Working in the high-pressure world of event planning and production  can be rewarding and glamorous.  A-listers walking down the red carpet, paparazzi flashing, champagne and good food galore, DJ spinning the hottest tracks, how fun could that be to get paid to party!? Now, wait one moment before you jump into a new career. This event didn’t magically happen overnight.  There were VIP lists to write, a venue had to be selected, you had to stay within a defined budget, on- site staff to assist the day of, security had to be enforced, press had to be notified, and you may need to secure a sponsor as well!Doesn’t sound like a cake-walk after all? Enter I’na Saulsbery, an Atlanta-based event planner who has turned her passion into the Starfire Group, which produces an array of events of every caliber. From baby showers to large scale celebrity events  I’na knows how to create an affair to remember.

A Clark Atlanta University alum, she started her career while  working at Diddy’s restaurant, Justin’s as a Marketing Director for seven years and built a loyal following that in turn became future clients. Her strong work ethic and innovative eye has made her a sought  after planner in Atlanta and nationally. You may have seen some of work on the BET show  Monica: Still Standing  and  the MTV  series,  My Super Sweet 16 party for Quincy, Diddy’s son. See how one woman’s passion became her labor of love.

 1.    Style & Substance: When did you know working in the event planning industry was your calling?
I hadn’t realized that event planning was my calling until a little later on in my life. For eight years I worked HARD for someone else, and although I enjoyed my job, as rewarding as it was-I wanted more. I would do events from time to time on the side and people would always tell me how much they enjoyed themselves. I just never realized that I really could make a living out of it. Since I was 16, I knew it was something that I enjoyed doing, and surprisingly I was pretty good at it.

2.    Style & Substance: What was your idea  behind the name Starfire for your company?
I came up with name-The Starfire Group for my company, because I wanted a name that was unique, vibrant, and yet easy to remember.

3.    Style & Substance: Your core business is based in Atlanta, how do you continue to gain new clients outside of this market and grow your brand?
I have been able to gain new clients and grow my brand, because I believe I do doing good work, and when you do good work, you can’t help but to move up. (SMILES)

4.    Style & Substance: In this tough but rising economy, how did you get the strength to start your business and was it difficult?
I started my company in 2007, and I had no idea that the economy was going to take this downward spiral. It was more than strength it was about timing and having faith. “Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” -Martin Luther King Jr.  It has been difficult, but I have been extremely blessed.

5.    Style & Substance: What are some resources every event planner should have to be successful?
While some people may think that you have to have a lot of money or a nice office to show off, its much more important for every event planner to have a creative mind, be detailed oriented and possess a very outgoing personality. It also helps to have a good following of people that support and look forward to attending your events. These are just some of the resources that every event planner should have to be successful.

I'na prepping for an intimate baby shower.

6.    Style & Substance: How do you stay grounded when working with celebrities and not  getting star struck?
It can be exciting to work with celebrities, but it’s not hard to stay grounded when working with them, as they are regular people just like us at the end of the day. Now, I couldn’t have said the same if I was working with someone like Michael Jackson or Madonna…I’d probably be floating on cloud 9 for years!

7.    Style & Substance: Do you have any advice for up and coming event planners that  are starting out?
I would advise any up and coming event planners to do their research. I would suggest they read plenty of books on event planning and use the Internet…it’s your friend. (SMILES)I would also suggest that frequent different events in their area as well as other markets.

I'na at the Still Standing Preview Party, an event she planned to promote singer Monica's reality show.

8.    Style & Substance: What is the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is having to accept that I am not able to control the weather. (LOL) Clearly, that is something that is way out of my league, yet being an event planner, you plan accordingly so that everything goes just the way your client imagined- you always want to make sure that everything is perfect for your client. However, Mother Nature can put a damper on even the brightest day.

9.     Style & Substance: Describe your style and substance?
My style and substance is extraordinary, exuberant, & EXPLOSIVE!

To learn more about I’na and her company click here.

Former Floetry singer, Marsha Ambrosis has stepped back into limelight with a new mix tape to get the public salivating for her upcoming solo release. YOURS SINCERELY is a refreshing redux to the neo-soul movement of yester year;  a welcome return  to help shakeup the mundane  state of  traditional R&B. The midtempo track  Put it on Repeat  is a brash sexy request for  more lovin’ followed by the redemption- heavy This Love featuring Canadian star Glenn Lewis who wrote this soft ballad, a song that flows like water.
The short set sounds like her classic offerings from her Floetry discography but with an elevated sound of confidence and vulnerability.  Her new album, Late Night Early Mornings will debut in summer 2010.       

Teedra Moses has been on the scene for over 10 years and after the mild success of her debut album, Complex Simplicity she has gained a cult-like following, After the delay of her follow-up release, Moses has taken to using the internet and continued to develop her sound by touring across the globe. Her new mix tape  ROYAL PATIENCE is chock full of classic Teedra: heady beats, sweet lyrics and of  course, Love. Kisses never taste so sweet  is a bombastic airy sound produced by the Trackademics, could have the potential of a  club banger and no additional  “guest rapper  ” is needed to make this a crossover hit.  Winter ’96 is an  anthem in its own right, reminiscing about love from the past. Standout track, Realize  is “a ha” moment “time to kick him to the curb” shout without the Kelis bravado of I Hate You (So much right now).The mix tape genre is no longer just for the boys to create underground buzz, but a fantastic tool to gain more followers.

Real music is making a comeback!

Amelian models Jeremy Scott for Adidas Collection.

The modeling industry is not an easy beast to slay. You are constantly scrutinized for your looks and always in competition  with the next hot pretty thing. One day you may be a household name, the next  last year’s “it girl”.  Amelian, an Anchorage, Alaska native  won’t be in that crowd. This multi-hyphenate phenom (model/stylist/ graphic designer)  is more than just a pretty face.   You may have seen her recently in the Jeremy Scott For Adidas Collection or read her  blog the Kashiro Collective, which she updates frequently.  Amelian is also a budding artist and has lent her graphic design skills to create   fashion stylist Monica Rose’s blog. See how Amelian has turned her beauty into business.

 1.       Style & Substance: How did you break in to the modeling  industry?
Amelian: At first I started modeling for a girlfriend who was a photography major while at the same college and I loved it! After that I got opportunities to model for my friends clothing store, and more work started trickling in.  Then Jeremy Scott asked me to model for his Originals By Originals collection and it’s incredible!

2.      Style & Substance: What is the best part of being a model and fashion stylist?
Amelian: They both help me out immensely! When I style, I understand what it’s like to be in front of the camera – poses, angles, facial features, expressions,  what works on camera, keeping the body shape flattering and I can give direction to a model when need be. When I model, I am SUPER aware of my  clothing, how to make things look great and what poses work. They go hand in hand!

3.      Style & Substance: You also have a background in advertising and graphic design, how do you marry all your loves into one career?
Amelian: My initial goal was to be a Art Director but I discovered styling in college. After graduating I was like “Shit, what do I do now!?” I just followed my path and took the opportunities that were in front of me. I now  feel like I am on the path to that but in a way I didn’t expect – which is wonderful! I use my graphic design skills to Photoshop shoots I style, create my own logos and art, design web sites. I am fully aware of how to market my creations and myself! As well it all involves fashion and my  styling. My goal is to be more than just a stylist, I want to be a creator  of beautiful art like media with a wonderful aesthetic – like a Art Director.  It is important to understand all aspects so I educate myself and learn from those I meet along the way.

4.      Style & Substance: What is next on your agenda?
Amelian: Right now I am organizing ideas I have for some really creative photo shoots. I am very intrigued by African culture and the work of Kara Walker, a very poignant and amazing storyteller artist who utilizes black paper  cutouts in her work. I love exotic patterns and colors and the striking silhouettes of Walker’s work. I love the unexpected and color. I am also working on samples for a accessory line I hope to introduce before the year  is over. Styling shoots, travel and modeling of course too. I just focus on being inspired, creating and staying proactive.

5. Style & Substance: What do you think about all the model reality shows that have saturated TV and are promising instant fame as a “super model” but  thus far it hasn’t happened yet to winners?
Amelian: I have seen some beautiful girls on those shows but I don’t think the way to find the next “super model” is through silly “challenges” etc – real life is far from that! A super model is a SUPERB type of model – who will be discovered one way or another as they were before the swarm of reality shows that drowns our T.V sets every waking moment. I think the shows are wonderful for exposing the different types of beauty (and REAL PEOPLE!!) that are models in their own right even though they are not conventional. Opportunity is in those shows for the young ladies who choose to participate so I think it’s up to them to take that platform and work it.

6.      Style & Substance: What keeps you sane in the competitive and fast-paced modeling world?
Amelian: I just always remember that I’m just a girl from Anchorage, Alaska! It’s important to stay true to your self and be REAL! I just stay down to earth and make the best of every situation. I talk to my loving boyfriend (he keeps me sane!), my family. I think about my next move and I don’t focus on the drama.

7.      Style & Substance: Describe your Style and Substance?
 Amelian: Savvy, always evolving, genuine and true to self!

To learn more about Amelian head over to her site, The Kashiro Collective.