d-mars.com Business Journal 91

Business Journal Inspire, Inform & Educate

February - March 15 2015

INSIDE

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91st Edition @dmars_com

Proud To Be

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Pictured (l-r): James H. Dykes, R.Ph. and Keith J. Davis, Sr.

PAGE 4

Learning from Rejection

By Chaz Pitts-Kyser Understand that when you’re competing with people for a position—or anything in life for that matter—someone isn’t going to get it.

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Proud to Promote Lifelong Learning for Houston’s Workforce

By Mikal Powers Today’s workforce requires employees to have an education calibrated to the needs of its employers – needs that are very different than they were even 10 years ago.

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James H. Dykes, R.Ph., Community Visionary and Advocate “Trouble”

By Noel Pinnock The ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens.

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19th Annual Texas Lunar Festival Kick-Off Reception

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PAGE 14

What Impact Did #Selma Have on Small Business?

“Every day, the people I meet inspire me... every day, they make me proud... every day they remind me how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on earth.”

– Michelle Obama

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Journal Behind The

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis

VICE PRESIDENT Kim Floyd

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

Office Manager Johnny Ray Davis, Jr.

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

This time of year, we often see black pride at its height. During Black History Month, there is an emphasis on all the contributions of Black people. While d-mars.com always continues to strive to celebrate those accomplishments, we believe that pride should extend far past those 28 days.

That’s why when it came time to decide on this month’s theme, I knew that we needed to follow that same mindset of being proud. Proud to Be celebrates you in all your glory; in your ups and your downs.

I look at all that I’ve been blessed with and I am simply, Proud to Be. But no matter where you came from, or even where you’re going, we want you to take that pride as your guiding force.

This issue looks at why entrepreneurs throughout our city are proud. What gives them a sense of pride and the things they are thankful for in their lives. We reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going.

C.T. Foster Eric D. Goodwine Tiffany Black

PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter Tony Gaines

Of course, we have stories to boost your business, everything from making your business shine to surviving in tough times. There’s something in this issue for everyone!

MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

As always, I have to ask that you support the advertisers in this, and all the D-Mars Business Journals.

Because of their support, as well as yours, we’re able to continue to bring you a product that makes us proud!

Andrea Hennekes

LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNER Angel Rosa

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sharon C. Jenkins Noel Pinnock Alvin Terry Mikal Powers d-mars.com News Provider Carroll G. Robinson Valerie Jones Barbara Curtis Harris

CONTENTS James H. Dykes, R.Ph., Community Visionary and Advocate...............................................................................................................4-5 Learning from Rejection....................................................................................................................................................................................6 Proud to Promote Lifelong Learning for Houston’s Workforce..............................................................................................................8 “Trouble”................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 In the Business Community…..........................................................................................................................................................................12 What Impact Did #Selma Have on Small Business?............................................................................................................................14-15 So You Want To Be A Shark?...........................................................................................................................................................................20 STEP Up for Under-served Girls in Our Community..................................................................................................................................22

Are you Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level?

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Presents

Tip of the Month Being proud of yourself requires envisioning the person you would like to become and making your best efforts to grow as an individual.

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BLACK PAGES ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY What this means to you,

The Business Owner: • The ability to stimulate money in our communities • Publicity at an affordable price • The professionalism it provides to black-owned businesses

It’s time we put our future finances into our own HANDS! We must encourage members to patronize black-owned businesses to further expand the economic power of African American merchants and the households that support them.

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James H. Dykes, R.Ph.,

Community Visionary and Advocate

Sharon C. Jenkins Contributing Writer

O

ver the years d-mars.com has had the distinct pleasure of reporting the progress and growth of Cullen Care Pharmacy. In this editorial we will share up close and personal information about the great visionary behind the scene, James H. Dykes.

As a boy living in an impoverished neighborhood, Dykes’ was often perplexed by how frequently residents bartered medicines at the local Walgreens.

As he was standing in line at Walgreens one day, he made a conscious decision to help these people, even if he needed to become a pharmacist to do so. His compassion for others spoke to his heart even then. He was destined to become the solution to one of the many pains that his community was experiencing then and now.

Dykes graduated from high school and entered the work force in the construction industry, even

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becoming a supervisor. At some point, it becoming increasingly challenging for Mr. Dykes to contend with and maintain the demands that construction work required. The changing weather was not cooperating with his knees. One cold long day in Michigan he decided to return to the comfort of his beloved Houston.

Back in Texas, he started taking classes at Texas Southern University’s pharmaceutical program.

Starting out with a few classes at a time, testing his capacity to master the demands of a college classroom, he gradually increased his course load until he was full-time. In his senior year he was offered an internship with Walgreens and was later employed by them. A recruiter came looking for candidates for employment with K-mart and Dykes decided to leave. Walgreens was so enamored by his work ethic they approached him to stay on as a prn pharmacist. Facing student loans and his desire to build a business, he accepted their offer while also working for K-mart. He left Walgreens when he was offered the opportunity to increase his hours and he stayed with them until he became an owner independent pharmacy in 2007.

While employed by K-mart, Dykes along with a colleague, Terry Green opened their first pharmacy.

Green later left the business and James left K-mart to run the business full-time. The first pharmacy was established in the Sunnyside community at 9406 Cullen Boulevard. This location was needed to serve those in that community. He later added another pharmacy at 5751 Blythewood Street. This location on Blythewood works under the umbrella Project Medical Home which includes Texas Children’s Pediatric and ABC Dental. A third location on Yale Street, functions as an old-time pharmacy; it offers a food court, dining, and pharmacy services

was hustling him for a quarter. Dykes embraced the young man and mentored him through High School. He states, “One of the things I wanted to do when I came out here under my brand, is to start a foundation. I wanted to do that because there are a lot of school-age kids who in the summertime, have nowhere to go, nothing to do and they’re hungry. So I want to come out and have brown bag days for the kids in the neighborhood to make sure

they have some healthy diets.”

This pharmacist with a BIG heart keeps coming up with ways to foster growth in the communities that he was raised in. He recently experienced a huge loss due to robbery. This alone would sour the heart of the common entrepreneur, but James Dykes is not a common entrepreneur. He is even more determined to serve the community that he loves.

Cullen Care Pharmacy has been serving the underserved communities of Houston since 2004.

Their pharmacists have over 40 years of experience and their friendly staff will treat you like family.

They are dedicated to providing their customers with services that are customized to meet their needs. Whether it’s prescription medications, consultation or over-the-counter product recommendation, they are there to answer any and all of your questions about your medication and health needs.

Dykes began to build his customer base by visiting the local apartment communities and sponsoring a Brown Bag Day. Residents would bring all their medicines in a brown bag and enjoy lunch with Dykes and members of his staff. At first he offered credit to his customers as well as economical pricing. On occasion, Dykes would self lessly dispense medication on credit, even when people sometimes would avoid payment but, he continued to serve the community and put safeguards into place to avoid losing payments Dykes’ philanthropic nature has inspired him to start a nonprofit. His compassion extends to children in a big way. He shared a story of how he met a young nine year old in his parking lot who

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Learning from Rejection employer assume you lack confidence and may not be able to deal effectively with stress.

7. Overemphasis on money: You brought up your salary before the employer (always a no-no) and spoke more about the salary than you did about other benefits of the position.

8. Unwilling to start at the bottom: Despite

By Chaz Pitts-Kyser your not having all the experience needed, you Contributing Writer

“You didn’t get the job?” Don’t you hate when people ask that question right after you told them you didn’t get it!? It’s okay to pout a little, but it’s not okay to get depressed and let your discouragement keep you from being optimistic about the next interview.

U

nderstand that when you’re competing with people for a position—or anything in life for that matter—someone isn’t going to get it. Unfortunately, sometimes that someone may be you. You may not have been chosen for the job for any number of reasons. It might be that you were great, just someone else was better qualified. It could have been that despite your upbeat, professional demeanor and impressive skill set, the employer felt you might not be the very best fit based on the culture of the department or organization as whole.

You can’t help that. Or, maybe something about you reminded the interviewer of a person he or she doesn’t like—and yes, this really happens.

The bottom line is that you shouldn’t view a rejection as an insult or barrier to your achievement.

You don’t know what the universe has in store for you. Just focus on how you can do better next time.

The following are various reasons employers give for not offering someone a position:

1. Poor personal appearance: You were underdressed for the interview; wore inappropriate attire, accessories, shoes or make up; looked a bit disheveled; or worse, had a bad body odor or smelled like cigarettes, liquor or food.

2. Overly aggressive: You came off as cocky instead of confident, or made demands during the interview related to your salary, work hours or work conditions.

3. Inability to communicate information clearly: You did not fully answer questions; answered with just a yes or a no; or babbled a bit, leaving the interviewer unsure of what you said.

4. Lack of interest and enthusiasm: You appeared bored during the interview through your facial expressions, monotone voice or posture.

5. Lack of planning for your career: You didn’t explain how the position, or the ones before it, fit in line with your career goals, making the employer think that you lack career ambition.

came off as “too good” to work your way up within the company.

showing a lack of thoroughness.

15. No sense of humor: While there is no need to make jokes during the interview, you appeared much too serious or ill at ease, and made the employer think that is how you are all of the time.

16. Late for the interview: You didn’t arrive on time, nor call to say you might be late, indicating thoughtlessness and the inability to plan or meet deadlines.

17. Failure to express appreciation for interviewer’s time: You made the interview all about you and did not thank the interviewer verbally.

9. Lack of tact and courtesy: You addressed the employer by first name (without receiving the okay), used slang or answered questions much too bluntly.

10. Lack of maturity: Your speech, dress or certain things you said showed that you still have some growing up to do before you are ready for such a position.

18. Failure to ask questions about the job: You didn’t ask questions related to your position, such as the culture of the department you would work in, your supervisor’s expectations and needs or your workload and hours, which indicates a lack of real interest in the position.

11. Negative attitude about past employers: You bad-mouthed your former company, boss or colleagues, suggesting a lack of loyalty and inability to see your own f laws.

19. You used your cell phone: You failed to turn your ringer or vibration setting off and had to fumble to turn it off during the interview, or worse, you actually answered the phone.

12. No genuine interest in the company or job: You did not explain why the position was a great fit for you, leading the employer to think you have an “any job will do” mindset.

20. You didn’t follow up. You did not reiterate your interest in the position and company with a nice thank you letter or email, or follow up later regarding your candidacy for the position, indicating a lack of enthusiasm.

If you really want to know why you didn’t get the position, ask the person who interviewed you via email. Be very tactful and explain that you’re inquiring so that you can be more successful on your next interview. While many employers may be reluctant to respond, seeking feedback can’t hurt you. In any case, a position that fits your background and interests is out there. Work on your interviewing skills so that you will land it.

13. No eye contact with the interviewer: You looked everywhere but at the employer, which shows a lack of confidence or that you are hiding something.

14. Application form is incomplete or sloppy: You didn’t take the time to fill out application materials clearly and professionally,

Chaz Pitts-Kyser is the author of Careeranista: The Woman’s Guide to Success After College, and is a speaker focusing in the areas of academic success, career development, workplace diversity and women’s work/life issues. Learn more about Chaz and her career guide through www.thebook. careeranista. com.

6. Nervousness, lack of confidence and poise: You appeared restless and fidgety, making the

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Proud to Promote Lifelong Learning for Houston’s Workforce

T

By Mikal Powers

Contributing Writer

oday’s workforce requires employees to have an education calibrated to the needs of its employers – needs that are very different than they were even 10 years ago. Driven by a personal interest or desire to enhance skills or re-career, many working adults are returning to the classroom to further their education.

In fact, according to a recent University of Phoenix survey, nearly nine-inten (89 percent) employed Americans believe there is still room to grow in their current careers. The survey also reveals that many Americans have education in their short-term plans, and that the majority of working adults plan to take an online course to advance in their careers.

As the workforce has changed, so too has higher education. Today, approximately half of all college students are adults and more than 80 percent work full-time. As the campus director for University of Phoenix Houston Campus, I am proud to work for an institution that serves as a resource for nontraditional students looking for flexible learning options. Whether it’s a working adult looking to gain additional knowledge to help them further their career path, or a student that started their education journey but had to put it on hold due to life circumstances, University of Phoenix provides students with an opportunity to obtain a quality education while balancing busy lives.

Returning to school is a big investment. It requires time, money and persistence. It also provides a great benefit in preparing candidates to transition their skills from the classroom to the workplace. Before making the investment in additional training or advanced degrees, it’s important to conduct your research about what schools and programs might be the best fit. For adults who are considering whether returning to the classroom might be right for them, University of Phoenix offers the following tips: • Decide what style of learning is right for you. Do you have the focus to take classes online or do you need the structure of a classroom environment?

• Connect with school advisors to determine if you have any prior col-

lege credits that could be transferable.

• Use available resources to assist you in your search for the right school or program:

o The National Center for Education Statistics offers its College Navigator which provides a guide that allows you to search for schools, build lists, compare different colleges and pinpoint school locations. More information can be found by visiting http:// nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/.

o Look at the resources that are provided by the schools you are researching. More than 70 percent of students today are considered nontraditional, meaning they’re balancing work and professional obligations while earning their degree. University of Phoenix’s degree offerings and resources are designed to provide the busy and working adult access to their education.

For more information on educational offerings, visit phoenix.edu.

• Identify career options that meet your goals and are in demand. The University of Phoenix Career Guidance System offers complimentary tools that help prospective students and job seekers make more informed decisions regarding their career path and their education options.

The system does this by helping them assess their interests and careers, and the demand for those careers in their market, as well as the typical education and skills required by employers for those careers. More information can be found at phoenix.edu/careergps.

Returning to school is a big commitment, especially for working adults. A commitment to lifelong learning will position Houston workers for career advancement and personal fulfillment.

These resources will help you align your education path with your career goals and ensure you pick the best program to meet your interests and maximize your time.

Source: Apollo Group Whitepaper.pdf; U.S. Government Accountability Office, “U.S. Government Accountability Office Report (GAO09-600)” (2009): 7.

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.

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“Trouble”

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By Noel Pinnock

Contributing Writer

he ancient Egyptians built pyramids as tombs for the pharaohs and their queens. There are about 80 pyramids known today from ancient Egypt. The three largest and bestpreserved of these were built at Giza at the beginning of the Old Kingdom. For thousands of years, the largest structures on earth were pyramids. The most wellknown of these pyramids was built for the pharaoh Khufu. It is known as the ‘Great Pyramid;’ however, these pyramids cannot be rebuilt despite our technological advances and sophisticated software application because the blueprints could never be found. If the architects of one the world’s most prized wonders would have left the blueprints for their magnum opus, then we would be able to duplicate them exactly as they were constructed in the past.

Mark Twain once stated, “The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but they know so much STUFF that ain’t so!” This

is true in today’s society, especially as it relates to building our future. It appears that we have lost the thread that was woven in the tapestry of sustaining and cultivating communities that work for the betterment of its residing constituents. I can remember when mentoring and encouraging others was a cultural norm rather than a special event.

Neighbors looked after one another and lessons from yester-years were shared openly and candidly. In the November 2010 issue of d-mars.com Business Journal, I wrote: The African proverbial phrase, “ it takes a village to raise a child,” is certainly applicable at levels of our life, and is not limited to young children, teens or young adolescents and is by no means exclusive to a specific gender, class or ethnic group.

It originated from the Nigerian Igbo culture and proverb “Ora na azu nwa,” which means it takes the community/village to raise a child.

The Igbos also name their children “Nwa ora,” which means “child of the community.”

You see, the blueprint of our existence was established on this village philosophy; whereby, everyone in the village played an integral role in the lives of everyone in the village despite gender, class and other demographical differences. Encouragement was a cultural norm and direction and guidance was unbiased and non-selective. Nowadays, it appears that this blueprint of building our communities has become

a faded image on the easel.

People really just do not care about each other anymore. Many people possess the ‘it’s-all-about-me’ mentality, to the point where assisting others reach their goals and break through the glass ceiling, or something as simple as helping change a flat tire, become secondary priorities, or even sloppy thirds.

We need to re-engage the people in our communities because our villages continue to expand everyday. Take the time out to mentor a young person in your community and encourage him/ her to mentor someone else in the community and continue this process until everyone in the community has a person in their network. For my brothers and sisters in older generations, we have to STOP this EXCLUSIVITY in our COMMUNITY. Open not only your hearts, but also your doors to receive those who hunger and thirst to make our reality a better one. Indeed, we are inevitably tied to an inescapable network of mutuality (Dr. Martin Luther King – 1963 – Letter From Birmingham Jail). If some haven’t approached you, it is probably because they don’t feel comfortable in doing so. We’ve got to change this perception today! As Spike Lee once said, “Wake UP!” Know that I am not angry, but I am just saying…

With the advent of social media mediums like Facebook and LinkedIn, as well as wireless apps,

connecting with people could not be easier. It doesn’t really take a lot of time to send a message of encouragement or offer a suggestion on an education/career decision. All it takes is an unyielding desire to sincerely care about someone else’s future. Malcolm Gladwell in the Tipping Point described the conditions of creating an epidemic and identified three major factors that contribute to epidemics: 1. Change doesn’t happen gradually, but dramatically 2. You have to have something contagious 3. Small things have big effects So, I submit to you that these conditions can be applied to creating an epidemic of hope in our struggling communities. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, and if we borrow the blueprints from our forefathers, then unlike those who tried to reconstruct the pyramids, we will not only be able to duplicate what they did, but do it even better; especially, if we want to see tangible and significant advancements for our future and our children’s future… because it was the smallest encounters in our lives that have had the most profound effect on us! Wouldn’t you agree? If you do, then are you ready? Remember… change is deliberate and essential. #getatit! www.noelpinnock.com

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In the Business Community…

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

19th Annual Texas Lunar Festival Kick-Off Reception

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What Impact Did #Selma Have on Small Business?

Civil Rights Movement and Its Impact on Small Business

A

By Cynthia Nevels Contributing Writer

s some of us celebrate the day off by volunteering in the community, marching in parades or simply sleeping in, I could not help but to think about my businesses, my relationships with my customers and the vast opportunities in front of me. I recently asked myself, “What doors were opened for me and how did I get here?” Each opportunity I had the pleasure of leveraging was due to relationships, regulation changes that allowed access and merit.

As a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), minority and woman-owned business owner and daughter of an Air Force veteran, I started to wonder what impact #Selma had on me and my business today. I also thought about my conversation with a very successful business woman, who happens to be white, and her inspiring story she shared with me on how the Women’s Business Council Southwest was founded and why. I only mention color because when she shared her story, I saw such similarity with her struggle as a white female business owner and similar challenges had by black and Hispanic women I knew growing up. She shared with me that 50 years ago, women did not always have it easy launching, owning or operating their own businesses nor did they have the same rights to sign contracts or enter into loan agreements or credit agreements without a husband to sign the documents or an authorized male figure.

Often women business owners were overlooked for large contracts with major corporations or government agencies and were paid less for the same service (if paid at all).

Today, with companies like Pinnacle Technical Resources, led by Nina Vaca; Bradlink, LLC, led by Helen Callier; Good Enough Mother, led by René Syler; and Carol’s Daughter, which recently sold to L’Oreal, and many others, those barriers are gone, but not completely forgotten. The peaceful sit-ins, marches, and get-out-the-vote rallies had a deeper impact on the business community. The fight for equal rights trickled over into the business world and directly impacted economic development in communities plagued with poverty, high unemployment and lack of access to quality education. Today, government agencies are charged with ensuring women-

owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned and businesses owned by disabled persons are ensured equal protections and opportunities to bid on multi-million dollar contracts without bias or prejudice. It does not mean the businesses are instantly awarded lucrative contracts. It simply means qualified vendors have the

“opportunity” to pursue the American dream through regulations designed to protect their interests and to create an environment that supports fairness.

Forty-five years ago, the process to bid on government or corporate contracts was historically closed to women and minorities. The right to vote is directly tied to access. When we were able to vote for more progressive leaders, we were able to see the legislative changes allow us to own more businesses, to lease downtown office spaces or retail shops in areas outside of our neighborhoods, or to advertise our businesses in print media in certain communities.

“Reaching customers was directly related to the struggles the early civil rights pioneers helped to fight for,” said Shirley Lewis, Community Development Corporation advocate and founder of Kids Environmental Education Network, Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas.

Today, what seems like normal everyday business activity and a given right was not what women and minority business owners experienced 50 years ago.

Equal treatment and rights for small businesses did not start to change in this country until the 1970s. In the 60s and 70s, getting a business loan for your enterprise was very difficult for women and minorities.

Red lining was very real and statistics and research showed a business loan application from a minority business owner in certain neighborhoods was evaluated differently than a loan from another group. This

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CONTINUED from page 14 is why the Community Reinvestment Act and fair lending laws exist today and why financial institutions are charged with conducting purposeful outreach in minority communities.

Furthermore, access to high quality schools, community colleges and universities also changed the trajectory for small businesses. Fundamental access to tools and training offered to students to learn a skill, trade or profession to resell those skills, knowledge and expertise had tremendous impact in underserved communities. This further shows why the fight for equal treatment, the right to vote and access to opportunity were so important for America to become the country it is today.

I have been in business for 14 years and I recently was able to experience an increase in revenue and profit only after being awarded a DBE certification and winning several small government contracts.

Initially, admittedly, I did not believe certifications were needed, nor were they important. Growing up in the 80s and 90s in a middle class home led me to believe my work and the merits thereof should speak for themselves. I did not grow up disadvantaged in any way. However, that was not always the case in the highly competitive business world. The rules, regulations and laws passed to ensure equal consideration and inclusion proved to help get my firm in the door, but my firm’s ability to perform kept us there.

As I think about the tremendous growth opportunities that lie ahead, brands and alternative funding sources that are available to small businesses like mine, I cannot help but wonder what life would have been like without the sacrifices of so many. Those sacrifices helped us all. Research shows supplier diversity enables more innovation to spawn greater enterprises than we could have ever imagined, and for that, I am thankful.

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So You Want To Be A Shark?

5. Crowdfunding Investments

F

By Mathis Conner Contributing Writer

or those of us who enjoy the CNBC show, “Shark Tank”, the thrill comes from imagining ourselves as one of the Sharks sitting in the driver’s seat, listening to business pitch after business pitch, negotiating take-it or leave-it deal terms, or declining to invest in the deal completely. These are the scenarios that have made my juices flow during my past 20 years working in finance.

Mutual funds are great traditional products that should be a significant part of everyone’s saving and retirement portfolio. However, it is becoming increasingly apparent that for many, it’s just not enough. More individuals are looking for that higher risk and reward investment opportunity.

Here are five categories of investments readily available to you along with resources to save you some time and help you grow that shark fin. All of these can help you diversify your investment portfolio as well as move up the risk-reward scale.

5 Investment Opportunities (In no particular order)

1. Real Estate This is probably the most widely known and thought-of side investment. Buy a property, renovate it, then rent it or sell it - repeat. A local resource worth checking out is the Realty Investment Club of Houston - www.richclub. org . If you are new to real estate investing, I can’t recommend enough to attend one of their monthly Saturday general body meetings. It is a terrific source of information and contacts. Bring a family member. Bring a friend.

No doubt you’ll be impressed.

Another resource unknown to many when it comes to finding non-franchise businesses is the website BizBuySell: http://www.bizbuysell.com/ . This website allows you to screen for businesses for sale by location, business type, and purchase price.

4. Futures (Commodities, Foreign Exchange) Most that invest in these opportunities are very active investors or traders. In other words, people who make these investments do so during market trading hours. If this is an area of interest, I recommend hiring someone to do the investing for you. You can go to the following website to find firms that specialize in making these investments for their clients: http://www.theniba.com/ . Screen their directory for Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs).

We all have heard about artistic and goodwill projects that have been crowdfunded. In most cases so far, people give the developer of these projects money, and the developers in turn give the contributor/donor something in return, say tickets, t-shirt, special access, etc.

The point to drive home is that in most cases today, the people who give these monies are DONORS – not investors.

However, the Obama Administration, through the JOBS Act, is working to make it easier for entrepreneurs to market to strangers for money. These changes would allow middle income wage earners to readily take part in the American “Shark Tank” Dream. Today, beyond the people entrepreneurs personally know, they can only approach “accredited investors” with their deals. Accredited investors are defined as those earning $200,000+ per year or have a net worth of $1 million or more excluding their primary residence. If you happen to be an accredited investor you can consider a subscription to this deal website called Crowdwatch (www. crowdwatch.co, not .com). The bottom line, as a higher risk-reward investment route, crowdfunding is not fully ready for prime time, but it is getting there.

Well if you’re looking to sit in that Shark chair now or sometime soon, you now have some resources for getting started. Happy hunting and good luck!

G. Mathis Conner, the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Conner Management Group, LLC, is a managed account money manager. He welcomes your finance and investment related questions at mathis@connermg. com. Get to know the firm by visiting their websites: www.connermg.com & www.best-stockstobuy.com and subscribing to their newsletters.

2. Individual Stocks and Stock Options While mutual funds invest in stocks for you, what most do not realize is that the average mutual fund invests in about 150 different stocks at any given time. So you are rarely benefiting from the performance of just a few companies. If you want to increase your risk-reward payoff then investing in individual stocks is a way to go. And for those that want a bit of Las Vegas style payoff in their investments, learning about stock options is the next step.

Two great resources for the do-it-yourself type: (1) Better Investing,www.betterinvesting.org , a nonprofit organization providing online stock analysis tools and a magazine subscription and (2) Value Line,www.valueline.com, a stock research company and Warren Buffett favorite.

If you want some professional guidance, consider hiring a managed account money manager. Managed accounts are gaining popularity. They provide greater control, options, and transparency than mutual funds.

3. Conventional Businesses (Franchise & Other) What’s great about a franchise business is that you can walk in to a standardized approach of running a particular business, removing a lot of guess work. That is by no means a guaranteed route to success, but helps nonetheless. This webpage provides a great overview video about how to quickly investigate a franchise’s record of success, typical costs, and other resources: http://www.ecodevel. com/franchising/ .

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STEP Up for Under-served Girls in Our Community

Luncheon Co-Chairs Tiffany Davis

I firmly believe that every girl deserves the same chance I had. Through RARE Pearls, Inc., I and a group of dedicated, professional women are stepping up to help high school girls overcome the hardships and risk factors threatening their futures. Our mission is to equip and empower them with the skills, values, confidence, and faith needed to reach their full potential and become productive women of excellence. Our high school mentoring program includes: life skills training, college readiness training, career exploration, leadership development, and a college scholarship program.

Yes, the issues facing our girls are alarming, but they should not dissuade us but rather compel us to act. You, too, can do something. STEP UP for under-served girls in our community!

Join me, our Board of Directors, and Luncheon Co-Chairs Tiffany Davis and Charlotte Stallings for “Pumps and Pearls” on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Junior League of Houston. Together, we can make a difference!

members, and others invested immeasurably in who I have become.

Barbara Harris Curtis, Founder and President of RARE Pearls, Inc.

By Barbara Harris Curtis

T

Contributing Writer

een pregnancy; drug and alcohol abuse; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; crime and delinquency; sexually transmitted diseases; high school dropout rates; prostitution; and sex trafficking are among the serious and complicated issues plaguing girls in our communities.

Increasing numbers of our young girls – and boys – are struggling to navigate through these and other life challenges that are far more complex than those faced by the generation before them. While they stumble and fumble, many of us have become com-

Charlotte Stallings fortable sitting back, watching, and talking about the problem, instead of becoming answers to the problem.

It’s time to STEP UP. I, too, was once guilty of thinking “somebody needs to do something” until I realized I am “somebody.” I recognize the value of positive role models, mentors, and guides in the lives of young girls. My life is an example of the difference this makes.

While growing up, I was blessed to have people who encouraged, directed, and redirected me. My mother, grandmother, caring teachers, church

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Purchase Tickets at www.rarepearls.org

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