World-renowned DJ Colleen Shannon takes a melodious leap into the publishing scene with her enchanting new children’s book, “I Am DJ Boy,” published by Balboa Press. Marking her entry into the realm of children’s literature, Shannon harnesses her profound love for music, aiming to inspire the next generation of melody makers and music enthusiasts. DJ Boy reigns supreme in the realm of beats, harmony, and tunes. A character who embodies the passionate spirit of music, DJ Boy is a symbol of Shannon’s ambition. His story unfolds over the vibrantly illustrated pages of the 28-page musical adventure that comes in hardcover, softcover, and e-book formats, available for music and book lovers to explore on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

DJ Boy’s life revolves around music. From dawn to dusk, he immerses himself in composing entrancing sounds that liven up the world around him. Under his parents’ watchful and supportive gaze, DJ Boy learns how music serves as a universal language, bridging gaps and uniting people from diverse backgrounds. He dreams of a world echoing with beats and melodies, a dream that resonates with Shannon’s vision for our global community. With an estimated 56,000 DJs across the globe and millions of music fans, DJs have rapidly emerged as the new-age rock stars. Music transcends cultural and racial divides, bringing people together as few other crafts can. “I Am DJ Boy” introduces this magical world to children in a fun and engaging way, teaching them about notes and rhythms while inspiring them to follow their dreams.

Shannon, who is also a mother to two young boys, realized the absence of children’s literature, focusing on cultivating a love for music. Determined to fill this gap, she channeled her passions and expertise into creating “I Am DJ Boy.” The book, besides being a tribute to DJs’ artistry, serves as a guide for young minds to navigate their musical journey. When asked about her aspirations for the readers of “I Am DJ Boy,” Shannon emphasized her desire for children to understand the joy of pursuing one’s passions. “I want them to take away the feeling of chasing their dreams. Most importantly, do what makes them happy,” she voiced. The core essence of “I Am DJ Boy” lies not just in teaching kids about music or promoting the DJ-ing profession but in instilling the importance of passion. The book entices its young readers to chase their allure, whether it’s music or any other path they yearn to follow. Shannon’s dynamic shift from the turntables to the world of children’s literature showcases her versatility as an artist. 

It also speaks volumes about her undying love for music and her endeavor to share this passion with the world.

“I Am DJ Boy” is more than just a children’s book; it’s an innovative roadmap to cultivating a love for music in children. Celebrating the joy of melodies and rhythms encourages kids to fearlessly embrace their passions. Through DJ Boy’s magical musical journey, Shannon hopes to inspire a whole new generation to take up the mantle of creating beautiful music for the world to enjoy and treasure.

This enchanting storybook carries a noteworthy message of following one’s passion and the universal language that music offers to adoring readers around the globe. Step into the rhythm-filled world of DJ Boy, which echoes Shannon’s love for music and her vision of unifying humanity through the magical strings of melody.

For those interested in embarking on this musical adventure with DJ Boy, “I Am DJ Boy” can be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or through the website:

www.iamdjboy.com

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-am-dj-boy-dj-colleen-shannon/1143453822?ean=9798765229606

https://www.amazon.com/Am-Dj-Boy-Colleen-Shannon/dp/B0C4GH7419

https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/843065-i-am-dj-boy

By: Olga Amraie

In an exclusive interview with Women’s Journal, Viktoria Nord, the esteemed Mrs. Sweden for Mrs. World 2023, speaks about her multifaceted life journey. As a doctor, mother, and beauty pageant participant, Viktoria embodies the essence of modern womanhood. She shares her insights on her pageant participation, her mission for global education, and her role in inspiring women worldwide.

Women’s Journal: Viktoria, what drives your participation in beauty pageants?

Viktoria Nord: “For me, it’s not about the beauty contest; it’s an impetus to be a voice for all women, to reach hearts. My goal is to inspire by example and show that every woman is inherently beautiful. We are strong in spirit, skilled as mothers in taking responsibility, and capable of implementing our mission in life. We can juggle various roles beautifully. We can change the world for the better, and influence it to foster more kindness. Education is the main component for the future of any nation. An educated populace opts for constructive endeavors, innovates, self-develops, creates jobs, and realizes goals. Education is my driving force. In collaboration with partners, we are in the process of creating a future school where online learning will be accessible to every child, regardless of gender, nationality, or skin color. I love my life and am ready to inspire everyone with my example.”

WJ: How do you balance your roles and what are your secrets to success?

VN: “Balancing my roles as a mother, doctor, wife, and public figure is a constant learning process. My top secrets to success are:

• Prioritizing Family and Self-Care: Always keeping family at the forefront and ensuring self-care is a part of my routine.
• Discipline in Professional Life: My medical career has taught me the importance of discipline, which I apply in all areas of my life.
• Holistic Approach to Health: Embracing both physical and mental health, incorporating activities like ballroom dancing for joy and fitness.
• Commitment to Education: I believe in the power of education for empowerment, which is why I’m passionate about making it accessible globally.
• Resilience and Adaptability: Staying resilient and adaptable helps me navigate challenges and embrace change positively.”

WJ: What message do you hope to convey to women around the world?

VN: “I want to inspire women to recognize their inherent strength and beauty. We have the power to influence and make positive changes in the world. By embracing education and our diverse roles, we can build a more equitable and kind world. My mission is to be an example of what can be achieved through dedication, compassion, and a belief in oneself.”

Through her journey, Viktoria Nord stands as a testament to the power of women’s strength, resilience, and capacity for change. Her dedication to empowering women through education and her role in the beauty pageant world makes her a true inspiration for women globally.

A Beacon for Women

On her social media, Viktoria speaks to women across the globe, sharing insights into living a harmonious life. She believes every woman possesses innate power, beauty, and wisdom, which, when harnessed, can lead to a fulfilling life. Her words are not just motivational; they are a reflection of her own life, a testament to her belief that balance is not a distant dream but a tangible reality.

Motherhood and Beyond

As a mother of three, Viktoria’s life is a whirlwind of activities, yet she finds time for her hobbies, beauty routines, travel, and self-education. Her days are meticulously planned, balancing family time with personal pursuits. She often shares tips on time management and self-care on her social media, encouraging mothers to find time for themselves amidst their busy schedules.

Hobbies and Self-Care: A Priority

Viktoria is an avid ballroom dancer, an activity that not only serves as a creative outlet but also as a way to stay fit and rejuvenated. Her passion for dancing is contagious, often inspiring her readers to find a hobby that brings them joy. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care, advocating for a holistic approach to beauty that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Travel and Lifelong Learning

Travel is another aspect of Viktoria’s life that enriches her perspective. With each journey, whether for leisure or pageant commitments, she immerses herself in different cultures, learning and growing from each experience. Her travels are not just escapes; they are educational adventures that contribute to her wisdom.

The Power of Education

A staunch advocate for education, Viktoria believes in its transformative power. She often discusses the role of education in empowering women, drawing from her own experiences. Her vision extends to creating a more inclusive educational system, making learning accessible to all children, regardless of their background.

A Symphony of Balance

Viktoria’s life is a symphony of roles played in harmony. Her story is a beacon for women, showing that it’s possible to be a devoted mother, a successful professional, and a fulfilled individual, all at once. Through her blog, she continues to inspire women to embrace their power, beauty, and wisdom, encouraging them to lead lives of balance and fulfillment.

Entrepreneurs are not strangers to obstacles, but it’s no secret that women tend to face more challenges than their male counterparts. Add being a woman over 40 into the mix, and ageism, skepticism, prejudice, and underestimation from investors, customers—or even their peers—become additional hurdles.

Leading brand designer Cyndi Carlson says, “Despite many hurdles, these women can build aligned brands that counteract obstacles to build credibility, connect with people, stand out in crowded markets, and, ultimately, achieve business success.”

Carlson is a transformational branding expert, founder of Inner Compass Branding, and a branding mentor who applies her 25 years of experience creating and designing brands to help women—especially women over 40—have a harmonious inside and out brand.

She says, “I want women over 40 to know the brand strategy, and good design isn’t just for younger tech-savvy entrepreneurs or mega-corporations.”

The 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer revealed that 70% of consumers consider brand trust more important today than in the past. Statistics like this are why Carlson says she believes women must have a tailored brand strategy and design.

After a full career of working with other creative firms, Carlson set out at 45 to start her agency, only to have the world greet her emerging business with a global lockdown. It was a hard season for many, and in the process, Carlson found herself with a brand and a business that, while successful, wasn’t led by her inner compass. 

Despite years of helping others with their branding, she says she committed the mistakes she saw others repeatedly repeat. “Now, I understand first hand. I had to take my own medicine, and doing that transformed my business.”

The process lit a fire within Carlson to help other women like her. “It’s a personal growth journey to build your brand and business, starting internally.”

When asked if it’s easy to get brand strategy and design steps out of order, she affirmed, “It’s commonplace for women to dive into colors or fonts while only having a vague idea of why they are running a business or who their ideal customers are.”

Carlson teaches that women must be clear on two key things before creating a brand’s visual identity.

She states, “Firstly, they must clearly understand who they are and why they are doing this.” 

This is what she refers to as your inner ‘true north.’

Carlson adds, “Secondly, they must identify just as clearly who the people are that this business is meant to serve.” 

She compares this to when the sunrise shines light out of the east. “We have to shine a light on these people to properly build a brand.”

Carlson explains that after clarifying those things, creating the brand’s visual foundations and future intentions flows naturally. 

“Women with centered and congruent brands find they have the balance and confidence to face entrepreneurial obstacles, such as ageism, while at the same time, they are able to  build credibility, connection, and recognition. It’s a transformation both inside and out,” she adds.

Carlson’s experience emphasizes the power of branding for female entrepreneurs in their 40s and beyond and how it can help them overcome challenges, differentiate themselves, connect with their audiences and reach business goals.

If you’d like to learn more about how to have an aligned brand built for you by Cyndi or how to sign up for brand mentorship, visit InnerCompassBranding.com.