PURPLE BLAB

You may think Crisis Management PR is only relevant to publicists who represent celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, politicians like Elliot Spitzer and models like Kate Moss (our favorite who always comes out on top). Well, think again! Beauty publicists need to be schooled in Crisis Management PR too, right alongside Paris Hilton’s peeps.

Not sure who was hanging out on YouTube last Saturday night at 10pm, but I can tell you who was…me!

Purple Lab ran into a bit of a PR crisis two week ago after posting what we thought to be a successful Dayton, Ohio news segment featuring Huge Lips Skinny Hips.

Where were we last time I gave you the business building update (still trying to catch us up to current day and we’re so close, I can taste it).

It was summer. We were on the verge of leveraging one of Todd’s properties in Brooklyn to squeeze out some cash to continue funding Purple Lab’s further product development (there were 50 products in my head that I was itching to get out), production, and overall growth.

So what happens when you unleash a Multi-Tasking Maven into the wild streets of New York City?

Her hair comes down and out comes an inner pole-dancing superstar!

Maven at work!

I tried, I loved, and I conquered the pole! I am now officially “Kitty Poledancer,” the pretty pink gloss shade of Huge Lips Skinny Hips that was inspired by Creatrix Karen’s favorite form of exercise (can you believe this was a job requirement?).

S Factor was exactly what I hoped for and nothing that I expected all wrapped up into one invigorating two-hour experience that left a kink in my neck (so worth it!) and some pep in my step saunter.  

In the last chapter of the Purple Lab tale, I was seeing my psychic/astrologer Karen Thorne. She said our lives would clear up – a huge level of stress would be released – by mid-summer.

It was in the stars, apparently. It was decided.

And it actually happened… just when we got down to our last $58.22!

Our heads were spinning.

We were developing SWAC,  scrounging for components (we did not go back to the original manufacturer who sent us the 30,000 damaged guys). We found a vendor who has really interesting packaging and clients whose products you definitely use (I am not sure if I’d be allowed to say who but let’s just say that their biggest one rhymes with Shack).

Meet Tiffany!

She is a multi-tasking maven at Purple Lab and a vital part of the team. Her exact title: Communications Assistant. But she is really so much more.

I love her. And you will, too. Here she is…

Hello Purple Blabies!

Today we are going to jump into PR – and what the F it is. If you read my last post, you learned about one component of public relations, event planning. As the Communications Director, that is just one of the many hats I wear. So if you are thinking about getting into PR or just want do know what PR is (trust me, don’t be embarrassed I have been in the field for years and my parents still don’t really get it), today is your lucky day. Here’s the scoop:

First, let’s address the biggest question out there:

 Are you watching that show Shark Tank?

Watching it is like a mirror image of my life – presenting a company to big wigs who can help make or break it. This is my own little version of it – without Barbara Corcoran!

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix

Oh, just a mish mash of stuff as I tell the brand’s story – my own little guideline to the insider look of launching a business and what it took us to get where we are… and where we’ll be going.

I cover a little bit of everything – from getting our product to Mr. Fierce Christian Siriano (and securing a placement in In Touch!) to raising money (still!), finding the right investors (not easy) and more purple love.

Here you go!

I am obsessed with social media. I Tweet like a 12 year-old, Facebook like a fool, MySpace like a maniac, YouTube like a… what’s an addict-like word that starts with a “Y” so I can keep the illiteration? You get the point.

Every month, Purple Lab has a “Tweet-Up,” a fun little gathering with the girls we follow on Twitter, Facebook friends, and bloggesses we heart. They’re themed, out of the box, often times kind of crazy.

Wanna know how products get in the hands of celebrities (if you’re not personal friends with them)? No writing – let’s get straight to it!

Watch and learn!

See you soon, J.Lo! I’m comin’ for you!

P.S. One thing to note – if a celebrity has a deal with a competing brand in the category you are in, you can NEVER use their names… not unless you want a lawyer on you!