VMH Magazine - May 2016

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Vikki M. Hankins Magazine!

EXCLUSIVE

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EN M High SHE Award

President Obama’s Message to Small Business on TPP & Fair Chance Business Pledge

Rickey S miley Fo r Re

Father

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CANCER! Not Always A Death Sentence!

Garry Jones Story smine Chad Jfaect in Sports

Per Stand

May 2016

Is It Time To Outsource Your Marketing?

Tips for Raising Mental Health Awareness!

All progress takes place outside the comfort zone."

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Michael John Bobak

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THE ONLY WAY AROUND IS THROUGH

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The Ultimate in Desserts & Custom Made Pastries Cheesecake’s -n- More Revonda Stevenson is the founder and CEO of Cheesescake’s-N-More. Revonda established Cheesecake’s-N-More in 2013 after leaving the military to create delicacies for her family and quickly realized that her friends and family really enjoyed the treats she made.

She started creating various treats and samples for her friends and decided to start out on the road to business ownership.

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Sheen Magazine Legendary Experience

10. Is it Time to Outsource Your Marketing?

Nearly four out of five small business owners admit that they have not taken full advantage of national and community resources dedicated to helping small businesses develop and grow, according to a survey recently conducted by Fifth Third Bank.

Celebrating a Decade of Beauty Cultivation, Sheen Magazine, Sheen Magazine Legendary Experience was hosted by Sheen Magazine Publisher Kimberly Chapman & Editor-in-Chief Sammie Haynes, the weekend featured A Black Tie Gala Legendary Honorees,

By Alisha Davis

21.

Certified Neuromuscular Massage Therapist on Standing Perfect in Sports Chad Jasmine invented Stand Perfect to make the golf easier and more fun for my 3-year-old son, Carlos. After searching everywhere, he was shocked to find that there was nothing on the market to help my little kid find a perfect stance by himself..

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By Vikki Hankins

30.

Painkillers and Your Health Warnings from a Personal Account “ M r. J o n e s y o u c a n ’ t t a k e a n y m o r e a n t i inflammatory medication ever, these agents have destroyed your kidneys. - The conversation of a doctor and patient..

By Garry Jones

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Raising Awareness and Removing the Stigma of Mental Illness In reality 1 in 4 people will personally suffer from a mental health illness this year, yet less than 20% seek mental health treatment. Among the reasons found for not seeking treatment are stigma and shame, distrust of therapy/therapist, financial barriers, access to therapeutic services and most important AWARENESS.

by Dr. SaDohl Jones

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Dare 2 Aspire Conference For Women and Mompreneurs - Highlights

By Vikki Hankins & Alisha Davis

35.

A Tribute to Prince - A Musical Legend

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TV One's 'Rickey Smiley For Real' - The Real Deal !

P. 22

Publisher!

VMH Vikki M. Hankins Editor-in-Chief Vikki M. Hankins Journalist/Contributors Vikki Hankins Garry Jones

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Contributors (Visiting) Dr. SaDohl G. Jones|

Phillip Thune Photography Vikki Hankins Garry Jones Alisha Davis

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Media Assistant Alisha Davis

Garry Jones Cover Photography: Vikki Hankins

Photo Credit: Vikki Hankins

www.vmhmagazine.com

"Good things come to people who wait, but better things come to those who go out and get them."

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Anonymous

“STYLE IS A WAY TO SAY WHO YOU ARE

WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEAK.” STYLISH MEN + WOMEN

RACHEL ZOE

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The Woman Behind ‘Cheesecake’s -n- More’ Luxury Handmade Custom Pastries

Owner, Revonda Stevenson

Revonda Stevenson is the founder and CEO of Cheesescake’s-NMore. Revonda established Cheesecake’s-N-More in 2013 after leaving the military to create delicacies for her family and quickly realized that her friends and family really enjoyed the treats she made.

She started creating various treats and samples for her friends and decided to start out on the road to business ownership.

sweet tooth or just want to have treats for your next event contact Cheesecake’s-N-More. From Greenville,

South Carolina currently residing in Phenix City, Al I thoroughly enjoy what I do and would one day love to one day see my treats tasted by customers all over the world. I love giving back especially to those that have done so much to pave the way for where I am today. I enjoy doing events, giving and gaining knowledge through women’s empowerment events and using what I have learned to help young women see and achieve their fullest potential. Eventually I would love to create a well-rounded brand and leave a legacy to pass on to my family. I would love to one day be able to turn my business into a franchise and see it flourish to the point where I am able to give everyone a little bit of heaven with my treats.

Revonda’s passion for Cheesecake’s-N-More comes from her upbringing and the need to give people the very best she has to offer. She has used lessons learned from her mother and grandmother in the kitchen to create the perfect blend of treats. She is very innovative and creates fresh new ideas to keep Cheesecake’s-NMore at the cutting edge of the delicatessen profession.

Whether it’s treats for a mega event or just treats to soothe the taste buds for a child’s party, she will cater to whatever brings a smile to her customers.

Born and raised in South Carolina, Revonda resides with her husband and five children. In her time off she loves to spend time with her family and travel. If you have a

Continued on pg. 11

ARE YOU TAKING ADVANTAGE OF

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES?

Photo Credit: Kinga/Shutterstock

Study Shows Small Business Not Taking Advantage of Resources Nearly four out of five small business owners admit that they have not taken full advantage of national and community resources dedicated to helping small businesses develop and grow, according to a survey recently conducted by Fifth Third Bank.

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In advance of Small Business Week, Fifth Third Bank (NASDAQ: FITB) conducted a national survey of more than 500 small business owners to assess the landscape – and diagnose common pain points – of U.S. small business owners. According to the results, 81 percent of survey participants said they haven't worked with local small business resources (e.g., chamber of commerce, SCORE, etc.). Forty-one percent were unsure if the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) had resources to help them. Roughly 38 percent of small business owners say they need help growing revenue and increasing profits.

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Kala Gibson, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Banking for Fifth Third Bank, notes that these pain points are common, but assures small business owners that there are plenty of resources to help improve their cash flow and reach their business goals.

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"It's no secret that small businesses are the backbone of the economy, but as any entrepreneur can attest, starting or growing that business is no easy task," Gibson said.

"As we join with the rest of the nation in celebrating Small Business Week, we strongly encourage small business owners to explore all the available products and resources that will help your business grow.”

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Fifth Third customer Lindsay Robinson recently acquired Ohio-based Wall Decal World, a business that produces custom designs and wall decals for businesses and home use. Lindsay was originally hired by the owner of the company as a graphics designer 3.5 years ago and decided to work with the former owner to purchase the business.

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She began the process by connecting with the Warren County Small Business Developmental Center (SBDC), a technical assistance provider for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. They helped her outline her business plan and gather documents required to secure an SBA Express loan.

"The SBDC helped me prepare my business plan and gather the appropriate documentation to apply for an

SBA loan," Robinson said. "I was already a retail customer with Fifth Third, and the bank was instrumental in helping me secure a loan to purchase the business and the rest is history."

Gibson notes that Robinson's approach to purchasing the business was correct and encourages businesses to try pursuing a similar path.

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"By taking advantage of the many free resources available in their community, small business owners can greatly improve their success rate," Gibson said. "I was shocked to learn that fewer than 5% of small business owners said they use their banker or community assistance provider as a primary resource for business advice.”

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Fifth Third Bank is committed to the development of small businesses throughout the bank's footprint. The bank recently announced a five-year community commitment of $7 million to support community resources that are vital partners in helping businesses grow. In 2015, the bank loaned more than $2 billion to small businesses to help start and grow their businesses.

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Greenwich Associates recognized Fifth Third as one of the "best brands" in small business banking. Additionally, the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) revealed last year that Fifth Third is the largest lender by dollar amount since the program's inception in 2011.

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Despite the vast array of financial assistance available to small business owners, Fifth Third's survey also showed that small business owners have a lot of personal cash tied up in their business:

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Three out of four small business owners used personal savings or retirement funds to start their business 28% said they would use a credit card to inject capital into their business Nearly four out of 10 said they didn't have enough cash reserves to meet their business objectives Only 7% had applied for an SBA loan.

"It's okay to use a portion of your personal wealth in your business, but you shouldn't drain your savings or create excess debt to fund daily business operations," Gibson said. "By working closely with your banker and community assistance providers like SCORE and Small Business Development Centers, small business owners can improve their cash flow and turn personal capital into working capital.” For more information on how Fifth Third Bank supports small businesses, please 12 visit www.53.com/business.

Expand Your Brand

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VMHMAGAZINE.COM

Powered

by Purpose! !

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If you’ve ever been disregarded during a presentation- you need to Funmi Osinubi|

read Scott Deming’s Powered by Purpose. If you are wondering how to gain an online audience, you should read Powered By Purpose. If you are a business owner looking to leave a positive lasting impression on customers and employees, not reading this book could determine whether you succeed or fail at this goal.

!Powered By Purpose is an important read for so many individuals

in and outside of the business world because it teaches that selfawareness and a commitment to your value system is step one towards authenticity- that magical and instantly recognizable element that draws readers, customers, listeners and even friends.

!Scott

PATIENT -VSDOCTOR MISDIAGNOSIS

Deming’s Powered By Purpose is really about selfexpression. It’s about realizing who you are, what values you silently live with daily and letting that inform every action and every choice. It’s a how to manual to making sure your message hits and lands. It gives you the map – Start with your values.

!Deming handles this book like a good teacher should, striking a balance between his roles as a pubic speaker, a businessman, and an author. He diligently delivers practical crash courses within each chapter. First you will learn how to take a hard look at yourself to identify your own values through key questions, critical thinking, and insightful quizzes. He follows with strategic examples that resulted in company cultures that either failed or succeeded. By the end of the book you will not only know how to identify your own values. You’ll also get instructions on how to turn your value system into a culture, how to maintain that culture, and how to get your message out to the right people in the right way to ultimately achieve your purpose.

!Like any good teacher, Deming takes every opportunity to impart

knowledge on his key topics as well as topics somewhat related.

He sacrifices some clarity and brevity with his unwillingness to leave anything out so the book’s flow is at times inundated and long winded. But as we would for our beloved instructors, we can overlook this with a simple gratitude for the wealth of advice and pearls of savvy wisdom packed in this book. Deming puts forth his own value system even in the way he chose to craft it.

!So here’s what you do: Get Scott Deming’s Powered by Purpose.

Read it with a stack of post it notes in hand. And when you are finished place it visibly on your bookshelf because you’re sure to be back to it again and again on your journey of self expression, sound decision making, and genuine fulfillment in the face of greed and distraction. To learn more about Scott Deming and his work visit: www.scottdeming.com

amazon.com

Company Success After ABC’s Shark Tank!

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Lydia Evans CEO of SW&G Essentials Interview Conducted by Vikki Hankins|

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In 2012, Celebrity Esthetician and Expert Product Developer, Lydia Evans developed the first ever product of its kind in the world: the SW&G Bar. A patent-pending 3-in-1 loofah soap that cleanses, exfoliates & disinfects the surface of your skin in one use.

VMH: At what point did you truly embrace the fact that your products could reach the hands of millions and that Swag Essentials is a ‘real’ company?

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Evans: The moment I heard, “ Hi Lydia this is ST calling you about your pitch submission” That was it. I was sold then.

VMH: Since Shark Tank has your company grown immensely?

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Evans: Absolutely, SW&G Essentials has taken the grooming brand sector by storm since ST. I was primarily local. We have shipped to Dubai, Colombia, Netherlands, North Pole, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, UK, Slovia and more.

VMH: Any advice for startups regarding funding, marketing and preparation?

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Evans pitch her product to ABC’s Shark Tank with hopes of receiving funding to grow SW&G Essentials. Although she did not receive Shark Tank’s support, she ended up with an enormous amount of customers after appearing on the show.

Evans took a moment to speak with VMH Magazine regarding entrepreneurship, inspiration and success.

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VMH: Should startups bootstrap or search for venture capital to launch a new business?

Evans: Entreprenuers should get their business off the ground by any means necessary, honestly. As long as you are not breaking the law, of course. LOL. However keep in mind there is a general level of financial stability your business has to be at for most venture capitalist to invest.

There are components that they seek in your business model in order to fork over cash.

VMH: What was it like for your company prior to Shark Tank?

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Evans: Financially, it was tight. I was at the end of my rope in a lot of areas. Struggling to stay afloat. No branded name made it difficult to make power moves. However, as far as the day to day obstacles those don’t leave just because you were featured on ST.

VMH: What inspired you to begin Swag Essentials?

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Evans: My skin sensitivities made me the perfect candidate to begin a skin care line. At the push of my brother who’s a barber approached me about making a product for folliculitis gave me the nudge I needed to develop a brand for men (and women) with skin concerns.

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Evans: Stay Fluid. Stay Humble. Stay Focused. Stay Connected to other brands .

VMH: What is the core ingredient to the success of your company?

Evans: My ability to make lemonade out of lemons.

VMH: What are your future goals for your skin care products?

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Evans: Expanding my SW&G Rx by Lydia Evans line. It is clinical grade skin care for mature and severely damaged skin types.

VMH: Anything you’d like to add?

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For more info visit www.pure-swag.com Facebook @swagessentials Twitter: @swag_essentials

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Many thanks Vicki ________________________________________________

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Product Review: After searching for a product that would help my dry skin, I stumbled upon SW&G’s Sugar Scrub.

SW&G’s sugar scrub immediately hydrated my skin; leaving it smooth and very soft. My skin is sensitive and thus far (one month), I’ve had no irritations from using the sugar scrub.

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SHEEN Magazine Legendary Experience Highlights!

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Photography by Alisha Davis|

Celebrating a Decade of Beauty Cultivation, Sheen Magazine, Sheen Magazine Legendary Experience was hosted by Sheen

Honoree, Kelly Price Sings to the Audience

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph

Editor-in-Chief Sammi Hayens, Publisher Kimberly Chapman & Magaret Avery

Magazine Publisher Kimberly Chapman & Editor-in-Chief Sammie Haynes, the weekend featured A Black Tie Gala Legendary Honoress, Social Media Beauty Innovator Honoree Tea, an Inspirational Brunch and much much more.

Sheen Magazine Publisher Kimberly Chapman

Actress Renee Lawless TV Personality Joselne Hernandez Actress Magaret Avery / Vikki Hankins

Actor Christian Keyes

Actress Margaret Avery, Sheen Magazine Honorary Award Recipient Photography by Alisha Davis

cancer diagnosis yet

alive

It goes without saying that cancer is a very serious disease. It has quickly become a topic of conversation that can cause fear and other misconceptions.

Although cancer is deadly, does cancer always mean death? Are there ways to go on living a healthy life after cancer? How can we reduce cancer mortality rate?

radio, internet, and through other people that cancer is a death sentence. Unlike today focused was never on how you can beat cancer, the focused was on how long you have to live when you have been diagnosed with cancer. It's normal to be afraid but it's up to the individual to take the necessary steps to get rid of the cancer.

Cancer Survivor, Garry L. Jones

We have to renew our minds from the old tradition of thinking we are going to die when we are diagnosed with cancer and replace that thinking with a positive attitude. The quicker you accept you have cancer the closer you are to beating cancer. Remember a negative attitude and stress weakens your immune system and when you have a weak immune system your body works overtime to fight off diseases.

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believes it is possible to not only survive cancer but to live a healthy life after cancer. In his book Patient -vsDoctor, Misdiagnosis, Jones shares a detailed account of his journey through repeated urinary tract infections, sickness and severe pains. In his situation, for over a decade doctor’s failed to pinpoint the cause of his sicknesses; little did he know he was dying.

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After visiting a medical facility with very thorough practices, the doctor’s concluded that Jones had prostate cancer. Jones took a moment to share his views on cancer, his approach to caring for his health and reducing the cancer fears, mortality rate, and living life after cancer:

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VMH: When you received the news that you were diagnosed with cancer what was your first thought?

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Garry Jones: When I first discovered that I had cancer my reaction was ‘it's finally over with’. I say this because for eleven years I knew something was foreign inside my body that continued to cause me to become ill, but never knew why or what was going on. The news was a big weight lifted off of my shoulders. Most people would have freaked out when they heard they had cancer but during my years on earth I have dealt with bigger issues than cancer, never did I ever consider cancer to be a death sentence. My attitude was I have cancer now let me take the necessary steps get rid of it.

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VMH: Based on your experience what do you feel is the best practice for detecting cancer?

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Garry Jones: The best way to detect cancer is listening to your body when something doesn't feels right. You must have regular checkups with your primary physician.

The majority of times the medical field encourage patients to have screenings for cancer when they are a certain age, but I disagree with that philosophy.

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VMH: Many people feel if diagnosed with cancer, they are automatically going to die; how do you feel about this?

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Garry Jones: The reason why some people think they are going to die when their physician tells them they have been diagnosed with cancer is because it's ingrained in our heads through television,

Garry Jones!

Prostate Cancer Survivor

Take for an example, men are told to get their prostate examine when they are 40 years old but I began to have problems with my prostate at 36 years old. If I would have gone with the traditional way of doing things, I will probably be dead. I was told to commenced to have regular colon screening for cancer at the age of 50. When I turned 50 I had already had five colonosophy and reason is because I began to see blood in my stool at age 39. I decided not to wait until I turned 50 to get my colon checked, I got my colon checked when I saw blood.

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Each time I had a colonosophy the physician found polyps eventually I was diagnosed with diverticulitis, if I would have waited until I turned 50 the polyps would have been bigger and colon cancer may have developed. I was told by one physician If polyps was found I should come in for a colonosophy every five years, I told the physician I wasn't going to wait five years to come back if I'm bleeding .

if you implement green leafy vegetables and fruits in your diet and exercise on a regular basis you can eliminate a lot of illnesses. Last but not least try to keep a positive attitude when you are sick. A negative attitude will destroy you mentally and physically.

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According to the National Institute of Cancer, ‘In the United States, the overall cancer death rate has declined since the early 1990s.

The most recent Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, published in March 2016, shows that from 2003 to 2012, cancer death rates decreased by:

1.8 percent per year among men • • 1.4 percent per year among women • 2.0 percent per year among children ages 0-19

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Although death rates for many individual cancer types have also declined, rates for a few cancers have stabilized or even increased.

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VMH: Do you take any additional measures to maintain your health to prevent the cancer from returning? Do share your practices.

As the overall cancer death rate has declined, the number of cancer survivors has increased. These trends show that progress is being made against the disease, but much work remains. Although rates of smoking, a major cause of cancer, have declined, the U.S. population is aging, and cancer rates increase with age. Obesity, another risk factor for cancer, is also increasing.

Garry Jones: There are several measures one can can take to detect cancer, first you have to listen to your body and if you feel as though something is not right on the inside although the x-ray shows nothing is going on you should get 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions.

When I went to the doctor for a 4th opinion that's when they discovered I had cancer. I'm a true believer

attention to your body along with regularly scheduled screenings, aid in early cancer detection.

Don’t be afraid, be courageous in saving your life!

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!Healthy lifestyles, paying

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Certified Neuromuscular Massage Therapist on Standing Perfect in Sports!

body mechanics, so the invention of STAND PERFECT was a very natural progression for myself and my career.

Interview Conducted by Vikki Hankins

variety of different sports and activities. If the alignment or stance is not repeatable, the subsequent action will break down. Use of Stand Perfect trains the human nervous system to achieve the proper stance every time with little or no thought. It saves coaches and parents time by making practice very efficient. By using STAND PERFECT the chances of having success are greatly increased, It not only teaches proper mechanics it builds confidence in a young athlete.

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Chad Jasmine invented Stand Perfect to make the golf easier and more fun for my 3-year-old son, Carlos.

After searching everywhere, he was shocked to find that there was nothing on the market to help my little kid find a perfect stance by himself. Curious about his invention and it’s effectiveness, Chad and I had this discussion:

!VMH:

Tell me a little about your background, your profession?

!Chad Jasmine: I am a nationally certified Neuromuscular

Massage Therapist specializing in structural bodywork. I have owned and operated the Wright Center of Advanced Bodywork and Massage in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. for the past 20 years wrightcenterpv.com where I work with many athletes and anyone serious about heeling and staying pain free. I was the massage therapist for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars for 7 years. I’m am life time musician/singer/songwriter as well, many of my releases are available on ITunes, just search Chad Jasmine.

!VMH: You have invented a very unique product that trains

users how to stand perfectly while playing certain sports, why create this?

!Chad Jasmine: I have been an athlete and involved in

competitive sports my whole life. When my son Carlos(now 5) was born I was thrilled to teach him about the big beautiful world of sports. So when he was about two and started showing some interest, I began showing him about baseball and golf. What I noticed immediately was he would not stand in the same place twice and I was constantly repositioning his feet over and over. So, no big deal I would just go to Dick’s Sporting Goods and get him “The Thing” that helps kids find the perfect stance all by them selves. Well, as it turned out I was shocked to find out that “The Thing” I was searching for did not exist. So I spent the entire year of 2015 inventing the tool that I imagined and came up with STAND PERFECT.

!VMH: How did you come to know the required professional stance/formation needed to invent this product for athletes and future athletes?

!Chad Jasmine: I have played, coached and been involved in sports my entire life. I have also worked with many professional athletes from many different sports over the past 20 years in my clinical massage practice. I have always been very passionate about posture, alignment and proper

!VMH: Why is it important to train with Stand Perfect? !Chad Jasmine: “The Stance” is the very foundation for a

!VMH: Are there any health benefits or precautions to using the Stand Perfect? !Chad Jasmine: From a neurological stand point it engages

the nervous system through proprioception, building motor pathways and through repetition, helps people find the proper position every time. World renowned neurologist Dr. Kevin Barrette says “Stand Perfect is more than just a stance trainer, it’s a nervous system trainer.”

!VMH: What do you hope to accomplish through your product(s)? !Chad Jasmine: I created STAND PERFECT out of necessity to help my little boy Carlos have more success when first learning sports like baseball and golf. When I saw just how effective it was for him, I felt as though I needed to share this with as many parents and coaches as I could. I want to help as many people as possible and also build a nice family business in the process, both of which I can be very proud of.

!VMH: What are the reactions/reviews from customer who've used Stand Perfect? !Chad Jasmine: Every one who has seen it or used it thinks it’s fantastic! The reaction I’m getting from little kids is total joy, while the reaction I get from most adults is “What a great idea! Why didn’t I think of that!”

!VMH: How can we learn more about Stand Perfect? !

Chad Jasmine: I am very proud to say that my website is up and if I may add, is beautiful! Now it is so easy for anyone to find out everything about this fantastic new training tool just by going to standperfect.com. There you will find informative video’s Chad Jasmine !

Inventor of Stand Perfect

21

Rickey Smiley For Real !

Up Close & Personal!

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Exclusive Screening of Season 2 Premiere

I’d say this is one reality show that is not catering to the camera’s but shows real life challenges, fun times, business and family unity all held together by nationally syndicated Radio Show Host Rickey Smiley.

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Watch Rickey Smiley For Real’s new season and learn, laugh and love!

Written by Vikki Hankins| Photography by Garry Jones|

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My opinion of reality shows has not necessarily been pleasant as most of them seem to be extremely dramafilled and somewhat fictitious. However, after attending a recent media roundtable and private screening of TV One’s reality show entitled, Rickey Smiley For Real, my mind has opened to reality shows.

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It’s no secret that most film and television shows is about ‘acting’. Granted, there are times when film and TV production are often based on real life stories, sometimes it’s difficult to wade through what’s real and what’s not.

So, forgive me if I find it refreshing listen to Rickey Smiley up close and personal and ‘see’ authenticity; a rare trait indeed.

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Based on TVOne’s privately held screening of ‘Rickey Smiley For Real’, the reality show does not fall far away for the man himself. Held at the Scad Show in Atlanta, GA, I think this show is just what the doctor ordered. TV viewers get to watch a single African-American man raise children/young adults, maintain a very public/popular career, keep the world laughing and at the same time support communities through his very charitable works.

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I was amazed by Rickey Smiley’s real life stories that are all held together by his very strong beliefs in keeping God first and maintaining principals learned from his upbringing. He’s hilarious on very serious subjects, which makes for insightful teaching moments and lifestyle improvements. I don’t know how he does all that he does and remains sane.

Rickey Smiley & Producer Roger Bobb with Media Roundtable Participants

Rickey Smiley & Producer Roger Bobb During Media Roundtable

Rickey Smiley For Real Cast - Taking Questions from the Audience at Premiere of Season 2 Rickey Smiley For Real

Joseling Hernandez

Porsha Williams

Producer Roger Bobbe.�

Lisa Wu

Da Brat - Cast Member

Red Carpet Arrivals

www.vmhmagazine.com

Raising Awareness and Removing the Stigma of Mental Illness

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Happy May! Can you believe we are in the fifth month of Written by Dr. SaDohl G. Jones|

the year? It’s time for Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, beautiful flowers blooming and Mental Health Awareness? That’s right. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. “Every year during the month of May we bring attention to stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for equal care” (National Association of Mental Illness, 2016) for millions of Americans who face the reality of living with a mental health condition every day. Which is precisely why I decided to become a therapist. I wanted to help give a voice to those who felt they did not have one, empower women to understand their circumstance, however horrible, did not have to determine their outcome and challenge them to walk authentically in their greatness.

People often ask “what is the biggest misconception about mental health?” my answer is always the same “that it doesn’t affect you”. See, we often think of ‘mental health” as something that happens to other people or other families. In reality 1 in 4 people will personally suffer from a mental health illness this year, yet less than 20% seek mental health treatment. Among the reasons found for not seeking treatment are stigma and shame, distrust of therapy/therapist, financial barriers, access to therapeutic services and most important AWARENESS. Minimal awareness of mental health, how it effects the body, brain, life and rationalizing it away in ways like “I will be fine”, “I am just ‘a little’ stressed”, “once I finish school I will feel better”. “I just need to ‘suck it up’ and get over this”, “ I don’t feel that bad”, “everybody gets down”, or “everybody has problems, mine aren’t any worse”. These diminishing thoughts contribute to the lack of preventative care for mental illness. Raising awareness of mental illness by removing the stigma attached to it is the best way to help those who suffer in silence everyday.

How, you ask? I am so glad you ask, below are a few tips to get you started on raising awareness this month and every month about mental illness: 1. ASK someone who suffers with a mental illness "how are you doing?", "is there anything I can

do?" you will be amazed how much of a difference this will make for them and for you.

2. SHARE your experience with mental illness with others, you never know who you may help in the process, including yourself.

3. GET INVOLVED with an organization that serves individuals with mental illness and volunteer you will learn so much and help so many people.

4. EDUCATE yourself and those around you on the FACTS about mental illness.

5. DISPELL myths about mental illness and the millions who suffer everyday.

6. DO NOT be afraid of mental illness, it is not contagious.

7. BECOME A MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE Writer’s Note: Dr. Jones is Psychotherapist at Jones Counseling and Consulting, LLC in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, specializing in depression, anxiety, trauma and crisis therapy with women and girls.

Is It Time To Outsource Your Marketing?

Photo Credit: Pressmaster/Shutterstock

! ! !Whether you are a new brand just launching or have Written by Phillip Thune| Originally Appeared at PR Toolkit

reached a competitive level that requires top-tier talent, you might be looking at hiring an outside marketing expert to help with your next campaign. This could mean working with one person to complete specific projects or hiring an entire team of specialists to implement different strategies. You may be wondering, however, if hiring outside help is really worth it. If you are weighing the risks and rewards, consider these five signs that your company might benefit from outsourcing some or all of its marketing tasks: Your Marketing Campaign Is Stale

!Marketing

techniques are constantly evolving, so campaigns need to feel current and dynamic. If you have been pumping out the same messages through the same channels for years, then it is time to inject a fresh perspective into your strategy. Outsourcing marketing work allows you to tap into new ideas that can spark the right creative campaign to attract new customers to your company. A team of content writers can infuse a variety of voices into a campaign, increasing your chances of connecting with a broader, more diverse audience.

Marketing Is Not Your Expertise

!While the majority of small business owners start out doing their own marketing out of financial necessity, very few possess a deep enough understanding of the industry to be truly successful. It is also nearly impossible to consistently divert attention away from actually doing business to write blogs, engage in social media and create promotional campaigns. Hiring an outside expert is often the key to elevating a growing business to the next level of success. Since marketing professionals dedicate their time to honing their writing skills and following the shifting trends in SEO algorithms and analytics, you are sure to recoup the money that you invest in hiring an expert by having more time to focus on developing the quality of your business.

Your Current Marketing Staff Is Overworked

!Successful marketing campaigns require many moving pieces and strict deadlines that can quickly overwhelm a small in-house team. When your current staff begins to burn out over their never-ending list of tasks or you discover that it has been months since you last updated your website, outside help can pick up the slack. Utilize the talents of your marketing manager to create strategic

goals and high-level campaigns and then hire freelancers to implement the details of the project. It is also important to recognize when your employees do not have the skills to carry out an assignment. The marketing industry is vast, ranging from organizing an event to writing website copy to analyzing data. Each of these tasks requires a range of skills that are rare for any one person to possess.

You Want to Slash Your Bottom Line

!One of the best ways to boost profits is to reduce the company's fixed expenses. Hiring full-time staff is expensive when you add up salaries, benefits, recruiting, training and office space. When you work with a freelance professional, you pay for their time only when you need it. They may also have access to software and advertising platforms that you no longer need to purchase. These savings not only reduce the company's bottom line but also provide more money for hiring experts or investing into your campaigns.

Your Efforts Aren't Producing Results

!Successful marketing requires more effort than building a website, getting listed in local directories and buying a few ads. If you are not getting the website or social media traffic that you desire, hiring someone with more experience may help create buzz about your company and boost your organic traffic

!

Phillip Thune has been Chief Executive Officer of Textbroker since 2010. Through his leadership and expertise in business and content marketing practices, Textbroker continues to grow dramatically and remain the leading provider of ondemand, unique written content. Textbroker can be found on twitter at @TextBroker.

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EXCLUSIVE: !

President Obama’s Message to Small Businesses:

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Trans Pacific Partnership & The Fair Chance Business Pledge

!In a recent proclamation, declaring May 1 - 7th as National Small Business Week, the President states: !

Written by Vikki Hankins|

Our Nation does best when we help our startups and small businesses expand into new markets and offer goods and services to more people. Ninety-eight percent of the American companies that export are small and mediumsized businesses, but less than 5 percent of our country's small businesses export. In our 21st-century economy, it is imperative that we break down the trade barriers that too often hold small businesses back from extending their reach to those abroad to sell more goods made in the United States. Last year, we reached an agreement with 11 other nations that allows us to write the rules of our global economy and gives more of our people the fair shot at success they deserve. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will eliminate over 18,000 taxes imposed by other countries on our goods and services and level the playing field for American workers and businesses, and I look forward to working with the Congress to implement this agreement.

At the conclusion of National Small Business week the President and senior administrative officials held a Q & A with small business owners via conference call; I was one of the invitees. During the call President Obama encouraged international trade which would help increase a company’s ‘bottom line’.

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The discussion focused on key economic initiatives, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

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Once the President concluded with a ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to all, his Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett shared President Obama’s initiative, Fair Chance Business Pledge.

The Fair Chance Business Pledge is a nationwide call-toaction to accomplish the shared goal of creating a stronger set of opportunities for people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.

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Sharing the concerns of reforming the criminal justice system, Jarrett encouraged small businesses to take the fair chance business pledge, stating the “we need greater cooperation we cannot do this from government alone.”

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So far company’s such as Google, Coco-cola, Pepsi-cola, Facebook, Busboys and Poets and many others have taken the pledge.

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The proclamation further states: !

During fiscal year 2015, we awarded an all-time high of more than a quarter of eligible Federal contracts to small businesses, and we made great strides in ensuring more Government contracts are given to women-owned small businesses -- nearly $18 billion worth. We have launched next-generation manufacturing hubs, and we have made more online tools available to entrepreneurs to give them the resources they need to start a business in a single day -- and the Startup in a Day initiative is continuing to engage with all levels of government to streamline the process of beginning a business.

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President Barack Obama !

Photo Courtesy of the White House

Oscar Bond, Global Stylist

HEALTH TALK

PROTECTING YOUR KIDNEYS

AS TOLD BY GARRY L. JONES

It was June 2007 I was on my way to Charlotte, N.C. for my nephew’s graduation. During my travel I felt fine, but once I arrived, I began to feel nauseated. Being that nausea was common for me, I attributed it to acid reflux or eating too much fried food. Normally, I mix baking soda with warm water and drink it or take me an Alka Seltzer to rid the nausea (it does the trick every time).

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On my way back from my nephew’s graduation to Atlanta, my stomach began to hurt very bad. I stopped to a service station and purchased more baking soda, but this time it wasn’t working. I took Aleve (naproxen) for the pain, but it got worse. Once I arrived home and started to prepare for bed, pain brought me to my knees. I immediately got in my car and drove to the emergency room. On the way to the hospital, I received a call from my cousin, asking did I just leave the house and I said yes, I’m on my way to the emergency room.

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She asked what was wrong, I told her I didn’t know, but I can barely stand up because of the pain in my stomach. She said angrily, “Why didn’t you let someone know I could have called the EMS.” I hung up the phone and continued driving 85 North until I arrived to the emergency room. The emergency room personnel rendered aid to me very quickly.

They thought I was having a heart attack, but I wasn’t, my stomach pain was killing me and then my head started pounding. I yelled for the doctors to give me something for this pain! They hooked me up to an I.V. and started giving me fluids and administering pain medication through the I.V.

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Later I was taken to the examining room for an M.R.I. on the brain. When the M.R.I. came back the doctors discovered three spots on my brain, but they said the spots looked old and there is a possibility I had a sinus infection in the past.

The doctors also informed me that my kidney levels were low and he asked me to follow up with my family physician.

After leaving the emergency room, I immediately went to my family physician the next morning and explained to her what had happened. She took more tests and confirmed what the emergency room doctors had said that my kidney wasn’t functioning that well, but my liver levels were back to normal. She asked me to come back for a check-up in two weeks.

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The next week I went back to North Carolina for a wedding that was called off when I arrived. Considering the groom didn’t let us know until we got in town we informed him we were having a cookout and he was buying all the food an alcohol. We brought at least $150 in meats. We had a feast eating hamburger, ribs, chicken, and bacon. I began to feel bad again. I left North Carolina and came back to Atlanta to

see my family physician. She took blood work and said “Garry, your kidney levels are low” I’m sending you to a nephrologist (the study and treatment of the kidneys, i.e. kidney specialist).

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The next week I went to see the nephrologist. !

“Mr. Jones you are in 3rd stage renal failure. I want you to go home and get every medication that you are taking and bring them back to me.”

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I did as the doctor requested. The next day when the doctor examined me he said, “How much Aleve (naproxen) do you take and how long have you taken them. What other pain medication do you take?” I told him I take Motrin, and naproxen to get me through my workouts. He said “How long have you been taking these agents?”

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“About 15 years.” !

“Mr. Jones you can’t take anymore antiinflammatory medication ever, these agents have destroyed your kidneys. I noticed a lot of protein in your kidneys. How much protein do you eat a day,” he asked.

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“I don’t know I don’t keep count.” !

“Well you have to cut back on protein and stop taking antiinflammatory medication.”

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Out of concern, I asked, “Well, what can I take for the pain?” !

“Mr. Jones you can take anything with Tylenol in them.” !

“Doctor Cooper, how many stages does renal failure have,” I asked.

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He said, “There are 5 and once you get to number 5, you are either going to have a kidney transplant or dialysis. Mr. Jones your GFR is 55 (http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/ gfr.cfm). If you do what I tell you, you can live a normal life.

Mr. Jones you have excellent blood pressure, keep it that way because high blood pressure can finish destroying your kidneys. You have to start eating food with little or no salt.

If you develop diabetes you will be in big trouble.”

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Most of the time my body hurts and I know the antiinflammatory medication will take the down the swelling, but I also know it has damaged the kidneys and I don’t want to be on anyone’s dialyses machine, so therefore I deal with the pain, unless there is something available with Tylenol in it.

Ryan Prentiss Photography

In Many Cases, Hardware Store Caulk is Used for Butt Enhancements

ryanprentiss.com

Successful Small Business Why We Need Them

! !

Originally Appeared at Pr Toolkit

SCORE, – www.score.org – the nation's largest network of volunteer expert business mentors, has gathered statistics on successful startups, including why our country needs them and how small businesses can thrive.

!Americans Have Positive View of Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs in the U.S. are viewed as having more opportunities for success and hold higher status than business owners in other developed countries.

!• • • •

50% of Americans believe entrepreneurs have opportunities for success vs. 40% of residents in other developed countries.

78% of Americans believe entrepreneurs hold a high status vs. 68% of residents in other developed countries.

72% of Americans believe entrepreneurs aren't deterred by a fear of failure vs. 63% of residents in other developed countries.

New Businesses Create the Most Jobs and Patents

!Companies less than one year old have created an

average of 1.5 million jobs per year for the past three decades. Between 2005 and 2011, small firms produced 15 times as many patents per employee as large ones.

!

Full Article at PR Tool Kit

CONTACT SAMANTHA SUSCO BY VISITING

6th Annual Dare 2 Aspire Conference Highlights!

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Photography by Alisha Davis!

Dare 2 Aspire Conference is an annual conference aimed at encouraging women and Moms to start and/or grow a small business.

Selfie’s and Fun Times

Alisha Davis Pictured with Lisa Price

Tamiko Lowry-Pugh

Lydia Evans, CEO S&G Essentials

Founder Tosi Ufodike In Her Beautiful Attire

Kelly Lynn Adams

Carol’s daughter Founder, Lisa Price

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TRIBUTE TO MUSIC LEGEND!

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PRINCE!

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Your go-to guide for success.