®

What Can
We Do To
Keep Our
Children
Safe?
Robyn Crigger
August
is the time for
play and fun
Marcie Williams-Browing

Comfort
is always
in Fashion
Character
is the Key
Loretta Cozard
From the publisher Mimi Zelman

Dear Readers,

The last few weeks have been sad for me

personally. I am saying this because all that has
happened has reminded me life is very precious
and we should not take a second for granted!

On a brighter note, lots of good things are happening

with Women With Know How. We will be
sponsoring a fashion show on Thursday September
16 at 4pm at the Southern Women’s Show.

Fashions will be featured by Janakos and Claudia

“
Phillips. Come see From The Office To The Party and
great accessories for fall! We also are sponsoring
a workshop at the show on Friday the 17, 3:30 pm.
Maggie Deller, of The Deller Group will be talking
about Cultural Diversity in the workplace.
Life is very
precious and For tickets to the Southern Women’s Show contact
we should not

”
me. I will give 10 tickets each, to the first 3 new
clients who sign an advertising agreement for a
take a second 6 - 12 month contract in our magazine.
for granted
If you are not taking advantage of advertising
in this publication, you are missing a great
opportunity to promote your business and
connecting with other women.

Thank you for all your support!

Mimi

2
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 COntents

Features

8 22 28 30
Cover Story Family Food Professional
Loretta Cozart Comfort is Delicious Updates Spotlight
Always in Fashion for a Kitchen Classic Robyn Crigger

Departments
Management 6 Legal Issues 24
Robyn Crigger Mitzi Kincaid, Attorney at Law

Communication 14 Personal FOrecast 26

Janet Anderson Marcie Williams-Browing

Your Career 18 Relationship 34

Mary Cantando Mary Elizabeth Murphy

Young Entrepreneur 20 Inner creative 38

Kim Hughes Cristina Cassidy

3
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 ® ®

Announcing
Our New
Online Store Serving Charlotte
You know your stuff,
now show the world! and Charleston
Publisher/President
Whether you’re heading to your company’s board Mimi L. Zelman
meeting or your daughter’s soccer practice, you’ll mimi@womenwithknowhow.com
be stylin’ when you show the world that you are a Creative Director, Graphic Design
Woman With Know-how. SPARK Publications
Fabi@SPARKpublications.om
We’ve handpicked a select group of items all in Feature Writer/Copy Editor
rich black, to showase the gorgeous fuchsia pink Cristina Cassidy
and silver metallic embroidered message that tells Director of wwkh elite
everyone you are truly a woman to be reckoned with. Margo Lord
Margo@womenwithknowhow.com
www.womenwithknowhow.com Contributing Writers
Mary Cantando
Mary Elizabeth Murphy
Marcie Williams- Browning
Robyn Crigger
Janet Anderson
of Anderson PC Training
Kim Hughes
of 704events.com
Charleston
Contact Mimi Zelman
704-491-1207
mimi@womenwithknowhow.com
For more advertising information call
Mimi at 704-491-1207 or email her at:
mimi@womenwithknowhow.com
Copyright ©2010

Cover photography: by Episode XI Studios, LLC

4
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Management Robyn Crigger, CEO Compass Career Management Solutions–OI Partners Inc.

What Can We Do To
Keep Our Children Safe?
We all need to be working
together to keep our communities safe

M
ost of us watch the also seen parents forget their children in
news and note the many the back seat of their cars, which exposes
negative events and these young children to intense heat. How
experiences happening across awful a death for anyone!
our nation, not to mention around
the world. Neighborhood Streets
In most neighborhoods, parents will
People disappearing from work, schools, allow their children to play in their
homes, etc. In one instance, parents front yards and in the neighborhood
are being blamed for their missing child. streets without supervision. Young
Families begin doubting each other. In elementary school children are known
the past, no parent would have ever to be so involved in playing a game that
considered harming their own they don’t see or notice a car coming.
child. What is happening to Though the driver should be watching
I N F O
M ORE pass
our society?
m
the road, shouldn’t the child’s parent be
c. – Co ent
ners In
OI Part eer Managem
watching their children?
Car ns
Solutio There was a time when
er.com
o m p a sscare 0
www.c 04) 849-25 er.com
(7
0
scare
many women stayed at Cell Phone on
r@ compas
rc ri g ge home with their children, the Beach...Beware
but that won’t resolve all When at the beach recently, a mother was
situations these days. As many spotted with her two young children (both
know, some “housewives” have killed under the age of six). The mother had her
their own children. In recent years we have cell phone, which she was using almost
6
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constantly while on the beach. The two Our children are precious, therefore,
children played between the ocean
and beach, running back and forth. The
we citizens must do our part to
mother would walk to where the children protect the children of our cities.
were, then occasionally walk back to her
chair on the beach. Several times the encouraged to be sensitive to the
mother ignored her children while on her priorities and importance of parenting.
cell phone. Whether aware of this or not, There was a time when the Charlotte
the ocean makes a low roaring noise, Girl Scouts organized a “Safety
and a child in trouble could be missed. It Haven Program”. We need supportive
seems the “common sense” of parents neighborhoods. Our children are
has disappeared. precious, therefore, we citizens must do
our part to protect the children of our
Exhausted Parents cities and encourage us all to be more
Add to this that many working parents alert and aware of our surroundings.
are working more and more hours.
Therefore, their level of exhaustion can
be a risk driving the children from one
place to another. Many children are
wearing helmets when on a bike, and that
is wise. However, if they are playing hard
and laughing, they may not see that car
coming around the corner.

Teens Need Supervision, Too

When moving to Charlotte several years
ago, a young elementary aged boy was
grabbed and molested off of a busy road
in Charlotte. This happened in a nice,
respectable neighborhood. How could
that happen here? The adolescents and
teens can be quite demanding of their
parents, insisting on more freedom;
though they seem to act mature for their
age, they are still children.

Protecting Our Kids

As working parents feel the pressure
at work today, all employers are
7
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 Loretta Cozart:
Character
8
is the Key
by Cristina Cassidy
This Accomplished Woman
Learned Important Life
Lessons as a Young Girl
W
hen Loretta Cozart
reaches out and
shakes your hand,
you know immediately that you
are in the presence of a true
“Woman With Know How.” Her
confident blue eyes, expansive
smile and warm laugh would
make anyone feel comfortable
right away.
“I like meeting new people,” says
Cozart, Vice President, CFO and Co-
Founder of CC Communications, Inc.,
a leading Internet production and
marketing company serving Charlotte,
the Carolinas and the Southeast. This
well-established company provides
services that include design of custom
interactive websites, online business
directories, innovative marketing
campaigns, video production services,
and much more.
Four members of CC Communications’
staff, including Cozart herself, are family
members. President and Co-Founder,
William “Kip” Cozart, is Cozart’s husband.
Russ Husky, VP/CIO and Co-founder, is
her twin brother. Her older sister Becky is
the Office Manager. Loretta Cozart is in
charge of Accounting. So from the very
start, CC Communications has been a
family affair.
Early Years
Family has always been an essential
part of Loretta Cozart’s story. Born in
Gastonia, North Carolina. Cozart grew
up in the town of Kings Mountain, North
Carolina, famous for the Revolutionary
War battle of the same name.
Cozart and her four brothers and sisters
were raised strictly, but she says,
“When I think about my childhood,
the thing I remember most is laughter,
because there were five children, and
we were always laughing and picking on
each other.”
9
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 Cozart describes herself as being
studious as a young girl, though she
loved to play hard with her brothers, too.
She didn’t think of herself as particularly
smart, until one day in junior high school
when her principal called her into his
office, told her how well she had done
on her achievement tests, and offered
her a job in the cafeteria.
Walking home that day, Cozart was
excited about telling her parents that
she had gotten the job, but was faced
with a moral dilemma. If she told them,
she would no longer get her lunch
money, and she liked getting that
money. By the time she got home she
decided to tell her parents the good
news. The next morning, Cozart found
her lunch money on the kitchen table
with a note from her father saying, “You
earned it, you keep it.” “It was a great
lesson,” says Cozart, “but boy, it was
tough the whole day before!”
Teachers Made a Difference
Not only was Cozart blessed with a
great family, but also with wonderful
teachers. At Kings Junior High School
she was encouraged to do her best.
In 7th and 8th grades, she worked for
two P.E. teachers, leading exercise
classes. At the end of her 8th grade
year, the teachers were so impressed
with her performance that they created
an award in her name for students
showing achievement in a combination
of academics, athletics, citizenship and
character. This year marks the 36th year
10
®
of the award, and Cozart still gets to go
and present it to a deserving student at
the Kings Mountain Middle School.
Cozart likes to point out to students
that “people notice what you do.
Even if the reason you do it is not for
attention,…if you’re a good student and
study hard, and you try to be good,…
then the whole thing plays together, and
kid’s don’t often see that.”
At Kings Mountain Senior High School,
Cozart met two important mentors
in her life—her English teacher, Carl
McWhirter, and his wife, Carolyn, a
guidance counselor. The McWhirters
encouraged Cozart to attend college
and helped her tailor her studies to
make that a reality.
Cozart was accepted to University of
North Carolina, at Chapel Hill, and
in 1982, graduated with a degree in
Radio, Television and Motion Pictures.
She is the first member of her family
to graduate from college. Her sister,
Becky, is the second.
Meeting Her Life Partner
It was at Chapel Hill that the young
student from Kings Mountain met her
future husband, Kip, who was pursuing
a double major in journalism and
advertising, and television production.
They didn’t start dating right away, and
at one point, when Cozart decided to
take a break from school, Kip begged
her not to leave because he was
worried she wouldn’t come back. The
day she did return, she looked for him
on campus. When he saw her, he picked
her up, threw her in the air and shouted,
“You came back! I can’t believe you
came back!” It was at that moment
that Cozart knew he was the man she
wanted to marry. This year marks their
28th anniversary.
After graduating from college, Cozart
worked in television advertising for nine
years. That was followed by two years
as the Executive Director of the Kings
Mountain Chamber of Commerce, and
three years as the Executive Director of
the Matthews Chamber of Commerce.
The Beginnings of a Business
In 1994, Cozart and her husband
opened CC Communications as an
advertising and marketing firm in
Charlotte. Eventually, her twin brother
Russ, who Cozart calls a computer
wizard, came onboard, followed by their
sister, Becky.
It has been a real labor of love for
Cozart and her family to get CC
Communications to where it is today.
The strength of the company lies in
everyone’s ability to know what they
are best at doing. Although Cozart has
strong talents in customer relations and
video production, her job has changed
over the years. She is now in charge of
accounting for CC Communications.
Though she misses the creative side,
she is happy to use her accounting skills
to help the company grow. She still gets
to use her people skills in networking for
the business.
Networking is Essential
Cozart’s years working for chambers
of commerce have taught her the
importance of networking. As a member
of several local networking groups—
she is a Past Board Member for BLOC
Ballantyne and the Past President
of the South Mecklenburg Kiwanis
Club--Cozart also believes in forming
strategic alliances with other business
professionals. The essential ingredient
in effective networking, according to
Cozart, is to be genuinely interested in
the other person. “When I network,”
she says, “the first thing I do is walk
Save the Date
Southern Women’s Show
September 16-19
The Park Expo and Conference Center
(formerly the Charlotte Merchandise Mart)
Thursday 10am-6pm; Friday 10am-8pm;
Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 11am-5pm
Adults $9 at the Door; Youth (6-12) $5;
Under 6 FREE with Paying Adult
Featuring Ce
leb
Chef, Sandra rity
Lee!
on Friday!
800.849.0248
A Southern Shows Inc.
Production
www.SouthernWomensShow.com
11
®
“ Probably the most
valuable thing you own is
your reputation, and your
reputation is determined
by your character.
“
up to someone and say ‘Hi, I’m Loretta
Cozart. Tell me about yourself.’”
Family History Comes Full Circle
Community involvement is important to
Cozart. One of her proudest positions
is serving as the Chapter Vice-Regent
of the Kings Mountain Chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution.
Through genealogical research, Cozart
discovered that not only did she have
a relative who served as a doctor for
the Patriot’s at the battle of Kings
Mountain, but also that her English
teacher, Carl McWhirter, and she are
distant cousins.
Cozart’s two daughters, 18 and 23,
like to tease their mom about her
passion for her family’s history, but
to Cozart, where you come from and
12
®
who you are have much to do with
forming a person’s character. And to
Cozart, character is key.
A Valuable Asset
“Probably the most valuable thing
you own is your reputation, and your
reputation is determined by your
character,” says Cozart. “It’s free, you
get it with no strings attached and it’s
up to you to make of it what you will.”
Cozart is a shining example of a
woman who lives life with integrity and
puts her whole heart into her work. “I
recommend that people do what they
love,” says Cozart, “and good things will
come of it. If you aren’t happy it’s going
to show in your life and everything you
do. And life is just too short to not
enjoy what you’re doing.”
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010 SAVE THE DATE!

WHEN:
October 20, 2010
~ Networking Begins:
10:30am
~ Luncheon Program:
12 Noon
~Vendor Tables:
Remain Open Until 2pm

WHERE:
2010 Westin Charlotte Hotel
601 South College St
METROPOLITAN BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL Charlotte, NC 28202
WOMEN

Proudly Sponsors this National Recognized Week WHAT:

With a Special Luncheon
*SPEAKER TO BE ANNOUNCED*
National Business Women’s
Week – Join us for
networking, celebration,
education, and take part in
women supporting other
women.

ONLINE REGISTRATION:
WWW.MBPW.ORG

Attendees’ Charge: $35

Late Fee (as of 10/8/10) $45 SPONORSHIPS &
For additional information: VENDOR TABLES
Robyn Crigger 704-849-2500
Chair of Ways & Means ARE
or
Andrea Buschur, 704-248-9620 AVAILABLE ON A
Asst. Chair of Ways & Means
FIRST COME
BASIS

13
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 Communication Janet Anderson, Anderson PC Training

Learning Software Quickly

How to Figure Out How to Get Your Job Done

G
otta learn it FAST you must select it. In my classes I
You finally got that promotion say “If you select it, you can affect
you wanted. In this position it” This holds true about 98% of the
they need you to use existing files time. There are situations where you
created in Excel and feel you will have don’t need to select something, but it
no problem figuring it out. Then reality doesn’t hurt!
sets in and you need help. Of course,
taking a training class in person, Value of right clicking
online, or at your own pace is ideal, Now that you have selected it by
but when you can’t get to training fast clicking and dragging over the text or
enough, here are some tips to help clicking on the object, you can use
you learn most software the right mouse button ON the se-
packages quickly. lected area to produce a menu of op-
tions applicable to the selection. No
INFO I am mainly referring need to know where the choice is on
MOREPC Training to the Office suite a menu or a ribbon. Simply move the
on
Anders ra ining.c
om
p c t of programs-Word, mouse to the choice and click with
derson 6
www.an 980.428.206
Excel, and Power- your left mouse button.
Point, but most of
the principles apply to This might take you to a dialog box
other software. where you need to make some other
choices. For example, you could se-
If you select it, you can affect it. lect some text, right click and choose
When you need to affect something Format. This will produce a dialog box
14
®
allowing you to apply the font, size, the tab or menu you would then see
and other attributes to the text. Yep, either a menu of choices or a ribbon
I have a saying for this, too. “RIGHT of groups (pages, tables, illustrations,
click in the RIGHT location gives you links, charts, text) Within a group or
the RIGHT menu”, after choosing a menu item, you have
further defined choices. For example
Glance at the menu or tabs under illustrations (2007) you might
If you notice most programs have find Picture, Clip Art, Shapes, and
‘categories’ of some kind in which SmartArt. Choosing one of those
the programmers have organized the would launch a browsing window to
choices. They fall into several areas: choose a file or a dialog box for
Viewing tools-Zoom, Page more information.
layout, Print preview.
Funtional – Typing, Cut, copy and As you can see, if you know where to
paste, Find & replace start you can figure out the rest.
Formatting – Characters, Cells, Col-
umns & rows, Paragraphs, Sections,
Pages, Design.
Animation In PowerPoint – Added
features to add animation
References – Cross reference, Table
of contents, Formulas, Functions
Database tools – Sort,
Filter, Subtotal.
Adding things – Insert-a file, object
(table, chart), a picture, video.
Mailings – Merging a list
with a document.

Review – Spelling, Track

changes,Comments
Use your common sense – most
programmers do a half way deceit
job of naming tabs, menus, buttons
with logical names for you to find.
Generally things are organized larg-
est to smallest. For example you
would choose a tab named Insert to
insert most anything. After choosing
15
®

You don’t want to ask for help for
the same thing tomorrow.
I often advise my students to print out
the actions they do periodically and place
them in a binder. When they have to do
that procedure again next month, they
will have the steps at their fingertips.

Use HELP These choices may be simple arti-

If your issue is that you knew how to cles, demonstrations or full videos to
use Office 2003, and you want to find show you the procedure. Some may
where things are in 2007, you can click be from the data on your computer
on the little question mark – usually and some may be from the Microsoft
in the upper right hand corner of your site. Still others might even be from
window, and type in 2007 command users’ forums.
reference guide. Choose the link that
begins with interactive. Click on ‘Start USE Google
the guide’ and then ‘Start’ on the next In the past you would not even think
screen. to use Google to get answers for a
Microsoft product. Now, it is common-
Now you are looking at the program place. My son is a computer engineer
you were originally in (Word, Excel or and he uses this method to find out all
PowerPoint) as seen in 2003. Click on sorts of answers. Open any internet
any command or button and the screen browser and type in the address line
will fade to a 2007 screen and show ‘www.google.com’. Type the question
you where to begin that process or or subject you are looking for. It can
directly where to locate the button. be something like “How do I insert a
symbol in MS Word 2007?”
If that is not your problem, but you need
to know say ‘How to insert a symbol’, These links can come from anywhere,
simply type that phrase in the search so be aware. After looking at the main
line and choose ‘go’. You will be pre- link, you can see where the link is going
sented with many links that may answer to by looking at the link at the bottom
your question. In the help window there of the small paragraph of that entry.
is a push pin you can choose that will Many are users who have tried different
make sure this window stays on top things to solve a problem. The wisdom
so that you can follow the instructions of the masses prevails. Take your time,
easily. There is also a print button that read, read, read and you might find a
enables you to print the subject for simple solution to a complex problem
future reference. that you could not find in other places.

16
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Asking coworkers for help.
Don’t be afraid to ask a co-worker for
help. However, I would wait until I have
exhausted other avenues. Your co-
worker would not get much of his work
done if he is constantly helping you
with simple, mundane tasks. Tell them
what you want to accomplish, not just
what buttons you have pushed. They
may have a quicker solution for what
you attempted.
Don’t be afraid to ask them to ‘show’
you slowly, not just do it for you. You
don’t want to ask for help for the same
thing tomorrow. Then, you do the ac-
tion yourself before they leave so that
you are sure you ‘got it’.
Hopefully using these tips will help you
gain control of your work day until you
can get some formal training. Even a
co-worker or the help screens do not
help you with the most efficient way of
doing things, but it certainly will ‘get
the job done’.
Happy Learning!.

Let me help you find

your dream home

Maggie Redmond is your

Real Estate Professional

Call Maggie Today!

704.779.2992 cell
maggie.redmond@allentate.com
Go to www.MaggieRedmond.com
to View My Featured Properties

17
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 Your Career Mary Cantando, Growth Expert, The Women’s Advantage

Develop a Great
Presentation
You can become a great speaker
if you follow some simple steps

I
’m honored to receive stand- 2. P rovide information that is current,
ing ovations almost every time accurate and relevant to
I speak. Women often ask me your audience.
how I’ve become such a great
speaker. The secret is really no 3. P ersonalize your content by telling
secret at all: it all starts with craft- stories your audience will relate to.
ing a great presentation
focused on the needs of 4. U se relevant visuals to support
your audience.  your content.
R E I NFO
MO Advant
age  
The Wo
.Wo
man’s
m
antage
ansAdv 401
.biz 5.Close with a strong call to action.
www (919) 841-0 Owner.com
siness Here are my five
a r y @ WomanBu
M key steps to developing
a presentation
that will win you a
standing ovation:

Five Steps to Develop a Crafting a great

Great Presentation presentation focused
1. Know your audience...Understand on the needs of
what’s important to them and what
is not. your audience. 
18
®
 Life is full of foggy roads.
We help you find your way
to where you want to go.

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Business Development Opportunity With Every Email.

To find out more, call Karen Hund at 704.907.4376 or visit our website — www.cv-vision.com
19
®
 Young entrepreneur Kimberly Hughes

Embrace,
Enlighten, Engage
What I Know for Sure

O
n August 23rd, 2010, I will unique about these lessons is that each
celebrate my 6 month and every one has come the hard way. As
anniversary as a business much as I love a great quote or a searing
owner – I cannot express how much and honest piece of information, I have
time as flown by! The excitement found that learning things the hard way is
and wonderment has not even a lesson that is never soon forgotten.
begun to wear off.
1. You are truly the master and creator
Looking back from the beginning of of your destiny. You make your choices,
my journey, much less a year ago; I am your actions and reactions. There is no
shocked by how far I have come – Not room for excuses or to play the victim.
only as a business professional,
but as a human. 2. Always trust your instincts because
they are never wrong.
NFO
M ORE I nts
I look at the world
704eve
4event
s.com and my future 3. Contracts, Contracts, Contracts…
www.70 .281.4482 differently; I become Have a contract for everything!
704 vents.com
4e
kim@70
more motivated and
dedicated each day, 4. You have more power and influence
and am recognizing my than you think.
tireless work and constant re-
education is paying off in spades. 5. No matter what you do or how
much you do, you will never make
Over the last few months, I began writing everyone happy. Do what is best for
my own truths and lessons. What is the greater good.
20
6. Don’t be afraid of your own success.
7. Whether you consciously know it or
not, someone is looking up to you and
idolizes you.
8. Things can always be worse; If you
are still breathing, it is a good day.
9. ‘It’s business, not personal’ truly
does exist – Some people can be great
friends but dreadful to deal with on a
business level.
10. No matter how enthusiastic you are
about your business, no one cares about
it as much as you do.
11. Don’t ever plan your future around
one big contract or client.
12. You cannot change the way people
but you can always change your attitude.
13. Don’t give out things for free
to earn a relationship with someone
because they will never recognize your
core value.
14. No matter how hard you work, no
matter how many hours you put in, and
no matter how much you sacrifice, there
will always be more things to accomplish
in your ‘Inbox’.
15. If you do not have specific goals
and a thorough business plan, you are
making the biggest mistake you can
in business. It’s like driving from North
Carolina to Oregon without a GPS or
a map.
16. There are people out there that
are dedicated to do everything that they
can to help you succeed. Embrace them.
Appreciate them. Trust them.
17. Inevitably, there are people out
there that will try to hurt you and get the
best of you. Don’t take a second out of
your day to entertain them.
18. No matter how much you plan,
strategize, and organize – There is bound
to be something that will go haywire. It is
just as important to adapt as it is to plan.
19. Never let anyone take power
of you.
20. Dismiss the people that work
against you. Truth be told, the people
that judge you, try to hurt you, or talk
bad about you, are truly jealous of you or
want what you have. It is easier to look
at them with a sympathetic heart than to
react with anger, sadness, or judgment.
21. Celebrate the little victories. They
build up your tolerance to host an mind-
numbing, all out celebration!
22. You truly are a reflection of who
you associate yourself with.
23. It’s not until the chips are down
that you realize the true strength and
power that you behold.
21
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 Comfort
is Always in
22
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Fashion
F
inding a fresh look that is right for you can be
an arduous task, but a change of season is the
perfect time to find natural style inspiration.
Thanks to the shift in colors and climates, seasonal
transitions are an ideal opportunity to find new
wardrobe staples to make you feel fabulous—and help
achieve a flawless look that radiates confidence.
Whether you prefer neutrals, colorblock, prints or
florals, the key to dressing in fashion is to be stylish
while keeping comfort in mind. Even when wearing
your newest trendy dress – the season’s hot silhou-
ette – feeling comfortable underneath it all is the
secret to looking gorgeous.
Helena Christensen, international supermodel,
photographer and spokesperson for the Bali intimate
apparel line of bras, panties and shapewear, knows
a thing or two about what it takes to feel beautiful.
“When I put on an attractive bra first thing in the
morning it gives me a wonderful feeling and sense of
confidence. No matter what clothes I wear, it’s impor-
tant to me that what I wear underneath them both
looks and feels amazing,” says Christensen.
Christensen suggests updating your wardrobe
for the coming season with a few fashion-meets-
function tips:
Beauty Beneath. A bra might not be the first item
you consider for seasonal wardrobe purchases, but
an ill-fitting bra or sliding straps will affect your confi-
dence and keep you from pulling off a stylish outfit. A
pretty bra should provide support and comfort, but a
bra needs to do more than just that: It needs to stay
in place and deliver a flawless fit.
Christensen recommends the Bali Comfort-U Design
bra “for a look that provides a seamless, sleek look to
my outfit while also fitting comfortably,” she com-
ments. “It has a
unique design in a
place where most
women wouldn’t
think to look – the
back – and this spe-
cial feature allows
me to feel amazing and look chic, all day long.”
Sleek and Slim. With Confidence. Sleek chemise
shirts and tight white slacks are all the rage, but their
tight-fitting cuts can be intimidating. Christensen
suggests Bali’s Hi-Waisted Thigh Slimmer from the
brand’s Powershape Collection, which is worn under-
neath clothes to help provide a smooth, irresistible
shape – and the poise you need to slip into a hot
form-fitting outfit for a night out on the town.
Blouses are Back. After years of being out of the
spotlight, blouses are buttoning up a feminine and
flirty fashion trend. Try fabrics such as lace, sheer
materials or linen paired with the Smoothing Cami
from the Bali Invisibles Collection, which fits like
second-skin and won’t feel bulky under even the
most delicate clothing.
Dare to Wear Bright Colors and Patterns. Wheth-
er you look best in jewel tones or pastels, wearing
color brightens your skin tone and can have a similar
effect on your mood. Don’t shy away from printed
brights, striking solids or floral and animal prints,
which are easy ways to infuse your wardrobe with
confidence and energy. Update your office suit with
a ruffled blouse or bright pattern for a bold move, but
be sure your undergarments are not detracting from
your outfit.
For more information on Bali Intimate Apparel and
tips on sizing, styling and finding the perfect fit for
you, check out www.BaliCompany.com.
23
®
 Legal issues Mitzi Kincaid, Attorney at Law

The Barstool Effect

What does a barstool have to do
with the success of your business?

T
he legs of a barstool An Attorney
are a great analogy A good business attorney can help you
for a business owner decide what type of entity to form, such
to remember when seeking as a corporation or LLC for example.
guidance and support for They can also draft documents and
her business. Most barstools ensure you have all the licenses and
have four legs, each of which permits you need for your business. It is
supports the seat of the stool. important to try and develop a long-term
relationship with your attorney, and all
In business, you need support as well, your “legs” for that matter, because the
and the key to a successful business more these resources know about your
is to find your “legs” when business, the more help and insight they
forming your business, so they can provide.
can support you in good
R E I NFO
MO LLC
times and when difficult An Accountant
s s o ciates,
Kincaid
and A
th Floor
situations arise. I always A competent accountant or
u ll o u gh Dr. 4262
C
301 Mcarlotte, NC 28 coach my clients to find a bookkeeper is essential, since most
Ch
1 knowledgeable business businesses fail because they get in to
35-597
(866)-4
attorney, a competent trouble with the IRS for failing to pay
accountant or bookkeeper, a payroll or income taxes. Whether you
business insurance broker and a choose a simple bookkeeping system
supporter of your business who is not like QuickBooks or opt for a more
afraid to tell you the truth. customized solution for your business,
24
®
spending time with an accountant
can help you create a budget for
your business and monthly financial
statements to track how well you are
doing financially. They can also assist
you in cash flow planning to ensure
you have enough money to pay all your
bills and squirrel some money away for
a rainy day. (Believe me, there will be a
rainy day occasionally).
board that talks back, and should be
someone you trust and who has no
vested interest in your business.
As you start or continue to
grow your business, it is never
too late to get yourself a barstool
and give your business a “leg” up on
the competition!

Insurance
Risk management and business
liability insurance is critical to the
success of a business and is usually
mandatory when you have a lease
for your business. A good business
insurance broker has many contacts
with various insurance companies and
can find you competitive rates.

They can also assist you with risk

management decisions that may arise
during the operation of your business,
for example, employees who drive as
part of the scope of their job and what Dr. Kandyce Thomas
Chiropractor
liability they may cause the business.
T: 704.543.5508 10440 Park Road
F: 704.543.5509 Suite 200
Finally, every business owner needs a www.thomasfamilychiro.net Charlotte, NC 28210
supporter or cheerleader who knows
your business, but is not afraid to
disagree with you and tell you the truth.
Not every idea is a good one and a
good business coach can help you see
the big picture and develop several
options when making a decision so that
you see as many possible outcomes
as you can before making that big
decision. This person is a sounding
25
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 Personal Forecast Marcie Williams-Browning
August is the Time
for Play and Fun
O
ver the coming year I will share
with you areas of focus for each
month. As you create your plan
for success and work that plan, these
suggestions will give you a clear focus
for the month. Write down your goals,
dreams and aspirations and look at
them often. Writing them down
brings them into the physical
E I N FO
MOR pnosis Center world and makes them tangible
s a lis Hy o m
C h r y
ySpirit
B iz .c and real. As you consider areas
indBod 2
www.M 803.493.033
to focus your attention on this
month, be sure to look at each
area from your mental and emo-
tional state, your physical well-being,
your spiritual needs as well as your
financial ones.
The color for the month of August is
orange and the theme is “I have fun.”
It is the time to look to the future with
positive thoughts and objective eyes.
Some of the areas to consider are listed
26
®
below. The best day in August to write
down your desires and wishes is the 9th.
This is the day of the new moon which is
considered the magical day for wishes to
be expressed.
Heart Connections
August is the time to find or renew
romance. It is also the ideal time to
connect with children in a loving and fun
way. Find time this month to date some-
one new or someone familiar. Rekindle
loving encounters. This is also the month
to give and seek approval.
Creativity
Get enthusiastic about your own cre-
ativity. Find or finish projects that
enhance or renew your strong creative
feelings. Use the warmth of summer to
express yourself in artistic ways. Find
yourself and your passion through your
creative outlets.
Giving Love
Find reward in the loyalty of your love
this month. Be generous with your time,
treasures and talents. Find creative ways
to bring joy into your own life and the
lives of others. Use encouragement and
kindness with yourself and others.
Celebrate
Play! Have fun. Allow yourself to partake
of the games of summer. Use any excuse
or reason to have a party and celebrate
being alive. Take a vacation or find fun
in sports and recreation. If you’ve been
thinking about taking a risk for a little
excitement, now is the time.
Dignity
Stand up and be recognized this month.
With full self-confidence take center
stage. This is the month for powerful self
expression. Allow your radiance to shine
for the world to see. Be benevolent in all
that you do.
Determination
Now is the time to take the role of
leader in your life. Apply concentrated
focus to each aspect of your life that
needs improvement. Follow through
is critical as you pursue your dreams.
Find your own strength of purpose and
stamina while remaining resolute in your
intentions and goals.
Release Arrogance
Find perfect balance and harmony in
your pride, extravagance, bossiness and
self-centeredness. Avoid being overly-
August affirmation: I am on
earth to have fun and celebrate.
dramatic as you celebrate your successes.
As you create and work your plan this
month take a look at yourself with
objective eyes and include those areas
where you need some work, and cel-
ebrate the areas where you have done
well. Life is a journey and one we are
meant to learn and teach from. Every
single experience that we have, we are
learning through and teaching from.
Learn well and live in joy!.
Smart Business
Isn’t Child’s Play
WE CAN HELP YOU...
Improve your marketing presence
Develop an effective social media strategy
Reduce your printing expenses
Fill your buckets with new business
sandb x
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or Info@InYourSandbox.com
InYourSandbox.com
27
®
 Delicious
Updates
for a
Kitchen Classic
A classic American cookbook has fresh, new
recipes and plenty of ideas for making cooking
simpler, more fun and more delicious than ever.
28
®
Coconut Chicken with
Pineapple-Mango Salsa
Start to finish: 30 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/4 cups flaked coconut
14 to 16 ounces chicken breast tenderloins
1 8-ounce can pineapple tidbits
(juice pack), drained
1 cup chopped refrigerated mango
slices (about 10 slices)
2 tablespoons snipped fresh
cilantro (optional)
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
T
he Better Homes and Gardens New Cook
Book, 15th Edition (Wiley Publishing, 2010)
has been completely revised and redesigned,
with new chapters, recipes, icons and useful infor-
mation. New features include:
A Cooking Basics chapter that reviews terms and
techniques; has tips on accurate measuring; advice
on stocking your kitchen with tools and cookware/
bakeware, foodsafety tips; and helpful information
on spices and herbs.
Recipe chapters that are organized alphabetically
and cover everything from Appetizers and Snacks
to Vegetables and Fruits.
Three new chapters on Breakfasts and Brunches,
Casseroles, and Convenience Cooking. 1,400
recipes for every meal and every occasion, from a
fancy sit-down dinner to speedy lunches on the go.
•Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with
foil; lightly grease foil. Set pan aside.
•In a shallow bowl whisk together egg, oil, 1/4 tea-
spoon of the salt, and the cayenne pepper. Spread
coconut in a second shallow bowl. Dip each chicken
piece in egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Coat
chicken pieces with coconut. Arrange chicken on the
prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or
until chicken is no longer pink (170°F).
•Meanwhile, for salsa, in a medium bowl combine pine-
apple, mango, cilantro (if desired), lime juice, and the
remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve with chicken.
•PER 3 ounces chicken + 1/3 cup salsa: 393 calo-
ries, 18 g total fat (12 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat), 110 mg
cholesterol, 461 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrates, 4 g
fiber, 27 g protein
•EXCHANGES: 1 Fruit, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 4 Lean
Meat, 2 Fat
All of the classic, best-loved recipes, along with
modern flavors. Special features such as Make
it Mine, providing mix-and-match options to tai-
lor recipes; Cook Once, Eat Twice, giving people
two delicious, varied meals—with only cooking once;
and Ten to Try, collections of ten no-recipe "recipes"
with easy ideas for simple cheesecake drizzles,
flavored butters, baked fish toppings and more.
Icons that highlight classic, fast, whole grain, low-
fat, and healthy recipes for easy reference.
More than 800 photos with step-by-step shots of-
fering guidance on the most critical steps, as well
as inspirational finished recipe photos.
A heavy-duty binder format that will make this book
a keepsake that will last for years to come.
This recipe is just one of the many mouth-watering
recipes you’ll want to try. For more information, visit
www.wiley.com.
29
®
 Professional Spotlight Cristina Cassidy

Robyn Crigger

Y
our business, Compass
Career Management
Solutions, has a great
name. Tell us how you chose
it, and also how you came up
with such a catchy tagline:
“The winds of change bring
opportunity”?
After outgrowing a franchise of seven
years, it was decided to become
an independent firm. We did hire a
marketing firm to design our new logo,
select a company name, business
cards, company colors, etc.

Icame up with the word “Compass”

as believe a big portion of what we do
is “give direction” to businesses. The
marketing firm surveyed our clients on
a number of items, including ideas for
our new name. Our clients selected
this long company name as they felt we
do offer excellent direction regarding
“careers, management” and that we
provide effective “solutions”.
30
®
After one of the marketing firm’s staff
listened carefully to our description of
our passion, mission and services, he
came up with our tag line. We all agreed
that this was the positive mindset in
which we believe.
What exactly is career
management, and what kinds
of services does your
business provide?
Both employers and employees should
examine each person’s strengths and
capabilities early in their careers and
map out the skills and training each
person needs, therefore, managing
this career path in order to fill needed
skills in specific positions. By identifying
early in a person’s career his/her
full potential, this is a win-win for
employees and employers.
Our services include Outplacement,
Leadership Training, Executive
Coaching, Conflict Management, Talent
Management, Educational Retirement
Workshops (no products sold), Self-
Employment Workshops, etc.
Did you always plan to work in
career management, or is this
something completely different
from your original career plans?
Originally, my focus was “education”. I
did enjoy substitute teaching when my
children were young, and that almost
became a full-time job. However, after
my husband was downsized from his
human resources manager’s position,
we moved to Atlanta for three-and-a-half
years. Through that experience of my
husband’s career transition, I saw how
it impacted the whole family. With our
exposure to outplacement firms, and
seeing ways for it to be more effective,
my passion for Career Transitions and
Change Management was birthed.
Much of what we do is listen and teach
about career options, etc.
You and your husband opened
Career Compass in 2001. How is
it working as a business partner
with your marriage partner?
Definitely many husbands and wives
could not work together. The first year
was the big adjustment. Though we
had divided up the work between us,
over time it became more evident in
the areas we each preferred and/
or excelled. We each have different
strengths, though there is some overlap
– but that is good.
I organize and manage the office,
handle the finances, enjoy the
marketing, but also value working with
candidates. Bill has the strong human
resources background, which is very
valuable when working with companies
on steps for handling different
situations. Bill is also excellent with
resume writing, and is an effective and
assertive instructor with workshops. I
can cover some workshops.
Where you are from originally
and how did you ended up living
31
®
 and working in the Queen City?
I am originally from West Virginia. My
husband, Bill Crigger, worked for the
Kroger Co. in human resources. After
our first son was born, we moved to
Roanoke, VA. After our second son, Bill
was transferred to Charlotte, NC as the
Carolina HR Manager.
What is one major challenge you
have had to face as a woman
business owner?
The first two or three years in business,
I found that most people didn’t take
our business seriously, as if watching
32
®
to see if we would “make it”. Thank
goodness, some companies did trust us
and began hiring us for Outplacement.
In 1994 when we started our business,
there were much fewer women-owned
businesses than there are today. I could
never find anyone to volunteer advice
those early years, so I made some very
basic mistakes.
By the time my business was seven years
old, I joined NAWBO (National Association
of Women Business Owners). Exposing
myself to these local women helped. Right
away I went to their national conferences,
which was even more impactful. I learned would be cell phone service on a desert
a lot by attending this and going to the island! Ha!)
many workshops.
If we wanted to find Robyn
What words of advice do you Crigger having fun, where would
have for someone making a we go to look for you?
career change at this time of In one of three places: 1) in my quiet
economic insecurity? bedroom with a uplifting book, 2) at the
Be very thorough in researching first pool with my sister and niece, or 3) if
about all aspects of “self-employment” the weather isn’t too hot, I like sitting
– legal aspects, insurance, strategic on my back porch and watch for
financial plan for the first three years, birds and butterflies.
etc. Be sure to be very informed about
FO t
the chosen industry. Locate a credible If you had the power
R E INanagemnecn.
business attorney. (Get a referral.) to change the world in MO Career Martners I
s P
pas s-OI r.com s.
any way possible, how Comolution s s c aree lconcern
S pa ona
.com nsiti
If you were on a desert island would you change it? wwwsinesstra pot.com
.bu blogs
www
and could choose to have one To get rid of all those angry
inanimate item with you what feelings around the world.
would it be? There is too much anger! Take
Lots of fresh drinking water! (Doubt here that away, and a lot could be solved.

33
®
 Relationships Mary Elizabeth Murphy, Managing Director of S.T.A.R. Resources

Criticism Button

D
ear Mary Elizabeth,
Lately, I have been hearing
about how critical I am
toward others. Though I don’t agree
with them out loud, internally I find
myself constantly judging others for
the way they do things. I make up
stories in my head about their faults
and shortcomings. I’m not much fun
to be around and quite frankly I don’t
much like being around me either.
author of Non-Violent Communication,
A Language of Compassion, “when we
combine an observation with an evalua-
tion our words can be heard as criticism.”
In any relationship, business or personal it
is helpful if we were to separate our obser-
vations from our evaluations. This is a way
to communicate that will help to change
perspectives from judgments and criticism
to constructive and open communication.

How do you RESET Your Mixing our observations and evaluations

Buttons and stop is a recipe for disaster. The more we mix
O R E INFO criticizing others? our observations with our evaluations
M ources
S.T.A.R
. Res of another person’s behavior, the less
5.5610
704.53 sources.biz From - likely that person is going to be open to
rre
info@sta
Critical and Cranky us. They will probably be less open to
hearing our words, empathizing with our
Dear “C2”

For an effective communication strat- For an effective

egy and to avoid giving criticism, think
– divide and conquer! That is, separate
communication
observation from evaluation. strategy and to avoid
According to Marshall Rosenburg, Ph.D., giving criticism, think
34
– divide and conquer.
®
 Mixing our
observations and
evaluations is a recipe
for disaster. Following these tips can help you sepa-
rate your observations and evaluations:
Be aware of when you generalize -
using words like always, never, ever,
feelings or being receptive in any way to whenever, etc.
our intended message.

“We need to observe what we are see-

ing, hearing, or touching that is affecting
our wellbeing without mixing in evalua-
tion,” said Rosenburg.

This is why it’s important to keep your

observations specific to time and con-
text. If you choose to utilize this language
skill, you will increase the chances of
conveying your message to the listener in
the way in which you intended, and not
as criticism. Below are some examples of
observations and evaluations:

EXAMPLE #1:
Observation and evaluation mixed
together: “She won’t get her work in.”

Observation separate from evaluation:

“She has a great amount of work and
less than 2 days to complete it. (Obser-
vation) I don’t know if she will get her
work in.” (Evaluation) Debbie Winchester Designs
earth e le me nts j ewe lr y
EXAMPLE #2:
Observation and evaluation mixed
together: “You are late.”
www.dwinchesterdesigns.com
dwinchester@carolina.rr.com
Observation separate from evaluation:
“I see that you were not here at 9:00 704-607-0678
a.m.” (Observation only)
35
®

The goal is to separate your
evaluation from your observation.
Don’t mix what you see with your opin-
ion. Be aware of labels, especially nega-
tive labels - lazy, stupid, brainy, egotisti-
cal, etc. Even when we label someone
by their socially accepted title we could
be evaluating. For example, calling
someone a “cook” can be considered
an evaluation according to Rosenburg.
The following stanza from a poem by
Ruth Bebermeyer explains it this way,
“I’ve looked as hard as I can look
36
®
but never ever seen a cook; I saw a per-
son who combined ingredients on which
we dined, A person who turned on
the heat and watched the stove that
cooked the meat - I saw those things
but not a cook.
Tell me, when you’re looking,
Is it a cook you see or is it someone do-
ing things that we call cooking?”
I recommend a practice run in seeing
how many evaluations or judgments you
make in a particular situation.
The next time you are at the mall, air-
port or any other public setting, observe
how many “evaluations” you make over
a 15-minute period. Does it make you
wonder if the number of evaluations/judg-
ments made during this period makes you
an extremely judgmental person, average
or below average? Think about how many
evaluations you make when you are not
making a conscious effort to pay attention
to your evaluations/judgments.
Expand this practice run to a 30-day trial
of actually speaking from observation
without mixing in evaluation and criti-
cism. Practice articulating observations
separate from evaluations. Try this in
both your personal and professional
life. The Indian philosopher J. Krish-
namurti once remarked that observing
without evaluating is the highest form
of intelligence.
Remember, the goal is not to ever have
an evaluation. The goal is to separate
your evaluation from your observation.
Make your statement based on what
you observe. With this in mind, you will
be able to effectively communicate your
message, which will be a win-win situa-
tion for you and the listener.

MONEY COUNTS
strategies for the business of life

Specializing in
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SPECIAL OFFER - Debbie Peterson
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Securities and Investment Advisory services offered through ING Financial Partners, Member SIPC
Money Counts is not a subsidiary of nor controlled by ING Financial Partners

37
®
 Inner Creative Cristina Cassidy, Cristina Cassidy Productions

Confessions of a
Kooky “Creative”
How the world sees artists
may surprise us sometimes

S
everal years ago I hired an Peculiar Request
office solutions person to As this woman and I were designing
help me rearrange my home my office, I explained that I wanted
office. She was a no-nonsense kind my desk to be on the floor, sort of
of person, and though I think she Japanese style. At first she looked a
was used to working with messy bit shocked, and then intrigued. She
people, she wasn’t used to working had never had any client make such
with ‘creatives’. a ‘peculiar’ (her word, again) request.
We never did get the desk designed
That was her term, by the way. I had because I moved out of that house
never been called that before, before we had a chance.
and didn’t even know what
it meant. I found out it is I found out later that the woman
INF O a term some people use was so taken with the idea that
MOREidy Productions
a Cass ons.com
for ‘artistic’ types. (At someone would want to have a desk
Cristin idy p roducti
stinaca
ss
503
www.cri 704.930.8 mac.com
least that’s what they call on the floor that she talked about it
u e e n @
maq us to our faces. Behind in a keynote speech she gave at a
docudra
our backs, words like national conference of office solution
‘eccentric’ or ‘a little bit odd’ professionals. It was called something
are often used.) like “How to Work With ‘Creatives’”.

38
®
Feeling Like an Odd Bird
Her fascination with my way of thinking
seemed funny to me. I sensed that she
didn’t quite know what to make of how
my mind worked, but she found me
interesting, in the way someone might
look at an exotic bird, or some anomaly
of nature. I started thinking that this
woman’s reaction was not really that
foreign to me. In fact, it’s something
I’ve encountered all my life.
A Box of Crayons
The problem for ‘creatives’ is that often
we don’t own who and what we are.
We’ve been teased so much or told by
others for so long that we’re a little odd
or that we need to ‘get our act together’
that we start to lose confidence in
ourselves. On one job, for example, I
was told to ‘grow up’ because I had a
box of crayons on my desk that I used
to get ideas. Ironically, those ideas
landed me a promotion.
Out of the Box...Not
We hear a lot about ‘thinking outside of
the box’ these days, but just try to do
it and you might be surprised at how
scared some people get.
Granted, being creative doesn’t give
someone the license to be irreverent
or disrespectful in a business situation.
Plus, before you can think outside of
the box, you have to understand ‘the
box’. But if you are a highly creative
person brimming with ideas, don’t be
surprised if you sometimes get negative
The problem for ‘creatives’
is that often we don’t own
who and what we are.
reactions from people who don’t feel
comfortable with change or innovation.
The Magic of Gaining Credibility
But here’s the fascinating dichotomy.
Once you get any kind of recognition as
a creative thinker, the world becomes
the shellfish of your choice. For
instance, I’m making a documentary
Develop a Strong Organization -
Invest in Your Talent
Compass Offers:
TALENT MANAGEMENT
 Assess your workforce & determine potential leaders.
 Provide training for growth & leadership opportunities.
 Clarify company expectations for leaders.
EXECUTIVE COACHING


One-on-One support for future leaders
Enhance performance, productivity & effectiveness
Strengthen & expand talent

 Improve communication skills
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
 Perform SWOT analysis on management team
 Select members of your “A-Team” & recruit others
 Customize programs for all to reach full potential
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT
 Confirm core preferences (values) of workforce
 Identify and address major conflicts of workforce
 Stress importance of mutual respect and communication
RETIREMENT WORKSHOPS
 Provides ERISA 404C requirements
 Unbiased financial education, valued by employees.
OUTPLACEMENT: We remain Experts in this
industry of Change Management.
(704) 849-2500
The winds of change bring opportunity.TM info@CompassCareer.com
www.CompassCareer.com
39
®
  Learn to laugh about people will give you a lot of latitude
in how you present yourself. Do
how you are perceived. you have a funky scarf you like to
wear? Then by all means wear it. Are
film about two classical musicians. flamboyant colors your thing? Well,
I’ve never made a documentary of this then go for it. For awhile, I had a
length, depth or breadth. Most people Blues Brothers style hat that got me
looked at me sideways when I’d talk a lot of mileage, and added a bit of
about my film, until I was able to get mystery to my persona.
an interview with Yo-Yo Ma for the
project. Suddenly, my credentials as 2.Read Julie Cameron’s “The Artist’s
a ‘creative’ improved markedly. What I Way” and actually do it. This book
find amusing is that I’m not any more is a must read for artists of all ages
or less creative than I was before. and types. It offers practical ways
for artists to get a comprehensive,
Embrace Your True Nature compelling look at the inner workings
So if you are an artist entrepreneur, of their artistic nature.
what do you need to do to embrace
your true, creative nature? Let me offer 3. Learn to laugh about how you are
a few suggestions. perceived. A recent acquaintance
told me that before he met me
1.Allow yourself to be ‘a little out someone had described me as
there’. One of the joys of being a eccentric. Some people might take
creative, artistic person is that most that as an insult. For me it was a

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40
 compliment because I revel in the many ways. I’m sure that I have my own
fact that I usually see the world at a preconceived ideas about people who
different angle than other folks. are more organized and less artistically
creative than I am. I’m working on that.
4.Use your creativity in everything that But maybe someday I’ll give a keynote
you do. For a ‘creative’ this is a given. speech at a convention of artists
Even fixing a salad can become a entitled “How to work with ‘Logicals.’”
major artistic event, and that’s the
fun of being this way. Remember the
person mentioned above who wanted
me to get rid of my crayons? He’s the
same person I drove crazy because
I had a doodle pad at staff meetings
and I would get my best ideas when I
was doodling away.

5.Remember that there are always

many different ways to look at the
same thing. There’s a story about
a little girl who was asked by her
teacher to draw a picture of the grass
and the sky. She colored the grass
brown and the sky gray. The teacher
criticized her work and said, “Now
we all know that the sky is blue and
grass is green.” “But I was drawing
it in winter,” said the little girl, sadly.
The lesson here is to hold on to your
vision, no matter what anyone says.

I want to mention that the office

solutions woman was helpful in so

Even fixing a salad

can become a major
artistic event, and
that’s the fun of being
this way. 41
®
 self-publishing custom publishing effective marketing design

your idea

our expertise

it’s your time to

self-publish

Currents PRIDE
May-June 2009

Stacey SimmS
Charlotte, NC Winter 2009-10
Border Concepts, Inc.

Charlotte’s African-American Magazine Business Issue

“If you love to eat, but fear the kitchen, follow Stacey Simms to the stove. Imagine delicious
this isn’t your typical cookbook.
I Can’t Cook,

– even dazzling – meals made by you – yes, you! Plus, the fire department has had to visit
Stacey’s kitchen, which is bound to make you feel so much better about your own culinary
I Can’t Cook, But I Know Someone Who Can is
skills.
Kroghie, withA Maggie,
fun, helpful,
after aand yummy
successful read!
duck
a collection of essays, recipes and culinary tips.

I Can’t
hunt at Lake Mattamuskeet, N.C. in 2004.
Sheri Lynch It’s a tell-all collaboration between twenty-five
Bob & Sheri co-host and best-selling author of “Hello, My Name is Mommy” of Charlotte’s greatest chefs and one of our Concrete2Green
Stacey Simms is the award-winning About the Author
city’s worst cooks. revitalizes communities,
spreads love of soccer
But I Know Someone Who Can

Kroghie Andresen has enjoyed hunting

Cook,
co-host of Charlotte’s Morning News
GuNNIN’ BIrDs

“Having worked with her on the anchor desk, I always knew Stacey could deliver the Stacey Simms, co-host of Charlotte’s Morning
and the outdoors since his early teens in
with Al Gardner and Stacey Simms and news. Now she’s delivered a wonderful book of recipes. This book will not only make News on NewsTalk 1110 WBT, discloses the dark
eastern North Carolina. His waterfowl
Health Headlines: The Show, both heard hunting
yourexperiences
stomachbegan
happy; when
it’ll he shotyour heart, since all the profits go to help the millions of
help side of her own kitchen: the roasted but still half- Reading, writing
Featuring The Collection of Kroghie Andresen

on NewsTalk 1110 WBT. Stacey started

two lesser scaupjuvenile
kids with from a stake blind in the
diabetes.”
frozen holiday turkey, the emergency visit from the and diversity
mouth of Bath Creek at the age of fifteen. local fire department, and the just-cooked soup at Trinity
sinceJeff
thenGlor
2010 PRODUCT CATALOG

her broadcasting career as a TV news his passion for hunting has

grownTheandEarly Show National Correspondent, CBS News
flourished.
poured down the drain. Her stories are as honest Episcopal
Daniel Stowe
anchor and reporter, first in upstate New as they are humorous. But Stacey isn’t ready to
Kroghie worked as a banker for First School

But I Know
York, then in Charlotte at CBS affiliate hang up her oven mitts just yet.
union National Bank, now Wachovia, for
WBTV. She’s a graduate of Syracuse thirty“This
threeis years before
the first retiring inI’ve
cookbook 2004.
seen in all my years of reading them like novels (and She has somehow convinced the best restaurants
2010 PRODUCT CATALOG
in Full Bloom For founder of

Someone
Though his work had no connection with
University’s Newhouse School of Public writing a few myself) that is for everybody, Stacey delivers a delightful, entertaining,
hunting, he continued to pursue his hobby
in town to share their favorite recipes for this book. real estate firm,
Communications. Stacey lives in Davidson, duringand useful
spare timerepertoire
away from of recipes
work. Whilein the same wonderful manner she gives us ‘news Many of the featured chefs have generously priorities are about

Who Can Mooresville’s

livingwein can
raleigh ineach
1979, morning.”
his wife ross, offered practical advice, along with their recipes,
NC with her family. She tries not to set off
use’ more than finances
bought him his first decoy to decorate to help both serious foodies and hopeless home
Barbara McKay
Artistic Side
the smoke detectors too often. their new den. This started a collection cooks like Stacey.
Media Personality
that has grown into over 1,100 North Self-taught topiary
Carolina decoys. An early decision to Recipes range from Albóndigas, Bruschetta, artist’s yard is a

Great
limit his collection to Back Bay, Virginia,
and North
“Stacey Carolina
has been decoys led to time
a long a veryadvocate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
and Cucumber Soup … to White Chocolate cut above
&
specialized
Whencollection.
her two yearKroghie
old always
son was tried
diagnosed, she immediately went from advocate to fully
Recipes Bread Pudding, Yam Soufflé, and New Zealand

to document the history and provenance of Advice From Lamb. Some of the recipes are easy, others
committed volunteer. She is not willing to accept that her son and millions of others may s
his decoys. The lack of information on many Charlotte’ more complicated, but all of them yield
have to live the rest of their lives with diabetes. Thank you, Stacey for all that you do to
North Carolina decoys led him to research Top Chefs delicious results.

Winter
manyhelppreviously
find aunidentified carvers asthe
cure and improve welllives of so many.”
as those that are well known. This research This book also has another purpose—to raise
www.borderconcepts.com
Stacey SimmS

Patrick
and thirty yearsMcFeeley
of collecting decoys have awareness and funds to help in the fight against
JDRF International Board Member
Border Concepts, Inc.
George
culminated with this book. type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Stacey’s son has type

Man on a
Kroghie received a B.s. degree in Civil
1, and by purchasing this book you are helping
Engineering from The Citadel in 1966 and Manufacturer Importer Distributor
Border Concepts, Inc.

Parties
to support the work of the Juvenile Diabetes

mission
an MBA from East Carolina university Innovative Garden Solutions for Independent Retailers
Research Foundation of Charlotte.

Winston
in 1971. He and his wife currently reside
in Charlotte, N.C. They have two grown Forward by Good food, good stories, good cause. Manufacturer Importer Distributor
children, Clark and Hailey.
www.borderconcepts.com Carolina Panthers Bon Appétit! Innovative Garden Solutions for Independent Retailers
info@borderconcepts.com
1(800) 845-3343 | Fax: (704) 541-5610Coach John Fox www.borderconcepts.com
Entertainment Tips from Area Welcomes Spring
8/26/08 2:27:09 PM
BC Catalog 2010 Cover4.indd 1

CATALOGS 5/22/09 7:13 PM Event Planning Professionals in Davidson VOL. 2 NUMBER

MARCH 2009
Richard ‘Stick’ Williams, who’ll be the YMCA’s first black
chairperson in 2010, makes community involvement his business

SELF-PUBLISHED BOOKS Inside... The Best School in Ballantyne? | Dana Rader Interview | Restaurants and Shopping
BallantyneMagazine.com Serving Ballantyne, Toringdon, Blakeney, Stonecrest, Pineville, The Arboretum, and Indian Land.
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