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YOUNG BLACK ENTREPRENEUR
MAGAZINE Quarterly
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A NobleSol Art Group Publication NobleSol.net October 2015
ONE YEAR STRONG! Issue 5
BLACK BUSINESS & BLACK CHURCHES YOU MARRIED AN ENTREPRENEUR
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THE REAL VALUE OF ART
THE PINK PILL GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY THE LIKE FACTOR
DR. JULIANNE ADAMS BIRT TAMIKA HARPER RUSHIA BROWN JOHNNY CLARKSON DETHRA U. GILES OKEEBA JUBALO JAMES B. KYNES HELEN DARLING KIMBERLY CARTER-WHITE SEPTEMBER GRAY TORRIAN DENISE
OKEEBA JUBALO THE DIRTY DOZEN AMERICAN TELLS SEPTEMBER
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Young Black Entrepreneur Pg 5
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Pg 10 $$ You Married An Entrepreneur Johnny Clarkson
MAGAZINE
CONTENTS
Pg 13 $$ James B. Kynes 1 Year Strong: The 360-Degree Approach Pg 14 $ Helen Darling Pg 16 $ Kimberly Carter-White Pg 18 $$ The Real Value of Art September Gray Pg 22 $$ The Like Factor Dethra U. Giles Pg 24 $$ Artist We Love Pg 28 $ Tamika Harper Pg 32 $$ Black Business and Black Churches OKEEBA JUBALO Pg 34 $$ YBE ON THE MOVE Pg 36 $ Torrian Denise Pg 38 $$ Get Out of Your Own Way Rushia Brown
$: Interview
Pg 40 $$ The Pink Pill DR. Julianne Adams Birt
$$: Article/Contribution
YBE
Pg 43 $$ The Publisher’s Pick OKEEBA JUBALO
YBE/10.2015
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October 2015 ISSUE 5 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 Dr. Julianne Adams Birt Copy Editor Anita Maxwell @secondeyeglance.com Kat Brown @noblesol.net NobleSol Art Group P.O. Box 667 Decatur, GA 30031-0667 NobleSol.Net
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2015 by Noble S ol Art G roup. Al l r i g h t s re se r v e d
YBE NATION Publisher’s Letter
THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH EVEN IF YOU WON’T TELL IT The First Year of YBE Magazine This first year was filled with challenges, but we made it through successfully. Starting a magazine is a very difficult business, and thankfully, we were able to keep a large amount of our production needs in-house. Not only are we doing something totally different with our magazine, but we are also building a new approach to marketing and distribution. To say the least, the experience produced a handful of goals. Along the way, I met some wonderful YBEs who rubbed me the right way and a few who really rubbed me the wrong way. A common theme that kept showing up in our conversations was that we really do not fully understand yet that we are all in this together. We are facing the same challenges, yet we somehow miss that working together can make it better for everyone. All great accomplishments start with great hardships, and our magazine is no exception. However, I am confident that it will become an even more useful tool for our community. Our business stories need to be told by us, recorded by us, and distributed by us. I firmly believe no one else should be transcribing our dreams. Telling our stories is a goal I am fully committed to, and with your help and others like you, we will indeed bring our stories to the world. There is a great deal of inspiration to be found in the stories about our hardships and triumphs. We will continue to do our part on this end to make sure that these stories are told in a respectful and honest way. Thank you for your support, and I will keep doing what I do. Now let’s all get back to work!
OKEEBA JUBALO Young Black Entrepreneur Magazine Publisher and Founding Editor OKEEBAJUBALO.com NobleSol.net HnHCater.com
5 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
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Dr. Julianne Adams Birt 8 No bl eS o l . Net Oc t ob e r 2 0 1 5
After college, I followed in my parents' footsteps and taught in the Atlanta Public Schools system, teaching high school science until my acceptance into the Morehouse School of Medicine two years later. For my residency, I moved to Pittsburgh, Pen nsylvania, to train in Ob stetrics and Gynecology at Allegheny General Hospital. I graduated in June of 2005 and became the first black female Obstetrics and Gynecology to complete the program in its history. Now after 10 years of practice, the last four in solo practice, I enjoy servicing my patients and community while still finding time to spend with my family, especially relishing the latest addition born this year in June. What is your industry and why does it appeal to you? I am in medicine. As a black woman, we historically have played the role of caregiver. As my role is specifically geared to women, I am able to educate women and ensure that they take good care of themselves first before being responsible for the loved ones around them.
How much money did it take to start your business? What funding sources did you acc ess? Most physicians take out start-up loans for no less tha n $250,000. I don't like debt and my husband despises it even more. We used $5,000 from savings and $25,000 from my 401k. A friend invested in my business during my first year in practice, and my husband kept my business afloat otherwise. Having patient investors who also wanted to see me succeed was the key. How has your revenue/staff grown over time, and what systems have you put in pla ce to manage that growth? We have grown exponentially. On our first day in business, we had three patients scheduled, but only two showed up! We now have over 2,000 patients, just four yea rs later. Our system is simple. We don't make a move until we are ready. We started the practice in a small space, subleasing less tha n 1000 square feet. The waiting room only held six chairs. One day, the front desk receptionist came to the back to inform us that it was time to move. Why you ask? Because despite our clever scheduling strategy, the re were people standing outside. Within two years, we were blessed with the purchase of our current 2500 square foot facility with four exam rooms, an ultrasound room, a laboratory, and a procedure room where we perform minor office surgeries.
What excites you about black business? Today's black business is not just for Black people. Physicians of yesteryear took care of Black people because they felt compelled to provide services to those who were left without any service. Today, I can have a business that cares for all people, but it just so happens to be black-owned. I am bona fide, qualified, and my patients can have confidence in this fact because of their pers onal experiences with Radiant Women's Health. What is your biggest disappointment with black business? My biggest disappointment with black business is when the fear of another's success keeps one from lending a hand to a potential business owner. I was told by someone I looked up to that if I decided to start my own practice, I would surely fail, that new medical practices can’t survive, and that I should stay where I was. Who was your greatest teacher, or what has been your greatest learning experience? I hate to admit it, but sometimes people mean you no good. They want to get on the bandwagon by overselling what they can do for you. They want exorbitan t payments for less than stellar service. Unfortunately, because I was new to business, this life lesson was learned at an expensive cost. I am still learning who to trust when proposals are made. In one word or brief phase, tell a new YBE what they should expect. Expect to grow, but stay humble. 9 N o ble S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
WELLNESS
Who are you? My name is Julianne Adams Birt, and I am a physician. Becoming a physician was a natural path for me. As the middle girl of five, being around all women comes naturally to me. Being the daughter of educators, schooling came naturally. I was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was very active in school. I enjoyed many activities in church, school, and the community, but it was my love of science that drove me to Clark Atlanta University to study science and pre-me d.
YO U MA R R I ED AN EN T R EP R E NE U R: Th e Go o d , Th e Ba d & Th e U g ly
JOHNNY CLARKSON 10 No bl eS o l . Net Oc t ob e r 2 0 1 5
IAmJohnnyClarkson.c om NobleSol.net
Marriage is a special agreement between two people who have jointly decided to “have and hold” their special bond through all things that may come their way. While this blanket agreement is beautiful, it in no way prepares one for riding shotgun with an entrepreneur. There is no traditional 9-to-5 schedule. The day is filled with planning and development, interrupted by a last minute meeting or a phone call from a must-see client as you take advantage of a newly presented window. There is usually no set bedtime, dinnertime, off-day, free time, or unaccounted for time that can be allocated to a date night. Every moment is invested in the rise or fall of an entrepreneur’s endeavor. Every moment sacrificed is also a gamble with your household finances and your company’s fiscal future. The ever-changing and unpredictable gray area that entrepreneurs live in can be extremely difficult to accept. Inc.com recently covered the issue of high divorce rates for entrepreneurs. The story broke the contributing factors to divorce down into four main areas. These include financial strain, neglect, lack of communication, and divergent goals. It shed new light on the danger of a fast paced, high stakes career choice and its impact on your love life. The most dangerous of all the obstacles to lasting love that can appear along your road to success is JEALOUSY! So, I will describe my feelings for my business, and you tell me what you would think of them as my wife. I wake up every day excited and anxious to be around that effort. I want nothing more than to grow it and spend the rest of my life engulfed in its tasks. Nothing makes me happier than when I get it right and everything is clicking. It is my passion and I am willing to sacrifice all for its success.
YBE NATION
The love and pride I have for what I do is not measurable by any precise calculations currently known to man. I will die before I allow someone to take my business away from me. Now if the words “my business” and “company” were removed from this discussion, my sentiments could be viewed as if describing a mistress. As a matter of fact, I am positive that as described, the average spouse would automatically swap those words for gender- specific words, thus allowing the mind to create relationship cancers. But still, as my spouse, you joined this fight knowing full well what I was fighting for-- a successful business! Now, do not misunderstand me. Harmony can be found and enjoyed with others as an entrepreneur, but it will take clear communication, the ability to adjust at a moment’s notice, hobbies, and most importantly, trust. Trust is the glue that binds a strong marriage; when either person is a YBE then trust becomes even more important. As a YBE my income does not follow a traditional payroll schedule. If I do not have contracts or invoices consistently being processed, then there is no income! That means my time has to be dedicated totally to generating new income. Another example is that I cannot give you a set schedule of where I am going to be and what time I am returning home every day. I can estimate of course, but it is often those spontaneous moments of my day that result in the most income being generated. Last, but not of least importance, let us discuss temptation and the misconception of lust. My over-the-top willingness to please my female client has nothing to do with her beauty, body, or her desire to sleep with me. My level of service dictates not only the length of a business contract, but also directly impacts how much money I bring home to pay for our continuously growing list of needs there.
Does lust play a part in why certain contacts are made? Yes, but that has nothing to do with intent. I intend to provide as much as possible, for as long as possible. If my clients enjoy their own fairy tales, I am not going to ruin their dreams and/or ruin my potential income. I am also not going to lead anyone on or entertain any inappropriate activity. This is where knowing and trusting your entrepreneur partner comes full circle. Home can be energizing or depleting depending on the atmosphere that is created there. Questions can become aggravating. Clinginess can lead to avoidance. A lack of peace can contribute to a desire to leave. An entrepreneur’s spouse must understand the mindset of their entrepreneur partner. In our minds, it is all black and white even though to the average corporate 9-to-5 worker, our lives reflect rainbow hues. We honestly understand our organized chaos, and we would rather not waste a lot of valuable time explaining it to those who do not get it. Flexibility and freedom is what drives us, and any form of constraint, whether imposed or presumed, forces us to fight to get away. If these constraints continue, coupled with failure of a particular project, resentment can develop. In our minds, we do not have bad ideas, and failure is not an option. In our minds, the rest of the world should just sit back and clap at the marvelous work we create and marvel at the way we know how to sprint through the course to find new unbeaten paths. Also, in our minds, we carry around an inner thought that always reminds us that those of us with families will only achieve half as much as our single entrepreneur counterparts. We must give 200% to reap 50% rewards because we have chosen to hop on one foot across a balance beam with our eyes blindfolded. It was our choice when we decided to have a family, but as the partner, it was also your choice when you 1 1 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
C O N TINU ED FR OM P A G E 1 1
YBE
agreed to be a part of that family. I love my wife with all my heart. We are in sync, though it was not always this way. It took great communication, trust and understanding on both of our parts to get here. Because of this harmony, I have been able to be fully engaged in my business and thus be a part of some very successful projects.
NATION 12 No bl eS o l . Net Oc t ob e r 2 0 1 5
1 Year St ro ng: Th e 360-De gre e Approach About a year ago, we received a message from the editor-in-chief about a new publication they were producing. The idea and concept was to highlight and express our perspectives on entrepreneurship, its ups and downs, failures, and successes. So being excited about this opportunity to share our story, we obliged, and from there forward, we created a relationship that is now one year strong. We were offered an opportunity to bring you the grooming tips, enlightening kings on different grooming solutions ranging from skin care to hair simulation to selecting and finding a personal barber/groomer. Since the inception of the Ultimate Lifestyle Grooming Brands (@kingsofatl, @solomonsquarters @conquergrooming), our mentality has been to create a 360-degree approach to men’s grooming and to be experts on men’s grooming and their image, wardrobe, and skincare. These are the components of delivering a well-rounded male grooming experience.
James B. Kynes
YBE
So as we reflect on this one year strong campaign, we want to engage you, our readers, even more so that in the year ahead we can readily address your issues, questions, and concerns on men’s grooming and fashion. We want to know your thoughts on your personal grooming experiences and also the ways you think this service industry can be improved to meet the needs of the modern man. We want to know how your grooming regimen is a part of your lifestyle, your mentality, and your overall disposition. Are you finding it difficult to find personal groomers and get image and wardrobe consultation, skin care tips and services designed just for men? Please engage us on our social media sites. We want to hear from you.
1 3 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
Helen Darling 14 No bl eS o l . Net Oc t ob e r 2 0 1 5
What is your industry, and why did this industry appeal to you? I ventured into the children’s book industry for several reasons. One, I had just had triplets, and the books that I read to them were just so cute to me. While I was playing in Charlotte, I did a lot of Read to Achieve school appearances with another author. She encouraged me to write children’s books about my triplets. She believed I would have lots of stories to tell as they grew up. These ideas led me to begin the process because I wanted to leave my triplets something they could cherish when they got older. It would be books they could read and share with their own children.
How has your revenue/staff grown over time, and what systems have you put in place to manage that growth? Once I stopped playing professional basketball and my triplets started school, it wa s extremely hard to keep the business going. I could not travel as much, and I didn’t have the funds to continue growing the business. I still enjoy children’s books, and I hope to one day get involved once again. My passion for literacy has led me to start a national reading initiative that partners with professional sports teams and companies to help all learners become better and more proficient readers. What excites you about black business? When I see black business owners, I get excited because I think about their children. I get excited because we are instilling the entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation, especially when we allow our children to work with us. It allows them to see that we can run a successful business. If success doesn’t come imme
diately, we learn to persevere, to learn from our mistakes, and to keep pushing forward. What is your biggest disappointment with black business? I am very proud of black-owned businesses. However, I am often disappointed when so many of our black businesses do not stay in business longer than five years. In one word or a brief phrase, tell a new YBE what to expect. Every road we take in business and life will be under construction at some point in time. So instead of taking the detour, slow down, and wait for the construc tion on your road to be completed. Then, go forward.
YBE
I played basketball at Penn State and was taken in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) 2000 draft by the Cleveland Rockers. I played in Cleveland for four years, sitting out one year to give birth to my triplets. I also played for the Minnesota Lynx, the Charlotte Sting and the San Antonio Silver Stars.
How much money did it take to start your business, and what funding sources did you access? I do not know the exact dollar amount, but I do know it was well over $20,000. This included travel, conferences, book purchases, other marketing materials, personal assistant fees, and merchant fees. I used a part of my WNBA salary to fund my business. I did later partner with a friend who helped me purchase more of my children’s books.
PUBLISHING
Who are you? I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. I have a degree in Kinesiology with a teaching certificate from Pennsylvan ia State University. I leveraged my college degree in instructional teaching and write books that teach new principles while reinforcing the fundamentals. I also use my creativity to help children learn in a fun and creative way.
1 5 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
Kimberly Carter-White
16 No bl eS o l . Net O c t ob e r 2 0 1 5
I have always been an avid thrift shopper. Living in Atlanta in the 1990s, I was an avid thrift shopper. I couldn’t find clothing that I loved, so I got a sewing machine to recreate for myself the vintage finds I discovered at Value Village. It started with an A-line skirt I made for myself with pockets. I began selling my wares in the basement at Spelman College. I was overwhelmed with orders. That is when I knew that I wanted to enter the fashion industry.
How has your revenue/staff grown over time and what systems have you put in pla ce to manage that growth? I took a seven year break from fashion. Since June 2015, after my resurgence back into fashion, my team and network have both grown. In June, I showcas ed a Fall Eco-Friendly Collection during Fashion Week Brooklyn (FWBK). This allowed me to reconnect with stylists, makeup artists, and fashion interns.
YBE
What is your industry and why did this particular industry appeal to you? I am in the fashion industry. My line is called Kymistry Designs. My aesthetic has always been clothes I love to wear. I am inspired by color, textures, and gently used vintage clothing. My introduction to the fashion industry began with my grandmother. My grandmother and I used to go to Goodwill and yard sales in the suburbs where my classmates lived . I would reluctantly purchase the wearables from my classmates. When we would get home, I‘d ask her to alter or change the garments that we purchased. She shaped my love of vintage reconstruction.
How much money did it take to start your business and what funding source did you acc ess? In 2009, I took a break from cre ating my designs to work with young people. I created revenue through workshops as an independent contractor for after-school programs throughout the New York School District. I am an artist first. I am always thinking of creative solutions for my happiness. I am a believer in do what you love, and the money will follow.
What excites you about black business? It takes courage to believe in your vision enough to convey that vision so that others buy in and support you in that vision. When I see a black-owned business being successful or just a budding start- up, I see a seed being planted. I feel a sense of hope and pride.
FASHION
Who are you? My name is Kimberly Carter-White. I am a self-taught designer and teaching artist from Seguin, Texas. As a teaching artist, I have taught Financial Literacy through Fashion, Teen Entrepreneurship, and Career Connections Workshops to middle school students throughout the New York Department of Education for seven years.
What is your biggest disappointment with black businesses? When you support a brand, you support the consistency of the brand which builds trust. My disappointment with any business is its lack of quality service and consistency. Who was your greatest teacher and what has been your greatest learning experience? My mistakes will always be my greatest teacher. I was reluctant to revisit the fashion world. I thought too much time had passed for me to reenter the business. I moved to a smaller space without a home studio. I worked with children. Working with the youth inspired me because when you teach, you also learn and grow. I took a seven year break from my business. I relaunched Kymistry Designs in June of 2015 during Fashion Week Brooklyn. With time and experience, I learned to trust my instincts again. In one word or a brief phrase, tell a new YBE what to expect. Progress.
1 7 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
CULTURE
gallery, or an art advisor that a work will ever gain in value. Secondly, we should ask ourselves if we are letting the influence of the wealthy dictate the value of other works that do not come from the major art houses. Have we bought into the myth that certain works from the old European masters are more valuable and considered a better investment than the works of artists from the 21st century that are a reflection of the world we actually live in today?
September Gray The Real Value o f A rt SeptemberGrayArt.com As we watch the global art market, we are seeing prices continue to soar for iconic and Blue Chip artists from the 20th Century. The sale of Edvard Munch’s 1895 pastel version of The Scream set a world record at Sotheby’s in May 2012 at just under $120 million, and the 1964 painting by Roy Lichtenstein of pop art fame, Sleeping Girl, sold for $44.9 million at the spring 2012 auction. A Mark Rothko from 1961, Orange, Red, Yell ow sold for $87 million. 18 No bl eS o l . Net Oc t ob e r 2 0 1 5
Wow! These numbers amaze me, but a number of factors also come into play here. One is the emergence of new moneyed collectors from the BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India, and China--who view art as a financial asset and are building collections that focus on famous names. Still, we should be cautious si nce the art market remains an unregulated one. Prices will always fluctuate along with the artist’s reputation, and there will be no guarantee by an auction house, a
We have bought into the myth that certain works from the old European masters and contemporary works of art by well- known names, such as Rothko, Pollack, or Picasso, are a better investment than the works of African American artists who have been creating works of art for centuries and are indeed a reflection of the world we live in, both past and present. Further, African Art has been a big inspiration to many artists from around the world and indeed influential in the development of the modern abstract expressionist movement. September Gray Art Consulting (SGAC) warns against buying solely based on investment value, given the unpredictability and volatility of the current market. SGAC believes that acquiring art should be a part of your life and culture, and you should buy what you truly love and have a passion for collecting. Whether that is paintings, sculptures, or photographs, there should be a joy in collecting, a joy in what that art brings to your life, regardless of its rising or falling value.
Simply stated, art is a personal extension of who you are as an individual.
A good example is when President Obama and Fir st Lady, Michelle Ob ama, moved into the White House. They immediately wanted to add artwork tha t reflected who they were and their culture and race. They understood that such artwork would show that we are proud of our heritage and celebrate who we are by showcasing works by artists who truly capture our spirit and essence. Glen Ligon and Alma Thomas were among the artists that the President and First Lady decided to bring into the White House.
By including these works, they raised these artists’ exposure to the world. Visitors to the White House who see these works there or in other venues now have a different art experience, indeed a different perspective. In showcasing their art, these artists have the opportunity to gain more value and greater name recognition. Over the years, the value of such art has increased. In 1991, Bill Cosby paid $250,000 for The Thankful Poor by Henry Ossawa Tanner. It was the highest amount paid at that time for an African American work of art. This declaration only reflects the public record and not any private sales. When you look at public auction records, there have been significant strides in value. In 2011, a Charles White piece sold for $306,000. In 2011, a work by Robert Duncanson, sold for $120,000, and in 2008, a work by Norman Lewis sold for $302,000. These are just a few examples that show how the prices have increased without including private sales unknown to the public or sales in the secondary private market. It is a good start, but we still have a long way to go if we want our art to reach a comparable higher market value. African American art is lagging in value because we are not putting our investment dollars to work well. There needs to be more commitment and focus on art as well as learning the difference between those works that have lasting value and works that only match your decor.
1 9 N o b le S o l. N e t October 2015
CULTURE
Since there has been a big surge in new collectors all around the world, this trend has had the overall effect of improving the market value of artwork, and art has become a valuable asset to have in a diversified wealth portfolio. When you look at African American works of art, there have been significant strides made as well. We are seeing more and more of these works rise in value although at a significantly lower pace. When buying works for their investment value, we can never underestimate the cultural significance and the historical background of those works. During a recent visit t o a gallery, I viewed an exhibition of work by Gordon Parks that had never been shown to the public before. The value of his work actually increased more than 45% within a 4-month period. Thornton Dial’s work has been on a steady upward incline as well. His works are rapidly increasing in value, as more museums and collectors invest in them. Still, what remains disturbing is that the investment prices have not caught up with or even come close to the more contemporar y and well-known European artists of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. That is something we have to take a closer look at and then ask what has kept the African American artwork in the lower market, and how do we make the work increase more in value as well?
Why are the works of African America artists still not valued or increasing as fast as other works? First of all, we do not invest in our culture. We also seem to not understand tha t these works of art are a reflection of our past, present, and future and they are an investment in loving ourselves through our desire to preserve, enjoy, and gain power from the beautiful and moving reflections of the African American experience. I am not referring to the materialistically portrayed African American experience of high-end luxury cars or designer labels that are only meant for short-lived first impressions. These things are nice to buy and have of course, but a real sense of who, what and where we come from and where we are going should make us spend more wisely and seek something that is uni que. Mass-produced items may give us a feel good moment but lose value shortly after we buy them.
CULTURE
Art starts with passion and love. Collecting art is about acquiring what you love or find interesting enough to make the needed investment. Loving what you collect makes that act priceless. “Good art (like good investments) stands the test of time.” –September Gray
YBE
There are many books on understanding art and its investment value. Collecting African American Art by Dr. Halima Taha, does an outstanding job in educating and offering good historical background about collecting black art. You can also visit museums or local libraries to find other books written on the collecting of African American art. Jacob Lawrence remarked in The Crisis (1970), “If I have achieved a degree of success as a creative artist, it is mainly due to the black experience which is our heritage-an experience which gives inspiration, motivation, and stimulation. I was inspire d by the black aesthetics by which we are surrounded, motivated to manipulate for, color, space, line, and texture to depict our life, and stimulate the beauty and poignancy of our environment.” You can never come out on the losing end when you invest in your own culture. You are able to live with and enjoy an amazing work of art every day and contribute to the legacy of African American culture at the same time.
Great work requires great commitment from both the artist and the collector. We cannot allow museums and the super-rich to dictate the real dollar value of African American work or any other wo rk of ours just because our society allows their money to define what is acceptable or what a good art investment is. Do not just take ownership of art. Take ownership of your legacy.
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"Why do you like this place?", I asked my client as we sat in an eating establishment that can very loosely be called a restaurant. My face was a little scrunched, and I held a menu that felt like one too many drops of too sweet iced tea had been spilled and then left on the menu to dry. Instead of a thriving restaurant, the establishment looked more like a room wher e someone had jammed a few tables too closely together and then added the leftover chairs from last year's Jones Family Reunion. The place was the picture you would visualize in your head when someone says, “I ate at a hole in the wall." As she responded to my question, my client peeled her fingers from her own sticky menu and replied, "The food is okay, but consistent, and I like the people here." This opinion came from a woman who had amassed enough money not only to visit, but to likely buy any restaurant she wanted, yet this place, despite its mediocre food, sticky menus, and failing health inspection score, had earned a spot on her Top Five list of places to eat. Why? Simply because she "liked the people there."
Dethra U. Giles Th e L i ke Fa c t o r ExecuPrep.com
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Do your clients like the people where you are? People want to do business with people they KNOW, LIKE, and TRUST, in that order. YBEs who optimize their professional relationships will hit all three of these rules for success. BE KNOWN Potential clients must know you exist and have a clear understanding of what you do. This understanding first starts with you
knowing your market. Clara owned a high-end consignment shop. She received clothing from top celebrities and carried top-of-the-line fashions. Clara was also a great stylist. She could take anyone with any kind of figure and make them look runway-ready. She was the best at what she did, but no one knew it. Her target clients had no idea she even existed. Her store was in a hidden location where there was very l ittle visibility and no foot traffic. Worse than the location of her shop was her cluele ssness about the nature of her real business. Clara naively thought she was in the fashion business when she was actually in the people business.
BE LIKED "People ain't gotta like me," John screamed at his business partner, Jennie. "They just need to know I am the be st plumber out there.” “Yeah, but who wants to get cur sed out in their own home by the help?",
This conversation between John and Jennie had occurred many times. John was one of the best plumbers around, but despite his expertise, he was losing business quickly. Referrals had all but stopped and repeat business had declined by 50%. Despite Jennie's frustrations, John still insisted. "This is who I am and I ain't changing for nobody." They were out of business within a year. YBEs, people do not have to be your best friend, but you must be likable. No matter what your product is, you must provide a service, offer good customer service, and people want that service delivered with a smile by a person they like. This does not mean you have to become a people person who is chatty, be inauthentic or be anyone but yourself. It simply means that you have to put your friendlier foot forward. So what if you say, “I do not have a friendlier foot.” While this is important in the customer equation, John did not realize that the friendlier foot did not have to be his own. He had Jennie. If you cannot muster up the strength to provide customer service with a smile and be a likable hire or partner, find someone who is strong in that area. Get a partner or a staff member who can handle the people while you get the work done. Either way, your company needs to have a likable face that is visible.
BE TRUSTED "She is really good but she is always late, and always has an excuse. But when she comes, she does the best job I have seen." These words were exchanged between two women. One was providing a recommendation to the other for a housekeeper to clean her home. The woman receiving the information very simply said, "I can't trust that." YBEs, can your clients trust you? Do you arrive on time? Do you complete projects on or under budget? Do you recommend the best, most economical solutions? Clients want a product they can trust, provided by people whom they can also trust. Business relationships should have a bottom line impact on your organization. To improve that impact, work to make your company one that your target customer KNOWS, LIKES, and TRUSTS, impeccably and always.
YBE
Women who spend $450 on a used pair of shoes and $800 for a second-hand purse have a special relationship with fashion and the people who supply them with that fashion. These women rarely walk into a shop and spend thousands of dollars on used items the first time. They will visit the location multiple times first, get a feel for the staff, and very often ask to meet the owner. Why? If a person is going to spend that much money, they want to know with whom they are doing business. YBEs, if you want to capitalize on the KNOW component, you must first know your business and then make sure your target market knows you.
Jennie asked softly through her frustration.
2 3 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
YBE
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
jimmyandjune.com
FINE ARTIST
THOMAS BESS
YBE
mistycopeland.com
BALLERINA
MISTY COPELAND
YBE miyabailey.com
TATTOO ARTIST FINE ARTIST
MIYA BAILEY
Tamika Harper GeorgiaMeThePoet.com
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What is your industry and why does it appeal to you? I was introduced to poetry through summer camp. The first poet I learned about was Nikki Giovanni. I fell in love with her. We read other works, but Nikki just touched me. Because of her, I was introduced to LeRoi Jones and Amiri Baraka. Then, I was looking at how Martin Luther King's poe tic speeches moved millions. Everybody who had a little bit of flavor and a little rhyme seemed to get ideas over and get through life easier. Your favorite teacher is a poet. Your favorite pastor is a poet. Your favorite politician is a poet in some way because of the way they say things that reach you and touch you.
YBE
How much money did it take to start your business? What funding sources did you acc ess? I'm saying $500 to start with if y ou want to be in business. You have to have a product, which is the poem, and that poem has to be great. From that point on, you can manufacture your work in many ways from producing CDs, to doi ng your own DVDs to of course the ultimate, which is a book. Books aren't the best sellers, but they are great sellers if you're a performance poet, and you have your product with you. So, to start the business for the spoken word, a phone is useful. You can write on your phone. You can do research on your phone. You're going to make calls with your phone, so that's a business expense right out of the gate. You need to have a brand to be a business, which means you must make up a name. That means you must work. So, you get to work. Make sure your work is great first. That's the biggest cost- the sweat. After you sweat, you grind, and you get great people who want your work. You go into the studio using your relationships. So, you pay the money that the studio charges, and you pay the money for the beats. You can get free beats online so the re’s all kinds of ways to cut costs. But after you do an album and put it out, make sure that you have promotions using postcards and posters and business car ds. A website is wonderful. You can create tha t yourself. I've spent mighty on my website for a professional look and the stature I have. So, you
know, it can cost anything, but it really costs sweat and grinding and working and integrity. So, it can be $50 to $500, depending on where you are right then. How has your revenue/staff grown over time, and what systems have you put in place to manage that growth? I'm really a one-woman shop. Last year, I had an employee. She moved. My goal, and I mean this with every fiber of my being, and may the ancestors and Most High hear and know it, is to employ 50 people at some point in time. That’s my goal. No one will be making less than $40,000 to $80,000 a year, administratively pushing the brand of the spoken word, which I see as being that big. As of right now, I have interns. We work, we do a lot of cold calling, we get accounts, and you know every gig is yet another gig. That's how I live. What excites you about black business? People always hear machines and think, you have to sell your soul. You have to give up your integrity. That's not an option. That's why we are poets. That's why we’re here now. We could've jumped in the machine. We could have. I've been offered so many things and turned them all down because I refuse to sacrifice my soul. I believe in being a conscious captive because I like learning, and I live in America. I'm gonna show these folks what to do with the money. You know what? I was fine. I was showing these niggas what to do. (Laughs) Real talk… because we are wasting.
2 9 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
Who are you? Good question. I am a mother, an artist, an activist, a servant, and I am the evolution of the spoken word. I am a proud member of a community of dreamers, thinkers, revolutionaries, comics, preachers, hustlers and pimps who are all blessed with the ability to write and express themselves in ways that heal, transform, enlighten, and educate the masses. That's what appeals to me. The power of the word and the way that you're able to affect a person just by the way you say something. Not just the word, but how you say it.
C O N TINU ED FR OM P A G E 2 9
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ENTERTAINMENT
I'm born and bred in Atlanta, Georgia. My whole life I could go to the store, and it was a black man or a black woman who gave money to me. They gave me their money. I come from a world where we have, and I come from the world of Auburn Avenue and the curb market and all the people who used to sell goods outside of the Five Points train station. I mean it was just natural. It means everything to me, and now I have to make a concerted effort to shop Black because I have to find Black, and I have to be sure to promote Black. It's amazing what we had just in the Nation of Islam in the ‘70s with hospitals and things of that nature. Where is a black hospital? You got funeral homes that have been there generation after generation but that's about the only major business that black people still have a hold to in our community. We sold all our gas stations and convenience stores. We h ave a few shops and boutiques here
and there, but we don't have anything. No land, and we don't have any resources. We've got to get that back. It’s not even an option. We have to and not be fearful of what the repercussions of it are. That's another thing tha t has happened in our community. We are so sca red to try because of people dying. So, you'd rather live in this bullshit tha n fight for what you want to live for? You feel me?
YBE
What is your biggest disappointment w ith black business? I got a whole campaign Fuck a Bentley! Buy a block! Feel me? What is it you niggas go on? That's unacceptable. You feel me? Don't own anything. So, that's my goal. That’s why we got to get this money-for the righteous teaching. I thank God that He's allowed me to believe in Him, but I want this machine to get up and working. I need this car, this blender. Whatever it's gonna be, I need it to work. I need it to work and not just work for me. It’s got to work for others. You know what I'm saying?
Who was your greatest teacher, or what has been your greatest learning experience? Oh, wow! I mean that's damn near disrespectful because I’ve had too many teachers. I can't say one. My Mom, of course, in the love. My Grandmother, in the love. My Mom, in hard work and integrity and keeping her word. My Grandmother, in never allowing anyone to affect her spirit and always trying to lift up the spirit of others. I'm real big on that. I'm real big on how we interact with each other. And in life, I've been inspired by so many great people. My teachers from elementary to middle to high school, Ms. Smith, Ms. Keel and Ms. Dennis. Nikki Giovanni, Martin Luther King, Barbara Jordan. Tupac, Mary J. Blige and Goodie Mob are the majors. Those are my greatest teachers.
In one word or brief phase, tell a new YBE what to expect. Oh, my God...$250 million. $40 million is okay on the low end. That's on an annual basis.
OKEEBA JUBALO Black Busine ss and Bl ack C h urc h es OKEEBAJUBALO.com NobleSol.net HnHCater.com
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I have been thinking about this topic for years, and now I am ready to write about it. How do I find and somehow wrap pretty language around some ugly experiences? As I think about how much better Black America could be if the majorit y of black churches took more of an active role in the growth of the community at-large including support of black-owned businesses, I get excited by the thought. We choose to use this magazine to bring to the forefront the experiences of other YBEs, including myself, to better educate and hopefully spare you from some of the hard lessons we have had to learn. While I cannot speak for all black churches of course, I can speak about my professional experience with black churches. At times, I have been amazed, and also disgusted by the negligence, bullying, and predatory tactics used by these churches to gain an advantage when doing business. But, those experiences lead me to share points that you should keep in mind if you decide to offer your product or service to a black church or faith based organization. When in meetings with church executives, I found myself caught off guard. Behind the closed doors with church leaders, the hustle moved like a different animal. Instead of snarling, the communication purred, and every move was calculated. I have even been in meetings with church officials who have insisted we pray before we start the meeting because that was the way they do business. Only they will finish the prayer and then lead into the shrewdest and often
one-sided business dealings. Before I knew it, the dealings were leaning heavily in the favor of the church. Needless to say, I have missed out on a number of contracts and opportunities simply because I will not play the church game. As a YBE, you need to decide early on what your ethics and values are. When or if you start mixing your business with your religion, you may find yourself on the wrong side of the hunger line. Can your business sustain this long term? It is one thing to volunteer your time to your church or a cause, but as a business owner, you should keep the health of your business at the forefront of your mind. I assure you that the church will keep its interests first. Think about it. A church is fueled by donations and grants. That is FREE MONEY! Your bu siness is fueled by your own money, time, sweat, blood, pain, and sacrifice. So, if you are a business owner who is also a member of a church, you may be asked to give that church a better rate than your standard rate. You then may be expected to donate 10% to further the mission of church. Don’t forget-- the church is a business as well. Your efforts to be benevolent could lead to the diminishing of your own profits and ultimately the goals you have for your business and your family. The intent here is not to take aim at anyone’s religious beliefs. As African Americans, we all need support to shoulder the weight of carrying this hot brown skin down what are often cold white roads of entrepreneurship. I am only providing certain words here
that are needed to help you see things clearly as a YBE. When you are handling your business, you should be handling your business at all times, even with the church. If you are working with a church, you should handle yourself in the same professional manner as outside of the church and represent your brand well. We must remain committed to our business goals and set a standard for what we will and will not compromise if we expect these churches to respect us for the products and services we offer. It is never a good sign when others outside of our community are willing to pay the asking price while those within consistently seek lower prices or discounts. Our businesses and Black America are joined at the hip, so when one suffers, the other suffers as well. The black church can be a uniting force that enables our community to feed and employ itself. This could be a beautiful thing for Black America and our businesses! Every Sunday, black business owners shovel millions of dollars into the coffers of these black churches. The black business owner is a parishioner, a mother, a father and a pillar in the same community we are trying to edify. Ultimately, when doing business with the black church, you should go into it on your feet, with your eyes open. If we approach this relationship clearly, it can be a great benefit to both the YBE and the black church. Still, sometimes it is best to keep religion and your business separate to benefit and protect both entities. 3 3 N o ble S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
YBE ON THE MOVE
Event: The Dirty Dozen Fine Art Show (Fine Art by OKEEBA JUBALO) Location:September Gray Art Gallery (Atlanta, GA) Date: October 03, 2015 For more images visit NobleSol.net
OKEEBA JUBALO
Angela Carter
James Jackson & September Gray
Jhazsmin & Johnny Clarkson
Guests Altore Alston, Angie Brown, Morgan Brown & Rushia Brown
Travis Stegall
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Hazel Simpson & Dania Robinson
Fine Art by OKEEBA JUBALO
Karen James
Fine Art by OKEEBA JUBALO
Dethra U. Giles
Taunja Pegues Fine Art by OKEEBA JUBALO
OKEEBA JUBALO, Tiffany Green-Darby, Kat Brown & Sheron Dixon
YBE ON THE MOVE
3 5 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
Torrian Denise DorNee' Natural Body Luxuries DorNee.com
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What is your industry and why does it appeal to you? My industry is natural beauty involving the formulation of skin and hair care products. I actually did not choose this industry, it chose me. In 2004 my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and the chemotherapy treatments were extremely drying to her skin. After many attempts using over the counter moisturizing products that did not work, mostly because of the harsh chemicals, including parabens, sulfates and phthalates that have been found to be harmful, I decided to create a moisturizing cream that was only formulated with natural, skin loving ingredients. With consistent use of my handmade cream, my mother and I saw a difference in the appearance of her skin following the harsh treatments. After my mother's passing in 2005, I decided to continue research on natural ingredients and their benefits, thus birthing DorNee' which is a combination of the word Adore and my mother's name ReNee'. How much money did it take to start your business? What funding sources did you access? Start up for the DorNee' line initially was minimal, about $150. For the 10 years that DorNee' has been operating, the entire line has been self funded without any outside funding sources.
How has your revenue/staff grown over time, and what systems have you put in place to manage that growth? From the onset, the DorNee' line has been blessed to be well received and has experienced steady and continual financial growth. From traveling to various states for trade shows and working for an Atlanta based Celebrity Event Planner which opened many doors, DorNee' has a large customer base in Georgia. The DorNee' line has now expanded its territory to Whole Foods Markets and another local Ohio based natural market, Mustard Seed Markets. Just this year, I was blessed to open my first flagship Boutique at 711 Broadway Ave, Bedford, Ohio. How I manage the growth...constant prayer, no sleep, lots of note taking, Quick Books and Square product inventory tracking programs and most importantly, I have a great Mentor. What excites you about black business? What excites me most about black business is how creative we are, how we are getting in touch with our God given gifts and sharing them with the world. We are making faith moves and opening doors to businesses that are employing, educating, and encouraging others in our communities to see that having your own business is surely possible with hard work, a good support system and a great amount of faith. I find that as a race, we are excited to see this season of makers, shakers and creators opening doors in our communities.
Who was your greatest teacher, or what has been your greatest learning experience? My greatest learning experience was and still is that so many of us have a lack of understanding with natural products and their value. I am a vessel to my customer's and potential customers and not just a formulator of products. Educating and making myself available to provide understanding keeps me as well in a constant state of learning.
BEAUTY
Who are you? I am Torrian Denise, Creator & Founder of DorNee' natural body & hair luxuries line. I am a widow and a proud mother of a handsome and smart teenage son Brisk. I am a lover of the outdoors, family time and flowers.
In one word or brief phase, tell a new YBE what to expect. Skin care luxury!
YBE
What is your biggest disappointment with black business? My biggest disappointment with black business is that we do still have those who do not provide a professional environment, offer less than stellar service and expect support far greater than the service that is rendered. 3 7 N o ble S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
Being a visionary is a marvelous thing. You have a long-term view of how you can change the world with your product or service. You envision all of the happy faces on those who will benefit from your excellent idea. You foresee the accolades and the money that will come as the result of your personal brilliance. Yet like everything else, being a visionary has its pros and cons. As brilliant as your idea may be, entrepreneurs often stand in their own way. There are five keys, however, to getting out of your own way and letting yourself become the best you can be: 1. Understand that MULTITASKING is not always positive! Some entrepreneurs take great pride in their ability to multitask. Yet more often than not, when you spread yourself so thin by doing a bit of everything, you fail at perfecting anything. As the old saying goes, you become a Jack of all trades, Master of none! Multitasking can appear to be an advantage in the business world, but constantly performing several tasks at once can lead to a drop in overall productivity. The negative effects of multitasking takes a toll by not allowing you to recover from the excessive stimulation that can bombard you on a daily basis. Be aware of the negative side effects of trying to accomplish too much at once. Instead, complete one task at a time and regain full control over all of your responsibilities.
Rushia Brown Get Out of Your Own Way: 5 Keys to Being a Successful Entrepreneur R u s h ia B r o wn . c o m 38 No bl eS o l . Net Oc t ob e r 2 0 1 5
2. Learn to DELEGATE. As the visionary in charge, you cannot micromanage everything. Unsuccessful entrepreneurs want to do everything themselves. They do not believe anyone else can do a job as well as they can. Even if that were true, it is an unsustainable business philosophy. If you want to grow your business and become a leader, you have to learn to trust others. Everyone needs a support team, even the most competent, brilliant individuals. So, build a competent team, and then allow them to make you look good.
3. NO ONE is always right. Know what you know, but accept what you do not know. It is difficult for some entrepreneurs to admit when they have made a mistake. When an issue arises, the blame game takes over, and they blame the mistake on others. However, learning comes in the form of mistakes as well as accomplishments. If you fail to acknowledge a mistake, you miss out on a key learning opportunity. Mistakes are stepping stones to greater success. There is nothing wrong with asking for advice and admitting when you are wrong. This allows you to quickly change course, move forward, and to improve your situation. 4. Take ADVICE from others. Do not be the kind of person who asks questions, but then does not really pay attention to the answers. Everyone knows this kind of person. They ask for your opinion, but they are only interested in what you have to say if it is exactly what they already believe. These kinds of entrepreneurs surround themselves only with people who agree with them. That is bad for business. You will make better decisions if you abandon your stubbornness, truly weigh different points of view, and make a real point of understanding other perspectives. The more business minded people you surround yourself with, the more likely you are to receive good advice and put it to good use.
5. EXPAND your circle. When you have a vision and are implementing your brilliant plan, it is easy to get lost in your own process. However, being consumed by your own thoughts can be damaging. It can lead you to think that what you are doing has never been done before. By expanding your circle, you can gather different perspectives from people who have had other exposure and experiences. These perspectives will give your vision a more realistic perspective, as your idea relates to the business world. Being around people who have been successful in building a productive company and also those that have not been so successful will teach you a lot. More exposure and sharing of ideas is definitely a benefit when you are putting your own vision on the line. As entrepreneurs, we all make mistakes. That is a part of the fun--being willing to take risks. But over the years, I have learned that the more humble and receptive you are to others, the more likely it is that you will succeed. It is indeed a process, and no one man or woman can do it alone. As the prime visionary for your idea, you must equip yourself well to be successful, not cripple yourself and thus be destined to fail!
YBE
3 9 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
Dr. Birt is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologis t in Conyers, GA. She currently serves as Chief of Women’s Health Services at Rockdale Medical Center, is Vice President of the Atlanta Medical Association, and an unpaid advocate for Addyi. Speaking since 2010 on Female Sexual Dysfunction to both physicians and the lay public, she has said that FSD is under taught in medical schools, underestimated by physicians, and not understood by the women who are suffering from it. A member of the speakers’ bureau for Boehringer Ingelheim prior to the dismantling of their women’s services, Dr. Birt spoke in support of Addyi during the Open Public Meeting at the Advisory Committee Meeting of the FDA on June 4, 2015. She also participated in meetings with Sprout Pharmaceuticals in recent months to support the hopeful FDA approval that did finally occur on August 18, 2015.
Dr. Julianne Adams-Birt The Fi r s t Fe m al e D ru g f o r Lo w Sexu a l D es ire - A Touchd o w n f o r Wo m e n ’s H ealt h
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What a monumental summer we have had! The Conf ederate flag was removed from the front of the South Carolina state capitol building despite years of defiant protest. Same-sex marriages were made legal by the Supreme Court in all 50 states of the Union amidst opposition bellowing the definition of marriage. Now, the FDA has approved the first-ever drug for the benefit of women who suffer from the most common form of Female Sexual Dysfunction. This has been a season of groundbreaking, unbelievable occurrences in America.
These women can now reignite their appetite for sexual intimacy that had be en starved in their relationships. The excitement swirling around this approval by the FDA is historic. Addyi has been studied in over 11,000 women for nearly 20 years. It had been defeated twice before by the FDA, even given up as a lost idea by the original company, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in 2010. Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Inc., then picked up the ba ll. Despite their setbacks wi th Addyi, FDA approval was a Super Bowl victory for the underdog team. The real victors are the women. As we wait to be inundated with commercial advertisements like we ha ve been with those happy male images for over a decade, we must remember the goal is not sexual hyperactivity, but normalcy. Self-confidence, better relationships, and overall be tter health is the goal for these women. As the robust clinical trials have indicated, women can expect to double the number of satisfying sexual events they experience, increase their sexual desire by 53%, and decrease the distress their low libido ha s caused by 29%. This is a wi n-win for the woman and he r partner and translates to up to eight more satisfying sexual events each month. So as we do the victory dance in the end zone, the bumps and bruises surrounding this historic vote should not be forgotten. With the approval of Addyi this past August, the way is paved for still more research. More studies will decrease the concerns about unwanted side effects, help more women beyond the 60% that this medication will help,
and give patients even more options to choose from, such as the Cialis and Levitra available for men. But for now, thanks go to Cindy Whitehead, the CEO of Sprout Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the researchers and the brave, suffering women who were willing to participate in the clinical trials. Let’s all spike the ball!
YBE
Dubbed “t he female Viagra” and “the little pink pill”, Addyi (Flibanserin) is a once daily, non-hormonal pill that helps restore balance to key chemicals in the brain. What up to 60% of the women in the clinical trials found out was that their libido had life again. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder or HSDD, is a condition of bothersome low sexual desire that is acquired after a period of normal functioning. Its origin is neurochemical rather than biological. Simply put, unlike her male counterpart, a woman’s problem is all in her head versus in t he genitalia. For up to 16 million women who perhaps think their low libido is a product of their busy lives caused by embracing the women’s liberation movement, a possible solution is now available. For any woman raised to believe that sexual intimacy is paramount for men, but a duty for her, she can now have a new conversation with her healthcare provider. Men have been able to unashamedly seek help for their most common sexual problem for over fifteen years while women suffered in silence. What the approval of Viagra and its predecessors did for me n has made erectile dysfunction a household name. We even laugh at the muscle of the little blue pill in a recent FIAT car commercial. I t empowers men to have control over their most intimate experiences in life when biology fails them. For 1 out of 10 women that the studies showed are affected with HSDD, approval of Addyi allows them the same confidence. While there are major differences between the pink and blue pills, the similarity is striking.
4 1 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
Johnny Clarkson Noblesol Art Group
Hazel Simpson The I Am Awards
OKEEBA JUBALO NobleSol Art Group
A -List THE
For more information about The A-List program please visit www.HazelVisons.com or www.NobleSol.net NobleSol Art Group is proud to announce the advertising partnership with The I Am Awards which was founded by Hazel Simpson, Dania Robinson and Sam Welton. NobleSol Art Group, which is a premier Atlanta-based branding agency caters to the small business owner. Its core leadership team consists of creative director Okeeba Jubalo , public relations director Rushia Brown and website developer Johnny Clarkson. Through this advertising partnership the A-list was created to highlight and expose the world to the highest level of small business professionalism. Participation in the A-list is by invitation only. Our screening process ensures that all standards are met prior to exposing new brands to our national and international network. Once a prospect is approved they will gain access to exclusive branding opportunities, services and products that will increase their professional value and exposure.
NobleSol Art Group
Rushia Brown NobleSol Art Group
THE PUBLISHER’S
PICK If you need for your printed items to be right on the first try, this company is a great choice.
overnightprints.com
A great shoe selection with great prices for all YBEs!
dswinc.com
When you pull up...pull up right! This company produces some of the best car cleaning products and tools in the industry. Not the cheapest brand, but the price is worth it!
meguiars.com
YBE
4 3 N o b le S o l. N e t Oct ober 2015
Imagine...
What if Black America’s
BUSINESSES
formed a group to make
American BANKS bid for our collective banking business?
“I imagined that, just like I imagined creating this magazine. As you can see, I have a very strong imagination.”-OKEEBA JUBALO
Coming sooner than you think.
Stimulate. Converse. Appreciate. Live.
SEPTEMBER
G R AY
ART GALLERY
SeptemberGrayArt.com
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