In this economy and job market everyone is looking for that spark, the thing that will give him or her a leg up. Yet, the littlest things can make the biggest difference. THE ESSENTIALS OF FABULOUS: BECAUSE ‘WHATEVER’ DOESN’T WORK HERE ANYMORE is the go-to-guide for simple mentorship. Chic Galleria interviewed Ellen Lubin-Sherman, and here it is:

What inspired you to write The Essentials of Fabulous?

For the last eight years I’ve been writing about leadership, presentation, etiquette and self-marketing and realized I had the makings of a book.  I didn’t see it as a primer to fabulous but after re-reading my blog posts I realized I used the word “fabulous” more than any other.  I was convinced and remain convinced that instead of being ordinary, taking the path of least resistance, blending in instead of standing out won’t work. Owning your extraordinary gifts and letting the world know you’re “it” is not just a nice thing to have – it’s an essential in a world that’s basically virtual.

Do you think that The Essentials of Fabulous is important for the young women of today? Why?

Every young woman needs a guide or mentor to help them achieve both their short-term and long-term goals.  Where will they find this mentor when companies are cutting their staff and everyone is working overtime?  Who will tell these young women how to answer a phone or turn off the cellular or initiate the hello with a warm and firm handshake?  Who will remind these young women of their potential and the importance of believing in themselves?  I’ve mentored dozens of young women and men in my career and they all need the tools to enable them to think big, move through the tough times and keep their eyes on the big prize, whatever that might be.  Unless you’re one of the lucky ones and have access to a professional who wants to invest their time in your career, it’s very easy to cave to self-doubt and never reach your true potential.  The Essentials of Fabulous is my call to action and a manifesto for anyone who believes “whatever” is not working here anymore.

The Essentials of Fabulous is written as a primer, a kind of “cliff notes” to what makes someone memorable and admirable.  It does take work but the payoff is huge.  You’ll gain confidence, flair, charisma and most importantly, you’ll be happier because you’re buoyant with optimism.

After graduating from college (Northwestern University, Evanston, IL), Ellen Lubin-Sherman went to graduate school in journalism.  At first she wanted to be an investigative reporter.  After working on a magazine and covering stories about florist shops, she tried her hand at public relations and it was a perfect fit since she loves following trends, writing clever letters and talking to smart people.  Marketing luxury products was her niche and from there she transitioned to executive coaching – instead of a luxury hotel, she would now teach people how to market themselves.