Happy May 1st! Celebrate a fresh new month, a new beginning. What are you going to start new today?
Click on the ecard above to spread happiness!
Earth Day Entrepreneur Jeweler Michael Choi
2012
Hi everyone!
I am going to start featuring some of my entrepreneurial friends on my blog. I have been planning on this for a long time. I have met so many incredible people through my business. Happy First is all about finding your passion and pursuing it. I hope to inspire you through my work and the work of others.
I thought with Earth Day coming up I would feature Michael Choi, as his line is created from using recycled materials and he is all about going green.
We have similar stories, as I was a CPA and decided to leave that field and pursue my passion for my love of fashion, and Michael was a successful engineer and decided to follow his dream in the artistic field of jewelry. Michael and his wife have two teenage sons close in our age to our sons.
So introducing my friend Michael-
My name is Michael Choi, a designer and maker of fashion jewelry at
XOvivo in Northern Virginia. Debbie, Happy First, and I met at the
AmericasMart-Atlanta in 2009. As soon as we met, we became friends. I
think that is because both of us carry positive energy… well…
Debbie is so sweet, who wouldn’t want to be her friend?
XO in XOvivo represents ‘extraordinary.’
Vivo means ‘of life.’
So… XOvivo means ‘extraordinary life.’
When you wear my jewelry, I want you to feel that you are an
extraordinary person living your own life. That is my goal. As part of
that, an awareness of the sustainability issues, and doing something
about it has become integral part of my workplace. From material
selection to shipping material, my team and I do everything that we
can to recycle, reuse, and repurpose. Being GREEN is becoming a way of
life, as opposed to, a marketing term to differentiate. And that is a
great progress.
I am an artist at heart, born to a painter and a fashion designer.
After an exciting career in engineering and high tech marketing, I
finally decided to follow my passion for arts. My wife introduced me
to jewelry making four years ago, and the rest was history. Looking
back, my past is evident in all of my work. My lifelong art training
and meditation help me visualize the essence of beauty, my business
and MBA training helps me design based on value, and my engineering
experience brings my designs to life. In just over three years, we
have been fortunate to have over 300 stores carry our lines in The
States. Currently with two full-time and one part-time employees, we
plan to continue building our American brand and growing our business.
I hope to pay off my credit card debt soon 
I currently have two lines for women; XOcandy and XOgreen and a men’s
line, menzEGO. You can see them at www.xovivo.com. XOvivo jewelry
lines are bold, vibrant, and comfortable.
XOgreen radiates extraordinary energy of women through bold lines. I
use alternative metals to balance the boldness and the comfort of the
jewelry. A woman want to look beautiful, but she also wants to be
comfortable. I currently use aluminum with recycled content. It is
generally a stable metal with regards to allergies, I can finish in
both shiny and matte. When you put on XOgreen, the bold lines harness
the energy of nature and channel that into your beauty.
XOcandy radiates extraordinary vibrancy of women through colors. Hard
and soft resin are used to generate fun yet gracious look with an
ability to form curvatures and bold shapes. I am always researching
new material and I am so happy with this material that I import from
Italy. Extraordinary colors make you beautifully glow when you wear
XOcandy. The translucence adopts to the color of your skin, color of
clothes, and the light.
With menzEGO, we narrow the reach for a man in standing out in the
crowd confident yet approachable… artistic yet comfortable… edgy
yet calm… raw yet refined. The designs are inspired by my vision of
men’s code of life that I strive to live by. Materials include soft
resin, fine silver, recycled aluminum, exotic wood, and leather.
Be a Lucky Chick!
2012
My newest tee is the Lucky Chick-I thought it would be fun for the Spring, my favorite season! It’s available in our popular long sleeve burnout and a short sleeve gradient lime tee. It’s designed with green in both tees so you won’t get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day, but I think you can be a Lucky Chick all year long! (Someone said they will be wearing it to the casino, didn’t think of that one-but that works!)
What is Lucky?
I looked up Luck in the dictionary and it said “success or failure brought by chance rather than one’s actions”. I am not really a believer in that kind of luck. Yea, you can be in the right place at the right time, but I agree with what my friend Kim Fuller said on my Happy First Facebook page-she’s a “make my own luck chick”! I love that! I believe that we all have the power to change our future based on our choices. And I know things happen in life, but it is the attitude we have and how we handle circumstances that creates our destiny.
I believe I am lucky because I am here! I went through Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 17 years ago and am happy to be here! (And have you seen that Happy to be Here tee?) I feel blessed with my family and friends and just all the opportunities and adventures that are all just waiting for me. I knew in my heart when I was going through treatment that something good was going to come out of my experience. Through creating Happy First I have met so many incredible people and am making a difference! I have met other entrepreneurs, survivors and patients. My newest friend is undergoing treatment from Hodgkin’s and she lives in South Africa. She found me through my blog. You never know where your experiences can take you. (By the way she is doing great!)
Find your Passion and Pursue it
In an earlier blog post, I wrote about finding your passion and pursuing it. It doesn’t mean you have to quit your current job or anything. Just figure out what you love to do and start doing it. You never know where it will lead you. Some of you know my story, I started out in college as a fashion design major and then switched to accounting because I was so good with numbers and thought I would make more money being a CPA. But I was miserable; I didn’t like it-it wasn’t my passion.
When you decide on a path, it is like things and people just start appearing and falling into place. “Leap and the net will appear”. A word that keeps popping up with me recently is synchronicity. That word showed up in 2 different studies (below) I was doing on the same day! The dictionary defines synchronicity as – the simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection .
Some would say it is coincidence, but I like to think that things are not really coincidences. I have really been delving this year (my word for 2012 is delve-check it out). In January I signed up for both the Baron Baptist 40 days to Personal Revolution and started reading a book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. That book has been sitting on my shelf for years-I don’t even remember who told me to buy it. I started these studies on the same day and it is weird (or synchronous) how these two go hand in hand. I am going to to tell you more about both in another post-what a creative journey!
Anyway Baron Baptiste talks about having a vision shift -he said “our greatest power to change ourselves is found in our ability to see beyond the veil, to see with an enlightened vision. He said a vision shift calls for attention, intention and faith. He quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson- “Once you make a decision , the universe conspires to make it happen”. He mentioned the word synchronicity.
in her book Julia Cameron said “Take a small step in the direction of a dream and watch the synchronous doors flying open”. Another quote she included was by Goethe “Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do , begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.”
I’m not trying to be weird or voodoo here, I am just saying, once you decide and commit to a path, things fall into place.
Finding Synchronicity
I feel like I experience synchronicity almost every day. People are just coming into my path. A couple of weeks ago I had coffee with Judi Groves, founder of Breast Impressions and Turn Tulsa Pink. I thought we were meeting really quickly so I could give her her Super Chick tee. Anyway, 2 hours later we were still talking! She is contagious. She loves life and helping others and has a huge vision. Then last week I went to a friend’s party and met Kayce Hughlett. Kayce wrote a book that I bought on the spot that night-As I lay Pondering Daily Invitations to Live a Transformed Life. We immediately clicked – we are kindred spirits. She just included me in her blog-Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds- I am honored!
Both of these women and I talked about how you are never to old to start pursuing your passion. All your experiences and circumstances are leading you up to what you are supposed to do now.
I want you to realize that YOU too are created for greatness. I want you to find your passion and pursue it! I truly believe that every one of us is supposed to do something with our talents.
What is your passion? Remember, each one of us can be a “Lucky Chick!”
Happy March 1st and ecard!
2012
Happy March 1st everyone! Celebrate a new month! Almost Spring, so excited! Daylight savings time in less than 2 weeks! Share the happiness with this ecard. Just click on the card to send to friends.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
2012
Happy Valentine’s Day my friends!
Found a great quote about friendship this morning.
“Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief”.
-Cicero
My word for February is Connect-I want to focus more on my relationships this month! It is so easy just to take the time to send a quick email or make a quick phone call or even send a fun note! Saturday I made some extra loaves of bread to share with friends. Just simple things you can do to brighten someone’s day.
Spread happiness today by sending this ecard to 5 friends! Easy to do, just click on this Happy First ecard above.
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day and rest of February!
-Deb
Super Chick ShaRhonda
2012
I wanted ya’ll to get to know our Super Chick, the winner of our “New Chick” contest! It is ShaRhonda Williams Crow! I asked her to write a little about herself and include a picture. She has been helping us come up with the design, it is almost ready, cannot wait for you all to see it! Introducing ShaRhonda….
I am just a small southern Oklahoma girl, still trying to find my way into the “BIG” city life! I am a God-Fearing PT-SAHM!?! I have 2 beautiful kids & a gorgeous husband. I am author of my own personal family blog The 4-Crow’s and a co-founder of the blog The Real Housewives of Oklahoma aka The RHOK where I write as ♥Mrs. Hart♥. I work part-time as an Infant Teacher, Volunteer, Coach T-ball, Run a Professional Kid Taxi Service to and from ballet and sports practices/events and am a Self-Retired Banker- oh and am a Social Media addict!
Creativity is just part of my being. When I was a bank manager my employees always told me that I should be a teacher because of the ideas I would throw out there and make them do to achieve their sales goals. I guess my degree in Business Management/Communications applies to all ages at times.
One of my favorite quotes is “When real people fall down in life, they get right back up and keep walking.” Carrie Bradshaw. This quote is one that has helped remind me many times of who I am and to get up and get going again. I think it accurately describes the “Super Chick” shirt as well- because a “Chick” who can honestly follow that advice after experiencing some of life’s roller coasters and curve balls, truly is “Super”!
I am very humbled that “Super Chick” was chosen amongst such great entries in the “New Chick” contest. I am absolutely thrilled that a portion of the profits will be going to the local charity Turn Tulsa Pink, $46,000 was raised by this organization in 2011 and I am so excited that we will be a part of exceeding that goal in 2012.
ShaRhonda Williams Crow
Now lets sell some shirts!!!!
Zen Chick
2012
Last but not least (and the Yoga people are going to love this one!)
Zen Chick
Why the word Zen on a HappyFirst shirt?
The first thing that usually comes to mind when people say “Zen” is a peaceful sense of being. People might not know why or the deeper meaning of this philosophy but a sense of “coziness” envelopes the word itself and positive free association flows: Zen is a retreat, a shelter, a cocoon, a heaven of calm. It inspires harmony and quietness. Images of meadows, gentle cloud formations, sunrises, warm sunsets… A balance of beauty in nature abounds. It also brings up thoughts of warmth by an open fire, hot cocoa, comfort of surroundings. Your mind discharges from the aches of the daily rushes and settles into a soothing harmony. The word “Zen” is a visual calming trigger.
Proceeds for a charity: Food Bank
Why? People are hungry right here, right now.
-Caroline Berry
Strong Chick and Super Chick
2012
Love these 2 entries! Remember to vote at the Happy First facebook page-”contests” tab on the left!
Strong Chick
A female military veteran. Strong. A female entrepreneur. Strong. A disease survivor, single mother, lawyer. Strong, strong, strong. As women we have to be strong–our lives call for perseverance and more than a little grit, no matter how we lead them.
I know firsthand how tough and resilient women can be. My mother is an Army major, retired after twenty two years of service and a tour in Kuwait. She left when I was eight and returned when I was ten. Two birthdays, a Christmas, an Easter: gone. And as she was defending our nation from those who sought to destroy it, I had to learn how to be without my mother, and more importantly, without my best friend. Both of us returned changed. We both became stronger than ever before.
This shirt would be camouflage print, with the words “Strong Chick” around a beaming star. Women everywhere would identify with this shirt, whether a college sophomore or an Army major. Proceeds from the shirt would benefit Operation Homefront, a charity dedicated to helping the families of soldiers and Wounded Warriors cope with the battles we have endured and letting them know they haven’t been forgotten: www.operationhomefront.net
-Ally Boulas and Pam Dominisse
Super Chick
Super is an adjective meaning outstanding; exceptionally fine. When paired with the word Chick- an attractive girl, Super Chick of course means that the female wearing the shirt expels the exceptional beauty, confidence and hard work ethic that every woman naturally has. Every woman has an outstanding story to tell. We all have a history and a promising future ahead of us. Super Chick conveys this message to the one wearing the shirt and lets the rest of the world know that she is a SUPER CHICK also!
My vision for this shirt is the Happy First Egg with a Chick wearing a girly cape and of course an “S”! A crown has to be present. Either on the “S” or on the Chick. Then of course the words Super Chick.
My charity is near and dear. It will be for all the Super Chicks (and men) who struggle, have struggled or have lost loved ones to breast cancer. Susan G Komen for the Cure. In all, I have 13 friends and family members that have been affected by breast cancer.
You can read more about my passion and what I do with my son’s football team at the link below.
http://www.therhok.com/2011/09/do-you-pink-out.html?m=0
by ShaRhonda Williams Crow
What’s your word for 2012?
2012
Happy New Year! I love January, it is another new beginning! You can live a life you love-make choices to get you to where you want to be! You can do anything you set your mind to! One thing that helps me in goal setting is to pick a word for the year.
Last year my word was Pursue. 2010 was Create. I encouraged others to think about a word for themselves for the year and frame it and put it in a place they will see every day. I chose my bathroom counter. This year’s word for me is DELVE – as in “Delve in 2012″! I looked up Delve and it means to search for something, or the research or making painstaking inquiries into something.
I have trouble focusing, saying no, over volunteering. I’ve been spread too thin. It has kept me from delving into the areas and relationships where I really want to spend my time. I feel the need to go deeper. Delve. So this is my year.
As I have said before in my Goal setting series, when you set goals for yourself, be specific rather than general. So that is what I am going to do. I encourage you all to think about some things you want to change or learn this year and take steps to do it. I divide up my goal setting into home, business, creative goals and fitness goals. For creative I am going to learn Adobe Illustrator. I know enough to be dangerous! I am going to master it this year through tutorials and mentors. In 2010/11 I ran 2 half marathons with Team in Training to San Francisco and San Diego. Then I got injured over the summer and couldn’t run for 13 weeks. But it was a blessing in disguise because I really got into Yoga. So I am so excited- I have already signed up for the 40 Day Revolution at Inner Peace Yoga in Tulsa starting January 8. (Yoga 6 days a week for 40 days!) I’m Type A, I have to have goals like this. Oooh, maybe that means I really need yoga, huh? For home I plan on having every room in our house reorganized and decluttered by March 31st. That’s a tough one because home organization is ongoing. I am also setting new goals for my business.
So I guess since I have told you a bit about my goals, I have to be accountable, right? It really helps to be accountable to someone. Last year a friend and I were accountable to each other with our weight goals. So feel free to be accountable to me if you want, or a friend. What are some of your goals? It is inspiring to see what everyone comes up with! I am going to be featuring some of my friends soon and their words of wisdom!
Oh, and what is your word for 2012?
