The OffBeat Business Magazine October 2015 by OffBeat Business Magazine

ISSUE 11 | OCTOBER 2015

1st Annual OffBeat Business BASH! in DFW

WhyYOUR Business Needs A Mobile App ROI RE-IMAGINED: OBLIGATION VS OPPORTUNITY

The New Sound...Re-Found Internet Radio GROOVE TIME - Classic Jazz, Big Band, Blues, Motown & Beach Music Easy to operate, just click the Playbox! TUNE IN - Engaging Talk Shows Creating Captivating Dialogue. Listening will enrich your day.

ORIGINATION CREATION - Professionally Produced Audio for Exceptional Branding.

Get plugged in.

You May Have Someone ‘Doing Your Taxes,’ But That Isn’t Enough. Once you’re in trouble with the IRS, you risk losing property, money and even your business - not to mention your peace of mind.

Is Anyone Helping You Stay OUT of Trouble With The IRS? “My name is John DiLucci, and at Masters of Taxation, we’re there for you well before potential IRS issues arise. Many tax preparers have less training than you think. As a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist, I help my clients play by the book, to adopt legal, effective, strategic planning and stay out of trouble in the first place. Enrolled agents, like me, are the ONLY professionals that are specifically licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the IRS.”

“I’m Nina DiLucci, a Tax CPA with a Masters in Taxation, bringing 30 years of experience to you. Don’t suffer through tax anxiety, I’m here to make sure your taxes are accurate, and low as possible!” We are YOUR national solution to tax preparation.

Contact us to discover 10 Key Things to Do to Stay OUT of Trouble With The IRS Absolutely FREE Masters of Taxation, Inc. 6565 North MacArthur Blvd, Ste. 225 Irving, TX 75039 Phone: (972) 444-9934 Info@Masters-of-Tax.com

Masters of Taxation, Inc.

Tax and Related Services - On Your Schedule

Off BeatMagazine

Off BeatMa CONTENTS

08-11 Setting The Bar- What One Organization Can Do With Local Business Sector Support 13 Business Event Of The Year! 16-17 The Power Of The Light Bulb By Jonathan Bodnar

20 Do You Know When to Seek Help? By Christi Rains

21-22 ROI Re-Imagined: Obligation vs. Opportunity By Candy Barone

23 The Next Level of What? By John Carroll

24 The Personal Touch Still Works By Dorothy Skinner

26-27 Powerful Philanthropy Based On L.O.V.E.

31 What’s All The Buzz About CrossFit? By Adam Aberbach

33 Chef Bernard’s Sweet Potato Salad By Chef Bernard

34 THE OTHER “F” WORD

By John Gilchrist

By Taylor Kay Stephens

28-29 Innovation is Everybody’s Business

35 Susan Says

By Monica Cornetti

30 Does and Don’ts When You Have A Vendor Table By Jeff Klein

By Susan Hamilton

36-37 BattleBuddy Info

OFFBEAT BUSINESS

Off BeatMagazine

agazine Susan Hamilton

susan@offbeatbusiness.com

SHOW & MAGAZINE

EDITOR’S NOTE Friends,

October is HERE! The change of seasons ushers in new perspectives and a sense of urgency about the 4th quarter for many of us. We’re excited about the articles and ads we’ve included in this month’s edition. While it’s a good idea to maintain that sense of urgency to manage everything on your plate this season, we need to temper that with one foot on the ground and an ear to the wall at all times. What a visual! But it’s true. Inside, discover how small businesses are coming together for one organization to provide community resources in a highly effective manner. Be inspired to find out how your efforts can make a HUGE difference in the areas of need that move you. New sponsor, John Gilchrist, helps you think about that productively. Our cover model, Jonathan Bodnar, shares why apps can be a very lucrative way to do business today, and how to think about using an app for your business, too. And he’s not the only innovator you’ll find inside, because Monica Cornetti and Candy Barone are also sharing innovative ways to work with your teams that will encourage your company to be on the cutting edge. On October 29th, we’re holding the 1st Annual OffBeat Business BASH in Dallas, Texas, expected to be the party of the year! Look for the ad inside, and grab details and tickets at http://OffBeatBusiness.com/BusinessBASH - so many perks you can add to your day if you get signed up early!

Off BeatMagazine Editor

Susan Hamilton

Art Director

Jonathan Bodnar

Manager

Susan Hamilton

Marketing

The OffBeat Business Show

Web editor

Jonathan Bodnar

Publisher

Robin Roberson

Producer

Roberson Squared

Learn a little about crossfit, bring a sweet potato salad to your company Thanksgiving party, and discover how to ask yourself the right questions to keep you moving ahead - all inside. As always, we welcome and encourage your feedback, good or bad! Reach out to us at Info@OffBeatBusiness.com with your suggestions and comments. . Enjoy! ~ Susan

The OffBeat Business Show OCTOBER LINEUP

OCTOBER 6TH Elizabeth McCormick, Your Inspirational Speaker, is dedicated to offering FREE instructional resources to grow your business. DON’T miss this show!

OCTOBER 13TH Susan Morrow, author of Unbreak My Heart, searched for her children for 12 years while she grew her business. How child abduction impacts our lives, but can also inspire us to rise to new levels.

OCTOBER 20TH Brenda Stoner, founder of PICKUP App, talks about being a woman in a technology business and how her love of working with ‘good guys’ has created an environment for sustained growth.

OCTOBER 27TH International speaker and author, Dean Lindsay, is taking the business world by storm with his message of progress over change. Dean is a featured speaker at The 1st Annual OffBeat Business BASH, and when you hear this, you’ll know why we had to share him!

Sound advice, NEVER boring!

You're On A Mission To Make A DiďŹ&#x20AC;erence, Get There Safely For Long-Term Success

Fundraising Strategy | Planning | Coaching | Success

Board development StaďŹ&#x20AC; training Feasibility studies Executive coaching

PhilanthropyFocus.net

When You Work With Philanthropy Focus, You Will Develop a Sustainable Revenue Plan The KEY is aligning your mission and your passion to donor interests.

Call John Gilchrist TODAY 469-215-1651

Off BeatMagazine

SETTING THE BARWhat One Organization Can Do With Local Business Sector Support CCA Offers Dignity, Strength And Restoration

love my job. But I’ve gotta tell ya, nothing rocks my socks like learning about successful programs that initiate positive, progressive change in our communities. When Tom Cibula, Development Gift Officer for Christian Community Action (CCA) introduced himself at a local networking group, I had no idea how my perspective was about to explode. After a chat on the phone and a brief description of their services, I was invited to tour the facilities. It was much more like a campus, or even a ‘little city.’ All very clean and well-laid out; from the parking lot I was already raising one eyebrow as he motioned towards the various buildings. “This is where we process dona-

tions of clothing and household goods for the store, and this is is where people can go in and purchase from those donations to support our program.” Then we turned to walk into the food pantry behind us. CCA helps the financially challenged, for whatever reasons, to acquire the food, clothing, school supplies, medical care and spiritual restoration necessary to get through their ordeal and get back up. Their comprehensive approach to suffering and the needs of the community are something I’ve never experienced before. Often, an organization realizes the social need in one area or maybe a couple combined areas - say

food and medical attention. But the idea that one organization could serve in this capacity, and do it well, got my attention.

When a person finds him or herself without the means to care for their family with food, clothing, medical care, employment or job skills education, they are assigned a caseworker who connects the dots for them. They are assessed a weekly grocery allotment, regardless of their food stamp eligibility. They may use both resources, and are encouraged to do so. In addition, the card records the amount they may spend on clothing, school supplies and items from the store. The card becomes an accountability tool, and while the items purchased are essentially ‘free’ for the recipient from free or reduced price donations, having a financial ‘value’ placed on them helps a person make choices based on necessity over want.

Routinely, volunteers take advantage of reduced meats from local grocers. Sprouts and Kroger’s labels show the origination of some of these donations. While this food is frequently donated, many times it must be purchased from CCA resources. The pantry runs like clockwork, scheduling families for their regular weekly shopping during the mornings. A maximum of up to 30 families go through the store at a time, so the line by the grocery carts gets long. They may shop for around 30 minutes for the items on their lists, and as soon as one family returns the cart, another can go through the pantry. I was pleasantly surprised by the gluten-free items, healthy choices and brand names. It occurred to me that no one visiting one of these homes would have any idea that the food came from a pantry. “We’re not here to tell people how to purchase the goods we offer,” says Trent Smith, Food Pantry Manager, “But we are serving many people and families throughout the Lewisville ISD.

We walked through the automatic doors, into what looks more like an impeccably clean small town grocery store than a food pantry. There are computer monitors at the checkout station, but no registers. Tom held up the CCA card (looks like a credit card) and explained, “People need their dignity. Everything about the food pantry experience is designed with the family in mind. A child, for instance, has no idea that Mom or Dad is getting their groceries from a food pantry. Instead, they walk in the doors at their scheduled time, get a cart, and proceed to go down the aisles for the needs of their home. Unlike the Lone Star card, that doesn’t cover shampoo, toilet paper or laundry detergent, our card allots each family a weekly stipend that does include those items. Consequently, we are in the greatest need for these items, and empty those shelves frequently.” A caseworker determines the need of each family, and puts those limits on the card. It’s a lot like monopoly money, because there is no actual money on it.

OffmyMagazine BeatMagazine

He went on to explain the two desks near the grocery carts at the front of the store. One desk collects the pre-filled card from shoppers, another is manned by a nutritionist, who helps people with dietary issues or restrictions with counsel for better choices within the store. “We don’t collect grocery carts from the parking lot, so instead, we collect the card when they get a cart and return the card to them when they return the cart.”

Off BeatMagazine

Comprehensive programs provided by CCA also include: • • • • •

Adult Health Center Vocational & Educational Programs (GED & ESL Classes, Job Skills Training, Forklift Certification) Seasonal Programs (Back to School, Kids Eat Free, Christmas Toy Store) Spiritual Care Golden Angels (Seniors)

When we give these items a financial value, we can get a better understanding of what people are using and counsel them to maximize their purchase experience. It puts the control of resources in their hands. For instance, when someone on the program is getting medical care from us and on diabetes or high blood pressure medication, they have the option to visit the nutritionist and learn how to purchase healthier choices that may reduce the dependency on those expensive drugs. That’s just one example of how they can have more money to spend on the needs of their family.” “Our checkout and card system gives us valuable information to understand how to stock items for the people we serve. Everything can be measured using bar codes. Sometimes we get a surplus of QuickTrip sandwich donations or bread or hot dogs from the grocery stores. The board on the wall tells families how

many of those items they may take with them. Small amounts are rationed at a rate of one or two per family. When we have an excess, we can send several of those packages with the families in the store at that time. It’s all on the wall so everyone knows what the limits are.”

CCA serves over 10,000 people in Denton County Texas each year and over 27,000 families, an impossibility without the support of local grocery stores, QuickTrip gas stations and other local businesses who reach out with man hours, donations and money.

Tom Cibula explains, “We offer people a hand up, not a hand out.”

Outside of Lewisville ISD, Christian Community Action is the only community medical

Off BeatMagazine resource for indigent care in Denton County, and utilizes doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals who volunteer their time to serve in their respective capacities. We left the Food Pantry and walked into the lower level of the main headquarters. Meeting rooms with long tables and chairs filled a large room with partitions to segment the rooms for various trainings. “Buses from the senior living facilities bring residents here for various activities.,” said Tom. “The adjacent kitchen makes it possible to serve them meals. I was left with a strong desire to write this feature article for Christian Community Action. All I could think about is, “This program is duplicatable; why doesn’t it exist in every county?” The OffBeat Business Show & Magazine is a business to business platform of resources that make it easy, profitable and enjoyable to be in business again,

but without a passion to involve your business in the needs of the community - none of that will take your business to the next level. I’ve worked with businesses all over the nation, and one thing rings true throughout. WE are the people capable of duplicating, starting and supporting organizations that work to improve our populations. All it takes is a desire to do so, money and time.

tour the facility yourself. Find out what you can do to support them or duplicate their efforts in your community. There is no end to what we can do when we align our purpose, passion and talent with the needs of people within our ability to serve.

While many laugh when I say that, as though I’m being flippant or arrogant to assume that it’s ‘that easy,’ I know that we all play a part. It’s one reason I work so diligently to provide business resources that help you enjoy an excess of time and money - as well as showcase the programs that work - because often all it takes to get the ball rolling, is to see another doing what is in your heart to do.

Christian Community Action serves communities throughout Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant and Wise counties. Boundaries are established by these Independent School Districts: Argyle | Carrollton-Farmers Branch (Denton County portion) | Coppell | Frisco | Lake Dallas | Lewisville | Little Elm | Northwest CCA’s Adult Health Center serves ALL of Denton County, in addition to the areas identified above. Go to CCAHelps. org to discover more, donate items, volunteer or give.

I urge you to reach out to Tom Cibula and

Off BeatMagazine

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR! EVENT

1ST ANNUAL OFFBEAT BUSINESS BASH

INSPIRING SPEAKERS, VENDOR TABLES,

1,000 BUSINESS OWNERS, BBQ & DANCING

Eddie Deen’s Ranch Is Getting Ready For The Business Party Of The Year! September 14, 2015 - The OffBeat Business Show & Magazine, Pegasus Net Waves and Eddie Deen’s Catering & Company have teamed up to produce the business celebration of the year on October 29th, from an unorthodox 12 - 8 PM. Big names in the public speaking sector converge on Dallas to offer their special brand of training to inspire business owners to reach new heights. Add to that Eddie Deen’s Signature BBQ, local British Invasion Rock Group Alpha Dogs, 1000 business owners and a cash bar - and this event takes every opportunity to leverage networking and inspiration for a stronger American business sector.

The Twist “Today’s business owners are bombarded with social noise and marketing hype,” says Susan Hamilton, talk radio host and editor of The OffBeat Business

Show & Magazine, a division of Hamilton & Hamilton Consulting, LLC. “The very act of being in business today has become so complicated, we are often too busy jumping through hoops to avoid fines, penalties and infringements that

we don’t have time to pay attention to the very real things that impact our lives in business. 80% of American business owners are family owned businesses of 9 employees or less, that means that we’re building our businesses while we raise

Off BeatMagazine

front of the room and an opportunity to ask Google questions they’ve been struggling with. DFW’s own Alpha Dogs are slated to play two one- hour long sets of timeless British invasion genre rock-n-roll to make this an unforgettable BASH we’ll be talking about all year! Huge give-aways will help some lucky business owners get a much needed fleet truck or travel ticket. Register to win.

our children, deal with addictions in our families, and care for our parents and veterans. The OffBeat Business Show & Magazine represents that segment of the business sector - the majority. We know those businesses can shine with the right approach to digital marketing.”

will come from. Without time and money, we’re victims of our lives, subject to poverty at a sneeze. It doesn’t have to be like that, and we need to get pumped up about what we’re REALLY capable of doing when we band our very strong voices together.”

According to Susan, it’s never been more important for business owners to network, build influence and work extremely efficiently. “The business sector is where the help our communities are starving for

Come out and meet Google representatives, arranged by feature speaker Muni Bajpai, CEO of ROI Mantra, recipient of the 2015 Google All-Stars Partner Award. VIP guests will enjoy table seating at the

Early bird ticket pricing is only $47, and available through http://OffBeatBusiness. com/BusinessBash until September 20th. After that, general admission pricing at $97 is still a great deal for exposure to an expected 1000 business owners and vendors, powerhouse speakers, great food, networking - and most of all - FUN! Get tickets for The 1st Annual OffBeat Business BASH at http://OffBeatBusiness.com/BusinessBash. For more information on vendor tables, VIP seating or event information, contact Robin Dahms, Events of Significance, LLC.

RV Park Websites That Work

Every RV park needs a great-looking, dynamic website to attract a continual stream of new guests.

Is yours up to the task?

500 Under $

We’re not just another website company - we’re also your market, your audience. We are full-time RV travelers with a history of helping small companies and organizations grow. Our focus is creating elegant, highly functional websites that attract more guests to your RV park. Design Customization Input all of your campsites, content & images Connect your social media profiles Connect your domain name Includes first month of service!

Get your new website within a week! Click here to see Demo sites

http://rvparkwebsites.net or call 920-257-4944 for more information

Off BeatMagazine

THE POWER OF THE LIGHT BULB; How To Keep Your Clients The Power Of Coming Back For More. By Jonathan Bodnar “There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.” ~ Ronald Reagan Small business thrives and flourishes on innovation. By definition anything that is alive must grow, anything growing must innovate to sustain that growth. After testing over 6,000 filaments for the lightbulb Thomas Edison finally reached the moment of growth that would pave the way for modern technology as we experience it today. Edison searched the world for plants that would stay lit for more than a few hours, he needed something that would sustain and harness the electricity he was producing. Finally, he tried carbonized paper from a bamboo plant and so birthed the incandescent light bulb. Now, of course, we all know Thomas Edison didn’t build the first light bulb. In fact it was Humphry Davy, the in-

ventor of the electric battery, that first discovered that if he connected his battery to carbon it would glow, thus creating the first light bulb. But it wasn’t a sustainable glow or a practical method for daily use, which is why Edison gets the credit; Edison discovered how to sustain the invention and made it practical, which resulted in a marketable product. Imagine where we’d be without the light bulb today. I’m sure someone would have come up with the idea by now if it wasn’t Edison or Davy. But the fact remains that the lightbulb birthed an era of technology that would give us the television, the projector and the LED light. In small business today we use technology like a website as our carbon filament to sustain our business growth. We use websites to sell our product or service and update our past clients on new, improved products. But, post sale, how do you take care of your clients?

Send them an email every now and again, maybe call every quarter to sell them on your newest product? I would argue that a website, a few emails and a quarterly call is no longer sufficient to sustain faithful clients. Websites require tedious navigating and offer limited accessibility to sustainable resources, emails are opened on average only 22%* of the time (actually read less than that), and post sale calls do little to convince your client of your company’s growing value. YOU NEED A NEW SUSTAINABLE FILAMENT FOR YOUR LIGHTBULB. I’ve found the most powerful tool for businesses wanting to sustain a faithful client base and produce continual return clients is a smartphone app. At first you might shut down this proposition because you’re used to apps being built for games and on demand services, how could it possibly benefit a company like yours? Let me explain.

Off BeatMagazine The average American spends 3.5 hours on their smartphone daily, 86% of that time is spent on mobile applications leaving only 14% of the time spent on a mobile browser. The amount of advertising you’d have to order to make up for the lack of time spent on your website would bankrupt your company. The obvious solution? Build an app. TECH CRUNCH REFERS TO THE SMARTPHONE AS THE SINGLE MOST VALUABLE PIECE OF PROPERTY AND BRANDING OF THE 21ST CENTURY. A smartphone app is not a website, it is a hub of resources and tools available to your client at the touch of a button. A mobile website won’t keep your clients coming back for more; an app that is full of free resources related to your product or service will. An app that houses your ‘how to’ videos, informative articles and podcasts gives clients a reason to keep you on the forefront of their mind, and on the front page of their daily life. Contact forms, booking calendars and built in social

networks keep your clients engaged and able to contact or book you 24/7. How do you keep clients opening your app and using your resources? Push notifications. One of our most recent clients, Whole Magazine, grew by over 46,000 views in one month by sending a simple push notification out in the morning that linked back to a relevant article on their app. Another of our clients uses their app as a coupon book, and sends out push notifications for new coupons. Apps offer limitless possibilities, so dream a little bit. Use your app as your online store by adding products, let your clients book appointments with you through your app, list your locations and events - whatever you do, don’t miss out on the 21st centuries most powerful marketing technique. Much like Edison, my company didn’t invent the most powerful marketing tool of the 21st century, we merely spent years refining it into a marketable and sustainable product.

Jonathan Bodnar, founder and president of Apollo App Design, is hardwired to bring small business technology that increases performance and revenue. Go to http://ApolloAppDesign.com to discover what app development can do for your small business. Contact info@apolloappdesign.com or call 214-884-6249 today.

robin roberson BUILD

BRAND

BUZZ

Relevance

Value

Expertise

roberson SQUARED Zero Hour Strategies Decisive eBroadcast Tactics Digital Publishing Impressions

Develop strategies that brand you … Make professional connections that leverage your business… Build Your Digital Buzz …

469.237.7084 robersonsquared@gmail.com

Marketing Works …and we make it work for you! www.robersonsquared.com

Off BeatMagazine

DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO SEEK HELP?

By Christi Rains

e talk a lot here about needing to seek trusted, professional advice to guide you through the complex world of business ownership. Many people are blessed with a friend or family member that is an accountant or has years of business experience…someone that can get them going in the right direction. Most people, however, are not blessed with that luxury and are forced to find their own way through the business world. Over the next couple of months we are going to look at how this group of people can find help. Let’s first take a look at why you need an accountant and at what point you need to turn to one for help. The first thing a prospective entrepreneur has to answer is “What are my strengths and weaknesses? Where do I need to get help?” Most people lack the training necessary to handle their own accounting and bookkeeping; they don’t know what

type of entity to form or how to classify employees or when does sales tax apply…or a thousand other questions. For many, this is where help needs to start; either you cannot or don’t want to wade through the flood of information on the internet. No worries, most accountants can be brought in on an as needed basis to provide answers and guidance. Remember, the wrong answers at this stage can lead to penalties and problems later. So let’s say you are comfortable with starting your business, you’ve got a lot of experience in the field or you have a great mentor. Now you’re on to the day to day operations, this is where the accounting becomes ‘real;’ did all of the invoices go out? Are they getting paid? What are our expenses? Are we charging enough, etc. This is the day to day and month to month grind of owning a company; it isn’t just about

being your own boss or doing something you love. The big question you have to ask at this point is, “Is this really the best use of my time?” Once you have reached this point; either through frustration, problems, or some other reason; it is time to figure out exactly what you need in an accountant and just where to turn to get it. Christi Rains, President Alpha Omega Consulting & Bookkeeping, LLC – Sensiblebusinessowner. com, Email Christi@AOBookKeeping.com for more information.

OBLIGATION VS. OPPORTUNITY By Candy Barone

n this month’s column, I want to address the difference between obligation and opportunity, as there is a fine line distinguishing the two. You see, we spend so much wasted time worrying over all the things we “have to do” not realizing that everything we have in front of us is an opportunity for a “get to do.”

actually creating negative energy and keeping yourself in a scarcity mentality. Really think about the meaning of each of those phrases. And, then feel the way they weigh on you as well. It feels as if you are being told what to do versus being empowered with the possibility of choice.

For instance, you “get to” do things every day, you “get to” make decisions and take action; you also “get to” be more purposeful, present and intentional in your activities and choices.

Now, remember when that happened when you were younger, by your parents, or a teacher, or even one of your managers, how did you feel? Did you feel like you had value? Did you feel as if you were given permission to make decisions? Probably not. And, here’s the kicker … neither do your employees when you do the same to them.

And, so does your team. OK, let me dig a little a deeper on this subject as the very mindset is often shortchanging our ROIs and leaving more untapped returns on the table. Every time you think or state, “I have to, I need to, I should or I got to” you are

abundant mindset, you start to realize that you “get to” take action and create opportunities . When you start to walk that talk intentionally, you inadvertently give your team permission to do the same. Now, this is where the power of “get to” really starts to take hold. When you provide language around how your team “gets to” take risk, make choices, and contribute to take action, they then begin to feel valued, worthy, and as if they matter to the overall success of the organization.

So, where does that leave you, and what options are available?

And, when your employees feel valued, they engage more. When your employees engage more, they are more productive. When they are more productive, they create efficiencies. When your employees create efficiencies, more can be accomplished. And, so on.

By shifting the language you use with yourself to provide a more open and

Which all means … a happier client on the back-end. Your clients’ success is a di-

Off BeatMagazine

ROI RE-IMAGINED:

Off BeatMagazine Sounds like a win to me! The questions become: How are you communicating to your teams? What is the frame you use for yourself? Are you experiencing the drivers in your business as a “got to do” or a “get to do?”

rect outcome of the way your employees interact and engage with them. Happy employees mean happy clients. Also, when your employees feel more empowered and valued, creativity increases. This is another way to serve your clients at a higher level. More creativity allows for new ideas, new inventions, and new products that can provide greater value and more opportunity. In addition, creativity adds an element of fun and team camaraderie. All creating deeper engagement from your employees and more connected, cohesive teams, as a result. By the very act of being more abundant and helping your employees see that they “get to” do things, you will find more team members stepping up and taking greater leadership roles. They will feel more courageous to take risks and bold action, to serve the client first, and to take more accountability. You’ll notice an increase in personal responsibility, too. All of these measures create an increased rate of return. And for this investment, we are talking about time, about being purposeful and present in your communications with yourself and your employees, and about setting the example by walking the talk. These simple measures in-

vested in a culture of expectation increase employee morale and client satisfaction. Know that leadership is a choice. The manner in which you choose to perceive the work, effort, and discipline required to grow your business creates either a obligation or opportunity. It is simply a func-

tion of which mindset you believe. Only one creates the environment that increases returns to help your organization grow. So, which will you choose? Because, remember … ROI is a return on investment, not a return on intention.

Candy Barone, CEO & Founder, You Empowered Strong “Your Pull-No-Punches Accountability Powerhouse” International Speaker, Business Strategist, Certified Master Coach & Trainer, Best-selling Author. Hear Candy speak at the 1st Annual OffBeat Business BASH! in Dallas, TX on October 29th, 2015. Look for the ad in this month’s magazine. Copyright 2014-5 - You Empowered Strong, LLC - All rights reserved candybarone@youempoweredstrong.com - www.youempoweredstrong.com - (512) 693-9732

THE NEXT LEVEL OF WHAT? “Take your business to the next level.”

ow many times have you read, heard or said this phase, or a derivation of it? Probably so often that it barely registers at this point, yet we continue to overuse it in describing our goals, or what we want to accomplish for our clients. However, have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “The next level of what?”

What exactly does this mystical ‘next level’ look like? Is it fame, fortune, retirement, financial independence, peace of mind? Do you have a clear vision of what the next level means for you or for your business, and what is required to get there? If you do not have a vision of what the next level looks like, then how do you expect it to become a reality? Great results are the key to business success, and great vision is the key to everything. Taking Einstein’s quote further, “No Vision, No Plan, No Execution = No Reality.” Or at least, not the reality you had hoped for. Don’t just start off a new calendar year or planning cycle with good intentions. Strive for excellence and be great every day in order to realize those desired outcomes.

Create the vision. What does your ‘next level’ look like? There’s a great saying; “People who set out without a target hit it 100% of the time!” Be able to clearly articulate your vision so that others you rely upon for support can help you get there. Where are you today? And, what will be required to reach the next level? Develop a plan for success. Make sure it is written and covers everything you want to be, have and do in the ‘Five F’ areas – Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness and Fun. Why? Because each of these areas are interrelated and important for life balance and growth. As an example, fitness and health are related to everything we do, think and feel. Balance short- and long-term goals. Goal-setting and horizon planning should be centered on the next 30-6090 days to enable you to stay on target and effectively monitor your progress. Keep longer-term goals in front of you (and your team), but don’t allow yourself to get too far in front of your headlights, particularly when it comes to major investments. Make continuous improvement a priority. Focus on what to do better versus different first. Develop a daily short list of your top priorities and make a concerted effort to complete them before moving on to new projects, or distractions that could derail your progress. Keep ‘less

“Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.” – Albert Einstein equals more’ in mind -- a 1% weekly improvement will generate twice the results within 18 months. Finally, take action! The next level is nothing more than an aberration unless you take action and match your energy to the frequency of the reality you want to create. John Carroll is a business and leadership strategist who works with business leaders to help them ‘achieve the results to move beyond their vision.’ He is a bestselling author, educator, blogger and speaker. Email John at john@trescoach.com or learn more at http://www.trescoach.com/.

Off BeatMagazine

By John Carroll

Off BeatMagazine

THE PERSONAL

Touch Still Works By Dorothy Skinner

e’ve been in business a long time. I’ve been told I should teach other emerging companies how to run a residential and light commercial plumbing company! As a great-grandmother, I consider it a privilege to share our 50 plus years in business with our sons, daughter and son-in-law, and now my grandsons. I tell them about the personal touch that’s kept us in business for so long. Now, I’m going to share some of that with you. For so many businesses, the personal touch has gone away. I think it matters more in the trades, because we are invited into people’s homes - not really the same thing as going through a store or drive-through. I love it when a personality shines through, and I think most people do, but for some reason we just don’t give that much of ourselves anymore. A good tradesman depends on referrals and repeat business and knows people can call whomever they want to get the job done. We’ve noticed that they call us back because they genuinely like us, and we’ve kept the same customers happy in the North Dallas area since 1987. That’s saying something. The first experience people have with us is usually our receptionist, my daughter, or me. I still enjoy answering phones, our customers have become friends over the years! We pay attention to what people are really saying, not just what they tell us. Plumbing problems can be very stressful, whether they are emergent repairs or remodels. When we hear babies or teenagers in the background or they are calling in between errands, we get it, and want them to hear compassion and friendliness in our voices and in our efforts to solve their problem. That’s not always easy. There’s no telling what chaos or distur-

bance might be going on in our office, too! But we never let them feel our stress - we focus on how we’re treating our customer. But the personal touch also means we shake hands on the job during a greeting. We acknowledge their pets. We know the names of their spouses and children. Many times over the years, the child grows up and calls on us, too! We’ve also leveraged the personal touch when it comes to our supply chain. New businesses struggle with those relationships. We’ve always paid our suppliers, but there were years when we had to make arrangements and pay off debt. Those were always friendly conversations, and genuinely respectful. But when crisis that put us in those situations arose, we had to reach out to people who knew we were good for it. A little at a time, regular payments, phone calls - we didn’t just drop the ball, we leveraged everything we could on a personal level to make good on our debts and reciprocate whenever we could. It

was expensive, but worth it. Looking back, I have no regrets about those situations because they were handled with integrity and compassion. The personal touch has kept us in business - back in Wisconsin, where we started - and here in North Texas for over 50 years. Our family business has offered customer service with a personal touch to thousands of people, and depended on relationship selling long before it was a buzzword. Dorothy Skinner is the owner of Gary’s Quality Plumbing, serving the north Dallas area. Read the Ask The Plumber Blog to learn how to protect your home or place of business, and find beautiful fixture options for your next remodel. Contact Info@GarysQualityPlumbing.com or call 972-424-6479 for your gas or water plumbing needs.

Off BeatMagazine

POWERFUL PHILANTHROPY Based On L.O.V.E.

By John Gilchrist

mericans gave a record 358.4 billion to charities in 2014 (1). To put this figure in better perspective, if the nonprofit sector were its own Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it would be the 33rd largest economy in the world, ahead of countries such as Denmark, Singapore, New Zealand, and Israel (2). Americans are the most giving people on the planet. That is wonderful news for the 1.1 million nonprofits working every day to educate youth, heal the sick and injured, clean the environment, and care for animals - to name a few examples.

What motivates this outpouring of support, both in gifts of money and volunteer service? It starts with the word philanthropy. Why do YOU choose to give your hardearned money and valuable time to special organizations? The reasons are many, but I submit it begins with the origin of the word philanthropy, literally ‘love of mankind’. As you consider various organizations to commit your time and dollars, consider the following model as a guide to make your gifts.

Definition of PHILANTHROPY, according to MerriamWebster.com 1: goodwill to fellow members of the human race; especially : active effort to promote human welfare 2a: an act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes; b: an organization distributing or supported by funds set aside for humanitarian purposes

Focus on the “L.O.V.E.” to determine your choices.

“L” -

Look into yourself to determine what problem or problems you are passionate about solving. One way to start this self-examination is to picture yourself accepting the citizen of the year award. What would be said in your introduction? How did you make the community a better, more enjoyable place to live?

“O” –

Observe what organizations are achieving results. And results are not necessarily the amount of dollars raised! What solutions did the nonprofit create and fund to mitigate the problem which concerns you the most?

“V” –

Validate your observations through a meaningful evaluation process of various agencies. Determine which agencies are really moving forward with solutions, or at least definitive progress toward a solution. You may be tempted to hone in on the level of funds going toward programs and services vs fundraising and overhead expenses. This is a valid metric, but does not always tell the complete story. President Reagan once said of the former Soviet Union’s promise to comply with the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, “… trust, but verify”. Regardless of your politics, that is a sound piece of advice when evaluating charities. Are the nonprofit agencies you are considering really moving the needle?

“E” –

Express your validated interest with a gift commensurate with your belief and passion that your chosen charity can make a difference in the community, locally or globally.

You may find yourself supporting fewer agencies, but your gifts will have a deeper impact for those organizations meeting your L.O.V.E. test! It’s your money and time, make your charitable giving count! John Gilchrist, FAHP, CFRE, is a leader in the nonprofit sector, guiding business owners with philanthropic outreaches to fill board positions, generate productive funding and create an overall rewarding scenario that impacts positively the community at large. Visit http://PhilanthropyFocus.net to discover what John can do for YOUR nonprofit and contact John@PhilanthropyFocus.net today. Look for the Philanthropy Focus advertisement in The OffBeat Business Magazine.

(1) – Giving USA Study, Indiana University, 2015. (2) – World Bank, World Development Indicators database, 2015

Off BeatMagazine

is Everybody’s Business By Monica Cornetti

here’s gotta be a better way is the phrase at the heart of most innovation. Innovation creates value for you as a customer through solutions that meet a new need or an old need in new ways.

Innovation is Everybody’s Business “There’s Gotta Be a Better Way!”

The person doing the job is in the best position to know how it can be done better, faster, different, or maybe even eliminated. All levels of employees can learn how to spot problem areas and suggest improvements. Ask your Recently while on the road for a speaking tour, employees or team members to: I stayed with my mom and dad for a few days between gigs. The night before I was to leave, 1. Write down a few of their major tasks that I decided to launder a few items and so asked must be completed either daily or weekly. my mom if she had anything to add to my small 2. Pick just one of those tasks to focus on and loads. She said to me, “Oh, you can just throw all answer the following questions. your clothes in together.” I looked at her as if she • If I were doing this task for the first had lost her senses. time, would I do it the way I do it now? • If I had to, could I do the task twice as After all, she turned 80 this year. And, this is fast? the woman who taught me to religiously sort • What could be a completely different clothes … lights, darks, whites, gentle … you way of doing this task? know the drill. • Do I really need to do this task? What would happen if I skipped it? And now she was telling me to, “Just throw them all in together?” And then, from the cabinet she No system is perfect; there is always room for grabbed a Shout® Color Catcher® (http://www. improvement or new approaches to old probshoutitout.com/en-US/Products/Pages/shout- lems. Look for ways to make improvements color-catcher.aspx) sheet. This handy product and follow through with a plan of action. absorbs and traps loose dyes in the wash water, protecting your clothes against color bleeds. Think differently and put innovation at the No more sorting! heart of your organization, so that you can improve the bottom-line numbers and discover a Some people think that innovation is all about better way of doing things! coming up with new products, like a sheet that catches color in the washing machine. Yes, new products are important and fun, but not the enA gamification speaker and designer, tire picture. Innovation can be also be a process Monica Cornetti is rated as the #1 Gamificathat helps your company run at razor-thin martion Guru in the World by UK-Based Leadgins, sell a lot of stuff, and control costs, such as erboarded. She is the author of the book Wal-Mart’s ‘just-in-time’ inventory. Totally Awesome Training Activity Guide: Innovation is most frequently about figuring out how to add value right where you are. To succeed, everyone in your organization needs to see innovation not as something special that only special people can do, but as something that is routine and utilizes the capabilities of every employee.

Put Gamification to Work for You, writes The Gamification Report blog, and host of the weekly Gamification Talk Radio program. She is a professional consultant and known for being one of the leading players in thinking differently to create different results. In fact, as an early adopter, she has been designing and delivering gamification programs for her clients since 2008. www.monicacornetti.com, www.sententiagames.com

Here’s an activity you can use from my What Were You Thinking (http://monicac.bannerview.com/services/#service-3) corporate retreat or workshop.

Off BeatMagazine

Innovation

Off BeatMagazine

Does and Don’ts When You Have A Vendor Table By Jeff Klein

he opportunity to display your wares in front of a mass audience can be very lucrative. If you do it right. Trade shows are still coming back to life, be ready. Whether you’re working a table at a vendor fair or you’re at a full blown convention center expo hall, these tips will help you get the best results from exhibiting. • •

•

Arrive on time or early. No matter what the setup, push your table against the back wall and display your materials in a welcoming way. Bring colorful cloth to cover your table. I went to the fabric store and bought a few yards of each of my logo colors. It looks GREAT! And it matches my banner and display materials. Don’t stand behind the table. Stand in front or to the side so you can engage in conversation with attendees. DOn’t let the table be an obstacle. Don’t be afraid to hang out in the aisle. Don’t sit. If you need a break, please go take one. Take off your bluetooth headset - it looks like you are not paying attention to the person in front of you.

• • • •

•

• •

No GUM! Make eye contact. SMILE! Have a strong handshake. Greet everyone who passes the table/booth. “Hi!” goes a long way. An open-ended question is even better. A question that got us a ton of positive results when we were exhibiting for PTA parents was, “Who’s in charge of your programs?” The follow up was, “They’ll thank you for giving them this,” as we handed them our new Directory of Speakers. Make sure everyone who passes the table is OFFERED your handout. THis should be a piece with a call to action and of value to your prospects. Don’t take it personally when people say, “No.” Because they will. Bring lots of business cards. Don’t hand out cards without engaging in conversation. Value someone’s business card and take appropriate notes. If your attendees are not likely to have business cards, provide blanks at your booth. Have pens handy. Give something away to capture valuable prospect data- name and email are the most important. Don’t say, “Nice to meet you.” Say,

• •

“Nice to see you,” or “Thanks for stopping by.” (You may have met them before and forgotten. If they remember, you’ll have egg on your face.) Work the room and meet other vendors during slow periods. Know your objectives for the show or event. Are you there to grow your list? Or are you there to make sales on the day? Are you there primarily for exposure? You can have multiple objectives, but one should be the priority. Don’t be distracted. Enjoy yourself!

Jeff Klein teaches Business Networking inside companies, to sales teams, at meetings, and at National and International Conferences of Salespeople and Business Owners. As the Founder of Speaker Co-op, Jeff also teaches the Art of Speaking to Market Your Business. Speaker Co-op holds Lunch & Learns monthly in DFW & Houston.

The Buzz About CrossFit? By Adam Aberbach

had never been to a CrossFit class, or had intentions to join in a class.

However, I just recently did, and it was not at all what I expected. My expectation, as it is for many, was to watch some egotistical, wannabe athlete, throw some iron over their head, and crash down, as the audience cheers. This was not the case at all. CrossFit is more about teamwork and helping one another achieve their goals together. And they are athletes! I loved it, why? The people there were awesome. Different from my typical workout in the gym, with headphones on, and little to no interacting with others, I was part of a team. Unlike an average group exercise

class, the instructors connected, encouraged and motivated me directly. When we completed the workout, the club owner handed out popsicles to everyone. So not only did I have a great workout, I met some really awesome people! Again, not at all what I expected. The workout was hard, but I did not quit, and I could not quit, as others depended on me. How does this relate to you? The truth is, it is not the facility, but the attitude. Also, it’s about how important it is to be a part of something other than yourself. How can this happen in your club? • •

Do members of your club feel as though they’re part of something bigger? Do they have others motivating them in the club?

Do you, as the owner, give encouragement to members of the club?

The next time you are in your club, and you see someone working hard, a quick “good job” will probably not hurt. For those who are struggling with issues, such as depression, low self-esteem or just in need of a little reassurance, you

My name is Adam Aberbach, and every day I see new clubs, programs and people in the fitness industry. Every day I learn more about the industry and see how clubs are doing things right! I am the general manager of Busy Body Commercial and managing director of Fitness Military, where we believe that when fitness professionals offer time and talent to our military veterans, we help them reduce stress, anxiety and depression through working out. Learn more at www.fitnessmilitary.org and email me at Adam@fitnessmilitary.org.

Off BeatMagazine

WHAT’S ALL

•

Keep your clients coming back for more. Everyday. Use your app to give clients access to: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Booking Events Content Store Services Networking Tools

Drive it all with push notiďŹ cations!

learn more at

ApolloAppDesign.com

By Chef Bernard

Sweet Potato Salad Helpful Hints •

Measure the ingredients that go into a pot before they actually go into the pot. Got through a dry run of the cooking steps.

•

When the desired pot is determined based on the volume of ingredients, gather all items that will be needed to complete the goals and stage them in the order they will be needed.

•

Reading the steps of the recipe, gather all the items, tools, and ingredients and put them in the order that they will be needed to ensure the proper cooking methods are being performed.

Method: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Peel and clean the potatoes, cut into small cubes in a medium size pot that is half full with cold water. Bring the small cubed sweet potatoes to a boil and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Strain, and let the sweet potatoes cool in the refrigerator. Use a 1-medium size pot to cook the hard boiled eggs. After the eggs are cooked and peeled, chop or cut in quarters for garnish. Dice the four celery stalks into small pieces. In a large mixing bowl combine all the wet ingredients and mix lightly to coat the sweet potatoes. Add the oil, mustard and lemon juice and mix lightly. Add Mrs. Dash and parsley and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped or quartered hard boiled eggs

SWEET POTATO SALAD (The BFC heart healthy way) INGREDIENTS: AMOUNTS Sweet potatoes 4 – 6 large sweet potatoes Celery 4 Stalks celery Pickle relish 1 jar medium size Yellow Mustard 2 Tablespoon Olive oil ½ cup or as needed Fresh parsley ½ cup chopped small Hard boiled egg (optional) 2 eggs per – 5 servings Fresh lemon juice 2 medium lemons de-seeded Mrs. Dash T. T. Large mixing bowl 1 ea. Rubber spatula 1 ea. Cold water ½ gallon for the boiling of the eggs

Please enjoy! Chef Bernard A. Charter Bernard A. Charter is the owner of Bernard’s Fusion Cuisine. He uses his expertise as a military veteran and chef of 35 years to educate, providing safe, reliable heart healthy food concepts on the table that enhance mind, body and soul. Contact Chef Bernard A. Charter for fun, feel-good meals with a unique, results-oriented approach at BernardCharter@Yahoo.com.

Off BeatMagazine

CHEF BERNARD’S

Off BeatMagazine

THE OTHER

“F” WORD Having trouble achieving your goals or completing tasks and projects?

The other day one of my friends said to me, “I wish I could get more accomplished, like you. Taylor, you seem to get a lot done, so what’s your secret?” I blurted out, “The ‘F’ word.” Then I laughed. “Honey it’s called focus time.” She looked very relieved. So what is focus time? I mean real focus time. It is completely, uninterrupted time that you schedule in and set aside devoted only to a small task, project or goal you want to accomplish. No answering the phone, the door or interacting with anyone, no checking emails, Facebook, Twitter social media or surfing the internet. Silence your phones and if you’re at the computer, turn off the email notification signal letting you know you have a new email. That’s right, no multi-tasking!

By Taylor Kay Stephens

It also means not letting anyone interrupt us for anything unless it only pertains to what we’re working on or they get their leg cut off! And no chit chatting about anything else. We teach others how to treat us, so when we allow them to constantly have access to us, then we lose control of ourselves, our lives and consequently make it very difficult to accomplish what we want.

And yet, isn’t that what we do so much of the time with our daily lives when we want to get important things done? Interruption after interruption after interruption, putting things off until later and sometimes not ever getting back to them at all. People will abuse us if we don’t set boundaries, so respect yourself if you want others to treat you with respect. Stop worrying about what others will think of you

and get control of your life. If you have a paying client, do you let yourself get distracted with anything else? Probably not or you’d be out of business pretty fast. Treat your goals, tasks and projects like a paying client – no debate! Are you running your life or is it running you? Taylor Kay Stephens, speaker, author and transformational life coach, is no stranger to tragedy, adversity and obstacles. She teaches people how to get out of overwhelm, change their bad habits and stop self-defeating behaviors. She has developed her own easy and practical techniques and systems so simple a child can do them. Discover more at TaylorKayStephens.com

Off BeatMagazine

SUSANSAYS It’s About Time

’m so excited about our platform and what it can do for American small business. I’m a patriot, and I know the majority of American small business owners would agree that they are, too. Today’s culture demands we acknowledge that, because far too few media outlets or advertising campaigns promote healthy American commerce, or a recognition of what that is. I don’t think we did it on purpose, but somewhere down the line our desire to whitewash every comment and perspective through ‘political correctness’ made our sense of ourselves wane. Everywhere I’m invited to speak and almost every conversation I’m engaged in, people tell me we’re on the right track. Business owners are really struggling to manage taxes and health care, and 30% of us know from direct personal experience that criminal justice has less to do with due process and more to do with padded pockets. We’re fighting for our kids, uncles, vet-

erans and employees because drug abuse is so rampant - but we know the rest of the story. Incarceration doesn’t stop it, only adds huge financial burdens on family members and new time challenges to offer support to the ones we love. But we don’t have to be victims of our lives. We CAN strengthen our voice through wise use of new media platforms - like The OffBeat Business Show & Magazine - and begin to say ‘enough.’ It’s about time our efforts were made easier. We went into business to support our families and communities, not to get stuck on a hamster wheel we can’t get off of. Currently, our overtaxed, red-taped, over-regulated companies barely have time to breathe, let alone improve or make a positive impact on the needs of our communities. The first step? Put your foot on the ground and stop the spinning. The second step? Join The OffBeat Business Association.

Susan Hamilton Susan Hamilton is your host and editor of The OffBeat Business Show & Magazine, showcasing businesses through video, audio and magazine content for maximum exposure. Susan believes that by sharing great business and entrepreneurial lifestyle tips and advice in an easily digestible format, businesses can grow to become a significant influence within their communities, causing progressive improvement on legislative and community levels for our children, seniors, veterans and businesses.

Highly Valuable Podcasts The OffBeat Business Show

Smart Passive Income Podcast

Entrepreneur On Fire

Tools, Tips and Technology

The Tim Gillette Radio Show

Off BeatMagazine

What makes Battle-Buddy Info unique among Resource Directories: Battle-Buddy Info resources are pre-vetted for inclusion into the Directory. Our Users have accessed, and/or research the organizations and many have received services from the listed providers and consider them to be viable sources providing assistance DIRECTLY to a service member or their family. We provide eligibility information as listed on the Resource’s website (i.e. Branch of Service, Disability level, seasonal resource, Branch Specific, geographical, etc.) From Battle-Buddy Info, once the User has determined they meet the criteria for assistance, they can link to the Application Form from our site, eliminating the need to read through pages of content provided by an organization.

Equest

The Equest Hooves for Heroes program offers current service members, honorably-discharged veterans of the U.S.

Armed Forces, and adult military family members the Hooves for Heroes program free of charge.

Attitudes & Attire: Boots to Heels Program

A customized program designed exclusively for female veterans giving them the camaraderie of being with peers who understand the experiences and challenges they face when returning home. We provide a four part program to assist female veterans with their transition from military to civilian life. After participating in our workshops on self-esteem and interview skills, each veteran is invited to select professional attire and accessories from our upscale boutique.

Recovery Resource Council

Recovery Resource Council offers FREE and confidential counseling services through the Enduring Women and Enduring Families Veterans’ Services grant.

Enduring Women provides group counseling and peer support for various issues including, but not limited to, post traumatic stress, military sexual trauma, reintegration issues, substance abuse or parenting difficulties.

Allies in Service

Allies in Service’s mission is to identify and support Dallas area veterans who need assistance in the areas of employment, housing, education, and health care. We partner with veterans, employers, community and other veteran support organizations to educate and enhance the quality of life of our veterans.

Combat Faith

For all warriors needing healing there are some key factors that apply universally. Combat PTSD stems from dangerous situations where their or their comrades’ lives/ health were at stake. Most combat veterans with PTSD had multi-traumas rather

Off BeatMagazine

than just one traumatic incident. The following information on PTSD anecdotes was provided to me by a fellow Vietnam veteran who was wounded in Vietnam as a Navy Corpsman assigned to the Marines. After the case study for each war, there will be suggestions for a spiritual approach to the issues affecting veterans.

Grace After Fire

Grace After Fire was created by women to provide an online resource for women veterans – women helping women. Here you can truly be yourself, laugh, cry, share – and safely gather to identify. You’ll find resources, experts, and fellow women vets around the world that understand where you’re coming from.

Honor Courage and Commitment

Honor Courage Commitment is a nonprofit organization that recruits, educates, mentors, and guides transitioning military veterans into becoming socially responsible entrepreneurs and community leaders.

K9s for Freedom and Independence

We specialize in PTSD and /or TBI Service Dogs. Our focus is on those persons that have served our country as a US Military Member, Law Enforcement Officer, Fire Fighter, EMS Worker.

Suicide Prevention 22tooMany

22toomany Instagram page is for Veterans in dark places. Call anyone listed on the site 24/7. Committed to being available for ALL before a permanent irreversible step is taken.

Logan’s 5

In December of 2013, a request was made by a retired Marine. “Give me five reasons to live each day.” Author and Battle-Buddy Info Founder, responded with a quick, “I can do that!” This is the chronicle of those encouragements, inspirations, and facts of friendship. We can all use a little remembrance and recounting of five reasons to fight, five reasons to stay alive, five reasons to make it through another day.

National Resources Hope for the Warriors

The mission of Hope For The Warriors® is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their fami-

lies, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors® is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and our military families.

IAVA The mission of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and their families. Rapid Response Referral Program, assigns a case manager to help IAVA members navigate through a variety of resources available to them. The Career Pathfinder program includes resume builder, military skills translator, and career mapping tool.

Veteran Artist Program (VAP) VAP, a 501c3 nonprofit, takes artists who are also veterans, and propels their works and careers into the mainstream creative arts community through networking, mentorships, collaborations with professional artists, and original productions. Weekly Podcast features veterans in the Arts.

Events of Significance Corporate Events Events of Significance works with Executives and Managers to create signature events for every stage of your business. We understand your funds, staff, and time are limited. Our expertise and strategic partnerships can save you thousands of dollars and hours of time.

Why Hire Events Of Significance? Our clients say they feel relieved that they could just show up, it was all done for them, and they could just enjoy their event. Our team will be there by your side to assist you in creating your signature event. 

30+ Years of Event Planning Experience



Procurement, Sourcing & Purchasing



Hourly Consultations



Partial or Full Event Planning



One Project Manager



Peace of Mind

Our Expertise: 

Designing the Vision



Fundraising



Budget Creation & Management



Crowdfunding



Maintaining the Milestones



Sponsorships



Site Selection



Staging & Production



Vendor & Hotel Negotiation



Event Evaluation



On-site Event Management



Surveys & Return on Investment

“I had the pleasure of working with Robin at the Johnson Space Center. Robin was completely prepared for her meetings or presentations and a consummate professional when working with those in the groups. She is very detail oriented and always was able to answer questions on the issues in front of the group or would contact you within one day with an answer. She has impeccable taste in design and setting a mood for her working space or an event venue. She is a true professional but always personable and friendly working with people." ~Steve C.

“Robin Dahms is one of the most organized and professional people I know! I would hire her before any other event coordinator! She has the connections and the ability to make any event a success! She is creative, smart, and always on time!” ~Paula H.