Match Made in Cyber
The tri-state
region went from chilly-spring to midsummer-like weather all in the month of
May. Soon summer love madness will be in
full effect before June is out. Do you
have your options to meet your spouse-to-be or a summer amour? Many people choose cyberspace to connect with
those special “someones”.
The pioneer of
web romance connections is Match.com.
Going live in 1995, Match.com still offers online and face-to-face local
events. Quantcast.com, the digital
advertising company, estimates 120.5 million Americans visit the site per
month. 77% identify as Caucasian; 9% as
African American; 9% as Hispanic; and 5% as Asian or Other. If a subscriber has challenges in waxing
dynamic statements to catch the imagination of prospects, Match.com has Profile
Pro® that assigns writers to be the Cyrano de Bergerac for them.
Chemistry.com is
Match’s sophisticated sister site.
Here subscribers take personality tests, write profile essays; and
receive Chemistry Coaching to improve social skills. Dr. Helen Fisher is the in-house
psychologist. While Quantcast.com
estimates “84.6 thousand Americans visit this site monthly”, Chemistry.com boasts
having “over 13 million people worldwide who completed the personality test.”
Apparently having
a psychologist on staff adds to creditability.
e-Harmony.com is founded by Dr. Neil Warren who established “the 29
Dimensions of Capability”.
PerfectMatch.com relies on Dr. Pepper Schwartz and her Duet® Total
Compatibility. Zoosk, the tidal wave that swept the online dating and social
networking scene in 2006, doesn’t trumpet a Ph.D. but uses “Behavioral
Matchmaking”. Why is Zoosk the tidal wave
? “Over 40 million people globally log
onto to it and it has 12.5 million Facebook Likes.
Zoosk is
“available in 25 languages and subscribers in over 70 countries”. As opposed to finding long-term, committed
relationships, Zoosk positions itself as “a fun and social online dating
experience”. Zoosk offers a Facebook
dating app, a Mobile dating app, a singles chat, and video messaging. These offerings can keep things flirty and
non-tactile.
Dr. Julie
Spooner, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, practicing in Brooklyn, recognizes the
value of such sites. “As a clinician I
have recommended it to people who have trouble meeting people. I don’t suggest it to everyone. If I see that the person can’t meet others,
[I present it as a means] to exponentially increase the number of people to
meet”.
If the income
levels and educational attainment of subscribers to four of the reviewed sites
are factual, then roughly 57% of subscribers have completed undergraduate
studies and did some graduate studies.
Most are prosperous with six-figure incomes. Is this truth or ‘rubbery’ truth?
Dr. Spooner
“encourages moving to the telephone and then moving to the face-to-face
meeting. You shouldn’t interact
exclusively online. The voice and facial
expressions are not there for intimate communication”. Zoosk tries to keep things transparent by
virtue of its parent Facebook. One need
only visit FB profiles. Dr. Lisa
Orbé-Austin, Ph.D., a partner in Dynamic Transitions Psychological Consulting,
LLP, also sees the value in online dating and has clients who share the good
and bad aspects of it. The bad being
where “some women are surprised by men that were simply interested in a
physical relationship. However, they
later realized that it’s a function of the particular site to which they were
subscribed”.
Some people
reject the online scene. Take Hapi
Kamenthu, Merr (director) of The Earth Center of Maanu, in New York. She believes it would be “disastrous” if
online dating were to eclipse face-to-face as the first choice in the initial
meeting between people. “It would be
disastrous because the modern educational system doesn’t teach people about themselves
and their roles in life. Traditionally,
[people] will do extensive family background checks”. Dr. Orbé-Austin doesn’t see it eclipsing
face-to-face but, “thinks that online dating will be one of the primary ways
that people meet. This is not a
conversation that I was having with my clients 10 years ago, but now it’s a
very normal part of the dating discussion.”
Labels: African Americans, business, Hispanics, marriage, online dating, social media, social networking
You Heard the One About Grants for Businesses?
Though traditional lending institutions such as commercial banks are reluctant to make loans to new businesses, there are other avenues for capital formation to consider. The most important thing is not to go out on a limb without at the very least holding a part-time job. Money fuels the business, so have a source. Please read below about funding misconceptions and the means to pool capital.
• The Foundation Center has a statement on its website that foundations don’t fund business start up or expansion. Rather, there is giving to individuals for research, artistic projects, or small community projects. You can still do due diligence to uncover where are the millions of dollars for women/entrepreneurs at The Foundation Center.
• If your enterprise is a social venture (i.e., having a strong charitable component), there are foundations that do Program Related Investments.
• The federal government, especially the US Small Business Administration, doesn’t give grants to businesses.
• There are business plan competitions with cash awards in the thousands. Using Brooklyn as an example, the Brooklyn Business Library has the annual PowerUp! Competition and the Local Development Corporation of East New York’s Women’s Business Center sponsors an annual competitions.
• ACCION USA and Women’s Venture Fund offer microloans with low interest rates.
• With a viable business plan, an emerging business can present itself to angel investors--silent investors-- and venture capitalists--give business directives--who give money to hot emerging enterprises.
• Crowd funding is an online funding platform that permit many people to make small donations or awards to a project. This form of capital formation has become a global phenomenon. Popular crowd funding sites in the US include Kickstarter.com, Indiegogo.com and Rockethub.com). At first it was limited to nonprofits and charitable organizations but things have changed. Visit this particular page on OPEN forum--which in itself is another important business resource--for pointers. http://www.openforum.com/articles/9-steps-for-getting-kickstarter-dollars
• You can use LinkedIn or Facebook where you establish a page for the business and then, add a campaign. With Facebook, people would ‘like” you to get a discount, a free download, or a coupon for a free item. You can also create a Facebook ad that's seen on other Facebook pages. This is much cheaper than other forms of advertising. LinkedIn has Direct Ads campaigns that you can use to raise funds for your business. Check this link to learn what US Rep.Patrick McHenry is doing to include crowd funding to drive capital formation in the US: http://mchenry.house.gov/crowdfunding/
• Cash Mobs are people agreeing to converge on a particular store for one day to shop. The arrangements are done through social media. The members of the “Mob” agree to a dollar amount each will spend at the place. Cash Mobs arose to support the small locally-owned retailer feeling the crunch of the big-box retailer. To learn more about it click this link: http://www.cashmob.com/
• Getting certified with NYC Small Business Services, NYS Empire State Development Corp, Port Authority of NY & NJ, etc as a Minority/Woman-Owned Enterprise brings many services to a business. New York City has a several great programs to advance a business, one being procurement assistance.
• The tried and true models for funding start ups include having a job; revolving loan funds; lines of credit; loan or bond guarantees (lowers interest rates); the Su-Su, and owner’s equity.
• Finally, There are places that give to businesses; however, the awards tend to be small. Visit www.womensnet.net to apply for The Amber Grant (up to $1,500) and www.peachic.com to apply for a grant ranging $500 - $1,000.
Labels: business, capital formation, equity
Recent occurrences have me share a personal story rather than my usual news stories. Know that the six degrees of separation exist in your life. Everything you need and want will come through people you know or suddenly become acquainted with. This occurs for me time and time again. My fault has been not to act on what is presented.
A case in point, I developed a food preparation workshop series and I'm currently marketing it to senior centers in New York City. During the development stage, I called one center director Debra Holland and two program coordinators Mr. Chew and Mr. Boyd. My intent was to determine interest and see what needed to be part of the workshop. My conversation with Ms. Holland was turned around. She wanted me to have the answers and a fully fleshed program because this is what she's done before for her membership and planned to do in the next round of funding. She gave me a deadline to submit a document to her. I submitted earlier. She liked what she saw and said she'd tell other center directors about Tasty Food is Our Healthy Medicine workshops series. I followed the workshop description with a flyer.
This wasn't six degrees; it was one degree of separation. My conversation with the program coordinators uncovered that Mr. Boyd's director was collaborating with Ms. Holland to complete their respective refunding applications. Mr. Chew accepted the flyer and description. He said we could schedule after February.
Due to learning about the refunding application, I went to the Dept. for the Aging website to read the RFP. It revealed that health promotions is an essential service at senior centers wherein programs have to detail how they will actualize health education, physical education and nutrition.
The RFP was partially available, providing the first ten pages through download. The budget proposal and its instructions weren't available. That gave me the opportunity to contact the ACCO to ask questions and promote the workshop series.
Other similar situations have occurred for me. They all start by me thinking about a project and writing a framework. Within days, I receive an email or have a conversation that brings me much closer to realizing the idea. Please keep visioning, writing your ideas and be in a state of mindfulness in your walk through life habits. And, of course, share with others.
Labels: business, collaboration, intuition, marketing
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Green Thoughts for Green Backs
My
business is still operating because early 2008 a national nonprofit involved in
healthcare improvement approached me to do community outreach within the five boroughs. By late 2009 we executed a three-year contract.
Prior to that connection, I got certified as MBE for NYC, NYS and the Port Authority of NY & NJ. I also registered with many NYC agencies' vendor online procurement systems; e.g., Dept of Education and NYC Housing Authority. Doing these things keep RFPs and Bid notices arriving in my email.
I maintain my
Web site; however, I must step up advertising in professional magazines and event journals.
I recently signed with an e-newsletter service. This has kinks in it but keeping a presence is important.
To keep my name in the public and keep my mind organized and sharpened, I write for the
NY Amsterdam News.
What is key for every entrpreneur is to learn about green economy opportunities. Will installing solar panels, full spectrum light bulbs, conducting energy audits, promoting earth-friendly cleaners and paints be where your business has to move into? Will you coordinate a panel discussion, do a newsletter, or host a workshop on health & beauty using fruit- and vegetable-based products to stay alive and thriving?
Reinvention, modification and morphing are words that have to do with environmental adaptation. The smart survive. The great ape is mighty and she is smart enough to live in the mountains, eating the vegetation and away from humans.
Labels: business, entrepreneur, environment, green economy
The Brooklyn business community has one of their own to champion commerce through Carl Hum, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce CEO and president. Did he have visions of thriving shopping corridors and industrial parks as a boy playing in Sunset Park? Maybe not immediately but his career path was decidedly an interest in economic development by the time he was a young man.
A BA from Wesleyan University, majoring in Social Studies and a JD from Fordham University School of Law, gave Hum the credentials to serve as a financial analyst for New York City Council where he studied the impact of the city’s economic development strategy on local communities. He switched to the nonprofit sector to work at South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation as the director of Economic Development. Perhaps a six-year stint with the New York County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting felony cases and member of the Domestic Violence Unit had him know the business sector was his mission. Hum joined the Mayor’s Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses, January 2005, as director where sixteen industrial business zones were created during his term and administered New York City’s eleven empire zones. In two years he developed industry-specific tax credits and skillfully offered State tax credits to spur business and job development.
When he learned of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce president vacancy, he had to respond to the opportunity to grow and advocate for business in Brooklyn. What did it matter that the first economic bumps occurred when he came on board, September 2007. One year and a half as president and CEO, Hum speaks determinedly for support of small businesses because they are the major employers in Brooklyn as is the case throughout America. “The challenge for this period is making sure entrepreneurs are confident in the market to start their own business,” explains Hum. “Even as we go through downsizing and restructuring, we have to look at it as growth for the future.”
Growth for the future involves evaluating how business has been conducted and “uncovering opportunities in the downturn.” Similar to other business executives Hum asks that business consider “what is the investment proposition and the social value [of any venture.]” It sounds as if sober business analysis forever replaces frenzied investment in the latest consumer whim.
As small business champion, Hum is pleased to re-launch the Brooklyn Labor Market Review, the fall of 2008. The review studies the last recession during 2001 – 2003 wherein Brooklyn’s diverse ethnic populations and business is explored as well as the fact that of the 186,000 jobs lost in New York City only 5,000 were from Brooklyn. “The next Brooklyn Labor Market Review will reveal how thing shake out in this current recession,” quips Hum. “An immediate initiative,” says Hum, “is ensuring that the business community isn’t overtaxed or burdened by the city’s budgetary measures. Brooklyn needs to be business-friendly.”
Labels: Brooklyn, business, Carl Hum
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For a Beat, a Rhythm and Melody
Digital Music Forum East, held Feb. 26-27, 2008, is an industry event co-sponsored by
Digital Media Wire and
Consumer Electronics Association that discusses the profits from the want of a beat, a rhythm and melody. Powerhouse executives from Napster,
AOL Black Voices, SONY BMG,
Bluhammock Music,
Wired magazine, MP3tunes,
Definitive Jux, Microsoft and
Epic Records expressed their views on how to best meet audiences and keep the sales rolling in.
The definition of digital music went from “CD audio that’s digitally remastered from a analogue master” to music stored in the clouds. The younger the consumers, the more likely their music is stored in the clouds—i.e., downloaded to iPods, mobile devices and laptops—rather than found in CD jewel cases.
The
Museum of Jewish Heritage on Battery Place has the space, style and technology to accommodate the panels and one-on-one interviews. Audience members sent text messages that were displayed on a side screen rather than form a line behind a microphone. The event planners knew that the thought leaders sat on both sides of the dais; so there were many networking breaks.
One House’s managing director Jim Griffin did a friendly keynote interview with maverick
Michael Robertson, founder of MP3.com. Robertson recently launched
MP3tunes Music Locker, an online tool to auto synchronize music to all devices, in April. Many point fingers at Robertson for breaking the tradition of selling a physical music product and opening the floodgates to music delivered through the Internet—paid and shared. Robertson’s big question that the courts still wrestle with is, “Who is the owner of music once it’s purchased by the consumer?” Does a record, tape or CD buyer have the right to do with her property as she sees fit?
The panel called
The Kids Are Alright: The Tween, Teen and College Market dealt with the age groups most comfortable with having their entertainment and news up in the clouds. Panelists included
NARM president Jim Donio, Ruckus Entertainment CEO Mike Bebel, Razor and Tie’s Edith Bellinghausen and journalist-turned-author Matt Mason (The Pirate Dilemma: How Youth Culture Reinvented Capitalism). Aram Sinnreich of
Radar Research tried to breathe fresh air on this panel that fell into side conversations. The pearls formed from this discussion came from Jim Donio who said “Redirect the sales focus from the music to the iPod, MP3 player, phone or lap top used to watch and hear the music.” Matt Mason agreed by saying,”It’s the concert, ringtone and advertising that are the music industries' revenue streams.”
Major label executives gave the floor over to independent labels after one and three-quarter days of dominance.
The Indie Takeover? panel featured Mitchell Volk of ADA,
Definitive Jux co-founder Amaechi Uzoigwe and Jaylaan Ahmad-Llewellyn, owner of
Bluhammock Music. Ahmad-Llewellyn noted that digital music was a cheaper, greener proposition compared to petroleum-based DVDs, Blu Ray or CDs. Among Uzoigwe’s insights was the concern for
Net Neutrality. “Left unchecked, the many tariffs charges to access the Internet would serve as barriers for smaller corporations." Volk did an extensive statistical review of independent label play and sales power.
Labels: business, digital music, independent labels, Internet, iPod, MP3, music, tweens
There's Still No Such Thing as a Free Lunch
Just as multilevel schemes, once called pyramids, come and go, there's an ebb and flow for the search for grants by small businesses. Over the holiday, I heard two people talking about needing a hedge for retirement. One person was retired from the federal government--USPS--and saw her funds shrinking monthly. She was in her 70's. If she continued to live, her pension would not be her sustenance. She spoke about a business seminar she attended where it was explained how to make money on the Internet. I entered their conversation to ask whether the presenters talked about
search engine optimization or
search engine marketing. If you're doing e-commerce you needed the methods for driving traffic to your site. The elder said that they weren't discussed.
They resumed their conversation. The retiree was alerted to government grants for businesses. There are no grants for businesses. There are loans, lines of credit, investment pools, business plan competitions and investors but there aren't federal grants. I entered the conversation again to explain grants are possibilities for incorporated nonprofits with IRS recognition. The elder did have a connection with an existing nonprofit. Would they solve her shrinking nest egg?It is in her best interest to secure alternate streams of income. A part time job or a business with which she has familiarity are feasible. Vending merchandise might be the answer. If she has any excess funds, she ought to consider emerging portfolio management firms. These are the smaller investment houses and brokerages that have fire in the belly. There was a breakfast meeting called "Access Capital" Monday, January 7, 2008 at
Rainbow Push Coalition's Annual
Wall Street Project Economic Summit. The name is long but the heart of it is these smaller firms--many minority-owned--have the talent and knowledge to grow your money. Stacked up against S & P, according to Larry Jones, executive vice president for
Northern Trust, the smallest firms' returns were 1.46 to 1.33 times higher.
Joseph Haslip, assistant NYC comptroller for pensions, stated his office allocates millions of dollars into these emerging managing programs because of good returns.
Labels: business, economics, investing, pensions, retirement, society, structural inequalities
Vendors' World
Some die-hard vendors invited me to work with them to learn the trade. I found that it is lucrative and a means to grow an empire. The empire is there only if you have a plan. Many vendors deal with the enterprise on its elemental level, though. It's a pity.
My days of traveling to suburban schools, churches and malls were eye-opening. I saw, on-the-ground, the state of the US' economy. Visitors to the shows deliberated over spending $10, $15 and $20 on items. Though the merchnadise was pricetagged, people hoped for a bargain. Even $5 and $3 rings were studied. The veteran vendors repeatedly stated, "Last time this year we made 2 to 3 times more." I noticed too much bashing of customer behavior--right within people's earshot. Forgive me, I learned to sell at a top radio station in D.C.--WHUR-FM. I stuffed media kits, updated rate cards, studied Arbitron ratings and went out with the AEs. There wasn't time for bashing clients; we were thinking of the presents to give them and ensuring spots aired when promised. Did these vendors know they were watering their crop with vinegar?
The beauty of vending is that it's unadulterated retail. You set up your temporary shop, turn on the credit card processing machine, consider your prices and do a lot of smiling at strangers. I was a very active vendor, helping people try on merchandise, holding the mirror and answering questions. The woman I vended for doesn't believe in mark up and mark down. I spoke to her about inventory but she doesn't mind that she holds stuff for years. Many vendors read books, talk on their cell phones or fix broken merchandise. One venue was a killer: 8 am to 11 pm. I didn't know I had the stamina. One night at 11 o'clock, a woman came over to me as I was about to cover the display. She had a blouse in her hand and searching for the right ear rings and necklace. Was she for real? Yes, after twenty minutes of laying different ear rings and necklaces on the blouse, she made her purchase with me. It turns out she was the mall manager.
Labels: business, lifestyle, society
