Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published April 21st, 2012
The #Jozi #FollowSA committee collecting blankets for #TBDZA
Milestones! Miracles! Magical moments! Those happen so often and take for granted just how very big they are.
Today was one of them. With #FollowSA communities across the country collecting blankets for the #TBDZA and today the #Jozi team gathered on my couches and started to bring it all to life.
Meet them: @ohgodknows, @Leebs101, @jaakOrilla, @Figs_Home, @Dezy_D, @Trisjb … and the 3 blankets that got our collection under way.
Thank you so much to these amazing individuals (and the countless Twits who are so eager to get involved) for your commitment to such an amazing cause … now lets collect HUGE amounts of blankets by the 26th May!!!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published December 10th, 2011
It was the second weekend of the Nkosi's Haven food collection and this girl has been a superstar ...
The Twitter community have been amazing during the week and a half of the @nkosishaven food collection and @lindseykin85 Tweeted her way while she drove through the East of Joburg, all the way to Fourways and collected food. You are a superstar hun.
A very big thanks to the guys in Pretoria who opened their hearts to the legacy of Nkosi Johnson and has a food collection day.
The moments don't get sweeter than the warm gesture of thanks from Tiny Koen of Nkosi's Haven
My amazing friend from high school, @figs_home arrived with the sweetest gift I have received in a very long time
Everything that has been done to support me and #FollowSA for this charity drive has touched the depth of my soul, but when one of my oldest friends arrived (for the second week in a row) bearing the most precious gifts … well let’s just say it took a lot to hold back those tears. Thank you so much @figs_home for your unfailing support, your amazing networking ability and the sweetest gesture, with the icing in top.
A cookie with the logo of @indulgence_cafe. Thank you Mandy for so generously welcoming us into your gorgeous cafe to have Tweetups for the food drive.
Oh my graciousness ,,, there's our company logo!
Well isn't #FollowSA just the sweetest thing?
Now this is the greatest hostess of them all! @indulgence_cafe
@TinyKoen from @nkosishaven, me @jodenecoza and Mandy the awesome hostess of @indulgence_cafe
The sweetest moment of all ... @TinyKoen and @MrCellaneous packing the @nkosishaven truck with groceries from the generous Twitter community
Today truly was such a proud and sweet ‘project me’ day, filled with the realisation of what I have managed to achieve from my status on the social media platforms. I have always said the we give charity for our very own, personal reasons and today, while I stood back and watched the kindness of others who came to my Twitter call … I so proudly acknowledged that I have influence enough to give … and encourage others to give … and they arrive with such giving spirits.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published November 27th, 2011
Don’t justify!
Don’t defend yourself!
Don’t let anyone make you doubt yourself!
Don’t retaliate!
Don’t give them the satisfactions!
Don’t forget just how hard you have worked to earn your place in the world … or in the social media sphere!
Wow, that a tough and emotional weekend.
On the real and energy worth investing side of life, Greggie’s dad is very ill and I’m so proud of my friend for being so strong and telling himself such harsh truths about his dad’s illness and time. It’s always hanging over my heart and I can feel a little weariness as it brings back so many memories of the passing days I spent watching my dad slowly prepare to leave this life. Illness truly is one hell of a teacher and it’s tougher when it gets to the point that doctors say enough is enough.
I remember that day. I remember the realisation that all I could do was lie next to my dad and wait. It taught me about life and death all at the same time and although I tell Greggie that these moments will be life changing and the he is learning so many amazing lessons about himself and his ability to love and to lose, the reality still remains, that the teacher … death … isn’t one we truly want to meet.
And then in the far corner, tampering with my emotions, stirring up self doubt and taking me out of integrity, is a teacher that I am only beginning to meet. The teacher who comes in the form of individuals who choose the Twitter Timeline and my hard work to attempt to discredit. I’ve experienced the odd cynical Tweet, but nothing like this. Nothing like the teacher who unexpectedly states that I am neither a social influencer or a social media strategist. The person who publicly announced that he is amused that I am self proclaimed. Another Tweeter, who seemed to like the banter and has less than 100 followers decided to congratulate this individual and state that I am a fraud.
Devastated! That is how I describe my moments as I tried to defend myself online.
And then another valuable teacher stepped in. She calls herself ego.
After this person Tweeted that people shouldn’t be proud of themselves when they have bought their followers, I felt my ego step in and protect the person she loves the most … me!
I watched myself make silly choices. Contact people to support me … foolishly. Respond when I should have been silent and defend myself when I have no need to at all.
I felt the backlash when friends let me down, nastiness splattered all over my Timeline and accusations about me flared. Ego had no other way to teach my the lessons I have so invaluably learned in less than 24 hours. She had to show me what happens when I get shaken by other’s accusations or stories. She had to show me what comes along with success and recognition and she had to teach me the wrong and right way of handling it, because it is the first of many … I suspect.
The friends who launched in to support me where amazing. The Tweets, even though I provoked my friends to do it, spoke of love and respect for me. Greggie was supporting me from a distance and Pat was right by my side reminding me of who I am and how far I have come …
But then another teacher stepped in. ‘The toughest teacher or all … acceptance. I felt her comfort the ego and step into the limelight as she reminded me that I have no control of what other people think, say or feel about me. I do, however, have to accept that there are many people in this world and each one with think, say and feel something different.
“Accept each person’s opinion,” she said “but value only your own!”
A valuable lesson, not a pleasant experience at all, but one that has changed my way forward as embrace my journey.
I would like to thank each person who has invited me into their space and called me ‘social influencer’. I am honoured by every meeting, strategy session, workshop and client who has called upon me as a ‘social media strategist’. I am blessed by every follower who has chosen me to be in their Timeline. For without you all, yesterday would have ended with a very different story.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published November 14th, 2011The last hours of the day are beginning to feel frustrating and I’m finally learning to put myself in a position of turning that around a whole lot faster than I used to.
The shadow of the day wasn’t much at all. There was some gross food and horrid chai tea, with a realisation that some relationships aren’t meant to be. The rest of it was filled with positive and moments that money just can’t buy. That’s important right now, because it’s coming to the time of the year that business owners dread … the long months ahead where our services won’t be needed. That’s why I’m grateful that there are a few burst of opportunities that are coming from all directions before Santa arrives. Thanks to the combination of supportive people, I’m remembering that money is created when you focus on all the things that money can’t buy … I love how smart the universe (remembering we are the universe) was when they thought up the concept of irony.
So my day starting with waking up next to the man that I love. Something shifted this weekend and I am grateful for the amount we communicate with each other, in complete honesty. I keeps bringing us closer and money can’t buy the love or the special messages I’m receiving from my friends who can see how our relationship has grown.
I got a Direct Message from Miss Earth SA on Twitter today. I get messages from a whole lot of people, but there was something so humbling and honoured about her praise for my work when she is doing such incredible work herself. Money can’t buy a moment of genuine acknowledgement when the journey has been a long road … I’m so sure Miss Earth SA can relate.
Greggie and I went for our business coaching with @Jax_Inspires and that moment when she said, “something’s different … something’s shifted!” … wow! Something has shifted and I can so feel it, but for someone so dear to me to notice, well money can’t buy the realisation that self reflection and self introspection can have such outward results.
There was some yada yada along the way but money can’t buy the moments when business partners are so insync and don’t need to verbalise much to make sure their business is safe and in good hands … our own!
I had a whopper of a week on Twitter last week and this Tweet goes out without me even know it. I’m in the process of being very conscious that I’m building an online image and persona and money just can’t buy that Tweet that I received at that unexpected moment going … “wow girl … you are an inspiration to us all!”
My plate is full, between the final #FollowSA event of the year, some exciting work for an entrepreneurial school, dashing between last minutes year end meetings and planning the social media strategies with my existing clients (okay so I’m getting money from clients but money still can’t buy the feeling that I’m getting money from clients). Then, through it all, Lifeology is having a charity event in honour of Nkosi Johnson, the little boy who changed the way that our country view and handles aids and orphans. 10 years after his passing, his legacy lives on and when my friends gather around a table and Greggie asks them, “What are you getting out of it?” and the response is … “we are supporting our friend, Jodene!”
Wow!!!
Money can’t but that and I’m so blessed and grateful to the amazing friends, Michele, Jacque and Kim who have opened their heart and given of their time to make this event, where charity and social media collide, a part of their agendas over the next few weeks!
And now I’m taking myself off to a bath with candles, incense, bubbles and the gift I promised myself once a week … time for me … something else that can never have a price tag.
What happened in your day that money just couldn’t buy?
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published October 21st, 2011
I know Twitter. I strategise, plan and support people with their branding and the voice they want to get out into the world. I’ve got impressive numbers and all that jazz, but nothing will ever be more valuable to me about Twitter than a bunch of crazy girls.
I have plans. It has a lot to do with social media and a whole lot more to do with lots of bucks, but it will never be of more value than a bunch of loud and very giggly girlfriends.
Yes, awesome Twitter things happened yesterday and Lifeology were officially appointed as the social media strategists for Nkosi’s Haven and all I wanted to do was share it with the most supportive crowd of girls I’ve ever been blessed to know.
Last night was Twit inspired beyond belief and even though it was the 4th anniversary (I figured that out by default and am not that date obsessed … I hope ;p) I was in the happiest place I could be.
There’s this girl, you see and she fell in love with this boy. Wow, my blog has been laced with love stories of late … anyway … so this girl and this guy fell in love. My favourite part is when I tell you that they met over Twitter and last night was a surprise farewell for this very special friend.
Since the beginning of the week, the challenge has been for 8 avid Twitterers to not let the cat out the bag. 8 girls who Tweet about everything now have to shut the hell up! Um … well, we did it! We managed to hold our Tweet fingers still for a little over a week and surprise our dearest friend @pixelslave10.
Twitter is my income, my passion, my career and my leap of faith, but most of it, it’s the place where some of my most precious friendships began. That’s why I started #FollowSA!!! Because of the limitless possibility of a Tweet and the proof that one Twit (or 
can change your life.
I laughed myself silly! I felt my heart cry! I shared my happiness! I spoke my fears … with the most amazing bunch on Twits!
@Pixelslave10, @Dezy_D, @LizaSutherland, @KhanyisaKN, @Liesldb, @Leebs101, @LindseyKin85 and @SamRobinson25, no matter where Twitter takes me, it will always have brought me to you!
I had lunch with a friend of mine today because he needed some advice about life and the directions he should take. He has known me way before ‘project me’ and said he needed help making his life his own personal project. I reminded myself of the most important point today … to find something to be grateful for at the end of every single day.
Today, on top of the work beginning to flow in, key accounts heading my way and it being a week until I create a home with Mr Unexpected … I’m most grateful for my friend … a real bunch of Twits!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published September 26th, 2011I’m going to make this short considering I am trying not to get too dramatic about my birthday weekend that ended up being one I wouldn’t like to repeat in a hurry.
It goes a little something like this! My amazing man gave me a beautiful bottle of perfume in the early hours of my birthday morning. Mom had slept out so I got my phone call with happy birthday wishes and she told me she would be home in a few hours. I still wouldn’t see her because we were heading out to my long awaited birthday night at the luxurious Mount Grace Country House and Spa.
The 1 and a bit hour drive was awesome but the arrival at the hotel was even better. The second I walked in the door I was greeted with birthday wishes from all the staff! Whoever helped us or saw us knew it was my special day and I was beyond excited for a dream night (our first night away as a new couple).
I’ve never been one to switch off my phone, no matter how I know I need some time out. I have always worried that someone might need me and I know it might be a little neurotic but that’s me. I did put the phone on silent though and only checked the phone once … when a gorgeous plate of chocolates and fruit were delivered to our luxury suite. I grabbed the opportunity to check the phone and there was the strangest message from my brother asking why Mr Unexpected had left his car in the middle of the road and left the gate to the house wide open.
I knew it … house broken in to!
They must have seen the signage on my man’s car and knew not to take it so they moved it out the way and stole mom’s car instead. They took both mine and Mr Unexpected’s laptops, the flat screen TV that was the last gift we gave my dad and all mine and my mom’s jewelry.
For my international friends who have shown their love and concern … no, they most probably won’t catch the guys and NO, nothing will be returned. That is the reality of SA. Not one that I’m thrilled about but it’s the reality. Yes, I’ve counted my blessings and it’s amazing that my mother wasn’t home because she is always home on the weekends. They also closed the door behind them and my kitties and parrot are both safe. My sister drove past the house and saw Mr Unexpected’s car in the middle of the road and thought he was moving it out the way so I could take my car out … Thank the gods she didn’t come in to check!
So … I’ve counted my blessings and although I was stolen from I was robbed of nothing. I have spent the past few days feeling so lucky that no one was home, my pets are safe and that we didn’t come home to tragedy …
Now I’m entitled to be honest and vent for a moment! I can’t believe that we are so accustomed to getting robbed that when the amazing staff of the Mount Grace got the call, they could all empathise on some level and welcomed us back whenever we are ready. The warmest thank you to Clayton Howard and his staff for personally meeting with me and wishing me on my safe journey home … although I was in your company for a fleeting moment it was on that I will never forget.
I couldn’t believe that when I tweeted it everyone told me that I should be lucky no one was hurt … I couldn’t believe that it sits so much in our psyche to be stolen from that we have slipped into the next best auto mode of being lucky everyone is alive.
No one should be stolen from!! It should not be the norm … and no, I don’t know where I’m going with this or what I expect to be done about it! All I know is that it was heritage day and I am very proudly South African. I refuse to blame a nation for the one or two thieves that invaded my home. I never talk politics and maybe because I feel like it’s pissing in the wind … but I could blame a whole lot now!!
I’m not going to pretend that I’m not upset that some material things were taken … the perfume my man just gave me a few hours before, my D & G watch that my mom gave me knowing I always wanted to own 1 thing from them, my ring my mom just gave me for my birthday the night before, the flat screen TV that was the last gift we gave my dad (yes, I said that) … and my laptop!
It’s crazy to try blog off my phone! It’s crazy to try function off my phone! It’s crazy that I got that sponsorship not so long ago and it’s crazy that I’m back at square one in need of a laptop!
Yes, we are all safe … Yes, I was stolen from … Yes, I’ve counted my blessing … Yes, I was robbed of nothing I can’t replace … Yes, I’m pissed off and don’t know what the hell to do about it!
On a special note … thank you to the Twitter and Facebook communities for your incredible birthday wishes and support as my weekend went mad.
Another special thank you to my family for rallying together and making the rest of my birthday weekend so special.
The biggest thank you to my beautiful man for making me feel so safe, keeping me smiling and reminding me that love grows when times are rough … I’ve truly found my cowboy!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published September 23rd, 2011
So tomorrow’s my birthday!
You wouldn’t believe it if I told you I was sitting in the dark, miserable as hell.
I’m doing my best to snap myself out of it before Mr Unexpected and I head out to my very exciting and much needed night away at the Mount Grace Country House and Spa, but the day went a little something like this.
I woke up this morning to no electricity, a dying phone and the realisation that this month just isn’t going financially according to plan. I’m also sitting with the knowledge that I’m heading into a new numerological cycle and I am so scared to start it wrong and set a whole 9 years off on the wrong course. I have managed to convince myself that it’s not worth the stress and I’ve fallen into the very trap I teach people not to. I’m asking myself why it’s not easier if I’m living my passion, loving my life, being conscious and grateful. So … I cried as I woke up and to be super honest, I only dragged myself out of bed after 10am.
Not a great way to end a year either, never mind start a new one.
Thank heavens for my mom!!! Without electricity it was the perfect time to do a big grocery order and shop for hours. We also did a lunch where I completely overindulged in comfort food that consisted of a hot dog and chips. The chat comforted me more than the food with a whole lot of reminders of how I am actually on the right track and how I have been laying the foundation and I am beginning to see the rewards.
Only in my world does all the electricity in the street come back except for at our house. Firstly, mom and I were too lazy to be bothered to take parcels in so we literally left them in the car … besides the chicken and milk which we shoved in the fridge that had no power anyway.
It’s supposed to be a breeze having a landlord and not worry about being the owner with all the issues. The only problem is that we have landlords from hell who just don’t give a damn about their home so nothing gets sorted. We’ve been moaning about electricity for 6 months now and that got me all fired up and twinkle-less again!!
I could go on and bitch and moan and sound like a total brat, but I just got a Tweet that said: “Our Fearless #FollowSA leader > @Jodenecoza” … @JayGibbs09, thank you!
The lights might be out all around me and I might not feel like there is much sparkle inside, but the soppy saying talks about someone being the match that lights the flame … that I intend to shine with for the next 9 years!!!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published September 16th, 2011
The Bobbi Brown team from Melrose Arch store, a kidnapped Ashwin Willemse and my super special friends ... pic taken by the one and only Pat Sloane
I’m the first to admit that this blog has been a bit blah of late but tonight I got a whole lot of smiling to do. I know my best friend is somewhere between Seattle and San Francisco at this very moment so I’m not even sure if he will be reading this. I don’t think he’s missed a blog in the 620-odd days unless he fakes it really well. Whether he reads it or not, the fact are the same … I miss my boy, but it’s been very empowering having to stand on my own two feet.
I’ve set my GPS to places near and far and I’ve found them all. I’ve discussed finances and make monitory decisions. I’ve requested invoices from the accountant and kept track of the bank account. All the big girl stuff that I just haven’t had to do for as long as Greggie and I have been business partners.
Something is beginning to shift and a part of me knows that there’s a new blossoming of a much bolder and determined person. I started to feel it a few days ago, but had a surge of confidence and self respect when I was surrounded by the most amazing group of women because of one incredible woman.
I fell in love with the story of Bobbi Brown and her journey of creating such a world renowned product before I had ever had the joy of putting a lipstick to my lips or a foundation to my cheek.
It was my first Bobbi Brown experience on Wednesday night and I can’t believe how I felt when I looked around the Melrose Arch store and saw the women who surround me. I got to bring 9 of my closest and it was so easy to choose them. Most of these super ladies have met me through Twitter … actually, besides Hustler Girl who reconnected with me on Facebook, we are all Twit friends. Well, Khanyi is more of an extension of Twitter because I was invited to an event that she was at, but we were Twit friends before the night was through. Liesl, Liza, Michele and Lindsey are all definitely Twits and Carol is another great extension of my social media life.
It was such a joy to see everyone having fun, switching off from our worlds for a moment and getting lost in the girlie world of makeup. It was an even greater joy knowing that my journey of blogging and dedication to my career brought us all together.
And … amidst the crowd of friends and talented Bobbi Brown Makeup artists was the other boy. The very special boy … Mr Unexpected. It’s just as awesome to see that my photographer, who is now my man is so loved and cherished by my friends. So much so that he was asked to gate crash the rest of the girl’s night out that extended to dinner just before our Kleenex girl’s night out.
It’s always bound to happen with this crowd and no one was letting SA’s dishy rugby player, Ashwin Willemse walk past the store without being dragged in for the final pic of our Bobbi Brown experience.
I’m also grinning from ear to ear because my new friend and an inspiration for every person who has a dream, Tazz Nginda finally got his cute ass onto Twitter. Don’t worry, Mr Unexpected knows all about my admiration of this sexy actor, model and role model.
For a meeting that was supposed to be quick few minutes to do a few adjustments to Tazz’s social media presence, we ended up talking for hours. It’s definitely one of the reasons I snapped my attitude back into shape. Listening to the story a boy who had a dream and is living it despite all the odds … that’s project me. Just like I share my story with others and hope it inspires people to do one little thing that could get them that little bit closer to their dreams … I need that too.
Between Bobbi Brown, Tazz Nginda, a loving best friend, a treasure boyfriend and the most rocking friends a girl could ask for and a kleenex girl’s night out … I’m BACK!
As always … a big thank you to Instant Grass and The Venus Networks for making my Bobbi Brown Experience a reality!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 31st, 2011Tomorrow you will see it all … pics! Logo! More pics! Launch video …
Right now I’m home dealing with a leaking geyser, hungry man and very sore back!
But what a freaking awesome day! What an amazing night!
Go check out http://followsa.co.za and if you are in SA … register!!!
Oooh, what’s that I hear through the buzzing in my ears after the freaking incredible end to the night, jamming with Allegra in the circle bar of Crowne Plaza Johannesburg … oh, it’s my bed calling!
Oscar moment …. thank you to everyone who made tonight possible and breathed life into #FollowSA … Big Love!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 18th, 2011
I’ve discovered that I have the best time when I suspend expectation and grab the moments to leave the world behind, which I certainly don’t do often enough.
In the span of about 20 minutes I have two special peeps, who I met along my Twitter journey, tell me that they have been concerned about me. Yep, I’ve been concerned about me too but for friends to be noticing it in my blog and taking me to lunch to check how I’m doing, well that caught my attention.
To be honest, the only thing I should be doing is the one I’m avoiding most of all … crying!
Believe it or not, only a small portion of those tears would be sad ones and rest would be filled with gratitude, happiness and being freakin’ proud of myself.
Surrounded by the most gorgeous ladies who have united into special force of friendship and encouragement, I did my best to forget about the world for long enough to be a Jozi chick in a crowd of Twits and get totally lost in a girlie movie.
First off … kudos to me because it was my first girlie event where I didn’t have Mr Unexpected on my arm. I felt so grown up and almost needed a kleenex moment when talking to my friend, Liza, about falling in love with my friend.
Movies always come along at the perfect time and I’m a strong believer that people have the potential to change by living the very things I share in ‘project me’. It might have been slow and it’s still happening, but I’ve changed and sometimes I don’t realise just how tough it is to make those changes and never cut myself slack when a box of Kleenex wouldn’t be enough to mop up the tears I want to cry.
Crazy stupid love was that perfectly timed movie! Okay, it was a whole lot of predictable Hollywood, but it was also a whole lot of real life too. Real life that I needed to see. Real life that had me clinging to my kleenex with each realisation that love is not textbook. Love is not simple. Love is not smooth-sailing. But most of all … love is not a waste of time!!
One hysterical scene from Crazy Stupid Love
I expected to cry my way through the movie and was convinced that my crazy Twitter friends would shed a tear or two with me, but the only thing those kleenex were used for was the drool with every scene that had us girls gasping at the gorgeousness of Ryan Gosling. Yes, he’s that hot and an incredible cast in conjunction with the ridiculously gorgeous smile, body, eyes … did I say body … of Ryan Gosling allowed me to do it. I totally escaped and took the breath I needed thanks to some awesome women in my life and brands like kleenex that embrace the power of social media and took us away from our men, our families, our work, our worlds … for a much needed moment!
A special thank you goes to some magical women in my life and a real kleenex moment when I think of all the love and support. To Sam Robinson from Sabio Communications, the ladies from Ofra Cosmetics and my Twitter-sisters Pixel Slave and Loud Liza. We all need someone to believe in us and I’m blessed to have so many of you … now pass me a kleenex!!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
