BeChicMag.com

By Mercedes Sanchez

My Story

As the title says, I was once unemployed, uninsured but never uninspired.

My blogging story goes back to 2006 when I left the New York Post to handle publicity for a politician. I soon realized that I missed the writing, discovering new trends before they hit the pages of magazines and talking to upcoming and A-list stars. That’s when I launched a site (not realizing it was a blog) where I posted my informal opinions on pop culture, beauty, fashion and my neighborhood.

Seven months within the new job at the politician’s office I got a call from WNBC-TV,  three years after I originally applied for a production assistant/segment producer position. Nevertheless, I took their offer. It was an awesome experience but when the recession hit, my one-year-contract wasn’t renewed.

Looking for another full-time position was challenging and at times depressing. I had to remind myself that there was nothing wrong with me. More than half the team from the morning show was let go. However, when I couldn’t find another lifestyle producing position I ‘simply’ made one.

Creating My Own Opportunities

“If I can’t find the job of my dreams, I’ll just do what I love for myself.”

And that’s exactly what I did by deciding to focus all my energy into BeChicMag.com. I updated the look of the site, got serious about posting daily instead of bi-weekly articles on fashion and beauty. I also launched my very own lifestyle channel BeChicTV where I held on-camera interviews with notable experts such as Anna Wintour, Nina Garcia, Vera Wang, Beyonce’s Makeup Artist Jackie Gomez, Nigel Barker, Julissa Bermudez, John Leguizamo and many others!

Passion and Persistence

Sure there were times when I questioned my own ROI, but the time, work and not to mention money that I’ve put into BeChicMag.com are finally paying off. Two years after writing on the latest fashion, beauty and entertainment, reviewing products, covering fashion week and editing videos I realized that my little old blog was becoming a business of its own. And that’s where I am today.

My passion for blogging, my love for informing my readers of upcoming beauty products, sharing my personal style and asking them about theirs in my BeChic Tuesday series and building a community with other bloggers has led to many great opportunities this past year alone such as working with brands and:

*being interviewed by AOL Latino about BeChicMag.com
*asked to be a panelist at the Hispanicize conference in Los Angeles
*becoming a blog ambassador for Kmart and Neutrogena
*making Mashable.com’s “Best Local Blog” finalist list
*named “Best New York Latina Blogger” by Latism.org

Blogalicious

I remember the first time I heard about Blogalicious. I was at home on Twitter and I swore I wouldn’t miss the next one in Miami. Then my cousin planned her wedding for that same weekend and I had to miss it— again! With the upcoming conference taking place in Washington, D.C. — during my birthday weekend—it only makes sense that I hop on Amtrak and make it.

As much as I love it, blogging can sometimes get pretty lonely. Think about it. For the most part it’s just you and the computer. That’s why building a community is essential to survive. I like to think I’m involved with a great group of women but expanding my network and meeting new bloggers of diverse backgrounds who write about various topics is what I’m looking forward to at the Blogalicious conference.

I love creating content and engaging with my readers through comments, Facebook and Twitter but the truth is I have lots to learn on the business side of blogging, and I know that a weekend at Blogalicious will guide me in the right direction.

Keeping my fingers crossed! - Mercedes

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Disclaimer: This blog post is an entry to win a conference pass to Blogalicious.

By Camlyn V.

Did you know that in July Nissan launched what they refer to as their Hispanic Facebook page?

We held a Q&A via phone with Nissan’s Director of Interactive & Social Media Marketing Erich Marx and the woman behind the Nissan Workshop at the National Council of La Raza Annual Conference Victoria Negrete.

When did Nissan start thinking of branching out and launching this new Facebook page? Is the page only in Spanish?
Erich: I’ve been thinking about this project for about a year and it hit home while talking to Victoria. I noticed that this was an overwhelming opportunity in the Hispanic market and social media seems like a natural fit.

Although the page is in Spanish, Marx told us that they want to focus on the Hispanic culture and encourage their audience to post in whichever language they choose — whether it be English or Spanish.

Who are you targeting?

“We realize that social media is growing across all demographic, mainly 18 to 29-year-olds as well as 29 to 34-year-olds,” says Marx.

According to their research, women are much more Internet savvy than men. Marx tells us that they aren’t targeting a certain age demographic; however, as a car company with a motive, they are reaching people who are clearly interested in Nissan cars or sports cars.

What does Nissan anticipate from this new facebook page?

In Mexico, Nissan is the number one car brand, and we are not in the United States. Our goal is to expand and gain that loyalty that we have in Mexico, in the US. We want to build a strong brand among the Hispanic community through social media and build loyalty by engaging in a strong connection.

We are excited about this new project because for the first time in three years there is a unique, original, Nissan Hispanic page along with a new television commercial with its original song.

You can find Nissan’s new page at Facebook.com/NissanEspanol

We want to know: What was the brand of your first car? Tell us below :)

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Disclaimer: We were not compensated for this post. This is an informative blog post for our readers.

Contributing Writer Jennifer Eberhart reports on the Alexander McQueen Exhibit taking place at The Met

Despite his tragic death last year, his name continues to send tingles down the spines of fashion lovers across the globe. His designs have made headlines – from Lady Gaga tripping on her Armadillo shoes, to the magnificent gown worn by the newly-crowned Princess Kate on her wedding day. From a hat full of butterflies to a gilt-encrusted coat of feathers, the designs that were created from the studio McQueen are unique, enchanting and romantic.

The Exhibit

The subject of a new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, McQueen’s designs span a 19-year-career that proves from the beginning just how talented the late creative genius was. With the help of current design leader Sarah Burton, curator Andrew Bolton transformed the Met’s gallery space into a breathtaking reproduction of McQueen’s shows. Taking the visitor inside the mind of the spontaneous designer, the show, entitled Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, focuses on the Romantic ideals that he embodied. Be it a dark forest, a music box, an enchanted castle, or a room full of mirrors, each space in the exhibition represents the beauty of these intricate ensembles.

Captain of His Own Soul

Never one for following the rules, McQueen’s entire career is highlighted, from his “origami frockcoat” in Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims (1992) to the ravaged dresses in Highland Rape (1995), to the nature-inspired short dresses in his last collection, Plato’s Atlantis (2010). Over 100 ensembles are displayed: backless dresses, super-low pants, uneven jackets, feathered coats, wired hats. Despite the eccentric tastes of the designer, each piece is a testament to the beauty and power of the female body.

Keeping Up With the Times

Bolton uses technology throughout the exhibition as well: a dynamic audio guide adds personal notes to the show, even highlighting some of the model’s experiences; videos of McQueen’s famously extravagant fashion shows are interspersed throughout the show and Vogue has created an iPad application specifically for the exhibit. A catalog also accompanies the exhibit, with never-before-seen photos of McQueen’s intricate designs.

Why We Love McQueen

It was McQueen’s hope that through his clothing he would be able to empower women, to inspire them, instill confidence. Savage Beauty proves exactly that, and what I wouldn’t give to land myself in one of those dark yet beautiful dresses and shoes!

Opening at The Met

The Met celebrated the opening of Savage Beauty this Monday, May 2, with their annual Costume Institute Gala, to which Salma Hayek, Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Campbell, and Gisele Bundchen donned their favorite McQueen outfits. The event, and the exhibition, is a toast to one of the greatest designers of all time.

Take a step into the savage beauty of Alexander McQueen and his designs, on view May 4 through July 31. -Jennifer

By Mercedes Sanchez

2010 introduced technology that influenced the already changing world of publishing. To discuss journalism among Hispanic writers and bloggers, we met with Latina Magazine‘s Co-President and Editorial Director Galina Espinoza out of her Madison Avenue office. Watch our exclusive on-camera interview on BeChicTV here or below.

If there’s anyone who can speak about the shift in the business, it’s Espinoza. The first-generation American of Ecuadorian descent rejoined the magazine after four years as a staff writer at Money Magazine and senior editor at People Magazine.

GALINA ON BEAUTY

We love to learn how editors–especially those who make regular TV appearances such as Galina who’s often invited as a pop culture expert to shows like Access Hollywood– keep their skin healthy.

“My abuelita [grandmother] was an Avon sales-woman for about 40 years. So I feel everything I’ve learned about taking care of my skin, I learned from abuelita,” says Galina. “She would take her favorite jar of moisturizer and show me how to massage the cream into my face. So I’m pretty religious about moisturizing.” At least four other people in the room, including one BeChic intern, had a grandmother who sold Avon products! We smell a potential Latina story idea…

LATINOS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2011
One of the leading actors to keep your eye on is Edgar Ramirez who had an independent filmed called Carlos in 2010 where he plays a famous Latin American assassin. “It got a lot of buzz at the Cannes Film Festival, and Hollywood payed attention. He has many movie projects lined up for 2011.”

Find out which Latinas, Galina says paved the way for the next generation stars who are about to take 2011 by storm in our on-camera interview on BeChicTV below.

By Camlyn V.

In light of the Pride Parade in NYC, contributing writer Camlyn shares her observation on the Gay Community.

There is nothing I love watching more than men in heels and heart thumping pelvic thrusts and this is what Lady Gaga is all about! The reigning pop culture icon recently discussed her latest single “Alejandro” during a Larry King Live interview. The lady described her newest video as a “celebration of my love and appreciation for the gay community, my admiration of their bravery and their love for one another, their courage and their relationships….” Gaga proves that she is a strong activist inside and outside her recording studio, combating homophobia in her music pieces. In her interview, Gaga also discussed the music industry’s issues and problems concerning homosexuals and how her music embraces them. Lady Gaga (aka Stefani Germanotta) could not have chosen a better time to arrive. She has revolutionized the music industry with her intense visions, outspoken ideas, and daring style. Not only is Gaga an amazing artist but she’s also a great equal rights supporter.

Showing up to Washington, D.C. in October of last year, Lady Gaga, along with other stars like Cynthia Nixon, attended the Human Rights Campaign and the National Equality March where the crowd went “gaga” for Gaga. She captured the attention and gained the admiration of many as she proclaimed to our own President Obama: “ARE YOU LISTENING? We will continue to push your administration to bring your promise of equality,” witnessed the Washington Post.

However, what does the Latino community think of gay issues? We have never heard more talk about homosexuality, than when the beautiful Ricky Martin announced his sexuality claiming he is a “fortunate homosexual,” as if we didn’t already think so! Other Spanish star Christian Chavez, singer from popular Mexican sensation RBD, came out to the world last year. However, we don’t see anyone’s face more than Perez Hilton. The gossip king openly speaks about his coming out experience to CNN: “At the beginning, when I came out to my mom, she reacted with a sigh and said, ‘You’re my son and I have to love you,’ ” Hilton says. “But now she says, ‘You’re the best son in the world, and we need to find you a man.’ ” These men are extremely proud of their sexuality but what about the non celebrities who are dying to “come out” to their parents, their friends and the world? The courage that celebrities have is not the same as regular people, especially young adults.

Latino families have been perceived as families that will never accept a homosexual or transsexual child but this is a stigma that Latino celebrities like Ricky Martin, Christian Chavez, and Perez Hilton are fighting to change.

Along with many others, celebs have made a great effort to raise awareness and do a fantastic job supporting the Gay/LGBT Community. The gay community is one that has been struggling for acceptance and continues to fight for their rights today. You would figure that with all this democracy and equal rights for the people talk would apply to everyone. Currently the gay couples are only allowed to marry in a few selected states- giving homosexual couples some freedom rather than all the freedom they deserve. These celebrities are fighting for all LGBT rights and urge everyone to accept people as they are. They urge families especially to try and support this brave outing of their own personal decision and what their heart desires.

“It isn’t equal if it’s sometimes. I want real democracy. Imagine all the people could love equally.” -Lady Gaga