PinkPages is really unique within itself. At first it started out being myBriefcase a directory that was inside my digital magazine OfficeLatte, it allowed our advertisers to have added exposure through a quick reference guide! OfficeLatte was originally created to only house empowering, inspirational, humor, local profiles of business women and educational articles geared towards an audience of career-oriented women.  I didn’t really care about ads, because I really wanted to send a message to secretary’s, admin pros, executive assistants and the like… a message that gives them the power to endure, to stand firm, to be happy, to self-motivate to live a purposed life each and every day.  Keep in mind that secretaries are “Supporters, Servants, Assistants, a Shoulder to Lean On, A Bullet-Proof Vest to their Superior”.  We are very valuable and key components to any organization.  So, having been one for more than 15 years, I thought to myself… I’m tired of not having any particular media, service or rich influence catered to me. Because of my profession… all because I was just the “secretary”!  Yes that may be! But, I know everything, EVERYTHING, (We) know eVeRYthINg… there is to know about my boss, the company, my peers, the receptionist, the clients, the screened calls, the board meetings, the wife, the children, the nights after work… i could go on! But I won’t for now! J Day in and day out… I would open mail and see magazines, free tickets, certificates, complimentaries, and free trips, etc. Not for me, not for you… but for the Boss, the Executive. So, I figured why not create something for the Woman behind the scene! The sidekick who makes someone else’s life easier each and every day.  So wah-la, I had created OfficeLatte Lifestyle Magazine for Business Women, highly focusing on Administrative Professionals and Entrepreneurs!

I officially released the magazine in February 2008, but had to quickly retrack when my hard drive crashed, destroying all of my upcoming issues for April, May, and June I had been working on and created since October 2007!  I only had one computer and all the software I had on there, was no longer in reach to transfer to the new computer I would ultimately have to buy. I had hit the ground, before I could get up to officialy say, “i hit the ground… running”. I had lost everything.  I was determined not to let that experience get the best of me, I cried for a day, waddled on the floor, pouted, fainted, cried some more, felt emotionally hopeless “and” helpless and the more!! Eventually, I pulled it together, I revamped, reprocessed what I had been doing. I started to evaluate the people who were in my life, identified the people who were in my professional life, and thought for a moment on how I need to re-organize overall to make sure I do it right this time.  So, I disconnected from selected individuals for a moment, to be able to gain a grip on my business and career.  It was like a bad dream… I mean I was prepared to fully launch a magazine, and next moment I had nothing to show for it.  After going through all that… I started working on the magazine again. I published them and shared them with the subscribers, whose information I was able save.  It was very humiliating, but truly a lesson learned. Now, I back up my data every week! Didn’t take me too long to wake-up and smell the latte!

After revamping OfficeLatte, I realized that I didn’t want the magazine to be overshadowed my advertisement. We all know that a great page of advertising distracts the reader from connecting with a fantastic article.  All I could think about was uplifting womens lives, totally forgetting about how I was going to make a living. I mean, it made sense that I would publish this magazine for women who make up the #1 Occupation in the United States, but how was I going to pay for it?!  Going to print can be really expensive, and so that’s where I came up with the idea to go digital. There, I would only need a few advertisers to keep the magaizine in motion!

After coming to grips with the concept of the magazine, I began wanting to offer our advertising partners more. Although, I hadn’t made a real penny, I wanted everyone involved with OfficeLatte to be heavily impacted whether it is financially or mentally! So I created mybriefcase! I had started getting suggestions and request from readers about offering a business listing of local resources. I thought about it, and it made complete sense.  I realized how inpersonal and overwhelming the yellow pages was and considered how the pink pages would provide a simple approach with connection to the top things women look for and need the most – personally, professionally and socially.  And that’s where the whole concept of creating an added service to simplify and streamline women’s lifestyle came from because… readers would be able to enjoy a life-changing article, and then flip a page to find lifestyle essential resources… resources that cater and nurture their unique and affluent lifestyle.

I had a conversation with Connie, and I was discussing new strategies to market OfficeLatte. And in every discussion, myBriefcase became more and more of an issue.  I started to find myself creating advertising packages around this directory.  So, the concept was definitely there, but the creative part (the catchy name, the “get it the first time” approach, first impression, lasting impression) was not as effective to me.  So, I pondered PInkPages2Go… Pink, not yellow or white… Busy Women are constantly on the move and want answers, results, and solutions right here, right now, so that gave me “2GO” – and then I came up with all the ways that I could get this information to them. I asked myself, how I can effectively meet the needs of the Advertiser ‘and’ the Reader, Customer, Client (the Woman). That’s when I figured – print, digital, mobile, exclusive social networking and online would be really convenient, accessible and efficient for any type of women.  And it ties into the empowerment and enrichment I aim to offer, because women would be able to quickly find credible resources wherever they Live, Work, or Play in the Metroplex! 

PInkPages2Go is truly unique and I plan to make this great service available everywhere possible. Providing women with a more personal connection to local, regional and national services, products and business opportunities!