M A G A Z I N E EDITOR IN CHIEF Thomas Corbin EDITOR Thomas Corbin JOURNALISTS Latoya Corbin SALES Thomas Corbin
PHOTOGRAPHERS Thomas Corbin CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Steven Johnson Brandpoint
CO NTACT US Contact
P : (757) 348-6636 E : THOMASCORBIN@ OUTLOOK.COM
LETS WORK TOGETHER TO STOP THE BULLYING
October is National Bul-
etc. Speak to the school
lying Prevention Month,
administration, sharing
which is a reminder to
as many documented
think about how to help
details as you can. Ensure
stop this behavior in
your child is a part of an
schools. Carol Heavin, a
environment that uplifts
school counselor for Ar-
them (i.e., church events,
kansas Virtual Academy,
sports, other clubs). If
offers the following tips if
possible, remove them
you suspect your child is
from the bullying situa-
a victim of bullying Take
tion and consider other
a deep breath and stay as
academic opportunities,
calm as possible.Docu-
such as a tuition-free
ment as many details as
online public schoolFor
you can from your child,
more information, visit
including what is being
www.stopbullying.gov.
said or done to them,
For more on tuition-free
who may have witnessed
online public schools,
the repeated behavior,
visit: www.k12.com.
Advertise and build up your own clientele or use a site like Rover.com to network. Driver Want to try out ridesharing but don’t own a car? Or maybe you don’t want the commitment of a longtime lease or loan? Car ownership and contracts can be expensive, but you can curb or even eliminate the cost and earn money by participating in
Simple ways to earn extra money without
the Lyft Express Drive. The program provides affordable access to
owning a car
rental cars through
(BPT) - Whether you’re new
If you love animals, con-
partners like Hertz and
to a city and are getting
sider offering your services
on your feet, or you don’t
to people in your area. De-
Flexdrive. Drivers have access to a Lyft-exclu-
want the commitment of
pending on your schedule,
sive starting weekly
a longtime lease or loan,
you could become a dog
rental rate of $209 per
there are countless ways
walker or pet sitter, where
week (plus taxes and
to put some dough in your
you visit the animal during
fees). However, this cost
pocket without the need
the day while the owner is
can drop with Express
to purchase a car. Working
at work. Another option is
Drive Rental Rewards,
with a flexible schedule
pet boarding out of your
a program designed to
doesn’t necessarily mean
home. This can be particu-
make each rental more
that you need to be tied to
larly great for dogs. Kennels
affordable. If a renter
traditional car ownership.
are expensive, and many
gives a certain number
Here are five simple ways to
dog owners will consider
of Lyft rides each week,
make money on your own
qualified and trustworthy
some or all of the rental
time.
home boarding options as
costs can be covered by
an alternative to kennels
Lyft’s Rental Rewards
when they are out of town.
bonus.
Pet sitter
Big Steve Johnson has been gaining experience as a business owner since 2013. He and his family decided to make it official in 2015 when they opened Trophy’s. Trophy’s is a used furniture store where customers can purchase good quality used furniture at affordable prices. While Trophy’s is mostly known for for their $100 mattresses, Big Steve has hopes that Trophy’s will be known for being a family owned and operated business that is giving back to the community. Big Steve shared how he and his family began selling furniture by creatively finding their inventory on craigslist and utilizing Facebook and Craigslist to sell the items. Trophy’s was selling merchandise on Facebook before Facebook Marketplace existed. While having new platforms to advertise comes with benefits, such as, being easier to reach the client and access to a larger amount of customers, it also comes with increased competition. While some business may fear competition, Trophy’s takes pride in knowing that their family and their businesses are here for the people, so, when it comes to competition,
it seems that the only competition
featuring
that Trophy’s is in -is with itself, by
Virginia Beach. At Easter, they plan
giving as much as possible back to
events for families and give-a-way
the community.
$100 golden Easter eggs. ‘People
at Palm Gardens in
need to know that they are not Big Steve is from Huntersville, in
alone. Sometime all people need is a
Norfolk, Virginia. He describes his
helping hand.‘
remembrance of how the church
At Se7en Magazine, we love to see
used to be the pillar in the commu-
businesses expanding and growing.
nity. ‘Over the years, things have
We asked Big Steve about his plans
changed. People go to church, give,
for expansion and how he envi-
and tithe and they can’t get any help
sioned his business’ growth over the
in their time of need. Back when I
next five years. Without hesitation,
was growing up, you could go to the
Big Steve began to explain his vision
church for help. My goal is to be a
to franchise Trophy’s up and down
pillar in the community.’
the east coast and to increase the number of delivery trucks so that
As a pillar, Big Steve and Trophy’s
they can accommodate more cus-
distributes free turkeys and ribs to
tomers and to create new opportu-
families during the holidays. In fact,
nities for the community. Communi-
this past October, Trophy’s hosted
ty seems to be the common theme
a Fight For Cancer Comedy Show
of this interview.
he understands why older people
We asked Big Steve about his busi-
might doubt him but has no problem
ness name Trophy. What or who in-
proving them wrong. The second
spired it and is there any significance
most common challenge would be
in it’s meaning? Big Steve shared
the infamous “Can I get a discount?”
that several years ago he released
Big Steve explains, ‘Although we set
a song called Ghetto Trophy, which
our prices at the best possible rate,
was an inspirational song for the
we have to leave room for negoti-
urban community, encouraging them
ation’. As a black-owned furniture
that you can get out here and hustle and make things happen. ‘I’m not
store, it would be nice to receive the same respect that other furniture
bothered by what’s going on in the
stores receive and to have our prices
economy because there are some
accepted’.
things that you just can’t get around. Things like paying Uncle Sam, han-
Trophy’s plans to continue to prove
dling your (business) overhead. I
themselves in the business commu-
have four kids to feed, so I can’t play
nity and in their local community.
no games.’
Trophy’s also functions as the parent
There are all kinds of challenges that
company to several other business-
businesses deal with on a daily basis.
es that are owned by the Johnson
The first most common challenge Big
family. Those businesses include
Steve says he’s confronted with is
lawn care, car sales, real estate, and
proving that his age is just a number.
a record label.
Since he is young ( How young?)
Your Connect
Business cards from various businesses
each flush. Simply place
spreading and keep family
your preferred cleaning
members healthy, wipe
tablet in a compartment,
down common surfaces with
choose a cleaning setting
a disinfectant wipe. It takes
and let the system go to
just seconds to do but can
work. You don’t have to
make a big difference.
lift a finger.
Clean hands Regularly washing hands
Launder towels and linens
is one of the best ways
Washing linens regularly
to eliminate germs and
helps eliminate germs
prevent illness. All family
and viruses while cleaning
members should scrub up
3 ways to stay healthy
off dirt and grime. This is
every time they use the
during cold and
especially important when
bathroom to keep fingers
f lu season
someone in the house is
fresh and surfaces clean.
sick because it prevents
For easy hand-washing,
(BPT) - With cold and flu
the spread to others.
use the Kohler Touchless
season just around the
For frequently used and
Foaming Soap Dispenser.
corner you might think
potentially shared items
Simply hold your hand under
there isn’t much you can
like bed sheets and bath
the spout to dispense soap
do to prepare for the inev-
towels, be sure to wash in
automatically. A 20-second
itable aches and achoos.
hot water or use the sani-
lighted timer lets you know
A few small changes in
tize setting. Follow this by
how long to lather, which is
your routine and at home
drying using the high-heat
not only the recommended
can go a long way toward
setting in order to kill any
hand-washing time from the
keeping you and your fam-
microorganisms.
Centers for Disease Control
ily healthy all season long.
Disinfect household hot-
and Prevention, but also a
Tidy toilet bowls
spots
helpful guide for kids.
The toilet can be a breed-
Doorknobs, cabinet han-
Self-care
ing ground for bacteria,
dles and light switches
Getting proper rest and
but instead of slipping
are frequently touched by
nutrition is essential to
on the rubber gloves and
everyone who lives in your
maintaining a healthy im-
scrubbing with a grimy
home. That means any
mune system that fights off
brush, consider Continu-
dirt, bacteria or germs on
the germs and viruses that
ousClean from Kohler. This
their hands will get trans-
increase during cold and flu
factory-installed system
ferred to those surfaces
season. To prioritize these
housed in the toilet tank
and onto the hands of the
two essential steps, consider
dispenses a consistent
next person who touch-
meal planning and creating
dose of cleaner during
es them. To prevent this
a regular bedtime routine.
Jay has been in the tire business for the past 18 years. After returning home from a vacation Jay began working at his best friend’s tire shop which gave him an opportunity to start over and reinvent himself. Applying the same skills it takes to hustle, Jay began working 7 days a week and giving 110%. He was proud of his contribution to his friends success and eventually his dedication and work ethic was rewarded with an even greater opportunity. His friend decided to downsize and sell one of his locations. Jay decided that he was ready to step up to the plate and branch out on his own. That’s how Jay’s Tires came to be. Through hard work,m and staying focused he was able to turn his life around and grow from an employee to a business owner. Jay has continued to grow and expand his business. He recently signed the lease on a brand new location, 6100 Tidewater Drive in Norfolk, Virginia, which will be opened and running within the next 90 days. Jay reminisced about his time away and how his children and family were affected by his absence. He says that he never wants to see his children experience anything like that again. He described it as devastating and uses those memories to remind him that his children are his motivation to keep going and to know that God‘s got a plan. At this point in Jays life he says it’s important to him that he gives back to the community. He wants young people to know that they have options. They just have to stay focused and they also have to understand that there is a system in place that is designed to keep them coming back, just like e recycling center. I can fill tires every day take the negative that I was doing and turn it into a positive. The money is legal and just as good and you don’t have to worry about looking over your shoulder. It’s just like the game making your profits. Jay says he learned that when he became a man he had to put away childish things. I learned that the hard way but I also know that if you want to make a change, you can. I’d be the first person in line to hire someone with a criminal record who
is looking for an opportunity to change their life. They are some of the best people. There’s always opportunity out there. Somebody’s always watching. In fact, an investor saw his dedication and work ethic and offered him the opportunity to access the funds he needed to open a second shop. You never know who Who is watching you. Jay gives of the community the tires that they need and what they need are tires that fit at the time they are needed. In order to make sure that happens Jay buys 2000 tires monthly to offer his customers that assurance and the satisfaction that they’ll get the tires they came to purchase and at the best pricing hands-down. Jay will always beat any other tire quote as long as the quote is in writing. In addition, oil changes, brakes and minor automotive repair work is a specialty. “No Major Repairs”. In appreciation for his customers, Jay rewards his customers with customer loyalty discounts. Jay proudly shared that his shop is constantly complimented on its cleanliness. He keeps a very clean environment for customers so they can be comfortable while they wait. www.tireteam757.com you can find him on Facebook @tireteam757. Hours of operation are Monday -Friday 9 AM to 11 PM. They are the only tire shop in the area that’s working the night hours. Saturdays 9AM to 6PM and Sundays 10AM to 5PM. Jays is closed on Thanksgiving,Christmas Eve and Christmas day but other than that they’re open all of the holidays. The next time you need your tires changed be sure to visit Jay.
TAVI OSHON
Meet TAVI OSHON, from Hampton VA, by way of New York City, He is the founder and CEO of BILD A BERG Records & Management. How did music influence your childhood? My Mother and father used to play a lot of music throughout the house. My Brother loved hiphop music he had every album. He was also in a rap group and it inspired me to want to freestyle. I started rapping at a very young age. Where are you from originally? I was born on the run in Toledo Ohio but I never lived there I’m from Power Kingdom, Poughkeepsie New York. When I was coming up there was a lot of poverty. Close friends getting shot and dieing. There were a lot of people struggling, hustling and living in the projects... but it’s home the place that I love. How long have you been in Hampton Roads? I’ve been in Virginia for a minute ...almost 16 years at least. Hampton is my second home . I love Virginia. I live in Hampton two up to down baby! I’ve been on the hip-hop scene since 2003. That’s a long time that I’ve been involved in music. The Virginia House of Comedy was one of the first venues I performed at in Virginia. A local R&B artist named Romonta used to have a open mic there. Shout out to Romonta. Would you consider yourself a hip-hop OG? I consider myself to be humble and I consider myself like... a veteran but I’m always evolving and learning. I guess with all the work that I put in... I guess you could consider me a OG. Coming from New York to VA, would you compare yourself to Teddy Riley? That’s a good person to talk about because Teddy is from New York and came to Virginia and influenced a lot of people from this area and worldwide. He is definitely somebody that I would say I look up to. How would you describe yourself and your sound? My sound is very universal. I’m not in a box when I make music, sometimes I give it that vintage hip-hop style. With some music, I come with a modern style but it’s never really me try-
ing to have a certain sound. It’s more about how the record sounds to me if I can feel it and what the beat brings to me mentally. So it doesn’t matter what type of beat it is or what genre it is because I’m going to always be able to come at it correct. How do you keep your music relevant? Overall, as an MC you always have to keep evolving. Look at people like LL and Jay Z that were able to stand the test of time. No matter what the sound was they always kept it true to who they were. They tackled whatever the trending sound was at the time. No matter what the beat is... a modern instrumental or trap... I kill them all. What era of hip hop do you represent? I feel like I’m a part of all eras of hip-hop. I remember in the beginning to the 90s; to the 2000s; to where we are now. I have been a part of them all. Tell me about Tidal 1015 and Tidal1020.? Tidal 1015 and 1020 is a benefit concert JAY Z has at the Barkley center every year. Its also a competition that they only had for two years through Roc Nation, Dusse and Tidal. They had it on all social media platforms you had to submit a picture or 30 second video about Dusse and post it on your social media. The winner of the competition would receive two floor seat tickets valued at $10,000 to see Jay Z, Beyonce, Nas, Usher, lil Wayne, Nikki Minaj, TI, Lauryn Hill an many more. Dusse pre show happy hour with Roc Nation staff and after party at the 40/40 club. I actually won first place in that competition two years in a row with a 30 second freestyle. Have you ever had a chance to meet Jay Z? I’ve always wanted to meet him because I look up to him. He’s a very good businessman, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to meet him; however, they gave me floor seats I sat pretty close. Lol. Do you have any advice for new artist? New artists should definitely stay true to who they are and make music based off of what they believe in. A lot of people would just try to
jump on a trend. There’s nothing wrong with jumping on a trend or a sound but you don’t want to switch your whole sound and get caught in a time period. For example, if you want to be similar to Wale and then Future comes out and now someone else comes out and they want to try to sound like that person too. Just stay true to who you are and what you believe and in the essence of your life and what you’ve experienced. Even if it’s sitting at home playing video games, you can rap about that. If you play basketball... rap about that. Don’t try to become somebody that you’re not because you want to sell music. What new projects are you currently working on? The last project I released was called Effortless Perfection and since then I’ve recorded three or four projects. I’m also working on an EP with Illnote and it has the potential to become a whole album. There are a lot of good topics. I’m about to release a CD called LOST IN SPACE. I am in full support and a advocate for the legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of Virginia, so I made a CD about smoking and having a good time.The video for the first single NASA ft Selena Iverson is out now. I have a few projects that I’m working on that will be coming soon. What other projects do you have in works? I just finished writing a script to a comedy me and my boy Hersh came up with a few years ago. We are looking to start filming in the near future. Also I recently Exective produced a film Called THE DEAL . I linked with a guy named Jamal Johnson who is the director, He asked Tavi did he think he could do the score for this movie? Tavi took on the challenge and the film was a success. When the movie came out it sold out at Cinema Café. We also had three consecutive showings at the virginia air and space center IMAX theater. I did the soundtrack, the score and I played the roll of the main characters brother and as Executive producer I am part owner.
Are you collaborating with other people right now? I have my label BILD A BERG RECORDS I currently been mentoring new talent and working with a few local artists like B SMITH, DEZZY, SALINA IVERSON, DANA DANIELS, YOUNG DICTION, KILLA BUSH, KEEFV GO KRAZY , TOO KNOWN, LIL SAM just to name a few. It’s good to give people advice that can help them advance quicker because I been there before, you know? So I take what ive learned and use it in other types of businesses like clothing, movies, and sports shout out to Jerry SLUGGER Forrest. As a business man i have to be well rounded. When you learn how to do good business you can apply that to any kind of business. Are you currently looking for talent? Right now I haven’t really been looking but i will keep my ears to the streets. Most of the artist that I’m around I meet with them and I help them out with ideas. I guess you can say to a point, I’m looking for talent it just has to be the right person. They have to have that drive and passion for their craft and I’m always happy to work with motivated musicians like that. What do you plan to accomplish with your label? My main focus is to manage and guide artist and sports figures. To take music and all forms of entertainment to the next level. If you have something you think the world needs to hear, I have digital distribution and we can get your music on any platform from A to Z. How can folks link with you? For management, collaborations, or if you want to work with my label use my Gmail. Tavi757@gmail.com Producers send beats to TAVI757@GMAIL. COM I’m on Instagram @TaviOshon Watch my videos on Youtube/ TAVI OSHON PEACE!
(BPT) - Technology has rapidly changed
viewed and managed. Previously, an
the way we live over the past 30 years.
analog meter on your home measured
Where people once turned strictly
your electricity use and, at the end
to their televisions to watch their
of the month, a bill came in the mail.
favorite shows or play video games,
Now, smart meters communicate with
people can now access their favorite
the utility in real time. For you, this
entertainment, anytime and anywhere
means easy, more immediate access
— thanks to smart devices and a WiFi
to your energy-usage information, as
connection.
well as the ability to take part in energy saving programs.
This new level of connectivity goes well beyond easier access to entertain-
“Children today have the benefit of
ment. For example, can you log onto a
knowing that connectivity is just there
computer and get a real-time look at
whenever they want it,” said Etienne
your energy use through your utility? If Veber, president of Field Trip Factory, so, your home has a smart-meter — a
a firm that helps design, schedule
powerful tool to help you better un-
and promote interactive learning
derstand this newly connected world.
experiences. “We can help our youth understand how this newly connect-
Smart meters are part of an emerging
ed environment works for them, so
set of smart grid technologies that
that they learn to use it responsibly
are transforming how electricity use is
and have the foundational knowledge
they learn to use it responsibly and have
pizza right in your backyard.
the foundational knowledge to one day lead and innovate future technology
Get a behind-the-scenes peek: Talk to
breakthroughs.”
your child’s teacher or scout leader and volunteer to help organize a field trip to
Parents can lay the foundation in their
your local utility or have a utility repre-
own homes, and smart meters and their
sentative speak in your child’s classroom.
connection to the smart grid make an
Some utilities have developed engaging
excellent launching point for some fun
teaching tools that help children under-
science and technology lessons.
stand where their electricity comes from.
Make the connection: For decades,
One prime example is ComEd’s Smart
parents reminded children to turn off
Energy Hub Program in Northern Illinois.
the lights and shut the front door to save
Thanks to a partnership with Field Trip
energy. Children possibly ignored those
Factory, the electricity provider has
reminders, perhaps because it was too
designed and developed an engaging,
difficult to prove these things made a
interactive program for students — one
difference. With a smart meter and a
that cannot be duplicated in the class-
smart thermostat installed in your home,
room — that explains how the new smart
you have an unprecedented opportunity
grid system works, and how it helps
to show the cause and effect almost in-
everyone save energy almost effortlessly.
stantly. With a simple login, children can
So far, the Smart Energy Hub program has
now see how much energy your house
reached 6,000 families and students.
uses and discover what happens when the lights are turned off and the door is
Many of the youth return from the Smart
closed.
Energy Hub feeling inspired and motivated to reduce energy use at home. Be
Take a spin with renewable energy: One
sure and use that momentum and come
neat benefit of the smart grid is how it
up with a plan the whole family can use
makes it easier for utilities to use those
to save energy and keep more money on
renewable energy options, like solar and
hand for the fun stuff!
wind, and help them become increasingly available to customers. Help children understand how sun and wind can make renewable energy with backyard experiments that are safe, easy and practically free. For example, a cardboard box, aluminum foil and sunny day are all you need to create a solar oven that cooks a
