This past week has been one of the best weeks I have had to date. I pushed myself further than I ever have and it paid off. I also tested the power of building relationships and it worked in my favor.

 

First thing first, I had midterms last week. STRESSFUL! But I aced them all.. straight A's! So now my GPA for all of my classes remain at an A average... yay me! I was both shocked and proud of myself because it honestly was quite the struggle to push myself to study and go to class. The week before last, I literally struggled with not wanting to go to class. I wanted desperately to not go, I rather sleep instead, but I pushed myself and look what I accomplished!

 

In addition to my great grades, I had the pleasure of meeting R&B singer/songwriter Neyo and rapper French Montana! They were at a homecoming event in which I was attending. This is where the power of building relationships came into place. The event was thrown by someone I know personally which got me in the door, but prior contact with French Montana's booking agent/manager is what got me and my homegirls into VIP. Weeks before French Montana was scheduled to come to my city for a concert, I contacted his people to see how much it would be to get him for a after party since he was already going to be here. Unfortunately, I could not afford him but that did not stop him from coming. See Neyo was already scheduled to come to the party so all it took was a call from him and French was in the building. But even still, I was not guaranteed to meet them.. I was just someone at the party. What gave me the opportunity to meet them was the fact that I had built some type of relationship with EZ which is French Montana's manager. When they arrived at the club, I was greeted by EZ with a hug and handshake introduction which put a face to the voice for both of us. Once everyone got settled, I called EZ and he met me outside of VIP where I asked if he could get me and my girls in so that we could meet and take pictures with French and Neyo. He agreed with no hesitation. He got us in and we had the time of our life. We took shots, we laughed, we danced.. we had FUN!

 

I honestly believe that had I not built some type of relationship with him, and continued to build on it once they arrived.. I wouldn't have been able to do the things I did. He as some type of familiarization with me and it worked in my favor. I thanked him at the end of the night for everything, because he really did more for me with that moment than he could imagine. It wasn't that he got me in VIP to meet and party with the superstars but because he showed and gave me my first real life experience with the importance of building relationships and having such a great personality.

 

I am grateful for that situation. It was certainly a moment of being at the right place at the right time and taking advantage of the moment. After the week I had, I think its safe to leave you with the message that pushing yourself beyond what you feel your capable of is what it'll take to be successful in whatever you do; as well as knowing the importance of building relationships. No matter what career choice you make everything is relationship driven and you have to know how to make, build, and nurture them.

 

Until next time remember, no matter how high you set the bar.. go higher.

 

                                                                                                     -Dee Lechelle