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AV I D M AG A Z I N E

TABLE OF

CONTENTS BIZ WORTHY TIPS

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EDITOR’S PICK

EDITOR’S PICK TOP FOOD SPOTS

READ, LEAD, SUCCEED

BOOKS YOU SHOULD BE READING

LET TER FROM EDITOR LESSONS LEARNED

BIZ WORTHY TIPS

MARKETING MUST-HAVES

GO CROOZEN WITH GORDON TAYLOR WHAT’S YOUR MARKETING MESSAGE? CAMELLIA ALISE WITH LYNDSEY BRANTLEY

FACEBOOK BUSINESS GROUPS WE SEE ABILITIES WITH MY THIQUER PICKET T BUSINESS ENTITIES TOTAL PRECISION SHOOTING READ, LEAD, SUCCEED

F O L LO W U S

IN EVERY ISSUE

Photo Credit: Roderick Lightfoot Photography

8 10 15 16

FACEBOOK @THEAVIDMAGAZINE INSTAGRAM @AVID_MAGAZINE T WIT TER @AVID_MAGAZINE WEBSITE WWW.THEAVIDMAGAZINE.COM

On the Cover: Lyndsey Brantley Photo by Roderick Lightfoot Photography Courtesy of Camellia Alise

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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 local businesses.

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 copy 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.

CORRECTION: THE WRITER. ENTREPRENEUR. PHILANTHROPIST. EDITOR. BANDIT (DEC 2017) Cecilia M. Austin is from Oakland, CA; not from San Francisco, CA

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 May 2018. Copyright 2018 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.

AV I D M AG A Z I N E

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

ow, it’s the second issue already! So much has happened over the past few months, and I thank God for the lessons learned, new relationships developed, and the growth experienced. Being in business for yourself can be very challenging, but remember to keep God first and pray without ceasing. Throughout this journey I have learned so many lessons: 1. Continue to make decisions out of faith, not fear. 2. “Mistakes are portals of discovery.” 3. Growth is important because it’s a step in the right direction. 4. Remember why you started and that will help you keep going when times are hard. 5. Stay humble and hustle hard. 6. Lady Gaga said, “You have to be unique and different, shine in your own way.” 7. Write your own story starting with a relationship with yourself. However, I am grateful that AVID Magazine has been able to help businesses and spread positivity through philanthropy. #BEAVID is our goal and initative for 2018. Always be Ambitious, Victorious, Inspiring, and Determined. Take AVID with you daily and incorporate it into your life. #BEAVID #ALWAYSBEAVID Everyone has been talking about setting goals for the new year and vision boards, but are we working towards these goals? Just creating a vision board and setting goals will not

help them come to pass. I challenge you to start today and do something that will help you get closer to your goal. This year, I have challenged myself to work on relationships in my life, serve, and give back to those who are less fortunate. I also committed to get involved and actively participate in my church, and turn the other cheek because I know that God has a greater ending for me than I could ever imagine. I want to focus on being a better me because I am the only person that can stand in my way. __So what are your goals and how are you going to work towards them? Write to me and tell me about them. It may show up on one of our platforms. Remember, Always Be AVID! Twitter: @avid_magazine Instagram: @nancy_theavidmag

NANCY JACKSON

AV I D M AG A Z I N E

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“D E T E R M I N E W H O YO U A R E A N D W H AT Y O U R B R A N D I S , A N D W H AT Y O U ’ R E N O T. T H E R E S T O F I T I S J U S T A LOT O F N O I S E .” – GEOFFREY ZAKARIAN Photo Credit: Chelsea Jackson

connect with? Who are you selling to?

B I Z W O R T H Y B LO G

C. What kind of products or services do you provide that will engage customers? D. How will you help your customers decide you are the best? What is your secret sauce?

Marketing Must Haves 1. Define your brand identity. I know for me, this was really hard at first. After several designs, I finally settled on my current brand identity. Your brand is how the world will recognize your product or services. When developing your brand some key components are needed: A. A description of your business, products, and services. (It can be short and sweet, no need for long paragraphs.) B. Who is your audience? Who do you want to

AV I D M AG A Z I N E

E. Why should customers choose your product or services? What makes you stand out or apart from everyone else? Subscribe to www.theavidmagazine.com for all the latest updates and more in-depth articles. Follow us on social media! And remember to Always Be AVID!

Live Your Dream I’m Ashley N. Thomas - an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and author. I specialize in restoration and revitalization of youth and young adult women who, like myself, have experienced traumatic life events such as teen pregnancy, while offering tactical guidance of how families can navigate their paths toward success.

Everybody had a story before they were great. Before they were somebody worth writing or talking about. I will be the person believing in our girls so they understand that they can do any and everything they want in life; that they too can live their dream despite their circumstances. Will you join me in supporting this movement and believe in these young mothers and their dreams with me? Donations can be made via PayPal.me/AshleyThomasInspires or https://www.ashley-thomas.com/liveyour-dream-campaign

WE PROMOTE

Since being contracted with Spring ISD the past two years, I’ve been determined to leave teen moms better than I found them. This Career-Focused makeover movement was laid on my heart to uplift and empower our young mothers to move forward and progress even when it seems impossible.

e Promote, Wednesday’s, our social media weekly campaign. Every Wednesday we advertise six 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 or send us a DM. 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 FACEBOOK @THEAVIDMAGAZINE INSTAGRAM @AVID_MAGAZINE T WIT TER @AVID_MAGAZINE

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GO GO CROOZEN

AV I D M AG A Z I N E

Gordon Taylor, Co-Founder of Croozen

hen Gordon Taylor, founder of Croozen decided that he wanted to attend graduate school, it was never with the intent to create something so innovative. After graduating with his MBA, traveling the world, Taylor has a different take on one of his purposes in life. Croozen, an app-based business started by Taylor, has become a high focal point for this young entrepreneur. Croozen is a social travel platform which connects travelers one experience at a time. Croozen is in the business for connection and accessibility. Croozen wants every Croozer to connect with likeminded individuals who would like to head to the same event or destination.

AVID: What area or market is Croozen currently serving?

AVID: Tell me how you came up with the concept for Croozen.

AVID: What are some future plans for Croozen?

Taylor: As an MBA student, I needed to get home to Houston from Chicago. Not only did I need to get home I needed to bring some things home that I could not take by plane. I had to rent a car that cost me exactly $363.13 and a grueling 18 hour drive in a car by myself. I wished I could have shared the experience and cost. I wanted to create something that would not only provide a ride while traveling long distance but something that would be a service for the community. I wanted to help serve people, but it was more imperative to provide a service to a relatable group in the community.

Taylor: Croozen will offer pick up and drop off rides in future. If you are traveling to Austin you will be able to pick up a rider along the way. For example, You are traveling to Austin, TX and there is someone who live in Waco, TX and they need to go to Austin, TX. Well you can pick them up along the way, you can both travel to Austin and drop them off while you are there. A pickup can allow for extra money depeding on how much you have to go out of your way.

AVID: What exactly do you mean by ‘relatable group in the community?’ Taylor: When Croozen was developed it was built on what some might call a burden because I have not owned a car in the last five years, but instead I started an empire. Croozen is now a lifestyle in many communities after just two years in existence. My personal experiences with not having a car allows Croozen to be relatable. AVID: So how does Croozen work? Taylor: If you are looking for a travel companion to an event or destination, whether short or long-distance Croozen offers suggested prices for the ride, but you have a choice to charge higher or lower. We try to match riders with like preferences and someone you feel comfortable with. For example, if you have to rent a car then you can have someone to help you split the cost of rental and travel. Right now, Croozen is for long distance rides with future plans to offer around the town rides. Through the Croozen app, users are able to create accounts and book rides with saved credit card information. Through a third-party company we do conduct background checks to provide safe trips.

Taylor: The last two years, Croozen is huge on the college and university market and is now expanding to general population in Houston, Texas. AVID: What has been your most satisfying moment in business? Taylor: Being able to help mothers get their kids home from college for the holidays along with being able to connect families and people.

AVID: When you decided to go to Graduate School, was it to start a business? Taylor: No, not at all. I wanted to work in private equity. I orginally wanted to go to Harvard Business School, but I was rejected. I was, however, accepted to University of Chicago Business School (Booth). I always had a curosity about starting a business but I never was set on it. Although I had many ideas, I never pursued them until I had a personal need. AVID: What are some sacrficies that you have had to make for Croozen to succeed? Taylor: Money, relationships, and family sacrifices. Sometimes, it is tough to balance everything but, it’s important to have great people around you which makes the journey sweeter. AVID: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be? Taylor: Persistent. I don’t believe in taking no for an answer with a sense of class. You have to scratch and claw for whatever you want. Create your own destiny and have faith no matter what.

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