d-mars.com Business Journal 54

Business Journal sept. - oCT. 15, 2011

Inspire, Inform & Educate

On Top of Your Game

INSIDE

Help, My Business is Suffering Because I’m Too Stressed!

54TH Edition

Jolanda “Jo” jones for Houston City Council At-Large Position 5

By Tamyra Comeaux, MD When we have pushed our bodies to the limit and we’re running on empty it is difficult to easily and effectively recharge.

PAGE 19

Wanda Adams for City Council District D

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Educational Program Houston Rodeo Ends 2011 Scholarship Season with $9 Million to Texas Youth, Prepares for 2012.

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GULFGATE DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP GWENEVERE M. CLOUD, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

“My father taught me always to do more than you get paid for as an investment in your future.” - Jim Rohn

Carroll G. Robinson for HCC Trustee, IV

Finding Y.O.U

By Dr. D. L. Jones In a world that demands instant gratification and instant results, it can be difficult staying on top of Y.O.U.

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Michael Coleman for Harris County Constable Precint 7

Jenifer Rene Pool for City Council At Large Position 2

Phillip Paul Bryant Candidate for District B City Council Seat

Dr. Jay Thomas Smith Attorney At Law

Why Facebook is Worth the Trouble

By Kai Dupe’ Where are my black classmates on Facebook?

Do they not care to connect with their classmates?

PAGE 28

Legacy: It’s A Family Affairs, An Ardyss Family

See pg. 6

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Behind The

Journal

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Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr. VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis EDITING CONSULTANT Sharon Jenkins OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Stephanie Myers ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Abbey Rodriguez ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Mike Jones C.T. Foster Pastor Freddie L. Davis, III Dwight Jones Eric D. Goodwine PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard

Grady Carter MARKETING CONSULTANT Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. Barbara Wiederhold MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ghuzzala Malik (Faith) Michael J. Martinez DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sharon Jenkins George Tee Roberto Sedycias John Whaley Sharwin Wiltz-Boney Crawford McGill Carroll Robinson Tamyra Comeaux, MD Quintin Wiggins Noel Pinnock Kai Dupe’ Christina Grochett Dr. D. L. Jones Brandon J. Herndon Maria Taylor

This month’s theme is “On Top of Your Game.” One of my favorite quotes from Coach Vince Lombardi is “The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” It takes hard work and passion to climb up that mountain and it takes perseverance to stay on top of it. As a business owner in this present day’s economy, if you stay “on top of your game” you are truly a champion. In this issue, we hope to provide you with the inspiration and motivation to keep your position.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support d-mars.com, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work.

Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

CONTENTS Gwenevere M. Cloud, Rising Above the Top in the Automobile Industry............................. 5 Legacy: It’s A Family Affair……………………………………….............................................. 6 Because HCC Matters……………………………………………………………………............. 8 Michael Coleman, Running for Harris County Constable Precint 7…................................... 11 Just Fake It Until You Make It……………………………………………………………............. 11 Staying On Top of Your Game in Your Industry…………………………………...................... 11 Our Community! Our Time!!!................................................................................................. 12 Trade Leads Can Help You in Doing Business Effectively…................................................. 13 Personal Branding: Is It Right For You?................................................................................. 13 Tips For Women In Business…………………………………................................................... 13 Don’t Let a Natural Disaster Become a Financial Disaster………………….......................... 15 Women and Retirement: Myth Vs. Reality…………………………………….......................... 15 How To Stay At The Top Of Your Game Everyday…............................................................. 16 Help, My Business is Suffering Because I’m Too Stressed!.................................................. 19 Introducing Dr. J. Thomas Smith…………………………………………………....................... 19 Staying on Top of Your Game as a Business Leader………………………............................ 21 J. Anthony Brown, On the Funny Side……………………………………………..................... 22 5 Common Mistakes that Small Business Owner’s Make…………....................................... 22 Building a More Skilled Workforce………………………………………….............................. 24 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.......................................................………….............. 24 Finding Y.O.U. ………………………………………………………………................................ 26 Stay On Top of Your Game: Navigating Our Ever-evolving Economy…............................... 28 All Businesses Need Insurance…………………………………………………………….......... 28 Why Facebook is Worth the Trouble……………………………………………........................ 28

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything.

- Vince Lombardi

“d-mars.com is certified with SBE, HUB, DBE & Port of Houston SBDP.”

D-MARS.com Business Journal 7322 Southwest Fwy, Suite 805 Houston, Texas 77074 713-272-9511 . Phone 713-272-6364 . Fax 1-800-453-8752 . Toll Free www.d-mars.com

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Gwenevere M. Cloud, Rising Above the Top at Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep

A couple of years ago, amid a sinking American economy, one of the casualties of war, was Chrysler LLC which announced in 2009 that it was closing 789 dealerships across the country.

Out of that streamlining, came a better and more solid automobile manufacturer, which earlier this year, paid back $7.5 billion to the governments of the United States and Canada.

It didn’t surprise Gwenevere M. Cloud, Business Development Manager at Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep, 7250 Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas. Her position allows her to develop and implement new prospects for sales, find new business opportunities and promote Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep inside and outside of the dealership, and as such, she knew that Chrysler would bounce back, stronger than ever.

Ranked number 37 on the 2010 Black Enterprise list of suc-

Carolina A&T, a historical Black college. Davis acquired the dealership in 2002.

The path to ownership for him began in 1991, when an Af-

cessful African American dealerships, Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep is owned by James Davis, formerly of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and an Industrial Technology graduate of North

aspects of the automobile industry. Eleven years later, he became owner of his own dealership, initially named Gulfgate Dodge, which recently added Chrysler, Jeep and Ram to its line of cars,

rican American dealer in Humble, Texas, offered him a job and mentored him through all

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service department, Cloud said that she had to do a lot of phone calling, but within 90 days, the task was accomplished.

It was an extension of the commitment Davis made to his devoted customer base: Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep is a place where they will be treated fairly and not be victimized by tactics usually associated with the automobile industry. After selling nearly 1000 cars his first year, he attributes that to his continued existence along with surrounding himself with qualified and

tions, fraternities, sororities and any non-profit organization. The free Partners Program allows members to purchase new or preowned cars at a discounted price plus receive rebates (if available) on their new car purchase. This program also allows discounts on parts and service.

“The beauty of it all is that when you’ve made your purchase with me, and the deal is finalized in finance and funded by the lender, Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep will donate $200 to your church or organization. We will also donate 5 percent of any service/repair bill for vehicles serviced at Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep,” she said. One church, Mt. Zion MBC, where Dr. James E. Lightfoot is pastor, has received over $9000.00 for the 45 vehicles its members have purchased.

“It is so important to have my customers comfortable and

professional staff.

Cloud continued, “I also have the daily task of being the voice for Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep because we sponsor the 9:00-10:00a.m. hour on the Person-to-Person radio talk show with Michael Harris on 1430AM. This allows the listeners to hear about the great pricing, rebates and specials that they will receive if they purchase from me. I make the process smooth and without hassles, headache and hoops because as the manager, I don’t have to spend time getting a price to make a deal.”

In addition, Cloud points out that she is spearheading a special program which is offered to pastors and their congrega-

not uptight when they are buying a vehicle. It doesn’t matter what your beacon score is, customers should not have to jump through hoops and go through unnecessary changes just to buy a vehicle. Everybody’s time should be considered when you go into a dealership to start your vehiclepurchasing process. I am excited to be on the management staff at Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep; I can handle a customer from start to finish. I will give you the best price for a new or pre-owned vehicle at the beginning of your deal. It is not necessary to waste time haggling over pricing,” Cloud stated.

For more information, call 281-477-6767.

trucks and SUVs. Moreover, just like the fateful phone call he received two decades ago, he extended the same opportunity to Cloud. Her

experience in the automobile industry began as the Business Development Manager for a General Motors dealership. Handling customers and the sales team for new and pre-own automobile sales along with public relations for that dealership, enabled her to work with customers in such a way to make their car buying experience “painless”.

Cloud stated, “I have had the privilege of working at Gulfgate Dodge Chrysler Jeep for nearly eight years. When called to consider a manager’s position at the store in December 2003 I was delighted.

I knew I could come in and make a difference.” Tasked with turning around customer service in the

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Legacy: It’s A Family Affair

By Sharon C. Jenkins, Contributing Writer

A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children… (Proverbs 13:22a)

G

ail Mathis attributes her financial success to the people who have been placed into her life as business partners. Success was not handed to her on a silver platter, she worked for it but she did not work alone. Her amazing story is an entrepreneur’s dream come true. In five short months she was living the dream of her lifetime because a few committed associates joined her team to make it happen. Surprisingly a little over a year before that, she was living in one room of a two bedroom apartment that belonged to someone else. Now she lives in a high rise condo that overlooks the Medical Center. You may be wondering how that happened, Ardyss International was the vehicle Gail used to move from poverty to Platinum President status.

Dorothy Cook, the Godmother of Ardyss, has been a major contributor to Gail’s entrepreneurial achievement. Gail met Dorothy shortly after starting the business, and now they are Ardyss “family.” She has mentored her to the top in this business; her unwavering faith in Gail’s ability to make it has been a key component in their relationship. For example, in 2009 she received a telephone call from Dorothy encouraging her to make Ardyss history by making two presidential ranks in one month. With Ms. Cook’s unselfish support, she did just that. She has been a trailblazer and pioneer for so many people in Ardyss. Gail has flourished under her guidance. Dorothy’s business mantra is: “Successful people do the things TODAY that others will not do, so that successful people can do the things TOMORROW that others CANNOT do.”

Gail also attributes finding her “mojo” to having great business partners like Barbara “BJ” Brown and Ruama Camp to name a few. The founder of Ardyss International, Mr. Antonio Diaz de Leon, desires to give people a better quality of life and financial free-

September - October 15, 2011

dom. Members of Gail’s team have helped to fulfill that desire for others and been instrumental in the financial paradigm shift in her life.

Gail’s lifestyle has changed so drastically in a matter of months, causing a major revolution in the lives of those nearby to her. Bystanders describe this metamorphic experience in the following terms: It’s like watching a rising star take flight and the blazing glory of its afterglow shines so bright that it encourages others to follow…, and they have followed and built a financial destiny for themselves and their loved ones.

People often talk “success,” but Gail is actually living the life she talks about. Her son, Trevian Mathis had his 30th birthday and she was able to give him a celebration he could only dream of in Las Vegas. In the past she had to rely on him to purchase her plane ticket to Maryland for the holidays, but since the face of her financial horizon has changed, she is truly the giver of good gifts to her only son and major inspiration. Trevian is a fulltime systems engineer but he is also a Diamond President in Ardyss International. Gail is “proud as a peacock” about his rapid advancement in the company. In the Mathis family, Ardyss is a “family affair.”

She has always envisioned herself living in a high-rise, and because of the Ardyss experience she now lives in the dwelling of her choice overlooking the Medical Center. For 20 years she worked six days a week, ten hours a day at the U.S. Post Office and could barely take a vacation. As a result of her Ardyss accomplishments, Gail has traveled internationally to places such as Paris, Amsterdam, and Canada.

She is also able to go on weeklong luxurious spa vacations in exotic places. Gail stated that she use to have “more month than money”, but now she is no longer stressed about money. She literally dances at the end of the month to the bank to make multiple deposits. If she dreams it, as a Platinum President with Ardyss, she can make it happen and so can you, healthy can make you wealthy, Gail Mathis is a living example of that.

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Because HCC Matters

By Carroll G. Robinson With the national economy still in recovery from the “Great Recession,” Houston’s ability to remain an economic power is no longer tied to a single industry, but rather rests on how well the City educates its people. Our City can no longer afford to just import talent from other

places to meet future demands. An absolute commitment must be made to help Houston’s burgeoning workforce develop the skills necessary to fill the jobs that are needed and that will be created.

Our K-12 public education system has made dramatic strides in improving its delivery of basic skills. But to stop there is a critical mistake. We have to start thinking about high school graduation as only the first step in the education process. In effect, we have to view basic education as, at the very least, a K-16 process.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s most recent report ranks Texas 47 out of 50 states in the number of college graduates. This is shameful, and it cannot stand. To compete in this

new knowledge economy, we have to do better. It will be no small task. To meet the national average, Texas must graduate more than 500,000 additional students by the year 2015.

A critical component to closing that gap is the community college. While Houston boasts some of the finest private and publicly funded higher education institutions in the country, the reality is that nearly 80 percent of the jobs of tomorrow will not require a four-year degree. What they will require are a specific set of skills and training - critical functions that community colleges offer.

Houston is home to many community colleges.

The Houston Community College System (HCCS), the second-largest single accredited community college in the United

Carroll G. Robinson P.O. Box 8325 • Houston, Texas 77288 www.cgr4hcc.com States, will need to play a much more active role in moving the city forward.

With a student population in excess of 70,000, and more than 1 million students having participated in HCCS programs since its creation in 1971, HCCS must have a much stronger presence in our community.

Fundamental to that is an emphasis on focusing educational resources locally. While international programs that encourage a global presence for HCCS are important—they should be secondary to the core mission of educating people locally.

Along those same lines, HCCS should consider directly engaging students in the communities they live in. By mov-

ing educational resources into neighborhood community centers through enhanced partnerships with the City and County, HCCS will be able to reach populations that have been traditionally ignored. Finally, HCCS needs to dramatically expand its most successful recent achievement—the Early College.

The Early College is an innovative partnership with school districts that provides a unique educational opportunity com-

bining the traditional high school with the first year of community college. It has been a tremendous success based on graduation rates and student performance.

A strategic plan to double the number of early colleges in the community as well as expanding it to reach students interested in vocational and technical professions needs to be developed.

The HCCS Board of Trustees and Administration have taken steps to move the HCC system forward. With your support and vote, I look forward to joining this effort to help improve our community. *Carroll G. Robinson is a candidate for Houston Community College Trustee, District IV in the November 2011 election.

Robinson is a former At-Large Member of the Houston City Council. He currently serves as Chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce and is a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party.

September - October 15, 2011

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September - October 15, 2011

Michael Coleman, Running for Harris County Constable Precinct 7

M

ichael Coleman is running for the elected position of Harris County Constable Precinct 7. He has faithfully served the citizens of Harris County, Texas as a law enforcement professional for over twenty-three years; and, now, he

wants to use the experience, education and leadership skills that he has developed during his tenure to serve and protect the citizens of Harris County, Precinct 7, as their next Constable.

It is his goal to restore the faith of his potential constituents by establishing closer ties with the residents, community leaders and businesses in that precinct.

This is the fastest, most timetested method for fostering a “community-oriented” policing relationship.

Officer Coleman states that “Cooperation, not competition, between law enforcement agencies is another necessity in making Precinct 7 a safe place to reside and do business. Now, more than ever, it is essential that all facets of law enforcement work together in serving the public in a manner aimed to keep the community safe. It is a proactive rather than a reactive mentality that must be developed.”

As a commissioned Texas Master Peace Officer, he is con-

cerned about and willing to take a stand against crime. In this mission, he is adamant that he will not falter. It is his belief that the community and precinct needs a new leader in the Constable position.

How do we, as a team, do this? His answer is simple. We remain a team by engaging in the relationship birthed by the “Contract Deputy Program.”

This program is the essence of Community Oriented Policing.

It develops a close tie with the deputy patrolling an assigned area and the residents and businesses in that area. In order to help this relationship flourish, he wants to develop closer ties within the Precinct’s neighborhoods and communities. He will accomplish this by identifying the uniquely different problems that are so often inherent to the diverse neighborhoods or communities within the Precinct. He will ensure that his Command Staff and force is properly trained to develop comprehensive stra-

Just Fake It Until You Make It…

tegic plans of action whereby both the Constable’s Office and the citizens within that area of concern have input and, most importantly, get results. Officer Coleman is committed to being a good steward of the public’s tax dollars and maximizing precious resources, while making our communities safer aimed at improving everyone’s quality of life. He deeply believes that Community Oriented Policing builds trust between the communities they serve and the Deputy Constables who serve within the precinct. When elected as your Constable, he will build upon that trust every day.

Michael Coleman is proud to be a native Houstonian.

Michael is the son of Ms. Mary who owned several businesses (Almeda Lounge, Ms. Mary Anchor, and Mary’s Place) in the community. He grew up in South Park, went to Cullen Middle School, and graduated from the “Mighty” Jack Yates High School in the Third Ward.

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He currently holds the rank of Captain and is a member of the Constable’s Executive Command Staff. He was the first African-American to make the rank of Lieutenant and Captain at Precinct 5. Michael currently commands the Patrol Support Services Bureau, a job he has mastered over the seven years he has spent there. In this capacity, he personally oversees the enforcement activities of over one hundred seventy personnel assigned to that division. Additionally, he also commands the departmental Communications Division.

During Michael’s law enforcement career, he has served in a variety of field and supervisory assignments in the Patrol Division, Criminal Warrants Division and the Tactical Division.

Michael is also a Public Information Officer and spokesperson for Precinct Five, often tasked with speaking with the media, disseminating information regarding departmental business and passing-on relevant information to the community.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Sam Houston University, Master Peace Officer Certification, TCLEOSE Instructor License, Concealed Hand Gun Instructor License and Mental Health Certification.

Staying On Top of Your Game in Your Industry

By Sharwin Wiltz-Boney, Contributing Writing

By John Whaley, Contributing Writing

I

f you sought the assistance of an industry expert such as a doctor, an auto mechanic, or an engineer, would you trust their judgment if you knew they were pretending to be knowledgeable about their area of expertise? For some ambitious individuals, the notion of pretending you can when you cannot is more than cliché; it is a way of life.

“Fake it until you make it,” is often quoted at motivational rallies and in print publications to keep the fire in the belly of the aspiring go-getter. Although this directive may encourage people to keep pushing during hard times, more often than not, this verbiage can be catastrophic to society.

Thinking positively of one’s ability cannot replace successful hands on experience. When people assertively pretend to be at the top of their game prior to reaching that plateau, everyone suffers. Industry wide counterfeit talent is decreasing the quality of life for consumers around the world. Since perception is reality, when a

crafty individual develops manipulative marketing campaigns that lure people in based on hopes and dreams, bad things can happen to good people.

Examine this scenario: Michael P. is the founder and CEO of “XYZ” publishing and marketing firm. He realizes that after six months of working to be the leader in his field, he has not made enough money to live his desired lifestyle. He is also tired of seeing the competing firms soar past him. Instead of working to understand where he can improve his operations, Michael P. decides that with his inferior experience, he will just brand himself as the best!

As you can guess, many clients come, and almost all are disappointed at the unsatisfactory results and performance they have experienced. The end result—a loss of client investment, and a long list of negative feedback and reviews on “XYZ” company.

Examples of pretentious industry leaders (also known as “fakers”) are prevalent throughout the community. Here are a few tips to avoid being a penny

wise, pound foolish professional. First, search for value instead of discounts. Fakers thrive on cheap people.

Secondly, do not commit to things you cannot afford.

Fakers love to keep people chained to debt. Lastly, Warren Buffet summed it up by stating, “Never invest in a business you cannot understand.” Fakers thrive on the mentally and emotionally vulnerable. This is typically during the public learning phase of emerging industries such as social media marketing, investing, healthcare, or homebased business start-up companies.

Just faking it until you make it has many followers, and the recruiting efforts for more intellectual counterfeiters are growing. If you decide to join the “fake it” cause for prosperity or temporary peace of mind, be mindful that those that are “Real” may not be able to help you grow because of your façade. Why would someone with ample resources be motivated to help another person that appears to have made it?

Answer: They usually do not! Now get out there and KEEP IT REAL.

The day you entered the world of industry was the day you declared, “I am here. I am great at what I do. I intend to be around for a very long time. “ You went in it to be successful. You went in it to gain market share, make money and ultimately leave a mark in your respective industry.

To get in the game required long hours, late nights, no holidays, no pleasure until the last “T” was crossed and “I” dotted. The sacrifices were but for a moment but, seemingly, worth it, when the day of promotion came. Propelled to the next level, you now hold the most sought out title in Business “Top Gun”.

Now, the only questions that need answering are these: How do you stay there? How do you stay at the top of your game?

Answers to these questions require moments of retreat FROM your business or job to inspect what your expertise has built. Get away. Look through the lenses of 3 of your primary stakeholders: customers, vendors, and employees.

Are the systems and services in place working for an enhanced customer experience that leads to referrals and ultimately equates to more revenue?

Do I have the right people in place to accomplish company objectives and goals? Are the back office processes working efficiently?

After you have sufficiently answered these questions, ask some more!

But this time, bring in a team. Bring in an outside team that can not only answer, but work with your internal team to implement solutions. With both, your knowledge base is multiplied.

Think outside the box.

Is service expansion an option? Is product enhancement possible?

While this outside team is drafting its answer, explore the 2T’s: Trends &

Technology. What are the latest market Trends? What cutting edge Technology has emerged that can make your systems and processes seamless?

As you compile these answers and review the answers from the external team, understand that the city of Rome was not built in a day BUT it was indeed built.

Remember how you got in the game? Long hours, late nights, no holidays! No holidays.

Crossed “T”’s. Dotted “i”’s.

Staying at the top of your game takes on a new type of “T” and “I”. A crossed “t” for team and a dotted “i” for implementation. Team implementation is critical.

Staying on the top of your game requires you to examine the internals to better the externals and outputs of your company.

So stop. Take a moment.

Retreat. Ask the hard questions. Be prepared for hard answers. Be ready to commit to the construction phase of implementation.

Staying on top is not easy but with an inquisitive, team approach it is certainly possible!

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Our Community!

Our Time!!!

tired after 26 years. Phillip’s father, Bishop Prince Earl Williams Bryant, Sr., was born in Mount Enterprise, Texas; the fifteenth child of Bishop and Mamie Bryant. Bishop Prince Bryant has currently pastors The Island of Hope Church of God in Christ, and acts as

minority. “It was a blessing” having the opportunity to make a difference and change misperceptions of racial heritage with friends and schoolmates.

However different, we shared wholesome traits and like moral values.

Phillip graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management. Bryant’s diverse background offers a unique perspective as no other will, yet itemized it’s all too common, From being raised in a single-parent home, to being in an employment line; Phillip has dedicated his experiences, education and life to the betterment of the commu-

• •

• start today, not just in conversation, but in action.

Jurisdictional Prelate to the Texas South Central Jurisdiction. Bishop Prince Bryant has served two terms as President of the Mayor’s Advisory Board to the Mayor of Houston and the Community Relations Consultant to the Houston Police Department.

Phillip was raised in the church where he spent the majority of his childhood, working for ministries within his father’s organization that helped strengthen communities.

At the age of 12, Phillip was enrolled into San Jacinto Christian School, where additional biblical values and principles were formed. While attending the Christian School, Phillip excelled in basketball, football and graduated with academic honors. As one of only four black students at the school, Phillip became conscious of racism and what it meant to be a

nities. His feel-good testimony from starting out as a cashier for Jack–in-the-Box in the late ninety’s to a Senior Vice President of a Major Trading Firm less than 10 years later, speaks to not only the nurture of his community; but the nature of his family. Phillip has pledged the remainder of his resources to maintaining family values and minimizing community issues.

Now Phillip, has committed to serve his community again, as of April 2011, he is a candidate for Houston City Council District B. “Together we can make a difference”Phillip Paul Bryant

Our Issues

I promised during our kickoff celebration, that our campaign will be different. We will not wait until Election Day, to start addressing some of the issues in our community; we

•

A Learning Community • Create mechanisms for partnering students, teachers, parents and principles • Proponent of City Council / School Board Bi-annual Summit • Promote positive relationships between campus officers and students • Create Council mentorship program for high risk dropout students • Better pay for teachers A Cleaner Community • Supporter of more heavy trash pickup days

Phillip Paul Bryant, Candidate for District B, City Council Seat Environmentalist, Philanthropist, Community Organizer, Television Talk show Host and Businessman; Phillip Paul Bryant currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors - Houston Business Alliance; (President) Advisory Board - NEHEMIAH HOUSE RE-ENTRY PROGRAM; President -Community First; Board Member & V.P. of Community Relations- Education Foundation for North Forest ISD: Director of Public Relations- Island of Hope Church; (Member) Board of Directors- Haitian Empowerment Relief Organization.

Phillip was born on February 1, 1980 in Houston, Texas. Phillip grew up initially in a single parent home where he learned at a young age the impact family and community can have on the innocence of childhood. Bryant’s mother, Yolanda a school teacher, grew up in Houston where her father served at Ellington Field during the 1960’s. Yolanda’s mother, Doris Howard, went to work at the United States Postal Service, where she re-

•

• Promoter of Clean-up incentives programs • Supporter of recycling centers • Quarterly neighborhood cleanup days A Safer Community • Will organize and establish neighborhood watch programs in communities without HOA • Evaluate police response times and 911

protocols Evaluate timeline for demolishing abandon /neglected buildings Bi-annual police safety/ community feedback forums Free smoke detectors for campaign volunteers, seniors and veterans Evaluate road repair policy We will fight for better roads and sidewalks in our community

Projects • Economic Development • Resources for New Small Business • Reduce Permits Fees & Requirements for Small Business

September - October 15, 2011

13.

Trade Leads Can Help You in Tips For Women Doing Business Effectively In Business

By Roberto Sedycias, Contributing Writer

T

rade leads are the inquiries and requests which are raised from the buyer’s side to buy a product. These business inquiries help the suppliers to find the trusted buyer for their products.

In present scenario, the world is becoming more and more advanced and the Internet has added extra advantages to it. The Internet has made almost every task so simple including talking to friend from any corner of the world to doing busi-

ness and trading globally.

It is so useful that even big businesses can also be done on internet. B2B portals are another most popular thing that serves as a very useful tool for marketing. If you are still unaware about B2B trading places, welcome to the latest scenario. A B2B trading or B2B portal is an online marketplace for all types of trade and businesses.

What is B2B?

B2B stands for Busi-

ness to Business, which is a new method of trading on web. It works via different websites called as (B2B) business to business portals which comprise a list of wholesalers, suppliers, manufacturers and exporters of different categories of products and services. These portals simplifies your task to search for the suppliers, products and services you are looking for by just logging in on these sites. These B2B portals also give a thorough description of the goods and services along with photos for a more real research. With the help of these websites, you can also contact with the suppliers as well as place orders and inquiries.

What are B2B Trade Leads?

B2B trade leads are the request for inquiries from the buyer’s side which are listed on the various B2B portals. Basically these

business leads are requested from the unknown buyers.

These leads are shown on B2B websites that contain a directory of manufacturers providing their commodities and services open for traders and for those who are searching for a specific product for business. These leads basically show a list of suppliers under the heading offer and the products under the heading looking for provides you the list of companies which are looking to supply their particular products.

By using such means of B2B trade leads, you can easily do any type of trade without any difficulty as it is hassle free. You can easily carry major transactions online and will not face any problem by visiting various suppliers and then choosing one or vice versa.

So , if you want to buy any product just visit any B2B website to place your buying requirement and create trade lead.

Personal Branding: Is It Right For You?

By Laura Lake, About.com Guide

I

am often asked how an individual can brand themselves and if personal branding is as valuable as corporate branding. Personal branding can single an individual out as an expert in their field, but are there downfalls to personal branding vs. company branding?

Truth is personal branding is easier than company branding. Why? Because if you believe in your talent, in your skills and ability - it’s easier to sell what you believe in.

Your image is already created - you just have to market it. How do you market yourself? That’s easy. You must become: A pro in your industry; an expert in your field.

With that said are

there downfalls to personal branding? Absolutely. Unless you plan to work until your last living day, it will be difficult to transition the brand to someone else. After all you are the BRAND! If you are ok with the fact that in order to transition out of the brand you will need to create a new one that your consumers can grasp onto then personal branding may just be for you.

When branding yourself remember that you must create a strong and consistent brand. You cannot skimp just because it’s about you.

Strong brands are clear about who they are and what they are not; which is why branding yourself can be an easy process.

You already know who you

are and what you are not.

Strong brands are also consistent; it’s easy to be consistent in who you are.

Let’s take for example Madonna. She was her brand. Since the start of her career she has had the ability to change consistently throughout her career. This made her stand out from among other performers. This in essence strengthened her individual brand.

By branding yourself effectively you will: • Establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field.

• Build a solid reputation within your industry.

• Increase your notoriety and improve your perceived value in the marketplace.

The key to successfully branding yourself and doing it effectively is to first establish a personal brand identity. Once you have done that focus that message on who you are and what you stand for within your chosen field. Your final step is to get the word out through a variety of media channels that are viewed by the people most likely to be interested in your message.

As people begin to see your name and become aware of the benefit and knowledge that you offer, before you know it thousands of people will not only know who you are but they will begin to seek out your services and expertise.

They will identify with your brand which is YOU.

S

ometimes the patriarchal nature of the business world leaves many things that women can do to get a step ahead and make a statement.

Working in high places has become as common for women as for men in today’s society. There are more women than ever in the high places of business and they are getting high pay and equal opportunities in many fields. However, there is still room for much improvement as women make their way through the business world with strides and colors and there are a number of tips on how to make success a guarantee for you as a woman in business.

For one thing, you can start with your fashion. What you wear in the work place makes a statement about your position and though it isn’t the best thing in the world, can sometimes affect how other people see and judge you.

So, if you wear dresses or things with low cut necks, men might consider you feminine and not treat you the same as they would their male partners. Thus, it is good to wear shirts and suit blazers with either pants that match or pencil skirts. These outfits are professional and can create the sensation of power for those who meet you. This statement will exude an outward confidence that will be essential for you in

the business world, to making a personal statement even in the face of opposition from males that might not take you seriously.

Also, you want to be assertive and aggressive.

No matter the situation, never stand back from what you believe in and make sure to take an assertive position on your perspectives.

You can be sure that no matter what, you get heard and that your opinions are acted upon. This means being willing to compromise and hear out other people, but at the same time, don’t allow anyone to cast your ideas out the window and never let them see the light of fruition.

It’s important to try and approach the world of business from your position with a keen mind and the notion that there is an inherent level of unfairness present in the dynamics of the business world, but that you can rise above these differences with your brilliance and leadership skills to overtake the old fashioned compartments of an older age as you revamp it with your own power and influence. In fact, changes can start with you as you storm through the business world, a strong, confident woman who has the leadership abilities to command a business without any troubles or complications or feelings of being on an unequal footing.

With these tactics, you will be sure to make a wonderful impact upon the business world and you will able to do this by benefiting yourself and your career. You can make a stamp on the industry of your choice and do so with a belief that you can achieve anything that you set your mind to. Women in business has become a wonderfully common and wide spread thing and the successes that are achieved by women today are reassurances that the changes have been for the best for all the people involved , making great impact upon the world.

14. September - October 15, 2011

September - October 15, 2011

Don’t Let a Natural Disaster Become a Financial Disaster First things first

Take care of basic things first like installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and knowing how to shut off utilities. Familiarize yourself with extreme weather conditions in your area and how to prepare for them. Advance preparation may ultimately save valuable time, money and resources during a crisis.

By Crawford McGill Financial Advisor Headlines routinely ring with news of natural disasters. With wildfires in the west, earthquakes in Japan and Virginia, and hurricanes down south, it’s a dose of reality that disaster can strike anytime and anywhere.

If the unthinkable occurs, would your family be prepared? The following tips will help make sure you are ready to weather any devastation that may come your way.

Disaster-proofing your home Certain improvements may help disaster-proof your home. Before deciding to invest in home improvements, assess whether the changes will reduce your insurance premiums, increase the value of your home or offer you peace of mind if there is a disaster.

Sources of information for this step include your local chapter of the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA, www.fema.gov), the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security (www.ready.gov), local emergency management offices, fire and police departments, zoning and building permit offices, home inspectors, structural engineers and architects.

Prepare an emergency readiness kit

The kit should include items that would meet your needs for at least three days. Store them in sturdy, waterproof containers that you can easily carry. Include basic items such as a first aid kit, a battery operated radio, extra batteries, essential medications, nonperishable food and water. It might also be wise to keep some cash in your emergency kit. If the electric utility system fails, it may be impossible to use credit or debit cards.

An inventory of bank accounts, loans, credit cards, investment accounts and Social Security numbers are also essentials for your kit. Keep these items in a fire safe container in a

location where you would seek shelter in the event of a storm or in an easy accessible spot if an evacuation is necessary.

Protect your property and possessions

Even when you take steps to prepare for a disaster, you still could experience unavoidable property damage. That’s why renters’ or homeowners’ insurance is so important.

Make sure you understand your policy and your deductible amount before you need to make a claim.

An important feature of homeowners’ insurance is full replacement cost coverage. This level of protection can help you avoid paying out-of-pocket for a portion of lost or destroyed possessions and/ or dwelling.

Keep in mind that homeowners’ insurance doesn’t always cover all losses, so you may need to add additional coverage for certain occurrences like floods, earthquakes or sink

Women and Retirement: Myth Vs. Reality

By Crawford McGill, Financial Advisor

Are you dreaming of a leisurely retirement enjoying a second cup of morning coffee, or is a sunrise round of golf more your speed? Either way, you’ll need to know the facts so you can guide your retirement dreams with realism.

Historically the road to retirement hasn’t been smooth for many women. In fact, the Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that 17 percent of all elderly, single women live in poverty. With today’s longer life spans, this figure has the potential to rise. By recognizing the following myths for what they are, you can take control of your financial future and help improve this startling statistic.

average monthly retirement benefit reported is $1,177. SSA data also shows that women’s benefits are almost a third lower than men’s. Not only do women earn less than men during their working years, they also take more time away from work than their male counterparts (U.S. Department of Labor). Add the uncertain future of Social Security to these statistics, and you can see why it’s more important than ever to plan for additional income sources when determining your retirement income target.

A benefits estimator is available on the Social Security Administration’s website (www.ssa. gov). Use it to get an estimate of future benefits depending on when you plan to retire.

Myth #1 – Social Security will take care of me in retirement.

The reality is that Social Security income probably won’t be enough. At the start of 2011, the

Myth #2 – I won’t need nearly as much to live on when I retire.

The assumption sounds reasonable when you consider the costs associated with raising chil-

dren and commuting to work each day. On the other hand, if you want to spend your leisure time traveling, it will come with a cost. It’s probably safe to assume that you’ll have higher health care costs—and potentially long-term care costs—in your later years, as well.

A rule of thumb that many financial professionals use is that you’ll need 60 to 80 percent of your current income in retirement (adjusted for inflation) to maintain your current lifestyle.

Of course, it depends on how you plan to spend your time once you are no longer working.

It might be a good idea to test your planned budget for a few months before you retire.

That way if your income and expenses seem unrealistic, consider postponing retirement or looking for ways to decrease your expenses.

Myth #3 – My 401(k)

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holes. Riders may also be required for big-ticket items like valuable jewelry or home office equipment.

If you rent, be sure that your personal possessions are protected with a renters’ policy. Your landlord’s insurance won’t cover damage to or loss of your property.

take is building an emergency reserve fund that covers three to six months of expenses. An automatic deduction for this purpose can be a painless way to save. Dollars should be kept in an account that you can easily access, like a savings or money market account.

Complete a home inventory

Make your disaster plan a priority

Even though its preparation sounds like an overwhelming task, a thorough home inventory may be the best tool you’ll have in the event of a property loss. List everything you own and include photos or video of your home inside and out. Keep copies in more than one location, including one that is offsite. If disaster strikes, the inventory could help insurance adjusters value what you owned, expedite an insurance payment and provide documentation for tax deductions.

This season’s news of disasters should be a reminder of how quickly a natural disaster can change lives. The sooner you act on your own plan for disaster prevention and recovery, the better. You can’t put a price tag on peace of mind.

Plan financially for an emergency Your financial plan can help make sure you are ready for critical goals like college and retirement. It can also help protect you if a disaster occurs that will affect you financially.

One important step to

contributions will fund my retirement without my involvement.

It’s true that a 401(k) is a smart way to save for retirement with before-tax dollars. Since many employers offer a matching feature, you may have an opportunity for instant return on your invested dollars.

The good news is that many women are contributing to their employer-sponsored plans. In fact SSA data suggests that in 2008, 51 percent of women employed full-time participated in their plan through work.

Unfortunately, a common misconception is that you can sit back and the plan will manage itself. Fact is, you might get even more benefit from your plan by taking an active role in your investment selection. If you have several years until retirement, choosing too conservative investments may cause you to fall short of the dollars you need.

On the other hand, if retirement is approaching, you may need to move aggressive investments to the more conservative side. The most important thing to remember is to review your choices regularly to make sure your investment selection is still in line with

Crawford “Mickey” McGill, CFP©, CRPR©, AAMS©, Financial Advisor, Associate Vice President Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of NV, AZ, PA, GA, CO, MN, LA, MO, CA, FL, NC, NY, DE, IN, VA, IL, MD, DC, KS. Be sure to ask your sales representative about the insurance policy’s features, benefits and fees, and whether the insurance is appropriate for you, based upon your financial situation and objectives.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

your goals.

If decisions like these seem daunting, you don’t have to make them alone. By establishing a relationship with professionals who can help you at critical times, you can face your unique financial challenges with reality and eager anticipation of your retirement dream.

Crawford “Mickey” McGill, CFP©, CRPR©, AAMS©, Financial Advisor, Associate Vice President Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of NV, AZ, PA, GA, CO, MN, LA, MO, CA, FL, NC, NY, DE, IN, VA, IL, MD, DC, KS. Be sure to ask your sales representative about the insurance policy’s features, benefits and fees, and whether the insurance is appropriate for you, based upon your financial situation and objectives.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

16. September - October 15, 2011

How To Stay At The Top Of Your Game Everyday

By George Tee, Contributing Writer

Every person has a dream, which he or she wishes to fulfill at some point of time in his or her life. It could be about anything – to build a booming business, become a successful model, going on a world tour, serving the less privileged ones or simply getting married to someone you love.

However, dreams don’t come true unless you are motivated enough to work towards your goals and strive persistently until they are accomplished. As the road to success gets tougher, most people lose heart and soon give up on their dreams.

The initial enthusiasm and determination withers away and it becomes extremely challenging to remotivate yourself again to pursue your dreams with renewed vigor.

If you are one of those who follow their dreams for a while and suddenly lose interest if it takes a bit too long to attain them, then you can use the following tips to stay motivated: • You need to develop a positive frame of mind and create a vivid vision about the dream.

This vision must also portray you as an achiever who has finally got what he always wanted. You must also weigh your strengths and weaknesses carefully so that you can build an effective strategy to achieve your goals. You must also decide how badly you want to attain your goals because without commitment none of the strategies will work.

• Next step is to identify all those things that inspire you and the ones that de-motivate.

You may find success stories of other people highly motivating or may have a role model who inspires you.

• Ask yourself if you have the passion, which is a vital ingredient of success. In the absence of passion, it will be difficult to achieve even smaller goals. Career consultants regard passion as the biggest motivator and if believe that if you have passion, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! • You need to find out the reason “why.” Why do you have the dream in the first place? You want to find out the

motivation that keeps your dreams alive.

When the journey gets tiring, it’ll keep you going on. This process also allows you to have a greater self-awareness of yourself. What do you really want in life? And why do you want it.

• Now that you have found a way to stay motivated, you need to have a back-up plan just in case things don’t go your way. It happens to everybody at some point of time – you believe that by doing ‘A’, you will get ‘B’, however by the end of the day you realize that the outcome was just not what you had expected. This can he highly demotivating, however,

having a good strategy for a ‘rough day’ can boost your confidence in trying times. You may also seek peace of mind and tranquility through yoga or meditation. It will not only have a soothing effect on your mind, but also give you an entirely different perspective to look at problems and failures.

• Another important aspect you must take into account is the environment you are in. Environment includes the surround-

ings as well as the people around you.

It should be positive and energizing or else it will have a negative psychological effect on you. Choose to be with people who support you and motivate you to move on.

So, declutter your mind to eliminate emotional drains and free up energy. It will lift your spirits and also help you to set your priorities right. Don’t lose sight of your goals, reminisce your visions and invent your own path to success!

September - October 15, 2011

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18. September - October 15, 2011

September - October 15, 2011

19.

Help, My Business is Suffering Because I’m Too Stressed!

By Tamyra Comeaux, MD

A

nxiety, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and hyperactivity; does this sound familiar to you?

Do you dread getting up to go to work the next morning even before you lie down to sleep at night? Is your business or job performance suffering because you’re too overwhelmed to make it happen? If you answered yes to any of these questions, here’s your answer, YOU ARE STRESSED! It’s time that you stepped your game up, took your life back and rid yourself of this pesky nemesis called stress!

Signs of Stress that may be affecting your business and/or job performance • Problems with Memory • Poor Concentration • Feeling Anxious • Racing Thoughts • Constant worrying • Chest pain, rapid heartbeat • Change in Appetite • Mood Swings • Isolation • Feeling Overwhelmed Stress leads to a plethora of more serious ailments such as; heart attack and stroke. When we are overloaded with work, home, school, pending deadlines, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life this can cause stress to the nervous system, stress on the brain and mental capacity, stress on the emotions, stress on the adrenals or any other organ in the body. What is needed is something calming. For some it’s a cup of hot tea and for others it’s a great workout in the gym or an hour of yoga stretching. There is no substitute for a healthy diet,

appropriate exercise, and times of rest and restoration. For some, however, that’s not enough.

When we have pushed our bodies to the limit and we’re running on empty it is difficult to easily and effectively recharge.

The body is now out of balance and refuses to relax. Don’t worry, along with maintaining a healthy diet, appropriate exercise and getting and adequate rest, there are other safe and healthy options to bring you back to life and put you on the right track to being more productive.

Herbs, vitamins, and minerals have been used for years to calm the body and bring it back into balance. Herbalith is an herbal supplement compiled of ten active ingredients that aide in helping your body recharge naturally without harsh chemicals and other foreign substances. One of the key ingredients in Herbalith is Damiana. Damiana is a native shrub of Central and South America. It is well known for its treatment in mild depression and anxiety. It can treat emotional and physical distress in people. It enhances hormonal production, both in men and women and acts as aphrodisiac.

Damiana acts as nerve tonic, to relieve your stress. Herbalith can be used to aide in managing other conditions such as; ADHD, Anxiety, Migraine, Insomnia, Headache, Depression, Mood Swings, Chemical Dependency, Mania, Bi-Polar, Fibromyalgia, and Brain Aging.

Herbalith and ADHD

Some adults are suffering from diagnosed ADD. ADD combined with stress is a guaranteed recipe for disaster when trying to effectively operate a business and make in the professional arena. Valerian root is nature’s quintessential calmative, a sedative for the central nervous

system. It may alleviate anxiety in adults and symptoms of ADD and ADHD in children; in fact some studies show that it may even eliminate the anxiety, fear, restlessness and aggressiveness associated with this increasingly common childhood affliction.

Valerian may also alleviate depression, headaches, and insomnia by helping to promote sleepiness and by improving sleep quality. Finally and mercifully, it can decrease stress—and increase concentration as well.

Options for relieving stress • Writing your thoughts down/Journaling • Exercise • Listen to soothing music or watch a comedy • Meditate • Find a hobby or activity that you enjoy • Utilize herbal supplements as opposed to prescription medication to assist in maintain stress For more information on how you can effectively manage and alleviate stress through Herbalith and/ or other herbal supplements please contact us today. Our specialties include Wellness Counseling, Weight loss Counseling, Vitamin Intake counseling, and Holistic Medicine.

Tamyra Comeaux, MD 11811 FM 1960 Suite 104 Houston, TX 77065 Phone: 832 237 4200 Website: www.naturalwomenscare.com Blog: www.naturalwomenscare. blogspot.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/vitadoc2 Join me on Facebook at “Natural Womens Care”

Introducing Dr. J. Thomas Smith

Dr. J. Thomas Smith is one of the original staff members of KMJQ/Majic 102.1. He is host of “Sunday Morning Live” and he has hosted “Dr. J Thomas Smith’s Saturday Morning Show” since 1994.

Prior to KMJQ, Dr. Smith worked in Los Angeles at KDAY and American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) as a staff announcer. His AFRTS programs were heard in more than 50 countries worldwide.

His resume includes stops at WYCB-Washington, and Country WPIK/WXRA-Arlington, VA, WSTR-Atlanta and KRLY - Houston where BRE Magazine named him “Air Personality of the Year on Pop Radio.

As a member of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (AFTRA) he has voiced numerous radio commercials. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and has performed acting roles in numerous training films for ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, the United Mine Workers Union and others.

Never short of energy, has he found time to be active in a number of endeavors while si-

multaneously engaged in his radio career. He has served as an instructor and associate campus director at Houston Community College, program director of the John Lucas Treatment and Recovery Center at Columbia/HCA Spring Branch Medical Center, director of counseling and multicultural services at Prairie View A&M University and Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) at the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County.

Smith is a practicing attorney with a multi-jurisdictional federal law practice and a consulting psychotherapist licensed in Texas and Georgia. He has advanced degrees in a number of disciplines including behavioral science (Ph.D.), psychology (PsyD), ministry (DMin), and law (JD).

Over the years he has served on a number of national boards and committees and delivered motivational talks at many events. He has provided counseling services and served as an advocate for adolescents in CPS custody and the juvenile justice system.

He was recently selected as one of the 2011 Men of Style in the Let the Fashions Begin fundraiser for sickle cell anemia. The event will raise awareness and funds for research, screening, counseling, and supportive services for children with sickle cell anemia.

Dr. Smith has written for a number of publications over the years. His contributions to this publication will include articles addressing a number of issues, including current events, politics, relationships, law, health, inspiration and motivation.

20. September - October 15, 2011

September - October 15, 2011

Staying on Top of Your Game as a Business Leader

By Quintin Wiggins EQ Quickbooks Owner As entrepreneurs we are constantly being bombarded with all types of stimuli from media, external and internal sources.

The demands of vendors, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders could wreak havoc on our psyche. If only we could take a moment and let the world around us just slow down so we can absorb it all. If only we can part from realty for just one moment.

For the business leader

“staying on top of your game” has become increasingly difficult in this 24/7 cycle. CEO’s are caught in a perpetual rat race of government regulation, IRS rules, new technology not to mention keeping ahead of the competition. One area that can help keep you worry free is the management of your payroll process via Quick Books.

One of the common problems I have witnessed in my 30 years in the business world is non-compliance with payroll tax can be a major source of angst for entrepreneurs. The Internal Revenue Service has very strict of reporting, paying and compliance with these issues. Not to mention the frequency of changes, it can be a compliance nightmare for small businesses. Failure to file can result in significant penalties and interest as well federal liens on your property.

To address these potential, Intuit the makers of Quick Books accounting software offers a pay-

roll module as part of their accounting system. There are various features that handle the demands of all

Service regulations. One of the most use features is the payroll on-line version. This version is called

withholdings and produce all the quarterly and yearly reports that are required by the Internal Revenue Service. With this payroll option, your payments are handled electronically and all your reports can be easily access electronically within minutes.

Another payroll option is Quick Books Basic Payroll. Once you enter in the pay data such as hours and

types of small businesses.

Whether you are a contractor, retail establishment, or service provider. QuickBooks provides all of the updates automatically to all of the Internal Revenue

“QuickBooks Assisted Payroll”. For cost as little as $100 per month you can have Quick Books process your payroll and they will handle all the tax filing, deposits payments of

pay rate, Quick Books will calculate the paychecks, withholding amounts and produce any of the related tax reports. With this option you are responsible for making the payments and

21.

filing the necessary reports with related entities.

EQQUICKBOOKS. com we have a 2 day training course that will teach every aspect of Quick Books. We also strongly cover how to process payroll. We have a state of the art training room. We assign all of our students to individual personal computers with a version of Quick Books preloaded. A live on-site instructor will direct the students via an overhead computer projection screen on each lesson in Quick Books. In you are a novice no need to worry, the instructor will be there to assist you every step of the way.

This class is ideal for both the entrepreneur and any clerical staff. Both beginners and advanced users are encouraged to attend the class.

This month’s theme is “Staying on Top of Your Game”. Imagine the feeling as a business owner knowing that you are in total compliance with IRS rules and regulations regarding payroll. For a nominal investment, you want have to face the cost and hassle of IRS audit by being in compliance.

For more information or to register for a class visit us EQQUICKBOOKS.com.

(This is not a CPA firm)

22. September - October 15, 2011

J. Anthony Brown, On the Funny Side

5 Common Mistakes that Small Business Owner’s Make

By Sharon C. Jenkins, Contributing Writer

idea different from any other idea? Surround yourself with individuals who are successful. Educate yourself on the business side of your business (i.e. patents, tax laws, human resources and payroll etc.).

By Maria Taylor, MBA

J. Anthony Brown has been in the business of making people laugh for 30 years, fifteen of those years have been on the Tom Joyner show. An excellent resume for a guy who wanted to be a clothes designer. Was it fate or serendipity? Only the Gods of Comedy know …

As a child, he always gravitated to anyone who made people laugh. His relatives ran numbers, ran businesses, but he wasn’t attracted to them. Anyone

who came into his living room that brought laughter and was center stage, he had a front row seat. His desire was to be around people who made people laugh. Even at school, he was drawn to people who made other people laugh, cursing out teachers, the class clown doing his antics, and the wise quacking troublemaker that had you remembering his one liner over dinner. He knew at an early age that in order to make it, you had to be good. In order for somebody to pay him to do

this, he had to be great. He studied them like he was in graduate school. Brown stated that “He took real good notes. They would probably end up winos, but he was going to be a star.” He had a dream that propelled him to do the work to get to the top.

As mentioned earlier, Brown’s original desire was to be a clothing designer. He went to Atlanta to begin his career in 1972 and was $316 short on his tuition. He found a job working as a tailor and decided to concentrate on perfecting his comedy routine. Whenever he got an opportunity to work on his act, he took it. His acute observation was that only the people who were good were getting paid, he wanted to be counted in that number. Taping himself, practicing in front of the proverbial mirror, and working in local clubs as a MC provided him with the skills millions of radio listeners hear daily on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

Brown is also an entrepreneur; he owns a comedy club in Los Angeles called The “J” Spot and he is part owner of a local comedy club in Houston. He is also in the Hot Sauce business; his featured gourmet sauces are called “Hotter Than a Mo Fo Hot Sauce” and “WatchOutDehNow.” He said that before he came into this industry, he did not know that there were 300 – 400 hot sauce conventions. It has been

his experience that “white people are the biggest connoisseurs of hot sauce.”

His advice for young aspiring comedians is to check out your location.

If you have acquired some notoriety in your local area, it’s time to move to either New York or Los Angeles. Even if you don’t make it big, you can still make a living as a comedian in New York.

J. Anthony Brown hosted the Urban Vibe Comedy Explosion on Saturday, September 17, 2011. The show featured D. L. Hughley, Adele Givens, Aries Spears, and Ali Siddiq. Brown is no stranger to Houston cooking. His most favorite spots are The Breakfast

Klub and This Is It! He says, “The food was better when they had mismatched chairs before the move.”

Well what you expect from a “funny man” who sells Hot Sauce as a side gig and wears psychedelic colored bright suits.

Having a dream but lacking the business savvy to support the dream The mistake isn’t in the dream but the execution of the dream. A good idea is backed by execution. Are you following the necessary steps to legitimize your dreams? Research is key to launching your idea to ensure that you are not spinning your wheels. Ask yourself what makes this

Failure to keep track of business expense receipts Setup a monthly envelope for all or your business expense receipts and send this to your accountant to enter into an accounting software to keep track of your monthly expenses.

This will help determine your profit and loss statement for your business.

Thinking that you can save money by keeping your own books – “Big Mistake” Several clients have come to me after trying to do their own bookkeeping only to find out that they should have come to me

sooner. The money those clients thought they were saving was not worth the headache and cost to correct mistakes made from a lack of knowledge.

Improperly categorizing your expenses Knowing the proper category for each expense is important in calculating the net income or net loss for your business. On your taxes net loss is a subtraction on your personal income and the net income is an addition to your personal income (Sole Proprietors, Partnerships and S-Corp).

Not deducting sales taxes In retail businesses, where products are being sold you must add sales taxes to your product costs and then you need to report the total amount of sales and taxes collected by your business to the State Comptroller of Public Accounts on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis, depending on how your business is setup with the State Comptroller.

MNA Accounting Services Maria Taylor, MBA President/CEO 832-859-8228

September - October 15, 2011

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24. September - October 15, 2011

Building a More Skilled Workforce

By Christina Robinson Grochett, University of Phoenix – South Texas Vice President

Currently, there are 133 million workers (over 25 years of age) in the United States workforce.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Study 2010 and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010 2011 edition, 55 percent of them have do not have a college degree, 35 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher and 10 percent have an associate’s degree.

A well-educated workforce plays a key role in driving the nation’s economic growth and diversification and many new employment opportunities require postsecondary education and training. This becomes even more critical as Baby Boomers start to retire and take their industry knowledge, workplace experience and hard-earned leadership and managerial skills with them.

The impact of an educated workforce is obvious to employers, but what does a degree mean to an employee? According to a 2010 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, a master’s degree is worth $1.3 million more in lifetime earnings than a high school diploma. The report titled “The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings” reveals that during an adult’s working life, high school graduates can expect to earn on average $1.2 million. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree can ex-

pect to earn $2.1 million, a master’s degree $2.5 million and a doctoral degree $3.4 million.

In addition to financial merits, education prepares individuals to compete for higher skill-set jobs and make greater contributions to their communities. Dr. Kenneth E. Lehrer, owner of Lehrer Financial and Economic Advisory Services and instructor for University of Phoenix, believes education not only provides students with the credentials for the career of their choice, but serves other, potentially more important functions as well.

“In its simplistic form, more education leads to higher earnings for the graduate,” said Dr. Lehrer. “But, a more educated professional also offers a high rate of return for our communities, greater tax revenue and an increase in spending and investment.

Overall, it helps us become a stronger, more competitive nation.”

Studies from the Institute of Higher Education Policy (IHEP) have shown that investing in an education yields substantial dividends for both employees and their communities.

For workers, these benefits manifest themselves in: • Higher wages and more job growth potential • Better job opportunities • Increased sense of accomplishment and confidence • More contributions to the community • Better health For the community, higher levels of education can lead to: • Lowering poverty rates and crime • Increasing the standards of living

• Strengthening the local tax base • Creating better quality of life Critical to this conversation is also the type of the education. In order for companies to compete globally, it is imperative to not only teach theory, but practical applications. Every day, education moves towards a more customized experience, with students and employers demanding more relevant, immediately beneficial curriculum and content.

At University of Phoenix, tools such as Virtual Organizations, case studies and simulation prepare students to be immediately effective in their professional roles. Virtual organizations are realistic web-based businesses, schools, healthcare and government organizations.

These organizations create authentic, real-world situations to allow students to practice solving workplace challenges. PhoenixConnect, the University’s academically focused social network, also enables students to benefit from academic discourse outside of the classroom with students and alumni all over the globe.

At the end of the day, to compete globally, employers need professionals who are problem solvers and critical thinkers. Education develops these vital skills.

Christina Robinson Grochett is the Territory Vice President of South Texas for University of Phoenix. An accomplished leader and champion of higher learning, she was selected as one of the 2010 Women of Influence

by Houston Woman Magazine and one of the Top 10 business women by the American Business Women’s Association in 2008.

Under her leadership, the Houston campuses were selected as a 2009, 2010 and 2011 Best Place to Work by The Houston Business Journal and were awarded with the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Alfred P. Sloan Awards from the City of Houston for Workplace Flexibility and Innovation.

Livestock Show and Rodeo Agriculture Education Entertainment Western Heritage 832.667.1200 | fax. 832.667.1061 | rodeohouston.com | hlsr.com

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OUSTON RODEO ENDS 2011 SCHOLARSHIP SEASON WITH $9 MILLION TO TEXAS YOUTH, PREPARES FOR 2012 — AUG. 16, 2011 — HOUSTON — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Each year, nearly 2,000 students attend Texas colleges and universities thanks to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, and the fall semester will see more than 560 new students as part of that group, with nearly $9 million in scholarships.

“Providing students with a financial aid outlet is more important than ever with the cost of education on the rise,” said R.H. “Steve” Stevens, Show chairman of the board. “We are extremely proud to be able to support thousands of college students every year.”

With the new school year fast approaching, parents and students alike should start looking into the opportunities for financial assistance through the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Although the Show promotes agriculture and Western heritage, Show scholarships are for students from any background and with any choice of college major — no agriculture required. Students with majors ranging from accounting to biomedical science, and criminal justice to education, are currently pursuing their dreams on a Show scholarship.

“This scholarship is going to help me out a lot,” said Erica Molson, 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Metropolitan Scholarship recipient. “My mom raised me alone — as a single parent — and my brother is disabled. I want to go to medical school after college, and [the scholarship] is a lot of money.”

The Show’s Metropolitan, Opportunity and School Art Scholarship Banquet, held in May, is one of the largest scholarship events in Houston, and this year, more than 300 students were awarded four-year, $16,000 scholarships.

“This scholarship means ‘commitment’ to me,” said Pedro Barcenas, 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Opportunity Scholarship recipient. “I want to be committed to receiving this scholarship, and to my future. Also, it is a commitment to my education. I have the most sincere gratitude toward [the Show]. A lot of people put hard work into this, and I really appreciate it.”

Also during the summer months, Show officials handed out more than $2 million to students in FCCLA, Texas 4-H

and Texas FFA. In February, the Show’s 60 Area Go Texan counties also received $16,000 scholarships for 70 graduating high school seniors outside the Houston Metro, for an additional total of $1,120,000.

“Show volunteers, staff, patrons and supporters drive our success each year – and that success translates into tremendous support for Texas students,” said Skip Wagner, Show president. “The first step for graduating high school seniors is to begin the college application process.

“Although our scholarship applications are available starting in mid-November, we want to encourage parents and students to start preparing for college now. There are so many steps and requirements to think about with any scholarship application, and we know that early planning puts you ahead of the game.”

In order to receive a Show scholarship, applicants must first meet Show requirements. Those applying for any of the Show’s scholarships must: • Be a graduating high school senior.

• Be a citizen of the United States and a Texas resident.

• Completely fill out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. (www.fafsa.gov) • Plan to attend college in the state of Texas.

• Not have other financial aid (total) exceeding $75,000.

• Submit a full application by the deadline.

With multiple scholarship programs available, parents and students should visit the Show’s website, www.rodeohouston.com, to review the complete list of requirements for each program.

“Again, don’t wait until you’re trying to apply to colleges and getting ready for graduation to start filling out the FAFSA form, writing essays, and the multiple things everyone has to do to apply for any scholarship,” Wagner said.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation.

Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $265 million to the youth of Texas. The 2012 Show runs Feb. 28 through March 18. For tickets and more information, visit www.rodeohouston.com.

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Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Educational Program • Educational program is the lifeline of the Show’s goals — benefiting youth, supporting education and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation.

• Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $265 million to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, the Rodeo Institute for Teacher Excellence™, School Art participants, and other educational and youth programs.

• Scholarship program began in 1957, with a $2,000 scholarship • 2011 Educational Commitment exceeds $12 million • Currently, more than 2,000 students are on Show scholarships, attending more than 100 different Texas colleges and universities. The value of these scholarships is approximately $30 million.

• All recipients must demonstrate academic potential, citizenship/leadership and financial need, and they must attend a Texas college or university. With the exception of special scholarships labeled as such, all students may major in any field of study.

• The Show annually awards the following scholarships (563): o Metropolitan Scholarship (221) - The Show presents these $16,000 scholarships to Houston-area students from public school districts in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.

- 2011 commitment – more than $3.5 million o Opportunity Scholarship (106) - The Show presents these $16,000 scholarships to Houston-area students from participating public school districts in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties based on financial need, academics, leadership and community involvement.

- Created in 1998, the Show’s current annual commitment to this program is more than $1.6 million. o 4-H (70), FFA (70) and FCCLA (10) Scholarships - These $16,000 scholarships are awarded to 70 Texas 4-H members, 70 Texas FFA members and 10 FCCLA members annually.

- 2011 commitment – more than $2.4 million o Area Go Texan Scholarships (70) - Each of the 60 Area Go Texan counties is guaranteed a $16,000 scholarship for an eligible student from their respective areas.

- An additional 10 awards is given at large to students within the 60 counties represented in the Area Go Texan Scholarship Program - 2011 commitment – more than $1.1 million o School Art Scholarship (15) - Recipients of School Art Scholar-

ships qualify through their participation in the School Art Program, but are selected on academics, leadership and financial need.

- Fifteen four-year, $16,000 college scholarships are presented - 2011 commitment – $240,000 • Additional Support: o Graduate Assistantships - The Show provides graduate assistantships to graduate students pursuing master’s degrees at the following Texas universities: • Angelo State University • Sam Houston State University • Stephen F. Austin State University • Sul Ross State University • Tarleton State University • Texas A&M University • Texas A&M University – Commerce • Texas A&M University – Kingsville • Texas State University • Texas Tech University • West Texas A&M University o Other Education Opportunities - scholarships for students pursuing doctor of veterinary medicine degrees at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine – 2011 commitment – $48,000 - scholarships for students enrolled in the Texas Christian University Ranch Management Program – 2011 commitment – $10,000 o Grants: 2011 Commitment – $735,000 - Alley Theatre - BRASS – Baylor Research Advocates for Student Scientists - Glassell School of Art - Houston Community College Public Safety Institute - Houston Grand Opera - Houston Symphony - Management Leadership for Tomorrow - Texas A&M University Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Veterans - Texas A&M University Howard Hesby Atrium Project - Texas Aerospace Scholars - Texas Wildlife Association Foundation - Theatre Under The Stars - The University of Texas for Excellence in Teacher Training o Educational Programs – 2011 Commitment – $234,100 - FCCLA Leadership Training - Prairie View A&M Leadership Lab - State 4-H Congress - State 4-H Leadership Conference - State 4-H Record Book - State FFA CDE Winners - State FFA Leadership Awards - State FFA Leadership School - Texas A&M University Beef Cattle Short Course - Townsend Leadership Fellows Program - Western Art Academy Workshop

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26. September - October 15, 2011

Finding Y.O.U.

By Dr. D. L. Jones, Contributing Writer In a world that demands instant gratification and instant results, it can be difficult staying on top of Y.O.U. In a world of quick money and quick fixes can lead to mediocrity, and with such an attitude of instant gratification and overnight success, many chase fleeting fame and fortune and lose out on finding Y.O.U. However, you can always be the

exception to the rule: you can still live a wonderful and prosperous life, and at the same time allowing others to see that being the best Y.O.U. is where it all begins.

When I was growing up, being the best Y.O.U. meant doing well in school, getting A’s every semester, getting into a great college, and then getting a great job and living off the interest on the money that you invested. However, I found out through life’s experiences that this measure of success many times neglect the fact that there is no happiness without a true knowledge of Y.O.U. As you might well know, there are many miserable rich people who are not happy with their riches, their toys and even their very own lives. I’ve met people who have a lot of money to spend, and I’ve met people who live with just enough to get by, but are very happy with their lives.

Keep this in mind as you try to find out how to be the best Y.O.U.:

there is no use running after someone else’s dreams or envying someone’s fame or fortune.

Trying to be someone other the Y.O.U. is like jumping from the Empire State Building trying to fly like a bird. We are not designed to fly like a bird, and your DNA is not replicated to any other person in the world. The only Y.O.U. is Y.O.U.!

The key is that you should be happy first, because no one else

around you can make you happy, and you certainly cannot make anyone happy; happiness is when you discover Y.O.U. This means that you will have to find your gift, your purpose, and what I call your “WHO-ness” and “Whatness” in life. Your very own well paying job cannot make you happy. So stop seeking after a career that will pay well and sustain happiness. Search God’s Word to discover the purpose and plan for Y.O.U. Trust me, all else will fall in place and your happiness will be the by-product of the discovery of Y.O.U. However, you also have to remember that when you find Y.O.U., you’ll quickly find out that life is not all about Y.O.U.!

It’s not about doing what you want to do. Staying on top of Y.O.U. is more about pouring into other people’s lives and blessing them with the gifts, talents, and resources that God has given entrusted to Y.O.U. It has been said that money isn’t everything, but guess what – money is just as spiritual as fasting and praying; it can add to your happiness and be a blessing to others if you use it in alignment with God’s given purpose for Y.O.U. The reason that many people are unhappy with their careers is that they are working for the money, but they have no idea of their Y.O.U. Instead of working for the money, work on your purpose and passion and money

will follow.

Finding and staying on top of Y.O.U. is the balancer to your life.

When a person is clueless of his/her “who-ness” and “what’ness,” they have a tendency to go to extremes in their spending and consumption.

Many people will become spiritual and align happiness with going to church. Let me tell you something, you can go to church every day of the week and lose yourself in spirituality and at the same time, lose touch with reality. Others who haven’t discovered their “who-ness” will engulf themselves in a hobby; they will take up a hobby and become so immersed with it that they literally lose out on family and friends. Finding Y.O.U. and staying on top of this great treasure will help you balance life and all it has to offer.

Truly, I hope that you take the journey of find Y.O.U. and staying on top of who God purposed you to be. Once you discover the greatest gift of knowing Y.O.U., your journey on this side of heaven will grow sweeter and sweeter as the days go by.

Life is tough and the world can be ugly at times, but the most important commodity you have is Y.O.U! Love Y.O.U., improve Y.O.U., and make sure that Y.O.U. is working at full capacity. This way, your journey to being your best will truly lead to a happier Y.O.U.

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28. September - October 15, 2011

Stay On Top of Your Game: Navigating Our Ever-evolving Economy

By Noel Pinnock, B.S., M.P.A., C.A., CCC, Contributing Writer Yogi Berra was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 and is considered by many to be the greatest Major League Baseball catcher ever. He was a 15x All-Star, 13x World Series winner, and 3x American League MVP. He also went to the World Series as a manager with the Yankees and with the New York Mets, winning with the 1969 “Miracle Mets.” But, to many, Berra is most infamous for his colorful quotes, known as Yogiisms. One of his Yogissms directly applies to the theme of this month’s D-mars Business

Journal, “Being on Top of Your Game.”

Yogi once said, “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore!”

I know you that you can definitely relate and attest to the notion that we are living in tight economic times and it behoove businesses as well as individuals to explore more creative and strategic ways to utilize resources effectively and efficiently. In Dmars 41st Business Journal Edition, I wrote: “The difference between a viable and unviable business is equivalent to the difference between doing right things and doing things right. Although it is of high importance to do right things, it is just as critical to ensure you doing things right.”

Well, doing right things is the three-word definition of effective and doing things right is the three-word definition of efficient. If you want to maintain a competitive edge or a prominent presence in your industry, then you will have to examine and re-examine the way your organization/company leverages the scarce resources accentuated below: • Man/Woman Power • Materials

• Methods • Machines • Money The scarcity of resources should be the major reason why we should continue simplify, economize, and clarify under all circumstances. I am a firm believer in the awesome power of prayer and synergy because we will never have all the wealth in the world. If these scarce resources were unlimited, then we could continue to throw them at problems in our personal lives and/or professional organizations and all the problems that perplex us can be solved but unfortunately, that is not the case. According to CommonDreams.Org: “According to a new study released by the Helsinki-based World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University, the richest 2% of adults in the world own more than half the world’s wealth…‘This is a reminder that most people do not live the way middle class Americans live,’ David Rauchman of the Washington, DC-based Center for Global Development.”

Given this reality, economic development is extremely important; however, economic growth does NOT guarantee an improvement in the quality of life although it suggests that the potential for improvement exists.

Companies and individuals alike must do what is required to best leverage the resources we are given and capitalize on the creativity of yester-year to navigate the uncertainties of our economy. We can tighten belts, consolidate the workforce, downsize, right size, or whatever but until we expand our markets, diversify our revenue streams, or tap into new ideals to promote wealth then our fight to enhance our finances will continue to be a perplexing vortex that is heavily contingent upon the forces that are causing the spin.

All Businesses Need Insurance

By Brandon J. Herndon State Farm® Agent

The dream of owning a business becomes a reality for thousands of people each year. For many of these would-be captains of industry, that means starting the operation on a small scale.

However, your enterprise may be in jeopardy if you don’t have

business insurance.

You need business insurance because most beginning entrepreneurs don’t have the financial resources to handle adversity if it should come. Adversity can happen in many ways: fire can destroy your inventory, a power outage could cause your goods to spoil or a customer could be injured accidentally while visiting your location.

Business insurance can protect you from these hazards and others by providing many or all of the coverage listed below: • Accidental direct physical loss coverage for business personal property • Broader off-premises property coverage

• Loss of income coverage • Extra expense coverage This list above is just a sample of what’s available. You should contact your State Farm agent to see what coverages are right for your business.

Many entrepreneurs start their businesses on shoestring budgets and try to cut corners by keeping expenses at a minimum.

But when you consider what you get, business insurance becomes a tool you can’t afford to work without it

Why Facebook is Worth the Trouble

By Kai Dupe’, Contributing Writer

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ecently I have received “Friend Requests” on Facebook from many of my high school classmates. Only two came from my Black classmates. Why is that? Now to be sure, the percentage of Black students in my high school class was not very high, but there were certainly more than two.

Where are my black classmates on Facebook? Do they not care to connect with their classmates? Or is this yet another example of Black folks not participating in the digital society? If it is the latter, we should be concerned. Renowned mathematics educator Robert Moses asserted in 2002, “that the knowledge gap in math, science, and technology could turn students of color into the designated serfs of the information age.”

I do not know about you but I am not interested in being a designated serf. Furthermore, I am not interested in my children being designated serfs. Are there still brothers and sisters—young and old—, who are not aware of Facebook, who are not aware of what it is and how it can be used? According to the site, there are more than 700 million active users; 50 percent of these active users log onto Facebook in any given day; an average user has 130 friends; people spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook. These numbers make marketers swoon. Facebook marketing is here and it is here to stay.

Black-owned businesses certainly need to understand the importance of social media marketing in general and Facebook marketing in particular. Small

businesses in the community can utilize Facebook to have a twoway conversation with their customers and individuals can use Facebook to promote and market their brand.

Each and every day I meet a Black business owner who is not using Facebook and my jaw drops. Most of them feel that it is more trouble than it is worth.

I was told by a savvy marketer recently that these business owners need to be informed of the value proposition of Facebook. The value proposition is, you can grow your business. By using Facebook you can serve your customers better thus creating more opportunities to serve more customers, and you can do all of this for free!

There is a reason companies like Honda, Dell, and Microsoft are on Facebook. Take a closer look at the next commercial you observe and notice whether or not you see a reference to that company’s Facebook page. If it is effective for Honda, it can be effective for your business. Do you remember after the election of President Obama or the number of times it was mentioned how successful his campaign was at utilizing social media?

By using Facebook and other social media, President Obama changed the game in terms of how future presidents go about being elected. For more information about social networking and how you can use it, check out this book by Eric Hamilton, “Social Media Branding in the age of Obama”.

Kai Dupé is a writer, speaker and thought-leader specializing in the intersection of education with technology and an advocate of technology adoption in communities of color. You can follow him @kaidupe.

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