaking with agreed to give me a 100% refund. However, part of this amount would come in the form of a check in two to three weeks. That sounded a little off-putting to me, so I decided to tell her I needed to speak with my lawyer, once more.

The Golden Rule: Treat Others as You Would Like to be Treated

When speaking with them for the final time, I stated that my lawyer reasoned that there was no reasoning for receiving my money in less than the two to five days that it would take the bank to process it back into my account. I stated that I would take nothing less. Therefore, this latest woman spoke with her boss and, consequently, agreed to my offer. I felt pretty good to have the situation completely resolved after making my own mistake. I owe this to others teaching me to always treat others as you would like to be treated and speaking in a professional manner when appropriate so that you can be taken serious. Pretty simple when it’s all said and done, huh?

Therefore, I cannot speak for all those that have dealt with JustFab.com, because I know that many have been very unhappy. However, I am happy that the company has adapted its reactions when necessary. Just like in the Groundswell, it is just as important to combat negative branding as it is to put positive marketing out there in the first place.

After all, no one is perfect. In fact, some companies are very, very far from it. But, ultimately gaining that balance of positive branding and the right reactions, is what it is all about. So, try not to hate the Groundswell. Instead, play it to your company’s advantage and thank it for its rather endless set of opportunities. Just remember to never try and cheat the game, because then the game will come back to play you.

Author: Jessica Lynn Brewer 

Who Are You When You Are Alone?

Why does nearly everyone say, “You must be good with yourself before you can get into a real relationship”? I swear, that nearly every girl will tell you that, but will that same amount of women actually follow this golden rule themselves? More than likely, the girl that told you that has had a maximum of one month by herself. Wow, what an I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T woman! Just call her Beyonce.

Then, those girls end up getting married to a guy before they have solved all of their own issues. I am absolutely not hating on those people that choose to get married young. I am simply saying that before you jump into all of the love and roses, do not place all of your happiness on a guy. Then, if the right guy comes along, you WILL be ready.

That guy could and should make you happy, but he has to know that you have your own life too. And he should support that. If not, sorry bout ya babe. There are a lot of fish in the sea. So to all of the ladies that are going through heartache (been there), please push through that pain, instead of taking the easy way out and texting that guy that you know deep down that you should not be texting.

That temporary happiness is just like shopping and buying the cutest new outfit. It feel so good in the moment, but did it really solve all of your problems? For a while, it did. But you will just have to go back and buy some more later. Hopefully, you have the funds to do so. If so, go for it! But, more importantly, take the time to figure out those underlying issues that keep you up at night or don’t give you the confidence to achieve your dreams. Trust me, it will pay off later when you actually reach that great potential of yours.

So, take a good look in the mirror and, before you jump into Prince Charming’s arms, make sure that you think you are plenty good enough without him. It can be hard to do so, especially in today’s world. Women are constantly bombarded by the media of the perfect woman. She is drop dead gorgeous, nearly anorexic and somehow juggles a career and knows how to cook like Paula Dean. But, somehow, I don’t know too many women that fit that profile.

But, who cares? Just because the media tells you something, should you believe it? No, they are just trying to take your money half the time. Be smarter and realize how good you are, as well as what you can improve upon. Then, look in the mirror and say, “Hell yeah, I’m a smart, confident woman that knows what’s up. I have so much good in my future and no one can prevent me from reaching that.”

If you can say that and really mean it, then, right in that moment, you could jump into Prince Charming’s arms if you wanted to. But, either way, you would be quite alright, wouldn’t you? (Get the idea here?)

In all, I hope that people don’t take this as just another cheesy, we-can-do-it article trying to give unwarranted confidence to all. Instead, give it a try and see how much true confidence can really do for you. I mean, just think of how much easier life would be if you were confident and did not rely on the approval of others? A hell of a lot easier, if you ask me. 

Laugh or not at my advice, I only seek to improve the confidence of women, because I am tired of too many of us getting caught up in the wrong scene and short-selling our potential. Although I have gotten a kick out of it at times, I am honestly tired of trashy reality TV where too many women end up looking like gold-diggers that do not know their own self-worth. I am tired of too many women thinking they constantly need a man to get by.

 Trust me, the right one will come along when you least expect it. So, lighten up and write a list of what you can do to become a better version of yourself. Go out and do it and then complain to me. But, chances are, you won’t even be complaining anymore. You will be taking your future in your own hands and feeling damn good about the woman you have become.

Just a thought…

Do Not See Yourself as Others See You

Courtesy of Farzana Haque at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business 2013 Conference

All too often it is the case that we conform to the labels that others give us, without our permission. If someone tells you that you're crazy, well, sooner or later, you start believing you really are cuckoo, even when you are perfectly sane. The American Psychological Association labels this as Inappropriate Prescribing when specifically dealing with patient-doctor care (Smith, 2012).  Whether in a doctor's office or in the board room, it is extremely important to know when to take others prescriptions seriously and when to forgo them all-together.

Personally, I have always gotten a kick out of breaking stereotypes of what others see me as. I love being a girly girl, but enjoy four-wheeling out in the mud with my younger brother. I have an appreciation for the city and the country. Further, I love to bake, but I do not see myself in the kitchen all day long, quite yet. If I did, that would be excellent, but that is not the case at this point in time.  

Yet, when others see me in my high heels and a dress, do they see me leading a business? Maybe yes, maybe no. But, the fact of the matter is, it does not matter.  As Farzana Haque, Global Head - Large Accounts at SBU at Tata Consultancy Services, highlights in the above video from the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business Conference, "You have no control over what people view you as, at first. But, the impression that you leave them with is what matters." 

Therefore, the world would be a better place if those people with disadvantages of what others first see them as would just stop whining and start doing. Yes, this is easier said than done. But, in the end, it only matters how you see yourself, because if you have the right confidence, then others will begin to see that. Recognize that others will peg you wrong all of the time, but proving them wrong is a much greater satisfaction, anyway.