Black Enterprise articles from September 2003

Black Enterprise archives from September 2003

Biz plan competition.(Web Features)
September 1, 2003... Need help with your business plan? Visit blackenterprise.com to enter our business plan competition. All entrants will have a chance to win $1,000 or a copy of Business Plan Pro software from PaloAlto and BLACK ENTERPRISE sponsored by Miller...

Looking for a quick summer getaway?(Web Features)
September 1, 2003... Check out our Weekend Adventures Spotlight section sponsored by Audi. You'll find great ideas for quick and exciting trips within driving distance of most major dries around the country So fuel up, pack your bags, and get ready for the...

Resource line.(Web Columns)
September 1, 2003... Whatever your professional or entrepreneurial needs, you can find advice at blackenterprise.com. Interactive Media Editor Lewis' column provides useful resources for business owners, corporate executives, and budding investors. lewisl@...

Purchasing power.(Web Columns)
September 1, 2003... With your hectic lifestyle, browsing for bargains can be a chore. Before you break out your credit card, Associate Editor Sykes will help you get the best bang for your buck. sykest@ blackenterprise.com

Franchise Finder.(Web Tools)(visit: www.blackenterprise.com/franchise)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Want to become an entrepreneur but don't know where to start? Use our FREE Franchise Finder[TM], your ultimate business start-up resource, to locate franchise and business opportunities. Select franchises that interest you based on the category...

Free Microsoft Money 2003.(Web Tools)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... ShareBuilder and blackenterprise.com are offering investors an innovative way to invest online through automatic, recurring, dollar-based investments. With this limited time offer, we'll send you a free copy of Microsoft Money 2003, once...

Let the tribute fit the man.(Publisher's Page)(article about Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr.)(Obituary)
September 1, 2003... African Americans lost a great champion when my dear friend Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr. succumbed to a heart attack in Washington, D.C., this past June. By demanding that African Americans be included in the expansion of Hartsfield...

About this issue.
September 1, 2003... For every major league title won, we are reminded of the tremendous accomplishments of black men in professional sports. There--on the field and on the court--a ball player's talent, natural ability, sportsmanship, and record-breaking feats are...

Sweet inspiration.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... I THOUGHT THE ARTICLE IN YOUR JUNE 2003 issue on Shakoor Watson ["Sweet Freedom," Motivation] was motivational and inspiring. I and many other ex-convicts will attempt to reclaim our lives and rightfully take our place in society as citizens--a...

Excellent read.(Letters)
September 1, 2003... I LOVE YOUR LATEST ISSUE [JUNE 2003]. You did a great job on all fronts. Each profile from each section was informative and eye opening. [The stories reveal] strategies that many entrepreneurs may be using in the future, especially in the field...

Affirmative action upheld: Supreme Court backs use of race as a factor for college admissions.(National News)
September 1, 2003... Affirmative action has won a major legal battle, but not the political war. Although last June the U.S. Supreme Court upheld race-conscious admission practices of the University of Michigan Law School, conservative-sponsored ballot initiatives...

Chapman charged with fraud; SEC claims former B.E. 100s CEO mismanaged pension funds.(BE 100s)(Nathan A. Chapman Jr.)
September 1, 2003... A federal grand jury indicted prominent investment banker Nathan A. Chapman Jr., in June, charging that among other things, he schemed to defraud the State Retirement & Pension System of Maryland, shareholders in his companies and the public....

Stimulus or bust? Although Bush touts tax cut, the B.E. 100s have mixed feelings.(BE 100s)
September 1, 2003... When President George W. Bush signed the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 on May 28th, he waxed positive on the impact it would have on American business. But BE 100s executives have mixed feelings about whether the...

Saving the planet: report debunks myth that African Americans don't care about the environment.(Facts & Figures)
September 1, 2003... When racial discrimination and inadequate education are immediate worries for Africans Americans, environmental welfare isn't a priority--or so says the stereotype. But "Dispelling Old Myths: African American Concern for the Environment," a...

Finding a winning strategy: A.B.A.S.I. members use price limits to minimize losses and maximize stock gains.(Investment Clubhouse)(African Brothers and Sisters Investors)
September 1, 2003... For the members of the African Brothers and Sisters Investors (A.B.A.S.I.), "name your price" is a winning strategy for investing. Most investors don't realize that they can name the amount they're willing to pay for a stock, or that they can...

A golden opportunity: the Neighborhood Gold Program gives hope to first-time buyers.(Real Estate Strategies)
September 1, 2003... After five years of dreaming of buying a home, Andre and Yanira Eames thought they had finally found a way to end the cycle of renting. With seven children, the Eameses agreed to lease a fixer-upper in San Antonio with the intent to buy it...

Keep large and small in the mix: money manager Dawn Alston Paige says diversification makes sense now.(Private Screening)
September 1, 2003... At mid-year 2003, investors were at a crossroads. The market's strong spring seemed to have bulls ready to sharpen their horns for a new run upward, while weak economic signals had bears licking their chops. Dawn Alston Paige, portfolio manager...

A rally deferred: William Young of Buford, Dickson, Harper & Sparrow Inc. needs more time for his momentum strategy.(Stock Update)
September 1, 2003... Unfortunately, the war in Iraq, an anemic economy, and slow consumer spending due to higher unemployment all conspired to dampen the success of William Young's "momentum" investing strategy. The president of Buford, Dickson, Harper & Sparrow...

Profit from flexibility: convertible bond funds offer many of the pluses of stock portfolios with less risk.(Mutual Fund Focus)
September 1, 2003... Convertible bonds were made for times like these. They are a hybrid investment, combining features from both bonds and stocks, which can bolster portfolios in uncertain times. Essentially, convertibles are fixed-income investments that...

Investing too much?(Ask B.E.)
September 1, 2003... Q I am an average guy who puts 10% of my paycheck into my 401(k) plan at work, invests in two Ariel mutual funds, and buys--$100 or $50 bonds every month. My problem is that I only have $100 left after investing and paying my bills. How...

He's still standing: despite loan rejections, this entrepreneur grew his business.(Making It)(William Burton)
September 1, 2003... William Burton was denied bank credit five times, but that didn't stop him from getting his business off the ground. Professional Systems Inc. is a Chicago-based firm that consults, implements, and customizes hardware and software for clients...

Lightening the workload: entrepreneurs should know when it's time to delegate.(Management Advice)
September 1, 2003... Michelle Benjamin, owner of Benjamin Enterprises, an integrated facility support services company headquartered in Middletown, New York, was always a very hands-on entrepreneur and was involved in every aspect of her business, which began as a...

Avoiding a communication breakdown: keeping employees informed benefits business.(Management Advice)
September 1, 2003... At Ariel Capital Management Inc. (No. 1 on the BE ASSET MANAGERS list with $10.3 billion in assets under management), employees can be found attending the weekly Breakfast Club. More important than the food and socializing, the employees learn...

Reaching for the stars: this celebrity stylist learned the hard lessons of business.(Making It)(Gerard Dure)
September 1, 2003... Celebrity hairstylist Gerard Dure doesn't waste time disclosing the secret to his success. "As a man, I know what looks best on a woman," says the weave specialist who dubbed himself "The King of Hair." But despite Dure's claim, it's more than...

Healthcare insurance.(Savvy Solutions)
September 1, 2003... Q I have a home-based business, and I'm thinking about expanding and hiring a staff. I read that healthcare costs might sink my business. What should I do? --D. McKay Atlanta A Well, you're right. Health insurance costs...

Soft landing: James Garrett took a leap of faith and found security.(Black Digerati)
September 1, 2003... When James F. Garrett decided to go hang gliding, he wasn't preparing to jump off a cliff. Instead he left the security of a government job and a guaranteed pension for the free fall of starting his own business, Sentel Corp. (No. 82 on the BE...

They've got the beats; MP3 players let you carry a virtual jukebox on your hip.(B.E. Reviews)(Product/Service Evaluation)
September 1, 2003... If you use a CD walkman for your portable music needs, you,re part of a shrinking majority. The popularity of PCs and the availability of digital music fries has made the choice a no-brainer for many music lovers. Digital music files can...

Networking made easy; three quick tips for setting up a wired connection.(Tech 1-2-3)
September 1, 2003... If you have more than one PC and are tired of inserting floppies to share Files, you might consider a home LAN. It lets you share files among PCs by dragging and dropping them in Windows Explorer--and share a broadband connection, CD drives,...

Second chances.(Cyberwise)
September 1, 2003... Q My business is growing and I need to purchase equipment for two new employees. I've heard I can get great deals by buying refurbished equipment. But isn't this risky for a small business? --T. Smith Via the Internet A For...

The dress code: how, business style is communicated.(Making Connections)
September 1, 2003... Today, business style means being ready for anything. A typical day for a female executive could begin by deplaning from business class and heading straight to a client meeting, then leaving a conference to meet associates for cocktails. ...

A reason to smile: oral surgeon knows how make patients feel good in her chair.(Career At A Glance)(Dr. Ngozi Etufugh)
September 1, 2003... Out of 6,000 board certified oral surgeons, Dr. Ngozi says approximately 100 are women, and refers to her personal pursuit of becoming one as a series of triumphs: being awarded the first dental scholarship by the Colgate Palmolive Foundation...

Get it straight.(Since You Asked ...)
September 1, 2003... Q I am a female in my early 30s seeking fulfilling work that opens my creativity. I was a business major but I want to go back to college for all creative classes: dance, music, painting, etc. What type of work can I get taking these...

National Black MBA Association.(On The Move)(appointment of Jacqueline Adams)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Jacqueline Adams has been elected president and CEO of the National Black MBA Association in Chicago. Her responsibilities include a multicity travel itinerary where she will meet with local chapter leadership, and corporate and business school...

Oracle Corp.(On The Move)(appointment of Charles Philips as an executive vice president)
September 1, 2003... Charles Philips is the new executive vice president in the office of the CEO at Oracle Corp. in Redwood Shores, California. As a member of Oracle's executive management committee, Phillips will focus on customer activities, partners, corporate...

Texas state securities board.(On The Move)(appointment of Bryan K. Brown)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Bryan K. Brown has been appointed by Gov. Rick Perry and confirmed by the Texas state senate to serve on the Texas state securities board. The board serves to protect Texas investors against investment fraud and to encourage capital formation...

National Institutes of Health.(On The Move)(appointment of Raynard S. Kington M.D.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Raynard S. Kington M.D. has been appointed deputy director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, in Bethesda, Maryland. His responsibilities include management and scientific strategic...

University of Pittsburgh.(On The Move)(appointment of Livingston Alexander as president of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Livingston Alexander has been appointed president of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. He is responsible for faculty hiring, the university budget, student enrollment, and the physical facility. Alexander is the former provost and vice...

Convention calendar.
September 1, 2003... * The National Africa, American Speakers Association September 5-7, 2003 Cleveland 708-747-2219 www.4naasa.org * Urbanworld Film Festival September 17-21, 2003 New York City 212-941-3845 ...

Striving to be a millionaire: Charles Glass is studying hard to get his Ph.D. in wealth building; Glass, an assistant professor at Howard University, is trying to become a millionaire before he reaches 40.(Black Wealth Initiative)
September 1, 2003... IF ANYONE COULD DEVISE A MATHEMATICAL FORMULA for becoming a millionaire before age 40, it's Charles Glass. The 31-year-old Howard University professor earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Colorado, where he conducted...

Budgeting for a future: DeShawn James hopes a carefully crafted financial plan will play big dividends to her family.(Family Finances)
September 1, 2003... FOR DESHAWN JAMES, RAISING TWO TEENAGE DAUGHters as a single mother is more than a notion. Their needs and wants never go away. "They are money pits," she says lovingly. Her own issues with sticking to a budget sometimes make matters worse. ...

The ultimate champion for black business.(Tribute)(Maynard Holbrook Jackson Jr.)(Obituary)(Biography)
September 1, 2003... IN 1973 MAYNARD JACKSON EMERGED ON THE SCENE WHEN HE WAS ELECTED THE FIRST BLACK MAYOR OF ATLANTA AND BECAME A NATIONAL FORCE IN BUSINESS AND POLITICS. OVER THE NEXT 30 YEARS, HE USED HIS PROWESS TO BREAK THE OLD BOYS NETWORK'S HOLD ON...

Franchises that fit: looking for a business opportunity that matches your passion and pocketbook? Try these hot and affordable franchises on for size.(Franchise Opportunities)
September 1, 2003... BOEING 737s AREN'T THE ONLY THINGS FLYING HIGH AT THE LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL Airport these days. So are the sales at Cinnabon. That's good news for Clarence Daniels, president and CEO of Concession Management Services Inc., a food and...

Maintaining and protecting your home: from insurance to landscaping, caring for your house will increase its value.(B.E. Guide To Homeownership--Part 3)
September 1, 2003... SINCE PURCHASING THEIR HOME TWO YEARS AGO, CORA AND Cary Johnson have done close to $10,000 worth of property improvements that have increased the value of their home by $100,000. "We paid $275,000 [for our home], and recently we were offered...

Fashion forward: how business style really works.(Executive Style)(style tips from Janet "Jazz" Armstrong, Max L. Siegel and Janice Corley-Blaney)
September 1, 2003... Any successful business meeting involves a desired outcome, a well-planned script, a stellar delivery--and the right attire. It may not be "all about image" as pop culture dictates, but how professionals present themselves physically is a key...

Franchise players: NBA execs Steve Mills and Terdema Ussery score as two of the industry's hottest front-office players. Will one gain the ultimate prize of NBA commissioner?(B.E. Corporate Executives Of The Year)(Biography)
September 1, 2003... TERDEMA USSERY CAN EASILY BE SPOTTED at a Dallas Mavericks home game. Standing behind the scorer's desk in a business suit, the CEO's attention regularly shifts between the on-court action and the goings-on in the arena itself--aware of the...

African American golf magazine defies tradition.(Special supplement: golf & tennis challenge)(African American Golfers Digest)
September 1, 2003... Black-owned businesses at all levels are rebuilding their organizations to meet the demands of an increasingly turbulent economic landscape. While many BE 100 companies are overhauling their businesses to thrive amid market difficulties, one...

Raising a star: family values underscore James Blake's success in tennis and life.(Special supplement: golf & tennis challenge)(Biography)
September 1, 2003... During the month of June, James Blake made his way into publications as diverse as O The Oprah Magazine, GQ, and Teen Vogue. It seems everyone--including middle-aged women, stylish gentleman, and teenaged girls--love watching the rising tennis...

From the boardroom to the links: East Lake Golf Course selects AT&T's Ray M. Robinson to run operations.(Special supplement: golf & tennis challenge)
September 1, 2003... In May, Ray M. Robinson was named president of Atlanta's East Lake Golf Club, a facility whose rebirth in the early 1990s attests to the power of community, government, and corporate cooperation. In his new position, Robinson is charged with...

Citizens Trust Bank.(Golf & Tennis Challenge)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... In addition to his new position, in May 2003, Ray M. Robinson was also named chairman of Citizens Trust Bank, a historic African American institution founded in 1921 currently occupying the No. 5 spot on the BE BANK list. Robinson was named to...

Black agents: mastering a new game.(Golf & Tennis Challenge)
September 1, 2003... You must have a player to get in the game. How's that for straight-forward advice on breaking into the competitive field of sports representation? This simple truth is not lost on the legions of aspiring power agents nationwide who find...

Selecting the "right" franchise.(Special Advertising Section)
September 1, 2003... For many people, the dream of financial independence starts with owning a franchise. But selecting the "right" franchise is not a simple task. According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), the leading trade association for the...

From welfare to Wall Street: Margo Robinson relied on prayer and pure grit to become a financial guru.(Guts & Glory)(founder of Robinson Financial Group)(Biography)
September 1, 2003... Margo Robinson has one of those lives littered with ups and downs, fits and starts, and before and after snapshots that speak volumes about her verve and tenacity. At 50, the journey has taken her from being a single mother on welfare to the...

Do something: your actions, however small, can make a big difference.(Common Ground)
September 1, 2003... About a year ago, a friend of mine found out she had cancer A dynamic, executive, loving wife, and mother, she's a rare gem who revels in her southern roots, designer tastes, and down-home sensibilities. When she called with the news, I...

And still I rise.(Help Yourself)(plans on investing in real estate and becoming a consultant and motivational speaker)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Q I'm a 25-year-old, single parent who works 45-plus hours a week at my day job. Within the past six months I've developed a great passion for learning about and investing in real estate. My long-term goal is to become a...

Give and take: renegotiating with lenders doesn't have to be a daunting task.(Consumer Life)
September 1, 2003... Good credit goes a long way. Ask Delores Cante a private banking associate for Wells Fargo Bank. After a period of unemployment several years ago, she leveraged her clean credit slate to renegotiate the terms of a loan. "I'd had my car...

Buy one, get one free: how to use supermarket savings to slash your budget.(Secret Savings)
September 1, 2003... Neville Bonitto, of Brooklyn, New York, always knows if the price is right. "People at work come up to me and ask me what's on sale and I usually know," he says. Bonitto, a 41-year-old corrections officer; regularly clips coupons, takes...

It's yours, claim it! How to find unclaimed property.(Priceless Resources)
September 1, 2003... Unclaimed financial assets such as inheritances, tax refunds, or money from previous bank accounts or employers may be waiting for you or someone you know. For instance, P. Taylor of Florida claimed more than $3,000 this year after...

Mistaken identity.(Ask Your Advocate)(answer about debt collection rules)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Q I keep getting harassing phone calls from a creditor who is looking for my mother. She does not live with me and has never lived with me. I've never dealt with anything like this. Is there anything can do about this constant harassment?...

Saddle up: Tammie L. McKnight grabs the reins for a national rodeo competition.(Personal Passions)
September 1, 2003... When your horse takes off, the acceleration can literally pop your back. And the feeling that you get when she's changing gears is a high you can't explain to anyone," beams Tammie L. McKnight as she describes her favorite pastime--barrel...

Jet set to St. Barths: and then just relax.(Travelogue)(St. Barthelemy in the French West Indies)
September 1, 2003... From St. Maarten, it's a ten-minute flight with memorable views--the calm, turquoise sea, barren volcanic rocks jutting out of the water at rakish angles, ships cruising the Lesser Antilles. And those are just the first eight minutes. The final...

Fixed time: Robert Gooden tells you what you need to know about servicing a fine watch.(In Fashion)(of Walter Gooden Inc.)
September 1, 2003... Fine watches are more than great accessories: They're investments that can become heirlooms. As one watch manufacturer's advertising slogan states, you never actually own it; "you merely look after it for the next generation." That's why...

Destination Dallas: DeDe McGuire shows us around.(City Profiles)
September 1, 2003... Home to the NFL's Cowboys and the NBA's Mavericks, Dallas, Texas, has a solid sports reputation. It's also an important business center. According to the online career source guide WetFeet, Dallas is expected to lead the U.S. in employment...

The right wine: Curtis Greene gives us the new rules for fine wine.(The Enthusiast)
September 1, 2003... What makes a great wine? Of course, classification, region, and variety of grape are all weighty influences. With more than 5,000 wine labels available for retail sale in the U.S., selections should be dictated by personal taste. "It's just...

Time to register: the Ski Challenge is coming.(B.E./AXA Advisors Ski Challenge)
September 1, 2003... Just when you thought the fun was over, BLACK ENTERPRISE combines excellent networking opportunities with great winter fun at the 2004 Black Enterprise/AXA Advisors Ski Challenge. It takes place Feb. 11-16 at the Vail Cascade Resort & Spa in...

Discussing our financial state of affairs.(Next Month)
September 1, 2003... Ariel Mutual Funds and Charles Schwab released a survey earlier this summer showing that as of January and February, "a significant percentage of African Americans" were opting out of investing aggressively into 401(k) stocks. They prefer to...

Mixing books with business.(about this issue)
September 1, 2003... It's the first day of school. Signs reading "Welcome Back Students!" are plastered all over the walls. You'd rather be chillin' with your crew at the mall or catchin' some rays at the beach. Then reality hits. Your algebra teacher wants you to...

Sensational!(Teenpreneur letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Teenpreneur is sensational! This magazine was given to my 17-year-old daughter. I happened to see it lying around and picked it up to read. It is absolutely wonderful. I am excited about teens trying to better themselves. Keep up the good...

Sister CEOs.(Teenpreneur letters)
September 1, 2003... I love Teenpreneur. As a young, black entrepreneur, it is very inspiring to read about so many other young entrepreneurs who are working hard to achieve their goals. Between classes, [my sister and I] find time to operate our company,...

Charting a course for success.(Teenpreneur letters)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... I subscribe to BLACK ENTERPRISE and distribute your articles to my staff and students. I am the founding principal of [a] new charter secondary school whose focus is [on] social entrepreneurship. Students at Wilson Prep are taught how to...

A lesson learned: how has your experience as an entrepreneur made you a better student?(holla back!)(Robert Murphy owner of Murphy's Productions)
September 1, 2003... "When I was younger I gave teachers and students trouble. I wrote a book on Christ, which changed me, and now I'm doing the right things in school. I don't talk back to teachers anymore, and my grades have improved. It's also helped me learn...

Blackgirl rules! Publisher Kenya James wins our 2003 Teenpreneur of the Year award.(entrepreneurship)
September 1, 2003... Kenya Jordana James knows African American girls are rarely represented in the magazines they read. So, the natural-born innovator created a publication that does just that. Blackgirl Magazine shows African American girls at their best....

Putting pen to paper: teen publisher uses poetry to touch hearts.(entrepreneurship)(Jarad Badger founder of Badger's Productions)
September 1, 2003... For three years in a row, Jarad Badger submitted his poems to a writing competition sponsored by the Children's Entrepreneurial Opportunities Academy Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee. Although they weren't selected, his passion for writing and...

Teen decorating diva: a designer turns cluttered corners into dream spaces.(entrepreneurship)(Alexis Tiara Hudson)
September 1, 2003... Alexis Tiara Hudson is, to put it simply, gifted. The 17-year-old CEO of Lexica Interior Design is able to transform a boring bedroom into a soothing sleeping space and cluttered quarters into a stylish abode. "When I was younger, I watched...

The master negotiator: how to use the power of persuasion to raise dollars.(handle your business)(17-year-old Amelia Landreth, negotiating for funds to pay for varsity and junior high basketball teams)
September 1, 2003... It's a sure bet that you've mastered the art of persuading your parents to give you cash to buy whatever your heart desires--whether it's the newest Play Station II game or a CD. But can you convince someone to invest money in your fledgling...

A high-flying time: Ronald Mays zips through the air with jets of his own.(v.i.peeps)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Ronald Mays is soaring on cloud nine. He has a super-successful business, was named CLACK ENTERPRISE'S 2002 Emerging Company of the Year, and he's on his way to starting a commercial airline. In 2000, Mays, 39, launched Montgomery Jet...

Aerobatic ace: young pilot flies plane that's smaller than a car!(teen passions)(Jamail Larkins)
September 1, 2003... Imagine yourself flying your own plane, owning a successful business, and being a national spokesman. Nineteen-year-old Jamail Larkins didn't just dream about accomplishing all of these things. He took his head out of the clouds and did them....

The 2003 Teenpreneur money guide: the best online resources and organizations for financial literacy, what they have to offer, and how you can tap into them.(ready, set, start)
September 1, 2003... Bank Jr. www.bankjr.com How much money is there in the whole world? It's hard to tell, says "Ask Mark" of Bank Jr.com. He does say that the gross world product--which is the total of every country's wealth--was a whopping $47 trillion...