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.

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

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

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).

Read the rest of this entry »

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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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.”

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

Genetically, a person who comes from a family where most have lived to old age is also likely to enjoy longevity. This genetic heritage can also determine the aspects of good health such as a healthy heart, healthy brain, good circulation, good eyesight and hearing.

Even people who do not come from a heritage of longevity can live to old age if they look after themselves and avoid the risk factors that cause poor physical and mental health, thus accelerating the aging process. Following a healthy diet, regular exercise, drinking in moderation, cutting out smoking, and following safe practices can all help to increase potential life span.

As we age, there are certain processes which cannot be avoided. This is particularly so of cell aging. As our body cells age, we are more likely to contract certain conditions because of the decline in strength and resistance to infection. Our bodies also begin to show signs of ‘wear and tear’. The skin loses its elasticity, thus resulting in the wrinkling we associate with old age.

As our body’s cells wear out, they are replaced by a process of cell division. The only cells which don’t replicate are those in the brain which cease to divide after birth.

It has been a philosophy that if you look after your body, particularly your body cells, then anti-aging should be smooth sailing. How? By nutrition - a balanced diet with associated exercise. The right and optimum balance of antioxidants and minerals daily is a great start.

Anti-aging health shouldn’t be something you decide is a good idea when it’s too late. Your body cells are constantly bombarded by those little attack armies called free radicals and if left unchecked, without the daily optimum replenishment of antioxidants and minerals, over time, they will kick-start a degeneration process that more often than not, can’t be reversed.

The good news is that this process usually occurs over an extended period of time. Antioxidants, like little body commandos, will seek out these free radicals and neutralize them. But, you need to keep them coming on a daily basis.

Healthy body cells means you are one step ahead of the anti-aging health game. So set the pace, and make sure you don’t slip back and become another aging statistic.

Contributing Writer: Dr. Nedra Dodds - a member of the People You Need to Know Network, top anti-aging physician in metro Atlanta, and president of Opulence Aesthetic Medicine. You can listen to Dr. Nedra Dodds’ Destined for Greatness interview below.

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Charles E. Johnson is the Founder of the Spirit of Sweet Auburn and the Executive Producer of the Sweet Auburn Springfest - The Big Show Tour.

Mr. Johnson has a passion for Atlanta’s Auburn Avenue that began when he moved to the city in 1984 from Philadelphia. He didn’t know anything about Auburn Avenue or its “great history” at the time, he says, and walking the street was his introduction to the community.

“It’s been a love affair ever since,” says the founder of the Spirit of Sweet Auburn (formerly the Friends of Sweet Auburn). In the late 1980s, Johnson participated in the Sweet Auburn Festival as a vendor and in later years became involved in Sweet Auburn’s business association. In 1993, he spearheaded the production of the festival, he says, and has done it ever since.

Today his voice is vibrant while detailing Auburn’s expansions, developments and happenings on what he calls “the greatest street on the planet.” “We want to promote the spirit that makes Auburn Avenue great. It’s a universal spirit,” says the Stone Mountain resident. “The same spirit that the people of South Africa had to fight apartheid. . .that’s the spirit of Sweet Auburn. That’s what makes the spirit great. That’s why 350,000 to 500,000 people come to the Sweet Auburn Festival.”

“When I originally took over the festival, to some extent, it was a big flea market, says Johnson. What we’ve done over the years, we’ve developed various venues of the festival that include arts and literature, business and technology, a Dream Home Showcase, International Film Festival, Just For Women Expo, Car and Bike Show, the Fantastic Family Fun Zone, and last but not least, the Health and Fitness Fair. We want people to come to the festival to discover new stuff. We want them to see what folks are achieving. Those who come to the festival also have an opportunity to rediscover Auburn Avenue.”

“When I speak of Sweet Auburn, I’m not just speaking of Auburn Avenue, I’m speaking of Edgewood, JW Dobbs, Jesse Hill Jr., the community, Johnson says. And if you look on Edgewood, you’ll see there are a lot of new exciting businesses opening: young Black visionaries, entrepreneurs are opening businesses. And that is what we celebrate.”

“What’s great about the district is all of the major institutions have remained here, and they’re the ones who are supporting the resurgence of Sweet Auburn. Developments include the SCLC new National Headquarters; First Choice Credit Union Building; the restored Odd Fellows Buildings; Big Bethel AME, along with the Integral Group, an African American developer building Renaissance Walk; Wheat Street Baptist Church is planning major development; Butler CME; developing the Edge Lofts on Edgewood Avenue; First Congregational; the Historic District Development Corporation; Ebenezer Baptist Church; Butler Street Y; Prince Hall Masons also have projects in the works. These institutions are the ones that have maintained the street and are leading the redevelopment of the district. There is also great anticipation of the APEX Museum’s Phase 2, a $65 million plus Epcot type exhibit of the African American Panoramic Experience.”

“It’s wonderful when you can do something that you love to do and it’s successful. It’s a great satisfaction. It’s not a job,” he explains. “When you see people are pleased and people come out to the festival and the businesses on the street prosper, the vendors make money and the artists who entertain are discovered, that’s fantastic.”

“More important is that people rediscover Auburn Avenue and see it as a destination, a place to live, shop, dine, work, play and worship.” Johnson’s vision is to expand the festival to include Lucky Street (NW Auburn Avenue) and extend activities to Centennial Olympic Park, encompassing all of downtown, making the Sweet Auburn Springfest one of the largest street festivals in the world.

Complete information about the Sweet Auburn District may be found at www.sweetauburn.com.

I sent out my final newsletter last week. Wow!

I decided to start using Twitter to send out updates and breaking information about company news and events at People You Need to Know, Inc.

One of the things I love about blogging is that it creates an automatic historical timeline for a company’s business growth and development. Anyway, I’m posting my very last newsletter below…

______________

Greetings,

I just wanted to give everyone a brief update regarding what’s going on at PYNTK.

We’ve already participated in several events this year and we’ll be showcasing your business at the Synergy Business Expo on tomorrow sponsored by the South Fulton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Tavis Smiley Group. If you happen to be there, please stop by our booth to say hello.

We’d like to give a special thanks to the new people who have joined the Network this year. We look forward to working with you to help you strengthen your brand in metro Atlanta.

In addition, we’d like to give a hearty thanks to Dr. Danielle Wilson, creator of Kissable toothpaste for renewing her partnership for the 10th straight year and Dr. Mark Walker, Medical Director of Surgical Health Collective for renewing 11 years in a row with People You Need to Know. Thanks for putting your trust in our services for all these years! We’ve enjoyed working with you.

Spark Plug Radio continues to be a huge success in terms of getting messages out, which help people become healthier, wealthier and wiser.

On May 8th - 10th we’ll have our People You Need to Know tent at the Auburn Avenue Springfest where crowds of 500,000 - 700,000 are expected to attend. We are the Silver Sponsor of the Business & Technology Expo.

In addition to our events, podcast, radio, audio introductions, and digital videos, we are now using Twitter as a means to further promote the people in our Network. We’ve only been using it for a few weeks and have found it to be much more useful than Facebook in terms of doing business. Feel free to Follow Us On Twitter.

Instead of sending out newsletters, we’ll be using Twitter as our primary method of sending out updates regarding news and events.

I would definitely like to thank all of you who sent emails, letters and made phone calls to let us know how much you appreciate the hard work we put into the publication this year and how well it’s been working for you. It was our pleasure and we’re happy that you’re getting a great response. If you haven’t seen the book online yet…here’s the link.

Once again, we’d like to thank the people who are helping to make our tour possible. This year’s PYNTK Celebrity Tour is presented by The Community-Minded Attorney, Donald P. Edwards; Kevin Turner, President of Peak Level Advisors (”Your Personal Wealth Navigator”) Dr. Dexter Page, CEO & Founder of the Institute of Medical Ultrasound, and Shirley Osborne Vanderbilt, President of The Osborne CPA Firm, PC.

All four of our headliners will have special signage at each event throughout the year.

Jacqueline Benjamin-Thomas, VP of ideas

Today is the anniversary of this blog. I am very proud of my accomplishment. One year ago, I set out to give the people in my network some additional exposure for their business. I have succeeded. After all, everything is about business. It may be wrapped in different types of intangible garments, but still about business.

I’ve been entertaining the idea of starting a personal blog, but I don’t think it will happen soon. I already spend way too much time pounding on my keyboard. Also, with warmer weather fast approaching, I’ll probably be riding my bike more and hiking in the mountains more. There’ll be less time for blogging, but I promise to do my best to keep this particular space updated.

Once upon a time, technology boasted that it would speed up the way we do things so we could have more time for the people and things we love. To date, I seem to have less time to do the things I’d rather be doing. So, as I move forward, I’m promising myself to take more control of my time and honor my own existence more. It’s time for me to be a little selfish…yes.

The people I’d like to thank who have given me so much inspiration over the past year are too many to name. I’ve enjoyed photos, tennis, and poetry - videos, recipes, a few rants, and jokes. But most of all, I’ve enjoyed making friends with people around the world. Thanks for extending your hand of friendship. Your blog visits and emails are always welcomed and appreciated.

How shall I celebrate? At the moment, I’m not quite sure. Maybe I’ll go out and find a cupcake that matches the stock photo. Cheers to me.

- Jacqueline

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

Once again, the holiday season is upon us. Though this can be a very exciting time, it is also a very vulnerable time for everyone. As you go shopping and traveling to spend time with family and friends, remember to practice safety.

Neglecting to wear seat belts, drinking and driving, driving over the speed limit, and interpersonal violence because of too much alcohol are all simple things which occur that can ultimately change lives forever.

I have experienced a major trauma in my own family, and I know firsthand about the emotional and financial burden it can place on everyone. I guess that’s why I’m committed to reminding people to do all they can to stay safe.

I always like to stress safety by sharing an interview granted to us by Dr. Mark Walker, Director of Surgical Health Collective, in metro Atlanta. Unfortunately, Dr. Walker has seen numerous major injuries during his career, which simply could have been avoided. So this holiday season, please practice safety for those you love, your fellow human beings, and above all else, practice it for yourself.

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Like every great story, the People You Need to Know story has very humble beginnings.

Many years ago - 1993 to be precise - Anthony “Spark Plug” Thomas, started a business publication in Atlanta, Georgia, called the African-American Business Locator. Fueled only by his passion and a $3,000 loan from his late brother, Robert Lee Thomas, Jr. (1961-2008), Spark Plug’s dream of providing small businesses with affordable advertising began.

His first publishing endeavor was a tiny, black and white, digest-sized publication that included paid business listings. Always the creative businessman, Spark Plug was constantly looking for new avenues to help his customers generate more business. Before long, word started to spread around metro Atlanta about this ingenious young man who worked so hard to help his clients get new customers.

In 2000, the publication was renamed People You Need to Know because Spark Plug believed everyone needed to get to know a local dentist, physician, attorney, realtor, etc. Also in 2000, he decided to give full-page ads to every advertiser so they could all receive the best possible exposure at an affordable price.

In 2007, People You Need to Know on Spark Plug Radio was launched online and the show quickly became a favorite in the metro Atlanta business community. The radio show also has listeners around the country and the world. Podbean.com reports that the People You Need to Know Radio Show interviews are being downloaded in more than 35 countries.

In 2008, People You Need to Know formed a partnership with the Atlanta History Center to archive and preserve their Destined for Greatness radio interview series for present and future generations of researchers.

Today, People You Need to Know is metro Atlanta’s premiere business spotlight publication with an annual circulation of more than 500,000. It is distributed by the nation’s largest distributor of free publications and is available at Kroger, Publix, Blockbuster, Sears, Kmart, Bally’s Fitness Centers and online. More important, the publication is the engine that drives all marketing and publicity opportunities the company offers its clients.

People You Need to Know in print, on radio, via podcast, iTunes and on the web works to make life a little easier for anyone searching for quality business people in the metro Atlanta area.

In 2009, People You Need to Know will continue to participate in metro Atlanta’s major trade shows, business expos, health fairs, festivals and shopping mall events.

People You Need to Know, Inc. “works hard to help people find your business.”

The diagnosis of cancer still produces fear, anxiety, and a sense of foreboding even today. It is important to outline facts regarding the care of people with cancer. This information may help all of us cope with this frightening condition.

First, cancer is not one disease. It is several diseases characterized by similar cell traits. Cancer cells exhibit uncontrolled growth and the ability to spread throughout the body. Lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer are some of the more common malignancies seen in America today.

It must be emphasized time and again that certain cancers can be cured. Colon, breast, prostate and even lung cancer can be cured if detected early enough and appropriate treatment is received. With this as a background, let’s examine colon cancer.

Colon cancer may make its presence known with a change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, weight loss or even abdominal pain. Each of these symptoms must be investigated. A test for hidden blood in the stool will be done, along with a rectal exam. Colonoscopy or a visual assessment of the colon with a lighted scope will be done. Once the problem area has been detected, surgical removal will be advised. The involved portion of the colon will be removed. Further treatment will be recommended based on the pathology report. Chemotherapy may be necessary to eliminate hidden disease. If detected early, colon cancer can be cured.

Know your family history for cancer. Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables. Tomatoes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, almonds, and sesame seeds are healthy foods that may lower our risk of cancer.

It is important for each of us to assess our individual risk for cancer and take steps for ourselves, our families and our communities to decrease and improve outcomes from this continuing epidemic.

Mark L. Walker, M.D., F.A.C.S., the Medical Director / Surgeon of Surgical Health Collective in Atlanta, Georgia. Surgical Health Collective can be reached at (404) 761-7482.

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Did you know that research has proven time and time again that those who follow their creative passions can actually live longer? The first time I heard this, I thought about the late Frank Lloyd Wright, 20^th Century’s best-known and most respected architect whose busiest time in his professional life was in his late eighties. Most famous for designing The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, he once said, “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” A master builder and lover of nature, he had a passion for life and his work.

A few years ago, my wife and I vacationed in Arizona. Not only did we have a chance to marvel at the grandeur, majesty and beauty of the Grand Canyon, we also had an opportunity to see the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, the mystic Painted Desert, and tour Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece, which was also his home. Mr. Wright believed that his architectual creations should become a part of nature and not compete with it. While there, we could definitely feel the spirit of the great passion he had for his craft.

Another passionate, creative genius who comes to mind is Gordon Parks. He was a celebrated photographer, musician, poet, novelist, journalist, activist and film director. Best remembered for his photo essays for Life magazine, he was also the director of the 1971 film, Shaft. Mr. Parks lived to be 93 years old.

Grandma Moses, the famous painter did not begin her art career until she was in her early seventies. Some of the world’s greatest artists did their best work near the end of their lives. This includes people such as Monet, Renoir, Matisse and many others. What I’ve learned is this, if we want more out of life, we must find something that we can truly be passionate about. The beauty of all this is, it’s never too late to start living life with passion.

In closing, I believe it’s important to remember the words of the late Norman Cousins, “The tragedy of life is not death, but what dies inside while we are living.”

Now that I’m older and wiser, I firmly believe that after all is said and done, we will be remembered for our attitude toward others. As part of our humanitarian duties, my wife and I often visit nursing homes to let the elderly know that they are not forgotten.

Many years ago, while we were visiting a nursing home in Griffin, Georgia, I had the good pleasure of meeting a wonderful ninety-two year old lady. I stopped by her room just to say hello. She graciously invited me in and offered me a chair. I took a seat and could tell by the look on her face that she was excited about having a new visitor for a little while. We began our conversation.

We talked about everything – where she was born, where she lived, where she had traveled, what she liked, what she disliked; this went on for about thirty minutes or so. She then informed me that she had been married for fifty-three years before her husband passed away. Her husband’s death was so emotionally devastating, she could no longer live alone. That’s what brought her to the nursing home in Griffin, Georgia.

I was impressed with the number of years she had been married. At that time, I had only been married to Jacqueline for about five years.

I then inquired, “Ma’am, after fifty-three years of marriage, what do you remember the most about your husband?” As she contemplated my question, I noticed a faint smile beginning to show on her small face and there was a little twinkle in her eyes.

She took a deep breath as if she was longing for the love she had lost, and replied in a soft and sincere voice, “What I remember the most about my husband is his goodness and his kindness.”

I was touched by her response. After fifty-three years of marriage, she didn’t reflect on the kind of clothes her husband wore, the car he drove, the home they lived in, the amount of money he had or where he worked. After fifty-three years of marriage, what she remembered the most about her husband, as a ninety-two year old lady in that nursing home was…his goodness…and…his kindness.

Yesterday, I happened to see an inspirational and uplifting interview on my local PBS station about Mr. Bob Williamson, a man who reminded me about the triumph of the human spirit. Mr. Williamson is the Founder/Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Software International, LLC in Atlanta. You can read his powerful story here.

Not too long ago, on the north side of town, unlike Mr. Williamson, a businessman lost all hope. This young, once very successful developer, who could no longer deal with the downturn in the real estate market, went into an empty home in one of his struggling, brand new, subdivisions and sadly, he took his own life.

Without a doubt, these are trying times for many, and I’m sure you have your own stories about those who have lost hope. I know that people are suffering emotionally, financially, and psychologically. There are multitudes coming back from the war who are dealing with severe physical and even mental challenges, which are wreaking havoc upon their lives and the lives of their families.

These are issues that cannot and will not be resolved with an inspirational band-aid. The pain is real, the stress is real, and my heart goes out to those who are dealing with so much disappointment.

If there’s someone who will comfort you during your time of loss and hardship, you’re very fortunate. If you have friends and family members who will love and encourage you regardless of what you own, what you drive or where you shop, you’re rich indeed.

Just remember, you are strong and you are resilient, just as those who came before us were. You can make it through anything that comes your way. And most of all, you must always believe in the triumph of the human spirit, knowing deep in your heart that you have what it takes to still prevail.

In an effort to further preserve the history and record the success of top African-American business owners and professionals in Atlanta, The Atlanta History Center has partnered with People You Need to Know, Inc., (PYNTK) and will be archiving radio interviews from their Destined for Greatness Series.

Known as the Atlanta Historical Society in 1926, its name was changed to the Atlanta History Center in 1990. Today, it is located on 33 acres in the heart of Atlanta’s Buckhead district and includes: one of the Southeast’s largest history museums; a research library and archives; two historic houses illustrating over a century of Atlanta’s history; a two-acre midtown campus which houses the Margaret Mitchell House & Museum; and a series of gardens unique in both design and horticultural presentation in the metropolitan area.

Mr. Paul Crater, Director of the Kenan Research Center says, “We are honored to house these historical radio interviews from People You Need to Know, Inc. They will definitely aid researchers for present and future generations regarding Atlanta’s diverse history.”

PYNTK publishes Atlanta’s premier spotlight publication, which showcases business success and achievement. For more than a decade, PYNTK has been helping small business owners and professionals rise above the crowd by providing them with numerous marketing and publicity opportunities.

Their publications are available free of charge through the month of April at major distribution points throughout metro Atlanta, including Kroger, Publix, Bally’s Fitness, Sears, Kmart and Blockbuster, with a circulation of 500,000. In 2009, distribution will be expanding to Macon, Georgia; Columbia, South Carolina, Charlotte, North Carolina and Nashville, Tennessee.

From the company’s website, you can access their radio show, podcast, business listings, and online publication.

Anthony B. Thomas, “The Spark Plug,” publisher of People You Need to Know says, “We’re excited about this partnership with the Atlanta History Center because these are stories about commitment, education, family and success that are a part of Atlanta’s great and rich history. The radio interviews will not only be available for researchers, but will serve as inspiration for generations to come.”

Well, he’s not little anymore, but he was at the time. When I was fourteen, Jay was six years old. He was a well-mannered little kid with curly red hair, a face full of freckles and an easy smile. As a matter of fact, he could even cook a full breakfast for himself, at six years old!

His mother worked odd hours, which usually left him on his own most of the time, so Jay learned early on to do for self. After I discovered he was an only child, I became his unofficial big brother and he treated me as such.

One day, I saw him as he was going to the neighborhood convenience store. I spotted him walking at a quick pace in my direction. I was on my way to the tennis court to practice my game.

Calling out to him as I always did, I shouted, “How’s it going, Jay?”

He yelled back, “Fine, but I can’t talk right now because I have to go to the store for my mom.”

After we had made it within a few feet of each other, I noticed something was in his hair that made it look all matted together.

I inquired, “Jay, what’s that in your hair?”

His response was, “Nothing…I can’t talk right now or I’ll get in trouble. I have to go to the store for my mom.”

He started to cry.

I called out, “Jay what’s wrong?”

Once again, his reply was the same.

“Nothing.”

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Effective leaders encourage their people to question everything. When we begin to question things, we elevate our thinking. When we elevate our thinking, we also expand our possibilities. And when we expand our possibilities, we will come to realize that the facts don’t count. The facts are only the truth as long as we believe them.

We cannot live our lives based solely on facts because facts are changing almost daily. Furthermore, the facts don’t motivate us anyway — the possibilities do! William Faulkner exclaimed, “Facts and truth really don’t have much to do with each other.

“The fact of the matter is, in 1949 when the Federation for the Blind was founded, 99 percent of the blind people in America were unemployed. So, the founders of this organization decided to encourage their members to view blindness as a personality trait rather than a disability.

In other words, the leaders of this organization encouraged their people to rethink what was possible for them. They changed the facts! Because of this paradigm shift, blind people today are succeeding in areas once believed impossible. They now work in almost every field imaginable…teachers, attorneys, mayors, artists, Olympic athletes, professors, entertainers, TV talk show hosts, professional speakers, etc., and the list goes on and on of professions which the blind now occupy.

Are you old enough to remember Allen Funt from Candid Camera? Well, he used to always say that most people don’t question things. They just accept things as they are and invariably go with the flow.

The Candid Camera crew was in Delaware filming a few segments for their television show. They put up a giant sign that read, “Delaware Closed Today.” Mr. Funt commented that what was so amazing about the entire episode was the fact that most of the motorists didn’t even question this outrageous stunt. Some of them just asked, “Well, uh…is Jersey open?”

…Excerpt from Grow Through It & Lead

Dr. Leila Denmark was born on February 1, 1898 in Bulloch County, Georgia. The year she was born, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was 49 years. Currently, she is the 67th oldest person in the world, according to the short list of super-centenarians (people at least 110 years old or older.)

Dr. Denmark was the 3rd female graduate of the Medical College of Georgia in 1928. She was one of the first female pediatricians in Atlanta and practiced medicine for more than 70 years. It has been estimated that Dr. Denmark treated more than 250,000 patients during her distinguished career. She is credited with being the co-developer of the Whooping Cough vaccine, which saved countless lives of children in the early part of the 20th Century.

When I first met Dr. Denmark in 2002, she was 104 years old, and had just closed her medical practice the previous year, at 103. At that time, she was the oldest practicing physician in America.

Over the years, I’ve learned many valuable life lessons by staying in contact with this legendary Atlanta doctor. Some of the lessons prompted me to do further investigation, and I have incorporated many of them into my daily life. Coming from Dr. Denmark, they were even more powerful because she has seen many years come and go. Here are a few lessons she shared with me… Read the rest of this entry »

Your company image comes down to one thing, your packaging. The way your brand is packaged has the power to influence a potential customer to buy. Packaging refers to your business card, your stationery, website, phone answering system, your email address or anything else related to your business, tangible or intangible.

Is your company conveying the right image? My Spanish professor in college used to tell us, “It’s not who finishes first, it’s who gets the “A”, so before you rush to get that brochure printed, make sure you let someone else look over it for correct spelling, proper use of grammar, photo clarity, and overall design. Branding really boils down to how a product makes a customer feel. The late Walt Disney wrote, “People spend money when and where they feel good.”

Branding your product effectively can also help your company stand out from the crowd. John Williams, the branding and image expert wrote that we must brand, package, and market ourselves so that we are desirable. Today, effective branding isn’t an option, it’s an absolute necessity. Your business will be viewed in a certain manner either by choice or default. We have the power to choose how we’re going to be represented in the marketplace.

After we understand what branding can mean for our organization, we must embrace Personal Branding for our own benefit. Personal Branding is about understanding who you are, what you stand for, what you want to be known for, and what you believe. It is not enough for people to know what you do, you want people to know you for what you do differently. Being another player in your category will not make you known. You want people to perceive you as the best in your category…the only solution to their problem.

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Someone once said, a vacation is what you take when you cannot take what you have been taking any longer. When you live a busy life, it is easy to find yourself out of fuel and feeling a little run-down. Anyway, you do not always need a long vacation to renew your mind and give your brain some fresh air. Sometimes, you just need a day off.

Business owners sometimes fool themselves into believing that their business cannot afford to lose them for even one day. Well, it can. Trust me, long after you’re gone, the world will continue to spin on its axis.

So…be kind to yourself. No one can do it better than you can. Put your feet up, relax your mind, get a massage, go to a movie, go to one of Georgia’s State Parks, (entrance is FREE on Wednesdays) do something that will make you feel refreshed. Just make sure you add some FUN into your life.

Sometimes a day off can be your BEST reward for your overworked life.

It may sound harsh, but it’s true: Businesses that fail to advertise - very often fail completely.

Advertising is a necessary investment for any business – new or seasoned. Unfortunately, many business owners neglect advertising for a variety of reasons, including cost and lack of advertising savvy. This is something that just shouldn’t happen.

If any business is to do well, people absolutely have to know that it exists. That means getting your name out and planting it in the mind of potential customers. There are lots of avenues to explore when it comes to increasing your exposure, including: word-of-mouth, radio, television, business publications, bulletin boards, classified ads, billboards, press releases, articles, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, seminars, advertising specialties, and last but not least, the Internet.

As a reminder, if your business caters to a high-end market, you’ll have to pay close attention to the company image you project. The people you want to reach are used to buying products and services that meet certain standards. Your advertising will have to indicate that your business meets or exceeds those standards, or consumers won’t consider using you.

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Most people who know me also know that I’m very particular about how things are done when it comes to publishing a supplement to my website called, People You Need to Know in metro Atlanta. With a circulation of 500,000, free of charge at locations such as Kroger, Publix, Kmart, Blockbuster, Sears and Bally’s Fitness Centers, I want my brand to stand out from the crowd. (A copy of this publication can be viewed here.)

Over the years, I’ve had to struggle with graphic designers, printers, photographers, makeup artists, cosmetologists, etc., just to make sure they were giving me their absolute best. After trying to convince my commercial printer, whom I no longer use, to move my front cover up to the next level in terms of clarity, his response was, “Anybody else would be happy with it, Spark Plug.”

Of course, I explained to him that I wasn’t “anybody else” and I knew he could do a better job with his equipment worth millions of dollars. Eventually, we reached my goal. He later thanked me for helping him go the extra mile in terms of giving me a product in which I was satisfied.

This experience is all too common because too many people are ready and willing to do just enough to get by. So when it comes to your brand, make sure you remain at the helm of the ship so that you’ll be in charge of building a brand that you can be proud of.

Quite simply, your brand is your identity in the marketplace.

In 1997 when Tom Peters wrote one of the first articles on personal branding in Fast Company Magazine, The Brand Called You, he said you have to be your own brand, the CEO of Me, Inc. In other words, you have to differentiate yourself from everyone else.

If you are serious about being in business for yourself or being the top performer on your job, you must become devoted to your brand. It all begins with you.

Your dress, the way you answer the phone, the way you speak, the way you network, your business card, your website, email address, all the way down to whether or not you return phone calls, your personal brand is broadcasting what you stand for - what you believe in - your best selling features.

We all fall short at times but personally, my pet peeve happens to be people who don’t return phone calls in a timely manner or not at all. I like to call them people who are not concerned about their brand.

John Williams, one of America’s leading image and branding authorities says, when it comes to branding, a negative impression can cause a potential customer to take a detour just as a positive reaction can influence a potential customer to buy. The goal in branding must be to package and market yourself so that you are the most desirable choice for the consumer.

What does your brand say about you? Does it say you’re someone people need to know?

Lions have gotten some great PR over the years; so much so, most people believe they are the King of Jungle. The truth of the matter is, they mostly inhabit grassy plains called savannas.

But what I’d like to focus on is the fact that they live the largest part of their lives in territorial groups called prides or in our business language, a network. They are the only permanently social, or group-living cat; all other cats are solitary…which brings me to my next point.

Our People You Need to Know Grass Roots Publicity Tour has revealed to us that the one-man band marketing approach is down to its last song. We realize most people wouldn’t see the fault in this one-man band approach because of our individualistic culture. Still…this marketing technique is not as effective in today’s “less trusting” business climate.

We promote an array of businesses in our publication and our clients don’t have to be at the Business Expo because we’re representing them. We’re all there as a team. The one-man band’s one-pager or business card gets lost in the shuffle compared to a first-class publication, which has more power than a solitary business card or one-pager.

My advice would be to find an organization that’s committed to promoting your business in a variety of ways, but above all else, make sure they promote teamwork via a publication, brochure, newsletter, networking event, etc. In the end, the “orchestra” has a better chance of succeeding than the one-man band.

No one is going to know 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.

However, if your business or idea could be of interest to people nationwide, you might consider purchasing ads in vehicles that reach a wider market; sending press releases to newspapers and other publications throughout the US; or developing an Internet website or blog to reach clients who are hundreds, or even thousands, of miles away.

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