d-mars.com Business Journal 86

Business Journal September - October 15, 2014

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Wealth Builders

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Take Charge of Your Career and Financial Future

By Mikal Powers America is seeing signs of recovery after one of the most significant economic downturns in recent history.

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Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers for Diversity & Supplier Diversity Champions Directory Unveiling

Motivational Moment w/ JW – Building Financial Wealth

By Jarrod Wilkins ‘Tips on how to build financial wealth’ is one of the most searched topics online today.

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Building Wealth: The Capitalist Blueprint

By Dr. D. L. Jones I believe the purpose of investing is to make your money work for you so that it generates revenue when you’re sleeping as opposed to exchanging labor for cash.

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Mutual Pointe Helps Clients Pursue Financial Independence Join our e-mail list for the latest updates @ d-mars.com

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Build Your Wealth Muscle When You Dream, Pray and HUSTLE!

The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”

– Bob Marley

September-October 15, 2014

Journal Behind The

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Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Valerie Jones

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

Houston is home to numerous black-owned businesses that are profitable and growing. By supporting those businesses, we are each helping to promote wealth building in our communities. Circulating black dollars puts all of us in better positions to create more businesses, thereby generating more wealth among our population.

In this issue, you’ll find tips and advice on how to build your wealth. In our cover story, we also focus in on the perception of wealth and how it has changed throughout the years. I hope that you’ll find the stories informative and also inspiring.

As always again, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

CONTENTS

PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes

online support specialist Anthony Torregosa

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Valerie Jones Helen Callier Kachelle Kelly Mikal Powers Jarrod Wilkins Mena Freeman Noel Pinnock Michael O. Adams, Ph.D Carroll G. Robinson, J.D. Dr. D. L. Jones

Mutual Pointe Helps Clients Pursue Financial Independence.............................................................................................................. 4 Five Key Ways to Increase Your Small Business Chances of Winning Government Contracts................................................. 6 National Bar Association Names Robert Collier a Trailblazer Under 40............................................................................................ 6 Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers for Diversity & Supplier Diversity Champions Directory Unveiling...8 Build Your Wealth Muscle When You Dream, Pray and HUSTLE!.........................................................................................................10 Take Charge of Your Career and Financial Future.................................................................................................................................. 12 In the Business Community…........................................................................................................................................................................ 12 Motivational Moment w/ JW – Building Financial Wealth..................................................................................................................... 13 Disability Income Insurance: What Every Physician Needs to Know................................................................................................ 14 “Wealth Can’t be Stealth”...............................................................................................................................................................................16 Houston’s Vibrant Technology Sector and Threats from Abroad.......................................................................................................18 Building Wealth: The Capitalist Blueprint.................................................................................................................................................20 Did You Know?.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 Old Folks Saying…............................................................................................................................................................................................ 22

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September-October 15, 2014

Mutual Pointe Helps Clients Pursue Financial Independence

Larry Capehart Focuses on Closing Wealth Gap

By Valerie Jones Associate Editor

L

arry Capehart II began his career in the financial field in 2003 as a business banker for Bank of America. During his time there, he found that he had a calling for this industry, and helped to structure and find financial resources for businesses. Capehart then ventured into the investment and wealth building side of things at a different job – teaching businesses and individuals how to grow their wealth and financial literacy. In 2009, he moved to Edward Jones where he had his own branch, affording him the opportunity to learn how to run his own business.

“I was given the freedom to structure my business, which allowed for me to customize and cater to my clients’ investment and financial needs,” Capehart said. “I felt there was a void in giving them solutions that they actually needed.”

After reading a stimulating article, Capehart made a distinct decision on the primary demographic he wanted to focus on: African Americans.

“I remember Prudential published a study exploring the extreme wealth gap between African Americans and other races. I found it interesting to study trends and the ways in which different cultures spend money and the way in which they perceive wealth,” he said.

Capehart found that it wasn’t an

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September-October 15, 2014

issue of an income gap between African Americans and other races; more so, it was about not having a financial foundation of how to invest, save and create a nest egg with that income. So he made it his goal to invest in the underserved

community by providing financial literacy programs and attempt to make a dent in closing the wealth gap.

“I remember looking at individuals’ spending patterns and they were similar. I knew there had to be some sort of solu-

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UTUAL POINTE WEALTH ADVISORS

Equipped with the financial experience and fueled by his determination to help his community pursue financial independence, Capehart founded Mutual Pointe Wealth Advisors to better cater and customize his approach to his core demographic. He named his company Mutual Pointe to signify the mutual point he and his clients reach to get them to the next financial level.

Some specializations of Mutual Pointe include Retirement Planning, Investment Planning and Advanced Business Owner Strategies. Capehart strongly believes that the presentation of available financial resources should be tailored for specific cultural needs.

“Some people say I’m trying to reinvent the wheel of finances, but that’s not necessarily the case,” he said. “It’s primarily about providing the specific needs of a particular culture. Should a bank do that? I don’t know, but someone should provide the resources and financial literacy to help close the wealth gap and provide for underserved communities that may not have immediate resources available to them.”

The majority of Capehart’s clients are caring for someone else or constantly working for their family members. One of his biggest challenges is changing the educational and financial outlook in this underserved demographic.

“Perception is not that cut and dry. We don’t all have the same mindset and share the same experiences when it comes to finances,” Capehart said. “Some people want the expensive cars and then struggle to pay the note.”

In a recent study* by The Nielsen Company titled “The Buying Power of Black America,” it stated with a buying power of nearly $1 trillion annually, if African Americans were a country, they’d be the 16th largest country in the world.

“In my opinion, that statistic makes us one of the driving forces behind our nation’s economy, but our biggest hurdle is the perception of what the actual ‘need’ is to be accomplished with our finances.”

Part of the reason for this is generational, Capehart explained, and offered the following example: “In the 70s when the financial planning industry was created, our grandfathers would not have even been allowed to speak with a financial advisor or even consider it. He would not visit different financial institutions and say, ‘Okay, I want to get my finances in order.’ I don’t think that was even thought about during that time. It was more so ‘I want to buy a home and live comfortably and provide for my kids. That’s it.’ Then my father and mother come along and say, ‘I want a little more than what my father and mother had, so I can provide for my kids,’ never actually getting to the point of asking, ‘How do I manage the money that I’m making?’ ‘How do I put money aside?’ ‘How do I teach my kids that eventually you may not want to work anymore?’

As a result, the next generation doesn’t fully understand the entire process of creating wealth. There is a process to never passing on debt, owning your own home and passing that home on to your kids and their kids. I also believe that people don’t often have financial discussions and lack of trust is was an issue during that time and still is. Unfortunately, I believe that is where we begin to receive the misconceptions about money. This is a learned process and we must first learn how it works.”

Capehart has always had a keen interest in helping individuals prepare for retirement and plan for their future.

Building a personal relationship is very important, as is building a certain level of trust.

“Here at Mutual Pointe, we realize that trust is earned, so we offer solutions, not products. I’ve witnessed too many times where my clients have been previously sold products without the clarity of what that product provides as a solution in the future,” he said. “Not all products are created equal or will meet your specific financial need. Financial

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tion that financial institutions were missing,” he said. “So after 12 years, it clicked… it wasn’t the fact that the companies weren’t providing the resources, it was how the resources, in my opinion, were being presented to African Americans.” different fund companies, insurance providers and other alternative products with which he is currently partnered.

“It’s primarily based on what company actually works best for the client. I don’t want to be considered as an extra bill. I’m trying to reduce the bill.”

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AMILY, FINANCES AND THE FUTURE

“For my clients, it’s not all about an income gap; there’s a financial literacy and resource gap which needs to be closed. I’m here to help them understand what financial resources are available to see their money grow and prepare for retirement.” goals change over time, so the financial solutions and products you own to achieve immediate and future goals should, too. Wealth is not created overnight, and as a financial professional, it’s my responsibility to provide a clear road map of solutions that ultimately benefits my clients and not our bottom line.”

Capehart is not interested in just selling products. He is more concerned with providing solutions to fit the unique needs of his clients. He allows clients’ children to sit in on financial meetings to make it a family learning experience.

“I want my clients to be educated and understand exactly what I’m doing for them and what solutions actually fit into their financial goals,” he said. “I always tell them, ‘this is a learning process and the financial world is always changing,’ so I focus on engaging my clients in order for them to really understand the financial planning process.

I actually love to see how involved they’re going to be in the overall process because in my opinion, that dictates how dedicated they are to achieving financial independence. There is a ‘cookie cutter’ mentality to some of the products provided by financial industries and they don’t fit everybody. I’ve experienced that and that’s what I’m striving to move away from.”

Capehart is also trying to discourage the assumption behind a common question he receives from clients: ‘How much is this going to cost me?’

“It’s free to walk in my door. It’s free to make a phone call.

It’s free to schedule an appointment. The fact that it ‘costs’ something is more so on the client, rather than me,” Capehart said. “I’m not going to charge you to come in, but it may ‘cost’ you some time – a Saturday here and there, time to sit down and look at your budget so that we can analyze it and create a viable plan. Making time, that’s the true ‘cost.’”

Capehart has access to more than a combined 8,000

Capehart made it a point to obtain every license and certification he could in order to gain the knowledge necessary to run Mutual Pointe. A selfproclaimed competitive person, he welcomes any and every challenge and knew that his target demographic was going to require a lot of his time and effort.

“If you tell me I can’t do something, then I’ll just work 200 times harder to achieve it,” he said. “If it’s possible to work, I’m working…60 to 70 hours a week, easy. I meet with clients on Sundays. As long as I’m breathing and I’m not sleeping, I’m typically working.”

What is Capehart doing when he’s not working?

Spending time with his family, whom he loves deeply.

“My wife of 10 years Kamyra is my foundation and keeps my head on straight when I start reaching that 60-70 hour mark,” Capehart said.

The couple has a three-year-old son named Greyson.

“What keeps me going and what I attribute to me growing as a business and being successful as an African American business owner with the type of firm I’ve created is my family,” he said. “I was still with Edward Jones when my son was born premature – he was 2.9 pounds. To see him go through what he had to go through made me want to work harder. The things he’s had to go through are a really big inspiration to me.”

Capehart is also active in the community, serving as the Christian Educational Leader for the Christian Entrepreneurial Organization at Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

“I help the business owners in the church with some of the questions they may have regarding starting a business and provide some of the resources there through the ministry,” he said. “I also invite individuals to come speak about what they’re doing in their companies. We are passing information between each other to keep our businesses moving in the right direction.”

While Capehart is currently the face of Mutual Pointe, he plans to hire three or four other financial advisors in the near future as well as partner with different life insurance agents (to help clients understand all life insurance products are not meant for everyone) and real estate agents (to assist individuals in choosing homes correctly by understanding how much home they can afford before purchasing it and struggling to pay their mortgage).

Capehart plans to expand his business and use it as a platform to foster financial independence across Houston.

“Five to 10 years from now, I want to have at least two or three different establishments throughout the Houston area,” he said. “I want to pass on the knowledge that I have to individuals who are willing to learn and who are open-minded enough to receive the information so we can start wiping away some of the perceptions on money management.”

Capehart doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“Once Mutual Pointe is functioning as I envision it, I will probably find something else to do. I’m always looking for another challenge.” *If comparing buying power to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), defined as the value of all goods and services produced within the geographic territory of an economy in a given interval, such as a year.

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September-October 15, 2014

Five Key Ways to Increase Your Small Business Chances of Winning Government Contracts

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By Helen Callier

Contributing Writer

fter achieving success to a certain degree in the local and state government markets, it is a natural progression for many small businesses to then select the Federal market as a growth opportunity, like my company identified while participating in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. The Federal market is the largest purchaser, spending over $500 billion annually of goods and services with which only 1-2% of all small businesses in the United States do business.

As your small business starts swimming in the Federal market while continuing to grow on the local and state levels, know that there are key strategies required for success in winning contracts. To assist in landing work in the Federal market and continuing to grow on in the local and state government markets, below are five key ways to increase your small business’s chances of landing a contract.

1. Get a Mentor: Using a Mentor is a proven method and game-changer in helping many small businesses achieve success. Mentors can assist your small business in learning how to mitigate certain risks and obstacles ahead of time. This alone saves costs and eliminates surprises and headaches. For the best experience, select a Mentor that

has been successful, especially in an area where your small business needs assistance and has similar business ethics.

2. Get Certified: Though certification is not required to do business and to secure contracts with a certain government agency, certification is a strong strategy to increase your chances and position your small business to land government contracts. For example, on the Federal level, my technical services company has recently received its Small Business Administration 8(a) certification. The SBA’s 8(a) program provides mentoring, counseling and access to sole-source or set aside contracts. Some other Federal market certifications include the Services

Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB), small businesses located in Historically Underutilized Businesses Zones (HUBZones), and Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB).

Visit www.sba.gov for additional information.

3. Focus: The most successful small businesses in the government marketplace and especially in the Federal market target two to three agencies that buy their particular products or services. To best position your small business to achieve success, research several government agencies that may be able to use your product or services, and once confirmed, begin your early game marketing efforts.

4. Market Your Small Business:

Industry data show that 3% of the marketplace is always buying. If you as the Leader of your small business have decided to save costs by limiting your marketing budget, then you run the risk of stunting the growth of your business.

Many government agencies on the local, state and federal level hold matchmaking events with agency small business managers and contracting officers. Participating in these events provide opportunities to introduce your small business’ offerings, gain the edge on those small businesses who have chosen not to attend, such as events or do not understand the importance of positioning one’s firm through marketing activities. Visit www.osdbu.gov for upcoming Federal matchmaking events.

5. Identify Contracting Opportunities: Be proactive versus waiting passively for someone to call or email you regarding a contract opportunity.

After selecting the few agencies that use your products or services, the next step is to sign up on their website to receive notifications about upcoming contracting opportunities, and most importantly, to review agencies’ fiscal year budget and allocations for projects. Also, for Federal contracts, visit www.fbo.gov, which lists all contracts out for bid and highlights information about future contracts via Sources Sought notifications.

In closing, small businesses are the cornerstone of the United States economy, creating approximately 65% of our nation’s jobs. When small businesses are successful in winning government contracts, the U.S., your state and your community benefit. Stay tuned for my follow-up article next month on teaming to grow your small business through government contracts.

National Bar Association Names Robert Collier a Trailblazer Under 40

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obert Collier, General Counsel for Houston based PreCash, Inc., was recognized as a Trailblazer Under 40 by the National Bar Association. The Trailblazers Under 40 Awards honor young lawyers who have achieved prominence and distinction in

their fields of endeavor—whether the practice of law, academia, business, civic and charitable affairs, the judiciary or politics—and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the goals and mission of the National Bar Association.

The National Bar Association celebrated awardees during the Trailblazers Under 40 Gala on July 26 in Atlanta,

Ga. during the organization's 89th Annual Convention and Exhibits.

The National Bar Association was founded in 1925 and is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 59,000 lawyers, judges and law professors.

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September-October 15, 2014

Top 25 Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers for Diversity & Supplier Diversity Champions Directory Unveiling

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September-October 15, 2014

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September-October 15, 2014

Build Your Wealth Muscle When You Dream, Pray and HUSTLE!

H

By Kachelle Kelly

Contributing Writer

ustle is defined in the Urban Dictionary as, “Anything you need to do to make money...

If you makin money, you hustlin.” Our focus in this article is on the exercise plan required to build wealth. If you want to make money, you are going to have to break a sweat with a focused hustle. You must have an implementable plan in order to achieve the wealth you desire. It’s okay to dream, pray for divine guidance and hustle to make it happen, but there comes a time when only hoping and praying just won’t do.

If I want to lose weight, I can pray that it happens and wait for the weight to magically disappear, but without reduc-

ing my calorie intake and exercising, I’m not going to achieve my goal. Sometimes you can get stuck behind the prayer part of the equation: when waiting for God to make it happen, you can forget that “faith without works is dead.” You’ve got to put some muscle behind your dream.

Fear and the lack of faith and finances are stumbling blocks to wealth acquisition. To combat these wealth cramps, you will need to get laser focused on get-

ting things done. Don’t get stuck in the perfectionist mode; it may falsely appear to be the guaranteed pathway to wealth.

Even though flawlessness logically seems to be essential for success, it can be a great distraction from you getting your hustle on. Always remember the KISS (Keep It Simple, Sweetheart) principle when in doubt. Sometimes building wealth can be as simple as getting off your gluteus maximus and making something hap-

pen in your bank account.

When your wealth muscles are weak, you have to exercise them dutifully in order to increase the probability of your achieving your dream. In the natural, when you want to strengthen your core, you might get a professional trainer, gym membership or a treadmill to help you build up your muscles. When building your wealth muscles, you have to identify the areas in your financial health that need attention. Once you identify what they are, you are better able to develop a plan of action to strengthen those areas. It’s also a good time to identify your strengths so that you can better utilize them in implementing your plan to acquire wealth.

Remember that nothing is going to get done without your “hustlin.” Do your due diligence to activate your faith by sprinkling your hustle on your plan.

No one is going to make it happen for you. Make up your mind what you want to do in life to acquire wealth and JUST DO IT!

If you are interested in more ways to set business goals, prepare for the future or need business accountability, contact me for more information on coaching services at kk@kachellekelly.com.

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September-October 15, 2014

Take Charge of Your Career and Financial Future

A

By Mikal Powers

Contributing Writer

merica is seeing signs of recovery after one of the most significant economic downturns in recent history.

Across the country, new jobs continue to be created each month and the unemployment number continues to improve. But the turbulent times brought to light just how fragile Americans’ job security can be. Most of those Americans are looking to the recovering economy for ways to take charge of their financial futures and begin to build wealth again.

A recent survey from University of Phoenix® School of Business shows a surprising number of working adults want to own their own business. Those numbers are highest among workers in their 20s. Fifty-two percent say they eventually want to be their own boss. A similar number of workers in their 30s, at 50 percent, said the same. However, most say they do not know where to start.

Inventing a product and selling it, turning a hobby into a business or finding tangible solutions to problems all

provide opportunities for individuals to build a demand for a product or service that is unique and builds wealth while enjoying a passion.

The biggest barrier identified by workers in the University of Phoenix School of Business survey is the lack of adequate finances for start-up costs. Sixty-seven percent of workers claimed they cannot afford an entrepreneurial venture.

Another 33 percent said they lack the proper education or training.

If you are one of the many Americans who may be looking to one day own a business, there are a few tips that can help. . Start with a business idea that not only fulfills specific customer needs, but has enough market demand. Support your idea through market research, competitive intelligence and target audience assessment. . Identify your target audiences, understand what motivates them to act and learn how to grow long-term relationships with your customers.

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adults age 18 or older who are full-time, parttime, or self-employed. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact tanya.burden@apollo.edu.

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. Create a business plan and use it to set priorities, address gaps and lay out your growth strategy. . Financial planning can be one of the most challenging aspects for business owners who are not trained in this area. Consider additional education or plan for resources to address financial planning and management. . Develop an organization and management structure so your company is poised for growth. . Do not operate in a vacuum – network and learn from other successful entrepreneurs.

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The entrepreneurial spirit is within all us. It can be used to start a business or to get ahead in one’s current career. Either way, it can be harnessed and used to ensure that one has control of his or her own financial security.

Mikal Powers is campus director at University of Phoenix Houston Campus overseeing campus operations. Powers earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in business administration from University of Phoenix. He spent five years as a Helicopter Search and Rescue Swimmer and Operations Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. After earning his degree, Powers attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and became a reserve officer for South Texas where he is committed to keeping communities safe and assisting residents in need.

1 United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics: “The Recession of 20072009” 2 United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics: “The Employment Situation – August 2014” 3 This Working Adult survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of University of Phoenix between July 17-21, 2014, among 1,138 U.S.

In the Business Community…

To View More Photos, Visit Our Website www.d-mars.com and Click on ‘Photos’

Greater Houston Black Chamber Pinnacle Awards VIP Nominee Reception

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September-October 15, 2014

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Motivational Moment w/ JW – Building Financial Wealth

By Jarrod Wilkins Contributing Writer

‘Tips on how to build financial wealth’ is one of the most searched topics online today. As a matter of fact, the majority of people around the world are interested in building long-term wealth for themselves and their families; however, very few individuals have ever been able to successfully achieve this goal. Why is that? Many have argued that if you are not born into wealth, an entertainer, famous sports athlete or have invented something that humanity desperately needs like Viagra, you are going to be like so many people in the world today: You will either fall into the ever shrinking middle class or just plain out of luck.

If you look up the word ‘wealth,’ it is described as the abundance of valuable resources or material possessions; however, some people have been raised to have such a negative concept of pursuing wealth as a priority. This, in my opinion, is because of the culture and mentality that many of us have been exposed to that programs us to believe and accept that “Money is

the root of all evil,” “Money doesn’t grow on trees,” “Money won’t make you happy,” “Money can’t buy you love” and of course, “All rich people are going to hell.”

Now with these embedded into our subconscious minds, we wonder why so many people today have a bad relationship with money and invest their most valuable commodity—time—watching the latest reality TV shows or attending basketball, football or baseball games via their La-Z-Boy sofas then go to church on Sunday to do the electric slide down the aisle, run, dance, shout, get a good meal, then go back to reality or their jobs.

There is nothing wrong with having a job, but according to a recent statistics report regarding people and their jobs: 87% - Don’t like their job 72% - Are being undermined so they won’t succeed 70% - Are living paycheck to paycheck 70% - Are not motivated by their career 67% - Are in the wrong career field 50% - Are underpaid for the work they do on their job 50% - Are not satisfied or fulfilled with their job 25% - Their job is #1 stress in their life In all of my articles, books, seminars and audio programs I have always advised that one must look at having a job

as a temporary learning experience while working on building wealth.

I love what one of my mentors taught me many years ago: you make a living from 9-5, but you build a fortune after 5pm. True financial wealth cannot typically be achieved working a job, unless of course the company goes public and you have a few thousand shares and that company was Google, Facebook, or Yahoo. Otherwise, my advice is to start a business!!!

Instead of simply making a living, why not live your making? Many people would love to start a business, but all they do is romance the idea and never really take action. The three biggest reasons are fear, uncertainty and doubt. There are 168 hours in a week, so you don’t need a lot of time, you just need to maximize the time you have. Nights, weekends, lunch breaks and drives to/from work are filled with “empty space,” so instead of spending that time thinking about your job or any other stressful thing in life, invest it

by thinking and doing things that align with your wealth building and vision.

Some of the questions you want to ask yourself to determine what type of business you want to start are:

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) What comes easy for me to do and much harder for others?

) What would I be willing to do for long periods of time without getting paid to do it?

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) How can I use this to serve people?

These questions will allow you to narrow down an industry and idea, keeping it simple, so that you don’t find yourself getting involved with a lot of good things and not the right thing. True wealth takes time to build, so my suggestion is buckle up buttercup because you are going on a ride!!! Don’t be afraid, be excited because not only is it worth it, so are you. You are good enough!

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September-October 15, 2014

Disability Income Insurance:

What Every Physician Needs to Know field or occupation.

• If the policy defines Total Disability as an inability to work in your own occupation, it typically pays benefits if you cannot perform the duties of the occupation you were engaged in prior to becoming ill or injured.

By Mena Freeman

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Contributing Writer

ost people know they need to insure their life, their car and their home or condo.

But they often overlook insuring their most important asset – their ability to earn an income.

Your income is the primary source of funding for a lifetime of things, from basic necessities to the hopes and dreams you have for yourself and those you love.

The $3-9 million or more you'll likely earn over the course of your medical career is surely an asset worth insuring.

But what would happen if your income stopped because you were too sick or injured to work? Without a paycheck, how long could you pay your rent and utilities, buy groceries, make student loan payments, etc.? In all likelihood, your life would be thrown significantly off course.

Before you say this could never happen to you, consider the fact that 1 in 4 of today's 20-year-olds will become disabled before they retire.1 And if you're thinking that most disabilities are the result of freak accidents, you're in for a surprise.

The vast majority of disabilities, about 90%, are caused by various forms of illness including cancer, mental disorders like anxiety and depression, muscle and back problems and heart disease.2

What to Look for in a Disability Income Policy Disability income insurance (DI) can help replace your income if you become too sick or hurt to work. It provides a buffer against the unexpected. Should disability strike, DI provides income that can be used to keep your household running as well as to help you adjust to your changed circumstances.

But before you go shopping for a DI policy, you need to know what features to look for to get income protection you can count on:

How Disability is Defined The definition of Total Disability outlines what constitutes being totally disabled.

• If a policy defines Total Disability as inability to return to work in any occupation, then it would typically pay benefits only if you were unable to perform any job – either your own or a job in a new

Coverage for a Partial Disability and/ or Recovery A policy's Residual Disability benefit provides protection in the event of partial disability or during a recovery period.

• Typically payable in an amount that is proportionate to the loss of income suffered due to sickness or injury.

• Supports your financial recovery while you recover physically.

• Not available with most group plans.

Flexibility to Tailor Coverage to Your Specific Needs Both now and in the future options (also called "riders") like these let you: • Increase coverage as your income grows with no medical insurability requirement.3 • Adjust benefits to help keep pace with the cost of living.

• Safeguard retirement contributions.

• Protect student loan payments.

Portability

DI insurance agent to ensure you have adequate protection for your greatest asset.

1 U.S. Social Security Administration Fact Sheet, February 7, 2013.

2 Council for Disability Awareness 2013

Long-Term Disability Claims Review.

3 Restrictions and limitations apply. The amount of additional coverage available will be financially underwritten based on the amount of disability insurance you have or are eligible to receive, as well as your income at the time you apply

Most physicians expect to change jobs or employers multiple times during the course of their career.

• You can take individual DI coverage with you when you change jobs.

• Group Long-Term Disability (Group LTD) plans typically are not portable.

Cancellability To avoid the possibility of losing your coverage just when you need it most, choose a policy that's both non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable to age 65—with premiums also guaranteed until age 65.

• With group or association group coverage, you run the risk of being dropped and left unprotected at a time in your life when, due to your age or to a change in your health, it would be very difficult to qualify for coverage from another provider.

Timing It's important to note that the cost of individual disability income protection is age-based, so you can lock in a lower rate by buying now while you're young and healthy.

As a physician, you've made a significant investment of time and money to build your career with the promise of financial security and the other rewards your profession provides. But should you become too ill or injured to work, that promise evaporates. Contact a reputable

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“Wealth Can’t be Stealth”

By Noel Pinnock

Contributing Writer

“Leadership begins with you and accomplishments rest in the arms of those who you lead and inspire” is a quote I stress in my team meetings. When I serendipitously constructed the statement, I did not truly realize its impact and cascading effects.

Productivity and morale increases when people possess ownership and it is this dynamic that drives organizational, community and personal success.

Leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish a predetermined objective and directs the organization in a way that makes it more cohesive and coherent. Success can be defined in many different ways. According to the Merriam Dictionary, success is the achievement of something planned or attempted. Obtaining success is not an insurmountable task, but it is intentional; it is not an enigma, but it is predicated by leadership.

Are leaders born?

Well, this is a highly debated question because so many perspectives are floating around. Which of the following statements about leadership are true?

Leaders are born with a natural ability to lead.

Leaders are individuals who have been assigned positions of authority.

The terms “leader” and “manager” essentially define the same role.

If you answered ‘no’ to all the statements, then you are correct. Some believe that in order to be a leader and promote intentional success, the person must have the genetic fortitude or work in a position of authority while others believe that individuals can be trained to function in a leadership capacity. Well, these perspectives are not totally inaccurate because it is my personal belief that great leaders have an innate desire to selflessly serve as well as develop themselves on an ongoing basis to keep their saw sharpened. To that end, everyone and anyone can be a leader; however, there is a major difference between effective and ineffective leadership.

U.S. Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter (b. 1927) once said, “A good leader takes

people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t want to go but ought to be.” A leader possesses passion, purpose and practical skills; he or she is not the lone ranger, but rather has a paradoxical blend of humility and confidence.

Are you looking to be a leader in your community, job or home? If your response is yes, then there is not one formula to make the transition. Remember, the leader that positions him/herself too far in front of his/her troops begins to look more and more like the enemy, which means in order to be a leader, you must have followers. Followership is an elected function as people have to elect to follow you and, in return, you must develop a bond of trust with those who share in your vision. Trust is a two-way street.

A leader shows that he or she is willing to entrust part of the vision to others in order for them to carry it out (remember my coined phrase). By empowering others to do their part, a leader earns their trust and success is only inevitable.

So, how do you spell success? Well, my response is simply L-E-AD-E-R-S-H-I-P! Remember, the harvest is plentiful but the laborers {leaders} are few; therefore, pray to the Lord (God) of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest (Matthew 9:37-38 NIV). The harvest is ready and there is much work to do! If you are leading, inspiring, informing and educating, then keep up the good work, but if you are not, then it is never too late to start because to obtain true wealth, one must be a leader; one must be prepare to take sail despite the strength of the gale.

The purpose of business leadership is to create wealth – financial and material, human and social – in the face of external developments that are never entirely foreseeable. The CEO must create a CXO team (CXOs are the chiefs of business functions and units) that can successfully carry out this wealth-creating mission.

With this in mind, we have explored the tasks that comprise purposeful contribution by members of the top executive team, the CXOs. In doing so, we have examined key business imperatives, and the work of the CXOs and the CEO. True wealth starts/ends and is measured by the many lives that you have led and inspired. #getatit! www.noelpinnock.com

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Opinion

Houston’s Vibrant Technology Sector and Threats from Abroad

By Michael O. Adams, Ph.D and Carroll G. Robinson, J.D.

About the Writers:

Contributing Writer

F

rom 2001 to 2013, Houston ranked third among metropolitan areas, outside of California’s Silicon Valley, with the most rapid technology sector job growth. Houston maintained this prosperity through sensible policy decisions aimed at protecting companies and innovators, from the big corporations who call Houston home to the garage engineer who just may be developing the next big thing. As Congress debates the best way to move forward on intellectual property policy, such as patent reform, it is integral that our representatives in Houston do what they can to protect our thriving technology sector from outside threats like government sponsored patent trolls (GSPTs).

Leaders in Washington seem focused on the perceived problem of “patent trolls.” These entities use patents exclusively as a method by which to earn revenue rather than manufacture goods.

These trolls are accused of filing infringement claims, which may often be frivolous, against local businesses. These businesses are either forced to pay for a costly defense or many times choose to settle with the troll whether their claim is meritless or not. Though trolling’s impact on big business remains contentious, most experts agree that trolls can saddle smaller businesses and individual innovators with crippling defense or settlement costs. Studies suggest the average cost for a small- or medium-sized company to defend itself against a suit from a troll is around $1.75 million.

Late last year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Innovation Act, which aimed to address this problem.

The Senate then took up the issue, but was unable to garner enough support for the bill and it was put on hold, indefinitely. Though most seem to agree patent trolling is a problem, it appears there is significant disagreement in Washington over the best way to solve it. It is crucial that Houston’s vibrant technology sector is protected.

We are fortunate to have members of Congress like Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-18), who was a vocal critic of the Innovation Act because it didn’t do enough for smaller businesses and seemed to favor only large corporations.

Rep. Jackson Lee also criticized the House bill because it may have unfairly labeled some entities, including universities, as patent trolls because they own patents but don’t manufacture products, a common criticism of the bill. Rep. Jackson Lee stated, “This [bill] gives a

gift to big guys, conglomerates that can already hammer you down if you challenge their use of an invention.”

There is no bigger and more daunting threat in the patent trolling game than the foreign governments that have founded their own trolls. These GSPTs operate similarly to privately owned trolls. However, they are controlled and funded by foreign governments that seek damages against companies considered competitive threats to the economic interests of their nation of origin.

Unfortunately, the issue of GSPTs is more pronounced in Texas than elsewhere in the U.S. That is because these GSPTs often bring their frivolous claims in the infamously patent troll friendly U.S. District Court for the Eastern District. The French government controlled troll, known as France Brevets, actually established a shell company, which was incorporated in Marshall, TX, for the sole purpose of suing in the Eastern District Court despite France Brevets having no actual business and industry in the area. To make matters worse, taxpayers are left with the bill when foreign governments choose to venue shop for the most favorable court. In this case, the French government is suing consumer technology giants HTC and LG who can likely afford a defense, but one can speculate the exacerbation of the financial impact on smaller company with lighter pockets, though any private organizations’ resources are likely meager compared to those available to the French Government.

As our leaders contemplate the best foot forward toward addressing the perceived harm caused by patent trolls, they should also consider the increasing economic threat of foreign governments like France entering the trolling business.

Rep. Jackson Lee chose not to support the House bill because it didn’t do

enough to protect small business while distinctly advantaging big business.

There is no bigger player than France Brevets seeking to manipulate free markets in their favor and eliminate foreign competition. Here in Houston, we have worked too hard to foster technology sector growth and the jobs it creates to risk losing ground due to the greed of foreign governments.

Dr. Michael O. Adams is the Director of MPA and e-MPA programs at the Barbra Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas. Alongside his duties as Director, he is a Professor of Public Affairs at TSU and interim Chair of the Political Science Department.

Dr. Adams can be reached by email at adams_mo@tsu.edu Carroll G. Robinson is an Associate Professor at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University. He is past Chairman of the Houston Black Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, a former board member of the Houston Independent School District’s Bond Oversight Committee, and is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston City Council where he served as Chairman of the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee. He is currently serving as a Trustee of the Houston Community College System.

Trustee Robinson can be reached by email at carroll-robinson@sbcglobal.net

Port Arthur

TEXAS

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Building Wealth: The Capitalist Blueprint

I

By Dr. D. L. Jones

Contributing Writer

believe the purpose of investing is to make your money work for you so that it generates revenue when you’re sleeping as opposed to exchanging labor for cash.

The capitalist blueprint is designed whereby a person’s assets generate cash as a result of selling or providing a needed service to the economy. A successful capitalist is not respected because he is rich; he is respected because what he has built meets a need in society and his riches are a by-product of that.

However, a person who only has a sixfigure salary and a comfortable style of living is not a true member of the capitalist class. Remember, capitalists own assets which generates cash that works alongside them. The capitalist blueprint focuses on products and services that will pay dividends long after they’ve done the work instead of obtaining a sixfigure salary, saving a portion of those earnings and repeating that cycle (basi-

cally living paycheck to paycheck). The outcome of the capitalist blueprint is to have residual income that can be passed down from generation to generation.

The single major distinction between the capitalist class and the working class is that the capitalist class focuses their efforts on projects that will continue to generate revenue that goes from generation to generation. Oddly, the working class does the same work, but in exchange for a mere paycheck that has no revenue generating outcome.

Understanding the capitalist blueprint is the sole reason why I’m teaching and

modeling its economic philosophy to my 17-year-old daughter. As she enters college to prepare herself for her career of choice, I continually remind her not to make the mistake that her mom and dad made (working paycheck to paycheck and saving a percentage of the earnings absent of creating any revenue generating products or services). I constantly encourage her to get a college education, but don’t get it to go work for someone else. Instead, create a company, product or service in your career field. The working class mindset is to get a job instead of building wealth that will continually

generate long after they are dead and gone.

The capitalist blueprint will work for any American citizen who is willing to apply it and stay committed to the principles of generating wealth. Mr. Bill Mays, an African American, is the founder of Mays Chemicals Co. located in Indianapolis, Ind. Bill was your average blue collar worker at a chemical plant. After years of living from paycheck to paycheck, he started his own chemical distribution company. Today, Mays Chemical Co. is the 18th leading chemical distributor in North America.

Bill Mays went from a blue collar worker to owner of a chemical distribution company that has made him a multimillionaire (Google Mays Chemical Co).

What made the difference in the life of Bill Mays? He decided to follow the capitalist blueprint; instead of building wealth for other people, he decided to construct his own business to generate residual income long after he is dead.

We all can learn from Bill Mays and others like him when it comes to building wealth. The lesson learned? Follow the Capitalist Blueprint to financial freedom.

Mays Chemical is the 18th leading chemical distributor in North America as rated by the 2010 ICIS Magazine’s “Top 100” Chemical Distributors in North America.

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Did You Know?

d

-mars.com President and CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. used to be known around Houston, specifically the Fifth Ward where he grew up, as the “hook-up man.” This is because he used to help friends and family secure discounts for various services at numerous businesses. How’d he do that? Because he had an extremely large network, which included business owners, friends and relatives. He wanted to help everybody out. D-MARS is actually an acronym for Discount Membership and Referral Services. d-mars.com is now in its 15th year of business.

“You’ll never catch any fish watching my line.”

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It’s of no benefit to your life if you’re more concerned with how someone else is living.

Julie and Michelle are best friends, both in their mid-twenties. The two frequently go out together, are workout partners and even work at the same law firm. A few weeks ago, Michelle started dating a guy named Phillip she met at a law conference. Gradually, and not uncommon, Michelle began spending less of her leisure time with Julie and more with Phillip. This made Julie angry and soon she became resentful of Phillip and the relationship he and Michelle had. As time goes on, Phillip and Michelle’s relationship grows while Julie and Michelle’s relationship is on the decline. During one heated debate, Michelle accused Julie of being jealous of Phillip and miserable because she didn’t have her own man. “If you spent less time focusing on my relationship, you might have one of your own!

You’ll never catch any fish watching my line.”

Though the words stung, Julie realized there was some truth to what Michelle was saying. She’d devoted so much time being angry about Michelle’s new relationship that she’d forgotten the idea of dating for herself. After the blowup argument, Julie decided to reach out to some of the other friends and began playing activities with them.

If you have an Old Folks Saying |you’d like to submit for consideration in our d-mars.com Business Journal, please email them to editor@d-mars.com. Be sure to include your name, the Old Folks Saying and the meaning.

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