Sharp Boss Magazine

SETTING THE STANDARDS FOR SHARP ENTREPRENEURS TO RULE

SHARP BOSS Magazine

WINTER 2017 FREE

TIME TO TAKE FLIGHT MICHELLE BLACK

PIVOTING To A CHIEF GROWER DAWN NICOLE

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BOLD WOMEN BOLD MOVES

YOUR TICKET TO THE WORLD OF FASHION & ENTERTAINMENT

SCOUTING DEVELOPMENT MARKETING PLACEMENT Nina Nesbitt Owner 3262 Landmark Drive Suite 111 North Charleston, SC 29420 Telephone 843-225-1834

Contents Winter 2017

Features

06

TIME TO TAKE FLIGHT Michelle Black

12

PIVOTING TO A CHIEF GROWER Dawn Nicole

14

THE EVOLVING ENTREPRENEUR Raven Magwood

06

Departments

08 16

3 BOLD MARKETING MOVES Anita Scruggs TIPS ON CHOOSING - AND USING A TAX PREPARER EDWARD JONES

In Every Issue

05

MEMO FROM THE EDITOR Vonnie Judge

07

Calendar of Event Upcoming Events & Seminars

Cover Credits: Vonnie Judge, editor of SHARP BOSS, Photographed by Silvio Suarez

SHARPBOSS.com | WINTER 2017 | 4

12

14

MEMO FROM THE EDITOR

SHARP BOSS WWW.SHARPBOSS.COM

Publisher & Editor Vonnie Judge Editorial Consultant Scherrie Poindexter Art Design & Support Zyaire Judge Contributing Writers Anita Scruggs Contributing Photographers Photo: Trey Hopkins

Silvio Suarez KB MEDIA Media Consultant GoJUMP.Media

Welcome SHARP BOSS, As you know, the entrepreneurial journey is filled with many challenges but the possibilities of gaining the award of success motivate a Sharp Boss to continue to make Bold Moves to succeed.

We are excited to introduce a businessfocused magazine that shares forwardthinking lifestyle topics and the valuable advice and strategies of successful business owners who have achieved major success in their respective industries.

We look forward to connecting with you on the pages of our magazine and off the page at our professional networking events and seminars.

Kind Regards, Vonnie Judge

Distribution US Post Office

SHARP BOSS Magazine is published four times per year by Sharp Judge,LLC. PO Box 532, Huntersville, NC 2807-0532 All rights reserved. Reproduction electronically or in print format without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited and a violation of US copyrights laws

Inquiries to: SHARP BOSS Magazine PO Box 532, Huntersville, NC 28070 Subscriptions: $12 per year in US

SHARPBOSS | FEATURED

Flight

Time To Take

Michelle Black The Fashion Forward business owner of Social Butterfly Boutique in Greenville, SC shares how she dressed oppositions into opportunities to achieve success

A

fter moving to Greenville from her hometown of Seneca, Michelle pursed a career with manufacturing largest automakers, BMW. She worked as a production associate for 7 year until the company decided to downsize. As others saw oppositions, Michelle saw it as an opportunity to pursue new ventures to enhance your career.

She began volunteering at a rape crisis center before enrolling into Greenville Technical College where she later received her degree in Human Services with certifications in behavioral health and substance abuse. After completing her educational requirements, Michelle thought about pursuing a career in social work but decided to go in a new direction.

“I always loved fashion and dreamed of owning my own boutique.” She didn’t know anyone that owned a business and she did not have a business background. Once again, Michelle

was faced with an opposition and chose to see more possibilities in the opportunity. Therefore in May 2010, she applied for her retail license to open her storefront boutique, Social Butterfly. .

Beauty is from the inside out and Fashion is from the outside in.

Michelle uses her educational background and love of fashion to transform the views of women

TOUGH LESSON Michelle shares when starting her business that she had an immature business mindset because she thought that she didn’t need people such as employees to run her business. “I would work every day, seven days a week…alone.” Now after 5 years of understanding business relations, she knows that her success depends on her wiliness to ask and receive help.

HER BEST ADVICE After running a successful storefront for over 5 year, Michelle best advice is get a mentor and research the industry to develop a business plan to save money and time.

LITTLE KNOWN FACT: Michelle describes herself as both introvert. and extrovert.

“I'm not a Social Butterfly when it comes to my home life.

I love peace & quiet and having alone time.” As much as she desires to transform the views of women through fashion, her business has allow to reveal a social side of herself.

Michelle is the fashionforward businesswoman who came from a manufacturing background to landing an interview on the Steve Harvey Show to now discovering again it’s time to take flight to achieve new ventures in her career.

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SHARPBOSS | MARKETING

3

BOLD MARKETING MOVES

TO TAKE YOUR NEW BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

BY ANITA SCRUGGS

Your branding and marketing journey should always begin with the recognition that branding and marketing are two different elements of business. Branding is why consumers choose your company over your competitors in your industry. Branding includes the consumers' level of expectation and experience using your company's product or service. Marketing is a strategic plan to catch the attention of the anticipated buyers through your branding efforts.

1 ) Authority: As a new business owner, it's important to find out what are your strengths and how to effectively communicate it to attract consumers who would benefit from your services. Developing your strengths will enhance your position as an expert in the industry.

2 ) Invest:

Understand that you can't afford to invest in yourself and your business. Invest at the level you are at and increase as your business grows. Investing may include dedicating time for education, outsourcing tasks for your business, and getting a business coach to help you get clarity on the next steps you should take for your business.

3 ) Awareness Create an online presence to reach those beyond your close network circle. First, establish your brand message and assigning brand elements to build consistency, such as a logo and color concept. Then, build its awareness by using online platforms such as social media to network and collaborate with other businesses.

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SHARPBOSS |LIFESTYLE

PIVOTING TO A CHIEF GROWER

A

fter 19 years of climbing the corporate ladder and achieving highly regarded accreditations in the mortgage banking and technology industry, Dawn found a prominent position within a very established company.

Yet she longed to create a legacy that lived beyond her and her career success. She shares, “From the outside my life looked good, but inside I felt hollow.”Dawn spent over 19 years building wealth for corporations but she desired to start a business in order to leave her family an inheritance.

She reflected, “I remember telling my husband and family that I wanted to leave my career to grow something big. They just couldn’t believe that I wanted to leave a good job with a decent salary and benefits to start a business.” She admits that she had some fear but she decided to pivot and achieve her entrepreneur goals in spite of them. Dawn took her experience and skill in developing a strategic plan from the banking industry to launch her Grow Getter consulting firm.

TOUGH LESSON:

Photo Courtesy of Dawn Nicole

DAWN NICOLE A motivational author and business coach shares how pivoting led her to create her nationally recognized consulting firm, Grow Getter, based in the Charlotte, NC

I began to show up to provide value over volume.

SHARPBOSS.com | WINTER 2017 | 12

The transition from going from a W2 to a 1099 mindset was a major pivoting point in her business. “I begin to show up to provide value over volume.” She began taking the time to nurture her relationships rather than focusing on the bottom line. She discovered the importance of listening to their needs and pivoted her services to bring them solutions.

HER BEST ADVICE: Be prepared to pivot in mid-flight. Your flexibility to pivot today can drastically change tomorrow, so don’t be afraid to pivot.

“As a Grow Getter, you should be always evolving.” Within the last year, Dawn has evolved into the owner of a nationally recognized brand through authoring a best seller, “Grow For It,” and her GrowVersity, where her team coaches business owners to think like a Chief Grow Getter.

www.BASHD.Biz

Jason Pee´

2015 Realtor of Distinction

No One Knows Charleston Better RE/MAX Elite 68 Line St. Charleston, SC 843-532-0128

We are interested in Interviewing: Contributing writers, sales executives, and marketing assistant.

Send Resumes to Judge@SharpJudge.com

SHARPBOSS |LIFESTYLE

THE EVOLVING ENTREPRENEUR

RAVEN MAGWOOD A motivational speaker, author, filmmaker, and businesswoman shares her journey of how she turned her passion into a business empire.

R

aven accomplished several extraordinary goals in less than 23 years. She became a national gymnastic champion at the age of 11 and published her first book at 12. She was also asked to speak at several engagements. After sharing her suicide attempt at her first engagement, an older man told her that he was planning to commit suicide that very day but her testimony gave him the courage to live.

It was then that Raven realized that sharing her success and

SHARPBOSS.com | WINTER 2017 | 14

failures had an impact on people and should be shared. She developed a passion for helping others and bringing a voice to controversial topics.

She graduated high school at the age at 16 at the top of her class. She took a year off from college to host a television show but went on to achieve a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Clemson University at age 19. After receiving her degree, she felt like she could really move with full force.

Raven’s second book, Double Sided, addressed race relations in a creative way. It was so impressive that it later became an award-winning independent film entitled, Double Lanes.

In 2008, Raven established the Raven Magwood Foundation which has served as an empowering platform for over 30,000 students. She hosts the Annual StudentAthlete Summit in Greenville to bring a positive message to students with the help of professional athletes.

“I never woke up one day to do anything strategically. ..It was divine….each opportunity was a step to the next.” Her maturity of understanding the power of her passion Raven evolved from the mindset of doing what was fun or cool, to a mature businesswoman who understands the power of positioning and networking, “This is what I am supposed to do, as things align so perfectly.”

TOUGH LESSON:

Everyone cannot be trusted. Really get to know who your colleagues are to find out what their true intentions are.

HER BEST ADVICE: Marketing is crucial to the success of your product or service. Do not put more money into a product or service without enough to effectively market it.

Raven has truly evolved into am amazing business woman who enjoys sharing her passion and gifts on any platform that is presented.

SHARPBOSS | MONEY

Tips on Choosing - and Using - a Tax Preparer Edward Jones

When you first started out in your adult life, things were probably pretty simple: no house, no spouse, no kids, few investments. So, when it came time to do your taxes, you might have gotten along just fine by using Form 1040EZ - which, as the name suggests, is pretty darn easy to use.

Fast forward a few years, however, and here you are today: family, mortgage, 401(k), IRA, stocks, bonds, debts, charitable contributions. Now, when you sit down to do your taxes, they're looking a lot more like your high school trigonometry. If that's the case, it might be time for you to get some help.

However, anyone can claim to be a "tax preparer."

How can you find the one that's right for you?

Here are a few tips: Check credentials. While your brother-in-law, your barber and your daughter's friend who is really good in math all may be able to do your taxes, none of them are going to be as familiar with tax laws as a CPA, a tax attorney or an "enrolled agent" (an individual licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service). So, before you hand over your tax returns to someone, ask about his or her credentials and experience. If your taxes are too complicated for you to handle, you need a professional.

Get references. Ask your friends, relatives and co-workers who they use for their taxes, and if they're satisfied with this person.

Avoid preparers who promise "big refunds." No reputable tax preparer can guarantee you a big refund - or any refund - before looking at your taxes. Stay away from these people. Also, avoid tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of the refund. While refunds are nice, you don't want one that might invite serious questions, or an audit, from the IRS..

Get Organized Once you have chosen a professional to do your taxes, what can you expect? Can you just toss a shoebox full of receipts, investment statements and pay stubs at your preparer and then wait for your return?

It's not that easy. Even if you use a tax preparer, you're going to have to do some work, too. Try to be as organized as possible with your documentation. For example, you may want one envelope devoted solely to investment information, one to earnings, one to charitable gifts, one to other deductions, and so on. The more organized you are, the easier it will be for your tax professional to complete your return in the most favorable manner possible.

However, don't assume that what you're giving to your preparer is sufficient. If you have sold shares of stock, make sure you've got the cost-basis of those shares available. If this information is not printed on your statements, call your investment professional to get it.

SHARPBOSS.com | WINTER 2017 | 16

Here's one final tip: See your tax preparer as soon as possible. Once the tax season gets into late March, you'll find few people anywhere as harassed and harried as tax preparers - so give them the time they need to help you.

When Every Penny Matters...

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SHARPBOSS | EVENTS & SEMINARS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

1

Shop, Strategize, Soar Sat. February 25 2 pm to 5 pm Greenville, SC Join us at Social Butterfly Boutique to learn how the owner, Michelle Black, build a successful retail business

3

Increase Your Buying Power Tues. March 7 6 pm to 8 pm Greenville, SC

Seminar: Learn how to build your personal credit to position your business for credit.

5

The Power of Numbers Thurs. April 13 6 pm to 8 pm Charlotte, NC

Seminar: Learn how understanding your financial statements can help you discover missed profit opportunities.

SHARPBOSS.com | WINTER 2017 | 18

2 4

Shop, Strategize, Soar Sat. March 4 2 pm to 5 pm Charleston, SC Join us at Social Taste of the Island Restaurant to learn how business owner, Torri Hammond Make Marketing Matters

Increase Your Buying Power Thurs. April 6 6 pm to 8 pm Charlotte, NC Seminar: Learn how to build your personal credit to position your business for credit.

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