Meet Andrea Riggs

Body Beautiful Expo - Cobb Galleria

January 30, 2010

FREE PARKING

Andrea Riggs Can Get Your Audience’s Body Beautiful! (404) 983-1733 (phone) andrea@getbodybeautiful.com

Bio: Andrea Riggs- Andrea aka “Ms. Body Beautiful”, is a dynamic personality, national lifestyle and wellness expert, fitness guru, celebrity trainer, magazine columnist, TV personality, radio host, product spokesperson, entrepreneur, nutrition product developer, wife and mother.

Andrea and her husband, Michael Riggs, American Family Insurance Corporate Executive, recently moved to their dream home in Atlanta Georgia. She is a mother to a 6 year old girl, Amani and 4 year old boy, Malcolm.

Body Beautiful, a minority and women owned company founded in 1998, helps women of color achieve better health through lifestyle, nutrition and fitness. Body Beautiful focuses on health and wellness campaigns for corporate and community groups, the production of high energy fitness content for TV and distribution. She is a regular on the Atlanta business and social scene, contributes monthly to several national publications, often trains celebrities, and Atlanta’s high powered executives, all while doing business and building the Body Beautiful and GET LEAN brands with leading corporations and consumers.

Finally, we are ready for visitors at SparkPlugPeople.com!

It has been quite a journey, but as always, we were determined to move forward. There’s nothing more rewarding than to complete a project and then be ready and willing to take on more challenging ones.

This site was our first blog. We had no idea that it would bloom and grow into such a beautiful flower. With that being said, we’d like to thank all of you who stopped by to say hello or read our posts, especially our friends from Entrecard!!!  We’d also like to thank Podbean.com for introducing us to blogging. And for helping us get comfy in our new place, we’re giving a special thanks to Mama Asid at RecycledFrockery.com.

As we continue to move forward, we will take your kindness and thoughtfulness with us.  

Jacqueline Benjamin-Thomas, VP of Ideas

Yes, we’re moving! We’re so excited because in just a few days, we’ll launch our new blog at SparkPlugPeople.com. From time to time, we’ll still post here for sentimental reasons; nevertheless, we must journey onward.

We’ll also be launching our brand new publication in June called, Spark Plug People, showcasing business people who inspire, so stay tuned.

Thank you all for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. We really appreciate those of you who have subscribed to this blog.  It is our hope that you will follow us to our next destination because we have an exciting layout, and we’re looking forward to providing great information, just for YOU.

If you haven’t seen our showcase of 2010 Business Professionals of the Year … take a peek.

No matter what happens … always move forward,

People You Need to Know, Inc.

As many of us have already discovered, happiness is really a condition of the heart. Whatever your dreams may be, I hope you can keep your heart in the mix, for it is then that your joy will spring forth and be as refreshing as water on dry desert sand. It is then that your thirst will be quenched, you’ll find the inner peace you’re searching for and your days will flourish.

So . . . as you break open this new package, this new marker of time that is given to us, I hope you follow your heart and find joy along the path. Most of all, may you never lose the desire to share your joy with someone else.  As the seconds, minutes and days continue to zoom by, please remember, you hold the key to your own happiness. Believe it.

Best wishes from People You Need to Know!!

As the holidays are quickly upon us, I’m sure the last thing you are thinking about are your taxes. But taking a moment to assess your tax situation NOW could pay off big in 2010. Here are some year-end tax tips that could drastically change your tax situation.

Tips for Business Owners:

• Get Current. One of the most important tax tips I can give is to make sure your accounting is up-to-date. It is important that you have a complete understanding of your financial situation. Scheduling a year-end planning session with your accountant is a good idea and a good start.




• Procrastinate. I know this may sound crazy, but hear me out. If (and only if) your cash flow can sustain it, then wait until January to bill those end of the year clients. Any cash you receive in December must be included on your 2009 tax return as income, but if you wait just a few more days you can defer payment of taxes on that income for another year.




• Shop ‘til you drop. Purchase items that your business will need in the near future. Again this is if your cash flow permits. Some things you should consider are office supplies, equipment purchases or pay some bills early (i.e. business cell phone bill, utilities, etc). This year the sales tax and excise tax charged on qualified motor vehicle purchases is deductible.  So if you are in need of a new vehicle, it would be beneficial to do so by year end.




• More blessed to give. We’ve all heard the saying, “it’s more blessed to give than to receive”. And it’s true in more ways than one. Push an early 2010 charitable donation back to 2009, which allows you to take the deduction in 2010 instead of waiting until 2011. Be sure you get a receipt to support the tax deduction.




• Sock it Away. This is a great time to make payments to your retirement plan or setup one to reduce your business income before the year ends. Meet with your financial planner to verify the contribution limits and deadlines.

Tips for Individuals:

• Job-related moving expenses
• Job-skill improvement classes (including travel)
• Professional and investment publications
• Union or professional dues
• Job-hunting expenses (including travel)
• Child care expenses
• Home office deduction – working from a home-office
• New or used clothes, toys, and household goods given to charity
• Fees for tax or investment advice and tax return preparation
• IRA fees
• Client gifts

Note: These year-end tips will apply differently to each individual’s situation and accounting method. Seek professional advice to determine the best strategy for your transactions for tax purposes.

When it comes to investing your hard earned money, how knowledgeable are you?

As president of Peak Level Advisors, Kevin Turner, “Your Personal Wealth Navigator” uses the problem solving skills he learned in engineering to provide financial planning solutions for individuals and business owners across metro Atlanta. Tune in as he shares valuable information that can help you keep more of your money so you can have a wealthier and happier retirement.

All Securities through Money Concepts Capital Corp., Member FINRA/SIPC…World Headquarters: 11440 North Jog Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418, Phone: 561-472-2000

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Katherine L. Wright began her legal career as the prosecuting attorney for the Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement program in Pensacola, Florida. Attorney Wright is familiar with and well-versed in a variety of family law related matters, including, the establishment of paternity and/or child support, child support modification, divorce, child custody and/or visitation, and guardianships. Attorney Wright also handles estate planning, which includes wills and trusts, and probate. She can be reached at 404-624-7447.

Education: Florida State University, Finance and Real Estate, B.S., Florida State University College of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions: The Florida Bar, State of Georgia Bar

Professional Memberships: American Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta

Attorney Jermane Wright concentrates his practice in the areas of wills and probate, personal injury, bankruptcy, as well as personal and business income tax matters. He is a Florida licensed Certified Public Accountant, and prior to attending law school, he practiced in public accounting.

Born in Pensacola, Florida, Attorney Wright received his education as follows:

• Florida State University, Accounting, B.S., 1996
• Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2005
• University of Florida, LL.M. in Taxation, 2006

We’re proud to welcome Attorney Jermane Wright to the Network. Look for his company in the next issue of People You Need to Know.

Atlanta Office 752 Moreland Ave. S.E., Suite 7 Atlanta, GA 30316 (Phone) 404-624-7447

Pensacola Office 301 North Barcelona Street Pensacola, FL 32501 (Phone) 850-380-2426

Dr. Larona Gore was born in Brooklyn, New York, but spent the majority of her childhood in North Carolina. She is a 1992 graduate of Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where she received her BS degree in Business Administration.

She is also a graduate of Life University Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia, where she received her Doctorate of Chiropractic degree in 2008. Dr. Gore is the owner and Chiropractic physician at the New Life Chiropractic & Wellness Center, LLC of Marietta.

Currently, Dr. Gore is a member and associate minister at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. She is also the President and CEO of Larona Johnson Gore Ministries, a non-profit organization, and has produced various gospel music projects.

Dr. Gore has traveled throughout the country ministering the word of God in word and song. She produced and was featured in a 30 minute television show, the “Larona Gore Gospel Special” that aired on Fox Television in North and South Carolina in 2001 and 2002.

Other memberships include the Cobb County NAACP, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Cobb Executive Women, Georgia Chiropractic Association, and the International Chiropractic Association.

We proudly welcome Dr. Larona Gore to the Network. Look for her on the next cover of People You Need to Know! Her office can be reached at (770) 427-0044.

Lenny Swinson is an entrepreneur with over 15 years of Executive IT Project Management experience in corporate America. He now brings that knowledge and outstanding customer service ethics to the Healthcare IT Industry.

His company, Pristine Technology Solutions, Inc. is comprised of a group of Independent Consultants, that provide education on the HITECH Act, Electronic Medical Record implementations, and qualified and certified Electronic Medical Record affordable solutions.

Pristine Technology Solutions, Inc. offers a host of Health Care IT Services tailored to fit the needs of organizations. Their spectrum of IT Healthcare services range from day-to-day management to strategic long-term planning of IT infrastructures. They provide Pre-Implementation support, Training, and Post Installation support. Through their consultative processes and approach, they tailor their services to fit your unique needs.

Pristine will work with your practice to select an EMR solution that will give you the ability to manage patient flow, immediately access patient records in-house or remotely, electronically communicate with the referring physicians and securely send consultation notes and clinical data. They will also work with you to ensure your EMR application is compliant with the HITECH Act (aka Stimulus Bill).

Pristine’s range of consulting services are designed to help your organization maximize profits.

• Practice Assessment
• Hardware Setup and Installation
• Software Implementation
• Training - They spend time with every client understanding their learning needs such as computer skills, workflow, staffing levels, and overall objectives so they can provide a tailored training plan for each client.
• Lifecycle Support – They support you from start to finish and after.

Whether your healthcare practice is just getting off the ground, or if it’s been up-and-running for years, Pristine’s practice management services can help you with the business side of medicine, so you can focus on the business of patient care.

Their billing and coding offerings as well as guidance help eliminate unnecessary claim denials and delays through a complete integration of workflow, billing, coding and reimbursement management.

For a personal consultation, call their friendly Sales Team (Office) 770.602.1166 or (Cell) 770.307.8265

Look for Mr. Lenny Swinson in the next edition of People You Need to Know.

Who is going to know that your business exists unless YOU tell them about it, render the type of service and quality to get others talking about it or pay someone else to get the word out for you? And the quickest way to do that is to invest - yes, invest - in advertising.

But where should you advertise and how much of it should you do? How much should you spend? How often should you advertise? What form should it take?

Lots of questions. Let’s look at some of the answers. And please note: Every advertising plan is unique, so these answers are just possibilities - suggestions - and should not be construed as YOUR plan. You will need to investigate the possibilities for your product and your target market and come up with your own plan before you begin.

Where you advertise depends on your type of business and the area you want to cover. You might choose local magazines and newspapers, or publications that are distributed free at local supermarkets and other retail and private outlets. You might also consider radio spots or press releases to augment print ads, try online videos, banners, etc., take the plunge into social media or sponsor events in your community.

We’ve already established that advertising is essential to identifying you as a player in your market. How much advertising you do depends on your budget. You must decide how much you can afford in order to get your name out. Since advertising is an investment, you will need to put a pencil to your finances to determine how much you can spend. Once you’ve established an advertising budget, begin by contacting potential advertising outlets. Ask what they charge for various ad sizes. Ask about circulation numbers and deadlines for placement. Print ads will be priced by ad size, circulation numbers and, sometimes, the location of the ad within the publication. Keep in mind that ads usually cost more if they run in color.

Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for some small business marketing strategies that can help you succeed? Tune in to this wonderful and inspiring interview with Ms. Melanie Robinson.

Marketing Cafe owner, Melanie Robinson, is a guiding light for small business owners, no matter their challenges, no matter their budget. With an MBA and a passion for entrepreneurship, this Atlanta Marketing guru, along with her team of professionals at Marketing Cafe bring over 40 years of experience from major corporations, ad agencies and marketing firms. Her team will put their years of corporate experience to work for your small business and help you move to the next level.

Ms. Robinson believes real marketing success requires that a company understand your company at its core; who you are, your core values, your company’s personality and your short and long-term goals and expectations. Her company does this through a unique set of activities that translate into a four-step approach:

1. Educate: arm entrepreneurs with valuable knowledge by constantly educating them on the many layers of marketing.

2. Strategize: plan for success by developing sound marketing strategies that meet the needs of the business and are flexible enough to accommodate marketplace shifts.

3. Systemize: develop a marketing system to support the strategic vision and goals that is easy to follow, understand and measure.

4. Support: provide needed support and guidance via coaching and mentoring along the way.

Look for Ms. Melanie Robinson in the next edition of People You Need to Know!

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If you are anything like me, you love eBay! At one point in my life, I was hooked on eBay. In fact, I was on a first name basis with the UPS carrier. I’ve bought brand new shoes, leather coats and even textbooks on eBay! My ten year old daughter even makes her way to the site every now and then to “check-out” the deals. But I’m not just an online shopper; I’ve also had some luck in unloading an item or two. It beats having a garage sale and hoping someone will show up. We all have something better to do with our Saturdays.

eBay and other online auction sites are still today’s hottest trends. And if you’re like me and many other Americans, you may have caught the online auction bug. Whether you are posting unwanted items from your attic or basement or have intentions of becoming a virtual entrepreneur, you should be aware of the tax rules that apply to your sales proceeds.

So I’m sure you are asking, what’s the deal? Is it taxable or not? Well, the old baby furniture or the unused treadmill generally do not have any tax consequences. In these cases, the amounts you receive for these items are generally less than what you paid for them so there’s no gain on the sale. The most you get out of the sale is cash to buy more junk and a little more space in your garage. And that, my friend, is not taxable!

If the items you are unloading are considered an antique or collectible item, then a different set of rules are applicable. In this case, you generally will receive more for the item than what you paid for it, creating a gain on the sale. The tax treatment on this sale will depend on whether or not you’ve had the items for a year or more. The general rule of having the item for less than a year deems it as a short-term gain and is taxed at your ordinary income rate. However, if you’ve had the item for a year or more, then it’s considered a long-term gain and you may be eligible for favorable tax rates.

So if you have made any online sales or are considering such sales we will be happy to advise you on the proper handling of your transactions for tax purposes.

© Copyright 2006, By The Book Accounting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Bernadette Johnson-Hairl, MBA, speaker and author is the President of By The Book Accounting. Look for her in the next edition of People You Need to Know. Bernadette has a BS in Accounting and completed her MBA at the Keller Graduate School of Management. She is also a certified QuickBooks training specialist. Because she enjoys teaching, she is also a part-time Adjunct Accounting professor.

Recently, I came across a blog article about how social media marketing can recession-proof your business. Interesting, I thought. All I have to do is join the social media bandwagon and my business will be sure to grow despite the economical issues surrounding all other businesses on the planet. Well, I just had to read further.

If you had told me a few months ago that I would be stuck on Twitter, I would have told you that you were definitely reading me wrong. But over the past few weeks, I’ve really been enjoying this micro-blogging service and its benefits. Yes, I’m a Twitter Fan.

So who’s responsible for my new micro-blogging adventure? The credit goes to @AYellowHouse. I was very hesitant about joining, but Dori convinced me to jump in and give it a try. So…a couple of months later, I gathered up the courage to take the plunge and I’ve become a better person because of it. The people who have helped me grow are too numerous to mention and I’m very thankful for each and every one of them.

One of my favorite benefits is the fact that you can talk in real-time to anyone in the world. From authors, CEOs, activists, musicians, graphic designers, you name the profession, there’s someone you can talk to 24 hours a day and seek advice.

Another great benefit it offers is that it actually helps you with your writing skills. You’ve got to be clear about what you’re writing since you only have 140 characters to get your message across. I don’t have a big problem with that because I’m not a big talker so that part was rather easy.

To help us become more comfortable with Twitter, Corvida Raven (@corvida), was gracious enough to be our guest on Spark Plug Radio. She gave us the goods on Twitter basics. Her interview basically answered the question…What’s the Big Deal About Twitter? After her interview, it didn’t seem so overwhelming but a very simple concept indeed.

To me, Twitter is similar to a Lego brick. It starts out very simple. However, if you keep building and building, connecting and connecting, you just never know what’s possible, but it helps to have a plan. So far, I’ve been pleased with the rewards I’ve received from my experience. Keep in mind, if you’re self-centered, only wanting to push your own agenda, you’ll get turned off very quickly because it’s all about sharing in the community.

Feel free to follow us on Twitter. If you haven’t joined, at least give it a try. Have fun!

~ Jacqueline

On September 9, 2009, Morrow police were called to the Cracker Barrel Restaurant on Southlake Plaza Drive at 7:30 p.m. It was reported that a woman had been savagely beaten by a man, 6′2″, 215 pounds.

Her seven-year-old daughter had chosen the Cracker Barrel Restaurant as a place for them to go and have a nice meal, but as most of us now know, they never even had a chance to sit down.

Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing!”

Anthony ‘Spark Plug’ Thomas, a local motivational speaker, and publisher of People You Need to Know, decided to do something and launch what he calls a day of Joy & Pampering for the mother and daughter. After hearing about this in the media, he believed that the metro Atlanta business community would want to do something collectively to reach out to Ms. Hill and her young daughter, who was also traumatized.

So, he contacted several local businesses and most were eager to donate their services because they wanted to show, especially the daughter, that she still lives in a world where strangers care.

Ms. Shamone Green, sales manager at MTI Limo & Shuttle Services didn’t hesitate to donate two days of limousine transportation for Ms. Hill and her daughter as well as offer additional assistance. Sweet Success Salon volunteered to style their hair, and Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, Atrice Baker will give the mother a complimentary facial and make-over. Spa Sydell in Buckhead donated a manicure and pedicure for them and the Atlanta Marriott Marquis has given them a night of luxurious accommodations at their hotel.

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is giving them tickets to their IMAX® Theatre as well as two free passes to the Museum. Houston’s Midtown restaurant on Peachtree is providing complimentary lunch or dinner for the mother and daughter. Additionally, the Midtown Mediterranean Diner is offering breakfast, lunch or dinner. Mr. Patel with Bruster’s Real Ice Cream in Morrow, Georgia, is giving them a gift card for free ice cream.

Spark Plug says, “I’m getting tired of seeing crimes being committed against women in our country and around the world. They give birth to us all and spend most of their time nurturing us in our formative years, literally holding up the world without getting the credit they so richly deserve. As men, we need to do a better job of protecting them and not hurting them. Without women, where would this world be?”

“I hope this day of Joy & Pampering gives Ms. Hill and her daughter something more positive to focus on for a long time.”

Sherry Thomas is a leading Etiquette and Life Skills Expert. She credits her attention to manners to her Southern upbringing and to her wonderful mother who placed her into Etiquette classes at an early age. Coupled with her Psychology training at Clemson University, she brings real life situations to real people.

She has worked with many people that you see on television each week in the areas of Etiquette, Public Speaking, Image Consulting, Media /Press Coaching and Life Skills. She often incorporates video into her training, affording a client the opportunity to view ‘befores’ and ‘afters’. Video, she says, is the only way for us to see ourselves as the world does.

Sherry believes that proper Etiquette in all areas of our lives is an integral part of how we’re perceived, thus affecting our advancement in the workplace and our overall well being. She has coined the phrase Public Persona Optimization, meaning that if you practice certain techniques long enough in order to maximize your public perception, eventually those techniques and changes become a natural part of who you are, thus optimizing your private persona.

Sherry’s clients include Corporations, new Socialites, Athletes, Children, Adults, new Graduates, people from all walks of life – all seeking to master the polish and skills required to ‘get ahead’, ’seal the deal’ or ‘make a favorable impression’. She has been featured in magazines and newspapers, on radio shows, and has had many etiquette articles published.

“Confidence without arrogance” is her favorite mantra.

Sherry loves children and can often be seen in the middle of the floor with kids and teens of all ages, participating with them, instead of staring down at them.

In addition to Etiquette, Sherry is a Writer and Video Producer, having produced Commercials, Infomercials, Corporate Video, and Elite Weddings. She is President of Breathless Video Productions. Based in South Florida, her international video company shoots anywhere in the world!

Having been a New York City actress, she can still be found, occasionally, on the stages of South Florida, performing . . . just to keep the acting blood warm.

Listen to her interview below and learn how etiquette can help as well as hinder your progress.

Aurelia Flores founded PowerfulLatinas.com in 2007 as a company that would gather together Latina women to learn from and share with one another. In particular, she was interested in successful Latina women who have overcome obstacles to provide inspiration to others and remind them that anything is possible.

PowerfulLatinas.com launched its first project, an interview series, to compile a storehouse of wisdom from Latinas who have reached successful peaks in their lives. The project is an exciting one and geared to provide inspiration, personal growth and motivation for Latinas and others nationwide.

The goal is to motivate and inspire women – young, old, and everything in between– to learn from others’ life lessons.

Her own life story being one of inspiration, Aurelia understands what it means to overcome obstacles. After becoming pregnant at 15, she graduated from high school a year early and went immediately to college where she received her B.A. in Sociology. She received her law degree from Stanford Law School and then was awarded a post-graduate Fulbright Fellowship to study in Mexico City.

Aurelia has been practicing corporate law for the past ten years, first at a prominent law firm and now for a Fortune 300 company where she specializes in intellectual property.

As a young woman, Aurelia personally found a lack of positive role models in her life. The scope of possibilities and opportunities that were known to her was very narrow.

During the course of her own academic and professional life she found the lack of guidance and experience a hindrance to her at various points in her life. She believes it would have been great to have had role models to look up to.

Aurelia wants to offer a learning opportunity to other women who might find themselves in similar shoes. She strongly believes women can learn from other women, no matter where they are in their career or life path.

Aurelia volunteers for various non-profit organizations, and sits on the Board of the San Diego Museum of Art. She is a proud mother and her son now attends Georgetown University.

Tune in below to listen to Ms. Aurelia Flores. She will be sharing some benefits about her life-changing organization, PowerfulLatinas.com. Her office can be reached at (858) 569-0710.

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Born in Staten Island, New York, Ingrid Priscilla Wiggberg moved to Georgia in 1991. The combination of the witty and wise New Yorker teachings of her parents and the sweet, Southern hospitality of her childhood gave her the best of both worlds, and shaped her into who she is today.

Ingrid began her college career at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She completed her degree in Communications at Oglethorpe University.

A new business owner, and founder of The Party Makers, Ingrid Priscilla Wiggberg is quickly making a good name for herself and her company in the metro Atlanta area. Her future goal is to have event planning businesses in many other cities along the East Coast, including New York.

Her late mother who passed away about five years ago is her main inspiration for deciding to pursue the event planning business. Ingrid’s mother is sorely missed by her family and friends and she is most remembered for her talent as a great hostess and fabulous entertainer.

Excited about taking it to the next level, Ingrid plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps by making the most of the “gift” for event planning that her mother passed on to her.

People You Need to Know is proud to welcome Ms. Ingrid Priscilla Wiggberg to the Network!! Look for her in the next edition of PYNTK. She can be reached at 770-853-2069. Listen to her radio interview below.

The mission of Festival Peachtree Latino is to serve as an integrating path between Hispanic audiences and businesses, fostering development, strengthening commercial relationships, and culturally responding to the modern and traditional activities of their community.

The first thing that is evident when arriving at Festival Peachtree Latino is its sheer size! Although a majority of visitors are Hispanic, people of all cultures attend Underground Atlanta to watch or participate in the festivities. This demonstrates that the Festival is an excellent resource to reach out to new customers. It is a great opportunity to showcase your products or services to all who attend, while enjoying a cultural experience of music, food and other exciting activities that the Festival has to offer.

Two stages featuring international performances, a parade, exhibition booths and an arts & crafts showcase are held in the Underground Atlanta area. In only 5 years, Festival Peachtree Latino has become a long awaited and ever-expanding event not only for Hispanics, but for the rest of our diverse community as well. The attendance has tripled from its beginning in 2000, to the present with a record of over 80,000 visitors in 2004.

Join us as we participate in this festive event on Sunday, August 23rd. For more information visit the Festival Peachtree Latino website!