Best in Business Magazine March 2023

ATTRACTING TOP TALENT

HOW TO STAND OUT AS A JOB APPLICANT

BestinBusiness

2023 by Best in Business Magazine. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

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Editor’s Note

HowtoAttracttheBEST!

Thismonth'sissuemightbemyfavoriteyet. Not justbecauseit'smybirthmonth(shameless birthdayplug),butbecauseitisfullofinformationthat recruitandretaintheabsolutebestinbusiness...andth y

Wewanttocontinuetopartnerwithyouinthisnewyeartohelpyouachieveall ofyourprofessionalgoals. Ifyouneeddirectionorhelp,pleasefeelfreetocall onus...we 'recommittedtohelpingyousucceed!

Rob'sCabinets&More

Wentz's Kenpo, Karate & Kickboxing

KENPO CLASSES

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS. TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

SPARRING CLASSES

FRIDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS. TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

KICKBOXING CLASSES

TUESDAY & THURSDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

MIKE TOWERS

MAKING MENTAL WELLNESS AN INTERGRAL PART OF OUR WORKPLACE CULTURES

THE FUTURE IS OURS TO MOLD

AN INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL TOWERS

BY SHEILA FARR

There are some people whose path to freedom is inundated with entanglements, trials, and trap doors. Michael Towers gives new meaning to the phrase, "the comeback kid," as he proves that using your test to become your testimony can impact thousands. He does that each and every day!

I first heard of Michael Towers while I was attending a SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) conference in 2021. I noticed that he was speaking on mental health in the workplace, and since that was a rarely discussed topic, I felt it was imperative that I tune in for his presentation I was just finishing up an anthology about this very topic, so aside from being interesting to me, I was curious about how real the discussion would be.

What I heard nearly blew my eardrums out, knocked my socks off, and made my heart sing all at the same time! His presentation was not only vivid and transparent - it was something that every HR Director on the planet needed to know and hear. Never

before had I experienced a more impactful presentation or presenter at a conference. His words were vulnerable, relevant, and made me realize two things: 1) organizations need to do more to ensure mental wellness in the workplace, and 2) I HAD to have this gentleman join our upcoming book project!

His talk that day led me to action. I immediately reached out to our local Mental Health Association to see how I could become involved and I also reached out to Michael with an invitation to join our anthology...and to my delight - he said yes! The rest, as they say, is history!

Best in Business Magazine sat down with him recently to learn more about his mission, his passion for workplace mental wellness, and to see what he's been up to since the release of the International Bestselling book, "Cage Fight: Overcoming the Battles in Your Mind."

Michael Towers, a professional speaker and mental health counselor, is the CEO of Speaking of Your Success, LLC. We asked him to share a little about his work and what he enjoys most about it. "The most rewarding part of my work is helping Human Resource Professionals serve and care for their people. Because they are wired to pour so much of their heart, time, and energy into their coworkers, family, friends, and community, " Michael said. He has made it his mission to educate HR professionals on self-care techniques to reduce burnout and stress. "HR Pros are uniquely positioned to make maximum impact and by supporting them well," says Michael, "they can make magic happen in the lives of everyone around them."

When asked why or how he chose his current profession, he remarked, "I have always said that I didn't find counseling, counseling found me My dad was a therapist, and I vividly remember him telling a client struggling with addiction, 'If you love your kids, stop killing their father.' I knew at that second, I wanted to help people. When I was a kid, I wanted to help Native Americans as an advocate because my heart ached for their decline. When I realized I had no fear of public speaking and was talented, I saw it as a vehicle to reach millions! My message is that no matter your hurts, your mistakes, or your diagnosis you can accomplish anything and live a life beyond your wildest dreams

Michael delivers mental health programs that empower leaders. His programs teach strategies that transform company culture, teach mental health first aid, instruct directors on how to show authentic appreciation, and develop leadership principles that foster a healthy workplace He shared that he is excited to announce the launch of an initiative to guide organizations step-by-step to become psychologically safe. This will help organizations become the ideal workplace where burnout and stress are at a minimum, and mental health support is modeled and encouraged His program will also help decrease turnover, increase retention, and allow employers to watch employee engagement skyrocket. He says the great news is that mental health programs have a 5-time return on investment and there are incredible tax incentives. "We spend 90,000 hours at work, so I can make the biggest impact in the workplace. What's most important to me is improving the mental health of employees so that they can go home and love their families, friends, and community better," he explains. When we hear him talk about things like this, we know that the future is really ours to mold as HR professionals!

His biggest challenge in the work that he does? "Leadership," he says, "as a counselor, the first step is admitting there's a problem A lot of leaders are too prideful, or too asleep at the wheel. Prioritizing

productivity and profits over people It's the cart before the horse. Make the mental health of employees the mission and sit back and watch the magic."

We asked Michael to share what inspires him. His answer: "The opportunity to help more and more people is a constant inspiration. I've experienced great success, but it wasn't long ago that I suffered from untreated mental illness and had little hope. My story can show people that the bridge from serious mental illness is a short one, I've crossed it, follow me! Also, I'm a little bashful to say, the fact that people doubted me actually motivates me!"

We mentioned that he was part of the "Cage Fight" anthology, so we asked him to share a little about why he agreed to join the project.

"I am the featured author of Cage Fight: Overcoming the Battle in Your Mind. Cage Fight is about how you can step into the ring and do battle against worry, procrastination, confusion, anxiety, anger, and feelings of unworthiness, and remain victorious in the fight," he shares, "writing is a God-given talent and calling of mine. In 'Chase the Lion," Mark Batterson said, "When God puts a calling on your heart and you don't pursue it, you're being disobedient. My desire was to publish a book that someone could stumble upon in a moment of desperation and find hope. When I use my story to help people rewrite theirs, I feel like I'm most right with God. My mission is God's Great Commission. He's called me to make disciples of all nations and baptize them. I might not lead people to Christ from the stage of an HR conference on Workplace Mental Health, but if they want to know how I made it from rock bottom to that stage, I will tell them about Christ!"

We all have obstacles, even when we're doing good work in the world so how does Michael overcome obstacles? "I use prayer, meditation, and breathwork to put God in the center of everything I do. I believe that's proactive management of future obstacles. I have strong men around me for guidance and accountability, and I'm always looking for ways to improve and grow," he says.

He credits the ability to earn an income as a professional speaker as one of his greatest successes at work, along with the fact that he gets paid to do what God has called him to do Michael shares that he does what he does because, "it's what I'm equipped to do, and what I love to do and the fact that I get paid to do it is beyond my wildest dreams."

Finally, we asked him to share any advice he has with anyone considering following in his footsteps. His reply was, "If you are considering a career in counseling, make sure you are in counseling or have been in counseling. Learn about your blind spots and get as healthy as possible. To help people become their best, be your best. If you have dreams to be a professional communicator, join toastmasters!!! Toastmasters is cheap, but priceless! It will change your life!

We hope you'll visit his website and feel free to connect with Michael Towers If you're looking for a speaker for your event, we can promise you that he truly is the best in the business!

michael@speakingofyoursuccess.com

ON TOPIC

WHO ARE YOU AS A LEADER?

We teach regularly scheduled leadership classes at my workplace and I always find it interesting that so often our students have never really thought about who they are as leaders. One of the first tasks we give our students is to have them do some self-reflecting about their personal core values and the things in their lives that are really nonnegotiable for them This helps them think more directly about who they are, fundamentally, allowing them to begin to set a course for exploration of self.

From there, we focus on how we believe others see us as leaders and how those perceptions may or may not be valid

Finally, we talk about how we'd like others to see us, and the words we'd like to be known by when it comes to leadership.

by Sheila Farr SHRM-SCP Business Strategist

In our February issue, we asked our readers to tell us who they are as leaders, and we wanted to share a few of the replies we received Again, this question always seems to take others by surprise, but some of the answers we received include:

"I am the responsible one."

"As a leader, I am the person who has the privilege of teaching others the best ways to accomplish their tasks"

"It is my job to guide and inspire..."

We love getting feedback from our readers, and these responses to our question help us know that we are on

the right track when it comes to helping new leaders really think about who they are as leaders.

When it comes to developing your own personal leadership philosophy, where are you in the process? Have you given it much thought at all? Do you simply go to work each day and do your tasks without giving much thought to the development of your team, the improvement of your processes, or growing yourself as a leader? If this sounds like you, it might be time to stop and take a new direction when it comes to leading others.

One comment that we frequently hear is that employees don't leave bad companies, they leave bad leaders. In order to become the best you can be as a leader, it truly is important to take some time to evaluate who you are and what you are doing If you are ready to make positive changes in the way you lead, we will meet you right here in our April issue as we share our "formula" for developing a new leadership philosophy. It will make all the difference in how your team responds to you and in the way you feel about the work you do!

BUSIN BUSINESS ESS SPOTLIGHT

KINGDOM 365/24/7/360

Kingdom 365/24/7/360 is a podcast and television show that encourages and inspires others. Hosted by Minister Kimberly Woodcock, this show demonstrates how God is at work in today's world. Kimberly talks to business professionals, advocates, authors, and other ministers providing opportunities for them to share about how the Lord has become real and personal in their lives. It is a testimony of how others have risen and learned to rejoice in the gladness of the Lord!

MEETKIMBERLYWOODCOCK

At the nucleus of change, lies a shift in the mind. Ushering others into transformative thinking about God’s kingdom, culture, community, and humanity is the compassionate professional, Kimberly Woodcock.

Kimberly is a five-time international bestselling author, writer, speaker, Community Support Specialist, and ordained minister committed to encouraging and inspiring others on how to lead with God in service and purpose.

When Kimberly is not out making a difference in the world, at work or in the community, she is spending time with friends, family, her husband; John Woodcock and son, Brandon Fisher, creating priceless moments and precious memories.

APPEARON THESHOW!

If you are interested in learning more about the NOW Network - or about becoming a gues on Kingdom 365/24/7/360 with Kimberly - simply visit the link provide and complete the intake form. Kimberly would love to host you and hear your stories of overcoming and achievement!

4 WAYS TO MAKE YOU STAND UP ABOVE THE CROWD

BY SHER GRAHAM

Human resource professionals hire the highest quality of individuals for a specific position in their company. Whether your working environment is a home-based business or a Fortune 10 culture, there are four ways that you can choose to set yourself apart from the competition during the interview process and when you are hired.

The irony is over the 50 years I have worked in both environments; they haven't changed. It's not always about what is on your resume or even who you know. It is about the quality of your character and how you conduct yourself in the business of people and the process.

.

Having conducted thousands of interviews and been interviewed, these four tips still remain the most beneficial in creating your own ‘uniqueness’ that is memorable to someone else. Every meeting is an interview. Every interview is a meeting of the minds. Every moment you meet someone is a time for influencing. The essence of communication is essential to influencing someone to hire you. How you perceive people and how you treat people is VERY important. Trade skills can be taught; people skills are innate. Apply part-time or full-time. Apply in fast food or manufacturing. It’s the professionalism that you choose to exhibit through your behavior that is the true key to successful hiring and work performance.

The word I really like to use is ‘distinguished.' When someone says, “He/She has distinguished himself/herself in his/her career” is one of the greatest compliments given to someone. The definition of ‘distinguished’ is broad: “respectable, perceived as a difference in, marked by excellence, set apart.” A great article on written by Joshua Becker titled “How to Distinguish Yourself” is a must read.

Here are my favorite 4 of the 8 tips Joshua talks about to distinguish yourself from the world around you. These tips can be found at: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/disting uished/ They are:

“1. Choose to live differently. Live set apart. Choose to live a life different than society. Following the crowd is what everyone else is doing. It’s certainly not going to result in a life that stands out from the crowd.”

“2. Remain focused. This world is full of distractions from things that matter Many of the pursuits most common to humankind (money, power, fame, possessions) are only distractions from the pursuits in life that are most important. Remove trivial distractions today. Do it all again tomorrow.”

3. Include others in your growth. The quickest way to succeed in life is to help someone else succeed in theirs. Share your gifts and talents and accomplishments. Mentor others. Compete less, encourage more.”

4 Show grace and empathy to others

Those who routinely extend grace, patience, and kindness to others distinguish themselves in a crowded world. Think of someone whom you remember. Remind yourself often that this world is largely unfair, that people come from a variety of backgrounds, and that nobody is truly self-made even you Take time to listen. Be patient. This approach to life always results in humbleness, graciousness, patience, and love.

Some activities to consider: 1) Smile and speak to everyone you meet. Yes, everyone everywhere. 2) Mail a handwritten note to the person you interviewed with 3) Have a firm handshake when first meeting. 4) Listen to their questions. Answer with clarity and honesty. 5) Eating food or drinking beverages during the interview is not recommended. Say “No Thank you."

One of my favorite mentors, Dr. Wayne Dyer, sums uniqueness up this way: “Apply your own uniqueness to everything you undertake.” Ah.. food for unique thoughts. I leave you with this thought.

With

CARLIN DUNCAN of

We promised to share more about Carlin in this month's issue, so we're keeping true to our word. First of all, thank you to the readers - we appreciate the warm welcome you gave to our new resident foodie! The response to her first submission was nothing short of spectacular! We knew you'd love it! This month, Carlin's sharing her famous pasta salad recipe and you can find it at the conclusion of this article. But now...a little more about this innovative caterer who has taken the Mississippi Gulf Coast by storm!

ABOUT STRUGGLES AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM

Every career field is not without their struggles and the catering profession has a special set of demands and pressures. We asked Carlin about the main struggle she faces in her profession and her answer was, "Making sure I stop doubting myself. At times it's a struggle to keep that out of my own head. But I try to remember when it creeps in that in that moment it's the devil working to stop me from my calling. I haven't mastered keeping it at bay but I am mastering the gift of snapping out of the self-doubt quicker." Then we asked her to share how she manages to overcome the obstacles in work and her reply was, "Overcoming obstacles isn't always easy, but I always try to remember why I started. I stay faithful to my faith. I pray to God every day to never let me forget where I come from and to always keep me grounded. I was always brought up to walk and talk to God. As a child, my grandmother would have said “just walk and talk with him baby, he can always hear you no matter what.” Although my grandmother is no longer with me physically, anytime I feel backed against a wall, I can hear her say it, and so I start my walk and talk session. Because of her, because of HIM, I always recover and bounce back."

A LEGACY OF MOTIVATION AND LOVE

What motivates Carlin?… love. She says, "Love motivates me to keep going. Not money but love. Love for food, love for other people's happiness. Love for practicing my skill and talent. Love to be better. And just overall love to see the world as a better place. I try to show love through food. And if that dish brings you your only joy for that day, then I have done my job. And that pushes me to do it for the next person and the next. My Grandma believed everything could be cured with a good cry and some good food. And it's my job to make sure that stays true."

We love having Carlin on board with Best in Business to share her talent, her heart, and her amazing insight into the world of catering and cooking!

You're going to love this month's recipe: Carlin's Famous Pasta Salad! Light, yet filling, this is a great take-along for any type of gathering.

Keep watching for more about Carlin, her amazing business, Girl Meets Kitchen, and all of the places you can connect with her along the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

APRIL'S RECIPE

CARLIN'S FAMOUS PASTA SALAD

This pasta is perfect for any event, holiday , or just because It's quick and super easy Great for those days you just don't want to spend all day in the kitchen Also, it’s great as leftovers for lunch

Ingredients

1 box of bowtie pasta

2 chicken breast

1 container of cherry tomatoes

1 bag of frozen peas

1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan

Grape seed or Olive oil

Butter

Photograph by Christopher Duncan

Step 1

Butterfly your 2 chicken breast and season well with your favorite seasoning I love to use a good cajun seasoning along with garlic powder Sear your chicken breast in 2 tbsp of oil and 1 tbsp of butter

While your chicken is cooking, boil 1 box of bowtie pasta in salted water until done and drain.

Step 2

Once peas are heated through, toss in your tomatoes just to coat them It should be a good 5 mins or so We don’t want to blister them just enough to warm them slightly Once done, remove from heat

Once rested, chop chicken into bite size pieces There is no wrong or right size to cut chicken, so use your preference

Step 3

Time to mix!

In a large bowl, pour in your pasta, breaking away any lumps or clumps if there are any. Next, mix in your peas, tomatoes, and chicken. Toss everything together with 2tbsp of oil (from the list).

Taste for flavor, and if needed salt/pepper or 1tsp of Cajun seasoning can be added based off your taste preference. But this part is optional.

Step 4

Plate and garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and enjoy!

bySheilaFarr

FindingandKeepingtheBestoftheBest

2023TRENDS

Want to attract top talent this year? Dothesethreethings:

1. Offer a competitive, but flexible, benefitspackage.

2. Develop a reputation for being thebestofthebest.

3. Provide opportunities for your employees to grow WITH your company!

Every organization wants to hire employees to drive business success and nowadays, attracting top talent requires far more than a quick post on one of the popular job posting sites. Companies have to actively target the right candidates, promote positions throughvariousoutlets,andcapitalizeon their marketing efforts to stand out among a surplus of great career opportunities

Being successful at recruiting talent also means companies have to rethink their current employee recruitment strategies to find innovative ways to attract - and keep-toptalent.

While talent acquisition is an on-going process for many human resources professionals, attracting the top talenttalentthatcanhelpsetyourorganization apart from others in your professionrequires companies to dig a little deeper in the hiring pool. It takes planning and determination to become the best in ordertofindandhirethebest

WorkplaceCulture

First, consideration should be given to yourworkplaceculture Your workplace culture is the character and personality of your organization. It involves the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that make up the regular atmosphere in a workenvironment.

The best way to ensure you attract top talent for your company is to make certainyouhaveahealthyworkculture Developing core values that directly reflect who you are as an organization can help you clearly define why you exist and thus can help you draw in thoseworkerswhoshareinyourvalues.

Having a strong sense of community can also help with developing an healthy work culture because it helps your employees know and understand that what they do has a larger impact than what they accomplish inside the wallsofyourcompany

Accurately categorizing job duties and writing good job descriptions can also enhance your corporate work culture because it establishes and clearly communicates a solid set of expectations for organizations to set for theiremployees.

5 Things for Hiring Managers to Consider

Whenemployeeshaveaclear understandingoftheirresponsibilities,they willworkmoreefficientlyandeffectively becausetheygrasptheimportanceoftheir roles.

CompanyReputation

Acandidate'sperceptionofacompanyis manytimesthefirststepindecidingwhether ornottheywouldliketoworkforthem. Creatingpositiveexposureforyourbusiness increasesitslevelofcredibilityand reputation,makingitanattractiveprospect fortalent.

Onewayyoucandothisisbyoperatingby yourcorevalues. Becomingknownfor keepingyourpromises,providinghigh qualityexperiences(foryourcustomersand employees),andmaintainingconsistency areallgreatstepstotaketoensureyour company sustainsagoodreputation;one thatmostcertainlywillattracttoptalent!

PersonalRelationships

Employeesnotonlywanttofeelinvestedin theworktheydo,buttheyalsowanttosee thattheiremployerisinvestedinthesame thingstheyvalueandbelievein. Takingtime totalktoyourcandidates(beyondthescope of"whatareyourstrengthsand weaknesses),canhelpyoubegintodevelop relationshipswithyourteamthatwillbe lastingones.

Peopleareincreasinglylookingtojoin organizationsthathaveagreaterpurpose beyondprofitability Ensureyourhiring managersclearlyarticulatesthe organizationalpurposeandhelpsconnect employeestotheroletheyplayinhelping yourorganizationachievethegreatergood.

Remember,however,don'tjusttalktoyour employees-besurethatyouareasking questions,listeningtotheirinput,and engagingtheminworkthatismeaningful

interestingtothem.

PersonalFulfillmentatWork

AccordingtoForbesmagazine(2021)mostof usworkanaverageof100,000hoursfromthe ageof18to65,(theaveragelifetime).That's asignificantpercentageofthetimemostof uswillspendonearth,soifyouaren’tfulfilled bywhatyou’redoingforwork,lifecanfeel prettyempty.

Feelingfulfilledwithyourcareercanleadto overallsatisfactionandhappinessfromyour job.Understandinghowtohelpemployees achievethiscanhelpyoufindemployees who enjoytheirworkanditcamimprove their efficiencyandperformanceinit.

Providingcompetitivebenefitspackages thatsupporttheirlifestyleoutsideofworkis onewaytohelpemployeesfeelsecure,but showingappreciationtoemployeesand providingthemchallengesthatengage themarealsoimportantwaystohelpfoster personalfulfillmentatwork.

CareerProgression

Assistingemployeeswithcareerplanning andprovidingexamplesofcareerpaths withinacompanycanbeoneofthekey waysforcompaniestoengagetheirpeople andgetthemmoreenthusedaboutstaying andcontributingwithinacompany.Often, skilledpeopleleavetheircompanies becausetheyarenotawareofthewide rangeofcareerpossibilitiesopentothem. Theymayonlybeawareofjobswithintheir departmentorunit,andmayget discouragediftheydonotseeanythingto meettheirowncareergoals. That'swhyitis importanttodiscussemployeeexpectations andopportunitiesduringtheinterview process.

Safety Tips for Employees: KNOW

Certainly, everyone should take personal ownership over their career development, but corporations can provide valuable information to assist employees in this critical venture even before the onboarding paperwork has been initiated

Be sure that you are discussing expectations (both yours and the potential employee's), providing honest information about potential opportunities within the organization, and making opportunities for career advancement inside your company in order to attract and retain the best of the best when it comes to employee talent.

WhatWillYourNextStepsBe?

Now that you know a little more about how to attract - and keep - top talent, what will your first steps be? We suggest that you spend some time looking at your hiring and retention trends and then ask yourself some serious questions Consider these:

Are you transparent in your informationsharing with potential new employees?

Do you ask new recruits questions about their expectations and goals? If yes, do you take action on them?

Are you in the habit of listening to regular feedback and suggestions from your employees?

To get on the right path to attracting top talent, we suggest that you evaluate your reputation, core values, workplace culture, benefits programs an opportunities for fulfillment and career progression to ensure you're being the best in your business.

Each month the team at Gulf Coast Training & Education Services in Biloxi, Mississippi offers free professional development training?

If you're an HR Professional, or interested in the HR career field, you are invited to join in on the training each month.

SHRM-certified professionals earn 1 PDC for completing the training, but you do not have to be SHRMcertified to attend. Register at:

www.gulfcoasttraining.org

Health and Wellness

Why Restorative Yoga Might be Exactly What You Need

By Sheila Farr

If you've ever tried Vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga and decided you're "not a yoga person," I would encourage you to give restorative yoga a try! Many find Vinyasa and Ashtanga a little too physically demanding and fastpast, so for those people I say, "try restorative yoga!"

Restorative yoga has a more gentle, slow, and nourishing style and flow. It is a relaxing, meditative, more passive style of yoga that involves holding fewer (and more floorbased) postures for longer periods of time. It involves the use of props (blocks and bolsters) for support and can also be done from a chair for those who are unable to lower themselves onto a mat

The primary focus of restorative yoga is to connect with your body and relax. The benefits of this style of yoga are plentiful and include:

Promotes emotional and physical relaxation

Can lower blood pressure

Promotes deep breathing

Reduces pain and tension

Improves sleep

Is suitable for any size and type of body

Because restorative yoga requires such gentle motion, it makes it a great option for those just getting started with movement, and even for senior citizens with limited mobility. It is a great way to begin waking up your body and connecting with a form of movement and exercise that is more conducive to helping us slow down a bit from our busy lives and overthinking.

It might be exactly what you need! Give restorative yoga a try!

Wentz's Kenpo, Karate & Kickboxing

KENPO CLASSES

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS. TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

SPARRING CLASSES

FRIDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS. TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

KICKBOXING CLASSES

TUESDAY & THURSDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

INSPIRATION

PRESSING ON WITH PERSERVERENCE

Can you think of a time where you felt as though you were on a never-ending rollercoaster from which you would never get off? Or maybe you felt like you were going in circles just running on fumes? How exhausting those feelings are! I know personally that I have felt these ways many times in my life At times I thought that my dreams, my goals, and my plans were never going to become a reality; no matter what I did I trusted that God had a plan, and I knew that His timing was perfect, however, I was failing to realize the most important part of it all: His process! I learned as I trusted Him more, and by growing my relationship with his son, Jesus, that during His process we must never quit, never give up, and we must press on with perseverance.

You may have heard that you can’t plant an apple tree and expect an apple to grow overnight. There is a process in which you must choose the right season, prepare the soil, plant the seed, water the seed, and then wait on the apples to produce. If you sat and watched for the seed to immediately grow an apple, then you were not only wasting precious time that you could be making for something else important, but you were also not trusting the process In time, trusting the process, and waiting, you will eventually have an apple Your tree will produce delicious fruit and will also be multiplied It will be worth the wait

We must remember that we must persevere and keep pressing forward chasing after our dreams, our goals, and our plans, not forgetting that God’s plans for our lives are far better than any plan we could make for ourselves. If we have a vision for something in our life that we would like to happen then we should do whatever it takes to make it happen, but if it does not happen as quickly as we would like for it to happen, then we must wait on the process, and be patient. We must have hope in our hearts, and a never-ending faith that the Lord will help us, especially if our vision is in His will. We must, like my grand-mother taught me as a young child, keep on keeping on. I will never forget those words as they will forever live in my heart as part of her legacy.

I know I have often questioned myself in the past, wondering if the goals for my life were achievable or not. I also questioned as time went on if my goals were ever going to be accomplished, and if they are then when would I finally be successful in achieving them? I look back now, and see all of the time and effort I have put in to be at the stage of success that I am at today I have worked hard to build a personal brand and have a positive reputation of what I represent and what I stand for

BY ASHLEY PRIMA

From beginning to write poetry at a very young age to now being an international, multi-time best-selling author and public speaker, and having spoken on stages to share my message and testimony of the things, I have had to endure to get to where I am today and it has been a challenge Although it has been a challenge, the rewards at the end have been worth the wait

Along with being an author and public speaker, I wear many hats where I have been rocking each hat on my head I sometimes can wear multiple hats at once I am a business owner to several businesses, a multimedia journalist for a local online newspaper, a professional event photographer, and a mental health advocate. I work as public relations for a well-known fashion agency, and I am a secretary to a mental health organization. And as of the publication of this article I can say that I am a cowriter for a well-known magazine. Along with those things, and a few others, I recently launched my most precious “business baby,” which is my very own news and event vlog where I do video interviews and turn them into a blog. I have done all of these things even being diagnosed with several mental health conditions and a struggle with confidence, and also a battle with low self-esteem. I am not going to say that it has been an easy journey because it certainly has been my own personal rollercoaster, but I will say that where I am now, finally “making it," has been worth the wait

I am grateful that I have never quit I never gave up Even when I thought I would never achieve a single goal, I kept on keeping on If I fell, I got back up and I got back up even stronger than before I had fallen I thank the Lord for His process and I thank Him for His strength that I have had to keep pressing on in perseverance I look back and see the obstacles that I have overcome and I see why I had to go through them. My personal motto is that you have to go through it to get to it...and I am thankfully finally to it.

If you ever feel that you will never get off that rollercoaster or that you are just about to run out of gas, remember that God’s process is to ride that rollercoaster, or drive that vehicle until we are at our destination of success while trusting His process. You will get there, but only if you keep going. Keep striving. Be who you are meant to be. If I can finally step INTO my purpose to live IN my purpose ON purpose, then you can do the same. The best is yet to come, my friend, but you must know with all your heart, soul, and mind that the best will come By the grace of God, and giving Him all glory, honor, and praise for all of the things He has done for me, is doing for me, and will do for me I will forever be grateful for His process And for the things I have in store, I am waiting, and I am pushing on with perseverance Don’t quit Don’t give up Persevere! It will be worth it in the end!

In a generation most exposed to the chains of mental health disparities, there is a voice of advocacy in the likes of Ashley Prima Ashley is a compassionate leader, speaker, multi-time International best-selling author, multimedia journalist, and mental health advocate. Ashley is the owner of Writing For Success, LLC

F

E A T U R E D A N T H O L O G Y

Fromthemomentyoulayeyes on the patriotic-colored tiedyed logo, you know there's something special about this organization.

Veteransville is a new nonprofit established to provide charitable and educational services to Veterans and their families. Founded by retired U.S. Army logistics specialist Brandi Miles, Veteransville has already started making an a major impact serving homeless Veterans along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. "We aren't just limited to helping the homeless population, but herealongtheCoast,somany of our brothers and sisters needhelp. We'reworkingto

Veteransville: HelpingOthers Connect& Grow

by Sheila Farr

make sure we don't just get stuck in a cycle of outreach, but instead, we'd like to focus on helping with reintegration into our community,"saysMiles.

In addition to homeless outreach and reintegration, Veteransville will offer assistance to female Veterans undergoing trauma recovery by offering quarterly retreats that focus on providing mental health counseling, on-going lifecoaching, and education in the areas of health and wellness. "It's so important to help others understand that many of our veterans arestillinrecovery. Somany ofourfemaleveteransneed

help in releasing the control and experiences that had in the military, so they can transitiontocivilianlivesand still be productive. We're working to make sure that happens for as many Veteransaswecan,"saidthe Executive Director of the organization.

Plans are in the works for a fundraising golf tournament on May 27th and a festivalcalled "VetsFest" this November. "We just want to show the world what our Veterans are capable of doing. We're out here changing the world and making sure we help our veterans make healthy connections with each other andwithourcommunity,"

remarkedCoachBrandi Miles.

Veteransvilleisexcitedto beginpartneringwith othernonprofitsand businessesalongthe Coastinordertobring theirservicestoawider rangeofVeterans.

Inadditiontothe homelessreintegration andrecoverretreats they'replanning, Veteransvillealsooffers educationandtrainingin theareasofleadership, management,peer support,andtrauma recovery,alongwith offeringvariousclasses includingjobtraining, interviewingskills,yoga, taichi,mindfulness,and writingastherapy.

Foradditional informationabout Veteransville-orto partnerwiththem-you maycontactBrandi Milesat veteransvilleinfo@gmail. com

**Editor's note: this article is being rerun from our February issue due to its popularity and the high number of inquiries about this organization.

VeteransvilleExecutive Director,BrandiMiles

VETERANS' CORNER: UNDERSTANDING VA ELIGIBILTY AND WHAT THE VA OFFERS TO VETERANS

By Sheila Farr

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the term "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. A minimum service requirement exists to be considered a veteran Service members must have served a minimum of 24 months of active duty to be considered a veteran. If the service member becomes disabled because of their time in the service, there is no minimum length of service to qualify for VA benefits.

You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn't receive a dishonorable discharge. Even if you have other forms of health care coverage (like a private insurance plan, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE), you can use VA health care benefits along with these plans.

Aside from healthcare benefits, the VA's website also indicates that the following services and assistance is available to our veterans:

Beneficiary Financial Counseling

The VA's Insurance Service provides beneficiaries with free, professional financial advice from FinancialPoint, an independent company whose team of professionals are experts in handling a wide range of financial matters Beneficiaries can access this service online 24/7 to request a financial plan.

Career Center

The Career Center on eBenefits offers Service members in transition and Veterans with opportunities to translate their military skills into careers in the public and private sectors The tools and resources available in the Career Center allow Service members and Veterans the ability to search for jobs, identify professional strengths, and create and post resumes

Educational and Vocational Counseling

VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment Service provides educational-vocational counseling for veterans and certain dependents. This service can provide a wide range of educational and vocational counseling services to Service members still

on active duty, as well as Veterans and dependents who are eligible for one of VA's educational benefit programs These services are designed to help an individual choose a vocational direction and determine the course needed to achieve the chosen goal.

Fiduciary Program

The VA's Fiduciary Program was established to protect Veterans and other beneficiaries who, due to injury, disease, or due to age, are unable to manage their financial affairs. The fiduciary is responsible to the beneficiary and oversees financial management of VA benefit payments Generally, family members or friends serve as fiduciaries for beneficiaries; however, when friends and family are not able to serve, VA looks for qualified individuals or organizations to serve as a fiduciary

Independent Living

The Independent Living program is designed to make sure that each eligible Veteran is able, to the maximum extent possible, to live independently and participate in family and community life increasing their potential to return to work Those who may qualify are Veteran's whose service connected disabilities are so severe that they are currently unable to pursue an employment goal.

Mortgage Delinquency Assistance

In cases where loan servicers are unable to help Veteran borrowers, VA's Loan Guaranty Service has Loan Technicians in eight regional loan centers and a special servicing center who take an active role in interceding with the servicer to explore all options to avoid foreclosure Service members or Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans can call (877) 827-3702 to reach the nearest Loan Guaranty office where Loan Specialists are prepared to discuss potential ways to help save the loan

Reach out to your local VA for more info on any of these programs.

find the right employment fit as they transition to civilian employment

Sheila Farr is a former U S Air Force Reserve personnelist and currently serves on the Board of the Gulf Coast Human Resource Association and the Mississippi State Council of SHRM as the Workforce Readiness Director. She's the CEO of Gulf Coast Training & Education Services, where she works to help Veterans

TALK BACK!

Last month, we asked you to share about what attracts you to the perfect job. Here's what you had to say...

"It's not just about money anymore. In order to attract the best candidates businesses need to be about more than the bottom line."

Mike B., Youngstown, OH

"When I was looking for my dream job, I was most concerned with their benefits package and their ability to allow flexibility in my work schedule. Those two things are most important to me."

Erin C., Philadelphia, PA

"What I feel attracts top talent is a company's reputation. You've got to be a place that people want to work for."

Karen H , Tampa, FL

TALK BACK!

LET US HEAR FROM YOU! EMAIL US AT TRAINTHEGULFCOAST@GMAIL COM TO SHARE ABOUT THE WORST ONBOARDING EXPERIENCE YOU'VE EVER HAD! WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME, OR NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS, AND THE CITY/STATE IN WHICH YOU ARE LOCATED AND WE'LL SHARE YOUR COMMENTS IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!

APRIL'S TOPIC: ONBOARDING FOR KEEPS!

"Things that would attract me are good benefits, a solid salary, the ability to work for a reputable organization, and a fun and flexible environment. You spend too much time at work to be miserable there."

Rick

K., Las Vegas, NV

Dear Dr. BizBuzz:

I used to work in the oil field for 10 years where I invested a percentage to my 401K. It has been 8 years since I have worked there or in a similar industry. Shortly afterward, I ended up working in a different field that offered 403's. So, I opened another account to be able to keep my previous investment available in hopes that I would return to the oil industry. I am currently working in an industry that has IRA plan that I have agreed to contribute bimonthly. I also have a personal investment account where I can buy, sell, or trade if I wanted. Each of these accounts has proved to be beneficial and profitable. I don't mind keeping track of these accounts.

My question is, "Is it better to stay diversified with 401K, 403, and IRA accounts being that each one of these investments has its own perks in the long run, or should I consolidate so that I can manage gains and losses from the 401K that I don't have any financial control over or can't contribute to purchasing more shares in the oilfield? If it is better to consolidate, which account would be best for future financial security?"

Thank you for taking my question. I look forward to wise counsel.

Gloria N., Texas

Dear Gloria,

Thank you for your question regarding financial planning. This is an area that is not in my wheelhouse of expertise. As a business consultant, I recommend that individuals get at least 2 referrals from financial planners in their area. However, I have been going through a similar financial planning endeavor, so I will share with you the steps I took and hope this helps.

Here are some questions I have to consider as I go through this journey. My first step was to get a notebook and pen and answer the questions in writing about my financial future What does it look like? Whom will it impact? How much longer do I want to be involved in a career? What experiences would I like to pursue once I change the course of my retirement? Do you have long-term healthcare? Do you have all of your paperwork done including your will and end-of-life documents completed? What is paid for? What do I want to invest in?

A favorite article that helped me is “7 Important Questions a Financial Plan Can Help You Answer “written by Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz in October 2020. Below is a link to the article that really makes me consider things I hadn’t thought about. A portion of that article is included within this reply.

https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/7-important-questions-financial-plan-can-help-youanswer

“1) How realistic is it to reach all of my dreams and goals?

The only way to make any of that happen is to get specific A financial plan starts with helping you zero in on what you own and what you owe and clarifies how your income can cover essentials as well as savings and discretionary expenses It will help you focus on your goals, put a dollar amount on each and create a realistic timeline for achieving them

2) What should I do first?

Trying to save, invest and pay off debt all at once can be overwhelming. A basic plan helps you prioritize, whether you're creating a savings strategy, trying to reduce debt or both. It can give you a blueprint for acting; for example, getting a 401(k) match first, next paying off nondeductible high-interest debt, then contributing to your child's education. These aren't high finance issues; these are everyday issues.

3) How should I invest for retirement as well as shorter-term goals like a down payment or kids' education?

How you invest has a lot to do with when you need the money The longer the timeframe, the more risk you can afford to take, depending on your own feelings about risk Generally speaking, the money you'll need within the next six-to-eighteen months, like an emergency fund or a vacation, should be in cash Money for intermediate goals that you may need in two-to-four years, like a home down payment, might be conservatively invested in bonds.

Savings for longer-term goals more than five-to-seven years out, for instance, retirement or college, could reasonably be invested in stocks Once you've answered questions one and two, you'll more easily be able to pinpoint how to invest for your various goals

4) What's the best way to protect my family and me?

A financial plan can also help you focus on crucial issues like emergency preparation and insurance. Do you have enough cash to cover at least three-to-six months' essential living expenses? When was the last time you reviewed your health insurance coverage? Do you need life or disability insurance and how much? These are the deeper questions a plan can help you answer to protect your family from the unexpected.

5) When will I be able to retire and how much will I need?

As you prioritize your savings goals, retirement should be high on your list, because the earlier you start planning the better But planning for when you'll be able to retire isn't about saving blindly; it's about projecting your needs with some degree of accuracy So back to question one Your current expenses provide a reasonable starting point to estimate a retirement budget This will give you an idea of how much you need to save when you can realistically retire, and if you're on track

6) What if something should happen to me?

This is the key reason for estate planning another concept that many people feel doesn't apply to them. But we all need to think about who will take care of our children, who will make financial and medical decisions if we can't do it for ourselves, and how we want our assets and personal property distributed. Again, it's not about "how much," but rather about "how" we want these decisions to be made. A financial plan helps keep you in charge, so someone else doesn't make decisions for you.

7)

What am I overlooking?

There are a lot of pieces to our financial lives And sometimes it's hard to see them all, let alone how they fit together A financial plan lays them out for you so you can see if something is missing If you can work with a financial planning professional, so much the better A set of trained eyes can help you address any savings shortfalls, improve your budget, and save on taxes.

Answers that go beyond money:

The process of creating a financial plan can be just as important as the plan itself It can help you think through and more confidently make life decisions; it can give you the assurance that your family is covered in the face of an uncertain world; and it can help couples be on the same page as they deal with present worries and future hopes. In other words, financial planning can be liberating not just for you personally, but for your entire family as well.”

The more that you learn and the more you visualize what type of life you want to create, the better the foundation for it happening. Finding a financial planner will be the challenge. Ask for recommendations. and Interview them with your questions.

Good luck

Dr

Bizbuzz

Sher Graham is CEO/EVP, NeuroBehavior for OSBI/Synergy Solutions Collab, Mobile, AL, an international mindset transformation speaker and best-selling author, journalist and behavioral health advocate. She may be reached at synergytosoar@gmail.com.

Ask

Dr. BizBuzz

Bookworms

FOR MORE GOOD READING ABOUT THE BEST IN HIRING, WE SUGGEST THESE BOOKS!

HIRE TO WIN BY TATIUANA CURE

If you ever found yourself struggling to find time for recruiting or not knowing where to start in bringing someone new to your team, this book is written for you. You are looking for solutions, answers, shortcuts, time-saving hacks, results, and, most importantly, you are looking to win.

Hire to Win is designed to accompany managers looking to achieve better results, higher profits, and more success through the employees they hire

HIRING FOR GROWTH BY TRAVIS BUTLER

Whether you're a small business owner, HR manager, or a startup founder, this book provides practical and tactical insights and proven strategies to help you identify and attract quality candidates, build a positive company culture, and retain top performers.

HIRE WITH FIRE BY DENISE AND RANDY WILKERSON

Hiring decisions can be challenging for even the most experienced managers You want to hire top talent – “A” players, high achievers, and top performers who are engaged and passionate about their work But how do you screen for these important traits during the interview process to hire the best candidate for the job? Is there an interview method that would give you more confidence in your hiring decisions?

Coming in april: onboarding for keeps!

All year long we are focusing on the topics that our human resource managers and business owners have requested.

Next month, our focus is on onboarding new employees! We'll share information for small businesses and entrepreneurs that will help them design, develop, and execute onboarding processes that will not only "wow" their new employees, it will encourage them to stay and grow with the organization for years to come!

Also coming in April is a new monthly feature that features YOUR commentary! We'll be inviting guest contributors to provide thought-provoking commentary that will keep you engaged, intrigued, and will move you to action.

Join us for all of this and more in April!

gulf coast training & education services, LLC