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Is that really you? How to spot a fake account on social media

Is that really you? How to spot a fake account on social media

Have you ever had an encounter with someone who pretended to be someone they weren’t? In real life, the fake moustache is a big giveaway(!), but online, on social media, it’s a lot harder to spot. A few weeks ago, some delightful individual decided that I would be a good person to pretend to be. The whole thing was more than a bit strange, but as you know, I like to use these weird experiences as learning points for anyone who needs them- myself included(!), so, let’s dive in to how to spot a fake account on social media, shall we?

This blog is taken from a podcast I recorded all about the experience, so make sure you head off and listen to the whole podcast for all the juicy details (and all the strange bits of the story!)

My impersonator (affectionately referred to as ‘fake me’) did a really good job. They took lots of elements from my account and bio, targeted people I knew, and bizarrely even promoted a course I run (I assume this was some kind of trust gaining exercise), but they let themselves down on a few points, which I chat about on the podcast.

From this, I have opted to pay for verification on my Instagram account. Should I have to? No, but my Instagram account is important to me. Did it aid the removal of the fake account? It vanished in under 12 hours. Should you? It’s a personal decision whether to opt for the subscription, but it did provide me with a positive outcome in this situation.

Dealing with impersonation on social media can be unsettling, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are some key takeaways:

1. **Be vigilant**: Pay attention to language, communication style, and subtle details that might indicate an account is not genuine.

2. **Check usernames**: Look for subtle variations, extra characters, underscores, or misspellings in usernames that impersonators might use.

3. **Avoid clicking on links**: Be cautious about clicking on links, especially if they are shared through direct messages. Verify the legitimacy of the links through other means, such as going to that person’s website and

4. **Screenshot and report**: If you encounter an impersonation account, take screenshots of the interactions and report the account to the platform. Provide evidence to support your report.

5. **Inform the person being impersonated**: If possible, reach out to the person being impersonated through other channels to let them know about the situation. Share any evidence you have.

6. **Consider verification**: Depending on your situation and preferences, you might explore verified subscriptions offered by social media platforms for added security and support.

Remember, maintaining awareness and staying proactive can help protect yourself and others from the impact of impersonation on social media. If you ever find yourself in such a situation, follow these steps to address it effectively.

Small & Supercharged Book

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Music, modelling, TV work and a new equestrian brand with Nermina Pieters-Mekic

Music, modelling, TV work and a new equestrian brand with Nermina Pieters-Mekic

In our latest podcast episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the multifaceted Nermina Pieters-Mekic, founder of the groundbreaking new brand, Equidae London. As we chatted about her diverse background, from singer and songwriter to TV star and model, Nermina shared the exciting journey that led to the creation of her equestrian fashion brand.

A Journey Through Chapters

Nermina’s life has unfolded in various chapters, each marked by different passions. From growing up in the Netherlands and studying law to pursuing modelling and music, she eventually found herself in the UK, where she became a cast member of the Real Housewives of Cheshire. However, her deep love for music and horses remained constant throughout these diverse experiences.

Inspiration for Equidae London

One of the significant inspirations behind Nermina’s venture is none other than Princess Anne. Nermina found herself drawn to a particular image of Princess Anne riding in a red jacket. This image sparked the idea for a signature piece in her collection, which is a jacket with embroidery on the back, combining a high end look with technical features.

Lockdown project

Equidae London grew as a concept during lockdown. Nermina wanted to bring something fresh and different to the equestrian market, something that blended fashion with function and comfort. She realised that she spent the vast majority of her life in equestrian clothing, so set about designing pieces that embraced current trends that were also sustainable and had ethical production at its heart.

Performance and Sustainability

A crucial aspect of Equidae London is its commitment to performance wear. Nermina collaborated with a factory in Portugal that is renowned for its performance fabrics. These fabrics undergo testing for rubbing, sweating, and have antibacterial properties. Not only did Nermina do the research, she also visited Portugal and handpicked the fabrics to tick all the boxes for each design. The Equidae base layer is a great example as it is made with a brushed fabric for warmth and sweat absorption-  every piece  in the collection is designed with the rider’s comfort and functionality in mind.

Building the Equidae London brand

The brand didn’t come to life overnight, and to ensure she was on the right track, Nermina did a lot of research, seeking advice from friends in the fashion industry and building a team of experts. The process involved trial and error, with Nermina actively testing prototypes, riding in them, and even washing them in various conditions to ensure durability.

Equidae London is not just about fashion; it’s a conscious choice. Nermina envisions her brand’s pieces not just looking good, but aligning with the sustainable and ethical values of her customers. She’s very aware that, with Equidae London, she has the ability to make a positive impact.

Challenges Along the Way

Embarking on the journey of building a brand is never without its challenges. Nermina shares the surprises and obstacles faced during the two and a half years of establishing the brand. From working closely with designers to navigating factory changes, each step in the process presented unique challenges. However, Nermina emphasises that the feedback from users makes it all worthwhile. The highs come from witnessing individuals appreciating the quality, colours, and intricate details of Equidae’s products.

What’s to come from Equidae London?

Moving into 2024 and beyond, Equidae London will be focusing on expanding the collection, collaborating with diverse athletes, and creating a team to propel the brand forward. Nermina wants to grow a brand that resonates with riders and non-riders alike

To find out more about Nermina and Equidae London, find them on Instagram, or through the Equidae London website.

 

 

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Unveiling the Power of Values- What are your values and why do they matter?

Unveiling the Power of Values- What are your values and why do they matter?

Ever wondered why values matter? Do you know what your values are? In this blog (and the podcast that was the inspiration behind it), we talk all about values. Let’s dive in.


The inspiration for this blog and podcast came from when I was doing my ILM Level 7 in coaching and mentoring. We did a lot of training around values and the importance of these, not just to us personally, but also from a coaching and mentoring point of view. Although I was fairly confident in identifying my clients’ values in a holistic way, through experimenting with values questionnaires, the results that were revealed really supported these assumptions, and what that meant in different situations.

However, it’s not just about recognising values, but articulating these too. A lot of values are ‘hard wired’ and seeds sown from a young age. Values are, usually, inherently deep within, but bringing them to the surface can provide clarity.

Value questionnaires

How can you do this? If you work with a coach or a mentor you can explore these, but you can also use value questionnaires and exercises to establish, understand, and prioritise values.  There’s a lot of value in working through such exercises for personal development. It can really help people to understand how they operate and why they make the choices they do. One way to do this is life values questionnaires, where individuals rate the importance of various values in their lives. This exercise helps in understanding personal priorities and making informed decisions.

Another level of values is beliefs, and often these are connected. Things like upbringing, family, and experiences shape can one’s belief system- and often we don’t know where these beliefs and the values that map to them started, but if we can uncover these beliefs and challenge as appropriate, it can have a big impact on our future career and even life.

Knowing and understanding one’s values can impact decision-making in various aspects of life, including career choices, relationships, and daily routines.

Neuroplasticity

But before you say that you’ve ‘always been like this’ and ‘can’t change’- I’ll stop you there. You can. The concept of neuroplasticity is an utter game changer for personal growth, allowing people to change and adapt over time. If you’re interested in this, I would definitely have a good look around at books on neuroplasticity- there are plenty out there.

And now it’s over to you. If you want to see how your values impact your world, reflect on your own values and consider how they might shape your decisions and actions.

Note: This recap provides a condensed summary of the podcast episode. For a more in-depth understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.

Small & Supercharged Book

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Starting Mount St John, rethinking breeding and more with Emma Blundell

Starting Mount St John, rethinking breeding and more with Emma Blundell

Mount St John Emma Blundell

I’ve followed Mount St John’s story forever, and it’s a real joy to be joined by founder Emma Blundell, the founder of Mount St John on the podcast.

Emma wasn’t from a horse family but, from a very young age, was crazy about all animals. At seven, she started riding which then progressed into competing in showing classes, and as they say the rest is history!

The art of breeding

Emma is a complete wealth on knowledge on everything to do with horse breeding and we talk about linear scoring in stallions and how she uses this as an analysis tool to support her breeding decisions and pairings between mares and stallions. That said, her depth of knowledge also plays a huge part in the choices she makes. It’s also possible to do linear scoring on mares, and although Emma has done this on some, she’s now been involved in breeding for so long that it’s almost hardwired. She talks about how she assesses strengths and weaknesses and what needs to be improved from the mare side, and then looks at the stallion’s traits to see if they complement the mare, and also the heritability factor. This is the chance of the stallion or mare passing on a trait to its offspring.

Where the idea for Mount St John began

Emma’s knowledge in this specific area started at university where she studied it and then, through her dissertation, saw the possibility to make this into a business. Emma had a mare she was trying to do embryo transfer with and then started to look at the possibility to really niche in on that, because there was no one in the market doing this. Breeding was traditionally connected to older people and also stallions rather than mares.

One of the interesting points that Emma zeroed in on what that with an embryo transfer system in place, the mares at Mount St John could continue their competitive careers without taking a year off for traditional breeding.

Making Mount St John commercial

Emma discussed the commercial aspect of her approach, highlighting the importance of efficiency in the breeding process. By starting the embryo transfer once the mares reach a productive age, she optimises the breeding cycle and maintains a steady flow of potential superstars. This not only streamlines the process but also contributes to the commercial success of Mount St John.

Navigating the Lows

Every business has its share of challenges, and Emma was open about the lows she has faced. From financial setbacks to the heart-wrenching loss of horses, she acknowledged the difficulties that come with the territory. One particular low was the traumatic experience of losing a mare and foal during a difficult birth. Emma stressed the importance of learning from such experiences and maintaining a positive outlook.

Strategies for Success

Emma shared her optimistic perspective on business, pointing out that setbacks are part of the learning curve, and as long as one learns from them and seeks improvement, success is attainable. Having a supportive team of experts, including vets and farriers, has been crucial for analysing challenges and implementing effective solutions.

But there have been many highs

As any equestrian fan will know, Mount St John has had some incredible highs from winning national titles to achieving impressive scores in debut Grand Prix performances, and Emma expressed the joy that comes with seeing homebred horses succeed. Emma stressed the importance of relishing these victories, especially during challenging times.

What would Emma advise for others looking to grow an equestrian business?

Emma shares plenty of valuable advice in the podcast, sharing the importance of gaining hands-on experience, learning from others, and seeking mentorship. Having a reliable team and being open to making necessary changes were also crucial aspects she highlighted.

Mount St John has changed the face of horse breeding and I can’t wait to watch the stud, and its horses, go from strength to strength.

To find out more about Mount St John, see the website here.

 

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