10 Steps to Improve Spiritual Wellness
Where entrepreneur women connect, learn, identify and achieve their true purpose
January 2012 Vol. 7, Iss. 1
Giving Even When It Hurts Say No to Wife Wife--y and Say Yes to WIFE
2012 ALIVE Women of the Year 2012 marks the 7th year for the ALIVE Women of the Year Awards. Each year we celebrate the successes of women that have moved into their purpose; creating a legacy and living their best life. This year we streamlined the process and provided categories so that you could submit nominees for each category. While the response was great and the selection process challenging, we have chosen the nominees and they will be highlighted in the February issue.
ALIVE Magazine‘s categories were: Newbie Entrepreneur of the Year Social Media Entrepreneur of the Year Public Relations & Marketing Entrepreneur of the Year Charitable Entrepreneur of the Year Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year Mentor Entrepreneur of the Year Teenpreneur Entrepreneur of the Year Health & Wellness Entrepreneur of the Year Creative Entrepreneur of the Year
Volume 7, Issue 1
Where entrepreneur women connect, learn, identify and achieve their true purpose
FEATURES 12 Letter From the Editor
Cover Story
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Welcome to the New Year! Giving Even When it Hurts by Ivy N. McQuain Ebony Harris-Smith took her responsibility to help a complete stranger to heart when she was called to donate bone marrow.
Business
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Ask the Coach
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No More Resolutions, Set Goals for Your Business
One Life to Live
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Be the Best You and Live YOUR Life Out Loud
8 Steps to StartFinance 20 ing a Business in Texas Accounting Tips to Start the Year Right by Kathy Tremmel by Marquitta Miller These 8 steps will help business owners understand that doing business in Texas is big business.
He Said, She Said
Personal Development 24 10 Tips for Managing Your Time by Mark Wardell
28 Technology
Why Settle for Being Wife-y When You Can Be the Real Thing? by Dr. Alduan Tartt
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The Ultimate List: 40 Social Networking Sites
Travel
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Paris of North America by Elena Reboni 4
ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
In Every Issue Health & Wellness Entrepreneur of the Month
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10 Steps to Improve Spiritual Wellness by Sonja A. Brown
Marcia Paige—Stilettos & Stacks
Teenpreneur of the Month
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Recipes
40 Satisfy Your Taste Buds
Danette M. Nixon—
Fashion
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11 Secrets of Style for Right NOW by Shavina ―Peacock‖ Taylor
Beauty
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Start 2012 with the RIGHT Look by Riska Crowder
Opportunity for Growth
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Business Directory
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Don‘t waste another minute with splotchy foundation, the wrong blush or even lashes. Learn how ALIVE Magazine may not be reproduced, in whole or part, without the express permission of the publisher. The use of photos, to improve your ads or articles must be requested in writing to editor@alivelook for 2012. mag.com. ALIVE Magazine is a published monthly.
Editor’s Pick
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Start the New Year with New Treats Just for You
Education
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6 Tips for Education Success by Jay Veal
Parenting Co-Parenting the Right Way by Brandy Adamson
ALIVE Staff: Brandy Adamson, Publisher and Editor-inChief, Ivy N. McQuain, Editor and Written By INC, Graphics and Layout. Contributing Writers: Sonja A. Brown—JOLT Total Fitness U, Riska Crowder—Lady Lashes, Jay Veal—INC Tutoring, Shavina ―Peacock‖ Taylor—SWAG Consignment Studio, Kathy Tremmel— Tremmel Law, Dr. Alduan Tartt—www.drtartt.com, Marquitta Miller—Five Star Tax & Business Solutions, Mark Wardell— Wardell Professional Development, Elena Reboni. Some articles were retrieved from Small Biz Bee. Images credit include Microsoft Clip Art and Free Digital Images. American Express Open is licensed and registered trademark.
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For editorial information contact Ivy N. McQuain, ivyc@writtenbyinc.com. For advertising and sales email advertising@alive-mag.com.
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Letter From the Editor
Welcome to the New Year! January 1, 2012 starts the beginning of a New Year. A time for you, as an entrepreneur and executive, to grow your business and career like never before. Our team realizes the importance of providing resources that address all aspects of life, not just business. We have changed the areas we address and redesigned our website to provide timely and useful information. We are excited to have added a new feature in the publication for our young girls who are blazing a trail in business called - Teenpreneur of the Month.
dustries and regions. We are sure that you will find inspiration in each story. ALIVE is proud to be the publication where entrepreneur women connect, learn, identify and achieve their true purpose. As such, we are developing strategic partnerships with national organizations and firms that support this mission, providing resources and services to our readers. We challenge all of our readers to identify their purpose and execute those action items necessary to live their best life. Far too often we as women stand by and watch as others live their best life and wonder why we aren‘t living our best life. The answer is simple ‒ movement. We must move forward to make a difference; we must move forward to improve the lives of ourselves and our families; and we must move forward to build a legacy. Now I ask you, how will you move your career and business forward during the month of January?
Sincerely,
We are excited to share that the nominees for the 2012 ALIVE Women of the Year have been identified. The Woman of the Year nominations occurs each year and this year we receive a flood of nominations. We take time to consult with our selection committee to identify which woman represents her particular inBrandy Adamson dustry, craft or business practice. And each year the Editor-in-Chief selection becomes more challenging. This year the nominees are women from various backgrounds, in-
- www.facebook.com/alivemagazine
- Twitter.com/alivemag
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ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Ask the Coach
No More Resolutions, Set Goals for Your Business Dear Coach,
pros and cons of hiring a virtual assistant read http:// mashable.com/2011/12/17/virtual-assistants-prosIt is the New Year and rather than make empty resocons/. lutions I want to set realistic goals that I can meet, that will make a difference in my business. Any sug- Accountant gestions on what I should do? If you don‘t have an accountant, you want to hire an ~ Therese M., Ft. Lauderdale, FL accountant to maintain your books, prepare your monthly financial statements and annual tax returns. Dear Therese, There are many companies that provide bookkeeping Thank you for your question. Since I don‘t know and accounting services. You want to compare rates where you are in your business and where you want and services as well as guarantees offered for tax your business to go in 2012, I will share business tips preparation. and reminders that should help you with strategically Networking positioning your business for 2012 and beyond. You want to be strategic when you begin networking. Business Registration Networking is about exchanging information and If you have not registered your business with the state building relationships. Build on relationships you and the IRS, you want to do that immediately. If you currently have with other executives. As you think aren‘t sure which business status to select, check the about networking, think about executives whose comIRS website for details. panies fill service gaps as it relates to your business. Introduce yourself and your company to them with a Certifications & Registrations proposed collaboration plan. If you are interested in securing government contracts or public bidding opportunities, you may want to ap- Business Development ply for a Minority/Women/Disadvantage Business Enterprise certification. Check with your state on requirements and qualifications.
Set three goals for 2012. You want the goals to be clear, concise and reasonable. Write your goals down and keep them in mind as your operate your business.
Administration
Keep us updated on your business progress in 2012. In the event you want to enlist the assistance of an Executive coach, you are invited to visit my site for more information about coaching and how it correlates to your success.
Running a business requires that you focus on business development and delegate tasks. Get your support staff in place. If you don‘t have an assistant, you want to hire someone. For more information on the
ADVERTISE WITH ALIVE Get into the ALIVE Magazine 2012 Business Directory. We have up to 4 lines of listing available, as well as logo placement with an active hyperlink. Email us today at advertising@alive-mag.com for details and pricing. www.alive-mag.com
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One Life to Live
Be the Best You and Live YOUR Life Out Loud As the New Year arrives, people make New Year's resolutions. For most people, these resolutions are a distant memory by the spring. Rather than make New Year's resolutions, I challenge you to resolve to be the best YOU and live YOUR life out loud.
As we begin to embark on our new path, we want to acknowledge the change. It‘s as simple as repeating it to yourself of what change you are making and noticing within yourself. Share how you were as a testimony to someone else or even just simply write it in a To be the best you, it is important to know who you journal and then celebrate those successes. Rememare. What makes you tick? What is important to you? ber, don't be afraid to share the hurdles you have What do you want out of life? What is your purpose? overcome and how you were able to make the change. Will you choose to live your purpose? It may seem like There is always someone in our life, be it relatives, a lot of questions but these questions are important to friends, business associates, neighbors and at times discovering your best life. complete strangers, that observe what we do and admire what they themselves maybe looking to change We all have things about ourselves that we want to within themselves. change. Some of may desire to have increased patience; believe in our own abilities; be more gracious; Live your life out loud! Be proud of the person you are have an optimistic attitude; or even to just be more and know the person you want to become! thoughtful or others. As we identify those things we desire to change, we want to think about how to successfully make those changes and to keep those changes in effect once identified.
My Power Collection Black Ice Mosaic Neckpiece & Ring www.enjeaniousbyrean.com 678.591.4179 8
ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Entrepreneur of the Month
Marcia A. Paige—Author, Speaker, Financial Coach Marcia A. Paige is a speaker and writer on personal
other women from their own finance and self development. Finances, writing and financial deself-improvement have always been at the forefront of mise. her endeavors. While pursuing her degree in Finance Marcia‘s lifewith a minor in Strategic Entrepreneurism, Marcia realized that she needed to put the principals she was enrichment learning into practice as soon as possible. Overcoming company, Stilettos & Stacks, financial devastation in her own life, she brings the message of financial empowerment to women from all focuses on Marcia A. Paige, Stilettos & Stacks equipping walks of life. women to beIn the many years of experiencing extreme financial come CEOs of their finances, families and fortunes. In highs and lows, Marcia often wondered why she could her pursuit to tackle this taboo subject she now writes not achieve a balance. This led her to research the articles for up and coming magazines, Slantress trend of women, emotions and money in trying to Magazine and Feva Bella. She has also been a guest solve her own financial issues. She triumphed through blogger for ForHarriet.com. Her latest book, You the devastations of collection calls, sleeping in her car, don’t need a Budget, You need a Plan! is a selfliving in a home with no electricity and sleeping on inventory journey to mental, emotional and financial families and friends floors. Her own mistakes led her freedom. Book will be available for sale Feb 25, 2012 to talk about the subject most want to avoid, money through Map to Health, Amazon and Barnes and Noand self- esteem. She puts herself on the line to save bles.
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Teenpreneur of the Month
Danette M. Nixon, also known as ―The Youth Success Princess‖ is an author, speaker and youth entrepreneur. She is CEO of Empowering Youth For Success and operates a successful business designing sterling silver jewelry for kids at PrincessJewels4Kids.com. Danette is the creator of How to Start a Business Just for Kids a video which is a presentation used to introduce elementary age kids to the world of business; Know Your Dough Game Show, a 6-week webinar class that teaches youth, grades 3-6, about money; and currently working on a new book. She is also the co-facilitator of The Bookbag Entrepreneur Club, a program designed to support the business growth of youth entrepreneurs age 12-18. Danette is in middle school honors classes and remains on distinguished honor roll. She is a former competition cheerleader, praise dancer and an accomplished artist. Danette‘s favorite poem is I Am Me and I Am Okay by Virginia Satir.
Danetta M. Dixon, Empowering Your For Success
Danette M. Nixon—The Youth Success Princess
1-(855)-EM-YOUTH. Also visit online at http:// EmpowerMoreYouth.com, http:// YouthSuccessWeek.com, http:// EmpoweringYouthForSuccess.com, and http:// IAYEP.com.
For more information on Danette contact, Linette M. Daniels, The Youth Success Doctor at
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ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Cover Story
Giving Even When it Hurts by Ivy N. McQuain Giving is the embodiment of the human soul. We give because we have to, because we need to and because it‘s often our duty to. And for Ebony Harris Smith giving is something she has done since she was a young girl. A native of Alexandria, La., Ebony grew up helping her mother care for one of her older sisters, Stephanie, who is Ebony’s older sister, mentally disabled Stephanie Harris. but self-sufficient. Upon graduating with honors from Peabody Magnet High School in 1997, Ebony began her college career in nursing because she wanted help parents with their ill infants and children. Soon Ebony took a different path and enlisted in the Marine Corps where she served and pledged her life to give to her country.
a much needed patient. Within three days Ebony was having her blood drawn and three weeks later she received the call letting her know that she was indeed a match. The Journey Begins "I was still kind of in shock that I was a match. I had to do a lot of praying because I was scared and knew the procedure was going to painful. But I also knew that if I was selected to be a donor then this was what I was supposed to be doing,‖ Ebony said. Ebony would soon be facing her three biggest fears. A fear of needles, a fear of hospitals – despite being a RN on the Perinatal unit at Women's and Children's Hospital in Lafayette, and a fear of heights. She overcame her first fear, alone, when she flew to Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. in April 2011 to begin the blood and other necessary medical tests to ensure that she was healthy enough for the bone marrow harvesting procedure. ―I had to overcome three fears for someone I didn‘t even know, but I knew that facing my fears was God‘s way of saying, ‗I am in control,‘‖ she recalled.
Ebony endured isolation because she didn‘t want to jeopardize the bone marrow procedure by getting sick. She One day in 2000, while stationed in Arizona, Ebony also began a two was doing her normal routine of giving blood and month regimen of wrote her contact information down on the Departmedications and ment of Defense Bone Marrow Registry list. She iron supplements thought to herself, ―I will never get called.‖ It wasn‘t prior to the harvestuntil March 2011 that she got a call the call that ushered her into a new season of giving. The call, she was ing procedure. The daily regimen cona match. sisted of vitamins, ―When I first got the call, I thought it was a prank beiron supplements cause I honestly didn‘t remember putting my name and other medidown on the list to donate bone marrow,‖ she recines. The bone called. marrow representaBut the representative was persistent in jogging her tive and Ebony The Smiths: Ebony (l), memory and eventually Ebony agreed to take the nec- scheduled the prohusband Joseph and son, essary tests to see if she was eligible to be a donor for cedure at the end of Jordan for Christmas 2011. 12
ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Cover Story May at a time when she would miss her 7-year-old about being seson, Jordan's school ceremony as well as time off from lected to be a her job. donor he was apprehensive Ebony added, ―I didn‘t think about the sacrifices I had and didn‘t apto make to help the 24-year-old man receive bone prove. But after marrow. I thought about how God allowed me to give Ebony‘s persishim another day, week, month or even years. I tence and thorthought about wanting some stranger showing the ough research, same kindness to my son or family member if I or my Joseph eventuhusband is not a viable donor. I thought about not beally agreed to ing selfish.‖ give his wife full At the end of May, Ebony had prepared as much as support in her decision to save a life. she could emotionally, physically and spiritually for ―You really don‘t prepare yourself for something like the journey ahead of her. She and her older sister, this. I just knew I had to support my wife and be there Sandra flew to D.C. for the procedure. Prior to the for her through it all and be there for our son,‖ Joseph procedure, Sandra and Ebony would spend the little stated. free time they had site-seeing because the procedure and recovery would take up the rest of her time. Jordan was equally, if not more excited about his mother‘s giving spirit. He told all of his classmates ―My sister was a real blessing to me because my husand teacher about the procedure and was acknowlband couldn‘t come with me because our son was still edged by his school of her good deed. When he first in school at the time. We were able to see the local learned about his mother being a donor for the painhistorical sites and monuments before the bone marful procedure he wanted to learn as much as he could. row harvest. I was nervous but I knew I was on a misHe watched the procedure video provided to Ebony sion from God,‖ Ebony recalled. and asked questions. When she returned home, JorThe procedure started around 10:00 a.m. and Ebony dan immediately went into helper mode and made spent two hours, on her stomach with her hips hoisted sure his mother got the rest she needed and didn‘t lift in the air as a large needle was punctured into her pel- heavy objects. vis bone. A total of 1,250 ml of bone marrow, which is ―My husband and son and my family have been very equal to a little more than a full bag of IV fluid, was supportive, even though they didn‘t understand why I taken from her. And for Ebony the pain after the prowas doing it,‖ Ebony added. ―But I resolved in my cedure was the hardest to endure because of the heart and in my spirit that God was doing something physical condition it left her body in. greater in me for someone else and with that it made ―I was told that I would be in pain, so I prepared the it easier for my family and friends to support my decibest that I could but I didn‘t know it would be that sion.‖ kind of pain. I was fatigued, sore, stiff, it was hard for Although the Department of Defense Bone Marrow me to walk or lay a certain way, and I was extremely Registry paid for the entire trip including companion drowsy from low iron levels but it was all worth it betravel and food expenses, Ebony was not compensated cause I helped someone else,‖ Ebony stated. for the time she took off from work, a total of four Support Above All weeks. Fortunately Ebony had the support of her emDespite her husband Joseph not being able to fly with ployer and was covered under the Family Medical Leave Act as well as the Louisiana Bone Marrow DoEbony during any of her procedures he was her bignor Act, which protects donors from being terminated gest supporter. When Ebony first approached him from their jobs while in recovery after a bone marrow www.alive-mag.com
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Cover Story procedure.
For more information about bone marrow donation visit National Marrow Donor Program at www.marrow.org.
―Even though I had to take time off from work, I wasn‘t worried about anything. I believed and trusted God had brought me to this point and would not leave me - As reported on Examiner.com/Dallas as I did His work. I mean I don‘t know this kid … we don‘t have any DNA matches but yet I was a match to help save his life,‖ Ebony stated. Myths & Facts about Bone Marrow DoWhile bone marrow donation is one of the most painful procedures, it is also difficult to find a suitable donor. Millions of people place their names on registry lists every year but are rarely called. For Ebony it was a blessing that she was one of the rare few to be able to help save a life after being on the list for 11 years. Her bone marrow went to a 24-year-old man who is suffering from a rare form of blood cancer. The average human body makes new red blood cells every 120 days and makes bone marrow every two to four weeks but for this young man the cancer cells eat his red blood cells causing him to be a severe anemic. ―I hope that one day I can get to meet him and that he will see God‘s love from this process and if he doesn‘t have a relationship with Christ that this moment would make him want one,‖ Ebony concluded. The procedure was successful and in Ebony’s sister, Sandra Harris- October, Ebony was called again Burns. for another bone marrow harvest but has yet to make a decision.
nation Learn the facts about bone marrow donation to help you make an informed decision about joining the Be The Match Registry®. MYTH: All bone marrow donations involve surgery. FACT: The majority of donations do not involve surgery. Today, the patient's doctor most often requests a peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation, which is non-surgical. The second way of donating is marrow donation, which is a surgical procedure. In each case, donors typically go home the same day they donate. MYTH: Donating is painful and involves a long recovery. FACT: There can be uncomfortable but short-lived side effects of donating PBSC. Due to taking a drug called filgrastim for five days leading up to donation, PBSC donors may have headaches, joint or muscle aches, or fatigue. PBSC donors are typically back to their normal routine in one to two days. Those donating marrow receive general or regional anesthesia, so they feel no pain during donation. Marrow donors can expect to feel some soreness in their lower back for one to two weeks afterward. Most marrow donors are back to their normal activities in two to seven days. MYTH: Donating is dangerous and weakens the donor. FACT: Though no medical procedure is without risk, there are rarely any long-term side effects. Be The Match® carefully prescreens all donors to ensure they are healthy and the procedure is safe for them. We also provide support and information every step of the way.Because only five percent or less of a donor's marrow is needed to save the patient's life, the donor's immune system stays strong and the cells replace themselves within four to six weeks. MYTH: In bone marrow donation, pieces of bone are removed from the donor. FACT: No pieces of bone are taken during marrow donation. Only the liquid marrow found inside the pelvic bone is needed to save the patient's life. MYTH: Donors have to pay to donate. FACT: Donors never pay to donate. We reimburse travel costs and may reimburse other costs on a case-by-case basis.
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Business
8 Steps to Starting a Business in Texas by Kathy Tremmel How do you start a business in Texas? Step 1: Choose a Business Structure – Determine the legal structure of the business. There are several issues business owners must consider when forming a business entity. What is their exposure to personal liability? How will profits and losses be taxed? How will the company be managed? Who will make decisions? How will capital be acquired? How easy will it be to transfer interests in the company? What will the formation and operation costs run? There are several different types of entity structures, each with advantages and disadvantages. Business owners must consider which form of legal entity best suits their particular needs now and in the future as their business grows. Sole Proprietorship A sole proprietorship is the most common and simplest business form. A single individual operates a business and owns all of the assets of the business.
The sole proprietor is personally liable for all debts, and business ownership is nontransferable. The life of the business is limited to the life of the individual proprietor. A sole proprietorship is often operated under the name of the owner. The sole proprietorship makes no legal distinction between personal and business debts, and it does not require a separate income tax return. Limited Liability Company A limited liability company is an unincorporated business entity which shares some of the aspects of Subchapter S Corporations and limited partnerships, and yet has more flexibility than more traditional business entities. The limited liability company is designed to provide its owners with limited liability and passthrough tax advantages without the restrictions imposed on Subchapter S Corporations and limited partnerships. The owners of an LLC are called ―members‖. A member can be an individual, partnership, corporation, trust, or any other legal or commercial entity. Depending on how the LLC is structured, the liability of the members is limited to their investment, they may enjoy the pass-through tax treatment afforded to partners in a partnership, and the members manage the entity. Corporation A corporation is created when two or more individuals, partnerships, or other entities join together to form a separate entity for the purpose of operating a business. A corporation has its own legal identity, separate from its owners. The owners of a corporation are called ―shareholders‖. The persons who manage the business and affairs of a corporation are called ―directors‖. The business owners‘ personal assets are protected from debts and liabilities relating to the operation of the corporation. A corporation has centralized management, perpetual duration, and it is easy to transfer ownership interests. Taxation of the corporation varies depending on the type of corporation formed. C Corporation: A Subchapter C Corporation is taxed
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ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Business as a separate entity. This has the effect of causing the earning of the company to be subject to double taxation to the extent they are distributed as salary or dividends to the owners of the company.
tary of State. Generally, a partner in a registered limited liability partnership is not individually liable for debts and obligations of the partnership arising from errors, omissions, negligence, incompetence, or malfeasance committed in the course of business by othS Corporation: An ―S‖ corporation status is not a maters in the partnership. ter of state corporate law. Rather, a for-profit corporation elects to be taxed as an ―S‖ corporation by filing Step 2: Register with the Texas Secretary of State an election with the Internal Revenue Service. Owners All businesses operating in Texas as limited liability of Subchapter S Corporations may deduct business companies, corporations, limited partnerships, prolosses on personal income tax returns, similar to a fessional corporations, nonprofit corporations, profespartnership. The Subchapter S Corporation also offers sional associations and registered limited liability alternative methods for distributing the business inpartnerships, must register with the Texas Secretary come to the owners. of State. General Partnership A name may not be used by more than one corporaA general partnership exists when two or more indition in the state. It is very important to do a thorough viduals or businesses join to operate a business for search when considering a business name. Taking the profit. There is no requirement that the agreement be time necessary to conduct the name research up front in writing and no state filing requirement. Under a will help avoid legal costs after the business is opened general partnership, a separate business entity exists, and operating. The Secretary of State‘s Office will perbut creditors can still look to the partners‘ personal form a name search to verify that no other corporaassets for satisfaction of debts. General partners share tion, limited partnership, or limited liability company equally in assets and liabilities. A general partnership in Texas is using the exact name selected. This search must file an annual partnership income tax return is only for business names registered with the Secreseparate from the partners‘ personal returns. A gentary of State, and does not include business names eral partnership may be operated under the names of registered only with a county clerk. the owners, or a different name. In addition, partners Step 3: File a Business Name owe a high duty of care, loyalty and good faith to each If a business is going to conduct business under any other. Partners must place the interests of the partnership ahead of their own interests and act as an or- name that differs from its business name, it must file an assumed name certificate or d.b.a. (doing business dinary prudent person would act under similar ciras) with the Texas Secretary of State and/or each cumstances. county where the business will have a registered or Limited Partnership principal office and/or business will be conducted. A Texas limited partnership is a partnership formed Limited Liability Corporations, Corporations and by two or more persons and having one or more genLimited Partnerships: Whenever a business is identieral partners and one or more limited partners. The fied by a name other than the name on file with the limited partnership operates according to a writing or Secretary of State, limited liability companies, corpooral partnership agreement. General partners share rations, and limited partnerships must file an Asequally in debts and assets, while limited partners sumed Name Certificate with the Secretary of State have limited debt obligations. and each county where the business has registered or Registered Limited Liability Partnership principal office. A registered limited liability partnership is a general partnership that has been registered with the Secre-
Sole Proprietorships: If business is conducted under a name other than the surname of the individual, a sole
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Business proprietorship must file an Assumed Name Certificate for each name, or deviation of that name, that the business will use with the county clerk in each county where a business premise will be maintained and/or where business will be conducted. General Partnerships: If the partnership business is conducted under a name that does not include the surname of all of the partners, the general partnership must file an Assumed Name Certificate for the name that the business is using with the county clerk in each county where a business premise is maintained and/ or where business is conducted. When filing an assumed name certificate with the county, the business must provide the name of the business, its mailing address, the expected period of operation (there is a 10 year maximum), the legal structure of the business, the name(s) of the owner(s), their personal address(es), and signature(s), which must be notarized, and the county where the business will operate. The county will keep the original assumed name certificate. Request several certified copies – at least one for the bank and one for your business records.
federal, state, and local levels. There is no state income tax in Texas. However, there are several business taxes. The Comptroller of Public Accounts is responsible for administrating and collecting state and local sales tax from businesses operating in Texas. The Comptroller also collects any franchise taxes owed by Texas corporations. Sales Tax Permit In general, in order to sell taxable items or provide taxable services, businesses must have a sales tax permit. The Texas sales and use tax permit requirement applies to individuals as well as corporations, firms, partnerships, and all other legal entities. Franchise Taxes aka Margin Tax
Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and all other entities doing business in Texas which are not owned 100% by natural persons are subject to franAn EIN, also known as a federal tax identification chise taxes. For the 2010 and 2011 tax years, businumber, is issued by the IRS and used to identify a nesses with $1 million or less in total revenue do not business entity. pay the Texas franchise tax. After 2011, the threshold Step 5: Open a Bank Account for the Business amount drops to $600,000. Most taxable entities file an annual report each May 15 and pay the franchise In order to open a business bank account, the bank tax. Corporations and Limited Liability Companies will request a copy of the Certificate of Formation and must also file a Public Information Report. Other taxthe EIN. able entities must file an annual Ownership InformaStep 6: Set up Tax Information – Determine the potion Report. Failure to do so could result in forfeiture tential tax responsibilities of the new business on the of corporate or business privileges. Step 4: Request an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
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January 2012
Business Employment Taxes The Texas Workforce Commission collects all unemployment taxes for workers employed in Texas. Individuals are subject to a self-employment tax on selfemployment income, generally from an individual‘s trade or business.
associated with the business. To ensure that all permitting requirements are met, contact the local county and city governments to determine if there are any additional requirements that must be met. Step 8: Employee Requirements – Determine federal and state employer requirements.
Local Taxes
There are numerous federal and state requirements which must be met concerning labor, safety and wage If the business owns tangible personal property that is obligations. Some of these include the Americans with used to produce income, the property must be reDisabilities Act Requirements, Equal Employment ported to the local county appraisal district, after Requirements, Safety Requirements, Wage and Labor January 1 and no later than March 31, each year. BusiRequirements, Drug-Free Workplace Requirements ness owners must report all inventories, equipment, and New Hire Reporting Requirements. and machinery. All employers must register with the Texas Workforce Step 7: Licenses, Permits and Registrations – DeterCommission. For new businesses, TWC determines mine the necessary licenses, permits, certifications, whether an employer should pay state unemployment registrations, and/or authorizations for a specific tax and assign the tax rate. Employers subject to state business on the federal, state and local levels. unemployment tax are required to display printed The State of Texas does not require a general posters at each work site providing payday and unem―business‖ license. However, there are a number of ployment information. Employers must report new regulatory agencies that have licensing and permitting hires and rehires to TWC within 20 days. requirements based on the type of service, or products
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Finances
Accounting Tips to Start the Year Right by Marquitta Miller Thinking about ramping up your accounting process? Well 2012 is the year that business owners need to become serious about the accounting process. What you don‘t know CAN and WILL hurt you. As a business owner, you wear a lot of hats and, in an attempt
Revenue Service. Combining business funds with your personal account could possibly put you in a dangerous situation, should legal action be taken against your firm. If this happens and it is discovered that funds were co-mingled, your personal assets could potentially be seized. Q. My business has no income but it has expenses to pay. How do I handle that? A. The business owner should transfer or deposit personal funds into the business checking account and the deposit should be clearly noted as a ―business loan‖ or ―investment.‖ The difference between loan or investment classification lies in your desire to have the funds paid back to you or your desire to show that you have made an investment into your business.
to work smarter, you may co-mingle several different processes. However, accounting is not the area to cut corners to save time or money! In an effort to help you make the most out of both your time and your business, let‘s address some common accounting questions:
Q. I do not have a business credit card so I use my personal credit card for business. Should I setup my personal credit card in my business accounting software?
A. If the credit card is a personal credit card then it should NOT be setup in your business accounting system. You should complete an expense reimbursement request. Those business expenses would be entered into the accounting system then payments should be issued back to you for the business related charges Q. Why is it necessary for me to have a business checking account separate from my personal account? you personally paid. A. It is extremely important that you have a separate business account for several different reasons. First and foremost, this is the easiest way to keep track of the business income. Payments you receive for services rendered and/or products sold should always be deposited into the business checking account. Additionally, the expenses that you pay out on behalf of the business should also be issued from the business checking account.
Q. I have a person that comes to my office to help with some work weekly. I do not pay them as an employee. They have signed a W-9 form so does that cover me?
A. Do you set the hours for the person to work? Do you provide the person the resources to perform their job? Do you pay the person an hourly rate? Did you provide them with job training? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you may need to take a closer look at whether or not the person should be Having a business account displays ―profit making‖ intent to your competitors, potential customers and to classified as an employee or an independent contracorganizations that have the legal right to review your tor. Keep in mind that the more you control the task, business and its financial reports, such as the Internal the more it falls into the employee level. Misclassifica20
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January 2012
Finances tion of employees vs. contractors can lead to the assessment of back payroll taxes.
about become obsolete so banks are no longer offering that service.
Q. I do not have enough stable cash flow to hire a full- Here are some additional helpful tips that will be vital time accountant to help me. What can I do? to your success in 2012: A. Investigate the alternatives. Look for a part time ďƒž Investigate to make sure your checking and credit accountant to help out with bookkeeping or seek out card accounts are being reconciled on a monthly the assistance of an accounting firm that can provide basis. Many business owners and/or bookkeepers you with the specific services you need to address your are good about inputting information into their accounting issues. Try to find a firm that understands accounting software. However, they fall short on your business, personal and financial goals and can the reconciliation process which is referred to as give you the personal time and attention necessary to month end closing. Your accounting reports will achieve those goals. be incorrect if bank and credit card reconciliations are not preformed. That process allows you to reQ. I do not like providing my business account to the view the information on file, which in turn, will IRS. Can I just mail my tax payments to them? help you discover any missed entries, coding erA. Unfortunately, the IRS is no longer accepting rors, bank errors, and/or unauthorized transacmailed tax payments. They are now requiring busitions. ness owners to register for the Electronic Federal Tax ďƒž Get all company forms updated. Make sure that Payment System (more commonly known as EFTPS) you have updated W-9 forms signed by contracso all payments are processed and received electronitors. Also, provide employees with new W-4 forms cally. In the past, many banks would accept your payat the beginning of the year and double check to ment and forward it to the IRS on your behalf. Bemake sure they are signed. Review your contractor cause of the new requirement, that process has just
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Finances vs. employee classifications in order to ensure that be setup for EFTPS so you must enroll in the sysyou have properly classified your office workers. A tem before your tax deadlines. contractor should be someone that is in the busi Hire additional help to staff your business‘ ―blind ness of providing the service and/or product to spot.‖ If you do not have knowledge on how to other businesses. This is great time to make sure perform certain accounting functions, don‘t be you have the best legal structure to fit the growth afraid to seek out the help you need. and projections of your business. Make the appropriate accounting decisions this year – Taxes, Taxes and Taxes: Make sure you are aware decisions that will help you analyze your business perof your tax exposure and filing requirements for formance, minimize your tax liability and become a federal, state and local agencies. Businesses can smarter business owner altogether. You have invested have exposure to sale/use taxes, payroll taxes, esall of your time, energy and hard work into this busitimated taxes, federal, state and local taxes as well ness so it would be a shame to lose revenue due to as personal property taxes. Those taxes may need poor accounting processing. Do it right in 2012! to be paid and/or filed at various times, which is why being aware of your requirements is crucial. As previously mentioned, the IRS requires you to
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January 2012
Personal Development
10 Tips for Managing Your Time by Mark Wardell Your time as an entrepreneur is already jammed packed with what you should do, need to do, want to do, and have to do. If you are unorganized with your time then you may have exhausted yourself mentally and physically trying to be everything and everyone in your business. Ask yourself, how many more days can you give to always running out of time? You need a plan and you need one for the New Year. Here are 10 helpful tips to help you manage your time for 2012.
beside it on your to-do list and don‘t leave work without completing it. 3. Use a gatekeeper. If at all possible, have someone else screen your visitors and your phone calls. They can then set up appointments for you that fit into your schedule rather than allowing you to be disturbed at random throughout your day. If this is not possible for financial reasons, voicemail and posted office hours are a good start.
4. Do one thing at a time and 1. Plan the followcomplete it being day at the end fore moving on of each day. This is to something the time your mind else. Most enis most clear. If trepreneurs you try to plan your move and think day in the morning, at an acceleryou become disated pace. Contracted by your sequently, they email, your voiceoften do not mail, the telephone, have the payour employees, tience to finish your customers and what they have so forth. It‘s nearly started. They impossible to think want to get on rationally about to the next thing your priorities right away, so when you‘re being they tend to leave a wake of unfinished projects bepulled in 10 different directions. hind them. Unfortunately, this approach can be It‘s also a good idea to plan the following week at the highly unproductive. Successful entrepreneurs realize end of each week, plan the following month at the end this, and though it may initially feel against their naof each month, and plan the following year at the end ture, they make a conscious effort to complete what of each year. Make this part of your regular routine. If they have started. They know that the value in an acyou follow no other piece of advice on this list, follow tivity cannot be fully realized until it has been comthis one. I guarantee you this simple change will inpleted. crease your productivity more than you can imagine. 5. Organize your meetings. Whenever possible, 2. Prioritize your work. Choose the one most impor- schedule meetings in advance, rather than holding tant task you need to accomplish each day, put a star them spontaneously and always use an agenda. Also, 24
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January 2012
Personal Development make sure your meetings have both a starting time and an ending time.
expense. So make sure that when you say something, you only need to say it once. Also, be clear and include all details when leaving vocal or written messages. A lot of wasted time can be avoided if people don‘t need to engage in telephone tag just to find out information that should have been made clear in the first place.
6. Learn to say ―no.‖ This is one many entrepreneurs have trouble with. They know they can solve nearly any problem an employee brings to them, so they are inclined to do so. It just seems easier to say ―yes‖ and take over, than it does to say ―no‖ and leave the problem with their employee. ―No‖ doesn‘t mean you are not interested or that you are not willing to help, it just means that you are not willing to take your employees problems off of their shoulders and pile them onto yours.
10. Do some ―strategic planning‖ every week. If you don‘t start doing this now you will never get around to it, so schedule some quiet time on your calendar and let your employees know you will be unavailable. This makes many entrepreneurs nervous at first. They imagine that if they are unreachable by their employees for an hour then everything will fall apart. If this describes you, then try it for two weeks as an experiment. You may be surprised to find your business still standing when you open up your office door at the end of that hour.
7. Delegate everything you can. This needs to become part of your ongoing behavior. New work will show up on your desk on a regular basis. If you don‘t need to deal with it, don‘t. If it is important that it gets done, but someone else can do it, then 9 times out of 10 you should pass it along. Keep the true value of your time firmly in mind and you will easily be able to decide if you should take it on or not. 8. Outsource everything you can. Occasionally it may be prudent to delegate work to an outside expert. If you are having computer troubles, for example, it may make more sense to hire a consultant to solve them for you than to waste time trying to solve them yourself. If a problem can be solved with money, don‘t think of it as a problem, think of it as an expense. 9. Clarify your communication. Miscommunication is responsible for vast amounts of wasted time and money. Not only does it cause mistakes, but those mistakes also need to be repaired at the company‘s www.alive-mag.com
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Technology
The Ultimate List: 40 Social Networking Sites—Small Biz Bee We all know of the huge social networking sites like
10. The Funded – The Funded allows entrepreneurs to research, rate and review venture capital sources worldwide.
Twitter and Facebook. They‘re great for large scale connections and discussion. But, as entrepreneurs and small business owners sometimes it‘s nice to con- 11. Cofoundr - Cofoundr is a private social network nect with other like-minded individuals in a smaller, for entrepreneurs, programmers, designers, investors more focused setting. If that sounds like what you are and other individuals deeply involved with starting new ventures. looking for in a social network, the below list is for you. 12. Perfect Business - PerfectBusiness helps entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. Our re1. LinkedIn - LinkedIn, The granddaddy of business sources include easy-to-use tools and resources, plus a social networks. LinkedIn strengthens and extends network of entrepreneurs. your existing network of trusted contacts. 2. Meet The Boss - Meet the Boss is a business networking tool for business executives around the world, across all vertical industries.
13. Biznik - End your isolation and invisibility with Biznik, the local, independent entrepreneurial community where collaboration beats competition.
3. PartnerUp - PartnerUp is an online networking community that entrepreneurs and small business owners use to find the expertise and resources they need to start and grow a business.
14. StartupNation - StartupNation provides realworld business advice to people who want to start a business and who want to grow their small businesses.
4. Qapacity - Qapacity is a business-oriented social networking site and a business directory founded in March 2008 and launched in February 2009. Users are given a set of tools to promote their business online, to keep their clients and business partners upto-date with their work and to reach new clients.
15. Entrepreneur Connect - Entrepreneur Connect is the social network where small-business owners can create a profile, explore the community, share ideas and make connections. This site is not intended for mass self-promotion.
5. Ryze - Ryze.com is a free social networking website designed to link business professionals, particularly new entrepreneurs. 6. Talkbiznow - Talkbiznowis a comprehensive interactive business networking site for business professionals.
16. Young Entrepreneur - Young Entrepreneur Forums offer online discussion forums to share and talk about Entrepreneurship. 17. Blogster - Blogsteris a resource for free weblogs and offers tools, tips and opportunities to share.
7. XING - XING is a social software platform for enabling a small-world network for professionals.
18. Konnects - Konnects is a social media platform that is embedded on the site of an online newspaper or publication to bring engagement to the organization‘s site.
8. Yelp, Inc. - Yelp is a local business review and talk networking site, including user reviews and recommendations.
19. Upspring - Upspring is a business networking, local Internet marketing, local advertising, product promotion and online marketing services.
20. Fast Pitch - Fast Pitch is a social network for busi9. FledgeWing - FledgeWing is an online community aimed at entrepreneurial university students launched ness networking professionals to market their business, press, blogs events and networks. in February 2009. 26
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Technology 21. E.Factor - The E.Factor is a vibrant, global community for entrepreneurs. E.Factor helps you build your business, find financing, network with likeminded entrepreneurs.
productivity. It‘s a place for freelancers and professionals to collaborate, find work and solve problems 32. StartUp - StartUpis a fast growing small business, startup, social network.
22. BizToo - BizToois a global co-operation and social 33. Ecademy - Ecademy offers online networking for network of entrepreneurs worldwide. BizToo helps business, offline networking events and global netentrepreneurs make the contacts. working groups. 23. Go Big Network - Go BIG Network helps connect 34. Focus - Focus is a business destination where companies with invesbusiness professionals can tors. help each other with their pur24. Black Businesschase and other business deciwomen Online - A social sions. network for Black busi35. JASEzone - JASEzone is a ness women and women professional community where entrepreneurs. you can find potential clients 25. Networking for Proand business partners. fessionals - Networking 36. Ziggs - Ziggs is a profesfor professionals offers sional connection portal. They online networking and have in one index over 1 milbusiness events. lion profiles. 26. Spoke – Spoke offers 37. Black Business Space on-demand business to Black Business Space is a combusiness contact informUNITY of business owners mation for sales people, and entrepreneurs. marketers and recruiters enabling sales lead genera38. Jigsaw - Jigsaw offers an online business card tion and business list building. networking directory that easily establishes contacts 27. Ning - Ning is an online service to create, customwith other business owners and entrepreneurs. ize and share a social network. 39. YouNoodle - YouNoodle is a place to discover and 28. Unstucture.org - Unstructureis an open discussupport the hottest early-stage companies and universion platform for business professionals, bloggers and sity innovation. contemporary thought leaders to discuss and debate 40. Raise Capital - RaiseCapital is the premiere action ideas that would aid the evolution of business. online destination for entrepreneurs to showcase their 29. Home Based Business Network - The Home business ideas and capital needs directly to investors. Based Business Network is an online community and Bonus Site: resources for starting a home based business, featuring home business profiles, blogs, forums, videos, ideas and more! 30. Freelance Face - The Freelance Face is the freelance social network that is by freelancers, for freelancers.
Affluence.org - Affluence.org is a private social network where wealthy individuals connect and share information. Membership in Affluence.org is free but requires a verifiable minimum household net worth of $3 million.
31. Blellow - Blellow is a community with a focus on www.alive-mag.com
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He Said, She Said
Why Settle for Being Wife-y? by Dr. Alduan Tartt I was first introduced to
Anthony‘s, and wanted a professional male‘s perspective on what she should do.
term ―Wifey‖ by the R & B group NEXT in 2000. They had a song entitled, Wifey, that flew up the charts because it was catchy and talked about love and marriage. However, that was the problem. All it did was talk about marriage. In the video, each one of the male singers had a female love interest but not one of them had an engagement ring. I was confused. How can you propose to someone without a ring? Oh, now I get it, will you be my wife-y?
Renee was beautiful! She had beautiful teeth, full lips, was well cropped and never missed an opportunity to showcase a mean shoe game with matching designer bag, of course. Despite possessing all the fashion sense of Paris runway model, Renee didn‘t even possess a WalMart education when it came to understanding men. My advice to her was simple and direct. I advised her to leave Anthony. By her response, you would have thought I accused her of shopping at PayLess. ―I know you are not suggesting that I give up everything that I have worked for and endured- all the affairs, the lies, the broken promisesand leave with nothing to show for it, do you?‖ I calmly asked her, ―Renee, what do you really have?‖ Before she could retort, the weight of the question overwhelmed her and she began to cry. I empathized with her and advised her on regaining the power in her relationship. The advice worked too because within four months, Renee had a ring on her finger. I bet you want to know what I told her, huh?
I know you may be thinking, ―Well, what‘s wrong with that?‖ Well, nothing, unless you ignore the y! By definition, a wife-y is someone who is wife-like but not an actual wife. She provides the man with all the benefits of being married- sex, loyalty, home-cooked meals, raising his kids- but without the actual title and ring afforded to a real wife. That song is a decade old now but it captured the current and growing phenomenon of women settling for being just wifeys. As a man, I couldn‘t understand why a woman would settle for being an Almost-Wife versus a real one and then I met Renee. First, she had to stop allowing fear to drive her relaRenee sought relationship advice about her long-term tionship. Her fear of losing Anthony, being alone and starting over again was preventing her from gaining boyfriend, Anthony, whom despite multiple affairs, she had remained faithful to for years. She was grow- what she desired most: A husband. You are what you ing frustrated with him talking about marriage with- think about; and if all you think about is not losing out actually proposing. He used all the typical tricks. then it‘s psychologically impossible to ever win. He took her to meet his parents, window shopped for rings and even gave her a key to his apartment with an open door policy which, ironically, is how she caught him cheating each time. Renee was slowly beginning to realize that she would never be a wife, at least not 28
Second, she needed to stop taking Anthony‘s infidelity issues personally. Anthony‘s own fears led him to sabotage the relationship every time he felt pressured to marry her. Like most men, Anthony feared being inadequate as a husband. How could he profess to
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He Said, She Said love and cherish Renee for the rest of his life with no track record of being successful in the past? So, he purposely fouled up but not enough to permanently lose Renee, his ―wifey.‖ Third, I empowered her by showing her how to use Anthony‘s greatest fear against him: the fear of losing her. Men are naturally possessive and their egos cannot handle the idea of losing the woman of their dreams and being forced to helplessly watch from the sideline as she give his love to another man, until death due them part. Men dislike feeling ashamed. Thus, avoiding it is a motivator. How could Anthony live with himself knowing that he lost his future wife all because he was scared?
Now, there was only one thing left to do. Renee needed to conquer her own insecurities so she could feel confident about leaving. She worked through childhood feelings of paternal abandonment, abusive ex-boyfriends and strengthened her relationship with God, the ultimate Father. She began to see what was so obvious to others yet had been blind too herselfthe beautiful child of God who was most deserving of unconditional love and committed relationship. So, with God as her guide, she gathered her belongings and left Anthony in search of a real husband. She explained to Anthony that while she loved him deeply, God‘s love for her was far greater and that she refused to settle for less than equal value. She kissed him softly and walked like a Proverbs 31 woman to her car and sped away. Poor Anthony couldn‘t even make it one week before he was harassing her work, texting her daily and stalking her at church. When he did finally track her down, he came prepared and revealed a sparkling two-carat ring and proposed on the spot. She cried, took the ring with no response and made an impromptu visit to my office the first thing Monday morning. She wanted to say thanks, but then threw a curveball that even an exbaseball catcher turned psychologist didn‘t predict. She returned the ring and informed Anthony that she would entertain future proposals but not until he entered counseling to deal with his infidelity issues. Besides, she had met someone else and wanted to see if this was the man God promised her. As it turns out, he was a male client whose appointment always preceded hers. His reason for seeing me…couldn‘t find a wife. Go figure. Isn‘t God good!
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Travel
Paris of North America by Elena Reboni Montreal is the biggest city in Canada, its main in-
city of all saints.
dustrial and commercial centers. It‘s the city of the origin of the first Canadian banks and trade companies, the stage for numerous festivals and sows.
Montreal has a lot of cultural attraction. The city boasts 30 museums. Among them are Museum of Canadian history, Montreal museum of archeology and history, Museum of the arts, Museum of the modern art, Montreal Bank museum and Museum of dolls.
About 450 years ago this modern bustling city was a small village at the footsteps of the hill, later call Mont Royal (Royal Mountain). This hill gave a name to the There is also planetarium and the largest French Canadian University. Its Botanical Garden is the second city on the banks of the Saint Laurent River. biggest in the world. Montreal is a very green city with Montreal is often called Paris of the North America. more than 350 parks, the most famous of which is French settlers founded the city and now Montreal is Mont-Royal Park, created by the author of New York the second biggest French-speaking city after Paris. Central Park. Montreal has an intense theatric life. Montreal is the capital of Quebec province, which has Everyone can find something interesting. Those who two official languages- English and French. choose classic should visit Theatre Du Nouveau Residential districts are located close to the top of the Monde, but the citizens of Montreal prefer Theatre Saint-Denis. hill; the central part of the hill is mostly occupied by the shopping centers, banks. At the footsteps lie facto- The famous ries and building belonging to port. Montreal Montreal business district looks like all the business districts in America - with skyscrapers and high-rise office buildings, but the old part f the city still keeps the charm of the previous centuries. It has more European style and even has the smaller copies of the European architectural monuments. For example, Saint Joseph Cathedral is a copy of Saint Peter‘s Cathedral in Rome and Notre Dame de Bon Secure is the copy of Notre Dame de Paris. This cathedral was built in 1824 and is considered to be the oldest structure in Montreal.
Symphonic Orchestra give its performances in the huge WilfridPelletier with 3000 seats. Here you can also see opera and ballet plays.
Allover Montreal has more than 300 churches and chapels; many streets are called in the honor of the saint. That‘s why Canadians often call Montreal - the
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Fashion
11 Secrets of Style for Right NOW by Shavina “Peacock” Taylor Shavina “Peacock” Taylor
For a fashionista or a woman with a great sense of
sories that suit YOUR specific body shape, lifestyle and age or stage in life! If needed, then get professional help from a professional shopper, stylist or a fashion but sensible friend. 5. Accessorize on the spot. Start with what you have. It doesn‘t hurt to try on a dress with or without the stockings. Wear a tunic with a thin belt and a thick one. The goal is to use what you have already. If you must shop, don't be embarrassed to ask the sales professional to help you get whatever you need. 6. Rethink your base color. Most women love black! It's easy to accessorize. It packs well. But why not try out navy or a rich dark brown? Both mix and match as well as black and are potentially more flattering. Remember, you don't have to wear yellow to get noticed!
style, being stylish can be a costly expense. But you don‘t have to break the bank or frustrate yourself about being trendy because your old clothes still have the same appeal as when they were first purchased. 7. Work that piece. If you plan to spend big money, It's a season for season-less. It's all about clothes you make sure it's on a guaranteed favorite that can be can wear most of the year. Here are some great tips dressed up or down for day or night. from Peacock Taylor, Curator of Style and owner of SWAG: Style We All Get in Fort Worth, TX, for season 8. Think knits. Choose fabrics that offer comfort and versatility, like tissue weight cashmere and merino -less style: wool that breathes and can stand up to the AC. 1. Neat and polished. What's right for now, often Silks and crisp cottons are also light but hold their looks pulled together. The smartest way to look shape well. neat and polished is to mix the unexpected with 9. Try it on … and try it on again. Take three sizes of the familiar. For instance, wear a ballet flat in the same garment into the dressing room because white cheetah or a sleeveless sheath in scarlet or sizing isn't consistent. So try on the garment to be purple instead of plain ol' black. sure you have the right piece of clothing. 2. Retrain yourself. After years of indulgence, avoid disposability at all costs! If you go all out for that 10. Be embellishment free. Heavily embellished clothes are lovely but limiting. You should be able new silhouette in the hot print of the moment, to add or subtract at will. You can get more out of you'll be over it before the season ends. clothes and jewelry when you skip the glitter and 3. Check your basics. Before you buy new pieces, glitz. look in your closet for staples that ground them. And if you have to shop for new clothes or replace- 11. Give yourself a break. While this may sound contradictory, it really isn't. Splurge on one item ment staples, then please buy the best quality you that's so fabulous that it makes everything you can afford. wear it with pop. You can justify the purchase by 4. Shopping Isn’t a sport! Take your time, discover knowing you'll have it forever. the clothing styles, lengths, design lines and acceswww.alive-mag.com
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Beauty
Start 2012 with the RIGHT Look by Riska Crowder We all want to look ―Faboulashfull‖ but to be that you have to determine your desired look. You can't have bold dramatic eyes and bold lips. It screams ―I was playing a bit too much here.‖ If you are going to wear a nice dramatic ―smoky‖ eye then nude Riska Crowder, Professional lips has to be Make-up Artist on the menu. Or you can switch it around you and wear bold red lips with a neutral eye. Here are some additional tips to include to your New Year resolution list. Your skin will thank you for it and you will have that flawless look you always dreamed of.
face to avoid "ash" look. The goal is to have your foundation lying smoothly on your face and not blotchy or spotty because your skin is dry. To determine the right cheek color you have to go with something that gives you a nice hue to your skin. Contouring is a must for chubby cheeks because there is no need to look like dust fairy! Lashes When applying lashes make sure you place them first on the lid to be sure they are a perfect fit. If not, then it's ok to trim some off to desired size! Make sure you are using "eyelash" adhesive and apply the adhesive to follow the line on the desired eyelash. Make sure you are placing it very close to the eyelash line to get the perfect look! Also, if you want more dramatic eyes, then apply a thin line of eyeliner over the lash-line. Try Get Zoom Lash By MAC Cosmetics. Just be sure to have your lashes on with whatever look you want. And don't forget to wiggle and pull your lash to make sure it stays put.
Face When looking for the right foundation it's better to ask a professional makeup artist or dermatologist to determine whether you have oily or dry skin. Doing this will give you better results out of your desired liquid foundation or powder foundation. When applying your foundation start with a moisturizer, not lotion. This will help you avoid the "cake" look. You can even try a spray bottle with sterilized water to mist over your www.alive-mag.com
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Editor‘s Pick
Start the New Year with New Treats Just for You
Kindle Fire, $199, OfficeMax
Nike‘s Free 3.0 v3, $90, Nike
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Luichiny Bunny Hop, $89.95, Zappos
$26 Hardcover at Barnes and Noble Kasper 3-Piece Suit, $159.98, Macy‘s
Honora™ Pearl Boxed Set, $200, Helzberg
ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
April 21, 2012 ◊ Richardson Civic Center ◊ Grand Ballroom ◊ 5 p.m.—10 p.m. ◊ www.glamgalore.co
Education
6 Tips for Education Success by Jay Veal The holiday season has come and gone and now it‘s
the same. With that pick up a book or two and give yourself a refresher on some material that your child does not comprehend. They will love you and respect you for your ability to help them succeed in school. It shows them that you are interested enough in them to succeed, that you will also be studying yourself to keep your skills sharp.
time for all students, primary and secondary, to tackle the spring 2012 semester or quarters. Most students will begin taking their state‘s standardized exams such as STAAR. Here are some great tips to help your student prepare for a successful spring school term and for you to increase your involvement with their educa5. Hire passionate tutors, not tutors looking tional goals and needs. for teaching credits. Tutors should love the 1. Stay involved in your child’s education. In subject they are tutoring and be innovative this day and age, there needs to be a ―holistic‖ apenough to reach every student. Teaching to the proach to your child‘s education. Not only do you student‘s perspective involves really finding out need to make sure your child is doing their work what makes them tick and what they are interin the classroom and their homework at home, ested in. Relating their interests to the educational you also need to make sure others are doing their topic at hand is key to ―learning‖ vs. ―teaching.‖ jobs as well. Students, teachers, administration, 6. Motivate and encourage your child daily. As counselors and the community need to all play a parent, it is important that you make sure that some role in each and every student‘s educational you tell your child that they will earn A‘s and B‘s in life to be successful. school; that they will succeed and go to the college 2. Check your child’s homework faithfully of their choice; that they will receive scholarships. every night. Do these things to ensure that you This develops their trust in you and assures them do not have a ―homework evader‖ on your hands: that their future is up to them and they will work 1) Ask to see their daily planner for school where hard to get there. they write down all homework assignments for the If your child is taking Math Models in school and he/ day. If it is not required, ask the teacher to email you a weekly agenda for the class. 2) Assign a cer- she is an athlete, this course is not counted for credit tain amount of homework time at night, such as 6 per NCAA guidelines? You may want to think about pulling your student out of Math Models or have them p.m. – 10 p.m. 3) Check on your student every hour to make sure that they are not playing video take a higher level math course to prepare them for games and talking on the phone, but really doing NCAA eligibility and success. their homework. 4) Before the child goes to bed, make sure all assigned homework is completed unless they do not understand it or it is not due the next day. 3. Gain access to your child’s teacher’s contact information. This one is huge! This allows the parent to also get involved. This also builds a level of trust and shows your involvement as a parent. Students don‘t care what you know, until they know how much you care! 4. Learn as your student learns. Yes the times have changed but the academic subjects are still 36
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January 2012
Parenting
Co-Parenting the Right Way by Brandy Adamson As women executives we are pulled in many direc-
might be around your children and what your expectations are. If you have a court order, then you have to tions. We have to balance life at home and work, and maintain the order or be subject to penalties and punlet‘s not forget personal ME time. In a given work day ishment from the court. Also let your child‘s other you may have to handle everything from business parent know that you appreciate them. It shows your meetings and conference calls, deadlines to demandchild to be respectful of people‘s efforts. ing clients. And in your home you may have to balance a spouse or mate, kids and all the necessary du- Remember it‘s about the child. If you are a co-parent with your ex, then you have to remember not to make ties of being the matriarch of the house. In our personal lives, that ME time, we get that in when we can. visitations and participation from the other parent Despite all of these challenges being a co-parent may personal. If they have a new person in their life, that is none of your business but you do have a right to meet make the situation even more unique. the new person and attempt to establish a relationship As with many women, I have the challenge of juggling with them for the benefit of your child, not for you to use against the other parent. three separate schedules ‒ my Never defame your child‘s schedule, my daughter‘s schedule other parent in front of them and our family schedule. I also no matter what they do or have to take into consideration don‘t do. And finally, never use my daughter's father and his your child as a pawn regardschedule and their quality time. I less of the reason. You will must admit, when you break from cause emotional damage to being a unit to being co-parents, everyone. it seems like mission impossible, but as my daughter needs began Be flexible. This is important to require active participation because there are times when from both parents, I quickly realyour child‘s other parent may ized that co-parenting requires not be able to visit on their maintaining a healthy and balweekend, be flexible and unanced relationship with everyone derstanding enough to make involved, not just myself and my the necessary adjustments as daughter. you can. Don‘t use it against I would like to take the time to help you start your New Year with some things that I have done to become a more effective co-parent and to ensure that my daughter is cared for first and foremost. Be open and have honest communication. Let‘s get one thing clear … lying does nothing for any relationship and in particular a co-parenting relationship. If you start off lying to your child‘s other parent for whatever reason then you will have to work double time to keep up with the lie. Just be honest with how you feel about the time being spent, the people that 38
them, especially if they are truly trying. Also, if your child‘s other parent does not live in close proximity to you or even in another state then consider alternating who pays for the child‘s trip. Going back to remember it‘s about the child not you, so if you can afford to pay for travel, then consider paying for travel. Co-parenting takes effort from both parents but it starts with the individual. Let your child know that you are more than willing to do whatever you can to ensure their happiness. So begin by using these tips as
ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Health & Wellness
10 Ways to Improve Spiritual Wellness by Sonja A. Brown Are you looking to get back on track with your health and wellness? There's no better time than the present. As you begin your personal journey, you should faSonja A. Brown, JOLT Total Fitness U miliarize yourself with the seven dimensions of total wellness which are SPIRITUAL, MENTAL, PHYSICAL, INTELLECTUAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL and OCCUPATIONAL WELLNESS.
time daily in prayer and in meditation. Be fully there, in the moment, concentrating on the now. Strive to live for the present, by letting go of the past and not worrying about the future. 5. Ask questions and seek knowledge. A lifestyle of active learning increases your options and provides you with a broader sense of self and where you fit it. 6. Be open to pain and allow yourself to grieve. Pain allows us to grow. So allow yourself to grieve properly and glean any lessons from it. 7. Have fun and lots of it. Recognize the spirituality in art, music, laughter, dance and in all of life.
8. Go deep. Are you noticing patterns in your life or a reoccurring theme? Are you noticing that you‘re attracting the same type of people in your life? Instead of questioning that or feeling like you have no control, seek a deeper meaning of why certain people gravitate towards you or why you find yourself in the same predicament over and over. Starting the New Year spiritually well is just as imporLook for the gifts and lessons amid your troubles. tant as being physically well. The foundation of spiritual wellness consists of one‘s relationship with God, 9. Breathe. As you go through your day pause, periothers and seeking meaning and purpose in one‘s life. odically and breathe. Close your eyes and take That‘s where we start with spiritual wellness. Here is a slow, methodical deep breaths. list of 10 steps for improving your spiritual wellness. 10. Adopt an attitude of gratitude. In ALL things give 10 Steps to Improve Spiritual Wellness thanks. Be thankful for the small things in life and learn to appreciate the value they bring. Be thank1. Explore your inner self. Ask yourself the difficult ful for those things in life you want and don‘t get. questions: Who am I? Why am I here? Why are There‘s a reason you didn‘t get them. View it as a evil forces present in the world? blessing it really is. 2. Learn your spiritual gifts. Learning your unique gifts will help you decipher your God-given reason Remember, your spiritual wellness is a journey, not a destination. Once you reach one level of spiritual wellfor being here. ness you will continue to seek a higher level of spiri3. Learn your personality type. This is paramount. tual wellness and spiritual consciousness. Not only is it important to learn why you‘re here, it‘s equally important to learn why you operate the way you do, why you respond to others in the manner in which you do, and how to effectively get along with others. 4. Be still. In this instance, still means quiet. Spend www.alive-mag.com
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Recipes
Satisfy Your Taste Buds and stir for 3 minutes. Add broccoli. Cook and stir for 2 minutes more or until mushrooms are browned and tender and broccoli is crisp-tender. Add broth, onion powder, and pepper to skillet. Bring to boiling. Whisk in sour cream mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Stir turkey into mixture in skillet; heat through. Serve turkey mixture with noodles.
Turkey Stroganoff Makes: 4 servings Ingredients:
4 ounces dried whole wheat or plain noodles
1 8 ounce carton light dairy sour cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
1 pound turkey breast tenderloin, cut into bite-size Makes: 10 servings, mezze meal slices
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh broccoli florets
3 tablespoons olive oil (not extra-virgin)
1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 large onion, finely diced
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3 fat cloves garlic, minced or grated
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 3/4 cups kidney beans, reserving the liquid in the can
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lime, zested and juiced
Red Kidney Bean Dip
Directions: Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain; keep warm. In a small bowl stir together sour cream and flour; set aside. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat oil over mediumhigh heat. Add turkey. Cook and stir for 4 to 5 minutes or until browned and no longer pink inside. Remove from skillet. Add mushrooms to skillet. Cook 40
ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Recipes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cups egg noodles
Special equipment: food processor
1 cup frozen green peas
Directions: Heat the oil and cook the onion and garlic until soft and golden.
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Add the kidney beans and their liquid and stir in the tomato paste and spices and cook for a few minutes.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Add the lime juice to the kidney bean mixture. Take the pan off the heat and when it has cooled a little, process the mixture until it is a bumpy puree. When it is cool, arrange in small bowls and sprinkle over the reserved lime zest.
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup Makes: 8 servings Ingredients:
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Directions: Prepare Fast Chicken Soup Base. Bring to a simmer. Add these, then simmer until tender, 10-20 minutes: 3 cups egg noodles. Before removing from heat, stir in: 1 cup (5 ounces) frozen green peas and 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley. Final touch: Add salt and pepper, to taste.
1 recipe Fast Chicken Soup Base
ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Recipes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
1 - 1 ounce square unsweetened chocolate, melted
Directions: Combine graham cracker crumbs, the 3 tablespoons sugar and margarine; press onto bottom of a spring form pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes.
Marble Cheesecake Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons butter, melted
24 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Combine cream cheese, the 3/4 cup sugar and vanilla extract, mixing at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add heavy cream, mix well. Blend chocolate into 1 cup of the batter. Pour plain and chocolate batters alternately over crust; cut through batters with a knife several times for marble effect. Bake at 450 degrees F for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees F, then continue baking for 30 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.
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Opportunity for Growth McCormick Foundation's New Media Women Entrepreneurs Program Offers Funding for Women-Led Projects
Visit the New Media Women Web site for complete program information and application requirements.
Posted on December 11, 2011
Open Society Foundations and Echoing Green Launch Black Male Achievement Fellowship
Deadline: January 27, 2012
Deadline: January 9, 2012
J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism and the McCormick Foundation are seeking to fund four women-led projects that will "rock the world of journalism."
The Open Society Foundations and Echoing Green have announced the Open Society Black Male Achievement Fellowship, a new program for individuals dedicated to improving the life outcomes of black men and boys in the United States.
The McCormick New Media Women Entrepreneurs program will fund U.S.-based individuals who have original ideas for new Web sites, mobile news services, or other entrepreneurial initiatives that offer interactive opportunities to engage, inspire, and improve news and information in a geographic community or a community of interest.
The program is part of the Open Society Foundations' Campaign for Black Male Achievement, a multi-issue, cross-fund strategy to address black men and boys' exclusion from economic, social, educational, and political life in the U.S.
The fellowships are designed to support social entreFunding is available for start-ups only. Projects that preneurs who are starting up new organizations to are in early beta (launched since January 27, 2011) help transform the lives of black men and boys in may apply. their communities. The program will select eight fellows who are generating new ideas and best practices Projects must launch (at least a live beta) within ten in the three core areas of education, family, and work. months and must have a plan for continuing after iniFellowships also will be awarded for efforts in the artial funding has ended. Projects may be independent eas of communications and philanthropic leadership. or housed within traditional media. Personal blogs or one-time documentaries will not be funded. Each fellow will receive $70,000 stipend in start-up capital as well as technical assistance over eighteen Strong applicants will provide information to help months to help them launch and build their organizapeople live their lives or make informed civic choices; tions; access to technical support, pro bono partneradhere to principles of accuracy, truth, and fairness; ships, and a community of like-minded social entreadvance women in the news industry; and show preneurs and public service leaders; and other benepromise of being replicable or scalable. Recipients fits. must agree to post brief weekly blog updates to the New Media Women Web site sharing their process Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, have legal and experience during the development stage. status to work in the US, and have sufficient English fluency to participate in interviews and events. PartThe program will provide $14,000 in funding to each nerships (organizations co-founded and led by two of four women who have the vision, skills, and experiindividuals) are eligible. ence to launch their new venture. Awardees will receive $12,000 in the first year. If they are able to raise Organizations must be the original idea of the appli$2,000 through their own efforts, they will receive an cant, must be in a start-up phase, and must be indeadditional $2,000 in the second year. The match is pendent and autonomous. Organizations may be fordesigned to encourage women to consider how their profit or nonprofit. Applicants must make a full-time ventures can become sustainable. Funds can be used commitment (minimum 35 hours per week) to the for training or technical support. organization's development for the duration of the fellowship. There is a $25 fee to apply. 44
ALIVE Magazine
January 2012
Opportunity for Growth Applicants interested in the BMA Fellowship must use the Echoing Green Fellowship application form. Visit the Echoing Green Web site for complete program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and the application form.
University, its overall operation, its international programs and its requirements for admission of international students. Vendor must provide clear evidence of having successfully presided over the growth and expansion of at least one international program in one similar university. Such evidence must be empirically REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PRINT SERdemonstrated over a period that clearly shows a beVICES fore and after effect and some indication of a positive Open Date: 01/26/12 03:00 PM correlation between the growth pattern and the work Agency Requisition Number: 12-22 of the vendor. Agency: HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE (J1012) Houston Community College ("HCC") is seeking Visit the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for sealed proposals from qualified firms to provide Print more details. Services on an ―as needed basis.‖ Visit the Texas Comptroller of Publis Accounts for more details.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY IS SEEKING BIDS TO ESTABLISH A POOL OF VENDORS FOR GRAPHIC DESIGN
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP'S) FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FILING
Open Date: 01/10/12 02:00 PM Agency Requisition Number: MAIN B200139 Agency: TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY (MAIN UNIV.) (711)
Open Date: 01/17/12 02:30 PM Agency Requisition Number: S6080-11-1112034 Agency: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (S6080) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP'S) FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT FILING # 11-12-034
Visit the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for more details.
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Visit the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for more details. INTERNATIONAL MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR Open Date: 01/11/12 02:00 PM Agency Requisition Number: 735-12-6153 Agency: MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (735) Midwestern State University is requesting proposals from qualified vendors to coordinate its international student recruitment and marketing services. Vendor shall provide evidence of its expertise, professional management capabilities and qualifications to act as a partner to Midwestern State University in all areas pertaining to the project. Vendor must demonstrate some institutional knowledge of Midwestern State
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Business Directory Lisa Marie Glover
Tasha Cooper Coleman
Seasoned Transportation Professional Ivy Vining Consulting, LLC www.ivyviningconsulting.com
CEO | Social Media Lawyer UpwardAction www.upwardaction.com
Dr. Deborah Harris-Sims, LPC
Navie Hughes
Licensed Psychotherapist Hopes for Higher Education www.hopesforhighereducation.com
IMARA Media design@imaramedia.com www.imaramedia.com
Anita Hermesch
Earlene Moore
President Ethical Prosperity www.helloworld.com
Owner of Breads & Moore www.breadsandmoore.com emoore@breadsandmoore.com
Shirley Hogsett
Deborah Long-Chamber
President Destiny Speakers Bureau www.destinyspeaks.net
Certified Aroma Therapist Living Comfortably www.livingcomfortably.com
Jill Johnsston
Patricia Alexander
Owner KJB Security Products Inc. www.kjbsecurity.com
Petruskha Pavlovich Creative Director & Media Consultant Fact & Fable Productions LLC www.factandfable.com
Owner Pattie Cakes www.thepattiecakes.com
Gwendolyn Hughes From Gwen's Heart Handwritten Scripture Stones & Affirmation Rocks www.fromgwensheart.com
Amy Royal
Riska Crowder
Founding Partner Royal LLP www.royalllp.com
Licensed Aesthetician, Certified Eyelash Extension and Makeup Artist Lady Lashes riskacrowder@hotmail.com
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ALIVE Magazine
January 2012