VMH Magazine - June/July 2016

MAGAZINE!

VMH Vikki M. Hankins!

Bu ild

U B a S sin ONU tro g D S: ng ata er to Bu sin es

s!

Special Tribute to Boxing Legend & Humanitarian

Muhammad Ali

Mo’Nique

Women’s Expo Highlights

Nova Kopp

Beauty with a Purpose!

Daniella Walcott Miss World Trinidad & Tobago

“Life Begins After 50”

RIVETING !

FACEBOOK !

FACTS &!

Women as Entrepreneurs On the Rise!

Small Business ‘Misdiagnosis’ Personal Guide to Cancer Intervention/Prevention June 2016

A GIRL SHOULD BE TWO THINGS ____________________

!

! !

CLASSY & FABULOUS! ! !

-COCO CHANEL

Photo Credit: istock © soup__studio

10. ’More Than Just a Pretty face’ Dr. Chaleetra Hornes Shares the ‘Beauty’ Behind Her Business

by Vikki Hankins MAKE IT SIMPLE BUT SIGNIFICANT DON DRAPER

VMH MAGAZINE

16.

Ultimate Women’s Expo (2016) Highlights - Shopping, Networking and Words of Wisdom from Actress Mo’Nique Women represent 85% of consumer spending and that translates into a $5 trillion market. The Ultimate Women's Expo provides unprecedented opportunity to meet with thousands of women with a high degree of disposable income to spend on services and products for themselves and their loved ones.

18.

An Inside Look with Miss World Trinidad and Tobago “The Miss World Organisation remains the oldest International Beauty Pageant in history. The competition has evolved over its sixty four (64) year span of success from a bikini contest to repositioning itself with the Beauty with a Purpose theme in the 1980’s to present.” - Miss World TT Websitea

by Vikki Hankins!

By Alisha Davis

22.

Muhammad Ali, ‘The Heart of a Champion’ Although Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984, he didn’t allow it to get him down, he wasn’t ashamed to be seen in public and he willed himself to live 32 more years without giving up. Whether a person wants to admit it or not, Ali inspired many people. In most cases in sports when you are the underdog you can’t help but think about Muhammad Ali beating George Foreman in 1974 when people said he couldn’t.

By Garry Jones

28.

Practical Steps to Branding, Business Success and Security Branding is a necessary part of any business. It differentiates you, your products, and/or services from the next product or service. Branding builds a certain expectation of a company. If people know you are reliable, professional and punctual, generally they come to form an expectation; if you build a strong fullproof brand your service/products or even ‘you’ will be selected over the next. With that said branding ties directly into sales and marketing. Learn practical steps to business branding and success.

24.

Using Data to Build A Stronger Business - Digital Summit Highlights Data aids in determining the answers to these questions. Let’s say a company does not have a sophisticated analytics system as Pandora; how can this company use data to determine customers and what they’re doing?

by Vikki Hankins

By Vikki Hankins

32.

Riveting Facebook Facts For Small Business Owners

By Vikki Hankins

!

Publisher!

VMH Vikki M. Hankins Editor-in-Chief Vikki M. Hankins

Pandora Internet Radio’s,

Claribelle Van Holland

Journalist/Contributors Vikki Hankins Garry Jones

! !

Contributors (Visiting)

Using Data to Build a Stronger Business

P. 24

Photography Vikki Hankins Garry Jones Alisha Davis

!! !! ! ! ! ! !

Executive Media Assistant Alisha Davis

Cover Photo Credits: Daniella Walcott Main Cover Feature: Kierron Yip Ngow Photography Nova Kopp (Insert): Matt Boyd Photography Monique (Insert): Alisha Davis

Photo Credit: Vikki Hankins

www.vmhmagazine.com

A Chic-fil-A Tribute, Integrity to S. Truett Cathy Lessons & Business

by Vikki Hankins

Photos Courtesy of Chick-fil-A Press

Many of us, at one point or another, have enjoyed a tasty chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A. Have you ever considered the person behind the scenes that started this business? Clearly, these chain fast-food stores did not simply ‘appear’ on the scene. Who is the person behind such a delectable, chicken-based menu? Believe it or not, the man behind the scenes was not college-educated and at one point lived in the housing authority projects as a young man. His name; Mr. Samuel Truett Cathy.

Truett, as he was called growing up, opened his first Chick-Fil-A store in the Greenbriar Mall, located in Atlanta, GA. That was back in 1967. That 1 store has since multiplied into 1,800 successful stores, serving millions of customers.

According to a recent press release, Mr. Cathy is credited with creating the original Chick-fil-A Chicken

Sandwich and pioneering in-mall fast food, Cathy built one of the nation's largest family-owned companies as Chickfil-A reached $5 billion in annual sales in 2013. Currently, there are more than 1,800 Chick-fil-A restaurants operating in 40 states and Washington, D.C. Remarkably, Cathy led Chick-fil-A on an unparalleled record of 47 consecutive years of annual sales increases. Cathy's oldest son, Dan, became president of Chick-fil-A in 2001 and chairman and chief executive officer in 2013, while Truett Cathy continued in the role of chairman emeritus until his death.

Today, Mr. Wayne Blessitt is the Franchise Operations Manager of the original store; starting his career with the chain at 17 yrs. old, Blessitt has a deep respect for Cathy’s business ethics and spiritual principles. When faced with operational challenges, Blessitt simply asks himself, “What would Mr. Cathy do.”

30

Need a Professional Videographer for Your Business or Event? ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Contact

Vikki Hankins

Fast Fact: Women Business Owners on the Rise!

According to the reputable reports, women are taking entrepreneurship by storm. Here are the results: • More than 9.4 million firms are owned by women, employing nearly 7.9 million people, and generating $1.5 trillion in sales as of 2015.

• Women-owned firms (51% or more) account for 31% of all privately held firms and contribute 14% of employment and 12% of revenues.

• Over the past seven years, the overall increase of 8.3 million (net) new jobs is comprised of a 9.2 million increase in employment in large, publicly traded corporations, combined with a 893,000 decline in employment among smaller, privately held companies.

• The number of women-owned firms in the U.S. continues to climb, and is now estimated to have surpassed 9.4 million enterprises – 30% of all businesses in the country; • The revenue generated by these enterprises is now estimated to stand at nearly $1.5 trillion, and has increased by 79% since 1997; and Women-owned firms now employ over 7.9 million workers • (excluding owners), providing one in seven jobs among privately-owned businesses • Between 1997 and 2014, the number of women-owned firms grew at 1½ times the national average. And revenue and employment growth among womenowned firms tops that of all other firms— except the largest, publicly traded corporations.

MAKING TOTAL LIFE CHANGES STARTS TODAY!

CONTACT MARY NOBLES-JACKSON BY VISITING

Dr. Hornes Talking with Customers

More Than Just A Pretty Face, Dr. Chaleetra Hornes !

!

“I took a needle and stuck in the top of my nose to let the air out.”

Interview Conducted by Vikki Hankins|

! !Dr. Chaleetra Hornes has created bath and body line using organic butters, dead Sea salts, organic sugar.

These products caters to the knees, elbows, inner thighs, and buttocks. Imagine looking hydrated beautiful skin in all o these ares. Dr. Hornes took a moment to speak with me about her company’s origin.

watched my mother mix different products together to try and get them to work. I would even see her add Clorox bleach to cremes to help lighten the dark spots on her legs. Ironically I grew up doing the same thing. In 2008 I found myself pregnant and homeless. Finally with the help of social services I was able to acquire an apartment.

I bought a set of used mattresses and unfortunately they were infested with bed bugs. Shortly after, I discovered small bumps all over my legs. I had spots everywhere, I started making scrubs and polishes to try and get rid of the spots. I’ve been making products ever since the bed bug incident and the rest is history.

VMH: How did you come up with such an exotic yet sophisticated name as Bella Chic’?

!

VMH: So tell me about Bella Chic’, how does Bella Chic’ serve the world of beauty and skincare and why did you begin this company?

Dr. Hornes; We create an array of natural, luxury skin care and beauty products that cater to the rehydration and rejuvenation of the skin. Using only the finest Organic sugars, salts and Therapeutic grade essential oils we give skin new life. We believe that the skin is the most intimate area of our body and anything that we put on our skin should serve a purpose, there should be a benefit. We currently have 12 different skincare and beauty products and will expand our selection of products in time.

Bella Chic’ Beauti Essentials, LLC was started because of my obsession with beauty products. As a child I

Dr. Hornes: Well I wanted something that was different but had meaning. I came up with Bella Chic’ about 7-8 years ago. I knew that Bella was beautiful and Chic’ is attractive, stylish or classy and I wanted my line to be all of that.

VMH: Your slogan specifies you are ‘more than just a pretty face’; as most of us are aware there’s a great deal of pressure placed on having a ‘pretty face’. How do you feel about beauty and why ‘more than just a pretty face’?

Dr. Hornes: As a 13 yr. old little girl I thought that I was ugly. I remember my mother’s boyfriend calling me big nose. So, I took a needle and stuck in the top of my nose to let the air out. For many years my nose was darker than the rest of my face. The big nose insult stuck with me for many years no matter how many times I’d hear “you’re pretty”. I never believed it until I realized everything else. I had to go along with being pretty.

Beauty is so so much more than a pretty face. There is so much beauty in women, from her mind, to the way she walks, talks, her voice, her soul, her shape, her toes, her fingers, the way she laughs, her confidence and of course her skin. I am more than just a pretty face.

VMH: Where do you see Bella Chic’ in let’s say two years?

Dr. Hornes: I’d like to be on the Macy’s escalator with Martha, Mariah, Usher and Sean “Diddy” Combs! Lol! I’m laughing but I’m very serious! I’d like to see Bella Chic’ become a household name. A company that is known for natural skin nourishing products. A company that stands behind every ingredient…that’s where I want Bella Chic’ to be in 2 yrs.

VMH: For those looking to become an entrepreneur in skincare, what are your best piece of advice?

Dr. Hornes: Know your audience, do lots of research and testing, create testimonies and read, “The 22 Immutable laws Of Marketing” before you start your business.

VMH: Is there anything you’d like to add?

Dr. Hornes: We would like to thank VMH Magazine for an amazing opportunity! God bless! www.bellachiclife.com Facebook @ Bella Chic’ Instagram @Bellachiclife

Misdiagnosis, Cancer and Intervention/Prevention!

!! !!

According to reports, in the U.S. approximately 12 million adults Vikki Hankins|

who seek outpatient medical care are misdiagnosed each year; this breaks down to 1 in 20 adults. Of those misdiagnosis mistakes roughly 6 million could cause harm and at times death. Patients with conditions such as heart failure, pneumonia, depression, cancer and other health-related issues could have serious problems that remain unrecognized.

!

Retired Lieutenant Garry L. Jones is one of millions of Americans to experience a misdiagnosis. Due to unbearable pain, for over a decade Jones repeatedly visited a number of doctors seeking answers to the root cause of his suffering. Had it not been for his persistence and determination to find a doctor who cared enough to find the problem. he would not be alive to help others. Jones was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

PATIENT -VSDOCTOR MISDIAGNOSIS

!

Jones believes it is possible to not only survive cancer but to live a healthy life after cancer. In his book Patient -vs- Doctor, Misdiagnosis, Jones shares a detailed account of his journey through repeated urinary tract infections, sickness and severe pains..

!

Says Jones, “The best way to detect cancer is listening to your body when something doesn't feels right. You must have regular checkups with your primary physician. The majority of times the medical field encourage patients to have screenings for cancer when they are a certain age, but I disagree with that philosophy.

Take for an example, men are told to get their prostate examine when they are 40 years old but I began to have problems with my prostate at 36 years old. If I would have gone with the traditional way of doing things, I will probably be dead. I was told to commenced to have regular colon screening for cancer at the age of 50. When I turned 50 I had already had five colonosophy and reason is because I began to see blood in my stool at age 39.�

!

In his book entitled Misdiagnosis: Patient vs. Doctor, Retired Lt. Garry L. Jones teaches patients how to prevent delayed or misdiagnosis, detect cancer and uses his story to encourage others to beat cancer.

amazon.com

2016 The Ultimate Women’s Expo Highlights!

! !

Photography by Alisha Davis|

The Ultimate Women's Expo provides unprecedented opportunity to meet with thousands of women with a high degree of disposable income to spend on services and products for themselves and their loved ones. Plus it provides networking and words of wisdom!

An Incredible Crowd at the 2016 Women’s Expo

Actress Kim Fields

Television Personality Teresa Giudice

Television Personality

NeNe Leakes

Mo’Nique Showing Love to Her Fans

Shopping

Actress/Comedian Mo’Nique During 2016 Ultimate Women’s Expo

Photography by Alisha Davis

Beauty with a Purpose

Daniella Walcott Miss World Trinidad & Tobago !

Photo Credit: Kierron Yip Ngow Photography Wardrobe:The Vault; Kootis.

Hair and Makeup: Salon One by Mark Location: Bamboo Cathedral, Chaguaramas Trinidad WI

“My advice to any woman who is interested in competing would be to dive deep, seek and bring about your most inner treasures, your strengths, your inner beauty so to inspire others through you…”

“The Miss World Organisation remains the oldest International Beauty Pageant in history. The competition has evolved over its sixty four (64) year span of success from a bikini contest to repositioning itself with the Beauty with a Purpose theme in the 1980’s to present.” - Miss World TT Website

!

I had the pleasure of interviewing the new Miss World Trinidad and Tobago: Hello Ms. Walcott, congratulations on winning Miss World Trinidad and Tobago 2016, this has to be very exciting!

!

VMH: So tell me, what is your inspiration for competing in such an exclusive contest?

!

Ms. Walcott: My mother who I look up to as my Queen is my inspiration for entering the Miss World pageant.

She felt it when I was just a baby that I would one day be a powerful positive, game changing inspiration to many and felt that I can do so through grooming me to be a talented person and representing on a grand stage for many to see and be inspired by. Miss World 1986 Giselle La Ronde also inspired me to enter pageantry when; I was just about ten years old when she looked me in the eyes saying that I’ll do well if I give it a try, I first met her in church.!

living my best self and making the most of every day that I awake to do God’s work. I have a range of talents and skills that I express through my creativity: painting, designing and for the Miss World talent I will be singing and playing the piano.

!

VMH: Representing a country has to be rather intense, how difficult or simple do you feel it will be to measure up to the responsibility of Miss World Trinidad and Tobago?

!

Ms. Walcott: The experience feels as if all of my country and the World’s eyes are on me. It is both humbling and empowering. It drives me to live my mission to share positive light and love to a wide audience. I am grateful to be sharing my wisdom and life stories to those I know it would touch and transform. I do not look at it as a difficulty I am using the platform to bring about and ignite my most genuine authentic self, love, wisdom, leadership-skills and sharing my countries true culture through my talents I see it as gift that I am making the most of for the time of my reign. It is a dream that I truly treasure so deeply.

!

VMH: I watched a video clip of the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago 2016 Coronation; in this clip I saw the crowning, what was that moment like for you?

!

Ms. Walcott: I was in absolute glee and disbelief that such a moment that I was dreaming about for most of my life was taking place right before my eyes. In the moment of the crowning a wash of pure love, success, attainment, bliss, gratitude and streams of joy came over me. I felt as if I was given a golden gift, like a King being knighted with such an honour and an award for a job well done.

!

VMH: Beauty pageants require personality, strong intellect and talent; tell me about your personality, your talent?

!

Ms. Walcott: I see myself as an authentic being; here to help others to see the beauty that is seated within their beings. I love and enjoy empowerment and empowering others to be their best selves, through simply being and example to them with my presence and my words. I am quite loving, compassionate, fun, adventurer, strong, confident and resilient individual. I am focused on

Photo Credit: Kierron Yip Ngow Photography Wardrobe:The Vault; Kootis.

Hair and Makeup: Salon One by Mark Location: Rock n Roll Trinidad WI

VMH: Beauty pageants are designed to uplift women through beauty, inner and outer; do you feel winning Miss World Trinidad and Tobago encouraged other women?

!

Ms. Walcott: My fans supporters, friends and family I dearly and truly cherish them. Since I won the Miss TnT pageant I felt that it has healed and uplifted those around me, motivating them to seek their best selves in pursuing their highest ideals and dreams. It gives me great joy to inspire others, not only women but to every type of human being; I see the power of it unfolding allaround me. My mission is to continue to share the love light and wisdom to motivate and nourish others. This I am most excited about.!

!

VMH: What is your advice for other women around the world that want to compete in local, national or global beauty pageants?

!

Ms. Walcott: Pageantry is more than it appears to be both physically and materialistically. You have to put your best inner most self forward and bring through your inner strengths to shine before the World. The role of the Miss World Queen is to positively impact and touch others lives, inspire others through your inner abilities. It is a gift to give of love and service to others, it is a job but it becomes something you love doing once you do it with pure intentions for self development and helping others.

!

My advice to any woman who is interested in competing would be to dive deep, seek and bring about your most inner treasures, your strengths, your inner beauty so to inspire others through you. Don’t do it just for the fame and publicity, those ideals are very challenging to endure. There will be both positive and negative feed back coming to you, but you have to remain strong within you, knowing that you innately posses the beauty and potential for many great things.

!

VMH: One more question, do share your favorite charity and your plans to for that charity.

!

Ms. Walcott: The Miss World pageant stands for Beauty with a Purpose, this is the title of the charity projects that each representative has to work on.

My Beauty with a Purpose project, is centered on raising awareness on the importance of vaccinations for the prevention of Cervical Cancer. It is quite heart breaking that 80% of women in Trinidad and Tobago suffer from Cervical Cancer and mostly find out that they have the disease when it is too late to treat it. I am passionate about raising health awareness on the importance of prevention is wiser than cure and sharing the necessary steps to treat the disease. My team and I are working towards providing an outlet for both men and women to be educated on the cause. Implementing steps to have young girls be vaccinate to prevent it and to erase the stigma behind the disease I wish to clarify.

!

VMH: Is there anything you’d further you’d like to share with our readers?

!

Ms. Walcott: If I could just simply positively impact one life, my mission is complete. In keeping with this, I want everyone to know that despite life’s many challenges and difficulties we all can seek peace within ourselves by gently looking at the beauty of having the gift to wake up every morning knowing that we can breathe. My motivational words to my readers is to: take the step every day to be grateful for the simple treasures in life (it can be the people around you, to the things that you have), this is the key to receiving even more abundance and joy. We cannot receive more if we do not cherish our own lives, if we take it for granted there is no room to receive any more. Seek peace of heart, mind, body and soul!

!

Sending love and bursts of gratitude to my fans and all those in need of it, thank you for the support!

!

VMH: Again congratulations and much, much success to you as Miss World Trinidad and Tobago 2016!

!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you VMH! Lots of Love and Blessings!

!

Daniella !

To learn more about the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Pageant visit: www.missworldtt.com!

!

20

“…take the step every day to be grateful for the simple treasures in life (it can be the people around you, to the things that you have), this is the key to receiving even more abundance and joy…

Seek peace of heart, mind, body and soul!

Photo Credit: Kierron Yip Ngow Photography Wardrobe:The Vault; Kootis.

Hair and Makeup: Salon One by Mark Location: Bamboo Cathedral, Chaguaramas Trinidad WI

Photo Credit: Reuters Media Express

Muhammad Ali Tribute “The Heart of a Champion”

! !

Written by Garry Jones|

Prior to me going to bed Friday (June 3rd) night I read an article that Muhammad Ali was gravely ill, like many others I was hoping this wasn’t true. I also know you can’t believe everything you read. I may have been in denial because the people we look up to it’s hard to let them go. I was restless and I tossed and turned in bed for about two hours. I got up and went to my couch to try and fall to sleep but to no avail, then I went back to my bed and that’s when I turned on my phone a read that Muhammad had passed.

The first thing that came to my mind was a birthday card I received when I was about 43 years old. I don’t keep many birthday cards but I kept this one. The birthday card had a picture of Muhammad Ali looking out over what may have been a desert. The caption on the card was “On your birthday dream big” but what was on the inside of the card is what touched my heart, it was one of many Ali quotes in

his own voice, “The man who has no imagination has no wings” The card also said, “Men like you make the impossible possible.” Later on in the story you will read about how Ali made the impossible possible.

I was seven years old when Muhammad Ali was at the pinnacle of his career. In 1971 He had already fought Joe Frazier and on January 28, 1974 Muhammad Ali had beaten “Smokey Joe Frazier” two out of three boxing matches and a few years later he would be the underdog in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Everyone in the neighborhood wanted to be like Muhammad Ali, I can recall I wanted to be a boxer like Muhammad Ali, I was able to hear a lot of Muhammad Ali fights on the radio it’s not that we didn’t have a T.V. It was because the big time boxing matches weren’t shown on T.V. During my era we didn’t have Pay Per View. The only time we were able to see the fight on T.V. is when the fight aired on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, an American sports anthology television program that aired on the American Broadcasting Company. Me and the boys in the neighborhood would start off fake boxing like Muhammad until either one of us took the first lick then it turned into a real fight.

24

On October 29, 1974 when I was ten years old Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire located in Africa. The media was promoting the fight everywhere, newspaper, radio, and T.V., back in my era we didn’t have face book, twitter, MySpace, periscope, snap chat, and etc; the only thing I can remember is wherever I went the people were talking about how George Foreman was going to destroy Muhammad Ali. These were the same people who were Ali fans when he was dominating in the ring, I think you called these fans bandwagon fans; fans that cheer for you when circumstances are in your favor.

The fight was called the “Rumble in the Jungle” When the fight started the fan realized Ali skills weren’t diminished, Ali fought a smart mental fight. That night Muhammad Ali displayed a heart of a champion, you never underestimate those kind of people. Ali willed himself to beat George Foreman in the 8th round by a TKO (Technical Knock Out).

I would continue to follow Muhammad Ali career, there weren’t anything Ali couldn’t do. I remember me and my best buddy Antray going to see a movie in May of 1997 called “The Greatest” a movie that Ali starred in. As a matter of fact he played himself. The movie aired May 19th, 1977, how ironic the birthday of Malcolm X, one of Ali’s mentors and the death day of my grandfather Wesley Jones.

Antray and I watched that movie one time then we had to leave the movie because I had a softball game I had to attend, I was a batboy. After the game me and AntRay went back to the movie, we were intrigued with Muhammad Ali. The next year on February 17, 1978 Muhammad Ali will fight again and lose to Leon Spinks. A couple of weeks later Leon Spinks came to my hometown of Kinston, N.C. to show off his Heavy weight belt he took from Muhammad Ali. Leon Spinks was in a bar buying everyone drinks, I wasn’t old enough to drink but I was able to see my first Heavy Weight Champion belt. To my surprise my Aunt Denderant Jones (R.I.P.) asked me did I see the belt?. I said, “yes.”

Normally she would have said, “Boy, I better not ever catch you in a bar again,” but it was daylight. While Leon Spinks was drinking Muhammad Ali was somewhere training because he won the belt back from Leon Spinks seven months later.

In conclusion, I must say I’m not mourning Ali’s death but I’m celebrating it. He had the ‘heart of a champion’ in everything he accomplished. He was a motivator, humanitarian, free spirited, kind, and a man with a sense of humor. I gleaned two things from Muhammad Ali, faith and will power, that’s a powerful combination. You can’t expect to accomplish much in this world if you don’t have faith and will power.

Although Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984, he didn’t allow it to get him down, he wasn’t ashamed to be seen in public and he willed himself to live 32 more years without giving up. Whether a person wants to admit it or not, Ali inspired many people. In most cases in sports when you are the underdog you can’t help but think about Muhammad Ali beating George Foreman in 1974 when people said he couldn’t.

Ask the NBA champion Golden State Warriors, recently they were down 3 to 1 in the Western Conference Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunders, they came back and won the series. They willed themselves to win. (The Heart of a Champion) I’m sure Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts thought about Muhammad Ali when she was told she had a rare blood disease. She had beaten breast cancer five years earlier. Robin said, “She was going to beat it” and she did. (The Heart of a Champion) She willed herself to live. I’m sure President Barack Hussein Obama thought about Muhammad Ali when he was told he had no chance in hell of being the President of the United States. He was elected President of the U.S. twice. (The Heart of a Champion) .

Muhammad Ali (R.I.P.)

Muhammad Ali Fan Garry Jones Pictured with His Muhammad Ali Birthday Card and Sweatshirt

DIGITAL SUMMIT HIGHLIGHT:

!

Pandora’s Strategic Planner,

Claribelle Van Holland

Does data really help build a stronger business?

Claribelle said the below:

!- When

you “identify your goals for long term sustainable growth” “Expand audience reach.”

“Ask the right questions to collect data most relevant to you.”

Ask yourself, “Where aren’t you already monetizing.”

Ensure rollout is coherent at all levels.

!

-

Using Data to Build a Stronger Business

-

Written & Photographed by Vikki Hankins|

!Other areas Claribelle touched on for company growth

!

Where are my customers? !This is one of many questions posed by Pandora’s Strategic Planner, Claribelle Van Holland, during the recent Digital Summit held in Atlanta, GA. The summit addresses concerns that ‘every company with a customer base faces which includes; how do we keep up with our competition amidst the myriad of digital channels and peer-to-peer communication available to consumers? How do we find new customers, take care of the ones we have, and create strategies for growth and engagement that keep up with the rapid pace of change in technology and consumer behaviors?

!During

her presentation, Claribelle included her experience at Pandora, but also included her personal analysis of expanding her home and how it relates to building a stronger business. She holds over 15 years of digital media experience, having worked at Disney Interactive, MySpace during its’ heyday & Starcom Media Vest.

!Some of the first points noted for the audience were: !- The importance of “getting you hand around the right data.”

- Asking yourself, “where are my (your) customers.”

- “What are they doing within the regions.”

!Data

aids in determining the answers to these questions. Let’s say a company does not have a sophisticated analytics system as Pandora; how can this company use data to determine customers and what they’re doing? My suggestion would be to use the analytics from social media pages to make such determinations. Depending on your website hosting, companies can also grab data from their control panel to make determinations as well. My point is data is practically available everywhere when using internet marketing tools.

!

-

is the importance of ensuring “roll-out is coherent on all levels” when implementing an action plan. This includes “not just teach(ing) how to use equipment but communicating the long term value of the company.”

Lastly, there’s always the relevance of “expanding your sales force” and “revisiting your strategy.”

!To find out more about the next Digital Marketing Summit in your area visit techmediaco.com !

Claribelle Van Holland during Digital Marketing Summit in Atlanta, GA held at the Cobb Energy Center

www.vmhmagazine.com

“…life begins after 50 so why not be your best in all ! areas of your life.”

woman. I believe that life begins after 50 so why not be your best in all areas of your life… Health/Wellness, Spiritual, and Financial. It is never too late to Transform your life to be the best YOU.

Interview Conducted by Vikki Hankins|

!

! !!

VMH: You have such a radiant personality, how do you keep such a energy-filled smile all of the time? Do share you secret.

!

Mrs. Kopp: I start my morning each day in prayer and watching my favorite gospel programs on TV. I believe in renewing your mind each day with good thoughts, prayer, and putting on the armor of God has been my secret to happiness.

VMH: You won the title as Mrs. Georgia America 2015; at what point did you know you wanted to compete in Ms. Georgia America?

!

Mrs. Kopp: I won the title of Mrs. Georgia in 2015, in that year, I partnered with some amazing organizations (Hillside, Inc, YWCA, Through Gia’s eyes, Mother’s against Mental illness) and we generated awareness, funding and made a difference in our community. I truly felt that I needed another year to continue serving these great organizations.

VMH: I stumbled upon a video captured of your surprise wedding to Mr. Mark Kopp, how do you keep your love life alive, balance work and a public life ?

!

Mrs. Kopp: Mark and I truly believe people that pray together stays together, In addition, we believe there is power in having a vision for our family and business.

Vision gives us clarity on where we are headed as a couple and meaningful purpose for our life as we work together as one team.

VMH: You’re setting a ‘tone’ for middle aged women when it comes to beauty, health and fun; is this you intent?

!

Mrs. Kopp: Absolutely, I believe middle age woman have so much wisdom, guidance to offer the young

VMH: You’ve won two beauty pageants, so, where do you go from here?

Mrs. Kopp: I continue to serve in our communities. In addition, my goal is to be a motivational speaker and teach people how to build a strong sustaining personal brand.

VMH: Anything you’d like to add?

!

Mrs. Kopp: I believe life is what you make out of it, if you do not define your brand someone else well. Focus on being the best you can be, change your narrative and change your life. There is no better reward in life than Serving Others.

Ms. Georgia America - Nova Pearson Kopp!

Photo Credit: Matt Boyd Photography

8!

Practical !

Steps to !

Business !

Success

By Vikki Hankins

!

Branding is a necessary part of any business. It differentiates you, your products, and/or services from the next product or service. Branding builds a certain expectation of a company. If people know you are reliable, professional and punctual, generally they come to form an expectation; if you build a strong fullproof brand your service/products or even ‘you’ will be selected over the next. With that said branding ties directly into sales and marketing.

!

6

!

So how does a small business or person build a brand/business?

This is how I’ve done it. I am a very, very tiny business owner in the big scope of things. However, I take great pride in my work.

Below I’ve compiled my list of things I’ve done to build my brand.

! ! !

! !

5

1

Care: I care about the well-being of any business owner that reaches out to me. I think genuine care is the catalyst to brand building. Usually people can discern whether you’re out for a quick buck or if you’re truly working to strengthen and maintain a company or product.

2

Love What You Do: I love my work! There are times when I’m completely consumed with my work because of my passion, joy, and fulfillment of a finished product. If you love what you do, everything that follows ‘flows’. There is no strain in what you do for others.

There’s been several times when clients, or even strangers clearly see my love for my work.

3

4

!7

!!

8

Believe/Tenacity: I was once told that I am tenacious.

Not exactly sure of the definition, I tuned to Webster’s dictionary to understand the meaning - if you don’t know the meaning of certain words don’t be ashamed to look them up. The person that told me this was quite correct; I have never stopped in my belief for my busi-

ness. When I started on this road, I never continued to plow at it, even though I was immensely discouraged at times, I never gave up; I believed in my abilities!

Research: The very first thing I’ve always done for my business is research. Research allows a business owner to get ‘real’ expectations, understand cost, determine target markets, and understand the needs for services. It also allows you to learn from others who’ve come before you. Research, understanding the numbers, and areas of improvement is vital to the strength of your company.

Trademark/Copyright: It is a horrible feeling to have your work pull from beneath you. In order to protect your business name/identity it is important to copyright to trademark your company name.

Professionalism: I cannot emphasize this enough. I pride on professionalism; treating customers with dignity and respect. Old fashioned principles help in this area. If a customer only has $50 for a $5000 service, do not demoralize them. There is a way to share your price expectation without crushing self-esteem. Such things as punctuality, returning phone calls, answering emails, interacting with people all play a role in professionalism. When answering phones or returning calls, put some ‘joy’ in your voice and pay attention to what’s being said. I am a talker so this is a challenge for me, but to offer a service, at some point I have to ‘be quiet’ and listen.

STOP BY TODAY! TUESDAY THRU SATURDAY 9 A.M. 7 P.M.

Quality: My skills have developed over the years and continue to develop as I learn more about me and my natural abilities, but each phase of my growth came with quality. I produce quality products for my level and my lane. I don’t place Sony, Lionsgate, or Warner Bros. expectations on myself; I work with what I have.

Graphics/Logos: It is important to identify yourself via graphics. One of the things that I found difficult over the years was for me to get to a place of one graphic/ logo that identifies my work. This challenge stemmed from the never-ending development of my company name; I’ve went from one name to the next as I’ve included more services and met a few bumps about ‘names’. Finally, I’ve come to a place of one company identity, with that said comes the identifying logo.

STARR IMAGE BARBER SHOP

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK

STARR IMAGE BARBER SHOP

2074 OLD NORCROSS LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA 30044

(616)299-5915 RAYMOND & KANIKA STARR REYNOLDS

BOOK PUBLISHING & MARKETING A one on one approach, placing you in control of your royalties!

VIKKI HANKINS

VIKKI HANKINS MEDIA & PUBLISHING 3355 LENOX RD NE SUITE 750, ATLANTA, GA 30326

404.919.48.25

WE GOTCHA BACK! COMFORTABLE SUPPORT

digital

photography vikkihankins.net

REDUCE BACK PAIN POSTURE IMPROVEMENT LOOK THINNER BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE IMPROVE EXERCISE ROUTINE INVISIBLE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM

WE GOTCHA BACK ORDER YOUR SUPPORT TODAY! www.igotchapockets.com

EXCLUSIVE: !

President Obama’s Message to Small Businesses:

!

Trans Pacific Partnership & The Fair Chance Business Pledge

!In a recent proclamation, declaring May 1 - 7th as National Small Business Week, the President states: !

Written by Vikki Hankins|

Our Nation does best when we help our startups and small businesses expand into new markets and offer goods and services to more people. Ninety-eight percent of the American companies that export are small and mediumsized businesses, but less than 5 percent of our country's small businesses export. In our 21st-century economy, it is imperative that we break down the trade barriers that too often hold small businesses back from extending their reach to those abroad to sell more goods made in the United States. Last year, we reached an agreement with 11 other nations that allows us to write the rules of our global economy and gives more of our people the fair shot at success they deserve. The Trans-Pacific Partnership will eliminate over 18,000 taxes imposed by other countries on our goods and services and level the playing field for American workers and businesses, and I look forward to working with the Congress to implement this agreement.

At the conclusion of National Small Business week the President and senior administrative officials held a Q & A with small business owners via conference call; I was one of the invitees. During the call President Obama encouraged international trade which would help increase a company’s ‘bottom line’.

!

The discussion focused on key economic initiatives, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

!

Once the President concluded with a ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to all, his Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett shared President Obama’s initiative, Fair Chance Business Pledge.

The Fair Chance Business Pledge is a nationwide call-toaction to accomplish the shared goal of creating a stronger set of opportunities for people who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.

!

Sharing the concerns of reforming the criminal justice system, Jarrett encouraged small businesses to take the fair chance business pledge, stating the “we need greater cooperation we cannot do this from government alone.”

!

So far company’s such as Google, Coco-cola, Pepsi-cola, Facebook, Busboys and Poets and many others have taken the pledge.

!

!

The proclamation further states: !

During fiscal year 2015, we awarded an all-time high of more than a quarter of eligible Federal contracts to small businesses, and we made great strides in ensuring more Government contracts are given to women-owned small businesses -- nearly $18 billion worth. We have launched next-generation manufacturing hubs, and we have made more online tools available to entrepreneurs to give them the resources they need to start a business in a single day -- and the Startup in a Day initiative is continuing to engage with all levels of government to streamline the process of beginning a business.

407-832-3761 Cmayes227@gmail.com

CONTACT CARMELLA MAYES BY VISITING

!

Oscar Bond, Global Stylist

10

Is Facebook Changing the Way Small Business Owners Conduct Business?

! !!

This is such a wild notion, in particular when it comes to

by Vikki Hankins|

interacting with customers and new clients. Believe it or not I’ve found it fascinating that my strongest clientele contacts me through Facebook quicker than they will an email.

!There was one situation where a client spent thousands of

interaction; people get the word faster through Facebook than any other communication platform. I tend to believe people will check Facebook, before they check emails.

!I don’t know but I am really beginning to believe Facebook may very well become the new face of communications in business, especially for small businesses!

!FACT 3: It’s free! !Below are a few more statistics regarding social media use and social media in small business: !

FACT 4: 56% of people check Facebook daily. !FACT 5: Nearly two-thirds of American adults (65%) use social networking sites. - Pew Research Center (2015).

!FACT 6: Every minute there are

150,000 messages sent. - Quora FACT 7: Every second there are 20,000 people on Facebook. This means in just 18 minutes there are 11 million users on Facebook. Quora

!FACT 8: There are 900 million Facebook Messenger Users. !FACT 9: Messenger users made dollars in services, but one one particular day, we could not connect the ‘normal’ way - email. He was not receiving my email and we were missing each other via text and phone calls. Ultimately, we were forced to communicated via Facebook messenger.

!Within seconds my client received my message. Facebook

proved to a full-proof method of getting the word to my client. Incredible! Ordinarily, I wouldn’t recommend sending business or very personal messages through a Facebook inbox, but I can’t dispute the obvious.

!FACT 1: Communication is the number one tool for good

business. Be it marketing, interaction with customers, sales promotions; company’s must communicate with consumers.

!FACT

2: Facebook has dominated the internet in communications; not emails. not text messages, but Facebook. Facebook has messaged, phone calls, global

over 1 million video calls during those first two days after launch.

Vi d e o c a l l i n g i s c u r r e n t l y available in 18 markets, including the UK, France, Greece, Mexico, Portugal and the United States. - Mashable (2015)

!FACT 10: 66% of all millennials (15-34 year olds) use Facebook. - Bootsuite

"May you live every day of your life.”

!

—Jonathan Swift

! ! ! ! !

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.

The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see.” ! ! !

Muhammad Ali!

!

Photo: Reuters Media Express

! ! !

Your go-to guide for success.