Rochester Chamber Small Business of the Year
The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce honors some of the community’s greatest contributors at the Sunrise Pinnacle Award ceremony. This massive event is held each year at the Royal Park Hotel in Downtown Rochester. As a photography sponsor, I was excited to help the individual winners celebrate with a new headshot. I turned a few of the photo sessions into interviews.
Congratulations to Sandy Fiaschetti of Magnet Consulting for winning Small Business of the Year!
The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce honors some of the community’s greatest contributors at the Sunrise Pinnacle Award Ceremony. This massive event is held each year at the Royal Park Hotel in Downtown Rochester. As a photography sponsor, I was excited to help the individual winners celebrate with a new headshot. A few had time for a quick interview.
Congratulations to Sandy Fiaschetti of Magnet Consulting for winning Small Business of the Year!
Wondering what Magnet Consulting does? I’ll let Sandy fill us in:
Scott Lawrence: Tell us about your business.
Sandy Fiaschetti: Magnet Consulting is a strategic people consulting firm and a certified Women-Owned Business. We work with client organizations across industries and size to assist in Organizational Culture, Employee Assessment and Selection, and Team and Leader Development.
SL: What does winning a Pinnacle Award mean to you?
Sandy: It's really quite a surprise and an honor to win it! We didn't actually even have any idea how a company won... we imagined you had to do a packet and nominate yourself like with other awards, and that's not it at all. Apparently, people in our local business community noticed our growth and the work we're doing with companies both locally and nationally and nominated us. That makes it all the more special!
SL: What’s unique about how you do what you do?
Sandy: Well, in our space, a couple types of consultants exist and we believe we are different from both of those. One is the academic Ph.D. who doesn't really get the practicalities of applying our science to business because they've only ever been a consultant, and the other is the "I took a short online class and I can hang a shingle and do this." Although one of our founding partners is actually a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, we aren't like either of those types of competitors. We understand the science of human behavior and the realities of the business world because we've worked in business for decades, not just in consulting. Our clients tell us that we bring a no-nonsense, fact-based but sensitive point-of-view to their people engagement issues.
SL: What’s the one thing most people don’t know about your business or industry, but should?
Sandy: Probably that the industry even exists! Crazy as that sounds, we know there are many companies who think that people issues can be solved via their gut or with only the help of traditional HR. Many don't even know organizational psychologists, and their scientific approach to business problems, exist. One of the biggest specific things many don't know is how their hiring practices can land them in legal trouble if they don't involve an expert in creating them.
SL: Where should readers go to learn more about your business?
Sandy: Visit www.MagnetConsulting.com or check out these posts where others have taken note of what we do:
Congratulations Sandy!
Meet Rochester Chamber Educator of the Year
The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce honors some of the community’s greatest contributors at the Sunrise Pinnacle Award Ceremony. This massive event is held each year at the Royal Park Hotel in Downtown Rochester. As a photography sponsor, I was excited to help the individual winners celebrate with a new headshot. A few had time for a quick interview.
Congratulations to Kara Sears, Rochester Regional Chamber's Educator of the Year!
The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce honors some of the community’s greatest contributors at the Sunrise Pinnacle Award Ceremony. This massive event is held each year at the Royal Park Hotel in Downtown Rochester. As a photography sponsor, I was excited to help the individual winners celebrate with a new headshot. A few had time for a quick interview.
Congratulations to Kara Sears, Rochester Regional Chamber's Educator of the Year!
Scott Lawrence: Tell us about your career.
Kara Sears: I have been a Social Studies teacher with Rochester Community Schools for 13 years. I’ve had the privilege of working at Adams High School, ACE High School and currently at Rochester High School.
I was born and raised in Rochester Hills and is a product of Rochester Community Schools. I live with my husband and two sons in Rochester Hills. My education started at Brewster Elementary and went right through to Adams High School. I then attended Oakland University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a Secondary Teaching Certification with a major in Social Studies and minor in Political Science and then went on to earn a Masters in Educational Studies from Oakland University as well.
I was fortunate to have grown up in a family that valued education and lifelong learning. EVERY family vacation was like a field trip during which we always learned something new. It’s a tradition I maintain with my family today.
SL: What does winning a Pinnacle Award mean to you?
Kara: I’m happy to accept this award on behalf of all the incredible teachers and mentors I’ve known over the years. Being nominated as Educator of the Year is an honor in its own right, but to be chosen to represent our community, one so filled with talent, is a true privilege.
I truly could not have been nominated for this honor without the support and assistance of my family, husband Brad, sons Jacob and Mark, my mom, my sister Laura and family, the students and staff at ACE and Rochester High Schools and the Rochester, Rochester Hills Community members. It truly takes a village!
SL: What’s unique about how you do what you do?
Kara: I tell students they need to bring their DTPL (Discipline, Patience, Tradition and Love an acronym for success) which was taught to me by a former Adams teacher, Dr. Tim Lentz. I hope that my students will develop a love of learning, gain leadership skills, grow personally and academically and give back to the community.
As ACE Student Council Interact Club Advisor, my students were involved in the following Community events:
ACE Community Welcome Breakfast for students and staff
ACE Community Career Fair
Rochester Rotary Bake Sales
Rochester Prayer Breakfast
Raise and donate money to EndPolio with Rochester Rotary Club
ACE Interact Club along with Rochester High School Interact club collaborated to raise and donate $1000 to buy a Shelter box for Refugees.
Rochester Community House Food Pantry Annual ACE Can Drive
Rochester Community House Dinner Servers
Rochester Hills Paint a Plow
Rochester Christmas Parade
Volunteered at the Paint Creek Center for the Arts.
Participated in #Rochester200Project.
Congratulations Kara!
Meet E'Lisa Campbell
As I've made new connections in Rochester, MI, I was fortunate enough to meet E'Lisa Campbell. She's an amazing portrait photographer, but I think her true talent is weddings. When we started discussing options for a new headshot, it was clear that a studio look just didn't make sense. We had to make her new headshot outside to best align with her work & brand. I'll let E'Lisa take it from here...
Meet E'Lisa Campbell
Over the past few years, I've done headshots for some very talented photographers. Yes, I love working with other photographers! But, photographers tend to be a little camera shy (shocking, I know). Like everyone else, we sometimes cling to a favorite image that was taken years ago and doesn't quite resemble our current look. So whenever possible, I encourage photographers to start using a fresh image that's easily recognizable. As small business owners, it's critical our image connect with the right audience.
As I've made new connections in Rochester, MI, I was fortunate enough to meet E'Lisa Campbell. She's an amazing portrait photographer, but I think her true talent is weddings. When we started discussing options for a new headshot, it was clear that a studio look just didn't make sense. We had to make her new headshot outside to best align with her work & brand. I'll let E'Lisa take it from here...
Scott Lawrence: Tell me about your business.
E'Lisa Campbell: My name is E'Lisa and I am the main photographer here at E.C. Campbell Photography. I photograph weddings, families, children, babies and brands. My approach is lifestyle based. A little posing mixed in with lots of candid moments. I have been photographing full time for 11 years. I am married to Chris and have two daughters, Lucy and Piper. :)
SL: What's unique about how you do what you do?
E'Lisa: My number one goal in everything I photograph is capturing the connection between people. I feel like that is everything in life. How we are all connected in some way to each other and to the environment around us. I really love to show people how beautiful their life is through my vision.
SL: What's the one thing people don't know about your business or industry, but should?
E'Lisa: Communication is key between you and your photographer. Choose a photographer whose style you love but who you can relate to and like as a person as well. If you feel comfortable with them, it will show in your photos and make them the best they can be.
The Best Background for your Headshot
Believe it or not, the background is a huge consideration in any photograph. Have you ever wondered what works best for a headshot? Let’s start with what not to do...
The Best Background for your Headshot
Believe it or not, the background is a huge consideration in any photograph. Have you ever wondered what works best for a headshot? Let’s start with what not to do...
Remember your school picture days? Those muddy backgrounds are out That same background was often used in stodgy boardroom photos. It doesn’t work there anymore either. Why? First, it’s super dated. Times have changed — you don't want to imply you're stuck in the 90s.
Second, it’s lousy for social media. Your image must pop! Your face (the whole purpose of the headshot image) should stand out — especially in LinkedIn, when the image is the size of a postage stamp on your screen. Your face can get lost in the dark muddy background, bringing down the impact.
Should your image ever need to match others, it’s difficult to get things to match up. Don’t waste your time trying to match an old standard. Let your photographer spend that time retouching or helping you with graphic design options.
A simple background is super versatile for the constantly changing social media graphics sizes.
Less is more.
I recommend going for a clean seamless backdrop. It’s easy to match and can usually be tweaked to match other tones. I love a pure white, but grey tones work as well. These backgrounds are ideal for social media graphics and work with almost any branding color scheme. Every social media platform, from Facebook to LinkedIn has different recommended dimensions for ads, banners and image posts. Simple backgrounds are easily extended (or cropped) to fit any specs. This ensures you get the most mileage out of every image.
What about natural backgrounds?
Absolutely! These are often referred to as environmental portraits. Subjects are photographed in their element. This could be anywhere from an office chair to a nature scene.
Organic backgrounds can be great, but they come with tradeoffs.
But there are couple things to watch out for. First, if you’re hoping to get a perfectly uniform background for multiple people in your organization, think again. By definition, things will change. Variations in height across a few people may result in dramatically different background frames.
Second, an organic background can be much more difficult to resize in Photoshop. So in some sense, this look is a little less flexible than a seamless background (which can be extended in any direction).
Keep it simple!
I believe your headshot tells a story. To the extent that photographing you in a particular scene adds to that story, all the better. But, if the image is going straight to your LinkedIn or Facebook profile, then I wouldn’t stress about the background. Just go with a clean seamless look for maximum impact.
Have more questions? Drop me a note!
Ready to book your session? Make an appointment online.
Meet Patrice Sinclair
Today’s post is all about my friend Patrice Sinclair. She runs the Sinclair Wealth Management Group of Raymond James in Auburn Hills.
Meet Patrice Sinclair
One of the best parts of my job is that I get to meet all sorts of great people throughout the community here in Rochester. I love sharing the stories of my fellow small business owners — there’s so much we can learn from one another.
Today’s post is all about my friend Patrice Sinclair. She runs the Sinclair Wealth Management Group of Raymond James in Auburn Hills. She and her amazing colleagues Drew and Priscilla are so dedicated to their clients that it was tough to pull them away from phones during our photoshoot.
Scott Lawrence: Tell me about a time when you saved a client from making a huge mistake.
Patrice Sinclair: My mind goes back to a couple of bear market periods but specifically to the most recent financial “meltdown” of Oct. 2007-March 2009. I was in communication with my clients constantly during that time period, more to hold their hands and keep them from crawling out on the ledge than anything. I recall one specific conversation where we had been in this midst of declining markets and subsequent declines of account values when a very concerned retired client said to me, “Patrice, if you tell me to hold on and not sell, I won’t sell.” I responded, “Selling now is the worst thing you can do. Hold tight and breathe. You will get through this.” That’s exactly what he did. He held on, didn’t react and recovered his losses in a very short time frame. Times like that solidify client relationships and this client and I have worked together for over 25 years now.
SL: What do you do when you’re not talking people off ledges?
Patrice: We are a full-service financial planning team that helps individuals and families simplify their financial plan. That might include assisting with your 401k choices; planning for college funding; protecting your heirs/estate in case of an unforeseen event; reviewing your estate plan; investment portfolio reviews; or assisting you in the decision to buy or lease a car, airplane or medical equipment. Whatever your need is, we’re your financial coaches that help to guide you in the direction that makes sense for you.
SL: What’s unique about how you do what you do?
Patrice: Our unique quality is experience and access. We have combined experience of over 45 years. We’ve seen how exuberant markets can blow up and we’ve seen how various financial crashes recover. We’re conservative but goal-oriented. There’s always a reason people will choose to NOT invest, but we help them to see that it’s important to block out the noise of our day to day lives and focus on their objectives. We seek to provide regular and consistent education to our clients so they can make informed decisions, and we seek to always be available for their questions and/or concerns. We feel it’s an honor to be chosen by our clients and we never take it for granted. That said, we have many clients that have continued to seek our counsel for over 25 years.
SL: What’s one thing most people don’t know about your industry but should?
Patrice: We educate our clients on fees that aren’t always transparent in our industry. We understand that finance isn’t the most simple or comfortable topic in many of our clients’ lives so we seek to explain everything in a way that they can comprehend.
If you have more questions for Patrice, give her a call at 248-276-2828 or send her a note.
If you’d like to set up a headshot session for your office, drop me a note.
The Blog
Headshot tips, client features, and more!
