People You Need to Know

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 him 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.

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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 E-Bay! At one point in my life, I was hooked on E-Bay. 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 E-Bay! 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 even 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.

E-Bay and other online auction sites are still today’s hottest trends. And if you are 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.

(Re-post) According to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength website, doctors and researchers anticipate 192,370 new breast cancer cases and diagnoses in 2009. In an effort to continue the push for breast cancer awareness, Atlanta native and entrepreneur, Sophia Williams of T&S Shoes For A Cause has organized “The Pink Party: A Celebration of Survivorship” to take place on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Hall C1 from 10am – 7pm.

“The Pink Party: A Celebration of Survivorship,” hosted by former America’s Next Top Model winner, Eva Pigford, was created to enlighten, encourage, inspire and motivate men and women of all walks of life to take control of their health.

The event will focus on the significance of early detection, the critical importance of performing self-exams, and the need for preventative, routine check-ups. With a portion of the proceeds going to the Greater Atlanta Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure, Williams hopes that participants will find the courage to take on a more active role in the well-being and health of themselves and their loved ones.

“Breast cancer is a disease that has affected so many families including mine,” said Sophia Williams, owner of T&S Shoes. “I wanted to create an event to celebrate survivors and their families. Life can go on after a diagnosis with breast cancer.”

Fantasia Barrino, winner of American Idol, will be headlining the event by putting on a full show. There will also be performances by Day 26 of MTV’s Making the Band, William Murphy, the OMG Girls, the Shades of Pink Breast Cancer Survivors Mass Choir, and many others. With a multitude of vendors, free health screenings, a KangaZoom Kids Area and much more, “The Pink Party: A Celebration of Survivorship” is full of excitement for the whole family.

So. . .come out and participate in this worthwhile event. You’ll discover that we’re all in this together. What affects one of us, literally affects us all. We look forward to seeing you there.

Tickets are on sale now. Please go to ThePinkPartyATL.com or call 404-914-2241 for more information.

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.”

According to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength website, doctors and researchers anticipate 192,370 new breast cancer cases and diagnoses in 2009. In an effort to continue the push for breast cancer awareness, Atlanta native and entrepreneur, Sophia Williams of T&S Shoes For A Cause has organized “The Pink Party: A Celebration of Survivorship” to take place on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Hall C1 from 10am – 7pm.

“The Pink Party: A Celebration of Survivorship,” hosted by former America’s Next Top Model winner, Eva Pigford, was created to enlighten, encourage, inspire and motivate men and women of all walks of life to take control of their health.

The event will focus on the significance of early detection, the critical importance of performing self-exams, and the need for preventative, routine check-ups. With a portion of the proceeds going to the Greater Atlanta Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure, Williams hopes that participants will find the courage to take on a more active role in the well being and health of themselves and their loved ones.

“Breast cancer is a disease that has affected so many families including mine,” said Sophia Williams, owner of T&S Shoes. “I wanted to create an event to celebrate survivors and their families. Life can go on after a diagnosis with breast cancer.”

Fantasia Barrino, winner of American Idol, will be headlining the event by putting on a full show. There will also be performances by Day 26 of MTV’s Making the Band, William Murphy, the OMG Girls, the Shades of Pink Breast Cancer Survivors Mass Choir, and many others. With a multitude of vendors, free health screenings, a KangaZoom Kids Area and much more, “The Pink Party: A Celebration of Survivorship” is full of excitement for the whole family.

Tickets are on sale now. Please go to ThePinkPartyATL.com or call 404-914-2241 for more information.

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.

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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.

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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!

Even though we are literally wrapped up in the age of emails, blogs, video conferencing, streaming videos, podcasts, Twitter, Facebook, etc., there are still throngs of people who prefer basic face-to-face marketing or networking instead of online social networks.

For instance, your initial business contact with Spark Plug, publisher of People You Need to Know, would probably never be through an online social network, but on the phone or face-to-face. He prefers the old school way of communicating. He says it helps him get to the heart of the matter more quickly when it comes to doing business.

On the other hand, I’m ashamed to admit that I’m addicted to Twitter. Though I enjoy events, meeting face-to-face to do business is a last resort because I believe I can do everything I need to do online. So, considering the various habits and social preferences of people, there is still a large audience looking to meet primarily at Expos, conventions and other events. The spirit at these face-to-face gatherings is inspirational, uplifting and motivational, but more than anything else, the opportunities are endless.

As a matter of fact, we use face-to-face marketing frequently to promote the people in our network and to distribute our publications. We probably participate in events throughout each year totaling more than 1 million people in attendance. We have a chance to further strengthen the brand of our clients, give people a chance to ask questions, look into their eyes or invite them under the People You Need to Know tent for a chat.

Benefits of Face-to-Face Marketing:

• Meeting people who can use your product or service
• Generate new clients or get referrals
• It gives your business more credibility
• Become more than a voice, business card, flyer in the mail or Tweet
• A chance to really show just how professional your product is to those who are not familiar with it
• Distribute new and updated information via one-pagers, brochures, product samples, etc.
• Collect business cards from potential clients to contact after the event
• Run into old friends you haven’t seen in years because you’ve been too busy working
• And if you’re lucky, you can get your product photographed and placed in the local newspaper for even greater exposure or better yet, online!

I hope you consider doing more face-to-face marketing or networking. The experience can be priceless and the opportunities are endless. In addition, it will give you a chance to get out of the office and breathe some fresh air.

~ Jacqueline Benjamin-Thomas

I am often asked how to lose weight quickly and easily.

Of course no one wants to listen to a lecture on the importance of healthy eating coupled with a solid exercise routine. That would preclude the quick and easy part.

So in a world where two thirds of all adults are overweight or obese, and some doctors predict that we will soon see a generation with a lower life expectancy than their parents due to obesity related diseases, I’ve come up with a solution that is both quick and easy. (Drum roll, please.)

Stop eating fried foods. (Gasp!)

Fried foods, despite having little to no nutritional value and being loaded with fat and calories, have become an accepted indulgence in our society. So accepted that many restaurants serve fries or chips alongside every meal.

It’s no wonder that fried foods are the number one thing that most people crave – they are salty, addictive and plentiful.

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When Facebook first came online back in 2004, I viewed it, as I know many other people did, as a personal communication site for the college age demographic. I remember my daughter telling me about being “face-booked” by a childhood friend who had moved away, or a former classmate who had gone to college in another state.

Due to their high accessibility and relative ease of use, more people began to utilize internet based sites to form relationships, not only for personal, but for political and business use as well. A shift was created in how people were locating, reading and sharing news, information and content. This union of sociology and technology has become known as social media. Facebook, one such social media site, has kept pace with and emerged as a global giant in this changing trend.

Facebook is free for individuals and businesses to join. The individual user sets up a “Profile” where they can share information about themselves, become “Friends” with other users, and there is even a chat feature for real-time communication. Each time a friend posts their status, new pictures, or an item of interest, it is visible to you through the news feed function.

Businesses can set up a Facebook “Page” which is publicly available and accessible for indexing by search engines. Businesses invite individuals to become a “Fan” of their page, and benefit from viral growth through the fan’s recommendation of the business to other friends. Through the news feed, businesses can push information out to their fan base. Any individual that is a friend of that fan, can also see the information the business distributes.

Other ways to form relationships and promote your business on Facebook include:

• Joining Networks which are based around a region, workplace or school;
• Joining or creating Groups relative to your industry or niche;
• Utilizing the Events application to broadcast an upcoming event or gathering;
• Creating your own fun Application that friends and fans can interact with, sponsored by your company;
• Purchasing targeted ads based on CPC or CPM basis (cost per clicks or impressions).

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Did you know that you can actually age backwards? Jackie Silver is Aging Backwards and she shares her secrets, tips and shortcuts in her book, Aging Backwards: Secrets to Staying Young, on her Web site, on TV, on radio, in print and in person. She is the anti-aging expert on the syndicated television show, Daytime, the beauty editor for Clear Channel’s Mix 100.7 FM Nancy & Chris Mornings in Tampa Bay, Florida, and a weekly columnist with The Tampa Tribune. In addition, she’s an expert contributor to Total Health Breakthroughs and BestLifeDesign.com, as well as a regular contributor to FocusOnStyle.com, Galtime.com and HealthNewsDigest.com.

Silver is a sought-after speaker and coach who combines her natural reporter’s curiosity with her desire to help others look and feel young. Her best-selling book is available at: Amazon.com and AgingBackwards.com.

Listen to Jackie Silver Live on Spark Plug Radio, August 7, 2009 at 9:00 am. She will be sharing her secrets, tips and shortcuts for staying young! You can also follow her on Twitter @agingbackwards.

What do you call a woman who owns the world records (women’s T44 classification) in the 100m, 200m and 400m dashes and runs her own non-profit organization for people with physical disabilities? U.S. Paralympian April Holmes. Tune in to hear her live; 7/31/09 9:00 am EST on our new Grow Through It & Lead inspirational/motivational radio show.

Since her career in Paralympic track & field began in 2002, Holmes has continued to succeed, improving each and every step of the way. Her latest feats include breaking her own world records in the 100m and 200m dashes at the 2006 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships in Atlanta, GA. She then led a strong US delegation to the IPC World Championships in Assen, Netherlands where she excited the crowd with commanding gold winning performances in the 100 and 200 meter races.

It wasn’t until 2001 when Holmes was involved in a train accident that resulted in the loss her left leg below the knee. While she lay in her hospital bed, a doctor told her about the Paralympic Games and a new goal was firmly implanted in her mind.

Off the track, Holmes runs the April Holmes Foundation, a non-profit organization tasked with assisting people with physical and developmental disabilities in every day life. Having recently completed her MBA in Marketing, Holmes plans to use her education to improve the awareness of persons with disabilities while eventually testing her entrepreneurial skills in event planning.

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. In addition, 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 in the next edition of People You Need to Know! Her office can be reached at (770) 427-0044.

If you wear contact lenses or if you are considering wearing them, you MUST listen to this interview with Dr. Valerie Robbins-Acker, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Before evacuating to Atlanta in 2005 from Katrina, Dr. Val lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, with her husband, Dr. Mike Acker and their 3 children. She received her undergraduate degree in Biology Pre-Med from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, and her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia. Dr. Val and Dr. Mike own College Optical Express on the campus of Georgia Tech in Midtown Atlanta. Dr. Val also sees patients at Super Target Optical in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Tune in and get the information you need regarding eye contacts.

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When was the last time you saw an Eye Doctor?

Find out why it’s important to keep your eyes healthy. Our guest, Dr. Michael D. Acker, II is the Center Director/Owner of College Optical Express in Midtown Atlanta on the campus of GA Tech. He is a Residency trained Contact Lens Specialist and a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Acker has a BS in Chemistry (Pre-Med) from Xavier University. He received a Doctor Of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College Of Optometry, Philadelphia.

Tune in and find out why you should see an eye doctor today!

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Dr. Tameka Hall is an orthodontist in Lithia Springs, Georgia, who specializes in providing superior care for adults and children.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from Binghamton University in New York in 1998, and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2003 from Meharry Medical College. Dr. Hall was one of a few select students inducted into the National Dental Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon.

After graduation, she studied an additional two years and received her Certificate in Orthodontics from Columbia University in New York.

A National Dean’s List Scholar, Dr. Hall has received many awards, including the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Aptitude and Achievement Award and the United States Achievement Academy All-American Scholar Collegiate Award.

Dr. Hall is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association and the Georgia Dental Association.

The New York native now resides in Atlanta. She enjoys the theater, traveling and spending time with her family.

Look for Dr. Tameka Hall in the next edition of People You Need to Know. Her office can be reached 770.732.6008

Do you know how some people nag their spouse to get something done? It may seem like a good idea to the nagger since it gets results. However, this is a short-term solution can cause long-term problems in a marriage. Read on to discover seven ways nagging can damage your relationship.

The Nagger and the “Nagee”

We all know how nagging works. One person (the nagger) bugs the other person (the “naggee”) to do something. The “naggee” does not want to do this, but he/she eventually does it just to get the nagger off his/her back.

For the nagger, this seems like a good solution. After all, they got their way. However, the foundation of your marriage can be damaged if this happens frequently.

These Problems are Caused by “N.A.G.G.I.N.G.”

N: Nuisance You are a nuisance whenever you nag your mate. It is like the pesky mosquito that keeps buzzing around and will not leave you alone. It is very annoying. Is that the type of relationship that you want to have with your mate?

A: Anger and Resentment Frequent nagging can lead to anything from irritation to fury in your spouse. Over time, this leads to walls of resentment in your marriage.

G: Grow Apart from Each Other Your spouse may start avoiding you if you continue to nag them. This can create an emotional distance between the two of you.

G: Goes Where the Grass Looks Greener If constant nagging drives a wedge between you, then your spouse may become discontent with your marriage. It could even drive him/her into the arms of someone else.

I: Is Inconsiderate Nagging is a form of manipulation. You try to control your spouse’s behavior through constant complaining. It shows a lack of respect for their desires and feelings. Essentially you are demonstrating that your desires are more important than their desires.

N: Not Conducive to a Partnership Nagging is one-sided. Your partner only complies with your demands out of frustration and not based on an agreement between both of you.

G: Gets You Short-Term Results, But Long-Term Problems Is getting what you want in the short-term worth the problems caused by nagging? Before you start nagging, you might want to consider the long-term consequences. Nagging is just one common mistake that couples make.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laurel_Barnet

Listen to the song below to hear Alabama Mike (The Blues Singer) break it all down!

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Founding member of her own law practice and legal research firm, Tracey Jean-Charles has found an outlet for her love of law, business and research.

A year out law school, Ms. Jean-Charles established Economic Legal Solutions to address the many questions of law and procedure for family and for those who would not ordinarily have access to an attorney. The business started with just performing basic legal research and grew from there. With Economic Legal Solutions, later renamed Lex Analytic Research Group in 2005, Ms. Jean-Charles, counsels small business owners in issues of corporate formation, intellectual property, taxation, and contracts.

In 2007, Ms. Jean-Charles founded Johnson Elliott Jean-Charles, LLC, named after her family, where she continued her extensive work in areas of real estate which is her family’s business, criminal and juvenile defense, juvenile deprivation proceedings and business litigation. She has served as lead counsel in state, superior and federal courts in Georgia. Ms. Jean-Charles is dedicated to pro bono work having recently been acknowledged in the Georgia Bar Journal for her pro bono efforts with the Gwinnett Pro Bono Project.

Ms. Jean-Charles received a Bachelor of Science degree from Morgan State University in 1998 and is a 2002 graduate of The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. She co-owns the law firm and research firm with her husband, Ben Jean-Charles. They have two children and reside in suburban Atlanta. Her office can be reached at (678) 343-9535.

Alabama Mike is a hard-driving Chicago style blues singer with the ability to make you feel as if you’ve revisited the early CHESS RECORDS days.

Many things come to mind upon hearing Alabama Mike sing for the first time, but mostly it’s where has this guy been? With a soulful voice that brings such greats as Elmore James, Buddy Guy, Little Johnny Taylor and yes, even BB King to mind, you will be asking yourself, “Why haven’t I seen or heard of him before.”

Alabama Mike is a very unique talent, not only a gifted singer but also a very talented song writer, having penned over half of the tunes on this impressive debut.

Born in Talladega, Alabama, in 1964, “Alabama” was influenced by the Gospel singing of his father at an early age, as well as his love for Chicago Blues. Alabama Mike is embarking upon a bright future. He is an artist that anybody that has any interest in the Blues will soon notice.

The CD features the talents of Steve Freund; RJ Misho, John Nemeth; Charles Wheal, Chris Burns as well as members of his band, Third Degree.

Listen to Day to Day from his debut CD.

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For over 20 years, Melana Plains has assisted many people from all walks of life in overcoming their fears and has helped them learn how to love themselves ~ body, mind and spirit.

As a ‘voice’ for the organic evolution of our human expression, she has committed her life to sharing the powerful, healing truth of loving yourself with the world.

A lover of love, Melana is driven and destined to understand everything and all things related to this powerful and magnificent energy called love. Melana says, “I love human beings more than I can bear most times, and yet, it is that very love that touches my heart and moves my feet to continue on this path of healing and sharing love with the world.”

A spiritual leader and ‘keeper of the flame’ for The Path: A Journey Into the Light, a belief system and structure that teaches and supports the truth about love, from self-love to unconditional love for all human beings, Melana is dedicated to helping people understand how loving their body impacts their total health, mind, body and spirit.

Loving yourself will definitely give your entire life a brand new meaning and set your feet on a path which will open new doors and provide more opportunities for you to grow.

Tune in an be inspired by her insightful and heartfelt interview.

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Are you interested in making your small business look like a million dollar company? Renee Atkins Harris, President of Sound Impact Publicity can help. She has appeared in Vibe Magazine, Jet, Black Hair, BRE, USA Magazine and a multitude of print publications to spread the word about marketing and publicity. She is the first female to produce and publish an audio book titled, My Back Against The Wall “Working in the Music Industry”.

The audio book delivers motivation, inspiration and life skills to women working in the music industry. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. Her mission is to concentrate on building strong communities by empowering women in the industry and networking to build sound partnerships while creating immeasurable concepts that will set the standard far above the competition.

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Attorney Donald P. Edwards, known as the “Community-Minded Attorney” in metro Atlanta, has renewed his contract with People You Need to Know (PYNTK) for the sixteenth straight year.

Thank you Attorney Edwards for your confidence in our ability to promote you and your brand. Above all else, thank you for your sincere dedication and service to the community.

A native of Buffalo, New York, Attorney Don Edwards’ professional accomplishments reflect a distinguished career. He has for the past three decades served his clients, his profession and the African American community in Atlanta. He has fashioned legal cases and landmark million dollar verdicts for his clients. As a civil litigation specialist, his professional focus is on personal injury cases. His work has earned him the Martindale-Hubbell “AV” rating, the highest rating offered by this nationally recognized law directory.

An agent for social change, Edwards has an array of board affiliations with several major community and professional organizations. His personal commitment has been recognized with many awards and citations for leadership and service including the 2004 Inductee to the Gate City Bar Association’s “Hall of Fame”, and NAACP’s Thurgood Marshall Award “For Dedicated Service To The NAACP In The Fight For Freedom And Justice.” Recently, the State Bar of Georgia recognized Attorney Edwards during its Annual Meeting with the “Chief Justice Robert Benham Community Service Award” for exemplary community service as a legal professional.

Edwards is currently involved with organizations that address issues affecting family, community, church, health care and world peace. He is currently Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Ethics; Immediate past Chair of the South Atlanta District for the Boy Scouts of America, where he has received the 2002 Silver Beaver Award, the highest award issued by the Atlanta Area Council for volunteer service; Founding President of Southwest Hospital Foundation and a Trustee of Southwest Hospital; Past Board President of the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta; founding president of the Association of Metro Atlanta DFACS Boards, and the past chairman of the Board of the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services, where a dormitory for boys in foster care was named after Attorney Edwards. Edwards is a member of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and Leadership Atlanta. Edwards is also a past president of the Gate City Bar Association, and is a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the National Bar Association, where he has served as a member of the Board of Governors.

An activist in pursuit of a more peaceful world, Don is the Southeast Coordinator of Every Church A Peace Church, and producer-host of the TV program, Every Church A Peace Church, which received the 2004 Allen Award presented by Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters for best continuous faith based program in 2004. Don’s peace work also earned him the World Council of Churches “Blessed Are The Peacemakers Award”, personally presented to him by the WCC General Secretary Samuel Kobia in October, 2004. Edwards is an active and long time member of Atlanta’s Hillside Chapel and Truth Center, where he had served as Chairman of the Trustee Board for several years.

“I am very much a beneficiary of the civil rights struggle of the 1950’s and 1960’s,” he says. “Not only did I learn the importance of people becoming active in social change, I also saw lawyers leading that change.” With that motivation, Edwards completed Boston University School of Law in 1973, after graduating with honors from Morehouse College to begin his legal career as a civil rights lawyer in the firm of well known former Atlanta attorney, Howard Moore, Jr.

A well-respected trial lawyer, Edwards’ firm specializes in serving clients involved in automobile accidents, medical negligence, wrongful death and personal injury claims. “Clients who are injured or killed because of someone else’s fault have the same civil rights to obtain full compensation for their losses as the civil right to vote and to work without being discriminated against. My three decades of experience tells me that it requires competent, ethical and aggressive legal representation to assert those rights on behalf of injured victims.”

Attorney Edwards resides in Southwest Atlanta with his wife, Jo Roberson Edwards, a businesswoman, and daughters, Nia and Domia. Edwards remarks: “My family is my most important accomplishment.”

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Lori A. Manns has been a marketing and sales professional for over 20 years. Prior to founding Quality Media Consultant Group, she was Senior Account Manager for CBS Radio-Atlanta for 13 years. Ms. Manns also has career sales and marketing experience with Cox Radio-Atlanta, WYHY Radio-Nashville, Superior Cable, The Women’s Yellow Pages and The Democratic National Convention.

Ms. Manns is an expert at developing multi-media marketing and advertising campaigns designed to produce a profitable return on investment. She is an accomplished and skilled sales professional known for building key strategic partnerships both locally and nationally.

Ms. Manns has extensive experience developing key strategic marketing and advertising campaigns for Fortune 100 Companies. Her experience in selling radio, print, events, internet and cable TV provides her a wealth of knowledge in various mediums. In addition, she also has freelance media buying experience for small and large businesses in the top 100 U.S. markets.

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I don’t know about you, but I sometimes hop on my little treadmill of life, wrap myself up in some of my miniature problems, and forget how big the world really is.

The beautiful thing about our BIG world is it’s never stagnant, but always flowing with power and unlimited possibilities.

Many times, in order for us to move forward, we’ve got to take a step back and reflect. I often find myself reflecting on my own posts and interestingly, this particular one was posted last June. I thought it was a good idea to freshen it up and re-post it. I hope you find a word or two that makes your day a little more pleasurable.

By the way, if you ever visit Niagara Falls, don’t leave without taking an unforgettable ride on the Maid of the Mist. It’s truly a breathtaking experience! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

~ Jacqueline

I will leave you with a wonderful quote by Susan Polis Shutz. “This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to make your life happy.”

Doug Bates is the owner of CMIT Solutions of Fayette and Coweta Counties. He spent the first 24 years of his career working with world-class organizations such as GE, TYCO International, and Lego Toys, identifying and providing solutions for customers on a domestic and global scale.

He spent most of his time traveling, which took quality time away from his wife and kids. He is now happy to be at the next phase of his career and gets great satisfaction out of preparing breakfast for his kids each morning.

Tune in to Doug’s interview as he shares his journey of being one of 1,100 people laid off from Lithonia Lighting, and now he’s building a new career as his own boss.

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Summer is coming!

If keeping your skin radiant and silky smooth is a priority, you’ve got to listen to this show! Dr. Gloria Campbell-D’Hue, affectionately known as Atlanta’s Dermatologist to the stars, is the founder of the Atlanta Center of Dermatology & MediSpa, P.C.

Dr. D’Hue has over 20 years of training and experience in the practice of Dermatology. She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatologists. Tune in to hear SparK Plug interview this legendary Dermatologist as she shares secrets to beautiful, soft, healthy, and glowing skin.

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Most of my friends know that I’m still dealing with the loss of my only brother, Robert Lee Thomas, Jr., who made his transition last January.

When I received the news, I was determined not to believe it until I could see the evidence myself. This required my wife and me to fly all the way over to Dubai to see for ourselves. The minute I saw his passport and photo that listed him as a foreign national, a heaviness set in, which I’m still coping with today.

This has been one of the most difficult periods in my life because we were very close. I miss receiving my brother’s phone calls four or five times a day (sometimes more) from Savannah. Even when he was traveling around the world, I’d still hear from him whether he was in Greece, somewhere in Africa or the South of France.

Many years ago, my brother believed in my dream enough to loan me the money to start my publishing business and yes, I paid my brother back. For some reason, people always want to know the answer to the question regarding whether or not I gave him his money back. I dedicated my 2009 publication to him.

Anyway, on one of those days when I was feeling especially low, I came across my book, Grow Through It & Lead, which I’d written to encourage others and it became my own inspiration.

With the help of my beautiful and talented wife, I’m expanding my borders. Jacqueline, thanks so much! Now, I’ve started a new Podcast, I have a new Twitter page and a new Radio Show called, Grow Through It & Lead. I’m already lining up a couple of new guests who have some amazing stories to tell about their journey.

So. . . if you’re dealing with some issues that are weighing you down, try to figure out how to turn it inside out and look for the sunny side. There’s always a sunny side.

Challenges will come when you try to succeed, but just remember, (even though the situation may seem insurmountable) you can always Grow Through It & Lead!

~ Spark Plug