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SIDES
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LUNCH SPECIALS DAILY MON - FRI ONLY AVAILABLE FROM 10AM TO 3PM 1PC TURKEY CHOP 1PC PORK CHOPS 1PC CHICKEN BREAST 5PC WING DING 3PC WHOLE WINGS 3PC WHITENING 2PC TILAPIA 1PC CATFISH 1PC MEATLOAF GRILLED OR FRIED CHICKEN SALAD CHILLI FRIES 5PC MOZZARELLA CHEESESTICKS ONION RINGS 4PC JALAPENO POPPERS FRENCH FRIES
SANDWICHES SERVED WITH BREAD ONLY CHEESEBURGER 1PC PORK CHOP 1PC TURKEY CHOP MEATLOAF 1PC CATFISH 3PC WHITENING 2PC TILAPIA 2PC PERCH BEEF SHORT RIBS CHICKEN BREAST
$5
SALAD $3.50 $3.50 $5 $4 $5 $3 $4 $5 $6 $4
GRILLED OR FRIED CHICKEN GRILLED OR FRIED TURKEY GRILLED OR FRIED PORK GRILLED OR FRIED STEAK
$10 $11 $10 $11
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$7 $6 $6 $6 $6 $6 $6 $7 $6 $6 $3.25 $3 $3 $2 $1.50
FEATURES
“There is no prototype of what a man should be. Every man is different. Every man has to respect the next man because of that.”
—Kevin Ross
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COVER STORY
KEVIN ROSS Is On The Rise
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19
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Featured Artist: Eccentric Danny
Small Businesses Set Up Shop At ‘All Things Detroit’
Female Finalists Seek Funding In Business Plan and Pitch Competition
Instagram Means Instant Money For Small Businesses
FROM THE EDITOR Hello and Happy New Year you awesome, motivated reader! I am delighted to witness an audience that is enthused by way of words and most importantly, by way of reading. In a world where technology and stimulating media is all around through memes, sound and viral videos, it has become a challenge to capture the attention of the public longer than 15 seconds. It is refreshing to know that there are still individuals out there using their mental muscles and exercising their mind by way of reading. Our staff extends our gratitude for your engagement to this publication. Thank you. According to a 2013 study led by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, since the year 2000, the attention span of the average human being dropped from 12 seconds to eight seconds, over the course of 13 years. It seems as if the topic of focus really needs to be analyzed; in stating that notion, welcome to the “Focused Issue” of Top Flight Magazine. In the first month of 2015, we introduce to you Singer Kevin Ross who has focused his attention to growing his career in music.
Chief Editor Cryss Walker Managing Editor Britney Embry
What will you focus on this year? YPVL Designer Chi Uwazurike says his focus will be on developing his clothing line via Instagram and making personal connections.
Editorial Director Ryan Whaley
Now is your time to focus on what you want this year! Channel in on your thoughts, explore your creativity and don’t forget to grab a pen!
Photography Michael Vandiver
Write your vision. Make it clear and let’s get motivated! Journalistically yours,
Cryss Walker Chief Editor @iamtopflight topflightmag@gmail.com
THE FOCUS ISSUE 5
Contributing Writers Antoine Moore Bria Brown Eric Thompson Leslie Fields DeMario Browning Mohammed Luwemba Art Director Tyrone Owens, Jr. Sales Inquiries topflightmag@gmail.com 248-783-6037
fo路cus (noun) 1. the center of interest or activity 2. the state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition.
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ECCENTRIC DANNY
Featured Artist of the Month
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"Life is like a camera: Focus on what’s important and you will capture it perfectly"
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Small Businesses Set Up Shop At ‘All Things Detroit’ DETROIT, MichiganMetro-Detroiters gathered to accomplish two goals, to support small businesses and to network. All Things Detroit provided vending spaces for more than 70 entrepreneurs to showcase their product or service to approximately 700 visitors. The activities were open to the public for $5 per ticket which included shopping, music, food, Zumba lessons and henna tattoos. Jennyfer Crawford, the event organizer, said she wanted All Things Detroit to be a positive experience for both the vendors and consumers. “Of course they’re doing it because they want to make money,” said Crawford. “I just want them to experience the All Things Detroit experience and make money and get to know other people and network because that’s how you ultimately make money, when you network and you meet other people.” Crawford said the idea was to have local businesses come together to collaborate, sharing time and space, while getting exposure to a new audience of potential buyers. The now quarterly showcase started as a get-together in Crawford’s one bedroom apartment as a means to make some extra money. Crawford said she never expected the brand to develop into what it is today.
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“I did a party and I called it Pamper
Jennyfer Crawford because of what All
Pick and Purchase,” said Crawford. “As
Things Detroit offers the small business
it grew and I saw it became so popular, I
community.
just wanted to make it better. I wanted it to be something that people are interested in and right now people are interested in Detroit.”
“We were a part of her previous show that she did at Bert’s Warehouse so we had loved it there, she always has a good turn out,” said Owens. “When we
There were a variety of Detroit-based
found out she was doing another one we
businesses present, ranging from
signed up.”
homemade lemonade to car insurance representatives. Shoppers were afforded the option to buy screen tees, accessories, art, hair extensions and more. Kummbareh Owens is the co-founder of the natural hair care product line EverButter and said she vends with
Logo Copy Center and Lift Car sponsored the event and provided signage and promotional material. Crawford said she’ll be organizing more showcases in the future. For more information visit www.askjennyfer.com
Kevin Ross IS ON THE RISE �
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H
is talent led him down a corridor to touring with soul-singer Maxwell and took him places he never believed he would go. His vocal ability helped him create a future that many only dream of. There was something different about this D.C. natal who studied his calling at the Berklee College of Music. He earned his undergraduate degree and made a trip to Atlanta that changed his life. Kevin Ross says he packed his faith along with him to the south and things were never the same. “I moved down to Atlanta and started my writing career,” said Kevin. “My first placement was with Jamie Foxx. I have four songs on Trey Songz ‘Trigga’ album. I did ‘Touchin Lovin’ featuring Nicki Minaj, ‘Dead Wrong’ featuring Ty Dolla $ign, I did ‘What’s Best For You’ and I did this bonus track called ‘I Know’.” For Ross it’s all about rest, tea and Ricolla! It helps him to keep his voice in shape and show ready. Yet, his talent stretches beyond his vocals, and his regime exceeds vocal health habits. Kevin says to really embark on his dreams, he turned to the Lord. “I prayed and I was like, ‘God, listen, this is my last semester, I don’t know what I’m going to do after this.’ I had a degree in music and literally have nothing else planned,” said Kevin. “I knew a writer (in Atlanta) and I randomly I met with Akon and his brother at the time and they’re the ones who gave me my first publishing deal.”
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This must have been one powerful prayer! Ross’ eyes lit up with pure excitement as he reflected.
that he really needed. He says that he’s glad he chose the trip over the money.
“I literally told God, I said ‘listen man, it’s literally three seconds left on the shot clock. It’s fourth quarter and you’ve never let me down before’,” said Kevin. “God has always guided me through everything.”
Kevin says he knows when he’s making a good decision because it doesn’t feel rushed. If there is no anxiety attached to it, then there is no reason to fear the next step.
Kevin said he had faith that wherever he was supposed to go, he knew he would end up in the right place, at the right time. Kevin actually was supposed to sing at a wedding in D.C., but chose to go to Atlanta instead.
Kevin also stated that he learned to have faith through experience. After losing family and friends to the streets, he developed a sense of strength in knowing that he is protected. By putting his strength into motion, he released ‘Dialogue In
“I prayed and I was like, ‘God, listen, this is my last semester, I don’t know what I’m going to do after this.’ I had a degree in music and literally have nothing else planned,” “There was two things that kind of had me torn at the time,” explained Ross. “It was either go down to Atlanta because I know a writer down there and they were going to fly me down just to write some records, or I was going to do a gig. A wedding gig and it was paying like $400.” Ross was split between either going after the unknown or making some guaranteed cash
The Grey’ which is an E.P. that he describes as music that reflects the foggy sides of life. “There’s right and wrong, black and white,” said Kevin. “There’s good and evil. But for most of us, in life, we kind of live in the middle.” Ross says that he’s at a stage in his life where he is going after his dreams. He’s surely further than where he began, but admits that
he’s not where he wants to be. This space is what he describes as the grey area in life.
be. Every man is different. Every man has to respect the next man because of that.”
The E.P. exudes the coming of age of a young man trying to figure out life. He says he is in the process of learning who he is as a writer and an artist.
Along with that, many respect numbers just as much.
The singer says that he doesn’t feel lost. He rather states that he is in a transitioning phase. ‘Dialogue In The Grey’ is that transition. It’s a transition that translates as a conversation between Ross and his audience.
love it sometimes. But, the single life is overrated to a certain point. Eventually you want something familiar. You need something or someone you can trust.” �
Over the holidays, Kevin wrote a song for Glade’s TV commercial titled ‘This Is My Wish’, which received over 100, 000 downloads. The commercial was also played over 1.5 million times on YouTube.
It’s an open discussion about the perils of manhood, but through song.
Even with his growing success, he blushes a bit as admits that he gets lonely sometimes. Ross says he wrote about those lonesome moments in his song ‘Overrated’ featuring Neyo.
“There is no standardized edition of a man,” said Kevin. “There is no prototype of what a man should
“There’s two types of single people,” says Kevin. “There’s people who love it and people who hate it. I
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“When you focus on what you want, everything else falls away”
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Female Finalists Seek Funding In Business Plan and Pitch Competition
TROY, Michigan- The Third Annual Entrepreneur- YOU Women’s Business Plan and Pitch Competition awarded six female-operated businesses with a portion of $75,000 this past fall. As spring is on the way, new opportunities are available for new businesses ran by women. The competition gave women the opportunity to persuade a panel of judges to fund their business ideas. According to Jan Hubbard, the Walsh College Leadership Center Director, men have an advantage over women in business. Hubbard says for that reason, this event is vital to balance disparities between men and women in receiving capital to grow, sell or launch a business. “Women don’t get the same opportunities at the big business pitch competitions,” said Hubbard. “It always ends
THE FOCUS ISSUE 19
up being the men that are the finalists. They’ve got the backing. There’s lots of money out there, but nobody’s focusing on the lifestyle kinds of businesses that women are doing.” Walsh College President Stephanie Bergeron and Michigan Women’s Foundation President Carolyn Cassin created the YOU- Women’s Business Plan and Pitch Competition. The two women collaborated and started the event that is noted as “for women and by women.” Candidates started their application process back in May. Applicants were required to draft their business plan, detailing their business model, growth projections, operating expenses, profit margins and market need of the products and services. Each application was read and scored based on the information submitted.
Out 95 submissions, 10 were selected to pitch their ideas to the panel. The Flash Delivery Service, which delivers groceries to Metro-Detroit restaurants and catering companies, was awarded $13,900 out of the $75,000 pool. In total, six companies were granted checks towards their businesses. The event was funded by Fifth Third Bank, The Ford Motor Company, DTE Foundation and Inforum Michigan. More opportunities are available for female entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of judges. The Fourth Annual Conference will be held March 20, 2015 at Walsh College Troy Campus. For more information go to www.walshcollege.edu/eyou.
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” —Socrates
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Instagram Means Instant Money For Small Businesses By: Cryss Walker
♼ favoritereporter, iamtopflight
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e logs into his account, scrolls down his timeline and looks at videos and photos to catch what is trending and entertaining. He heeds his attention to the interest of his following and takes mental notes. Those notes turn into “C-Notes” for his business as Young Productive Vintage Life Clothing Creator Chi Uwazurike says Instagram
clothing and make it a lifestyle by allowing his following to be a part of it. He wants his followers to feel young and productive and translate it through their clothing. “Instagram plays a great role in branding,” Chi said. “People are always watching, no matter what. That’s one thing about branding. I can make money just posting through Instagram because when
notes that it is serving as an aide to get customers, make sales and develop brand recognition. The photo sharing app launched in 2010 and was brought by social media giant Facebook in 2012. Today, Instagram now reaches 200 million users world-wide. Chi says that for this reason he is always thinking of new ways to attract more followers to see his line YPVL. For him, with every post, there’s more potential dollars to be made. “It’s like supply and demand,” said Chi. “They might call me or email me and say, ‘I like this one right here and I am ready to pay.’ If I post something on Instagram, I can get 10 sells in less than 10 minutes.” Interactive One Digital Regional Manger Clinton Lechich says that Instagram is the top method to market to consumers organically.
helps him connect with consumers on a personal level. Chi states that the social media platform drives his sales and brand following up. Chi says he wants to take his
you post something that people have never seen before, it increases the level of need and want.”
“It’s the best platform for organic marketing because it’s the best way to advertise,” said Lechich. “If you use Twitter, if you use Facebook, for the most part you have to say whatever it is that you’re saying. With Instagram you can place your product strategically.”
USA Today states that Instagram is a key strategy in growing small businesses today. The publication
According to data released by the SumAll digital research firm, an Instagram follower can generate
10 times as much revenue than a Twitter or Facebook user. The photo app is known to be a better social media tool to promote brands through images. Clinton Lechich corroborates the firm’s findings and says that Instagram is so successful because it is engaging and does not require much of the user’s attention. Over time Lechich says that people’s focus span has decreased and Instagram satisfies social media users because it gets right to the photos. It narrow downs the capability and allows people to get to more of what they want quicker. As of today, many web-developers and media marketers recommend Instagram as a business strategy to drive sales. Image-based products are high on the list for this form of consumer engagement because it opens the door to a visual audience. “Nike shoes, that’s a product that is all about ‘how does this shoe look?’” said Lechich. “It’s also about the experience. Their Instagram is full of not only pictures of shoes but also activities and places that people go to and the things that people are doing when they’re wearing the Nike product.” Although the app is helpful in many ways, the area where it lacks
“They might call me or email me and say, ‘I like this one right here and I am ready to pay.’ If I post something on Instagram, I can get 10 sells in less than 10 minutes.” is the ability to link pictures to websites. Instead, the functionality of hashtags replaces back-linking. This creates a community of photo and video shares through messaging, via users expressing common phrases, interests and thoughts. The hashtag is active by inserting the pound sign on the keyboard followed by the common message. An example of this in the small business world can be translated by searching the phrase “#smallbusiness” in the Instagram explore engine to connect with other small businesses on the app. YPVL Designer Chi Uwazurike says he uses hashtags to connect to new followers, but also states that being featured on the popular page also helps to gain new clientele.
“The popular page is really not the popular page,” said Chi. “It’s really like the local page so anybody in the city can be on there. They might see me on the popular page and probably see a design that I made and click on it, then click on my profile and keep scrolling down. If they see what they like, they’ll just click follow.” Some experts say by sharing pictures and videos of what makes your business unique can be more effective than traditional advertising. Digital analysts say some businesses make the mistake of using social media as another platform to advertise and convince consumers to buy. Researchers say it is better to be social and connect with the audience, rather than to try and sell your product.
“Today people don’t respond as well to sales in social media,” said Lechich. Rather than selling you something, I’m offering you something. A chance to have you experience something and that’s how you win with social media.”
that represents the goal-oriented individual.
That’s what Chi says he is doing with his brand YPVL. Young Productive Vintage Life aims to provide customers with lifestyle
Chi says his @YPVL_CHI handle has 11,000 followers, where 20 percent of them are spending money with him monthly.
He says that he enjoys connecting with his followers through social media and that it has been a great tool to promote his clothing line.
“When you just give me money and not wear the clothing, it’s like you’re lending me money,” said Chi. “I want you to wear the clothing so that other people can see it on your page. That’s how the followers increase.”
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“Always remember, your focus determines your reality” —George Lucas
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“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus” —Bruce Lee
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Watch motivating video interviews about successful people doing what they love or catch up on the latest stories at iamtopflight.com
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