Our COCOBelle of the Month for April, Angelique Miles, is an entertainment industry entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast. Her ability to turn a negative (getting laid off) into a positive (starting her own business), and her dedication to eating well and staying physically fit are beautifully inspiring. Keep reading to find out what a day-in-the-life is like for Angelique, get her secret to glowing skin, and find out what’s in her Ultimate Beauty Arsenal.
What is a 'day in the life' like for an entertainment industry entrepreneur?
I meditate, go to the gym or a fitness class somewhere, come home, shower, then either make phone calls/emails from home, or I’m back out to do meetings. Depending whatever project I’m working on, I may have to adjust the time I work out.
What directed your decision to leave the executive career path with other companies to found your own company, The Miles Method?
Technically I didn’t leave--I was laid off. It was around the time the music business was reeling from the advent of the iPod, and the jobs that used to be plentiful just weren’t there anymore. I basically had to start my own company out of necessity. Working independently has its ups and downs, but the good thing about it is I get the opportunity to do things I would not be able to do if I worked for someone else.
Growing up, did you know that you wanted to one day be in the music/entertainment business? If so, what steps did you take to help you achieve that goal?
I loved music growing up. I had two uncles that both had incredible record collections. By the time I was 9 I knew most of the lyrics to every Earth, Wind & Fire, Maze, Funkadelic, the Commodores, etc song and who wrote them. I used to love to read the liner notes. In spite of my love of music, it never occurred to me to want to be in the music industry. I actually wanted to be an archaeologist. My father worked at The Museum of Natural History for many years, so that’s the world I grew up in. I didn’t pursue a career in the music industry until a year or so after I returned home from school (Hampton University). A schoolmate worked at RCA Records at the time, so that peaked my interest, mainly because she had off for the holidays, lol. Even though I had interviewed for a few positions in the business prior to that, I got my first job in the business through temping. I was sent to work as an A&R assistant at Capitol Records and never left. That’s how things were back then. That was in 1990. I worked as an A&R assistant for several years at various labels: Capitol, Bust It Records (Hammer’s label at the time), and Epic Records. From there, I got my first executive job as Manager, Creative Services, East Coast for Warner/Chappell Music Publishing. I eventually rose to Vice President during my tenure there.
Even with healthy foods, you still have to control your portions. You can’t out exercise a bad diet.
Fitness plays a huge role in your lifestyle. Tell us about your fitness philosophy.
My fitness philosophy is to do whatever you like. I don’t like dancing, so I don’t typically do those kinds of workouts. Having said that, whatever you choose to do should be challenging enough to get results, but you should do something.
What does your daily workout routine look like?
My daily workout routine typically includes 45 minutes to an hour of cardio, then an hour of weights/strength training if I’m in the gym. I try to mix up my cardio--cycling, stairs, running. I never do just one thing. Several times a week I like to take classes--I’m a huge fan of boutique fitness, so I travel all over the city to take classes at studios such as Mile High Run Club, Flywheel, Exhale, Tone House, Peloton Cycle, Bikram Yoga, etc.
How do your eating habits contribute to your fitness goals?
My eating habits play a huge role with my fitness goals, particularly as I’ve gotten older. There was a time I could work out and still eat whatever I wanted, but the two go hand in hand now that I’m in my late 40s. I typically have 5 meals a day, and 2 of those meals are usually protein shakes. I limit my carbs (but they are still necessary, especially with the way I train), I don’t eat dairy, and I usually only drink water, no juice. I try to keep my daily intake at around 1600 calories a day. Having said that, I also treat myself whenever I feel like it (usually on weekends), but I’m careful to not over do it. Even with healthy foods, you still have to control your portions. You can’t out exercise a bad diet.
Which foods do you use to contribute to your external beauty?
The number one thing that contributes to external beauty is water. I try to drink a gallon a day. It doesn’t always work out that way, especially when I’m running around, but water is pretty much mostly what I drink anyway. I also include good fats in my diet like salmon, avocados, and almonds and I cook with olive or coconut oil, which are great for the skin. I also make sure I get a good amount of protein per day for muscle development.
What does your every day beauty routine look like?
I cleanse and moisturize my face and neck first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. During the cold winter months and as my skin matures, it can get a little dry, so I’m always moisturizing. I only wear makeup if going someplace other than the gym. I may throw on a little lip color if I’m going to take a class downtown, if I think about it. I find that if my skin is in really healthy, I don’t need much.
Listen to your gut, do what you love, and don’t let anyone tell you different.
What 3 products are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal--those Holy Grail items you can't live without?
Well it’s twofold. I have a beauty arsenal for my hair, and I have a beauty arsenal for my skin. I wear my hair really short, and because of the way I train, it gets wet every day. I usually just rinse or condition wash it, so for my hair arsenal it’s a deep conditioner, hair oil (coconut oil or Moroccan Oil) and a mousse for hold like Nairobi or Jane Carter.
For my skin I absolutely have to have a good cleanser, moisturizer, and an eye cream. I like 302 Cleanser and the Recovery Plus, and Bobbi Brown eye cream (the heavier one). When I run out of moisturizer, as I often do, I use coconut oil or Argan oil. Sometimes I use coconut oil as a makeup remover as well.
Angelique’s dedication to fitness inspired us so much that we just had to ask her to share her knowledge with our readers! Welcome Angelique as the newest contributor to COCOTIQUE, and read her first article, “How Not To Give Up On Your New Year’s Resolutions Mid-Year” in our Health & Fitness section.
What is a 'day in the life' like for an entertainment industry entrepreneur?
I meditate, go to the gym or a fitness class somewhere, come home, shower, then either make phone calls/emails from home, or I’m back out to do meetings. Depending whatever project I’m working on, I may have to adjust the time I work out.
What directed your decision to leave the executive career path with other companies to found your own company, The Miles Method?
Technically I didn’t leave--I was laid off. It was around the time the music business was reeling from the advent of the iPod, and the jobs that used to be plentiful just weren’t there anymore. I basically had to start my own company out of necessity. Working independently has its ups and downs, but the good thing about it is I get the opportunity to do things I would not be able to do if I worked for someone else.
Growing up, did you know that you wanted to one day be in the music/entertainment business? If so, what steps did you take to help you achieve that goal?
I loved music growing up. I had two uncles that both had incredible record collections. By the time I was 9 I knew most of the lyrics to every Earth, Wind & Fire, Maze, Funkadelic, the Commodores, etc song and who wrote them. I used to love to read the liner notes. In spite of my love of music, it never occurred to me to want to be in the music industry. I actually wanted to be an archaeologist. My father worked at The Museum of Natural History for many years, so that’s the world I grew up in. I didn’t pursue a career in the music industry until a year or so after I returned home from school (Hampton University). A schoolmate worked at RCA Records at the time, so that peaked my interest, mainly because she had off for the holidays, lol. Even though I had interviewed for a few positions in the business prior to that, I got my first job in the business through temping. I was sent to work as an A&R assistant at Capitol Records and never left. That’s how things were back then. That was in 1990. I worked as an A&R assistant for several years at various labels: Capitol, Bust It Records (Hammer’s label at the time), and Epic Records. From there, I got my first executive job as Manager, Creative Services, East Coast for Warner/Chappell Music Publishing. I eventually rose to Vice President during my tenure there.
Even with healthy foods, you still have to control your portions. You can’t out exercise a bad diet.Fitness plays a huge role in your lifestyle. Tell us about your fitness philosophy.
My fitness philosophy is to do whatever you like. I don’t like dancing, so I don’t typically do those kinds of workouts. Having said that, whatever you choose to do should be challenging enough to get results, but you should do something.
What does your daily workout routine look like?
My daily workout routine typically includes 45 minutes to an hour of cardio, then an hour of weights/strength training if I’m in the gym. I try to mix up my cardio--cycling, stairs, running. I never do just one thing. Several times a week I like to take classes--I’m a huge fan of boutique fitness, so I travel all over the city to take classes at studios such as Mile High Run Club, Flywheel, Exhale, Tone House, Peloton Cycle, Bikram Yoga, etc.
How do your eating habits contribute to your fitness goals?
My eating habits play a huge role with my fitness goals, particularly as I’ve gotten older. There was a time I could work out and still eat whatever I wanted, but the two go hand in hand now that I’m in my late 40s. I typically have 5 meals a day, and 2 of those meals are usually protein shakes. I limit my carbs (but they are still necessary, especially with the way I train), I don’t eat dairy, and I usually only drink water, no juice. I try to keep my daily intake at around 1600 calories a day. Having said that, I also treat myself whenever I feel like it (usually on weekends), but I’m careful to not over do it. Even with healthy foods, you still have to control your portions. You can’t out exercise a bad diet.
Which foods do you use to contribute to your external beauty?
The number one thing that contributes to external beauty is water. I try to drink a gallon a day. It doesn’t always work out that way, especially when I’m running around, but water is pretty much mostly what I drink anyway. I also include good fats in my diet like salmon, avocados, and almonds and I cook with olive or coconut oil, which are great for the skin. I also make sure I get a good amount of protein per day for muscle development.
What does your every day beauty routine look like?
I cleanse and moisturize my face and neck first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. During the cold winter months and as my skin matures, it can get a little dry, so I’m always moisturizing. I only wear makeup if going someplace other than the gym. I may throw on a little lip color if I’m going to take a class downtown, if I think about it. I find that if my skin is in really healthy, I don’t need much.
Listen to your gut, do what you love, and don’t let anyone tell you different.What 3 products are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal--those Holy Grail items you can't live without?
Well it’s twofold. I have a beauty arsenal for my hair, and I have a beauty arsenal for my skin. I wear my hair really short, and because of the way I train, it gets wet every day. I usually just rinse or condition wash it, so for my hair arsenal it’s a deep conditioner, hair oil (coconut oil or Moroccan Oil) and a mousse for hold like Nairobi or Jane Carter.
For my skin I absolutely have to have a good cleanser, moisturizer, and an eye cream. I like 302 Cleanser and the Recovery Plus, and Bobbi Brown eye cream (the heavier one). When I run out of moisturizer, as I often do, I use coconut oil or Argan oil. Sometimes I use coconut oil as a makeup remover as well.
Angelique’s dedication to fitness inspired us so much that we just had to ask her to share her knowledge with our readers! Welcome Angelique as the newest contributor to COCOTIQUE, and read her first article, “How Not To Give Up On Your New Year’s Resolutions Mid-Year” in our Health & Fitness section.