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TABLE OF
CONTENTS 8 S O C K O U T P OV E RTY
3 2 T H E CA RT E R B R OT H E R S
9 C H I C K S W I T H C LA S S
4 2 T & D TA X S E RV I C E
1 0 100 B LA C K M E N O F H O U S TO N
4 3 MCP NETWORK
1 1 KENNETH ROBINSON
4 4 T H E S P O RT S A N D W E L L N E S S
1 2 B O O K E D D E S I G N S PA C E
4 5 9 M O N T H S O F 5K
1 8 B U F F A LO S O L I D E R S M U S E U M
4 6 B R O A D CA S T H O U S TO N
1 9 D E S M O N D B E RT RA N D - P I T T S
4 7 P O P S TY L E LA S H E S
2 2 T H E C.A L L E N E X P E R I E N C E
4 8 C I N DY ’S L I S T, L LC
2 4 GHBC
4 9 K. B E N A I E V E N T S
2 5 CA R O L G U E S S
5 0 H O U S TO N M O U V E S
2 6 J I V E J U I C E C O M PA N Y
5 1 G R O O M E D M E N S S A LO N
2 7 CA M E L L I A A L I S E A CA D E M Y
5 2 DARIUS
2 8 VA L LA I R E’S
5 3 CA RT E R C O U R I E R S E RV I C E
2 9 VA L LA I R E’S F O R M E N
5 4 AV I D I N T H E C I TY
L E T T E R F R O M E D I TO R
THE YEAR OF ME
E D I T O R’S P I C K P. 16 THIS QUARTERS PICK
T H E E M B RA C E C O A C H P. 17 20/20 VISION
T H E AV I D R E A D E R P. 23 READ, LEAD AND SUCCEED
B U S I N E S S D I R E CTO RY P. 58
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About Us: AVID magazine is a business magazine that provides a platform for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals. All stories featured are geared to uplift and provide support for other entrepreneurs. Our Mantra: Networking one business at a time.
TALK TO US AVID Magazine welcomes your comments and suggestions. Please email info@theavidmagazine.com, and connect with us on social media. We reserve the right to edit letters for length and grammar, and to publish at our discretion. All submitted copies and materials become the property of AVID Magazine. We do not guarantee the publication of unsolicited materials. For features or publication requests, please email info@theavidmagazine.com.
Last Issue: September 2019
AVID MAGAZINE (ISSN 2574-5263) Is A Digital Business Magazine That Is Published Quarterly Only! For Questions Or Advertising Opportunities Please Email Info@theavidmagazine.com. Issue Month Is December 2019. Copyright 2019 By AVID Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction Of This Magazine, In Whole, Or In Part, Is Prohibited Unless Authorized By The Publisher. The Advertising Space Provided In AVID Magazine Is Purchased And Paid For By The Advertiser. None Of The Products Or Services are Necessarily Endorsed By AVID Magazine.
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR The Year of Me AVID is officially two years old, we made it!!! 2019 has been a phenomenal year for AVID Magazine. In 2016, I set out to help business owners get their businesses recognized because of my personal struggles. I created a media outlet and over these past two years, AVID Magazine has featured over 2,500 businesses, events, and entrepreneurs via social media, our website, and through our quarterly digital magazine. Is is with great pleasure that I announce that AVID Magazine is now in seven countries and we have over 150,000 readers worldwide in two years. During the last quarter of 2019, you should have been planning your 2020 year out. It’s important that you set 30, 60, and 90 day goals for you and your business. Make your business known and follow Diddy’s approach in marketing by shameless promoting. Make one of your goals this year to become more visible and stop at no cost to put your brand in front of thousands. Most people want money, power, and accolades, however they do not equal self-love and acceptance. A few years ago, I read “Year of Yes,” by Shonda Rhimes and it was so relateable. Often times we do not give ourselves enough credit for the things we are great at. We are quick to automacially count things out because we have already decided in our minds that the answer is NO. In her memoir “Year of Yes”, Shonda Rhimes lives up to her promise to show the world “How to Dance It Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person.” She states that we have to start saying yes to five things. Three of those things stuck out to me personally and hopefully they can help you as well.
Photo: Suzann e Pe
rez
1. Say YES to your voice - You have the power to impact your corner of the world for the better by swallowing your fear, standing up for what’s right and speaking out in love. You never know how your voice can change a person’s life. 2. Say ‘Yes’ to Saying ‘No’ - Difficult conversations are sometimes necessary for personal growth and for the health of your relationships and the people who love you will want to grow along with you. Learn to say ‘no’ to things and people that are sucking the life out of you. When you understand that you deserve good things, saying ‘no’ to the bad things becomes so much easier. 3. Say ‘Yes’ to Real Friendships - Believe people when they show you who they really are. It is not only fair to them, it’s also fair to you. When you become an honest, healthy person, you can cultivate honest, healthy relationships with others. As always, soar in 2020 and never feel bad about your blessings. Here are some points to focus on. 1. Keep God first, pray, and stay humble. 2. Focus on your purpose 3. Develop a different mindset. You can’t have the same mindset you had in 2020 Remember to always be Ambitious, Victorious, Inspiring and Determined! Be AVID! Instagram: @nancy_theavidmag
Nancy Jackson
We Promote Wednesday The TOP Post of 2019 1.
WE PROMOTE
W
e Promote, Wednesday, is our weekly social media campaign. Every Wednesday we advertise nine different businesses. We offer information about their product or service along with contact information. To get featured on We Promote Wednesday’s send an email to info@ theavidmagazine.com. Please include your logo (if you have one), basic business information, social media names, and your contact information.
F O L LO W U S F A C E B O O K @AVIDMAGAZINE I N S TA G RA M @ T H E AV I D M A G A Z I N E_ T W I T T E R @ AV I D_M A G A Z I N E
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AVID MAGAZINE
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http://ghbcc.com/
THE FOURTH EDITION BUY BLACK DIRECTORY BOASTS OVER 500 LISTINGS OF BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. FROM RETAIL TO INDUSTRIAL, THE GHBC BUY BLACK DIRECTORY COVERS A LARGE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES. AFRICAN-AMERICANS CONTINUE TO REACH NEW HEIGHTS FINANCIALLY IN AMERICA. WE NOW MUST ANSWER THE CALL OF ACTION TO USE OUR FINANCIAL POWER TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES AND THEIR BUSINESSES. DIRECTING OUR BUYING POWER BACK TO BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES WILL ALLOW US TO CREATE JOBS, BUILD OUR COMMUNITIES, AND PROVIDE THE NEXT GENERATION A BRIGHTER FUTURE.
4828 Loop Central Drive Suite 1000, Houston, TX 77081
713.660.8299 W W W. T H E A V I D M A G A Z I N E . C O M
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T
he mission of Sock Out
Poverty, Inc. is to provide socks, clothing and other material goods to men, women, boys, and girls that are in need or less fortunate. Through the services and donations of this organization, poverty will be reduced and lives restored. Sock Out Poverty is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to Sock Out Poverty One Step At A Time ! “Sock Out Poverty” was birthed by child actress Princess Jackson because of her fondness for socks and seeing the need in the community. Princess came up with the idea to raise donations which would cover the needs of men, women, boys, and girls who were in need of a new pair(s) of socks. Her goal is to reduce poverty and provide socks for the less fortunate, therefore Socking Out Poverty One Step At A Time! AVID: What do you specialize in, what are you most known for? Sock Out Poverty is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization who provide socks, clothing and other material goods to men, women, boys, and girls that are in need or less fortunate. Through the services and donations of this organization, poverty will be reduced and lives restored. Sock Our Poverty’s goal is to go global and Sock Out Poverty One Step At A Time !
Everyone has a story about why they started, what’s your’s? While on a blanket drive with my mom, I noticed the homeless didn’t have socks to keep them warm. Because of my passion to give back to the community and my fondness for socks, Sock Out Poverty was created. Sock Our Poverty gives the most needed yet overlooked item to the less fortunate, and that’s a new pair of socks. Being in business can be hard and difficult sometimes, what keeps you motivated? I take 30 min a day to focus on something positive and pour back into me. I listen to daily inspirational messages, meditation, and uplifting songs. This keeps me balance and able to handle challenges when they come 8
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What can we look forward to from you in the upcoming year? I’m going to host my Sock Out Poverty Campaign in Chicago in 2020. We are excited to continue to go global and Sock Out Poverty all over the world What has been the hardest thing about being in business? Balancing my business, my acting career, and school. What are the failures that you most cherish? I don’t consider to have failed but allow challenges that I face to either redirect me or reevaluate myself and how I can improve in a certain area. Failure leads to success. Kevin Gates said, “Learn from everytime you ever failed, if it never failed then grind smarter.” What did you want to be when you grew up? I’m living my dream now. I’m a child actress and a business owner of a nonprofit organization What do you do in your free time? I like to keep a good balance so I listen to music and hang out with my friends in my free time. How would you describe yourself in one word? Prolific What sets you apart from others who are doing the same thing? My creativity to accomplish my mission and goals. To stay focus and stay in my lane. What is a philosophy or quote that you live by? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13 If you could offer one piece of advice to someone wanting to follow your path, what would it be? Follow your Dreams and don’t give up For more information on Sock Out Poverty visit www.sockoutpoverty.org If you are interrested in partnering or donating to Sock Out Poverty please send an email to info@sockoutpoverty.org or call 1-888-318-2838. Be sure to follow Princess on Social Media FB: Princess Jackson IG: @therealprincessjackson Twitter: PrincessJ4Real
What do you specialize in, what are you most known for? We specialize in Girl Empowered Workshops through Chicks With Class centers, school curriculum and girls conferences. Everyone has a story about why they started, what’s your’s? I grew up in Milwaukee, WI and as a young girl I lacked confidence and overall self esteem. It wasn’t until I developed social skills and overcame my fear of speaking to people that I gained my self esteem. My social skills were developed through the training I received in the military, internships I’ve held and the time I spent obtaining my undergraduate degree at Texas Southern University. It dawned on me one day that if young girls were exposed to more of the experiences I had they too would have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Girls with low self esteem don’t realize their full potential because of fear or lack of enthusiasm to even try. This is why I created my company Chicks With Class™️ where we provide unique workshops to girls which help them reach their full potential. We are the first for profit Girls Email Company listed as a Public Benefit Corpotation in the United States. I’ve developed a way to commercialize my technique so that I am creating opportunities for both shareholders and stakeholders. Being in business can be hard and difficult sometimes, what keeps you motivated? The opportunities my company is creating duke stakeholders being the girls impacted by our programs, schools and organizations. My motivation also comes from the shareholders such as the franchisees and licensees. What can we look for ward to from you in the upcoming year? We plan to open up multiple locations in Texas and spread to surrounding cities and states. We also want our curriculum to be implemented throughout Texas schools and surrounding states. What has been the hardest thing about being in business? Access to funding for my type of entity. I am the first to market so it takes a bit more for investment and banks to understand my business model. It’s also extremely difficult to handle work/life balance. With an infant and 2 boys both in elementary school it’s been hard to manage everything while keeping the business goals met. What are the failures that you most cherish? I cherish all of my failures because they are all opportunities for me to learn. The one that sticks out the most however is my most recent failure to launch a
product on time. I learned that I didn’t have all of the pieces to the puzzle together but we went back to the drawing board. After looking at things from all angles, of the product would’ve launched we wouldn’t have been able to handle the growth which would’ve put the brand at risk. What did you want to be when you grew up? I actually wanted to be a lawyer because I was great a arguing my point and having others agree with me. What do you do in your free time? I spend my free time traveling the world with my children. How would you describe yourself in one word? Resilient What sets you apart from others who are doing the same thing? I developed a way to commercialize the girls empowerment industry providing opportunities for not only stakeholders but creating new opportunities for shareholders. What is a philosophy or quote that you live by? Stay prepared so you don’t have to get prepared. If you could offer one piece of advice to someone wanting to follow your path, what would it be? Don’t give up because every struggle you’ve endured is worth it in the end if you just keep going. I was recently selected out of 100 applicants for a 12 month fellowship with with Global Good Fund which highlights veteran entrepreneurs with social enterprises. This Fellowship will provided mentorship, leadership training and $10,000 grant to help my business grow. Margo Jordan Baines - margobaines@chickswithclass.com Chicks With Class is located at 16430 West Lake Houston Pkwy Suite 400 Houston, TX 77044 For more information on Chicks With Class visit www.chickswithclass.com or call (281) 832-3638 Be sure to follow them on social at @chicks_with_class on Instagram @Chicks With Class on Facebook and @Chickswclass
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