I’ve been a busy little bee! This year, we’ve given our entire publication a facelift. We’re excited about picking up our personal copies on Tuesday. Distribution will begin on Friday. I’m working on the online version, so please be patient. The crowd and the President both occupy the center of our publication. I’ll officially introduce our second cover later.

I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone who participated in making our 2009 publication a huge success. We held up our release date so that we could include our new President, Barack Obama.

As always, I’m honored to be a part of a company that is dedicated to providing the best exposure for business owners and professionals in the metro Atlanta area.

Most of all, I appreciate the readers who support the business owners which we promote. Because of you, we are able to continue our tradition of inspiring a new generation of business professionals through positive images.

May you have the best year ever!

Still moving forward,

Jacqueline Benjamin-Thomas

A poll of 3,000 Americans found that for 41 percent, the thing they’re most afraid of is speaking before a group of people. Of all the topics in the world of knowledge, I decided to do my very first seminar on Overcoming Your Fears. Though it was many years ago, it still seems like yesterday.

My fiancée at the time, who is now my wife, told me not to try and memorize my speech word-for-word because I might get on stage and forget what I was supposed to say. Well, like most men, I didn’t listen.

I quickly replied, “I can do it, I’ll do just fine.”

She simply said, “OK.”

On the evening of the seminar, after my award-winning introduction, I dashed onto the stage. I was ready to dazzle the audience with my power-packed presentation. Suddenly, my mind went on vacation without my approval and all I could see were bright lights shining in my face. Beyond the blinding lights, there was only a sea of darkness behind the first couple of rows in the huge auditorium. I couldn’t remember my name, let alone my speech, which I thought I had carefully folded and tucked away in my mind.

I moaned to myself, “Surely this can’t be happening to me. I know this speech like the back of my hand!”

Everything was a blur. Sweat was rolling down my forehead like raindrops on a windshield. My heart was literally beating like the hooves of horses on hot dry pavement. (Thumpety, thumpety, thump.) Embarrassment was flowing out of my soul like a mighty stream. I started to look around hoping I’d find Jacqueline so I could get a glimpse of someone familiar or maybe uncover a shred of hope by seeing her beautiful face, but the lights were too bright on the stage.

I tried to present my speech just as I had done countless times before, at home, in the car, in the checkout line, the mirror, etc. It would not come forth! My mouth was dry and I desperately wanted to crawl off the platform and run for cover. The wrath of dead silence in the auditorium was tormenting me and I could literally feel a multitude of glistening eyes glaring at me through the darkness.

I was considering the idea of obeying the thundering voice in my head that bellowed, “Get off the stage, just walk off…you’re making a complete fool of yourself…who do you think you are anyway?” Luckily, in the same moment that I was about to give up, ever so slowly, the information began to sneak back into my mind.

Evidently, I must have done a great job of keeping the audience entertained.

After the speech, people came up and thanked me for what they said was an outstanding presentation. Surprisingly, a year later, a young lady called me to get what she described as some ‘very useful’ information, which I had shared that unforgettable night. I’m glad I decided to open my mouth because it has brought me many rewards since then.

So…to those of you who are afraid to speak in public, the more you do it, the easier it will become. The best advice I can give anyone is to just do it!

- Spark Plug

During a lifetime, the average person will walk more than 250,000 miles. That’s the distance from the Earth to the Moon! Therefore, in order to live pain free, taking good care of your feet must become a priority.

To help us keep our feet healthy, Adrienne M. Atkinson-Sneed, DPM, has returned to her hometown of Atlanta to expand the Podiatry profession to West Atlanta.

She is the Medical Director of Providence Foot & Ankle Centers, P.C. and specializes in Diabetic foot care; geriatric care of the foot and ankle; surgical correction of bunions and hammertoes; treatment of nail diseases and the treatment of heel pain including shock wave therapy.

Dr. Atkinson is triple board certified in Medicine, Surgery, and Wound Care, a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association, a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Specialties in Podiatry and an active member of the Atlanta Medical Association, the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Georgia Podiatric Medical Association.

Dr. Atkinson graduated Northwestern University in Biomedical and Chemical Engineering. She earned her podiatric medical degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she was named a Region X Scholar and received the Union Scholarship. She completed her residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in Buffalo, New York, where she also treated Veterans, Active Duty personnel in the military and volunteered on Native American reservations. She often participates in health fairs and accepts public speaking engagements.

Dr. Atkinson is a native of Atlanta and a graduate of The Westminster Schools in North Atlanta. During her free time she enjoys tennis, golf, gardening and her family.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcasts: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player

I love new beginnings. To me, the beginning of a new year has always represented new opportunities. This year, I look forward to embracing this newness with my arms wide open.

In January of last year, I was in Dubai. It is the newest ‘crown jewel’ of the Middle East and a destination known as the “Impossible City.” Who else would dare to build castles on sand or a ski resort in the desert — and even make their own snow? Not only that, they expect the whole world to come and take a gander at all of Dubai’s glory.

One of the billboards I read when I was there stated: “Think Bigger, because thinking big is too small.”

Metro Atlanta is also an “Impossible City” where ripe ideas are still waiting to be plucked from the tree of opportunity. We live in a city that is the ‘crown jewel’ of the South. We live in a city that is much too big to think small.

Thanks to all of my fellow Entrecard members who brought me knowledge, friendship and laughter. Have a healthy and prosperous year.

- jacqueline