YBE YOUNG BLACK ENTREPRENEUR
MAGAZINE
2015 6
01.2016 Issue 6 A NobleSol Art Group Publication NobleSol.Net
IS YOUR YEAR
RUSHIA BROWN JOHNNY CLARKSON DETHRA U. GILES TAUREAN GORDON YOKO HENDRICKS JAMES B KYNES P.J. MAYS OKEEBA JUBALO CHINYERE SULLIVAN
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THE NINTH NO! TOO TALENTED FOR WHERE YOU ARE YOUR BUSINESS LOOKS LIKE . . . ARTISTS WE LOVE THE NEW CPT
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01. 2016 ISSUE 6 For advertising rates: Info@NobleSol.Net Publisher & Founder OKEEBA JUBALO Advertising Director Johnny Clarkson Director of Public Relations Rushia Brown Marketing Advisor Antonio Owens Creative Direction & Graphic Design NobleSol Art Group @NobleSol.net Contributing Writers OKEEBA JUBALO Rushia Brown Johnny Clarkson Dethra U. Giles James B Kynes Copy Editor Anita Maxwell @secondeyeglance.com Kat Brown NobleSol Art Group P.O. Box 667 Decatur, GA 30031-0667 NobleSol.Net
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2016 by Noble S ol Art G roup. Al l r i g h t s re se r v e d
Young Black Entrepreneur MAGAZINE
CONTENTS Pg 4
$$ Publisher’s Letter
Pg 5
$ Chinyere Sullivan
Pg 7
$ Robert Alexander Mays
Pg 9
$$ Dethra U. Giles The Ninth NO
Pg 11 $ Taurean Gordon
YBE
Pg 14 $$ Johnny Clarkson The Importance of Presentation Pg 15 $ Yoko Hendricks
Pg 17 $$ Too Talented For Where You Are OKEEBA JUBALO
$: Interview
Pg 19 $$ The Publisher’s Pick
$$: Article/Contribution
Pg 21 $ Artists We Love Pg 25 $$ The New CPT Rushia Brown Pg 26 $$ Guard Your Crown James B. Kynes Pg 27 $$ YBE ON THE MOVE
YBE/01.2016
YBE NATION Publisher’s Letter
Under Construction! I am glad that you are still here with us. Last year was a very challenging one for Black America. The truth is, every year is a very challenging year for Black America. Regardless of the challenges and disappointments, we are still here. We still find a way to smile, laugh, work hard, and love hard, with so much style. I will be honest, last year changed me in a way that saddened my heart, while hardening my focus and determination. Between the police murdering our people and our people murdering each other, all I could do was lock into my mission and push forward to deal with the pain. This magazine was created to be a tool to inspire and educate those who need it. As you read about each YBE, it is important for you to see yourself in this magazine. These beautiful, brown people are reflections of you. Every story is your story, my story and our story. This is your year to grab hold of your dreams and pull them into your reality! I believe in you, because I believe in me! Yes, we will have heartaches and challenges, but we will push through them as we always do. Enough has happened to us (and continues to happen) that would have broken others. Hundreds of years later, we are still here smiling, laughing, loving, and building our dreams.
OKEEBA JUBALO Young Black Entrepreneur Magazine Publisher and Founding Editor OKEEBAJUBALO.com NobleSol.net HnHCater.com
0 4 . N o bleSol.N et
CHINYERE SULLIVAN chinchinhair.com
05. No bl eS o l . Net
1. Who are you?
2. What is your industry and why did this industry appeal to you? I have been styling hair professionally for the past 10 years. I am an expert style consultant and innovative "weavologist”, with a specialty in extensions and custom wigs. I apply specialized techniques to create natural styles for all hair types. I believe in researching the best hair products, tools and hair for the many varied textures of black hair. I don’t believe in using or selling a hair product that hasn't been thoroughly analyzed by me. My motto is: No one should know you're wearing a weave.
6. What is your biggest disappointment with black business?
Starting my business took $20,000. Most of those funds were invested in cosmetology school. The remainder was invested in salon equipment, tools and other styling products.
It’s disappointing when black business fails to give back, to reach out and inspire, especially young children and teens. We need to get out of the “me, my four and no more mentality.”
4. How has your revenue/staff grown over time and what systems have you put in place to manage that growth?
7. Who was your greatest teacher or what has been your greatest learning experience?
So far the business has grown to only one additional employee. That is my assistant/apprentice. I’m branding myself and my work. This is not just a salon. None of my clients will ever leave my salon looking like I didn’t work on their hair, regardless of who did.
5. What excites you about black business? The idea that Black people from all nations have the power to start, run and succeed in business excites me. The possibility of breaking the cycle of poverty and mediocrity in the Black community (and any minority community), by inspiring other men and women like myself to want more through my success also encourages me.
My father is my greatest teacher. What he taught me is the key to my success-hard work, integrity, diligence and the love of God. As a business owner of a service offering business, I had to learn very early on that my service must be better than my competitor and that my customer must be beyond satisfied. It is not acceptable for a customer to walk away with hair that I think is beautiful, but she is not satisfied. That is a humbling experience and one in which I learned to use all of the knowledge I gained from my father.
8. In one word or brief phrase, tell a new YBE what to expect. “Expect more.”
YBE 0 6 . N o b le S o l. N e t
BEAUTY
My name is Chinyere Sullivan aka "Chin." I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. I am a 30-year-old mother of one. I developed a passion for hair and all things glamorous at an early age. My journey started while seeking a degree in Fashion Marketing. Because of my desire for the glamorous look, I found myself spending countless hours doing my hair and the hair of my family and friends. I quickly realized where my heart was and attended cosmetology school. This is where my passion grew and skills were fine-tuned.
3. How much money did it take to start your business and what funding sources did you access?
ROBERT ALEXANDER MAYS
www.alexanderpezo.com
07. N o bl eS o l . Net
1. Who are you?
2. What is your industry and why did this industry appeal to you? Our industry is haberdashery. The reason Alexander Pezo LLC chose this area to carve out its niche is simple. From a retail standpoint, the core price point is $39.99-$59.99 (this excludes customized items). During our market analysis, we discovered that a majority of consumers will not second-guess multiple purchases of this amount.
$10,000-$15,000 self-funded.
My greatest teacher has been time and patience and realizing that branding does not take place overnight. It is a process for which you have to be mentally prepared. You endure the journey or you will unfortunately fall by the wayside. My greatest learning experience has been making sure that I know every aspect of my business- from pricing, to distribution, to fabrication, to IT and marketing. My philosophy is never ask someone to do anything that I cannot perform myself.
4. How has your revenue/staff grown over time and what systems have you put in place to manage that growth? In 2016, which will be our first full year of the relaunch, we are on pace to sell an average of 21 pieces per day and 625 pieces per month in online sales at a $39.99 average price point, with 55% gross margin. This excludes any promotions that will take place throughout the year. In terms of employees, we have three.
5. What excites you about black business?
8. In one word or brief phrase, tell a new YBE what to expect. Expect to work hard. Understand that building a brand is a process. Also servant leadership is a must.
I am excited about the ability to leave a brand and legacy for my daughters, Bria Kathleen & Milana Alexis, as well something that my wife, Yolanda, can be proud that was established. It is my way to pay it forward!
6. What is your biggest disappointment with black business?
HABERDASHERY
I trademarked the brand Alexander Pezo LLC in 2002. The line is sold online only at www.alexanderpezo.com. In 2013, my company went through rebranding. It is the best move the company has ever made. A key strategy has been to use my sports background to gain market visibility.
7. Who was your greatest teacher or what has been your greatest learning experience?
YBE
I am Robert Alexander Mays. I was nicknamed P.J. by my mom for “Pride & Joy� and it somehow has withstood the test of time. I have spent the last twenty-two years in middle management with a multitude of Fortune 500 companies and currently head a division of Trueblue Inc., in the staffing sector for one of its brands. Prior to that, I was the Senior Sales and Sports Marketing Manager for both the Melia & Millennium Hotels from May of 2009 until May 2013. I handled events such as the NCAA Fan Experience, Chick-Fila Bowl Game, as well as the Big South Volleyball Tournament for the Melia. During his time with the Millennium my primary focus was working with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Cyclones, the University of Cincinnati athletic programs and the Cincinnati Reds. I am a published author and in 2014, I self-published my first book, A Message to Bria "A Fathers Guide to Life." I also currently host a daily sports rundown on 1570 AM WIGO and TuneIn Radio called the 360 Sports Remix and serve as the sports analyst for the Clayton State Athletics webcast.
3. How much money did it take to start your business and what funding sources did you access?
The biggest disappointment for me is the lack of reciprocation and support that the African-American community tends to extend. The extension does not just have to be monetary either. Words and advice that encourage the heart as well as the sharing of resources will position all of us to advance in our particular sectors.
0 8 . N o ble S o l. N et
His conversation was simple, complimentary, and bordering on flirtatious. He complimented how she carried herself and her level of professionalism. She smiled and he continued. He asked about her family status and she revealed that she was the single mother of a 10-year-old son. He inquired about the child and was excited about how eager she was to reveal how intelligent the child was by calling him "the smartest in his class." Then he went in for the kill. "I am sure you plan for him to go to college. How do you plan to pay for his education?�, he asked. When she hesitated, this was an indication to him that she did not have a solid plan. He saw his opportunity. "Well let me tell you how my wife and I plan to send our boys to college," he offered. He proceeded to tell her about his Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) op-portunity and how she could secure her future and the future of her child by joining his team. The disappointed look on her face spoke volumes and her tone was harsh as she said, "Did you really just waste my time trying to get me to join your team? Really?" She snickered a few more things under her breath as she walked away. He smiled an oddly satisfied smile and said "Thank you", as she walked away waving goodbye with only one finger.
Dethra U. Giles Th e N i n t h N O ExecuPrep.com
09. No bl eS o l . Net
After watching this exchange, I then approached him, making it clear that I was not interested in his business opportunity, but rather wanted to know why he looked happy to be turned down. He simply replied, "She was my ninth No." I asked him to explain and his explanation was equally as simple. "Success for me is a numbers game. I need 10 people to get one Yes. She was my ninth No, so the next one is mine, he beamed."
YBEs, we are all in a numbers game. Unfortunately, many of us do not know our numbers. How many people do you have to make contact with to make a sale? If your answer is "I don't know," then you are not contacting enough people. What is your sales cycle? If you shrugged your shoulders, then you likely lose contact with a potential client before giving them ample opportunity to do business with you. These two numbers are vitally important to having and growing a successful business. 50=10 is Entrepreneur Math. Every successful actor can recount their life changing Yes. You know that positive response to an audition that changed the trajectory of their career by way of the big film, the breakout sitcom, or the successful pilot. Before the life-changing opportunity, they went on casting call after call and received an enormous amount of rejection. This is the way of the world in the film industry. Many have deluded themselves into believing that this is an existence reserved for models, musicians, actors and dancers. This is the world of the entrepreneur as well. However, entrepreneurs should not go blindly on auditions. The entrepreneur must develop numbers and strategies based on past performance. For example, the entrepreneur should know their numbers and be able to clearly articulate that their company has a goal of winning 10 Requests for Proposal (RFPs) per month. Based on past performance, they should know that for every five proposals submitted, they will only win one. This means they must submit 50 RFPs in a month to meet the goal of five. YBEs, when you know this number, the Nos are not discouragement, they are simply the things you need to get out of the way in order to get to your "Yes." This game is a numbers game but you don't read this magazine to play the game, you read YBE to change the game. Tune in to our next issue to find out how to change the numbers game.
YBE 1 0 . N o b leSol.N et6
TAUREAN GORDON pairchute.com
11. N o bl eS o l . Net
2. What is your industry and why did this industry appeal to you? I am in the industry of change and my current platform is collaborative technology and mobile applications. I am interested in mobilizing my knowledge in finance, consulting, and technology to create systematic change in the way we do things in these industries. There is no one way to get to an answer and I want to be involved in platforms that challenge and redirect our efforts towards higher order thinking and approaches. The collaborative economy allows for fast change and unmatched scaling potential. There is no greater appeal for me.
6. Who was your greatest teacher or what has been your greatest learning experience?
We were able to build our app and take it to market after raising $100,000 from trusted friends and family.
There is one lesson that I constantly refer to as I grow in my career. I worked for a black-owned real estate company right out of college. On one of our client visits, we approached a house. The house was gated and stately, and it was one of those "Wow, these houses really exist" moments. My boss at the time, realizing my reaction, said to me, "There is a point in everyone's life when you decide you are going to be the guy who drives past this house in awe or you're going to be the one who owns it." I realized in that moment that success was a choice. It is not a circumstance or something that happens to you, but a choice to pursue and own.
4. How has your revenue/staff grown over time and what systems have you put in place to manage that growth? Our revenue and user growth has doubled month over month in our first two months.
5. What excites you about black business? My excitement and disappointment with black business are rooted in the same thing: our ability to come together as a community. One of the first introductions into sustainable and flourishing black business was learning about the Black Wall Street while at Morehouse. At a time when we weren't able to share restrooms, we were traveling abroad, owned our own stores and transport, and the dollar circulated throughout our community at a rate we no longer see today. As Black business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs we have the ability to do and be what we want. In many aspects we remain hindered by our perceived inability and lack of trust of one another. I want to be a part of the re-branding of the Black man, showcasing our skills and knowledge across industries and bridging the gap and interest between our individual businesses. We are capable of mobilizing behind a cause. We have the ability to build communities and to build and share wealth. We need those two things to finally merge and have our cause be building each other. I am excited about the possibility of recreating a modern day Black Wall Street.
7. In one word or brief phrase, tell a new YBE what to expect. Fulfillment in the struggle to achieve.
1 2 . N o ble S o l. N e t
TECHNOLOGY
I am Taurean Gordon. I am the former Vice President at a multi-billion-dollar global investment company. I have a background in management consulting. I was honored to be one of the first Morehouse College Alumni Association’s Thousandaires and a recent speaker at the 2015 Collaborative Economy Conference. Today, I am the Co-Founder and CEO of Pairchute. Pairchute was founded under the premise of providing a mechanism to offer one thing- the ability to see anything, anytime. Pairchute addresses this by creating a collaborative economy where users can find answers to these everyday problem by exchanging videos and pictures for a minimal fee. Content providers are rewarded with direct income every time their pictures or videos are purchased. Any user can get paid for sharing pictures of where they are, or be informed by connecting with a stranger in a desired location. As a Morehouse College Alumni, I am perpetually inspired by the community of the Black Wall Street. I have always had a passion for impacting global awareness, increasing community efficiency and essentially disrupting the way we are used to doing things.
3. How much money did it take to start your business and what funding sources did you access?
YBE
1. Who are you?
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NobleSol.net IAmJohnnyClarkson.com A key component of great presentation is a great marketing plan. A marketing plan will generate a buzz around your product, but if your presentation is subpar, no one will see the value of investing in your product or service. It will become lost with millions of other poorly presented, perceived as low quality products or services. Too many businesses present themselves dressed for the wrong party. You will never see a Bentley billboard use the same colors, fonts or images as a local used car lot. The Bentley’s marketing materials are trademarked. Renegade marketers seem to find a way, however. Renegade marketers fail to see the value in hiring a firm. They waste thousands on unproductive trinkets instead of quality marketing collateral. The level you choose to invest in developing the best product or service will render the corresponding return on that investment. Choose wisely.
JOHNNY CLARKSON You r Busi ness Lo o ks L ike * !& @ ( # ^$ % * ! The I m po rtanc e o f Prese n t at i o n Presentation is a symbol or image that represents something. Your website, marketing collateral, logo, digital media, uniforms, curb appeal and voicemail are all symbols/images that represent your business. Your business is the “something.” The images need to create an easy-to-follow line that converts prospects into profit. So many people fail because of insufficient planning, unrealistic goals and lack of resources. Your plan of attack should begin with your thought process. What is your business? 14. No bl eS o l . Net
What services or products do you offer? What is your profit margin? What is your brand image? How will you compete in the digital space? Is your business mobile or brick-and-mortar? If you lack the proper skill set to complete this process in-house, what is your branding budget? There are so many questions that you will need to answer, but I suggest you start with these because they can all contribute to the way your business appears to prospective investors, clients and supporters.
A wise business owner always knows the competition. Particularly if you are just starting out as a YBE, study them and understand what they use to maintain their spot of superiority. Who is the owner? What makes them welcoming to the clientele? You are your brand so remember that you also play a big role in whether someone supports your business. People buy into you and then your brand. So if your appearance looks cheap and lackluster, what do you think the perception of your business is? Focus on creating a quality business, then invest in making sure your presentation is appealing and worthy of another’s investment.
YBE
YOKO HENDRICKS
beblazin.com
15. No bl eS o l . Net
1. Who are you?
2. What is your industry and why did this industry appeal to you? I chose the beauty industry because it was a passion for me from my childhood to make others feel beautiful. The beauty industry allows me the opportunity to get to know the story of the person I am servicing. I learn how I can minister to them and empower them to become better women.
3. How much money did it take to start your business and what funding sources did you access? I obtained my first salon by taking over a lease from a previous stylist. Having this salon gave me the room I needed for trial and error, specifically how to successfully run a business and how to obtain longevity in the industry. I am now on my second salon which was started through a small business loan, personal money my husband and I had saved, as well as an investment from a friend.
Regarding revenue and staffing, revenue is increasing steadily as I am growing this business. With my second salon, I made the decision to upgrade to a luxury salon suite instead of having a salon with four other staff members. I made the decision to go this route because it allowed me to be in complete and total control of the atmosphere for my personal clients, as well as have that one-on-one interaction and privacy that is important to certain clientele I have. The tool I have in place to handle the growth of my business is balance. Balance between my business and my family is important to keep conflict to a minimum. The goal is to make sure that my family is receiving the attention they need at home and that as an entrepreneur I also get to fulfill my passion for owning and operating my own business and empowering others.
5. What excites you about black business? As a young black entrepreneur, I have the opportunity to succeed far past the opportunity that was never given to my parents and grandparents. I am able to see the growth and know that I am a part of making this world a better place by capitalizing on the sacrifices my ancestors made for me to have a better life.
6. What is your biggest disappointment with black business? My biggest disappointment is seeing a black business and owner succeed and never take the opportunity to invest in another to help them succeed as well.
7. Who was your greatest teacher or what has been your greatest learning experience? My greatest teacher has been life itself. Going through the trial and error I have faced in life and in business has made me more conscious and aware of who I am, who I was created to be, the things that work for me and those things that do not work for me. Life has made me such an optimistic person because in my heart I know that as many times as I may fail, I have just as many times I can succeed. Failure just is not an option for me.
8. In one word or brief phrase, tell a new YBE what to expect. There are 3 types of people in this world: The one who watches things happen, the one who makes things happen, and the one who feels the world owes him something. I choose to be the second one on a daily basis and I plan to leave a mark on this world so significant that it could only have been made by a BLAZING fire! I'm BLAZING! Are you?
YBE
1 6 . N o b le S o l. N e t
BEAUTY
I am Yoko Hendricks. I am originally from Ashburn, Georgia but now reside in Hampton, Virginia. I am a cosmetologist who cannot be placed in a box when it comes to my creativity. I am the owner of BLAZIN Hair Studios in Chesapeake, Virginia.
4. How has your revenue/staff grown over time and what systems have you put in place to manage that growth?
CLEVELAND
23 NobleSol.net OKEEBAJUBALO.COM HnHCater.com
OKEEBA JUBALO TOO TALENTED FOR WHERE YOU ARE Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t be a prophet in your own backyard?” These words ring true on so many different levels to the point that it numbs me to my core. The truth is, most of your folks will not really value what you bring to the table until you remove yourself from that table. People hardly ever value what a genius brings to their inner world until the outer world embraces that genius for their contributions. Sadly, that is how it works. You can spend years and years of exposing your circle to the next level of products, ideas and services, only to be dismissed for not being rich and famous. Most people cannot see you in the correct light because they are too close to you. Their value system is different than yours. You can waste away or waste your brilliance on a crowd that will never see you for the genius you are.
17. No bl eS o l . Net
My answer to this issue is simple. You will have to remove yourself from your comfort zone and move into a new business circle. Everything you have learned within your older circle should be used to expand into your new market. This is just like when you were a kid and someone new came to your school. If that new student was pretty or handsome and dressed nice...everyone was all over them. Why? Because they were new meat for the wolves and wolves always love new meat. Do not get caught in the trap of trying to prove yourself to those who will never be able to manage what you bring to the table. This is when the beauty of reinvention will shine through the clouds of your suffocating and unappreciative business circles. Take a look at what you are doing, and then put together a plan to take your talents elsewhere.
The bottom line is simple: LeBron James is too talented to be in Cleveland. Take a look around and be honest about where you are and who is on your team. Do yourself a favor and reevaluate your ‘Cleveland.” It is possible that you too are stuck in a place you will never win a ring. Give yourself permission to get unstuck and take your talents elsewhere.
YBE
LEAVE YOUR
Personally I love to use LeBron James as an example of how important reinvention is. Think about it. He spent the first seven years of his professional basketball career in Cleveland and turned them into a championship contender practically overnight. Yet regardless of how much he did, he could never get Cleveland over the hump. When he became fed up with losing, he took his talents to Miami, where he won two championships in four years. LeBron proved that he was not the issue. Cleveland was the issue! Regardless of how angry the fans were at him for leaving, that organization could not manage LeBron’s brilliance on the basketball court. Had he stayed with Cleveland, he would have still been cracking his knuckles at trying to win a championship with a losing organization. I do not dislike Cleveland, or any other team in the NBA for that matter. I am merely speaking from a business perspective.
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CULTURE
ARTISTS WE LOVE
We all have a favorite art form-whether it be poems, paintings, photos, or another form. Art comes in many uniquely distinguishable mediums, yet the artist is rarely recognized for who he or she truly is. Artists are entrepreneurs, and God forbid the artist be a black entrepreneur. So much beauty created by our black artists surrounds our lives, but the jaded values placed on art creates a terrible existence marred by poverty for many artistic geniuses. Have you ever stopped to think that in reality, these artists are business owners who are selling their souls to the public? Imagine waking up in a world where rent money, prescriptions, haircuts, and your child’s expenses are dependent on monetizing the expression of your most intimate thoughts and feelings. Black artists may be the most underrated, underappreciated, and underexposed group of entrepreneurs on the planet. We do not accept a black artist as a professional artist until he or she is rich and famous. How does an artist become rich without your support? Does anything short of gracing the covers of a highly regarded magazine or a billboard mean they are not true artists? If that is truly the case, then let’s start there. The artists displayed in each issue of YBE are true entrepreneurs and artistically gifted beyond belief. We ask you to do more than just support by looking or listening to their art. True support for an artist means to purchase their work at the full price. Anything short of that is not support. That said, how much do you really love the arts?
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YBE ERYKAH BADU 1 BAD SISTER
erykah-badu.com
YBE
twitter.com/monicatookesart
PAINTER
MONICA TOOKES
ACTOR
JEFFREY WRIGHT
YBE
twitter.com/jfreewright
In the Black community, it is well-known and even expected that "we" will be late! If it is an event, the anticipation of a late start is calculated in the arrival of most guests/participants. Sadly, we have grown used to it. However, this is unacceptable in the business world. In order to be taken seriously by potential partners, sponsors and consumers, it is mandatory that we are punctual.
Rushia Brown The N ew CPT Ru s h i a Bro w n.co m
YBE 25. N o bl eS o l . Net
Punctuality is a discipline that can contribute to your success, or lack of punctuality, to your failure. The ability to be WHERE you're supposed to be, WHEN you are supposed to be there, WITHOUT exception or excuse, is a trait that will be most beneficial in all business practices. In my opinion, there are three key reasons why you should strive to be on the New CPT. Reason #1: You Build Credibility Nothing is more important than credibility in business. It’s like an unspoken code of honor. Whomever you have dealings with must understand that you mean what you say and you say what you mean. Despite the market, it is very important that you build the credentials and be known as someone who can deliver results...and in a timely fashion. Reason #2: It's About R-E-S-P-E-C-T Punctuality is a simple act of respect. When you are punctual, you show respect to others and it allows you to expect and demand the same. We all have the same 24 hours in each day. Time to any entrepreneur is money. Therefore, time is precious. Being late to an appointment or returning a product beyond the time expectation is disrespectful and bad business.
Reason #3: You Leave a Positive First Impression It is often said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. If you are late for a meeting, a mental note is taken, judgment is made and I wouldn't want to do business with you. Despite whatever fabulous idea or presentation you may have, you are already starting off in a negative light. Being late shows an unwillingness to prioritize and may cause you to be viewed as unreliable and a bad business partner. Having been an athlete at every level of the game, being time-conscious has been a very important part of my success. For any sport I ever participated in, being "on time" was being late. There is an expectation for early arrival ranging from 15-30 minutes. Fortunately, for me, this discipline has carried over into my professional life. It is both a gift for me to be punctual, and a curse for the person who violates this code of conduct I expect from those with whom I do business. If I cross paths with someone who cannot make appointments on time, keep scheduled commitments, or cannot stick to a schedule, I tend to expect that they cannot be trusted in other ways. Despite the quality of work or potential gain from that relationship, I will opt out. I have dealt with enough people to know that I am not the only one who thinks this way. Removing the stigma of a culture accepting of tardiness is something that needs to be addressed. Being a YBE means that you are the elite, capable of operating at the highest level of professionalism and making decisions that deem you acceptable and successful in any environment. But first...you have to show up ON TIME!
YBE
Guard Your Crown
James B. Kynes As we em b ark on our second tour with Y BE Magazine we will provide you wi th gr ooming tip s to keep you on top of your game. Groomi ng is not just abou t getting your haircu t at yo ur local sho p. Groom ing encom p as ses the idea of being wel l rounded, not just i n a ppearance but also in knowledge a nd un derstanding. The knowledge to know that i n order to be the best you, you must keep a positi ve mental pers pective th at will keep you moving in the right direct ion. In doing so, you will be able to raise your le vel of conversa tion, in sig ht and humility while sitting at any t able. With this gained knowledge you will see the importance of placi ng yo urself in the right circles. Your g room er is a very im portant p art of your circle . If your groomer i sn't adding value to your mind then he or she is p robab ly doing the opposi te. Evaluate y our sphere. From your groomer to you r hangout partner s...To keep your mind a nd a ppearance sharp it is very important to keep your circ le str ong.
26. NobleSol.N et
YBE ON THE MOVE
Event: VIP: Very Important Professionals Holiday Networking Mixer Location:The Commerce Club (Atlanta, GA) Date: December 16, 2015 For more images visit NobleSol.net or MorehouseCollegeAlumni.org
Kevin McGee
Mr. and Mrs. Brandon C. Banks
Dethra U. Giles
Our Guests
P.J. Mays Angela Carter
27. NobleSol.Net
OKEEBA JUBALO & Johnny Clarkson
James W. Jackson
Jon Dudley
Our Guests
Rushia Brown & Chevelle Eberhart-Lee
YBE ON THE MOVE
N o b le S o l. N e t
WE SHALL STAND BEFORE KINGS NOT OF OBSCURE MEN
KINGS OF ATLANTA GROOMING LOUNGE & SPA 3209 Paces Ferry Place
Suite 1 Atlanta, GA 30305 www.facebook.com/thekingsofatlanta twitter @kingsofatl instagram: kingsofatl twitter @thebeard_king instagram: thebeard_king O : 404-987-0373 | M:678-360-2744
Hearts and Hands Catering Company was founded in 2011 by mother and son cooking duo, Angie Brown and Okeeba Jubalo in the great City of Decatur, Georgia. Both natives of The South, they decided to start their family business as a tribute and celebration of Fine Southern Cuisine.
Proudly feeding families since 2011.