Its Your Fault!

I know a few people.  People who have their own businesses.  People who have gotten advanced degrees.  People who have lost it all and those that have risen from the ashes.  In every instance there were some sort factor that worked against them, some team of forces that, whether it was their responsibility or not, tried to police their progression.

A few years ago while riding on a train in Chicago I met a young author, Kirby Jones who wrote a book titled "Silence the Naysayers" - a great title.  Now I'm not about to sit here and lead you to believe that I read the entire book, I got through a few chapters when I had my lightbulb moment.  There are always going to be haters.  However, hard work and determination aren't always in the equation, for some random reason.

Stay with me, this is gonna get good.

Most recently at church on Sunday morning the reverend spoke of how King David (yup, the same one that fought Goliath) had an instance where his people threatened to stone him to death after a rebel army kidnapped the women and children of Israel.  David's family was also taken.  A true moment of adversity.

A young musician contacted me on Twitter a few days ago and on Sunday morning (before service) we conversed about a plethora of topics.  At first he asked for marketing advice for his newest mixtape.  I sort of reprimanded him for guerrilla tweeting (honestly, what is the purpose of sending the same message a thousand times to different people, I mean isn't that what twitter does automatically anyway?)  It wasn't until her made a remark concerning his job, and how hard he was trying to keep it that I really sat down and got completely interested in the issue.  This guy, who had two jobs, one as a musical talent and the other punching a clock somewhere.  He knew that both gigs were dually important and guided his ability to work the other.  But it was something holding him back ... a co-worker trying to get him fired, a lack of enthusiasm in his work, his inability to break directly into the music industry ... there were somethings there that were holding him back.

My advice to this man was to change his mindset, push forward, gain an understanding  of what it is that you control.

In every instance where steps were taken toward advancement whether it be gaining new freedoms or rights, getting a new job, or just growing up ... something has to give ... and it doesn't have to be you.

Back at church, the reverend has made a good point, don't let your current situation define your long term decisions.  It will never be profitable.  Instead, think ahead and make your decisions for now, accordingly.

This decision will always include making it your mission to work harder, not just maintain, but transcend ... grow your skill, reach your goals, improve upon your work ethic and your environment.

-David did it with prayer, which led him to seeking solice for himself and his people in the nation of his former enemy
-Women in American banded together to show their power during the industrial revolution and wars
-Black Americans marched for equal rights and better treatment, all the while making strides in medicine, technology and politics.

In all the cases, they battle didn't end with altering an entire universe.  On the contrary, it ended with just altering themselves ... you.  You can't get rid of racism, but instead you can change peoples opinion of you by revamping how you act, work, talk, and get along.  This is a determination of sorts, when singularly or communally it is announced that
 -I want "them" to see me as a leader
 -I want "them" to see me as able
 -I want "them" to see me as smart ... equal ... or, human.

Just a thought ... what are you looking to get passed or over?  How do you plan to change your situation.

Don't call me MOMMA! The TX fight for Planned Parenthood

I took on the responsibility of assisting in the everyday livelihood of two younger cousins while my aunt took a roadtrip to Detroit a few weeks ago.  I had no clue what I was getting myself into.

Drew and I ... looking happy

The two boys, let's call them Drew (9) and Tony (13) we beside themselves with joy, they were being left in the care of their cool cousin, but they hid their happiness so well I felt the need to try and please them.  Break them out of their norm of come home from school, homework, video games, dinner, bath and bed routine.  I wanted to do something more, something interesting and controversial.  Visit a museum, play baseball in the park, something fun.  Well, they thought otherwise.  On the first night I was sooo tired from cooking dinner, running Tony to practice, answering ALL of Drew's million questions, picking up used paper towels, organizing breakfast for the next morning and answering the rest of Drew's questions.

I couldn't figure out, for the life of me how my almost 80-year old aunt decided to take the boys in in the first place.

"This is crazy." I thought. I immediately began to search, instead, for things to do for myself on the weekend my Aunt returned.

I decided to run a tight ship, implement chores and bedtimes.  That's when I heard it, it cut like a knife, "This is supposed to be fun," Tony was going in, gearing up to shake my world, "you're trying to be our Momma! You're NOT MY MOMMA."

He yelled at me as if I didn't know that his argument was true.  I wasn't these kids mom, and didn't want to be, nor did I feel like I should be wrapping my schedules around theirs, the life of a freelance publicist and writer is enough to deal with, having two kids in the mix was not ice cream on the cake, gravy on the potatoes, soy on my sushi ... oh no.. it was a trial.

The whole experience put me on a mission to do a little research.  I have some amazing friends that are amazing parents.  They are active in their children's lives, they have their schedules organized, their 30-minute meals are actually 25-minute meals that they breeze thru .... they are parents, real parents. Unlike me and my leased kids (yeah, I said leased, they cost me a good amount of money while in my care).

While on my trip to Austin, (the one I planned while sitting) I was introduced to the fight for Planned Parenthood in Texas. Apparently new legislation has threatened to close the program, which saves Medicare about $25 million each year, has created such of an uproar that women around the state or up in arms, protesting.

Lady Protesters urging drivers-by to "honk" their support

The bill to cut Planned Parenthood was created by one republican Bob Dueull of South Carolina, who out of his left wing agenda magically thought it as the method to ending abortions in America, apparently it included killing Planned Parenthood.  I wonder if he thought about the hundreds of thousands of unplanned pregnancies that would result as well as the cost of funding state aid for low-income mothers.

Where as previously #PP was funded 90% with federal dollars and only 10% with tax dollars from the State expense of not funding #PP would definitely be left up to low-income, budget straining women.

Planned Parenthood isn't just for the extremely poor, informed teenager with a boyfriend, not in the least.  By my conversation with some of the protesters, the program offers health screenings and birth control for uninsured and under-insured women of all walks of life, whether they are young teens or freelancers like myself.  They are women that have been affected by the downturns in the economy, and are trying to take better control of their lives and their health.  By getting rid of Planned Parenthood more than 100,000 Texas women a year will be left without the education and connectivity #PP offers.

I urge you all to educate yourself on the new bill, which offers to keep the Womens Health Program, a subsidy of Planned Parenthood, but does not offer information on controlling births (i.e. abortions), and completely dissolve its "parent" program. I don't want to crowd your judgement with anything but facts ... but I do want your opinions on the state funding of Planned Parenthood in your neighborhoods and the message it portrays to mothers and women in their individual paths thru life...

After my week with the kids, I was glad people were standing up to the Bob Deuells of the world.  Personally I am all for not having extemporaneous kids, in the end, it becomes everyones responsibility to raise them ... whether they are left to a sitter, foster care, or worst.  Sometimes contingencies must be made for the greater good of the people (the actual people, those that live lives, stumble and fall and the such), those who need something as important and time consumingas parenting to be ... well, planned.

Get hip, stay safe and TTYL Blacks!

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Social Networking and Marketing for your small business

I gotta get the panel members for this panel, my minicomputer was acting up. They seem powerful and extremely well-put together.

The dollar doesn't turn around once in the Black community, that means, when a black person gets a dollar, they spend it and more than likely with someone of an opposite race. Out of approximately 6000 businesses that start every year, less than 19% of those businesses are started by blacks. Small business is a major aspect in revitalizing the national economy.

Okay, here are the panel members
Ken Blanks Harrell
Ed Foxworthy
Hajj Flemmings (moderator)
there's a few more, but I am doing this LIVE and I am not keeping up with the names like I should...email me chrisreed07@gmail.com
1. HOW DID YOU IDENTIFY THE BUSINESS THAT YOU ARE IN (marketing)? What was your AH-HA moment?
-Forget about what you think life is and figure out what you enjoy doing and put a dollar sign on it.
-After making so many mistakes, and having self pitty parties, you begin to realize that your loyalty needs to be with you. Maximize your time, improve your skill and make your activities co-inside with your goal. If you say you want to make $1 million, then make it.

Ms. Gillian Blackwell, one of the benefits of the internet, they have leveled the playing field for small businesses and the connections that they can make. But one of the downfalls is that everyone is claiming to be an expert. However, it trying to organizing who is best at what. In my last post I mentioned that small business owners need to find those that are perfectionists in their industries and can help you run your business. But take your mommas advice to heart, You can tell a tree by its fruit. Look at the relationships that your colleagues may have created, take a peek at their e-networking history, listen to what they have to say, do your research..don't go int a situation completely blind.

@ Mr. Ken Blanks Harrell, he demanded that we take notes. He speaks on his success and what prevents them from being successful (making money)
1. There is no need for your service
2. There is no money
3. There is no trust
Staying consistent with your message is very important with how your business lives
Stay relevant with the audience you want, get a website, build your following, be in the face of your audience. Promote yourself. Create a plan that you will be able to make you money.

I am really enjoying this forum, especially when they are talking about FREE methods of social networking and finding leads for your business. It all comes down to building a base, and then using those connections. Thats what facebook, myspace, twitter and the such are for, they are to be used to better define your audience, getting your specific message to the people and most importantly, LISTENING TO YOUR AUDIENCE. Although there are a ton of things to get on sites like ebay and amazon.com, but if you look close enough you can find the things that people want. When building your social network make sure you keep thinking about who you want to meet, what you want them to know about you and why they should want to continue to know you.

Branding - Developing a Professional Image and Polishing Your Brand
All of your information needs to be available to potential clients/customers. Your customers should constantly see it so that when people they know need something, you are the first person they think of it. Gaining HOUSEHOLD BRAND status is very important and very easy, just stay out there, all the time and everywhere. Your branding strategy includes the entire experience a customer has when dealing with you, the way you answer the phone, the presentation of your product, your follow up, the price versus the feel of purchasing your product or service. Develop what it is that is going to be your image.

JUST GOT A LITTLE INSPIRATION, I'ma post this on TWITTER (darealchrisreed) NEWSLETTER COMING SOON

Thank you to Mr. Harrell for "Own your own, or be owned by someone else." Corporate America is frustrating and I am pretty sure that you feel me on this, let it frustrate you so much that you start your own and do it as good as you can.