On September 5, 2012, People You Need to Know Magazine, Atlanta’s official magazine uplifting women business owners, will host their End of Summer POWER Networking event for women business owners in metro Atlanta. This empowering networking event will be held at the fabulous Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead from 6-9 pm. Women business owners are invited to come out to inspire each other and make NEW business connections. This is a free event.

Click here to RSVP.

Benita Stephens, MD is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist with extensive training in Bariatric Medicine. As a high school athlete, she quickly realized the value of maintaining a proper weight and diet, and later went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Georgia. She then obtained a Doctor of Medicine degree from Morehouse School of Medicine and completed her residency training at Atlanta Medical Center.

After being in private practice for a few years, she quickly realized the devastating effects of being overweight and the detrimental health outcomes associated with obesity.

Dr. Stephens is committed to helping your journey take shape through a unique physician-endorsed and supervised weight loss program that is custom tailored to YOU in every way!

Ciao Bella Center for Medical Weight Loss is located approximately 20 minutes from the Atlanta Airport in Newnan, Georgia. The initial consultation consists of a physical exam, body composition analysis, EKG if needed, and a comprehensive review of our programs.

Have you ever known better and actually wanted to do better, but didn’t have the stamina, focus or courage to make it better?

Nicole Steele, author, speaker and Executive Director of  Diamond In The Rough, strongly believes that one of the biggest things that hold WOMEN back from fulfilling their God-given purpose and destiny, is having feelings of inadequacy. They also struggle with unworthiness, fear and regret that often come from having been broken at one point or another.

At the 2012 Helping Women Succeed in Atlanta Summit, Steele shared a vivid account of her personal struggles in dealing with brokenness as well as insights and tips to help others go From Broken to Brilliant. Her presentation included:

• Suggestions on how to transform personal pain into purpose
• Identifying the six primary types of brokenness
• Ten (10) practical tips on living the life of brilliance that was created just for you

If you missed the event or are interested in the full presentation, add the complete message to your audio library by ordering the CD, which is available at www.ditr.org or www.apricelessgem.com.

For more information on Nicole Steele or other materials available through Diamond In The Rough or Gem Makers, please call (678) 376-9676.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but has lived in Jacksonville, Florida, for over 18 years, Veronica Brooks calls Florida her home station.

Mrs. Veronica Brooks received an appointment in the Department of Defense in 2000. She completed an Associate of Arts degree in Political Science from Florida State College, Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and Dual Master’s degrees in Business Administration Management and Human Resource Management. Presently, she is serving as the Supervisory Contracting Officer at Naval Air Facility in Atsugi, Japan.

Her previous assignments include: Fleet Industrial Supply Command (FISC) Naval Regional Contracting Center in Manama, Bahrain, that consisted of contracts essential to meet Central Command (CENTCOM) requirements throughout the Middle East, Southwest Asia, East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Department of Defense (DoD) activities in the United States; Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) and Integrated Product Team (IPT) at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; Secretary for Naval Air Depot Jacksonville, Florida; and Department of Dependent Schools (DoDDs) Office Automation Assistant in Zama American High Schools, in Japan.

Veronica M. Brooks is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certified. She is a member of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA), and Voluntary Leader of non-profit organizations geared toward mentoring women, and families.

Her personal decorations include the Presidental/Congressional Recognition Award for Business Woman of the Year from 03-07, published in the Wall Street Journal for Businesswomen of the Year Award 01-07, published in the Wall Street Journal for Outstanding Leadership Award of Business Advisory Council 11-06 and Special Act Award of outstanding performance (6 Awards).

An international speaker, motivator, mentor and coach around the world, Veronica is the author of, Ninety Days to Start Gaining Wealth. She is the owner of Ministry Webmaster, a web designing and media advertising company. She provides information and resources to assist people to obtain a healthy lifestyle, while creating wealth for the rest of their lives. She believes, “It’s not over until you win!!”

She is married to AMEC Glen E. Brooks (retired USN), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and have three young men Joe, Eugene and Quintail.

Veronica’s hobbies are having fun with the family; horseback riding, creating wealth, and traveling.

Veronica recently traveled from Japan to Atlanta to attend the Helping Women Succeed in Atlanta ~ Spring Empowerment Summit, hosted by People You Need to Know Magazine.

Contact information: Phone: 904-887-7491 Fax: 561-327-5364 Website: www.veronicabrooks.com Email address: veronica@veronicabrooks.com

Dr. Nancy, holistic doctor and CEO/Visionary of First Fruit Natural Healing Home, had a fear of heights, so she tackled that fear head-on by jumping out of a plane.

“Initially it’s one of the most fearful and terrifying feelings you can have, hanging off the wing of a plane and then your instructor instructs you to let go,” she explains. “But once your parachute opens and you are gliding, you feel a peace and internal stillness come over you.”

That wasn’t the first time Dr. Nancy faced down her fears and took a leap of faith. She worked for nearly 20 years as an air traffic controller, becoming the first African American female to be certified at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Although she was earning six figures, she walked away from her corporate job to follow her path of divine purpose.

“I was going through a time with a lot of stress, sickness, and depression,” she says. “I started learning about the holistic approach to wellness and applying that to my own life.”

After discovering how to start healing her mind, body, and soul, Dr. Nancy made it her mission to help others do the same. She established her healing home on five beautiful acres located in Lithonia, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. Dr. Nancy is also a motivational speaker, educator, and author.  In addition, she hosts her own radio show on Love860, Mondays and Wednesdays from 2pm – 3pm.

“I’ve seen people go from sickness, depression, stress, frustration, and a lack of finances to a life of joy, peace, happiness, and prosperity,” Dr. Nancy says. “It’s very fulfilling to see that transformation take place. People are created for greatness. As long as there is breath in their lungs, it’s never too late to change what they’re doing and make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.”   Visit Dr. Nancy J. Williams at www.drnancyjwilliams.com or contact her at 770-484-4745.

Join us on April 14th at our 2nd Annual Helping Women Succeed in Atlanta event. This spring empowerment summit will leave the women with information they can USE to leap to the next level in their business. In addition, the new connections will be priceless and the inspiration will be immeasurable! We look forward to seeing you there. Buy your tickets today. http://www.SupportWomen.eventbrite.com

Ladies, It’s YOUR Time to Soar!

Are you ready for a change? It’s almost time for the 2nd Annual Helping Women Succeed in Atlanta Spring Empowerment Summit!

This women’s empowerment event will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Top Atlanta businesswomen will provide valuable information that will help you increase your PERSONAL POWER, so you can ultimately have the BEST year ever! This event is presented by People You Need to Know Magazine, Atlanta’s #1 magazine showcasing women business owners.

Due to the success of last year’s program, we highly recommend that you buy your tickets early to ensure your chance to experience this life-changing event.

You’re cordially invited to come out to hear and meet some of Atlanta’s most successful businesswomen. These inspiring women speakers regularly share their expert advice and information on radio, TV, in magazines, with celebrities, dignitaries and leading corporations. You’ll be able to obtain valuable information that many of their clients pay a premium price to receive.

If you’re ready for a positive change in your life and want to be among other confident, driven and determined women who are making things happen in metro Atlanta, this is a fantastic opportunity for you.

You’re guaranteed to walk away with:

• How to Go From Broken to Brilliant
• 4 Surefire Ways to Quickly Get New Clients
• How Your Fashion Sense Can Help You Succeed
• What People Won’t Tell You About Identity Protection
• How to Arrange Your Living Space & Work Space to Positively Elevate Your Mood & Increase Your Creative POWER
• Golden Information on BRAND Authority & Influence, Positioning Your Business for Success!
• And Much MORE!

You’re in for a treat because these amazing ladies will grace us with their royal presence for one day only on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Hill Auditorium located at the spectacular High Museum of Art in the heart of downtown Atlanta.

Buy your early bird tickets for $30.00 at www.SupportWomen.eventbrite.com TODAY! This one-day event can truly change your life. We’re encouraging women to come out to CONNECT, GET INSPIRED and be prepared to SOAR! It is highly recommended that you book in advance to ensure your seating.

We were all born brilliant, but oftentimes we need someone who will inspire us to be what we know we can be. At the end of the day, even eagles need a push.

You don’t want to miss this rare opportunity to meet, connect, and get face-to-face with people who can inspire you to soar to new heights! For more info call 770-460-5995. We look forward to seeing you there!

Women business owners are the key to the economic success of our country. On October 7th 2011, People You Need to Know Magazine hosted their 2nd Annual Business Superstars’ Awards Breakfast. This awards breakfast is dedicated to shining the spotlight on ALL women business owners, celebrating their brilliance and recognizing their humanitarian contributions to society.

Managing Director, president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation and global head of Corporate Engagement has stated that “Ninety percent of all revenues that women gain in their enterprises are reinvested into society, into educating their children, into healthcare programs … it’s a very interesting moment in this issue of investing in women and in women’s empowerment globally.”

At People You Need to Know Magazine, we feel honored to be in a position to help women get more exposure in the marketplace, thereby making a positive impact on their business success.

We’d like to thank all of the attendees who came out to help us celebrate this beautiful moment in time to uplift WOMEN. You are appreciated!

Above all else, we’d like to thank our Platinum Sponsor, Surgical Health Collective for believing in the work we do and for helping us to make this event a reality!

On October 7, 2011, get ready to be uplifted and inspired! People You Need to Know Magazine is pleased to announce that Past Business Superstar Award Honoree, Millionaire-Maker, Lisa Nicole Cloud, CEO of Elite Marketing Strategies, will be a featured speaker at the 2011 Business Superstars’ Awards Breakfast. Her presentation is entitled, The POWER of Dreams!

Lisa Nicole Cloud has been able to help people reach their financial goals and dreams, including five people who became self-made millionaires. She has also helped dozens to earn five-figure monthly incomes. Lisa’s secret: It’s all about the attitude.

The path hasn’t been an easy one for Lisa. Eight years ago, she hit a low point in her life both financially and personally. After majoring in psychology/pre-med at Emory University and completing the prestigious Leadership Development Program at Johns Hopkins University, she was on the same insecure road as many Americans today, worrying she would be downsized from her corporate job. However, inspired by her mother who pursued many entrepreneurial ventures and was a shining example of what was possible, Lisa didn’t give up.

Today, Lisa is an incredibly successful award-winning businesswoman who inspires people to fulfill their dreams. Because of her perseverance, positive attitude and belief that anything is possible, Lisa has conducted several hundred high-energy leadership trainings and sales seminars throughout the US and abroad in which she impacted and trained thousands of representatives in the areas of Direct Sales, Personal Development and Professional Networking. She has provided consulting services in the areas of Marketing Strategy Development & Implementation and Organizational Development for companies in various business sectors such as Healthcare, Sports Entertainment, Information Systems, Pharmaceuticals, and Telecommunications, just to name a few.

Don’t let her small stature fool you, Lisa is a Little Dynamo!

Dynamic, Captivating, Charismatic, Passionate, and Genuine, are often terms used to describe her. Lisa’s mission in life is to help people identify their God-given talents so they can do more, be more, achieve more and impact our community in a positive way.

“It’s not what happens to you in life, it’s how you respond,” Lisa boldly states. “Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent of how you respond.

As well as being the author of Live Your Dreams… It’s Possible, she is also a wife and a proud mother of two beautiful children who inspire her and always keep her smiling.

There are no clouds on Lisa Nicole Cloud’s horizon. Future plans include another book, a new magazine, and a TV show. “My hope for 2011 is to continue living my life with passion, purpose, and power,” she states positively.

Get your tickets to the 2nd Annual 2011 Business Superstars’ Awards Breakfast and be inspired by Millionaire Maker, Lisa Nicole Cloud on October 7, 2011, where we will be celebrating the brilliance of all WOMEN in business!

On October 7, 2011, Dr. Nancy J. Williams will host Atlanta’s 2nd Annual Business Superstars’ Awards Breakfast, presented by People You Need to Know Magazine — Atlanta’s #1 magazine showcasing women business owners. You’re invited to attend this exciting and entertaining networking event, which will honor all women who are in business and who are dedicated to community service.

Dr. Nancy J. Williams is a world-renowned dynamic motivational speaker, educator, and author. She has presented keynote speeches, workshops and seminars around the world. Dr. Nancy enjoys traveling, sharing her story; from sickness to well-being, from depression to joy, from stress to peace, from lack to prosperity, and now inspires and empowers others to reach their highest potential through her speaking and teaching via live tele-conferences, television and radio.

Prior to becoming a full-time professional business owner, speaker and educator, Dr. Nancy held one of the most prestigious positions in the world. For almost 20 years, she served as an Air Traffic Controller, becoming the first African American female to certify as an Air Traffic Controller at the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Nancy is the Visionary/CEO of First Fruit Natural Healing Home. This oasis is located in Lithonia, Georgia, just 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta, Georgia, and sits on 5 beautiful acres. It was founded on a mission to help others to heal body, mind and soul … a place to experience relaxation, a positive atmosphere and therapeutic treatments.

Dr. Nancy is an accomplished author with an e-book series called Detoxing Into a New You, which include titles like, The Complete Step-By-Step Detox Guide for a Healthy Happier You, Detoxing Into Your Best Self, Nutrition & Meal Plans for Beginners, and Juicing for Beginners. Currently, she is writing her latest book; Know Thyself “Inner Journey.”

Dr. Nancy is a member of University of Sedona Alumni Association, a member of Global Organization of Women in Brick and Mortar Businesses Inc., and a member of Word of Faith Love Center in Atlanta, Georgia. She also gives back to the community by doing workshops for teen girls, helping them set goals and see visions for themselves.

Dr. Nancy’s hobbies include parachute jumping, competitive body building, relaxing at the beach and traveling all over the world. Her motto is, “Experience life to the fullest.”

Come out and experience People You Need to Know Magazine’s 2nd Annual Business Superstars’ Awards Breakfast! This inspiring event is intended to encourage all women to reach for the stars, and to live their dreams.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

The 40th Anniversary Committee of the Hillside International Chapel and Truth Center (Hillside), Inc. is sponsoring a Community Fun Fest on Saturday, August 6th and Sunday, August 7th, 2011 starting at 11 am each day. This community festival will attract Family and Friends from Hillside, neighboring churches, religious and civic organizations, and those living in the Southwest Atlanta area. The Community Fun Fest will feature entertainment, special presentations, kids play area, and a marketplace where vendors can set up. We are inviting you to participate in this event as a vendor, sponsor or presenter.

Hillside has partnered with SWEEAC (Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center), a local charitable organization that provides emergency assistance to residents in Southwest Atlanta to expand the impact of the event. We are excited that SWEEAC will sponsor a clothing drive in conjunction with Hillside’s Community Fun Fest activities on both days.

Along with being a vendor, sponsor or presenter, we also ask that you assist in getting the word out about the event and look forward to seeing you at the Community Fun Fest!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Pasha at 404-925-0313 or Candace Bazemore at 404-931-4702 or email hillsidetruth40@gmail.com.

Thanks, 40th Anniversary Committee Hillside International Chapel and Truth Center hillsidetruth40@gmail.com

Spark Plug’s upbeat attitude, positive outlook on life, charismatic personality, and boundless energy have all contributed to his success in every sales arena. In 1984, while working for one of the nation’s leading sporting goods organizations, John Smith, the president, was so impressed with his sales ability, energy and enthusiasm that he bestowed upon him the nickname, “Spark Plug.”  It was a perfect match for his personality because another definition for spark plug is “a person who inspires or energizes”– and the rest is Spark Plug history.

Spark Plug has sold everything from pots and pans from the trunk of his car to advertising space in business directories, magazines and newspapers. His many sales experiences and his opportunity to travel world-wide have both given him an opportunity to embrace, appreciate and connect with people from all walks of life. ACDelco, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of spark plugs even crowned him as their “human spark plug” and hired him to speak to their sales force, as well as make personal appearances on their behalf.

Along with over 20 years of sales experience, Anthony “Spark Plug” Thomas is a distinguished graduate of Mercer University’s cutting edge leadership program with a bachelor’s degree in Organization Leadership and a graduate of Duke University’s world-class Innovative Leadership Program. He is the recipient of Atlanta’s Phoenix Award, the city’s most prestigious award for community service. The Mayor of Flint, Michigan, Woodrow Stanley, proclaimed May 14, 1997, as Spark Plug Day, in honor of his work with local high school students. He’s also a visionary, humanitarian, entrepreneur, U.S. Navy veteran, tennis player, historian, writer, published author, meeting planner, magazine publisher of metro Atlanta’s premier spotlight publication for women business owners, former college athlete, snow skier, biking enthusiast, art collector, radio talk show host and photographer. Spark Plug is also a member of the Atlanta Press Club and was voted Best Promoter by New America Media.

FOCUS Spark Plug does keynote presentations. He is the speaker of choice for leadership conferences, women’s groups, corporate retreats, sales meetings, schools, and government agencies where he is known as the U.S. Government’s official morale booster. His inspirational and insightful presentations, which focus on leadership, diversity and motivation are filled with personal stories as well as proven leadership strategies.

Spark Plug has ignited the crowd for:

• AT&T
• S1 Corporation
• USDA
• CDC
• ACDelco
• Chick-fil-A
• Sheraton Hotel
• U.S. Postal Service
• ADP
• Georgia Power
• Southern Company
• Alcatel – Lucent Technologies
• Leadership Henry
• Southern Regional Hospital
• Georgia State University
• Spelman College
• DeKalb County Schools
• Fulton County Schools
• Georgia Department of Labor
• American Public Transportation Association
• Mercer University
• Illinois Department of Human Services
• Atlanta Housing Authority and more

In this segment, we’re going to be talking about personal brand leadership, what is it, and why it should be important to you. My guest today is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a graduate of Northwestern University. Currently, she is president of Atlanta-based Velvet Suite Marketing Consulting Group. They are a global consulting and leadership training company designed to empower and inspire individuals and enterprises to be great leaders in times of change. We are honored to have on the show today, the current People You Need to Know Magazine Person of the Week, Ms. Melissa Dawn Johnson. Welcome to the show.

Melissa Dawn Johnson: Oh, thank you. I am so excited to be here. Happy, happy Wednesday to you, how are you today?

Spark Plug: Fantastic and I’m trying to get better. Melissa, are you ready to talk about personal brand leadership?

Melissa Dawn Johnson: You know I’m always ready to talk about personal brand leadership. I find that what I’ve discovered is my life’s work, so it’s very easy for me to talk about what I love, what’s my passion and, so I’m ready.

Spark Plug: Well, let’s get right into it, okay?

Melissa Dawn Johnson: Alright, let’s do it.

Spark Plug: For some of our listeners, what is personal brand leadership?

Melissa Dawn Johnson: Well, you know I think it’s very interesting because right now the word “personal branding” is one of the hottest buzz terms, and so you hear it from how to get more followers on Twitter, to how to get more exposure, to how to better network to get the job, to start the business to get the next client, and I think all of those things are great, but I really believe and have the philosophy of personal brand leadership. It is a little bit more than that. It really is about discovering your authentic value and positioning that value consistently over time that allows you to make choices that will ultimately make a difference for your life and those around you and those choices are not necessarily always easy. But it’s about leadership, it’s about positioning yourself to be someone who is standing in character, standing in integrity, and ultimately at this time — I think a great time for personal branding leadership to happen because there’s so much going on and people are looking for answers. There are so many problems and having the conviction to stand up and say, “This is what I stand for –  this is what I believe is my passion, it’s to solve someone else’s problem, and I will go through whatever it takes. I will be a leader in order for that to actually become true and real and ultimately make a difference in my life and the lives of others.”

Spark Plug: Well, I think you kind of answered my second question, but you might want to take it a little bit deeper for us. Why is personal brand leadership so important especially today?

Melissa Dawn Johnson: It is critical, Spark Plug, because I believe that we’re living in a day and age where we have more problems than we have solutions. If you look at the economy, if you look at the environment, if you look at our educational system, if you look at politics, if you look at the realm of energy, there are so many.  You can watch TV, watch the nightly news, you know I’m on CNN weekly and part of the reason why I do my segment called, Morning Motivation, is to give people some inspiration and motivation to move forward in a very difficult time economically, and all the other factors I shared with you. And so I think why it’s so critical now is that brands are about solutions.

Brands are about … now, I’ll give my clarity of authentic branding because I really believe … with my background in developing brands — I’ve developed the brand Swiffer. I worked on Mr. Clean and Victoria’s Secret and Nationwide. I’ve done the rebranding of Nationwide.

This is a part of what I’ve been educated to do, but it’s also within my practical experience and the lessons that I’ve learned that are practical for today that really answer that question — it’s about authenticity. It’s about standing up and having a conviction and an answer for a real problem that people are going through. It’s about being able to position yourself — to be at the right place at the right time to meet opportunity. And a lot of people need that today because the way that we thought it would work, with the jobs that we thought we have, with the things that we banked on in terms of our investment and where we were going have changed. So now, we have to reposition ourselves to meet new opportunity and we have to have persistence. I think that’s very critical now, because it’s not easy and the reason why in my book that I wrote, Brand Me: Make Your Mark: Turn Passion into Profit, I talk about the passion and the profit. The passion and the profit — you know it really is not just about, “This is what I love to do,” but the passion gives you an ability to persevere. And more than anything, people now need to know that they are going to have to persevere and we’re going to get through to better times, but it’s going to take time and the passion is going to keep you going in the meanwhile.

Spark Plug: Well, Melissa, where does an individual begin in creating a personal brand?

Melissa Dawn Johnson: You know, it’s very easy to recognize that branding is really about the mark that you’re making, so the truth is you already have established the mark. The question is if it is positive or negative. And in a very fundamental way, people usually make their mark immediately. The statistics say within the first three seconds of someone meeting you, they’ve made up their mind about your value and who you are, and within the next ten seconds, they’ve changed their mind multiple times. So you’ve got to be so proactive. We all have to be more proactive about managing our message. What we say is less than 80% of that. Eighty percent of that is what we do and how we show up. So it’s so important right now to start off with the fact that, “Okay, I have value,” and I say you’ve really got to internalize that.

What we talk about at Velvet Suite is branding from the inside out. You’ve got to start with understanding what is your core value, meaning who are you and then from there, you can brand that into the image that people see, whether it’s how you dress, whether it’s what you talk about, if it’s your business card, if it’s the services that you provide in your company, if it’s how you go about working on projects on the job, you’ve got to begin to be consistent in order for you to become branded by the message.

If you think about our President, you know for 18 plus months, he went around the country talking about “Yes, we can,” but it wasn’t until months later after touching people in the market, after being on media, after consistently giving his message over and over and over again that that message branded him. So we all have to be more intentional. We’ve got to understand who we are, package our message, be consistent in the image that we give and ultimately, we’ve got to deliver. If you are not someone who can execute it, if you don’t do what you say you do, you lose all credibility no matter what you look like and no matter how you package your message.

Spark Plug: Well, how does a person reinvent their brand?

Melissa Dawn Johnson: You know, I think many people are in the process of reinvention. I mean from my personal story, that’s really what happened to me.  I had the education and worked at like over five different global brands, Fortune 500 brands, all in branding, brand development and communication. And I had a situation that happened to me in my life that really had me put my life on pause. It’s one of those defining moments. I had a tragic loss and I said, “You know what, really, what is life going to mean for me?  What’s my purpose?” And I didn’t want to just be defined by a great job, and I had many accolades and a great resume. That’s all fine and good, but really I said, “I want to understand a deeper purpose in my work,” and I really reinvented myself as an entrepreneur. I did what I needed to do. I did my homework, that’s one of the principles.

Number one, I think, before you even do your homework is you’ve got to really ask yourself some tough questions, “Is what I’m doing counting? Does it matter? Am I fulfilled? Am I financially fulfilled?” And what I preach and what I talk about is that you can make a living doing what you love, but it takes some thoughtful strategic direction. It takes getting advice and counsel from others.

Spark Plug: Well, Melissa, before we bring this interview to a close, where can we find more information all about you, your book, when you’re on CNN, your company, and more importantly how can you be reached?

Melissa Dawn Johnson: Absolutely. Velvet Suite Marketing was my first company that I launched in 2006 and you can find out about us on the Internet at velvetsuite.com. That’s for established companies and established individuals where we do full service brands, consultation and marketing execution. And then my Reinvention was after I wrote the book, Brand Me, I realized that it didn’t matter if you are CEO, if you’re a clerk, if you are a student, if you are an entrepreneur or someone in between, everyone wanted to know how to build an authentic brand. And Myles Monroe wrote the foreword to my book.  He said, “Melissa gives what companies pay millions for and she gives it to the masses.” And so I began to see the opportunity for a second business called, Brand Me International. And that is brandmelive.com. We have a social network community. We feature expert bloggers in different areas. We’re going to hopefully get Spark Plug on our radio show that happens on Wednesdays on Blog Talk at noon.

Spark Plug: Alright, well, Ms. Melissa Dawn Johnson, President of Atlanta-based Velvet Suite Marketing Group. Thanks for spending some of your most valuable time with us today.

Melissa Dawn Johnson: No, thank you so much for the opportunity and I wanted to just say congratulations to you for what you are doing, and the difference you’re making in featuring women who are changing things right now because we are making moves and we’re doing great things and it’s because of you that we get to let the world know what we do, so thank you.

Spark Plug: Well, alright. You’ve been listening to People You Need to Know on Spark Plug Radio — the radio station connecting you to America’s leading business professionals like Ms. Melissa Dawn Johnson. To listen to even More People You Need To Know, just Google Spark Plug Radio or visit our website at sparkplugpeople.com, so be sure to join us on our Facebook page at PYNTK.

I want to take a moment to thank my executive producer, Ms. Jacqueline Benjamin-Thomas for doing another terrific job. This is Spark Plug encouraging you to keep supporting women in business because when women succeed, the nation prospers. Until next time, always remember that you can add a spark to whatever you do and thanks for tuning in.

In business, change is definitely a fact of life. Today’s climate may have an employee working in the office today, but that same employee may be terminated tomorrow. Long gone are the days when corporations expected to keep an employee for years on end. That time has passed.

Most people know that even if they are employed, they must work as the CEO of their own life because there are no guarantees and they must be prepared for whatever comes their way.

When faced with change, our first response is usually resistance. We do this by fight or flight. Just tell your team members that something new is coming down the pipeline, and you’ll probably hear 10 reasons why the change should not take place. On the other hand, in extreme situations, people have been known to exercise the flight response and clean out their office on the very same day a new administration takes charge because they are not willing to deal with certain new changes that might occur.

Change can be a bridge to something better and more exciting. It can also lead you down a path that really wasn’t your choice; nevertheless, you should still be on the lookout for opportunities along the way.

We are more flexible than we realize and I believe that without change, none of us could ever reach our full potential. So embrace change, and be willing to get uncomfortable in order to keep growing, changing and evolving.

~Jacqueline

People You Need to Know Magazine, a publication showcasing women business owners, is currently in search of talented, proactive, creative graphic designers with flair and attention to detail. In our upcoming 2012 magazine, (Leading Ladies Edition) we are looking for someone who is already familiar with corporate layout and design that will capture the readers’ attention and motivate them to buy from our advertisers. Above all else, being easy to work with is paramount.

Please submit at least 5 (five) samples in hi-res .pdf format to atlanta.mecca@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Jacqueline VP of Ideas People You Need to Know Magazine

“After working with women in professional settings for more than 25 years, I’ve found women are smarter than men,” he says without apology. “They are better leaders, better team players, more creative, better listeners, more willing to work for the greater good, and more likely to share their wealth, time, knowledge, information, and ideas. In addition, women are using their female advantage to create millions of jobs.”

For anyone who contests Spark Plug’s point of view, good luck. Statistics convincingly back him up. According to Forbes.com, women are America’s new job-creating power force. There are 9.1 million women-owned businesses which employ 27.1 million people and contribute an astounding 3.6 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy. According to The Center for Women’s Business Research, the Metro Atlanta area alone has 185,313 women-owned businesses which collectively generate 39 billion dollars in revenues annually. The National Association of Women Owned Businesses (NAWBO) found that in spite of the recession, women-owned businesses continue to grow in Georgia. For Spark Plug, these compelling numbers are an indication that the 21^st Century woman is on a momentous rise to the top and determined to uplift others along her way. She is showing and proving her worth in this male-dominated society in an undeniable way.

Spark Plug says, “One reason I believe most men are slow to recognize a woman’s true worth is because of their deep-seated insecurities and fear that it will somehow take away from their own power.” This concept is one which he elaborates on in his new speech entitled, “A Woman’s Worth: What Men are Afraid to Admit They Know About Women.”

Spark Plug believes “Men of influence should do everything in their power to give women the recognition they so richly deserve,” which is why his publication, People You Need to Know Magazine, is Metro Atlanta’s premier business spotlight magazine for women. Their yearly circulation of 500,000 highlights women business owners and professionals, giving them the kind of exposure that is typically reserved for Hollywood celebrities and Fortune 500 CEOs. The support is something that women business owners really appreciate in metro Atlanta, where women are starting more businesses than ever before.

Entrepreneur and Atlanta Business Celebrity, Stormy Wellington, is one of those women who is thankful for the magazine and Spark Plug’s assistance. “You can’t even imagine how much you have helped me to build my business,” said Stormy on Spark Plug Radio. “And women, if you are out there as entrepreneurs, you definitely want to get with Spark Plug because he will take your business to a new level.”

“Spark Plug and the People You Need to Know Network is an amazing vehicle to promote your business and market your brand,” agrees new client, Taunya A. Lowe, PhD, owner of The Resurgent Group of Metro Atlanta. “I was ready to take my business to the next level but wasn’t sure exactly how. The following week, I met Spark Plug and did not hesitate to get my business featured in People You Need to Know Magazine.” Lorie Johnson, MD, President of Just For You Women’s Healthcare says, “I’ve seen my business grow by advertising in People You Need to Know Magazine.”

PYNTK is not a magazine that sells conventional advertising, it’s much more than that. Since 1993, they have offered entrepreneurs and businesswomen hope, inspiration, opportunities, credibility, trust, and most importantly, recognition. Spark Plug’s favorite quote and the driving force behind his magazine is, “When women succeed, the nation prospers.”

Spark Plug was inspired to support businesswomen because of the positive influence women have had in his life. “My wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunts, have all been a positive influence in my life,” he says. “I am a better man today because of them. I honor women business owners as a way to say “thank you” to all the women, past and present, who have helped me on my journey.”

Spark Plug is a member of the Atlanta Press Club and won “Best Promoter” at the New America Media Conference and has been the recipient of the Phoenix Award, Atlanta’s most prestigious honor for community service. He is also a US Navy Veteran, author, radio talk show host, motivational speaker, and world traveler. People You Need to Know Magazine can be found in the metro Atlanta area at Kroger, QuickTrip, Whole Foods stores and online.

For interview requests or speaking engagements call 770-460-5995 or email SparkPlug@SparkPlugPeople.com

How bland and dull life would be without music. It is a phenomenon that is able to powerfully stir our emotions. It impacts us on numerous levels; emotionally, socially, spiritually and physiologically. It is quite amazing how something that cannot be seen or physically grasped can have such a profound impact on our senses. Like the wind that rustles the leaves on a tree, music resonates with the fabric of humanity and compels us to pay attention.

It is an increasingly evident fact that music significantly contributes towards mental and emotional well-being. It is used in psychotherapy and psychiatry to restore balance and calm to psychological conditions that disrupt our body’s natural equilibrium. It is able to soothe and calm, and bring about restoration in facets of life that no surgeon’s scalpel can reach. Listening to our favorite songs transports us back to memorable moments in our lives . . . moments that define our experience and even our identity to a degree. The song to which lovers first danced. The track that was playing when we were first kissed. The lullaby our mother or father sang to us as we fell asleep cradled safely in their arms. Just imagine our favorite movies without their accompanying soundtrack . . . how robbed of energy and feeling they would be. Birds without song, lyrics without melody . . . it all makes for a very depressing picture.

Music is integral in helping us identify our personal social niche. It helps us form bonds and relationships with those who share our tastes and interests, thereby inspiring community and a sense of belonging. It documents the progression of shifts in culture and society, and is itself in a constant state of evolution as old sounds and technologies are blended with new ones, steadily reshaping the present and catapulting us towards the future. There is also an increasing degree to which music influences other disciplines like cinema, fashion and art . . . even politics. The civil rights movement in America and the rebellion against the apartheid regime in South Africa are just two examples of profound cultural, social and political chapters in world history in which music gave voice and expression to the laments of the downtrodden. It strengthens, motivates and comforts.

As long as the human being experiences feelings and emotions that need expression, music will be a crucial component of giving voice to those sentiments. There are those who believe that music is the result of heaven kissing earth, and that it is one of the supernatural and eternal gifts that we carry with us from this life into the next.

———-> Tracey Roper is a freelance writer and webmaster. Visit her sites to find out more about DVD duplication and CD packaging.

Once again, this held true on June 3, 2011. The Commerce Club, Atlanta’s elegant and stylish meeting place for people who are making things happen in the metro area was the site for the quarterly Transforming Women Entrepreneurs (TWE) symposium presented by Progressive Techniques, Inc.

Nancy Lewis, (pictured above) the Founder of TWE and the President of Progressive Techniques, Inc., was the host of this much-anticipated and inspiring quarterly event, especially designed to help women entrepreneurs succeed. Nancy is one of the newest members of the People You Need to Know Magazine Network of first-class women-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. Her company, Progressive Techniques Inc., is a leader in “Developing a Better You” and her A-list clients such as Delta Airlines, AT&T, Chick-fil-A and many more, rave about her energetic, uplifting and inspiring presentations. Nancy Lewis is a leading motivational/inspirational speaker, trainer, business coach and author. She is well-connected and immensely respected in the metro Atlanta business community.

At People You Need to Know Magazine, we were honored to be a media partner at this phenomenal event. The topic for the morning was “Leveraging Sales & Marketing for Profitability and Business Success.”

The program began promptly at 8:30am with Nancy Lewis welcoming and thanking everyone for coming out to the TWE quarterly meeting. She also gave special recognition to her sponsors for supporting her in her efforts to make a difference in the lives of women entrepreneurs.

At 8:50am, a delicious classic plated American breakfast was served to the esteemed guests and at 9:25am, Nancy introduced one of Atlanta’s favorite personalities, Ms. Tawanda Black, Director of Community Affairs for KISS 104.1 FM in Atlanta. Ms. Black took over as the moderator for the rest of the program. She did an outstanding job introducing the panelists and keeping the program moving along smoothly.

The first panelist to be introduced was Shani T. Godwin, President of Communiqué. Her company offers Strategic Marketing for growing businesses. Shani spoke about “Building Brand Equity.” She believes that building a brand is the same as building any long-term investment. Ms. Godwin pointed out that you should never compromise your brand, and that consistency is essential to your brand building success.

Shani shared her list of low-cost ways to invest in your brand. First, she suggested that when it comes to your brand, you must be consistent with your colors. If your colors are red and white, be sure to stay consistent with everything you do in your branding efforts. Secondly, have key messages that build upon your brand’s strength. Third, make sure everyone in your organization speaks with a united voice about your product or service. Fourth, create messages that resonate with your audience. Fifth, create brand guidelines. Sixth, ask yourself — who do you want to be in the future? Seventh, understand that you don’t have to be everything to all people. Eighth, create marketing materials that have the same look and feel. And last but not least, know who you are when it comes to your brand.

The second panelist to be introduced was Marilynn Mobley, Senior Vice President/Strategic Counsel at Edelman, the world’s largest PR Firm. Edelman has 3,600 employees in 53 offices worldwide. They were named Adverting Age’s PR Firm of the decade. Marilynn talked about “What it Takes to Get the PR to Get You What You Want.” She said that after all is said and done, what people really want more than anything else in business is significance. People want to feel like they really do matter. She encouraged the attendees to be thought leaders. Marilynn did a great job of revealing to the group what the media outlets ultimately want . . . which is, what can you contribute that will make them look really smart? The media, she says, are more interested in helping their readers and viewers, and not just you. Her remarkable insight into the PR world was very informative.

Marilynn believes that media is merging and converging; furthermore, as a result of this new paradigm that we are experiencing today, reporters are looking for reliable sources who know what the trends are, who understand that as thought leaders you must stay in front of reporters because they are very busy, and they are also looking for people who embrace the power of social media. Reporters are getting their sources online at sites like Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, and more, she noted. She told the attendees to think of themselves as a resource for clients and media. When it comes to your industry, Marilynn says that you should find out who covers it, and who writes about your industry and subject matter. In addition, find out what’s interesting to a reporter and figure out how you can be of service to them. In closing, she suggested to the attendees that they follow the media as well as pay attention to how the media is changing.

The final panelist to be introduced was Tamiko Leverette, MPA, President, Nonprofit Dreams, LLC. Ms. Leverette also produces a weekly television show called Dreams Are Not For Profit. Tamiko’s presentation was about how for-profit businesses can work with non-profits to save on their marketing. She said business owners should find non-profits to work with or start one of their own. Furthermore, her past experience with non-profits taught her that there are great opportunities for marketing partnerships and a chance to save money and support your community at the same time. It’s a win-win for the non-profit and the business owner because the non-profit gets much needed financial assistance and the tax benefit is great for the business owner because they can write-off the financial contribution.

Ms. Leverette noted that Cause-Related Marketing is always great for business. What Cause-Related Marketing does is let people know that your organization supports a particular cause such as Habitat for Humanity or the United Way. Tamiko encouraged the audience members to partner with non-profits in their small business marketing efforts because they may have the additional resources that your small business may not have, especially during these unstable economic times.

A memorable quote she shared with the attendees was, “The non-profits’ mission is not to make money, but that is not to say they can’t make money.” Tamiko stated that there are 65,000 non-profits in the state of Georgia, and when deciding to partner with a non-profit, it is extremely important to target groups you’re trying to reach. For instance, If you’re trying to reach teachers, target non-profits that work with teachers.

In closing, she said when it comes to non-profit partnerships, most for-profit business owners really need to take a closer look at how this relationship could really help grow their business.

At the end of the panel presentations, the audience members were given the opportunity to ask the panelists a few questions. And after the question and answer session came to a close, it was time for the door prizes to be given away. Nancy Lewis picked the lucky winners of the door prizes by drawing names on business cards from a basket. All sorts of prizes were given away, from make-overs, coaching sessions, gift-bags, books, skin care products and more.

As usual, our People You Need to Know Magazine display table was set-up and ready to welcome all who stopped by to visit with us. One of the first people to stop by our table to say hello was Ms. Sebrena Sumrah-Kelly, (pictured left) President of Caribbean-American Business Connections. Sebrena is one of the newest members of the People You Need to Know Magazine Network of first-class women-owned businesses in metro Atlanta. She will be featured in our upcoming Leading Ladies in Business edition. At the end of the program, many of the attendees stayed around for awhile to network/make new business contacts, and several wanted to find out more about our magazine.

We’d like to give special recognition to a few people whom we had the pleasure of meeting at the event …

• Joanne W. Trawick, Beauty Consultant/President-Aularale Skin Care & Cosmetics
• Doris Taylor, President-4 Rivers Management Worldwide,LLC.
• Tom E. McBeth, Executive Director-Real Parents, Inc.
• Dona Cage, President/CEO-Turnkey Solutions, LLC.
• Carline Robertson, Photographer-Images by Patrick & Carline
• Josephine D. Crawford, PhD,President-Coaching and Training for Success, LLC
• Letia M. Scales, Certified Image Consultant-e-modeinc
• Darrell L. Thomas, Vice President (BRM)-Wells Fargo
• Marlene Kelly, President & CEO-Exhibits South
• Tanesha Clancy, Mentor-Just Us Girls, Inc.
• Patricia Winbush, Education Consultant-Real Parents, Inc.

Once again, People You Need to Know Magazine would like to congratulate Ms. Nancy Lewis for putting together this incredibly exciting, informative and uplifting event that is sure to help many of the people who attended leverage their sales and marketing efforts. If you missed this event, don’t forget to mark your calendar for September 16, 2011, in order to attend the next TWE quarterly program.

People You Need to Know Magazine

The beauty of the online edition is that it’s optimized to go to the websites within the newspaper, giving advertisers even more exposure.

Our introduction of the Briefcases & Stilettos Newspaper is already getting plenty of buzz around metro Atlanta in the print edition. Now … you can view it online.

When you do business with any of our advertisers, please let them know that you found them here. Stay tuned for our next edition.

Celebrating WOMEN in business and recognizing the MEN who support them,

~Jacqueline Thomas, VP of Ideas People You Need to Know Magazine

Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP/Getty Images

As we enter the month of February, a month dedicated to the remembrance of our pilgrimage from being enslaved in the land of the FREE … a pilgrimage that still has open wounds … wounds that have been hard to heal … we cannot afford to turn our heads or close our eyes to what is happening in Egypt. The piercing words which Dr. Martin Luther King wrote in his Letter from the Birmingham Jail are still warm and will never grow cold. He reminded us that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

We cannot turn away from the horror we’ve witnessed in Egypt. Blood-soaked clothing of people on the streets, screams of those who are injured and in excruciating pain, those wrapped in sheets in the morgues, or the thousands upon thousands camped out, calling for their 30 year iron-fist leader, Hosni Mubarak, to “LEAVE NOW” are all etched in our memory. We cannot deafen our ears to these familiar voices. The voices of those who are … tired of being oppressed … tired of police brutality and corruption, tired of not being able to feed their families because of a lack of employment … these voices cannot be silenced. Even when employed, the wages received are barely enough to survive because of the rising prices of food and other living expenses. A man’s dignity is linked to being able to adequately support his family.

To add insult to injury, virtually all Internet access was shut down, temporarily interrupting the protestors’ freedom of speech so the rest of the world could not witness what was happening.

Our fate remains intertwined. There will always be people in power who claim to love their country, but not love ALL of the people in it. To me, this is an oxymoron because what is a country without the PEOPLE? And what is the point of having a ruler if there are no people? Furthermore, what kind of love leaves people struggling from day to day without having access to equal opportunities?

As you view these videos, and many others on YouTube, remember … the thread of humanity does not have any breaks in it, we are all tied together as ONE.

The Tehran Times reported, “According to Nasrallah (Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah) the world is witnessing a real, patriotic, and popular Egyptian revolution in which Muslims and Christians are participating as well as various movements.” Nasrallah said “In this revolution, all Egyptians are taking part, including children, women, men, intellectuals, scholars, workers. But the major and strongest element in this revolution remains the youth generation. That’s why we can say that we’re before a complete revolution.”

Egypt reminds us that when people grow weary of being oppressed, abused, and denied basic human rights, they will eventually come together, rise up and rebel out of desperation.

Egypt is not far away. The people are not far away. Egypt is in our homes via television and newspapers. Egypt is in our hands via technology. Some of us have relatives in Egypt and for many of us, Egypt will remain in our hearts because of our common humanity.

~Jacqueline

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Pre-registration Only.

Come out and meet many of metro Atlanta’s Leading WOMEN in business such as …

Bonnie Ross Parker, Founder/CEO of The Joy of Connecting

Lisa Nicole Cloud, CEO of Elite Marketing Strategies

Stormy Wellington, Platinum President / Ardyss International

Rebecca McClain, CEO of RM Enterprises

Lori Manns, CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group

LaWanda Brokenborough, Founder/CEO of Aerobics Delivered

Dr. Shai Hall, President of The Dental Spa

Dr. Karen Mills, President of Advantage Dental

Dr. Danielle Greene, President of Fabulous Smiles of Atlanta & Creator of Kissable Toothpaste

Margarita Ayes, President/CEO of the Hispanic Marketing Group

Dahlys Hamilton , Founder/CEO of Metro Atlanta Business Network

Janelle Hamilton, Managing Partner - Metro Atlanta Business Network

And many MORE People You Need to Know!!!

We look forward to meeting you there. Take a moment to look around our OFFICIAL site and see what you’ve been missing.

- Jacqueline

Dr. Greene graduated with honors from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She was then selected to be Fullbright Scholar, a prestigious that allowed her to continue her studies at the University of Waikato in New Zealand.

Following her studies abroad, she successfully completed the prestigious graduate studies program at the University of Maryland Dental School with honors and went on to establish her practice in Atlanta, GA.

Dr. Greene’s commitment to her clients’ oral health, educating the public and building self-esteem and general well-being resulted in her latest professional creation, “Kissable”, a designer line of oral care products.

Initially available only to Dr. Greene’s private dental clients, Kissable is now being made available for sale directly to the general public.

People You Need to Know Magazine is proud to salute Dr. Danielle Greene as our Person of the Week!

What I’m most grateful for is the fact that Podbean.com made it easy. Thanks Podbean.

Not too long ago, I started another blog to further expand what I began here. Yes … I’m still committed to giving Atlanta business owners and professionals great exposure via my blog. It’s just something I love to do. So please feel free to visit me at my new site.

A few people have asked me if I’ll shut this particular blog down, the answer is no. I like the comfort that I find here. It’s where it all began.

Thank you for visiting and reading what I have to post. Your presence has been greatly appreciated. I look forward to another year of promoting business owners and professionals in metro Atlanta.

- Jacqueline

Meet Andrea Riggs

Body Beautiful Expo - Cobb Galleria

January 30, 2010

FREE PARKING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No matter what happens … always move forward,

People You Need to Know, Inc.

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

Best wishes from People You Need to Know!!

Tips for Business Owners:

• Get Current. One of the most important tax tips I can give is to make sure your accounting is up-to-date. It is important that you have a complete understanding of your financial situation. Scheduling a year-end planning session with your accountant is a good idea and a good start.
• Procrastinate. I know this may sound crazy, but hear me out. If (and only if) your cash flow can sustain it, then wait until January to bill those end of the year clients. Any cash you receive in December must be included on your 2009 tax return as income, but if you wait just a few more days you can defer payment of taxes on that income for another year.
• Shop ‘til you drop. Purchase items that your business will need in the near future. Again this is if your cash flow permits. Some things you should consider are office supplies, equipment purchases or pay some bills early (i.e. business cell phone bill, utilities, etc). This year the sales tax and excise tax charged on qualified motor vehicle purchases is deductible.  So if you are in need of a new vehicle, it would be beneficial to do so by year end.
• More blessed to give. We’ve all heard the saying, “it’s more blessed to give than to receive”. And it’s true in more ways than one. Push an early 2010 charitable donation back to 2009, which allows you to take the deduction in 2010 instead of waiting until 2011. Be sure you get a receipt to support the tax deduction.
• Sock it Away. This is a great time to make payments to your retirement plan or setup one to reduce your business income before the year ends. Meet with your financial planner to verify the contribution limits and deadlines.

Tips for Individuals:

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

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

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

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

Bar Admissions: The Florida Bar, State of Georgia Bar

Professional Memberships: American Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Radio ads are generally sold as packages - a certain number of ads of a certain length played in certain or various time slots - for a package amount. Because their advertising rates are audience driven, radio stations charge more for what is called “drive time” - the hours in the morning and afternoon when a lot of people are commuting to and from work.

Before you commit to a radio package, be sure to ask each station how many listeners they report for various times of day. Also, smaller stations charge less than larger ones because they generally have smaller audiences. Research the size of the stations and the audiences they tend to attract. For example, if your product is aimed at people between the ages of 15 and 24, you will want to choose stations with programming that attracts that age group.

You can also consider television advertising. However, television advertising is more expensive and requires you to produce a commercial. This production will add to your upfront cost. Like radio, television advertising is priced by ad length and the time of day the ads are played. In addition, it is vitally important that any ad you produce looks very professional. It is tempting to think you can reach a large audience through TV, but if you produce an unprofessional ad, the audience will know and the result will be negative rather than positive for you.

In all cases we’ve talked about, you will have to supply words that describe your product, business or offer. Of course you won’t need art for radio, but you will need top-notch professional art and/or video for print or television advertising. You will incur an additional cost to produce that art - either through the publication/TV station or another source.

The bottom line is getting other people to say your name in as many ways as possible to make your “Brand” stick and bring more business to your door! No advertising method is outdated. As long as you can capture the attention of an audience and get them to respond, you have succeeded. As a matter of fact, depending on the service offered, people are still able to get my business using flyers.

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Are Fried Foods Really That Bad?

In a nutshell, yes, fried foods really are that bad for you.

Take an average potato, bake it and you have 110 calories and 0 grams of fat. Take that same potato, turn it into French fries and you have 380 calories and 18 grams of fat.

Frying food is the easiest way to dramatically increase the calorie and fat content. And you know that extra calories and fat end up as extra body fat.

Other disasters that fried foods put you at risk for include: Heart Disease, Diabetes, Clogged Arteries, High Blood Pressure, Obesity and Acne.

Fried foods have also been known to trigger Acid Reflux and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). Need I say more?

Going Fried-Free

Giving up fried food may not be easy, though it will arguably be one of the best things you do for your health and appearance. You will lose weight and improve your health by eliminating fried food from your life.

Keep in mind that, like all habits, the first thirty days will be the toughest. Make things easier by staying away from situations that place you in front of a big basket of fries or plate of donuts. Call now to get started on changing your eating habits and get fit in 90 Days. 770 719-8881

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).

Like many, I originally joined Facebook to make connections with friends, past and present. I recently attended a cook out hosted by an old chum from my middle school days, and his wife. I had not seen them in 30 years! They are the people, along with another friend who I also reconnected with through Facebook, that you see with me in the picture featured at the top of this post.

I have also made many new friends by connecting with people who have similar interests or are looking to network or cross promote. You simply cannot place a value on the importance of this type of social interaction, both personally and professionally. People want to be known and appreciated, and tend do business with people they trust.

Companies worldwide are leveraging the power of social media sites to improve customer relationships, create interaction, and increase brand awareness. Skittles and Zappos.com are two examples of companies who use their Facebook pages to actively engage with consumers. By making it a more personal experience for the user instead of an outward marketing ploy, Skittles and Zappos have earned priceless credibility and gained a very loyal fan/customer base.

Regardless of a company’s size, product or service, creating or enhancing their online presence through social media should be an important component of their overall marketing strategy. With resounding statistics, such as the ones below, it is easy to see why Facebook has become an integral part of social media marketing campaigns for businesses large and small alike:

• More than 100 million users log on to Facebook each day;
• The fastest growing user demographic is those 35 years of age and older;
• More than 6 million users become fans of Pages each day;
• More than 1 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) are shared each week;
• More than 30 million active user groups exist on the site;
• More than 50 international translations available on the site, with more than 40 in development;
• More than 30 million users currently access Facebook through their mobile devices; *

Creative Options Social Media Management specializes in assisting individuals and small to mid-size business owners with profile and content creation, distribution, optimization, campaign and reputation management services.