Summer Issue

Xposure

Xposure Credits &Contributors

Gift, 26, of Louisville, Ky YES Ky attended Western Kentucky University majoring in Exercise Science and Broadcast Communications &Journalism. He is by his own account, and admissions of others, one the most diverse people you will ever meet.

His ultimate goal is to continue to build his brand and become a global mogul, He enjoys long walks on the beach, playing scrabble with Chuck Norris, volunteering at sheltors and helping to feed the poor. In High School he was voted most likely to contribute stories to Xposure Magazine and selfishly right his own bio. U SEE ME!!

Contibuting Photographers - Russell L. Dreyer, Luca Bellumore, George Chinsee, Giovanni Gianno, Zena Holloway, Kyle Ericksen,.

Xposure Magazine is a bi - monthly magazine published on a bi monthly basis. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Views expressed by writers are not necessarily the views of Xposure Magazine. We welcome and accept unsolicited materials. Materials submitted to Xposure Magazine is the person’s guarantee that submitted items are not in violation of or infringing upon the rights of others and that said materials may be reviewed and subject to critique without any third party consent.

Goldyn’s Touch

Here we are again!

First, let me take time to thank you all for your understanding and patience with the release of this issue. A lot of things happened since the last issue and I am grateful for the good and the bad. I seriously considered walking away from this dream a few times since the last issue.

I want to say thanks to everyone in these pages, you all have inspired me and reminded me why I do this. It’s not easy being an army of one but it’s manageable. Special shoutout to my FNFG fam, and my friends and family I love all y’all. Let me also take time to clear up any misunderstandings. I’ve been called a lot of things (some to my face, they were bold it didn’t end well for them) but one thing you will never hear is that I don’t keep my word. One thing about it, I will honor the word I give to to people even though they don’t do so in return.I’ve lost friendships due to the last statement. Sometimes it’s good to burn bridges all the way down and clean the debris so it can not be rebuilt. So it’s a time of refocusing my energy at this point to give you my readers what you deserve. There are a lot of changes in the following pages, I hope you enjoy. Special shoutout to Miss Brook Lynne Carter and her team Miesha and Akbar at Nuance. Part one of Brook’s interview is in this issue. The conclusion to her interview will be featured in the next issue. Also thanks to my contributor for this issue Gift who interviewed Tony Gaskins and Sharon Carpenter. Also don’t forget to check out www. xposure365.com and follow Xposure on Twitter at www.twitter.com/xposuremagazine.

Again thank you all for your support and I hope you enjoy this issue. The quote below by Mr. West sums up how I feel.

“Fresh is an opinion, love is objective, taste is selective, and expression is my favorite elective.

No more politics or apologies!” - Kanye West

Until next time............

Goldyn P. Smith Publisher/EIC

Allure Iconoclasts

Iconoclasts - people who challenge or overturn traditional beliefs, customs, and values.

It’s everything in music,and art you will be talking about.

He has the most anticipated debut album this industry has seen in a while. He won a Grammy earlier this year for a mixtape that was repackaged and sold. No hate here, just recognition. You can turn on the radio and hear a song he is singing, rapping or co wrote with someone. Just days away from the release of the album, there was a leak. The rumors started he may push up the release date. He simply stated the date June 15 is still in play. Question is, will this debut live up to all the hype surrounding it? We’ve seen it happen before. One thing about it, June 15th will be a day of debate and more discussion about the “hype”. Log on to xposure365.com to discuss on June 15. Thank Me Later.

Seen on www.kanyewest.com Photo: Zena Holloway

Next On Deck

You just dropped the mixtape; tell the people what’s in store when they listen.

The concept behind the mixtape, I wanted it to sound like you came to the studio and you saw what was going on.

You’re not going to hear no outlandish shit; you’re going to hear real shit. Wherever I go, we’re going to get it in; we’re going to hustle to get to where we want to be.

You have the song Levitate which is about the trials of life, then you have Swole which is celebratory but every song has lyrics. I’m a firm believer in that, we can party all day but you better spit in every song. If the song is about biscuits, it’s going to be one of the best songs about biscuits you ever heard.

How would you classify your sound?

As rider music, it’s something that’s made for Chevy’s and you don’t care about traffic because the music is jamming. I think artists forget people are people; they don’t want just one type of music. I make songs, a lot of music I hear I don’t know what it is.

What separates you from everyone else?

The lyrics is the easy part, I’m a songwriter. I write songs, a lot of people are scared to; they want to stay inside the box.

Love Me Not Everyone has been through that relationship where it leaves you all messed up. I took all the songs I had about a particular someone and made a mixtape. I think I’m going to call it Love Me Not: Lust, Love & Heartbreak. You have songs like Freak Like Me, Wherever You Are which is after the breakup. Writing is like therapy for me, it’s easier to write that apologize.

What he knows now It’s rare you get friends in this industry. I jumped in thinking all about music, it is the music business. I keep my circle real tight, I’m good.

Legacy If they walk away knowing when you listen to me, you’re getting something authentic. If you take time to download my music, know that I make real life music. You can listen to my music and find out what kind of person I am.

Intro I’m the most ignorant member of FNFG, straight out of Hollywood, FL and I’m here. FNFG is comprised of a bunch of talented, lyrical dudes that make music. I was given the title of the most ignorant by the group. A couple of songs I’ve done reinforce that point.

The start of FNFG It started out as a recording thing, he (LCD) made beats and I rapped. Ice and everyone else was under LCD, once we all linked up we made it happen.

Professional Start I wrote a song for Alltel Wireless and got a nice little check off of that, I decided that’s what I needed in my life permanently.

The Induction It’s my first solo mixtape; I had done work on the FNFG mixtape.

If you don’t know what FNFG stands for, you are probably who we are talking about. The Induction is a chance for me to show what I have to offer. It’s not your regular mixtape; I didn’t take anybody’s beats. You get a variety of everything. I have riding music, feel good music, songs for the ladies. Ain’t Nobody was reviewed by Cool & Dre, they loved it. 98.99 percent of the mixtape was produced by LCD and the other song was a freestyle over the J Futuristic beat. It’s all original content; I’m showing what my team has to bring to the table. We can make a quality mixtape without jacking anyone else. I love everything on the track listing, Translator, Nightmare Returns are some standouts.

Sound I could say Southern but that takes away from it. I have some music where people swear I’m from New York. I can’t really classify it, not being cocky. I feel like I would be cheating myself if I were to classify it.

What to expect I’m working on my next project which is going to be real creative, I’m working with Raheem Devaughn, I’m shooting a video soon and trying to get ready to do a debut LP. I may shop it to a label but right now I’m living good as an indie.

What he knows now.

I would play the game a little better, everything is politics and bullshit. Never compromise yourself and what you stand for but you have to realize what’s going on around you. You can not play checkers, you have to play chess. Be ready for the next move and don’t burn any bridges.

Contact – Twitter.com/yblildee, catch me on www.boutdatblog. com , www.icethevillain.com, especially www.xposure365.com.

We are taking it to as many outlets as possible.

Last words – Shoutout to you Miss Goldyn, LCD, Ice, Papi Pizo, L. Dot, BP Cooper, Mouse the Waldorf poster boy, Chainz and my homeboy Raw Dizzy. To all the DJ’s who have been rocking with me and everybody else.

Next On Deck

I’m an artist out ATL and I’ve been doing it for a while, I enjoy what I do.I wouldn’t consider music a profession, I think artistry and talent is uniquely in a person. I created Stanza right after I hear 8Ball&MJG’s album coming out hard, it made me want to write music.

How he got the name.

I began to study poetry for a bit and I was reading literary terms looking for a name. Stanza perfectly fit what I was talking about. It basically means parts of a whole. The sections of the songs I write create me.

BET I performed at a showcase and someone from 106 & Park was there. From that showcase, he pulled me to perform on the show. The best part of the experience for me was going to New York, being on 106 & Park was going to happen regardless. Being in New York was the best part for me.

Previous work We recently dropped Lyrical Lovers; it was supposed to be a Valentine’s mixtape. The response has been really good from men and women. Before that, we released I Am Stanza – The Anthology which was a collection of all my work though the years. My album, Name This Album which is over 2 year’s worth of work into that album.

Sound The most accurate way to describe my sound would be Kanye West finally turning into The Incredible Hulk.

Future projects The next mixtape is called Searching for Bobby Fischer, which should be dropping soon. There will be an album after that, most songs are already done, and it is coming.

What he knows now.

I wish I would have known it’s not about being signed, at the same time it’s not about being indie either. If you are talented, your talent will show, you don’t have to push so hard to make one song. In my genre of music, being signed was pushed so hard. As an artist, you are putting so much focus on being signed that you don’t focus on the music. Signing is not as important as cats put on; if you don’t have a movement before the deal it’s pointless. I’m still in a good position, I don’t love the politics but I love music.

What do you want people to walk away knowing about you?

You are a great interviewer, so let’s start a question. Who is Stanza and how can I find out about him?

Contact www.iamstanza.com and twitter.com/iamstanza Last words?

There are plenty of stars but only one sun.

Dolce Vita

Dolce Vita - Sweet Life

Maserati Gran Tourismo ,135,800 Engine 4.7L V8 433HP 11/18mpg

New lifestyle section. A double dose of Allure, more Heavy Metal and an extra touch of style. Indulge why don’t you......................

Allure

My name is Brook; I’m twenty something years old. I’m a Pisces, I’m rehabilitating from a lot of things in my life. Like past job choices, past relationships. I would describe myself as someone vomiting all of that up into a book, a blog and on my Twitter. I want people to walk with me and see what I’ve seen. Most of what I talk about is what I’ve gone through or seen in strip. It’s like a look book of what I’ve been through in the strip industry.

What was your life like before you started in strip?

Before I was dancing, I was a full time mom and full time Customer Service agent. I was doing what most single mothers do, working and trying to spend as much time with my child as I could. I didn’t have a lot of me time, looking like shit, not doing anything I wanted to do. I thought what I was supposed to do was my job, making money so my son would be okay and keep his dad happy. I neglected myself a lot, prior to dancing I did not do a lot of what I wanted to do. The only thing that was making me happy was my child. I was very depressed, before that I was very happy I was very popular in school, social butterfly. It was not until after I had my son and before strip, I had a cloudy period.

What brought you from Northern California to Atlanta?

I had a wrinkle in time right before I came to Atlanta, I needed a drastic change. I was frequenting a therapy group and I was seeing a psychiatrist to help pull me together. The final decision was to move to get away from all of the negative. I had a best friend who lived in Atlanta; she told me she was coming to get me. She flew out to California and we drove to Atlanta, Texas is a really big state. It was the worst but I wanted my car with me and I did not have enough money to ship it. The road trip was slated for three days but it took like 30 hours. We stopped to sleep but it was not but for 3 or 4 hours. It was Thelma and Louise without the suicide.

Welcome To Atlanta I get here and I love it, everyone here has hustles not bad but good ones. People are so motivated to make money here. It was a huge culture shock, I was happy until I had to get a job. My friend who drove with me was dancing so I use to visit her at work twice a week. I never thought I would do it, I did not like the way I looked naked. You start to see all the girls with different body types, with their own look. I did it but not without trying to find a normal job first which could not match my pay in California. I refused to take anything less than what I was used to, that’s how I got into strip.

refused to take anything less than what I was used to, that’s how I got into strip. It was purely money motivated, sprinkled with a little bit of glamour. It looked glamorous from the outside, it attracted me and I was trapped. That’s why we affectionately call it the trap house.

Magic City It’s the only club I’ve danced at; it was my first and my last. I went in and met the day shift manager it was very humiliating because, I didn’t know I would have to dance on the spot. I had on my regular clothes and I had to take off my clothes and dance, I didn’t know how to dance like a stripper. I was so embarrassed because I had no idea what I was doing; I was hired and worked the day shift for a few months. Once I got comfortable, it was cake. It was embarrassing and humiliating but you went back.

It was because I didn’t get undressed in the locker room I had to take it off right there in front of everyone.

People are looking trying to see what’s going on. Thank God my bra and panties match, because I never match. That’s a little fun fact about me. I never match except for holidays and special occasions. It was all wrong with the shoes I had on and then I had to get on the stage. I couldn’t dance but they took a chance on me.

I know one of the main things is to build your clientele in order to be successful. Was that hard for you?

It was, I’m not very social and I was not interested in taking anything outside of the club. It was hard because the guys would want some type of attachment and would want to go to lunch. I don’t like that, if I’m not interested, I was never good at that. I had 3 or 4 really good guys that continued to patronize me without me having to see them outside of the club. I was not a very good hustler in the club because I’m not a good liar, I was a bad actress. I had to rest on my body and face and hoped that would keep the bills paid. I tried to pretend I liked them; it’s hard enough having to be nude pretending to talk to them. I don’t like people touching me so I use to wear a ton of baby oil so they would not want to touch me.

Writing I danced for a year and then started blogging on MySpace, people told me I needed my own site. I started with Blogger and built my platform there and it was really an online diary. All of a sudden people were following and reading, finding a connection. Even if they didn’t relate, they got to live through a dancer.

Dancers can actually read, count, talk, type, they have hearts and are mothers. I realized how much I loved writing, I enjoy debating and the comments people leave when they disagree. It motivated me to keep writing and the opportunity came to me to write a book. I received an email and at first I brushed it off because I get a lot of emails and they are not legitimate. I came back to my email a few days later and they emailed me again, and then I realized they were serious. I called them and that is how I met Miesha and Akbar and they really believed in me. It’s motivating when people don’t know you, see it for you. They were completely objective people that did not even know my real name. After several meetings and signing contracts, we had a deal. It’s scary for and exciting for me. It’s a big project and I don’t want to fail. The industry I’m coming out of, people expect me to fail. For them they feel like there is a reason why I danced because I can’t do anything else. Even though I don’t like to prove things to people, I have to put my heart and soul into it and make it as great as I can. I want honest criticism, I don’t want it to be petty and I want it to be a good, solid project. I don’t expect to become a millionaire after this book but I want people to know I’m serious.

With Brook Lynne in Mind The title definitely matches the way the book is being presented to the reader. It’s very unique and I hope it’s what is going draw people in because it is very different and entertaining. I want the reader to look at topics differently like your friends, men, sex, and the customers in the club. Whether you are male or female you will be able to relate. I’m doing that through the eyes of someone who has been changed by a very taboo industry. People can say I’ve been tainted but in a good way because it is helping me realize that being naïve isn’t the best way to be. It’s my view on topics like relationships, money, and sex. The way it’s presented is a little bit more fun. I have issues and I want to share them with you, because I think they are going to help you too.

Allure

I moved here from Michigan back in 2004 because I was in Detroit. Now I am here and now an on air personality for 95.5 The Beat. I do radio, I work with a few upcoming artists and I’m trying to build my brand.

Start in radio It started with theatre and I wanted to break into any big city I could. I went to college to become an English teacher, but I always wanted to be in entertainment. I was accepted into a broadcasting school in Michigan but I did not attend due to finances. I came to Atlanta waiting tables and I goggled broadcasting schools. I found Connecticut School of Broadcasting came up, I went through the admissions process and they loved me. I ended up not attending that session; they called to let me know I could come for the Winter session. I have my degree in Radio and Television Broadcasting, I interned at V103. It was suppose to be a 6 month internship, I was hired after about 3 ½ and things have been going well since.

I produced the mid day show with Osei before he left, while over there I was very much behind the scenes.

Around 2008, I started to get frustrated at V103 because I knew what I had to offer and I could be great on air. I sent a couple of demos off to 95.5 and Q100, within a matter of weeks, 95.5 called me and offered to bring me over. Being a producer at v103 for 2 ½ years, I knew everything I needed to know to transition on air.

I’m building myself as a personality, I love being on air.

Indie Artists The first artist I started working with and really got behind was Jason Caesar; his company Poet’s Music is who I’m affiliated with. We met on MySpace, it wasn’t a hookup it was your music is really dope. I was looking up music on there and contacted him. He’s been doing shows overseas and working, I’ve been working with him since 2005. I was doing a lot of online marketing, networking I was always trying to plug him in. They ended up calling us one day saying Gucci was in the studio and he needed someone on a hook. From that point on, he has been rolling doing lots of work with Gucci, Joc, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League and Laws. I’ve passed the torch as far as being his manager because it started moving so quickly.

Now Poet’s has teamed up with Black Shield and it’s been a huge step and great partnership. I’m still on the team; I’m just doing the online PR/Marketing. The other artist I’m working with is Stanza; I got involved with his team last year. His record ATL got him on BET, we went up to New York and he won the first time he was on Wild Out Wednesday. We went back one month later and he ended up losing to a guy from Brooklyn. It’s gotten him a lot of recognition and positive responses from the blogs and other media outlets in other countries. With him, I’m doing the promo and marketing.

What’s next?

I’m scaling back from taking on other artists, I’m still doing consulting. I’m getting ready to launch www. moreilley.com. I would like to host more events, not really club events but other events as well. I would love to do boutique openings, corporate events. I started doing restaurant reviews and I’m going to start back doing that. I love to eat so I’m trying to put together all of my passions without seeming to be all over the place.

Advice for women trying to break in the industry.

It’s all about choices and what you can live with and integrity is a hell of a thing. Once you lose it, it is very difficult to get it back. The way you are perceived in the industry as a woman is important. First impressions are everything, if your reputation precedes you it should be in a good way. Stick to your guns and don’t allow yourself to be place in compromising positions. We know what artists, record execs and studios have a tendency to do certain things. For the most part, if you are a small fish in their pond their word will outweigh yours.

Last words Watch The Secret and find positive role models and believe in the laws of attraction. Look out for me; I think it’s going to be a big year. Catch me on 95.5 The Beat; be on the lookout for Stanza and Jason Caesar. Those two artists I can say will bring real talent. You can hit me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/moreilley

Headliner

Just tell us about yourself, where you’re from? What was life like growing up? How did you get your start?

I’m 26 years old, from Auburndale, Fl. I grew up a Pastors son, star athlete, then turned into a drug dealer/ organized pimp, then transferred into Author, Husband, and Father. My life change started when I wrote my tell-all relationship book “What Daddy Never Told His Little Girl”, which is now “What Daddy Should Have Told His Little Girl”. After writing my book in 2007, two years later I found myself on Oprah Winfrey telling my story, and then Tyra Banks and the rest is history. I’ve just been travelling and speaking, and life coaching ever since.

You’ve been able to inspire and motivate a lot of people, but what are you inspired and motivated by?

Truthfully I’m inspired by inspiring others. Giving others a better sense of who they are what their life is about. I’m a servant of God, I love this work!

Now you started a non-profit organization “The Future Speak, Inc” how did that come about and what all is your organization involved with and how can others help and become a part of it?

The foundation is new, but it was put in place to help inner city youth identify their gifts, set goals, make a plan and then execute. The site is brand new and we are still seeking ways to market, and really get things going. www.thefuturespeaks.com You where a featured guest on maybe the GREATEST Talk Show of all-time, describe your experience of being on Oprah and what that did for your career?

It was very tough being on Oprah telling my story of domestic violence, and how I was an abusive boyfriend. But that’s what made me a man and that relationship birthed my book that is enlightening thousands at a time.

I’m an aspiring author myself, I write poetry I’ve actually compiled all my writings into a two part book I plan to one day publish, so to other people like myself who have interest in being published what advice, tools and knowledge can you offer to those hoping to achieve that goal?

I’d say get an Author Consultant like myself to help you along the way. There are a lot of tricks to the trade and it’s very easy to make costly mistakes without guidance in the game. tonygaskinsjr@gmail.com is how I can be reached for anyone looking to write a book.

So what is something about you people would be surprised to know? Any hidden talents, weird hobbies etc?

I’m pretty normal my man. I just chill real hard, lol. I just like to sit still and think or watch a movie or ESPN. I’m real laid back and mellow type dude.

I ask this next question to everybody I interview and you seem to be a very knowledgeable person so maybe you’ll be able to offer some insight, Who killed Tupac? Honestly, I’ve always thought Puffy set up Big and Pac so that he could rise to the top.

That’s just my opinion.

Your a motivational speaker so your keen on giving advice, what is the BEST and WORST advice a person can give somebody else?

The best advice is to identify your gifts, and use them to change the world. The worst advice is to speak what you don’t know just because you can talk.

If you could say “Kiss my A** look at me NOW” to anybody from your past who would it be?

Ha-ha, honestly I wouldn’t say it to anyone because my gifts will make a hater feel that way anyways, but for me to say it would be a breach of contract with the Father.

So what’s next for Tony Gaskins Jr, what is your ultimate goal what all do you hope to accomplish when it’s all said and done?

My man, that’s a whole book. My vision is so big only God can feel me on it. What I can say though is “stay tuned”! www.tonygaskins.com www.twitter.com/tonygaskins - Interview by Gift

Allure Heavy Metal

Aston Martin Vantage V8 – MSRP 133,750 4.7L V8 420HP 12/19mpg

Topless is always welcomed on the road...

Jaguar XKR Convertible – MSRP 88,150 4.2L V8 420HP 15/23mpg

Infiniti G37 – MSRP is 44,350 Engine 3.7L V6 325HP 16/24mpg

2010 Mercedes SL Night Edition Pricing by request.

Allure Profile In Style

Nicola Formichetti - Rising Star

You have seen his work all over the world. On television, in print and online as well. However you may not know his name. He is Nicola Formichetti, an iconic force in fashion and Lady Gaga’s personal stylist. Before he came to the Haus of Gaga, Nicola had gained a large resume working for some of fashion’s elite. He is the Fashion Editor at Vogue Hommes Japan and creative director at Dazed & Confused. He is a consultant to top brands including Prada, Gareth Pugh, and H&M to name a few. He also has an impressive listing of celebrity clients including Scarlett Johansson, Justin Timberlake, Maxwell and Ashton Kutcher.

Haute Plate Allure

Gucci Gucci

From Milan With Love Xposure’s Favorite Looks from the Resort 2011 show in Milan, Italy, Paris, France and New York.

Gucci

Missoni

Armani

Gucci

Cavalli

Armani

Gucci

Gucci

Cavalli

A. Wang

Z.Spoke

Gucci

Ferragamo

Z.Spoke

Allure Haute Plate

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

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Donna Karan

Donna Karan

Donna Karan

Donna Karan

YSL

YSL

YSL

YSL

The Currency Exchange

3 Power Movers to inspire you. Currency Matters to think about and discuss.

You were born in England and attended college in NY, what was your first impression of being here and how does it differ from being in the UK? I did experience culture shock when I first came to NY as well as homesickness. I’d never been here before in my life until that first time I stepped off the plane and headed by myself in a cab to my dorm in Brooklyn Heights. The taxi overcharged of course, lol. No seriously though, the toughest part was being away from family and friends and making my way in a place where I knew no one. My first phone bill was about $1,500!!! It all worked out though. I’ve met some amazing people since I’ve been here and have made some very close friends.

What is your favorite place to vacation or go when you just want to get away?

My favorite place in the world is Barbados. I feel like I leave a small part of my heart there every time I leave. It’s so beautiful, fun and relaxing and I’ve made so many friends there it’s become my third home.

What is one interesting fact about you people would be surprised to know? (i.e. hidden talents, fears, weird habits, pet peeves etc etc) I have a real phobia of spiders and cockroaches. I’ve always been petrified of them lol. Hidden talent, hmmm, I can whistle really loudly I ask this next question to everybody I interview, I’m just trying to find answers and resolve this situation, you’re a journalist so maybe you’ll be able to offer some answers lol Who killed Tupac? If I knew, I’d be on the news reporting it right now.

What is your favorite food, TV show, movie, genre of music, favorite artist?

I love Thai and Indian food and freshly baked donuts, mmmmm. Favorite TV shows are Sex and the City (yes the reruns) and Gossip Girl. I also love Anderson Cooper 360, Larry King and BBC News. America’s Next Top Model and Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker are both really entertaining too. Favorite genres of music – hip hop and dancehall.

My favorite artist if I have to choose one probably has to be Jay-Z at the moment.

If you could say “Kiss my A** look at me NOW” to anybody from your past who would it be? Lol, I never look back. It’s a waste of time. I only look to the present and future.

So what does the future hold for you, what’s your ultimate goal, both professionally and personally? I just want to continue telling important and intriguing stories in informative and creative ways and hopefully continue to be a role model to young girls. I’m very lucky because I love my career so much it rarely feels like work.

Interview - Gift

Allure Power Moves

Carlos Emmons, new owner of Wet Willie’s Atlanta, former professional athlete. I’m from Greenwood, MS. Was in the league 11 years, retired in 2006, I’ve been working on Wet Willie’s since 2008. I did a lot of research on businesses and franchises; I wanted to take a new step since I retired. I wasn’t comfortable with waking up everyday with nothing to do; I decided to go into what I majored in, in college Business Management. I decided to put it to use.

Tips on opening a franchise There are a lot of politics, I researched a lot of franchises and thought about what would do well in Atlanta.

When I went to Miami, I wished we had a Wet Willie’s in Atlanta. I thought I’m going to put one in Atlanta. I started taking the steps, I checked into it and they owned all their other locations. It was a big step for them to let someone in, I am their first franchisee. Do your research, contact the franchise and take a look at how well they have done. Never watch a commercial and think I’m going to open one. It does not work like that, you have to research.

How would you describe the Atlanta location?

It’s more of a party/hangout vibe; it’s a sit around crowd.

When people come, they are here for hours. That’s typically how Atlanta is; you go out to stay a couple of hours.

I want people to have a great time when they come.

How much of the creative process in the layout and design of the space did you have a hand in?

I had an artist out of Canada, Bill Wrigley who does all of the murals for the other restaurants paint the space. He researched and came up with the designs; he sent ideas to me for approval. We changed a few things and he went to work.

Why the Lindbergh area?

Traffic, this is one of the busiest streets in Atlanta. There are 90,000 cars per day on this street, you can’t beat that exposure. You have the highest traveled MARTA station connected to our development, new clubs and other restaurants. When you open a new restaurant, people think you should move away. You should move to where the others are, you don’t want to be off alone.

Don’t look at it as competition; look at it like you want them to bring you business and in turn you do the same.

What separates your location from the other locations?

I think I have a different spin on it; my location is a little nicer than the other locations. In Miami, the location does not have to do much. I’m not on the beach so I have to do something to ramp up the feel.

You also have a full kitchen; tell my readers what they can expect.

We have everything from calamari to shrimp and grits, salmon, pizza, salads, burgers. We have a very extensive menu and the food is actually good. A lot of people tell me they have heard about the drinks but not about the food. When you come to eat, you enjoy the food.

What are the hours for the location?

11am – 1am during the week, 11am-2am on Fridays and Saturdays and 11:30 – midnight on Sunday.

What do you want everyone to know about you and this location?

I’m doing everything I can to make everyone comfortable and have a great time. Sometimes in Atlanta, the power hungry people make events less pleasurable. I wanted this to be a place where people can come and enjoy themselves.

Advice to other future business owners?

You’ve got to make it happen; it was a long process for me. I started in 2008 and I just opened last week.

There are a lot of politics; I could have been open a year ago. You go through a lot of hang ups, especially being a minority you get put on the back burner. Sometimes they make you wait for the smallest things, you have to persevere and make your dream come true.

Is it all about location?

Location and keeping people happy, you can have a great location but if people don’t want to come back; you will fizzle out.

What more can we expect to see from you as a businessman?

I’m researching areas to open a second location here in Atlanta and other cities after that.

Can you tell me some of the challenges you faced with being a person coming in to the company and becoming an owner?

They did not give me that much of a problem, they did a background check and knew they had a great person coming in. I think they were very comfortable with that, I met them face to face and they knew what they were getting. Sometimes, people don’t come in with the right mentality. You can have all the money but if you don’t have the right mentality it’s not going to work. Money can buy a lot of things but, when other people have control the money can’t buy that.

What do you want people to know about you?

Everyone that knows me knows I’m not a fake person and I’m me. I don’t act funny one day and then nice the next. What you see is what you get.

Contact information Go to www.wetwillies.com for more information about the restaurant or you can follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/carlosemmons or www.twitter.com/wetwilliesatl.

Come out to Wet Willie’s and be sure to have a driver to take you home.

I’m a songwriter, artist, party host and I also service records to DJs. Songwriting goes all the way back to the eight grade. I started trying to do it professionally once I got my own song on the radio in Florida. I relocated here to Atlanta, a lot of songs I had people said they wanted them. I started crafting hooks for them instead of putting myself out there.

I work with a lot of producers throughout Florida, Georgia and Alabama who send me records where they need references for a lot of artists. I get those daily, I usually do 2 to 3 references daily. I also service DJs throughout the city and I’m Verse Simmonds promo manager. I’m servicing Verse’s records as well as Jagged Edge and Jus Nice. I go to 6-7 clubs per night and then I hit the studios. I do a lot of business through email and also in the studios as well. I started marketing myself while attending USF; once my song got on the radio I noticed I had to visit different markets. It’s easy for me to promote, as long as the music is good there are no issues.

Verse Simmonds had the single everyone should know Buy You A Round, it was on BET and MTV. I work with him and Cloud 9 and his project is my main focus. A lot of people are going to be able to vibe to his next single.

Future projects?

I’ve been working with a pop artist in London, Nathan Cannon it’s called Number 1 Girl. I have a couple of other pending features as well. I’m trying to keep my hands in as much as possible.

What he knows now You have to put a lot of work into this industry, you have to have relationships. You have to attack the markets that are buzzing for you and do promo shows. Overall, stay humble.

Contact I’m always on Twitter www.twitter.com/seansimmons and you can Google me to find out more information.

Last words?

Stay humble, stay hungry and try to make yesterday jealous.

Do something today to make yesterday jealous. Shoutout to Dave, Cloud 9, Erin, Verse and everybody in Florida and Georgia who have been supporting me.

Currency Matters

Google Television coming to a small screen near you.

“We’re working together with Sony, Logitech and Intel to put Google TV inside of televisions, Blu-ray players and companion boxes. These devices will go on sale this fall, and will be available at Best Buy stores nationwide.”

Internet giant Google released an announcement a few weeks ago that starting this fall Google TV will be available to all. Google TV will features apps for downloads to your TV such as YouTube for example. You will be able to search, watch videos and etc with Google TV. “Google TV is a new experience for television that combines the TV that you already know with the freedom and power of the Internet. With Google Chrome built in, you can access all of your favorite websites and easily move between television and the web. This opens up your TV from a few hundred channels to millions of channels of entertainment across TV and the web. Your television is also no longer confined to showing just video. With the entire Internet in your living room, your TV becomes more than a TV — it can be a photo slideshow viewer, a gaming console, a music player and much more.” The partnerships they have announced sounds promising, more than likely you will have to purchase a Sony Televison or something to that effect due to them being a partner. There is no word yet on a suggested MSRP for the service or gadgets that will be equipped with this new technology. Seems like we may be getting closer to having everything combined for a more streamlined use. Only time will tell. To sign up for updates visit: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/ announcing-google-tv-tv-meets-web-web.html.

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Graceful, Elegant, Beautiful. R.I.P Miss Lena Horne