Overflowing with enthusiasm, Dr. Tongie Scott has a strong passion to serve others and has succeeded in making her passion her life’s work. She attended Jackson State University and graduated from Grace University Medical School. Dr. Scott also serves on several advisory boards, including Open Campus for at-risk youths, and is the CEO & Founder of Me and My Nanna, LLC.

Dr. Tongie Scott’s company, Me and My Nanna, LLC, was first established in Columbus, Mississippi, in 1995 and continues to be deeply committed to quality in-home skilled nursing and the supreme well-being of your loved ones.

During its infancy, her company was borne out of a need to desperately find a qualified caregiver for her own children. At that time, acquiring a sitter was difficult and because there were no other agencies located in Columbus or the surrounding towns or cities, the task was seemingly next to impossible. In addition, after a bout with malignant papillary carcinoma, which at the time was most frightening for Dr. Scott, she realized that there had to be something established in her area. A dream was thus envisioned, and within a few months, the dream became a reality.

Over the years, Me and My Nanna, LLC, quickly became quite popular in the area. Services were rendered from Mississippi to Delaware to Minnesota and as far as Hawaii. Since her agency is governed and guided by the simple principles of H.O.S. (Honesty, Openness and Sincerity) at its very core, they have had many repeat clients over the years.

Me and My Nanna, LLC continues to strive for excellence when providing a family with what the company likes to term as “an extension of the family.” They believe that if an atmosphere is created which is most conducive for the loved one being cared for (the family and the nanny), then all of the parameters for what could easily be a “perfect” match will evolve.

In 2005, Me and My Nanna, LLC, was licensed through the Department of Human Resources - Office of Regulatory Services. With this particular kind of licensure, they are allowed to provide Skilled Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistants and Companion Sitters in the homes of individuals who may find themselves needing assistance and who desire to remain in their homes for as long as they possibly can.

Although Tongie Scott is a medical doctor, she firmly believes that her sole purpose is to provide a warm and caring atmosphere in the homes of those individuals who find themselves needing premiere skilled and/or non-skilled services.

People You Need to Know proudly welcomes Dr. Tongie Scott to the Network! Listen to her interview and find out what you should know when it comes to choosing in-home care for your loved one.

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Corvida Raven, the 21-year-old mastermind behind SheGeeks.net, a Consumer Web 2.0 Application Reviews & Social Web Conversations blog is taking the technology world by storm. Fast Company Magazine called her in their Jan. 09 issue, one of the most Influential Women in Technology for a reason. As a former writer and community manager for ReadWriteWeb & The Industry Standard, she’s now the new Blog Editor for Mr. Tweet, a Twitter User recommendation service, and co-manages projects such as EverythingTwitter.com and TheSocialGeeks Roundtable Podcast. You can follow her on Twitter @corvida or see what she’s sharing on FriendFeed (Corvida).

The world is now driven by technology! Hear what one of Atlanta’s most in-demand technology writers has to say about Twitter and how you can get the most out of it.

Ms. Corvida Raven is definitely one of the People You Need to Know.

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Every once in a while, I think our brand really needs a breath of fresh air.

For those who follow this blog, you probably remember this post from a while back. Anyway, I thought it was time to drag it out, polish it up and add a little more zest to it. Sooo, let’s move forward with giving our brand a boost…

The more we’re able to separate ourselves from the crowd, the more memorable our brand will become, thereby making us the only solution for the people who need our product or service. Our website, writing skills, blog, business cards, our overall presentation speaks a certain language to others; we must strive to make it a positive one that’s power-packed with pizzazz and punch!

Our verbal communication skills can be the key to our success because most people are AFRAID to stand up and speak to a crowd. Get out into your community and speak as much as possible. Tell people about what you have to offer, in a subtle way of course. Give them information they can use. If you need to step-up your confidence, join a club that can help you improve your speaking skills.

Put Six Degrees of Separation to use. It works. Dr. Ben Carson, Johns Hopkins’ world-renowned surgeon and author of Think Big, was gracious enough to endorse my book, Grow Through It And Lead. I didn’t have to know Dr. Carson’s home telephone number, meet him at a cocktail party or fly to his office in order to get him to read my book and write an endorsement. His secretary was willing to help me achieve my goal after she visited my website. (Once again, Women Make Things Happen!)

Get out and do something. Help other people. Take the focus off yourself by making a contribution and watch your network grow. Someone once said, the real purpose of networking is to have no agenda.

Ultimately, YOU are the brand. What you create is just a by-product. So crank it up, be creative, be bold, have fun and always, always look for ways to improve!

- “The Spark Plug”

Fans Rave About Verniesa:

Internet advertising is extremely important today, so I was impressed when Verniesa with Metro Brokers featured my home on more than a dozen major real estate websites. I was impressed with her level of professionalism and her enthusiasm. I will continue to recommend her services to everyone I know. Thanks Verniesa! You made selling my old home & purchasing my new dream home a stress-free experience. ~ Carolyn Blakely

Verniesa made the entire home buying process both easy and enjoyable from start to finish. I now understand what ‘Premier Service’ truly means! ~Timothy Gains

When it comes to holding fast to our true self-worth, most of us realize that it is a daily task to maintain a spirit of positiveness, moment by moment. Though challenges and obstacles will always be in our path, when we are confident in who we are, nothing can weaken the faith in our ability to weather the storm.

Listen as Dr. Lynette T. Dandridge shares encouragement for those who may need to be reminded that they already have what it takes to succeed and reach their destiny!

Dr. Lynette T. Dandridge is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. A graduate of Dillard University and Life Christian University, Dr. Dandridge is a former University Dean and school Principal. She is also an ordained church elder and was recognized by Channel 5 Fox News as one of Atlanta’s “Unsung Heroes”.

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People You Need to Know (PYNTK) proudly welcomes Atlanta City Employees Credit Union to the Network!

Atlanta City Employees Credit Union (ACECU) originated in 1928 to serve the employees of the City of Atlanta. As with many Credit Unions, ACECU is a not-for-profit, not-for-charity, but for service cooperative owned by all of its members. They offer a wide range of products and services to meet the financial needs of their members.

Your savings are federally insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. government agency. In addition, your IRA funds are separately insured to $250,000 by the NCUA. The NCUA administers the National Credit Unions Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), which is similar to the banks´ FDIC.

Rest assured that there is no safer place for your money than a federally insured credit union. Since 1928, Atlanta City Employees Credit Union has been a safe and sound financial institution helping members achieve their financial dreams. Give them a call today at 404-658-6465 or visit their website to find out just how beneficial a membership with the ACECU can be!

Bisa Batten Lewis is the Founder and CEO of Ideal Consultants, which is a service company devoted to providing quality technical assistance and professional development for early education practitioners.

With high adoration for children, Lewis dedicates much of her time to designing youth programs and writing children’s books. Her latest book, Let’s Potty, was released at the NAEYC Annual Conference in Atlanta in November 2006. She has published a number of articles, chapters in college-level textbooks, newsletters and more.

Lewis earned the Bachelor of Science and Master of Education Degrees in Early Childhood Education at Albany State University and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Education Degree in Adult Education at the University of Georgia in Athens. She serves on numerous state and local early learning boards, leadership councils, and committees.

Prior to becoming a full-time business owner, Lewis was the Director of Instruction at Albany Technical College where she supervised the Early Childhood Care and Education Division and Academic Programs. In addition to serving as an instructional dean, Bisa directed the child development demonstration centers leading the main campus program to Georgia Standards of Care Center of Distinction and national accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Lewis’ classroom experience ranges from paraprofessional to university Instructor. In the Department of Teacher Education at Albany State University, she supervised student teachers and served as Project Director for its four professional development schools and two child development centers.

As a Get Ready to Read Training Manager for Smart Start Georgia and Ready to Learn Consultant for Georgia Public Broadcasting/PBS Kids, Lewis partners with community organizations in Southwest Georgia to offer complimentary workshops to parents, teachers and childcare providers on how to help children and their families get the most from appropriate use of educational tools and programming, while maximizing literacy-learning opportunities in preparation for school-readiness.

With high adoration for children, Lewis dedicates much of her time to presenting child development workshops to enlighten the minds of parents and educators in hopes that all children will have sufficient opportunities to learn.

Listen as she shares with us how you can help your child become a successful learner.

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People You Need to Know (PYNTK) proudly welcomes Dr. Lynette T. Dandridge to the Network!

Dr. Lynette T. Dandridge is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. A graduate of Dillard University and Life Christian University, Dr. Dandridge is a former University Dean and school Principal. She is also an ordained church elder and was recognized by Channel 5 Fox News as one of Atlanta’s “Unsung Heroes”.

Dr. Dandridge worked in corporate America for over 25 years. She is the President of Thompson Dandridge Solutions and has been married to Darrell for the past 18 years. They are the proud parents of two wonderful sons.

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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Expert advice from Bernadette Johnson Hairl, President of By The Book Accounting…

As our lives progress and things change, our taxes tend to become more complicated. Now you own a home, have rental property or even a part-time business. Not to mention all the recent changes in the tax laws. Who can keep up?

Whether you file your taxes yourself or pay someone else to file them, you are ultimately responsible for what’s in your tax return. So choosing a tax preparer is a task that you should not take lightly.

Here are some tips that will help:

1. Be knowledgeable. Although you are not (nor do you desire to be) an accountant, you should have some degree of knowledge when it comes to taxes. If you don’t know, you need to find someone who does and can explain it to you.

2. Word of Mouth. When searching for an accountant you want to find someone who is reliable and trustworthy. Word of mouth is the best mode of advertising so ask for referrals from family, friends and co-workers whom you respect and trust.

3. Availability. Having an accountant who’s readily available to you is invaluable. When you have questions after tax season or the IRS sends you a “love” letter, you want someone who will be there to meet your needs.

4. Simplicity. It is a known fact that the U.S. Tax Code is written in a language that we don’t speak. You want an accountant who can “translate” the code into plain English.

5. Qualified. This goes without saying but I thought I’d say it anyway: choose someone who is qualified. Check out their educational background and experience. Be sure the person is current on all of the tax law changes and has experience in your area of need. Be leery of someone who claims to know it all. You know how the old adage goes, “Jack of all trades, and master of NONE!”

6. Guarantees. Listen carefully to the guarantees an accountant gives. If they guarantee you a refund without assessing your financial situation, you should run the other way. A true tax professional knows that you cannot give that type of guarantee without knowing your situation.

Choosing a tax preparer can be a difficult task but these tips can make it a lot easier.

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

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We all have a personal brand. Is your brand powerfully positive or does it leave much to be desired?

Lethia Owens is a successful professional speaker and also one of the leading authorities on personal branding in America and beyond. We’re delighted that she took some time out of her busy schedule to grant us an interview on Spark Plug Radio.

Lethia has lived a resilient life even in the face of adversity. Despite seemingly hopeless odds, she knows what it means to achieve success. She elevated herself from being a teenage mother and high school dropout to graduating among the top of her high school class. In addition, she was awarded a Presidential Scholarship to attend Albany State University.

Her tenacious drive for excellence and her unwavering commitment to life long learning empowered her to rise in triumph over poverty and the limited thinking of people who told her she would never succeed.

Lethia Owens is the founder and CEO of a successful personal and organizational development firm based out of the St. Louis Metropolitan area.

You can read more about Lethia Owens here, but more important, listen to her powerful and thought-provoking message below on Personal Branding. It can inspire you to re-evaluate the way you do business, and help you exponentially improve your life!

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If you have back pain, your feet just may be the culprit. Dr. Perry Little says, having flat feet can literally contribute to pain in your back! And if you’re active, it can really exacerbate the problem. Not to worry, there is a remedy for your situation. Tune in to hear Dr. Little’s interview, which he granted us on Spark Plug Radio. This information can help you ease your pain!

Dr. Perry P. Little, Jr. is the founder and Clinical Director of Natural First Chiropractic Clinic (NFCC), and is one of a few hundred extremity joint specialists in the United States. Patients are treated at N.F.C.C. for a multitude of aches and pains resulting from car accidents, slip & falls, ankle sprains, improper lifting, improper sleeping positions, and personal Injury.

At N.F.C.C., they believe their first responsibility is to GOD; their second is to their patients and their needs. At Natural First Chiropractic Clinic, they are committed to helping their patients live pain free! Call now…(404) 299-0039.

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It’s no secret that excellent communication skills are required to maintain good relationships. In addition, top-notch communication / presentation skills can also land you a better job! Ms. Catrina Brown was kind enough to grant us an interview on Spark Plug Radio to share some basics about improving our speech communications so that we can ultimately improve our lives.

Catrina Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, is the president of Speech Made Easy, Inc. She can help you enhance your communication skills by providing trainings to maximize speaking potential. Her specialty areas are articulation, language, accent reduction and oral presentations. Catrina received her Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree from Hampton University. Tune in and get some valuable information that can help you improve your skills “the easy way.”

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Nike, Coke, Dell, Microsoft and many other big name companies rely on their brand to keep them in the minds of buyers. But you don’t have to be a large company in order to benefit from the power of branding. Learn the basics about branding and why it’s so important for your business’ development, growth and longevity!

Designs In Motion, Inc. prides itself in delivering engaging brand identity, creative print media, commercial advertising, marketing, web development, web hosting and more. Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Michael McClellan’s professional career spans from commercial printing, interactive training and e-commerce development. Listen to the interview he granted on Spark Plug Radio and begin to take your business to the next level and beyond.

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