Executive Chef David Burton Sanchez
For more mouth-watering views of SOLEIL, visit www.soleilaustin.com and follow us on www.facebook.com/SoleilLakeTravis as well as on Twitter@the_soleil
Soleil (So-LAY),
means ‘sun’ in French. In Austin, it’s a beautiful dining experience in the sun high above Lake Travis. With the new tastes from Executive Chef, David Burton Sanchez, highly-respected food critic Rob Balon said, “It’s a brand new day at SOLEIL.” Balon also stated that, “This guy may already be one of the Top 10 Chefs in the entire Southwest.” Enjoy the cuisine of Chef David as he delights the palate with a creative and new American Cuisine. SOLEIL is upscale casual and even includes live entertainment on Wednesdays & Thursdays!
6550 Comanche Trail • Austin 78732 • 512/266-0600
“The food is mesmerizing,” per Rob Balon.
TALENT
G A IL SIMMON S
MARCU S SAMU E L S SON
T Y SON COLE
MA SAHARU MORIMOTO
TONY MANTUANO
A N DR E W Z IMM E RN
T I M LOVE
RAY ISLE
ELIZ ABETH KARMEL
ANTHONY GIGLIO
MICHELLE BERNSTEIN
JONATHAN WAXMAN
SPRING 2012 E m p o w e r . I n f o r m . E n t e rta i n .
Spring - Made in Austin, Summer -Health & Fitness, Fall- Made Man, Winter -Year in Review www.mademagazine.com
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FEATURE - MADE IN AUSTIN Kim Overton
15 RED CARPET PHOTOS
Huston Tillotson Gala; Chamber of Commerce Banquet
18 HAIR
Hair Products
28 MAKE-UP 30 FASHION 34 FASHION
CJ- Cookie Johnson, Entrepreneur
36 BUSINESS & FINANCE
Staying Connected: Networking Tips for Entrepreneurs
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Esperanza Spalding; Clara Spriggs
44 HOME
Interior Design
48 MADE IN AUSTIN
Going Natural - The Journey Continues
26 BEAUTY
40 ARTS & CULTURE CALENDAR 42 REAL ESTATE
A take on why Blacks moved to Austin, why they stay, what the city offers, what they do to give back to the city.
50 MADE DIVERSITY CORPORATE
SPOTLIGHT
Profile of a corporation or professional org that AA demographic is a part of or that supports AA initiatives
51 NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Zay & Tasha Collieir /Aviation Arising
52 TRAVEL
New Orleans — Creole Cuisine
54 TECH
SPRING 2012
5 new technology products
MADEMAGAZINE.COM
Anita C. Roberts Publ isher & Edi to r- i n Chief
Other ways to tap into Made Magazine Subscriptions To subscribe, renew, buy a gift subscription, or check on your account status, go to mademagazine. com. Questions about subscriptions? Email us at subscription@mademagazine.com
Creati ve Martina Micko Craig Amos Kim Vo C ontributing P ho to g raphe rs Dhills Photography Charlotte Bell Photography Lextor Wolff Photography Contributi ng W ri te rs Era Sundar Kim Malone Nicole Harmon
Dig i ta l E d i t i o n To subscribe to Made Magazine Digital, the electronic version of the magazine, email us digital@mademagaziencom Re p r i n t s & Per m i s s i o n s To order reprints of any Made Magazine article, email us sales@mademagazine.com. To get permission to reproduce an article appearing in Made Magazine email as at copyright@ mademagazine.com. B a ck I s s u e s To order back issues, email at sales@mademagazine.com
Copy Edi to r Patrick Stafford
AMC P u b l i s h i n g , LLC . 3 0 0 6 Bee C av e R o a d , S u i t e A - 2 1 5 A u s t i n , Te x a s 7 8 7 4 6 www. a m c p u b l i s h i n g . n e t
Marke ting & Me di a Re lati o ns Kesha Dirkson
Ta mora
Lee
J e w e l r y
“ We c a t e r t o t h a t a c c e s s o r y l ove r i n yo u �
Ta mor a Lee designs are all about c reati ng hot n e w accessories that are chic and fa shionable. Most of the accessories a re Ec o friendly and made from rec y cl ed ma te r ial. Tamora Lee loves catering to that a c c e ssory lover in you. www. s e n s e o fa s h i o n .c o m/Ta mo ra Lee007 www. 76 h u d s o n .c o m /ta m o ra -l e e /
from the PUBLISHER
J
ournalism is my life’s work.
I have launched five luxury magazines, and I have to say this one gives me the most pleasure. It has also given me the most angst. As a television reporter I told the story my News Director guided me to tell. As a military Officer I told the story my chain of command directed me to tell. But as a Publisher, I tell the stories I feel destined to tell, and Made is one of the best stories which has longed to be told. Made symbolizes those who have Made their mark in the world or are making their mark. I moved to Austin in 2004, when I received orders to command the Texas Army National Guard Headquarters Detachment at Camp Mabry. Before settling here with my wonderful son, Forrest, now a senior at Westlake High, I met and fell in love with my life partner, Troy. Our witty son Austin is now five years old, and two years ago we adopted our beautiful daughter, Ariana. Our life seemed complete, but something was missing. Austin was still foreign to me. I am not a frequent visitor to 6th Street, nor do I revel in the type of “live music” offered around town. I knew my Westlake family and community, but I felt no connection to Austin as a whole. That all changed when I opened my new office about five minutes from my home in Westlake. The building owner, a wise older gentleman who spent a lifetime in advertising, asked me why I didn’t publish an African American magazine. I told him that I enjoyed publishing luxury lifestyle magazines and that is what works for me. And each time I saw him he would counsel me on why he felt Austin was in dire need of a luxury publication for African Americans. Honestly, I just didn’t see it. After all, I never saw more than a handful of African Americans at events I frequented. After a few months I started to do some research on the affluent African American community nationally. I was in disbelief at the numbers. “African American buying power is expected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2015,” according to the State of the African-American Consumer Report, recently released. It is collaborated by Nielson, a leading global provider of insights and analytics into what consumers watch and buy, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), a federation of more than 200 Black community newspapers across the U.S. I was one of those people who always complained about there not being anything to do in Austin for African Americans. I complained about the lack of presence of African Americans and people of color or those who represent “our race” in a positive and productive manner. I complained of the lack of concern from anyone except African Americans that this was a problem or that there were solutions in place to remedy the situation. I continued to research. I searched nationally, regionally and locally and found that there were no solutions specifically targeting affluent African American and multi-racial individuals in Texas. This ignited my sense of urgency. I had to do something. So I began to “get involved” in the Central Texas African American community, and started volunteering, attending talks and forums, Quality of Life initiatives by the city, and corporate events and meetings with entrepreneurs and business executives. No one seemed to have the answer. How do we revolutionize a class of people waiting to be challenged with intelligent, positive, and productive content? Then one day I was surfing my television and caught the end of a segment on CSPAN entitled “Race in Hollywood,” 102d NAACP Convention. I was so moved by the discussion that I went online and watched the entire broadcast. Eureka! I saw a panel of well-known Black Hollywood actors having a poignant discussion on the issues of race and television/movies. Harry Belafonte pointed out that “never in the history of our people has our history been plentiful or reflective of our (true) story.” He explained that, “We need to get our reality in print for generations to come. Thousands of stories that have never been told, and voices that have not been heard.” And most profoundly he said, “We cannot expect others to write our history for us, we must write our own history.” And: “We come from a place where everyone is responsible for everyone else. If the textbooks are not right, lets correct them.” This was the piece that finally connected me to Austin. I was moved to use my gift of communication to empower, inform, and entertain my community as a whole. Another very important part of his message was that we must be “cooperative and compassionate” with one another. This helped to reaffirm my concept for Made. Therefore our founding principles are built on that of Respect for all. Our coverage and stories will be that of an honest, respectful, cooperative, and compassionate conversation. My business philosophy is also etched into these principles, “There is room for everyone to succeed.” So, it is with great honor and anticipation that I introduce you to the first product of Made Media Group: Made Magazine. Made is aimed at nurturing the mind of the African American thought leader with an offering of content designed to empower, inform, and entertain. We celebrate our community and embrace its everyday community heroes. We welcome you and hope you enjoy. Made Magazine is not just a publication, it’s a movement! Blessings to you all. Anita C. Roberts Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
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The SPIbelt™ is sleek, expandable, secure, and does not bounce. It can hold any smart phone, keys, cash, credit cards, ID, passport, and many other small personal items. I came up with the idea for the SPIbelt™ while out on a run one fall afternoon in 2006. I needed a place to store my keys comfortably, securely, and discreetly. I made the first batch of belts at home, and four years later landed at the #175 spot of the Inc. 500 list of America's Fastest Growing Companies! Our products are still manufactured in Austin, TX, and are designed to help simplify your life. Wear and enjoy! Kim Overton Founder and CEO of SPIbelt™
Enter Code
“Made12” for 10% Off Expires June 1, 2012 Visit us at store.spibelt.com
made in AUSTIN
SPI BELT INVENTOR
KIM OVERTON By Era Sundar
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Seton provides thought leadership for nursing. As a growing center for medical research and education, Seton Healthcare Family is bringing world-class medicine to the region and is the leading provider of complex health care in Central Texas. Our clinicians share innovations across 38 locations, including 5 ANCC Pathway to Excellence® facilities, 4 Magnet® recognized hospitals and the area’s only Level 1 Trauma Centers. Our Magnet culture creates a rich practice environment with low turnover rates and high levels of job satisfaction.
Seton congratulates Made Magazine on its premiere issue!
Serving an 11-county area of 1.8 million people, our facilities include: Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas* Seton Medical Center Austin* Seton Medical Center Hays Seton Medical Center Williamson** Seton Edgar B. Davis Hospital** Seton Highland Lakes Hospital** Seton Northwest Hospital* Seton Smithville Regional Hospital Seton Southwest Hospital**
Yvonne V.
Seton Shoal Creek Hospital**
Part of the Seton Family since 2006
University Medical Center Brackenridge* We thank our staff for helping us earn the distinction as one of the Top 100 health care systems in the nation. Visit our website at seton.net/careers to learn more. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V
facebook.com/SetonCareers @SetonCareers
**Pathway to Excellence facilities
*Seton is home to the region’s only four Magnet recognized hospitals for Nursing Excellence granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Not just a living. A way of life. Austin, Texas.
red carpet sh a ita R ob er ts , Ki ee rs -Tay lo r, An el l Pr dw ra al nd C so ita as C of ie ld , D in ie Jo i G am bl e, C al at N o, gr ci s Sn el W ill ia m s, Fr an
Dea nn a B a l l , D i n i t a C a l d well
Br ia n Tip p e n s , K a r e n B ox
D r. G r eg Vinc ent , A ar on D em er s on
KI s h a Willia ms, An ita Ro b e rts
H u st o n - Ti l l o t s o n S t u d e n t s MADEMAGAZINE.COM
CCAA CC Fou nde rs
De e Pa rke r, Tro y Go u rrier
Victo r & Va n e ssa He n ry
Re p . Da wn n a Du ke s, Ja so n Hill
SPRING 2012
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red
Huston-Tillotson University’s Ninth Annual President’s Mankind Assisting Students Kindle Educational Dreams (MASKED) Gala. A black-tie affair which included dinner, dancing, and silent auction components that also spotlights HT students. The MASKED gala has generated more
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Akila n Ja me s
Ma rc & Pamel a Ot t
C o urt ne y P o o l e , J a i lyn n Mc Co wa n
J a ilynn Mc Cowan, Li nda J a ck son, Moniq ue J ohnson-Jones SPRING 2012
Lis a Me n zies & D r . Larry Earvin
Wi l hel mina De l co MADEMAGAZINE.COM
carpet
than one million dollars for the University and featured up close and personal performances from artists such as Regina Belle, Will Downing, Johnny Gill, Jennifer Holliday, Najee, and Pieces of a Dream. In addition, celebrity guest appearances from Earvin “Magic Johnson, Judge Mablean Ephriam, and Emmanuel Lewis have headlined the University’s signature event. This years event featured Grammy-nominated artist Kenny Lattimore. Lattimore performed audience favorites as well as showcased songs from his upcoming release.
GUESTS
D r . L a r ry E a rv in , Aki la Ja m es , K e n n y Lat i m o r e , A s ia Ha n ey, Rya n Se mien
Der r ick E va n s , S tat e Rep. D aw n n a D u ke s , D r . G r e g Vin cen t
Tr o y G o u r rier , Lis a Me n zies
Nnamdi & Kristen Orakwue
Dr . L a r ry E a rv in , An ita Ro b e rt s , K en n y Latim o r e
A s h to n & J e n n i f e r C u m b e r b at c h
HAIR
Going natural can be challenging for many women. The psychological component alone can be daunting, because of a lifetime belief that straight hair is pretty and natural hair is not. Many women give up on natural hair because they don’t like the way it looks on them. They feel they are not pretty unless their hair is straight. Others worry about the perceptions of their peers, coworkers and family members. Here we examine one woman’s incredible journey and how she discovered her true natural beauty. 18
NATURAL HAIR …THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
By Kim Malone & Nicole Harmon www.nappylife.com www.hairliberty.org
SPRING 2012
MADEMAGAZINE.COM
In her own wo rd s
I
got my first kiddie perm at the age of nine. As soon as my mom said my hair was done (finally), I went straight to the bathroom, put a little water on a brush and ran it through my hair! Needless to say, my mom was very upset. She couldn’t understand why I ruined all of her hard work. That was a long time ago, but I still remember my nine-yearold reasoning. Surely, after all that time she spent doing this “treatment,” my hair would be “easy.” After all those hours, I was sure that my hair would be just like all the other girls at school. I wouldn’t have to run from the rain or wear a shower cap in the MADEMAGAZINE.COM
bathtub. I didn’t have to fear water because my hair was “fixed.” Of course, I was oh so wrong. My hair still seemed to be a burden: a big ball of cotton that never looked anything like my doll’s hair. People called my hair “nappy,” “a mess,” and “too much work.” So I spent eight years with it hidden in braids and cornrows. I was happy for a while because my hair was “under control” and I didn’t really have to deal with it. But, by the time I finished my first year at USC, I was fed up with wearing braids. I decided to spend some of my work-study money on a relaxer. My relaxed hair brought me joy and what initially seemed like freedom. I could finally do my own hair! I washed and blowdried it every few days and religiously went to the salon for touchups every five weeks. I always got compliments on looking polished and put together (even during 8:00 a.m. classes). Sadly, that freedom didn’t last long. My hair seemed to stop growing and I noticed breakage with every stroke of the comb. I was doing my hair just like they did it at the salon, and I had a large arsenal of hair products, but something was still wrong. So, you know what comes next: weaves, glorious weaves. It started with a few tracks and escalated to a full sew-in. Talk about easy, right? I finally had long, soft hair that looked great even if I didn’t do much with it. I was content, but still unsatisfied. What was wrong with MY hair? That’s when I decided to do some real research. To my surprise, there were tons of information about African American hair on the Internet. In fact, if you Google “African American hair,” you’ll get over 20 million results! It turns out finding information about “our hair” is actually very easy. Separating fact from opinion is the hard part. I spent too many years trying different techniques and products for my hair. I wanted REAL answers this time. I needed to know how to make my hair healthy, and without a lot of time or money. And guess what? After years of frustration, I found out there was nothing wrong with my hair at all. Although I had always tried to do my best with my hair, I never had the right information. I never understood that my hair was fragile and that breakage was a sign of severe damage. I never realized that my hair was growing steadily, but breaking even faster. Once I learned the principles of keeping African American hair healthy and growing, and that healthy hair has nothing to do with being “natural” or “relaxed,” I knew I had to share my story with the world. Wherever your natural hair journey takes you, we hope the road is full of new adventures!
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“My relaxed hair brought me joy and what initially seemed like freedom. I could finally do my own hair!”
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Em pow e r .
I n f o rm.
E nterta in.
weddings Happy marriages begin when we marry the ones we love, and they blossom when we love the ones we marry ~ Tom Mullen Reinhart Wedding Leslie Lewin And Robert Reinhart (Bride & Groom) Wedding Venue: Chapel Dulcinea Photographer: Charlotte Bell
made in AUSTIN
Sonia Gaillard Inventor, International Business Developer & Technology Commercialization Strategist
S
onia Gaillard is an Inventor with technology patents issued by the United States Patent & Trademark Office in the financial and mobile device industries. She is the Managing Director of nVentia Ventures, while simultaneously leading the development of the Entrepreneurship Center for Economic and Social Innovation, at St. Michaels Catholic Academy, a high school youth entrepreneurship and invention center. Gaillard is a passionate evangelist for youth and women entrepreneurship. She is a mentor of all ages in the US, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Africa. Gaillard invests substantial amounts of time inspiring and challenging students of all ages to explore science, technology, and entrepreneurship while dreaming big and materializing their dreams.
Discover HT WWW.HTU.EDU 1.877.505.3028
BEAUTY
Top Kinky-Coily Hair Products of 2012 By Hair Liberty.org - by Nicole
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- We’re All About Austin SPRING 2012
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MAKE-UP
Beauty Trends By: Lauren Ridings / Makeup Artist
Alright ladies, step away from the tweezers! This spring is all about fresh faces with a pop of color (gorgeous color will make your eyes standout and will thus keep them at the center of attention) and most importantly, a strong brow with luminous skin which comes from having a good skin care routine. If this introduction has you longing for the warmer seasons, then here are the top makeup trends for this spring that will definitely keep you at the edge of your seats. I’ve found 10 must-haves for spring in order to keep you looking fierce and fresh in the ATX heat.
Tarte-tint of color lipsticks www.tartecosmetics.com ($24.00) Love these lip stains! They are infused with high pigment concentrations and even though they are matte, they give the lips a moisture surge on a cellular level. I know I can’t be the only one who applies, then re-applies chapstick during this time of year. These little things can serve as chapstick as well as providing a beautiful spring pop of color.
Covergirl-Queen CollectionToo Facedskin perfecting bronzers ($29 at Ulta) www.CoverGirl.com/QueenCollection This mineral-enriched formula gives you a perfectly sun kissed glow without the shine. The reason I love it? It’s hard to find a bronzer that gives that perfect touch of sun without the streaks, but it blends flawlessly! It beautifully matches skin tones from Rich Sand to True Ebony. The best part though, is that it’s affordable!
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Benefit-Stay Don’t Stray Eye Primer www.ulta.com ($26.00) How did I ever live without it? Spring and summer make for a sticky situation when it comes to eye shadow and concealer. It seems like the area around the eyes is the most difficult to make stay put. With this primer, however, everything stays right where you put it and it even gives your shadow a more vibrant hue.
L’Oreal go 360 Clean www.lorealparisusa.com (At any local drugstore)
Pop Beauty – No Show Shine Decline Primer www.ulta.com ($25.00)
Let’s start with the basics, and that’s having and maintaining great skin. Using an exfoliant twice a week will help to remove stubborn dirt and oil that normal cleansing may not erase. Why do I love this one? Because, it comes with a detachable scrublet that works wonders, it’s affordable, and leaves you feeling squeaky summer
This colorless solid gel is perfect for the Austin heat because it evens out skin texture and eliminates shine. It also minimizes pores and soothes with aloe vera. I am especially prone to oily skin and this product has been the answer to all of my shiny problems!
Benefit-bella bamba cheek powder www.ulta.com ($28.00) This blush amplifies cheekbones and creates a luminescent highlighting glow. The primary color is watermelon, but it also offers warm, shimmering gold undertones. It sculpts your facial features and gives you a perfect spring pink glow.
Urban Decay-free love eyeshadow www.urbandecay.com ($17.00) As I was browsing, I noticed how MANY eyeshadows offered, this one really caught my eye. It’s absolutely perfect for spring and this sherbet orange will look good on any skin tone. The formula allows for a smooth application and it has staying power for that perfect pop of color.
SPRING 2012
Butter London-Trout Pout Lippy Lip Gloss www.butterlondon. com (17.00) I’ve personally owned many of the Lippy glosses and this one is my very favorite! The color reminds me of spring flowers and it offers the perfect amount of shine.
Fusion Beauty-prime results tinted moisturizer with SPF15 ($40 at Dillard’s) This provides a sheer veil of color while perfecting skin’s texture AND offers protection from the sun. It’s an “all-in- one” product that is worth every penny! It’s so light that it is perfect for a day out in the sun but it also offers just enough coverage for a night out on the town. LOVE this one.
Benefit-Brow Zings Eyebrow Kit ($30 at Macy’s) Eyebrows never used to be a vital part of my daily beauty routine. Now, however, it’s all about the brows! This wax/powder brow palette is perfecting for sculpting a strong brow. This spring, I encourage you to take a break from super skinny eyebrows and let them become a bit more natural. The angled brush helps to create a perfect arch, while the blending brush fills in bare areas.
MADEMAGAZINE.COM
FASHION
fashion FORWARD
THIS YEAR, WE CAN LOOK TO SPRING FOR RENEWED ENERGY AND OPTIMISM WITH A FRESH PICKED PALETTE OF COLORS THAT RANGE FROM SOFT MUTED PASTELS TO VIVID FESTIVE BRIGHTS IN HUES SUCH AS: Tangerine Tango — Provocative, vivacious and appealing Solar Power — A jolt of energy with warmth and cheer Bellflower — A unique and creative ornamental purple Cabaret — Sensual intense rosy red Sodalite Blue — Nautical classic to calm the mind Cockatoo —A truly whimsical blue-green Sweet Lilac — Evoking the romance of delicate pink Margarita — Festive and intoxicating yellow-green
To take your wardrobe to new heights, be BOLD and mix up your bright vivid colors for a new attitude. With warm days and saucy nights ahead of us, SS2012 colors set the mood to combinations that are simply fash-gasmic! Cheers! Michelle Washington Fashion Stylist fashionstylistmichelle.dphoto.com 30
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Team Credits and Outfits: Photographer: Stephanie Matthews
www.stephaniematthewsphotography.dphoto.com
Stylist: Michelle Washington
www.fashionstylistmichelle. dphoto.com
Assistant Stylist: Theo Hackney Hair: Dana Gibbs Nails: Daphne Allende Makeup: Fatimot Isadare for MAC Cosmetics Model: Sade @ Fenton Moon Agency
Top: Forever21 Jeans: Taverniti Bracelet: Bar III Ring: Mango
Cardigan: Pants: Jac Langheim Bracelets: Ring: Mango Collar necklace: Bar III Shoes: Forever21
Pink jkt, purple pants, bikini top, over-skirt: Lie Sang Bong Clutch purse: Betsey Johnson Necklace: Forever21 Egg Ring: Bar III
FASHION
C
ookie Johnson, wife of NBA legend and businessman Magic Johnson, has added ‘entrepreneur’ to her resume. The industry has always been close to her heart -- Johnson spent almost a decade in the world of fashion after graduating from Michigan State with a degree in Retailing of Clothing and Textiles, before dedicating herself to being a full-time mom. With a keen eye for trends and how to wear them, Johnson despaired over the lack of premium denim for women with a figure like hers, fit…but curvy. “I couldn’t find jeans to fit my body type,” she explains. “It frustrated me to try on every pair in the store and leave with nothing.” Over the years Johnson realized that her testimony was one of many women. So, instead of waiting for a brand to appear that would fill the void, she decided to create one.
Cj by Cookie Johnson boasts an all-star line-up of styles – boot cut, straight leg, boyfriend, high-waist, legging and more. The line is available in sizes 24-38 at department stores and boutiques nationwide. Call it fashion kismet. Johnson started her search for the perfect business partner at the top – and she didn’t have to look far. A mutual friend introduced her to denim legend Michael Glasser, the mastermind behind Seven for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity and current owner of Rich & Skinny. Through his own blue jean journey, Glasser, too, had uncovered this missing market for the woman who wants a designer look, but doesn’t fit into the standard, slim cut of premium jeans. A few meetings later and Cj by Cookie Johnson answered that demand: a new premium denim line embracing real bodies in both fit and style. With Johnson’s instinct and Glasser’s seasoned hand, Cj by Cookie Johnson is quickly becoming denim’s new MVP. Johnson, meanwhile, is overwhelmed with the reactions she sees in dressing rooms across the country. “I’ve seen everything from tears of relief to sexy struts in front of the mirror,” she smiles. “The confidence that great-fitting jeans give women is the most rewarding thing about creating Cj.” 34
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Felicity Flare in Optic White
Faith Straight Leg in Black Brushed Twill
Believe Crop Legging in Optic White
Faith Straight Leg in Statement Wash
Creation Cigarette Leg in Axis Wash
Hope Patch Pocket Flare in Atlantic
BUSINESS & FINANCE
S t a y i n g C o n n e ct e d
Networking tips for Entrepreneurs Have you ever attended a networking event, collected a bunch of business cards, and when you go through them the next day, you can’t remember who many of them are? Or try to think of someone you met and had a conversation with, but you can’t remember their name or their business to look them up? Well, you certainly don’t want to be one of those that other people can’t remember, do you? It’s all well and good to pass out business cards, but if people don’t remember you well, they probably won’t be calling you to follow up, and they certainly won’t keep you in mind for their future needs or possible referrals. Here are five tips on how to make yourself memorable (in a good way) when meeting other people face-to-face:
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1. Be distinctive.
A brightly-colored, hand-painted tie, an unusual necklace or other jewelry, a good (but not overpowering) cologne, even just impeccable grooming can all help you stand out in a good way. It’s not that you want to be remembered and identified for that, but anything that helps people separate you from the crowd helps them remember the rest of you. You don’t have to be outlandish -- although some people work that quite well -- just don’t blend in completely with the crowd.
2. Be fully present.
Be fully engaged and fully aware of the people you interact with. You can break this down into smaller, somewhat mechanical pieces -- listen well, respond promptly, maintain eye contact, etc. -- but if you are truly present in the moment, those things
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will happen naturally. Many people only seem to be “half there”, so being fully engaged helps you stand out.
3. Ask thought-provoking questions.
Networking expert Bob Burg has some good suggested questions in his book Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts into Sales, such as “How did you get started?” or “What do you enjoy most about what you do?” But the very best questions can’t be communicated in a book because they’re specific to the person you’re interacting with and will arise in response to your initial conversation. Do #2 and this will flow naturally. As Dale Carnegie suggested, you must “take a genuine interest in other people”.
4. Reinforce your keywords.
People aren’t going to remember long descriptions of what you do, or likely even that 15-second intro that many experts teach you to make. People will at best remember a few key things about you: • Your name • Your company name • Your business/industry (in three words or less) • Your product • Your location What you want to do is find ways to unobtrusively increase the occurrence of these things in your conversation. For example, is there some kind of story behind your name? Have it ready to use if there’s an opportunity. Does your business have an unusual name? What’s the story behind it - what does it mean? Refer to your place of business when telling an incident that occurred (“I was driving down MOPAC leaving my store, when...”). Anything you say that reinforces one of the five items above helps make you more memorable. And if they can remember just three of them -- “Bob the barber from Soho” or “Michelle the translator who wrote ‘Spanish in Six Weeks’” -- you’re doing great.
5. Contribute to the group conversation. Don’t hog it, and don’t say just anything in order to say something publicly, but saying one really smart thing at your table or in front of the whole group will make you much more memorable than half an hour of semiconscious small talk. Create value for others and you create value for yourself. When we look at brand strategy in marketing, one of the most important concepts is that a brand is not just a memorable name or logo -- it’s an experience. A great brand communicates values and emotions that get called to mind whenever someone thinks of the name or logo. Here we’re talking about your personal brand. Remember that you are your business. The impression that you make on people is the impression they will have of your business, so make it good and make it memorable
BEAUTY & PERFORMANCE
NOW YOU CAN HAVE BOTH The heat and perspiration resistant design won’t crease or smear while at work or play.
• 1206 W. 38th St. • 512.320.8732
S T Y L E I S L EGENDARY
The Market is Good, Come on In! by Clara Spriggs-Adams, Realtor
Deciding to buy that first home is oftentimes a very frightening step for firsttime homebuyers. What I hear most often is, “What if I lose my job?” they will say. While the possibility always exists, the rent still has to be paid. The landlord won’t allow you to live there free of charge. My comeback question is always, “So what would you do if you did lose your job?” Then they say, “Well, I’d go find another one.” “Exactly!” I answer, which is the same thing a homeowner does if he or she loses their job. Truth be told, we all pay a mortgage. The question is: Will you be paying your own or someone else’s? According to most real estate experts, the rental market in Austin is 95% saturated. When dealing with tenants, my advice is to get everything you’ll need in order first, i.e., lease applications, funds available for security deposits, etc., because when we find a property they like, there’s no time to “think about it,” because it will be gone. An article in the Austin American Statesman (August 12, 2011), pointed out that apartment occupancy rates were as high as 98% and expected to increase even more. According to this article, “Soaring rents and occupancy rates have Austin among the hottest markets in the nation.” Rental rates are at an all-time high, and interest rates are at an all-time low (historically). That’s why it’s time to buy now. Whenever I have leasing clients 38
who can afford a $1,200 a month lease, I’ve always asked if they are aware that they could buy the property for less than what they are about to pay in rent? Then I explain that the property is an investment property for the owner. Therefore, if you’re paying $1,200 monthly, the owner’s mortgage is, most likely, under $1000 monthly. You’re paying $14,400 annually toward his payoff, and during the same timeframe, he’s earning approximately $2,400 per year profit, and reaping the tax benefits of being a property owner. What a deal! And you, as a tenant, guess what you qualify for? Nothing! Whether you are considering buying for the first time, or downsizing, or moving up to a larger home, or wondering if you should buy that condo for your college student, or buying a rental property and leasing it out to your adult children or other tenants, the time is now! Everyone needs a place to live, and because not everyone can qualify for a mortgage, many will be forced to continue renting. So find a way to capitalize on the current market because that window of opportunity has started showing signs of closing. I was participating in a contracts training class recently with over one hundred REALTORS© in attendance when the following question was posed: “How many of you have been involved in a multiple offer situation recently?” Approximately seventy percent of the hands went up! This means that it’s a seller’s market in some areas of Austin! So jump in while you can still afford to buy a home for less than you can rent one. SPRING 2012
Statistics
According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, February 2012 report, 1,283 single-family homes were sold in the Austin area in the month of February, which is 16 percent more than February 2011. During the same time period, the median price for Austin-area homes was $195,000, three percent more than the same month of the prior year. * 1,283 – Single-family homes sold, 16 percent more than February 2011. * $195,000 – Median price for single-family homes, three percent more than February 2011. * 86 – Average number of days that single-family homes spent on the market, 12 days less than February 2011. * 2,538 – New single-family home listings on the market, nine percent more than February 2011. * 6,862 – Active single-family home listings on the market, 20 percent less than February 2011. * 1,926 – Pending sales for single-family homes, 25 percent more than February 2011. * 4.2 – Months of inventory* of single-family homes, 1.5 months less than February 2011. * $324,906,920– Total dollar volume of singlefamily properties sold, 22 percent more than February 2011.
Clara Spriggs-Adams Realtor Keller Williams Realty 1801 S. Mopac Expwy Suite 100 Austin, TX 78746 .claraspriggsadams.com MADEMAGAZINE.COM
EDU C A T E . INFORM . EN T ER T AIN
S T Y L E I S L EGENDARY L E X T O R
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P H O T O G R A P H Y
COM ING FEBRUARY 13, 2013
ARTS &
CULTURE CALENDAR
Educate, Inform, Entertain
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APRIL 2012
“The Wonder Ball” Daddy-Daughter Dance
Palmer Events Center (329-5757) wondersandworries.org
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Zach Theatre’s Red Hot & Soul Gala
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Eeyore’s 49th Annual Birthday Party
Austin Hilton (476-0541) zachtheatre.org
Pease Park (448-5160) eeyores.com
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Elizabeth Ann Seton Board “Evening 28 Under the Stars Gala” 13th Annual Hill Country WAYA/West Austin Youth Association Ride for AIDS (324-3275) setonfund.org
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(371-RIDE) hillcountryride.org
14th Annual Umlauf Garden Party Umlauf Sculpture Garden (462-3275) umlaufsculture.org
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Austin Symphony Orchestra – 2nd Annual Texas Young Composers Concert The Long Center (474-LONG) austinsymphony.org 40
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30th Annual Schlotzsky’s Race Expo, Kids & 5k Bun Run Auditorium Shores (236-3600) bunrun.com
5-May 25
St. David’s Foundation Community Fund “Toast of the Town” Various locations. (879- 6600) stdavidsfoundation.org SPRING 2012
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11-13
MAY 2012
Ballet Austin – Romeo & Juliet
The Long Center (474-LONG) balletaustin.org
4-5
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Austin Symphony Orchestra w/Conspirare
The Long Center (474-LONG) austinsymphony.org
5-6
Downtown/6th St. (485-3190) oldpecanstreetfestival.com
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Various locations. (232-0200)
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JDRF 13th Annual Hope Ball
Austin Lyric Opera 25th Anniversary Celebration
Renaissance Hotel (343-0663) jdrfaustin.org
AT&T Conference Center (472-5992) austinlyricopera.org
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Lifeworks The White Party
7-13
The Long Center (735-2472) lifeworksaustin.org
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (232-0200) wildflower.org
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Auditorium Shores (477-3221) marchforbabies.org
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Gardens on Tour
Old Pecan Street Spring Festival
National Wildflower Week
March of Dimes – March for Babies
29- 3 June
Les Miserables
Bass Concert Hall (471-1444) texasperformingarts.org
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REAL ESTATE
LOCAT ION. Loca t i o n . L o c a tion. by Beth Kramer, Move Trends Writer
Made Magazine salutes Grammy Award winner Esperanza Spalding with a masterpiece in her adopted hometown of Austin, Texas. Bassist and jazz artist, Spalding not only a Grammy Awards ‘Best New Artist’ but Central Texas shining star as well. Since Esperanza is clearly going places, we thought we’d find her star-worthy digs in which to display what may be the first of many gold statues. The Basics: Third fastest growing city in the U.S., Austin is home to hipsters, Longhorns, politicos, tech workers, and four Fortune 500’s, including Dell and Whole Foods. The official slogan promotes the Texas state capital as “The Live Music Capital of the World.” No wonder Esperanza feels at home. All stars need a private getaway to entertain and unwind. This custom home, designed by Austin architect Paul Lamb, sits high on cliffs overlooking Lady Bird Lake. The exclusive contemporary is five minutes from the heart of Austin, set on 3.3 wooded acres with breathtaking views of downtown and the lake. The Details: Offered at $9.5 million, this 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath spread features a negative edge pool and 650 feet of waterfront. Grammy winner features include a workout room, wine room, and plenty of closet space in the master suite. 42
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All stars need a private getaway to entertain and unwind. This custom home, designed by Austin architect Paul Lamb, sits high on cliffs overlooking Lady Bird Lake. The exclusive contemporary is five minutes from the heart of Austin, set on 3.3 wooded acres with breathtaking views of downtown and the lake. The Details: Offered at $9.5 million, this 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath spread features a negative edge pool and 650 feet of waterfront. Grammy winner features include a workout room, wine room, and plenty of closet space in the master suite.
The Bottom Line: This custom Austin view home is the perfect retreat for Grammy winners and anyone with serious bank. If you haven’t yet signed with a major label, you can still check out Austin’s finest at Realtor.com.
The family room features a unique built-in plasma above the fireplace.
The kitchen is appointed with granite countertops, stainless appliances, and work islands.
Every jazz artist needs a bar and lounge area overlooking the lake.
The negative edge pool overlooks Texas hill country.
The living room offers stunning views of Lady Bird Lake.
HOME
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made in AUSTIN We live, work and play in Austin. Here’s a few reasons why we love this city. Austin, Texas generated 12,600 new jobs in the 12 months ending in January according to reports by Texas Workforce Commission and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics making it’s growth rate 3.5%, the second highest in the nation!
I love Austin. 1. Name & Age: A.J. Bingham, 28 2. Job: Lobbyist 3. Hometown: Austin, TX 4. Currently live: Austin, TX 5. What brought you to Austin? My father was an Air Force officer stationed at Bergstrom in 1991. 6. What is something people don’t know about Austin? I don’t believe a lot of people know that the Clarksville neighborhood (just west of downtown) was founded by freed slaves. 7. What do you love about living in Austin? Witnessing the city’s continued development and the sense of optimism related to its growth. 8. What do you like to do for fun in
Austin? Attend civic and social events. A close second would be early morning workouts outside on Auditorium Shores. 9. Little known fact about Austin. You should avoid I-35 between the hours of midnight and 11:59PM. 10. What do you think Austin has to offer African American/multicultural individuals? A lot, both professionally and socially. However like most things you get out what you put in. ................................... 1. Name & Age - Joi Gamble, 26 2. Job – Consultant, New Age Global Consulting 3. Hometown – Chicago, IL 4. Currently live - Round Rock, TX 5. What brought you to Austin? - Family relocation 6. What is something people don’t know about Austin? - The blend of so many other out of town residents who have relocated to the Austin area
give a metropolitan energy versus the small country town so many understand Austin to be. 7. What do you love about living in Austin? The diversity and location for travel 8. What do you like to do for fun in Austin? Comedy Shows. Various events for fundraisers, trapeze Classes, Bikram yoga 9. Little known fact about Austin. The BBQ is great! 10. What do you think Austin has to offer African American and multi-cultural individuals? Austin has a strong group of diverse AA’s with rich conversation who partake in strengthening communities, and enriching hobbies.
made in AUSTIN Congratulations to Mel Parker, VP/GM, Dell on making Savoy Magazine’s Top 100 Influential Blacks in Corporate American. Just in case you missed it we’ve got the scoop!
MEL PARKER
Vice President and General Manager, North America, Consumer and Small Office, Dell Mel Parker is Vice President and General Manager of the North America Consumer and Small Office organization. In his role, Mr. Parker is responsible for leading sales, marketing, strategy and operations. Additionally, he is Chairman of the Dell African-American Employee Resource Group. Before joining Dell in 2009, Mr. Parker served as Vice President of North America Sales and Marketing with Newell Rubbermaid. During more than 21 years in operations, sales and marketing, Mr. Parker has held numerous senior leadership roles such as Senior Vice President of Sales North America, Vice President Marketing North America, General Manager and Brand Manager at multiple Fortune 500 Companies. Parker is a decorated combat veteran and graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger and Airborne School. He served with distinction in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft Bragg N.C. Parker has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and minored in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. 48
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E m p o w e r . I n f o r m . E n t e rta i n .
CORPORATE DIVERSITY CHAMPION SPOTLIGHT
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GIVING BACK: NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT
P H O ENI X A RI S I NG AVI ATI O N A C ADEMY
Zay & Tasha Collier Founders
Ph oeni x Ari si ng Avi ati on Academy i s a non-profi t organizat ion w h i c h h e l p s to devel op uni que l earni ng experi ences that empo wer, c h a l l e n g e and i nspi re economi cal l y di sadvantaged youth to embr ace a d e e p e r understandi ng of sci ence, technol ogy, engi neeri ng and m at h (ST E M ) th rough the context of avi ati on. Ph oeni x Ari si ng offers avi ati on-ori ented programs for b ot h y o u th a n d adul ts. The youth program consi sts of summer camps, af t er s c h o o l p rograms and w eekend w orkshops that teach math and science th ro u g h th e exci ti ng w orl d of avi ati on! The adul t programs con sist s of b o th i n tro ductory and advanced fl i ght trai ni ng uti l i zi ng scenari o - based l e a rn i n g a nd fl i ght si mul ati on to devel op profi ci ency and ski l l s m ast er y. T he Academy al so offers exci ti ng, acti on-packed youth cam ps (w h i c h a re faci l i tated by certi fi ed i nstructors) w here students will e n g a g e i n fun hands-on, age-appropri ate acti vi ti es and experi m ent s, and b u i l d th e i r ow n model pl anes and fl y vi rtual l y usi ng fl i ght si mulat ion t o re i n fo rc e every topi c covered. Students w i l l al so l earn about p hysics, a p p l i e d m athemati cs, and engi neeri ng through the study of aer odynam ic fo rc e s , a i rcraft and fl i ght control s, w eather and envi ronmental f act or s, a n d n a v i g ati on and geography. F o r m o r e info or how to get involved, contact: P hoenix A r is i ng Av ia tio n Academ y - 512-588-2359 - http://www.phoenixaviati on. org L e a rn i n g at Mach S peed... Ph o e n ix A r ising Aviation A cadem y 5 1 2 -5 8 8 -2359 p h o e n ix aviation.or g
EDU CAT E.INFORM.ENT E RTAI N
TRAVEL
Tastiest City in the South
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Experience NEW ORLEANS CREOLE
Can you imagine a great gumbo without that soulful zest and traditional African ingredients such as filé, cayenne, rice and okra? But success has many parents. Every local ethnic group lays claim to a significant contribution to New Orleans cuisine. American Indians, Spaniards, Africans, French, and Italians each speak truth about their major contributions to this fusion of gastronomic delight. To understand why and how this cuisine became so multi-faceted, consider the cultural history of New Orleans.
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Everything began with a group of American Indians who welcomed the French shortly after 1700. American Indians contributed corn and local shellfish, while Spaniards brought larger fish and the first European food preservation and preparation methods. In 1767, Spaniards took control of the land adding their cuisine, which was influenced by the Moors incursions to Spain from 1000 AD through the Crusades. A lot more seafood and Spanish cooking methods entered the cuisine. The Spaniards also brought Islenos Africans from the Canary Islands; they of course brought the first African flava’. Islenos were freed after several years of SPRING 2012
service and settled in St Bernard district. Then the Spaniards brought African slaves who further developed okra, kale, rice, sugar and peanut growing methods on nearby plantations. Others became slave cooks or earned their freedom as independent caterers. This activity led to Gumbo and Jambalaya, among others. The French returned to control the land by 1800 before selling it in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase to the United States. If only briefly, the French reasserted their preference for aristocratic presentation of fine food and a taste for desserts. Those delightful pralines sure taste like an African cook’s response to a French sweet tooth. MADEMAGAZINE.COM
Photos courtesy NewOrleansOnline.com
At this point its appropriate to explain that regional cuisine split into urban (Creole) and country (Cajun) derivations. Technically, a Creole is a city resident who claims to be of French descent and speaks a mixture of French and English. They believe in the art of sophisticated living, no matter how short their average life span. Terms like “joie de vivre” and “bon appetite” are ways of life. As the African American presence grew in the 1900s, their influence played a larger role in Creole cuisine and the emerging hybrid known today as Creole-Soul Food. The tradition of male chefs was born in this town. Cooking is such a way of life that Black men often brag and bet that they are better cooks than their wives! If you’re looking for a good meal, agree to buy the ingredients and dare the average Joe to cook something better than his wife, sister, or mother. If you request Gumbo, the ingredient list must include chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, sliced beef, pork or sausage, salt, pepper, garlic, okra, onion, bell pepper, parsley, file powder, skinless chicken, baby shrimp and hot sauce. Of course today’s tourists need not travel far to sample the delicious results best experienced by local restaurants such as Lil Dizzy’s Cafe, Deanies Seafood, Port of Call – French Quarter Restaurant, and of course Café du Monde – World famous for its cafe’ au lait, beignets, and the opportunity to people watch.
TECH
Gadget Guide
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