Business Journal 132

d-mars.com FREE

®

BUSINESS JOURNAL

Entrepreneur | Business | Education and Career | Finance | Real Estate | Technology | Insurance

August 2018

|

Inspire, Inform & Educate

|

132nd Edition

Dr. Kadisha Rapp YOUR CONCIERGE PHYSICIAN

Is At Your Service, for You, Your Staff & Your Star

16-17

INSIDE

06

What should you be doing to prepare for retirement?

24 Hire Houston Youth Program Provides 7,500 Summer Jobs

10 Gladys House, Warrior Entrepreneur

• BOARD-CERTIFIED EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN • OVER 15 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE • ABLE TO TRAVEL • ABLE TO PROVIDE CONTINUOUS AND DISCREET URGENT AND EMERGENT CARE ON-SITE • ABLE TO CARE FOR ILLNESSES AND INJURIES FROM THE COMMON COLD AND DEHYDRATION, TO CUTS, SPRAINS AND MORE

Healthcare tailored to the unique needs of the business and entertainment communities when you need it, where you need it.

1.888.387.7277 DRRAPP@DRKADISHA.COM • DRKADISHA.COM

August 2018 | 3

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

MR. D-MARS CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

d-mars.com is proud to share the success stories of African American businesses and civic and community leaders. We know that success does not always come easy and it is not always measured in money. How have you helped your fellow entrepreneur? Have you supported your locally-owned African American business? Have you donated to a nonprofit that is working in our underserved communities?

Questions to think about and actions to take.

This month’s issue highlights Dr. Kadisha Rapp. With more than 20 years as an emergency medical doctor, Dr. Rapp has treated some of the who’s who in the entertainment world for

Port of Houston

COO & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Tiffany Brown ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Tiffany Black PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa Graphic Designer Kendra Wiseman

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Edward Davis Stacy M. Brown (NNPA) Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner

City of Houston

HISD

CONTENTS

06

10 Entrepreneur 10 Gladys House, Warrior Entrepreneur 12 Back 2 School Readiness and Success 12 Simple ways to earn extra money without owning a car 13 Health 13 5 Ways to beat the heat this summer 14 Real Estate 14 Top tips to help first-timers navigate the fast-paced housing market 16-17 Cover Story 16-17 At your service for you, your staff & YOUR STAR

16-17

18 Insurance 18 Life Insurance Is One of the Keys to Black Wealth 20 TxDMV Urges Texans to Protect Themselves before Hiring a Moving Company

24 Political 24 Hire Houston Youth Program Provides 7,500 Summer Jobs

VBE

DBE

ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION

06 Business 06 What should you be doing to prepare for retirement? Top tips and tactics from financial advisors 08 Business 08 3 Reasons Why Small And Medium-Sized Businesses Should Consider Digital

HUB

OUR SERVICES

04 Business 04 Are You Smart, Or Using Your Smarts?

04 Conscious Capitalism

Project Coordinators Lindsey Ford Carly Hammack DISTRIBUTION Rockie Hayden

—Guy Kawasaki

METRO

BEHIND THE JOURNAL PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr.

“Ideas are easy.

Implementation is hard.”

everything from the common cold to sickle cell crises.

Dr. Rapp is also an educator, author and the owner of a successful concierge medical practice.

She understands the importance of providing patients with the best care possible, be it in the emergency room, through her concierge service or during her community service work. She also firmly believes in leading the next generation of young women into medicine. It’s not an easy road, but success is rarely found down the easy road.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com. When you support us, 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.

• Business Journal • Health & Wellness Journal • Community Journal • Black Pages Online Business Directory • Top 50 Black Health, Medical & Wellness Professionals • Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs • Top 30 Influential Women of Houston • Top 25 Prime & Subcontractors for Diversity • Business Connection • Business Development • Business Consulting • Graphic Design • Photography • Printing • Web Design • Online & Email Marketing • Public Relations • Social Media • Advertising • Writing • Promotional Marketing

26 community 26 old folks saying 26 Did You Know?

D-MARS.COM INFO MAIN OFFICE 7322 Southwest Fwy., Suite 800, Houston, TX 77074 Phone: (713) 373.5577

Fax: (713) 750.9472

Email Us: contact@d-mars.com

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Visit Us Online www.d-mars.com facebook.com

dmars_com

dmarsmarketing

dmars_com

4 | August 2018 BUSINESS

BUSINESS

ARE YOU SMART, Conscious Capitalism OR USING W YOUR SMARTS? By d-mars.com News Provider

By Edward Davis Contributing Writer

A

s exciting and attractive as the idea of starting a business may be to aspiring entrepreneurs, attraction may not be enough. It requires a clear vision of where you are and where you want to be. As elementary as it sounds, people still fail to plan which results in businesses that are not profitable. Statistics show that 69% of U.S. entrepreneurs start businesses at home.

Fifty percent of small businesses fail in the first four years. Only 40% of small businesses are profitable, 30% break even, and 35% consistently lose money. I’m sharing these statistics with you to paint a real picture about the success of small business. But, don’t give up in the first paragraph of this article. If you ask 100 people “What is the best way to learn more about entrepreneurship?” 51% will respond “Start a company.” Becoming an entrepreneur is not for the faint at heart. You will not answer email in your pajamas while enjoying a cup of coffee, manage your housekeeping duties while taking a Skype conference call, nor will you reach any significant goals you have for yourself and your business if you don’t act with SMARTS. Now, you may have heard most of what I am about the share with you, but I will add a little-known fact that can change the way you approach your entrepreneurial goals and any other goal you may set for yourself. If you don’t follow these patterns for goal setting using the SMARTS model, your chances for success will be slim to none.

Following the usual SMART model

(specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timebased goals),

you must write down your goals and be as specific as possible about what you want to achieve. Research shows that you are more likely to achieve your goals if you do this. If you say, “I want to start a business someday,” your declaration is too vague. When do you want to start the business? What kind of business do you want to start? So, if you clarify this by saying, “I want to start a healthcare training company by next year,” you a re more likely to achieve your goal.

T h is

is what I did, and I am still in business more than five years later! By stating when you want to start your business, you are giving yourself a deadline to reach your goal. Next, set benchmarks. The most big, beautiful achievements are typically made up of a whole bunch of small, not-so-spectacular accomplishments that culminate into your ultimate success. The benchmarks serve as a measuring tool to help you see where you came from, where you are, and how far you need to go to make your dream of entrepreneurship, or whatever your dream, a reality.

Now for the bonus “S” in SMARTS: SHARE! New research from a Dominican University of California psychology professor, Dr. Gail Matthews, reveals that SHARING your goals and progress updates with a friend on a REGULAR basis will also improve your success rate.

Sharing your goals will make you more accountable and give you a new sense of urgency and duty to carry it out. I have a weekly Monday morning conference call with my accountability partners. The accountability calls keep each of us motivated and on point with our tasks for the week. This is the time when iron sharpens iron and ideas are discussed. After our weekly call, I am energized and ready to begin the week.

So, I challenge all of you budding entrepreneurs to not only be SMART but use your SMARTS. Share your goals as often as possible with key people in your life.

These key people are your accountability partners. Choose people that will provide you with support and resources and who will ask you about the progress from time to time. Maybe schedule a weekly phone call with your trusted accountability partner to keep you on task. And, in no time, you will have reached your goal of adding to the statistic

hat drives someone to take the risk and start their own business?

In many cases, it’s the knowledge that they can offer a great product or introduce new solutions to old problems.

Passion and determination put entrepreneurs at the forefront of innovation.

What’s remarkable about so many small and medium-sized businesses today is that it’s not just the bottom line they’re after. Businesses are more focused than ever on socially and environmentally conscious causes.

For example, small business, Bayou with Love, who partnered with Dell to create a jewelry line using recycled gold from old computer motherboards.

The jewelry line is just one example of a small business prioritizing doing good for the planet.

Cuvee Coffee practices direct trade, a model that considers environmental, financial and social sustainability as well as personal relationships.

It bu i ld s partnerships with farmers who are good stewards of the land, pay fair wages to t hei r workers and are often leaders in their communities. Cuvee then pays well above market prices for their coffee and in return, the company gets the very best coffee and the farmers make substantial ports. By using ethical and altruistic principles to guide business practices, these entrepreneurs practice what many call “conscious capitalism,” and investors are taking notice.

Investments from angel investors and venture capitalists have helped these businesses play their part in a national and global trend toward social betterment in business.

Here are a few ways small businesses can benefit from conscious capitalism:

IT OPENS THE DOOR TO MORE CAPITAL FROM INVESTORS. When a company launches a humanitarian initiative or implements an ethical program, people pay attention. According to Fundivo, angel investments in altruistic businesses have been steadily growing since 2002 and roughly four jobs are created per investment. Moreover, a recent study from The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investing reported that under sustainable and responsible Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

investing guidelines, a total of $8.72 trillion was made in 2016, showing a 33 percent increase since 2014.

INCREASED NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH CROWDSOURCING

By helping businesses reach likeminded changemakers, the tech industry has made it easier for small businesses to maintain a conscious mission statement along with a profitable bottom line.

Funding for socially-conscious businesses has become more easily achievable through crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Even Kickstarter owners Yancey Strickler and Perry Chen insisted that their crowdfunding platform become a Benefit Corporation, ensuring they remain focused on their mission to bring creative projects to life rather than simply increasing the size of their own profits.

These crowdsourcing platforms are an efficient way for companies to and investors, but also to network and get their message out to a broader public.

A BOOST FROM TECH At the center of many altruistic businesses is the robust use of technology, which has allowed many highly successful small businesses to support social and environmental causes. It’s not only that having dependable and easy-to-use technology is critical for these businesses, but many tech giants have implemented programs to support conscious capitalism in small businesses. For instance, as one of the world’s leading IT suppliers, Dell has been particularly passionate about helping businesses with an eye for social change and environmental consciousness. Through its 2020 Legacy of Good plan, which outlines its own sustainability goals, it has helped small businesses use technology in a way that drives progress and social change.

Dependable and affordable technology is essential to promoting social change, and that’s why so many entrepreneurs and investors are realizing that when paired with technology, ethical business practices can do a lot of good and turn a profit.

August 2018  |  5

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

6  |  August 2018

What should you be doing to prepare for retirement?

Top tips and tactics from financial advisors

By d-mars.com News Provider

Y

ou're 10 years or less away from retirement. You can clearly see the next phase of your life down the road and it's coming up fast. Are you ready for it? Do you have a comprehensive plan in place so you don't outlive your savings?

If you're not as prepared for retirement as you should be, you're not alone. The Federal Reserve did a study and found that one-fourth of Americans have no retirement savings or pension. And a Money article reports 56 percent of Americans have less than $10,000 saved.

Why aren't more people prepared?

There are myriad reasons. Some people are stretched thin. Credit card debt, student loans, rising mortgage and interest rates all

conspire to make it difficult for them to save. Others may lack information on the importance of retirement savings, or lack the financial savvy to be comfortable managing their own investments. And then there's the gap between men and women. The Federal Reserve's study found that among women with any level of education, investment comfort is lower than among similarly educated men.

Yet, retirement is waiting just around the corner. People need good advice to help them build their nest eggs before "someday" becomes "now."

That's why the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), a national organization representing FeeOnly financial advisors, conducted a poll of its members to get their top tips and advice for people who are nearing retirement. They want to raise consumer awareness about the urgency of preparing for retirement and the importance of having a comprehensive plan in place.

2. Take a hard look at any major debts you have and develop a plan to eliminate them.

6. Save to an emergency fund and stay aware of your company's financial situation.

Companies are prone to reorganizations and layoffs, and older workers can be vulnerable.

If you think you'll need help creating and sticking to a financial plan, NAPFA recommends working with a Fee-Only financial advisor who adheres to a strict fiduciary standard. These advisors are required to put your best interest first and don't accept commissions on the products they recommend, which reduces potential conflicts of interest.

Here are the best tips, advice and tactics for retirement planning from the top financial advisors in the business.

7. Ask your HR department about the relationship between your current health insurance and Medicare, as well as what your options are when you reach age 65.

Get information about any pension or defined contribution options and any other retiree benefits.

For more information and resources on retirement planning, check out NAPFA's infographic about the poll. To find a FeeOnly financial advisor in your area, visit the NAPFA website at www.napfa.org and NAPFA's "Find an Advisor" search engine.

(BPT)

1. Make a list of retirement "needs" and "wants." If you do not have enough savings for all of your "needs," make a ten-year plan to increase your funds.

3. Brainstorm any "big ticket" financial commitments (caretaking for a family member, etc.) for the next 10 years and consider how these items might affect your ability to save for retirement.

4. Continually monitor and analyze your asset allocation to make sure it is the right one for you. Understand whether you should move to a more conservative asset allocation or continue investing for growth.

5. Be tax efficient with your investments.

For example, you should defer as much of your salary as you can to your defined contribution plans.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

8. Research when stock-based compensation might expire and what stock awards you can retain after retirement.

9. Double check your reported Social Security earnings and resolve any discrepancies now. Explore your Social Security claiming options and make sure you understand the timing of applying for benefits.

10. Make sure that all of your estate documents are up-to-date. Verify that your named executors and proxies know your wishes and are willing to act on them if needed.

August 2018  |  7

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

8  |  August 2018 BUSINESS

3 Reasons Why Small And Medium-Sized Businesses Should Consider Digital

By d-mars.com News Provider

I

n today's digital world, there's an app for that - whatever "that" may be. Devices like smartphones and tablets are becoming the dashboards of our lives. Depositing a check? Snap a picture of it and tap the button on your bank's app. Does your son or daughter at college need money? Transfer it electronically. Forgot to pick up milk? Hop online and order it.

Fueled by smart technologies, mobile devices and 24/7 connectivity, the way consumers browse, shop and pay is increasingly digital.

For small to medium-size businesses (SMBs), that can present a challenge. This year alone, 280 million Americans are expected to go online every month, according to eMarketer research, and Pew research estimates that eight in ten Americans will make an online purchase. Yet, according to research by Visa, less than half of SMBs have an online presence.

Similarly, for in-store shopping most consumers (78 percent) surveyed by Visa say that they prefer making payments digitally either with a card or their phone. Does your SMB accept digital payments both online and in-store?

As digital commerce continues to expand, SMBs that don't jump onboard risk being left behind. In an effort to understand more about what consumers want from SMBs, Visa and a consortium of partners surveyed more than 400 SMBs and nearly 2,500 consumers.

The result is a guide on how SMBs can grow their businesses in an increasingly digital world: "Digital Transformations of SMBs: The Future of Commerce." It offers actionable tips for technology and digital upgrades that SMBs can implement to help grow their businesses, including a "how to" on

digital payments, marketing and advertising tactics, new service considerations and customer loyalty programs.

Some of the findings that came out of the survey might surprise you. Here are three key reasons why SMBs should go digital: Consumers expect it, but you're not offering it. While 90 percent of consumers say they want to support small businesses, there is more to the story. Consumers still expect convenience, and today, that means digital offerings. This creates a big problem for SMBs, whether they realize it or not. Visa's survey found that only 15 percent of SMBs sales are conducted via digital channels, yet 61 percent of consumers surveyed plan to increase their online purchases in the next 5 years. That represents a significant gap between what consumers are planning and what SMBs are delivering.

It may help the bottom line.

Moving, storing and securing cash, checks and money orders takes valuable time and is also subject to fees, losses and theft. Based on survey responses collected from SMBs, Visa estimates the surveyed SMBs' average cost of processing d ig it a l transactions was 57 percent less than cash transactions.

This, based on annual sales volume, number of cash versus digital transactions, and processing costs for digital and cash payments (inclusive of direct expenses and labor costs). Adding digital payments

may help businesses increase sales: two-thirds of SMBs surveyed shared that they believe customers spend more when using cards versus cash.

Consumers want digital loyalty plans. Only one in five SMBs surveyed offer a loyalty program, but rewards can drive consumer preferences. Seventy-eight percent of consumers say they're more likely to choose a business that has a loyalty program, and of those, most say that they check out the programs before trying a service, a restaurant or a store for the first time. Every SMB knows that differentiating themselves is a key to success; a loyalty program is an excellent way to stand out from competitors. Why do a digital loyalty program and not, say, a paper punch card? Because nearly all consumers surveyed - 90 percent - prefer digital.

If you want to find out more about how to go digital, download the "Digital Transformation of SMBs: The Future of Commerce" guide at www.visa.com/smbDigital. It's free, and it's filled with actionable tips to help you get started. *References to consumer and small business preferences are based on findings from the survey Digital Transformation of SMBs: The Future of Commerce. Survey was commissioned by Visa and conducted by a third party research firm, Maru/Matchbox, during February and March 2018 and administered in English to U.S. 425 small and medium size businesses with storefront or at home business in food/dining, retail, services and grocery industries, and 2,458 consumers taking into account balanced income, age and regional representation.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018  |  9

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

10 | August 2018 ENTREPRENEUR

Gladys House, Warrior Entrepreneur By d-mars.com News Provider

G

ladys House is a woman on a mission. Her business is floor covering; her mission is equity in contracting on the local, state and federal level. She started Carpet Depot Affordable Carpets, LLC with the expectation that she could be a success in her industry. 18 years later, after she decided to leave the construction industry to start her own business, she is still fighting for equal opportunity in the marketplace.

She chose floor coverings because of their ability to really beautify a room.

Customers often express their surprise when they see this petite woman show up to inspect and measure their home for a job. A lot of her customers state, “If I had not seen you do this, I wouldn’t have believed that you’d done it.” They just don’t believe women can do it because they’ve never seen women installers. House states, “I’m still looking for women installers.

It’s difficult to get sisters involved in floor covering installation because they don’t want to break their nails, or they don’t want to sweat their hair. They don’t want to exercise or get down on their knees and get busy with installing and pulling up covering. If it's one or two rooms, I’ll

just go ahead and do it myself. But a lot of male installers always have helpers.”

Our people really should stop boycotting our businesses. Some people do not do... We used to support each other, so that’s an issue.

Our people need to seek out minority business owners. — says House

House’s pricing is extremely competitive because she doesn’t have a lot of overhead and limits her advertising costs so that the customer can purchase the best carpet for the best price. She does a lot of repeat business with customers and churches.

SHE ADVISES CUSTOMERS TO: • Make sure that you have the correct measurements.

• A customer should buy carpet by the yard instead of the foot because the cost differential can be confusing.

• Make sure that you measure pass the threshold. Some people stop at the wall. If you don’t, you may be charged for additional carpeting.

When a new customer visits Carpet Depot Affordable Carpets, LLC, they may be asked the following questions: • What you are buying the floor covering for?

• What is your color scheme?

• What type of carpet are you interested in?

• What’s on the floor now? (tile, carpeting, concrete, etc.)

Gladys House Fighting for Her People House has struggled with getting contracts because she is female and a minority business owner. She states, “You just have to be a warrior because a lot of times people have the misconception that because you are Black and female that you get all of the business. Wrong! It worked against me and continues to do so. You have to stir up a lot to get justice. Sometimes people begin to hold that against you, label you a rebel and a troublemaker. When actually because of the so called ‘trouble’ I started, you are here. You are benefiting from it.”

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

She suggests that the read local African American newspapers, journals, and magazines to find out where they are located.

Supporting African American businesses keeps us in business and helps our communities thrive.

Carpet Depot is located on 3621 Hurley Street, Houston, TX 77093. House can be reached by telephone at 713-742-6995 or by email at gcarpetdepot@aol.com or Gladys. house@ymail.com. Her hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday 8:00 am to Noon.

August 2018  |  11

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

12 | August 2018

Back

ENTREPRENEUR

School Readiness and Success

By d-mars.com News Provider

A

pproximately 55 million students in the U.S. will head back to class soon. From dealing with first-day jitters to shopping for school supplies, it’s an exciting and chaotic time. Reports show a correlation, however, between the start of school and student performance — early positive school experience leads to better emotional well-being and academic achievement.

So, the pressure is on for parents to get it right. A little planning can go a long way toward making sure the transition is smooth for everyone.

1. START the school night bedtime routine at least a week before the first day. It gives your child’s body clock time to adjust when there are fewer distractions. Plus, good rest the night before will eliminate

stressful mornings on school days.

2. FUEL them up with a protein-packed breakfast like a dairy-free Mooala (https://www.mooala.com/) Banana milk and peanut butter smoothie. Kids and teens who have a good breakfast are more focused, perform better in school and make healthier food choices throughout the day. Without breakfast, kids (and their parents) can become irritable, distracted and tired. “Smoothies using plant-based beverages are a great way to send your kids off to school,” said Mooala Founder and CEO Jeff Richards. “Our beverages are made from real, simple organic ingredients. Our Original Banana milk doesn’t include any added sugar — perfect for a breakfast smoothie that’s easy to prepare, delicious and packed with tummy-friendly nourishment to keep kids going all morning.”

3. INVOLVE the family in meal planning for the week ahead. This way everyone gets to request a favorite dish

and the detailed shopping list makes getting in and out of the grocery store more efficient.

4. DESIGNATE a homework station. Someplace quiet is best, without easy access to games, smartphones and the TV. Set aside time each day when you can be available to help them. When school work becomes a family activity instead of a solo chore, kids are more engaged in what they’re learning.

5. CONSIDER using an app to create a family calendar for tracking everyone’s deadlines, activities and commitments. Getting your kids to choose which app you use will help them take ownership of their assignments.

Some apps even feature reward systems to motivate family members to complete tasks. 6. Germs show up to school just like your kids do, so schedule those annual exams. Be sure your children are up to date on their vaccinations and talk with your pediatrician about ways to keep them healthy throughout the year.

Simple ways to EARN EXTRA money without owning a car By d-mars.com News Provider

W

hether you're new to a city and are getting on your feet, or you don't want the commitment of a longtime lease or loan, there are countless ways to put some dough in your pocket without the need to purchase a car.

Working with a flexible schedule doesn't necessarily mean that you need to be tied to traditional car ownership. Here are five simple ways to make money on your own time.

PET SITTER If you love animals, consider offering your services to people in your area.

Depending on your schedule, you could become a dog walker or pet sitter, where you visit the animal during the day while the owner is at work. Another option is pet boarding out of your home. This can be particularly great for dogs. Kennels are expensive, and many dog owners will consider qualified and trustworthy home boarding options as an alternative to kennels when they are out of town. Advertise and build up your own clientele or use a site like Rover.com to network.

DRIVER

TUTOR/COACH

Want to try out ridesharing but don't own a car? Or maybe you don't want the commitment of a longtime lease or loan? Car ownership and contracts can be expensive, but you can curb or even eliminate the cost and earn money by participating in the Lyft Express Drive.

The program provides affordable access to rental cars through partners like Hertz and Flexdrive. Drivers have access to a Lyft-exclusive starting weekly rental rate of $209 per week (plus taxes and fees).

However, this cost can drop with Express Drive Rental Rewards, a program designed to make each rental more affordable. If a renter gives a certain number of Lyft rides each week, some or all of the rental costs can be covered by Lyft's Rental Rewards bonus. Learn more at www.lyft. com/expressdrive.

What skills do you have that others could benefit from? Do you speak another language? Have a degree in mathematics?

Play an instrument? Did you go to college on a gymnastics scholarship? Whatever your specialty, your skills could be in high demand. Many parents pay top dollar for their kids to get private tutoring or coaching lessons. Create a resume that stresses your specialty and begin advertising on neighborhood websites and other local places. Once you start successfully tutoring one or two students, create a referral program to encourage word-of-mouth recommendations and grow your business.

FREELANCE The gig economy refers to the labor market of short-term or freelance workers,

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

and it's growing quickly in the United States. Some people find so much success with freelancing that they quit their full-time work and do contracts as their schedule allows. You may not be ready to do that, but you can make extra money using your professional skills for shortterm telecommuting gigs. Upwork and Indeed.com are just two websites where you can find short-term employment that fits into your spare time. You could also consider advertising your skills on your own by creating a professional portfolio online and reaching out to potential clients.

HOUSE CLEANER/HANDYMAN Everyone loves a clean house, but not everyone loves to clean. If you enjoy getting down and dirty in order to make rooms shine, consider housecleaning as your side gig. Whether you're sprucing up a kitchen or tackling a pile of laundry, this can be incredibly lucrative and easy to flex around your schedule. If your skills are more with a hammer or screwdriver, you might consider becoming a part-time handyman. As America's baby boomer generation ages, the need for help around the house like this will grow. Start building your clientele list now.

(BPT)

August 2018 | 13 HEALTH

5 Ways to beat the heat this summer By d-mars.com News Provider

E

veryone has had that moment when fun in the sun turns into a struggle to stay cool. And when that happens, all you want to do is get out of the heat as fast as possible. Sometimes, however, that is easier said than done, and if you’ve ever found yourself in extreme heat for a prolonged period — or you see that such a stretch is coming in the forecast — here are some ways to beat the heat now before the heat beats you. * Let your clothes do the work. When the thermostat is reaching high temperatures, what you put on your body matters. Start reading the labels on your clothes to see what fabrics your wardrobe consists of. Cotton is a natural fiber that allows air to circulate and move freely, so make sure to wear your favorite cotton t-shirt on hot days. Linen is also a great alternative in the hot summer months because of its natural fiber and light weave, which allows for maximum breathability. * Invest in the right air conditioner. It is on those sweltering days that your air conditioner becomes the most valuable tool in your home. Is your current system up to the challenge? If not, it’s time for a replacement. The LG DUAL Inverter Compressor Window Air Conditioner (http://www.lg.com/us/air-conditioners) constantly adjusts its speed — rather than turning on and off — to maintain the desired air temperature all

at a reduced energy usage. The system is so efficient it received the 2018 ENERGY STAR Emerging Technology Award for its estimated 40 percent energy savings on its biggest model. That’s savings and cooler comfort perfect for any hot summer day. * Protect your skin. On a hot day, the last thing you want is a lingering burn from the weekend spent at the beach. Invest in some SPF 50 to prevent sun damage to the skin and reduce wrinkles in the future. If it’s too late and the burn is there to stay, check out your options for a natural aloe. The soothing properties reduce rashes, burns and skin irritants, keeping your body cool so your mind can focus on the summer. * Exercise smartly. If exercise is a big part of your daily routine, you’re hesitant to abandon it simply because the temperatures are too hot. However, you don't want to risk your health either. The good news is you don’t have to; you simply need to adjust your routine. Swimming is a wonderful activity to enjoy on a hot day, and if you don’t have access to water, you can still maintain your traditional workout regimen with a few slight alterations.

Instead of working out in the middle of the day, opt for a dusk or dawn work out and try to keep your workout intervals short so you have more time to recover in these less-than-favorable conditions.

* Cool yourself down effectively. When you’re feeling hot, the worst thing you want to do is apply a cool towel to your forehead. It feels good, of course, but for maximum impact, applying this cooling agent to your wrist or neck is a far better alternative. These portions of your body are pulse points and applying a cooling sensation here will be felt everywhere else more quickly and effectively. Finally, for a relaxing cool, soak your feet in a bucket of ice cubes and cold water. Your feet have pressure points inside them as well, and just 20 minutes in this relaxed state will have your entire body feeling cooler.

The season's hottest days don't have to derail everything you have planned, you just need to prepare for them.

Applying the tips above will help you stay cool no matter what your day's agenda calls for, so you can stick to your schedule for these sweltering summer days and beyond.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

14  |  August 2018 REAL ESTATE

thing that can influence your interest rate is your credit score - it's just one way for the lender to determine how likely you are to repay the loan. Well before you begin browsing properties online, take steps to get your credit score in the strongest possible position. Review your credit report and report errors immediately. Make ontime payments and put off opening new credit accounts until after the mortgage is finalized.

2. Work with a full-time, experienced real estate agent

Top tips to help FIRST-TIMERS navigate the fast-paced housing market By d-mars.com News Provider

A

cross the U.S., the housing market is picking up pace moving into the peak of the summer home buying season.

In city after city, home prices are on the rise, up 2.3 percent on average between April 2017 and 2018, according to the RE/MAX April 2018 National Housing Report. And there are fewer houses on the market to choose from, with total housing inventory down by 11.3 percent.

Based on home sales in April 2018, the national supply of inventory was at 2.5 months, making it a strong

seller's market. (A 6-month supply of inventory historically indicates a market that is balanced equally between buyers and sellers.)

What's fueling the demand? More members of the millennial generation entering the housing market, among other factors.

If you're ready to stop renting and start enjoying the benefits of home ownership, finding the perfect house within your price range can seem daunting, especially in a seller's market. Keep these things in mind to find and close on that special home.

1. Keep an eye on your credit score

The interest rate of your mortgage matters a great deal.

Even a fraction of a percentage can add (or subtract) thousands of dollars over the life of a 30-year loan. One

Plenty of online services claim you can save money by completing the process without a real estate agent.

But as many buyers discover, the savings don't always come through as promised. In fact, going through this complex process without professional guidance can definitely lead to costly problems later. If you work with an agent, you'll get to work with a pro who's in touch with the local market and can lend a helping hand every step of the way. Their expertise can help you find that perfect house and help you craft the right strategy for your offer. Visit remax.com to find a professional agent in your area.

3. Play to your strengths

When you find the right house, you may not be the only one making an offer on the property. That can be intimidating. But keep in mind it's not always about coming in with the highest dollar amount. Buyers have different motivations to sell. Some may be in a situation where they want to close and move out as soon as possible. They'll be less likely to work with buyers who have their own houses to sell, making first-time buyers more attractive candidates.

Buying a house is a big step, and in the heat of a seller's market, it takes extra patience and perseverance.

Find the right real estate agent to help you through the process, and moving day may arrive sooner than you expected. (BPT)

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018  |  15

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

16 | August 2018

r u o y t a DR KADISHA RAPP

for you,

YO

By d-mars.com News Provider

D

r. Kadisha Rapp is an educator, published author and owner of a successful concierge medical practice catering to high profile clientele. She has 20 years of extensive medical expertise, is board certified in Emergency Medicine and is certified in Ringside Medicine by USA Boxing. But in a society where many are impressed with the celebrity lifestyle, one would be inaccurate to believe that her impressive resume makes her medical skills only accessible to the rich and famous. Dr. Rapp continues to be committed to her calling as a physician. Her purpose and mission through medicine is to provide individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds the quality medical care that they need and deserve.

A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. Rapp’s purpose positioned her in Houston, Texas. She did not set out to start a concierge medical service, but you can say that this service called her. As an Emergency Medical physician, Dr. Rapp has the patients come to her, but she never thought of the hospital coming to the patient until she literally received “the call.” Dr. Rapp expresses, “I heard of a celebrity concierge when it comes to styling, makeup, etc., but it never dawned on me that many high profile individuals might need a concierge medical service,” until the calls and requests started coming.

The seed for this medical service’s success started with destiny connecting her to people in the entertainment industry. Those connections grew into genuine friendships and relationships. “I was being aligned with people who were not only in the entertainment industry, but who also became genuine friends. Because they trusted my medical expertise and my respect for their profession as it relates to confidentiality, I was asked to treat not just these friends and acquaintances, but also their friends, family, and colleagues in the industry as well. I was treating them in their homes, hotels, at Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018 | 17

E C I V R SE your staff &

OUR STAR concert venues and abroad. From there, my concierge service was born,” says Dr. Rapp. Since 2010, Dr. Rapp’s concierge practice has been affording a diverse clientele first-class medical service.

With its stellar reputation for being an invaluable quality medical service that runs with integrity, Dr. Rapp has successfully treated the who’s who of the entertainment world for anything from a common cold to sickle cell crises.

“All of us need the same things to remain healthy, whether we are wealthy, middle class, or impoverished." All of us, no matter what career we have, risk neglecting our health. With high profile individuals and entertainers having demanding travel schedules, and more responsibilities than most, they can be especially vulnerable to neglecting their health and wellness. I was also surprised to find that many people in entertainment do not have health insurance, especially people working as security, roadies, and bus drivers. This also leads people to put off getting much needed medical care. It is these things that give Dr. Rapp passion and purpose in her concierge medical practice.

As an Emergency Medical doctor and having a private practice, she has seen just about everything a physician can expect to see after 20 years in medicine. This is why her mantra and message to all is, “Be Healthy. Be Safe. Be Successful.” Dr. Rapp says, “Many times people end up in the emergency room because they are not focused on prevention. Proper diet, exercise, regular doctor visits and a preventive care plan can save you money and ultimately your life. I have seen too many individuals who have died prematurely and become another statistic because of a lack of preventive health measures.”

Her message and education is not only made available to her clients and patients, but she also makes it her mission to extend her health education and services into the community in-kind and at low-cost.

“It is unfortunate that people do not live the longest life they can

because they do not have access to quality health insurance and services. My concierge service has not blinded me to the fact that those who are disadvantaged are also in need of excellent health care,” states Dr. Rapp.

Dr. Rapp's long term goals for her concierge medical practice are to not only provide service to patients and clients in Houston, but to also provide services to multiple production tours for individuals on a national and global scale. Her primary goal is to continue to provide the best emergency medical care in the hospital and freestanding ER setting, and through her practice.

She also continues to increase the understanding of the role of the ER through her published work, "Your Trip to the Emergency Room: What the Doctor Would Tell You if She Only Had the Time!"

With a compassion for teens and young adults, she also remains diligent in her efforts to increase awareness of the concept of Safety for Success, an initiative helping the next generation avoid many of the pitfalls that can take them off of the road to their dreams.

When we asked why people are more inclined to take care of their car, career or finances over their health, Dr. Rapp’s response is simple: “We see the money we get from maintaining our career, cars and finances, but lose sight of the fact that without our health, we couldn’t do any of those things. In the absence of any particular discomfort that is stopping us, we keep putting our minds and bodies on the back burner. Another reason is fear. Sometimes we do not want to know if anything is wrong. I’m hoping to change that mindset through my work in the medical field.”

Dr. Rapp considers herself more than just “a doctor,” but as one who is responsible for paying it forward and leaving a great legacy for young women of color aspiring to serve in the area of medicine. For more information on Dr. Kanisha Rapp, her concierge medical service, and to order her publication, please email drkadishamd@gmail.com. To see her media appearances, medical profile, and blog, please visit her on her website at www.drkadishamd.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @drkadishamd.

MY PRIMARY G

OAL

is to always p rovide the best care to all of my patients , whether it be through my concierge serv ice, in the Eme rgency Department or serving the community th rough my healt h initiatives. I am committed to providing peop le from all walk s of life with the quali ty medical car e that they dese rve.

- DR. KADISHA

RAPP -

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

18 | August 2018 INSURANCE

Life Insurance Is One of the Keys to Black Wealth Eugene Mitchell and New York Life Are Creating $50 Billion in Black Wealth Eugene Mitchell, the corporate vice president and market manager in the African-American Market Unit for the New York Life Insurance Company, said that investing in life insurance policies can increase wealth in the Black community. (New York Life)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor

I

f Black lives matter, then Black wealth should certainly matter, too.

That’s the motto that Eugene Mitchell, a corporate vice president and market manager in the African-American Market Unit for the New York Life Insurance Company, often shares.

Since 2011, Mitchell has been on a mission to create wealth—$50 billion to be exact—in the Black community through an innovative and well-thought out insurance program backed by his employers and the 1,200 African-American insurance agents the company employs.

“We are on mission to create $50 billion of tax-free future income in the Black community,” Mitchell said. “I believe the issues in the Black community are not crime [or] drugs; those are symptoms of a greater and deeper rooted issue, which is about economics.

Mitchell continued: “Without economics, without college saving plans in place, without down payments for new homes, folks struggle to move to the next level.

What we’ve put together is a community empowerment plan that’s about financial literacy.”

Mitchell said that leveraging financial tools to really make a difference is what’s important.

The equation is quite simple: multiply 200,000 families by $250,000 in life insurance and that creates $50 billion of tax-free income.

Instead of thinking of life insurance as just a means to cover funeral expenses,

Mitchell urges Black families to consider life insurance as protection and an investment for future generations.

Mitchell based his plan on four principles: Protect what you own and those you love; prioritize financial goals; plan for major life events; and pass on assets to individuals and institutions you care about.

“We’re not only trying to create wealth, but to spend it in the right place; to build upon it and protect it and leverage it for the future and pass it on, so that money is never an issue,” said Mitchell. “Knowing collectively that we’ve created $50 billion and changed the financial future of our community shows that Black wealth matters.”

Each generation of African-Americans stands proudly on the legacy of everyday heroes and civil rights leaders, just as Mitchell said he happily stands on the legacy of Cirilo A. McSween, an African-American trailblazer in the insurance business who dedicated his life to strengthening the Black community.

McSween, who served as the treasurer of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was a close confidant of Martin Luther King, Jr., was adamant about helping his clients create estates and leave legacies to financially empower the next generation, using life insurance as the foundation, Mitchell said.

“I tell my agents that we have the responsibility to live up to the legacy of those who came before us by doing all that we can to help those who will come after us,” said Mitchell, who holds a degree in finance from Florida International University and an MBA in finance from New York University.

Helping to create economic opportunity and building multi-generational wealth can ensure the stability and the future of the Black community, he said.

A revelation struck Mitchell when his employers explained that his value to the company was $2.5 million. Mitchell said that was the current value of his future earnings at the company, just his salary alone, without bonuses.

“So, it made me think about valuing my life. If someone got on the bus and was acting up, it taught me to move to the other side, for example,” he said. “You tend to take better care of yourself, your children and your family and make better decisions, when you know you’re worth a million dollars or more.”

Other races, particularly Whites, inherit their wealth, most through life insurance payouts, he said.

“You really can’t work your way to wealth, you have to invest your earnings somewhere,” said Mitchell. “It’s time to consider tools like life insurance, as well as, looking at places where we can find money to invest.”

Mitchell continued: “We could empower ourselves, and send more kids to school, create endowments, lessen crime and create more home ownership, collectively.”

Buying life insurance isn’t a government handout, or someone else doing for the community, Mitchell said.

“It’s us, getting ourselves together with what we have,” explained Mitchell. “To teach our children better, to act better ourselves, and to use these tools that are readily available that have been underleveraged in our community, so that we can raise expectations and create a new legacy for generations to come.”

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Quite simply, life insurance isn’t a lottery ticket, Mitchell stressed.

“We can insure our parents, ourselves and our children to build this within our own families. By getting our mindset and spending habits right, we can start setting up college savings plans and down payments for homes like others,” he said.

Mitchell explained: “If you had inherited $250,000 from big momma, would it have helped you put aside your nest egg, put a down payment on a home or have startup capital for a business?”

Already, after just six years, the plan is nearing its goal.

In 2016 alone, New York Life paid out $5 billion in death claims, Mitchell said.

African-American agents at the company handled more than $100 million in claims from Black Americans.

“The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) forthrightly salutes New York Life and Eugene Mitchell for this transformative initiative to undergird the building of wealth for Black families and communities,” said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA. Mitchell and others, including New York Life agents, plan to celebrate reaching the $50 billion milestone by taking a portrait on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in August.

“The $50 billion is just a starting point,” said Mitchell. “It could be used on top of the trillion dollars of earned income that Black people already have.”

August 2018  |  19

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

20 | August 2018 INSURANCE

TxDMV Urges Texans to Protect Themselves before Hiring a Moving Company

By d-mars.com News Provider

T

he Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) is helping consumers fight back against rogue moving companies as many families complete their moves before the new school year begins. TxDMV urges Texans to protect themselves from hiring unscrupulous movers.

All Texas movers are required to be licensed with TxDMV. If you hire one that is not, you risk losing your household goods.

“Hiring an unlicensed moving company is like inviting a burglar into your house, showing him which of your

possessions are the most valuable and watching him load them into a truck and drive away, perhaps never to be seen again,” said TxDMV Executive Director Whitney Brewster. “Don’t make a move without us!

The first thing you should do before hiring a mover is check with TxDMV.” TxDMV offers these important tips on how to spot an unlicensed moving company: • Don’t Make a Move Without Us: Check TxDMV’s Truck Stop database at www.TxDMV.gov online to verify whether a company is properly licensed.

• Low Price Moves: What looks like a low-cost move may not turn out to be a smart move. Unlicensed movers may advertise a very low cost for a move then increase the price once your items are loaded onto their truck.

Your items would be in their custody until you pay the higher price.

• Generic Contact Information: Unlicensed movers typically have no local business address, use cell phones as their business phones or answer the phone with vague terms such as "Movers" or "Moving Company." Ask questions. Ask the mover to give you their TxDMV certificate number then verify that number with TxDMV. • Unmarked Trucks: Unlicensed movers will typically have no markings on their trucks or use rental trucks.

TxDMV requires all licensed movers to have their name, TxDMV certificate number and USDOT number on both sides of their truck either permanently attached or with a magnetic sign.

• No Proposal/Contract Documents: Unlicensed movers may not provide you with a proposal or contract document, or may rush you through a contract form and make you sign it before reading it. A licensed mover

will provide you with both a proposal and a contract document and will ask you to sign it at different stages of the move. A licensed mover will not assess additional charges after the contract is signed unless you both agree to the changes in writing. Please make sure you carefully review any documents before you sign them.

• No "Rights and Responsibility" brochure provided: All licensed movers are required to provide you this document prior to loading your items.

“The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles does not tolerate unscrupulous moving companies ripping off innocent Texans,” said Brewster. “Our goal is to protect Texas consumers and get crooked operators off the streets and out of business for good.” 2 In addition to having authority to issue administrative penalties or revoke a motor carrier’s license, TxDMV also can help consumers by verifying whether a mover is properly licensed, negotiating the release of undelivered goods, mediating disputes concerning damage claims and referring cases to law enforcement if criminal activity is suspected.

If you have already completed a move and believe the moving company did not follow the rules and regulations, you should file a complaint at www.TxDMV. gov. Consumers should also contact law enforcement if a mover attempts to hold your items hostage for additional payment or threatens to drive away and keep your household goods. In Fiscal Year 2017, there were more than 875 licensed moving companies in Texas. Of the 379 moving company complaints received by TxDMV, 169 of them were for unlicensed movers.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018  |  21

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

22  |  August 2018

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018  |  23

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

24 | August 2018 POLITICAL

Hire Houston Youth Program Provides 7,500 Summer Jobs

By Sylvester Turner Mayor of Houston

H

oustonians know that the youth of our city hold the future in their hands. They are our next innovators, trailblazers, and civic leaders.

For 7,500 of them, our Hire Houston Youth program provided an opportunity to learn about the future while being paid as summer interns working in local government, law firms, insurance companies, hotels, fast food restaurants and other private industries.

When I came in to office in 2016, the city provided only 450 summer jobs. Last year, through my Hire Houston Youth program we provided 5,000 summer jobs, paying $8 per hour. I set the goal higher for this year, and my staff was up to the challenge of recruiting employers into the program. For next year, we’re planning to offer 10,000 job opportunities for students to compete for through a series of face-to-face job interviews.

We provide every applicant with interviewing tips. So, even if the student does not get a job, they benefit as a future job applicant.

These summer jobs provide money that deserving high school and college students need. Wages paid by private employers and the city also show these enterprising young people that their work has tangible value and that they are delivering a necessary product or service.

The summer jobs also teach our young people the

essence of a good work ethic. The jobs provide training on the importance of being punctual, cooperating with others, communicating with supervisors, dealing with the public and developing qualifications for promising careers.

Textbooks are great, but learning first-hand about the inner workings of a restaurant or City Hall is an education unto itself.

For students who landed internships within city government, the jobs ranged from producing videos for HTV – the city’s municipal TV channel – to working with engineers to improve the city’s infrastructure.

Although these jobs are strictly about business, the interpersonal relationships that are created over the course of two months bear importance in the lives of our interns. When ambitious students meet and work collaboratively toward a coming goal, they learn from each other while learning from their supervisors.

If you know young people ages 16 to 24 who want to apply for jobs for summer 2019, I encourage you – and them - to visit our website at hirehoustonyouth.org, where online applications will be available for next year.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018 | 25

THE BEAUTY OF YOU! Mary Kay® products offer you so many ways to enhance your beauty and well-being. Innovative skin care! On-trend color! Pampering bath and body products and so much more!

Let’s find your favorites.

Contact me today.

Marlene Petry RN, MSN Independent Beauty Consultant www.marykay.com/marlenepetry (281) 797-4301 Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

26 | August 2018 COMMUNITY

OLD FOLKS SAYING AN EMPTY WAGON MAKES A LOT OF NOISE.

Meaning A person who uses many words

(or talks a lot) does so to make up for the lack of substance.

EXAMPLE Rebecca was a third-year college

student pursuing her degree in Communications.

Now Rebecca wasn’t the best student. She consistently missed class and rarely made better than a C on her exams. However, she knew that in order to earn her bachelor’s degree in communications, she

had to pass certain classes with a B or higher.

When it was time for her to present her final in her Mass Communications class, Rebecca had to stand before the class and discuss what role mass communications have played in epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, swine flu and most recently the Ebola virus. She wasn’t well-prepared for the presentation, but figured she could talk her way around it. Instead, the opposite occurred.

She began babbling and getting off topic in her attempt to make it seem as if she knew what she was talking about. The class grew bored and Rebecca’s professor was not amused. She interrupted Rebecca in the

middle of her presentation and let her know that she did not need to continue. The professor then went on to comment, “it’s clear you have no idea of what the topic is really about. Empty wagons make a lot of noise.”

If you have an Old Folks Saying you’d like to submit for consideration in our d-mars.com Business Journal, please email them to editor@dmars.com. Be sure to include your name, the Old Folks Saying and the meaning.

Did You Know?

Elected on November 7, 1967 and taking office January 1, 1968, Carl Burton Stokes became mayor of Cleveland, Ohio, making him the first Black mayor of a major U.S. city.

Stokes was a good student, but dropped out of high school. He joined the U.S. Army at the age of 18 and after being discharged in 1946, Stokes returned to his hometown of Cleveland and earned his high school diploma in 1947.

Stokes eventually earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and went on to graduate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1957 and served as assistant prosecutor for four years and became partner in the law firm of Stokes. He continued his law practice into his political career in which he was also successful.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018  |  27

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

28  |  August 2018

For a special discount use code DMARS.

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018 | 29

BUILDERS

“COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE”

$212,000

FINANCING AVAILABLE INSTANT EQUITY AT CLOSING DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR QUALIFIED BUYER Independence Heights is a historic neighborhood located in northwest Houston. Known as the first city incorporated by African Americans, the community is home to more than 14,000 people.

Over the last year, residents, former residents, business owners, church leaders, parents, educators, community leaders, and community partners have come together to imagine and envision a new future for this historic community. Through a series of community meetings, stakeholders came together to create a shared vision for the community called the “Quality of Life Agreement”. In essence, the people of this area have united in efforts to enhance the general sense of quality in their lives and in the lives of all of their neighbors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT

4414 OLD YALE ST. HOUSTON, TEXAS 77022

@JGHOLLINSBUILDERS

@JGHOLLINSBUILDERS Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

30  |  August 2018

TH E

E X P E R T

N E TW O R K

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

August 2018  |  31

Experience Our World of Advertising, Marketing, Media and Communication

Election Day is August 25th

Early voting begins on August 8th

we can rebuild

OUR COMMUNITY and prevent future disasters

We need your help to

FIGHT FLOODING Vote for Prop A

Supported by Harris County Mayors and Council Members Association, Harris County Democratic Party, Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation

For More Information hcfcd.org/bond-program

|

fightflooding.org

|

#fightflooding Political Ad Paid For by the Fight Flooding PAC