I will leave one more message… then forget it…

The last-minute dash to interview the people behind bringing R. Kelly,  Marsha Ambrosious and Miguel to Savannah

At around 3:00pm on Monday, July 18, 2011, that is how I felt. Just leave one more message and if the muscle behind Fa Sho Entertainment does not call me back then, on to the next Savannah music event. In between 3:15pm and maybe 3:20pm, I get the call. Hi, I am looking for… I answer back wrong number that is not me, phone goes click. I wait, pick my phone back up look at the number and realize oh no… that was for me. I had called the contacts for Fa Sho Entertainment since last Friday, just trying to get an interview. Here they are calling me for the wrong person. I love a serendipitous adventure. I picked up the cell and highlighted their number and pushed send. The conversation was brief and they were friendly. I asked them to give me an hour and I will see you shortly, they gave me name of the undisclosed location where we could meet.

I was rushing to get there. I entered the lobby to see them sitting on the couches and I get right into it. I introduce myself and first foremost thank them for bringing such a great event to the Low Country. July 30th, 2011 The “Love Letters Tour” featuring R. Kelly. R. Kelly is great; by far the Marvin Gaye of our times, however the featuring acts are what got my interest. I have been to Coachella Festival in Indio, California, and have heard many undiscovered or lost talent in many bars throughout the country. I remember a year ago texting my fellow music head look out for Marsha Ambrosius and Miguel, new twist to R&B but your ears will love it. This whole set list is full of talented performers, all are worth their asking ticket price because they know how to put on a show.

I have one contact negotiating the rooming list. I have two starring me down and one ready to answer my questions. This is my interview with Fa Sho Entertainment.

Who is Fa Sho Entertainment?

We are based here in the Southeast and we are dedicated to bringing the best events to the Savannah Area.

What is the company all about?

We are setting the stage to bring primer events to Savannah. Savannah is an untapped market and its residents are very appreciative when “good” named talent stops in to perform.Savannah is the hostess city, after all.

What is significant about this concert?

Two things July 30^th, we are the last stop for this tour. Originally, it featured Keyshia Cole. The concert we are hosting is featuring Miguel, who has a great draw and heavy play on the radio.

How long have you been planning this event?

We have been putting this together since May, to be a week out and see it in full swing is truly a blessing. We were inspired by R. Kelly’s last performance in 2008, it was amazing. We wanted to give that same experience again, plus more.

Are there any special giveaways or contests with this event?

Yes, we have two. We are hosting an essay competition to find someone to introduce Marsha Ambrosious, an English singer/songwriter and former member of Floetry. We are asking participants to write 100 words or fewer on why you should be chosen as the announcer. The winner will be announced July 28.

The second giveaway is to 25 women who are members of the SAFE Shelter program. SAFE Shelter is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to victims of domestic violence and their children. Open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, the shelter offers 48 beds, all meals and clothes and other services, all at no charge to clients. We are giving them tickets at no charge to this event. Local sponsors helped with this giveaway as well; Nancy’s Seafood, NY Boutique, Top Dollar Recycling, Shell Gas Station on Ogeechee Road, Port City Pawn Shop, Alderman Van R. Johnson, II and Dreamland Construction. We definitely wanted to make sure we were giving back to the community.

Are there future events planned?

There sure are future events planned. We will be hosting one in the Fall, Spring and Summer. We plan on being around for a longtime. People should expect this caliber of entertainment from us.

We wrap up shake hands and I tell them to be expecting to hear from me soon.

For more information about this event call 912-651-6556 or 800-351-7469, or go to www.savannahcivic.com or www.etix.com.

The event will be held at the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah, GA.

Ticket prices $53.50, $68, $78 and $95

To contact Fa Sho Entertainment email them at ent4sho@gmail.com

 

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HEARpreneur Story Amanda Hollowell‏ YouTube

Amanda Hollowell the founder of JL Events, LLC tells her story.
I was asked to do a small piece about my wedding planning business in Savannah, GA. The who, what, when, where and why. Check it out!

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My Entrepreneurial Reading List

Cover via Amazon

I have been in the entrepreneur spirit since January 2011. During that time I have read 7 books from management to emotional stability. All these books have been great in inspiring me and giving me direction. Here is a little recap of these books and what I took from them. Please note; the one major lesson that I am learning during this experience is that it is not about just growing your business, it is about growing you. Emotionally, as a small business owner you go thru just the same amount of ups and downs that your business goes through. What I am finding no ones tells you about this part of the business experience, it is organic to say the least but not for the faint of heart. So entrepreneurs beware! On your shoulders actually does sit the negative you and the positive you and it gets crazy fast. On to my reading list…

(Disclaimer: All books were purchased on sale at Books A Million and Big Lots, remember your budget people)

1. Russell Simmons – Do  You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success

This was a good book where I felt like he was more open and honest about the emotional journey you go through in the hustle game and staying to true to yourself. Not a lot of business resource advice, but definitely got my mojo going.

2. Glinda Bridgforth and Gail Perry-Mason – Girl, Make Your Money Grow!

This book is special to me, I had the pleasure of having dinner with the amazing Gail Perry Mason in Savannah, GA and she signed this book. There is a simple premise in this book, financial empowerment but with a minority voice for the tone of the book. I loved it, clear debt understanding the market and the next thing you know you are on Scott Trade. Not that simple but a great 101 Intro to securing your financial freedom.

3. Rhonda Byrne – The Secret

I read this book when it first came out. What works for me most in my journey is the practice of envisioning your dreams, staying focused and meditating.

4. Jeffery Gitomer – The Sales Bible

The Bible is The Bible; I will never replace that in my life. However, The Sales Bible is a great road map to selling yourself and your business. It is easy to read. It is written in more of a resource style that you can pick up and read a chapter to help you at that moment.

5. Kevin Phillips – Bad Money

Great read! Talks about the rise and fall of the American economic system 2006 – 2008. This gave me great perspective as a business owner in a global economy and shit does roll down hill.

6. Marcus Buckingham – GO Put Your Strengths To Work

Just like the title says it puts you to work on a series steps to achieve success. I am still a work in progress on this book because you have to keep working on it and remembering to do it.

7. Tyler Cowen – Discover Your Inner Economist

There is nothing wrong with thinking like an economist, economy =money hello? This book helped me understanding my motivations and potential consumers or business partners motivations and how you can motivate people to your way.

This is just the beginning of my reading journey. I plan on journaling this process which I think will help with the moments of doubt or concern. I recommend everyone start their own reading adventure in life, you never know what you might learn or the knowledge you might gain. I do not think one person has the one right answer for you. But through research and having a good perspective, I believe we all can find the answers we are look for.

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GoDaddy sold… there goes the neighborhood

Image via Wikipedia

GoDaddy Sold for $2.25 Billion

 SAN FRANCISCO — The parent company of GoDaddy.com, a top registrar of Internet domain names, has been sold to a group of private investment firms for $2.25 billion, a person familiar with the transaction told The Associated Press.Go Daddy Group Inc.’s sale to KKR, Silver Lake and Technology Crossover Ventures comes as the company expects to top $1.1 billion in revenue this year because expanding Internetuse has fueled the creation of more websites and the “domains” needed to help find them. Go Daddy announced the sale late Friday. A person close to the transaction, who asked to remain anonymous because of not being authorized to speak publicly, told the AP the sale price.A fact sheet accompanying the release indicated that Go Daddy’s revenue has grown by more than 20 percent in each of the past several years.

The Go Daddy Group Inc. was founded in 1997 by Bob Parsons, who continues to serve as its CEO. The company, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., manages more than 48 million domain names, and sells other Internet-related technologies.

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/01/go-daddy-sold_n_889155.html

 

 

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I love the Regular Show on Cartoon Network! Use your Oprah Voice to read this title.

Image via Wikipedia

Oprah might have her favorite things of body lotions, cars and just really cool stuff. But my favorite thing this week is the Regular Show on Cartoon Network. Yeah Boy! My nine year old son introduced this to me. At first I was luke warm to the show. Then I saw the episode called Free Cake and I lost my mind. I was sitting next to my son, laughing out loud. The two main characters are two 23-year-old friends, a blue jay named Mordecai and a raccoon named Rigby. They are employed as groundskeepers at a park and spend their days trying to slack off and entertain themselves by any means.

The motivation behind the Free Cake episode is exactly what you think. If starts with an innocent plate that was embossed with “Simon Kipner – Godfather of the Soul Patch. They were going to throw away the plate and then the idea comes in you know what would look good on that plate … cake. The duo have nothing at home so they have go to the Grocery Store (that is the official name of the store) and find out cake mix cost $1.50. They do not have money, but they have plenty ideas of how you can get free cake… someone’s birthday.  After asking everyone they work with, they find out that Skip the yeti’s birthday is today. They convince their boss Benson a gumball machine to let them throw a surprise Birthday Party for Skip at 8:00pm. They will be in charge of the cake. I could go into details, but it would ruin this episode, all I have to say it involves adventure, flying babies, El Camino, a unicorn and friendship.

The Regular Show is innocent in nature. It reminds us thirty something parents of what it feels like to be the young twenty something old person again (without the drug enhancements.) It does occasionally try to throw in some adult language like piss or they try to shorten it and a say p… off or s… instead of the vulgar word for poop. It is a higher brow than Beavis and Butthead but not kids play like The Wiggles. If your child is age nine and above and has a pretty mature sense of humor i.e. understanding sarcasm. I think you will enjoy watching this show with them, add it to your family fun time to do list.  

Regular Show is an American animated television series created by J. G. Quintel (formerly a creative director for The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack). The series was originally developed as a short for Cartoon Network‘s unaired Cartoonstitute show, and features characters loosely based on those from Quintel’s student films The Naïve Man From Lolliland and 2 in the AM PM. It was green-lit on August 13, 2009 by Cartoon Network^[2] and debuted on September 6, 2010. This series is rated TV-PG/TV-PG-V. Mordecai Voiced by J. G. Quintel Rigby Voiced by William Salyers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LrXYqtlbzM

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Savannah’s own Mixed Martial Arts fighter seeks knockout, offers ways out.

Amazing MMA Fighter Muhsin Corbbrey! Check him out at http://savannahnow.com/accent/2011-06-20/savannahs-own-mixed-martial-arts-fighter-seeks-knockout-offers-ways-out#.Tf7Lx6N5mSM

 

Steve Bisson/Savannah Morning News Mixed martial arts fighter Muhsin Corbbrey strikes a fighting pose with his son Zafir, 4, at the Champions Training Center

 

By Christian Johnson Copyright 2011 . All  rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

Mixed martial arts champ uses fame to help others better their lives

Some take up baseball, soccer, football or basketball.

Muhsin Corbbrey chose mixed martial arts.

At age 8, his father enrolled him in classes. He stuck with it, and now he has a prestigious professional fighting career.

Things were not always so good for Corbbrey, though.

“Knucklehead” was the term he used to describe the lifestyle he had as a teen. He admits he was lucky not to have ended up in jail or worse.

He credits mixed martial arts for turning it all around.

Today, Corbbrey fights and teaches lessons out of Champions Training Center, located in Savannah.

The gym, which offers lessons starting with little kids all the way through adults, allows Corbbrey a refuge to pass his knowledge onto others.

“Mixed martial arts allows you to focus and set goals for yourself; it’s probably had the biggest impact on my life,” he said. “It’s given me the opportunity to travel the world and to get out of my bubble.”

While Corbbrey is deathly dangerous in the octagon and ring, outside of it he is a proud husband and father.

Corbbrey seeks to pass on his love for MMA to not only his students, but also his kin.

His wife Angie is actually a Golden Gloves boxing champion, and his 4-year-old son, Zafir, is a daily fixture at the gym.

“It (was) really surreal,” Angie Corbbrey said when asked what it was like dating a professional fighter.

“It used to be stressful, but I’m used to it now.”

Unfortunately though, many naysayers out there still view MMA to be a violent sport instead of one that requires incredible discipline. Because of this, some may worry about the impact such a violent sport could have on a young child; Angie Corbbrey is not among them.

“I’d rather our son do this than anything else,” she said.

You may think being a husband, father and fighter would complete a person, But there is still more to Corbbrey; he’s an activist.

While he seeks to build champions, he also seeks to build lives. As a professional MMA fighter, Corbbrey has been given a platform to get his views on how to better our world out in the open.

“Some people still lack basic freedoms and equal opportunities. They need our attention. We have to get out of our own bubbles and realize that we’re all human.”

Because of this, by training at Champions Training Center, one will not only become highly skilled in whatever MMA discipline they chose, but more importantly, they will become a better human being.

“People wish for better things, man. I want to show them there’s a way out.”

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Facebook Birthdays

Image via CrunchBase

I recently had a birthday and this birthday I decided to look at my Facebook Birthday wishes in a different context. We can view this as a Facebook Birthday Case Study. According to Mr. Zuckerberg’s playground (Facebook) I have around 660 some odd friends on Facebook throughout the country. That is pretty impressive considering I only talk to 10 people daily, usually. That 10 almost stays in constant rotation due to my OCD personality to network and meet new people. That was a tangent, the focus of this “case study” is to track how many people would say Happy Birthday on my birthday, what this means to me as a person or a Facebook user and as a small business owner.

We will start with my feelings as a person. Not to be too personal but I am on my second year into my third decade of life. It has been pretty nerve wracking this past year. Change of job, meaning loss of job and entering into the world of entrepreneurship. “Danger Will Robinson, Danger!” is the best way to describe my feelings about this endeavor.

This birthday I was going to change, this year I was going to be present in every moment of my life. This year I was going to engage every Facebook friend, well only those who engage me first, kidding. This year on my birthday I was going to launch my blog and take my event planning business to the next level. This birthday I was going to be a present to myself. After reading this last paragraph, there is plenty on my plate. LOL

My birthday rolls around and I turn on my Facebook alerts to my phone and I am ready, 660 or so emails here we go. The first 30 I was pumped, I was like oh yeah, you like me, you like me, you like me, then I was like who are you, but who cares you like me. At the end of my birthday evening exactly at midnight, I think I ended with 160 or so Happy Birthday comments on my wall. Now we do the math. Out of my 660 friends 160 of them posted Happy Birthday on my wall. Give or take that is 24% of friends said Happy Birthday, yeah! I felt good about this. It was a great feeling, but my mind wonders what is the average? I mean do I send a Facebook message to the 500 others who did not post and say, what the h…, I thought we were friends? Or do I take it for what it is worth, and say Facebook is a medium to track people at a distance and feel like you are still kept abreast of their lives through picture updates and sending them gifts through games. I mean is there Facebook etiquette? Should there be a disclaimer that says if you add me as a friend you better say Happy Birthday darnit or I will not help you build a darn thing in Cityville. You know, I do not know. I am just observing.

Once the Birthday posts all came in and it was time for the Thank You. I had said Thank You several times throughout that day. There was one Thank You I posted that got a fairly decent response. I posted something to the effect, “now only if I could get everyone one to send a dollar with that comment, I would be rich.” Well not rich, but I would have some money in my pocket. A few agreed with the comment, liked it and someone offered to mail a dollar, when in reality it would totally cost them more to mail that dollar instead of sending it through Paypal. I digress. What if we could do that? Let’s be honest, my 660 friends and I are a component of what makes Facebook worth billions. We all know now that plenty of our information is being sold, track, and used for marketing purposes. I mean come on Facebook is the Matrix, except we are not babies feeding on liquid humans with holes throughout our bodies connecting us to a main frame. Instead we are connected to Smart Phones, Panera Wifi (Loves me some Panera Wifi), Xfinity by Comcast, and however you are getting connected. Back to the point, the point is this would it be wrong to say for my birthday, can you Paypal me a dollar, will you like my business, could follow me on twitter, will you subscribe to my blog? Is that wrong?

The end result of my Case Study, is that not to maximize your Facebook friends for no reason, but maximize to change your world or others. I am always humbled when I read someone’s post on my wall, especially when I know we have not talked. It is always touching to know that you like something I am doing. Now, more than ever we should all take our Facebook Birthdays to the next level, ask for that help you need, spread some good news, or just follow through and try to wish all your friends Happy Birthday. It truly does make a difference.

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