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Music Industry Vet Chuck Bone’s Creative Brand Marketing Group Inks WBLS Mixmaster Superhero DJ Jon Quick

In an effort to take his brand to the next level, renowned NYC radio/club DJ Jon Quick signed on with the Creative Brand Marketing Group this past Saturday. Creative Brand Marketing Group is based on the motto: relationships will open doors that money can’t. Founder and President, Derek “Chuck Bone” Osorio has built a strong resume based on his relationships in the music, event planning and branding industries. He has now partnered with trial attorney, Dana M. Whitfield, Esq to combine their expertise in the entertainment and legal field to include management in their collective networks. CBMG is proud to add WBLS 107.5’s DJ Jon Quick to its roster.

Jon has an incredible following and an amazing work ethic, I look forward to building a brand with him,” said the industry legend Bone. Whitfield added “While I began my career in the entertainment field, I have built a foundation with a solid legal background. The signing of Jon Quick is a journey back into the entertainment world that just makes sense. He’s a consummate professional.” Jon Quick is currently one of several mixmasters featured on the WBLS 107.5’s afternoon drive hit show, “Quake’s House with Dejavu”. He also currently holds residencies at The DL Rooftop, Galway NYC and Corner Social NY.

“I’ve been looking for a management group that could understand my vision and develop innovative ways of achieving results,” said Quick. He also added “Chuck and Dana’s partnership mean I have two amazingly talented individuals working on my behalf. Together I think the sky is the limit.” The partnership has already began to work its magic as they’ve just agreed to produce a brand new upscale afterwork weekly event, “Soul Society Thursdays” at Harlem hotspot, “The Park 112”, starting Thursday, Aug 7, 2014. For booking inquiries contact Dana Whitfield at [email protected] or Chuck Bone at [email protected].

September 26, 2014
Resources for Entrepreneurs
As black entrepreneurs we are often overwhelmed and it can be incredibly difficult to find resources to help us with our businesses. How do we know waht is actually available to us? Do a little digging around the web. The Small business Administration as well as the Small business Development Centers around the country are great avenues to help us learn various aspects of properly running a business. Courses include:
- Quickbook Tutorials
- The Basics of starting a business
- Marketing
- Partnerships, corporations and LLCs
- Writing business plans etc.
Check your local resources for more info.
September 24, 2014
Using Your Current Job to Start a business

Use Your Job Like College

This is an excerpt from my new book “Mind Your Own Damn business” a guide for Minority Entrepreneurs. I will be released in ebook form in the next two weeks.

“When I worked for a music industry magazine called Urban Network, there was a LOT of infighting, power struggles, dirty politics and negativity going on. Mostly caused by outsiders who didn’t even work there but were allowed to hang around the offices. I was in my mid twenties and while everyone else was in the midst of all the dumb shit, I sat back and learned from it. I stayed longer hours and asked different people in different departments how they did their jobs. People could not believe how I went the extra mile and even came in during the weekends, but what they didn’t know was I was going to school. I knew that my time was limited at Urban Network before I got caught up in the infighting but I was not going to leave there without knowing how to do my OWN industry magazine and that’s exactly what happened.

No matter how much we hate our current jobs if you have one ounce of passion for what you do, there is something that you can learn from it and here’s the best way to look at the situation, I’ve learned, is to start using my jobs as “college.” Even today, if there is something I don’t know a lot about but I’m interested in it, I have no problem getting a low paying part time job doing it for a few months. What better way to learn? Why take a 2 year course wasting my time when I can get direct knowledge by being in the mix of it? The way I look at it, I’m taking a course and I’m getting a stipend for learning. I give the job a certain amount of time to complete the required courses and when I’m done. I’m ready to graduate to earn my next degree in business. While everybody else is rushing to get out of there and go home, I stick around to learn more.

This may sound strange but this really helped me learn a lot FAST. The many jobs that I had were the “courses” and the paychecks were certainly “stipends.” There are times when we reach the pinnacle of our careers early on and we don’t even know it. Even if you don’t want to have your own business shut up and listen and you can at least aim for a better position on your next gig….”

Kevin Ross

September 23, 2014
4 Reasons Entrepreneurs Must Steer Clear of Negative People

Feeling drained and down lately?

Who have you been keeping company with ?

Ultimately, we all want two things in life… to feel good and to have control. We can’t always have either, both or one of the other at all times when it concerns others but we CAN CONTROL how WE FEEL. I could literally end the whole story with that last sentence because it’s JUST THAT SIMPLE.. As entrepreneurs we must consider that there will be naysayers, people who are jealous and people who will not believe in what we do because they can’t see what we see for themselves. There are others who are just stuck but truth be told when you are in a race for the finish line, if you take time to stop, look back or even look to the side you will lose time. This is absolutely not to say that all negative people are the way they are because they simply choose to be that way. Some people have had horrific experiences in their lives and they have lost all faith in mankind. Nevertheless they are not alone. MANY people have had horrific experiences but they CHOOSE to take the high road. As a matter of fact, many entrepreneurs that I have come across have horror stories to tell about they way they grew up, abusive relationships or even extreme poverty growing up but they have made a decision to ensure that their lives and their children’s lives will be very different. This past weekend, I hung out with an old friend who is by far the most negative person I know. She constantly complains about everything and her presence is an extreme weight on one’s soul. I finally had to tell her how negative she is and how much she complains about EVERYTHING. I also told her that most people will not say a word, they will have a bad experience with you once and you will never hear from them again. I get why people do that. When you tell someone how negative they are, they don’t listen because they are not into taking responsibility for their actions, they are into blaming everyone else. Even telling them how negative they are is draining. Here are a few tips to steer clear of the negative people ESPECIALLY in your business. If you let them infect you they will also infect your bottom line. (click NEXT above or below for next segment)

Negative People are Self Destructive

When people hate themselves they have no reason to love you. A very good friend of mines who is a therapist states “Misery Loves Miserable Company.” I am a firm believer that this is true. You MUST and I mean MUST avoid negative people at all cost as an entrepreneur. If you let them into your life they will not only infect you they will infect your business because they will drain YOU. We have to get up each day and we are our own motivators. We don’t need ANYTHING to get in the way of our positive energy. (click NEXT above or below for next segment)

Negative People rob your positive Energy

When I hung out with this woman this past weekend. I was so exhausted, I literally came home and slept for 5 hours. While I was with her, I had a blazing headache (and I rarely ever get headaches) and I was out of my usual spiritual element. She was a burden on my SOUL that day and she robbed every bit of energy I had and I just wanted to get away from her as soon as I could. We were supposed to do some research together in a certain part of LA but after being with her for an hour, I had no desire to start, do or complete the job. (click NEXT above or below for next segment)

Negative People Thrive off Misery

Taking the time to tell a negative person about their habits and ways is indeed a waste of time. As stated above, they are not here to hear what you have to say to help them, they are only interested in how they can rob your positive energy to feed from. It’s like a vampire out for blood. Once he gets what he wants he leaves you for dead and searches out the next victim. You are trying to save them but they are trying to rob you. You have what they want, and they have what you DON’T want so why risk it. If a person can’t figure out why their phone never rings or they are not invited to events it’s up to them to put two and two together because ultimately it’s only them who can change their situation by shifting the way they think. When these things happen it it not the world but it is US. At times we have been given horrible advice like “It’s not always about you, it’s about them and what they are going through.” Nevertheless if you continue to get the same reactions from several people it IS about YOU. If you are trying to grow you must make sure you aim for the most positive experiences in your life and business. All will not always be rosy but there are a lot of things we can eliminate before they get out of control. (click NEXT above or below for next segment)

Also Avoid Negative Situations

Sometimes negative situations can be disguised as positive. For example. There are very few industry events held in Los Angeles anymore and the ones that are here are for the new breed of industry people. Unfortunately, there are some older industry people that can’t let go of the past. There are those who don’t want to move on and let younger people get their shot. They want to hang on to what was and they often talk about how much they miss the old industry. These are people who can’t embrace change because they have not prepared themselves. I don’t feel that way. I gladly embrace the kids who are coming up in the industry as I am honored that I got my chance too and I try to provide opportunities to younger industry people through my industry vehicles. In addition, I have constantly stressed over the last 20 years of producing Radio Facts that those who diversify their talents will have the longest careers.

A couple of months ago, I was invited to a huge lot party at Capitol and Motown records in Hollywood, There was great music and food and great displays and just about major vet and new artist on the Capitol and Motown labels were there. The crowd was exciting, upbeat and positive and they embraced the new industry. The key I want to stress about this event was it was a celebration of the FUTURE of the industry not the past. I don’t believe in going to industry events where people thrive of what was or used to be. That’s because I don’t consider myself to be done with the music and radio industry yet. I still have ideas and I embrace change at the same time and as long as the industry will have me, I will be here in some capacity.

I don’t find great joy in talking about whose sick, who is dying and who is homeless when I get dressed up to go to an event unless it’s an actual funeral. I’m not in denial but there is a time and a place for everything and it should not be the THEME of an event because it is depressing and it signifies the end. The end of one’s journey and career. There MUST be balance and that means we must have control of our options in our business. In the music industry, I personally don’t consider a lot of people to be my true friends. I would consider, out of thousands of people I’ve met over the years, maybe 20 as true friends. This is a business and it’s about relationships and what you can do for people, initially, I didn’t get that and in the beginning of my career I was devastated when I was between jobs and the people who I thought were my friends really were not. As I got older I understood how business works. People deal with you based on what you can do for them and that’s (mostly) how they form their relationships with you. I consider my clients my closest allies in the industry because they believe in what I do and they support me and I’ve known most of them over 20 years. The fact that I am an entrepreneur speaks volumes about their faith in me and I truly honor that. It’s really not personal, it’s just business. Who is it in your business that you consider your true allies? Know that THOSE are the people you must focus on and support.

September 22, 2014
CroMex NYC’s Guide to Writing a Successful Business Plan

Nearly all business experts agree on one thing: the importance of an effective and achievable business plan. However plenty of companies plunge into the competitive business arena without a formal business plan. The time spent on investing in a business plan will pay off many times over and there are numerous benefits of having one, including: an opportunity to test out new ideas, a chance to set out a company mission and values and an opportunity to highlight the competition.

When writing a business plan CroMex NYC says that there are several key components that must be included. These are:

1. The business concept – This describes the business, its product and the target market. The business concept should point out just exactly what should be sold, to whom and why the business will hold a competitive advantage.

2. Financial features – These highlight the important financial points of the business including sales, profits and return on investment.

3. Financial requirements – Which clearly states the capital needed to start the business. Financial requirements should state how the capital will be used.

4. Current business position – This highlights information about the company, its legal form of operation, when the business was established and the principle owners.

5. Major achievements – This details any developments within the company that are essential to the success of the business. Examples of major achievements include patents, prototypes, location of a facility or results from test marketing.

CroMex NYC highlight that a business plan should be constantly updated as a business grows and expands. Business goals and visions change with company growth however a business must always have a key goal in mind.

CroMex NYC has a vision to provide measurable, cost-effective results for individual clients as well as maintaining long lasting business relationships. The firm utilise current client demands to encourage the firm to keep growing and expanding. CroMex NYC is committed to providing its clients with unique marketing campaigns that are adapted to suit a specific target market. The firm specialize in event marketing that allows them to generate measurable and immediate results for clients. CroMex NYC operates in an ambitious, driven and resilient environment.

About CroMex NYC: http://www.cromexusa.com/behind-the-scenes/

CroMex NYC is an outsourced sales and marketing firm that specialises in delivering a high ROI for its clients by helping to improve their customer acquisition, brand loyalty and brand awareness.

Follow @CromexNYC on Twitter and ‘Like’ them on Facebook.

September 22, 2014
When it Comes to Your Business, What is your Value?

I have been very blessed to be able to connect very well with my clients. One client in particular who doesn’t support anyone in my field had lunch with me one day and he explained to me that he did not see the value in what any of us did so he was not going to support any of us. I am always put aside when I am lumped in with every else because I think we all do something different and I bring something different to the table. Nevertheless, as soon as I got back to the office, I immediately removed him from my mailing list and I stopped calling him for anything. When it comes to business we must love those who love us and make sure we deal with those who support us. I KNEW this man was not being honest because after he told me he didn’t see the value in what I did, he turned around and asked if he could write for me? He wanted to write on the same industry website that he “saw no value in?” I got EXACTLY where he was coming from and I realized that he DOES see value in what I do but he just didn’t want to support it.

To that end, what is YOUR value to customers? If you are not doing something better than your competitors are doing you will not get a lot of support and you will be lumped in with them. Know what you do best and make sure you continue to grow and do better.

September 21, 2014
Maintain Customer Trust: The Power of Listening

One of my greatest pet peeves is telling someone who I am paying what I want and them telling me that’s not what I want. A couple of years ago, an industry contact got me a great audition with a huge Voiceover agency in NYC. I submitted my first audition and they loved it but they stated the quality was not there and for me to record it again. They even went out of their way to send me scripts. Truth be told, I did not have a professional recording studio in my home and I called one of my old stations to ask if I could use their studios and they were hard up for money and wanted to charge me to use the studio. I was insulted since I had worked there for several years but down the line I realized, I SHOULD have done it. I went to a voiceover “Professional” who had her own cheap studio and when I started to do the reads, she would not give me headphones and she told me I didn’t need them but I KNEW I did. My professional training as a radio announcer and voice actor requires that I hear my delivery. It’s the same as a singer in the studio who has to hear themselves sing so they can make sure they are on pitch and their tones and modulation are on point. At any rate, I needed to get this second tape to the agency ASAP. So I did it in a few reads. I was absolutely not confident that the reads were good and the woman told me I was wrong and that my reads were so good that she wanted to use me for some other projects. This is another one of those situations where I should have used my gut and went to the station instead where I would have had to pay but I would have been in control of my audition and could have stayed there all night if necessary. This woman was in a rush to get me out of there and to just get my money.

I submitted the audition to the agency and they had a meeting and listened to is and declined me. They stated the reads were not good and to try out again in 2 years, that’s friendly language for “don’t call us, we’ll NEVER call you.” I was furious. More upset with myself for not following my gut and leaving that woman’s studio. Needless to say, she never called me for the extra work either, she just wanted my money. I’m about to audition again for another major agency and I’m going to make sure i’m on point this time and I do it myself.

The message in this story is when you are paying for something you have the right to expect what YOU ask for. The same goes for your customers. Never ASSUME you know what they want or take anything for granted. The customer is indeed always right, even when they are wrong in your eyes. I make a concerted effort to reach out to my clients and double-check certain things with them all the time like do they want their personal cell numbers on ads for Radio Facts email blasts or do they want their email address written out. They ALWAYS thank me for double checking. It’s better to get this done BEFORE I send out the information than to have them be upset when it’s too late. Make sure you listen, write down and confirm when someone is paying you to do something.

My best in business

Kevin

September 21, 2014
Black Women Millionaires Live Event

Defy Impossible, Inc., a leading global hygiene and forest products company, has selected Be Next Entertainment to deliver a range of digital services to help maximize the outcomes of Defy Impossible, Inc.’s upcoming Black Women Millionaires Live! Event (BWM). As Principal Defy Impossible, Inc. Marketing and Event Director, Be Next Entertainment will provide analytics and interactive marketing expertise to support the BWM Live! Event and raise its profile with global audiences through multiple digital channels. BWM is a 3-day event being held October 10-12, 2014 at the Four Seasons Resorts and Spa, Dallas, Las Colinas.

Be Next Entertainment will deliver a range of solutions and services to Defy Impossible through its event direction and marketing arms. This includes the development and provision of an online portal that will be at the heart of Defy Impossible’s online presence at BWM. The center will deliver social media monitoring and analysis of BWM’s performance across all relevant marketing channels. Be Next Entertainment will also provide service design and realization of mobile marketing activities such as apps, as well as guidance on shaping, localizing and delivering its communications campaigns to audiences in multiple markets covered in the campaign.

“As the Principal Defy Impossible, Inc. Marketing and Event Director, we’re committed to bringing the best of analytics and interactive marketing capabilities to Defy Impossible. This will bring the excitement of the event to the company’s supporters, reach new audiences for Defy Impossible and expand their followers,” said Theresa Campbell, chief executive officer, Be Next Entertainment.

Dr. Venus Opal Reese, chief executive officer, Defy Impossible, said: “Our signature event, Black Women Millionaires Live!, is a great marketing opportunity for us to spread knowledge about Defy Impossible and our brands, such as Get Money VIP and Big Money Message. With support from Be Next Entertainment, we will be able to precisely target our audiences, providing them with announcements on our company’s events and products. Engaging people through interactive digital channels plays an important role in Defy Impossible’s global success.”

About Generation Office
As we move further into the digital world, the need for essential office supplies remains as strong as ever. Generation Office understands this shift in focus and has grown to cover a wide range of office products from paper and pens, to ink toners, computer accessories and EOS (electronic office supplies). With a catalog of over 80,000 office products from a wide range of leading suppliers, buying office product from Generation Office guarantees our customers high quality products, competitive prices and a reliable service every time. Additional clients include California’s Office of the Governor, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport and Rubicon Group Holding (RGH Entertainment). For more information, visit http://www.generationoffice.com, http://www.facebook.com/generationoffice or follow us at http://www.twitter.com/aeongeneration.

About Defy Impossible, Inc.
As a staggeringly effective Business Mentor for Black Women, Dr. Venus Opal Reese is in the business of teaching purpose-driven high achieving sisters who’ve walked through life’s fire how to create or grow a 6- or 7-figure business that is rooted in your worth. When we transform your mindset, messaging, and marketing, you get freedom, clarity, confidence and the ability to make as much cash as you want–for a lifetime. Then you are unleashed to kick the door off the hinges to make your mark, and make the difference you were uniquely crafted by life to make. http://www.defyimpossible.com

September 21, 2014
Secrets of Successful Small Business owners

By Michael Glauser, Next Avenue Contributor

The Silicon Valley approach for building companies has become the main strategy taught at many business schools. It goes like this: You create a prototype you can quickly test, preferably in the tech industry. You find a group of users and gain proof of concept. You raise capital and scale the business as rapidly as possible. You plan an exit strategy that may include going public or selling to an industry buyer. You shoot for a 10X return to investors. You make a lot of money.

This summer, our team at My New Enterprise (a company I co-founded that helps aspiring entrepreneurs) rode our bicycles 4,000 miles, from the west coast of Oregon to the east coast of Virginia, and interviewed 100 successful entrepreneurs on Main Street USA. (Watch videos of them here.) Not one of them followed the Silicon Valley approach.

In fact, very few had any business training and none had any training in entrepreneurship. Nearly half of these business builders are over 50 years old; some are in their late 60s and 70s.

(MORE: 10 Tips for ‘Senior’ Entrepreneurs)

Here are five lessons we learned from this unique and experienced group of successful small business owners:

1. Start With a Clear Purpose

All the entrepreneurs articulated a clear and powerful purpose for starting their business — and none mentioned money as a major driver. Rather, they started their companies to do what they love, solve a problem, provide awesome service, live in a more desirable location, create jobs and give back to their community.

A driving purpose for Gail and Will Williams, founders of Idaho Sewing for Sports in Grangeville, Idaho (which makes padding and tubing products for ski areas and resorts) is to create jobs and a place of healing for people who have a difficult time finding work.

(MORE: Starting a Business After 50)

2. Stick With What You Know

Most of the entrepreneurs we met launched their companies in industries they knew well from prior experiences.

Sam Spayd, founder of Aero Legends in Florence, Ore. is a retired Air Force and commercial airlines pilot. He purchased a beautifully restored World War II biplane and offers the magical experience of “Open Cockpit” flying over the cliffs, beaches and lighthouses of the spectacular Oregon coast. Sam’s goal is to share this experience with as many people as possible (read the rest of this great story here)

September 19, 2014
5 Things to do when Your Day is Off to a Bad Start that

Entrepreneurs have surely experienced those days when you notice things are not going well immediately. There is some truth to the adage “I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning” and it appears that it’s all downhill from there. So what can you do to turn that around and make the day more productive? Here are some of the things I have done in the past that have worked…(Click “Next” after each segment)

Go Back to Bed!

If you can afford to, go back to bed for a couple of hours. You would be amazed how this actually works and your day is off to a better start. Don’t for get to set your alarm.

Change your Routine

Is there something that you usually do at the end of the day that you can do at the beginning of the day? Can you do something that you have been holding off on for a while this morning? Have you ever gone to the grocery store between 9 and 4 PM? It’s practically empty. How about getting some shopping done for the week? It’s bright and you can take your time and still take calls if need to.

Have a talk with yourself

Ask yourself what is REALLY bothering you. Most of the time you will see that THAT is what needs to be resolved. Did someone piss you off or has something been on your mind that you have not dealt with that needs attention etc. If you can, tackle the issue and handle it within the 2 hours so that you can be free to go on with the rest of your day.

Take a Walk

The psychology behind walking is often underrated. You get your organs working and put yourself in a meditative state and finally you are giving your body a much-needed mental and physical cleansing

Treat Yourself

Treat yourself to breakfast or lunch at a restuarant or stop by a newsstand and read through a few magazines for an hour. Have what you want within reasonable portions. Quite often we feel underappreciated as entrepreneurs and there is nothing wrong with treating yoruself every now and then.

Work out

Instead of going into the office, go to the gym and get a great workout in. Go to yoga class or even get a massage

September 17, 2014