Interview: Beth Ann Hilton

Beth Ann Hilton

We've all heard stories about scoundrels in the music business for decades. Beth Ann Hilton of The B Company strives to break that mould with her "conscious PR" approach to the entertainment businss...get to know the lady behind the Burbank, CA-based firm, now featured as Copy Central Burbank's spotlight interview.

Dynamic Duo Pioneering in Audiophile World, Highlighted by WomanBizLife

New music is released everyday, but not much of it is recorded in a hi-resolution format by two women to offer to the testosterone-heavy and affluent audiophile world.  Today, such a feat was recognized by Woman Business Life, which was appreciated greatly by pianist/composer Fiona Joy and renowned producer/engineer Cookie Marenco.  

"I'm thrilled that a women's business site would promote us.  Musically, I love that fact that the audiophile market understands the integrity of a single note, and can hear and appreciate the intervening silence as much as the note choices," Fiona said, adding a bit of girl power with, "I also love working with Cookie Marenco, a woman who is breaking new ground in an industry dominated by men."

More and more young women are pursuing music careers, not as performers, but as producers and engineers at every stage of production. Public recognition like this is encouraging to them, says Fiona, who is also a producer; her 2014 project with Jennifer DeFrayne was produced at Will Ackerman's Imaginary Road Studios, and won DeFrayne a Best New Artist nomination in the ZMR Awards race.

SIGNATURE - SOLO was released today by Marenco's new label, Tiny Island Music / a division of Blue Coast Music Group, and is also available in various hi-res and "regular" formats...read the complete piece at WomanBizLife for details, or listen and purchase music at https://tinyislandmusic.bandcamp.com/   

Fiona Joy, an Australian resident, will perform at the esteemed audiophile event T.H.E. SHOW in Newport Beach, CA this coming May, following a tour in China and an appearance at the ZMR Music Awards Show in New Orleans, LA.

The Year of the Yang Wood Horse: Unbridle Your Energy!

As Chinese animals go, I still find it a little embarrassing to say "I'm a Snake."  And, if you know anything about how Chinese Astrology works, you'll know that I'm really happy to say goodbye to the last 12 months aka the Year of the Water Snake. 

*Need to find out which animal sign you were born under? Visit What's Your Sign now!*

After everything I've read over the past two weeks, I'm extremely excited about this Chinese New Year, as we move out of five years of deconstruction, and begin to feel the unbridled energy of the Wood Horse!  Are you feeling it already?  I find myself chomping at the bit for change in the form of positive improvements, new ways to express my creativity, and the promise of better relationships at work and play. 

If you still haven't explored what the year might hold for you, there are many places to do so.  Below is an excerpt of what Karen Abler Carrasco, WSFS Consultant, Mentor and Teacher writes about this year on the Western School of Feng Shui website:

"Now to turn our gaze to the animal symbol of Horse. This sprouting upward rush of Wood energy will find its perfect release into the impulsive and passionate nature of the Yang Horse, whose native element is Fire.  The Horse energy inspires powerful INTUITION and an indomitable surge towards freedom in every aspect of life. This is a year to follow your inner voice like never before, for it will have a universal cosmic ch’i within it.  Higher guidance is with us every step of the way.  Reach for the sky, call up your vision, fuel your plans with vision boards and creativity, find a fresh path and pace yourself well.  This yang Horse year has the potential to channel the powerful new upthrust of Wood’s Ch’i through the Horse’s Heart energy of Fire and into every project we start, every desire we reach for.  It will keep our eager plans from being dominated by too much “head” and not enough “heart.”

I don't know about you, but it sounds like just what we need to get our lives and communities back on track! Explore the fascinating full prediction by Western School of Feng Shui here, and lots of gorgeous Year of the Horse imagery.

Business folks, you might also enjoy this article on Huffington Post about money tips for the Year of the Horse.

Families can explore the Chinese New Year and its traditional celebrations on the fun-loving website China Family Adventure. 

Wishing you luck, and a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead!

zhù nǐ hǎo-yùn 

祝 你 好运 

Indian Women Find Opportunity with Yoga Gives Back

Yoga is a gift from ancient India, embraced by the West. Today, however 76% of India's population—800 million people—live below the poverty line of $2.50 a day.

Non-profit organization Yoga Gives Back has a mission to mobilize the global yoga community to empower women in India to build sustainable livelihoods.

Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr. Muhammad Yunus’ revolutionary micro financing breakthrough, Yoga Gives Back supports micro credit programs in India which lend small loans to women in particular, who have no access to capital. Additionally, the organization developed “Sister Aid” programs where YGB directly funds education, vocational training and micro credit programs for struggling mothers, girls and orphans. Women are the best poverty fighters—the most effective return on investment for development dollars is an investment in women. With $25 a month, mothers can start their own businesses; girls and orphans can go to school.

DharmaSmart.com is a new online store that serves the yoga community with “Purposeful Living Essentials.”  The company has designed a special cuff bracelet for yoga practitioners to wear in support of the work that Yoga Gives Back is doing.  The cuff retails for just $25 and $10 goes straight to Yoga Gives Back.

The cuffs will be featured at the second annual Global Day of Support “Thank You Mother India” to be held on Saturday, September 29^th in Malibu, California.  For more information about the even, to to http://www.yogagivesback.org/tymi

Those who want to contribute to Yoga Gives Back through the purchase of one of these original cuffs may find them online at: http://www.DharmaSmart.com.  DharmaSmart co-founder Lissa Coffey says: “We are big fans of what Yoga Gives Back is doing to help the women of India to build their own businesses and to educate their children.  It is an honor to have this opportunity to give back to a country and culture that has given us so much valuable ancient wisdom.”