Lady Gaga, Oprah and My Own “Ah-ha!”

One of my business ideas from way back (like at least 10 years) was doing a magazine called Characters. I even reserved a domain name, drew up a structure but just never got around to making happen. It would be about, well, characters-those individuals who are truly individuals. They have little regard for popularity or convention and a lot of regard for following their own inner compass. I LOVE these people (there is a fantastic goth drag queen in me trying to get out…she just never does).

 

Given that the theme of this blog is Authenticity (and relevance and organic growth), I thought “why can’t the Characters idea be combined with this?”

Of course, it can because in this world I am (goth) Queen and I make the rules.

Why can’t I explore, with you, thoughts on creativity, individualism, non-traditional community and often how it relates to the online business world?

I can! I can!

Here is my first thusly inspired post (this post fits the model and so does this one):

Lady Gaga was on Oprah Friday. Wow. I knew little to nothing about Gaga (as her friends call her).

You can watch the segment on YouTube. It is worth your time even if you don’t like glam dance music. She is a true character and original.

Here are the takeaways from Lady Gaga:

 

• LOVE your people. CARE DEEPLY for your tribe. She was moved to tears talking about her “little monsters” (Gaga fans) and how she felt her purpose was to encourage everyone to be their own (freaky) little selves

 

• Be yourself

 

• Do something that inspires you to get up and get to work first thing every day

 

• Use visuals. Play! Dance! Be weird! (or be utterly traditional if that is your schtick)

 

• Love and honor, but ignore, your parents and their concerns. This one is YOUR life!

 

• Spread praise. Gaga and Oprah have little in common yet there was clearly a mutual admiration society between them

 

• Do good. Gaga is offering a lot of opportunities for people to contribute to Haiti (like my friend Kelly Diels) on her web site. Ticket and merchandise proceeds on certain days will be donated

Here’s to the return of glam rock (I tweeted that I want a Gaga/Lambert duet!) and being your own freaky self. Go Gaga!