CONNECTED Columbus Magazine - Summer 2022

Inaugural Issue

Summer 2022

Columbus Magazine IN THIS ISSUE

LOCAL EVENTS: Fun in the Sun! Columbus' African American History Design Your Path to Freestyle Living 3 Steps to Finding Clarity In Your Business

Networking Mindset Hack to Overcome Your Fears

TECHNOLOGY: NFTs, Intellectual Property, and Blockchain LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Cover Photo: Bryce Collins Photography

OUR WHY

OUR VISION

Showcase the diversity, people, and businesses of our city.

Make the world a better place, one community at a time.

OUR MISSION

OUR VALUES

Provide access to local resources for inspiration, information, and improved life.

We are all CONNECTED, diversity is our strength, and we are BETTER TOGETHER!

FOREWORD We are excited to bring this magazine to our growing city, sharing the diverse businesses, people, and resources that are present right under our noses!

Much of today’s media is focused on creating drama and division because it creates “engagement.”

We believe that there is so much good happening every single day!

By focusing on positive and inspirational content, we can create more than just engagement.

We can create unity and community!

CHRIS BORJA Founder, CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

This first issue includes articles across many topics ranging from the history of African Americans in Columbus, tech developments like the practical uses of NFTs, travel, cuisine, marketing tips, and things to do!

The center of the magazine contains a wealth of resources in the form of the CONNECTED Networking Group Ambassadors who are always happy to serve and make an impact.

We also included a Business Directory as a resource for you and others needing any specific products or services.

We hope you enjoy this inaugural issue, and that you share your honest feedback to make this a valuable addition to the city of Columbus!

THE

EDITORIAL BOARD Chris Borja Publisher

CONTRIBUTORS Adam Griggs

Brittany Dixon

Belinda Borja Publisher

Bryan Curtiss Bryce Collins Chris Borja

Sean Becker Editor

Dylan Scott Miller Esther Salata Gayle Hurst James Minter

Cyndy Keller Editor

Jeff Elder Karry Oberbrunner Kathy Binner

Kath Rin

Creative Director

Laron Henderson Leslie Dahn Logan Kaverman Nickie Butcher

James Minter

Advertising Executive

Renee Vidor Rex Alba Rhoda Israelov

Noah Borja

Technical Director

Sunny Martin Tammy Hudson

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

2 3 4 5

About Us Foreword The Editorial Board Table of Contents

6

Local Events

8

Things to do around Columbus; Bryan Cutriss

Culture

Columbus’ African American History; Sunny Martin

10

World Cuisine Filipino Cuisine in World Scene; Rex Alba

12

Travel Unexpected Encounters; Gayle Hurst

17

Technology

22

Marketing Strategies

How authors, entrepreneurs, and influencers can use blockchain technology to protect their intellectual property and grow their business; Kary Oberbrunner What Is an NFT and Why Do I Care?; Dylan Scott Miller

3 Steps to Finding Clarity In Your Business; Jeff Elder WHY Use Do-It-Yourself Video to leverage your business?; Tammy Hudson Say Hello to Blogging for Business; Blogging - Pay Per Clip?; Rhoda Israelov

27

Sales and Marketing Pursuit of the Perfect Business; James Minter

29

Entrepreneurship The struggle is real - you are too!; Adam Griggs Cutting Through the Advertising Clutter; James Minter

33

Real Estate Building Your Financial Future Through Real Estate; Nickie Butcher

34

Lifestyle Design Your Path to Freestyle Living; Kathy Binner

36

Productivity Time Management; Brittany Dixon

39

Health and Wellness What is Halotherapy?; Leslie Dahn

40

Fitness 3 Tips to Make ANY Diet Work for You!; Logan Kaverman

41

Environmental 10 Tips for Making your Outdoor Space Eco-Friendly!; Esther Salata

43

Networking Introverted Networker; Laron Henderson How to Take Control Over Comparison and Connect Like a Pro; Renee Vidor Networking Is Like Cheating At Poker; Chris Borja A Lucrative Networking Success From 0-60MPH In Seconds; Chaz Freutel

52 53 54 55 56 61

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

CONNECTED Upcoming Events Testimonials The Founders The Leadership Team The CONNECTED Ambassadors Business Directory

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

LOCAL EVENTS

by: Bryan Curtiss

Summer is full of public events both large and small. From festivals and 5K’s to farmer’s markets and fairs, there is a lot to explore within a short commute from wherever you live. After spending the last couple of summers social distancing, the 2022 edition is heralding the real return of normal summer activity.

Here are some of the events to look forward to for the next three months. Don’t forget your sunglasses!

JULY 09

Summer Jam West Westgate Park, Hilltop www.hilltopartscollective.org Summer Jam West is back in Westgate Park after a two-year hiatus, which saw more art installations pop up throughout the Hilltop.

The organization behind this West Columbus arts festival has rebranded itself as the Hilltop Arts Collective, furthering art initiatives along with the Hilltop.

09-10

Westerville Music and Arts Festival

Heritage Park - 60 N. Cleveland Ave., Westerville www.westervillechamber.com/music-arts-festival

The Westerville Music and Arts Festival returns to Heritage Park and features over 130 artists, plus live music and food.

21-30

AUG

18-24

22-24

Franklin County Fairgrounds 4100 Columbia St., Hilliard www.fcfair.org/franklin-county-fair

The Columbus Jazz & Ribfest Downtown Riverfront, Columbus www.hotribscooljazz.org

The Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest, run by the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, features barbeque masters from all over the country, plus live jazz music from local and national artists, along the Scioto River in downtown Columbus.

Lancaster www.lancasterfestival.org

30

Whitehall Food Truck Festival South Yearling Road, Whitehall www.whitehallfoodtruckfest.com

Over 30 food trucks line up south Yearling Road for a day-long festival with live music, including country star Chris Lane.

The Ohio State Fair www.ohiostatefair.com

For the first time since 2019, the Ohio State Fair is ready to entertain everyone with fun rides, fabulous fair food, and live concerts.

Franklin County Fair

The Franklin County Fair returns with rides, fair food, and livestock competitions.

Lancaster Festival

This 10-day festival showcases the arts in Lancaster. Live acts including Rick Springfield and Lady A will also be performing at the Festival this year.

27-07

Photo from www.fcfair.org

AUGUST

05-06

Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival

Huber Park – 1640 Davidson Drive, Reynoldsburg www.reytomatofest.com

The Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival is a celebration of all things tomato, as Reynoldsburg is known for being the birthplace of the commercialized tomato. There is live music, plus games and food.

Photo from www.reytomatofest.com

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

05-07

Dublin Irish Festival Coffman Park, Dublin www.dublinirishfestival.org

05-07

African-American Wellness Walk Livingston Park - 760 E. Livingston Ave., South Columbus www.aawellness.org The African-American Wellness Walk is back on August 13, with a 5K Walk and Run, free Health Screenings, Wellness Vendors, a Kids Area, and a Senior Pavilion.

28

SEPTEMBER 02-05

The Greek Festival

03-05

Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival

Bexley Smoke & Fire Festival Schneider Park 2160 Astor Ave., Bexley The Smoke & Fire Festival is debuting in Bexley, featuring local grill and pit masters. This new festival will be combined with the season finale of the Bexley Jazz in the Park Series, featuring music from Mason Bryant and the Bobby Floyd Trio.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral 555 N. High St., Short North

Canal Winchester www.cwlaborday.org For over 100 years, the City of Canal Winchester has celebrated Labor Day. After a “Hometown Day” in place of the festival in 2021, the Labor Day Festival is back with food, rides, and live music.

On Monday afternoon, the Canal Winchester Labor Day Parade will march through the city’s historic downtown streets.

Bexley Labor Day Party and Brewfest Bexley

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival Northam Park, Upper Arlington www.upperarlingtonoh.gov/event/la bor-day-arts-festival Over 200 artists transform the fields of Northam Park into an outdoor art gallery. There will be children’s activities and live music at this daylong festival.

Recurring Events

04 05

www.pelotonia.org Pelotonia is back, as bicyclists raise money for cancer research with rides of various lengths, passing through Downtown Columbus, Olde Towne East, Bexley, Gahanna, and New Albany along the way.

The Dublin Irish Festival returns to Coffman Park just in time to celebrate its 35th Anniversary.

13

Pelotonia

July 2 | August 6 | September 3 Short North Arts District www.shortnorth.org

Photo from visitgrovecityoh.com

16-18

17-24

Arts in the Alley Grove City Town Center The streets of the Grove City Town Center District become an outdoor gallery with artists at an event that also features live music and food.

Delaware County Fair & The Little Brown Jug

Delaware County Fairgrounds www.delawarecountyfair.com The Delaware County Fair takes place at the Delaware County Fairgrounds, featuring the Little Brown Jug harnessracing classic, the All-Horse Parade, motorsports, and livestock and 4-H competitions.

Bryan Curtiss

July 30 | August 27 | September 24 Grandview Hop www.grandviewhop.com

July 8 | August 12 | September 9 Franklinton Fridays www.franklintonartsdistrict.com

July 22 | August 26 | September 23 Fourth Fridays State Street, between Home and Park Streets, Westerville

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

CULTURE COLUMBUS’ AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY by: Sunny Martin

From slavery to Columbus they came, African Americans fleeing the South (mostly the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee) and settling in “free states” like Ohio. Columbus was a natural choice because it was one of the “underground railroad lines” for slaves traveling to other free states and to anti-slavery Canada.

The African Americans who chose, before and after slavery, to make Columbus their homes are those who shaped today’s predominantly African American neighborhoods.

Freedom did not mean “equal opportunity” in Columbus.

While “downtown” and predominantly White neighborhoods welcomed African Americans as laborers, they did not welcome African Americans as neighbors.

Hence, African Americans mostly settled outside the city near factories, and railroad tracks, along the banks of the Scioto River, and in rural areas adjacent to downtown.

In the beginning, African Americans were primarily employed as farmers and domestic servants for wealthy White residents. Others worked as waiters, saloon bartenders, and deliverymen.

African Americans worked on farms and in foundries, brickyards, lumber mills, and factories. African Americans provided a lot of the labor that built structures throughout Columbus.

By the thirties, the East Side was the largest predominantly African American neighborhood in Columbus. It rose from lawful and “de facto” segregation. The East Side included African American communities like the impoverished “Blackberry Patch”, which in 1941 was torn down to make way for “Poindexter Village” the third public housing community ever built in the country. Poindexter Village is now scheduled for demolition. A second notable community is “The American Addition”, a community currently experiencing new housing starts. Also, two East Side streets, Long Street and Mount Vernon Avenue offered African Americans the most in the way of homes, commerce, and entertainment.

By the fifties, African Americans of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds resided and worked on the East Side, particularly on Long Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue. The class of African American workers and residents included laborers to professionals. One could find African American physicians, dentists, educators, attorneys, nurses, policemen, firemen, barbers, artists, brick masons, musicians, carpenters, and beauticians. African Americans built beautiful homes. Also, African Americans built, owned, and operated hotels, stores, churches, beauty shops, barber shops, real estate offices, insurance agencies, laundries, gas stations, hat shops,

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine restaurants, and separate and unequal “colored” schools.

African American entrepreneurs made African Americans less dependent upon Whites for employment and economic prosperity. African Americans had pride in their neighborhoods and themselves.

Some African American neighborhoods experienced economic prosperity well into the sixties and early seventies. This prosperity not only resulted from the hard work and resourcefulness of African Americans but also because of the contributions of Whites, primarily Jews and Italians, who lived side-byside with African Americans and owned and operated businesses in African American neighborhoods. The partnership between African Americans and Whites enhanced the vibrancy and appeal of African American neighborhoods.

In the late sixties and early seventies events, old and new, combined to end the rising prosperity and forever change African American neighborhoods, especially the East Side of Columbus. While many events may have defined today’s African American neighborhoods, none played any larger roles than the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v.

Board of Education of Topeka; the completion of Interstate 71; and the civil rights movement.

The winds of change for the sixties first began in 1954, a decade earlier, when the U.S. Supreme Court decided the landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, (1954).

Hailed by some as the second coming of President Lincoln’s 1863 “Emancipation Proclamation”, the Court held that the racebased segregation of children into “separate but equal” public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment was unconstitutional.

The Brown decision was significant because it overturned the separate but equal doctrine established by the Court’s Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) decision where it upheld the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in private businesses (particularly railroads), under the doctrine of "separate but equal". The Brown decision became the “tool” of integration and desegregation for the decades that followed.

In the late fifties, the winds of change in Columbus, Ohio grew stronger when political leaders designed and constructed the “Interstate 71” freeway that separated “downtown” from the East Side by cutting off many of the streets that connected the central city to the East Side.

African American homes and businesses were among the many structures demolished to make way for the freeway.

African Americans were displaced, and businesses and employment were lost forever. In 1962 the portion of the newly constructed Interstate 71 had reached Fifth Avenue in August, and it reached downtown in November. Hence, began the “period of separation “and “disenfranchisement” of East Side African Americans that many feels continue to exist today.

The late sixties ushered in a strong civil rights movement, a loud voice for equal rights and opportunities for African Americans. Leaders of the civil rights movement demanded the yet unrealized rights of integration and desegregation ordered in Brown. Where segregation once forced most African Americans to live and work only in predominantly African American neighborhoods, the force of the civil rights movement gave more African Americans the opportunity to live and work in predominantly White neighborhoods, including downtown Columbus.

The combination of the enforcement of the Brown decision; the fleeting success of the civil rights movement; the unrest from the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King; and the isolation resulting from Interstate 71 had a profound and lasting impact on the East Side with integration and

"We are not makers of history.

We are made by History."

- MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine desegregation, African Americans moved from the East Side. Some of our brightest and most talented African American residents and business owners left forever. Simultaneously, the partnerships between African Americans and Whites, particularly Jews, gradually fractured (partly because of race-based violence and rioting in the sixties) and then broke, resulting in most Whites closing their businesses and moving out forever. The foregoing, along with the neglect of political leaders, would be the blueprint for the decline of the East Side for decades to come.

Rather than be known for its resilient residents who have stayed and kept hope alive, the East Side once became known for its boarded-up and abandoned homes and businesses; blackon-black crime; “corner stores” that sold outdated and unhealthy food and beer; a decaying infrastructure that deterred new development; and a population that had declined by two thirds in fifty years. This is not the East Side that we see today.

Today, the East Side of Columbus, Ohio is experiencing a great renaissance. Life springs anew with colorful murals on abandoned buildings.

Music, once silenced, now again plays in the Lincoln Theater and continues to play in the King Art Complex.

Newcomers have moved into new and old housing, and many have started businesses in projects like the Hamilton Park Place Condominiums, NOBO’s single-family homes and condominiums on North 21st Street, and the Gideon Gateway Building.

The Whitney townhouses and the Affordable Housing Trust’s offices and apartments are under construction. The Eastside is making a grand comeback!

Sunny Martin

WORLD CUISINE FILIPINO CUISINE IN WORLD SCENE by: Rex Alba

Filipinos are celebrated for our hard work ethic, resilience, and most recently, our food. our cuisine, a mouth-watering culmination of Chinese, Spanish, and other cultural influences, has expanded its worldwide influence, especially over the past decade.

In the Philippines alone, traditionally-leaning chefs like Panlasang Pinoy, creators like Erwan Heusaff, celebrity moms and home cooks, and now, trending icons like Ninong Ry are creating new generations of love and appreciation for Filipino food. Abroad, diaspora Filipino chefs seamlessly fuse our food with other countries, slowly but surely establishing our place in the global culinary landscape.

For people who are used to assimilation, erasure, and silencing, this is our way of renegotiating and reinserting our place in the world. So, kain tayo? Let’s eat! Here are only some of the most popular dishes among Filipinos around the world.

Let’s start off with probably our most popular dish: ADOBO! Typically some sort of meat soaked in a marinade of soy sauce, vinegar, bay leaves, black peppercorns, and garlic, adobo can be enjoyed anywhere, from large gatherings to intimate family dinners. What makes adobo so versatile is its deep flavor profile that can both invite in and comfort anyone. Dare I say that adobo feels like the physical embodiment of some core Filipino values: strength, hospitality, and compassion. Adobo is the type of dish that can invite in and comfort anyone that comes across it.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine You can start off any day with adobo, but sometimes a classic breakfast food is just what one needs. This is where our silogs come in. SILOGs are Filipino breakfast meals consisting of garlic fried rice, fried eggs, and some sort of meat. For example, tapa (dried marinated beef) and longganisa (pork sausage) are common meats that pair well with silog.

Western countries especially crave silog because it does not differ too far from their typical breakfast. For instance, American breakfasts can include bacon, eggs, and hash browns. Silog is exactly like that: except you switch out the bacon for tapa and hashbrowns for the garlic rice.

While it is a safe introduction to Filipino cuisine, it sure is a scrumptious one! Once the day has started, a lively event is a perfect place to attend if you want a massive sea of Filipino foods on the table. At the center of the feast stands – or rather lays – LECHON, a whole roast pig. Besides the standout lechon, a Filipino party typically has all the fixings: rice, of course, PANCIT (Philippine noodles), the whatnot. The most familiar food, though, to non-Filipinos, would probably be LUMPIA, our own version of egg rolls.

On social media, you’ll see chefs and families creating the most beautiful budol fight spreads.

Banana leaves decked out in rice, grilled pork belly, squid, fish, shrimp, crabs, and the most luscious mangoes, pickled julienned vegetable–also known as ATSARA, barbeque skewers, and more. These meals are perfect to enjoy by the sea at El Nido, Palawan on your next summer adventure, or even right at the dinner table at your tita’s house in Houston, Texas. Wherever you may be, we guarantee there is a Filipino willing to cook and share our culture with you.

ISAW. At Filipino night markets, there is always an old woman vigorously waving a woven fan over tiny skewers of meat–intestines, pork, chicken, liver. This inuman food has a rich and sad history of poverty. In the Philippines, the poor eat every part of the meat because nothing can be afforded to waste.

Of course, no meal is complete without dessert. Luckily, we got you covered too.

HALO-HALO is clearly the favorite among nonlocals. This summer favorite is a showstopper.

Shaved ice topped with syrups, beans, cheese, and even ice cream is sure to be your go-to this summer.

Today, at places like Dollar Hits in Los Angeles, California, this way of eating is celebrated by Filipinos looking for a wave of nostalgia and Filipinos brave enough to share these foods with their non-Filipino friends, hoping that they may understand or even appreciate at least the taste.

Sometimes, these vulnerabilities are success stories, but in others, they are not. To be welcomed to the dinner table is an honor that should not be taken lightly.

Other Pinoy favorites include SINIGANG–a sour tamarind-based soup filled with vegetables and your choice of seafood or pork. This is perfect for feeling under the weather or during monsoon season. TINOLA is a ginger-based chicken soup with garlic and battle gourd– super yummy for a cold winter’s night outside of the Philippines! Try NILAGA or BULALO if you’re craving a beefier, heartier soup.

Especially in the United States, the reclamation of food is an important assertion of dominance and existence for all immigrants and indigenous peoples. Whiteness seeks to erase identities that do not realign with the “status quo”. Historically, too, Americans colonized Filipinos first and foremost through the kitchens–hence, the development of “dirty” kitchens in most Philippine homes.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine To deny the comfort of familiar taste is colonial. It disrespects history and identity and urges people to forget, which is a perfect step to cultural genocide.

Among others, one of the best ways to support immigrant communities is to uplift our cuisines. For most around the world, meals are a place where knowledge is passed down, trust is built, and love is shared. Food is never just food.

TRAVEL

So, we hope the next time you pass by your local Filipino kitchen, you’ll stop by, say kamusta, and eat with us. And as you eat, be intentional about the steps it took to get here–the oceans we’ve crossed, and the vulnerability we are choosing to share when we say kain tayo? Let’s eat.

Rex Alba

UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS by: Gayle Hurst

The world is full of wonders, and some of the most incredible ones are hidden in plain sight. As you explore different corners of the globe, keep an eye out for unexpected encounters with nature.

Often, these are the most memorable moments on a trip!

The Canadian Rockies The Canadian Rockies are an iconic part of the country's landscape and natural beauty. To get to know them better, start with these tips: The Alberta Rockies is the easternmost range in Alberta, and it has three distinct sections: Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Yoho National Park.

These parks are all home to bears (including grizzlies), elk, bighorn sheep, deer—and lots of hiking trails!

For more information about what to do in the Rockies' mountains and valleys once you're there (ahem), check out Banff's official website for more details on activities like canoeing across Lake Louise or hiking through wildflower meadows at Sunshine Meadows Provincial Park.

Kruger National Park, South Africa Kruger National Park is South Africa's largest game reserve and home to the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. It also boasts a diverse array of other wild animals including cheetah, hippo, hyena, and crocodile.

Kruger is an excellent place to see the migration of wildebeest and zebra—a spectacular sight that occurs every year between July and October as these animals travel from Tanzania across southern Africa in search of greener pastures.

Amazon Jungle The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest, home to 20% of all known species and three million square miles of territory. It's also home to the world's largest river—the Amazon. River— which originates in the Peruvian Andes and flows out into the Atlantic Ocean after traveling over 6,400 miles.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine The Amazon is also home to Angel Falls, one of Earth’s tallest waterfalls at 3,212 feet tall; this waterfall plunges off an edge that juts out from Venezuela’s Auyantepui mountain range.

Lastly, you'll find that the entire basin of this river system covers some 7 million square miles!

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador The Galápagos Islands are a group of islands in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, with a population of around 25,000. It is not only a province of Ecuador but also one of its best-known tourist attractions. It is home to unique species of flora and fauna that make it an ideal holiday destination for nature enthusiasts. The islands were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979 because they possess “outstanding universal value” due to their biodiversity and rich history as well as being one of the most important sites for studying evolutionary biology in action.

Patagonia, Argentina, and Chile Patagonia is a region in the south of Argentina and Chile. It is famous for its mountains and glaciers, as well as it's wildlife and natural beauty.

There are many different types of activities to do in Patagonia: you can hike through beautiful landscapes or ride horses along the coast.

You could also go fishing or kayaking, or visit a wildlife sanctuary where you can see some of South America’s most diverse species up close!

You don't need to be an expert adventurer to enjoy your trip to Patagonia - there are plenty of ways for beginners to get involved too! For example, if you want something relaxing then why not try white water rafting? Or if you'd prefer something more adventurous... why not bungee jump from one of these stunning bridges high above the river below?

Taj Mahal, India

Green Lake, Austria Green Lake is a lake in northern Austria. It is the only natural lake in the Alpine region, making it a popular tourist attraction. Surrounded by a nature reserve, it is also popular among hikers and fishers.

Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Located in Agra, India, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine Taj Jama Masjid: Built by Sultan Shah Jahan I (1628-58), who also built the Taj Mahal, this mosque was constructed with red sandstone and marble and has two large towers flanking its entrance. It serves as an example of Indo-Islamic architecture that combines both Hindu and Muslim influences.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Komodo Island, Indonesia In the western part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, Komodo Island is an island with a rich history and culture. Home to Komodo National Park, which is a World Heritage Site, it also has one of the most unique inhabitants: the Komodo dragon. The park protects this endangered species and its habitat while preserving natural resources for future generations.

Isle Royale National Park is located in Lake Superior, 50 miles from the Canadian border. It is the largest island in Lake Superior and is home to a diverse array of wildlife.

The park was established on April 3, 1940,

by Franklin Roosevelt after several years of lobbying by conservationists concerned with protecting the island's natural resources.

What will you find on your next trip?

You might want to visit:

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia Uluru is a large sandstone rock formation in Australia. It's situated in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, which is the world's largest national park. In fact, it's so big that it has its own postal code!

Uluru is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Anangu people, who have lived there for thousands of years. They believe that Uluru holds deep spiritual significance and many ceremonies are performed at its base each year by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal visitors alike.

Barcelona, Spain. The city has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. It has a unique blend of cultures and architecture that can be found nowhere else on Earth. And did we mention it's beautiful?

Los Angeles, California. LA is full of culture and adventure—from Hollywood to the beachside towns, there's something for everyone here! If you like hiking or swimming in natural waterfalls, this is the place for you!

It’s amazing, isn’t it? The world has so much to offer. With the right mindset and a little bit of planning, you can have some truly unique travel experiences. How will you spend your next vacation?

Gayle Hurst

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

TECHNOLOGY HOW AUTHORS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND INFLUENCERS CAN USE BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT THEIR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND GROW THEIR BUSINESS by: Kary Oberbrunner Every industry is going to be affected by blockchain, here’s what you need to know:

Blockchain technology is part of Web3—the next generation of the Internet

Many people think blockchain is just for cryptocurrency. They think only people in specialized industries should care about it.

That’s what I thought at first too. But the more I learned about it, the more I realized that every industry is going to be affected by blockchain.

Everyone should care about it, or as some experts believe, every person will soon care about it.

Web3 is the next generation of the Internet, and builds on the prior generations of Web1 and Web 2. In Web 1, the first generation of the Internet, websites were static pages with text and maybe some clipart. Whoever created those webpages generally had ownership of them, which is why I refer to the motto of Web1 as “they create, they own.”

With Web2, the Internet was revolutionized again with the emergence of social media platforms, cross-centralization, and richer sharing of pictures and data other than text. In Web2, the motto is “we create, they own.”

Intellectual property rights, provenance, and proof of ownership were all made more complex and difficult to track with the advent of large social media platforms dominating information sharing.

So what is blockchain?

Simply put, a blockchain is a decentralized ledger or database that keeps track of information. These “informational” blocks are verified by many computers all over the world.

When a block is full, another block is added, creating a “chain.” The big difference between blockchain and other ways of storing information is how the information is validated.

No one or nothing can change the ledger. It’s immutable. Each block is timestamped in the decentralized ledger that cannot be altered, changed, or manipulated. To do so would require a 51% hack of all computers in the world, something that’s nearly impossible.

In Web3, we not only have new assets like NFTs and new ways to experience the world like virtual reality—we also have greater intellectual property protection with blockchain. Blockchain existed in Web2, but it was smaller and more privatized. Now, in Web3, blockchains are larger, public, and decentralized. As a result, they offer greater security for content creators and thought leaders. With Web3, the motto is “we create, we own.”

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine Blockchain technology helps authors, entrepreneurs, and influencers protect their intellectual property For decades now all books on planet earth have benefited from an International Standard Book Number called an ISBN. This number helps a book get discovered by libraries, bookstores, and readers.

Although this technology is helpful it’s also dated because it’s tied to Web2. We need to layer another technology on top of this that can be integrated with Web3.

One solution is ISBNFT, a technology that “mints'' intellectual property to the blockchain.

All businesses have intellectual property whether it’s in the form of logos, processes, PDFs, videos, files, or more. Thanks to ISBNFT, anyone can now publish and protect their intellectual property with a few simple steps.

Bottom line, people no longer need to file long, expensive, and cumbersome trademarks, patents, and copyrights.

ISBNFT is the official NFT registry. By minting your intellectual property, into “non-fungible tokens” (NFTs) you can create, verify and validate your proof of ownership.

This provides creators with an additional level of security.

ISBNFT is just the beginning. The metaverse is next.

“The metaverse” is a phrase that’s been grabbing a lot of headlines lately. Facebook changed its name to “Meta” back in October 2021. Brands like Nike and Gucci are exploring metaverse marketing on platforms like Roblox. But the metaverse isn’t just about social media or video games.

It’s a Web3 technology that creates an immersive, interconnected experience online using virtual and augmented reality. In the metaverse, digital assets like NFTs can be bought, sold, and even worn as clothing by an individual’s avatar.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine Right now, this technology is in its early stages. But with major companies and brands entering this space, the sector is going to expand rapidly. This means that authors, entrepreneurs, and influencers need to stay up-to-date on what’s happening so they can leverage this technology, market their brands, and reach new audiences.

With immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality and the metaverse, you can now reimagine new ways to invite people to experience what you have to offer.

The bottom line is that the metaverse offers incredible new possibilities for connecting with audiences and readers.

Branding in the metaverse isn’t branding reinvented—it is branding transformed. It’s important to maintain the core elements that make your brand unique, or what makes you stand out from the crown.

What does your brand look like in 4D? How would someone feel interacting with your brand through a VR headset? And even what would your brand smell like as someone walks into your digital space to interact with you online?

Kary Oberbrunner

WHAT IS AN NFT AND WHY DO I CARE? by: Dylan Scott Miller

CryptoPunks?

Bored Apes Yacht Club?

Axie Infinity?

Do any of these names ring a bell? Do they grab your attention? Because they should. Each and every one of these companies has sold NFTs to the tune of tens of billions of dollars. Now, that’s a market worth knowing about!

For perspective, Sherwin Williams had gross sales of around $20B in 2021. All three of these NFT companies had more sales than Sherwin Williams–the name that comes to mind when anyone needs to do a housing project (which there were a lot of during the pandemic)!

If you don’t know about NFTs, then you need to.

It is too large and impactful an industry to ignore. So buckle up as I explain the basics and, hopefully, pique your interest in the world of NFTs, the metaverse, and crypto.

What Is an NFT? An NFT is a Non-Fungible Token, but what does that mean? To keep it simple, it means it is a completely unique item. In the case of NFTs, these are digital items like images, videos, etc.

But can’t I just take a screenshot or download the same video? YES, yes you can! However, that doesn’t show that you are, in fact, the owner of that particular item.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine Think of going to an art museum. All those pieces are incredibly unique, right? Unless someone makes a fake of that piece of art… and sells it to a museum.

Oops.

Now there are two pieces of that artwork floating around–how will we ever know which is the real one? We look at the fine details, the little hidden intricacies of the artwork, the artist's subtle signature, etc. That’s how we know the real thing from the fake. The same principle applies to NFTs. The data attached to NFTs will let you know who actually owns that particular NFT. All others are fake.

These bits of data are now forever linked as one unit on the blockchain. And since more data has been added, previous information can no longer be altered. While this is a bit of an oversimplification of the process, this helps explain exactly how NFT ownership is tracked.

How Can I Use NFTs For Myself or My Business?

This is what it is all about, right?

NFTs are seen by some as an opportunity to build a collection. In the case of the Bored Apes Yacht Club, there are people who try to collect the more well-known NFTs for the sake of having ownership of these pieces of artwork.

Others see NFTs as an opportunity to invest. NFTs fluctuate in price based on the perceived value around the asset, just like with any piece of art. As the creator of the NFT becomes more well-known the NFT becomes more valuable in addition to a plethora of other factors. Buying, selling, and trading NFTs can be similar to investing in other pieces of artwork in this sense.

So What Defines Who Owns an NFT? Without going into all the intricate details, NFT exists on a blockchain, similar to a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. Blockchains exist as the modern equivalent of a ledger. It tracks the movements of digital assets through a system.

There are different blockchains that have their own processes, but they all function in a similar fashion. As digital assets, like cryptocurrencies and NFTs, are bought, sold, and traded they are marked on the blockchain. Each piece of the blockchain is directly connected to the piece of information before and after it. Furthermore, each step of the blockchain can only be read or interacted with in order. This creates an order in which new data is added to the blockchain, and no information is removed.

If an NFT, for example, is created on the blockchain then it exists at point A of the blockchain. When it is sold, that transaction happens at point B. After the transaction is complete, point C now carries with it the previous information from points A and B.

Now, from a business standpoint, it offers the opportunity to create authentic and unique experiences for your clients. The limits to how this can work rely solely on your ability to think creatively about the technology available and the value you can bring to your clients.

For example, if you provide original and unique images to your clients, can you justify uploading them to the blockchain and selling them to your client as an NFT? If you design a logo for your client, can you create it as an NFT they can use as an asset if they wish? Can you create a marketing plan as an NFT? How about blogs, articles, or books?

"There are many opportunities worth exploring in the realm of NFTs, all it takes is understanding the technology and process and a bit of creativity! Hopefully, this article has helped provide some clarity on just that."

Dylan Scott Miller

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

MARKETING STRATEGIES 3 STEPS TO FINDING CLARITY IN YOUR BUSINESS by: Jeff Elder

One of the questions I get is, “How do I find the clarity I need to move forward?” Too many people stay stuck because they lack clarity.

Finding clarity in your business is all about asking the right questions. In my experience, there are three core questions that, if answered, will provide the clarity you need to propel your business forward.

Here are the three questions that you need to answer. 1. What’s your superpower?; 2. Whom do you serve?; 3. How do you deliver your solution? Let’s take a closer look at these questions.

Get clear on who you serve There’s a saying, “try to help everyone and you’ll end up helping no one. I see this all the time with clients when I ask them who they serve. They rattle off a list of so many types of people. Life and business will be so much easier if you can just pick one type of client. Why? Because it’s easy to dig deep into the needs, wants, desires, goals, and challenges of one type of client than having to learn those things with multiple clients.

When you get to know your ideal client on that deep of a level that is when you can serve them well. Serving one type of client also increases the amount of what you charge. The reason for that is because you become the go-to expert for that particular audience. You know them well. You serve them well. It’s also easier to deliver consistent results over and over again.

Get clear on how you deliver your solution Your superpower answers the question of how you can uniquely help your clients and what your solution is for them. Getting specific on whom you serve makes it easier to serve them and get consistent results for that audience. Next, you need to know how you will deliver your solution to your unique audience.

Get clear on your superpower Before making any progress in your business, you need to be honest with yourself about what you’re good at and not. Unfortunately, I see too many business owners spinning their wheels and getting nowhere because they work outside their superpower.

To identify your superpower: What problem do people have that you know you can solve because you deliver consistent results? How do others describe how you’ve helped them?

Does what you do energize you or drain you?

By answering these questions, you’ll be on your way to discovering your superpower.

Here are some things to consider as it relates to how you will deliver your solution. Will you create a product? How about a coaching program?

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine Can you wrap up your solution and sell it as a course? Do you want to start a membership group and have people pay you monthly to have access to your solution? Perhaps it’s an online or brick-and-mortar store. We live in an age of endless possibilities in terms of how we can deliver our solutions to our clients. You just need to do what feels right to you and then go for it!

Here’s to having more clarity in your business and setting yourself up for greater success.

"Your superpower answers the question of how you can uniquely help your clients and what your solution is for them."

Let’s recap the three steps to finding clarity in your business. First, you need to discover your superpower. Next, stop trying to serve everyone and get specific about your who.

Lastly, figure out how you will deliver your a solution to your specific audience.

Jeff Elder

WHY USE DO-IT-YOURSELF VIDEO TO LEVERAGE YOUR BUSINESS? by: Tammy Hudson

You’ve probably heard many times about how video is currently incredibly important in your marketing efforts. Why is video so hot right now? Because it works! Video marketing is the quickest and most effective way to establish trust, communicate your brand and product, and give a huge return on investment (ROI).

Unfortunately, Video marketing is often considered yet another expense that most small businesses will need to stay competitive with larger companies.

Luckily this is no longer the case. With platforms like Engaged Pro Video, you can create your own marketing videos without spending a lot of time, money, or any editing experience.

Do-It-Yourself videos have a certain advantage –not only do they save you money, but they also offer a strong sense of authenticity.

A commercial is a commercial at the end of the day and people can see through most of it.

However, a DIY video is far more original and natural. If you have ever considered utilizing DIY video to leverage your business but don’t know where to begin, let me share with you the top 3 most impactful videos you should be using for your business.

1. Video Testimonial There is nothing more powerful than having someone talk about how your product or service changed their lives, exceeded expectations, or helped them in a big way. Simply Have your customers share with you why they love your services or products. When people talk it adds value to you and your company. It’s the social proof that other customers are looking for and will certainly take to heart.

2. Brand Videos This is a sure-fire way to establish yourself as an expert tip in your industry. Create expert tips, FAQ’s, product demonstrations, About Me/Us, and more. This gives the customer a look inside your business before they even meet you and shows them exactly what you do. Branded videos help with communicating messages, information, and your services, unlike any other way.

3. Video Emails Receiving a video email is not only impactful, but it shows the extra step you are willing to take to communicate effectively with your customer. This is a great way to get a new customer familiar with you, what you do, and who you are from the very beginning.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine Video emails are not only opened much more than traditional email (just words) but the message sent is understood and retained at a much higher rate. Video emails build trust and converts leads by getting you to face to face with a click of a button.

Finally, make sure you share these videos on social media and on your website! Did you know that Google Favors Video Content? Videos keep users on your website or social media page longer and encourage your audience to visit different pages.

By doing so, search engines like Google will pick up that your website is engaging and doing well.

Because YouTube is owned by Google, your videos play a very important role in how you’re ranked in the search engines. (Good time to get a You-Tube channel).

Video marketing continues to dominate the digital marketing scene. With a constantly rising number of digital video viewers, employing videos in your marketing strategies is the ideal way to grow and leverage your business.

"There is nothing more powerful than having someone talk about how your product or service changed their lives, exceeded expectations, or helped them in a big way"

Tammy Hudson

SAY HELLO TO BLOGGING FOR BUSINESS! by: Rhoda Israelov

Blogs (short for web logs), no longer new to the business marketplace, can play a key role in any savvy business marketing plan. The goal - to "win search" by moving your business listing higher in ranking on the search engine pages. That way, when potential customers (those you might never have met otherwise) are looking for your type of product or service, they see your blog, leading to your website. When those web searchers read the very relevant information you've provided in your blog posts, at least some of them decide to stick around and do business with your company.

About you: As a business owner, you're always looking for new ways to introduce what you have to offer to new customers of the right kind (the kind of customer that has a need for, who will appreciate, and who can afford to pay for your services and products). That's exactly what having a corporate blog is designed to do.

Having a business blog is your way of extending a personal invitation to online searchers to "come on in, meet us, and take a look at what we have to offer."

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine About blogging:

Are you ready for business blogging?

Your blog functions as a trade show booth.

Customers are at the "trade show" (online through a search engine), looking for some information or perhaps for a provider of a service or a product of the kind you offer. They arrive at your "booth", and when they read something that draws their interest (That's where the fresh and relevant content in your blog is so important.), they come inside the booth (meaning they "click-through" to your website), where you'll get the chance to find out more about them and help them find out more about you.

You may have heard all the buzz about blogs, but you may be wondering if you need a new marketing initiative. Your decision to start a corporate blog should be deliberate and strategic.

Here are two questions to ask yourself: If you had only eight to ten words to describe why you're passionate about what you sell, what you know, or what you do, what would those words be?

(That's the message that needs to come across loud and clear in every blog post!)

Would you find you?

I challenge you to imagine someone seated at a home computer, navigating the Web on a laptop or a cell phone - at the corner coffee shop, or perhaps a business manager at work, searching for information about the kind of information, products, or services you have to offer.

(Remember, though, they've never heard your business name!)

About e-mail and blogging: The email has been adopted by just about every business and organization to stay in touch with customers and constituents. But you can't stay in touch with people you've never met and who don't know your name, and you can't email strangers without their permission (that would be illegal spamming!)

Go ahead and try it, using the search terms you believe your potential customers would be likely to use - does your business show up?

Blogging is the perfect complement to email as a marketing tool for the beginning of the customer relationship!

About Pay-per-Click online advertising: There are basically two ways for your business to use the online search for customer acquisition: Pay-Per-Click advertising and blogs. Blogging is part of organic search.

A study by Marketing Sherpa found that as many as 99% of clicks on a search engine are on organic results, not on ads! Pay-Per-Click ads, designed to attract all the online searchers, end up winning only a very small percentage of search.

"Your superpower answers the question of how you can uniquely help your clients and what your solution is for them."

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

BLOGGING - PAY PER CLIP? Herbert Spencer, who died in 1903, was the engineer, philosopher, and psychologist who coined the phrase “survival of the fittest”. (I’ll bet you thought Darwin made up that term – I know I thought so until I read the truth in The Book of General Ignorance.) An even more interesting detail I learned from the book is that Spencer was the inventor of paper clips, which were originally named Spencer’s Binding Pins.

A study by Marketing Sherpa found that as many as 99% of click-throughs on a search engine are on organic results, not on ads! Just as only a very small percentage of paper clips end up doing the job for which they were designed, Pay-Per-Click ads, designed to attract all the online searchers, end up winning only a very small percentage of search.

Are you ready for business blogging?

Most of us spend almost no time thinking about paper clips, but more than 11 billion of them are sold annually. But since, as a professional writer, I do spend a lot of time thinking about marketing, and particularly blog marketing, I was struck by this amazing paper clip statistic: Of every 100,000 paper clips sold, only five are actually used to hold papers together! (Most paper clips end up like poker chips, pipe cleaners, safety pins, toothpicks, or just getting dropped, lost, or bent out of shape during awkward phone calls!)

The first step is to make sure your website is up to date, accessible, and refreshed. Then add in your blog. One thing I often find myself pointing out to business owners is that the navigation from the blog to the main website will be smoother and more direct if new "landing pages" are added to the website to match the different search term categories that attract searchers to the blog. As a blogger, I become part of the company's marketing team, which, hopefully, includes a web designer and SEO expert.

How much of your marketing time and budget should you invest?

Keep that 5/100,000 paper clip ratio in mind when it comes to prospects finding you through online search. There are basically two ways for your business to use the online search for customer acquisition: Pay-Per-Click advertising and blogs.

Blogging is part of an “organic” search. In other words, the unpaid references that come up when a person types a keyword into a search engine, like Google or BING. (The paidfor search results are part of the pay-per-click way to be found.

Pay-per-click is okay, but here is something that is nothing short of profound…

Make your decision a deliberate, well-informed, strategic one. Research what your competitors are doing. Weigh all of the costs, both dollar costs for content writing, incremental SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and branding work related to the blog, and the time and opportunity costs. You need to set in place quality controls because your presence online represents your brand. What Barbara Weaver Smith of Whale Hunters says about social media is oh-so-true about business blogging.

"Whether you participate, and how and when, are important strategic questions for your business."

As a professional writer focused solely on business blogging and composing website copy, all I can say is, "Amen!" 99,995 paper clips and 99 out of 100 clicks on blogs versus Pay-Per-Click ads. As Businessweek predicted all the way back in May, 2005, "Blogs will change your business!”

Rhoda Israelov

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

SALES AND MARKETING PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT BUSINESS by: James Minter

With over 21 million non-employer businesses, 5 million single established companies, and over 160,000 multi-established companies in the US (Business Registry), it might be a challenge to find the right business model that checks all the boxes regarding personal and professional goals as well as family time.

Entrepreneurs generally have three or four options to consider when pursuing a new business adventure - purchase an existing business, take over a family business, build their own business from the ground up, or buy a franchise.

There are pros and cons for each business model with different levels of risk involved so how do you decide which business model to choose. Is there a perfect business out there waiting for you? As with any potential lifechanging decision, weigh out the pros and cons of each business option. Make a true comparison of a start-up vs buying an existing business vs buying a franchise. Which model provides the best opportunity for you to accomplish your professional, personal, and financial goals? Which option provides the most family time. Do you have an option to be a semi-absentee owner and manage operations for 20-25 hours per week?

What support systems do you have for customer support and operations? Are you able to evaluate the performance metrics of the business and review sales and revenue from documented records? These are just a few of the items to consider when looking to start or buy a business. It’s helpful to have a business coach, consultant, or mentor by your side during the process.

Regardless of whether you buy an existing business, start your own business, or consider purchasing a franchise, it is highly recommended that you enlist legal counsel to review all legal documents and tax records to make sure everything is as advertised. Two other great resources are the Small Business Administration – www.SBA.gov and Service Core of Retired Executives – www.SCORE.org.

These organizations provide lots of FREE resources and will assign a business mentor to you who can assist you with market research, business plans, finding funding, evaluating marketing and advertising goals, help with business name, domain name, business structure or restructuring, and provide ongoing support and training.

Market research and conversations with advisors will aide in the validation process throughout your journey in finding the perfect business. Evaluate the competition, dive deep into the concept to see how it’s performing across the nation, every city is slightly different. It’s good to have a passion for what you do just make sure it’s not the only factor you consider. Running a profitable business that will help you reach your personal, professional, financial, and family goals is very important for long-term sustainability. It ultimately determines the success of a business and whether or not it checks all the boxes in providing the lifestyle you desire.

James Minter

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

ENTREPRENEURSHIP THE STRUGGLE IS REAL - YOU ARE TOO! by: Adam Griggs

Do’s and Don’ts…

Coulda, Woulda, and Shoulda….

Regrets and reimaginations, rehash and reinvent.

We spend so much time second-guessing ourselves and worrying about external outcomes or judgment that we are forgetting ourselves and our reasons for what we do.

Getting into business is hard, building business is even harder and for so many of us keeping that momentum to stay in business seems even harder still.

One simple word: Connection Amidst the doomscrolling and negative news stories that seemed to pour out endlessly, drawing us into the black hole of fear and doubt, there was a small beacon of hope. A light of consistent and positive messaging is being shared as a community of small business owners.

It was that light, that confidence, and consistency that first drew us in and really dialed in on the connection.

I get it, the struggle is real!

That statement seems to have never been so valid, with the constant changes in business, legal, environment, and technology. All of this paired with the new normal and navigating the uncertain seas of the “right way” of doing business, seems more daunting than inviting.

And yet….We find ourselves chasing the dream of business ownership even still.

I’d like to let you in on a little secret. You’re not alone.

One of the most fundamental experiences I’ve ever had has been sharing in founding a community of contributors and leaders, creating and collaborating against the odds of a pandemic, supply and labor issues, inflation and skyrocketing costs. I think we’re winning, and if you’ll humor me I’d like to share what I believe is the core reason why.

Community is a hard thing to create, it sort of springs up around you and mirrors and moves with the energy of those around you. People can seemingly always tell when you have ulterior motives, or when you are just going through the motions and doing what you are simply expected to do, all without any real passion or hope for the outcome beyond hitting that number, that milestone, or achieving that next accolade. It gets lonely chasing validation through transactions, and yes business needs to create positive returns but to what cost?

When I was in school studying the psychology behind the human colloquium and the drive to find the meaning in decisions we held a discussion on the value of grief and perspective. Our teacher at the time shared with us a story, illustrated by a former student, about an interaction between Kermit the Frog and his now-passed creator Jim Henson. Kermit found himself questioning his creator, feeling empty as if something was missing, and asked him why he never taught him to cry. The message was powerful and hit me like a ton of bricks and resonates with me still today, you see without sharing the mishaps and

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine moments of drawdown we cannot truly learn from one another, we cannot find empathy and amidst it all, we have no way of truly enjoying those happy moments if there is no contrast.

Without some of the bad, there cannot be good. All of the best stories come with challenges, obstacles, and choices that are difficult but ultimately lead to success in the end.

It created a new level of connection and vulnerability that seemed to spring up all around us, seemingly out of nowhere.

Somehow we had truly created a community.

Business and life are meant to be a partnership, we all seek a balance that leads to a meaningful business lifestyle all our own.

Sharing in those struggles, giving in to new perspectives and shared opportunities allow others to feel committed to you while learning and building on their own internal passion for business.

The best return on investment is connection.

We get asked often about the R.O.I. on products and services.

The ability to leverage trust, the opportunity to give in to life and fulfillment while pursuing a passion, and more than that, the ability to create and be curious in business in a judgment-free zone. The connection allows us the space to grow, learn, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to create a business lifestyle with meaning.

From Shame-on to Game-on in business.

Have you ever really thought about what a “return on investment” really means to you and your business lifestyle?

The struggle is real. You are real. Your dreams are real.

During the past few years, we have watched amazing leaders spring up and take on the torch of hope and achievement.

We are all connected and it’s in those committed moments that we are simply one or two steps away from discovering our very own “possible”.

Sharing in the stories and messages are the committed members celebrating the wins in the moments that matter, together, building and bolstering connection.

Build your business lifestyle and don’t forget to take some friends with you, remember the best stories are those we can truly share together.

As the challenge to stay connected grew, the resilience and respect for the community strengthened and grew in response. Leaders and advisors began sharing their stories, their moments, and believe it or not their obstacles and shortcomings.

Seeing is believing after all, and if we were to only hear about the successes that come after the storm would the story be worth hearing and sharing with others at all let alone ourselves?

Sharing in the now, the moments of triumph paired with messages of resilience, adaptability, and overcoming obstacles more than resonated.

"Getting into business is hard, building business is even harder and for so many of us keeping that momentum to stay in business seems even harder still."

Adam Griggs

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

CUTTING THROUGH THE ADVERTISING CLUTTER by: James Minter

Business owners are constantly looking for effective ways to stand out from their competition. Trying to get the word out about their products or services in a unique way on traditional and alternative media outlets. Many times, companies are working with limited resources or modest marketing and advertising budgets. After surviving Covid-19, supply chain issues, and staff shortages, businesses are trying to get back to normal daily operations of engaging customers with marketing and advertising campaigns that promote their products and services. Ideally, you want a branded message in front of your profile client or targeted audience, a minimum of twelve times per year but what is the best way to accomplish this?

Once established, your strategies may need to be adjusted to consistently reach your core audience.

To effectively cut through the advertising clutter, your advertising campaigns need a balanced media mix and one that you can sustain for 6 to 16 weeks to accomplish your advertising and marketing goals. Start with 2-3 media channels that you can dominate or be consistent with and then grow accordingly. Your media mix is a comprehensive snapshot of all the media and promotional channels that you choose to advertise with to effectively reach your targeted audience with a professional message that stands out.

When evaluating your profile client and targeted audience, do the research to better understand their behaviors and identify which media best serves your goals. Make sure your message is consistent across all platforms and integrated with your website. Identify media that will allow you to accomplish your goals and budget accordingly so you can support an extended campaign to promote your business. One goal should be to become a top 3 choice for every potential customer considering your product or service in their moment of need.

The advertising landscape has drastically changed over the past decade with online banner ads, re-targeted ads, social influencers, new social media channels, and on-demand platforms. As a result, when you establish your advertising goals, it requires a more sophisticated, more dynamic, and more holistic approach when addressing the 5m’s of advertising – mission, money, message, media, and measurement.

Consumers are more media savvy and therefore business owners need to identify the best outlets for reaching their audience.

Knowing the key demographics of your target audience, their behaviors, and the preferred media outlets they engage with is a key to continued success. Radio, network TV, cable, billboards, digital, print ads, social media, and dedicated promotions help build your brand and market share.

If you’re working with an annual budget of $10K for marketing and advertising, don’t put all your eggs in one basket or blow your entire budget in 6 months. Allocate $150/mo for FB ads, $150/mo for digital/print media, $400/mo for wknd radio ads, $100/mo for local promotions, and $30/mo boost allowance for select online ads that perform well. $830 X 12 = $9,960 Explore your options with local radio stations, network TV, cable, billboard companies, social media, online ads, and digital content providers.

Seek assistance from marketing and advertising agencies so you can make sure your message breaks through the advertising clutter.

James Minter

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

REAL ESTATE BUILDING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE THROUGH REAL ESTATE by: Nickie Butcher

For many young adults, the idea of homeownership and building wealth seems scary and unattainable. Prices for almost all goods keep rising and the economic uncertainty in the world is becoming more prevalent, it’s no wonder why young adults feel this way but something needs to change.

There will always be opportunities to build a better future for yourself, you just need to get educated. Owning real estate is one of the best investments you can make.

out a unit and building wealth through passive income. This is just one of the many strategies for real estate investing.

Not everyone should buy a home, but if you can and have the desire to, why not? Things to consider when buying a house: can you afford it and are you comfortable with the decision? That is something only you can answer. How long will you be in that area?

If you only plan on being in that area for a few years you may want to reconsider, unless you want to build your real estate portfolio, then you can keep that as a rental. Can you maintain the house? There will be upkeep costs throughout the years.

One of the main concerns for young adults is the commitment to buying a house, some people see a 30-year mortgage and it terrifies them, but most homeowners only stay in their home for 7-10 years on average. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, if you do have the desire to own real estate then you can make that property a rental.

Real estate is a great source to build your future and become financially free. Did you know the average homeowner is about 40 times more wealthy than the average renter?

When you rent, you are paying someone else’s mortgage down when you could be contributing that to your own wealth.

Some real estate purchases can even have you living for free, or at least give you a huge discount on your monthly mortgage payment.

Sounds like a dream, but it’s not, it’s called House Hacking. House Hacking is where you can buy a multi-family property, a duplex for example, which is 2 units, you live on one side and rent out the other unit. This strategy will typically cover most, if not all of your mortgage, and the more units the better!

House Hacking is a great strategy for firsttime home buyers because you can do this with as little as 3.5% down, you are starting your homeownership journey, and you are learning about real estate investing by renting

The main concern currently everyone has is the rising prices of real estate, they are waiting for the market to “crash”. Keep in mind Columbus has many large corporations coming to the city which will bring many workers who will need housing, therefore driving up demand and prices. It all comes down to can you afford it and are you comfortable with the decision. That is the most important factor.

"There will always be opportunities to build a better future for yourself, you just need to get educated."

Nickie Butcher

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

LIFESTYLE DESIGN YOUR PATH TO FREESTYLE LIVING by: Kathy Binner

I was sitting at the red light saying a little prayer that the gas gauge would not suddenly register empty and that the engine would not sputter and choke to a stop. “Turn green, turn green”, I said to myself. Not only was I almost out of gas, but I was going to be late to clock in. The gas gauge pointer was just above the big E. I didn’t have time the night before to get gas – working two jobs was making me exhausted and it felt like this schedule was killing me. Or at least killing my physical and mental health. The only thing that kept me going was payday when the amounts on the two checks added together would pay the rent, the utilities, and the groceries.

Don’t get me wrong, I liked my two jobs well enough. One was in the office at an insurance agency and one was at the front desk of a local hotel checking in guests, hoping for promotion into hotel management. I liked helping people and I liked the other staff. It was just too many hours. But I didn’t know how to stop.

After all, I needed the money. I had no health insurance, and I was living payday to payday with no extra cash for emergencies. I had a car that I couldn't keep running and even worse, I had no means to save toward retirement! But working hard was a virtue, wasn’t it?

As I sat at the red light, I saw a young mom pushing her child in a stroller in the park on my right. An older man was sitting on the park bench reading the paper, and a gal was speeding by on her bike. Who were these people? Didn’t they have jobs?

How did they have the time, or the money, to walk in the park during everyone’s work day, to sit on a bench and not have a care in the world, to read the paper like the day is all their own, and to ride bikes on the beautiful bike paths that wind through the wooded park? Some folks were just lucky, I thought.

I would love to be riding my bike. As a kid growing up out in the countryside, my friends and I would leave right after breakfast and ride our bikes on the country roads until dusk. The rule was when the car’s headlights started coming on, it was time to be home. But now, I barely had time to sleep, shower, grab a bite, and get clocked in.

Sometimes, I would wake up and try to remember what job I was supposed to be dressing for. And many times, I would drive too fast, and on empty, just to clock in on time.

There was no time to stop for gas this particular morning, or any morning for that matter. Then at the end of the day, as a single mom, there was no one to pick up my daughter but me, and I needed to get home to get some sleep. Bike riding wasn’t even on the list. And apparently stopping for gas didn’t often make it on the list either.

I felt guilty being away from my daughter for so many hours. But what could I do? I knew I needed to make a change in my lifestyle or at least my work schedule. But I told myself it wasn’t in the cards for me to have a life like that.

Then something happened that changed my life forever. My mom sat me down and had a talk with me about 'getting on with it' meaning figuring out a way to make more money.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine I was crushed! Didn’t she see how hard I was working? Didn’t she see the hours I was putting in on these two jobs? She was even expecting me to work less! I had just received a promotion into management at my hotel job.

There was no way I could work fewer hours.

What could I do?

I needed to create passive income. Making money while you sleep has a beautiful ring to it, and that's the idea behind passive income.

Most people think of income as something they have to do labor for, like going to work for a day and then getting paid.

Passive income is money you earn even when you're not working. It takes some investment of time, money, energy, or all three, but then the money just comes in, helping you pay off a student loan, dig out of credit card debt, save for retirement, or advance other personal finance goals.

I needed to make getting healthy and creating passive income even easier for others. But how?

I wanted to help individuals and entrepreneurs just like you go from panic to passive income. Plus have some fun getting healthy.

This made me feel like there's so much more for me to do... I was just getting started!

For me, it all started with the concept of having total freedom—having passive income and the ability to set the pace of my daily calendar and the overall direction of my life. I was done with racing between two jobs and being at the mercy of corporate owners and managers.

What has changed for me, however, is the definition of total freedom. I learned early on that I didn’t just want freedom for the sake of freedom — I wanted to do something with this newfound freedom. I wanted to create things, challenge myself, and value exploring, growth, and learning.

I decided to invest in real estate for my passive income. There are an endless variety of ways to invest in real estate, from taking out a home mortgage to building a property empire that spans the country.

While the latter is probably out of reach for most of us, there’s no shortage of options.

Buying rental property is one of the oldest and most basic ways to invest in real estate. I started by buying a condo for myself, then leveraging my equity to buy more investment properties.

I was forever changed by the fact that I now had a plan for passive income and the freedom to live the lifestyle I always wanted. I could work fewer hours.

I now saw myself in control, confident and a good provider for the first time ever! I saw myself as a business owner. Much to my surprise, I received the Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award! and Then I received the Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

And that's why I knew I couldn't stop there. I realized I needed to teach others how to do what I have done.

I want to be totally free with a goal, a project, a vision to pursue. Freedom is the opportunity to choose our own future, but we must choose.

What I'd like you to take away from all this is no matter how tough things are, keep going, never stop learning and Simply Start to find Your Next Best Step to getting healthy, growing your passive income, and finally Freestyle Living!

And that girl on the bike… today that’s me!

Kathy Binner

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

PRODUCTIVITY TIME MANAGEMENT by: Brittany Dixon

It’s a concept that most of us spend our entire adult lives trying to figure out. We all have the same 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It’s how we spend that time that makes a difference if we are hitting our goals and fulfilling our lives.

I want to first introduce my Days By Design method. This is a framework that I put together for myself, my students, and my clients to allow them to build businesses without burnout. This method would also apply to someone who was in the workforce and not in entrepreneurship. You will want to come back to this framework each time you have shifts in your schedule and reevaluate these areas.

Family Weekly family board game night Weekly family learning time Financial Saving % each month Paying off debt Fitness (Health, Exercise, Diet, Self Care) Monthly spa day Walking 3-5x per week Friends (Relationships) Monthly dinner with parents Monthly dinner with siblings Monthly girls night Fun (Travel, Entertainment) Plan 1 big trip per year Plan 8 camping trips Fulfillment (Personal Development & Growth) Read 2 books per month (1 personal/1 business) Listen to 1 podcast per week Once you make a list of what is important to you, you need to block off time on your calendar for each of these things. Set those things on repeat and make sure you take the time to do them.

Putting the personal and lifestyle items on the calendar before business or work will ensure that you are taking care of yourself and not creating an environment for burnout.

Then I want to give you some actionable tips for adjusting your schedule when seasonal (or life shifts) happen.

Business (or Workforce) By Design

Lifestyle By Design

Now back to work. How can we design our work schedule and calendar in a way that feels good?

Where we have work/life balance.

Most people design their days backward. They fill the calendar with work and business appointments first, before blocking out time for family, self-care, personal development, relationships, and other lifestyle habits. Doing this may seem like the way to go when you are building your professional career but it can be a recipe for disaster and burnout.

I believe there are 6 Lifestyle Buckets that you should be blocking off time for. Make a list of 2-3 items in each of these categories that you want to be spending your time on. Below are some examples:

You will want to think about your big picture vision first. You need a roadmap that you will follow in order to ensure you are reaching your goals and fulfilling what you want out of your life.

What is your 3-year vision? Where do you want to go? What do you want your professional life to look like in 3 years. If you own a business, what is your revenue, how many are on your team, and what products and services do you offer? If you work for someone, are you going for a promotion, will you be moving companies, and is your workday fulfilling?

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine What can you do in the next year, to help you get closer to your 3-year vision?

What projects or initiatives are you working on this year that you need to plan? How can you create a system to keep track of all of your tasks that need to be done for these projects?

Routines By Design As humans, we thrive on routines. Hints the reason for this article talking about tips for adjusting to the seasonal schedule shuffle.

Here is an example list of routines that need to be set up as recurring events on your calendar.

Block out the time on a weekly basis so that you can be sure time is allotted to the things that are most important.

Morning routine Evening routine Journal time Self-care time Personal development time Family activities Vacations Personal travel Business travel Weekly financial check-in Administrative time Weekly planning time Fridays off Weekends off Ok, so you used the Days by Design method.

You have crafted a schedule and calendar that fits your goals and lifestyle.

And then, a seasonal shift, a lifestyle change, a drastic change or event happens, and everything that you just planned, changes.

I want to provide some actionable tips for shifting your schedule when things change.

This could be a shift to the summer schedule with the kids at home, the kids going back to school, a change to remote work, or anything else that disrupts the regular flow.

When you are feeling overwhelmed with your schedule, look at these things: Take a deep breath - grab a piece of paper and brain dump everything in your head.

Review your calendar, does everything get you closer to your goals? Delete what doesn’t fit anymore It’s ok to say no! Don’t feel guilty for protecting your boundaries and needs Make sure you are adding buffer time before and after appointments - everything takes longer than it should to prepare for and wrap up.

Color-code your calendar for personal vs business/professional. You can plan your days better this way Create a new schedule for that specific season - go through the Days by Design method and see what that looks like for this new season. (For example during the summer - I cut out spa days because I do a lot of other self-care activities.)

Remember that this is a SEASON. Things will go back to a normal rhythm.

We all have the same 24 hours a day. The way you design it and manage it will be the way you are able to reach big goals and dreams!!

"Putting the personal and lifestyle items on the calendar before business or work will ensure that you are taking care of yourself and not creating an environment for burnout."

Brittany Dixon

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

HEALTH AND WELLNESS WHAT IS HALOTHERAPY? by: Leslie Dahn

Halotherapy (dry salt therapy) is where pharmaceutical-grade salt is ground and crushed into tiny microparticles. These dry aerosol microparticles are then infused into the air of the salt cave.

As individuals relax in the cave, the microparticles are inhaled, and the particles penetrate deep into the lungs to cleanse the respiratory system. Salt particles are also absorbed by the body, aiding many skin conditions.

Sinusitis When suffering from sinusitis, the nasal passages are inflamed and swollen. The salt particles open the passages, reduce infection, and reduce inflammation. This helps reduce the use of antibiotics for chronic sufferers of ear and sinus infections.

Skin Issues The salt particles help to reduce inflammation found in many skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne. The salt is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal so it cleanses the skin, allowing for more efficient healing.

THE BENEFITS OF SALT THERAPY Halotherapy is a holistic therapy, which is safe, and there are no side effects. Many people who visit our salt cave on a regular basis report finding relief from a variety of respiratory conditions such as asthma, allergies, common cold, bronchitis, COPD, and cystic fibrosis.

Dry salt therapy is very comforting to people who may have skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The dry salt is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and helps with wound healing.

We find that clients who do not suffer from any of the above-mentioned conditions find salt therapy very helpful for general wellness, as our lungs are so overwhelmed with a daily barrage of pollutants, bacteria, and allergens.

Allergies and Asthma Because the salt particles reduce inflammation, the nasal passage is thinned, allowing for improved drainage, opening the airways, and bringing relief to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and runny nose.

Detoxing The dry salt is anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory. These properties of salt help to release the toxic load in the body, allowing the body to release that which no longer serves it, and allowing the body to bring itself back in balance.

Mental Wellness/Stress Many of our clients love the fact that they can relax, breathe, and totally unplug from their daily stresses by visiting the salt cave. This helps to reduce stress and anxiety.

Sleep Our clients often mention how well they slept at night following their salt cave session. Several folks who suffer from insomnia have reported that they slept well for even a few days after their salt session.

Leslie Dahn

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

FITNESS 3 TIPS TO MAKE ANY DIET WORK FOR YOU! by: Logan Kaverman

Have you heard that fad diets and endless hours of cardio don’t help you lose fat? What if the truth is they do work?

However, the key thing is not to do just any diet, but the one that fits your lifestyle and helps promote healthy habits.

I see a lot of coaches claiming that keto, weight watchers, low carb, or any other fad diet needs to be avoided like the plague. You yourself may have tried these diets and seen amazing results, or you may have tried them and fallen off after a few weeks or months.

This is why you hear all these fitness coaches saying, “fad diets don’t work”.

You see, most people try to FORCE these diets into their life, rather than letting the diet FIT into their life. If you’re anything like my clients, you have kids, you work, you own a business, you’re BUSY.

But keto has been around since the 1920s.

Now, back then it was to help reduce seizures in pediatric patients with epilepsy and the number of people using it for weight loss today is only increasing. Weight Watchers (now WW) has been around since the 60s and has over $1.5 billion dollars in revenue, they wouldn’t have that revenue if it didn’t help SOME people lose weight. Now, everyone is talking about their amazing results with the carnivore diet, the meat-only diet. Again, this diet has been around for millions of years but has grown in popularity not only to treat chronic diseases but for weight loss.

My point is, If they didn’t work at all, if they didn’t serve some purpose or help some people, they wouldn’t be around at all. They would have fizzled out and ceased to exist.

In my almost decade of coaching (9 years to be exact), helping men and women lose hundreds (probably thousands at this point) of pounds and inches collectively. I have seen time and time again that every diet CAN work.

But not every diet will work for YOU. The truth is, you can get amazing results within your first 4 weeks, losing fat and a few inches.

Here are some tips when choosing the right plan FOR you: 1. How much time do you REALISTICALLY have each week? Consistency is the key to any longterm success. A lot of people try to force their plan into their life (like mentioned above) and it only lasts for 1, 2, MAYBE 3 weeks. Look at your schedule, look at how much time you are WILLING to dedicate to your goals. If you only have 1 hour a week, you can reach your goals, there are plenty of people that do so. Your plan will just look different than someone with 5 hours a week.

2. Depending on how many hours a week you have will determine how MUCH fuel you need.

Someone working out 1 day a week will need to eat completely different that someone working out 5 days a week. Again, both work, you just need to pick the right plan for YOUR goals and time.

3. Depending on your time and how much fuel you need will determine your diet. Once you determine your time and the amount of food you need to eat, you can construct a diet plan that will fit seamlessly into your life and time, making staying on track MUCH easier.

Now, if you follow these 3 things. You know how much time you have, how much you need to eat, and what you need to eat for those goals. There is no reason you can’t see amazing results in your first 4 weeks. On average people in our 4-week Fit and Lean program lose 4-5lbs in their first 4 weeks, some even lose up to 10lbs. This is why we can guarantee results in these 4 weeks because we follow these 3 rules.

Logan Kaverman

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

ENVIRONMENTAL 10 TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE ECO-FRIENDLY! by: Esther Salata

Ever wonder how to be more sustainable in your yard and garden? In this post, I’ll go over 10 tips to make your yard a more eco-friendly place. Please note, that there are many more than 10 things you can do in your yard to make it more sustainable, these are just a few.

1. Use natural pest control! Pesticides have long been known to have detrimental effects on both the environment and public health.

Using alternatives to the traditional chemically-laced products can help minimize your impact on the environment. We suggest using Benesafe Solutions to combat fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes around your house. It’s natural plant-based the formula makes it safe for pets, people, bees, birds, and the surrounding wildlife.

BONUS: Benesafe is a local business here in Columbus!

2. Plant native plants. Provide nectar, pollen, and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals.

Native plants are beneficial to have around your house because they are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. They usually do not require extra watering or maintenance.

4. Rain Barrels are awesome. Not only do they look cool next to your house, but they are also very beneficial. Harvesting rainwater is one of the simplest ways to make your yard green.

Harvested rainwater is used to water yards and gardens, thus reducing the amount of outdoor household water usage. It also captures stormwater runoff from roofs and gutters, which prevents pollution from entering the water supply.

5. Use alternative ways to power tools!

Consider replacing your gas-powered lawn tools with battery or solar-powered models. If there is an option to use a different method of powering your tool, invest in it!

3. Compost those scraps! Growing up, we always had a compost bin in the yard. You can buy one, build one, or get one for free through your local solid waste district. The compost keeps kitchen scraps out of landfills and enriches the soil. Not only does it reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, but compost also improves drainage, water retention, and soil texture. Veggie and fruit scraps, tea bags, coffee grounds, and yard waste are all fair game.

6. Hang a bird feeder in your yard. Not only is bird watching a fun pastime, birds also provide a natural way to control insects around your house.

7. Hang a bat house on the side of your house or on a tree. One little brown bat can eat up to 1000 mosquito-sized insects per night. Talk about natural insect control! Bats are one of my favorite animals. 9. Pick up your dog poop! A common misconception or excuse people use is that poop is natural fertilizer (this is not true).

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine These bacteria and parasites are harmful to humans and spread disease to other dogs. If you don’t pick up after your dog, you are putting other people and other dogs at risk of getting sick. It can even burn your lawn if you don’t pick it up.

Waste also causes all sorts of issues for local watersheds, but that’s a blog post for another day!

10. Instead of using concrete, consider a pervious concrete pavement.

Pervious pavement or porous concrete allows runoff to seep into the ground, reducing stormwater runoff.

If you are looking to lay a slab of concrete around your house, consider using previous concrete instead of the traditional kind.

Take steps today to make a more eco-friendly yard, the birds, bees, and wildlife will thank you!

Dog waste is actually so high in nitrogen and phosphorus that it can have the opposite effect of fertilizer. However, it’s worse than just nitrogen and phosphorus; dog waste is even more full of disease-causing bacteria and parasites than other types of waste.

Esther Salata

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

NETWORKING INTROVERTED NETWORKER by: Laron Henderson Ok, I’m going in!

Wait a minute!

I can’t do it!

Anxiety got a grip!

I peek inside As I slowly pull the door handle Feels like it weighs 1,000 tons!

Like I need the strength of Incredible Hulk to open You’ve been through this before You already know what’s in store!

Everyone wishing to make a sale Different event, same stale conversation “Who are you, what do you do” “This is who I am and what I do” Listening to each sales pitch, while mine dismissed You know the one you rehearsed for hours Staring in the reflection in the mirror Practicing your pitch to perfection!

These things, always make me so nervous I’m just so introverted How am I’m going to network?

They say it determines your net worth!

Alas, I just collected another business card Just to rest on my desk, never to be called Why do I keep falling for this?

It’s just to hard!

Putting myself through such misery You’ve heard it all before, but maybe, just maybe this one won’t be difficult Maybe it’ll just be a little bit different Get over your sense of fear, you don’t want to keep being stuck for years You want to grow your business, don’t you?

Well get out there and give it your best shot!

I know, I’ll just go in and be a wall flower!

Na, I can’t do that, I must devour my fear!

Who knows, maybe you’ll make a new friend!

Get over my past failures!

Remember the confidence you had staring in the mirror! Be the reflection of the man you saw! Don’t worry about rejection!

Ok, I’m going in, a 5-minute countdown!

Breathing heavily letting out a long sigh Turn this frown upside down!

Go inside with eyes that light up the room Smile just as bright My hands shaking nervously Itching from perspiration Uncontrollably shaking Tip toeing in, one step at a time!

Secretly hoping no one notices me!

Smiling on the outside Silently screaming inside “Hi, my name is” As someone approached me I reply the same my name is Laron!

Nice to meet you, my eyes rolling inside!

Here comes the sales presentation Whispering to myself I go to do mine, but the hesitation is just too great.

Then a guy named Chris comes on the mic!

“I’m here to help you make a new friend tonight!”

Wow, my nerves turn into excitement!

“We not going to talk about business but find out what someone’s interested in!”

Geez, that won’t be so hard!

“Do it in 5 mins! Go!” This is going better than I hoped!

I no longer want to hang myself by a rope!

I can actually talk, not make a fool of myself!

That helps out a lot!

This is a new tool I can use!

Let’s see how this goes Maybe I can meet a new friend or two!

Something I’ve never been able to do previously!

I made a connection with a guy who’s similar to me!

We talked about building gaming PC’s!

My expectations are exceeded!

I can also make recommendations for his business!

Just by talking about similar interests!

This event was heaven-sent! For the first time, I felt alive in my entrepreneurship! Now I see in this networking thing, I can succeed!

Laron Henderson

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

HOW TO TAKE CONTROL OVER COMPARISON AND CONNECT LIKE A PRO by: Renee Vidor

Why the heck am I here?!”

The question echoed loudly in my mind with every hand I awkwardly shook in the crowded room feeling like a loser. A friend had talked me into going to a networking event so I could meet new people and grow my business but I wanted nothing more than to shrink into a corner and say nothing at all. Or, better yet, leave.

I wasn’t alone. Ironically, I later learned that some people I was comparing myself to at that event were actually uncomfortable as well and were comparing themselves with me, too! It’s natural for humans to allow Comparison to take control over their minds, but we can change!

I eventually learned how to take back control over comparison in my life so I could connect like a pro and you can, too, with this simple 3step process that I call the ‘WIN Method”: #1. “W” - Weigh Your Cost.

At the time, I was an independent contractor for a health and wellness direct sales company.

Even though I had confidence in the products I sold, I lacked confidence in myself.

Everywhere I turned I saw people who looked successful, sounded professional, and who I just knew were making great money and appeared to have it all together.

Then there was me: A young mom who had no clue how to dress for success (what does ‘business casual’ mean, anyway?), who sounded like an idiot with each elevator pitch I attempted to deliver, and who barely made any sense at all, let alone dollars. There’s no way I could measure up to these confident professionals, so why even try?

That evening I left without any great connections. While I’d love to blame it on everyone else for being ‘so much better than me’, the truth is, I was so self-absorbed and busy comparing myself to others that there was no way for me to create space for genuine connection.

Ask yourself what it’s costing you when you allow Comparison to put your focus on yourself. Most likely it’s costing you potential relationships like friendships and business clients, which means it’s also costing you joy and even chances for financial increase. It also is giving you the negative outcome of stress and anxiety (we get enough of this already!). As you continue to weigh the cost, you’ll find there are not really any positive outcomes that could come from handing Comparison control over your mind. #2. “I” - Innovate Your Identity.

When your goal is to establish and cultivate a genuine connection with other people, in order to be successful, you first need to know who you really are. You see, no one can connect with a fake person wearing a mask of accolades, job titles, or roles. They want to see that you’re a real human being that is imperfect and relatable.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine They also will be attracted to the ways that you’ve been gifted to serve others. Though these gifts are part of your unique personality, most people fail to truly get to know themselves well enough to take inventory of the amazing person they were created to be because they’re too busy looking around at everyone else. Perhaps consider investing in yourself through a coach who can help you determine the truth about who you really are and what you have to offer others as you seek out authentic connections.

Another simple navigation step is to offer genuine compliments. In fact, if you sense that icky feeling of comparison or competition, you can lessen the intimidation by genuinely (and appropriately) complimenting them about the very aspect that makes you feel threatened.

This tip can result in a sense of freedom for you and encouragement for your new connection.

Remember when doing this to always lift others up yet never put yourself or someone else down.

Comparison cannot be eradicated. It will continue to attempt to take control of your thoughts and it’s inevitable that you will not win every single battle for control. But take it from me, a recovering Comparaholic: The more you practice this 3-step WIN Method while being who you were created to be and get to know and serve the individuals you are designed to have an authentic connection with, you’ll naturally begin connecting like a pro in whatever situation you find yourself in.

That voice still reverberates in my head to this day, but it asks a different question:

#3. “N” - Navigate Your Journey.

Once you know who you are and your Innovated Identity, you’ll have a better understanding of what you’re looking for and the kinds of connections that make sense to pursue (not only for your benefit but the benefit you’ll be able to bring to others as well). One way to navigate with these people is to learn about them and find common ground. Ask questions or conversation starters such as, “What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?”, “Tell me more about the important people in your life”, and, “What are some of the struggles you’ve been encountering recently?” (and then see how you might be able to add value or serve them.

“Who can I connect with and serve?”

"No one can connect with a fake person wearing a mask of accolades, job titles, or roles. They want to see that you’re a real human being that is imperfect and relatable."

Renee Vidor

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

NETWORKING IS LIKE CHEATING AT POKER by: Chris Borja

Many people conduct their business networking like they are playing poker, a winlose proposition.

Proper networking is a lot more like “cheating” at the game of poker!

Let me explain.

Imagine for a second, a table of five poker players. They all confidently lean over their chips, doing their best to look as unemotional as possible. They glance across the table at each of the other players, reading them to get a feel for how strong their cards are.

So they proceed to look at their five cards and realize that they’re each missing a few select cards to complete a higher hand. Because they don’t realize they can’t exchange cards they all decide to put their cards face up.

Rather than wearing dark sunglasses and trying to fool each other into thinking they have a better hand, they look at each other's cards and each other and exchange cards to improve their hands.

Can you already see a big difference?

The first objective in the game of poker is to have the best hand.

The second objective is to maximize the winnings from that hand. The key to Poker is betting, because the game, at its heart, is a game of chip management. This often involves elements of “bluffing.”

Someone with a good hand may pretend not to have a good hand, and those with a poor hand will oftentimes pretend or try to give off signs that they do have a good hand.!

You see, what is happening is that they are collaborating instead of competing with one another.

The reason why this is the case is that in the game of poker, there is only one winner in the end. ONE person wins the whole pot, and everyone else loses! It’s a win-lose proposition.

Good networking is collaborating. It’s about sharing and exchanging resources. It’s about helping other players to get a better hand. It’s not about who has the highest hand, it's about the fact that everyone is a resource to someone else.

Here is how networking is different from that scenario. When done properly, it should be a win-win proposition all the time!

By collaborating, everyone improves their hand.

An additional benefit is that they are working to serve one another. They will have better relationships than those that are competing, the ones who have bad feelings because only one can ever come out the winner.

Imagine another poker table with five different players.

At this new table, the players didn’t know the #1 rule (only ONE winner), they forgot that you’re not allowed to look at one another’s cards, and they weren’t aware of the rule that says you aren’t allowed to exchange cards!

In this situation, everyone comes out a winner because they all had a better hand after trading with one another than they did when they started.

Let’s transition this over into the business world.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine When we are out networking, we all have those cards that may not seem as important to us in that they may not be our clients or customers. But they may be good clients or customers who can make a huge difference for somebody else; who knows it might be their next multimillion-dollar contract!

Now let’s imagine for example that you did help somebody else to complete their royal flush. Can you imagine how thankful they would be for you having shared that resource with them? Can you imagine what they could possibly do for you in showing appreciation? Do you think they could ever forget about you for the rest of their life?

Instead of everyone looking out for their own business, their own needs, and their own priorities, what would happen if they focused on those in their community?

In the game of poker, the worst hand is to have one of each different type of card, each in a different suit. But each one of those cards, while worthless to that player, may be the final piece of the puzzle for other players to complete their three-of-a-kind, flush, or even a royal flush. Working together everyone can and will benefit.

What will likely happen is they will look for any and every opportunity to reciprocate that favor.

Actively looking for ways to be able to share their resources with you to help you to have a better hand.

So the next time you go out and network think about how true networking is like cheating at cards.

Chris Borja

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine

A LUCRATIVE NETWORKING SUCCESS FROM 0-60MPH IN SECONDS… by: Chaz Freutel

You have probably attended many networking events. But did you ever get a multi-million business from one of them? I did. Here’s my story: Because I coach soccer in the evenings, I typically don’t attend many evening events.

But one night in April 2019, I had an opening. I attended a DANG (Dublin Area Networking Group) networking event hosted by Chris Borja at The Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (affectionately known as the DEC).

As usual, I knew many of the attendees but at least half were new faces. I don’t remember how many I connected with on LinkedIn that evening, but I’ll never forget a certain young OSU sophomore who also was a graduate of Olentangy Liberty High School. Little did I know we would become future partners and operate four-car businesses.

Some months later, my brother, Doug, and I traveled south to visit family. We hatched an exciting idea: find a couple of older, used cars we would enjoy working on, then flip them and keep working our way up to cars we really wanted.

Since we grew up in a Corvette family and raced at the former Powell Speedway (yes, Powell used to have a racetrack), it made sense.

After finding our first set of cars, I reconnected with Ani. Would he be willing to help detail our cars when we wanted to resell them? He agreed. He also told me he had filed with the state of Ohio to obtain a dealer license. That was great news because he could also help us secure our next cars.

Ani Venkatakrishnan owned a car detail business. His first client recommended he attend a DANG event to help build new connections. Ani’s passion was contagious. I immediately clicked with him through our shared interest in cars. We scheduled a time for him to come to my home and detail a family Corvette I inherited. I watched and listened for over three hours as Ani detailed every inch of my car and answered countless questions why he was using this wax or using that cloth rag.

Some months later, my brother, Doug, and I traveled south to visit family. We hatched an exciting idea: find a couple of older, used cars we would enjoy working on, then flip them and keep working our way up to cars we really wanted. Since we grew up in a Corvette family and raced at the former Powell Speedway (yes, Powell used to have a racetrack), it made sense.

Ani immediately introduced us to a close friend and car buff, Sath Lingan, a Dublin Scioto High School, and OSU grad. Sath had been in the car business longer and had previously partnered with another DEC tenant to rent exotic cars and started a previous dealership.

Things started to speed up, then! Doug and I helped raise an initial $173K in early 2020 to get Ani’s dealership started. And Lux Auto Depot in Powell, Ohio, was born. Lux will sell approximately 390 cars and trucks through 2022, with total revenue of over $7MM.

CONNECTED Columbus Magazine In mid-2020 we launched We Buy Cars America (WBCA) for wholesaling vehicles. Since May 2021 Doug and I have raised over $8MM for WBCA and will finish 2022 with well over $80MM in sales. We also have an exotic car rental business, mainly in Florida, which will bring in over $6MM in 2022. And we just launched We Find Cars America to help car shoppers find the right car they’re searching for, even if not currently in Lux inventory.

That’s $100MM in projected aggregate revenue in 2022…all starting from a connection at a networking event. Thank You, Chris Borja, DANG (now Connected Networking Group), and all those great connections I’ve had the pleasure to meet!

Chaz Freutel

CONNECTED Networking Group

CONNECTED Networking Group

CONNECTED UPCOMING EVENTS Night of Networking Every 1st Tuesday of the Month | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm COHATCH If you are looking to expand your network, but cold-calling and cold-pitching your products or services isn’t your thing, you’ll love the community that we’ve created!

Come and join us for a warm and engaging evening of networking with the CONNECTED Networking Group!

Future Tech Lunch and Learn Every 2nd Tuesday of the Month | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm The DEC, 565 Metro PI S Dublin, OH Want to meet and network with local business and community leaders in a whole new way? Join us for a delicious meal and a fun meeting with other community members and our online participants too!

CONNECTED Cafe Every 2nd Friday of the Month | 8:00 am - 9:00 am Borja Virtual One of the secrets to building relationships and creating networking success is the “One to One Coffee Meeting!” But many find themselves challenged with coordinating schedules, locations, and being consistent at this activity. That’s why the CONNECTED CAFÉ was created! Join like-minded business owners, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and service-oriented people for Coffee Meetings from the comfort of your home or office!

Networking Luncheon Every 3rd Monday of the Month | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm North High Brewing in Downtown Dublin, OH Build your network fun and productive way! Whether you are a new or seasoned networker, you'll feel welcome from the time you arrive and leave energized with all of your new connections!

Night Owl Networking Every 4th Friday of the Month | 11:00 pm - Mindnight Borja Virtual There are plenty of networking events during the early morning hours, lunch hour, and even after-hours! But until now, there’s never been anything for the Night Owls! The CONNECTED Networking Group is pleased to bring you a unique night of fun with Night Owl Networking

COME AND JOIN US! www.connectednetworkinggroup.com/events

CONNECTED Networking Group

TESTIMONIALS Susan Zartman I attended my first CONNECTED gathering in 2017. I have met so many wonderful people that I now call friends. It was here that I learned that networking isn't about selling to the folks in the room, but building relationships that are supportive.

India Riley This is the best business networking group to join whether you have a business, looking to grow a business, are wanting to build confidence in yourself as a business owner, or just wanting to gain better business relationships.

Timothy Rohr First off, the CONNECTED community is AMAZING, I'm fresh out of highschool and felt very welcome at the events.

Everyone gets to speak their piece, not only that but I learn so much from the group and its members, I'd highly recommend to anyone to attend an event.

Lisa Stroth I have met so many people as a result of this group, and have experienced personal and business growth as a result. Even for this natural introvert, the Connected events are both fun and helpful, and Chris and his team are always intentional about creating space for making new connections.

Danielle Bernock I recently joined this group. Today I participated in their Connected Café, their virtual networking meeting. It was an wonderful experience and I can't wait for the next one.

Ronnie Robinson, Jr. This group transformed my life personally and in business by providing numerous opportunities to grow physically, mentally, successfully in business growth and even spiritually amongst the believers!

CONNECTED Networking Group

THE FOUNDERS

Belinda Borja Belinda is co-founder of CONNECTED Networking Group and Borja Virtual!

She has helped grow a community of over 8,500 business leaders with her desire to support others in achieving their goals.

As a Co-Founder of Borja Virtual, she helped non-profit organizations and conference organizers generate over $2,000,000 through their events in the last 2 years alone.

Belinda’s most recent venture is in her role as VR Fitness Queen where she helps people who don’t enjoy traditional exercise to get in shape with an Oculus headset and a supportive community.

Chris Borja Chris is an award-winning Speaker, Trainer, and Consultant on the topic of Business Networking.

He is the Founder of Become a Better Networker, LLC, Founder of the CONNECTED Networking Group, CEO of Borja Virtual, and the Author of the upcoming book, “Networking Essentials for Success: A 7-Step Journey to Achieve your Goals Through Authentic Relationships and Connected Communities” For the first 37 years of his life, Chris suffered from extreme shyness, introversion, and a fear of social settings.

Now that he has overcome those challenges, Chris is on a mission to create better networkers, stronger businesses, and connected communities in the real and virtual world!

CONNECTED Networking Group

THE LEADERSHIP TEAM James Minter Community Leader CONNECTED Networking Group Columbus, OH

Ivra Basset Community Leader CONNECTED Networking Group Cleveland, OH

Jeffrey Schultheis Community Leader CONNECTED Networking Group Mansfield, OH

Ronnie Robinson Jr. Community Leader CONNECTED Networking Group Tampa, FL

Cyndy Keller Community Leader CONNECTED Networking Group Carson City, NV

CONNECTED Networking Group

THE 2022 CONNECTED AMBASSADORS

Adam Griggs

Amanda Starkey

Amy Ross

Ashlin Stoltz

Owner, CLARAfi

AVP Operations, Riverside Bank of Dublin

Owner, The Crystal Ballroom Dance Center

Owner, Stoltz Memorials

We are a software platform creating an ecosystem of communication between small business owners and their advisors. Set, Track, Manage Goals and Collaborate in realtime.

Amanda’s banking career spans over 20 years with experience in retail, mortgage, treasury management, and operations.

The Crystal Ballroom Columbus offers a variety of styles of dance. Connect with the music, people, and the entire dance community through private lessons, classes, parties & events.

Helping Ohio families honor the memory of their loved ones with memorial packages that will leave a lasting legacy.

Specializing in upright stones & memorial benches.

520-409-0548 adam@clarafi.io www.clarafi.io

614-482-1300 astarkey@riverside.bank www.riverside.bank

614-505-8698 info@crystalballroomcolumbus.com www.crystalballroomcolumbus.com

614-414-3411 stoltzmemorialsllc@gmail.com www.stoltzmemorials.com

Brenda Refice

Brianna Lowe

Brittany Dixon

Carina Day Dacierno

Owner/Creator, R&R Candles

Owner, The Pace Clothing

Owner/Podcaster, Brittany & Co.

Owner, Carina Day Voice Over Artist LLC

My mission is to help our planet by repurposing cans and containers through our handpoured candle collection line! A portion of each sale goes back to animal rescue groups.

Fast Pace was born at the intersection of style and comfortability. Fitness is a gateway to feeling good. Fast Pace is a gateway to looking good while creating a healthy lifestyle.

I am a Podcaster, Business Strategist, and Productivity Coach. I help highly driven visionary entrepreneurs be more Productive and Profitable with my Program Hustle to Flow and my VIP Intensives.

937-212-4397 briannalowe957@gmail.com www.thepaceclothing.com

740-506-4033 brittany@bcohq.co www.bcohq.co

I like to talk. Let me use my voice to bring your business to life. I strive to help businesses market their products creatively. Need Corporate Narrations, Commercials, Promotions, Brooklyn accent? Yeah, I got that. If you are looking for an articulate, versatile voice to make your next project come to life, let's talk! I am ready to record in my home studio or on location. Carina is a Dublin, Ohio based actor and voice talent with a B.F.A. in Theater from Otterbein University.

Chaz Freutel

Dustin Keller

Founder, Noble - A Network of Owners, Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs; Director, Dublin Entrepreneurial Center

Cyndy Keller Owner, Quintessence

Owner, Excite Auto Repair & Towing

NOBLE helps equip new business owners and entrepreneurs with the motivation, resources, and network opportunities needed for success;

I write content and blog articles for small business owners to use on their website. I edit books and am a small business coach.

Keeping You Safe and On the Road since 2005.

614-600-7729 rrcandles2@gmail.com www.rrcandles.com

Catherine Donofrio Owner, CatD Wellness I guide women over 40 in their wellness to finding the healthy, vibrant woman hiding under the tired, stressed out, emotionally drained, “uniform” she’s used to wearing.

614-214-8407 catd@catdwellness.com www.catdwellness.com

suzyg@thenoblewisdom.com www.thenoblewisdom.com DEC- Not just office space! We are a community of Entrepreneurs working together to grow each of our businesses.

(614) 989-2429 chazfreutel@yahoo.com wwww.decindublin.com

740-816-4306 sglmom3kds.gmail.com

614-256-9953 carinadayvo@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/carinadayvo

614-471-5388 dustin@exciteautorepair.com www.exciteautorepair.com

CONNECTED Networking Group

THE 2022 CONNECTED AMBASSADORS

Eric J. Watts

Eric Milisavljevich

Gary Monti

Gayle Hurst

Owner, Eric J. Watts, LLC

Realtor, Red 1 Realty

CEO, Center for Change

Owner, IPTALY Luxury Travel

Using Center for Managing Change’s (CMC’s) unique Business Triad© you can get a clear read on your situation and work to bring it under control.

We create an experience that takes you away from the predictable, and into the exciting.

We'll help you find unexpected encounters and personal experiences that would never have been discovered.

Through Powerful Prophetic Consultations and Dynamic Coaching, I strengthen, encourage, and comfort Kingdom Leaders in FUN, CREATIVE, and UNIQUE ways so they can consistently thrive in their lives.

Realtor with over 10 years of experience at Red 1 Realty.

740-417-3665 eric4short@gmail.com www.eric4short.com

614-226-1333 payment@ctrchg.com www.ctrchg.com

614-579-8923 ericj@wordtalkproductions.com www.ericjwatts.org

181-093-77740 iptalytravel@gmail.com www.iptalyluxurytravel.com

Henry Ga-Fai Lee

India Riley

James C. Minter

Wellness Educator Life Coach, Juice Plus+ and Tower Gardens

Business Banker, PNC Bank Business Banker

CEO/Owner , Buckeye Media Services / FranNet Columbus

We create an experience that takes you away from the predictable, and into the exciting.

We'll help you find unexpected encounters and personal experiences that would never have been discovered.

Henry partners with Juice Plus+ and Tower Gardens to educate, empower, and equip people of all ages, to make informed decisions about eating food for function and take their health to the next level.

India is a business banker, who specializes in helping businesses accelerate cash flow, grow revenue, and provide tools and resources to protect your business from fraud.

Owner of Buckeye Media Services, a multimedia marketing and advertising agency. Franchise broker & consultant for FranNet Columbus www.FranNetColumbus.com

614-517-4251 henry.grad.duren@gmail.com www.hdshottaproductions.com

614-906-1519 henrylee.juiceplus@gmail.com www.henrylee.juiceplus.com/us/en

614-900-0191 rileyindia@icloud.com www.pnc.com

614-374-3341 jamesm@buckeyemediaservices.com www.buckeyemediaservices.com

Henry Duren III Hdshottaproductions

Jason Case

Jeff Elder

Jeff Wasserstrom

Founder, Pulse Technology

Owner, Business God's Way, LLC

Owner, JAW ENTERPRISES

Chief Executive Officer, Caregiver USA

Pulse is a powerful CRM and marketing automation tool that brings consistency and real-time reporting to businesses, which helps companies grow smarter and faster.

Jeff is a coach and speaker who helps Christian coaches gain clarity and focus around their business so they can maximize their income, freedom, and impact.

I have been in the promotional marketing business for over 20 years and my mission is to help you stand out, get noticed and make a lasting impression so that your clients, customers and prospects contact "you" when they need your product or service.

Caregiver USA offers a wide range of in-home healthcare services to best suit you and your family's needs.

jeff@jeffreyelder.com www.jeffreyelder.com

614-760-0026 jeffwass@yahoo.com www.jawenterprises.net

800-719-4281 jason@pointspeakmarketing.com www.thepulsespot.com

Jinji Yue

614-408-9939 info@caregiverusa.com www.caregiverusa.com

CONNECTED Networking Group

THE 2022 CONNECTED AMBASSADORS

Joe Kim

John Farhat

Jon Pantone

Jurgita Fumo

President, Mission Control US, LLC

Owner / Founder, Loquantor, Inc.

Founder, Thee Social Booth

Founder, Celebrating One

We are a business consulting and IT infrastructure services company focusing on business continuity and security.

Businesses struggle with their communication systems.

Loquantur is a platform that empowers clients.

Promoting empathy through human connection and celebration.

joe@missionctrl.us www.missionctrl.us

614-582-1061 sales@loquantur.com www.calendly.com/loquantur/initialconsultation

A fun social booth where you add entertainment to your private party, corporate event, school, wedding, fundraiser etc. We capture the memories of your event for you to remember forever.

614-656-2173 info@celebratingone.org www.celebratingone.org

614-636-5663 booking@theesocialbooth.com www.theesocialbooth.com

Karl & Jen Lehman

Keith Sharick

Kevin Lloyd

Leslie Dahn

Owners, All Things New

Realtor, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

Founder, MYLE

Owner, Tranquility Salt Cave

We offer high quality consumable products. Green, clean, vegan, etc. Household, personal care, plant based vitamins & supplements, skincare & cosmetics, sports nutrition and water & air purification.

Keith Sharick assists home Buyers and Sellers across central Ohio. His business focuses on ensuring a positive experience for his clients and not just a positive transaction.

Make Your Life Entertaining is the next generation in entertainment software where you can curate your entertainment experience with just a few taps. It’s free, easy-to-use and when you’re looking for things to do, places to go and food to eat, “Just MYLE It!”

Leslie is a seasoned entrepreneur. She owns and operates Tranquility Salt Cave for 5.5 years, helping clients to cleanse their respiratory system, and to relax and breathe.

513-400-8402 lehmanteam5k@gmail.com www.amway.com/en_US/myshop/all thingsnew

614-390-9317 keithsharick.howardhanna.com www.keithsharick.howardhanna.com

Lisa Lofland and Lori Giffin

Logan Kaverman

Owners, Brush Crazy

Fitness and Nutrition Coach, Adapt Fitness and Nutrition

PAINT WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU WANT - The place to create!

Paint on CANVAS, CERAMICS, WOOD, AND MORE!

Logan is a fitness and nutrition coach that helps clients achieve pain-free results through movement, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.

614-929-5417 lisa.lofland@brushcrazy.com or lori.giffin@brushcrazy.com www.brushcrazy.com

567-259-9015 logan@adaptfitnesstraining.com www.adaptfitnesstraining.com

614-494-0090 kevin.lloyd@myle.com www.myle.com

614-859-3419 energyandwellness@yahoo.com www.tranquilitysaltcave.com

Mary Jenkins

Mat Marlon Piamonte, CPA, CMA

Executive Director, Cancer Option Collaborative (The COC) I am a Woman of God, Veteran, Online Notary, Author, Public Speaker, Life Coach and Nonprofit Consultant. I am also a Widow, Mother, Grandmother and 2x Breast Cancer Survivor.

Owner/Principal & CEO, F&M CPA LLC Mat, a CMA and a licensed CPA, founded F&M CPA LLC to help individuals and small businesses owners save money on taxes and maintain accurate accounting books and records.

614-805-1253 Mary@thecoccares.org www.thecoccares.org

614-214-2760 mpiamonte@fmcpallc.com www.fmcpallc.com

CONNECTED Networking Group

THE 2022 CONNECTED AMBASSADORS

Michael Griffin Independent Business Owner, ACN We help Individuals, Families and Businesses attain better value while also possibly lowering their monthly expenses on the services they already have and use every single day.

740-877-6066 michaelgriffin66@yahoo.com mikegriffin.acnibo.com

Mr. Biz® Ken Wentworth

Nevin Bansal

Owner, Market Smart Media Group

Founder, Mr. Biz Solutions

Executive Director, Small Biz Cares

We offer world-class digital Michael marketing servicesMott to our clients.

Our services focus on increasing website traffic, boosting product sales, and aiding business growth.

Mr. Biz® is a strategic business partner who helps business owners run their companies more profitably & more efficiently. 3x bestselling author, an awardwinning radio host & 6x World Record holder.

Nevin is Chairman of Small Biz Cares and serves on the BBB Board. Nevin has been recognized as a Columbus CEO Future 50 member and a Smart50 awardee.

He has an MBA from OSU.

614-962-7CFO ken@mrbizsolutions.com www.mrbizsolutions.com

614-484-7329 nevin.bansal@smallbizcares.org www.smallbizcares.org

michael@marketsmartmediagroup.com www.marketsmartmediagroup.com

Nickie Butcher

Noe Mendiola

Patrick Tuure

Philip Griffith

Realtor, Howard Hanna Real Estate

Owner, M.G Remodeling

CEO, Out There Web Designs

Owner, PSG Photo Solutions, LLC

Nickie helps clients buy, sell, and invest in Real Estate. Nickie educates her clients on the process from start to finish and uses her marketing and negotiation skills to achieve her clients' goals.

Noé has 10 years of experience in renovations of kitchen, basements, bathrooms, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electric, deck, patios, paint and more.

We design websites that drive relevant traffic, increase on-site engagement and generate higher conversions. Let's work together to grow your business.

614-715-0817 noe@mg-remodeling.com www.mg-remodeling.com

Philip is a Certified Professional Photo Organizer and owner of PSG Photo Solutions LLC. He enjoys helping people get their printed photos, digital images, and family movies back into their lives.

614-915-4563 pat@otwebdesigns.com www.otwebdesigns.com

Rhoda Israelov

Roland Manny

Sara Marie Brenner

Scott Musil

Owner/President, Say It For You

Owner, Dublin Nutrition

Broker, Brenner Real Estate Team @ Red One Realty

Sales Professional, Shake n Bake Auto

At the Say It For You blogging and content writing company, Rhoda and her team of writers create content for blogs, brochures, and websites for B2B and B2C clients.

Roland Manny, Nutritional Entrepreneur and life coach. His knowledge and passion for nutrition coupled with his ability to help people shift their thinking has made him an international success.

The Brenner Real Estate Team serves clients in residential, commercial, luxury, investment, land, new builds, development, and vacation rentals.

We are two servant hearted best friends who are Automobile Sales Professionals. Our main focus is on giving our customers an enjoyable and respectful buying experience.

937-838-0284 nickie@yoderbarnhartteam.com www.nickiebutcher.howardhanna.com

317-250-3569 Rhoda@sayitforyou.net www.sayitforyou.net

Ronaldmanny360@gmail.com

740-816-9339 sara@brenner.realestate www.brenner.realestate

617-706-1785 philip@psgphotosolutions.com www.psgphotosolutions.com

847-456-6051 shakenbakeauto1130@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ShakeNBakeAuto

CONNECTED Networking Group

THE 2022 CONNECTED AMBASSADORS

Stephanie Jursek

Steve Reese

Susan Zartman

Taylor & Brooke Walls

Dublin Older Adult Program Specialist, Syntero, Inc.

Owner, Reese Law Firm, LLC

Owner/Coach, Get Healthy with Z

Financial Services Representatives, Primerica Financial Services

Stephanie is proud to work at Syntero, a leading behavioral health care organization that has provided compassionate, professional, expert counseling and community-based services in Central Ohio for more than 40 years.

We focus on estate planning, estate administration (probate) business law, and real estate. We are also in the process of starting a title company named Capstone Title & Closing, LLC.

Susan has experienced life transformation through healthier living. She has a passion for helping others do the same through providing coaching, systems, and accountability.

614-321-2422 steve@reese.legal www.reese.legal

937-409-0554 zmusique@sbcglobal.net www.gethealthywithz.com

Financial power couple specializing in investments, insurance, debt elimination and mortgages. Complimentary financial analysis available to best serve you. NMLS: 2190809 OH License#: MLO-OH.2190809

Terri Lawson

Tim Johnson

William Esemu Nkemson

Realtor, E-Merge Realty

Founder / President, Cannabis Safety First

Founder, African United Foundation, Inc.

I am a mother of 3 adult children and I have been married to my husband Drew for 31 years. I love Jesus, my family and all animals. I have been in real estate for over 15 years.

As a Safety and Security Specialist, Tim founded Cannabis Safety First to provide services to the Ohio Medical Cannabis Program.

African United Foundation supports tuition payments for traditional and vocational education for African children and adults.

614-736-1861 timj.cannabisafetyfirst@gmail.com www.cannabissafetyfirst.com

614-260-0007 williamnkemson@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/africanunitedf oundationinc

614-301-5645 sjursek@syntero.org www.syntero.org

614-288-1009 terri.lawson@e-merge.com www.theresalawson.e-merge.com

419-296-9185 walls.taylorf@primerica.com www.primerica.com/taylorfwalls

BUSINESS DIRECTORY BUSINESS

NAME

PHONE

CONNECTED Networking Group EMAIL

WEBSITE

Accounting and Taxes F&M CPA LLC

Mat Marlon Piamonte

614-214-2760

mpiamonte@fmcpallc.com

www.fmcpallc.com

Brianna Lowe

937-212-4397

briannalowe957@gmail.com

www.thepaceclothing.com

Lisa Lofland and Lori Giffin

614-929-5417

lisa.lofland@brushcrazy.com or lori.giffin@brushcrazy.com

www.brushcrazy.com

Apparel The Pace Clothing

Art Studio Brush Crazy

Authors and Writers Quintessence

Cynthia Keller

740-816-4306

sglmom3kds@gmail.com

-

Say It For You

Rhoda Israelov

317-250-3569

rhoda@sayitforyou.net

www.sayitforyou.net

614-471-5388

dustin@exciteautorepair.com

www.exciteautorepair.com

Automotive Repair Excite Auto Repair & Towing

Dustin Keller

Automotive Sales Shake n Bake Auto

Scott Musil

847-456-6051

shakenbakeauto1130@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/shakenbakeauto

We Find Cars America

Chaz Freutel

614-555-1212

-

www.wefindcarsamerica.com

Banking Riverside Bank of Dublin PNC Bank Business Banker

Amanda Starkey

614-482-1300

astarkey@riverside.bank

www.riverside.bank

India Riley

614-900-0191

rileyindia@icloud.com

www.pnc.com

614-743-7230

ma3vin10@gmail.com

www.wemeantoclean.org

Cleaning Services We Mean To Clean

Marvin Luna

Coaching and Consulting Eric J. Watts, LLC

Eric J. Watts

614-579-8923

ericj@wordtalkproductions.com

www.ericjwatts.org

Center for Change

Gary Monti

614-226-1333

payment@ctrchg.com

www.ctrchg.com www.jeffreyelder.com

Business God's Way, LLC

Jeff Elder

614-555-1212

jeff@jeffreyelder.com

Mr. Biz Solutions

Mr. Biz Ken Wentworth

614-962-7CFO

ken@mrbizsolutions.com

www.mrbizsolutions.com

Brittany & Co.

Brittany Dixon

740-506-4033

brittany@bcohq.co

www.bcohq.co

Computer/Information Technology CLARAfi

Adam Griggs

520-409-0548

adam@clarafi.io

www.clarafi.io

Mission Control US, LLC

Joe Kim

1614-123-1234

joe@missionctrl.us

www.missionctrl.us

614-715-0817

noe@mg-remodeling.com

www.mg-remodeling.com

614-505-8698

info@crystalballroomcolumbus.com www.crystalballroomcolumbus.com

Contractors/Remodeling M.G Remodeling

Noe Mendiola

Dance The Crystal Ballroom Dance Center

Amy Ross

BUSINESS DIRECTORY BUSINESS

CONNECTED Networking Group

NAME

PHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

Karl & Jen Lehman

513-400-8402

lehmanteam5k@gmail.com

www.amway.com/en_US/mysh op/allthingsnew

E-Commerce All Things New Amway Independent Business Owners

Education & Training Noble - A Network of Owners, Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs

Rob Kopp/ Chaz Freutel

614-555-1212

suzyg@thenoblewisdom.com

www.thenoblewisdom.com

Become a Better Networker

Chris Borja

614-602-1282

chris@chrisborja.com

www.becomeabetternetworker.com.

Gerogia Watson

614-937-5984

namasteembroidery@mac.com

Kevin Lloyd

614-494-0090

kevin.lloyd@myle.com

www.myle.com

Chris Borja

614-602-1282

info@borjavirtual.com

www.borjavirtual.com

Taylor & Brooke Walls

419-296-9185

walls.taylorf@primerica.com

www.primerica.comtaylorfwalls

James Minter

614-374-3341

jminter@frannet.com

www.frannetcolumbus.com

Ashlin Stoltz

614-414-3411

stoltzmemorialsllc@gmail.com

www.stoltzmemorials.com

CatD Wellness

Catherine Donofrio

614-214-8407

catd@catdwellness.com

www.catdwellness.com

Juice Plus+ and Tower Gardens

Henry Ga-Fai Lee

614-906-1519

henrylee.juicePlus@gmail.com

www.henrylee.juiceplus.com

Tranquility Salt Cave

Leslie Dahn

614-859-3419

energyandwellness@yahoo.com

www.tranquilitysaltcave.com

Adapt Fitness and Nutrition

Logan Kaverman

614-555-1212

logan@adaptfitnesstraining.com

www.adaptfitnesstraining.com

Dublin Nutrition

Roland Manny

567-259-9015

ronaldmanny360@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/roland.manny

Get Healthy with Z

Susan Zartman

937-409-0554

rzmusique@sbcglobal.net

www.gethealthywithz.com

Brenda Refice

614-600-7729

rrcandles2@gmail.com

www.rrcandles.com

Chris Orecchio

614-572-4488

corecchio@shelterinsurance.com

www.shelterinsurance.com

Embroidery Namaste Embroidery

Events MYLE

Events Planning and Production Borja Virtual

Finance Primerica Financial Services

Franchising FranNet Columbus

Funeral Services Stoltz Memorials

Health and Fitness

Home Decor & Gifts R&R Candles

Insurance Shelter Insurance

Legal Services and Attorneys Reese Law Firm, LLC

Steve Reese

614-321-2422

steve@reese.legal

www.reese.legal

Lodging Spruce Hill Inn & Cottages

Beth Clark

419 512-6842

info@sprucehillinn.com

www.prucehillinn.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY BUSINESS

CONNECTED Networking Group

NAME

PHONE

EMAIL

WEBSITE

Buckeye Media Services

James C. Minter

614-374-3341

jamesm@buckeyemedservices.com

www.buckeyemediaservices.com

Market Smart Media Group

Michael Mott

614-555-1212

michael@marketsmartmediagroup.com www.marketsmartmediagroup.com

Jinji Yue

614-408-9939

info@caregiverusa.com

614-602-1282

chris@becomeabetternetworker.com

Media

Medical Services Caregiver USA

www.caregiverusa.com

Networking Groups CONNECTED Networking Group

Chris Borja

www.connectednetworkinggroup.com

Non-Profit Organizations Celebrating One

Jurgita Fumo

614-656-2173

info@celebratingone.org

www.celebratingone.org

Cancer Option Collaborative (The COC)

Mary Jenkins

614-805-1253

mary@thecoccares.org

www.thecoccares.org

Small Biz Cares

Nevin Bansal

614-484-7329

nevin.bansal@smallbizcares.org

www.smallbizcares.org

African United Foundation, Inc.

William Esemu Nkemson

614-260-0007

williamnkemson@yahoo.com

The Dublin Entrepreneurial Center (The DEC)

Chaz Freutel

614-989-2429

chazfreutel@yahoo.com

www.decindublin.com

COhatch

Jenna Duay

614-368-1810

info@cohatch.com

www.cohatch.com

www.facebook.comafricanunitedfoundationInc

Office Space

Photography and Videography Mark and Shelly Photography

Mark Thomas

614-600-0168

markandshellyphotography@gmail.com www.markandshellyphotography.com

PSG Photo Solutions, LLC

Philip Griffith

617-706-1785

philip@psgphotosolutions.com

www.psgphotosolutions.com

Thee Social Booth

Jon Pantone

614-636-5663

booking@theesocialbooth.com

www.theesocialbooth.com

Wealth Impact Nation

Dara Salas

614-946-2882

darasalas@wealthimpactnation.net www.facebook.com/wealthImpactnation

EBusiness God's Way, LLC

EJeff Elder

614-555-1212

jeff@jeffreyelder.com

www.jeffreyelder.com

Jeff Wasserstrom

614-760-0026

jeffwass@yahoo.com

www.jawenterprises.net

Kary Oberbrunner

614-555-1212

support@ignitingsouls.com

www.ignitingsouls.com

Podcast

Promotional Products Jae Enterprises

Publishing Igniting Souls Publishing Agency

Real Estate Red 1 Realty

Eric Milisavljevich 740-417-3665

eric4short@gmail.com

www.eric4short.com

Howard Hanna Real Estate

Keith Sharick

614-390-9317

keith.sharick@herrealtors.com

www.keithsharick.com

Howard Hanna Real Estate

Nickie Butcher

937-838-0284

nickie@yoderbarnhartteam.com

www.linkedin.com/in/nickiebutc herrealtor

Brenner Real Estate Team @ Red One Realty

Sara Marie Brenner 740-816-9339

sara@brenner.realestate

www.brenner.realestate

E-Merge Realty

Terri Lawson

614-288-1009

terri.lawson@e-merge.com

www.theresalawson.e-merge.com

Skyline Real Estate Services

Jeff Schultheis

614-721-0450

schultheis.jw@gmail.com

www.skylinerands.com

BUSINESS DIRECTORY BUSINESS

NAME

PHONE

CONNECTED Networking Group EMAIL

WEBSITE

Safety and Security Cannabis Safety First

Tim Johnson

614-736-1861

timj.cannabisafetyfirst@gmail.com

www.cannabissafetyfirst.com

Jason Case

800-719-4281

jason@pointspeakmarketing.com

www.thepulsespot.com

John Farhat

614-582-1061

sales@loquantur.com

www.calendly.com

Gayle Hurst

181-093-77740

iptalytravel@gmail.com

www.iptalyluxurytravel.com

740-877-6066

michaelgriffin66@yahoo.com

www.mikegriffin.acnibo.com

Software Pulse Technology

Telecommunication Loquantor, Inc.

Travel Services Iptaly Luxury Travel

Utilities ACN

Michael Griffith

Voiceover Services Vocally Yours

Lisa Stroth

614-571-7177

lisa@thevoiceovercure.com

www.thevoiceovercure.com

Buckeye Media Services

James C. Minter

614-374-3341

jamesm@buckeyemedservices.com

www.buckeyemediaservices.com

Carina Day Voice Over Artist LLC

Carina Day Dacierno 614-256-9953

carinadayvo@gmail.com

www.linkedin.com/in/carinadayvo

Patrick Tuure

pat@otwebdesigns.com

www.otwebdesigns.com

Web Design Out There Web Designs

614-915-4563

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