d-mars.com Business Journal 12

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Business Journal March / April 2007

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

12th Edition

Get Exposed K. Jer´Rod

Reagan Flowers C-STEM

MR. D-MARS

Angela Williams and Greta Jordan REMAX

Kim Davis KPRC LOCAL Channel 2

Jacquelin Kinloch Ready Women Inc

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Behind the

Publisher’s Message

Journal

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

Publisher

Keith J. Davis, Sr. Editorial Consultant

ReShonda Tate-Billingsley Operations Director

Ana Romero Administrative Assistant

Martha C. Perez Project Coordinator

Kristal Duhon Sales & Marketing consultant

Deshawn Colbert Sales & Marketing Major account executive

Henderson Williams Sales & Marketing Assistant

Ebony White Chris Ardoin Multimedia Director

Albert Reff Andrea Hennekes Layout & Graphic Designers

Vladimir Orozco Corneleon Block Nathan Broussard Distribution

Booker T. Davis, Jr. Photography

Zack Jones, Jones Photography Contributing Writers

Pat Tucker Bishop Terri Smith-Little Veronique Landry Tammy Flemming Asha Tyson Keith J. Davis, Jr. Divers Staff Jerome Love

I’m in the business of exposure. Not just because it’s a fundamental tool every entrepreneur should make a priority, but because I know how critical getting exposed is to the overall success of a business.

The bottom line is simple. If no one knows about your product or service, how can they buy it? But I’m amazed at the number of people who try to cut corners when it comes to getting exposure for their business. It’s critical that getting exposed is an area that has your highest priority.

That’s why we decided to take this issue to devote to the theme “Get Exposed.” As we launch a new website, logo and take D-Mars.com to the next level, we wanted to introduce you to everything D-Mars. Here you’ll find more about what we do, how your business can benefit, and some crucial information you need to know to bring more exposure to your business.

I’m proud of the fact that D-Mars.com believes in practicing the latest techniques in communicating and interacting with the community and the business community as a whole. We are committed to educating, empowering and exposing entrepreneurs to opportunities that will help their business grow, something that is part of our core values. We spend countless hours building relationships with community, religious and political leaders to ensure opportunities for small business owners, a large percentage of which are minority. It’s a commitment we hope is contagious. Because after all, when one business succeeds and thrives, we all do.

I hope you enjoy this issue and find information that will help take your business to the next level.

CONTENTS Helping others Get Exposed.........................................................4 Remax Signature Properties......................................................6 Develop A Child....................................................................................6 Beyond the Headlines.......................................................................12 Are you Ready Women ...................................................................12 A Hero in the Neighboorhood......................................................14 Helping individuals to succeed.................................................... 16 Black Business Books. worth noting......................................... 18 10 Media Myths you need to know...........................................19 Spirtually Speaking.............................................................................20 Black Businesses Continue to Rise.............................................21 Do you have what it takes.............................................................22 Everyone has Skills.............................................................................23 Houston Black Expo...........................................................................27

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month Exposure is crucial in succeeding in business Get exposed today!

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D-MARS Business Journal 9898 Bissonnet, Suite 570 Houston, Texas 77036 713-272-9511 . Phone 713-272-6364 . Fax 1-800-453-8752 . Toll Free www.d-mars.com

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“I’ve been in the game long enough to know that you can have the greatest product or service in the world, but if no one knows about it, it does you no good,” Davis said.

Even when he was working in corporate America, Keith J. Davis Sr. knew one thing was key: In order to succeed in business, you have to “Get Exposed.”

It’s a belief he felt so strongly, that he took his nearly two decades worth of sales and marketing experience and started his own business to help entrepreneurs gain exposure that would take their business to the next level.

“I’ve been in the game long enough to know that you can have the greatest product or service in the world, but if no one knows about it, it does you no good,” Davis said.

Davis, affectionately known as “MR. D-MARS” has made a life

pledge to helping grow black business by arming them with the necessary tools to be successful.

“That’s the driving force behind everything I do. So many businesses in our community fall by the wayside because they don’t invest the time, money or effort to getting exposed. It’s my pledge to change that because when one of us succeeds in business, we all do.”

Davis teaches entrepreneurs how to market and brand their business by getting involved with the community, networking and building vital relationship capital.

He focuses on inspiring, informing, and educating small, middle and large sized business owners and giving life to future business owners.

KEITH J. DAVIS Sr. AKA MR. D-MARS

Father and Son: But his efforts extend beyond just providing basic services.

“Getting exposed is not just about buying the right marketing program or products, or generating the right publicity. It’s a long term effort, of getting and staying involved in the community.

That’s something that I also try to teach people,” he said.

A noted philanthropist and community advocate, Davis’ list of honors and achievements are endless. But his biggest rewards come from helping others succeed and watching his son, Keith J. Davis, Jr. follow in his footsteps.

“I’m a firm believer that every successful person should reach back and take someone along for the ride. Doing so is critical in breeding the next generation

of successful entrepreneurs. I’m lucky to be able to do that with my son,” Davis said.

But it wasn’t luck that got Keith Davis, Jr. interested in business. It was growing up around his father, and being exposed to the determined attitude of the elder Davis to make it in business.

“I guess you can say business is in my blood,” Davis, Jr. (also known as Lil’ Keith) says. “I was selling and trading Pokeman cards and bubble gum before I was out of elementary school.”

From there, the sixteen year old (who was also encouraged by his mother, Heather Davis, a local realtor) went on to sell everything from hats to candy, turning a profit at every corner. Soon, others wanted to know more about

KEITH J. DAVIS Jr. ´

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Like his father, Keith Jr. wanted to help other young people realize there was more to life than typical “teen things.”

this child prodigy with a nose for business.

Like his father, Keith Jr. wanted to help other young people realize there was more to life than typical “teen things.”

“So many of my friends talked about how they wanted to play in the NBA, or the NFL, or they were interested in hanging out, watching TV, etc. I wanted to expose them to something different, something they don’t see very often – people succeeding in business,” he said.

Keith Jr. started the Keith J. Davis, Jr. Foundation for that purpose. He travels the country speaking to other teenagers, aspiring entrepreneurs and those who don’t have a clue what they want to do. He also brings in guest speakers and mentors to serve as examples of what young people can achieve. Through the founda-

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tion and his soon-to-be released book, he also focuses on arming teens with the tools to be successful.

“I’ve been blessed to have not only a love for business, but the background to succeed in business. I would be doing a disservice to myself, my community and my father, if I didn’t share my knowledge,” he added.

For both Keith J. Davis Sr. and Keith J. Davis, Jr, being successful in the business arena has helped not only nurture their father/son bond, but it’s helped them serve as role models for others. The duo hopes to encourage others to not only give their all to their respective businesses, but give back to the community as well by getting involved in local charities, attending networking events and reaching back and helping others.

“Doing that creates a win-win situation for everyone,” Davis Sr. says.

Helping others “Get Exposed”

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Signature Properties

Opens In Medical Center Entrepreneurial REALTORS Angela Williams and Greta Jordan, each formerly with a well-known suburban RE/MAX office, have opened their own internationally-flavored RE/MAX Signature Properties at 1213 Herman Drive Ste 185 in the heart of Houston’s world-renowned Museum /Medical Center district.

“We’ve been working together for several years, shared a lot of similarities in terms of philosophies and core beliefs, and felt we could be very successful in sharing our expertise in this business with others,” said Williams, who earned her MBA at UH prior to a previous career as an Engineer for NASA/Lockheed Martin and Sun Microsystems.

“We’ve both generated a high volume of business in a relatively short time, and our in-house training stresses achieving career success in a

pleasant, relaxed atmosphere while having fun and maintaining a balanced life,” she added.

“In addition to a terrific location, our office is a fullservice, one-stop shop for consumers,” said Jordan, a Baylor & Juilliard Music Graduate. “Greg Iverson offers mortgage banking services through The Atlas Group in our office, and handles FHA, VA, Conventional/conforming, and commercial loans.

Bobby Bryant with Texas 1st Residential offers mortgage broker services, and title ser-

vices are available through Vision Title. Terry Buchanan of CT Designs offers Audio/Video Services. We even have interior design services, Pouffy Business, provided by Sylvia Ochier.”

A multicultural office philosophy is designed to service the wide melting pot of Houston’s populace, and RE/MAX Signature Properties has sales associates fluent in Spanish and Cantonese.

“In addition to the RE/MAX Satellite Network®, our inhouse training is conducted Tuesdays through Thursdays

in a curriculum that includes self-development/self-enrichment courses, with a variety of motivational speakers.

We’re preparing our associates with the right training and mind set to compete for upper-tier listings and clients.”

The firm will celebrate their office grand opening on June 8 at 6:00pm on site. For more information, call 713-715-1600, or visit www.signatureproperties. texas.remax.com.

The RE/MAX franchise network is a global real estate system operating in 63 countries. More than 6,200 independently owned offices engage 115,000 member sales associates who lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, relocation, and asset management.

For more information visit www.remax-signatureproperties-houston-tx.com.

Develop a child Reagan Flowers and C-STEM Dr. Reagan D. Flowers has always had a passion for educating children. As the founder, president and chief executive of C-STEM Teacher & Student Support Services, Inc., Flowers creates educational opportunities in communications, science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Dr. Flowers has been in the education field for more than a decade as a teacher, guidance counselor, dean of students and school improvement facilitator, and has worked with students ranging from elementary to high school levels. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Texas Southern University, a master’s in counseling from Prairie View A&M University, and a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies from Union Institute and University.

What is the primary goal of C- rience cutting edge technology, STEM in the school? students are given an opportunity to express their individuality C-STEM provides C-STEM through their projects, provide (communication, science, tech- opportunities to visit colleges/ nology, engineering, and math- universities, provide opportuniematics) project-based learning ties for internships with corpoexperiences to teachers and rations in STEM fields, and scholstudents in areas such as robot- arship opportunities become ics that makes learning math and available from the exposure and science fun and exciting. participation in STEM events.

How does C-STEM develop a child?

C-STEM develops children by training and supporting teachers with thematic hands-on project-based learning approaches to teaching C-STEM. Children develop C-STEM skills that they can apply to real-life.

The C-STEM experience excites children about learning through discovery and inquiry. Children use a team approach to learning, develop leadership skills, learn how to problem solve and think outside the box.

How does the program directly impact a child?

C-STEM exposes children to professionals that work in STEM fields, provides opportunities for students to travel to venues that allow them to demon D-Mars.com talked one on strate what they have learned in one with Dr. Flowers and all that a competitive setting, students her Houston-based, non-profit are given opportunities to demonstrate and improve upon comorganization is doing. munication skills, students expe-

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If so, what happens in year two sented students grades Pre Kand three that’s different from 12 by providing learning experiyear one? ences for teachers and students Students that participate that can be applied to real life. in C-STEM for 2 years or more Through our vision C-STEM is develop an interest in pursu- able to work successfully with ing post-secondary studies in students that are culturally dia C-STEM field, become good verse; have varying learning catechnical writers, have an un- pacities and interest levels; have derstanding of engineering con- dreams, goals and aspirations in cepts, have completed several how they want to experience What will the child learn from engineering projects, presented life; and want to find success their projects in several venues with learning. participation in the program? outside of their school setting, C-STEM’s founding director, Children learn how to use have applied and been accepted Reagan Flowers, has worked with various forms of multimedia, to college, and returns to volun- inner city schools and underrepresearch skills, technical writing teer or work with C-STEM sup- resented youth with STEM enskills, computer animation, how ported projects. richment programs and has exto operate tools/equipment/ perienced success for more than machinery, learn the durability What does it take to implement a 10 years. Her research and expeof various materials, learn about C-STEM Program in HISD? What riences lead to the development engineering fields, learn how to is the cost? Who must partici- of C-STEM Teacher and Student use math and science to develop pate? What support must the Support Services as the result a quality product to solve a probschool provide? of issues she faced surrounding lem, and learn how to integrate technology into the final design To implement C-STEM pro- the lack of funding to support gramming, schools must be will- STEM project-based learning in of their product. ing to become a partner; work schools, inadequate STEM teachDoes the program improve the collaboratively in sharing their er training and support, and lack student knowledge with particivision; commit to the process; of school administration support pation after one year? think outside the box; support in the development and expan A student’s participation in our efforts in designing, imple- sion of STEM programs for chilC-STEM after (1) year develops menting, and facilitating their dren. their interest in engineering, ro- STEM project; and assist with What are your Goals and Objecbotics, provides them with depth identifying funding sources to tives? in knowledge regarding the type support STEM programming in The goal is to provide handsof work an engineer does, devel- their school/district. on services through C-STEM ops leadership skills, and develthat assist and support schools, ops an interest in learning math What is the C-STEM Vision? and science concepts that relate Our vision is to assist with families, and corporations with providing underrepresented stuto robotics projects. reducing achievement gaps in dents with STEM learning experiSTEM areas among underrepre- ences. www.

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EXPERIENCE OUR WORLD OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION

Let us promote your business, your event, or you.

Join our mailing list to stay informed in the Business Community,.

About D-Mars.com

Getting exposed is the key to

D-Mars Business Journal A full-length newspaper designed to showcase the latest businesses. Released every other month, you’ll also find business related stories designed to inform, educate and inspire you to success.

Getting exposed is the key to having a successful business and D-Mars.com having a successful business specializes in exposure. On our newly launched website, you can find everything you need to take your business to have a direct link back to their company the next level. webpage. And if you’re not quite ready Through D-Mars.com, we hope to get for a billboard, D-Mars.com will also ofour message out to a lot of people at an fer banners where affordable rate. It’s our goal to create sponsors can disa database of 100,000 people, and ulti- play their commately boosting that number to one mil- pany name. With hundreds of hits lion in the next five years. every day, its maxi With hundreds of people perusing our mum exposure at site on a daily basis, your business is guar- its best! anteed to get the exposure necessary for success. We offer a wide variety of Image Marketing marketing and communication services, D - M A R S . c o m provides an array including: of marketing, public relations, advertising D-Mars Billboard Visitors to the D-Mars.com website will and communications be greeted with a billboard that promi- services that specialnently displays a business of the month. ize in helping clients Companies will have the opportunity to bear measurable readvertise their business here, as well as sults. Our services include Graphic Design, Web Design, Logos, Full Color Printing, Writing Services, Brand Management, Research and Consulting.

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V-Blasts In an era where more and more entrepreneurs are turning to new technology to make their businesses grow, D-Mars.com offers a way for you to increase your business exposure through video. A professionally produced video presentation tells current and potential customers that your business is detail and quality oriented as well as in step with cutting edge ways to communicate.

IT’S JUST THAT SIMPLE! Business Directory You’ve heard of the yellow pages, well D-Mars.com is bringing you onestop shopping for the black business community. In the Business Directory you’ll find information and contact numbers for black businesses to meet any need.

Post your event at D-MARS.com Web calendar

D-Mars.com offers a wide array of video options:

Business Connections D.Mars.com believes networking is also crucial to making sure your business thrives. So each month, entrepreneurs, customers, and aspiring business owners, gather for a networking event sponsored

by D-Mars.com. With an array of guest speakers and networking opportunities, D-Mars Business Connections has become the place to be!

Commercials Show your product or explain your service to the world with a 30 or 60 second commercial designed to run on television or the web! We have the production equipment, facilities and talent to help you deliver the message you need to grow your business.

Web Video/Video E-mail An alternative or addition to television advertising, web video or video e-mail is another option to maximize exposure for your business. Use the power of the Internet to broadcast your message. You can place your personalized spot in a prominent position on the home page of your website or send your video out with our V-BLAST. That’s video blasting to more than 25,000 professionals who are in the market for various products and services. Your V-BLAST can be a video, which highlights the most outstanding features of your business, a personal greeting from your CEO or a combination of elements that will appeal to your target audience.

Business Franchise Opportunity Not everyone wants to start their own business. Some people would like to jump on the bandwagon of a proven business, adding their own touch to take the success to an even higher level.

Our Business/Franchise Opportunity will put you in contact with and showcase some of the hottest franchises on the market.

You’ll also be able to find things like a calendar listing, online directory, travel information, information on books to help your business, D-Mars Video, Radio and Photo Gallery.

Visit D-Mars.com and get exposed today!

Product Demonstration Video Our state-of-the-art cameras will make your product shine. Our professional voice talent and/or on camera hosts will demonstrate your products.

Training Video Train one employee or hundreds with information that can be shown in auditoriums or at a desktop.

Customer Testimonials Have your best customers explain in their own words why they enjoy doing business with you.

Brochure Video Put the information on your brochure in video form. Show your facilities, procedures, products, processes and personnel. Send to potential customers and investors.

Employee Recruitment Orientation Videos Show the opportunities within your company. Introduce new and potential employees to your organization, its policies and corporate culture.

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Kim Davis “Beyond the Headlines.”

Kim Davis is a veteran news and sports broadcaster with nearly two decades of experience in print, radio and television journalism. She joined KPRC Local 2, a Post Newsweek station, in February 2006, as Senior Producer and a member of the News Department management team. Davis collaborates on daily news content, and provides a unique and diverse voice in news coverage and television station promotional activities.

Davis plays a vital role in community affairs events and station special projects.

She serves as liaison between the station management and community, corporate and city government lead-

ers. Davis serves on the KPRC Community Involvement and Editorial Committees, where she is instrumental in the implementation and execution of various community/news projects. This spring, Davis will Host and executive produce a new weekly segment called, “Beyond the Headlines.”

Davis is active in the community, working with several boards and non-profit organizations. She is currently a member of the Aids Foundation Houston Board of Directors, the Herman Park Conservancy Advisory Board, and Houston Association of Black Journalists.

Davis is a native Houstonian Prior to joining KPRC, Davis who holds a BA from Texas owned and operated a mar- A&M University. keting and public relations consulting company. And prior to that time, she was selected Vice President of External Relations for the Super Bowl XXXVIII Host Committee, an appropriate match, since most of Davis’ career has seen her at the sports anchor desk.

Are You If you’re looking for just the right image, Jacqueline J. Kinloch is just the person to help you find it.

“Your image is a representation of who you really are and how the public perceives you. It also makes women feel good. When you feel good, you project a good image,” she said.

A former educator, Kinloch has specialized in making women feel good since her days as a personal shopper. .

“Women would ask me to come over to help them prepare for a gala, get ready for an event or just come speak to their women’s organization. So it seemed the next logical step was to become an image consultant,” she said.

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Kinloch underwent training to become certified and has been making an impact ever since.

Kinloch also stresses the importance of positive attitude, professionalism, and handling yourself with poise. She conducts seminars on Wellness and Business Etiquette for local schools, corporations, and women’s organizations.

She also donates her time to local charities throughout the Houston area.

fare to work. Woman who are a part of Ready Women Inc. are also taught job retention skills and can take advantage of monthly seminars that will assist them in becoming well rounded individuals.

“I just want to be able to help local women be productive parts of society. I want to help them feel good about themselves. They then project positive images and that can help them be successful.”

Jacqueline and her hus Her biggest joy comes in band Leon, live in Sugar Land. giving back to the community.

She currently works as Execu- To reach Ms. Kinloch at tive Director of Ready Women Ready Women, please e-mail Inc., a non profit organization, readywomeninc@alltel.net or which gives comprehensive call (281)265-8798 makeovers to women who are transitioning from welJacqueline J. Kinloch www.

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Tammy Fleming:

A hero in the neighbor(hood)

Ask almost any young person who they consider a “hero” and chances are they’ll name their favorite athlete or celebrity. Or maybe they’ll say their parents or a neighborhood teacher.

But that’s because many don’t know about all of the “heroes” right in their communities.

It’s time we changed that.

It’s time we let them know about people in the community like Tammy Fleming.

This is a woman who has never had it easy. Her mother was brutally murdered when she was 13 years old. Her physically and mentally abusive father was incarcerated at the time. No one wanted to take in Tammy or her six siblings, so she asked to be placed in the State of Louisiana’s custody.

Growing up in the system did not deter Tammy from making something positive out of herself. Tammy won the $10,000 MLK Coca-Cola scholarship by writing an essay about her life before finishing high school. This scholarship allowed her to attend the college of her choice. Tammy went on to graduate from Xavier University in New Orleans with her degree in Accounting and Molers Beauty College with her cosmetology license.

Tammy had come to a point where things in her personal and professional life were not rewarding. So, in 1996, she packed everything she could fit in her 1988 Blazer and moved with her four-year-old son to Houston. She felt there were more opportunities here for her young family. Tammy didn’t know anyone in Houston and ended up boarding a room from an elder church member.

fare and began to try and build a new life.

Tammy took on temporary assignments in accounting on weekdays and worked in a beauty salon on evenings and weekends. In just five short years, this single mother repaired her credit, opened her first salon, purchased a home, and became a real estate agent. Three years later, she became a real estate broker and started Fleming Realty Company.

Tammy also has another electrifying talent. She is an exceptional motivational speaker who doesn’t mind speaking about her past or her future.

“I’m not ashamed to speak about my past because my siblings and I were totally absolvent of what we had to endure. Being silent only allows the victims to be victimized twice and protects the predator. I believe speaking out has far greater rewards.

Becoming a success breaks the cycle and encourages others to persevere,” she said.

Tammy is generous in giving of her time to speak at various organizations, such as Dress for Success, Foster Elementary School’s college night and Families Under Urban and Social Attack (FUUSA). She has been the exclusive realtor guest speaker for Acorn Housing for the past four years.

For the 10 years that Tammy has been in Houston, she continues to make Southeast Houston the place for her home and her businesses.

Trendz by Tammy Hair Salon and Fleming Realty are located on Scott Street in the heart of South Union. Tammy Fleming is a hero because she leads With no job in sight, bad credit and by example. She is truly a hero in the no money, all Tammy had, was faith. neighborhood.

She swallowed her pride, got on wel-

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Helping individuals to succeed

By Keith J. Davis, Jr. Contributing Writer

Help is a word closely affiliated with the word entrepreneur. So close one may wonder if they were connected to each other in a family of words. A supreme duo; the desire and the determination of an entrepreneur and also the perseverance to ask for help. Wow, now that is the formula that can create success.

We all will experience a form of help as individuals and as entrepreneurs. When I think of the word entrepreneur, I envision a successful, self-employed, strong-minded individual, who has used his talents to overcome adversity and receives success. And with success gained, one can’t look back on that path and say they haven’t received HELP in some way, shape, or form, simply because one can’t do it on his own.

POPS Place The best wisdom often comes from those who’ve been around a bit – and Booker T “Pops” Davis, Jr. has lots of wisdom to share with you.

“Go not where a path may lead, go where no one has gone before and leave a trail.”

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To me, help is a positive word and as a young entrepreneur I use help to my advantage. Naturally, I don’t know everything, and as I continue to grow, I’m constantly asking for help until eventually I get on my own feet, understand the problem or situation, and fix it.

I believe that in order to be successful in business, you have to have a helper, mentor, or another entrepreneur in your field that can give you advice. For me, that advice and mentorship comes from several different people that benefit me in my business. Like, my father, Keith J. Davis Sr. (Mr. D-Mars), a successful entrepreneur who has helped me in learning the ins and outs of the game (which I’m stilling learning). Pastor Terrance H. Johnson, a mentor who teaches me in www.

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business and keeps me grounded spiritually. And also my mother, Heather Davis (a successful realtor), who keeps me focused as I venture off into this world of business.

At the same time, it’s important to be careful who you receive help from. Because as General H. Norman Schwarzkopf says, “You cannot help someone get up a hill without getting closer to the top yourself .” Without a doubt, listening to the wrong people can harm you and your vision of success.

As the leader of the Keith J Davis Jr. Foundation I have received help that has benefited me in all aspects of life. So I encourage young entrepreneurs to do the same and experience the effects of entrepreneurship and help.

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SHIRLENE CLINCY BRANCH MANAGER

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Black Business Books worth noting…

How I Retired at 26!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing Your Freedom and Wealth at Any Age

7 Money Mantras for a Richer Life: How to Live Well with the Money You Have

by Asha Tyson Asha Tyson’s own rise from homelessness at 17 to prominence deems her an expert on personal achievement. Now she reveals the secrets of her success by offering you an easy-to-understand blueprint that can afford you the lifestyle you always wanted. Tyson examines and shatters the mold of traditional retirement ideas that reek of defeat; she demonstrates a winning and fresh philosophy that is effective for anyone at any age. How I Retired at 26! provides an eye-opening practical process for obtaining personal, professional and financial freedom all in this one astonishing book! With her coaching, you will learn new techniques that rid you of worry-for good! You can apply these proven principles and begin living a life that most people only talk about and dream of!

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The Complete Startup Guide for the Black Entrepreneur

By Bill Boudreaux This straightforward, easy-to-read guide gives a clear and uncluttered presentation of the steps to take to organize and manage any type of minority-owned business. Would-be entrepreneurs will learn how to set up their workspace, decide on a business structure, prepare a business plan, purchase essential equipment, price their products or services, stay on top of finances, and much, much more.

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By Michelle Singletary The best financial planner Michelle Singletary ever knew was Big Mama, her grandmother.

Big Mama raised Michelle and her four brothers and sisters on a salary that never reached more than $13,000 a year. Yet at her death, Big Mama owned her own home, had paid off a car loan, and had a beautiful collection of Sunday-go-tomeeting church hats and a savings account that supplemented her Social Security check and small pension. Most important, she had taught Michelle “7 Money Mantras for a Richer Life.”

Those mantras serve as the inspiration for this straight-talking book of practical personal financial advice that really works.

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Media Myths you need to know

By Pat Tucker Contributing Writer A lot of people think that doing interviews effectively is a piece of cake. But with today’s fast deadlines, you can’t always assume that the reporter is going to figure out what you meant to say if you’re not clear about it from the start.

Being unprepared is just one of a host of mistakes entrepreneurs make when dealing with the media. Whether the result of popular misconceptions, bad media training or simply having no idea what it takes to be a good source, here are ten of the most common myths about being media-savvy.

Myth #1: It’s important to put a positive spin on everything. Not every situation is positive.

In order to be truthful, you can’t always put a bullish slant on the circumstances.

“The example I use in my speeches is the airline executive who says, ‘Sure, the plane crashed, but it was right on time when it hit the mountain,’ “ he explains.”You need to deliver the information the audience needs to know.” He advises being honest and sharing the information that is necessary and targeted toward your audience. “Stating the factors that contributed to the crash and giving a careful explanation of what will be done to prevent it from happening in the future would be a better response.”

Myth #3: You should participate in every interview that’s requested of you. Not at all. Before you get on the phone or in front of the mic and start talking, you need to know the context of the story. Find out what, specifically, the story is about,” There are some stories you don’t want to be involved in, and some stories where there might be legal implications.

Myth #2: If you don’t want to answer a reporter’s question, change the subject. A popular media training technique is called “the bridge,” and it works like this: If a reporter asks you a question you don’t want to answer, you say something like, “That’s a great question, but I think the more important point is . . .”

That kind of question dodging, is one of the quickest ways to earn a reporter’s ire.

You still need to answer the reporter’s question. If a reporter asks about your bad sales last quarter, you can answer the question and still include the information that’s important to your company by saying something like, ‘Sales were disappointing; however, our new line, which we’re working hard on, is going to give us returns,’ and explain how.

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Try getting some background on the topic of the story and deciding if there’s a good business reason for doing it.

For instance, it might be a good idea to participate in a profile of your company in an industry trade publication. However, if a reporter is doing a general story that isn’t really relevant to your business or your key audience, and which could position your business in a negative way, you may want to pass on participating in the story.

Myth #4: Reciting how many other media interviews you’ve done impresses journalists, producers and editors.

Most reporters are looking for fresh voices and ideas. In many cases, if you rattle off that you’ve been quoted in

The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and

on all the major networks recently, the reporter might think that you have nothing new to say on the topic or that your story’s been done.

Instead say that you’re an experienced interviewee to let the journalist know you’re familiar with the interview process. That will likely make him or her more comfortable with you as a source. If you’re asked for particular outlets in which you’ve been featured, then provide them.

Myth #5: A good news release is the best way to get media attention for your company. This isn’t one stop shopping.

You’ll find more success with creating customized pitch letters for magazines and talking points for interviews.

The secret is finding out which topics are of interest to the media and putting that information in the easiest format for the journalist to use.

Myth #6: Mention your company, product or book as often as possible. This is one of the examples of media training gone haywire. It’s annoying when the expert mentions the name of the book in almost every sentence, and it usually backfires. Sure, mention the book or product when it’s appropriate, trying for two or three mentions in a broadcast or one credit in a print piece. www.

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Myth #7: Whenever you don’t want something printed or broadcast, just say it’s “off the record.” Saying something is “off the record”--usually used when a source gives background information to put something in context and doesn’t want it to be attributed--is risky because a journalist doesn’t have to abide by it. The truth is that reporters dig.

That’s what they should always do. If you’re naive enough to give them sensitive information that shouldn’t be shared publicly, you can’t be sure they won’t use it. If you say it, it’s fair game.

Myth #8: Answer every question so that you look like the expert. It’s OK to say that you don’t know something. It’s far better to say, ‘That’s a good question. Let me check on it and get back to you,’ or ‘I don’t have that information right now, but I’d be happy to follow up and get it to you’ than it is to bluff or lie. If a reporter senses that you’re not telling the truth, he or she will just dig deeper to find out. And if they find out you’re lying, your credibility is shot.

Myth #9: If you advertise in a medium, they’ll give you better coverage. There is a huge difference between PR and advertising, and it’s critical not to confuse the two. You’ll quickly alienate journalists if you suggest they’re influenced by advertising.

Mistaking the objective of the editorial department, which is to inform readers, with that of advertising, which is to promote products and services, is a common mistake that business owners make. Many editors will run in the other direction if you try to use that argument.

Ethical media don’t let advertisers influence editorial content. And it will backfire if you try to do so.

Myth #10: The bigger the words, the smarter you sound. Jargon and overblown language can get you jettisoned as a source. Some people think that using conversational language is ‘dumbing it down’ and that they won’t be perceived as smart, articulate executives. Actually, the opposite is true.

Using obscure industry terminology or overly complex language increases the chance that the journalist will misunderstand the information and report it wrong. Simple language is almost always best.

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Spiritually Speaking...

By Dr. Terri Smith-Little Contributing Writer While you’re thinking you’ll always be broke, you’re actually praying you’ll always be broke. While you’re thinking someone else always gets the promotion that’s a prayer and it will be answered. While you’re thinking your boss never notices your work, you’ve just prayed and it will come to pass. And to top this off you may never have intended to say anything negative out loud but your thoughts will This is more than just always find a platform. God mind over matter. Did you hears your thoughts and know that your thoughts words as they go out into the You must change the way are actually prayers? When atmosphere creating whatyou think about yourself to you’re thinking and speaking ever it is you’re thinking and the way God thinks about you. negative things about your- saying. He wants to bless you God’s thoughts toward you self you’re really praying. As but how can He when the are positive, so your thoughts you pray, negative things will only thing that radiates from about you must be positive be attracted to you. you is negativity? also. What you think and say about yourself is in direct reWe are all made in the image of God, which means we have the same capabilities as God. He thought of the world, then He spoke, “Let there be…” and it came into existence. Mankind has been given that same capability. Therefore, a lot of the situations that you are living in today you first thought them, then you spoke them and they have come to pass.

But you can change the way you are living by changing the way you think and speak about yourself.

lation to the way things appear to you. Remember, what you see may be but what God says is truth. To think according to appearances is easy but to think truth regardless of appearances is very difficult.

It requires more power than any other work you will ever do. There is no work that more people shrink from than that of positive-sustained thoughts of themselves.

By changing the way you think and the words you speak about yourself you are creating the world that you want to live in. You can now get rid of the spirit of competition against others, especially coworkers. You’ll never get the life you want by competing for it. You’ll only get it by creating it through the thoughts you think and the words you speak. You’ve been given the capability to create the world you want to live in; knowing that you are created in the image of God gives you a distinct advantage in life to make it happen. Latch on to God’s way of thinking and speaking and change your world.

For more information please contact us at Love Ministries: Ph#: 281.498.5683, or write: 9203 S. Hwy 6 #124-419, Houston, TX. 77083.

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Black Businesses Continue To Rise Minority - owned businesses are growing faster than other businesses -- and black-owned businesses have been growing at the fastest rate of all. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the total number of U.S. businesses grew by 10 percent between 1997 and 2006.

By contrast, the number of black-owned businesses grew by a whopping 45 percent.

The number of Hispanicowned businesses grew by 31 percent, and the number of Asian-owned businesses grew by 24 percent.

Minority-owned firms still make up a small proportion of all American enterprises -- about 18 percent of the country’s 23 million businesses, according to the 2002 Census Bureau data.

of black- and minority-owned firms.

The economic downturn of the post-dot-com years propelled many people -- including minorities -- out of corporate jobs and into their own businesses.

The African-American entrepreneurial boom also has roots in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, said John Templeton, the author of “Unfinished Dreams: The State of Black Business.”

The civil rights movement opened up the doors of corporate America to blacks, Templeton said. Now, many of that first generation have the resources to invest in their own companies.

“The biggest reason for this (boom) is a lot of experiAcademic experts suggestenced African Americans who ed several reasons for the sharp growth in the number

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are coming out of corporate careers or education,” Templeton said.

Economics professor Thomas Boston also credited the many minority-procurement laws passed by cities in the 1980s with giving minorities a foothold in business.

Those programs typically required local government to set aside a certain percentage of business for minority- and female-owned firms.

“The opportunities opened by these programs were significant,” said Boston, an expert in minority entrepreneurship. “It meant that for the first time, African Americans could enter fields like construction and heavy industry.”

Although the number of minority-owned businesses has grown dramatically, many

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of those businesses remain quite small.

The vast majority of all American businesses -- 76 percent -- are sole entrepreneurs with no employees. But the percentage of sole entrepreneurs was even higher for black businesses, at 92 percent, and for Hispanic businesses, at 87 percent.

The average black business without employees earned just $20,761 in 2002, while the average white-owned business without employees earned $44,426.

Boston suggested that both the revenues and workforce of minority-owned firms would grow as they became more established.

“We are seeing a large startup activity, where people may be maintaining a fulltime job but also trying some self-employment activity on the side,” Boston said.

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Do you have what it takes to start your own business?

By Veronique Landry Contributing Writer Are you among the many people who have, at one time or another, thought about starting your own business? Think about why you want to start your own business.

There are many good reasons, but there is often the danger of having unrealistic expectations.

Here are some reasons that people often give, and some notes of caution: • I can’t find a job: The very fact that you’re considering opening a business means that you are an explorer of possibilities, and that, if you are persistent, you will make progress. If you have to do something to survive, by all means, start trading. Buying and selling things from home or at the streetside is the easiestform of survivalist trade, but it remains a very hard way of making a living. Keep on reading about business and go for business training courses if you can. But unfortunately, your chances of growing your business into a thriving one is small.

For that, you need every bit of knowledge and experience that one can only pick up in the workplace. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t venture into business if you haven’t worked before. Just give yourself the best chance of success, the most sensible way of going about it is to: • Find a job, even part-time or as a volunteer.

• Use the job to observe and learn all you can about how organizations work, how business works, and how people work together.

• Convince the people you work for in every possible way to give you an opportunity. to manage more work, more systems and other people.

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If it goes wrong, there will be no one responsible but yourself.

The pressures of being self-em• Gain management experience, save money. ployed are inescapable. You will be staking practically everything on • If you do decide to start a busi- your own ability. If it goes wrong, ness without work experience, there will be no one responsible never stop reading and learn- but yourself. You may have to ing, even while you are running work long hours, and there will be your business. Get constant ad- times when things get on top of vice. Learn from your mistakes. you. Think about how you would It is the most difficult path to cope under these sorts of situachoose, but there are people tions: who have had success this way.

• You may well get into debt in • Independence: order to finance the enterprise.

Working for someone else can Will you be able to maintain your be frustrating sometimes, but faith in your business, often in you still need to be disciplined the face of others people’s and able to get on with others doubts? when you work for yourself.

• Job satisfaction: • If you employ people, you will need to be positive and show Self-employment allows you to do the job in your own way, leadership all the time, even and it is very satisfying when when you do not feel like it. Will your way is shown to work. You you be able to be tough and to do, of course, also have to take discipline difficult employees or responsibility when it does not make difficult demands of your work. suppliers?

• Achievement and success: • There will be times when you There can be some glory atfeel lonely, isolated and even tached to running your own under attack. Will you always be business, but make sure that polite and helpful, even when an you are not trying to prove that awkward customer is giving you you are something you are not. a hard time?

The venture may even fail, despite your hard work. Will you be This may sound like a nightmare, able to deal with this? but you need to be the sort of person who can deal positively • Money: This is not usually enough of a with such challenges. Above all, goal by itself, as wealth is by no you need a lot of confidence in means guaranteed. You need to yourself, and the energy and be sure that, even if never get toughness to get through the bad rich, you still want to pursue a times. business of your own.

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Everyone Everyonehas hasSkills Skills Investing the time to build and maintain your network is important to your success. Who you know and who knows you makes a difference whether you are an employer or an employee. It becomes critical when you find yourself unemployed.

Identify your strengths Everyone has skills, talents and areas of expertise.

Knowing your strengths helps you focus your search.

Tap into the Hidden Job Market Only 15 percent of job orders are advertised via newspaper and the Internet. Developing your network and using a company like DiverseStaff can help expand the universe of jobs available to you.

Do your homework Find out as much as you can about the company through the company’s website and literature.

Use this information to customize your contact and to prepare answers to common questions before interviews.

Customize your resume and cover letter.

Tailor your resume and cover letter to each The following tips can open position and clearly make finding and getting demonstrate how your your next opportunity less strengths help meet the employer’s needs. painful.

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Dress and act the part.

Always dress in professional clothing. A business suit is what is appropriate for interviews.

Ask good questions.

At the end of an interview, the employer will ask if you have any questions.

Have a list of questions prepared that showcase Be Early your company research Showing up early won’t and interest. guarantee you will get the opportunity, but showing Don’t get discouraged up late can automatically Experts estimate the eliminate you. Make 10 average job search lasts minutes early your new between three to ten months. Keep at it! Your “on-time”.

Dream Job is out there!

Listen more than you talk.

Listening can help you DiverseStaff can assist gain valuable information you in finding the perfect about the company and opportunity. Call our Housthe person interviewing ton Branch office to work you that can help you dis- with one of highly trained tinguish yourself when it is recruiters to find your dream job. Don’t wait. Retime to talk. member, the best time to find a new job is when you don’t need one.

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The Houston Black Expo is expanding its borders. In just four short years, the business tradeshow and community development event has grown to be the largest African-American tradeshow in Texas.

With growth comes change to accommodate the future of an organization. Accordingly, the producers of the Houston Black Expo are proud to announce that it has expanded to form a statewide organization known as the Texas Black Expo!

The Texas Black Expo is an organization dedicated to fostering business growth and development, educating and exposing youth to the world of entrepreneurship, and providing events designed to inform, economically empower and establish the local community.

Operated by Black Expo of Houston, LLC, the Houston Black Expo has served the Greater Houston community since May 2004, when it hosted its first marketing tradeshow at Reliant Center. Since inception, it has enjoyed great success in its production of the annual summer tradeshow, now drawing close to 20,000 attendees, more than 250 vendors, and numerous attractions over the course of the nationally recognized two-day weekend.

celebration Indiana’s expo, according to a 2006 study by 4. Exposing youths to the world of entrepreneurship the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Deearly increases the chances that they will some day partment of Tourism, has an estimated direct attendee become in dependent business owners; spending of $72.6 million. The Indiana Black Expo is the 5. Every moment spent mentoring a youth is an in vestlargest African-American event in the nation, with an ment in his/her greatness; and array of activities over an 11-day summer celebration, and attracting an estimated 350,000 guests. For more 6. It is our social responsibility to give back to the community in some charitable way year-round. information, visit www.indianablackexpo.com.

With its restructuring as the Texas Black Expo, it is Further, each satellite chapter throughout the state of Texas will be required to address the same organizational initiatives in its respective communities that are promoted by the governing organization. These orgaattendees, more than 250 vendors, nizational initiatives include business growth and development, entrepreneurial education, youth mentoring, youth entrepreneurship and community service.

now drawing close to 20,000

and numerous attractions

the organizations’ hope to parallel the success of the Indiana Black Expo, impacting the Greater Houston and statewide economies, and expanding its participation and attendance at the annual “Summer Celebration” through the inclusion of vendors and attendees from across the state of Texas. Through this broader marketing focus, the direct impact on the annual event is sure to be visible and measurable, and its effect on the local These accomplishments took place by relying primar- economy easily identifiable. ily on the passion and drive of the two-person partner- “Our goal has always been to help as many businesses ship of founder, President and CEO Jerome Love, an and youths as possible. With the formation of the Texas entrepreneur in his own right who established his own Black Expo, Inc., we will be able to remain true to the clothing line, “GUGOGS Apparel” and who also founded initial goal, while helping even more business owners in and serves as the broker for Houston-based LHS Realty Houston, and throughout the state,” said Jerome Love, Group, and Executive Vice President and Director Shan- president and CEO of the Texas Black Expo, Inc. non Cormier, Ph.D., an entrepreneur specializing in event planning, non-profit fundraising and small business con- Additionally, satellite chapters will be developed unsulting whose dissertation at The University of Texas der Texas Black Expo to enhance the organization’s abilat Austin was entitled Business Incubation in Inner City ity to serve greater numbers of constituents, broaden the expanse of its community service offerings and imEmerging Markets as an Economic Development Tool. pact even more Texas communities.

In expanding to form the Texas Black Expo as a nonprofit corporation in 2007, the producers of the Hous- Statewide chapter activity will culminate by having all ton Black Expo did so with a desire to brand itself as chapters come together for the “Summer Celebration” more than a once-per-year tradeshow organization. and convention held annually in the city of Houston.

Rather, the focus will be on rebuilding its image to that Each Texas Black Expo satellite chapter will be officialof a year-round community development organization ly commissioned by the Texas Black Expo headquartered that will be dedicated to connecting Texas businesses in Houston, Texas, and each chapter will be governed by to the communities it serves, and developing the next the core values of the organization. These core values generation of entrepreneurs. include:

The Texas Black Expo will focus its initial expansion for establishing new chapters in Texas on regions with large African-American populations including Jefferson, Smith, Gregg, Harrison and Travis counties.

Austin entrepreneur Donnell Creech explains, “We are excited about the Texas Black Expo reaching out to communities such as ours. There is a great need within our community for business development, and we have desired to participate in a first-class, business-building organization like Texas Black Expo for quite some time.

Our steering committee is looking forward to establishing a chapter here in Austin and coming to Houston to be commissioned as an official chapter at the summer event in May!” The formal launch and public introduction of the Texas Black Expo will occur during the Expo’s 4th annual 2007 “Summer Celebration” tradeshow that will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, 2007. At this time, it is anticipated that the Texas Black Expo will commission two to three new chapters to begin operating in their respective cities as Texas Black Expo community organizations.

The founders of the Texas Black Expo take great pride in serving the Greater Houston community and the state of Texas. Individuals interested in establishing a Texas Black Expo chapter in their local communities are encouraged to contact the headquarters office in Houston, Texas at (832) 200-0540 or visit www.texasblackexpo.com for more information regarding requirements and regulations for the establishment of a Texas Black Expo chapter.

The Houston Black Expo’s formation of the larger and 1. Strong businesses build strong communities; far-reaching Texas Black Expo is designed to pattern the organizational structure of the largest, longest-standing 2. With adequate amounts of exposure, support, and nurture, it is possible for any business to thrive; In the meantime, get ready for the new Texas Black Black Expo in the United States, the Indiana Black Expo.

Its success has been unparalleled in the expo industry 3. Ensuring the success of minority entrepreneurs, as- Expo “Summer Celebration” scheduled for May 19-20! over the past 36 years. As a year-round community orsist minority communities in becoming economically Limited booth space is still available. ganization, which culminates with an annual summer empowered and established;

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