In January of 2022, I found myself driven by a profound desire to enrich the lives of my clients and patrons through my e-commerce lifestyle brand, NOTIQ.com. Observing that many brands often communicate with customers primarily through sales-driven messages, I reflected on how it would feel to have my inbox filled with nothing but buy-now invitations.
Inspired by this introspection, I took a leap of faith on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, and penned my first article, titled "The Simplicity Test," under the publication name Elegant Secrets. Little did I know the transformative journey that awaited me.
I committed to writing and publishing a new issue each Tuesday to inspire my audience of working professionals and entrepreneurs. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Clients formed small groups to discuss the topics, sharing personal stories of how the weekly articles resonated with them.
Many found that the insights I provided on elegant living and soft skills helped them scale their personal lives, careers, and businesses. One reader shared how my advice on confidence empowered her to secure a pivotal promotion—an experience that exemplifies the real impact of each post.
As I reached over 100 issues, more clients expressed a desire for a single hub to catch up on previous or missed articles. I attempted to secure the domain name ElegantSecrets.com, but my efforts proved unsuccessful. While I managed to obtain the alternative name, SchoolofElegance.com, I quickly discovered that several companies shared similar branding, which dimmed my hope for originality and trademark viability.
Despite feeling disheartened, I was driven by a deep conviction to create a home for my writing on what I truly care about: etiquette, soft skills, elegant living and meaningful work. A heartfelt discussion with a close friend about my vision provided the encouragement I needed to take my fresh perspective on these topics beyond the four walls of my brand. These topics and tools have opened doors for me and often serve as the missing link that propels individuals forward in ways they might not realize.
In 2025, after exploring various name options and engaging in prayerful reflection, I gained inspiration for the name, "etiquely." Pronounced "eh-teek-lee," this name creatively combines "etiquette" with the suffix "-ly." It holds personal significance for me, as my passion for etiquette and soft skills goes beyond mere interest. In addition to being the Founder and CEO of several ventures, my love for writing, speaking, and teaching on these topics is my secret profession. I am trained and certified in this field and have also founded a modern finishing school to share my knowledge and expertise.
I envision etiquely as the foremost authority and community on how to scale your career with modern etiquette and soft skills. My mission is to empower you to navigate the complexities of daily work with grace and confidence, identify opportunities others miss, and scale your income potential.
I invite you to be part of this journey! Subscribe to the newsletter for weekly insights, and feel free to share the topics you’d like to explore together.
The journey has just begun, and I am filled with hope for the impact that etiquely might create in the lives of others. Together, let’s redefine and elevate the conversation around etiquette and soft skills, exploring the elegant possibilities that lie ahead.
With gratitude and warmth,
LADY VJ