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Sonja Morgan

Business With Pleasure

Sonja discusses Heather's team and why she needed "the Ramona monster."

Aug 7, 2012

I do prefer to work as a team, so I don't mind brainstorming and I was going to roll with this. But I definitely needed a Ramona monster at my side to get their attention! She has known me a long time. At the same time I am going to be open to what Heather has to say because she is an expert with tons of experience. I just wanted to shoot without the guy in case my buyer didn't go for it. Better safe then sorry. I always get a ton of pictures out of a day long shoot. So why not try different campaigns?

Among friends drinking fine wine one should be allowed to slip a bit. This technical business over aboriginals, Indians, and Natives is dizzying. I think Lu felt provoked and did the gesture over her mouth. I didn't realize we were being judged by friends. I agree with Lu, since she's of the descent she can say whatever she wants. Especially with friends. What do I know?

I know Ramona may be over the top this season but she has never looked better or happier. What a waste of Château Margaux at the world famous Le Cirque with legendary Cirio Maccioni. My dear friend.

Next:
What a Trip
What a Trip Sonja shares her true thoughts on George, Miami, and traveling companions. August 7, 2012 The Real Housewives of New York City Season 5 / Episode 9 / Sonja Morgan
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ingridxo23 14 pts

DID U SERIOUSLY NOT KNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT HEATHER WAS WORKING FOR FREE?...YOU ARE SO UNGRATEFUL....you could have easily worked with someone else on the side or something, or told her you diddnt want to work with her any more and not have wasted her EXPERTISE...i loved the shirtless man look...i dont even cook! and that would definitely get me to buy the oven...

hannah79 539 pts

You were not very gracious to Heather Thompson and her staff.  Although I am not a fan of Heather, you should be a little more thankful and appreciative.  The whole tampon/menstrual bleeding just showed how inappropriate you are at times when you are being filmed.  You have come across as having this sense of entitlement that you are allowed to behave the way you did.  Boo Sonja Morgan!

Cari__Leffew 6 pts

Sonja,

You are Lady Sonja Morgan. You know it, we all know it. The reality TV is as TRACY Morgan (no relation? I'm just kidding!!! HA HA!!!!) in "Cop Out" to Bruce Willis "is the bowels of Hollywood." So, when I see you finally break and cry, like last season when you had so many mishaps? :/  Don't worry, I am 34 and forget already. Of course, I am really ill, but before that I was absent-minded and simple. Not simple stupid, simple in that a lot of people explained to me that God wants people like that. Not people that know everything and want to know everything. Maybe He will have mercy on me, then, eh?

 

As for you, your wisdom is so powerful. You write down your wisdom better than you speak it when you feel intimidated. DON'T!!!!!! You have been through SO MUCH and I see that. The way you slump back from the camera...unless you are drunk. Then it's party Sonja...which you DESERVE!!!!! And the camera people are NEVER nice with that. Hence the "bowels of Hollywood" or New York in y'alls' case. : D

 

I adore you and think that you have waited WAY too long to get that oven out and what they pulled on your image was wrong. My mom was in that business and she always said, "Give the customer what they need, only give advice if and ONLY IF they ask for it. Otherwise they know 100% what they want, that is why they chose you." Heather should have been up and down with joy you picked her, James, and his curly haired blankety-blank who looks like the singer from the group "The Verve", Bittersweet Symphony cover. I think I got the name of the band right. Play it on You-Tube and you will know who I'm talking about.

 

Don't let the man...or in your case, the woman get you down!!!! LMAO!!!!

Sunburstsgirl 50 pts

@Cari__Leffew She was not a customer, Heather did it for free being a good friend and Sonja insisted she was a client...please. If she was paying they would have done 15 or 20 different ways but as Heather is paying her employees, etc., and Sonja did agree to the setup before that day, its just rude.

JacqM@Texas 8 pts

"Sonja in the city'' seems like a knock off of "Sex in the City " and you consider yourself "original"?! From the start I liked your crazy bravado ;) but this season your ego seems to of swelled a bit.  Why did'nt Ramona offer to help with your marketing campaign at the level that Heather did????? 

boogiewiz 12 pts

Heather was looking for the free press by helping you. that was it. nothing more.. Heather asks like she is the best most successful business woman in New York... She needs to take a look around her and be as humble as others... Ramona may have a big mouth and has her ideas, but wealth goes to Ramona NOT Heather

boogiewiz 12 pts

Sonja, you shouldn't mix anything with Heather. She is a Ego monster and thats plain and simple. Everything has to be her way. I am proud of you for standing up for the photo's, but am dissappointed that you didn;t stick up for Ramona. Lets face it,, dollar for dollar, Romana is a far wealthier business woman than Heather. Even though Heather thinks she is some kind of godess, so you should be listening to your friend Ramona... and lets face it,, Ramona is advertising her wine on every show.. let them call her a heavy drinker, but she's getting the advertising out there and last I saw, everytime Romana had a drink in her hand, so did everyone else... I wish you the best and am looking forward to your oven.. Something so unique, not like dam girdles..

Holycrap 749 pts

Such a Diva and so ungrateful...if I was Heather, I would have sent you packing when you showed up at our meeting with Ramona.  Your a big girl Sonja, start acting like it...you don't need Ramona, but what Heather is doing for you for FREE may save your life...

vintagesummagrl63 6 pts

Sonja,

 

  In regards to your heavy bleeding;  You need to look into having an endometrial ablation.  It is life changing! 

Cari__Leffew 6 pts

 vintagesummagrl63

 Or just time to get that good ole hysterectomy. You cannot be bleeding that much at your age. I was bleeding at my age, ended up with cancer and a full hysterectomy and 9 post ops with silver nitrate treatments to avoid chemo!!!!! Go to the doctor, you stubborn woman! LOL!!!! Love you!!! MUAH!

Pleiades333 54 pts

I am so shocked at how ungrateful you behaved toward Heather...she did the shoot and branding ideas for FREE...and all you could do if dump on her with Ramona.  If Ramona is such a great friend why didn't she do this for you for Free...your behavior on this was just awful.

OneLastHotSpoon 9 pts

Wow, girl. 

 

I have been through some tough times in my life, which have caused me intense turmoil and as a result I acted out. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume something stressful is going on that we don't know about, and that is causing you to act so obscenely ungrateful, self-involved, unappreciative, and disrespectful. I've followed Heather's work for years and she is incredibly accomplished...you behaved disgustingly, bratty and entitled while this busy, successful woman assembled a consulting team AT NO CHARGE. I cannot believe she didn't just wash her hands of you.

 

Sometimes I feel like reminding you and Ramona: YOU'RE BEING FILMED. THE WORLD WILL SEE YOU ACTING SO DISGRACEFULLY.

 

Seriously, cop to your behavior and apologize.  

a_moore1015 27 pts

Sonja,

You use to be one of my favorites on the show but now your true colors show through.  You need to appreciate the things that everyone does for you and not take them for granted.  You do tend to talk out of both ends of your month.  You can have many different friends and respect them for what and who they are without having to pick sides and double talk them.  It is ok to have more than one friend. You also need to realize that when people do favors for you, you need to respect them and be on time.  No one owes you anything.  I hope you start going back to being true to yourself and not worrying about if Ramona gets made at you. 

Cari__Leffew 6 pts

Hello Madam Morgan!

 

Are you the only brilliant mind ON this show????? I mean, you come off sometimes as the "Did she really just do or say that? Oh my God!" But then, you make the most sense here just like I figured on the show. You're tired, aren't you?

 

Don't answer that. You already did. You say things and no one EVER listens to you. You are a woman who is an entrepreneur and as my mom says, "True business owners KNOW what they want and will NOT let anything or anyone get in the way of their vision." I am so glad to know that even under stress and pressure, peer pressure, you still say "no" unless it is YOUR vision.

 

I hope you teach them!!! All the talk about the free crap and friends vs clients pay...bull!!!! Heather did NOT even give you a quote on what your meetings and finalizations were going to be. To me? I assumed she was being a VERY good friend, helping you out. But to find out a greedy side?????? Don't worry...I fussed at her.

 

But, you are a grown woman. Sending Ramona? BAD idea. You knew that....she makes you turn red as if you dunked your head in steaming beets!!!! She embarrasses you!!!! So, that guy, John? His advice of "no more visitors or curve balls", really smart. You know what you want, you don't need anybody. Who knows...you man win a man outta this. And I don't mean Aviva's horny dad! No offense Aviva!!!!!!! :P

 

Anyway, you are great and I LOVED how the red disappeared when you put ice water in the duvet!!!!! BRILLIANT!!!!!

sleeplessinohio 47 pts

I never really cared for Sonja could  take or leave her, mostly leave. Can't believe how unappreciative Sonja seemed, considering there didn't seem to be a contract drawn up between them. Sonja seems very comfortable using people...besides you have seen one toaster you have seen them all. It is enough of Ramona jumping up in Heather's face, so what someone is talking about you.  But, I guess that's what make the people continue to watch every week. 

P.S. 

Bravo, I do not like your semi new website, you use to be able to view your daily schedule. 

channelred 14 pts

WOW! What a post. Out of all the housewives, Heather has become my favorite. She is the consummate business professional always exuding such class and always tactful. I have been in advertising for ten years and know this to be true: The WORST clients are always pro bono clients or friends that I have tried to help. I love the comment about the J with a star and your website with sparkly stars because in meant movies! LOL You have your head so far up your own ass that you don't see when you are making an ass out of yourself. You obviously know nothing about branding or advertising. It is labor intensive work and you should be thankful that you had this trifecta of experience at your disposal to help. Experienced professionals are exactly that: EXPERIENCED in their field. If anyone was steamrolled it was Heather when she was graciously trying to tell you to go elsewhere with your ideas. Your website and logo sucks by the way. Looks like a school project. 

Rita-la 460 pts

 channelred I agree. Worse than a school project... I've juried shows at art schools and the kids do better because they've been taught better. The silhouette is slanted one way, the type is slanted the other direction. They don't have any correlation to each other. Not surprising since it was designed by one of her free interns.

 

I also agree about the worst clients being the ones who aren't paying.

Alka 13 pts

Sonja, you are one of the most entertaining women on this show after Ramona. I love the way you always look on the bright side of life. You are not caught up in all the who-ha that all the other women (namely Heather, LuAnn) are constantly banging on about. You are all about fun and getting on with life, even when your home was leaking all over the place.

 

You are one of the most genuine people and I love you.

lynnwhitlock 3117 pts

Sonja, 

On your official website it appears that you stayed with your original idea for a logo with the girl and lettering.  It looks just great, much more original and appealing than the one suggested by the team of "Experts".  Trust your instincts!

Motorcitywife 4406 pts

@lynnwhitlock Yea, but there is also no Toaster Oven there so I am wondering what happened with that.

obdulia26 234 pts

Sonja u as Ramona's so called friend need to SIT DOWN W/RAMONA & set the record straight..u r just asmuch to blame for the fiasco at what's being said!  U know Ramona has a problem w/Heather so stop adding fuel to the fire...All of u ladies say that u want to b truthful w/each other but when that happens all hell brakes loose...soooooooooo which is it - do want the truth or not??????????????? friend r always truthful w/  each other even when it hurts.

randrew 5056 pts

Sonja, what's up with the not blogging?? Isn't that what y'all get paid for??

tobyno 276 pts

Sonja,

I used to like your somewhat wild ways but you missed the mark with Heather.  You looked like you felt entitled to her help and opinions no matter how many people she asked to help you.

FOR NOTHING!

If I was Heather, and I saw Ramona sitting there in the chair, I would have reshceduled or walked out period. I dont care how high an opinion Ramona has of herself, she is boring.

 

Just saying

cigarflower 170 pts

Sonja, you were disrespectful to Heather and should apologize to her.  Heather took the time to help you and that was not enough for you. Drop Ramona, she is a crazy woman. She can only bring you down.

LaserOne 116 pts

Sonja, I have been a marketing, PR, and branding professional for 30 years.  Heather and her team did NOT present you with ANY materials that represented YOU - which is the ESSENTIAL element needed for YOUR branding (and the basis of all branding).  That is exactly what you were trying to communicate to them.  They just wanted to push their ideas onto you - and keep yelling that they were the be-all-and-end-all of experts.  NOT.  I don't care what other clients they've had, they did not show even basically good form for branding advice when working with you.    

 

And for Heather to say so arrogantly, "She is not a client, because she is not paying" is extremely unprofessional and distasteful.  I have helped friends and donated my services to small charitable organizations for no fees - and would never think of giving them any less than I give to my paying clients.  I hope you will find someone much less egotistical and more generous to help you with your business endeavors.  Be sure to clarify your thoughts - and speak up - and document everything (such as initialing and making notations by logo choices and requesting Meeting Summaries at the end of each meeting).  Best of luck to you!

judyann325 643 pts

 LaserOne finally, the voice of reason!  i couldn't agree with you more...if it's all about sonja morgan, the brand, then these arrogant jerks should have viewed it prior to the meeting.  that was very disrespectful of them.  then they tried to force you to use that tacky half-naked man on your box, and you rightly pointed out that that would not appeal to grandma.  then they shot you down for that.  stick by your guns and don't ever work with that arrogant and nasty heather again.  i can't stand her, and her friend, laughing at you right in your face,  creep!

Motorcitywife 4406 pts

@judyann325 @LaserOne Well, it looked like they allowed her to stick to her guns last night. They shot both images, the one with Mr Sexy and the one with her crawling around on the table with the oven. We were led to believe that she chose the later, which was her "vision". Not that it appears her vision led to much success, since there are none of her Toaster Ovens for sale on her website. Maybe she should have listened to the professionals?

Diane69802 3613 pts

Sonja do yourself a favor and KEEP RAMONA OUT OF YOUR BUSINESS!  She is so full of herself and thinks she knows it all....she is the bulldozer not Heaher.  She is also very competative and I don't think she will always have your best interest at heart.  Just like she bad mouthed Bethenny  she will submarine you if you become to successful.  Leave friends out of it.  Look at the tension that occurred when Bethenny had asked Alexis to design her logo and Bethenny didn't use it, remember?   Don't mix your business with your Friends!

MirePoix 66 pts

 Diane69802 Glad you brought up Bethany--logo look familiar?

Beyoncca 362 pts

 MirePoix

 If you think about it, when Bethenny's "Skinnygirl" took off, Ramona became overly vocal about promoting her Pinot Gregio. Ramona thought for sure she would have the same success as Bethenny, but didn't.

cehemise 1547 pts

Heather is doing you a favor..for free.  You are not a client, because to be so, you must pay for the services.  The video backs up their version of the last meeting.  Bringing Ramona to your meeting was childish, not smart, nor good business practice.  If you felt you were picked on by them, then cancel and look elsewhere,  Simple solution.  They are doing you a favor, and you completely took advantage of it, and in a very nasty way.  Instead of being haughty, you could try and be grateful.  There's a thought.

 

It's past time to part ways with Heather and her friends.  Go out, find somebody new, and pay for the services.  Then you can be a real client.  If you intend to continue to mooch off of Heather, then mind your P's and Q's, and listen.

SoCaviewer 233 pts

Heather wasn't doing this for Sonja out of the goodness of her heart.  She did it because Bravo cameras were there - it was free publicity.

Rita-la 460 pts

 SoCaviewer I disagree. Heather doesn't brand other people for a living, though she has a lot of experience in branding. So how could the publicity help her? And her team already has A-list clients and didn't need this kind of publicity.

melsmom 355 pts

Sonja, You new exactly what you were doing when you brought Ramona to the meeting. Her behavior was adolscent as well as yours. Heather is doing you a favor. BE GRATEFUL

BarbarainNY 513 pts

Sonja, I think at the meeting with Heather and Mr. Bernard giving your their recommendations that the actual problem was that they were much farther along in their design concepts for your "brand" than you were. In fact, I arrived at that viewpoint when you were concerned that Mr. Bernard had not even been told your last name (He didn't know you were Sonja Morgan of *the* Morgans), "nor had he even looked at your web site." Well, dearie, that's not what he was supposed to do. He was to use his professional creativity to help you develop a cohesive brand (logo, business card, packaging, promotional literature, advertising, etc.) to incorporate your home products and also your social event consulting.  You were still back several months to a year, loving and boasting about your web site -- striking a sultry pose, lying on the table (without any underwear), wearing your long gloves, etc. That's how you may conceive of your brand: sexy, sultry, provocative Sonja with a J and a star.

 

But that's not how the designer Mr. Bernard conceives of your brand. With your interrupting instead of listening to one so knowledgeable, you didn't give him a chance to show and demonstrate how he would develop your brand and campaign. Truly, you were not ready for that meeting. You wanted to show him how sexy you could be peeling off your long gloves, as if the photo shoot would be a strip tease. Sometimes you need to give up something of the past to get anywhere in the future. Relinquish your clinging to sexy, sultry Sonja and instead adapt yourself to fully embrace Sonja the new modern business woman. Then you'll be ready for the business meeting. Leave Ramona out of it even if Bravo producers suggest that you bring her along. Bring your own pad and pen. Golly, I want to wish you success, yet I know that promoting cookbooks of toaster oven recipes will not bring in enough cash to sustain you, even if the recipes are for high society cocktail parties. If, on the other hand, you prefer to promote Sonja in the City, stop right there and drop the part after Sonja. Keep the brand name short for that's easy for people to remember.  You have so many, many admirable qualities; I hope those will predominate. Try to be ready for the next business meeting.

 

Thank Heather for her efforts to help you.

 

mrsdonut 2201 pts

Why doesn't Sonja call Alex to help her design a logo?!

 

If I'm not mistaken, in one of the previous seasons, Bethanny had her sketch some ideas for Skinny Girl when it was just getting off the ground. I don't believe Bethanny used Alex's ideas in the end, but they parted amicably. If I recall, the designs were actually quite good!

TXSongbird 66 pts

Sonja, Heather has a lot at stake here, too. You consider yourself her client, so I'll go with that. If she allows her client to move forward with a brand image that -- in the collective years of experience of the successful group of marketing professionals she has assembled for you -- shrieks amateur, her reputation is forever marred. If she advocates for -- or as you state, steamrolls you into -- a design that she and her colleagues feel represent expertise and maximum audience appeal, but then too few people really feel they need a toaster oven, chic or otherwise, she risks your blame and bitterness for the failure of your product. Maybe I am out of touch, but I don't know of a single person besides college students in dorms who want a toaster oven on their countertop. Frankly, I think Heather stands to lose much more than she could possibly hope to gain, and for the sake of the friendship, both of you should shake with whatever good will remains and walk away from this ill-fated partnership.

AudreyEH 5061 pts

 TXSongbird

 TXSongbird is on point here!  SonJa, while we don't know all the details of whether a company approached you to develop a toaster-oven, or if you shopped that idea around -- in the event, wonder if any demographic studies or focus groups were conducted to determine if there was a demand for this appliance, and if so, who the target audience would be.

randomnygirl77 11 pts

I think you summed it all up in your first sentence...me,me,me,me,me.

MirePoix 66 pts

Heather and her "team" were trying to railroad you into accepting their vision.  You should speak up for yourself and take charge of the direction of your brand.  However, in the meetings you came across as flighty and silly instead of professional and serious.  And bringing friends to meetings?  Where are your real partners--like the reps from the box company?  Lastly, your logo looks exactly like Bethany Frankel's skinny girl.  You need to sharpen your professional skills and separate Sonja the sex kitten party girl reality star from Sonja Morgan the business woman.

cehemise 1547 pts

 MirePoix

 She couldn't bring her team because she doesn't have one.  Heather and her team were doing Sonja a favor...for free.  Sonja was acting like she actually paid them and was a real client, which she is not.    Big difference in the world of business  The old cliche, "Beggars cannot be choosers," seems appropriate here.

MirePoix 66 pts

 cehemise Sonja has an assistant and interns and some mysterious person with a box design deadline all of which count as a team.  But I think we probably both agree, it doesn't seem like Sonja has any business sense.  I should have originally said they were trying to get her to accept their vision because it seems she didn't really have one of her own at the time.  Hope Heather learned from this not to offer her professional assistance gratis to friends--it never works out well.

sleeplessinohio 47 pts

 I totally agree, like i said Sonja seems very comfortable using people.MirePoix  cehemise 

janetkath 968 pts

I'm rooting for you.  I've been in your situation and I understand how difficult it is.  Remember things will get better.  Life has a way of evening out.  I disagree with most of the people who thing Heather is magnificent.  She's a bully plain things and simple.  Whether or not you are paying someone for their services  is irrelevant.   You should have been treated with respect and not like  a moron incapable of making decisions.  Love how the Countess found it difficult to believe that you brought Ramona to the meeting.  She's a business woman and your friend.  Guss that's something her ladyship is unfamiliar with.  Good luck to you and I hope the future picks up for you and your daughter.

TXSandy 22 pts

 janetkath You are just plain wrong. A paying client vs. a gift of services is not irrelevant. I cannot remember now if Heather offered or if Sonja asked for help. However, Heather owns and operates a successful business. She called in favors from her close business relationships to help, who she thought was a friend. The one thing I do know is that Heather was there out of a genuine place in her heart to help Sonja. And, Sonja could have elevated herself to conduct herself as an adult during those meetings. Rather, she tried to rely on her "Look at me, aren't I sexy and pretty" persona to get by. Looks only go so far in the business world. They may open a door, but then you must be able to perform as a thinking person. Showing up to the photo shoot an hour late (while people who are NOT getting paid are waiting on her), having guys go in the bathroom with her while she bleeds all over herself was simply classless and disgusting. She showed not one iota of appreciation to any one of those people. She behaved like a moron incapable of making a decision. I do pity her daughter for having a mother plaster herself unfiltered and uncensored all over the television.  

jschott65 105 pts

Sonja I adore you and in real-life you would definitely be my friend.  As for what's transpired on tv lately, be very careful with whom you entrust your business decisions.  It doesn't seem as though anyone has your back, but I could be wrong.  I think Heather knows what she's doing, however it's not her business, it's yours.  For the sake of revenue, you should keep her and Ramona apart.  You've clearly had some difficulties with regard to your divorce and financials, but your ability to stay positive, fun, and likeable will always serve you  best.  You seem like a lovely woman and us true fans only want the best for you.  Please be cautious with whom you entrust your business decisions.  Also, check your website...your pages take way too long to load and it will cost you business.  All the best to you!

balmoralgal 883 pts

 jschott65 It may not be Heather's business, but it is Heather's business REPUTATION, labor and time (away from her family). Her intent is to be sure that Sonja's venture will succeed and not fail. She and her assembled team have been working hard to help her for free. Sonja could have gone to Ramona, but instead she went to Heather. That must mean she knows Heather is very capable. She is NOT a paying client. And even if she were, I'm sure Heather would not be bowing down to everything Sonja wants if she and her team don't think her amateur ideas, from experience, will not be successful. I DO NOT understand why anyone thinks that Helpful Heather is being a bully. If anything, I see her as very professional, clear, concise, as well as very patient. Bringing her "arch nemesis" Ramona to the meeting is like bringing guns to a bake sale...it was totally uncalled for, dangerous and ridiculous. She knew how Ramona is not only unfiltered and rude, but that she was mean to Heather, simply because Heather won't bow down to her (just as Sonja scolded Cindy last season for not knowing "her place", and not bowing down to Ramona, the star).  Why was Ramona taking a personal call at the table during the meeting smile-worthy, while she totally berated Cindy taking an actual business call when Sonja made her breakfast? She told Cindy she was being rude and could have at least excused herself, yet it's ok for Ramona. Heather wanted to back out of helping her to preserve their new friendship. Heather has been more than gracious and Sonja has not acted grateful at all, and in fact has been demanding and like Ramona, acts very self-entitled. I doubt if Ramona would even have considered helping her for free. Heather is just as busy, if not busier, than Ramona.  What's worse, is the fact that in every meeting she has with Heather and her team, Sonja seems to have a sour attitude if she doesn't get her way, and I've not heard her be grateful for their free help. So, then, is Heather paying the team out of pocket? Because Heather may be Sonja's friend, but not the others.

sleeplessinohio 47 pts

 balmoralgal  I thought it was just me, Heather was working for free. When you are not PAYING, you are supposed to be thankful for every little thing.