IE Entrepreneur Sept 2015

VOLUME 1 / ISSUE 9

SEPTEMBER 2015

IE ENTREPRENEUR

TM

T H E

M A G A Z I N E

F O R

V I S I O N A R I E S

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I N N O V A T O R S

COVER STORY:

Chef Michelle Nazario-Montoya: From Roswell to Rosemead, Texas to Temecula The Journey of Nana's Tamales

Michelle Nazario-Montoya Owner, Nana's Tamales Temecula, California

IN INSIDE: Understanding Financial Concepts is Key to Building Your Wealth

inland empire museum of art

Inland Empire Museum of Art

MARIS SHERWOOD – Festival of Colors | Watercolor 30x38

Inland Empire Museum of Art Administrative Office: 1334 North Benson Avenue, Suite D Upland, California 91786 Phone: 909-941-3993 Email: info@iearts.org Website: www.iearts.org

Photo courtesy GENE SASSE

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M A G A Z I N E

VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 9 | SEPTEMBER 2015

COVER STORY Editorial M Malia Vincent-Finney CEO/Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Publisher.ieemag@gmail.com Angela Ross Columnist/StaffWriter angela@arosscom.com

Michelle Nazario-Montoya Nana's Tamales LLC

Kristine Specht Columnist Contributors Don Driftmier, CPA, CFO Noble House Entertainment LLC Gary Capolino, President The Part-Time CFO, Inc. Katherine Wilson, Marketing Chair Multicultural Council, Riverside Museum Associates Joy Gendusa, Founder, CEO PostcardMania® Sean Nealon, VP Business Development Continental Credit LLC Craig Thomson, Mortgage Banker Amerifirst Financial, Inc. Andrew Villalobos, Realtor Coldwell Banker Armstrong Properties U.S. Department of Commerce Commercial Services, Ontario CA

F

Production

amily traditions perpetuate cultural heritage.

Mario C. Maala Creative Director Drew Ortiz-Castruita Photographer/ Camera Joan Rudder-Ward Art / Photographer Infinity8Media Graphic Design/Website Design

IE Entrepreneur™ is published by Infinity8Media™. All content contained herein is the intellectual property of Infinty8Media™, IE Entrepreneur™ and photographers and is protected by copyright law. Reproductions of any content without express written permission is prohibited.

Please direct all story ideas, and questions to editor.ieemag@gmail.com.

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This is more than evident in the personality and perspective of Michelle Nazario-Montoya, Temecula's Tamale Queen. Michelle's company, Nana's Tamales LLC, celebrates its third generation traditions. Michelle says she is “New Mexi-Rican,” a perfect blend of her New Mexican mother, Rita Mary Montoya, and her Puerto Rican father.

With recipes handed down from her grandmother, Adalia Montoya, and personal creative touches of her own, Michelle's New Mexico-style cuisine is well-known throughout the Temecula Valley and outlying cities.

Our cover story is dedicated to the memory of Rita Mary Montoya and begins in Page 24. ◙

Cover Shot & Above : Michelle Nazario-Montoya at Miramonte Winery.

Photography: MENDEZ PHOTOGRAPHY. Hair & Make-up: HAIR BY SALITORE. You can reach Crystal Salitore at hairbysalitore@gmail.com

Copyright©2015 Infinity8Media All rights reserved.

SEPTEMBER 2015

IE ENTREPRENEUR | 3

CONTENTS

17

19

Commentary

7

Talking Points Don't Wait to Live Your Dream That “perfect moment” you're waiting for is now

21

IE Arts & Culture- Riverside

17

By Katherine Wilson, Marketing Chair Multicultural Council, Riverside Museum Associates

By M Malia Vincent-Finney

Small Business Matters

11

19

3 Things You Need to Know About Your Credit Report

Small Business Marketing

By Sean Nealon, VP Business Development Continental Credit LLC

Small Business Financial Fitness

13

Around the IE

Grow Your Business With Good Public Relations

By Angela Ross, President Angela Ross Communication

12

All Cultures Matter Meet Riverside's Multicultural Beacon

21

Temecula Valley Entrepreneur's Exchange Pitch Practice & CEO Storytelling

Tri-Star Dental Group, Rialto CA -Website Analysis

By Joy Gendusa, Founder/CEO PostCard Mania®

Understanding Financial Concepts Is Key to Building Your Wealth Why a financial plan is so crucial to your business

By M Malia Vincent-Finney

4 | IE ENTREPRENEUR

SEPTEMBER 2015

CONTENTS

31

41

37

EXPORT TRADE & COMMERCE

Feature

Business History

24

44

Michelle Nazario-Montoya: From Roswell to Rosemead, Texas to TemeculaThe Journey of Nana's Tamales

By M Malia Vincent-Finney

31 Brittney Elliott:

Cursed By Beauty Blessed with the passion to make people happy

Labor Day 2015 Shared prosperity for a Ssronger America

It's a Wrap

46

By M Malia Vincent-Finney

Red Rock, Sedona AZ

Photography Contributed By Emilio Gallegos & Gustavo Valenzuela

37 Maris Sherwood

From the Inland Empire Museum of Art

Real Estate & Economy Watch

41 Economists Uncertain

Variables in international markets

By Craig Thomson, Mortgage Banker Amerifirst Financial, Inc.

SEPTEMBER 2015

●

Want to Share Your Photography?

If you would like to share a photograph from your travels or a location from around the IE, for our “It's a Wrap!” page, please send your your jpg, png or pdf file via email to us at editor.ieemag@gmail.com. Please send vertical files that will fit a 8” X 10.5” fullpage and not lose resolution.

IE ENTREPRENEUR | 5

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SMALL BUSINESS – PERSONAL SAFETY TALKING POINTS

Don't Wait to Live Your Dream That “perfect moment” you're waiting for is now.

As a young, single mom and small business owner, making certain my finances were in order, my children and assets were protected in case something happened to me, monitoring my credit, and staying fit, were my highest priorities.

M Malia Vincent-Finney

As an entrepreneuse, I am “The Company.” Therefore, to protect myself, my family, assets and sustain my business, I conduct a financial needs analysis regularly. I also apply basic financial concepts I teach in my women's empowerment coaching to my own financial plan. As a small business owner, my personal and business lives coexist. By practicing what I teach, my personal/professional well-being is healthy.

Most small business owners “are” The Company. As the “key person,” we have obligations. If we become incapacitated, or worse, is our family protected? Will our children be able to live, without disruption, in their own home? Will they go to college? Will the business continue to generate income for them and our staff and their families? Will our assets – savings, life insurance, real estate, etc. - be protected and passed on to our children and other designees as we had always planned?

We become entrepreneurs for the freedom and the opportunity to make far more income than we could ever earn in a 9-5 job. Freedom of time to spend with our families, to attend our child's first play, to take our children to practice and sports events. Freedom to make decisions for ourselves, live the lifestyle we want to live, reach financial independence and achieve peace of mind.

So, as part of our personal/business financial plan, why wouldn't we protect that asset which is the most valuable and on whom so any rely? Ourselves.

Our thinking changes when we are financially secure - achieving that place where the cost of things is of no consequence, where paying our business taxes, insurance, and employee benefits, is something we look forward to rather than dread. Why? Because paying these things, regularly and on time, means we are successful!

Most importantly, the lifestyle some imagine, is our reality.

Financial independence is peace of mind and taking care of those we love. Isn't this really what we strive to achieve? After all, our children are counting on us. ◘ Aloha,

Malia

SEPTEMBER 2015

IE ENTREPRENEUR | 7

JOAN RUDDER-WARD

Sweet Columbine | Š2015 Joan Rudder-Ward

Joan Rudder-Ward Fine Art Prints For further information visit http://www.joanrudderward.com/ Contact joan@joanrudderward.com or call her at (760) 220-1771

Love Yourself 24/7!

It's about taking care of yourself for you!

It's about lifestyle!

Christina Wife, Mom of four boys, Entrepreneur – Healthy, happy and 30 pounds lighter with Herbalife®

It's about your health!

As a Wife, Mom of four boys, and an Entrepreneur, I have to be the best I can be for myself and my family 24/7.

I do it with Herbalife® every day.

Moms are role models for their children.

They copy what they see.

Let them see you eating right and taking care of yourself.

I've lost 30 pounds and kept it off.

You can too!

Visit my website at www.goherbalife.com/loveyourself247

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You can relax, knowing that true professionals are representing your best interests.

When you’re ready to buy or sell a home, contact us, and let us show you how “we open doors.”

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SMALL BUSINESS – PERSONAL SAFETY SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

Grow Your Business With Good Public Relations

By Angela Ross, President Angela Ross Communications

I often hear people speak of advertising, public relations, marketing, event planning and communications as “the fun stuff.”

Discussion of event locations, font sizes and colors, and the presence of television cameras, micro-phones, cables and news reporters do evoke, in some, a sense of frivolity and celebrity.

People who work in the communication arts are typically highly creative and energetic extroverts, who enjoy meeting and working with people. They smile a lot, talk a lot, and truly enjoy doing their jobs, which may convey to some that it’s all fun and easy.

Angela is a realtor with Tarbell Realtors in Riverside.

Prior to entering real estate, she enjoyed a successful 20year career in media, communications, and public affairs.

SEPTEMBER 2015

While most communications practitioners derive great pleasure from their work, it’s not all fun and games. It’s serious business, and if you want your business to grow, understand that public relations and communications must be part of your overall business development and growth strategy.

You may be advertising your small business, but if you do not have a public relations plan, you are missing a cost-effective way to enhance awareness of the products and services you offer.

What should you do?

Have a plan. Develop a communications strategy for your business. What do you want to communicate, to whom?

Remember voice, tone, and style are important – especially in social media.

Be consistent. Regular, predictable communication with your key audiences is important. Decide how often you need to be in front of them with your messages.

Who will speak? Decide who will be the point person for your business. If not you, than who?

Develop an emergency communications plan. Depending on the type and size of business you have, you may need an emergency communications plan. If things go badly, how will you communicate with media?

These are only a few things to consider.

If you are like most busy entrepreneurs, you may not have the time or skill set to devote to good public relations, but help is available.

Consider scheduling a consultation with a communications or public relations specialist to develop a plan tailor-made for you and your business. ◘

IE ENTREPRENEUR | 11

SMALL BUSINESS – PERSONAL SMALL BUSINESS MATTERSSAFETY

3 Things You Need to Know About Your Credit Report

By Sean Nealon, Vice President, Business Development Continental Credit LLC Have you ever wanted to know what the real difference is between a Collection, a Charge Off and a Profit & Loss on a credit report?

The quick answer is that there is a huge score impact difference between them. First off, you need to categorize a Charge Off and Profit & Loss (P&L) into the same group on a credit report where the difference is just mere accounting terminology. However, the difference between a collection and the other two can be enormous.

Let’s take a look out how accounts can be classified on a credit report. They either show as an "R" for "revolving", "I" for "installment" and "O" for "other". A collection is neither a revolving account nor an installment leaving the only choice left as "Other."

Contact Sean Directly Cell: (303) 495-3244 Office: (866) 488-2066 Fax: (877) 754-5725

12 | IE ENTREPRENEUR

Balances are irrelevant on an "Other" account, so whether you owe $0 or 10K your score will not change. Rather, the weight of the account is based on the DLA (Date of Last Activity), the newer the date the more it weighs, which is why paying off your collections will usually lower your scores as it will renew your DLA.

Charge Offs and Profit & Loss Charge Offs and a P&L on the other hand are more likely (maybe 80% chance) to report as a revolving account. This changes the game because not only do the same rules of DLA apply, but now the balance also has an impact.

Whenever you are maxed out on any revolving account good or bad it causes tremendous score reduction consequences.

The mathematical dilemma then becomes what is worse, having a maxed out charge off/P&L, or settling on it only to renew your DLA? This is why you have you credit restoration friends at your beck and call!

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SMALL BUSINESS – PERSONAL SAFETY SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL FITNESS

Understanding Financial Concepts is Key to Building Your Wealth Why a financial plan so crucial to your business

By M Malia Vincent-Finney, Founder/CEO BusinessBrain/The Power of W - California

An essential tool for every entrepreneur is their financial plan.

Having a financial plan in place is is especially important because being a small business owner means your personal finances are directly tied to your business finances. You are the business. The business pays you. If there is a shortfall in the business, you might need to use personal accounts, such as savings and credit cards or borrow from relatives.

There are two classes of financial obligations for a small business owner: 1) Personal – mortgage, rent, car loan, car/life/retirement/homeowners/renters insurance, food, children, clothing income taxes, etc.; and 2) Business – everything that is not personal. Office rent, supplies, wages, liability/key person/life/disability/workers comp insurance, retirement, taxes, accounts payable, marketing, etc.

Your financial plan is also necessary to plan for savings and investment, retirement, your Dream Home, education, travel, protecting your family in case of incapacitation or death, and preservation of your wealth.

Financial planning can eliminate debt, increase your ability to save more in better ways, reduce your taxes, and accelerate retirement.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Your financial plan tells you where you need to be, what you need to do to get there, and ho.and

how to maintain the fiscal health of your company. With your plan in place you can adequately prepare for slow times, peak times, inflation, expansion, and emergencies.

Build Your Financial Foundation The first step in financial planning is conducting a financial needs analysis which is a tool to identify your needs, goals and dreams so a financial strategy can be developed.

This strategy may include how much you will need to save, what kind of tax-free account to open, how to reduce taxes on savings you may already have, how to protect your assets, your family and business.

There are six areas that are addressed in a financial needs analysis: 1) CashflowIncreasing revenue Money management 2) Debt Management – Eliminating all debt Reducing interest on debt 3) Emergency Fund Prepare for unexpected expenses Save 6-12 months' income Continued on next page IE ENTREPRENEUR | 13

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SMALL BUSINESS – PERSONAL SAFETY SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL FITNESS

Continued from previous page

you will incur in the process.

4) Proper Protection Protect against loss of income Protect personal & business assets

Your business budget should also include an emergency, or contingency, account. Your financial plan will tell you if your business is viable, if your market can support your business, what your sales forecast should be, what your price point is, and what it will take to reach your financial goals.

5) Build Your Wealth Professional money management Reduce taxes, outpace inflation 6) Preserving Your Assets Reduce or eliminate taxes Leave a family legacy You can easily see how your personal and your business financial planning can, and should, be prepared in tandem.

Your Operational Budget Your operational budget is part of your financial plan. It shows you the amount of revenue needed to run your company and the costs and expenses yoj

You need to know your numbers at all times. You need to know how much revenue your business is generating (cashflow) and how much you are spending (expenses). How else you plan for upcoming expenses and adjust to increase your income flow, if you have no idea as to the financial status of your business?

You should know exactly how much you have in your accounts that you can liquidate if you need cash. nvent

The value of your assets (inventory, equipment, vehicles, real estate, accounts receivable), your debt (accounts payable), and your revenue (sales, commissions).

Make sense?

Basic Financial Concepts One of the simplest and most powerful tools to learn about for accumulating wealth is the Rule of 72, discovered by Albert Einstein.

You have heard of compound interest before. And you probably have an account where interest compounds your outstanding credit card balance.

We will explore this further in our October issue. Can't wait? Register for our upcoming September Women's Wealth Empowerment Breakfast to be held in Moreno Valley and Temecula.

To register now just email us at thepowerofwca@gmail.com. â—˜

Financial Literacy & the Small Business Owner

THE RULE OF

72 Simply put, the wealthy manage their money, their money does not manage them.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Somewhere in the In the 21st century financial literacy education family tree financial in our schools is still concepts were applied by savvy investors or financial sorely lacking. advisors.

Fortunately for us, Albert Einstein's Rule of financial concepts don't 72 for compound interest is change. Which means we perhaps the simplest and still have the opportunity yet most powerful, financial to benefit from things we concept to understand and should have been taught apply. And it's available to in grade school. everyone, not just the rich.

When you think about it, wealthy people were not always wealthy. You know the rags to riches stories where $10 turns into a family legacy of generational wealth. gen

Using the interest rate from the photo on page 13, $2,500 at 12% would double in six years. Now calculate $2,500 earning 0.15%. Quite a difference.

However, just as the Rule of 72 works for calculating how quickly your money can double, it can just as easily be used to calculate how quickly that interest you are paying on your credit card balance, payday loans, mortgages, late fees, will double.

Which would you rather have? Double your money, your double your debt?

Working with a financial coach to earn, save, grow, protect and preserve your money is not just for the wealthy.

IE ENTREPRENEUR | 15

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SMALL – PERSONAL SAFETY IE ARTSBUSINESS & CULTURE - RIVERSIDE

All Cultures Matter Meet Riverside's Multicultural Beacon

By Katherine Wilson, Marketing Chair Multicultural Council, Riverside Museum Associates

Some people believe society practices more tolerance and appreciation of each other the more we are exposed to and learn about these cultures in a positive, supportive atmosphere.

A small group of dedicated Riverside women and men have worked to encourage the community’s ethnic groups to come together to share, teach and learn from each other. They are known as the Multicultural Council of the Riverside Museum Associates, or simply the MCC. And they are bringing back the annual Family Village Festival to Riverside on September 26, 2015.

In 1997, the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, brought together cultural representatives throughout the city so they could celebrate their culture simultaneously. While the museum had previously staged several p culturally based events for the public, they had never presented a true multicultural festival.

Contact Katherine Phone: (951) 283-4347 doplerkat@yahoo.com https://www.facebook.com/ pages/Multicultural-Counc il-of-the-RMA All photos for this article courtesy RMA

SEPTEMBER 2015

The Family Village Festival ran through 2011. The event returns to Downtown Riverside on September 26th after a four year hiatus.

The MC originally organized themselves as representatives from specific ethnic groups. Today, anyone with a strong interest in serving the community, supporting and preserving traditional arts and cultures, can participate.

Much of the Council’s activities have focused on children and their families.

Many of the members’ own children have grown up in, and been a part of the group’s evolution.

According to member, Nancy Olsen, “Children copy what they see their parents doing, so it’s good that they become a part of the volunteering.”

Continued on next page

The annual Family Village Festival was born. Cultures from Riverside communities - Mexican, African-American, Asian, European, South American - and so many others, gathered together to dance, make music, make art. Children learned about each of the cultures.

IE ENTREPRENEUR | 17

SMALL – PERSONAL SAFETY IE ARTSBUSINESS & CULTURE - RIVERSIDE

Continued from previous page

Festival Village is a Family Affair The MCC has been the multicultural beacon for the local Riverside community. The group has gone beyond the popular annual festival family event, to include cultural dialogues, a multicultural book club, and programs for the State of California’s Day of Inclusion.

The 2015 Festival’s theme is “Dances Around the World.” About a dozen live performers will present dances from cultures such as traditional Hawaii, Samoa, Japan, and Mexico.

The “Villages” will include representatives from Scandinavia, Puerto Rico, Japan, and many others.

Children will receive their own “Passport to Culture,” which gives them the opportunity to participate in a do-it-yourself learning program. When they visit each “village” they will answer a special question and receive a passport stamp.

The Chairperson of the Multicultural Council is Luz Negron of Riverside. Luz was one of the original members of the group. In addition to her day job for

The Multicultural Festival Village comes back to Downtown Riverside. Photos courtesy RIVERSIDE MUSEUM ASSOCIATES

the County of Riverside, she is involved in many community activities and currently serves as a member of the City’s Parks and Recreation Commission. She is also an artist and an activist The 2015 Festival is chaired by Carole Zuloaga, a retired school teacher and artist who spends much of her time creating projects for children that are easy, fun and make use of recycled materials.

The committee is ably assisted on this year’s festival by longtime members Jacquie Unitt, Susan Strickland, Mohamad Saouli, Nancy Olsen, Katherine Wilson, Judy Lee, and Patricia Cano, along with newer members Lisa Henry, Georgina Ramirez, Rosemarie Torres, Rose Monge, and Mihoko Powers.

The event is supported by the City of Riverside, the Riverside Museum Associates and individual donors. The RMA is the nonprofit arm of the Riverside Metropolitan Museum.

President of the RMA is Peggy Barnhart of Riverside. ◘ 18 | IE ENTREPRENEUR

SEPTEMBER 2015

SMALL BUSINESS – PERSONAL SAFETY AROUND THE IE - TEMECULA

September 9th, 11:30 AM Pitch Practice Every second Wed of the month at TVE2 - practice your investor pitch.

Every Second Wednesday of the Month Temecula Valley Entrepreneurs Exchange (TVE2) 43200 Business Park Drive Temecula CA Contact Cheryl for More Information at cheryl.kitzerow@tve2.org

Come to the Temecula Valley Entrepreneurs Exchange (TVE2) at 43200 Business Park Drive in Temecula and brush up on your investor pitch - or just come to watch. Each pitcher gets a limited amount of time to present their company and value proposition, just as they would to a group of investors. A panel of experts is on hand to evaluate both the content and style of the pitch, and they provide both verbal and written feedback. This helps those of us who have never really pitched an investor to get more comfortable with our pitch and to include the most important points an investor would want to know.

This experience is valuable not only to those who pitch, but to everyone who attends. Plus, you get a free lunch, courtesy of Cheryl Kitzerow and TVE2, and it's a chance to see what other people are doing and a great opportunity to network and catch up with our group of regular attendees.

So plan every month to come have lunch and share thoughts while seeing people pitch - or take the plunge and pitch yourself! If you would like to pitch, contact Cheryl at TVE2 and she'll help you out! You can reach her by email at cheryl.kitzerow (at) tve2.org to sign up and/or receive more info. ◘

September 10th, 5:30 – 7:30 PM CEO Storytelling / Free to Attend

Hildy Mignone Hildy Mignone, retired from being owner of A CHOCOLATIER, was born in New York City to immigrant parents, and sought to challenge herself to build a company based on principles she learned working for four major corporations early in her career.

At Colgate-Palmolive Company, The Singer Company, The Hertz Corporation, and at Pan American World Airways, Inc., she learned the rudiments of product production, R&D, marketing, law, and media, and hoped to use her knowledge to successfully a company with her wearing all the hats of leading it.

Register https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ ceo-storytelling-hildy-mignonetickets-18076586557

September 2015

This she successfully accomplished, all the while being a wife, mother and daughter. Join us to hear how she got started, why she took the leap from Fortune 500 to running her own business, and how she successfully started and ran a retail enterprise for seventeen years, then morphed into a business to business operation for another ten years. ◘ IE ENTREPRENEUR | 21

SMALL BUSINESS – PERSONAL SAFETY SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING

Tri-Star Dental Group Rialto CA - Website Analysis

By Joy Gendusa. Founder, CEO PostcardMania®

I’ve got a riddle for you: What has five tips but won’t cut you, and comes around only at the end of the week? Okay, maybe that wasn’t a very difficult riddle…but it still doesn’t change that fact that today is Friday!

Time for my small business website design tips!

Today we are looking at a small dental practice from California, Tri-Star Family Dental Group.

My standard website analysis rules apply: there are 5 essentials of business website design that you have to know if you want to turn online prospects into customers. I’ll point them out as I go through the site, just keep up with me. Go through the site with me: http://tristardentalgroup.com/

Screen captures courtesy PostcardMania.com

Design:

Marketing:

Tri-Star has everything a dental practice should have on their website. It is well organized with a bright white background (just how we want our teeth!). Their logo is in the upper-left corner where visitors expect to see it. The simplicity of their website works for Tri-Star — instead of cluttering the website with unnecessary photos and information, they get right to the point and make it easy for prospective and current patients to find the information they need.

When it comes to the marketing aspect of a website (how well it moves general traffic from being a prospect to a lead and then a customer), Tri-Star gets a gold star! I’ll tell you why: 1) Web Form – Their web form is EXACTLY where it should be! The first thing you see are the girls showing off their pearly whites, then immediately to the right is their contact form.

Continued on next page

SEPTEMBER 2015

IE ENTREPRENEUR | 21

SMALL – PERSONAL SAFETY SMALL BUSINESS MARKETING SMALLBUSINESS BUSINESS MARKETING

Continued from previous page

The contact form is also at the top of every other page, making it nearly impossible to miss! (And greatly increasing the likelihood of converting a visitor into a lead.)

2) Testimonials – Every page features a testimonial on the right hand side, which adds to the company’s credibility and increases trust factor.

3) About Us – The about us page has REAL pictures of the dentists you’ll be visiting and a brief bio for both. This goes a long way increasing trust, and adding some information about their educational background is a good plus for credibility. Well done!

4) Contact Info – The phone number is positioned in the upper-right corner (where visitors expect to find it) and the hours of operation are displayed on every page. A recommendation would be to include some social media links, like Facebook or Twitter, to show Tri-Star interacts with their clients.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization): SEO is the practice of optimizing your website so that search engines can understand what your website is about and rank it for relevant keywords people might be using to search for sites like yours.

The better your SEO, the higher your website ranks for certain keywords. Tri-Star Dental Group targets keywords like “dentist” and “dental services.”

Copywriting: The motto “less is more” is hard at work on Tri-Star’s website, but I won’t fault them for it. All of the information a prospective patient might need is presented clearly and effectively. Where they do have copywriting (mainly when describing the doctors), it is concise and educational.

22 | IE ENTREPRENEUR

Screen captures courtesy PostcardMania.com

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MC ANGEL BABY

GILBERT STOKES NORMAN CARTER FORMERLY OF FORMERLY OF THE DELFONICS EL CHICANO

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COVER STORY

Michelle Nazario-Montoya, owner and chef of Nana's Tamales LLC, based in Temecula CA. Photography by MENDEZ PHOTOGRAPHY. Hair & Make-Up by Hair By Salitore, hairbysalitore@gmail.com

COVER STORY

Michelle Nazario-Montoya From Roswell to Rosemead, Texas, to TemeculaThe Journey of Nana's Tamales

By M Malia Vincent-Finney

F

or many of us, cultural roots that harken to our past, ground us in our present.

These roots give us balance, a feeling of belonging, and a connection to something greater than ourselves.

Our heritage imbues in us a family pride and sense of obligation to perpetuate our traditions and customs and pass these on to our children and grandchildren, and they, to theirs.

When she speaks of her mother, father and grandmother, there is a wistfulness that comes over her that says volumes about the heartfelt love and dedication she carries with her to “make her family proud” of what she is doing and what she will become.

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It is this sense of familial pride and strength of connection that struck me about Michelle NazarioMontoya when I first met her.

A vibrant, vivacious and gregarious women of “New Mexi-Rican” heritage, Michelle embodies the strength of character one would expect of someone much older. It is immediately evident her ties to her family are an unbreakable bond.

The design for Nana's Tamales

COVER STORY

“Nana's Tamales represents three generations of authentic, traditional New Mexico-style food, always made with the freshest ingredients.” - Michelle Nazario-Montoya

Michelle says Nazario comes from her father, shown on the right, and Montoya comes from her mother, shown in the center. Family photographs provided by Michelle Nazario-Montoya. Michelle's photo courtesy MENDEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

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A Life Built on Tradition I met Michelle at a Starbucks in Temecula, the city that she and her family of nine call home. We were getting together to talk about her new business, Nana's Tamales. She had her 10-year old twins with her, Brooke and Blake.

Michelle had just come from preparing food at her catering kitchen in Murrieta. She was happy, excited and thoughtful as we got acquainted and talked about the history behind her business and the vision that she saw for herself and her family as her business grew.

Michelle is the owner and chef at Nana's Tamales LLC. As her story unfolds it is clear she has a calling to do what she does. She is a woman of conviction and a product of her strong ties to her cultural heritage.

Her heart and soul are poured into her family and into her business. She prides herself on using only the freshest ingredients, keeping a spotless kitchen, and serving only the best tasting food.

“From as long as I can remember, I have loved feeding people,” Michelle said. “On our ranch growing up I used to go out to the horses and loved spending time with them. I would sing to them and feed them.”

“One time I was sharing my bread with the horse and my father got upset.” Michelle remembers, laughing.

“See? Even as a child, I was feeding someone!”

Michelle shared memories from growing up with her Mom and siblings in Rosemead.

“My Mom was Rita Mary Montoya and my grandmother, my Nana, was Adalia Montoya.”

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COVER STORY Continued from previous page

Roots in Roswell, New Mexico “Nazario is my Dad and Sandoval is my husband and kids,” Michelle explained.

“My Nana died when I was 4 1/2 years old and my Mom passed away nine years ago on September 15. I miss her everyday,” Michelle said.

“I've been cooking since I was about 8 years old.

Roswell, New Mexico was where my Nana and Mom were born and raised, so the Chile State is all I know. It's my heritage and my specialty.”

“My Nana came to California from Roswell with my Mom to start a new life,” said Michelle. “My Mom was only 18 years old. They lived in Rosemead which is next to Montebello.”

“My Mom worked at an eatery called J&S Hot Dog Stand. She only knew how to cook from my Nana so that was her first job in Montebello,” Michelle said.

“It's a known local hole in the wall,” said Michelle, “I still go there when I'm back home! It's still standing today!,” she says laughing.

“When I'm in Montebello, I'm always out eating at our old places,” Michelle said. “All holes in the wall, still standing strong in Montebello, that were my favorite dives to eat real Mexican food. J & S, Lupe's Burritos, Mario's Tacos, Omana's Tacos, Gardunos.”

Michelle recalled the little house in Rosemead and the wonderful evenings spent with her mother and siblings.

“My inspiration was my Mother, who passed away 9 years ago on September 15th,” Michelle said. She was a widow at 17 and pregnant, raised us kids as a single mom.

We didn't have lots of material things, but we had her love and her cooking. I can remember getting off the bus two blocks over and I could smell the aromas of her cooking throughout my neighborhood, and I'd run all the way home, so excited to see her cooking for us.

“My Mom stayed single for years after my father's passing,” said Michelle. “She finally remarried. I grew up with my siblings Billy, Tammy and Frank.”

In the catering kitchen. Photo courtesy NANA'S TAMALES.

“When it got dark, Mom would close all of the curtains and we would cook,” said Michelle. “She would cook all of the food that she loved and we loved. And we would turn the music on and sing and dance and cook.”

“It was her love for cooking and singing in the kitchen that I took after,” Michelle said. “Like I said, we didn't have much money, but her love was all we needed and it was very evident in her foods.”

From Rosemead to Texas to Temecula “When I got married and started having my kids, we lived in Rosemead,” Michelle said. “We moved to Texas for a bit, to see if it would be any easier living out there. I was at home with the kids, so I decided to study for my real estate exam. It was during that time I began cooking.”

“I always wanted my little hole in the wall,” said Michelle. “And I had it in Texas. It did well. It was very successful, lots of hard work with having five kids. But I loved serving others and the warmth and love I received was gratifying.”

“When my husband got transferred to Abbott in Texas, there were no good authentic foods in Fort Worth where we lived,” Michelle said. “I missed Mom's cooking, so I decided to open my own cafe called Nana's Tamales.”

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“My husband got transferred back to Abbott in Temecula, so we closed shop and moved here,” Michelle said. “My original plan was to continue in real estate. But my passion and love for cooking would lead to me giving away my foods to teachers, clients, homeless people.”

“I didn't have much money, but I had love that I shared through my food” said Michelle. “I got my real estate license and did that for awhile. I would cook for office parties and I love cooks-offs so I've entered a few and would always win “Best of” for my food.”

A Business Built on Tradition and Love Michelle is enthusiastic about her business and emphatic when talking about her cooking and her food.

“I started Nana's Tamales in January (2015), I'm still looking for my little hole in the wall,” said Michelle. “I need one again, I just can't seem to find a small location that's not too expensive for me. “ “I LOVE COOKING!,” Michelle enthused. “It soothes my soul. To see people eat high quality ingredients made simply, fresh, it's the best!! I truly love my foods!”

“Nana's Tamales is a third generation business,” Michelle explained. “My grandmother, Adalia Montoya, was my nana. My mother was my kids' nana, and then myself. I'm a Nana to three.”

“Many of the recipes are traditional, handed down from my nana, to my mom and then to me,” said Michelle. “I put a little twist on some of the recipes, but the flavors are basically from my mom and Nana.”

“I'm very determined to become successful at catering with my team of workers,” Michelle said. “I want a sit down where people come to me. And catering can be done there, too.”

In the tradition of her mother, Rita, and her Nana Adalia,, Michelle is building Nana's Tamales as a family business. The mother of seven – Desiree, Brandon, Danielle, Michaela, Madison, Brooke and Blake – has a built-in crew to help her at venues and as the business grows.

“My firstborn went to Le Cordon Bleu. She's my Sous Chef,” said Michelle. “My oldest son is also a cook but loves music as well. My third born is an assistant manager for a local check cashing lender.”

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Michelle with her crew at Miranonte Winery in Temecula's wine country. L to R: Ryan, Kaitlyn, Kamal, Michelle, Nisreen, Stephen, Brianna, Sydney, Molly, and Chase. Photo by MENDEZ PHOTOGRAPHY

COVER STORY

From Nana's Kitchen – Always Full of Love!

Nana's serves a variety of New Mexico-Style tamales including Red Pork, Green Chicken, Beef Brisket, Jalapeños 'n Cheese, Bean 'n Cheese, Spinach Creamy Garlic with Jack Cheese, Sweet Cinnamon Brown Sugar, Butter 'n Pecans, and Sweet Butter Corn. Here are some other specialty dishes from Nana's Kitchen.

“Our Special Beef Brisket and Cheese Tamales, so special!!!”

“A New Mexico Green Chile Enchilada with a signature fried egg on top!!!”

“My award winning New Mexico Green Chile with Pork is my BIGGEST specialty.

Fire-roasted green chile, chunks of pork.”

“My creamy garlic chicken with red and green chiles.”

“My award-winning Red New Mexico Chile is the base for our tamales, enchiladas or Wet burritos.”

“Our Street Tacos are fillled with carne asada (Angus beef), carnitas or chicken.”

COVER STORY

Nana's Tamales catered California Day at Vintage Hills Elementary and received a review of “the bestest lunch we ever had” from the little girl in the hat. Photo courtesy NANA'S TAMALES

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Business is Booming!

It Started With Taco Tuesday in Old Town

There is definitely an art to what Michelle does and she is certainly an artist.

When we first met, Michelle was serving her street tacos for Taco Tuesday at the Temecula Wine and Beer Garden in Old Town Temecula on Front Street.

“It was one of my first regular gigs in the city and it got my food and face out there,” Michelle said. “People fell in love with my street tacos and super nachos.”

“I was also catering, so people would come to Taco Tuesday and I'd have them sample my food and they would hire me to cater their event.”

As news of Nana's Tamales spread, Michelle was catering for many community events, private parties, and even at the local schools.

“I was excited when I was asked to cater Teacher Appreciation Week at Margarita Middle School and Vintage Hills Elementary School,” said Michelle. “I had the opportunity to thank the teachers and was so proud to serve them some of my very best authentic food of tamales, super nachos and carne asada street tacos.”

“I was also asked to cater California Day at Vintage Hills Elementary for 150 teachers and the fourth grade. One of the little girls said it was the “bestest lunch they ever had,” Michelle said, clearly pleased with the “review.”

From there, Nana's Tamales became a household name and Michelle began booking graduations, weddings, birthday parties, and business events.

As Nana's Tamales' reputation for being the best authentic New Mexican-style food grows, so does its popularity. Just as Michelle's run at the Temecula Wine and Beer Garden wound down, she was approached to cater Sundays at Miramonte Winery.

“Sundays are for members only,” Michelle said. “So it's a different clientele altogether. The atmosphere is awesome.

The winery is so beautiful.” Michelle loves working with the staff and crew at Miramonte Winery. Her street tacos, made with Angus beef, chicken and carnitas, sells out by the end of the evening.

Nana's Tamales was recently invited to Fort Valley Farmer's Market in Fallbrook. So Michelle now alternates Sundays between Miramonte Winery and the Farmer's Market. On August 11th, Nana's Tamales began catering Taco Tuesday at Danza del Sol Winery. Her calendar is full and she loves it that way.

Plans for the Future Michelle is seeing her hard work and determination pay off for Nana's Tamales. She sees her vision for her sit-down restaurant slowly unfolding.

Meanwhile, her calling to feed people grows. Michelle knows in her heart her food is meant to nourish those less fortunate and in need. Last month Michelle's grassroots organization, Nana Loves to Feed, became official. We can expect to be seeing more from Michelle in the near future. ◙

IE WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS

Cursed by Beauty Blessed with a passion to make people happy

By M Malia Vincent-Finney

B

rittney Elliott is focused, energized, inspired, and inspiring. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is a role model for her 5-year old niece, her family and young women she meets.

When we met on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Ontario to talk about her aspirations, for her new business, Cursed By Beauty, I immediately sensed a contained energy about her. It was no surprise to learn she is creatively multi-talented, passionate and compassionate, and a little sassy, in a very good way.

Brittney is a visionary with dreams of building an international business. She made it abundantly clear these would not franchises. “They will be locations and I will travel from one to the other with my staff,” she said with a toss of her head.

Shaky Beginnings Her foray into entrepreneurship a little over a year ago (she opened her company in April of 2014), was nearly undone before it began when Brittney accepted her first big event from family friends.

“They were five ladies, family friends, and they wanted to celebrate their 50th birthday together,” Brittney laughs.

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“They came to me and said they wanted me to do their party for them. With 150 guests! And they gave me less than a month to design and plan it all.”

“I did a lot of crying. I was very emotional because I wanted it to be the best,” Brittney said.

“Their birthdays were from February to March,” said Brittney. “So they decided to have it in April.

The theme was a “50th Classic & Fabulous" party.”

Despite her trepidation, planning the party was fun for Brittney, who draws out her designs ahead of time for herself first and then for her clients.

L to R: Sonja Richard Babineaux, Valerie Brewster, Lavaughnya Frierson and Vivian Marie Dash (not shown).

“I did the party in light blue,” said Brittney. “I made cake pops vanilla cake and dipped them in light blue chocolate. There was all different types of candy in the glasses. The one (in the picture) with the blue flower is a vase I made with diamonds.”

The ladies had a ball and the party was a huge success. But Brittney said she was a wreck.

“It was too much for me,” Brittney said, shaking her head. “So emotional. I cried some more and didn't ever want to do it again. It was too hard. I said if this is how it is, I don't want to do it.”

She felt this way, until she got her next call.

Getting Over the Initiation of a First Event “I got a call from a Mom who wanted me to do her daughter's birthday party,” said Brittney. “At first I was hesitant and thinking what am I going to tell her. But then she started talking about a colorful candy theme and I got interested.”

“I went with them to the candy store,” Brittney said. “The little girl wanted everything she saw!”

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“I mean everything! Have you been to that candy store? I loved it, too. Especially when her Mom said whatever I wanted to do, have at it.”

“The party was color, color everywhere! And when I saw that look on her face when she came into the room and realized it was all for her and her friends, well, I decided, yes, this is what I'm going to do!”

Where It All Began Brittney hails from Long Beach, CA. She moved to the Inland Empire the end of 2003. She graduated from Canyon Springs High School in Moreno Valley, Class of 2004. She is studying nursing and has attended Riverside Community College for the last two years working towards her RN. She already has her cosmetology license.

“I love what I do!,” she said enthusiastically. “I'm studying nursing because I love taking care of people. I get all emotional when I'm making people happy. Whether it's when I take care of them, or do their party and doll them up. I really think my passion is more for the event planning. But I like nursing, too.”

Brittney remembered a favorite place she would go to when she was a child. “I remember I'd go to this house and there was color everywhere. The lady let me touch all the fabrics she had. She'd make me dresses. I was in heaven!”

“I remember there was color everywhere. The lady would let me touch all the fabrics she had.

She'd make me dresses.

I was in heaven!”

The Chanel Baby Shower Brittney's entrepreneurial spirit continued to grow. She was asked to plan a baby shower. Not just any baby shower, but a Chanel-themed event. She had help with the baking but the ideas and design are all Brittney.

“They knew the baby was a girl so fun! I could design girly, sparkly and pink,” said Brittney. “It's Chanel!! What's not to like? They loved, loved it!”

At the time of our interview, Brittney had just gotten a contract for another party with an “Under the Sea” theme and she was excited to get started.

“I already have an idea for this giant octopus,” she said, clearly envisioning the animal in her mind. It will be in the pool and all of its legs are going to be draped in the water and on the deck.”

Watching the gleam in her eye, there is no doubt, this is just the beginning for Brittney. I expect we'll be hearing a lot more from this young, big vision entrepreneur in the very near future. ◙

September 18, 2015 Friday, 7:00 pm September 20, 2015 Sunday 4:00 pm

Natalie Mann As Suor (Sister) Angelica

The Box - Fox Entertainment Plaza 3635 Market St., Riverside, CA 92501 For more information, please visit www.riversidelyricopera.org

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Festival of Colors | Watercolor 30x38

Maris Sherwood Courtesy Inland Empire Museum of Art

Art is my passion. I draw and paint what I see, what I dream, what I want to share with others. I believe Art is a cultural expression of our society; it creates freedom of expression, inspires mental and spiritual peace, stimulates our minds, and our emotions; it encourages us to be more creative.

It gives us beauty to warm our souls.

In my youth I spent many hours at Joslyn Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. I loved wandering around and looking at all the art. Each time I was there I always noticed something new. I began seriously painting in the early 1970’s, when I spent a few years doing commissions for family and friends. But as life went on other things got in the way, and I gave up painting for a while. In the late 2000’s I found a wonderful art association that drew me in and got me to realize how much I love art, and how much I missed creating it.

I’m back to my first true love, and am enjoying every minute of being able to create what I see in my mind. I don’t paint to sell. I paint to share and give to others, in hopes that it sparks an interest in searching and learning more about the amazing art that is created in our world.

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“I believe Art is a cultural expression of our society; it creates freedom of expression, inspires mental and spiritual peace, stimulates our minds, and our emotions; it encourages us to be more creative.

It gives us beauty to warm our souls.�

- Maris Sherwood

Half Dome, Yosemite

Maris Sherwood, painter, Shambala, Tippi Hedren's wild animal rescue preserve

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Close Up | Watercolor 2012

IE WOMEN WHO MEAN BUSINESS

Trumpet | Watercolor on Canvas 2010

“I paint to share and give to others, in hopes that it sparks an interest in searching and learning more about the amazing art that is created in our world. - Maris Sherwood

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Economists Uncertain Variables and the international market

By Craig Thomson, Mortgage Banker Amerifirst Financial, Inc.

The Correction Adds Another Variable There are factors the Federal Reserve Board must balance before making a decision about rates. This week we can add one more factor, a stock market correction. This year the Dow peaked at 18,286 in May. When we wrote our column regarding the fact that the markets were due for a correction on July 14, we were still around the 18,000 level. On August 25, the Dow closed at 15,666. A drop of well over ten percent, the standard of what is considered a correction.

China. Other possible factors would be the devaluation of overseas currencies or the specter of coming rate increases. Or it could be we were just due for a correction. Markets can't move straight up forever and this run without a correction has been way longer than average.

We also don't know that the stock market will not bounce right back, which it started to in the middle of last week. But if it doesn't, we expect a nervous stock market also to weigh on the Fed when they meet in a few weeks and consider a rate hike. The markets do not like uncertainty and What is causing the "adjustment?� There are there is plenty of uncertainty out there. In the plenty of possible factors, including the more meantime, the stock market's correction has added severe drops in international markets, especially the benefit of helping keep rates low for a while Chin longer, giving more time for Americans to enjoy this added benefit. But don't get too comfortable, because this week's jobs report is about to add another factor into the mix.

Down Payment Changes Influence Homebuyers Changes in down payment requirements have more influence over home buyers' willingness to buy than changes in rates, according to a new study published by economists at the New York Federal Reserve. The Fed's survey of buyers and renters found that the impact of interest rates may be overrated compared to even the smallest changes in down payment requirements.

The study found that dropping the required down payment from 20 percent to 5 percent increases the willingness to purchase, on average, by 15 percent among buyers and 40 percent among renters.

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SEPTEMBER 2015

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On the other hand, decreasing the interest rate on a 30year fixed-rate loan raised the willingness to purchase a home by only 5 percent, on average. Buyers showed more influence by down payment changes even though the rate change could save them more money than the lower down payment. "A key takeaway is that the effect of a change in down payment requirements on housing demand strongly depends on households' financial situation," says economists Andreas Fuster and Basit Zafar of the New York Federal Reserve. "For instance, a loosening of down payment requirements will have little effect on the willingness to purchase for a new home of current owners with substantial equity, or of renters with substantial liquid savings. The results also imply that measures such as a loanto-value (LTV) cap may predominantly affect the lower end of the housing market, and that the effect on house prices will depend on the state of the economy and other asset markets." Source: Real Estate Economy Watch

Home Buyers on the Move One in three U.S. households say they plan to move in the next five years, according to a survey conducted by the Demand Institute of 10,000 households' current living situations. The location of the home is driving most of those decisions — more so than the physical home itself.

Seventy-five percent of the households surveyed cited one or more location-related reasons for moving. The top reasons were the desire for a safer neighborhood (30%); being closer to family (27%); a change of climate (26%); being closer to work (25%), and moving for a new job (23%). More than half (59%) of households say they don't plan to go too far, with most indicating a move within 30 miles of their current home. For those seeking a location for climate reasons, the Western and Southern U.S. continue to be the top destinations. Many movers say they're eying more walkable communities. Indeed, walkable communities have been reporting stronger home-price growth compared to less walkable communities. Those who reside in walkable communities also are more likely to report that their quality of life has improved in the past few years due to their change in residence. Source: Demand Institute

Contact Craig Thomson (NMLS#237679) Cell: (951) 347-0701 / CraigT@amerifirst.us www.amerifirst.us 42 | IE ENTREPRENEUR

WEEKLY INTEREST RATE OVERVIEW The Markets. Rates on home loans were lower in the past week. Freddie Mac announced that for the week ending August 27, 30-year fixed rates eased to 3.84% from 3.93% the week before. The average for 15-year loans decreased to 3.06%. Adjustables were mixed, with the average for one-year adjustables unchanged at 2.62% and five-year adjustables falling to 2.90%. A year ago, 30-year fixed rates were at 4.10%, close, but still higher than today's levels. Attributed to Sean Becketti, chief economist, Freddie Mac -- "Events in China generated eye-catching volatility in equity markets worldwide over the past week. Interest rates also rocked up and down -- although to a lesser extent than equities -as investors alternated between flights to quality and bargain hunting among beaten-down stocks. Amidst all this confusion, the 30-year fixed rate dropped to the lowest mark since May and the fifth consecutive week with a rate below 4 percent. Given the recent volatility, rates could change up or down significantly by the time this report is released.

There are indications though that the unsettled state of global markets will make the Fed think twice before taking any action on short-term interest rates in September. If that's the case, the 30-year fixed rate may remain subdued in the short-to-medium term, providing support for continued strength in the housing sector. Just this week, new home sales were reported to be up 26 percent year over year." Rates indicated do not include fees and points and are provided for evidence of trends only. They should not be used for comparison purposes.

Current Indices For Adjustable Rate Mortgages Updated August 28, 2015 Daily Value

Monthly Value

Aug 27

July

6-mon Treasury Security

0.22%

0.12%

1-yr Treasury Security

0.36%

0.30%

3-yr Treasury Security

0.99%

1.03%

5-yr Treasury Security

1.49%

1.63%

10-yr Treasury Security

2.18%

2.32%

12-month LIBOR

0.828% (July)

12-mon MTA

0.198% (July)

11th District Cost of Funds

0.659% (July)

Prime Rate

3.25%

AmeriFirst Financial, Inc., 1550 E. McKellips Road, Suite 117, Mesa, AZ 85203 (NMLS # 145368). 1-877-2761974. Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates, and programs are subject to change without prior notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. License Information: CA: Licensed by The Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Make Your Dream Home Your Reality My team has worked with local home buyers in the Inland Empire for over 27 years. As a local business, we make it a priority to understand the mortgage needs of our communities and provide Craig Thomson Mortgage Banker NMLS#237679 Cell: (951) 347-0701 CraigT@amerifirst.us

4210 Riverwalk Parkway Suite 120 Riverside CA 92505 Office: (951) 335-8133 Fax: (951) 900-7004 www.amerifirst.us

AmeriFirst Financial, Inc., 1550 E. McKellips Road, Suite 117, Mesa, AZ 85203 (NMLS # 145368). 1-877-276-1974. Copyright 2014. All Rights Reserved. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates, and programs are subject to change without prior notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply.

License Information: CA: Licensed by The Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act.

custom solutions!

Call today to learn about our $10,000 loan approval commitment. We put up $10,000 to assure both the buyer and seller that the loan will close!

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A float celebrates the Department of Labor's 75th anniversary in the 1987 Chicago Labor Day parade. The vital force of labor in the U.S. has contributed substantially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known.

L A B O R D AY 2015 “Shared Prosperity for a Stronger America”

44 | IE ENTREPRENEUR

This week United States Secretary of Labor Tom Perez is on the road visiting cities nationwide, talking to American workers and getting their perspectives. Perez believes for the nation to prosper, everyone must prosper.

We were curious about the history of Labor Day. The information that follows gives an overview of the legislation of Senate Bill S730 that led to the passing of the law introduced August 28, 1893, establishing the first Monday of September as a national holiday in recognition of “the social and economic achievements of American workers.”

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President Woodrow Wilson (left) with American Federation of Labor President Samuel Gompers (center), and Labor Secretary William B. Wilson at an undated Labor Day rally.

Members of the Bakers Union Local 78 march in the Detroit, MI, Labor Day parade. Date unknown, likely 1950s or 60s.

What is Labor Day? Labor Day, the first Monday in September, arose from the labor movement of 1885-1887 and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.

Now a holiday, Labor Day is an annual commemoration of the contributions American workers have made to the nation's strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Labor Day Legislation Labor Day was initially recognized by municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. The labor movement grew. Although New York introduced the first state bill, Oregon was the first to enact the law on February 21, 1887. Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York legislatures created the Labor Day holiday. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday. On June 28, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

Children march in the 1963 New York City Labor Day parade. Since the very first celebration, Labor Day has been a time for families to relax and have fun.

Founder of Labor Day is Still a Question According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the actual founder of Labor Day is remains unclear. Two men are credited with the enactment – Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, and Matthew McGuire, a machinist, then secretary of the Central Labor Union, New York. Records show the CLU adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a planning committee.

And the rest, as they say, is history. ◘ S E P T E M B E R 2015

New York, New Jersey and Colorado were among the first states to approve state legal holidays. In response to support for a national holiday, Sen. James Henderson Kyle of South Dakota introduced a bill to make Labor Day a legal holiday on the first Monday of September each year. It was approved June 28, 1894.

Source: Photos and captions, U.S. Department of Labor. http://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm I E ENTREPRENEUR | 45

IT'S A WRAP!

ROCK CLIMBING AT RED ROCK, SEDONA, AZ

“

I was mesmerized

by God 's creation and the beauty In nature I connect with nature as I am reminded that there is a higher source ” - Emilio Gallegos Co-Founder, VisionBook Principal, Seneca Elementary School, Moreno Valley CA

Above: Emilio, Photo by GUSTAVO VALENZUELA. Below: Red Rock, Photo by EMILIO GALLEGOS