N O R T H
A L A B A M A ' S
P R E M I E R E
MORNING A Publication of
N E T W O R K I N G
G R O U P
BREW
R.I.S.E.
JULY 2020 / ISSUE 11 / VOLUME 2
THIS ISSUE
BUSINESS BUSINESS INSIGHTS INSIGHTS
PASSWORDS WITH PURPOSE GET UPSET
START START UP UP STORIES STORIES
FEATURING DEMI HOWELL, DEMIERE COSMETICS
7 7 TIPS TIPS YOU YOU NEED NEED LEARNING RESOURCES TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE!
R.I.S.E. HOST & PROGRAM DIRECTOR
CONTENTS NEWS
05 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 06 EVENTS & INFO 08
START
RISE SPEAKER SERIES
FEATURES
UP
STORIES
STARTUP STORIES
FEATURING DEMIERE COSMESTICS
12
START UP STORIES
16
MAKING THE SALE IN A TAXING INDUSTRY
BUSINESS INSIGHTS PASSWORDS WITH PURPOSE -- GET UPSET
20 7 TIPS: LEARNING RESOURCES THE PITCH: HOW MY
26 MARKETING STRATEGY TRANSITIONED
28 RISKY WAYS SOCIAL MEDIA IS AFFECTING YOUR BUSINESS
30 PASSWORDS WITH PURPOSE 34 38
PHOTOGRAPHY: HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS UTILIZNG THIS TOOL
7 TIPS YOU NEED
LEARNING RESOURCES TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE
A LEGACY OF HEALTH & WEALTH
WWW.THERISEGROUPHSV.COM
A LEGACY OF HEALTH & WELATH PART 6
Contributors
Regional Innovators Sustaining the Ecosystem
Sharon Heinz
Publisher
Profit Wise Accounting Before
Vicki Morris
starting
services,
Sharon
Profit
Wise
Heinz
worked
accounting for
seven
years with a local firm, specializing in federal and state corporate, partnership and individual tax
compliance.
realized
Editor
clients
Demetria Horton
the and
While
with
relationships others
the
being
throughout
firm, built
the
she with
business
community were an integral aspect of her job. In 1987, Sharon started her own practice and now focuses on professionals and small to medium-sized businesses.
Contributors Vicki Morris Sharon Heinz
Chris Grounds
Mike Bean
Christopher Grounds, Ph.D., CIPA, is a
Jenny Resmondo Chris Grounds
Identity Management Institute
Certified Identity Protection Advisor with the Identity Management Institute, and is the
co-owner
of Benefits4Success with
Joni Grounds, whose mission is to grow and
protect
individuals
and
small
businesses. He can be reached
Rick Makrowski
at chris@benefits4success.com .
Demi Howell Jenny Resmondo
Graphics
MSPT, FAAOMPT
Face To Face Marketing, LLC
Physiotherapy I
Contact Us
have
therapy
been in
practicing
Mobile
and
physical Baldwin
counties for over 19 years. It is my
Morning Brew is a publication of R.I.S.E. by Face To Face Marketing, LLC.
desire to deliver the best available physical
therapy
to
achieve
the
highest outcomes for my patients.
We are located at 515 Sparkman Drive, HSV, AL 35816 We publish this magazine every month. We are always accepting ads for the next month's magazine, and content submissions.
Rick Makrowski Wellness Advocate Rick & Betty Makowski are Wellness Advocates and use natural methods extensively. If you have questions or are interested in more
Email us for more information at Hello@FaceToFace-Marketing.com
Morning Brew Magazine
3
EO information, they can be reached at info@promoworkssolutions.net
theRISEgrouphsv.com
SUSTAINING SUPPORTERS EVENT MANAGEMENT BY This event is brought to the North Alabama Entrepreneurial community by the team at Face To Face Marketing, led by Vicki Morris, president and founder. A Public Relations and Project Management firm. Want to connect with them, click the logo for a link to their website.
VENUE & ACCOMODATIONS
Invention to Innovation Center at UAH
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Accommodations for several morning events have been graciously provided by the brand new I2C Center at UAH and the wonderful team at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Click the images for a direct link to their websites.
Morning Brew Magazine
4
theRISEgrouphsv.com
A MESSAGE FROM the Publisher I’ve been in business for 5 years this month. And during these 5 years I have catered to the small business community in my local area. There is something very special that happens in a tight knit small business community. We are supportive of one another, we want to see each business succeed. We take time to make introductions and foster collaborative opportunities for ourselves and others. We spend a tremendous amount of time networking with one another. We build relationships, we learn to trust one another, and we rely on one another. I came into the business world from a big business, and a large corporate structure, with offices in Atlanta, Raleigh; Dallas and headquartered in Ontario, Canada. I understand how a large international company works, and how to survive in such a corporate structure. It can be hard to get noticed by the decision makers, it can also be hard to start new initiatives because there are so many layers of approval that new ideas have to pass through before implementation can begin. I am extremely thankful I had the opportunity to work in this type of environment. I learned some of my best networking skills there! (I have a marketing degree and applied for and got a job as an engineer for this company!) I held positions in Customer Service, HR, Public Relations, and Engineering. If I hadn’t moved away when I got married, I would likely still be an employee in a big corporate business and be completely satisfied professionally. However, I did get married, and I did move away, and I did quit that job.
I can make a powerful impact right here where I’m planted. Small businesses fuel the national economy. We are the feeders to larger businesses. Our federal government actively seeks small businesses to work with to carry out their missions. Small businesses can pivot much easier with various environment changes. The path to a decision is much shorter and more easily adaptable to the needs of the clients they serve. Small businesses are the heartbeat and the backbone of our local and national economy. Because I have taken the time to stay small and learn how to fine tune my craft, and build the best team to carry out my objectives, I am now in a great position to scale and grow my business should I decide to do so. There are important lifecycle lessons I have learned while being a small business. Imagine the mistakes and missteps I could have encountered if I grew too big too fast. I do have aspirations of being a successful business for years to come. And that will likely include expanding my business to reach across the nation. I
Life took some unexpected turns and I decided to be a stay at home mom for 15 years, raising my 2 awesome boys! This led to a 15 year gap on my resume, and rendered me unhireable for the types of positions I wanted. Well what did I do, I eventually started a small business and I concentrated on seeking other small businesses to work with and collaborative with. I came to find out, small business is where I can really thrive. This is where I was
say this to encourage my fellow small business owners and entrepreneurs. We often hear criticisms, ‘you’re just a small business’, or ‘you’re too small to handle ….’ Be encouraged my small business comrades! Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the elephant was eaten one bite at a time. But, …. Rome was built, and the elephant was digested, one SMALL step at a time!!
destined to land.
Morning Brew Magazine
5
theRISEgrouphsv.com
EVENTS & INFO Information about networking events, business seminars, and other opportunities to grow your business. Please contact event organizer for more details on tickets, dates, locations, audience.
COVID-19 BUSINESS UPDATES Provided by the Huntsville Madison Chamber of Commerce, latest news is updated peridoically. We're all in this together, six feet apart.
COVID-19 UPDATES
R.I.S.E. GOES VIRTUAL Due to the government advisory following the outbreak of COVID-19 R.I.S.E. is now being presented LIVE on Facebook and YouTube.
Catch us Friday July 10th and July 24th at 9am!!
SCORE HAS COME TO HUNTSVILLE Join us for Virtual SCORE presentations, THURSDAYS at 10am! SCORE is proud to have the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. They help thousands of entrepreneurs start and grow their small businesses every year. Our volunteers give back to their communities and pass on their knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Morning Brew Magazine
6
theRISEgrouphsv.com
RISE GOES VIRTUAL All RISE Events will be brought to you virtually! Tune in on our Facebook & YouTube Platforms July 10 July 24 August 7 August 21
Be sure to like our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and stay up to date on all RISE news and events.
Morning Brew Magazine
8
theRISEgrouphsv.com
ABOUT
KENNY ANDERSON
Kenneth Anderson is a nationally certified counselor with over thirty years of experience in the mental health profession. He is a graduate of Oakwood University (B.A., Psychology, and Alabama A&M University (M.S., Clinical Psychology, 1990). On January 25, 2013, he was appointed Multicultural Affairs Officer for the City of Huntsville by Mayor Tommy Battle after spending 16 years at Calhoun Community College, most recently as Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. In this position, Mr. Anderson acts as a liaison between the city and the community on multicultural issues, programs and activities that include citywide projects that strengthen organizational systems that support a multicultural workforce; assessing community needs in the context of multiculturalism; providing technical support and advice to the Human Relations Commission, Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council, neighborhood associations, and community watch groups; encouraging understanding and promoting social justice among diverse groups; and representing the Mayor at various functions. The job began on Monday, April 29, 2013.
Kenneth is President of Maximum Life Enhancement, a business management and educational consulting firm specializing in leadership, employee development and life skills training. He speaks nationally at conferences, schools, churches, and other venues. Since beginning Maximum Life Enhancement, Inc. in 1994, Kenneth has provided training and inspiration to thousands of customers who wanted to improve the quality of their personal and professional experiences. Our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals. All Maximum Life Enhancement seminars can be customized regarding audience, venue, length, format, and budget. Seminars are highly interactive and engaging. Participants walk away with proven strategies for personal and professional growth, and success is assured.
EMPOWERMENT ENTERPRISE
kennyanderson75@gmail.com
ABOUT
LeTonya Moore, JD LeTonya F. Moore, JD is an attorney-entrepreneur with almost twenty years of experience building and helping build successful enterprises. She is the visionary behind 360° Brand Protection StrategiesTM, developed to provide asset protection, mitigate risk of loses, and increase business profitability for the small and medium sized business.. The 360°methodology enables brands to develop strategic growth and expansion to the national, international, and global marketplace. LeTonya services business clients both small and large. As a former federal government attorney, her client listing includes: US Department of Housing & Urban Development, US Department of Veterans Affairs, US Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, Centers for Medicaid & Medicare, and the Food & Drug Administration. In 2020, LeTonya will officially launch the International Brand Protection Institute, a virtual legal training program developed to teach individuals and business owners from underserved and economically disadvantaged populations basic legal concepts in the areas of business law, asset protection, contract law, intellectual property, employment law, tax law, international business and more. Additionally, the Institute provides access to legal advisory services and direct counsel, programming on business growth and development, business strategic planning, and more. LeTonya is an author, and her most recent work, “Stop Brand Stealing Thieves Now! Your Brand Protection Playbook”, a handbook for the growth minded business owners seeking to avoid legal pitfalls by being proactive in protecting their business, was released in 2019. After reaching a major milestone of introducing her brand protection methodology to the United Kingdom in 2018, she is the founded The Global Growth Group (G3), a society of experts collaborating to provide entrepreneurs with a guided pathway to protecting their brand both in the US and abroad. Through her work, she is now affectionately known as the Global Brand Protector TM.
www.iprotectyourbrand.com
MORNING BREW
BE OUR NEXT FEATURE Place your Ad or Article in the next issue of Morning Brew Magazine
TODAY
New Article Series
START
UP
STORIES
Start Up Stories highlight the startup stories of local and regional entrepreneurs. Check back each month for a new feature and inside story of the hows , whys, and whats of starting a business from seasoned and successful professionals.
Morning Brew Magazine
12
theRISEgrouphsv.com
START
UP
STORIES
July feature
Demiere Cosmetics was named after my youngest daughter, Dandi-Lione Demiere. My husband and I had named our beauty salon after our first daughter Demi Howell and felt compelled to honor our second with same level of homage. As an entrepreneur that is 100% consumer based the goal was to simplify the purchasing of cosmetics as well as the application process. This was imperative to me because of the heightened level of information and brands available to women and it believed all of the options can be overwhelming causing women to over purchase ultimately having a personal inventory of unusable products. To avoid this scenario we derived at a minimalistic approach to enhancing one’s beauty by ensuring what we offer fits each customers lifestyle through customization. This approach is based around a refillable custom kit. Now instead of purchasing with a hope of getting it right the consumer can choose what is needed, therefore, eliminating anxiety that comes with not having a full understanding of what is needed to fulfill the look that makes the consumer the most comfortable and confident. At Demiere Cosmetics we do not believe in overselling the consumer we believe in selling the perfect look for the lifestyle. Our top clients are the career women of the world that live a fast passed life limiting the time to apply the makeup application on a daily basis. The simplicity of the custom kit cuts a 30 – 45 minute application down to 15 – 20 minutes maximum. We have a full understanding that rejection is a part of the process as a retailer of any product, so we are constantly surveying consumers’ needs to ensure our products are compatible to all skin types and conditions.
Morning Brew Magazine
13
theRISEgrouphsv.com
The biggest challenge was stepping outside of the comfort zone and making sure the products we offered not only fit the lifestyle of the career woman but also those individuals that are seen more frequently on movie sets, television shows, as well as, public figures. Demiere Cosmetics has sponsored 1 2 3 rooftop parties at the BET Awards, Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, 106 th and Park, and Suga Momma to name a few. These avenues have created a word of mouth marketing platform that generates a consumer loyalty by way of the trust of another individual that has their best interest at heart. We also utilize social media, the World Wide Web, testimonials, sampling opportunities, and trade shows to market and present our products to potential clients. Our goal is always to get the consumer intrigued with the simplistic concept then educate, instead just selling to get the product out of the door. Through the growing process outsourcing became an option that needed to be explored to not only capture a more national market but to reach international opportunities as well. In 2019, Demiere partnered with Curl Bible a major online distribution company that is frequented by over 100,000 people on a regular basis. To be an earmark in the cosmetics we had to stop playing it safe and take the belief in the Custom Your Face concept to the next level without the fear of rejection. Now I will admit the decision was not a no brainer at first because one particular obstacle we faced, getting the hometown consumer to buy in and trust the products and concepts that we were offering, had me contemplating shutting the line and trying something different. But as an entrepreneur you have to think bigger than just right outside of you front door and realize that there are millions of consumers to be reached. This brought on the confidence to be more vocal and start focusing more on the consumers that are buying in an allow them to be a catalyst for the next person. That consumer will always be important because not only are they able to tell the next person about Demiere Cosmetics the beauty enhancement will always speak for itself.
THE OWNER BEHIND THE STORY
DEMIERE COSMETICS OUTLETS: www.demeirecosmetics.com IG: @demierecosmetics FB: @demierecosmetics You Tube: demiere cosmetics
Inquiries: demierecometics@gmail.com 9 Â | Â BOOKISH MAGAZINE
Morning Brew Magazine
14
theRISEgrouphsv.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN VECTOR IMAGES DESIGNED TO SPECS CLEAN LAYOUT Contact us to schedule your consultation today! 256-489-0135 Hello@FacetoFace-Marketing.com 515 Sparkman Drive HSV 35816
Making the Sale in a Taxing Industry BY SHARON HEINZ, PROFIT WISE ACCOUNTING, MARKETING AND TAX For decades accounting services have enjoyed a certain level of industry security, for as we all know, “nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. - Benjamin Franklin” However, increased consumer demand for “instant everything” and one-click fulfillment have led to firms changing both processes and offerings. Previously, achieving a sale required a firm to stand out against its competition. Now, it requires significant investment into a prospect, before even knowing they are considering a service.
Everything has to be instant now. From the first google ad-click to the number of questions on an appointment sign up page, anything with too many steps can deter a lead from reaching out. Additionally, taking too long between the initial appointment and the submission of the tax return can be off-putting and prevent repetitive business. Over the years, tax laws and policies have drastically increased how long it takes to complete a tax return while simultaneously, clients are expecting returns to be completed faster.
Morning Brew Magazine
16
theRISEgrouphsv.com
An increase in professional service requests during a tax return proves that clients want to be able to do more in one place. In recent years, clients are asking to do even more of their financial transactions when coming in for a tax return. Quarterly tax services, catchup bookkeeping, business registration, and tax prep for minors’ requests have increased. Firms must offer an ever-wider array of products and services to maintain their business.
For accounting firms to increase sales, it’s crucial to keep integrating additional services while giving the illusion that less time is taking place between first contact and the completion of the transaction. Simple technology strategies prove successful in achieving the new balance; chatbots on websites and social platforms, digital document transfers, 24/7 self-serve appointment booking, and free 15-minute virtual consultations give clients the instant gratification without overwhelming firm resources. While planning for the future, including temporary services relevant to current events, such as the PPP loan application assistance and SBA loan forgiveness consultations, will keep a firm competitive.
To make sales in today’s market, a firm must consistently monitor and evaluate the sales pipeline and the changing service demands. Furthermore, it’s essential to establish proactive measures to make changes with speed and efficiency. In doing so, accounting businesses should experience a definite room in accomplishing their sales objectives for the year 2020.
Morning Brew Magazine
17
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Passion HR Consulting 2608 Newby Road Suite 200, Huntsville AL (888) HR - SERVE \\ info@passionhr.net www.passionhr.net
Morning Brew Magazine
18
theRISEgroupHSV.com
-AYN RAND
-AYN RAND
NEW ARTICLE SERIES
7 TIPS The 7 TIPS article series gives you 7 vital tips on marketing, business, innovation and more! Check it out each month for 7 TIPS you never knew you couldn't live without.
theRISEgrouphsv.com
7 TIPS
Learning Resources to give you an Edge!
Oh! And did we mention they are FREE
By Face to Face Marketing
1
Coursera
Join for free. This site allows you to build skills with courses, certificates, and degrees online from world-class universities and companies. Skills you can learn
-Write your first novel -Leading People and Teams -Human Resource Management -Graphic Design Basics -Learning to Teach Online
Skillshare
Sign Up for Free. Skillshare offers classes, real projects to create, and the support of fellow-creatives, Skillshare empowers you to accomplish real growth.
2
Skills you can learn
-Building an Etsy Shop that Sells -Accounting Fundamentals -Blogging Basics -How to get Published
3
Udemy
Sign Up for Free. Udemy's offers a huge repository of teaching videos. Simply answer a few questions about your interests and abilities, and Udemy will provide you with a recommendation. Skills you can learn -Business -IT -Marketing -Design
Morning Brew Magazine
21
theRISEgrouphsv.com
7 TIPS
4
Marketing Resources to give you an Edge!
Codeacademy
Join for Free. Codeacademy allows you to start at any level of expereince and learn basic HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Python, and More. Skills you can learn
-Basic and Advanced Coding -Basic Website Build -App Coding
Edx
Free Membership. Edx partners with Harvard, Berkley, MIT, IBM, and many others to offer professional certificates and micro degrees Most classes are free however verified certificates often costs..
5
Skills you can learn
-Science and Humanities -Business -Technology
6
Pluralsight
Sign Up for Free. Pluralsight offers courses, with a focus on technology, for individuals, business teams, educators and students. Skills you can learn -Software Development -IT -Data Security
Future Learn
Register for free. Future Learn is a general online learning platform that offers tiers of clsses in all subjects. Many courses are hosted by universiteies, businesses, or other organizations around the world.
7
Skills you can learn
-Business -Computer Science -Art -IT -Media -History -Healthcare -Humanities
Morning Brew Magazine
22
theRISEgrouphsv.com theRISEgrouphsv.com
So you think you can sing? Attention ALL SINGERS! Submit a video of you singing the National Anthem for a chance to sing LIVE at the War Dawgs Opening Home Game.
Submit your video to our Facebook Page
Follow us on FB for details, updates and announcements. Your video could even be posted as our feature singer of the week!
www.facebook.com/NAWARDAWGS #NAWARDAWGS
www.northalabamawardawgs.com
NEW ARTICLE SERIES
The Pitch is an article series dedicated to showcase the stories of our local and regional entrepreneurs. Check it out each month and get the inside scoop on how, why, and all the cool inside jokes as they share their personal startup journey and tips with you.
theRISEgrouphsv.com
How My Marketing Strategy Transitioned Along with the Rest of the Country During Social Distancing By Jenny Resmondo, MSPT, FAAOMPT
The business world was not expecting COVID-19 to enter in. As a relatively new business in Baldwin County, Alabama, it was quite a unique time to be a business owner. I saw many new businesses close their doors forever over the last several weeks and months. What was also noticed was the drastic shift in marketing and new opportunities that developed due to the pandemic. As I was sitting, relaxing one evening with my family, my son made a comment out of the side of his mouth: “Have you noticed how awful these commercials have become? I guess all the writers and illustrators have stopped working too!� Well, he is a smart boy and figured out pretty quickly that the time, effort and money available pre-COVID19 had stopped and now his favorite commercials were no more! In-person networking had stopped, paralyzed for fear of how to proceed, making sure mandates were followed and respecting others feelings. It became abundantly clear, that if I were to stay in business, I would have to pivot and pivot fast! No longer am I calling doctors offices and scheduling a lunch to provide the entire office lunch in exchange for 5 minutes or so with a doctor! What I found that worked well for me in this new era, post Covid-19, is that I am directly speaking to my potential clients. I turned most of my marketing strategy to social media. It still works! Morning Brew Magazine
25
theRISEgrouphsv.com
I have turned to narrowing down my target audience as “niche” as possible and speak to their specific pain points. I have also created my own “reality” show on my personal Facebook page. Why do this? With the nature of my business, it is very close and personal; people need to be able to develop a trust and relationship with me in order to want to do business with me. By creating my own reality show, I have lowered the barrier to entry and become personable with all of my new clients before ever meeting them in person. This is just another way of creating my brand!
My goal is to continue to grow my audience on my Facebook page. I continue to join groups that my perfect clients are in, and I offer as much free value as possible. This is not a short term gains solution; I’m in this for the long run. So, if you are looking to make millions of sales instantly, this suggestion is not for you. I know this strategy works for the long haul, because I have had people reach out to me to work with them, and they reference posts that happened so long ago, I had no idea what they were referring to!
Piano and Voice Lessons By Beth (850) 321-9794 www.bethryanmusiclessons.com
My marketing has changed and will continue to change as our society changes. The top takeaways are to always target a specific audience, speak to their pain points, demonstrate your authenticity, and lastly develop trust. If you can do this, then you will have as many clients that you are looking for!
Beth A. Ryan has a degree in Music from Berry College and a has been teaching Music, Piano, Voice, Xylophone, African drumming and Recorders since 2003. Morning Brew Magazine
26
theRISEgrouphsv.com
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR
Calling all aspiring entrepreneurs! The Interactive Start-Up Business Application functions as a tool to assist users in focusing and validating a business concept.
For more information visit: www.jtgprop.com/services
7 Risky Ways Social Media is affecting your business
By PassionHR | Mike Bean, SPRH President
A large portion of the world’s population finds it difficult to live without having an active social media presence. You will come across several friends who love posting their selfies, vacation photos or just everyday life. There are a multitude of social media platforms to choose from, but Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat are a few of the most popular medias. Though it might be great for your overall personality development, excessive exposure to social media interaction may hamper both your professional as well as personal life. PassionHR Consulting is passionate about assisting you in pursuing your career goals. We know many job seekers want to keep their private lives private, but many companies these days are checking your online profiles. Thinking ahead and being smart about what you post to social media platforms now may enhance your career opportunities in the future. Morning Brew Magazine
28
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Some recruiters may use social media profiles to get an idea of your character and your personality, so it is better to use social media strategies to project your positive image. However, even a single slip-up might cost you the entire career of your life due to negative social media interaction. If you are employed and your social media actions are negatively impacting your work, it might cost you your job. A good rule of thumb is to never say anything online that you wouldn’t say face to face. How Social Media Impact Can Save Your Online Profile Here are some of the common negative social media mistakes that you must avoid to possibly save your job status or professional career. BEING INSULTING, COMBATIVE, OR DRAMATIC:
You must refrain yourself from being too insulting or dramatic while posting anything on a social media platform. There are instances when you may wish to lash out on social media about your frustration or anger. Whether personal or professional, try keeping it to yourself and avoid posting it online on different social media channels.
SHOWING OFF TOO MUCH WEALTH: Even if you are the CEO or Founder of the company, there is no point flaunting your wealth or expensive purchases. This serves as a great turn-off in your professional image among your office peers.
CONSTANT COMPLAINING:
There could be a high chance that you are not content with your work or boss. However, it is better to avoid taking it to the online platform to complain about your current position or boss. Try to refrain from these type of posts to maintain your good professional image at your workplace.
SHARING THE LATEST JOB OFFER:
Job offers are meant to be confidential unless you actually take them up. Therefore, while you are active in your ongoing job and might have received a great job offer from another company, do not go around posting about it on any social media channel.
Morning Brew Magazine
29
POSTING USELESS COMMENTS: Unless you have the need for it, avoid posting any comment on an official social media post. It is better to not give your opinion, rather than giving an unimportant or useless one. This act will be highly condemned by your seniors in the job.
DON’T DRINK AND POST: Many a career has been interrupted or ended by a social post made after having imbibed a bit too much. If you wish to be on the safer side, avoid posting images during or after consuming alcohol.
MISBEHAVING WITH CUSTOMERS:
Never, ever disparage customers on social media, even if you feel you’re in the right. This is something which will not be appreciated by your boss or company head at any cost. Unless you wish to get fired intentionally, do not mock your customers on any social media channel.
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Business Insights
PASSWORDS WITH PURPOSE GET U.P.S.E.T.
by Chris Grounds |Â Identity Management Institute
Does this happen to you? You try to sign into an account and you have no idea what your password is? Is"Forgot my Password" your most common way to log in? You can deal with it two ways:
The NOT Smart Way You can use the same password for all accounts, then you don't forget it, right? The downside is that makes it EASY for hackers to steal your identity and drain you of your accounts and possibly commit criminal activities in your name. Once they get into one account, they're now able to get into all your accounts.
Morning Brew Magazine
30
theRISEgrouphsv.com
The Smart Way – Get UPSET! You're already upset because you forgot your password, so how does getting upset help? By using UPSET as a handy identity management tool. U - Username Having a unique username is a really good practice to keep hackers confused. P - Password Let's face it - a complex password that's tough to break can also be tough to remember. Create a password like a phrase (example: I went to Disney at 4 years old = Iw2D@4yo) that has some special characters in it, and you can just remember the phrase. S - Security Questions Whatever answer you give for a security question doesn't have to be the truth. Your mother's maiden name can be anything! E - Email tied to this Account Try not to mix business and social emails. Create email accounts that you use for social media and fun activities, and set up separate email accounts for just business/financial type activities. T - Two Factor Authentication This is an invaluable tool - if the website doesn't recognize your browser (say you're logging in from a different computer), it will send a text or email to the phone/email account on file to confirm that it's you.
Morning Brew Magazine
31
theRISEgrouphsv.com
How do I keep all this organized? Here's a tool I've used which works really well - you can get a mini-notebook / binder like an Arc Project Planner, which you can get at Staples. However, most any office store has similar types of mini-notebooks. This works well for handling UPSET identity management. -- here's an example of what it might look like using an Arc Project Planner page.
Using a planner like this can help you keep all of your information in one place, and can be kept physically safe out of the hands of hackers. You can also use password “vaults”, which are really useful for keeping logins / passwords in a secure place for lots of online accounts, but don’t always help with security questions and other important information (such as emails tied to this account).
Christopher Grounds, Ph.D., CIPA, is a Certified Identity Protection Advisor with the Identity Management Institute, and is the co-owner of Benefits4Success with Joni Grounds, whose mission is to grow and protect individuals and small businesses. He can be reached at chris@benefits4success.com .
Morning Brew Magazine
32
theRISEgrouphsv.com
WISDOM FOR BUSINESS Trusted improve
business
the
advisors
performance
of
ready your
to
help
business!
WWW.STEVENLEVYASSOCIATES.COM |256-325-9809
FEATURED ARTICLE
PHOTOGRAPHY
HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS UTILIZING THIS TOOL?
By Mike Moorer
When you think of commercial photography; what comes to mind? When I used to hear the term commercial photography, it always conjured up the idea of a multi-million dollar fashion photoshoot shot in Greece or Persia. It just seemed like a far-off foreign concept. How would it every apply to my life? My first exposure to the concept of commercial photography was when I used to look at my sister’s fashion magazines. I was able to see high dollar products and brands presented to me in a powerful way. In the fashion industry; businesses hire models, makeup artists and photographers to sell all kinds of products and services. The models sell clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, watches, shampoo, perfume and much more.
However, commercial photography does not have to be some far-off thing that only multi-million dollar brands and super models engage in. For instance; I remember years ago sitting at home with a couple of friends during the summer. Food was the last thing on our minds until my friend turned the page on a magazine and tacos appeared. The images were so engaging, that we all jumped in the car and drove down to the restaurant. This is a perfect example of commercial photography and how it works. Commercial photography is the art of capturing images for the purpose of selling products or promoting a brand. The goal of commercial photography is to position the products and the brand that created them; in the minds of the target audience. Morning Brew Magazine
34
theRISEgrouphsv.com
The term commercial photography is a broad term that includes several types of photography. Headshot photography Commercial photography includes, but is not limited to the following types:
Personal Branding Photography
Advertising photography One of the most common forms of commercial photography is headshot Fashion photography photography. This is an image created to sell yourself and your business. Real estate photography Most people have experienced this kind of commercial photography. Corporate photography When you think about headshots for an actor or actress; it takes it to another level. Their headshot is all they have to sell themselves to the casting directors.
It’s not uncommon for actors and actresses to pay $1500 for a professional headshot. They understand that a quality image is the only thing standing between success and failure. They realize the direct connection between commercial photography and the opportunity for financial gain. It is important for us to realize the power of commercial photography and how it can create wealth for us as well. Social media has opened a whole new world for branding and marketing. With the advent of social media platforms; we are forced to reevaluate the worth of our headshots, branding images and other forms of commercial photography. Is it possible that the quality of our images could be directly related to our success or failure? Before social media, it was not uncommon to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to get your brand in front of potential clients. If you wanted your images up on a billboard, you couldn’t just upload them from your smart phone. Today’s technology has reduced many barriers that used to be between our brands and our target audience. Morning Brew Magazine
35
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Billboards have always captured my attention. Through the years I would look up and see branding and advertising messages while driving down the highway. Think about the concept of a billboard. Businesses purchase ad space on the billboards that are in high trafficked areas. Although billboards are still an important way to advertise, digital billboards have emerged. When you post on social media, it is like a digital billboard. Social media platforms can be equated to the digital highways of our times. Now the highest trafficked places are on social media and social media posts and ads are like digital billboards. However, the price barrier to enter the digital highways is lower than ever before. Now you can get your brand in front of your target audience through organic reach on social media using commercial photography. You can now hire a photographer to shoot your images and then you can post them directly to social media. The more consistent you post, the more visible you become. The more visible you become the stronger your brand becomes in the minds of the consumer. Commercial Photography is all about capturing the target audience’s attention long enough to sell them on your brand, your product or your service. To this day I can still remember seeing the images of those tacos on that one summer afternoon. The power of the images motivated us to rush out the door to purchase them. However, they did much more than that. The images created a response, that created an experience, that created a lifelong memory. This is how branding works. It creates a feeling and an experience that turns into a memory. Now when someone goes to make a purchase, they are influenced by the experiences and memories of using specific brands in the past. You want your clients to build a relationship with you in this same way. These brand relationships can have a generational impact. It’s crucial to understand that you can brand yourself with images you post on social media. Be strategic about creating high quality images to be displayed as commercial images on your behalf. Commercial photography is not just for multi- million dollar brands and supermodels, it’s for you and your brand.
Morning Brew Magazine
36
theRISEgrouphsv.com
BUILDING WEBSITES THAT
RESPONSIVE SITES | CUSTOM DESIGNS | CLEAN LAYOUT Call to schedule your free consultation today! 256-489-0135 | Hello@FacetoFace-Marketing.com 515 Sparkman Drive HSV 35816
www.facetoface-marketing.com
A legacy of Health & Wealth A
R.I.S.E.
ARTICLE
SERIES
WELLNESS THE NATURAL WAY WELLNESS THE NATURAL WAY – PART 6 BY RICK MAKOWSKI
This is the sixth in a series on Wellness, the Natural Way. We took a little diversion during our lock-down period to address the immune/digestive system, so we will now step back to address some of the uses and benefits of Essential Oils (EOs) in our quest for improved wellness. We cannot stress enough, the importance of the quality, testing, and safety in using EOs. The start is by using those EOs that we have confidence in being 100% pure, natural, and unadulterated. These are not the ones commonly found at local drug and health stores which are produced for the mass market for quick and easy sale. When you read one of those labels and you see “for aromatic use only” or “for topical use only”, that is your clue these are not pure, unadulterated, and may contain substances other than the natural plant or food. An example we like to use to demonstrate the absorption of an EO by the body is to have someone put a drop of Peppermint EO on the bottom of another’s foot (arch). Within a minute or two, that person will either smell or taste (or both), the peppermint as it is absorbed very quickly into the body where it stimulates the other senses 1 . It also demonstrates the power and effectiveness of a drop of a high quality EO. Now, with experiencing that level of absorption into our bodies, we should assess if we are still OK with using a low quality EO that may not be as safe or effective and we are not sure what adulteration is in that product. If you cannot taste or eat a 100% pure and natural peppermint or an orange in the form of an EO, why would you want to use it topically or aromatically in your wellness pursuits? Morning Brew Magazine
38
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Let’s start with the Peppermint EO: Peppermint is one of the “go to” EOs for a variety of needs. We see it used in toothpaste and chewing gum as it has properties for good oral hygiene. So, one can add a drop to the toothbrush or a drop of Peppermint EO and Lemon EO in a glass of water as a refreshing mouth wash. Note: it is important to use a glass vs plastic if one is not sure how an EO will interact with plastic. Peppermint EO is also used for light digestive issues to alleviate the occasional stomach upset; one can smell it, put a drop or two in a glass of water or gel capsule, or rub a drop or two across the stomach with a carrier oil to spread it out.
Peppermint is also used for a refreshing pick me up. Take an old car air freshener in whatever shape you have and put a drop or two of Peppermint EO on it to freshen the car interior. The rejuvenating effects are also good to help one be more alert. In the summer heat, a drop placed on the back of the neck provides a cooling sensation, though test for your skin sensitivity and use with a carrier oil if needed. It is also known to have respiratory benefits, especially combined with other EOs such as Eucalyptus. We’ve all got a chuckle from the ads for toilet sprays; a drop of peppermint (or other EO of preference) into the toilet bowl will work as well. Then there is the Orange EO: Wild Orange is another “go to” or all-purpose EO and has stimulating and purifying properties. It can be used internally and helps support a healthy immune system. The cleansing and purifying capabilities range from cleaning and disinfecting
1 Note a previous article on reflexology.
Morning Brew Magazine
39
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Then there is the Orange EO: Wild Orange is another “go to” or all-purpose EO and has stimulating and purifying properties. It can be used internally and helps support a healthy immune system. The cleansing and purifying capabilities range from cleaning and disinfecting surfaces around the home (counters, floors, sinks, etc.) and use in hand sanitizer blends, to antioxidant properties for a light body detox, helping to fight cold and flu symptoms, and immune system boost. It can be used aromatically, topically, and internally in glass of water or gel capsule. It is even more effective in combination with other EOs in a DoTerra blend called On Guard that we will address in later articles. Note of caution: Citrus EOs, like Wild Orange are photo sensitive, so any topical use, especially in the summertime, should be placed where the “sun don’t shine”.
The combination of Wild Orange and Peppermint in a diffuser or internally in a gel capsule helps to promote a feeling of being more alert and focused, so it can be helpful when one needs good concentration, like studying for or taking a test, or working a project (like writing these articles). If you are interested in learning more, you are welcome to join a class, set up a class, or a one on one, and even join a study group on a particular issue you may have and want to address where samples will be provided for you to try and see. This article is intended for your personal use and informational purposes only. You should consult with a physician before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet, or nutrition routine, especially if pregnant or have pre-existing health conditions. Nothing contained in this article should be considered as medical advice or diagnosis.
Rick & Betty Makowski are Wellness Advocates and use natural methods extensively. If you have questions or are interested in an EO class, they can be reached at info@promoworkssolutions.net or 256-509-5510.
Morning Brew Magazine
40
theRISEgrouphsv.com
R.I.S.E. THANKS OUR COMMUNITY SPONSOR
Don Daniel, founder and creator of The P.I.L.L. Method International, has written a top-rated financial book and it is available now on Amazon. Mr. Daniel is a resident of Huntsville and has been in business with The PILL Method for many years. He has traveled all over the world teaching people this better way of thinking about debt cancellation.
WWW.INNOVATEHSV.COM
Morning Brew Magazine
41
theRISEgrouphsv.com
Vicki Morris | Program Director Vicki@FaceToFace-Marketing.com 515 Sparkman Drive 256-489-0135