Thrilling entertainment and spectacular crowds; expect nothing less from Tiwa Aganga Williams’ social events. From college students to A-list celebrities, thousands are drawn to his grand parties. Williams, better known as Tiwaworks, is an enterprising socialite who has put his money where his mouth is.
For years, his company, also called Tiwaworks, has created memorable experiences but nothing could have prepared him for his worst day in business.
It was all set. Another spectacular evening of entertainment was set for Atlanta, United States (US), not far from where his career was launched in college. A call from American rapper Jay Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records to have Tiwaworks host a party with one of their artists was supposed to launch his budding brand into the stratosphere. At the age of 22, Tiwaworks, who is of Nigerian descent, set the wheels in motion. It was going to be a huge party, drawing a mammoth crowd from all over Atlanta, and no expense was spared.
But things didn’t turn out as planned.
“Unfortunately, we took a big financial hit that night as everything that could go wrong did. The event was a complete flop. I was sick to my stomach and remember sitting across the street from the venue with my head down. I had raised $10,000 with a promise to repay with interest, and I had to face the music with my investors. My mother came over and advised that the financial loss is a class I paid for as I would never repeat the errors again,” says Tiwaworks.
However unwelcome, the setback reinforced Tiwaworks’ drive. It would be a mere stumbling block in his journey – a journey he had only just begun.
The genesis of his business occurred while he was the Special Events Coordinator at his college fraternity.
“When I took this role upon myself, we pretty much changed the face of marketing and entertainment for the city of Atlanta. We were doing very innovative productions, our flyers looked more creative and appealing than others, we had approached local media companies to enquire about advertising rates. We were able to distribute our product to a population of about 1.2 million people in the area instantly – something no one else was doing. We positioned ourselves strategically. This is how I opened myself to the world of entertainment and events marketing.”
Although successful now, there were lessons that Tiwaworks had to learn.
“I learned to study my market thoroughly and not take chances. Audiences will only gravitate towards what interests them. I also learned to be aware of what competitors were doing and be well prepared,” he says.
Born in England, to Nigerian parents, Tiwaworks’ roots haven’t left him. His interest in programming, while in the US, was influenced by a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps, who owned a computer networking company in Nigeria.
“About a year and a half into graduation, I realized I wasn’t really interested in programming. I didn’t want to pursue it anymore but I was also not prepared to quit on my major and start something else all over again. I decided to go ahead and finish my course.”
With great hurdles to overcome, Tiwaworks revised his strategies for doing events. Atlanta was laden with new attractions. He hosted parties with some big names in American show business: Bobby Valentino; Brandy and Jagged Edge. Sponsorship and alignment was putty in his hands as brands clamored to be a part of his parties. Tiwaworks was expanded to more cities and soon his parties were the hottest ticket.
With the impressive growth of the brand, it soon appealed to different clients.
“Our events were very casual. A lot of Nigerians soon started coming up to me enquiring if I am a countryman. In no time, we started to receive a lot of support from the Nigerian community. Soon, a friend of mine suggested that we take a chance at going back home as the entertainment scene there is really opening up.”z
In 2004, for the first time since he was 13, he returned home. With some feasibility studies and more groundwork, Tiwaworks hosted its first Nigerian event in 2008 and recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of its most upscale event – All Black Everything – an elite annual event for young professionals and celebrities to network in Nigeria.
For Tiwaworks, the secret to success is simple.
“We made our parties very personable. I establish a one-on-one relationship with everyone that comes. I built my events handshake by handshake, brick by brick. That is more powerful than any radio or television advertising spot we could ever buy. We are looking to tour about 11 cities in the US this year.”
Tiwaworks now hosts the largest weekend which draws about 25,000 people annually to the city of Atlanta boasting average revenues of about $ 600,000 on its large weekend events.
“We have used it as a marketing tool establishing relationships with many companies. With our events, you are able to place your product directly in front of the market. Companies that look for non- traditional ways to enter the market approach us. We understand consumerism.”
He also sees creativity and foresight as a crucial element of entrepreneurship.
“You have to be a visionary. You have to visualize each and every aspect of the event and how it all comes together to provide a unique experience. Putting an event together equates to looking at a blank canvas and beginning to piece it together. I am a very visual person and always looking to heighten the experience. Then comes paperwork – budgeting, costs and estimates. Sponsors always seek visibility and return on investment.”
The Atlanta Greek Picnic Weekend is another attraction built under the Tiwaworks stable. This event draws a wide variety of all the black fraternities and sororities that make up the prestigious Divine Nine.
Tiwaworks’ entrepreneurial flair is not limited to hosting social events. He has a passion for real estate and technology.
“Ultimately, I am a businessman at heart. I love doing business. One thing I have learned in business is to diversify and have multiple streams of income. We now have real estate educational seminars and speaking engagements.”
With expansion plans for Dubai, South Africa, Britain and Nigeria, Tiwaworks’ toughest period in business was a precious lesson.

‘I Was Sick To My Stomach’

Something as simple as a blanket most of us take for-granted can be a life-saver for the needy on a cold winter’s night.
South African social entrepreneur Carolyn Steyn, the founder of ‘67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day’ (celebrated on July 18, the late South African president’s birthday) in 2014, is now on her way to creating a record 21,000 handmade blankets to honor Madiba and the country’s 21 years of democracy.
“Madiba once said ‘it’s now in your hands’. And with our ‘KnitWits for Madiba’, it literally is, with each and every stitch we make. Blankets can be knitted, crocheted or sewn. It takes time to make a blanket and I believe that by doing so, it shows heart and caring. The recipient will hopefully realize that someone out there took the time and effort,” says Steyn.
The initiative came into being when Zelda la Grange, Mandela’s former private secretary, dared Steyn to make 67 blankets last year. Steyn gladly accepted the challenge and asked South Africans to lend a helping hand. Within a few months, she could not believe the number of people from around the world who joined in.
“When we began our distribution of blankets in the name of Madiba last year, I was completely taken aback by the thousands of people who simply do not have blankets…When you go to townships and poverty-stricken areas, into the old age homes, hospitals and orphanages and see the problem, your heart breaks,” says Steyn.
South African network provider Cell C has joined hands for the challenge, also teaching people to knit. A slew of celebrities, top CEOs, community leaders and politicians have taken on the challenge.
“Knitting, crocheting and sewing are skills one can use in life. And careers can be forged with these skills. This initiative is also about social cohesion,” offers Steyn.
In her personal capacity, Steyn has donated R210,000 ($17,500) to the school that produces the most blankets.
“If each one of us does something to make a difference, the world would be a better place. Naturally there is hunger all around and there are some incredible organizations who make it their sole mission to feed the hungry. ‘67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela Day’ has changed my life entirely and has become a full-time job for me and for many other people as well. We do not accept money at all. We trade in wool, ‘goodwool’,” says Steyn.
The movement will culminate on April 21 at the Union Building in South Africa’s capital Pretoria where the colourful woolies will be spread across the lawns before being distributed to charity organizations.

Nicole-Lamberts-Miss-SA-Top-12-Contestant-for-67-Blankets

Each and Every Stitch for Mandela

Johannesburg media personality Bonang Matheba is determined to showcase Africa as “the next big phenomenon”.
“My success is not about myself but about making our continent a hub of global cultural integration, in business and popular culture,” says Matheba.
It helps that Matheba is well-known. She has over a million followers on social media.
“We live in an era of social media, and that is where I have been able to influence the market effectively, as Twitter and Instagram have become a global mouth piece and radio is definitely my second-most influential media platform – it has allowed me to reach a broader audience.”
Where did it all begin for her? She first appeared on South African television at the age of 15, but it was popular music show Live that gave her stardom.
“There are many memories I treasure deeply on Live, this show was one of the platforms that propelled my career to where it is today.”
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-29866 alignleft" src="http://www.forbesafrica.com/app/uploads/2017/05/Bonang-Forbes-2-204x300.jpg" alt="" width="204" height="300" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bonang-Forbes-2-204x300.jpg 204w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bonang-Forbes-2-300x442.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bonang-Forbes-2-600x884.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bonang-Forbes-2-768x1132.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bonang-Forbes-2-695x1024.jpg 695w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bonang-Forbes-2.jpg 694w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px" />
She is now presenter on South Africa’s premiere lifestyle and magazine show Top Billing. In July 2013, she won the YOU Spectacular Award as the Best TV Presenter in South Africa. Her success in television has gotten her big brand endorsements, such as with cosmetic group Revlon, and this has allowed her to break boundaries in many ways.
Since the 1980’s, Revlon has sought to associate itself with the ‘Unforgettable Woman’.
Halle Berry and Emma Stone are currently brand ambassadors for the make-up brand, making Matheba the company’s only ambassador outside of the United States.
Fashion being a big part of her personality, she has often been hailed a style icon, having graced the covers of various glamor magazines, and receiving her fair share of awards.
Her fashion philosophy?
“Glamor is a state of mind, it not just about looking great and having a good income. It boils down to how you feel about yourself, what you do with your time and the company you keep.”
Currently she has a lingerie line –Distraction, available at Woolworths SA, and is producing two new shows under Bonang Matheba Entertainment this year. “Let’s activate greatness!” she says.

Bonang-Forbes-2

Bonang Unplugged

Afua Osei and Yasmin Belo-Osagie were lucky they shared the same vision when over a year ago they launched She Leads Africa, a social enterprise supporting female entrepreneurs on the continent.
They had both previously worked for women’s causes, though in different capacities. Osei, a Ghanaian, had worked with women keen on running for Congress in the United States (US), while Belo-Osagie, whose parents hail from Nigeria and Ghana, had led the women’s mentorship initiative during her tenure at management consulting firm McKinsey in Lagos.
After a year of toying with the idea, they put in motion a She Leads Africa pitch competition in Lagos, inviting over 200 sound entrepreneurial ideas from African women and assessing them to provide crucial support and financing.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-29837 alignleft" src="http://www.forbesafrica.com/app/uploads/2017/05/Yasmin-Color-Headshot-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Yasmin-Color-Headshot-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Yasmin-Color-Headshot-300x450.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Yasmin-Color-Headshot-600x900.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Yasmin-Color-Headshot-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Yasmin-Color-Headshot.jpg 682w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />
“Getting involved in the technology and start-up ecosystem in Accra and Lagos showed me that the need for advice and resources [among] young women wasn’t exclusive to the corporate track. Young women looking to build companies were faced with an environment that was neither friendly nor encouraging. When I connected with Yasmin, we knew this was the right time to pursue She Leads Africa,” admits Osei.
“I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur. However, each time I asked myself, ‘Who are the women I can look up to in this quest?’ I realized there were just not that many of them,” echoes Belo-Osagie.
The first hurdle they encountered was that the women they met had great business ideas but no business education to know how to execute them, especially when it came to sourcing funding.
Other areas of concern for the founders continue to be stereotyping and networking issues. They saw that in Africa, small and medium enterprises are headed by female entrepreneurs who believe they can only go so far.
“We want people to understand that greater female participation in the economy is a good thing and it’s not just a moral argument. It’s a developmental and economic one,” says Belo-Osagie.
In their own lives, the cofounders have donned many professional hats. But all roads finally led them to Lagos.
Belo-Osagie had varying interests (law, finance, journalism) and explored them at college. She graduated cum laude in history from Princeton University in the US.
“I also had interests in non-academic work and soon made my way to Le Cordon Bleu [famous culinary school] in London and Paris, and then went off to work in Hong Kong at the Mandarin Oriental,” she says.
After that, she joined McKinsey as a business analyst in Lagos, leaving it eventually to focus on She Leads Africa.
“I am not driven by money,” says Belo-Osagie. “I am driven by the opportunity to solve interesting problems related to Africa. I would also like to get into public policy one day.”
Osei on the other hand graduated cum laude from Allegheny College in the US, and served as a political consultant providing strategy and communications expertise to political campaigns across the US.
Mid-way through the political campaigning, she also served as a Fulbright Scholar in Malaysia and worked for the US’ First Lady Michelle Obama in her research and communications teams.
She took time off to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy and Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Chicago and thereafter moved to Lagos to work for a management consulting firm.
“I am passionate about business and social innovation, its ability to empower and unite people to create value for a bigger vision,” says Osei.
They focused the pitch competition on four key groups: young entrepreneurs, investors, impact-driven foundations and high net-worth individuals, offering 10 finalists a platform to grow their existing networks and gain industry-specific knowledge.
Cherae Robinson, CEO of Rare Customs &amp; Tastemakers Africa, who emerged competition-winner with $10,000 in support of her business, says She Leads Africa closes a critical gap for Africa-focused female entrepreneurs.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-29838 alignleft" src="http://www.forbesafrica.com/app/uploads/2017/05/Afua-BW-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Afua-BW-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Afua-BW-300x450.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Afua-BW-600x900.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Afua-BW-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Afua-BW.jpg 682w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />
“The mentorship, the confidence, funding and continued support I have received after the competition has contributed to my fearlessness in building a multimillion dollar business,” says Robinson.
Taffi Woolward, CEO&amp; Co-founder of Thando’s, also a finalist, says through She Leads Africa, she was invited to present her company at the Diaspora Demo Day held at the World Bank in Washington DC.
She Leads Africa has aggressive pan-African plans and for the young founders fronting it, there is no better time for it than now.

‘Who Are The Women To look Up To?’

For all the time executives spend concerned about physical strength and health, when it comes down to it, mental strength can mean even more. Particularly for entrepreneurs, numerous articles talk about critical characteristics of mental strength – tenacity, “grit,” optimism, and an unfailing ability as Forbes contributor David Williams says, to “fail up”.
However, we can also define mental strength by identifying the things mentally strong individuals don’t do. I was impressed by this list compiled by Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, that she shared in LifeHack. It impressed me enough I’d also like to share her list here along with my thoughts on how each of these items is particularly applicable to entrepreneurs.
<ol>
<li>
<h5>Waste time feeling sorry for themselves.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
You don’t see mentally strong people feeling sorry for their circumstances or dwelling on the way they’ve been mistreated. They have learned to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and they have an inherent understanding of the fact that frequently life is not fair. They are able to emerge from trying circumstances with self-awareness and gratitude for the lessons learned. When a situation turns out badly, they respond with phrases such as “Oh, well.” Or perhaps simply, “Next!”
<ol start="2">
<li>
<h5>Give away their power.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
Mentally strong people avoid giving others the power to make them feel inferior or bad. They understand they are in control of their actions and emotions. They know their strength is in their ability to manage the way they respond.
<ol start="3">
<li>
<h5>Shy away from change.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
Mentally strong people embrace change and they welcome challenge. Their biggest “fear”, if they have one, is not of the unknown, but of becoming complacent and stagnant. An environment of change and even uncertainty can energize a mentally strong person and bring out their best.
<ol start="4">
<li>
<h5>Waste energy on things they can’t control.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
Mentally strong people don’t complain (much) about bad traffic, lost luggage, or especially about other people, as they recognize that all of these factors are generally beyond their control. In a bad situation, they recognize that the one thing they can always control is their own response and attitude, and they use these attributes well.
<ol start="5">
<li>
<h5>Worry about pleasing others.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
Know any people pleasers? Or, conversely, people who go out of their way to dis-please others as a way of reinforcing an image of strength? Neither position is a good one. A mentally strong person strives to be kind and fair and to please others where appropriate, but is unafraid to speak up. They are able to withstand the possibility that someone will get upset and will navigate the situation, wherever possible, with grace.
<ol start="6">
<li>
<h5>Fear taking calculated risks.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated risks. This is a different thing entirely than jumping headlong into foolish risks. But with mental strength, an individual can weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and will fully assess the potential downsides and even the worst-case scenarios before they take action.
<ol start="7">
<li>
<h5>Dwell on the past.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
There is strength in acknowledging the past and especially in acknowledging the things learned from past experiences – but a mentally strong person is able to avoid miring their mental energy in past disappointments or in fantasies of the “glory days” gone by. They invest the majority of their energy in creating an optimal present and future.
<ol start="8">
<li>
<h5>Make the same mistakes over and over.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
We all know the definition of insanity, right? It’s when we take the same actions again and again while hoping for a different and better outcome than we’ve gotten before. A mentally strong person accepts full responsibility for past behavior and is willing to learn from mistakes. Research shows that the ability to be self-reflective in an accurate and productive way is one of the greatest strengths of spectacularly successful executives and entrepreneurs.
<ol start="9">
<li>
<h5>Resent other people’s success.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
It takes strength of character to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people’s success. Mentally strong people have this ability. They don’t become jealous or resentful when others succeed (although they may take close notes on what the individual did well). They are willing to work hard for their own chances at success, without relying on shortcuts.
&nbsp;
<ol start="10">
<li>
<h5>Give up after failure.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
Every failure is a chance to improve. Even the greatest entrepreneurs are willing to admit that their early efforts invariably brought many failures. Mentally strong people are willing to fail again and again, if necessary, as long as the learning experience from every “failure” can bring them closer to their ultimate goals.
<ol start="11">
<li>
<h5>Fear alone time.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
Mentally strong people enjoy and even treasure the time they spend alone. They use their downtime to reflect, to plan, and to be productive. Most importantly, they don’t depend on others to shore up their happiness and moods. They can be happy with others, and they can also be happy alone.
<ol start="12">
<li>
<h5>Feel the world owes them anything.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
Particularly in the current economy, executives and employees at every level are gaining the realization that the world does not owe them a salary, a benefits package and a comfortable life, regardless of their preparation and schooling. Mentally strong people enter the world prepared to work and succeed on their merits, at every stage of the game.
<ol start="13">
<li>
<h5>Expect immediate results.</h5>
</li>
</ol>
Whether it’s a workout plan, a nutritional regimen, or starting a business, mentally strong people are “in it for the long haul”. They know better than to expect immediate results. They apply their energy and time in measured doses and they celebrate each milestone and increment of success on the way. They have “staying power”. And they understand that genuine changes take time. Do you have mental strength? Are there elements on this list you need more of? With thanks to Amy Morin, I would like to reinforce my own abilities further in each of these areas today. How about you?

Mentally Strong People : The 13 Things They Avoid

Social entrepreneurship is becoming de rigueur as an alternative to the corporate career ladder for young people looking for work that is both intellectually stimulating and meaningful.
Three young women I know play in this space. Phillipa Wheaton (30), an Australian, is the CEO of enke: Make Your Mark. Based in South Africa, the organization supports teenagers who are proactive about addressing social problems.
Karissa Samuels (29) is the South African founder and CEO of the Ntshulisa Foundation, which aims to empower the nation, starting with children, by promoting civic participation and community involvement.
UK-raised Ruth Orbach (24) works for non-governmental organization (NGO) the African Leadership Academy as a monitoring, evaluation and learning manager – a space that is becoming increasingly important.
While all three are tired of the NGO label, preferring instead social enterprise, they are equally wary of self-titled ‘social entrepreneurs’. Samuels, who has been in the field for the past 10 years, explains: “Many people who began in the space with me have left because… of them not having a real interest in having a real social impact, but rather (using the sector) as a vehicle for their personal advancement.”
There may be goodwill, but “there simply isn’t enough interrogation of the needs”, says Orbach, who helps develop tracking systems to monitor the long-term impact of an investment on an organization.
Traditionally, the link between the success of a social enterprise and its impact on a community was presumed to be strong, but increasingly there is a need to re-examine this view. “People need to move beyond ‘something is better than nothing’,” urges Wheaton.
This desire to do more and to do better has seen many non-profits applying commercial strategies to maximize social benefits. And in fact there is significant potential for crossover of best practices in the profit and non-profit sectors.
All three young women agree we need to move away from the binary logic of the capitalist firm versus the NGO with a begging bowl. Instead, they see NGOs, social enterprises and for-profit companies as increasing points along a continuum.
Ideally, it is about businesses taking on a social element and non-profits incorporating business principles into their work. While in the long run, social enterprises could conceivably take over a large proportion of NGOs’ functions, there are limits. It becomes tricky for organizations such as orphanages, for which there is no market, in the traditional sense.
Judging from the conversation between the three, it is clear this sector is going through a number of exciting changes.
A TED Talk by activist Dan Pallotta called The way we think about charity is dead wrong has been shaking up the dominant narrative of the non-profit sector. Pallotta’s core argument is that we should not judge the effectiveness of NGOs based on overheads (salaries, rent or marketing). He claims that the non-profit sector is starved of the capital needed to adequately fuel growth and innovation, in order to fully address social problems.
Sustainability is another term that keeps cropping up in the NGO field, particularly the incidence of sustainability. The distinction between a purely capitalist business and a social enterprise is that one aims to sustain its operations indefinitely, while the other looks to sustain the impact of its operations indefinitely.
Wheaton, Samuels and Orbach agree that if they are to achieve the kind of impact they aspire to, they would ultimately put themselves out of work.
At the same time, the mantra, ‘Africa for Africa, by Africa’, is gaining momentum, resulting in Westerners and foreign do-gooders being met with skepticism.
It reminds me of when Nigerian author Teju Cole ruffled feathers with his controversial reaction to Kony 2012, the viral video calling for the arrest of war criminal Joseph Kony. Using the hashtag, ‘The White-Savior Industrial Complex’, Cole tweeted: “If we are going to interfere in the lives of others, a little due diligence is a minimum requirement.” He went on: “The White Savior supports brutal policies in the morning, founds charities in the afternoon, and receives awards in the evening.”
However, it is important that we Africanists are careful not to alienate those with experience and expertise. At this stage of the game, our collective intelligence and financial muscle may not be enough to eliminate the social problems that lie ahead.
We will need all the help we can get from those willing to roll up their sleeves and work themselves out of the system.

Social entrepreneurship, anyone

How would Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet have met during the internet era? Would it have been in person, as their eyes met across the dance floor at the Capulet Ball, after he confirmed her location via a foursquare update? Or would he have sent a virtual wink to her BBM, the pin of which he coaxed from a mutual Facebook friend?
In 16th-century Verona, the star-crossed lovers were blamed for being reckless; in the 21st century, their only danger would be the accusation of being anti-social in public, as their thumbs did the talking. Countless hours would be spent sending each other their most flattering, photoshopped images, taken on the beach or a Friday night. These would be complemented with blushing and pouting emoticons and beating hearts.
Juliet’s Facebook status updates would reflect an acute case of infatuation. She would post a YouTube video of Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ on her wall. Her friends would comment: “So, who’s the lucky guy? &lt;3” Her nurse—these days, her life coach—would share a photograph, using instagram, of a sports brand billboard encouraging her to: “Just do it!”
Romeo’s workout video to LMFAO’s ‘Sexy And I Know It’ would be posted on YouTube, in an attempt to impress his new love. It would go viral within a few days. He would have to be fit for the secret balcony rendezvous: he would have to jump her wall and give the security guards the slip.
Meanwhile, lying on her bed, Juliet would use her notebook to dote on her lover’s talents in his flickr albums. While browsing through his professional expertise on LinkedIn, she would receive a BBM text saying, ‘Meet me on your balcony in 10.’ He would be heartbroken about being unable to tag himself “—with Juliet ‘Jules’ Capulet” in his Facebook status. To keep it secret, Romeo would open another Facebook account, with a red Ferrari as his profile picture, under the alias, Italian Stallion. He would use this new profile to stalk her wall and compare himself to photographs of her previous boyfriends.
Tybalt, Juliet’s protective cousin, infuriated with Romeo for sneaking into the Capulet Ball, would challenge him to a duel through Google chat. Romeo would decline, and Mercutio—his right-hand man—would accept the challenge on behalf of the Montagues. It would end in Mercutio’s death. In his final moments, while clutching at his chest, Mercutio would tweet @RoMeo, @JCapulet13 ‘A plague upon both your houses #caughtinthecrossfire.’ He might be re-tweeted by someone caught in the I’m-doing-this-because-everyone-else-is-doing-it sharing trend. Romeo would avenge Mercutio’s death by killing Tybalt. #TybaltRIP. Please retweet!
Lord Capulet would discover the love affair through the iCloud application, which would indicate that Juliet was at the Montague estate. Upon her return, a row would ensue. In a tantrum she would leave to meet Friar Laurence, the spiritual healer slash yoga instructor. He would Google search the name of the best sedative to help her feign death in an attempt to escape a proposed marriage with Paris. He would shun the messenger—who in the original story fails to deliver the message, resulting in Romeo’s suicide—in favor of multiple social media alternatives, in case Romeo’s cellphone were to go through to voicemail.
The friar would spare Paris’ life. While mourning at the Capulet burial crypt, the friar would divert Paris’ attention from Romeo’s presence with his new tablet. “What can’t you do with it?” Paris would ask, as Romeo slipped past to prevent confrontation. While Shakespeare would still be credited for penning the world’s greatest love story ever told, with the help of social media the story would end differently. The lovers’ tragic double suicide would be avoided, hence Shakespeare would have saved the lives of three young people. It would no longer be “a story of more woe” as the happy couple would elope after booking a room in Las Vegas via booking.com. They would, however, have to remember not to ‘Facebook check in’ their location.

Tag: Social