Here’s the second installment of the Black Beauty Spotlight for Women’s History Month featuring the fabulous Zanade Mann, owner and founder of Online & Off Marketing and Public Relations and celebrity writer at Mahogany Butterfly. To sum it up in one adjective, the girl is BUSY! I’m happy that this Black Beauty had some time for a quick chat. Here’s the 411 on her passion, dedication and success:
What is your specialty?
Online & Off Marketing and Public Relations specialize in public relations and marketing for professionals and celebrities. We use online tactics such as social media marketing and social networking tools (i.e., Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter) to promote, track, analyze and boost our clients brand as well as traditional offline tactics.
Do you have any notable clients?
We are very excited to represent Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway , a Board Certified OB-GYN and author of “The Smart Mother’s Guide.”
Why did you decide to go out and start your own PR agency?
It was time! Simply, I had gone through so many organizations and jobs that pretty much set the stage for me to go out on my own. I often get told that I have an outgoing personality matched with a large network, so I put two and two together and went for it. Honestly, I have been an entrepreneur at heart for many years!
How important is image to you?
Image is extremely important but we can’t let just images make us who we are. When I first started my career I was faced with these wonderful looking people and I felt like the geek in the room. I had to get to a space where I was comfortable with who I was no matter what society said my image is to be. But, alternatively, in the world of PR one must adapt to a certain image especially in New York City. You must be fierce and driven and look good while doing it!
What is beauty to you?
Beauty is being able to accept everything that you are no matter what. I had a complex with the size of my lips and my eyes. As a little girl because I was teased a lot in school. The kids would say horrible things about my look because of my bi-racial background, but as I got older I understood that God gave me this unique look and I’m going to WORK IT! No, more teasing by the way! (side bar: I love this girl)
What advice can you give young woman who want to follow in your footsteps?
Get all the experience you can and watch out for those around you both personally and professionally. I’m going to tell you a little secret that I’ve learned — don’t let everyone know how happy you are about certain things because not everyone is out for your better interest. I’ve learned that hard way but it’s the EXPERIENCE that makes me who I am. For someone starting out, definitely take advantages of professional sites like the National Black Public Relations Society, Public Relations Society of America, New York Women in Communications, and Publicity Club of New York.
So, you must tell me, you have such a cute, fresh face. What are the beauty products that you can’t live without?
OK, I don’t wear make-up and we both know that can be a good and bad thing! I have acne issues and I don’t want to aggravate it. So, I simply wear a tinted moisturizer like Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer and follow a cleansing regimen of Clean & Clear products like wash, scrubs and blackhead removers. Oh, and a bit Chanel high shine lip gloss for those full lips of mines!
