BLPR Blog

Promote your brand in a digital world.

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It’s always a great time to go to New York. But in case you need them, here are twelve great business reasons to visit NYC: http://bit.ly/2xs84iV

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I am recommending this product to you because I truly love it and actually keep it in my purse!

Learn more about the wonders of colouring your hair without bleach, cutting or commitment today on the BLPR blog: http://bit.ly/2p5lFuv

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<a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/18791805/?claim=8akq9hgtgqc">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

New businesses come and go every week in Toronto. The restaurant business is the most infamous for quick turnover, yet no industry is immune. 

Honest Ed's closed forever December 31, 2016 after sixty eight years in business. The founder, 'Honest' Ed Mirvish, was a local legend, the building is an iconic destination and the business itself is a Toronto institution giving many generations of people fond memories of going with their parents for one of their first bargain basement experiences or memories of participating in the annual Turkey giveaway. On a marketing scorecard Honest Ed's did nearly everything right: it had a founder people like and remember, a unique atmosphere, a venue worth visiting, fond memories customers could refer to, competitive prices, a social responsibility initiative and frequent free press. And yet after all of these perfect scores the business still did not survive.   

It is definitely essential to have a great marketing strategy, execute it and to create customers who love your businesses almost as much as you do. But it is just as necessary to have a long-term view of how you want your business to grow, why you want your business to exist and how long you intend to be involved. We have all heard business and marketing gurus (like Simon Sinek) talk about the "why" of your business as a reason to stay motivated to work at it every day. But beyond your reason for daily motivation what is your end goal? Is this business a project for you or a legacy for your kids? Are you willing to sell it for the right price or are you creating a movement? Can you envision evolving into something else or will the core problem of your business always need solving? These are questions that you must answer for yourself before you can recruit effective and loyal people to your team.

At the same time that Honest Ed's has shut it's doors for good A Different Booklist is still fighting the good fight on the other side of Bathurst Street. For over twenty years Itha Sadu and Miguel San Vincente have been owners of the bookstore and stalwarts of the black community in Toronto. The store is more than a place to do business, it connects people. This is a business that has a 'why' that extends beyond the building and even beyond their product, books.  

So what's your end game? How do you want your business story to play out? What's your exit strategy?

Tell me in the comments below. Where do you see your business in five, fifteen or twenty-five years?

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Dating, Finding Love & Entrepreneurship - Urbanology Magazine

On this special edition of The Curb podcast, hosts Lahgic and Bluu sit down with Nicole Nurse, CEO and founder of Black Leopard Public Relations on Valentine’s Day to discuss the ‘most romantic day of the year’. Is Valentine’s Day just another marketing cash grab? Is McDonald’s a good enough dinner choice to take your special someone? In addition, Nurse, a resident relationship guru, ... Read More

Men and Pickup Artists pay attention: real talk about relationships, dating and building a business in this episode of Ubanology Magazine’s The Curb podcast. Two dudes and I weigh in. Take a listen!

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Looking for stock photos of women of colour for your marketing materials? Check out women of colour in tech’s photostream!

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when someone draws art of ur fav ship

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Entrepreneurs like me and you must tailor our sales pitch to selling our products and services with emotion. We must show the results of what we can offer and not the process of how we offer it. Feelings, emotions, heart moments...that's what sells. Learn more: http://bit.ly/1h9QFlP

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How do you identify your target customer and sell more stuff?

Check out this episode of #asktheblackleopard : https://youtu.be/2rB3YP5D9H8

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Do you have a question about marketing, public relations or promotion for your business? Use #asktheblackleopard on Twitter or email your question to [email protected] and I’ll send you a video with my best answers. Check out episodes on the Black Leopard YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BlackLeopardPR/videos

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Spectators love to watch the finish line moments, where competitions are won and champions are made. We do not, however, show a lot of interest in the long, tedious training sessions, physio appointments, management meetings, public relations planning, early bedtimes and highly specific training foods that are all part of the process an athlete lives every day for years before the competition. We want to be included in the exciting and glorious results and the same is true for customers of a business.

There are a thousand unsexy elements of what it takes to run your business and sell your products that your customer is not interested in knowing. 

Marketing your business online and off requires finish line marketing. Your customers want to see the results.

Attract, retain and sell to your customer with these 5 Finish Line Marketing Guidelines: http://bit.ly/1fhjBaZ

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Getting back up after being knocked down has been the hardest thing for me in this entrepreneurship game. But every moment has been WORTH IT. I am so proud of my progress I wear this Classic Entrepreneur t-shirt everywhere. Get it for 15% off with promo code XZZVU64 today only at http://www.blackleopard-pr.com/entrepreneur-store/classic-entrepreneur-tee.

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We've been absent for a while because we've been busy! Find out what we've been up to and network with other creative professionals from the west side of the city. 

Where: Studio 89, 1065 First Canadian Place, Unit 104, Mississauga ON

When: Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 7pm

How: open to 25 attendees only, sign up https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mississaugawest-side-creatives-spring-meetup-tickets-15911225905

What: Come prepared with the following:

1. Three tips you would like to give the group in your area of expertise.

2. One thing you would like to learn.

Who: Professionals who are seeking more success in their businesses and careers on the west side.

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It all goes back to building relationships through conversation. Authenticity, integrity, intelligence, humor—these are the keys to being a great communicator. Today’s audience won’t accept anything less. And as a reader, writer, editor, and member of many digital and non-digital communities, I won’t either. When I was building a career in publishing, I thought that was why I would never be a marketer. Now I’m learning that many of us at Hootsuite once felt the same way. And we’re among lots of other businesses trying to find innovative approaches to communicating ideas with authenticity, integrity, intelligence, humor. We’re learning to tell stories and share information for an audience that knows how to find the truth. That’s why it’s such an exciting time to be a marketer.

Shannon Miller, It's a Great Time to Be a Marketer

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Why Me?

Come out for prizes, surprises, serenades and scene performances June 12, 2014 at the Magic Oven (organic pizzeria), 347 Keele Street, Toronto from 7 to 10 pm.

Cast members will be performing scenes from GTA playwright Robert Mulolo's play 'Why Me?'.

Singer Joseph Neale will serenade the crowd.

DJ Groove will keep the good vibes going.

Purchase tickets for $10 in advance and $15 at the door: http://bit.ly/1ox2oca

Why should you go? Support local talent, be entertained and get free stuff. See you there!

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Why I Love Toronto

Luminato Festival

I am so passionate about the arts and it may be due to my arts education or my mom’s side of the family who fostered creativity in the areas of visual art, dance and music. Regardless, whenever a festival like Luminato occurs I always get super excited.

Luminato is a multi-disciplinary arts festival showcasing everything from theatre to literature to visual arts and more. Held since 2007, the event is in its seventh year and will be start tomorrow (June 6) up until June 15. The event was a vision of Tony Gaglian (Chairman and CEO of St. Joseph Communications and Board Member of the AGO) and David Pecaut (Senior Partner of Boston Consulting Group and Chair of Toronto City Summit) who were inspired by the city’s cultural infrastructure along with the notion that the arts could engage the city and bring it together.  Both Gaglian and Pecaut had this vision back in 2003 and it took four years of planning and finding partners, including the Ontario Government and sponsors like L’Oreal, before the launch of the first Luminato Festival on June 1st 2007. Ever since then the event has welcomed local, national and internationals artists to Toronto.

The festival has plenty of events for you to enjoy, all at prices ranging from $0 to almost $200. For my purposes and my belief that the arts are a perfect date opportunity, I present to you my Dating on a Budget picks for the Luminatio Festival.

My Top Free Events

Cardboard Beach at The Festival Hub from June 6 to 15.

Why it’s my top pick? The festival hub is where it is at every year! This year’s cardboard beach will be epic. I saw them putting it together the other day.

Event Info: Designed by the dynamic, two-man Cuban collective Los Carpinteros to transform the Luminato Festival’s Hub, Cardboard Beach is, they explain, “an illusion, the essence of a beach in a dry, urban space, with umbrellas, deck chairs, change booths and breakwaters.”  Fully licensed, with food and beverage service, Cardboard Beach is an idyllic oasis—the perfect place to start and end each Festival day and also experience everything from reggae to the TSO at the Festival Hub’s nighttime and weekend concerts. 

Eva Avila at The Festival Hub, Friday June 6 at 7PM

Why it’s my top pick? The former Canadian Idol participant was my second favourite to win the franchise, the first being Melissa O’Neil, but regardless she has a stellar voice that everyone should hear live at least once.

Event Info: Enjoy a showcase of Canadian talent, live on the Luminato Lounge Stage. Come down to the Luminato Lounge after work and on the weekends to grab a drink and enjoy the music.

High School Health at Artscape Youngplace from June 6 to June 15 between 11:00AM. and 6:00PM

Why it’s my top pick? I love building, but besides that it investigates the love and sex lives of people like Atom Egoyan. 

Event Info: A highlight of this year’s Luminato Festival is Mammalian Diving Reflex’s frank, funny All the Sex I’ve Ever Had: International Edition. This partner project is a youth-led video investigation of the love lives of accomplished Canadians including Wayson Choy, Atom Egoyan, Bette Logan and Dan Hill and starring members of Mammalian’s youth collective: Virginia Antonipillai, Sanjay Ratnan, Daniel Lastres Rodrigues, Kathy Vuu, and Wendell Williams. High School Health facilitates the youths’ knowledge acquisition, allowing their interests and curiosities to lead the way. The resulting short films will be exhibited as a video installation throughout the Festival at Artscape Youngplace.

Music Mob at Air Canada Centre (Enter through Gate 6) on Sunday June 8 at 2:00PM

Why it’s my top pick? The Music Mob is the one event I anticipate every year. Unfortunately I have always missed it because of work. This year novice and professional performers will have their chance to perform at a venue that has seen the likes of Bon Jovi, Maroon 5, Bryan Adams and Britney Spears, just naming a few.

Event Info: Ever dreamed of playing on centre court, headlining an arena concert or starring with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra? Here’s your chance to do it all! Music Mob goes major league this year at the Air Canada Centre - perform side-by-side with members of the TSO, conducted by Music Director Peter Oundjian. Everyone is welcome, from novice to experienced musician. All you need is plenty of enthusiasm, a keen sense of adventure and, of course, an instrument. No blades or balls required, just bring your violin, trumpet, spoons or sitar and celebrate the triumphant orchestral crescendo that is Ravel’s Boléro. Spectators are welcome, indeed encouraged, to cheer on our wonderfully eclectic mob. Let’s make this the biggest orchestra Toronto has ever seen!

Lemon Bucket Orkestra at The Festival Hub, Friday June 13 at 7PM

Why it’s my top pick? It’s Lemon Buket Orkestra. They are amazing. I saw them 5 times last year. I haven’t seen them once yet this year. They are awesome.

Event Info: Enjoy a showcase of Canadian talent, live on the Luminato Lounge Stage. Come down to the Luminato Lounge after work and on the weekends to grab a drink and enjoy the music.

Other notable free events

Luminato Festival at the Toronto Public Library at The Toronto Reference Library

Sunday June 8 at 4:00PM. – Kill Like a Scandinavian

Event Info: Stieg Larsson, Henning Mankell and Jo Nesbo are just a few of the Scandinavian crime writers that have transformed the genre and brought it global recognition. Three regional masters of the form—Denmark’s Jakob Melander, Sweden’s Dan T. Sehlberg and Norway’s Thomas Enger—and, from just outside of it, the Netherlands’ Herman Koch, make a unique and exciting visit to Luminato to consider their penchant for a good murder, and the craft behind it.

Wednesday June 11 at 6:30PM. – Luminato #ReadWomen2014

Event Info: Twitter’s immensely popular #ReadWomen2014 has been busy affirming the contributions, gifts and unique perspectives of female novelists and the challenges they still face. Four of Canada’s bestselling favourites—Lisa Gabriele (writing as L. Marie Adeline), 2007 Canada Reads choice Heather O’Neill, 2007 Canada Reads choice Heather O’Neill, Governor-general’s Literary Award winner Miriam Toews and, new to the field, Globe and Mail columnist Liz Renzetti—unite to extend the discussion.

Taste of Beach at The Festival Hub on Saturday June 7 from 12PM to 5PM.

Event Info: Following the successful President’s Choice® 1000 Tastes of Toronto™, Luminato Festival brings the food program right into the heart of the Festival this year.

Highlighting the Cardboard Beach, ten local chefs will be paired with ten Festival artists to create a unique and delectable summertime dish that explores the flavours of eating at the beach – all hot off the barbecue! Cocktails, DJs Sound Culture (Chicago) and Richard Blair of Sidestepper (Bogotá) will add to the pulsating heat at the Festival Hub, creating a true culinary exhibition.

Free Concerts at the Festival Hub

The Hidden Cameras (Sunday June 8 at 4PM)

Theo Tams (Sunday June 8 at 6PM)

Buffy Sainte-Marie (Tuesday June 10 at 8PM)

Liam Titcomb (Wednesday June 11 at 7PM)

Key on the Streets – A recital of urban dance and piano with pianist Angela Hewitt and choreography by former So You Think You Can Dance Canada judge Tre Armstrong (Wednesday June 11 at 9PM)

The Souljazz Orchestra (Thursday June 12 at 8PM)

That is Why I Love Toronto

 Website

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Top 5 Reasons You'd Better NetWORK: http://bit.ly/1hdh6kt

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Let us help you solve your...er...dilemma.http://

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Any time you talk to anyone about something that they love, they’re, like, their most beautiful. It’s a cool gift to get to talk to people about what they love.

 Amy Poehler 

When people talk about their business their eyes usually light up. Bringing this about is my favourite part of my job.

~Nicole, Black Leopard Public Relations