d-mars.com Business Journal 58 by d-mars.com

Business Journal feb. - Mar. 25 2012

58TH Edition

Inspire, Inform & Educate

Proud to Be...Prospering in 2012

INSIDE

Proud to Be a Student of Success By Noel Pinnock Success is in the journey, the continual process. Success is not something but somewhere.

PAGE 10

Delaying Communication On Critical Issues And Behaviors… By Skip Weisman

Judge Hazel Jones 338th Criminal District Court

Judge Maria Jackson 339th State District Court

May Walker Harris County Constable Precinct 7

Judge Al Bennett 61st Civil District Court

Virginia Wall Lucey’s Home of Love and Hope

Yolanda G. Dawson Encore CPR

One of The 7 Deadliest Sins of Leadership and Workplace Communications is what I call a “Lack of Immediacy.” PAGE 25

Kids and Money By Lonnie R. Mathews It is never too early to teach kids about money. PAGE 33

Ron Reynolds, BROWN, BROWN & REYNOLDS, P.L.L.C. ATTORNEY AT LAW “Much effort, much prosperity.” - Euripides

Say It Loud, I’m Black, I’m Proud and I Vote By J Thomas Smith I will never forget that as a result of what others have done, my journey has been made much lighter. PAGE 38

Right to Left: Darryl King, Larry Marshal, Ray Carrington with granddaughter, Kevin Hoffman and Dr. Chris Pichon

BTFriendly & Kelvin Spencer Be Trucker Friendly

Kay Davis Associates “The Manifested Vision of Dannette Davis”

See pg. 6-7

February - March 25, 2012

Behind The

Journal

Publisher’s Message

Keith J. Davis, Sr.

SR. PUBLISHER Keith J. Davis, Sr. VICE PRESIDENT Kevin Davis EDITING CONSULTANT Sharon Jenkins OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Johnny Ray Davis, Jr. 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 MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Ghuzzala Malik (Faith) Ferland Antwine DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Pamela Greenwood Eronn A. Putman Hannah Samuel Cynthia Nevels Noel Pinnock Sharon C. Jenkins Yolanda Dawson Kendall Thompson Charles Swindell Kevin Jeffers Skip Weisman Alvin E. Terry Dr. Wendy Carla Lane Lonnie R. Mathews Julie Johnson Dr. Zeb Poindexter III J Thomas Smith Dr. D. L. Jones

This month’s theme, “Proud to Be …” is a term that is synonymous with progress. As an African American male, I am proud to have experienced the success promised me by virtue of my citizenship. I am American born and Texas “breed” which makes me an authentic citizen of the U.S.A. Although I am proud to be both, I am more excited about the sweat equity of those who came before me who paid the price for me to have the opportunity to be successful. I dedicate this issue to them. 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 I Am Proud to Represent Fort Bend County……………………………………………............ 5 Kay Davis Associates, “The Manifested Vision of Dannette Davis”..……............................. 7 Judge Maria T. Jackson Recently Name “Best Criminal Court Judge of 2011”.…............. 8 Constable May Walker, A Trailblazer in Law Enforcement………………………................... 8 Judge Hazel B. Jones..........................................…………………………………………....... 9 Judge Al Bennet................................................................................................................... 9 Tips to Minimize Your Personal Risk……………………………………………………............. 10 Proud to Be a Student of Success........................………………………………………......... 10 Success: Because It Is All About You!.................................................................................. 13 Are You Spreading The ‘Doubt Virus’?.....……………………………………………............... 13 Emergency Care Training: Are you confident in emergency preparedness?…..................... 15 Lucey’s Home of Love and Hope…………………………………………………………........... 17 From Product Idea to Marketplace………………………………………………....................... 19 MetLife Study: Tax Deductions for Your Home Office………................................................ 20 Ways to Efficiently Improve Your Credit Ranking…………………........................................ 20 So...Why NOT You?....................................................…………………................................. 21 Proud to Be! A Confident Business Woman……………………………………....................... 21 Barbara “BJ” Brown From Behind the Camera to Greatness……....................................... 23 Delaying Communication On Critical Issues And Behaviors……........................................ 25 Proud To Be, Me…………………………………………………………………......................... 28 Be Trucker Friendly!............................................................................................................ 31 Sisterhood: An Often Forgotten Blessing…………………………......................................... 31 Kids and Money: 5 Tips for Raising Money Smart Kids……………..................................... 33 Proud To Be Poindexter Dental………………………………………....................................... 36 Tips for Keeping Your Business at the Front of the Pack……….......................................... 36 I’m So Proud!.................................................................…..……………............................... 36 Say It Loud, I’m Black, I’m Proud and I Vote………………………….................................... 38 Marina Coryat Added to Moroch Partner’s Houston McDonald’s Team…............................ 40

MR. D-MARS Tip of the Month “Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence.” - Colin Powell

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February - March 25, 2012

on Reynolds, is State Representative for Fort Bend County’s House District 27. He is the first African American elected as State Representative in Fort Bend County since Reconstruction. Ron represents parts of Houston, Missouri City, Sugar Land, Stafford, Fresno, Arcola, Richmond and Rosenberg. He is a product of Fort Bend County public schools. He went on to attend Texas Southern University and received a B.S. degree in Public Affairs, “magna cum laude”. Ron received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech Univ. School of Law. Ron currently serves on the House Environmental Regulation and the House Economic Development & Small Business Committees. Speaker Straus appointed him to serve on the Energy Committee of the National Conference of State Legislators. These are very powerful committee assignments. Ron’s top legislative priorities have been serving the residents and business owners in Fort Bend County by advocating for highquality education, affordable healthcare and economic empowerment for our community. “I am running for re-election to continue my fight for adequate funding for public education, affordable healthcare and economic empowerment for small business owners,” Reynolds said. The core of his legislative agenda this past session dealt with advocating for public education and improving the opportunities for small business owners and the Texas economy. He was a strong advocate for teachers, students,

seniors and women/minority business owners. Reynolds is a successful small business owner and partner in Brown, Brown & Reynolds law firm. Despite being a freshman legislator in the minority party, Reynolds was able to work across the aisle and have six of his bills signed into law. Reynolds was voted as “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by his colleagues. The National Association of Minority Contractors named him “Public Servant of the Year.” Also, Fort Bend Business Journal named him a “Rising Star in Fort Bend County.”

I’m a proud Democrat. However, I believe in working across party lines to achieve good public policy. I have an excellent working relationship with both Democrats and Republicans in Fort Bend County and all over the State of Texas. I believe that most Americans are sick and tired of all the negative partisan bickering that takes place in politics. There are extremes on both sides of the political spectrum. Ron is an Attorney/ Mediator and the managing partner in Brown, Brown & Reynolds law

firm. Ron has the distinction of being one of the youngest people appointed to serve as an Associate Municipal Judge for The City of Houston. He was also an adjunct professor at Texas Southern University. He is past President of the Houston Lawyers Association. Reynolds has accolades to last a lifetime, but the Missouri City resident says his most significant accomplishment is all that he has done and continues to do to benefit the community. He is Past President of the Fort Bend NAACP. Ron spends the majority of his personal time serving the community by practicing law pro bono, being the voice of the voiceless, advocating for people who have been maltreated, and building a coalition of consciousness for human rights. Reynolds has been very active in Houston and Fort Bend County. He is an active member of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the Fort Bend I.S.D. Bond Advisory Committee. He has also served on numerous non-profit organizations in Fort Bend County. Reynolds, a product of Fort Bend public schools, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Public Affairs degree from Texas Southern University (TSU), and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. A former TSU Adjunct Public Affairs Professor, Reynolds was one of the youngest persons to be appointed as an Associate Municipal Judge in the City of Houston by Mayor Lee P. Brown in 2002. He is currently a Partner in Brown, Brown & Reynolds Law Firm. He also served as Past President of the Missouri City and Vicinity Branch of the NAACP

and is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of Houston, and Past President of the Houston Lawyers Association, to name a few. Ron has received numerous achievement awards for his legal and legislative work. Recently he was voted “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by the House Democratic Caucus. The National Association of Minority Contractors voted him as “Public Servant of the Year” and “Rising Star” by the Fort Bend Business Journal. Ron was voted “Best Attorney in Houston” by H Texas magazine. Some other awards include: Houston’s Top 40 Leaders under 40, Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce “Business Pinnacle Award”, NAACP Drum Major for Justice Award, EEOC Civil Rights AllStar Award, American Red Cross Humanitarian Award, Missouri City Juneteenth Community Service Award and YMCA Minority Achievers Award. Ron believes that “to whom much is given, much is required.” Above all his accomplishments, Ron is most proud and grateful for his wife, Dr. Jonita Reynolds and his children, Lacey, Ronald III and Reagan Reynolds. Ron is active in his church at Brookhollow Baptist Church. Questions for Ron Reynolds ?: Ron what do you do for a living? A: I’m an Attorney/Mediator. I’m a partner in the Brown, Brown & Reynolds law firm. I’m also a former Associate Municipal Judge for the City of Houston. I’m a former Adjunct Professor at Texas Southern University. ?: What type of law do you practice? A: I’m a personal injury trial attorney. I handle auto accidents and wrongful death cases. ?: I understand that you have recently been named “Houston’s Top Lawyer” by H Texas Magazine. A: yes, I’m truly blessed and proud to have been voted by my peers as “Houston’s Top Personal Injury Lawyer” by H Texas Magazine. ?: What other awards have your received? A: I received the Pinnacle business achievement award, EEOC Civil Rights All-Star Award, MLK Drum Major for Justice Award, NAACP ALEX Award for Legal Excellence, American Red Cross Humanitarian Award, Who’s Who in Law, Houston’s 40 under 40 Award, TSU Outstanding Alumni Award and too many others to name. ?: Why do you feel you stand out and rose above all the other attorneys in Houston? A: Although I am infinitely grate-

ful for the honor of being named “Houston’s Top Attorney”, I humbly acknowledge that receiving this award has more to do with a POWER higher than myself and other than myself. Commensurate with that is the belief, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Much has indeed been given to me, and as a result, I have devoted my life to being deeply rooted, ever-growing, and forever serving. Reaching the apex of success as defined by the Houston community is an accomplishment that I shall forever cherish. Know, however, that as a perpetual servant of the public, my work has just begun. ?: Why do you remain committed to serving the community? A: Gandhi’s profound words inspire me, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” Those who know me know that I embody an inherent fervor for helping others, especially those less fortunate than I. Therefore, as long as I have breath, I vow to give of my time, talents, and treasures to heal the hurts of humanity. Because of personal challenges in my life, I recognize that I did not achieve what others are defining as the pinnacle of success all by myself. Thus, it is incumbent upon me to use the talents that God has blessed me with to help my community. ?: What motivational words would you provide to people hoping to follow in your footsteps? A: If excellent is possible, then good is not enough. I encourage all who aspire to reach the pinnacle of life, to always LEAD: Live a Godly life; Educate to elevate your minds; Aim high; and Determine to succeed. Each of you is genetically coded for genius, therefore, you must personify the CASH (competence, attitude, skills, and habits) that will propel you into your purpose. Trust me, when you remain steadfastly committed to your purpose, walking confidently knowing who you are and whose you are, you will collide with destiny! ?: What is your business philosophy/motto? A: As a servant-leader, I embrace the business philosophy that excellent is not the goal, it is the standard. In every personal and professional pursuit, I mark my work with excellence, and when called, I answer. It is because I walk the talk, daily, I can fervently say that there are no circumstances around me morepowerful than the power within me. Each day, I plan purposefully, prepare prayerfully, proceed positively, and pursue persistently. Once I’ve done all that I can to leverage my resources in order to organize, strategize, mobilize, and politicize, I am reassured knowing that there is a Higher Power that will do what I can’t.

February - March 25, 2012

Kay Davis Associates, “The Manifested Vision of Dannette Davis” By Sharon C. Jenkins, Contributing Writer

ay Davis Associates, referred to as KDA, was formed in 2000 to provide quality project and move management, while incorporating a planning services /sales group; which creates a dual thrust in facility planning, management and implementation. With over 30 years combined experience, KDA‘s staff offers services where the primary thrust includes project development and management. This includes transition management and logistics, if required. For the Owner, we relieve the stress of coordinating every effort from the review of construction plans for furniture, electrical and telephone to the preparation of the RFP and recommendation for movers. Dannette Davis has served as Principal for Kay Davis Associates for eleven years where she oversees her company’s day to day operations which include the management of her full time staff as well as outsourced construction project management, space planning, move management and Contract FF&E. She applauds her team for their consistent delivery of premium quality service, which is one of the key components of Kay Davis’ success. She has over twenty seven years experience in the construction industry specializing in facility planning, space planning and project management. Currently, Kay Davis is working on several projects with clients of long standing relationships. The Houston Dynamo Stadium is a current project where KDA serves as FFE Consultants and General Purchasers of Furniture and Equipment.

Texas A&M ETED AND NCTM projects were completed and ongoing respectively and work included specifications, design and installation of FFE. With WHR Architects, the firm served as FFE Consultant for the Texas A & M Galveston Science Facility. Another Client for KDALLC is HISD where they completed work as space planning consultants merging several executive offices from multiple sites into a single location. Both projects include FFE space planning, layout, specifications, and budgets at each phase, oversight of installation and move management after the project is complete. This project for WHR was completed in Summer July 2010. The firm is also currently working as FFE,

Plans are complete and included in the permitted Architectural Sets for HCC. HCC’s New Buildings at Hayes Rd, Northline, West Loop, Missouri City, Stafford, NE Science and Tech, Central, NE Hub Campus and SE Campuses are complete with new furniture and have moved into their facilities successfully led by the Kay Davis Team within the last five years. Kay Davis Associates were Sub Consultant Project Managers with Heery Intl., on the HISD Bond projects in the previous Bond Election. This project spanned over a three year time frame. Dannette led the KDA team for Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority move to the new Administrative Facility. This was a fourteen story facility. She also led the team for Move Management with Gilbane Builders after flood damage of the Harris County Criminal Courts facility. Employed much of her career with Texas Southern University’s design and construction department, she steadily advanced from Project Administrator to Project Manager, Assistant Director

Move Management and Facilities Inventory Consultants for the bond projects at HCC. Partnering with the System Architect, IDG, the responsibilities include the interior space planning and layout design of all furniture as well as selection of all FFE and oversight of installation, Move Management Planning and oversight as well as implementation of the a new inventory system. Fourteen Building Sets of

for Construction Administration and Director for Facilities Support Services. She managed the in-house construction management group for four years. As owner representative, she gained expertise in all phases of planning, design, construction and occupancy, including those aspects unique to owners such as telecommunications, furniture, equipment, and security and specialty systems.

Typical responsibilities included budget and scope development, scheduling, programming and design coordination, hiring and oversight of consultants and contractors, construction inspection, and coordination of work with client end-users throughout all phases of projects. Special experience includes developing standard design specifications for the university which included two campus-wide facilities audits, and extensive asbestos and ADA projects. Dannette finds the construction business to be very satisfying. Her association with the industry at TSU made it a natural fit when she decided to go solo in 2000. There was a deficit in the industry for small businesses that provided move management consulting. Her previous

exposure to the public sector equipped her to understand and appreciate the dynamics associated with that environment. Kay Davis specializes in providing their clients with cost effective measures couched in the best practices that Dannette learned as a project manager. Her strategy for surviving in a tough economy was genius. While everyone else was going after corporations, she went with what she knew, public entities such as schools, public buildings, and governmental entities. Public entities tightened their budgets and Dannette had cost effective measures

to share with them to eliminate unnecessary costs. For example, when the economy dictated that companies close, Dannette directed her clients to purchase the furniture they were selling to furnish their projects. Her recommendations to other small business owners

on staying afloat in today’s economy are: • Try to be more responsive to your clients’ needs • Be as efficient as possible • Never make excuses • Offer above and beyond what your client asks • Meet every schedule requirement • Make budget • Minimize mistakes and • Respond promptly to clients. • Keep a competent CPA Dannette received a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from Texas Southern University and has completed Master’s work in Construction Management from the University of Houston. She is a certified facility manager and a professional member of the International Facility Management Association. She is presently serving on the Board of Directors for the Houston Citizen Chamber of Commerce where she co-chaired the popular Pinnacle Awards for three (3) years. She also serves on the Board for Angelle’s Project and is an active member of the Minority Business Council and IFMA.

February - March 25, 2012

Judge Maria T. Jackson Recently Named “Best Criminal Court Judge of 2011” Judge Maria T. Jackson has been the presiding Judge of the 339th State District Court in Houston, Harris County, Texas since 2008. Judge Jackson presides over the trials of felony offenses which run the gamut from low level drug offenses to capital murder. Judge Jackson was chosen as one of twenty-four judges from across the country to represent Texas to attend the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI). The NCFI is partnership between the United States Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, the Alabama District Attorney’s Association and the National Judicial College. Judge Jackson was named “Best Criminal Court Judge of 2011” by the Houston Press, making her the first AfricanAmerican in Harris County to be so honored. Prior to winning election to the district bench, Judge Jackson was appointed to

the Municipal Courts of the City of Houston in 2003. Judge Jackson served as a trainer and instructor for the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center. Judge Jackson has also been recognized in the Mayor’s Spotlight, making her the first judge to be acknowledged in the City of Houston’s employee paper.

Professional Activities and Memberships Judge Jackson serves on the Board of District Judges’ Administration of Justice and the Legislative Committee. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Texas State Bar College, a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, American Bar Association, Houston Lawyers Association, and the Houston Bar Association, where she co-chairs on the Speakers Bureau Committee. She serves as a volunteer, mentor and a role model for at-risk youth students. She has

served as a trainer and instructor for the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center. Judge Jackson served on the Board of Directors for Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. Her involvement in the community includes being a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where she serves on the Lamb & Goat Committee. She is also an active member of the Houston Chapter of Links Incorporated, where she served as Chairman on the Services to Youth program, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a sustaining member of the Harris County Democratic Party. In addition, Judge Jackson is a member of Windsor Village Methodist Church.

Education Judge Jackson earned a B.A. in Political Science in 1987 from the University of Texas at Arlington (with honors) and a

Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1998 from Texas Wesleyan University

Constable May Walker, A Trailblazer in Law Enforcement as the First Female Ever to be Elected as a Harris County Constable By Pamela Greenwood, Contributing Writer

May Walker was sworn-in January 2, 2005, as the first female ever to be elected as Harris County Constable. She credits a large part of her success to the belief that “in order to be an effective leader one must possess the ability to listen, instruct, and communicate.” Currently, serv-

ing a second term and soon up for re-election, she continues to open doors for others through her guidance and courage. Harris County Precinct 7 is spread out over 94.57 miles with an estimated population of over 400,000 residents. It is home to three (3) major universities, the Texas Medical Center, a Metropolitan Transit Center, numerous shopping malls, new high-tech sporting arenas, and many city and county parks. “With such a large constituency, my objective is to bring fresh ideas and innovative programs to the office of Constable.” Before becoming Constable, Walker served 24-years as a law enforcement officer for the Houston Police Department (HPD). During her time with the force which started in the 1970’s, she realized that she had the unique

opportunity not only to make a difference in the field of law enforcement but also positively impact the lives of others, especially children and senior citizens. “After years of working as a patrol officer, I decided that I wanted to do more for people in the community so when a position in the Community Service Division of HPD became available I applied and enthusiastically accepted it when I found out it was mine for the taking.” It became Walker’s goal to develop programs and work within organizations that focused on community outreach. Some of her most valued accomplishments were achieved as a Board Member of the Houston Area Women’s Center, Co-founder of Adopt A Black Child, and Coordinator of Explorers, a division of the Boy Scouts. The same spirit of altru-

ism is carried out in her position as Constable of Harris County Precinct 7 with the implementation of the Precinct 7 Crime Victims Assistance Program, the Precinct 7 Scholarship Program, the development of an Anti Bullying booklet for children and teens, the Senior Inspection Program, and the Senior Citizen Hotline. May Walker used the phrase “Walking Tall with Walker” as a campaign slogan, however; it truly describes the position she has taken in life by overcoming and not allowing obstacles and roadblocks to adversely affect her career path or wreak havoc on her personal life as a single parent. “Sometimes life throws us curved balls but you can’t let that stop you from fulfilling your dreams especially when you are doing what’s right.” Not willing to give up on her dreams led Walker to write a book

School of Law. She is also a certified mediator. detailing the history of African Americans in Law Enforcement. Constable Walker’s book “The History of the Black Police Officer in the Houston Police Department 1888-1988” is cataloged in Houston Public Libraries, Houston Independent School District libraries, and the Library of Congress. Some of Walker’s other distinctions include: graduate of Texas Southern University, graduate of Sam Houston State University Law Enforcement Management, former Executive Assistant to Mayor Lee P. Brown, former President of African American Police Officers Association. As Constable, May Walker has grown to understand in order to be successful one must not only think outside the box but also stay four steps ahead of everyone else. She has done so as Precinct 7 Constable by successfully adding programs that promote public safety like the Precinct 7 Sex Offenders Unit, the Precinct Terrorism Unit, and the Precinct 7 Street Gang Unit. Through partnerships with community members and other law enforcement agencies and through the implementation and development of new crime prevention programs, Walker holds firm to her commitment of “having the audacity to grow and change with the times.”

February - March 25, 2012

Judge Hazel B. Jones

Judge Hazel B. Jones is proud to have been born and reared in Houston, Texas. Judge Jones developed a sense of commitment to the Houston community by witnessing the examples of her parents, the late Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Larnita Jones, who each served as educators and administrators in North Forest ISD and Houston ISD, respectively, for more than thirty years. Judge Hazel Jones owes a portion of her educational success to the foundation she received at Mary Brantly Smiley High School in North Forest Independent School District, where she was voted “Miss Smiley” and gradu-

ated Magna Cum Laude in 1984. Judge Jones received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a Texas Achievement Award Scholar and became a lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority. After graduation, Judge Jones worked as a research assistant in the Hematology/Leukemia division of the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; she prepared drug study experiments with cancer cells; she performed DNA extraction for amplification in polymerase chain reactions and isolation in gel electrophoresis. While

Judge Jones found her work in cancer research extremely rewarding, she heeded a personal calling to pursue a career in law. While attending Howard University Law School, in Washington, D.C., Judge Jones worked at the Howard Law Criminal Justice Clinic, defending citizens charged with misdemeanors and representing prisoners in disciplinary hearings. During her summers as a law student, Judge Jones was fortunate to have had the opportunity to hone her legal skills by interning in the 151st Civil District Court, Harris County, TX with the Honorable Judge Carolyn Clause Garcia

presiding, and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas with the Honorable Judge Vanessa Gilmore presiding. In addition, Judge Jones interned in the office of Attorney Wendy A. Cartwright, a solo practitioner, of Bowie, Maryland. Judge Jones received a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Howard University Law School in 1996 and returned to Houston where she studied for and passed the Texas Bar Examination in that same year. Judge Jones is a licensed attorney; she has been admitted to practice law in the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas; and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Judge Jones has been an active member of Houston’s legal community since 1996 when she first started her legal career; she served the Harris County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney from 19962003 obtaining extensive trial experience handling misdemeanor and felony cases which included handling juvenile and family violence cases. From 2003-2005, Judge Jones worked as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas; her primary focus was to pursue the federal government initiative of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” which focused on the prosecution of armed felons and

L.L.P. As an associate at the firm for three years, Al worked on a variety of complex commercial and tort litigation matters. He then spent the next four years as a senior associate with the litigation boutique firm of Solar & Fernandes, L.L.P. again working on complex commercial and tort litigation matters. In 1998, Al became solo practitioner specializing in representing small businesses and individuals involved in complex commercial and tort litigation matters. Since 2003, Al has also taught trial simulation at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law as an Adjunct Professor. In August 2007, Al received his cer-

tification as a mediator from the A.A. White Dispute Resolution Center located at the University of Houston School of Law. Al’s community involvement is highlighted by his service as President of the Houston Lawyers Association in 1997-1998, serving as a member of the District 4A Grievance Committee from June 2002 – June 2004, serving as a board member of the East Downtown Management District from 1999 to 2006, and currently serving as president of the

felons carrying firearms during drug trafficking crimes. As a result, Judge Jones prosecuted numerous firearms cases involving convicted felons, in addition to prosecuting cases involving theft of firearms from a federal firearms licensee, and false statement to a federal firearms dealer. In 2005, Judge Jones went into private practice and worked primarily as a criminal defense attorney where she ensured that her clients were getting quality representation and that their constitutional rights were being upheld. On November 4, 2008, Judge Jones was elected judge of the 338th Criminal District Court of Harris County, Texas where she currently presides over felony cases. In her spare time, Judge Jones enjoys athletic fitness, interior design, and studying genealogy. She is also an avid dog lover, and is presently a member of South Union Church of Christ. While Judge Jones feels blessed to have obtained significant educational and career goals, her most heart felt blessing is being a mother to her daughter Lauryn and a sister to her brother, Robert B. Jones, III, a Network Engineer with NASA.

Judge Al Bennett

A fourth generation Texan, Al Bennett moved to Houston in 1983 to attend the University of

Houston. Al earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration in May 1988. While attending UH, Al served as Speaker of the Student Senate in his junior year and later as an intern in the prestigious Mickey Leland UH/TSU Congressional Internship Program in Washington, D.C. Al then went on to attend the University of Texas School of Law, graduating in May 1991. While at UT Law School, Al was elected president of the student body and permanent class president. His first job out of law school was at the international law firm of law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski,

Parkwood Drive Civic Club and as a board member of the OST/ Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority & Reinvestment Zone Number Seven. Al has been recognized by the Thurgood Marshall Legal Society for Distinguished Service (1990), and was honored with a Houston Lawyers Association Achievement Award (1998). He has been rated AV (very high to preeminent legal ability) in the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory since 2001.

10. February - March 25, 2012

Tips to Minimize Your Personal Risk By Cynthia Nevels, Contributing Writer

Owner Now is the time to evaluate the risk your small business and create and action plan to mitigate those risks in 2012. Here are four practical tips to put on the list.

Select the Right Legal Structure The first step to minimizing your risk as a small business owner is all about selecting the right legal

structure to protect your family’s assets and personal interests. How can you determine which legal structure is best? The decision should be based on your net worth, the risk your product or service presents to the end user or customer, and your exit strategy. Contact an attorney to discuss your choices or check out the Texas Secretary of State website for information on selecting the right busi-

ness structure. http://www. sos.state.tx.us/corp/businessstructure.shtml

Insurance If you are planning to open a restaurant, sale chemical products or sell services to the local, state or national government you will want to look at selecting the proper insurance. Many small businesses do not include insurance expense

Proud to Be a Student of Success rable and prosperous. To find your own definition of success you need to dig deep within yourself and question your values in life. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are

time so get at it! It will require some work to develop your success plan. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, you will not create the perfect plan or execute it without error. You will never

the things that are important to you? By answering these questions, you can then come closer to your own definition of success. Be aware that this can be a long process. You may not get the answers so quickly but it is alright. Define your measure of success, one at a

get to the point that you no longer make mistakes… that you no longer fail. But that’s okay. Failures are milestones on the success journey and represent an exercise in creativity. Each time you plan, risk, fail, reevaluate, and adjust, you have

By Noel Pinnock, B.S., M.P.A., C.A., CCC, Contributing Writer Lester Thurlow points out that “a competitive world has two possibilities for you. You can lose, or, if you want to win, you can change.” Once you develop a plan and put it into action, you’re not finished. In fact, if you want to succeed, you’re never finished. Success is in the journey, the continual process. Success is not something but somewhere. Webster’s online dictionary defines success as the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors. The key words here are favo-

when creating their startup budget or considering the risks and “what ifs” when they begin. You run the risk of losing your personal assets if you are sued for negligence, false information or faulty products. A barber can be sued for unsanitary equipment that leads to injury of a client, a restaurant can be sued if a client slips on a grease spot in the establishment, a contractor can be sued if they fail to deliver the service promised and on time. You can protect yourself by investigating the right products to fit your needs from a business owner’s policy, worker’s compensation, general liability, property, group benefits and retirement plans. The Hartford offers plans for small businesses to help insure against risks that could make or break your business.

Determine what your weaknesses are and take action to fill the knowledge gaps. A client once told me after a customized QuickBooks training to organize her financials, “I know what I know and that’s all I know, I never thought about how I was going to manage the company’s books, pay sales and use taxes, employee taxes when I started my business.” Completing an entrepreneurship course or certificate program can present new information and ideas new owners may not have considered during the startup brainstorming sessions in the beginning.

another opportunity to begin again, only better than the last time. As sixty-seven-year-old Thomas Edison said as his laboratory burned to the ground, “Thank goodness all our mistakes were burned up. Now we can start again

afresh.” God doesn’t bless us with what we greed

Educate Yourself

Hire the Right Talent Determine what type of talent or people you need to take your business to the next level. One person cannot do serve all. In 2012,

there is a large enough talent pool of willing and able people to fill in and provide skills you may not have or due to time – cannot fulfill. It is better to pay for the right help now than to pay later with missed deadlines and lost business opportunities. Look to freelancers to fill the seat using such as sites like eLance.com and oDesk.com.

Cynthia Nevels has owned and operated her small business consulting firm, CynthiaNevels.com, for 11 years. She’s an adjunct professor at Mountain View College and Richland College and developed Mountain View’s Advanced Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Certificate program. Her first career was as a technology recruiter and consultant with Siebel Systems (now Oracle) and Keane Consulting. She wrote the book Financial Bailout and is working on a second one.

but with what we need… so again…get at it!

Advertise today in D-MARS D-Mars.com Business Journal Call US TODAY!

713.272.9511

February - March 25, 2012

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12. February - March 25, 2012

February - March 25, 2012

Success: Because It Is All About You! By Eronn A. Putman, Contributing Wrtier

Have you ever wondered how the underdog ends up on top or why an individual who seems to have it all ends up at the bottom? The determining factor is one worth identifying and understanding because, that factor is you. It is no secret that the constant in your life is you; life is an uncontrollable variable. Evaluating personal success begins with you, the constant, the one who facilitates or hinders that victory. Success is an idea that we all

“Someone will always have something that you do not have.” Say it, get comfortable with it and move on—quickly. There is the old Christian adage, “What God has for me, is for me.” Accordingly, use others success as a tool to define your own goals, but be cautious of measuring your success based on someone else’s as this often stunts personal growth and dissatisfaction. strive for, bargain for and won’t hesitate to claim. But success is more than a higher tax bracket or silk business cards with your name at the top: it is about a desire to be the most perfect you. There are four illustrative points that young women should adapt to posture themselves for success:

Do not define success or appraise self-worth by another person’s accomplishments.

II.

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just a little “extra”. We all have virtues that that make us unique. By identifying your unique virtue, you can present yourself more appealingly. For example, everyone in my law school was an academically stellar student in undergrad and may have worked as a legal secretary prior to school. However,

not everyone in law school has started a non-profit organization or a charter school. While each achievement is different, they all are unique and require a skill set. Know what sets you apart, and identify how these seemingly minute traits are valuable for you to succeed.

III.

Take a chance at unlikely opportunities—the worst answer someone can give you is “no.” We have become so afraid to hear the word “no” that it has limited our abilities and caused us to doubt our confidence. Whether you are contemplating asking for a raise or applying for a business loan, remember that the worst answer someone can give you is “no.” The key is to never let that word become a conclusive factor. If you apply to 100 banks for a

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loan and 99 say “no,” do not agonize. You only need one yes.

IV.

You can succeed in spite of, by creating your own opportunities. It is evident that the past four years have been the epitome of the modern Great Depression. Life’s circumstances might prevent you from doing things you have planned, but life’s circumstances do not have to dictate who or what you will become. As you peruse the pages before and after this editorial, you will find a myriad of women who have succeeded by creating their own opportunities. Success starts with yourself; it is about you. Brief Biography: Eronn A. Putman is a third year law student at Louisiana State University. A native Houstonian, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston with a degree in political science. Prior to law school, she worked as a policy aide in the United States Congress, the Texas House of Representatives and Houston City Council. She has written for African American News and Issues, LSU Law Civilian Newsletter and was the University of Houston Fall 2008 Commencement Speaker finalist.

Are You Spreading The ‘Doubt Virus’? By Expert Author: Hannah Samuel, Contributing Writer

Far from being an old-fashioned value of dubious worth, trust has made a come-back - big time. It has become as important an asset as dollars and cents - if not more so. Without it success, and continued existence, are threatened. Recession increases doubt and doubt increases perceived risk - something that must be minimized to remain competitive. As consumers, we are more critical and cynical, than we’ve ever been. There’s also significantly more competition than there’s ever been. Engendering confidence, and building trust, have always been an important part of creating and maintaining a competitive advantage. Post global recession - it’s become essential. Recent research from Sustainable Advantage at Hayes Knight found 75 per cent of respondents no longer buy from businesses they don’t trust. More than half - 55 percent - said they had stopped buying from a business they didn’t trust in the previous six months, and 61 percent

of them then urged family and friends to do the same. On the up-side, 75 percent of those interviewed said that hearing good things about a company from family and friends influenced their purchasing behavior. People do business with people, or more specifically, people do business with people, and companies, they trust. We are at a `tipping point’ of the deadly doubt virus right now. So what can businesses do to demonstrate their continued relevance to customers, and reduce doubt about their ability to deliver? - Avoid being to different, instead be distinctive. Being different can be risky; being distinctive is valuable; - Avoid making wild claims and promises you may not be able to deliver on. Ensure all claims are viable and realistic; - Encourage people to try your service for minimal or no cost; - Whether using written or verbal communication, use words

and phrases that will reassure your customer and reduce perceived risk; - Indentify, and tap into, any `grapevines’ that may impact you and keep up-to-date with trends and concerns amongst your customer base. Clarify with your customers what fears and doubts they have; - Demonstrate you are aware of the pressures customers face and pre-empt common questions to build confidence; - Avoid fear based selling, focus instead on why purchasing from you will enhance their sense of value and security. Head off doubt about our businesses before it becomes terminal, being pre-emptive where necessary. Always act with integrity and nip in the bud areas that might encourage the `doubt virus’ to spread. About the Author: Hannah Samuel Want to know more? Download Hannah’s free report: ‘Reputation Branding Essentials’ at www. hannahsamuel.com. PLUS! opt-in

to receive ‘Reputationz - Hannah’s monthly electronic newsletter - and receive a 30 minute audio CD - ‘Reputationz Volume 1’, RRP $24.99, free of charge. Hannah is a specialist reputation advisor, professional speaker, author and founder of online performance-based service directory,

TRUSTcite. She regularly comments on issues around reputation, trust and integrity in mainstream media and on her blog www.trustbite.co.nz. Contact her by email on: info@hannahsamuel.com Article Source: http://www.articlesphere. com/Article/Are-You-Spreading-The--DoubtVirus--/224370

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14. February - March 25, 2012

February - March 25, 2012

Emergency Care Training Are you confident in emergency preparedness? By Yolanda Dawson, Contributing Writer C. Family & Friends CPR: also known as babysitter course; offers basic skills without certification at completion.

FIRST AID HEALTH

Emergencies happen every day. Not sure what to do? We will train you. ENCORE CPR & First Aid Training is a proud training site for the American Heart Association and our mission is to educate and resuscitate. I served as a proud member of the U.S. Army for the past 15 years. I now serve the Houston area by providing training on a weekly schedule to accommodate your Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) needs; we continue to expand our services for the growing demands of the Houston public and community. We offer community support through Emergency Care training available at ENCORE CPR & First Aid Training. When disasters take place, learn CPR and be a part of the solution. Our classroom is available for training small groups. We will also come to your business or office setting and train your staff. We offer group rates for 6 or more participants. CPR & First Aid is essential to sustaining life or keeping wounds free of infection. You do not have to be a nurse or healthcare provider to learn how to save lives. If you have family and friends you care for, your gift to them is a peace of mind knowing that you are trained in CPR and First Aid. Check your emergency preparedness. 1-3 PANIC -fainter 4-6 CALM – bystander 7-10 CONFIDENT – 1st responder 1. Have you taken a CPR

or First Aid Class in the last 5 years? Yes No 2. If a co-worker suffered a coffee burn on their arm, what would you advise? a. Find a stick of butter to soothe the area b. run cool water over burn area 3. Do you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit for home and auto? Yes No 4. Have you programmed into your telephone poison control, fire department and animal control phone numbers? Yes No 5. What is the significance of an automated external defibrillator? a. to shock the heart b. to detect a liar c. to analyze brain function Calculate your score. Each yes receives a score of 2, each no receives a 1, each incorrect answer receives a 0.

CPR HEALTH

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a procedure used to restore adequate blood flow throughout the body by compressing the heart and simultaneously supplying oxygen to the brain and lungs by giving 2 breaths after each set of compressions. This successful rhythmic rotation is vital to the survival of the victim, and is most beneficial when using an automated external defibrillator (AED) immediately. The AED’s primary function is shocking the heart in an effort to rea-

lign a normal heart rate stimulating a pulse underneath the skin’s surface at the carotid artery (cervical or neck region). There are varying parameters to consider when administering CPR and operating the electrically charged AED for an adult, child and infant. The adult CPR differs from the child and infant CPR, all according to the body weight and size. Let’s not assume that each person lying down is a victim of heart failure. The three things to asses that determine if CPR is needed are: 1. No response to the questions: “Are you OK? Can you hear me? 2. No breathing (after 5 seconds) 3. No pulse (after 5 seconds) There is no prerequisite for a CPR course. Anyone can sign-up for a CPR class in a matter of minutes. Although there are several CPR classes available, it is important to verify which one is best suited for your needs. Follow the course descriptions below to help you determine an appropriate fit. A. Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider Course: course for Pharmacy Techs, Massage Therapists, Physical Fitness Trainers, Nursing students and any medical professional charged with the care of patients or clients in a clinical setting. 1. Certification: new to career field or expired card

2. Renewal: BLS card due for expiration soon B. Heart Saver CPR AED: course designed for corporate or general employment requirements to be fulfilled; usually an environment free of medical or clinical framework. Certification upon completion.

First Aid is the first measure of preventative control used to stabilize and eliminate the threat of infection, regression or death. First Aid encompasses a degree of emergency events such as bites, cold weather injuries, burns, breathing problems and diabetes to announce the few. First Aid kits have been assembled as a help to treat and mend an otherwise potential amputated body part. The first responder must dress infected area with brave, emotionless facial expressions and exude confidence in applying the proper technique for the emergency before

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them while wearing protective equipment required as a universal precaution OSHA. Sometimes first aid is applied, yet the victim is in a progressive stage as a result to pre-existing conditions. In these circumstances, a modified CPR may be required. Below is a list of classes offered: A. Heart Saver First Aid (certification upon completion): course offers basic address of accidents, both minor and major B. Heart Saver First Aid with CPR AED (certification upon completion): course designed for treating minor cuts, burns and any threatening circumstance C. Family & Friends First Aid for children (no certification): babysitter CPR for the new mothers with small children We also provide the following:

EMERGENCY PRODUCTS • CPR & First Aid Kits • CPR Mask Kits • Emergency Office Signs • AED Sales • Replacement CPR Cards • Student Manuals

16. February - March 25, 2012

February - March 25, 2012

17.

Lucey’s Home of Love and Hope

“Sharing Love, Hope, and Stability”

eaching out, restoring hope, releasing love, reshaping lives of children in need of adoption is the vision in the heart of Lucey’s Home of Love and Hope (LHLH) founder and CEO, Virginia Q. Wall. LHLH, a 501 C (3) nonprofit organization, estab-

lished March, 2008 in the state of Texas strives to address a growing problem impacting the lives of current and future generations of children. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in its 2011 filings reported that there are over 6,000 abandoned and neglected children waiting to be adopted. LHLH in it grassroots effort to purchase a home to house selected children, is a faith-inspired and guided mission. Mrs. Wall says, “Through no fault of their own, children enter foster care because of abuse, neglect and or abandonment. Many move to different families more than three times while in the system and are separated from

siblings. Each year, nearly 26,000 of these youth will end up leaving the system when they turn 18 with no family to support them in the future.” A wise person once said, “A generous person will prosper, but he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed (Proverbs 11:25). Mrs. Wall and board members of LHLH believe they will be a part of the solution, not the problem. We need you, your wisdom, and your financial support in making this dream a reality for children in need. Please contact us at: LHLH (832) 429 LHLH Virginia Wall (903) 424-4729 Frederick Wall (713) 979-6702 Website: luceyhomeofloveandhope.org

Martin Luther King. Jr. Scholarship Memorial Breakfast

18. February - March 25, 2012

February - March 25, 2012

From Product Idea to Marketplace By Kendall Thompson, Contributing Writer

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or just have a great product idea, the journey from taking an idea to fruition can be one of the most difficult yet exciting experiences of your life. Most individuals in this situation have no clue on how to patent or manufacture a product, and there are several integral steps to take an idea to the marketplace. Most product ideas are born from an unmet consumer need or from enhancing an existing product. However, the first step if you’re considering creating a product is to ensure the idea doesn’t exist and hasn’t been patented. You should conduct informal market research to get an idea of existing products on the shelf. A formal patent search is the next essential step in the process. To begin, visit the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) online at uspto. gov to search the patent database;

you can enter product keywords to identify any existing product patents. You can also opt to work with a patent attorney to have a patent search performed. Doing your homework at this phase is essential to your future success and will save a lot of time and money if you have an opportunity to bring your idea to life. Once your patent search is complete, you should draft a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) prior to sharing your idea with anyone. You can find NDA templates online or hire an attorney to draft one for you. The contract will ensure that any party with whom you share confidential information agrees not to disclose information covered by the agreement, saving your idea from duplication or theft. You will also need to develop a product drawing, complete with specifications for size, material and other important details, to

share with your patent attorney and eventually, the manufacturer. If you’re an innate artist, you can handle the drawing yourself; alternatively, work with a friend or family member or hire a professional to craft the drawing. To ensure your creation is feasible for production, work with a prototype firm to develop essena product sample. It’s tial to conduct research to avoid the pitfalls of being scammed or even having your idea stolen. You should request at least three client references, conduct a legitimacy and complaint search through the Better Business Bureau, and check with the Secretary of State to ensure the company is legally incorporated. Once the background check is completed, have the firm sign an NDA before developing your prototype. Filing for a patent through the USPTO is the most critical step in transforming your idea

into reality. Whether you work with a patent attorney or handle the application yourself, you’ll need to determine which patent application is right for you. A provisional patent application is significantly less expensive and complicated than a non-provisional application, and it allows you to use the term “patent pending.”A provisional patent application establishes the filing date but does not start the formal review process, providing protection for 12 months from the filing date, and it expires unless you file a nonprovisional patent application within that time period. Moreover, it reserves the filing date for you and allows you to claim the original provisional filing date when you file for the non-provisional application. On the other hand, filing a non-provisional patent application immediately begins the patent review process, which can take 18 months or

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longer to complete. Filing a provisional application provides a number of benefits. It allows for more time to locate a domestic or foreign manufacturer who will work within your budget and product needs. It also offers the opportunity to improve upon product features as needed and to begin marketing the product to retailers and consumers to get a true feel for product interest and demand. A key thing to remember in bringing your product idea to the marketplace is to always do your homework- whether it’s researching your patent attorney or determining the appropriate retail buyers for your product. It only takes one original idea to become an entrepreneur, and using the countless resources available to you will only help to make that thought a reality.

As founder and creator of Kenmark Sports, LLC, Kendall Thompson is a Houston entrepreneur who recently launched the first-multi functional fitness armband on the market, the Armband Water Bottle. The product has been featured in Men’s Book Atlanta’s Winter Edition 2011, Austin Lifestyle Magazine’s “Products We Love for 2012” and KHOU-TV, Great Day Houston, “On the go gadgets.” For more information, visit www.kenmarksports.com.

20. February - March 25, 2012

MetLife Study:

office deduction involves many rules, but if you qualify, it can be well worth your time and effort.

Tax Deductions for Your Home Office

By Charles Swindell, Contributing Writer

Financial Services Representative MetLife Financial Group of Houston

rovided By Charles Swindell, Financial Services Representative MetLife Financial Group of Houston Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and those who work at home may be considering utilizing the home office deduction when they file their taxes this year. This deduction can be advantageous, but there are several requirements that must be met before you can claim it as your own. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has exacting guidelines that your business must meet in order to qualify for the home office deduction. To begin, as far as the IRS is concerned, “home” can refer to your house, apartment, condominium, boat, or even mobile home. After establishing that your “home” qualifies for the deduction, you must also meet certain tax law requirements. In order to claim a home office deduction, your business must adhere to the following: 1. Regular and Exclusive Use. According to the IRS, the part of your home that you claim for business must be used exclusively for business purposes, and on a regular basis. For example, if you, as a lawyer, do paperwork at night in your living room where the rest of the family also socializes, then you will not qualify for the deduction. However, if you have a spare bedroom that has been converted into a home office, which you use regularly and

for business purposes only, the room will most likely satisfy the requirements. If you use part of your home for business storage purposes, then you may not have to meet the “exclusive” part of this rule. You can claim business use if you fulfill all of the following: 1) Your trade or business is selling products wholesale or retail; 2) You store inventory or product samples in your home for your business; 3) Your home is the only fixed location of your business; 4) Your storage space is used for storage on a regular basis; and 5) The space you use is suitable for storage and can be identified as a separate space. For example, if you sell mechanical equipment out of your home and use half of your attic for storage, then you may satisfy these requirements. If you run a daycare business from your home, then you need not meet the “exclusive” requirement. In this case, when you file your taxes, you will have to compute the percentage of your home used for daycare, as well as the amount of time the space is available for use for this purpose. IRS Publication 587 can provide you with further information on this topic. After fulfilling the first requirement, you must also meet at least one of the following stipulations: 2. Your Principal Place of Business. If your business is 100% home-based, then you should be all set. However, if you have more than one location for your business, your home must be the only place available to you for performing the administrative and managerial aspects of the business. But those who have primary jobs and secondary businesses can still meet the requirements. For example, if you are employed as a teacher and run your own jewelry business from your home, you may still qualify. 3. Where You Meet with Customers, Clients, etc. If you regularly meet with customers, clients, or patients in an area of your house that is exclusively used for this purpose, then you may fulfill this requirement.

4. A Separate Structure. A building on your property used only for business would meet this condition. This means that if you are an artist, for example, and you convert a shed into a studio, then you would probably qualify. Once again, the rule remains that this structure cannot be used for other purposes, such as storing garden and lawn equipment. But what if you work at home on projects supplied by your employer? In order to qualify for the deduction in this scenario, your work at home must be for the convenience of your employer. This means that if your employer provides you with a place to do your work but you choose to work at home, then you do not qualify. Such an example would be considered for your convenience and not the employer’s. Also, in order to qualify for the deduction, your employer may not provide you with additional compensation, such as rent, for your home office space. Once you have determined that your home-based business meets the prerequisites you will move on to the computation aspect of the deduction. Expenses that you might deduct can include rent, utilities, deductible mortgage interest, real estate taxes, insurance, depreciation, painting, and repairs. Usually the deductible amount of these expenses is related to the percentage of floor space used by your home business. If 20% of your home is used for business, then you might be able to deduct 20% of your expenses. There are two more things that you will have to bear in mind if you claim a home office deduction. First, if you are a homeowner and sell your home, the depreciation that you claimed on your home office must generally be applied to reduce the basis of your home and be taxed. In addition, if you have made insufficient personal use of your home, you may have to pro-rate the exclusion of gain that would otherwise be available. Second, it is important to note that you cannot cause or increase a business loss by deducting amounts that have deductibility dependent on your home office. Consult a tax professional for specific guidance. The home

Pursuant to IRS Circular 230, MetLife is providing you with the following notification: The information contained in this article is not intended to (and cannot) be used by anyone to avoid IRS penalties. This article does not support the promotion and marketing of any particular product. You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Neither MetLife nor any of its affili-

ates, employees or representatives provides tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax advisor or attorney regarding your own personal situation. Copyright © 2011 Liberty Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This column appears courtesy of Charles Swindell. Charles is a Registered Representative with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and MetLife Securities, Inc. He focuses on meeting the individual insurance and financial services needs of people in Houston who are business owners. You can reach Charles at the office at 713-785-2200.

Ways to Efficiently Improve Your Credit Ranking By Kevin Jeffers, Contributing Writer

Your credit rating can help determine whether or not you are credit worthwhile. Individuals with bad credit scores ordinarily feel that it is more difficult or even unattainable to discover a loan company who would be ready to supply that loan or even a credit. Their only alternative can be payday advances, which will have huge rates of interest and small limit of cash you’ll be able to obtain a loan for. In addition to that, poor credit fico score also can affect few other things, including insurance costs for instance. Whereas people with higher than average credit ratings typically have better acceptance chances and are presented more lucrative interest rates. Think you’re strapped right now with a below average credit rating and it’s really spoiling your life? Find out how you’ll be able to resolve your problem and repair credit score all by yourself! Have you recently been declined for a new loan or a credit card? While a credit rating is just a 3 digit number, it has a significant influence on your credit worthiness. When obtaining a mortgage or credit, this simple three digit number will have a major part during financial loan approval process. Loan providers could possibly have you bring them your credit report or ask for these records themselves. Regardless that you might get approved for a financial loan or a credit with bad credit rating, it is going to more than likely have an above average monthly interest. To find out the right way to repair credit score and turn credit deserving again, you will need to learn how your credit score got decreased at all. To look into this, you will have to request a credit history from three key credit rat-

ing companies. Even though you can acquire a credit file for free, it won’t comprise all information relating to your credit history and exclusively you simply will not find your credit ranking in it, which makes it even worthless in some manner. It is best to request a credit report that will contain your credit ranking as well as a full history of credit. As soon as you will get your report, carefully read through all information you can find in it. Additionally you can request your report from all three credit scoring organizations and simply compare them to each other. Ensure that all information stated there is proper and real. On many occasions people with credit card debts and credits they have settled already can still be marked as active, because lender forgot to report it to the credit rating agencies. Such sort of common mistake can drastically decrease your credit rating. If you discover anything wrong, quickly communicate with corresponding credit scoring firm and notify them about the dilemma. Usually claims are assessed within 1 month, because these companies usually are sent a lots of claims. Finally, be sure to pay all your monthly bills promptly and in a timely manner. All your timely payments will positively reflect on your credit history. It is regarded as the easiest and most effective way of consumer credit repair. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com

About The Author:

Get easy tips on how to repair credit score instantly and maintain a favorable credit history. Also, learn various facts about consumer credit repair and how it can improve your credit report.

February - March 25, 2012

So…Why NOT You? By Noel Pinnock, B.S., M.P.A., C.A., CCC, Contributing Writer “A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.” This is a profound statement, whose author is unknown; however, the resonating message is that someone else believes in you - your knowledge, skills, and abilities. This is a powerful notion because our existence is predicated by the way we believe other people perceive us. Even the most narcissist isn’t immune to the power, influence, and phenomenon of the “others factor.” Psychologist refers to this as the self-fulfilling prophecy; whereby, our behavior is influenced by the way we believe others perceive us; hence, the popularized Pygmalion Effect: - I am not what I think I am - I am not what you think I am - BUT I am what I think YOU think I am! You can see this principle play out well in classrooms to offices across the globe in practically every industry imaginable. In a previous D-mars article, I wrote that Gerry Fusco, CEO of Gerry Fusco Consulting Group, once told me that his father would tell him that he is no better than anyone else and no one else is better than him. This gave him a neutral foundation with everyone he encountered. He was not intimidated by stature, titles, positions, education, etc. He had a general understanding that he could go anywhere and do practically anything that some

else did and possibly do it even better. He believed so because his father believed he could but it did not stop with his father’s belief, he had to believe it for himself too. We can find ourselves on a brink of a breakthrough and then doubt enters our psyche and our breakthrough looks more and more like a breakdown and we fizzle out like an extinguishing flame. So, how do you prevent the fizzle and ignite your sizzle. Well, you have to start with yourself and ask the poignant and burning question, why not me? “Why not me” is self-awareness and inflection question that is aimed at digging deep into your internal belief systems. As you know our beliefs produce our thoughts, our thoughts produce our feelings, and our feelings produce our actions. If you are not taking the action you need to take your marriage, career, business, or parenting to the next level, then I would recommend that you: 1. Conduct a belief self-assessment to determine what’s at the core of “you.” Once you, decide to believe in your imminent success or accomplishment, then… 2. Develop an action plan that will assist you along the life cycle of this venture, project, etc. but it is all too paramount that you… 3. Surround yourself around others that believe in your vision and can see the end result with clarion lenses, naysayers are not allowed here.

Remember, we innately do more when others believe we can. Let me say that again, we innately do more when we believe that others believe that we can. I can remember when I was a gymnast and was competing for the gold in a middle school gymnastic tournament at Welch Middle School way back in the ‘80s. I was nervous and the competition was fierce but I can remember my

Proud to Be!

A Confident Business Woman in a World Filled with Female Stereotypes By Dr. Wendy, Contributing Writer | www.drwendyjohnson.com

Dr. Wendy Pershing Middle School coach, Nancy Shrull, who whispered the powerful words of encouragement, “I believe you can take it all.” These words ignited a flame in my heart that solidified my belief that instigated my thought, fueled my feelings that produced the gold medal winning actions. See, it is a cycle and when you know the cycle then I recommend that you enjoy the ride. Be mindful… a lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could; therefore, I leave you with the resonating question, why not you? I believe you can…so should you!

21.

In today’s society being a confident businesswoman is not an easy task. Women must work twice as hard as they run the risk of meeting a male business colleague or potential clients that aren’t confident in her ability to do the job because of her gender. Women also deal with the following stereotypes such as: 1. Women are not mentally strong enough to handle the pressure that goes along with the job. 2. Women make “bossy” managers and are difficult to get along with. 3. Women are nurturers and are too emotional to get the job done. 4. Women are indecisive and are not good at problem solving. 5. Women make better caregivers, not business people. 6. Women are moody and their minds change with the wind. Although, the business

“glass ceiling” still exists, women in today’s business world are stronger, savvier and smarter than ever before and are able to destroy these myths. Many of the stereotypes have changed as organizations are finally recruiting women to run their business or clients are looking to do business with women owned businesses. According to, Of Broken Glass & The Past, “In general, women are seen as having more integrity than men. With the latest Enron scandals and government pressure to make sure businesses are run ethically, women are stepping up to the challenge” (pg 2). So, can an aspiring businesswoman overcome stereotypes that exist? Absolutely, however certain things must be done to “Make this Happen”! Below are several tips that can help you overcome many of the female stereotypes: • Dress for success. Depending on the industry, it is always best to stick to the traditional business colors. Care about how you look, as looking the part is half the battle and it will also help you get your foot in the door. • Be a subject matter expert. • Effectively communicate with people. • Know your industry of

•

• • • •

choice and you must be able to articulate what you know as well, using the English language. Learn to listen. Do not feel that you must be heard all of the time. Listening is an art that can take you a long way. Refrain from showing your emotions while making a decision or while you are talking to a colleague or a client. Do not carry a chip on your should – thinking that people owe you something. Learn to read financial statements. Learn boardroom etiquette. Make a decision. Learn how to play golf.

Women are doing more now in the business world than ever before and the trend will continue to surge. Success is what you make it and is doable for any one no matter your race or gender. Stereotypes will always exist. People are going to think what they want to, however it is up to YOU to prove them wrong. In order to do that, you cannot fall into the traditional female stereotype category. Intellect, business savvy, professionalism and a good attitude will take you a long way. Remember, if you believe in yourself others will believe in YOU.

22. February - March 25, 2012

February - March 25, 2012

Barbara “BJ” Brown From Behind the Camera to Greatness By Sharon C. Jenkins, Contributing Wrtier

Three years ago some friends shared the Ardyss opportunity with BJ because she was part owner of a photographer and video studio and they felt it would be a great fit for her business. They had witnessed her struggle during the off-season of her business. From April to September of each

year she was busy doing weddings, graduations and anniversaries. In the winter months those opportunities were few. So ultimately she had to come up with a Plan “B.” After participating in several multi-level marketing opportunities, she tried Ardyss. As a single mother trying to raise her two girls on her own, her paycheck would often run out before the month’s end. Her video business afforded her the opportunity to work with bridesto-be. When Barbara got into the business, she was able to bring an added benefit to her services. She was able to introduce them to Ardyss’ Body Magic. In less than ten minutes they were two sizes smaller. She said: “When I saw what I really had, it came in the form of a client in my build-

ing.” There was a doctor in her building who was getting married. She told her to try the garment on for her fitting. The doctor borrowed the garment and never returned it. Barbara had to go get her garment back. The doctor called her back a week later to invite her to her house, when Barbara arrived, she had all of her bridesmaids in attendance and they all were interested in the garment. If Kate Hudson knew about Body Magic in Brides Wars, she would have been less stressed and perhaps more focused on developing an effective battle strategy against Anne Hathaway’s plot for her to gain additional weight. BJ’s battle strategy to eliminate her excess “weight” of debt began to materialize after her involve-

ment with Ardyss. She was able to breathe again and provide her daughters with some of the things that they’d dreamed about as a result of their patience as she implemented her debt reducing strategy. She is now driving the car she dreamed of driving, living in a high-rise apartment overlooking the Medical Center and helping others to do likewise. Early in the game, she started talking to her daughter Tina about the business, but the only response she could get from her was a polite, “That’s nice, Mom.” One day Barbara opened a check with a lot of zeros behind the first number and she shared it

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with her daughter who exclaimed, “I’m ready now!” As a result Tina began to send her tax clients to her mother’s video fitting room to try on the garment and the rest is history. One of Barbara’s dreams was to give her daughter the wedding that she had only experienced behind the camera. As a result of her success with Ardyss, she was able to do that and so much more for her own blushing brideto-be when she married Alex Sanders on September 10, 2011, and they lived happily ever after, the Ardyss way.

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February - March 25, 2012

Delaying Communication On Critical Issues And Behaviors, Can Damage Your Work Environment By Skip Weisman, Contributing Wrtier

Another one of “The 7 Deadliest Sins of Leadership and Workplace Communication” is what I call a ‘Lack of Immediacy.’ This deadly workplace communication sin comes in a couple of contexts, including: • leaders failing to address issues in a timely fashion, or requests, or • inquiries are not responded to promptly • promises to follow through on agreed upon requests in an expected timeframe are missed. In your experience how often are one of the above three contexts violated in your work environment? How many times have you violated one of them? Over time, this communication style gets in the way of an organization’s productivity, erodes trust between co-workers, negatively impact customer service and over the longer term can kill overall organizational performance as leaders fail to address behavioral issues of employees. I first learned the impact this type of behavior can have in an organization’s culture more than 15 years ago when I was leading my last baseball franchise. I avoided addressing some significant employee behavior issues for far too long. So long, in fact, that another employee took the matter into her own hands and a huge conflict erupted in the middle of our office, forcing me to finally address it directly. That incident completely changed how I addressed employee behavioral and performance issues. I forever stopped

avoiding and tolerating important issues in our workplace. So, although this sin is called “Lack of Immediacy” meaning a lack of addressing or responding in a timely manner, much this sin is caused by people “avoiding issues” and “tolerating” the culture created by the non-addressed issues. I call it the “avoid and tolerate” leadership style, which I’ve written about in a post just a few weeks ago. How is a “Lack of Immediacy” communication habit in your workplace hurting its culture, and your company’s level of customer service (both internal and external)? To read more about “The 7 Deadliest Sins of Leadership & Workplace Communication” download the white paper report and the recorded tele-seminar. Skip Weisman has over 28 years of experience in leading organizations and/or operating his own successful business. Today Skip works with business leaders and leaders of not-forprofit organizations to improve personnel, productivity and profits by helping them “Create a Champion Organization.” His latest White Paper Report “The 7 Deadliest Sins of Organizational Leadership Communication” is available as a free download at “http://HowToImproveOrganizationalCommunication.com”. ©2011 Skip Weisman. All rights reserved. For information contact FrogPond at 800.704. FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond. com; http://www.FrogPond.com.

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February - March 25, 2012

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Proud To Be, Me By Alvin E. Terry, MBA, Contributing Writer

am “Proud to Be” an American. I am proud to be an African-American. I am proud to be of Mixed Heritage. I am proud to be an U. S Air Force Veteran. I am proud to be in the first generation of college graduates in our family. Bottom line, I am just proud, and so should you be. We should all be proud of the past events that have brought us to this point in history. As you read this article remember the sacrifices made from all races that have contributed along the way to our success, most impor-

tantly our forefathers. I have traced my lineage back to the late 1800’s and counting. What about you? Do you know where your forefathers came from besides Africa? As we all know, this subject is very wide and very deep. My objective is to give you my spin on what I have experienced with my short time on the planet. We can’t lament and continue to dwell on the negatives that have occurred to African Americans in the past, the key is not to forget, but to build a better future. We must influence events in positive ways as to effectuate the desired outcomes. I implore all business professionals to stay professional at all times, adhere to the ethical code of values that you have subscribed to consistently. Continue to be competitive in the market place, bring that extra edge of added value at “no extra charge” whenever possible. I am Proud to be able to acknowledge all of our past leaders and the sacrifices that they have made to date. We must strive to be present day role models for our youth and in our communities. We

must continue to embrace our cultural differences and similarities. I am “Proud to Be” able to say that I helped an entire family obtain college degrees. Be proud of who you are, and if you are not at this time do something about it. Don’t just talk about it; get on with being about it. If you don’t presently have some “Social Graces,” please learn some, and place etiquette in your arsenal of positive weapons. Life is a work in progress and you must continue to strive to be better. Be cognizant of your surroundings, personal contacts and affiliations. Remember you are a product of your environment. If you are not getting anywhere, change your mind and change your environment, it’s just that simple. Your attitude is just that, it is yours. What you do with it is entirely up to you. I am “Proud to Be” to be able to not just celebrate “Black History” in a month, once a year, but every second, minute, hour and daily. Just knowing who you really are, is great in itself. Knowing where we all have come from on our pathway to greatness, helps us to continue to strive to do better. I am “Proud” to have been an educator at the college level. Just being able to see young and older adults gain useful knowledge was one of my greatest rewards. Sometimes we have to help others achieve their dreams before we can achieve our own. Don’t be afraid of helping others. You

will not get behind; sometimes this is just part of a bigger building block that better equips us for greater things. Don’t worry someone is always watching. As African American’s we have helped to build this country from the real grassroots level, many times without pay or praise for centuries. Our leaders in the past have done it all, and will continue to do it over and over again. This is what it is all about. If you don’t know what you want you to be when you grow up or in the midst of a career transition, here are some of the many professions that African Americans have led the way, have set standards and raised the bar even higher. They are: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Politicians Singers Actors Writers Artists Civil Rights Leaders Community Activists Doctors Lawyers Inventors Policemen and Women Firefighters Mentors Dancers Astronauts Educators Publishers Journalists

• • • • • • • • • •

Movie Producers Directors Judges Statesmen Religious Leaders Builders Engineers Craftsmen Aviators Military Leaders

I am “Proud to Be” able to say that the list goes on and on, but the most important list of all includes the following: • Grandparents • Foster Parents • Fathers • Mothers • Brothers • Sisters Yes, even the individual’s on the list above were required to operate with professionalism, dedication and love. By the way please include yourself; I know that there is a category that you can fit in. As the old folks say “Git in where you fit in.” One day you will be able to say: I am “Proud to Be” because that I have been a positive, productive, contributor to my community, the African American community. If you feel that you have a need to reach out and touch me, my email is alvin.terry@rocketmail. com and my cell 713-392-9107.

February - March 25, 2012

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THE HOUSTON AREA ALLIANCE OF BLACK SCHOOL EDUCATORS (HAABSE) RECEIVES $25,000 FROM THE ARAMARK/ QUALITY HOSPITALITY JOINT VENTURE. TO CELEBRATE THE ORGANIZATIONS’ 25TH ANNIVERSARY The Contribution, Named The Larry Marshall Living Legend Award, was Recently Presented at the 2012 Teacher Awards and Recognition Ceremony By Darryl King When Darryl King, Aramark/Quality Hospitality Consulting joint venture partner, was first introduced to the HAABSE by Kevin Hoffman and Larry Marshall, a man who has dedicated his entire life to educating children, Darryl was asked to support the organization by buying a table for their annual event. When King learned that the event was only breaking even each year, he asked his partner Aramark to assist him in underwriting the entire event with a $10K donation so the organization could raise funds at the event for scholarships and professional development for educators. “There is nothing more important than educating our youth, particularly those who are challenged by a lack of adequate programs and funds to enhance the quality of

that education,” said Darryl King. “The HAABSE has done an outstanding job marshalling resources and creating advancements in education that make me proud to be a partner and supporter.” Each year, the Aramark/Quality joint venture continued to donate $10K to the HAABSE, which was founded to provide professional development and leadership training for educators who primarily serve African American students, and named the award after Larry Marshall, whose efforts have impacted the education of thousands of Houston-area school children. But this year, King increased the donation to $25K, bringing the total contribution from the Aramark/Quality Hospitality joint venture over the years to more than $150K. “We were surprised

and ecstatic to receive such a generous donation this year to align with our 25th Anniversary,” said HAABSE President Dr. Christopher Pichon. “Through the Aramark/Quality joint venture , we are helping to close the achievement gap between African American students and other ethnic groups, while helping to fulfill our mission to provide great education for all children as Education is a Civil Right.” The Larry Marshall Living Legend Award, as it was named in 2005, celebrates and honors Larry Marshall for his 50-plus years of dedication to Houston’s school children. A native Houstonian, Marshall was a former educator, served several elected terms on the Board of Education, and held many leadership positions in area school districts before retiring in 1991.

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February - March 25, 2012

Be Trucker Friendly!

Be Trucker Friendly promotes road safety and awareness with information, education and collaboration. Keeping the roads accident free takes everyone’s efforts. Mr. Kelvin Spencer is the founder of Be Trucker Friendly (BT Friendly). As a trucker, Mr. Spencer saw a need for motorists to be informed

about how they can assist truckers in sharing the road. He started this initiative started in 2008. The primary Goal of Be Trucker Friendly is educating the public on how to share the road safely with truckers to help minimize the number of accidents involving big rigs and automobiles. Numerous children, family members, and truckers have benefited from the information shared on the website (www.btfriendly.com). Their primary mission is saving lives. Be Trucker Friendly is dedicated to helping prevent accidents and promoting safety awareness. We work with the trucking industry, law enforcement, state and federal governments and insurance companies. Our other key partner is the everyday driver. State and the Federal governments have implemented laws to cut down on the number of road incidents. However, strict regulations and efficient law enforcement personnel are only a part of the solution. They need your help!

Sisterhood: An Often

Forgotten Blessing By Carla Lane, Contributing Writer

This Christmas I went home and while there, I had the opportunity to visit one of my childhood best friends. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few months ago. Her prognosis is good. Her smile is bright and both of her sons and her granddaughter were home for Christmas. She

is determined to beat the cancer that took her mother’s life when she was just 11 years old. Every word that came out of her mouth was positive and full of hope, as she described to me how she discovered the knot close to her collar bone. How it seemed to tingle, how she called her “mother”

They are committed to achieving their goal by informing and educating the public of safety precautions while driving around commercial trucks on the roads and highways. The key goal of Be Trucker Friendly is to make the public aware of steps that we can all take to minimize the number of auto-big rig accidents. There are thousands of accidents involving large trucks and passenger vehicles every year. Sadly, these accidents are often deadly. Many of these accidents are preventable. They strive to educate drivers about key behaviors that will help cut down on these incidents. Here’s what truckers want you to know: • Do not tailgate • Do not cut me off • Do not drive in my blind spots • Do not drive into my left or right turns • Do not make sudden stops in front of me Get on board and help make our roads trucker and auto friendly. For more information, go to www.btfriendly.com, or send them an email at btf@safedriving.com.

who is really her aunt that raised her after the death of her mother and was told, “Go straight to the doctor.” She told me she decided that before going to the doctor, she would go on the vacation she had planned for months with her sisters to gather her strength and face what she felt was inevitable. My girlfriend is a 2nd grade teacher and although she is fighting for her life she goes to work when the nausea and aches that are a result of chemotherapy permit. You see she is a single woman and needs to maintain her insurance. Her eyes dance as she reminds me of the times we cruised up and down Camp Wisdom Road in South Oak Cliff, how we hung at Red Bird Mall in the arcade and how our favorite topic of conversation was always Boys, Boys, and Boys!!! I know she senses my sorrow, as I try to make jokes and reminisce with her. I always admired her beautiful, long, thick hair. Her head is now covered with a scarf. When she mentions us curling our hair and putting on makeup in my bathroom before going to see the Carter Cowboys football team beat up on their latest victim. I visible flinch. She reminds me that this path though not easy, is her path and that she needs my support not my pity. She reminds me that my responsibility as her friend is to be an unwavering supporter of her spirit, not a reminder of her struggle. I apologize, and tell her she is absolutely right. I gather myself, put on my big girl pants and behave like the Carla she knows….Smart mouth, wise cracking, know it all “little Carla”. After all we, (the

original South Oak Cliff girls) will get through this just like we have every other major life event, TOGETHER. Between the five of us we have four X-husbands, three current husbands, have given birth to ten children, buried ten grandparents and two parents. And although we don’t see each other or even talk regularly, we make sure we send each other pictures of our children, spouses, newspaper articles, and awards. We send each other Birthday, Mother’s Day, and Christmas cards; and when there is a tragedy or an emergency we are there for each other. And isn’t that what good girlfriends do? As women we often forget the importance of the bond that we share with our girlfriends and the power we wield with our hearts, time and most importantly our tongues. I am guilty of being a terrible friend. I am selfish with my time, I become involved in what I am doing and I forget to be a friend. My visit with my girl reminded me that friendships are priceless and they are what get you through the tough times. An encouraging word from a girlfriend that knows the real you and still smiles when she hears your voice is priceless. You know the girlfriend, the one who calls and doesn’t need anything from you. The one who asks you how you are; not to be polite but because she cares about you. The one that when you tell her you are leaving your husband knows whether she should come help you pack or if she should tell you to,” Stop being mean to that man” and hang up. The one who cries with you when you cry about dropping your son off at college, afraid the world will eat him alive. The one who knows you are not bragging when you call her about your latest shoe purchase, she laughs about your addiction though she thinks it’s ridiculous to pay that much for shoes! The one whose name you put on the contact list at your daughter’s school because you have no family in Houston. The one who knows that when you are too quiet something’s going on, and she shows up at your door with a bottle of wine and a joke that is beyond corny. I remember one day years back talking to my mom about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood. My mother looked at me as I went on and on about what me and the kids or me and Kenny were going to do. “Don’t forget your sisters,” she advised. “They’ll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love your children, you are still going to need sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. Remember that ‘sisters’ means ALL the women, your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. You’ll need other women. Women always do.” I told my mom things were different now, I am much too busy for all that. I have a husband, children, and a business to run. Friendship would have to wait until things slow down. My visit with my girlfriend

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reminded me of that conversation, and of a chain email I received from a friend months ago. It read: After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I’ve learned: Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don’t do what they’re supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end. BUT......... Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley’s rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley’s end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you.... Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Mother-Inlaws, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family: all bless your life! The world wouldn’t be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other … still.

Blessings, Carla

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February - March 25, 2012

Kids and Money 5 Tips for Raising Money Smart Kids

By Lonnie R. Mathews, Contributing Writer

recently did something that I hope will change my legacy forever. I am hoping that this single act will have a future impact on all my decedents for generations to come. What is this profound act that I speak of you may be asking, well eighteen months ago I took my then 8 year old and 11 year old daughters to our local credit union and open them a savings account. I have come to realize that many adults are in financial trouble today because they were never formally taught how to properly handle money. I can honestly say that I don’t remember ever being taught a system of money management to get ahead in life. The results of students who took the 2008 Jump$tart Coalition Survey of Financial Literacy for personal finance received failing scores. A majority of the 4,000 High school students scored an all-time low score of 48.3%. This month I want to share tips on how to raise money smart kids. Like all parents I want my kids to grow up happy and to have some of the things life that I wish I’d had growing up. At the same time I realize that we as parents have to find a balance between giving our kids to much. In the end I want to instill habits in them that will allow them to be productive and to thrive. So how do you make sure your children grow up to understand the value of a dollar, hard work and to pay their bills. It’s simple you teach them, here are five tips to raising money smart kids. Be an example – when it comes to teaching children about money the best example will be the one that you set. If a child doesn’t ever see their parent(s) exercise discipline, how can we expect them to

understand the concept? I am convinced that the reason that more parents don’t teach their children about personal finance is because they themselves haven’t gotten a handle on money. This may mean that in order to be an example you may have to get yourself educated on financial matters before teaching your kids about money. Start Early – It is never too early to teach kids about money. However, what you teach then should be age appropriate though. To teach kids to be responsible about money you have to first teach them how to be responsible period. You can start as early as two years old to teach children how to make choices. Making choices is a part of life and a big part of learning how to handle money. You can start by teaching kids the concept of, you have to choose from two or three items and you can only have one for now. If you don’t start the process of making choices early in life how do you expect a 16 year-old to understand that they can’t have both a laptop and an I-pad. Especially if all their life you have given them what they want, when they wanted it. I remember when my kids were younger and we would be shopping and one of them would say “Dad can I have this?” my response to them would be “we do not have the money for that today but if you save some of your money then perhaps we could come back and get it another day” Let them have skin in the game – It is vitally important that you allow kids to participate in the purchasing process especially if it is something that they want. I have learned that humans, particularly kids are very impulsive. If they see something that looks cool then they want it, no matter

what. Like anything else in life we tend to be a little less careless when we have something to lose. If there is something that your child really wants you can test how bad they want it when you make them use some of their own money rather than using yours all the time. I remember when my oldest daughter wanted an electric toothbrush that she had seen on one of our trips to the store. She pleaded with me to get the toothbrush and that she would pay me back with she got her allowance. I told her “why don’t we wait until you have enough money to buy the toothbrush and I would gladly bring you back to the store to get it.” Several weeks later, after saving her allowance my daughter finally had enough money to purchase her $10 electric toothbrush. We get to the isle where the toothbrushes were and I asked “do you have your money” my daughter looked at the money in her hand and she stared at the toothbrush for a long time. Finally after about three minutes of thinking she said “Dad now that I have some money I think I want to wait and get something that I really want. I already have a toothbrush at home” PRICELESS! Work = Money – This concept is quite simple, we must teach our children that money comes from working for it. I know I spoke of an allowance earlier in the article and that is something that my mother has chosen to give my kids. For me I choose to let them earn the money to buy the things that they want. There are certain chores that have to be done and my kids won’t get paid for, like keeping their part

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of the house clean or folding their own clothes. However I have set aside a short list of other chores that my kids can choose to do and earn some extra cash. The list doesn’t have to be complicated something simple like sweeping up my man-cave (garage) or helping me with a project around the house. The important thing here is to help kids make the connections that you have to work in order to earn an income, nothing is free! Develop good money habits – Where you are today financially is the result of the decisions that you have made and the habits that you have developed up until this point. To get kids on the right path you have to help them develop good habits early in life. If you were taught to save at an early age then it won’t be hard for you to understand the concept when you are an adult. Good habits lead to good decisions and good decisions lead to prosperity and the opposite is true about bad habits. Look at where you are financially and compare that to the habits that are a part of your everyday life. If you have made good decisions and have developed good habits then you are probably in a good spot financially if not then – I don’t have to say it do I? There is no secret to raising money smart kids; it’s just making the effort to make sure they understand how money works early and often. This article was written by Lonnie R. Mathews for the Who’s Minding Your Money blog. Lonnie is an author and speaker in the area of personal finance. To learn more about Lonnie or to contact him visit www.lonniemathews.com

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Proud To Be Poindexter Dental I’m So Proud! By Dr. Zeb F. Poindexter III, Contributing Wrtier

Depending on whom you ask, pride can have many meanings and implications; some good and some bad. Some would say pride suggests arrogance or conceitedness. Others would argue that pride is self-confidence in right action, and an open willingness to humble oneself for a greater benefit. I am of the latter belief. I am proud of my predecessors work, their ensuing struggles, the fruits of their labor, and the legacy which I have the honor of carrying on. My father, Zeb F. Poindexter Jr. was the first African-American graduate of the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston (1956), and went on to become the first African-American to operate a dental clinic of its type Houston, TX. This achievement was followed by a series of firsts that include his becoming the first Black member admitted to the Houston District Dental Society, the first Black fac-

ulty member at the University of Texas Dental Branch, professor of community dentistry, and the first African-American appointed by UT Dental Branch to recruit minority dental students. Upon graduation, my father began his dental practice in Southeast Houston in 1956. In 1960, he moved Poindexter Dental Inc. a few blocks over to its current location in Sunnyside, where we proudly continue to serve the community. Times were different then. Sunnyside was known as the Chocolate Bayou, mentalities were different (including my own), and the neighborhood itself was much less developed. With time and social progression, things slowly changed. As a society we persevered though the Civil Rights Movement, survived economic depressions, and inspired change, hope and equality. As a health care provider Poindexter Dental Inc. has grown clientele, expanded services, and adapted to

the rapid pace of technology. In 1984 I graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch. This milestone is especially dear to my heart, as it made my father and I the first AfricanAmerican father/son graduates of UT Dental Brach. In 2000, I took over my father’s practice and put forth every effort to maintain his vision of providing high quality oral health care services. Though some things change, others do not. Our commitment to patient care, our commitment to the local community, and our commitment to provide quality care to the underserved are as steadfast as they were since Poindexter Dental’s inception. I am proud of where I’m from. I am proud of the struggle and determination of my forefathers. I am grateful for the opportunities that they opened up and provided for us, and I am proud to carry on my father’s legacy and continue his vision into the future.

Tips for Keeping Your Business at the Front of the Pack

By Julie Johnson, Contributing Wrtier If you’re not advancing, getting better, then you’re satisfied with the status quo. And in all honesty, the status quo just isn’t cutting it anymore. Most organizations need something to set them apart, to make them different and remarkable. If you are not making progress and enhancing your situation, then you are remaining stagnant, and remaining stagnant without growth might as well be going backwards these days. So if you’re working for constant advancement, to become more successful, then you have a mighty massive task on your hands. But there are a few places that you could start that will make an instant impact for your organization. You need to look at the primary elements of the process which are stopping you moving forward. There are so many different ways that we throw away cash and remain ineffective,

however the primary ones are the worst of the bunch. One of the biggest culprits is making a process too complicated. It’s easy to let an operation become out of control, because as you grow or as situations change, the process could be morphed into something that would not even be recognizable at the start. That’s the thing about business and life, it is fluid, always developing and transforming and you’ve got to have the ability to adapt or else you will be left behind. And making up that ground is very complicated once you begin falling towards the rear of the bunch. So you will want to look at the procedures in your facility, beginning with the ones that are easier to detect and perhaps easier to adjust. This way, your team will get practice in making the sorts of changes that you need to make and you will make some progress without likelihood of tearing

apart your biggest money makers at first. Those will come later. But look at one procedure and follow it to the ends on both sides. That means look up and down the stream of the procedure, from where it logically begins, all the way until it is at the end of the line and in your customer’s hands. You will discover that this single process is intertwined with many other processes. One of the tricks of making improvements is to not spoil any of the other areas of the business. Because there isn’t any use making any changes if they are going to detrimentally affect the others. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com

About The Author:

When facing business concerns, six sigma can help you work them out. 6 sigma certification can greatly increase your problem solving skills, check out mbajournal.org today and learn more.

By Dr. D. L. Jones Contributing Writer When I think of the many gifts God has given unto AfroAmerican people; I get so proud to know: Cathay Williams was the one and only female Buffalo Soldier, posing as a man named William Cathay to enlist in the 38th infantry in 1866. She served for two years before a surgeon stumbled on the fact that she was a woman and saw to it that she was discharged. And, true to sexist convention, she was repeatedly denied military benefits or a pension. Both Condoleezza Rice and Martin Luther King, Jr. skipped two grades and started college when they were just 15 years old. Journalist, activist Ida Wells-Barnett refused to give up her railcar seat for a white man in 1884 and bit a conductor on the hand when he tried to force her out of it. He called for backup and she was eventually dragged off the train. She sued the railroad and initially won, but the decision was overturned. The whole experience fueled her passion for justice and journalism. In 2008, Jamaican wonderman Usain Bolt became the first man to ever set three world records in a single Olympic games. The media made the Black Panthers notorious for their Afros, dark get-ups and willingness to defend themselves, but their Ten Point manifesto for change launched programs that benefited Black communities nationwide, like free dental care, breakfast for low-income children. Lincoln University in Pennsylvania is the first institution of higher education founded for African-Americans. It paved the way for the 104 other historically

Black colleges, which have produced distinguished alums like Thurgood Marshall, Spike Lee and the almighty Oprah. Black ingenuity helped devise creative—and effective—plans to escape enslavement. In 1848, husband-and-wife team William and Ellen Craft made it to the North and eventually England, when she dressed as a white man and he posed as one of her slaves. A year later, Henry “Box” Brown literally mailed himself to freedom in a shipping box during a 27-hour trip from Richmond to Philadelphia. Jesse Jackson does more than make up words: he negotiated the release of Lt. Robert O. Goodman, Jr., a Black pilot who had been shot down over Syria and taken hostage in 1983. Remember when Will Smith was The Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff was, well, Jazzy Jeff? Together, they won the first-ever Grammy for Best Rap Performance, but they boycotted the awards be-

cause the category was barred from television. The hair brush, lawn mower, cell phone, refrigerator and— thank you, sweet baby Jesus—the air conditioner were all the fruits of African-American inventors’ creative laboring. Who knew? Baseball legend Jackie Robinson had an older brother, Matthew, who was also a star athlete in his own right. He won a silver medal in the 200-yard dash in the 1936 Olympics—coming in second to Jesse Owens. Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black major-party presidential candidate survived three assassination attempts during her 1972 campaign. If Kanye was around to make “Stronger,” that could’ve easily been her campaign theme song.

February - March 25, 2012

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38. February - March 25, 2012

Say It Loud, I’m Black, I’m Proud and I Vote

By J Thomas Smith, Contributing Wrtier

ebruary is Black History Month. Our theme this month is “Proud to Be.” As a Black man, I am “proud to be” a part of Black America, and a beneficiary of all of the accomplishments and sacrifices that others have made for the greater good of all. While I have always worked hard and made personal sacrifices to obtain my personal goals and objectives, I will never forget that as a result of what others have done, my journey has been made much lighter. As I contemplated my message to you for our celebration of Black History Month, the riff, melody and lyrics of James Brown’s “I’m Black and I’m Proud” song constantly came to mind. While the line “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud” is pretty clear, in 1968 it was a fresh and welcome message of a new level of self-confidence and assertiveness in Black America. After all, for centuries, being black in America, was synonomous with second-class citizenship. Up to this time, the selfimage of Blacks in America was at an all time low, it seemed. There was a struggle between beeing “colored” and “Negro.” When Black people first heard the riff of “I’m Black and I’m Proud”, and moved to its the rhythm it was made clear that being Black was now something to be proud of and to embrace. It wasn’t long before we heard, saw and felt ‘Black is beautiful” everywhere. In the song “I’m Black and I’m Proud,” Jame Brown defined what it meant to be Black in his own terms without apology to those who might have taken offense, whether Black or white. This was a part of a very important shift in black consciousness in America. In 1968, the Civil Rights Movement was undergoing some

and made numerous discoveries from peanuts that helped to revive the economy in the South. • I am proud of W.E.B. DuBois, the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He was one of the co-founders of the NAACP and a professor of history, sociology, and economics at Atlanta University. • I am proud of Olaudah Equiano was taken as a slave from west Africa.. His autobiogra-

• I am proud of Lewis Latimer, an inventor who worked with Thomas Edison whose invention helped light bulbs burn longer. • I am proud of Malcolm X, the most famous spokesman for the Nation of Islam. • I am proud of Nelson Mandela who served 27 years in a South African prison for refusing to compromise his political beliefs. He later became South Africa’s first black president.

major changes. The impact of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 helped to insure the political franchise for blacks in this country. Excited and reassured by these milestones, Blacks began to focus on economic equality. That is pretty much where we are again today as we focus on the upcoming Presidential election. I am “proud to be” a beneficiary of this consciousness. I am also proud to be a beneficiary of the many barriers we have overcome and the many accomplishments we have made as a people: • I am proud of Thurgood Marshall who became the first Africa American selected to become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. • I am proud of my alma mater, Texas Southern University that named it’s law school after the first Africa American Supreme Court Justice. • I am proud of Barbara Charline Jordan, the first African American elected to the Texas Senate after Reconstruction and the first southern black female elected to the United States House of Representatives. • I am proud of Thomas “Mickey” Leland, an anti-poverty activist who became a congressman from the Texas 18th and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. • I am proud of Shirley Chilsom, the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. • I am proud of Barack Hussein Obama II, the first African American President of the United States. • I am proud of Muhammed Ali who refused to fight in Vietnam as a conscientious objector, went to prison for it, and won the heavyweight boxing title three times. • I am proud of Cathy L. Hughes, Founder, Chairperson of the Board and Secretary of Radio One, Incorporated an urban-oriented, multi-media company that primarily targets African-American consumers. It has 53 broadcasting stations 15 urban markets in the United States. And, I am most “proud to be” a part of its team. • I am proud of Benjamin Banniker who was instrumental in drawing up the layout of Washington, D.C. • I am proud of Mary McLeod

Bethune, a child of slaves, who founded a school for African Americas that eventually became Bethune-Cookman University. She later became an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. • I am proud of Linda Brown (Thompson), the named plaintiff in the NAACP sponsored case Brown v. Board of Education. The U.S. Supreme Court decision put an end to segregated schools in the U.S. Prior to the decision Brown had to walk past a school in her integrated neighborhood to a segregated school almost two miles away. • I am proud of Guion Stewart “Guy” Bluford, Jr., an engineer and Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, who was the first African American astronaut to go into space. • I am proud of Ralph Bunch who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for successful peace negotiations in the Middle East and who was a party to the formation of the United Nations. He later received the Medal of Freedom from President John F. Kennedy. • I am proud of Kwame Ture (formerly known as Stokely Carmichael) founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) , who coined and defined the term “Black Power.” • I am proud of George Washington Carver, born into slavery, who became a botanist, educator, inventor and scientist,

phy describing the atrocities of the slave trade helped influence British lawmakers to abolish slavery through the Slave Trade Act of 1807. • I am proud of Alex Haley who wrote the book “Roots” about his ancestors. One of his relatives was a business competitor of my father in Michigan. • I am proud of Langston Hughes who was the most famous poet of the Harlem Renaissance. • I am proud of Imhotep, who is considered to be the first architect, engineer and physician in early history. He is credited with designing the Step Pyramid in Egypt and may have been responsible for the first known use of columns in architecture. • I am proud of Mae Jamison,the first African American female astronaut and resident of Houston. • I am proud of James Weldon Johnson, who, with his brother John Rosamond Johnson, composed the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” • I am proud of Martin Luther King, Jr. Who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his works in the Civil Rights Movement. • I am proud of Carter G. Woodson, one of the first scholars to study the history of African Americans. He is considered the father of Black History Week, now Black History Month.

• I am proud of Elijah Muhammad who established the Nation of Islam. • I am proud of Queen Nzingha who launched a successful war against Portuguese slave traders and forced them to sign a treaty. • I am proud of Rosa Parks who helped spark the Civil Rights Movement by refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. • I am proud of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to break the color barrier to play major league baseball. • I am proud of Jasper Cureton, my dad’s first cousin, who served as an Associate Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. He was elected the first African-American appellate judge in South Carolina since reconstruction. • I am proud of Harriet Tubman who became known as the “Moses of Her People.” She helped hundred of people escape slavery on the “Underground Railroad.” • I am proud of Nat Turner who led a bloody slave revolt in Virginia in 1831. • I am proud of Alice Walker who won a Pulitzer Prize for her novel, “The Color Purple.” • I am proud of Ida B. Wells-Barnett who publicized the lynchings of black men in America. • I am proud of James Meredith who was shot while on a march

February - March 25, 2012

from Tennessee to Mississippi to encourage African Americans to register to vote. • I am proud of the thousands of others who have peopled my life over the years: entertainers, coworkers, artists, writers, teachers, ministers, neighbors, siblings, employers, and folks from all walks of life who made their contributions for the greater good of all. As we celebrate Black History Month and reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of African-Americans and others of African descent, let us resist the urge to take our present condition in this country for granted. Over the years, and most recently, there have been a number of attempts to turn back the hands of time on our freedoms and social condition. Let us not turn a blind eye and ear to the wave of new laws in Texas and across America designed to place restrictions on the right to vote, a right that many died to obtain. Donot let their deaths be in vain. In Texas and other states, new requirements require seniors and the young to ob-

tain state identification cards, for a fee which amounts to a poll tax. These tactics are a throw back to the Jim Crow era in this country during which, for blacks, there were restrictions on access to public schools, public places, and public transportation. There were segregated restaurants, restrooms and drinking fountains for whites and blacks. The U.S. military was also segregated as we were reminded in the new motion picture “Red Tails.” The Republican Presidential primaries should also serve as a wake-up call. The majority of the candidates have spewed inflamatory rhetoric designed to perpetuate untrue stereotypes of African Americans in an effort to stoke the passions of racism for the sole purpose of unseating a “Black” President. During each day of Black History Month, and each day forward, I encourage you to take a few moments to be still and reflect on your personal accomplishments, the accomplishments of our race, our history and our collective future. Then ask yourself, are you willing to just stand by, making excuses to justify your lack of interest, motivation, passion or con-

cern for the politics of our community, or state and of our nation? Ask yourself, What am I proud of? What am I willing to fight for? Is voting important to me? Do I believe that my vote counts? Don’t forget Iowa. Mitt Romney was thought to have won the caucus by only eight votes. It was later determined that he lost by 24 votes. Every vote does count. But only if it is cast. I’m Black. I’m proud and I vote. What about you? The Texas primary election is April 3, 2012. The last day to register to vote is March 5, 2012. Early Voting begins March 19th and ends March 29th. Say It Loud, I’m Black, I’m proud and I Vote. * J Thomas Smith is attorney, mental health consultant, author and host of “Sunday Morning Live” on KMJQ/ Majic 102.1 (9-11 am). His new book, “The Secret to a New Life” is available through your favorite bookseller or on-line at www.TheSecrettoaNewLife.com. References: http://www.blackfact.com http://polyweb.rusd.k12.ca.us/Black%20 History%20Month/Pages/africanamericanheroes.ht http://www.shmoop.com/say-it-loud/ meaning.html http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/ voter/2012dates.shtml http://www.wikipedia.com

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40. February - March 25, 2012

Marina Coryat Added to Moroch Partner’s Houston McDonald’s Team

ouston, Texas – At today’s Houston’s City Council meeting Kevin Moore, President of McDonald’s Owners Association of Greater Houston (MOAGH) announced the addition of Marina Coryat as the new Public Relations Supervisor for their advertising and public relations firm, Moroch Partners (Moroch). Coryat joins the Moroch team, which has held the McDonald’s advertisement account for over 25 years. In her role, she is responsible for the development and execution of public relations programs on behalf of the Houston McDonald’s co-op. “MOAGH values our customers and has been supporting charitable organizations and Houston events for years. We are excited to bring Marina onto the

Houston team to showcase our community involvement and to thrust our three-prong message of Nutrition and Well-Being, People and Sustainability,” said Kevin Moore. He added, “Marina brings a wealth of experience, keen insight, and governmental and media relationships that will be an asset to the Houston team. We look forward to working alongside Marina to make an even larger impact in the Houston community.” Coryat is a 21-year veteran of the City of Houston with 18 of those years in the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) where she turned trash into a treasure by positively creating strategies to inform and educate Houston residents about the benefits of recycling and effective waste management practices. As

the Pubic Information Manager/ Chief Spokesperson she managed information concerning the department’s programs, special events, citizen/Council responses, publications, press conferences, interviews, website, social media sites and open records requests, as well as crisis communications after natural disasters. For over 10 years, Coryat produced and hosted the quarterly “Wasting No Time” cable television program which aired on HTV. Prior to her years in SWMD, she worked in the Mayor’s Citizens Assistance Office and the Housing and Community Development Department. Her first job while in high school was a Cashier at a Houston McDonald’s restaurant. Coryat received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Cornell University

in Ithaca, New York. In 2011, Coryat graduated from Leadership Houston (Class XXIX). “It is such a great opportunity to return back to working with McDonald’s, one of the most recognizable brands and best companies. The Houston area McDonald’s franchise owners do a lot to support the economy and the community and It will be my pleasure to share their story,” said Coryat.

About McDonald’s McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information on McDonald’s visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information contact: Marina Coryat/Moroch at 713-585-6591 or email Marina at mcoryat@moroch.com.

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