®

Protecting
your
credit card
APRIL OLIVER

PASSPORT
FOR FASHION

FORGETTING
2010
MARY ELIZABETH MURPHY

cAN YOU REALLY

Cathy
CHANGE YOUR
METABOLISM
VICKIE L. BUNZEY

Sheafor
A Charlotte
woman’s DREAM
becomes a reality
From the publisher Mimi Zelman

Dear Readers,

This month marks our second anniversary for our

emagazine and third year of our online resource
guide! Thank you to all our wonderful advertisers and
to our readers.

Without you none of this would be possible!

Please join us for our Elite Networking group this
month on the 15th at 8:30 Villa Antonio’s restaurant,
South Blvd location.

Our speaker is Rochelle Togo-Figa on “Surefire

“
Formula to Exploding your Sales”. Also, be there to
reserve your industry as we are now a membership
industry exclusive group.

We want women, who know the importance of

Please join us networking, but networking with the intent of helping
for our Elite

”
and doing and bringing business to our group
Networking group members. Elite has amazing speakers every month to
keep you motived, inspired and education on timely
this month topics for your business growth.

Email or call me with any questions. February is also

Superbowl and Valentines Day, and I wish those
rooting for a team good luck, and have a wonderful
Valentines Day.

Mimi

2
®
 COntents

Features

22 28 32 42
Cover Story Professional finance Food
Cathy Sheafor Spotlight Protecting your Mini Meatball
Nancy Boru Credir Card Hamburgers

Departments
Management
6 Personal FOrecast 26

Robyn Crigger Marcie Williams-Browing

Young entrepreneur
8 LEGAL ISSUES 34

Kimberly Hughes Mitzi Kincaid

sales
12 RELATIONSHIPS 36

Rochelle Togo-Figa Mary Elizabeth Murphy
IMAGE COACH
16 wellness 38

Mic Alexander Vickie L. Bunzey
FASHION 20
Passport for Fashion

3
®
 ® ®

Visit Our New

Online Store Serving Charlotte
and Charleston
Publisher/President
Mimi L. Zelman
mimi@womenwithknowhow.com
You know your stuff, design and page production
now show the world! SPARK Publications
info@SPARKpublications.com
Director of wwkh elite
Margo Lord
Whether you’re heading to your Margo@womenwithknowhow.com
company’s board meeting or your aCCOUNT eXECUTIVE
daughter’s soccer practice, you’ll be Leslie Wilson Pearce

stylin’ when you show the world that Contributing Writers

Mary Elizabeth Murphy
you are a Woman With Know-how.
Marcie Williams- Browning
Robyn Crigger
We’ve handpicked a select group of
Kim Hughes
items all in rich black, to showase of 704events.com
the gorgeous fuchsia pink and silver Charleston
metallic embroidered message that Contact Mimi Zelman
704-491-1207
tells everyone you are truly a woman mimi@womenwithknowhow.com
to be reckoned with. For more advertising information call
Mimi at 704-491-1207 or email her at:
mimi@womenwithknowhow.com
Copyright ©2010

www.womenwithknowhow.com
Cover photography: Episode Studios
4
®
Management Robyn Crigger, CEO Compass Career Management Solutions–OI Partners Inc.

What is The Next

Step in Your Career?

H
ave you been working in are doing better, and there are some
the same line of business/ new companies moving into our area.
career for six to ten Those are good signs. Therefore, it is
years? The challenging economy important that you do your research
has probably made your job less on your line of work and those strong
pleasant, and employers are companies in your industry.
stuck being unable to offer salary
increases, and many have cut If you want to make a change in your
benefits. So now what? career, be clear about what is the
reason and then examine if you have
The unemployment may appropriate skills, experience, and
sound like it is not quite training. If not, you should seek out
as bad as it has been, the most reputable venue to gain the
MORE INFO
OI Partners Inc. – Compass
however, do NOT be education and training for your target
Career Management fooled or realistic. position. Too many employees keep
Solutions
www.compasscareer.com There are still MANY their skills and expertise current.
(704) 849-2500
rcrigger@compasscareer.com people unemployed Perhaps you can volunteer in an
-- including those organization where you can shadow
with lots of education someone in the line of work in which
and experience. Therefore, you are interested.
your decision about changing
jobs should be entered with your Next, carefully target companies that
eyes wide open. Some industries possess the types of positions you want,
6
®
and try to locate an employee in those
companies, who you can get to know and
from whom you can learn more about the
organization. These employees may even
be able to introduce you to key personnel.
Networking (which is what this is) is
recognized as one of the most effective
ways to attain the position you really want.
Hopefully, you have taken time earlier
to be sure of the salary needed to cover
your living expenses, etc. Therefore,
it is a key part of your research in
the companies of interest. From your
company contacts, you should be
able to have a general idea about their
benefits offered.
Some employers have been overly
Networking is recognized as one
of the most effective ways to attain
the position you really want.
cautious and frugal. Therefore, if you
really like where you are, though it
would be “tipping your hand”; you could
go to your employer and ask about the
future of the company. Many business
publications as well as business
advisers have relayed to employers that
they need to be investing in their “good
employees” so NOT to lose them. Still,
there are no guarantees that your next
employer wouldn’t be in the same boat.
The bottom line is that you must do
what is best for you, fills your passion,
while paying the bills.
7
®
Young entrepreneur Kimberly Hughes

And Then I Broke…

D
o you remember the feeling of
January 1st, 2010? The concept
seemed to take our breath away.
After an extremely tumultuous decade,
the energy behind the masses seemed to
indicate that THIS was the year to write
a new beginning and forgive and forget
our pasts.
such as when I finalized my purchase
of 704events.com and became a true
entrepreneur and business-owner.
But it was some of the choices I made
and the people I aligned myself – Both
personally and professionally, that
seemed to make the negatives far
outweigh the positives.

I remember being in a state of Instead of recognizing the path I

euphoric joy while I stood with was going down and the decisions
my friends and thousands I was making and immediately re-
of Charlotteans at First aligning myself, I kept my nose to the
INFO Night Charlotte when the grindstone; not coming up for air or
M O R E
704eve
nts crown dropped – I had a noticing the state I was in. Essentially,
t s .com
4e ve n
www.70 .281.4482
feeling in my heart that I was setting myself up for disaster –
704 vents.com
kim@70
4e this year had Kimberly
Kristin Hughes all over
it. My love affair with 2010
ended soon after. The energy behind
the masses seemed to
The REAL 2010 indicate that THIS
Alright, 2010 wasn’t all that bad – There
were hugely positive moments last year, was the year to write a
8
new beginning
®
Maybe a disaster that I truly needed;
a rock bottom of epic proportions. Or
maybe, the best learning experience I
could have ever asked for.
Broken Wide Open
On December 17th, 2010, I began
the drive home to Wisconsin for the
holidays. I had no set return time – I
just needed to be away. While pulling
out of my driveway, after only catching
2.5 hours of sleep, I started to tear-
up and I knew that I had reached my
breaking point. After dealing with a
year of business stresses, personal
After only catching 2.5 hours of sleep, I
started to tear-up and I knew that I had
reached my breaking point.
dilemma’s, failed relationships, brutal
endings to friendships, financial short-
comings and common quarter-life
crises… I was breaking down. I was raw
and vulnerable - defeated and listless. I
made it to Wisconsin in record time and
started my 2-week journey rekindling
with my roots.
9
®
 Resurrecting What I Had Lost
After not taking time off in almost 2
years, it look me a week to get back to
my normal self. I was short, impatient,
crabby, and emotionally exhausted. It
wasn’t rare for me to sleep full 8-hours
at night and then take 4 hour naps
during the day. I felt out of control
not being around my computer 24/7
or having consistent service with my
BlackBerry. It got so bad that my first 3
night’s at my mom’s house, I woke up
in my room with my BlackBerry firmly
held in my hand.
but I broke. By saying broke, I mean I
broke free of the chains and completely
ridiculous and expectations that I held
my self captive. I again learned what
it is like to smile with purpose, live
with intention, and again realize what
life is all about - The people, places
and experiences that make you feel
grateful and alive, the experiences
that you enjoy that help you grow,
the opportunities to be of support to
others around you thrive and overcome
obstacles, and the time you have learn
and mature.

I don’t know when or how it happened My second week in Wisconsin was

Meet Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere.

Overture introduces you and your colleagues to
potential clients using our acclaimed multimedia
presentation. Many businesses, especially those
in professional services, need more than a website
and print collateral.

The prospect has to meet you. Establishing personal

chemistry is the key to cultivating a relationship, then
earning a client’s business.
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

10
®
 I challenge you to
make 2011 the year
of attaining your
wildest goals and
expectations.
a dream – I was surrounding by my
entire family, my closest friends in the
world and the comforting, small town
environment I was born and raised in, in
my first 20 years. I had time to reflect,
I could be still, and I was able to shut
down my mind from the clutter that fills it
on a normal work day – Not to mention,
I worked part-time off of my BlackBerry
and didn’t miss a beat with my clients.
After two weeks of new favorite
memories, I very quietly slid back into
Charlotte and stayed almost completely
off the radar through January 4th. It truly
was one of the best Christmas’ and times
away that I ever had!
2011
This year, things will change. I know the
person I was at my best and know too
well the person I am at my worst. I can
recognize when I just need to disengage
and relax. My downfall started when I
didn’t fully handle the initial problem that
faced me; instead, each new problem
bleed into the next one…and the next
one…and the next one.
I vowed to myself to not bring home work
more than 2 nights a week, to draw a
clear line of who I am personally and who
I am professionally and to stop letting my
schedule come between my life – To give
more attention to my health, my family,
friends, spirituality, and my personal life.
To get centered, relax and rejuvenate
doesn’t mean that you need to take a 2
week, extravagant excursion and it doesn’t
mean you have to drop thousands of
dollars. It means that you, your spouse,
your family, or just yourself can get away
from the grind of daily life and rediscover
the person that you are meant to be.
I challenge you to make 2011 the year
of attaining your wildest goals and
expectations. If you had a false start this
year and you already down on your luck
– CELEBRATE! Tomorrow is a new day
and you don’t have to wait until 2012 to
start fresh.
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
S O L U T I O N S
SM
Contact us at 704.201.3354
or Info@InYourSandbox.com
InYourSandbox.com
11
®
 Sales Rochelle Togo-Figa, the Breakthrough Strategist

Rather Be Pushed From

An Airplane Than Speak?

O
ne of the fastest ways to
attract clients is to become
known as the expert by
speaking to groups. Yet, most
people would rather be pushed
from an airplane than get up in
front of a group and speak. No one
was ever born a natural speaker.
When you watch dynamic speakers,
it may seem as if they deliver their
speech effortlessly. The
ease with which they
deliver their speech
is the result of many
MORE INFO
Rochelle Togo-Figahing hours of preparing
ac
RTF Professional Co and rehearsing.
throughs.com
rochelle@salesbreak roughs.com
www.salesbreakth 34
980.207.04
I love speaking to
groups, sharing my sales
and marketing strategies to
help them grow their businesses.
Believe me; it wasn’t always this way
for me. It wasn’t too long ago that the
12
® eyes of the audience.
thought of getting up in front of a group
paralyzed me. I laid awake many nights
worried about how I’d come across.
What would they think of me? What if
they’re not interested in what I have to
say? What if I forget what to say? After
years of practice, preparation, and
training, my confidence increased and
I became an effective speaker. Let’s
take a look at the world of speaking
and what the benefits are to you.
When you become a speaker, you
immediately elevate yourself in the eyes of
the audience. They see you as the expert
and this establishes instant credibility.
You’re reaching more than one person
and that increases the chances of
When you become a
speaker, you immediately
elevate yourself in the
more people interested in your service program planner to find out the profile
or product. of the people attending.

Your confidence increases. As your 2. Arrive early before you speak and
speaking improves, the most powerful walk around introducing yourself to
benefit is the improvement in your some of the people. This helps to relax
general confidence and self-image. you and get you related to them.
Research shows that in selling, a speech
demonstrating your services is 50% 3. If you’re speaking for a half-
more effective than the most glowing hour to an hour, your talk should
testimonial. You’re showing the audience cover only 3-4 points. The audience
first hand how you think and work. can only retain a limited amount of
When you’re speaking, the audience information in a short period of time.
has come to you rather than you having
to find them. 4. Let the audience know at the
beginning what you’ll be talking about
What makes a great speaker? and how long you’ll be speaking.
I saw Suze Orman, the financial guru,
speak at a conference. As soon as
she walked on stage, she connected
with us. She was down-to-earth, funny,
and knowledgeable. She shared her
own personal story of growing up in
Chicago, working as a waitress for
several years making only $400 a
month. Although she has achieved
great success and fame, she had her
ups and downs just like you and me.
Because she shared authentically from
her heart, she had us all sitting on the
edge of our seats listening to every
word she said.

Here are 10 valuable tips to draw the

audience to you from the beginning to
end of your talk.

1. Know who’s in your audience

before you speak. Call the event or
13
®
 5. Speak to only one person at a
time for about 4-5 seconds. Don’t
look over their heads. Speak to them.
This helps to reduce nervousness,
increase confidence, and connect with
the audience.
6. Create a compelling memorable
story. People are interested in
“you.” By sharing a memorable story,
you’re connecting with the audience
at a more personal level. They now will
feel more related to you and what you
have to say.
7. Engage the audience throughout
your presentation and make it
interactive. Check in with them by
Life is full of foggy roads.
We help you find your way
to where you want to go.
Clarity ♦ Organization ♦ Accountability ♦ Support
14
®
Phone: (704) 543-1564 | www.CoachU2Lead.com
asking questions. It’s much more fun
when you include them.
8. Throughout your talk, share other
stories about people who you helped
and the results. People love to hear
real-life stories of triumph and success.
9. End your talk with a “call to action.”
What do you want as an outcome for your
talk? Do you want the audience to take
an action step? Do you want them to buy
your product or service?
10. Capture your audience. If you want
to keep in touch with them, offer to send
them notes from your talk or give a gift if
they give you their business cards.
TM
| Email: info@CoachU2Lead.com
 15
®
 IMAGE COACH Mic Alexander, Image Wealth Management

Mood Management
for Powerful Women

H
ow many times have you with challenges that cause them to dig
had to “Put on a happy deeper and reach higher than the days
face” and “Keep it together” before, in order to win at the “games”
because you can “Never let ‘em see they play. Like my father said many
you sweat”? What was the cause times during our 17 years as partners
of the nauseating feeling in your in our commercial printing company,
stomach or the lump in your throat? “It isn’t easy being a leader. If it were,
Was it the lack of funds to meet everyone would do it.” At that time,
your financial obligations; the loss those were fighting words! I didn’t want
of a very important relationship, to hear about how difficult it was to be
or the dreaded public a business owner – I already knew that.
speech? When was Besides, he had no idea what it was
the last time you like being a female in a male dominated
wanted to do or industry. Not to mention the challenges
MORE INFO
nageme
Image Wealth Ma er
nt say something
Mic Alexand
different than you
m
mic@imagewealth.co om
www.ImageWealt
h.c did because you
704.953.9596
weren’t willing to “I didn’t know that
risk being questioned I didn’t know” how
or criticized for being
true to yourself?
to manage my
moods during my
Everyday powerful women are faced transitions, rather
16
®
than suppress them.
 In 2001 I was honored
with the Chamber’s
Entrepreneur of the
Year award –wow; it’s
hard to believe that was
10 years ago!
of controlling my weight as I wined and
dined with potential clients. But, as I
reflect back on the journey, I realize that
he was right…again…dang it!
“I didn’t know that I didn’t know”
how to manage my moods during my
transitions, rather than suppress them.
Nor did I realize that by suppressing
rather than managing them, I could later
be triggered and they could resurface at
the most inappropriate times.
In 2001 I was honored with the
Chamber’s Entrepreneur of the Year
award –wow; it’s hard to believe that
was 10 years ago! My family, staff and I
had never been more pleased that our
efforts were finally being recognized.
Two days after the ceremony I attended
a monthly board meeting for a non-
profit organization. After the meeting
I engaged in a conversation with a
colleague who was also a potential
client. He and I had spoken several
times about my company becoming
a print vendor for his company. When
I asked him what our “next steps”
were, he smiled and asked, “Didn’t you
just win the Entrepreneur of the Year
award?” Without waiting for my reply
he continued, “It seems that you are
doing fine. You don’t really need our
printing. Our company is committed to
economic development and we really
should spread the wealth.”
It was obvious from his tone that he
was not kidding. I was immediately
triggered back to all the times that my
accomplishments/wins were used
against me. Like the time I purchased
a new vehicle and one of my clients
indicated that they must be paying too
much for their printing; or the time the
company received the contract to print
for a major sports team and lost our
existing contract with the rival team.
Yes I was triggered both by known and
unknown past events that led me to
completely mishandle this challenge.
I learned that mood is a
temporary state of being that
can be altered “at will”.
I said –rather loudly- “What the h***
are you talking about? Do you expect
me to stop printing just because I
won a silly award? [which in no way
was silly to me; funny how we say
things we don’t mean when our mood
is in control of us]...Blah Blah. You
get the idea. I was not nice; I was in
the Red Zone. Talk about image risk!
Thankfully, I had developed a strong
enough image in previous dealings with
him that he overlooked my temporary
17
®

meltdown and eventually awarded me
the contract. Whew! It was right then
that “I knew that I didn’t know” how
to properly manage my moods and I
needed to learn quickly.
Two years before selling the printing
company, I submerged myself in ‘Mood
Management’ and its effect on both
an organization’s and an individual’s
image. I learned that mood is a
temporary state of being that can be
altered “at will”. It not only influences
results but it also impacts image. My
studies led me to discover and develop
various mood management techniques
that I could use and train my staff to
use. They range from simple to more
detailed. The techniques have proven to
be powerful tools for maintaining a high
mood level while facing challenges.
Following is an example of a simple
Mood Management Technique:
1. Identify your mood. [I have a chart
of over 100 moods]
2. Read the definition of the
mood aloud from the dictionary.
[preferably Webster’s American
Heritage dictionaries]
3. State aloud every picture or
incident that comes to mind related to
the mood [until you run out of pictures
or incidents]
4. Identify the antonym for your mood.
18
®
It’s not too late
to learn Mood
Management and
create a pleasing
personality and a
positive IMAGE
that attracts other
positive people.
5. Read the definition aloud from
the dictionary.
6. Recall a time and/or incident in
which you experienced that mood and
describe it as detailed as possible.
I guarantee that by the time the
exercise is over, you will feel a slight or
great shift upward in your mood. This
technique is even more powerful when
performed with a partner you trust.
Beware that your ego may cause some
resistance to honesty but if you persist,
you will overcome.
I learned that it is possible to be
genuinely happy and enjoy life even
when playing the challenging roles we
play as women (i.e. mother, daughter,
aunt, caretaker, and of course
entrepreneur, etc.) It’s not too late to
learn Mood Management and create
a pleasing personality and a positive
IMAGE that attracts other positive
people with whom you can play the
“games” of life and WIN. Remember,
image is fragile, but if properly
managed, IMAGE is POWER.
 SIGN UP TO RECEIVE FREE AUDIO CD &
SALES & MARKETING ARTICLES AT:
www.SalesBreakthroughs.com
E-mail Rochelle for your complimentary session at
Rochelle@SalesBreakthroughs.com

The Sure-Fire Formula

to Exploding Your Sales
Led by Rochelle Togo-Figa

• Is the economy impacting your business?

• Frustrated you’re not closing more sales?
• Wonder why other business owners seem to easily attract clients and you’re not?
• Do you wish someone could show you exactly what you need to do to sign on more clients?

If you’re like most people, you may hate the thought of selling. But, with
everything that’s going on with economy, you have to be at the top of the sales game if
you’re going to succeed. Rochelle Togo-Figa, “The Breakthrough Strategist” understands the
challenges faced by business owners. She knows what it’s like to struggle to close sales. But
after 23 years of selling, Rochelle discovered the secret formula to closing sales quickly and
easily. She can’t wait to share with you several steps of The Inner Game of Sales System™
that will help you increase your sales (even in a down economy!).

In this fast-paced session, Rochelle will share several steps of the Inner Game of Sales™,
a proven 8-step sales process that changes the way you think about sales and teaches you
everything you need to do to close more sales, sign on more clients, and make more money.

You will learn:

• Valuable techniques and strategies for selling any product or service in a down economy
• How to create a compelling marketing message that grabs the prospect’s attention
immediately and has them say “Please give me your business card”!
• The key steps to closing every sale
• How to eliminate the obstacles to your sales success

Women With Know How Elite Networking group

Next meeting is Tuesday February 15 at Villa Antonios South Blvd. Location.
Networking begins at 5:30 pm
Register at www.womenwithknowhow.com

19
®
 Passport
forFashion
20
®
I
t has been said, “change is inevitable.” For tasting and sipping, shop through the local artist
millions of Americans, now more than ever, Bazaar. The Bazaar will include jewelry, clothing,
this cliché has become a reality. For some, men’s gifts, pottery and accessories. After the
this nebulous idea of change has forced its way reception each attendee must go thru PASSPORT
into our everyday psyche demanding practical, FOR FASHION CUSTOMS to enter the 8 Amazing
everyday lifestyle adjustments – not tomorrow, but Fashion Shows. After the Fashion Show an
right now! For the conscience and conscientiously elegant dessert tasting and coffee will be served.
challenged, each in our own way, we are all
becoming advocates for saving the environment. Your admission of will include champagne, wine,
cocktails, sake, cuisine from around the world,
On April 16, 2011, Charlotte Seen will host a fashion eight fashion shows, give-a-ways, swag bags
show themed “PASSPORT FOR FASHION” to for the VIPS, red carpet, shopping, celebrities,
help raise funds and awareness about saving the dessert party, after party at BUTTER.
environment. To help make this event a notable
success, Charlotte Seen partnered with Gilbert VIP fashion runway seats for sale at
Iron and Steel owned by Steven Gilbert and several$25.00, includes admission, food and
local hair salons, designers, local boutiques, wine, after dessert party, 8 fashion
museums, art schools, and makeup artist to share ashows, runway seating and VIP swag
common conviction and concern about our nation’s bag, giveaways. General
environmental crisis. Sponsors and supporters Admission $20.00
include Fuze Salon, Varji & Varji, Modern Day Salon
includes admission,
and Spa, Carmen and Carmen, Planet 21, Bentella food and wine, after
Salon, Orange Olive, Art Institute of Charlotte, Mint
dessert party, 8 fashion shows,
Museum of the Arts,nHouse of Andrachelle, Christine
giveaways. There are also, VIP
Cook, Dr. Tom Whitfield, Art Charlotte, Doodle Bug.
tables of 6 are available for $500
Together, this team hopes to persuade others aboutincludes 6 VIP passes, VIP
the importance of environmental preservation, global
Runway table, two bottles
warming, energy efficiency, and much more. The of champagne, appetizers,
designer showcase includes a spectacular assembly food and wine, desserts and
by some of Charlotte’s top designers such as Luis VIP swag bags. VIP tables
Machiçao , Flow by Tara Davis, Beth Pilger and others.
of 4 are available for $250
A portion of the proceeds will benefit for the homeless
includes 4 VIP passes, VIP
children of Charlotte - A Child’s Place. Runway table, one bottle of
champagne, appetizers, food
Showtime for this event is 6:30 PM at the movie and wine, desserts and VIP
production warehouse REELWORKS located 817 swag bags. If interested, please
Hamilton Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28206 contact Rita Miles at 704.492.9846 or
Phone - 704.375.4321. The evening kicks off rita@charlotteseen.com. For more details,
with cuisine around the world with your passport, log on to charlotteseen.com and become
tasting decadent food and wine, sake from France, a FAN OF PASSPORT FOR FASHION
Italy, Brazil, Asia, India, America, Japan. While on Facebook.
21
®
 A Charlotte
woman’s
DREAM
becomes a
reality
Cathy
Sheafor
22
By Leslie Wilson Pearce
Never give up on your Dreams
C
harlotte Community School
for Girls is a tuition-free
middle school in the South
end community for girls from low-
wealth backgrounds. Currently they
have twelve 5th graders that she
refers to as “scholars”. The girls
came from ten different elementary
schools around Charlotte. “We
wanted to shift the expectations
of these girls from the moment
they walk in the door that they
will go to college.” says Cathy
Sheafor. Calling them “scholars” is
part of creating that expectation.
Enrichment classes in art, music,
drama, technology, world topics,
special topics, physical education,
and community service complete
each girls learning experience.
Cathy graduated from Duke University
and then went on to law school at
Washington University School of Law.
In the early 90’s she and her husband,
who was in medical school started
volunteering to coach swim teams.
She always had a “natural affinity
for working with kids” and felt that,
“building relationships through sports is
very important!” Cathy and her husband
lived in St. Louis and Washington in
their early married years. She taught
adult education classes after law school
at Washington University School of Law
but did not have the formal education
of a teacher. After law school, she
worked in the Justice Dept in DC and
taught adult education classes there
as well. Then she retired from public
work in 2000 to stay home with her
twin girls now 16. Cathy home schooled
her girls in 7th & 8th grade, so she saw
the value of “experiential education
firsthand”. During that time she also
had a bout with Thyroid Cancer, which,
of course, was a struggle, but it didn’t
stop her from dreaming of this school.
“I am a prolific reader and love kids”
that was fuel for her dream “I feel that
opportunities can lead to more creative
learning.” Finally the timing was right to
23
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 go forward to actually start the school.
Charlotte Community School for
Girls became a reality in August 2010
for Cathy Sheafor. This is a dream she
has carried with her since the nineties.
“In January 2009, my husband and I
agreed that I would try to stop calling
it a dream and make it a reality.”
After attending a class the following
June on Leadership Development at
Whitehead & Associates, she made a
declaration and promised to open the
school. Reflecting back on the “power
of the human word”. The summer of
24
® it a reality.”
2009, she pursued creating a board of
directors, attaining the 501-C3 non-
profit certification, volunteering, and
visited many schools. During that time
she started attending events around
town and experienced “personal
growth in the in process”. This Woman
With Know How is fulfilling her dream!
The school is “Community-based
and Experientially focused”
”We are community-based and
experientially focused. Research shows
that if you are teaching math, the
best way to learn is to do something
to demonstrate math. All the supplies
students need to learn and grow are
provided and all meals are brought into
the school. We try and provide local
organic and fresh foods and utilize
vendors in the community such as
The Common Market, Fuel Pizza, and
Noodles & Co.
I saw the pride in the school
from one scholar’s eyes
As I was arriving at the school which
is located in the South End at Summit
Ave and Tryon to interview Cathy,
I noticed some cool canvass bags
attached to the front of the building
with dirt and various plants filling
“In January 2009,
my husband and I
agreed that I would
try to stop calling it
a dream and make
them. Cathy later told me that they
were fully recyclable and a donation.
Cathy asked a student to give me a
tour of the facility. It was apparent
that she took pride in her school and
enjoyed showing me every detail even
down to the copy of “The Declaration
of Independence” and the restroom.
Currently they have 12 students
of whom each has her own laptop
that helps develop confidence and
competence in the use of technology.
As funds become available affects
the plans for growing the VISION
The school has had a few fundraising
projects but depends solely on
donations. Some of their sponsors
include Coca Cola Corporation, Carolina
Pad, Technology Project Management,
Charlotte Post Foundation, 5th Third
Bank and others. Linda Shaw one of the
Kidzart franchises has donated some
art classes to the school. Cathy has
gotten some of the local colleges such
as CPCC, Davidson, Belmont Abby, and
UNCC to come in and teach classes.
Chefs at CPCC will be teaching a cooking
class soon. Cathy is very grateful to
those who have helped the school.
The strength of the commitment
and the willingness to continue to
learn and grow is a driving force. The
acceptance of where we are at this
point is important in our vision as well.
“I believe in single gender education
as a better way to teach and exposure
to positive female role models.” “We
are not about excluding boys, but the
empowerment of girls.” “Currently we
only have 5th graders with the hope
to keep those scholars until 8th grade
and grow to 100.” Everything hinges
on “as funds become available.” Cathy
takes no salary and typically works
80 – 90 hour weeks. Fortunately, her
children are pretty self-sufficient, and
her husband is most helpful. They
put in time at the school about 15
hours a week. This has truly become
a family commitment. As we talked I
compared Cathy to the “If you build it
they will come” mentality of “Field of
Dreams”. “When we are filled up, we
fill others up” is the way Cathy Sheafor
thinks. All teachers are part-time,
without benefits, and make less than
the typical teacher which says a lot
for their commitment to the VISION of
Charlotte Community School for Girls.
“My message to other women is
don’t give up on your dreams”
We may have to postpone them until
the timing is right Sometimes it may
take 20 years from idea, to dream,
to VISION. I feel that the dreams that
are meant to be fulfilled will not stop
entering our minds until we
pursue them! Please become
a FACEBOOK FAN and get
involved with the school! MORE INFO
They are need in-kind Cathy Sheafor hool.org
cathy @cha rlottecommunitysc
donations, volunteering as 704.439.6740
a teacher, serving, tutoring,
or providing a service, and
of course, financial support.
25
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 Personal Forecast Marcie Williams-Browning

2011 Is All About Aligning

Yourself WITH Your Goals
Be Innovative so that this new higher vibration energy
I am so excited about this year! You could enter. This is the energy that excites
should be excited too. I remember me. This is the energy to align with as we
my mother saying that it felt like time move into 2011. Sometimes releasing old
moved faster as she got older. I’ve stuff can be painful and difficult so just
noticed that lately but I don’t think know that what is coming to you will feel
it’s my age. I believe that our energy that much more wonderful and loving.
is vibrating at a higher frequency. The
earth has spent the last year releasing What about alignment?
stagnant energy and most of us have I have noticed in working with clients that
done the same. Hopefully, our release they tend to want to go back to old patterns
was not as violent as the earth’s. We and habits. We work hard to remove those
spent the last year working on unwanted habits and yet they fight to return
ourselves and figuring out to them. This is a strong human brain
what was working in our reaction to anything unknown and the new
lives and what wasn’t. energy is the unknown. This new energy
MORE INFO Those things that were feels very different than the old energy felt.
is Center
Chrysalis Hypnos
iritBiz.co
www.MindBodySp 40
m not working should This month I would encourage you to resist
704.631.95
now be gone. You the urge to go backwards and allow yourself
either removed them to settle into the new energy. Remember,
yourself or the Universe we and everything in our world are simply
did it for you. energy. If you will take a moment to feel
the energy of the space where all your old
What’s Important? “stuff” used to be you will notice that it feels
That old stagnant energy needed to leave better, lighter and easier.
26
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Allow yourself to let that energy settle in
and take hold of you. You will be rewarded
with more than you can even imagine.
This new energy is about loving ourselves,
our communities, our nations and our
world. This is the energy you want to align
yourself with and this energy comes from
goals that are heartfelt, based in truth,
authenticity and love.
What to align
yourself with this month?
Each month I will share some areas
for you to focus self-alignment. These
areas are prominent within the month
and therefore the energy behind them is
already strong. When you add your energy
to the strength of the earth’s energy it
makes the alignment easier.
For February explore goals and actions
that are inventive solutions to old
problems. Look forward to the future with
excitement and wonderment. Remember
to be a loving human being. We are all
connected and when you remember that
we are all connected that is the energy
that you share with the world. Notice
revelations and glimpses of the big picture
as you pay attention to the positive things
that come your way.
How do you align
yourself with your goals?
Last month I talked about my ritual of
alignment and used the example of
money. I choose an emotion word each
month that represents how I want to feel
about money. I check in frequently to see
what circumstances have caused me to
feel that emotion in my life.
This ritual has been so fun! It has brought to
my attention so many beautiful events that
I may have missed or dismissed before. We
all know how easy it is to lose focus on our
goals and how easy it can be to get caught
up in the negative energy.
Since friendship is one of the focuses for
February I wanted to apply this process to
relationships. Chose an emotion word that
expresses how you would like to feel about
your relationships this month. Write it down
and place it where you will see it often.
Then track how many times you felt that
way during the month. The feeling may be
evoked around something unrelated to
relationships but that feeling will spill out
into everything in your life. Have fun with
this process and write down everything that
happens even if it is a stretch in your mind.
Every decision we make is based in
emotion. Using this technique brings more
positive emotion into your life. The more
you review your word, focus on what the
word means for you and the goal you’ve
made in association with the word - the
faster you will see positive results.
This process brings all parts of you into
alignment with your goals. The continued
focus throughout the month keeps you
in alignment. The focus on the word
keeps you positive and writing down the
experiences of that emotion builds on the
emotion itself. When you are in alignment
with your goals they will happen!
27
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 Professional Spotlight by Mimi Zelman

Nancy Boru

L
one Cone Toffee – What
is in a name and how did
you get started?
It was 21 years ago next month when
I finally became more afraid to stay in
my 12-year nightmare of a marriage
than to take my children and flee. I
had $17 to my name when I made this
decision, but I managed to make it all
the away across the country. It took
me almost a month-and-a-half, but
when I drove to the top of Norwood
Hill in southwestern Colorado and saw
the Lone Cone Mountain looming in
the distance, I knew I had found the
place where I could assume a new
identity and raise my children in safety.
It was extremely challenging, but I
was able to avail myself of whatever
social services existed there. We lived
in subsidized housing. We collected
welfare. We used food stamps. It was
humiliating. But I was so thankful that
it was available.

Our town was a small ranching

community of only 1500 souls at 7000
28
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feet in San Juan Mountains. After six
years of scrambling to support myself
and my children, a friend shared with
me his grandmother’s toffee recipe.
I cooked it and found it fabulous.
I shared it with my friends and my
friends shared their ideas with me on
how to turn this into a business.
I have wonderful and very smart
friends. One of them designed my
logo. Another helped with packaging.
Another one helped me cook the
toffee, and yet another loaned me
$100 to buy the ingredients and
supplies to get me started.
It just seemed a natural thing that I
should call my business Lone Cone
Toffee. I had a view of that mountain
from my house and somehow seeing
it everyday help me heal. I started
the business in January of 1996 and
in January of 2003, due to the pull of
my three granddaughters, I moved to
Charlotte. I have cooked, packaged,
wrapped and sold over $250,000
worth of toffee primarily during the
Christmas season in the 13 years since
Lone Cone Toffee was born.
What has been the biggest
moment or key turning point for
Lone Cone Toffee’s success?
I would have to say that it was joining
Tradebank three years ago. It has
29
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 enabled me to buy goods and services
at greatly reduced prices. For instance,
I was able to get 30,000 new labels
completely on trade which made it
possible for me to develop two new
flavors of toffee this year, Lone Cone
Coffee Toffee and Lone Cone Peanut
Toffee. might add, I was able to get
magnetic ads for my car, printing of my
order forms and stationary, advertising
and even a new computer all on trade.
This has all contributed to me being
able to grow my business way beyond
what I was able to do before. Not only
that, I have sold Lone Cone Toffee
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30
®
to Tradebank members all over the
country, so now my toffee is reaching
people who would have never had the
opportunity to taste it.
What is your passion
behind Lone Cone Toffee?
I simply love to see the expression
on the faces of people who taste
Lone Cone Toffee for the first time. It
never fails to delight me knowing that
something I created brings
so much pleasure to so many people. I
also love it when people who
work for me tell me that this is the best
job they ever had.
Is there a major hardship that
you have endured in your life
that has translated into success
or a lesson learned in your
business? If so, what?
Escaping from my husband and raising
two children on my own with next to no
money was quite a challenge. Because
I didn’t want them to grow up to be
delinquents, I determined to find a way
to make a living from my home instead
of driving 45 minutes each way to
Telluride to work as many others who
live on the Mesa do. For a time, I would
get up at four in the morning each week
day and bake something fabulous. At
coffee break time, I’d go into all the
businesses in town with a basket of fresh
baked goodies. There was no bakery in
town, so people were always delighted
to see me coming. I had a little catering
business with one friend and a sewing
business with another. I decorated cakes
when someone had a need, hung wall
paper for a couple of folks and even
painted a couple of houses.
It was important for me to be a good
example to my children and not to
become what many deem “a typical
welfare mother”. I felt that I should do
something for the community to pay it
back for the social services that I was
receiving, so I got myself elected to the
Norwood School Board. And the San
Miguel Horse Racing Board. And the
San Miguel County All Around Board.
(They are in charge of the county
fairgrounds). And the San Miguel
Resource Center Board. (Domestic
Abuse). I got a new school built and
a park created in Norwood during my
12 years there. Most importantly, my
children have all graduated from college
and I was able to raise my son to be a
wonderful, loving and non-abusive man.
I did these things because I had to. It
was my choice to run from my husband
and my responsibility to do the best
for my kids that I was able to do. It
makes the challenges of building my
own business easy in comparison.
There is no obstacle that I face that
can compare to what I’ve already
conquered. And I know from hard won
experience that there is a solution to
every problem.
Any advice you can give women
about following their passion
and becoming an entrepreneur?
Ask for help. So many people feel that
asking for help is a sign of weakness. I
used to feel that way as well. But then
I realized that if I didn’t ask for help, I
literally would not survive. I spent close
to a month, including Christmas, in a
women’s shelter with my children. If
that isn’t asking for help, I don’t know
what is. I had to beg friends for money
in order to make it across the country.
Once I got where I was going, I had to
ask for help from social services. After
I got established and made friends, I
asked for their help in launching my
business. Every step of the way, I asked
for help. And I got it. And I learned an
amazing thing along the way: People
like being asked for help. They like
helping. I have come to believe that
asking someone for help is actually a
gift to them. Try it.
Who are the best people for you
to connect with in business or
who are your ideal clients?
The wonderful thing about Lone Cone
Toffee is that it is a perfect gift for any
occasion. . It comes in a beautiful
package and I can send it
anywhere for you or deliver
a case of it to your office.
Everyone who receives it MORE INFO
Lone Cone Toffee om
will remember you sweetly. ffee.c
nancy@loneconeto fee.com
of
www. lon ec on et
So, anyone who gives gifts 704.442.8349
888.386.7992
is an ideal client. Watch for
the Grand opening ofNancy’s
new store Lone Cone Toffee and
Grancies Bakery in Indian Trail, NC
coming soon!
31
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 FINANCE April Oliver, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Protecting Your Credit Card

I
t’s no secret that people Be safe online
can get into trouble with Making online purchases can be one of
their credit cards by racking the safest ways to use credit cards if you
up too much debt. But that’s do it right. When you buy online, you don’t
not the only hazard of paying have to hand your credit card to anybody
with plastic—there’s also the or read your card number to a stranger
challenge to keep your credit over the phone. Make sure when it comes
card information secure and out to actually paying for a purchase that the
the hands of thieves. website is secure (noted by the address
prefix “https :”). These sites often have an
This isn’t just a matter of icon of a padlock or unbroken key on the
making sure your card is web page to indicate that the company
always tucked securely is using reliable security technology. The
back into your wallet best safeguard may be to stick with trusted
MORE INFO .
Ameriprise Financia
l Se rices, Inc or purse. There are merchants when making purchases online.
April M. Oliver
com
times when your credit Also, keep your computer’s operating
april.m.oliver@ampf.ors.com/
www.ameriprisead ver
vis card, or information system, anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall
april.m.oli
704.540.7171 about your card, is out software up-to-date.
of your hands, and care
needs to be taken to assure Be cautious about
that unauthorized individuals phone purchases
aren’t using it. Here are a few pointers to It is particularly important to know the
protect yourself: firm or organization you are dealing
32
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 Making online
purchases can be
one of the safest ways Under federal law, your liability for an
unauthorized charge is limited to $50. If
to use credit cards if
you believe fraudulent charges have been
you do it right. made, report it immediately to your credit
card company and ask them to replace
your card with a new one.
with if you actually provide credit card
information over the phone. This is Keep good records
generally one of the least secure ways to Keep receipts and track your purchases
make credit card purchases; so typically, so you can compare your actual credit
you should look for other options. card usage to your monthly statement
(or, with most card companies, you can
Avoid sending check your statement online, which is
information in the mail updated daily). That is the best way to
Many mail order forms give you the determine if unauthorized purchases
option to include credit card information. have occurred.
If that mail gets lost, an unauthorized
person could have your credit card data.
It’s best to avoid sending credit card
information this way, but if you must,
make sure numbers can’t be read through
the envelope and try to disguise the fact
that payment information is enclosed.

Try to keep an eye on your

card when you hand it over
If you make payments at retail outlets
or restaurants with a credit card, do
your best to keep the card in your
view. It’s the best way to verify that the
waiter or clerk is simply running the
card through the system and returning
it to you, and that nothing questionable
is happening with your information.

Choose credit cards

over debit cards
Should fraud occur, you are better
protected by using a credit card.
33
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 Legal issues Mitzi Kincaid, Kincaid and Associates, Attorneys at Law

Sole Proprietor,
LLC or Corporation?

O
ne of the most asked should seek guidance from a business
questions by my clients attorney before actually filing with the
is whether they should North Carolina Secretary of State to
be a sole proprietor, LLC or avoid costly penalties and errors.
Corporation. Many of them
have heard from friends or Sole Proprietor: This is simply one
accountants that one choice person in business who has not filed
is better than the other but any paperwork with the North Carolina
they have no idea why and the Secretary of State’s office. This person
internet companies claiming to files a personal tax return with a
file their business documents Schedule C for their business and they
seem intimidating and pay tax on any money they earn at their
impersonal, not to personal tax rate. A sole proprietor is
mention expensive. also personally liable for the debts of
MORE INFO the business and for any damages or
Kincaid and Associates, LLC There are at least two harm the business may cause.
301 McCullough Dr. 4th Floor
Charlotte, NC 28262 major reasons why you
(866)-435-5971 should care about the Limited Liability Company
entity you choose for your (LLC): This is one or more people in
business; personal liability business who have filed Articles of
and tax consequences. Below is Organization with the North Carolina
a brief description of the three main Secretary of State. The LLC can be
choices for most businesses but you a “pass through” entity where the
34
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profits of the business are passed down
to the owners of the business and
they file on their individual tax returns
and pay tax based on their tax rate.
Owners or members of a LLC have
limited liability to the extent that they
have invested in the LLC. In most cases
they are not liable for the debts of the
LLC unless they personally guarantee
the debt. Owners or members are also
generally not personally liable if the
company causes any damage to people
or property.
Corporation: This is one or more
people in business who file Articles of
Incorporation with the North Carolina
Secretary of State. A corporation will
pay tax on its profits and then individuals attorney as well as an accountant or
who work for the corporation will pay
tax on the money they earn from the
corporation. This is known as “double
taxation” and is not favorable. Owners or your 2011 is off to a great start!
A sole proprietor is also personally
liable for the debts of the business
and for any damages.
shareholders of a corporation generally
are not liable for the debts of the
corporation and are generally not liable
if the corporation causes any damage to
people or property.
The brief descriptions above are just
a sampling of the issues involved with
choosing the right corporate entity
for your business. There are benefits
and detriments to each entity and it is
important for you to consult a business
CPA who can give you guidance as well
as assisting you with any necessary
filings to start your business. I hope

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35
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 Relationships Mary Elizabeth Murphy, Managing Director of S.T.A.R. Resources
Forgetting 2010
D
ear Mary Elizabeth, All I
want to do is to forget 2010.
It was a bad year all around
for me, for my family and for my
business. I know you’re an expert
on hitting the RESET button; how
do I just RESET all of 2010?
Sincerely,
New Year’s Baby
Dear NYB,
Wow, that was quick, simple and
straight to the point. Let me
start off by telling you that
you’re not the only one
MORE IN FO who wants to simply
S.T.A.R. Resources
forget all about the past
704.535.5610
info@starreso urc es. biz year. Unemployment
rates hit their highest
mark in thirty years, the
real estate market managed
to get worse instead of better, the
marriage rate dipped below 35 percent
and the Panthers went 2-14. Not
much went right for the majority of the
36
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country, and I’m sure that you along
with most other people found yourself
Resetting at a fever pace.
As we enter 2011, the time is exactly
right to do more than RESET. After
all, we RESET in reaction to specific
instances, learning as we go how
better to manage behavior and
emotion in stressful occurrences
on an individual basis. What you as
a person and we as a country have
an opportunity to do to begin the
next decade is to reboot our way
of perceiving stressful events, in
turn positively altering the way we
experience life.
In 2010, I found that many of my
Making online
purchases can be
one of the safest ways
to use credit cards if
you do it right.
friends and colleagues experienced the
year as work at a constant pace. More
than once I heard the phrase, “I’ve
forgotten what it’s like to have fun.” As
you reboot your thinking for the next
year, ask yourself how you define the
word fun. What does fun mean to you?
Is it possible for you to have fun in non-
leisure activities? How can you make
each and every day more fun? Imagine
an entire country full of serious,
hundred-percent work-minded people.
Now imagine that it is your job to teach
them how to have fun. What would be
on your curriculum? Would you be able
to learn from yourself?
I also heard many people say, as you
stated in your letter, that they just
wanted to forget about 2010. I can’t
think of a bigger mistake that they could
make. There’s a famous quotation by
George Santayana which states one of
the clearest truths I’ve ever heard or
read: “Those who cannot remember
the past are condemned to repeat it.”
The best way to avoid 2010 if indeed it
was such a bad year for you is to look
back on it often, especially the worst
parts. Learn from your mistakes. If you
had 2010 to do over again, how would
you do it differently? What steps would
you need to take to avoid making those
mistakes, having those reactions, feeling
those emotions?
Kurt Vonnegut’s last novel, Timequake,
on its surface appears to be another
story in which people are allowed
to travel back in time and change
the past, thereby improving their
present. The catch in Vonnegut’s book,
however, is that everyone must live
the entire period of time over again
in the exact same way, making the
exact same decisions and mistakes,
while simultaneously knowing then
what they know now. This seems to me
to be the worst type of punishment.
While we cannot go back in time, we
can reimagine the past and assess
mistakes both in action and inaction.
Do things differently in 2011. Approach
the situations with a more positive,
better-educated mindset.
Could you have had more fun in 2010?
Absolutely. Could you have done things
differently, reacted differently in certain
situations, approached the world with
a different viewpoint? Certainly. Strive
to have a better year this year than last.
Approach situations from a more fun-
and less work-oriented point of view.
After all, you survived 2010. What can
2011 throw at you that you can’t handle?
Until next time, I am joyfully yours.
37
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 wellness Vickie L. Bunzey, Certified Holistic Health Coach

Can you really change

your metabolism?

H
ow many times have
you said or have heard
someone say, “I just don’t
have the metabolism I had when I
was younger. It is so hard for me
to lose even a few pounds.” Well,
me too. For me this started when I
turned 35. My metabolism seemed
to take a nose dive and losing a
few pounds was hard work.
My body was changing and I
didn’t want it to. I could see
my destiny of turning into
MORE IN FO my German grandmother.
Vickie L. Bunzey
Certified Holistic Health
Coa ch She was a lovely woman
le.com
vickie@yourbalancedhealthstyyle.com but she was only 4’
www.YourBalancedHealthst
704.995.1951 11” (I am 5’ 2”) and
what everyone would call
pleasantly plump. Oh no, no,
no…..this could not be my destiny.
So I watched other women and how
they ate, how they worked out and
read books like “French Women Don’t
38
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Get Fat”. I tried several approaches to
taking control of my metabolism and
still gained a few pounds every year
and struggled to get it off. It was when
I became a student at age 55 at the
Institute of Integrative Nutrition that
things became clarified and I was able
to take control of my body. And now, I
just ask why this information is so hard
to get. The answer…Diet books and
weight loss programs that keep you
coming back make more money. Here
is what you need to know.
One thing to understand is that
everyone is different. You are your
own best science experiment and you
Diet books and weight
loss programs that keep
you coming back make
more money.
need to find what works best for your
body. The puzzle pieces are basically
the same for all of us. It’s a matter
of figuring out how your puzzle is put
together. This is where I really enjoy
being a Health Coach and helping my
clients reach their own Ahh Hahh!
What is your metabolism? Metabolism
is the rate at which your body uses
energy which does affect weight gain.
Here are some tips you need to know.
1. Getting Older - As we get older,
our body’s ability to quickly use up
energy lessens and our metabolism
Metabolism is the rate at which
your body uses energy which does
affect weight gain.
can slow. Many of us also exercise
less, which means less muscle mass,
which means a reduced metabolic
rate. We can’t turn back the clock
and make ourselves younger, but
we can exercise and build muscle.
Strengthening exercises using all the
body’s major muscle groups and at
least moderate aerobic activity will
39
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build the muscle you need to keep your
metabolism working.
2. Beauty Sleep - It is important to
get your beauty sleep, eight hours
per night. Studies show that you’re
your sleep is disrupted the metabolic
patterns are disrupted attributing to
insulin resistance. Insulin resistance
is associated with weight gain and
obesity. Say goodnight and get 7 to 9
hours of sleep each night.
3. Exercise….this one we all know.
Exercise not only helps you burn more
calories, but there’s also evidence that
it increases your resting metabolic
rate. To make sure you get enough
exercise for boosting metabolism, set
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Exercise not only helps
you burn more calories,
but there’s also evidence
that it increases your
resting metabolic rate.
aside a dedicated period of time, rather
than trying to accomplish it during the
course of your everyday activities. Build
lean muscle mass through strength
training and cardio. The recommended
amount is at least 30 minutes per day.
Even at rest, muscle tissue burns more
calories than fat.
4. Eat Breakfast – We’ve all heard
it, “Eating breakfast starts your day
right.” Eating breakfast helps set your
metabolism for the day. To keep your
metabolism working smoothly you must
also eat balanced meals throughout the
rest of the day. Eating only one meal
a day will shut down your metabolism.
Plan your day and eat 3 balanced meals
and if you snack, make them healthy
snacks. Your food choices should be lean
proteins, good carbohydrates like fruits,
vegetables, whole grains and be sure to
include your healthy fats. Foods that are
highly processed, full of preservatives
and food colorings and hydrogenated fats
interfere with your hormonal balance and
slow down your metabolism.

5. Stress - We all know that stress

interferes with our bodies and is the
cause of many problems. When it
comes to weight gain, stress is the
reason for the release of cortisol, a
hormone produced by the adrenal
system that is linked to weight gain.
Discovering tools to help you handle
stress are key to creating balance in
your life. How you create balance is
going to be very individual. Some ways
to become more calm and relaxed is
through regular physical activity, deep
breathing exercises, and different
disciplines of exercise such as yoga or
Tai Chi, discovering your spiritual side
and building better relationships.
If you are trying to identify what
is slowing down your metabolism,
it is also important to take into
consideration any medical conditions or
medications. Either can interfere with
your normal metabolic rate and should
be discussed with your doctor.
41
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 Feeding the
Game Day
Frenzy
W
hat better way to serve a hungry affordable prices. These crowd-pleasing recipes
gang than with two crowd-pleasers: start off with Byron’s Hand Pulled Pork BBQ and
meatballs and BBQ? Anyone hosting a Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs, both sold at Sam’s
big game gathering needs to have recipes on- Clubs nationwide.
hand that are hearty and tasty, while still being
easy to prepare. The Mini Meatball Hamburgers are made
from fully-cooked meatballs crafted from an
The easiest and fastest way to find what you need outstanding, authentic family recipe. The seasoned
to feed the fans is by utilizing local club stores and lightly steamed meatballs can be warmed up
like Sam’s, where shoppers can huddle and find quickly and paired with a tasty sauce for some
great game-day foods and entertaining items at super-star sliders.
42
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Mini Meatball Hamburgers
Makes 26 appetizers
26 frozen Casa Di Bertacchi fully
cooked meatballs (1 pound)
1 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons Dijon honey mustard
26 2-inch rolls, sliced in half horizontally
1 1/2 cups sweet pickle relish

• Preheat oven to 400°F.

• Place meatballs in 8 x 8 or 9 x 9-inch pan. Bake
for 25 to 30 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.
• In a small bowl, combine ketchup and mustard.
• Place a heaping teaspoon of ketchup mixture
on the bottom of roll. Place a meatball on top.
Follow with a rounded teaspoon of pickle relish.
Place top half of roll over top. Repeat for remain- BBQ Nachos
ing meatballs and rolls. Serves 4
Byron’s BBQ
• Serve immediately on a large platter. 1 cup shredded Monterrey
Jack cheese
Cheeseburger Variation: Place a small slice of
cheddar cheese over each meatball. 1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 tomato, diced
1 15-ounce can black beans,
rinsed and drained
Tortilla chips, Whole kernel corn,
Sliced jalapeño, Fresh guacamole,
Sour cream
BBQ Nachos take game-day appetizers to a whole
new level. Made with hickory-smoked pulled pork
that’s finished with a sweet and spicy sauce, this •O  n a large oven safe serving plate, arrange
BBQ is ready to be warmed up and loaded up a layer of tortilla chips; top with BBQ.
with fan-favorite nacho toppings for an appetizer • Sprinkle with cheese, onions, bell
that will have your guests calling for a replay. peppers, diced tomato and black beans.
Heat in microwave (or in oven) until cheese
For more information about Byron’s Hand Pulled is melted.
Pork BBQ, Casa Di Bertacchi Meatballs, or for • Garnish with whole kernel corn, sliced
additional recipes, visit jalapeño, fresh guacamole, and sour cream.
www.ClubEntertaining.com.
43
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 SPARK Publications Presents
on Heaven’s Couch
my journey with a masterful mentor
www.SPARKpublications.com/ohcbook
Orders will begin shipping after February 17th.
After thirteen years of helping others self-
publish their stories, SPARK Publications
president Fabi Preslar has switched gears,
picked up her pen, and written her first
book. Fabi decided to write On Heaven’s
Couch after a speaking engagement where
she discovered that other women related
to and enjoyed hearing about her personal
Fabi W. Preslar journey of mentorship. Sharing her story
As a young teenager, Fabi Preslar was
introduced to Yvonne – a vibrant,
outspoken French woman who
would become her life-long mentor.
On Heaven’s Couch describes the
journey that they took together and
the emotional and Spiritual strength
Preslar attributes to her lessons learned.
She explains how Yvonne’s strong
dose of reality coupled with tough
love and heartfelt lessons helped her
to transition from a shy introvert to a
successful businesswoman, empowering
public speaker and mentor.
Filled with bold lessons and poignant
quotes, On Heaven’s Couch encourages
readers to love life, appreciate its little
heavens and, in Yvonne’s words, “Be
good to yourself.”
To purchase, go to:
has helped her connect not only with other
female entrepreneurs, but with her clients, as
well. “I knew writing a book was hard…but
not this hard! However, with the help of my
SPARK Team and the same resources that
my clients have used for thirteen years, I was
able to complete my book. Now I can tell
clients ‘I’ve been there. If I can write a book,
you can write a book.’”