The Tin Shingle Blog - #MotivationMixes

The entrepreneur taking on the role of Motivation Mix Monday DJ today is Jennifer Walsh, who is a true pioneer in the beauty business. Her role within the industry began more than 15 years ago, and I'll get to that story in a moment...Beyond her many accomplisments in the beauty industry, I've wanted Jennifer to take the decks show awhile now as to me, she epitomizes what these Monday mixes are all about: getting pumped, positive, motivated and ready to take on whatever the day or your business present you with throughout the week.  I've had the pleasure of getting to know Jennifer as a fellow entrepreneur on both a professional and personal level and am regularly inspired by the way she faces every day with grace and a positive attitude.  Her motivating energy is infectious and spreads to everyone around her. Today, she'll be sharing a bit of that energy with you as well, via her mix.  That said, first let me tell you a little bit about Jennifer's decade-plus of Tin Shingleing!

In 1998 she founded what became one of the very first beauty boutique chains in the US called The Beauty Bar & grew it into a multi-chain, multi platform, multi million dollar company before selling it in 2010. Jennifer was the first beauty branding pioneer who leveraged the TV/retail/website concept in 1998 where no one else in the country had yet ventured into this space. This, my beauty-lovers, was way before Sephora making her a true business pioneer!  She was bringing beauty outside of the department store setting for the first time, when it just wasn't done and had not been seen before. By doing this, Jennifer helped launch Kiehl's, La Mer, Stila, Fresh, Philosophy, and more in a arena that was yet to be seen in the US.

Since 1998, Jennifer has been on TV showcasing brands, brand stories, their ingredients, & educating millions of viewers as well as serving as a small business expert.  What I also love about her story is that it is one based on true perseverance and passion the necessary ingredients to any success story, no matter the field it's in.

With all that success, I wanted to know what tunes get Jennifer moving on Monday, or any day, and she made the time to share them via today's Motivation Mix.  Sit back, take a listen, and let the good tunes provide a soundtrack to success for your day!

PLAYLIST OF JENNIFER WALSH: FOUNDER OF THE BEAUTY BAR, SMALL BUSINESS EXPERT, BEAUTY BRAND STRATEGIST

Just Fine > Mary J. Blige
I feel like this is MY song -- whenever I feel like less than my usual happy person, I crank this up and I am singing a different tune automatically

Run the World (Girls) > Beyonce
This song makes me want to sing it from the mountain tops - if you believe it ( that "it", being anything!), than you can do it!!

Dog Days Are Over > Florence and The Machine
I hear this song and am just happy for where I am in my life - be thankful for the moments, the good and the bad and acknowledge them for what they are in your life!

These Shoes > Paolo Nutini
Fun fun fun - that's all I can say!

Get Right > Jennifer Lopez
I used to have this as my ring tone - I would blare this song in my stores all of the time and I know it probably drove my staff crazy but it did get everyone moving :)

Little Lion Man > Mumford and Sons
This makes me feel like I am outside dancing in the grass at a summer time concert

Sweet Disposition > The Temper Trap
The melody and the beat keep me going to POWER thru anything

Come On, Come On > Scott Hardkiss
One of my all time favorites - the ups the downs and how we need to move on, come on, come on - very powerful song for me as it got me thru a "rough patch" in life! I love this song! MAKE THE MOST OF THESE HOURS!!!

Each Day Gets Better > John Legend
I think John Legend's voice can move anyone -- its even better to listen to on a Monday morning when you want to kick it into high gear!

Normally Sabina is the deliverer of kick-butt mixes for Motivation Mix Monday. But this Monday, we had to let my daughter, Ruby Ray, take the stage to give you a live performance. She is being groomed to be a country music singer, and right now, she's working on her rhythm and costume selection. Take a few seconds to watch her getting pumped up for her Monday at baby school! And yes, that is a cash register you see on its side - we're practicing punching in numbers and opening the drawer for spring time lemonade stands! We have an actual lemonade stand, and are can't wait to set it up in the front yard for the many church go-ers we get on Sundays.

It's the first Monday of the New Year, a special day, a new chance to motivate yourself professionally and personally.  The opportunities before you are limitless (and for some of you, we're sure your to-do lists are as well).  With this in mind we knew we needed a special DJ to take to this week's Motivation Mix decks. Someone who is not only an entrepreneur, but a supporter of small business in a BIG way. 

Tory is the founder of of the beyond motivating Spark & Hustle (which recently wrapped it's national tour) where she helps entrepreneurs create profitable lives and businesses based on their passion and purpose.  She is also the founder of Women for Hire (for employees), and for six year has been a regular contributor on Good Morning America. PHEW.  What I also admire about Tory is she clearly values and takes the time for family, a balancing act every entrepreneur knows can be tricky.

(Tory "live" at Spark & Hustle)

Now perhaps you can see why in the weeks leading up to the New Year I just knew Tory would be the first person to spin some motivating tunes for us.  Not only is she a mentor and role model to so many of us in the world of small business, but on a selfish level, *I* want to know what Tory is listening to that keeps her going, keeps her positive and keeps her motivated.  She did not disappoint!

See below for Tory's top music picks for this Monday's Motivation Mix.  Don't forget, as always, you can click on them and download them straight to your computer should you need a little pick-me-up this morning!

PLAYLIST OF TORY JOHNSON

It’s My Life > Bon Jovi
This was the theme song for my first series on Good Morning America called “Take Control of Your Life.”  I traveled to 9 cities to report on the workplace issues that mattered most to women.  We had custom tshirts for the big crowds that gathered to appear on TV and everyone rocked out to this Bon Jovi classic.  My favorite lyrics: “I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd. You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud. It's my life. It's now or never. I ain't gonna live forever. I just want to live while I'm alive.”

Firework > Katy Perry
Russell Brand may be over Katy Perry, but I’ll never tire of these lyrics, which always put me in a great mood and remind me that I have what it takes to make big things happen if I just do it. “You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine. Just own the night like the 4th of July. Baby, you’re a firework. Come on, let your colors burst.”

Unwritten > Natasha Bedingfield
On the days when nothing seems to go right, this sweet song shakes me up and reminds me that it’s ok to make mistakes and it’s ok not to have all the answers—and it’s perfectly acceptable to just start over:  “I break tradition. Sometimes my tries are outside the lines. We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way. Drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open. Today is where your book begins.

God Bless the USA > Lee Greenwood
This may seem like an untraditional pick, but my eyes tear up every time I blast this favorite. After 9/11 when I held my biggest Women For Hire career expo ever, I got a very brief phone call from President Clinton who told me that at the core of our financial freedom in this country is the right to work—and he congratulated me on our event. With millions of people so hard hit in the last few years, it’s essential to remember that there’s no better place to start over than right here.  “If tomorrow all the things were gone, I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again, with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars, to be living here today, 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away.”

Price Tag > Jessie J
Even though I spend so much time encouraging women to focus on money—asking for it, growing it, valuing their time and talent—I know that it’s not boatloads of cash that drive most of us. It’s something bigger than just money.  It’s more about what the money can do for us and the people we love—whether it’s giving us better choices in childcare or eldercare, allowing us to travel the world with our families, enabling us to raise awareness for causes we believe in.  That’s what this song reminds me of: “It's not about the money, money, money. We don't need your money, money, money. We just wanna make the world dance. Forget about the price tag. Ain't about the (uh) Cha-Ching Cha-Ching. Ain't about the (yeah) Ba-Bling Ba-Bling. Wanna make the world dance. Forget about the price tag.”

The World’s Greatest > R Kelly
I’m crazy about this song.  My kids learned this in middle school chorus and to hear it belted a cappella by a bunch of sixth graders was pretty powerful. This is one to sing with crazy passion in the shower—or when you’re frustrated at your desk—go wild! “If anybody asks you who I am, Just stand up tall, Look 'em in the face and say: I'm that star up in the sky. I'm that mountain peak up high. Hey, I made it. I'm the world's greatest.  And I'm that little bit of hope, when my back's against the ropes, I can feel it, I'm the world's greatest.”

EXTRA BONUS!!!!!
Want to see YOUR product on the Good Morning America with Tory? As you've read, for six years she’s been a contributor for ABC where she now has a weekly segment featuring exclusive deals for GMA viewers.  She’s passionate about including products from small business owners in her segments, so if have the inventory and capacity to deliver thousands of timely orders, send her your ideas at tory@sparkandhustle.com.  

Music is a powerful thing.  Just like athletes gear up for big sporting events by playing certain songs, entrepreneurs often gear up for their days and weeks with specific songs that make them feel extra motivated, positive, pumped and unstoppable.  Every Monday we bring you a new "guest DJ" on the Motivation Mix Monday decks who shares his or her motivation set list.  This week as a special treat we're presenting our first "Member Mash Up", sharing some of our very own Tin Shingle members and the songs that help them carry on.  Perhaps some are similar to yours, perhaps you'll discover a few new tunes to add to your Monday morning set list. Get to know them below!

As entrepreneurs we are often marching to the beat of our own drummer or a one man (or woman) band, and that can take a lot of energy, faith, hope and motivation.  So use these tunes as an extra injection of just that, and when all else seems to be bringing you down, take a break and as Gaga would say....Just Dance!

PLAYLIST of Tin Shingle MEMBERS, featuring......

Dawn Del Russo of Stylist, founder of Bella Dawn Boutique & On-Air Fashion & Lifestyle Expert. Tweet with her HERE!
(Editor note: phew! with all Dawn does she needs a few songs to keep going!)

1. Circus > Britney Spears
I know it's Britney, but the lyrics just get me every time: "There's only two types of people in the world The ones that entertain and the ones that observe, Well baby, I'm a put-on-a-show kind of girl, Don't like the backseat, gotta be first."

2. Sun is Up > Inna
It totally puts me in a good mood and gets me energized for the day.

3. Here I am > David Morales
One of those songs that makes me feel happy, and helps me visualize my next steps.

Sarah Kaplan, co-founder of Footzyrolls (the rollable shoe).  Follow Footzyrolls on Twitter HERE!

4. Dynamite > Taio Cruz
I get motivated when I hear the song because the words and the beat of the music inspire me to keep going and get excited to be Dynamite in my day!!

Kim Washam, founder of Kimmie W. Photography (from headshots to holiday cards, this girl has the gift!). Find Kim on Facebook HERE!

5. Take me Home Country Road > Toots and The Maytals
The reggae beat gives me a feeling of the islands. A 3 minute vacation to Jamaica.... 

Wendy Armbruster Bell, founder of Snugabell Mom & Baby Gear, check them out on Facebook HERE!

6. Fly Away > Lenny Kravitz 
Because I can't help but sing along which gets my toes tapping, my hips swaying and my blood pumping! 

Katie Danziger, founder of Nomie Baby (home of products that make parent's lives easier).  Find them on Facebook HERE!

7. Forget You (or F#@$% you!) > Cee Lo Green's
This always gets me going and makes me smile!

Emily Blumenthal, founder of HandbagDesigner101, Author of Handbag Designer 101, offical blogger for Bravo's Project Accessories, mom....Follow her tweets HERE!
(Editor's note: Okay now her song makes sense).

8. I can’t get no sleep > Faithless
Listen to the track and you will understand it.  The crescendo is enough to keep you going and remind you to stay awake since you probably didn’t sleep anyway.

Sophie Gold, Sassy, Supernova Coach and contributing writer for the Huffington Post, she offers a variety of programs, products and resources to help you become rich in every sense of the word, no matter where you're starting from.  Find her online HERE!

Sophie's picks are a great way to wrap this Monday's mix....

9. Run the World (Girls) > Beyonce

10. Fly > Nicki Minaj featuring Rihanna

11. Stand Up > Jessie J

12. Greatest Day > Take That