Lemonade
What Beyoncé has recently taught me…
Her newly released Lemonade has inspired a spiral of thoughts that lead to this blog, which are interesting from both a marketing and a personal growth perspective.
While everyone is obsessing about ”Becky with the good hair”, all I see is the brilliance of it. While Beyoncé lashes out at Jay-Z, suggesting adultery, and the entire album basically revolves around her heartbreak, it has the entire world speculating. Yet, what most people tend to forget is that the album Lemonade is released exclusively through Tidal, which is a streaming service company co-owned by both Beyoncé and Jay-Z (among others), making it one of the smartest money making endeavours and everyone is falling for it. It just makes Beyoncé and Jay-Z brilliant entrepreneurs and it’s something we can all learn from.
You see, Beyoncé with her A-star status is perceived by many as ideal. The idea that she has to deal with the same things that many of us have to deal with such as infidelity, heartbreak, insecurities etc. provides many with a certain degree of comfort. ”If Beyoncé can be cheated on, well then maybe it’s not the case that I’m not good enough” could be a thought of some lady who’s been cheated on. By making the album personal, it adds so much value to it, making it more than just a few new Beyoncé songs. Tidal described the Lemonade concept as ”every woman’s journey of self-knowledge and healing”. So what can we conclude from this?
What I’ve learned from it, is the following:
1. From a marketing perspective: Product/Brand Experience determines your product’s value. The entire Lemonade concept is a confirmation of the fact that creating an experience around your product or brand enhances the perception of the value of it, because people are able to relate on a certain level. In this case, even if the rumours and insinuations are true, Jay-z and Beyoncé are still the ones laughing hardest (together) as all they have been hearing is (even more)”Cha Ching, Cha Ching” since April 23.
2. From a personal growth perspective: The grass is never greener on the other side.
We can learn from Beyoncé’s honesty (assuming her story is true and her heartbreak is genuine), that we all have our issues to deal with. Whether it’s money problems, heartbreak, or something else, nobody is exempted from it. The grass is not greener on the other side, although we might often think so. Especially nowadays with social media, where people tend to share (only) the better things in their lives, it seems as everyone’s grass might be greener. But clearly even Queen B has her issues and no perfect life.
3. From a personal growth & marketing perspective: Make that Lemonade!
When life hands you lemons…you buy some sugar and you make €€€ selling lemonade. Transform your heartbreak, pain, struggle, issues into something positive, that you can use for yourself to grow, personally, and if possible even financially. You have the power to take control. Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% how you choose to react to it. You can choose to make that lemonade, instead of crying over the lemons your where handed.
So pull a Sasha Fierce and turn your pain into a better you, a better world and even €€€!
Mantra for the week:
”Storms are always temporary. With every difficulty I come out polished, stronger and prepped for blessing beyond my wildest dreams”.
Love,
Nadira
P.S:….
*…All above is based on the assumption that there is at least some truth and sincerity in Lemonade the concept.*
Outfit details: Croptop by Wulterkens. Jeans by Nastygal.
Metallic Tattoos by Chique Tattoos.
Photography by Surej Tul.
Special Thank you to Jacana Amazon Welness Resort for their hospitality!
While I had the feeling I was in the middle of a tropical heaven, Jacana is actually 10 minutes driving from my home in Paramaribo city. If you want to surround yourself with exotic nature in combination with a luxury treatment and experience that zen feeling, while still close to the city, Jacana Resort is definitely the place to be!
You can book your stay at Jacana HERE.
- Published in Self-Discovery & Growth, Written Archives 2013-2018
2 Minutes Of Fame
I would lie if I said that I don’t like being in the spotlight, especially when it’s a good one. Maybe some of you might recall, last summer, in my post Time, So Precious, So Scarce, I mentioned working on a fun project with an upcoming DJ.
I can finally tell you guys more about the project, which was for DJ Tony Junior and his father, Toni Peroni Senior. DJ Tony Junior is an upcoming Dutch DJ, very well known in the US and other parts of the world; he made his debut at Tomorrowland last summer, with his hit Immortal under the label Spinnin’ Records, which you are surely familiar with from Martin Garrix, Afrojack and lots of others. He also works with Steve Aoki, one of my favorites too. Toni Senior was a rock n roll star/ drummer in a Dutch band in the 80s.
Father & Son, both sweet, genuine and very nice to work with, have become close acquaintances since we approached them about 2 years ago to wear the Wulterkens Casual T-shirt line. It’s never a dull moment with them, always fun and laughs.
When Tony Junior asked us to be involved in creating the first designs for Tony’s t-shirtline IMMRTL, it was an honor and an exciting project to do. At the same time they were filming their own Dutch reality tv show called Toni & Tony: Zo Vader, Zo Zoon. The past week the first episode aired on Dutch national television RTL5, and yup, you guessed it, my partner and I had the privilege of starring in it too, for 2 whole minutes haha!
Not being aware of the voice overs, the master editing of the RTL crew and the opinions of Toni Senior, I’m a bit stuck in the middle on whether I’m happy about my 2 minutes of fame or not. The idea that over 460,000 people and counting have seen this, does make me very self-conscious and a bit shy. Nevertheless it’s been very good promotion for my partner and I as designers, but also lots of brand exposure for Wulterkens, since Toni Senior is/will be rocking our t-shirts throughout the different episodes of the show and in other shows, such as Carlo & Irene that aired today on RTL4, which we are very grateful for.
In case you want to know why we have those looks on our faces, check out our funny 2 minute scene from the first episode, here.
Unfortunately there are no English Subtitles, so I’m very sorry for my non-Dutch readers.
To my Dutch readers, I highly recommend you to watch the full episode , because it’s really awesome to take a look into the rock n roll way of life Toni & Tony, click here.
Pictures are screenshots from the first episode. New episodes of Toni & Tony: Zo Vader, Zo Zoon, will be airing every Tuesday night 21:30 on RTL 5.
Outfitdetails:
More info on my outfit can be found in my post The Cost of Ambition.
The Wulterkens 3D Signature spotted on Toni Senior is available for purchase here.
Love,
Nadira
- Published in Written Archives 2013-2018
Against A Lot Of Odds
I’m back from what I’ve experienced as a too fast going rollercoaster that launched me right into zombieland.
We moved into our beautiful and much larger office space where we can divide our 2 businesses, a separate office for Customized wear and a special showroom for Wulterkens Clothing, while still connected. For us the perfect combination. We did have some bumps in the road though, one of it was that the first few days we didn’t have any central heating, while still winter, so it was freezing, which got me very sick. There were some other issues as well, but I will not bore you with those details. Right before moving, we launched our new sport collection (part 1), but had some problems with delivery on our stock, so everything piled up. So much to do, so little time, lots of difficulties… and not long after I had my Business Marketing exam, which of course required a lot of studying. For those of you who don’t know, I am doing a part time Master program at the University in Amsterdam. (*Update 31-3-2015*: Just heard I aced my Business Marketing exam with a grade of 8,5 (out of 10), so I guess it was worth it!)
As excited as I was for all the new things happening (new office, new collection), I think you can imagine the amount of cortisol (stress-hormone) flowing through my body, while struggling to recover.
So it’s safe to say I’ve been a little busy, but hey what else is new! We’re back and we’ve just launched part 2 of the Wulterkens Sport Collection, check it out on www.wulterkensclothing.com! Coming soon (April) is our Summer Fashion Collection and another surprise, so stay tuned for that.
What I’ve learned from the pas month is that I can do and handle so much more than I thought I could. Another confirmation, in retrospect, that we tend to limit ourselves in our minds most of the time, but when certain situations demand action on our behalf and it’s just an absolute must (you know you can’t hide under the bed covers even if you’d really love to), it suddenly appears that you are able to do whatever it is you need to do.
If someone would have told me a month ago, what was going to happen (read: go wrong), I would have thought ‘’No thank you, I can’t handle that’’ and I would have skipped the entire moving part and a few other things.
‘’All limits are self-imposed’’, one of my favorite quotes and it’s nice to have a good reminder of it! So whenever you get into a crazy busy, too much to handle, everything going wrong and demanding your attention kind of phase, just breathe, and go with the flow. Don’t go hide in a corner, because although the temptation will be strong, it won’t solve anything and may lead to even bigger problems. So take responsibility, do all you can and it will pay off. If it doesn’t kill you, it only makes you stronger.
I’ve started training and eating healthy again since this week, in preparation for summer. #hotsummerbody, who’s with me?
Controlling my sugar & carb intake and keeping a regular workout schedule was just too much for me during the past month, so I let myself go a little, which has become visible in the mirror and I’m not happy with it, so it’s time to get strict and back at it.
I will be doing an update post on my fitness routine, as I will have a slightly different approach for the next few months. I’m also planning on doing some videos, with some good exercises that you guys can try that do a lot of good. If you girls/guys have special requests, please let me know, I will try to incorporate that.
Another great thing I just found out (to my surprise!) from the statistics of the blog is that for 2015 Lead When Others Follow has been viewed by awesome people from over 60 different countries. How cool is that! I want you all to know that I never expected this when I started blogging and I am extremely grateful to all of you who find my crazy life interesting and I really hope you can learn a little bit or get inspired.
Lots of love to all of you!
Nadira
Outfitdetails: My Wulterkens Varsity Jacket is from the new Functional Fashion Collection, Sporty, but chique, check it out here, also available in black & white.
Pants from ZARA Basic, Sneakers from All Star, Turtle Neck Sweater from WE.
Have It All
The transition…From 30 degrees to temperatures around freezing point…From relaxation to kind of (a little bit) of chaos….From zen by the pool and partying to deadlines, obligations and commitments…From home in Suriname to home in the Netherlands…
I feel tired and stressed, but at the same time happy and excited, because despite the big load of work, it’s all lots of new amazing things happening, new opportunities & projects and growth!
Coming up the next few months from Wulterkens is a new sport collection,a new fashion collection, andddd something bigger, that I can’t tell just yet….Oh and at the moment we are swamped with the SALE, be sure to check out the Wulterkens website.
In Suriname, in the beginning I was going crazy, there was so much work that I couldn’t do, and I wasn’t used to not doing very much. I realized how much of a workaholic I’ve become, I literally had to kick off and take satisfaction out of only 2-3 hours of working a day.
I spent the remainder time mostly at my mom’s home during the day, at my dad’s home during the evenings, really enjoyed the quality time with my parents. Some days I enjoyed catching up with old friends and there were lots of fun parties. But apart from that, I also spent a lot of time thinking…thinking back on the previous year, what did we accomplish, what did we do wrong, which of the things could we have done better; What do we want to accomplish in 2015, what do we have to change in our current ways to be able to accomplish these goals….etc etc.
I’ve also thought a lot about myself, the woman I’ve become, the kind of woman I want to be; thought about my relationships with my partner, family, friends: Who do I want to spend more or less energy on. How will I incorporate more balance in my life….Is it even possible to create a balance when there is mostly chaos? I’m at this point in my life where I want so much, and I want it all at the same time…is it crazy to think that I can have it all?
I think a lot of people might think I am being too hard on myself…But if I don’t do it Now, when will I….I am 25, with the entire world at my feet, no better time than now to give my all, right?
It shouldn’t be so hard living a fullfilling, happy, content life by managing a continuously growing Brand/business with the ultimate goal to leave a mark and become financially free, while within the next 1,5 year obtaining my Masters degree in Marketing at the University, while also traveling and still enjoying quality time with my soulmate & partner, a selected group of friends and family (I don’t even dare to call that a social life)…oh and also while getting in the best shape ever….Nah, not that hard! Another 24 hours a day would surely be helpful, but oh well..I’ll manage. Nobody said it was going to be easy, but I know it’s going to be worth it.
Being able to accomplish all of this in these prime years, will make a good story for later when I’m old and wrinkly on my Yacht somewhere in the Caribbean. But also being able to inspire others, to show them that it is possible, as long as you’re willing to work.
I am extremely grateful that I have both the vision and the opportunities to be able to do so and I know that with the right attitude and belief in combination with working hard it should be a possibility…I guess time will tell…What do you guys think? Is it possible to have it all?
“Shoot for the moon, cause even if you miss, you will land among the stars’’
Love,
Nadira
My outfit is one of my favorite I wore in Suriname, it’s sexy, but chique and even a bit sporty; kind of J.LO inspired. I first decided to wear a nude lip with my hair half up, but halfway during the shoot I felt like spicing it up with a bit more color and a little wilder, loose hair. Which look is your fave?
Details: Pants: Missguided ; Top: Missguided ; Shoes: Missguided, older collection ; Purse: Zara, older collection ; Lipsticks: Hug me by MAC & Chili by MAC
”…But one idea described her best: she was unstoppable and she took anything she wanted with a smile”
Brains, Beauty, Booty & Giveaway!
I’ve recently decided to give the ”3B’s” a whole new definition….Brains, Beauty, Booty. I believe it is one of the best compliments you can give a woman, because you reflect on her intelligence, her beauty (which can be inside and out) en booty, which is what I think makes the 3B’s most interesting, especially if you refer to the recent beauty standards set by Kim Kardashian, Beyonce, J.Lo and Nicki Minaj (did I forget someone?). I mean which woman doesn’t want to flaunt a beautiful, round booty? Nobody ever wrote a song about a small booty!
My last post was a review on the No1 Lash Extend Serum by Di Angelo Cosmetics, which I came to love after using it for two months, if you missed it, you can read it here.
But the one before, Pressure Creates Diamonds, was a bit on the dark side, where I decided to be honest about the business not doing so well at the time.
Luckily, and more due to hard work and ceasing some important opportunities, things are going a lot better with Wulterkens. Yep, we’re here to stay and growing! I am extremely grateful, because with everything that happened, I’ve gotten even more confirmation that things do happen for a reason and everything comes across your path at the right time, when you really need it. As I always say, never a failure, always a lesson (in this case a lot of expensive lessons haha, I can laugh about now, but I guess we had to learn some things the hard way).
It’s holiday season and we’re getting closer to 2015, which is always a time of reflection for me. I cannot believe how fast this year flew by and I’m not even sure I’m ready to start the next year, because I constantly have the feeling that I still have so much I want to do in 2014. Fact is, whether I’m ready or not, it’s not like the new year is going to wait for me, so I am working on accepting and looking at the up side that I already have a big to do list for 2015. You know what they say…If you haven’t started working/planning on 2015, you’re running behind.
Because we’ve grown so much this year as a brand, I wanted to show my gratitude to you for supporting Wulterkens and supporting me, in every way, whether it’s following the blog, our social media, liking, sharing, commenting, purchasing, taking awesome selfies in Wulterkens, you name it…We wouldn’t be where we are without you.
So…I am giving away 5 of Wulterkens’ best-selling ”Brains, Beauty, Booty” hoodies.
You can participate by:
1. Following Wulterkens on Instagram and Facebook.
2. Following me on Instagram: @nadirarr
3. Share this post & comment below why you would love to Win a Wulterkens BBB Hoodie.
You can also participate through Facebook & Instagram.
Instructions 1 and 2 stay the same, only 3. will be for Instagram reposting the picture and for Facebook sharing the picture (when reposting/sharing, please add in text why you would love to Win the Wulterkens BBB Hoodie).
I will announce the lucky winners on the 15th of January 2015. We ship worldwide, so you can participate from everywhere in the world!
Good luck to all my smart beauties with a booty!! Oh and, of course, gentlemen can enter for their lady friends as well. I mean, let’s be honest, it makes THE perfect present. Speaking of presents, at the moment we have lots of amazing holiday offers that you can enjoy while stocking up on your hottest sportoutfit to start the new year motivated and in style:
www.wulterkensclothing.com.
Lots of love to all of you! And don’t forget to do your squats for that bootayy!
Nadira
Outfitdetails:
Brains, Beauty, Booty hoodie by Wulterkens, available here. Faux Leather Snake Print Legging by Bebe (old collection).
Boots by Zara (old collection). Bag by Guess (old collection).
”The best thing about the future, is that it comes one day at a time” – Abraham Lincoln
- Published in Written Archives 2013-2018
There’s always a first time for everything
It all started in February 2012, when my partner and I got the crazy idea to start our own clothing Brand. We didn’t have much of an idea what we were getting into. Now, 1,5 year later, I feel like we’re on the longest rollercoaster ride ever…but I love it.
It’s been so much of so many…This is my story, that I want to share with you. My journey as a millennial entrepreneur in the fashion business in the Netherlands.
It started with a crazy idea, it became a dream, and now we’re living it. We wanted to use our skills and expertise to create something different. Our entire idea of life has always been different.
With no offense to anyone, we don’t believe that the point of life is the way it is portrayed in big lines: Education, Work, Family, Pensions and if you’re lucky some Vacations and luxury in between.
There is so much more to life, and we want more, we want to add a significant value to this world. Really leave our mark and enhance the quality of many people’s lifes.
With Men’s fashion, we noticed in Europe that despite there being so much available, it all is pretty much the same, not much choice if you want to stand out a bit. It was all for what we call the grey mass. We want to create for those who Lead when others follow, those who want to set a statement with their clothing. Who really want to express their individuality and personality without saying a word.This was the source for the creations of Wulterkens. We just released our 3rd collection in June, available on www.wulterkensclothing.com
Our t-shirts have been spotted on many Dutch celebrities, international DJs, music artists, tv hosts, reality stars and even some upcoming artist in the USA. We are working hard to build Wulterkens up to an international imperium.
In this blog I want to share my passion with you and my journey. You can expect much more about me, fashion and beauty posts, updates on my Wulterkens journey, events, my views on topics I find interesting and also the many lessons that I learn along the way.
With this blog I would like to inspire, spread positivity, motivation and love. I think we all have the ability to be whomever we want to be in this life. It’s just a matter of determination, persistence, patience and the will to follow through. Never give up!
Follow me for much more and feel free to share if you like.
Love,
Nadira
