d-mars.com Business Journal 17

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Business Journal February / march 2008

Paula Madison

Brenda & Helen McCoy

Executive VP of Diversity for NBC Universal

McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home

FREE

Inspire, Inform & Educate

Tonya Bush & Yvette Lightfoot

Doris Coney & Barbara Hudson

Financial Consultants

Vision Title, LLC

17th Edition

Kicia Carpenter d-mars.com Promotional Marketing Director/Partner

February / march 2008

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Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr. SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr. JR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Jr. EDITING CONSULTANT ReShonda Tate-Billingsley OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Ana Romero ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Jennifer Cobb MARKETING CONSULTANTS DIRECTOR Bernard Johnson MARKETING CONSULTANTS Tyffanie Rosser Kenya Melton MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Albert Reff Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ghuzzala Malik Hiram Lewis DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. PHOTOGRAPHY Albert Reff CONTRIBUTING WRITERS ReShonda Tate-Billingsley Jennifer Cobb Old Grumpy Dr. Wendy Carla Lane Kevin D. Walls Dr. David Jones Carla J. Cargle Pat Tucker Pastor Byron Murray

February / march 2008

It was just a year ago when we released our first Women in it to Win it edition of the DMars Business Journal. That issue was such a hit with readers that we just had to do it again. After all, there are so many talented women doing phenomenal things in the Bayou City. (I just hate we can’t spotlight them all). So, this issue we will once again spotlight those women who aren’t playing games when it comes to handling their business. Women who know what it takes to win and work tirelessly to make that happen. There are television executives, attorneys, real estate moguls and more. And I’m sure there’s something to be learned from all of them.

There’s also a wealth of information, dedicated to helping women – personally, emotionally, spiritually, and professionally. It’s my hope that not only will you find something you can use, but that you’ll be inspired to come up with a sound plan of your own to realize all of your dreams.

As always, please support our advertisers. It’s because of them that we’re able to keep educating, informing and enlightening you at no cost. Your support is the best way of saying thanks.

CONTENTS Kathy Williams…...........................................................................................4 Raquel Wheeler…...........................................................................................4 Lora Mayes….................................................................................................5 Carla Lane…...................................................................................................5 Doris Coney & Barbara Hudson….................................................................6 Brenda McCoy & Helen McCoy Abernathy….............................................11 Tonya Bush & Yvette Lightfoot…................................................................11 Dr. Samoan C. Johnson….............................................................................12 Kicia Carpenter….........................................................................................14 Black History Month Spotlight: Perri Jones….............................................15 Balancing Career & Family…......................................................................16 Power to the People…...................................................................................21 Let’s Hear it for the Sisters…........................................................................22 Keep Your Business Alive….........................................................................22 Love & Money…..........................................................................................24 Are You Marketable?....................................................................................25 Paula Madison…...........................................................................................31 Women at the Top of their Game…...............................................................31

MR. D-MARS

D-MARS Business Journal

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Combining Purpose with

Kathy Williams She’s a woman who makes things happen. And with a wealth of experience, there’s no other woman in Houston’s television news market more qualified for the job.

Kathy Williams brings more than 20 years of television broadcasting experience to her current role of Vice President/News Director for FOX owned and operated station KRIV-FOX 26 in Houston.

Passion

Working in Houston brings Kathy back home to Texas. She grew up near San Antonio and graduated college from the Denton campus of Texas Woman’s University in 1981.

Kathy was fortunate when she got her first full time television news job while still a junior at TWU. Although rare then, and unheard of now, Kathy was the full-time weekend anchor and reporter throughout her summer internship at KTBC in Austin.

Despite the temptation to remain in Austin and delay her studies, her parents helped her see the wisdom of returning to Denton and graduating.

After graduation Kathy headed to Lubbock, Texas for an anchor job. Her next move was to Birmingham, Alabama where she continued the on-air duties and incorporated news management roles into her growing responsibilities.

After three years there, Kathy returned to Texas, spending some 10 years at KPRC-TV.... arriving as an associate producer and leaving as the senior executive producer.

From there, it was on to the nation’s capital where Kathy held the job of senior executive producer at NBCowned station WRC. From there it was on to Chicago with

assistant news director jobs at two stations, nationally regarded WGN-TV, and WBBM-TV. While in Chicago, Kathy was courted for her first news director job and headed to Cleveland where she spent the next six years leading two different newsrooms and collecting two Emmys to bring home to Texas.

Kathy considers her life a blessing.

“We all have a purpose. If we’re lucky, the purpose we serve personally can match up with our purpose professionally,” she said.

Kathy, a three time Emmy award winner, currently serves on the boards of AAMA (Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans) and Texas Woman’s University. She continues to support the Center for Families and Children back in Cleveland.

As fulfilling and demanding as her job is, Kathy also maintains a commitment to educating children. She and her sister Vicki write children’s books. Everybody Has a Daddy and Grandpa Daddies are in schools, Headstarts and day cares around the country.

“I try to use the skills I was blessed with to educate kids. My goal is to do my job, educate kids and make my parents proud.”

Medical Billing Service

Raquel Wheeler February / march 2008

Raquel Wheeler has spent nearly two decades in the medical profession. The native Houstonian and graduate of North Shores High School, started her journey from working to owning after 16 years in the medical services industry.

It seemed as if she was working 24 hours a day with two ambulance services.

“It was taxing on me, so I decided to start looking for another direction in the medical services field. I did not have a problem with the industry. I just wanted to do something in the same career that was not taking up all of my time and energy. The ambulance services workload was getting heavy and I was becoming a stranger to my only child,” she said.

The more Wheeler learned, the more she realized it was billing that she enjoyed the most. She receives a run sheet provided from EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and her company bills the patient’s insurance company.

Since she decided to pursue a career in medical billing, her life has been changed forever. www.

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Now with fourteen employees and five years of being an owner, she can say she has found happiness. Raquel’s company serves EMS and doctors in the Houston market.

Her goal is to duplicate her services to other cities in the next ten years. As growth is in her future, she is looking for dependable employees that she can train to accommodate the different needs of her clients.

Wheeler wants people to know that anything is possible. You do not have to have a college degree, but you must have a desire and perseverance. You can learn on the job and one day own the same business you work in. Many opportunities have been presented to her. She hopes that when her time is over on this earth, that people will say she a kind, considerate, understanding and giving person.

“I try to live my life to the fullest and I try to do unto others the way I would like them to do unto me.”

Owning your own business may not be for every one.

If Wheeler would not have stepped out of her comfort zone, she would never have known.

“If I can do it, you can do it.”

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&

Healing with Passion a Signature Style

Lora Mayes Registered nurse Lora L. Mayes is passionate about her work. She’s found personal joy and fulfillment in a lifetime dedicated to healing the sick.

Raised by her aunt after her mother died when she was six years old, the Columbus, Texas native used her Christian upbringing to fulfill her desire to help people.

“I have the desire in my heart to positively impact the people that we serve and if we do that then I’m doing what God has purposed in my heart,” she said.

Becoming a teenaged mother did not stop Lora from attending nursing school immediately following graduation from Columbus High School. She obtained her LVN license in 1984 from Wharton County Junior College.

Shortly after graduation she moved her family to Houston, Texas and found her way to Home Health nursing.

Lora has always had a special place in her heart for the elderly community but actually started her Home Health career in pediatric private duty for The Care Group of Texas. In this arena she was challenged with families dealing with premature infants kept alive by modern technology. This same technology that helped them survive also created multiple challenges in the home. Lora could always be counted on to calm the upset mothers, make the nervous fathers feel at ease and encourage them to participate in the care their child would require.

Although successful in that arena, Lora was determined to further her nursing career and in 1996 was accepted into the Associate Degree Nursing program at Houston Community College. She entered the administrative side of Home Health and has continued to be a strong advocate for her patients and the Home Health industry.

Upon obtaining her RN licenses in 1998, her contributions to her patients changed but have remained significant. Lora was given the vision of Home Health ownership in 2002 and did her first successful start up in that same year, Comprehensive Plus Home Health. After her

first start-up she was convinced she would be successful with her own agency.

Today Lora is the proud owner of Beacon Home Health Agency, LLC. Employees of Beacon acknowledge her commitment to excellence and her expectation that you should always go that extra mile to ensure you have positively impacted your patient. When Lora is called to care for patients in their home, it is a known fact she will be at there for a while. She always makes the patients feel that they are her priority and everything else can wait. Home Health is her passion.

“Doing what I do has to be in your heart. You either love home health, or you hate it. There’s no in-between. If you don’t have that passion in your heart you won’t complete the task and be successful in this field,” she said.

Lora is married to Ricky Mayes and they have two adult sons and one grandson and one granddaughter.

Lora is an active member of The Texas Association of Home care, where she currently serves on the Medicare/ Medicaid committee and hopes to one day hold an elected office. She is currently secretary for the Fort Bend County Black Nurses Association, the largest Black Nurses Chapter in the Nation. She is a member of The Fountain of Praise Church, where she served as past president of the Wellness Ministry 2001 through 2003 and is currently the Co-Chair of this ministry. In June of 2003 she was honored at the FOP for her contributions in the field of Healthcare.

Helping Businesses

Grow

Because I have found my passion I am able to recognize it in others, which allows me to surround myself with people who share the same passion, and together we make it happen.”

Lane’s hard work has not gone unrecognized. She recently received the Pinnacle Award, the highest award for entrepreneurial excellence by the Houston Citizen’s Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the board of the “My philosophy of ‘people first profit later’, has Institute for Family Renewal, and the Family Press. She served us well,” Lane adds. “My parents are in the is a lecturer with the Career and Education Seminar held ministry and that is what we were taught. That first, you annually in her hometown of Dallas, Texas. She is active are a servant, and when you find yourself in a position in member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the National which you can be of service to your brothers and sisters Coalition of 100 Black Women, National Association you have to put all the self-serving things away, and look of Female Executives, American Staffing Association, out for the people. I believe and have seen in my own life Texas Association of Staffing and the National Human when you do that people take care of you, and doors open Resource Association.

Through it all, Lane remains committed to the most that you never knew existed.” important thing in her life – her family.

“For me family is everything. I am committed to Prior to joining DiverseStaff, the Dallas native was Vice President of Finance for the BTS Team and Managed walking my daughter to school each morning, being home no later than 6pm, more often than not cooking dinner for Staffing, both privately held, staffing organizations. my children, definitely checking homework. My husband A graduate of The University of Houston, Lane is and I have weekly date nights to ensure we get time for an American Staffing Association, Certified Staffing us. With my extended family technology helps! I talk to Professional. Known as a strong proponent of job training, my parents who are in Dallas on the phone two to three she actively supports workforce development initiatives. times a day. My sister and I talk a couple times a day For those hoping to follow in her footsteps, Lane (usually during my commute to work), and my brother offers these words of encouragement: “Follow your and I text. My family is what keeps me going and they passion. When you are doing what you love, work stops never let me forget how truly blessed we are.” being work and begins to be an extension of yourself.

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Carla Lane

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f anyone knows business, it’s Carla Lane. As Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of DiverseStaff, Inc., Carla makes it her business to supply others with top-notch staff.

Lane joined DiverseStaff in 2003 as Vice President of Accounting and Finance, where she was responsible for the company’s overall financial strategy and financial processes. She later served as Vice President and was responsible for branch operations in Houston, Texas.

After being promoted to Senior Vice President and COO of DiverseStaff in 2006, Lane has transformed its business strategy, adding new higher-margin business lines and increasing community involvement.

“You have to take care of the people and the bottom line will grow,” she said.

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Doris & Barbara

Back Together Again with Vision Title, LLC Sisters Working Together

By Jennifer Cobb Contributing WRITER

Attorney Barbara Hudson and a fellow colleague wanted to go into the title business together so they became feed owners of Reliable Title, a company specializing in closing real estate loans and guaranteeing clients’ purchases are insurable. While working with Reliable Title, Hudson met Doris Coney, a licensed Real Estate and Escrow Officer, working for Reliable Title’s corporate office. Coney ended up leaving the corporate office and joined Hudson and her colleague.

Four years later, Reliable Title’s corporate office went out of business and so, too did Hudson and her associate. Although this unfortunate turn of events was not something Hudson expected, she didn’t falter.

“I really enjoyed the title business and wanted to stay with it. My next step was to find another partner, someone I knew and could trust and begin again.”

In August 2007, when Hudson was to start over, she looked no further than her former co-worker, Doris Coney.

“I needed someone who knew the business, was well-respected and someone I could trust,” said Hudson.

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The two became feed owners of Vision Title, a corporate and locally-owned title company, and then established Vision Title, LLC. Their goal is “to offer the best Title Service in the industry,” states Coney. Their day-to-day responsibilities include processing title requests and informing buyers whether or not there are liens on properties before they sign on the bottom line.

“We pride ourselves on our accessibility to our clients, our stability in the industry and our strong faith in God. It was through our faith that we are working together again,” said Hudson. “I think we also have an advantage because I am an attorney first and am able to not only assist our clients with their real estate needs but also probate documents.”

Their goals for 2008 are to grow their business and get their name out in the community, in addition to servicing the community by helping as many people as they can with title work and closing on their homes.

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Our Father’s Daughters

Brenda McCoy Lee & Helen McCoy Abernathy For many business owners, it’s a dream come true – having your children follow in your footsteps. But for Homer E. McCoy, Sr., it’s a natural progression. After all, his daughters were raised watching him succeed as one of the owners in the McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home.

But these sisters aren’t simply following in their father’s footsteps, they’re building on his legacy, all while charting a course of their own.

In the mid 1920’s, Homer sold his interest in People’s Pharmacy and he, together with his partner, founded McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home, which quickly earned a distinction as a premier mortuary in the Houston Third Ward community. Renowned for If you have a tax or financial issue or question, Yvette Lightfoot and Tonya Bush are the women to help you through it.

For executives and professionals, business owners and other clients requiring expert assistance with accounting and tax issues, Lightfoot, owner of several Colbert Ball franchises, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. For more than 15 years, she has earned a reputation for providing skilled and practical guidance as a business consultant and expert as it relates to the laws of taxation. Bush, owner of Bush Financial Services, LLC, brings a wealth of knowledge and over 14 years experience in the areas of Accounting and Finance. The women attribute their success to some basic principles.

“Honesty, Integrity, and Accountability.

We value our customers above all else,” Lightfoot said.

Yvette holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a minor in Business Management from Texas Southern University. She is currently working toward obtaining her license as a Certified Public Accountant. Tonya holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri. She is currently working toward obtaining her license as a Certified Public Accountant as well.

Prior to purchasing a Colbert Ball Tax franchise, Yvette has held several accounting positions in increasing responsibility with several Fortune 100 companies including Enron and Kodak. In addition to her current entrepreneurial endeavor, she is also a Manager of Financial Accounting for Targa Resources where she is responsible for providing leadership and assistance on a variety of complex organizational and special projects as it relates to accounting issues within the organization. Her areas of expertise include Individual and Business Financial and Tax Planning and Business Planning.

Tonya has worked for various Fortune 100 companies including Enron and Dynegy.

In 1999, weary of the corporate rat race and desiring to become an entrepreneur, she began looking for her niche. Because she is a visionary who desires to create jobs and empower others, she researched many areas to find something beneficial, yet challenging and rewarding.

“My passion for wanting to help others, coupled with my solid accounting experience resulted in the opening of a local payroll service center in Houston, which I later decided to expand my services and offer bookkeeping, accounting and tax services, hence the birth of Bush Financial Services, LLC.” “Customer satisfaction is the critical benchmark of our success, measured by attracting new customers and retaining our existing customers,” Lightfoot said as to why she believes they are successful. “We also pride ourselves in the way we communicate

its quality service and heartfelt compassion, this establishment set a stellar example of business acumen for contemporary as well as future proprietors. Upon Homer’s death, his wife, Blanche, took over the business with the assistance of their then-only child.

Homer actually became the head of McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home in the 1950’s. A teacher and counselor for many years in the Houston Independent School District, he found a way to balance school and the family business. Needless to say, he was a success at multi-tasking as he continued in his father’s footsteps. To ensure that capable leadership remained in the family, he started grooming two of his daughters to fill his shoes.

In the early 1970’s, his college-educated daughters took the helm of Leadership, which is still in place today. Helen McCoy Abernathy became Funeral Director in charge and Brenda McCoy Lee became Corporate Houston Secretary.

“My father was a man of excellence,” said Helen McCoy Abernathy. “He taught my sister – Brenda McCoy Lee – and I, the value of running any business with excellence. This value has afforded us to stand the test of time here at McCoy and Harrison.

Excellence is what we strive for in addition to understanding the importance of family.

Family ties are so important to us…that’s why when families need our services, we are able to respond with such thoughtfulness. Being women business owners in this industry does present its challenges. However, being women in this industry and the heritage that our father instilled in us, is a double strength.”

There is no doubt that their grandfather and father would both be pleased with the success of McCoy & Harrison today as Helen and Brenda have taken the funeral home to even greater heights. It is the leading black funeral home in the Houston area and one of the highest regarded establishments by its peers in Texas. with each other and our customers and try to maintain the utmost integrity and deliver timely results. Our belief is that we can only acquire success if we enjoy what we do and that is achieved through self-motivation and commitment. The pinnacle of our business is listening to our customers and always striving to gain a clear understanding of our customers and their unique situations.”

Yvette lived in Atlanta prior to coming to Houston. There, she worked for Turner Broadcasting Systems as a business analyst. She never fathomed the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur until her husband, Sean, convinced her that if she wanted to be in control of her own destiny, her only option was entrepreneurship.

The conversation resulted in a challenge and quickly escalated to a quest to find her niche. Her passion for wanting to help others coupled with her solid tax experience resulted in the opening of her first Colbert Ball franchise office in Atlanta.

Opting to be near the corporate office to take advantage of a booming market, she moved back to Houston and opened two additional offices and a mobile tax service in Houston and San Antonio.

Born December 10, 1970 in San Antonio, TX to James & Lena Daniels, Yvette is the oldest of four children. In addition to playing an active roll in her community, she manages to balance the life of a devoted wife, loving mother of three.

Born June 18, 1971 in New Orleans, LA, Tonya is the second of three children and is a single parent of one son, Jourdan.

At age two, Tonya’s mother, a hard working, determined women of little means moved her family north in search of a better life and opportunities. They lived in various towns and cities in Illinois and Missouri, finally settling in St. Louis Missouri in 1984.

Because of her desire to give back to the community, Tonya’s first job was with a non-profit organization in St. Louis. She moved to Houston in January 1997 where she continues to work to give back to the community.

Both women say they are living examples of why you should follow your dreams.

“Don’t be afraid to realize your dream. Always stay the course and never give up, even if the road seems rough,” Lightfoot said. “We’re able to do all that we do because of prayer always putting God first. Time management plays an extremely important role because sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day. It also helps to have the support of your family and know that they are behind you and willing to help out wherever needed.”

Helping you Get your

Financial House

in Order!

February / march 2008

For More Info. Please Call Yvette: 713-481-1886 or E-mail: Yvette@dbsconsultants.com

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New Career Guide Prepares Young Black Women for the

“Real World”

Like most new college graduates, Chaz Kyser was very excited about finally being able to take her talent, ambition and energy into the real world after she was handed her diploma in May 2000.

Unfortunately, like far too many young women and men entering the professional workforce for the first time, she was also very naïve.

She graduated from the University of Texas in San Marcos with degrees in print journalism and sociology, and her first postcollege job was as the managing editor of a weekly newspaper in Houston—a position many college grads would have coveted.

Yet shortly after working there, she began to see that life in the real world was not what she had expected. After struggling with conflicts with her co-workers and boss, the demands of her job, and the stress of living on her own, she began to feel disillusioned and slightly depressed.

Later experiences of job loss and the frustration of job searching increased her unhappiness.

Kyser had never expected that her life immediately following college would be so difficult. But she wasn’t the only one taken by surprise; her friends all had horror stories of their own. Some went months without being able to find a job that paid more than minimum wage, while others found high-paying ones that stressed them out. Beyond that, they all had important decisions to make, such as whether to move to a different city or go back to school. She found that while four years of college had given her and her peers the “book smarts” they needed, it had failed to give them all of the “professional smarts”

and skills they also required, especially as African-American women.

“I felt like I was a Black Alice in Wonderland,” Kyser recalls. “The world that I entered after graduating was nothing like the world I had envisioned while in college—I would have the perfect job, with the perfect boss and coworkers, and a great salary. I, like the majority of my friends, was shocked at how challenging working for a living really was.”

Of course, Kyser survived her first year after college, and then the second. She says that by her third year she was much more knowledgeable about what it takes to succeed in a professional environment, and more confident that the decisions she was making were the right ones.

She is now a college journalism instructor and freelance editor/writer who can appreciate the struggles she has gone through because they helped shape who she is. However, Kyser still feels she should have been better prepared to enter the professional workforce. In an effort to help future Black female college graduates navigate the often challenging transition from college to the workplace, she has published a career guide, Embracing the Real World: The Black Woman’s Guide to Life After College.

“Embracing the Real World has a wealth of advice for Black women preparing to graduate, as well as those who have already spent a few years in the workforce. Readers will get schooled on everything from applying and interviewing for jobs, succeeding in a new position, handling conflicts with coworkers, managing their boss, networking

DR. SAMOAN C. JOHNSON February / march 2008

effectively, choosing the right graduate school, and overcoming the loss of a job. But she says what sets this book apart from others on the market is that it’s specifically written for young Black women and covers topics that most career-related books ignore.

“One of the problems with the average career guide is that it doesn’t discuss sensitive topics or issues pertinent to people of color,” Kyser said. “My book gives informative, inspirational and candid advice on how to succeed in corporate America, handle racial and sex discrimination in the workplace, build a positive image, and free oneself from self-doubt and the fear of failure. Most career guides just stick to the basics of how to find and keep a job; Black women—all college graduates actually—need to be armed with more information than that.”

Personal stories from successful Black women make Embracing the Real World even more of a must-read. It also features a resource guide that lists career books, general job search websites, job-specific websites, the websites to occupational organizations for African-Americans, and career websites for women.

The book has been praised by college presidents, faculty and staff, students, working professionals, and other career guide authors.

Dr. Belinda C. Anderson, president of

Dr. Samoan C. Johnson is President of the Houston Association of Black Psychologists. As President of the Houston Association of Black Psychologists, Dr. Johnson ensures that the organization sponsors culturally sensitive programs and outreach services to the African-American community. Dr. Johnson created a monthly professional development series in which mental health professionals are educated about mental health conditions in AfricanAmericans and other ethnic minorities. She also developed the organization’s annual community health fair as an instrument to educate African-Americans and other ethnic minorities about mental health and health related conditions. The organization was created as a vehicle to positively affect the mental health needs of the African-American community.

Dr. Johnson is also a Psychologist in the Psychological Services Department of Houston ISD and the Program Coordinator of a school-based mental clinic in Houston ISD. She provides clinical services to children suffering from depression and acute emotional distress. In her position, she has been instrumental in developing programs to reduce the incidents of suicide on Houston ISD, and active in developing a comprehensive school based mental health clinic that provides services to students in the Sunnyside and South Park areas of Houston. www.

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Virginia Union University, hailed the career guide as a “book that should be on every woman’s bookshelf.” Dr. JoAnn Haysbert, president of Langston University, has described the book as “interesting, well written, and packed with practical information for anyone entering the job market.”

“People of all ages and ethnicities have told me that they wish they had this book when they graduated from college,” Kyser said.

The book’s retail price is $14.99 plus taxes/shipping. To order the book, visit www.embracingtherealworld.com or Amazon.com. Chaz Kyser can be contacted at info@embracingtherealworld.com.

Dr. Johnson has made numerous presentations regarding depression, mood disorders, and suicidality in children and adults. She is particularly passionate about reducing the stigma of mental health in the AfricanAmerican community. Dr. Johnson also has published research in major academic journals regarding the impact of racism on African-American’s well-being. Dr. Johnson has received several community and academic awards. In 2005 and 2007, Dr. Johnson was named one of Houston’s Top 100 Young Professionals in H Texas Magazine. In 2007, Dr. Johnson was highlighted in the inaugural edition of Who’s Who of Black Houston.

With a strong belief in mental health awareness and advocacy, Dr. Johnson serves on the Board of Directors of Aspiring Youth of Greater Houston, Family Services of Greater Houston, and Interface-Samaritan Counseling Centers. She is a member of Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals, the American Psychological Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Co-founder of the Professional Women of Color Organization, and an alumnus of the United Way Project Blueprint Leadership Program.

Dr. Johnson received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from Dillard University, her Masters of Arts in Counseling from Loyola University Chicago, and her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Houston.

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Old Grumpy Speaks to your Business Spirit: Straight Answers to Questions for Growing your Business and Living Prosperously.

A couple of suggestions: Create a business plan for selling the product or service as if you were not part of an MLM. Do not recruit anyone until you have personally produced $5000 from personal sales of the product or service. Research the capability of selling the product or service without being part of an MLM. If you are not savvy with selling products or services get a part-time job at a retail outlet as a salesperson what you will learn will prove valuable.

ImHotep from Houston writes: Hey Grumpy, I see commercial after commercial about making money with currency and stock options. I came into a little cash and I am thinking about jumping in how should I get started?

Old Grumpy:

Old Grumpy is committed to providing information that can be used in your business without delay. Business is one percent Inspiration and 99 percent Perspiration.

Our answers to your questions are designed to positively impact both areas. Our short stories and anecdotes are intended to stimulate and inspire the Spirit.

Does Anybody Make Money With Network Marketing or MLM’s?

Janet from New York writes: Does anybody make money with Network Marketing or MLM’s? I have met several people involved in MLM’s. Now whenever I see them I run from them like they carry the plaque!!

Old Grumpy:

Hello Jumpy, if you are serious about becoming a trader I have some suggestions otherwise I recommend you put your money into something else. You can make money in the Forex/FX markets and Stock Options if you are willing to train yourself and take it one step at a time for a number of years. There are lots of people who lose a lot of money trying to make a bunch of money quickly with the different programs advertised in the media. Being a successful trader requires years of practice and training. You are actually learning the skills for your newly chosen profession.

People have a bad habit of looking only at making the money and how much they can make and how quickly. Being a successful Trader requires the same discipline and patience needed to be a Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer or other professional career.

So, first do your research and learn about the world of being a currency, stock, or commodities trader. If you would like to pursue this profession open a couple of practice accounts. Many companies provide free online training and free practice accounts. Once you have developed a level of expertise from the training open a mini-account. Many firms let you open an account for as little as $250. Use your mini-account to practice your skills and build expertise with trading.

A word to the wise Be patient do not get caught up in all the terminology and lingo.

Master the basics of trading by using a combination of practice and live trading. Most classes on training are too technical or overwhelm you with information that makes little difference for a novice trader. Keep it simple until you have mastered making profits routinely on trades you make with your practice and live accounts. There are literally thousand of excellent books on trading that are specifically designed for novices. Use these resources before you waste money on trading classes that are poorly designed and leave you knowing more about trading but with little practical knowledge for making trades.

Yes people do make money with MLM’s and Network Marketing programs. With that said odds are you will not be one of them. The fundamental mistake made by most participants is failing to look at the products or services they are selling as their real business. The MLM is a vendor. They simply provide the goods and services being sold. If you have a desire for having a business that sells the goods and services offered by the MLM do your research. Find out if you can obtain the products or services from A couple of great sources for training and practice accounts: other vendors at better prices, perhaps with more flexible terms.

MLM or Networking Marketing is simply a tiered structure for paying a sales www.CBOE.com - Chicago Board of Options Exchange free options training force. It does not have any inherent or magical properties that allow it to defy the basic www.Forex.com - Private FX (Currency) offers free practice accounts laws of business. You will not make more money faster participating in an MLM or Network Marketing structure.

Old Grumpy (Final Words): If this is your first time having a business the value of participating in an MLM or Network Marketing group is the opportunity to learn basic business skills and the laws that govern making money. For many people this is the first time they have ever sold A business that is a manifestation of your desire to produce good in the products or services. This is the first time they have had to build business relationships world will create fortune, joy, and prosperity. A business that is consumed that are not employee/co-worker/employer or self-employed/contractor/employer. with making money will lead to disappointment, heartache, and cynicism.

Qualify the person asking you to join the group ask these questions: How long have It does not seem like business or work when your business is for bringing you been selling the product or service? How many sales and how much money did joy, prosperity, and good fortune to your life and to your world!! you make specifically from sales before you started recruiting new members? Would you do this business if you were not part of the MLM or Network?

Would you open a restaurant with someone who only has a few months of experience waiting tables, of course not! But when it comes to network marketing people throw this bit of common sense out the window. The key to making money in any business is sales, sales, sales, and more sales. If you do not have sales you simply do not have a business. If your up-line only wants to do the business if it is part of an MLM then that is telling you they are out for quick profits by recruiting as many people as possible. They will not spend the time to develop and grow a business. They will most likely leave you orphaned as they move to the next exciting opportunity.

Send questions or comments for Old Grumpy to : OldGrumpy@yourangelstotherescue.biz

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Being a

Successful Business Woman

Female Stereotypes So, can an aspiring or an existing woman overcome many of the female stereotypes that exist? Yes they can, but there a few things that must be done to overcome the various stereotypes that exist.

By Dr. Wendy www.askdr-wendy.com Being a successful business woman is a very challenging task. Each day business women run the risk of meeting a male business colleague or potential clients that do not think that they can do the job because of their gender. They also deal with the various female stereotypes such as: 1. Women are nurturers and are too emotional to get the job done.

2. Women make better caregivers, not business people.

3. Women are not mentally strong enough to handle the pressure that goes along with the job.

4. Women make “bossy” managers and are difficult to get along with.

5. Women are moody and their minds change with the wind.

6. Women are indecisive and are not good at problem-solving.

1. Dress for success. Depending on the industry, it is always best to stick to the traditional business colors. Care about how you look, as looking the part is half the battle and it will also help you get your foot in the door.

2. Be a subject matter expert.

3. Learn how to effectively communicate with people.

4. Know your industry of choice and you must be able to articulate what you know as well, using the English language.

5. Learn to listen and do not feel that you must be heard all of the time. Listening is an art and it can take you a long way.

6. Refrain from showing your emotions while making a decision or while you are talking to a colleague or a client.

7. Do not carry a chip on your shoulder, thinking that someone owes you something.

8. Learn to read financial statements.

9. Learn boardroom etiquette.

10. Make a decision.

11. Learn how to play golf.

Women are doing more now in the business world than ever before and the trend will continue to surge. Success is what you make it and it is doable for anyone no matter what race or gender you are. You must first make your mind up that you are willing to Although the “glass ceiling” effect exists, women in today’s business world are do what it takes to be a success and “do it”. Stereotypes will always exist. People are stronger, savvier and smarter than ever before and are able to destroy these myths. going to think what they want to, but it is up to you to prove them wrong. In order to do that, you cannot fall into the traditional female stereotype category. Set yourself apart As we have seen, the future is changing and businesses are looking for more and prove them wrong. Intellect, business savvy, professionalism and a good attitude women to run their businesses or businesses are looking to do more business with will take you a long way. women-owned businesses. According to Of Broken Glass & The Past, “In general, women are seen as having more integrity than men. With the latest Enron scandals and Remember, if you believe in yourself, others will believe in you too. government pressure to make sure businesses are run ethically, women are stepping up to the challenge.”

Kicia Carpenter

d-mars.com Promotional Marketing Director/Partner

Providing you with Executive Service for your

Promotional Marketing Needs!

Promotional Marketing at times has been thought of as just a pen or scratch pad, yet it is an art form that demands exceptional research and performance. It is one of the avenues by which a business flourishes above the competition.

For over 10 years, Kicia Carpenter has been in the promotional marketing industry. She first worked with Anheuser-Busch in California as a marketing, specialist and then shifted to promotional marketing. Carpenter decided to venture out on her own when she moved here to Houston.

Recently she partnered up with Mr. D-MARS (Keith J. Davis, Sr.) to establish d-mars.com Promotional Marketing, which provides clients with a free consultation regarding their events and items. Carpenter specializes in online employee incentive programs and awards, safety programs, golf tournaments and special events, working with a huge list of over 5,000 vendors to better service her clients’ every need.

“I am looking forward to this year being productive and prosperous for d-mars.com as a whole and providing first class personalized service to our clients.”

Carpenter has also established a non-profit program called American Society for Kids, dedicated to teaching young girls personal development, self esteem and etiquette.

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Black History Month Spotlight: “A Young Woman In It to Win It” Perri Jones Resonates King’s Spirit

Claude Treece, a partner with the Houston office of Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP stands with Perri Jones, this year’s winner of the 12th Annual Gardere Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competition.

Photo Credit: Paul Howell Nearly 40 years after his death, the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. continues to resonate with the youth of today. Inspired by his legacy, elementary school students in three Texas cities competed in the annual Gardere Martin Luther King Jr. Oratory Competitions.

“Gardere celebrates Dr. King’s legacy in a unique way,” says Claude Treece, Houston event coordinator and partner at Gardere. “Our goal is to promote diversity and inspire students to share their dreams with fellow students, as well as the community.”

More than 280 students, representing a total of 20 schools in Dallas, Austin and Houston, competed in preliminary contests over the past month for the right to represent their schools. The annual events are hosted by the law firm of Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP.

Fourth, fifth and sixth-grade students from participating schools presented personally written speeches commemorating Dr. King’s vision of peace and unity.

The young speakers were judged on the content of their speech, memorization and overall performance. All finalists receive savings bonds and other prizes.

“During Dr. King’s life, the cultural and educational landscapes were far different from any that these students will ever have to know,” says Steve Good, Gardere’s managing partner. “He dedicated, and ultimately sacrificed, his life to assure better lives for future generations. Through events such as this, Gardere is proud to help make sure Dr. King’s efforts are never forgotten, and at the same time place a spotlight on some of the brightest, most talented elementary school students in Texas.”

Gardere introduced the competition 16 years ago in Dallas to celebrate the city’s diversity and promote awareness and understanding of different cultures. The event’s success led to the establishment of the competition in Houston in 1997 and Austin in 2006. The oratory competition, which is held in conjunction with the national holiday recognizing the late civil rights leader, encourages the local community to remember and pay tribute to Dr. King’s leadership and legacy.

At the 12th annual Houston event on Jan. 18, Perri Jones, a fourth grader from Julius Dodson Elementary School, dazzled the audience with a speech that had her hosting her own talk show. Her “guest” was a girl whose forefathers were slaves, but was spared from sitting in the back of the bus and drinking only from specific water fountains thanks to Dr. King’s efforts. She proclaimed to the cheering audience that she can “rise” to be anything – “Secretary of State, President of the USA or even a talk show host like Oprah.”

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, an AmLaw 200 firm, was founded in 1909 and is one of the Southwest’s largest full-service law firms. With offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Mexico City, Gardere provides legal services to private and public companies and individuals in areas of energy, litigation, corporate, tax, environmental, labor and employment, intellectual property and financial services.

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BALANCING

&

CAREER

FAMILY

By Carla Lane Contributing Writer Trying to balance family and work isn’t just a daily exercise -- it’s hourly: Your daughter has a dance class that ends at 6:00, but just as you’re leaving to pick her up, the client you’ve been waiting all day to hear from finally calls. It’s hard enough when everything is running on schedule, but when children get sick or you have to travel for work, the stress can be overwhelming.

What makes the juggling act even more challenging is the psychological battle, sometimes called the Mommy

Wars, being waged through books with titles like HomeAlone America (the cover shows a woman in a business suit with a clinging toddler at her leg) and The Mommy Myth, whose thesis is that society has its ways of punishing working mothers. Studies about how behavioral problems in children who were in day care and how working moms can make children more assertive only add fuel to the fire.

“Ostensibly successful people, if they do have an Achilles heel, it’s worklife balance,” says executive training and research executive Janis Herbert. “You can’t regain your children’s childhood; no amount of professional success can compensate for the loss of that family time. At the end of the day, if you aren’t a success at home as well, (success at work) probably won’t count for much.”

But is sacrificing time with family necessary to get ahead in your career?

Two studies by the Center for Creative Leadership, found that executives who make more time for family and other outof-work activities are rated higher in work performance by bosses and colleagues than those pulling all-nighters in the office. Researchers found that as well as the emotional recharge these activities give, the skills developed out-of-hours are transferable to the office. “How to negotiate, listening skills, interpersonal skills dealing with in-laws or stepchildren -- these are all valuable in the office,” says Marian Ruderman, the center’s director of research.

When one parent stays home, it’s also a major life change for the one who continues to work. Imagine volunteering to give up nearly half your household income, sell your toys, forgo vacations of the kind your friends enjoy, and work as if three or four lives depended on your next paycheck. Jobs are no longer nine to five, robbing you of time at home. The spouse at home can feel isolated and need

more emotional support. And many solo breadwinners battle feelings of resentment, fear and frustration over their heavy loads while trying to meet expectations of being sensitive parents and spouses at home. On the other hand, the child-rearing benefits of having a parent at home can be huge.

Families save on things such as child care, convenience foods, and commuting and clothing costs for a working woman. Also, many couples believe the setup simply makes their families run better.

The evenhanded approach is to acknowledge that there is no right way or real answers, only trade-offs. And that’s when it’s important to remember that while divvying up time for everything that’s happening in your life is a challenge, having both work and family is also a blessing in that it gives your life balance.

In that spirit, think of it like walking a tightrope: Stay flexible.

Getting Ready for a

Job Interview

5 Things You Must Do Before a Job Interview You’ve heard it before – first impressions are lasting impressions. So, if you’re heading to a job interview, you’ll want to make sure you put your best foot forward.

Here are some tips to help you blow your potential employer away.

1.

2.

3.

Do your homework – Look at the job posting you are applying for, and develop sound bites that address the needs of the employer. Think of examples where you demonstrated the skills that appear in the job posting and develop answers that clearly show an employer that you are the perfect candidate for this position. All sound bites should be 2-3 minutes in length.

Sing your praises – Use the TODAY acronym to develop additional sound bites of your experiences. TODAY stands for Teamwork, Overcoming Obstacles, Duties of your past positions, Achievements, Your strengths and weaknesses. Remember to clearly describe exactly what you did in each situation. The employer is hiring you, not the other people in your story. Don’t worry about seeming vain. If you don’t sing your praises, who will?

4.

5.

Interview the interviewer – Think of questions to ask an interviewer. Look at the job posting and your research about the company and think of 3-5 questions you can ask during the interview. What are you curious about? Do they manufacture a product you are familiar with, or never even knew existed before you started to research the company? Where does this department fit in the grand scheme of the company? What projects is the department currently working on?

Interview yourself – Chances are you’ll be asked the standard questions so why not think of your answers before you interview. Prepare answers to the following questions: Tell me about yourself, Why did you leave your last position, or Why are you looking for a new job, Why should I hire you, and The Salary Question. You know that these questions will be asked in one form or another, so there is no excuse to not have prepared an answer.

Know the company – Search the Internet for any recent press releases and check Interviewing is just that simple when it’s broken into its simplest components. out the company’s website. Know what they do, and develop some idea as to how the Focus on preparing answers to all of the scenarios above, and you will be ahead of the position you are hiring for fits within the company. game. Remember to clearly articulate in each and every sound bite exactly what you did. Practice with a tape recorder to critique yourself, or with a friend to repeat back to you exactly what you did in a situation to make sure you’re preparing correctly.

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POWER to the

People

Ambit Energy offers low rates on energy and an opportunity with unlimited earning potential.

By Kevin D. Walls Contributing Writer Energy. It’s something Americans can’t live without. Air conditioners keep us cool in the summer and heaters help us stay cozy in the winter. Computers, shredders, fax machines and telephones are a must for staying on task each day while we work. DVD players, HDTVs and the latest gaming systems keep us entertained. Lights, alarm clocks, cell phone chargers, microwaves… it’s almost impossible to imagine going through a day without using electricity.

Each year, Americans spend more than $400 billion on electricity, $24 billion in Texas along. And until recently, huge corporations had a corner on the energy market. Companies with deep pockets and inconceivably large advertising budgets were the sole financial beneficiaries of the energy industry. But today in Texas, New York and now Illinois, families and individuals are benefiting from electricity and natural gas deregulation with lower electricity and natural gas rates along with an unprecedented earnings opportunity with Ambit Energy.

More Choices, Better Options In business, supply, demand and competition drive price. Demand for energy is constantly rising. More people, more gadgets…more demand. For decades, a single provider offered service to an area, but 2001 things began to change in Texas. By January 2002 the generation of electricity was deregulated, which led to the creation of new, cleaner, more efficient energy plants. Deregulation also opened the door for new and competitively priced Retail Electric Providers (REP). Ambit Energy is one of those providers.

Because the same lines are used to deliver ALL electricity, and those lines are maintained by the Texas Public Utility Commission, consumers have the assurance that, regardless of whom they choose as their provider, they’ll continue to receive the electricity they need for their homes and offices. In fact, Houston Mayor Bill White is hoping to educate. He stated in a television interview; “They should not question reliability as far as keeping the lights on or what happens if there is a storm -- who is going to turn back on the power.” He further stated, “Who you buy your power from does not affect the reliability of that power.” Having the power to choose a provider gives consumers options and forces companies to be competitive in their pricing and in the customer service they provide. And because nothing is more appealing than getting a great service for less, prices typically go down.

Competition also promotes innovation. Rather than approaching business from a standpoint of “this is the way we’ve always done things,” business leaders are forced to search for an edge—a product or trait that gets them noticed. Competition in the software industry, for example, leads to exciting new products every year. Advances in technology and manufacturing processes allow companies to operate in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. In turn, these advances often lead to lower prices and greater selection for consumers.

The banking, airline and telecommunications industries have been deregulated in recent decades. More recently, the electricity and natural gas industries have been deregulated in a number of states with several more in the process of deregulation.

Competition in these industries results in more choices, lower prices and better service— all bonuses for the consumer. With 16 states and the District of Columbia all in some phase of the energy deregulation process, opportunity continues to increase. And with states’ efforts to educate consumers in full swing with Power to Choose campaigns, companies like Ambit Energy that offer better services and lower rates to consumers are poised for explosive growth.

1/3Bachelor’s Degrees rd of Young Women Have

About 33 percent of young women aged 25 to 29 had a bachelor’s degree or more education in 2007, compared with 26 percent of their male counterparts, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Bureau said that Educational Attainment in the United States in 2007 showed that among adults 25 and older, men remain slightly more likely than women to hold at least a bachelor’s degree (30 percent compared with 28 percent).

However, as the percentage for women rose between 2006 and 2007 (from 27 percent), it remained statistically unchanged for men.

The Bureau also reports that more education continues to pay off in a big way: Adults with advanced degrees earn four times more than those with less than a high school diploma. Workers 18 and older with a master’s, professional or doctoral degree earned an average of $82,320 in 2006, while those with less than a high school diploma earned $20,873.

Other highlights: • In 2007, 86 percent of all adults 25 and older reported they had completed at least high school and 29 percent at least a bachelor’s degree.

February / march 2008

• More than half of Asians 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or more (52 percent), compared with 32 percent of non-Hispanic whites, 19 percent of blacks and 13 percent of Hispanics.

• The proportion of the foreign-born population with a bachelor’s degree or more was 28 percent, compared with 29 percent of the native population. However, the proportion of naturalized citizens with a college degree was 34 percent.

• Workers 18 and older with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $56,788 in 2006, while those with a high school diploma earned $31,071.

• Among those whose highest level of education was a high school diploma or equivalent, non-Hispanic white workers had the highest average earnings ($32,931), followed by Asians ($29,426) and blacks ($26,268). Average earnings of Hispanic workers in the same group ($27,508) were not statistically different from those of Asian or black workers.

• Among workers with advanced degrees, Asians ($88,408) and non-Hispanic whites ($83,785) had higher average earnings than Hispanics ($70,432) and blacks ($64,834). www.

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Let’s

Hear it

for the

Sisters!

By: Dr. David Jones Contributing Writer The old saying is true - “a picture is worth a thousand words”. As a young man growing up in the seventies, I was a connoisseur and advent fan of what is now known as “Black Exploitation Films”. Many African Americans over the age of forty-five have a burnt DVD image of powerful black women like Tamara Dobson, who starred as Cleopatra Jones, and the many roles Pam Grier played, such as Coffy, Friday Foster, Sheba Baby, Foxy Brown, and Jackie Brown. To all the brothers out there, the day has changed and so has our black women.

The image of a strong black woman has transformed from the 70s sexy one-dimensional super woman, to the

career minded, college educated, corporate executive, entrepreneur, and multi-dimensional powerhouse. The old adage ‘behind every good man is a good woman’ in many cases today can be flipped around. Okay brothers, let us not hate. Let’s celebrate. Let’s Hear It for the Sisters!

Black woman are even stronger today than ever before.

Nearly two-thirds of African-American undergraduates are women. At black colleges, the ratio of women to men is 7 to 1. I know what many readers are thinking; what about the institutional racial discrimination of the black male? What about the overt prejudices that black males encounter on a daily basis? And, what about the four hundred plus years of slavery that dehumanized the black male? Yes, all of this is true, yet through it all, the black woman has remained a strong dominant force in the home, as a wife, and many as single parent providers.

Through it all, she has gained pinnacle notoriety within the last 20 years as a major player in corporate America, entrepreneurship, and becoming financially independent.

I guess everyone has a definition of what a strong black woman is or isn’t. When I think of a strong black woman, it has nothing to do with the approval or stereotype of the dominant culture. Hollywood glamorized Pam Grier as she portrayed the role of a super woman crime fighter that women envied and men lustfully adored. As a result, many women spend countless hours in the gym and in front of the mirror adorning the outward appearance of their bodies. However, she must never forget that the true beauty of a strong black woman comes from the inside out.

Strong black women are those who don’t bow down to what society expects, get caught up in the color wheel of beauty, or play second fiddle in the orchestra of love.

She has the patience to wait for the right man, knowing she’s only disrespecting her temple when she accepts less. This does not pertain only to a man, this pertains to life in general. Many of today’s black women have their act together and are not waiting for someone to open the door to their dreams; they’re moving forward with keys in hand.

This blueprint of a strong black woman may rub some men and women the wrong way. Let’s not get it twisted. In laymen terms, a strong black woman is one who stops trying to prove herself to everyone else, be liked by everyone, and worries what people think of her. She is a God-fearing woman who learns to love herself first, educate herself for success, and demonstrates self-respect because she is worthy of it. Then she teaches, shares, and passes on what God has given her to the family, her man, children, and others willing to receive of it. There is no competition, jealousy, envy, or strife between her and those she loves. Being a strong black woman doesn’t carry those attributes.

The many black women who are gaining great success within corporate America, becoming financially independent, remaining educationally astute, keeping the morals and values of family, demonstrating selfrespect, and living a Godly life should be applauded. The dominant culture would love for our women to believe the Claire Huxtables’ of the world only exist in a fictitious television sitcom. Don’t believe the hype. It is a reality and can be obtained by those who only dare to believe and achieve. So, for those sisters who are taking care of

Let’s hear it for the sisters!

business…

Keep Your Business Alive

By Leslie Logan Contributing Writer In an era where so many companies are going belly up, it’s important that you know what to do to keep your business alive.

Starting your own company is a big challenge, but staying positive could be an even bigger struggle. No matter what kind of business you have, if you are not committed to a “failure is not an option” mindset, you are setting yourself up for failure.

The reality is that only two-thirds of new small businesses survive at least two years, and just 44 percent survive at least four years, according to a study by the U.S. Small Business Association.

To avoid becoming another start-up casualty, the right mental state is crucial.

So when the bills begin to pile up, and clients or customers are few and far between, don’t be tempted to throw in the towel. Instead, keep your mind and mission on track.

One of the most important elements to starting a successful business is being mentally prepared. Of course, skills, actions and good old-fashioned luck are also important factors, but it all begins with the right frame of mind. That means stay away from people who are negative and may try to bring you down.

People can be negative simply because they are jealous that you had the courage to follow your own dream, not just talk about it.

You’ll also want to visualize your dream. Although there will be many ups and downs, a light does exist at the end of the tunnel, and it is bright. By visualizing success, your actions will become more confident. And increased confidence breeds success.

February / march 2008

Entrepreneurs should think about why they started a business in the first place. Perhaps going back to work for someone else is not an option. In that case, just reminding yourself of the alternatives: being at the mercy of others controlling your life, playing corporate politics or reporting to incompetent bosses should be sufficient motivation to keep your mind right.

A large part of the “failure is not an option” mindset is knowing that certain personal or financial sacrifices will need to be made along the way in order to achieve your dream. Entrepreneurs who have made sacrifices and prospered did so because they realized early on that starting and building a great company comes with a price.

Keep in mind that success comes to those who recognize risk, are unafraid of it, and will execute on their ideas. If you are not open to taking risks your chances of business survival will probably be slim.

When times get tough financially, you really have only two choices: decrease your expenses or increase your revenues.

So now you know where you want to go. How do you plan to get there? A roadmap will lead you to success. A business plan, which is a written description of what you are going to do and how you are going to do it, is the entrepreneur’s roadmap. It forces you to think about the entire operation and come to terms with the businesses strengths and weaknesses. Entrepreneurs who do their homework increase their chances for business success. www.

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6

Six Reasons your Organization Should Hold a Color Me Beautiful Fundraiser…

1

4

Nationally Known Products

Something New to Sell

Based on the success of the New York Times #1 Best Seller for 7 consecutive years and Many families object to selling candy, and how many rolls of gift wrap or cookie dough with over 16 million copies sold, Color Me Beautiful Cosmetics was launched over 20 do you need? Nonfattening, value-priced, quality products are a welcome change to years ago, and thereafter, acquiring 5 nationally-known cosmetic brands: Adrien Arpel, run-of-the-mill fundraisers. You can now offer the latest in neutral and trendy glamour Gale Hayman, Flori Roberts, IMAN, Interface Cosmetics and Patti Labelle Fragrances. items to women and designer fragrance oils to both men & women.

These fabulous brands graced fine department stores, such as Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, J C Penney and Palais Royal, just to name a few.

These high quality products have world-wide recognition. And, every product is backed Minimal Time & No Money Investment by our 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Quality products open doors and make selling simple. Plus, there’s no need to buy any merchandise up front for resale. No more being stuck with candy you can’t sell..

5

2

Profits Paid Immediately

Earn up to 50% of all profits in as little as 2 weeks! NO Up Front Cost! Color Me Beautiful Fundraisers are the best way for a group to raise the money needed for special projects, events, uniforms or for emergencies when funds are needed in a hurry.

3

No Door-to-Door Selling Necessary

6

Customer Satisfaction

Our goal is to provide world-class customer service. We provide all supplies to conduct the fundraiser as well as gifts to the winners of the fundraiser. We also accept Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. Your items will be shipped directly to your fundraiser coordinator or customer within 7-10 days of receipt of payment.

Safety is our #1 priority! Participants can sell just to their family, neighbors, and friends, and still have a profitable fundraiser! With an average customer sale of $10, selling to only 10 people means $100 per participant!

It’s that Simple!

THE BEAUTIFUL APPROACH TO FUNDRAISING Does your church, school, club or organization Need to raise Money?

Color Me Beautiful can help!

1. Products people know, love & trust 2. No door-to-door selling 3. Satisfaction guaranteed 4. Minimal Paperwork 5. Flexible, custom-designed programs We provide assistance every step of the way to ensure a successful fundraiser.

Interested? Contact: CANDIDA MOSLEY February / march 2008

713.822.5894 www.

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Love & Money As a single person it is important to know who you are financially. Oftentimes, singles take on the attitude, “To Live and Let Live”; planning for your future is what you do when you become married and over 40. However, if you don’t take your money matters seriously as a single person, it will spill over into your relationship. Therefore, it is essential for singles to establish a financial strategy to create their own financial independence.

By: Carla J. Cargle Contributing Writer During the depression of the 1930’s people believed that “Love Conquers All”. In the 1980’s, Tina Turner said, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” The number one reason for divorce today is financial incompatibility.

While dating, “Love Conquers All,” and when people get married, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” if you don’t have enough money.

in America acquired their wealth through a systematic savings and investment plan. The decision is yours; either you will make yourself a millionaire or you will make your favorite retailer a millionaire.

3. Recognize your money weaknesses and work on strengthening them.

You probably have an indulgence that is very costly. Are you spending $20 per week on the lottery; getting your Are you looking for a “Sugar Daddy” or a “Sugar nails, toes and hair done every week; and or going out to Momma”? Learn how to provide your own “Sugar,” eat every day? Set spending priorities. Are you spending this is accomplished by implementing the following money on things that depreciate or appreciate in value?

Develop a budget. Remember your needs should come strategies: before your wants.

1. Develop and implement a financial plan.

Step One: Insure your financial foundation. i.e. health, 4. Rid yourself of “bad” debt. (credit cards, life, disability, auto and homeowner’s charge cards) Only one major credit card is Step Two: Establish an emergency savings account needed. equivalent to 3 to 6 months of your living expenses. It is not necessary to have a wallet full of credit cards. I Begin a separate savings plan to purchase a home, etc. know it makes you feel like a big baller/ shot caller, but, Step Three: Develop an investment plan for retirement, it is difficult to exercise constraint in your spending when children’s education, and future accumulation goals. you have five to ten credit cards staring at you every time Step Four: After you have completed the first three steps, you open your wallet. One major credit card should meet now you can invest in speculative stocks, derivatives, and your spending needs. high-risk investments.

Each single person should focus on solidifying his or 2. Save first and spend second. her financial foundation. As every single person builds It is important that you first set aside at least 10 percent of their own wealth, then the economic foundation of their your earnings for yourself. Most self-made millionaires families and communities will become empowered.

Carla J. Cargle is a personal wealth coach and the host of The Financial Truth. Visit her online at www.thefinancialtruth.com.

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Fastest

Growing

If a job change is at the top of your 2008 resolutions list, you might want to know that economists are predicting a tough hiring environment ahead. But not to be dismayed, there are always opportunities if you know where to look.

Your best bet is to stick with fields experiencing lots of expansion. Below you will find predictions for the 10 fastest-growing occupations through the year 2016 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

1. Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts Percent Growth: 53.4; Salary Range: $46,360 or more; Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

6. Personal Financial Advisors Percent Growth: 41; Salary Range: $46,360 or more; Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

2. Personal and Home Care Aides Percent Growth: 50.6; Salary Range: Less than $21,220; Education/training: Onthe-job training

7. Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance Percent Growth: 39.8; Salary Range: $30,630 - $46,300; Education/training: Vocational award

3. Home Health Aides Percent Growth: 48.7; Salary Range: Less than $21,220; Education/training: Onthe-job training

8. Medical Assistants Percent Growth: 35.4; Salary Range: $21,260 - $30,560; Education/training: Moderate on-the-job training

4. Computer Software Engineers, Applications Percent Growth: 44.6; Salary Range: $46,360 or more; Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

9. Veterinarians Percent Growth: 35; Salary Range: $30,630 - $46,300; Education/training: Professional degree

5. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Percent Growth: 41; Salary Range: $21,260 - $30,560; Education/training: Associate degree

10. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Percent Growth: 34.3; Salary Range: $30,630 - $46,300; Education/training: Bachelor’s degree

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OO

prah’s

are you Marketable?

Tips to help you get there!

Ten Commandments

She’s one of the most well-known women across the world. And talk show mogul Oprah Winfrey says her keys to success are simple. This list appears in Oprah Winfrey Speaks: Insight from the World’s Most influential Voice, by Janet Lowe.

Oprah Winfrey’s Ten Commandments for Success

By Pat Tucker Contributing Writer

2. Don’t depend on forces outside of yourself to get ahead.

We’re surrounded by opportunities to utilize our skills, experience, and know-how, but it’s also important to prepare for what’s around the corner. Whether you are seeking employment with a new company, taking a new job with your current employer or may change careers, here are some tips to stay current and marketable.

3. Seek harmony and compassion in your business and personal life.

#1: Focus on doing great work.

1. Don’t live your life to please others.

4. Get rid of the backstabbers — surround yourself only with people who will lift you higher.

5. Be nice.

6. Rid yourself of your addictions — whether they are food, alcohol, drugs or behavior habits.

7. Surround yourself with people who are as smart or smarter than you.

8. If money is your motivation, forget it.

9. Never hand over your power to someone else.

10. Be persistent in pursuing your dreams

Do the very best you can in whatever you do. The key to preparing for your next job and having opportunities “fall” in your lap is focusing on doing an excellent job in the role that you are in. You may not always feel your work is appreciated, but people notice and recognize superior results.

Focus on what can be done, not what can’t. Too often we get caught up in the way things have always been, or worse, we say things like “I can’t, because…” Performing and delivering results in your current role, and staying abreast of the trends, tools and data in the market, will enable you to move ahead in your career.

#2: Stretch!

Step out of your comfort zone. You must constantly learn and push yourself to broaden your skills and exposure. Consider volunteering to work on a project outside of your function. Having cross-functional experience is a great way to advance your career and skill set.

#3: Embrace change.

You just might like where it leads you. Ask questions and do research to anticipate where the company may go, or should go, in order to meet its goals and exceed its strategic objectives. Don’t stick your head in the sand and wait.

During a commencement address to Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Massachu- Change is exciting and constant. To stay marketable, you need to be comfortable setts. “She told the graduates that she’d learned five important lessons that made her knowing that what a company and its competitors and partners are doing today will be life better,” Janet Lowe wrote. Winfrey said: very different several years down the road.

• Life is a journey. Everyday experiences will teach you who you really are.

#4: Make networking a priority.

Take a walk down the hall. We often think of networking as an activity we participate

• When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. This is especially in outside the office, but relationships are the key to success inside a work environment helpful with men. Don’t force them to beat you over the head with the message.

too. Focus on reaching out to others, collaborating and inviting others into your circle.

Those who are inclusive and optimistic attract others to them.

• Turn your wounds into wisdom. Everyone makes mis­takes. They are just God’s Whenever you start a new role, list all of the people you need to connect with — key way of telling you you’re moving in the wrong direction. stakeholders, peers, partners and global advisors — and then systematically meet with each one to introduce yourself and discuss roles and process. It takes time, but overall it • Be grateful. Keep a daily journal of the things you are thankful for. It will keep enables the program to accelerate based on the foundation of the relationships. you focused on the abun­dance in your life.

#5: Be yourself.

• Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what Find a company where your personality and values shine. Challenge yourself every day you believe.

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Paula Madison: Executive Vice President of

Diversity for NBC Universal

Paula Madison was named executive vice president of Diversity for NBC Universal in May 2007 and is the first senior executive in the company’s history to hold a position solely devoted to diversity. Madison reports to Jeff Zucker, president and chief executive officer of NBC Universal.

That role means Madison is the liaison between the company and key national and local leaders and serves as the diversity spokesperson for NBCU. She is responsible for working with the company’s business executives to ensure the organization is an industry leader in developing the programs and culture that will enable the company to better reflect the makeup of its increasingly diverse, globallybased customers, clients and audiences.

From November 2000 to May 2007, Madison served as president and general manager of KNBC, NBC’s owned and operated station in Los Angeles. She was the first African-American woman to become general manager at a network-owned station in a top five market. She was also named regional general manager for the Telemundo television stations in Los Angeles (KVEA and KWHY) when the NBC network purchased the Telemundo network in April 2002. In July 2006, NBCU’s then-chairman and CEO, Bob Wright, named Madison the executive vice president of Diversity, a position she held in addition to her station responsibilities. Madison originally held the position of vice president of Diversity, and then senior vice president of Diversity, for the NBC network from February 2000 to May 2002.

Madison joined KNBC from WNBC, NBC’s station in New York, where she was the vice president and news director since March 1996. She joined WNBC in 1989 as assistant news director.

From 1982 to 1989, Madison worked at KHOU-TV in Houston, Texas, KOTV-TV in Tulsa Oklahoma and WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from Vassar College, Madison began her career as a reporter and editor at newspapers in New York and Dallas/Fort Worth.

During her tenure at KNBC, Madison’s commitment to rigorous journalism and her avid dedication to the community helped the station earn numerous prestigious industry awards, including local area Emmy, Golden Mike, and Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for Best Newscast and Best Investigative Reporting. Madison has also received a significant number of honors for corporate leadership and community outreach, including the Walter Bremond Pioneer of African Achievement Award from the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade in 2006. In 2005, she was named one of the 75 Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America by Black Enterprise magazine and has been included in the Hollywood Reporter’s Power 100. Additionally, Madison received the “Citizen of the Year Award” from the City of Los Angeles Marathon in 2004 and the Anti-Defamation League’s “2003 Deborah Award.”

A native of Harlem, New York, Madison and her husband reside in Los Angeles and have one daughter, a physician, and one grandson.

Women at theTop of their

GAME

These same women are also opening up their own businesses at record rates or following in the footsteps of their trailblazing mothers in the corporate, medical and legal professions. In other words, women are at the top of their games--climbing invisible ladders by day, returning home to prepare dinner and help with homework by night.

By Pastor Byron Murray Contributing Writer When today’s young college women look around campus, many cannot fathom a time when educational opportunities for women were limited. Today, women make up the majority of coeds enrolled in undergraduate college programs and their graduation rates exceed their male counterparts in every racial demographic group. At the graduate level, women are now on par with men in enrollment in medical schools and doctoral programs.

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In Proverbs 31:10-31, the Bible gives us a picture of another woman who was at the top of her game. She is depicted as intelligent, crafty, entrepreneurial, and well respected as she farms land, sells wares at the market, purchases real estate, and cares for her family. Her husband and children are considered blessed because of her handiwork and God himself is pleased at her productivity. But the quality that stands out above all other traits in this biblical superwoman is her fear of the Lord. She recognizes that though we toil and climb and give our work our all, as we should, in the end, what we do here is temporal. The key to her character and prowess is her recognition of an eternal God. As today’s modern woman reaches for and attains new heights in industry and progress, she should look to the Proverbs 31 woman for perspective. It is God who provides every opportunity, who opens every door, and who grants every promotion. And it is He who has set eternity in our hearts that we may never stop seeking him-even as we prosper and reap His blessings.

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