TEC CLICK HERE TO JUMP TO HOME THE EBONY CACTUS magazine Vol 4. No. 4 April, 2005 A New Perspective On Business

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business solution - when not to join forces with a competing biz Cover Story business solution - the custom dress shirt vs. The ready-made shirt Skin Frenzy Day Spa business solution - so you want to start a Liz Trevino Owner business pt.2.

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2 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 J.A.S. Limitless Possibilities J.A.S. Limitless Possibilities (JASLP) is a Virtual Assistance company; that means you get all the administrative assistance you need, at your convenience! Because we’re virtual, we work out of our own office, using our own equipment, get our own training, and work for YOU when YOU need us! Whether you need ongoing services for your busy office, or occasional project assistance, JASLP is what you’re looking for!

With over 8 years experience in the administrative assistance field, we’re sure to have the knowledge and understanding you need to help run your business. Check us out on the web at http://www.jaslp.com for more info. Amy Stickel Virtual Assistant Phone – 480.612.2168 Fax – 480.633.6252 Email – [email protected]

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 3 master index Feature Articles business solution- marketing WHEN NOT TO JOIN FORCES WITH A COMPETING BIZ BY: Yuwanda Black Summary: Have you ever wondered when it is a good time to join with the competition to achieve a common goal? In this article, Yuwanda Black provides some basic dos and don’ts on this delicate subject. Click here to jump to this article. Pg. 23 business solution - resources SBA’s THE CUSTOM DRESS SHIRT VS. THE READY-MADE SHIRT BY: Donna D. Sewell Summary: Nowadays fashion isn’t just jeans and T-shirts. Today it’s the cut of your dress shirt that says you’ve arrived. In this article, Donna Sewell discusses the ins and outs of picking that right piece of clothing. Click here to jump to this article. Pg. 24 business solution - getting started 101 SO YOU WANT TO START A BUSINESS. P T. 2 BY:James T. Hicks Summary: So you want to start a business. To run a business of your own will bring a sense of independence - an opportunity to use your own ideas. You will be the boss. table of contents You will experience a pride of ownership You can achieve the great satisfaction of building a valuable investment for which there will be a market. This article will get your started in the process.Click here to jump to this article. master index 4 table of contents 4 Pg. 25 staff 5 advertisers 5 profile-skin frenzy day spa views & voices 7 COVER STORY - Summary: With Light Rail and Downtown development editorials 8 on her heels, Skin Frenzy Day Spa is poised for growth. Soon owner Liz Trevino how to use TEC 9 can click her heels saying, there’s no place like home. In this article you will learn moving up 11 what the future holds for this innovative new business. Click here to jump to snapshots 12-14 this story. BY ANGELA BROOKS. on-the-air 15 news 16 Pg. 28 calendar 18 profile-marc-anthony massage tools & solutions 22 marketing 23 Summary: ”Massage Therapy does not have to be painful.” So said Anthony resources 24 Moncreif, owner of Marc-Anthony Massage. In fact, he feels consumers should getting started 25 become educated about their health specifically as it relates to the benefits of massage therapy. Click here to jump to this story and learn why he feels this profiles, places & things 27 way. BY ANGELA BROOKS. skin frenzy day spa 28 marc-anthony massage 30 Pg. 30

4 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 Staff contributing writers YUWANDA BLACK president of EthnicHomeDecor.com The Ebony Cactus (http://www.EthnicHomeDecor.com) is an online retailer of soft home magazine is published by Ebony Cactus magazine Inc., furnishings with ethnic themes. Visit Ethnic Home Decor’s sister site, Angela Brooks EthnicVendors.com, for a full range of unique ethnic products and services. CEO and Publisher George B. Brooks, Jr. , Ph.D EthnicHomeDecor.com offers soft home furnishings with ethnic themes. Visit our COO and Editor sister site, EthnicVendors.com (http://www.EthnicVendors.com), for a wide selection of ethnic merchandise from vendors worldwide. Contact Yuwanda Marketing Black for interviews at 646-279-0833, or [email protected]. Log onto Life Strategies Consulting Sales Consultant EthnicVendors.com for details about your ethnic products and services on line. Susan Morris With over 15 years of marketing experience, DONNA D. SEWELL, founder and Graphics/ Art owner of Fit To a Tee, has a simple philosophy, "every person regardless of their Magazine: business has something important to sell, that is them self". A native a Houston, Dr. George Brooks Jr. WEB Texas, Donna attended the University of Houston as a speech education major. Having Karl Rothweiler spent several years working for major corporate companies such as AT&T, MCI, Metlife, and Mercedez Benz. She came to be an admirer of impeccable fashion and Web Page Karl Rothweiler how it enhanced an individual. In 1991, Donna satisfied her intuitive talent and passion for fashion design by embarked on creating a custom and made to fit measure dress Proofing shirt service company. Contact Donna at: [email protected] Susan Morris Photography JAMES T. HICKS is a former President of the Maricopa County Black Chamber of Angela Brooks George B. Brooks, Jr. Commerce, the former First Vice President of the Maricopa County Branch of the Robert Smith NAACP. He is the current Chairman of the Board of National Civil Rights Movement Inc. He is the president of RighTrac Inc., an environmental consulting firm. He may be Staff Contributing Writers reached at [email protected] The Ebony Cactus magazine is published monthly through the Internet by Ebony Cactus magazine Inc. There is no subscription Home cost. Index of Advertisers All Rights Reserved. About Blind Cleaning Inc. 21 African American Business Summit 3 American Janitorial Services 31 To Reach Us: Arizona’s Black Pages 21 Mail: P.O. Box 24982 Avon - Charity Williams 21 Tempe, AZ 85285-4982. Chandler Center for the Arts Back Cover Phone: (602) 821-8191 Chisara’s Gold 20 Fax:(602) 437-8852 Digital Art by Robert Smith 21 Publisher: Dr. Larry C. Leverett 21 Publisher Easter Seals 20 @theebonycactus.com Ebony Cactus magazine 6 & 10 Editor: Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce 31 [email protected] J.A.S. Limitless Possibilities 3 Subscribe Life Strategies Consulting 6, 10 & 19 Subscribe Marc Anthony Massage 31 @theebonycactus.com Mary Mitchell 26 Unsubscribe Phoenix South Back Cover subscribe@the South Mountain-Laveen Chamber of Commerce 32 ebonycactus.com message: Supplier Diversity Search 2 Unsub EC The Robert Smith Education and Development Group 31 All editions Valley Barter Group 21 http://www. WellDone 32 theebonycactus.com Cover: Photo by Robert Smith

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 5 Life Strategies Consulting Angela Brooks Principal Consultant/Owner • Small Business Consultant • Outsource Employee Trainer • Public Relations/Marketing Service • Qualified Supplier Diversity Vendor Search • Charter School Special Eduction Liaison

P.O. Box 24982 Tempe Arizona 85285 Office/Fax 602-437-8852 Click here for Mobile: 602-821-8191 audio commercial Email: [email protected] Read THE EBONY CACTUS magazine With 61 editions totalling more than 1,800 pages posted, The Ebony Cactus is the single largest, free, non-governmental on-line, source of information on minority businesses in the Southwest United States* www.TheEbonyCactus.com *According to our estimates

6 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 Views Positions from which observation or considerations are made. Voices To give voice to, the right or opportunity to express choices or opinions. views & voices

• editorials 8 • how to use TEC 9 • moving up 11 • snapshot - NAMC 12 • snapshot - U of Az Water Conf. 13 • snapshot - Light Rail Progress 14 • on the air 15 • news 16 • calendar 18 • home

Commuting in the 21st Century. Phoenix’s Light Rail pg. 14

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 7 Angienuity Living in America by: Angela Brooks by: George B. Brooks, Jr. Ph.D Healthy Business Alternatives. Thinking Beyond the Box (Redux) In the 70’s there was an infectious commercial that Life As I edit this April edition of the Ebony Cactus gasoline Cereal promoted endlessly on most all major television here in Phoenix is hovering around $2.35 a gallon for stations. It began with two brothers nestled at a unleaded regular. The news says gasoline is over $3.00 kitchen table with the elder of the two encouraging the a gallon in the San Francisco California. More and more I younger to eat the new cereal their mom provided for feel that the oily hair on the sword of damocles hanging them. Mikey, an unassuming lad took his brother up on over the United States is about to break. The amazing the coercion of trying the plain looking, corn colored thing is that though everyone knows this is about to cereal. With great delight he began to eat, slurp, happen, the public is doing little to get out of the way gobble and gulp until he’d had his fill. With amazement and the politicians won’t admit the sword exists. the elder brother yelled, “He likes it. Hey Mikey!” Allow me to explain what I see. From the design of our That’s generally how it is in cities (particularly western ones) to the food we eat, the business. A new product or prosperity of this nation rests largely on the availability service comes about, looks of inexpensive energy of which a good part comes from good and is priced right, but oil. As oil prices increase, pressure to increase prices who wants to take the plunge on most everything else will increase as well. We are to see if it’s really worth its seeing this now in food, transportation, energy even salt? Since 2001, a great postage stamps. Increased prices will decrease the number of individuals in the amount of discretionary income the public has to spend workforce have been under as well as corporate profits. If spending decreases, the tremendous amounts of economy will slow if not trip into recession. This sad pressure to out perform, over outcome need not be necessary if we as business achieve and repeatedly reach people simply act. the bottom line (profits). Not surprisingly, the number of Ask yourself the question, are there other ways I can individual stress related run my business to make it more efficient? Take the medical conditions, that also easy answer (cutting employees) off of the table for now required a recent visit to a and see what else you can do. To reduce your physician soared. According employees transportation costs, can you adjust your to a summary presented by working schedule so your employees can take public Health and Safety Executive transportation to work or better yet, telecommute? Can and Britain’s Health and Safety Commission, stress you streamline your delivery routes to cover fewer related and psychological disorders for the reporting miles? Can you use your supply and maintenance year 03/04 indicated that over a quarter million within chains as profit centers by changing how you manage England’s workforce admitted to being afflicted by them? Can you partner with your suppliers to reduce work-related stress, anxiety and depression. In the costs in a way that all may share in the increased United States alone, one study suggests that as much revenues on the other end? Can you create a product as 40% of America’s workforce describe their jobs as that helps the end user save money or cost them less to stressful (h t t p : / / w ww. B us i n e s s b a l l. c o m ). use? Over the next few months we are going to looking Toward the end of the last century, stress and anxiety at these tough questions and discussing the ingenious caused by work-related demands had become answers small businesses are beginning to discover. increasingly prevalent. Rising energy costs coupled with world competition for Along with a surge in the medical study and practice of good and services are about to transform the American these conditions industry professionals such as economy. The question is will you/we be victims or Massage Therapists, Lifestyle Educators, Health victors? I prefer the latter. Enough for now, on with the Counselors and Nutritionists have seen a spike in the show.TEC interest of their services and business profitability. In this edition we profile two such businesses, Skin Frenzy and Marc-Anthony Massage, who’s owners use Ingenuity is using ideas to solve social good old-fashioned customer service, keen business savvy and some of the latest spa equipment around to and/or technical problems. benefit Phoenix Metro’s growing economy. return to news index

8 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 APRIL 2005 How to Use the Ebony Cactus

A New Perspective on Business: Diversity is about new perspectives and new ideas. We have discovered that the wise business person can leverage a variety of viewpoints and ideas into competitive advantage. From the vantage of Minority Business, we provide you our readers information you can use to your benefit.

Geography: The Ebony Cactus covers information of interest in Arizona, Southern California and Southern Nevada.

Synergisms: We have two synergistic target markets. The first are minority business people seeking the secrets of success. The second is the C-level administrator seeking the same thing. We have discovered that the interaction of these two forces is greater than the sum of the individual parts. We seek to bring them together by providing information of interest to both and as they seek it, they discover the opportunity in each other.

Pieces to the Puzzle: The Magazine is divided into 4 sections

Index: The master road map to the magazine.

Views and Voices: This section of the magazine provides timely information on what is going including editorials, snap shots of events and local and national news releases.

Tools and Solutions: The information covered here is directly usable by the reader either in managing their business more effectively. Subject matter includes marketing, finances, diversity, new opportunities (coming attractions) and thought leadership.

Profiles, Places and Things: These interviews provide insights on better ways to do business for all readers. We also cover places to go of interest to business travelers as well as the latest business equipment.

Cactus Internet Radio/ECAudio: There are frequently times when the power of the interview is far more than can be expressed in the written word. At these times we supplement the written interviews with Ebony Cactus Audio features through Cactus Internet Radio. Just click to listen. To see who is currently “On the Air”, click here or go to page 15.

Ebony Cactus magazine Navigation Tips

EC Audio instructions: 1. A high speed link to the Internet is recommended. 2. The broadcast is in a form automatically readable by most PC and Mac media players. 3. Make sure the operating system and media player volume controls are turned on. 4. Click on the link and wait a moment.

Control Instruction Action initiated Jump Buttons (jump to) Point and left click Move to indicated page Next Page Right Arrow Move to next page Previous page Left Arrow Move back one page Full Screen Control (Apple) - L View full screen of magazine Back from full screen Esc Back to regular viewing return to news index

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 9 THE BUSINESS WORKSHOP SERIES

WOWING CUSTOMER SERVICE INTRODUCTORY COURSE Description: This introductory course at what it takes to provide WoWing customer service; how to connect with customers in ways that could eventually determine their loyalty to you, how to custom-tailor communication with customers and ideas to continually lead employees to provide WoWing customer service. Learning objectives include:

• The Why & Why Not of WoWing Customer Service •Six Steps for Handling Difficult Customers • The Economics of Customer Service • Four Prerequisites to WoWing Service • Seven Tips for Hiring WoWing employees and much more.

Facilitator: Robert Smith/Robert Smith Education & Development Group Location: 201 N. Central Ave., 27th Fl. (Bank One Bldg.) Date: May 3, 2005, 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Cost is $20 includes workshop materials and afternoon refreshments RSVP by April 30, 2005 Contact: [email protected] or 602-821-8191 Sponsors: Life Strategies Consulting & Ebony Cactus Magazine

10 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 Moving Up

TWO SEASONED WRITERS JOIN THE EBONY CACTUS MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTING WRITERS’ TEAM. Lloyd Kam Williams is a syndicated film critic whose articles appear in 100+ periodicals around the country. Following many years in the art world and practicing law, the long-time Princeton resident started writing reviews in 1996 for a rival paper published across town. In addition to his legal background, he has degrees from three Ivy League schools: a BA from Cornell, an MA from Brown and MBA from The Wharton School. So, he is able to apply a wealth of both life experience and education to his insightful, entertaining critiques. Mr. Williams lives in Princeton with his wife and step-son.

David M. Brown has lived in Phoenix for 25 years but has been a desert dweller since he was a child on the east coast and dreamed of a bright land of sunshine and blue skies. He writes for a variety of local and national publications on people, the arts, tourism, food and beverage, and architecture. His two children are in college and high school here and, when he’s not writing, he’s writing.

NATIONAL ENVIRO GROUP ELECTS JEROME RINGO TO LEAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Board of Directors has elected Louisiana conservationist Jerome Ringo from Lake Charles as Chair of the Board during the organizations annual meeting in the nation’s capital. Ringo is the first-ever African- American to hold such a post with a major national conservation organization, a position he will fill for two years. For more than 20 years, Ringo has been a champion for wildlife and the communities that depend on it for their everyday life at the local, state and national level. Like NWF, Jerome is dedicated to giving hope to the future of wildlife. TEC

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http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 11 TRAINING THE TRAINERS

Photo captions: Above NAMC Certified Training Course Graduates. Left: Trainer in Training Alberto Chamberlain leads an animated discussion.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY CONTRACTORS ARIZONA CHAPTER GRADUATES TRAINERS CLASS.

lberto Chamberlain stood before the class and began his talk. He had only a few minutes to demonstrate he was skilled at the A subject he has spent the past 24 hours perfecting, training others. This was graduating day for the National Association of Minority Contractors-Arizona Chapter Certified Instructor Training Course. On this day, 20 mostly minority individuals earned their certifications to train others in a variety of construction related disciplines including craft training, management or safety. They will now be able to conduct accredited training of workers though the National Center Construction Education Research in areas including Carpentry, Painting, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), Heavy and Highway and Electrical.

“This is unprecedented.” Said course instructor and certified master trainer Richard V. Bowles. “We believe this the first time minority professionals have been certified and accredited to teach the minority workforce in these numbers through an organization like NAMC in Arizona.” Before NAMC could “Train the Trainers” a curricula had to be customize for each person. “Most importantly they learned what the National Center for Construction Education Research materials are,” said Mr. Bowles.

The next scheduled course will focus on becoming a safety director. “There is an immediate need for safety for the companies out there working need not only their workforce to be safe, but they need to institutionalize what OSHA and State agencies require. For more information, contact NAMC-AZ at 602-495-9500 and or check NAMC website http://www.namc-az.org. TEC

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. --Confucius return to news index

12 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 CELEBRATING SUCCESS Three Hundred Attend 2005 University of Arizona Water Conference

n April 6 2005, more than three hundred scientists, environmentalists, public administrators, concerned O citizens and politicians converged on Tucson Arizona for the 2005 Water Resources Conference sponsored by the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center. The theme this year was “Water and the Environment, The Role of Ecosystem Restoration.”Ecosystem Restoration is the process of repairing the systems in the environment that connect plants and animals including man that have been damaged over the past 200 years. At one time vast areas of trees and grasslands known as riparian areas, lined Arizona’s rivers for hundreds of miles. Rich with life these areas were the resource base for the native human inhabitants. These oases are mostly gone now. The theme of this conference was focused on reviewing the ongoing work to restore these “ribbons of life.”

The conference opened with remarks by the Dean of the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dr. Gene Sander. Other speakers included conference chair Dr. Sharon Megdal and Alan Stephens, Chief of Staff to Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano. A working environmental scientist, Ebony Cactus Editor Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr., served as moderator for the session on field experience with Riparian Restoration.

The conference was co-sponsored by a host of environmental organizational and government agencies including the Central Arizona Project, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Salt River Project, University of Arizona Cooperative extension and others. Quiet history was made however, at this conference with the first time co-sponsorship by a minority owned organization, The Ebony Cactus magazine. When asked why a minority business magazine would co-sponsor a conference on water, Dr. Brooks responded: “Water is the most important single issue in the Southwest. As residents, minorities have an equal responsibility for the proper stewardship of this increasingly vital resources as an other group. Thus the reason for our sponsorship and our continuing efforts in the magazine (The Ebony Cactus) to educate the general public on the importance of water conservation.”To see the agenda conference please click here: http://cals.arizona.edu/AZWATER/conf2005/ TEC

TEC Editor Dr. George B. Brooks Jr. The 2005 University of Arizona water conference.

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. --Albert Einstein

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http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 13 IN THE NICK OF TIME Light Rail Construction Launched

Over 20 metropolitan cities across the United States already use light rail mode of transportation. Even more have proposed adding the system as an energy saving part of their transit system. Light Rail derived its name from humble beginnings in all places, Britain. The Brits applied the name to any rail mode that’s been scaled down from a common sized incline railroad. As the seventies ushered in a new generation so did the United States as it took the name and expanded it into was is known today as “Light Rail Transit” or “ LRT”. There was, however, no LRT in the U.S. at the time but the definition was widely accepted that the new transport system was an urban rail system, was leaner and considerably less costly than most other rail modes.

According to the Transit Research Board in Washington, D.C., the U.S. did not formally adopt the name of this rail system until 1989 “A metropolitan railway system characterized by its ability to operate single cars or short trains along exclusive rights- of- way at ground level, on aerial structures, in subways or occasionally, in streets and to board or discharge passengers at track or car floor level”

With gasoline threatening to rise to over $3.00 a gallon, the arrival of Light Rail in the valley is a timely development. By current definition Light Rail is a lightweight passenger rail car that operates alone (or in short, usually two-car, trains) on fixed rails in right-of-way that is not separated from other traffic for much of the way. They are typically driven using the power of electricity with that power being drawn from an overhead electric line through a pantograph or a trolley.

In Phoenix, the nation’s 5th largest city, LRT got it’s kick-off on February 15, 2005 when area Mayors officially launching its Valley Metro Rail. Valley Metro Rail or VMR consists of a 20-mile long transit railway extending from Phoenix to Mesa, Arizona. What does VMR mean exactly for Phoenix residents and its surrounding cities’ residents? More employment. Phil Gordon, Mayor of Phoenix and Chair of the Valley Metro Board of Directors said at the project launch said,” The benefits of this project will be remarkable and will add more than 60,000 jobs as a result of the initial Valley Metro Line.” Procurement opportunities will abound. Valley Light Rail procurement opportunities (Bids) began in December of 2004. There are many opportunities for all businesses. VLR has developed a strong campaign to include minority, disadvantaged, and women owned small business in to the opportunity loop with contracts ranging from installing electrical systems to traffic systems.

Valley Metro Rail is a $587 Million federally funded, non-profit, public corporation that leads the construction, design and operation of the area’s METRO light rail transit system. Valley Metro Rail is scheduled to open for service in December of 2008.

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14 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 On the Air Independent programming and Audio supplementing the March edition of The Ebony Cactus magazine:

South Mountain - Laveen Chamber Chat The Internet radio program of the South Mountain Laveen Chamber of Commerce March 2005: Chamber Chairman Jeffery Garza Walker discusses the chambers new look and 2005 plans. Click here to listen.

Central Arizona Project General Manager David “Sid” Wilson talks water. (Click on the appropriate line to listen or read) • Pt. 1. Profile on page of the March edition of TEC (click here to download) • Pt. 2 The importance of water to Arizona business. (click here to listen) • Pt. 3 On supporting the 2005 University of Arizona Water Conference (click here to listen)

To enjoy additional programming go to Cactus Internet Radio www.CactusInternetRadio.com return to news index

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 15 USDA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS

PHOENIX—Over $22 million in loan and grant money is now available for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements in rural communities across the country, according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Mike Johanns.

The funds are designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses by supporting a wide range of technologies including biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, solar and wind energy.

Eddie Browning, Arizona State Director for USDA Rural Development, is hopeful that rural Arizona businesses and producers will take advantage of the new funding availability. “Certainly Arizona should be a major competitor for these funds, given our strong solar capacity,” he said.

The $22.8 million will be made available in two stages. One half is available immediately for competitive grants. Renewable energy grant applications must be for a minimum of $2,500 and a maximum of $500,000. Energy efficiency grant applications may range from $2,500 to $250,000. The grant request may not exceed 25% of the eligible project cost. Applications for the first stage of funds must be submitted to the Arizona State Office of USDA Rural Development, 230 N. First Avenue, Suite 206, Phoenix, AZ, 85003-1706, no later than June 13, 2005.

The remaining $11.4 million will be set aside through August 31, 2005 for renewable energy and energy efficiency guaranteed loans. Final details on how to apply for these funds will be published in the Federal Register later this year. Any funds not obligated under the guarantee loan program by August 31, 2005, will be reallocated to the competitive grant program as of that date.

Detailed information about application and program requirements are included in the March 28, 2005 publication of the Federal Register.

ORO VALLEY TO HOST GOVERNOR'S RURAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

The Arizona Department of Commerce and the Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED) announced that the Town of Oro Valley will host the 2005 Governor's Rural Development Conference (RDC) in partnership with the AAED Fall Conference. The 31st Annual Governor's RDC will be held from Wednesday August 31st to mid-day, Friday, September 2nd.

The Hilton El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort is the primary host hotel and will serve as site for Conference sessions and banquet events. The Holiday Inn Express has arranged to handle overflow guest accommodations.

Commerce Director Gilbert Jimenez says the theme for this year's conference is Regional Partnerships: Expanding Opportunities. “As we gather for our third Conference in partnership with AAED, we're building on the need for collaboration to extend beyond municipal boundaries,” says the director. “Just as the Commerce collaboration with AAED brought the largest attendance ever to last year's RDC, Arizona's unique communities can create greater economic development opportunities by banding together.”

AAED Executive Director, John Bowers expects the Conference will again demonstrate a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. We believe that Oro Valley and the Hilton El Conquistador will be an outstanding venue for the 2005 conference. The economic development staff at the Town of Oro Valley and the sales staff at the Hilton submitted a very attractive proposal; one that will help make this year's conference especially attractive to rural and economic development leaders from throughout the state."

As always, the Conference site is selected based on competitive bidding among communities statewide. Oro Valley Mayor Paul Loomis calls the selection a great honor and hopes attendees will take the time to get to know his town. Oro Valley is a wonderful community that has executed a careful balance of growth with the quality of life of our residents and the economic development necessary for the support of our diverse community. We enjoy good economic stability, one of the lowest crime rates in the state, an environment of beauty, and a strong sense of community return to news index Continued on the next page

16 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 Continued from the previous page

Karen Greenspoon serves as the Economic Development Specialist for the Town of Oro Valley. “We feel confident that Oro Valley will be able to host an informative and fun-filled conference that will rival any in the past. One great advantage to the attendees is that we are able to accommodate all the functions and activities in one location and plan a new and interesting agenda.”

Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available now by contacting Conference Sponsorship Chair, Dee Dee Bark at (480) 998-1489, or [email protected]. Registration and program specifics are still under development

For more information contact: Sue Dabbs-Preciado at (602) 771-1216, [email protected] or Annie Alvarado at (602) 771-1232, [email protected].

MILLION DOLLAR SCHOLARSHIP FUND ESTABLISHED TO ENCOURAGE MINORITY STUDENTS TO PURSUE CAREERS IN TEACHING MATH AND SCIENCE

Washington, DC The Siemens Teacher Scholarships, a collaboration between the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Siemens Foundation, aimed at encouraging minority students to pursue teaching careers in math and science, was officially announced today at the Department of Education.

"We all know that good schools are impossible without good teachers," said Wilbert Bryant, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, Department of Education. "The Siemens Foundation scholarship money will help increase the number of teachers going into America's classrooms. The collaboration of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the United Negro College Fund will assist 85 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in their efforts to encourage minority students in pursuing a career in science and mathematics."

The New Jersey-based Siemens Foundation will provide $1 million in scholarships over the next five years for undergraduate and graduate students who wish to pursue careers in teaching math, science and technology. Two organizations that are active in promoting post-secondary education for minority students the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the UNCF will administer the funds. Each organization will receive $500,000 to be awarded to students accepted to any one of the nations 85 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that are members of the two organizations.

This program marks the first time the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the UNCF will collaborate in an effort to target both private and public colleges. The Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund has 47 member public HBCUs; the UNCF provides operational support to the 38 private institutions. The two organizations will select scholarship recipients each year. The Siemens Foundation will fund the scholarships as part of its mission to support and enhance math and science education in America's high schools.

"Siemens grant is critically important because it can help to address one of the most pressing needs facing our nation’s children and that is the need for more teachers in math, science and engineering," said Dwayne Ashley, CEO and President, Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. All students deserve a sound, quality education that will set them on the road to economic prosperity. This makes this grant unique for two reasons: There is a need for more qualified minority math and science teachers, and HBCUs have long been the training ground for new leaders in education as well as mathematicians, scientists and engineers.

Contacts: Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, Jennifer Jiles, 770-840-6339 or 404-915-4283, [email protected], http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org

Siemens Foundation Marie Gentile, 732-603-5886 or 917-679-6299, [email protected] http://www.siemens-foundation.org

United Negro College Fund, Ayanna Canty, 703-205-3510 [email protected], http://www.uncf.org News release courtesy(http://www.BlackNews.com). TEC

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http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 17 BizNet Calendar Arizona April 18 W.I.S.K. (Women I Should Know) Location: Phoenix. Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. UNIVERSITY CLUB, 39 E. Monte Vista Road, Phoenix (across from Heard Museum) Monte Vista is north of McDowell and one block north of Palm Lane, just off Central. Save these dates: Monday, May 16th, June 20. For More information contact Joyce Geyser at [email protected] April 19 Phoenix Business Certification Programs Location : Phoenix. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Burton Barr Central Library, Lecture Room - 4th floor, 1221 N. Central Ave. Seating is limited for these presentations. Call the Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department at 602- 262-6790/voice or 602/534-1557/TTY to reserve a space. April 21 South Mountain/Laveen After 5 Business Exchange Location: Arizona Lutheran Academy Time: 5:30a.m. – 7:30p.m. 6036 S. 27th Avenue, Phoenix. Phone: 602-495- 2194

April 22 Sales Skills Workshop: Improve Your Proposal/Presentation, Negotiation and Closing Skills Location: Phoenix. Time: 9:00a.m. – 12:00 (Noon) 201 N. Central Ave. 27th Floor Michael Leeds, "Head Coach" of Professional Sales Coaching, LLC, will present this great educational workshop and provide you with all the tools you'll need to improve your sales techniques. Register today for the ultimate sales workshop! E-mail us at: [email protected] or call: 602-495-6484

April 23 Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Black and White Ball Location: Phoenix. Time: 6:00p.m. – 12:00 (Midnight) Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri. For more information visit: http://www.azhcc.com/display_event.asp?ID=1759

April 26 GPBCC Evening Networking Forum Location: Phoenix: Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30p.m Arks Inc. 300 West Osborn Suite #305 Phoenix 5:30p.m. - 7:30p.m. For more information visit: http://www.phoenixblackchamber.com. April 27 Building A Diversified Business Community Central Arizona College Small Business Development Center Learning Seminar Series Location: Casa Grande Holiday Inn - Pinal County Town Hall.Time: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pinal County is experiencing rapid residential growth, but significantly lags in the creation of women and minority owned businesses. It is anticipated that a greater diversity in business ownership will bring measurable economic development to our communities. For more information email [email protected].

Biznet Calendar works around the clock... so you don’t have to. Networking, Professional Development, Government Policy meetings, etc. : 21st of every month return to e-mail: [email protected] Deadline news index Continued on the next page

18 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 Continued from the previous page California April 6 Blacks In Government Monthly Meeting Location: San Diego. Time: 5:00 p.m. Join the Greater San Diego Chapter of Blacks In Government (BIG) for their monthly meeting held regularly at the Malcolm X Library, 5148 Market St. For more information, phone: 619-545- 2097 Email: [email protected] or visit http://www.bignet.org/regional/greater.san- diego

April 18 5th Annual All Business Women's Celebration Location: Mission Valley . Time: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Mission Valley Resort (Formerly Quality Resort) 875 Hotel Circle South. Hosted by African American Business Women of Vision (AABWV), the Annual All Business Women's Celebration, is San Diego's largest" multicultural mega-networking event and is known for its guaranteed good time, power networking, great entertainment, exciting speakers, fabulous vendors, loads of door prizes, and great food. Dee Sanford’s keynote “Recycling Girlfriend Dollars – Ensuring Women Owned Business Survive and Thrive,” emphasizes the importance and wisdom of entrepreneurship, and our responsibility to become clients and promoters of women-owned businesses “on-purpose,” to help ensure we get our fair share of the business. For more information, phone: 619-263-6868, or Email: [email protected]

April 21 San Diego Regional African American Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon. Location: TBD. Time: 11:30 a.m. $15 members (tax deductible); $20 non-members. The San Diego County Black Chamber of Commerce hosts its Monthly Meeting & Luncheon. RSVP to Chamber. For more information, phone: 619-262-2121, or Email: [email protected]

May 6 First Friday’s San Diego (FFSD) Monthly Business Mixer Location: San Diego. Time: 5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. For more information visit: http://www.ffsd.com. Nevada

Monthly Las Vegas Urban Chamber of Commerce Monthly Luncheon Location: Las Vegas. $20 for members; $25 for non-members and ALL walk-ins. RSVP at 702-648-6222. Fax: 702 648-6223 or E-mail: [email protected]. Sponsored by UCC.

Professional Black Women's Alliance Location: West Las Vegas. The Women’s Alliance meets the second Saturday of every month at the West Las Vegas Library. The address is 951 W Lake Mead. To attend call: 702- 631-0000.

April 21 Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Monthly Mixer Location: Las Vegas. Time 5:30p.m. – 7:30 p.m., “V” Theater inside Desert Passage. Both members and non- members can attend. Free. RSVP: 702-641-5822, option 2 or htp http://www.lv chamber.com.TEC

Out Fox Your Competition. Life Strategies Consulting Small Business Public Relations and Marketing

602-821-8191 e-mail: [email protected] return to news index

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 19 Summer 2005 Ebony Cactus Advertising Rates are now available! Call 602-821-8191 email: [email protected]

20 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005

Have You Been Considering Breast Enhancements, Laser Hair Removal, Liposuction, Rhinoplasty, Body Contour- ing, Botox, Laser Skin Resurfacing or Collagen Injection?

If so, you owe it to yourself to contact the office of Dr. Larry C. Leverett MD.

Dr. Larry C. Leverett 480.706.5830 http://www.leverettmd.com

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 21 Tools: Something regarded as necessary to the carrying out of one's occupation or profession.

Solutions: The methods or processes of solving problems. The answers to or disposition of problems. tools & solutions

• marketing 23 when to or when not to partner • resources 24 custom dress shirt vs ready made • Getting Started 25 so you want to start a business pt2 • home

22 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 marketing WHEN NOT TO JOIN FORCES WITH A COMPETING BIZ

his column addresses a question sent in by a reader concerning working with a competing business owner. Specifically, she wanted to know if it would be prudent to allow this person to work for her company knowing T that she had a similar business. She writes:

"I don't know if it [allowing a competing business owner to work for me] poses a conflict of interest or if it would, in some way, be mutually beneficial. In the business world, how are situations like this handled?"

I replied: Don't do it.

Unless you are going to team up and become official partners, an employee / employer arrangement is not a good idea with a like business because there are way too many candidates WITHOUT competing interests that you could hire. So, why put yourself in a position to have to worry about a person’s motives?

An affiliate-type/bartering situation would be more in order, rather than an employee/employer relationship. And still, go into this type of arrangement ONLY after you know some basics about the other person’s business.

You MUST, MUST, MUST always know some of the numbers when you are considering going into any type of arrangement with a competitor/like business. Otherwise, you are taking a much bigger gamble because some arrangements just don't work out, no matter how much they might make sense at face value (ie, the Time Warner/AOL merger -- colossal failure).

When you have a really good idea, many are going to want to ride your coattails. SO, the more successful you get, the more offers will come your way. This being said, how do you evaluate when to join forces with a like business?

The way any major decision is made: weigh the pros and cons and seek outside advice/counsel from experts (be sure to seek advice from experts with business backgrounds; not just your accountant, lawyer, best friend, etc.)

Finally, do a gut check. So many small business owners are afraid to follow their gut. Don’t be; it rarely leads you wrong.

Tip: Write down the pros and cons of any major decision you have to make -- that way you can actually see it. Seeing things in black and white brings a clarity that no other method does.

Worse case scenario, you pass up a good opportunity and miss out on what "could have" been a wonderful opportunity. However, you can always revisit your decision later if you feel like you've made a mistake.

Remember, good opportunities come along every day. Just because it seems like a good idea does not mean that it’s a good idea for you -- right now .

Reprints must include the following: Yuwanda Black is available for radio, magazine, television and online interviews. Contact her at 646-279-0833, or [email protected]. Log on to by Yuwanda http://www.EthnicVendors.com for advertising your product/service with us, and be sure to visit our Black. Bio on parent site, EthnicHomeDecor.com , for soft home furnishings with ethnic themes. EthnicHomeDecor.com page 5 offers soft home furnishings with ethnic themes. Visit our sister site, EthnicVendors.com, for a wide selection of ethnic merchandise from vendors worldwide. TEC return to tools index

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 23 resources THE CUSTOM DRESS SHIRT VS. THE READY- MADE SHIRT

owadays fashion isn't just jeans and T-shirts. Tailoring is making a much- needed comeback. Your image speaks louder than words. Today, it's the cut N of your dress shirt that says you've arrived, not your business card. With this in mind, I'm often asked, "Why should I buy your dress shirt that represents an investment of between $95-$145 when I can buy an 'off the rack' shirt on sale between $30 -$60." There are many reasons; let's explore a few.

Professional clothiers can take as much as 14 measurements or more for a shirt. This includes your neck, chest, waist, seat, yoke, sleeves, wrists, shirt length, forearm, biceps, height, weight, shoulder slope, and incline. The 'off the rack' shirt limits the consumer to half inch incremental sizing. An experienced clothier may measure in quarter inch increments. Specific to off the rack, it is indeed an issue for the many men whose neck is really 16-3/4inch but have to settle for 16 1/2 inch (too tight) or 17 inch (too large).

While we are addressing the neck measurement, let's address another measurement shirt dilemma- shrinkage. There is a certain shrinkage that occurs in the neck measurement by adding to the finished measurement. Let me explain. Have you ever noticed that the 16 1/2 collars become to tight after laundering. Relax…. your neck isn't growing. The natural tendency of cotton is shrinkage. The ready-made shirt gets discarded because of an uncomfortable fit. A finely tailored shirt will provide longer wear because shrinkage is in factored on the front end of the tailoring process. Also, the sleeve length works the same way. Clothiers allow for shrinkage by adding to the sleeve length measurement. Overall, a custom shirt could prove to be a more prudent investment over time.

The next issue is the collar and cuff difference as it relates to appearance. A fused collar and cuff add for an opulent look. This provides a barrel crisp appearance. Fused collars are done so through a technology-improved heating process that bonds the fabric to the underlying interface.

Therefore, seepage is limited and gives you a collar and cuff free of puckers, wrinkles, creases, and eliminates the 'fly-a-way' collar. The significance of this point in addition to improved appearance is longer wear. The longer wear is achieved because the need to inundate the shirt with heavy starch at the local cleaners is eliminated. Usually when you order starch for the garment you are not requesting the need of heavy starch for the body of the shirt; this is your attempt to get the collar and cuff crisp in appearance.

Another point, the life of the shirt has improved because cotton is a natural fiber not intended for heavy starch, and the shirt is often torn because of starch build-up. Because cotton is a natural fiber, it is a more comfortable material to wear if it breathes. Just as the pores on your skin breathe easier uncovered, the dress shirt, particularly in warmer months, will wear more comfortably because it is not clogged with starch. The look of the shirt is richer, white shirts won't yellow; colors are more brilliant in appearance when starching is eliminated.

Lets talk about choice selection. Let’s say you're searching for the blue and white-striped shirt in perhaps a department store, and you're lucky enough to find the best size available, but the collar is not your preference. by: Within many of today’s full services clothier, couture shops or special order tailors offer virtually every collar By: Donna available from the standard dress collar to the British spread (sometimes referred to as the 'Pat Riley' collar) to the Sewell. button-down collar. In addition, a seasoned clothier will recommend what collar best enhances your face and neck bio on page 5 proportionately, offer hundreds of fabric choices including the finest imported fabrics and so much more.

Specialty cuffs are the rage including- single button to French cuffs and designer cuffs as well as Monogram shirts. Today, top tier tailors create computer-generated patterns for their customers that distinguish them apart from all others. Much like your DNA, no one else has your shirt pattern. You are not a ready-made individual. You are unique. Congratulations! You qualify to live, look, and feel the custom-dressed life you deserve. TEC return to tools index

24 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 getting started SO YOU WANT TO START A BUSINESS. PT. 2

ack in my younger days, I ventured into starting a small data processing equipment, maintenance and B supply company. It was a great thrill to create a business that had its own niche in the marketplace. But, within two months, I discovered that the business had tripled projected sales and that I did not have sufficient working capital to service my customers. It did not take me long to realize that my original cash flow projections were both conservative and accurate. So I dusted off my original cash flow projections, signed contracts and agreements, prepared my current monthly profit and loss statements, and resubmitted them to my banker and the Small Business Administration. This allowed me to get my business back on the right track. The point that I am making is that I would not have known what had happened and what to do if I had not put my ideas, plans and assumptions in writing.

Even though I had tried to raise money from outside sources, I soon learned that the value of the plan far exceeded all the hype I originally was advised to include (through various classes, books and consultants) to impress outside investors. I ended up phasing in my original plan and found that others liked it better that way.

Now I am involved with several businesses and spend a fair amount of time helping other businessmen. I owe a lot of my current success to my original business plan and the discipline it brought into my business life.

Every business needs a business plan and every business needs to keep their business plan current. It will be your road map to reach your goals and your guide to achieving what you want. A good business plan is clear and concise and lays out your goals and plans. Good writing takes time and preparation. Once your business plan is completed, I recommend that you use your business plan as a guide for your business. Refer to it often to check your progress. Update it periodically. I recommend that you do this annually or semi-annually. Keep your old copies for future reference. Here are some ideas to get the most out of a Business Plan: Pt 2 of “So you • Keep your ideas simple and concise. • Allow several days, if not weeks, for the preparation of your want to business plan. start a • Compile financial worksheets before spending time on the text. business” •A worksheet to help you determine your breakeven point. series was As mentioned previously, my recommendation is to start with the financial worksheets and then move into the text. first This is very sadistic, I know, but if your business is not going to work out at a level acceptable to you or your published investors, you need to know that before spending time and money on the text. So, let me explain the relationship of Vol. 1 No.2, the Proforma Worksheet and the various outputs: the March Proforma Worksheet 2002 The purpose of this large worksheet is to test the financial validity of your idea. This section is undoubtedly the edition of most complex, but it is the most vital. Without some hope of financial success, there is no reason to start or the Ebony continue a business. Even if you find that your idea is not viable or does not meet your own personal expectations, this exercise will be well worth the time and effort to determine that fact. Cactus magazine. Cash Flow Projections This is a very large worksheet to help you track your cash flow. In general, the cash flow chart feeds into the By : James T. Income Statement, which feeds into the Balance Sheet, which feeds into the ratios and analyses. Hicks. Bio on page 5 Asset Worksheet This is a very simple worksheet, which tracks your proposed assets. They are totaled and are used in the balance sheets.

Income Statement This is generated from the cash flow worksheet. This is often called a "Profit & Loss Statement". Hopefully, you will see a profit! I recommend that information on year-to-year changes be generated for your own information. In my next installment, we shall look at the remaining requisites including Balance Sheet, Ratio Analysis, Dun & Bradstreet Industry Norms, RMA, Financial Goals Table, The Management, [Product, Service] Description, Long and Short Term Objectives, Competitors, Your Competitive Advantages and Pricing. TEC return to tools index

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 25 ADVERTISEMENT

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Serenity, a heart-wrenching story of the stark realities of child abuse, dysfunction, incest and how one woman triumphs! Available now! To order contact: Mary L. Mitchell [email protected] 602-565-3257

26 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 Profiles: Biographical essays presenting the subject's most noteworthy characteristics and achievements.

Places: The particular portion of space occupied by or allocated to persons or things.

Things: Entities, ideas, or qualities perceived, known, or thought to have their own existence. profiles, places & things

• Profiles • Skin Frenzy 28 • Marc Anthony 30 • home

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 27 Cover Story

Liz Trevino Address: 828 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona E-mail: llliz@myskinfrenzy.. com Website: http:: //www.. myskinfrenzy.. com Telephone: 602-258-9099 Certified/Licensed: Yes Awards/Affiliations: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, South Mountain/Laveen Chamber of Commerce/ Cited 40 under 40 (Arizona Young Professionals on the Rise) The Business Journal (Arizona) 2005

“I’ve been an asthetician for seven years but only recently did I take the plunge to become a business owner. Arizona is one of the best places to open up shop in the field of spa treatment, and wellness education”, said Liz Trevino owner of Skin Frenzy Day Spa. She stated she took an interest in central/downtown Phoenix when surveying a place to open up shop because of the positive traffic flow and By Angela generation “Y” dollars within a 5 mile Brooks

radius of her new location. return to profiles Continued on the next page index

28 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 Continued from the previous page

“I felt a year ago as I still do, that this area is on the cutting edge of development not only for Phoenix but nationally. We have the ASU campuses that will bring in folks from miles around, new educators from out of state and students of many nationalities. There’s the metro rail that will be operating soon and in view of my spa. You can’t ask for a better location than one that will give you so much visibility with your expected demographic.

Speaking of demographics, Liz states that her spa is for everyone. Skin Frenzy was designed to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye using warms hues just like at the resorts. “We have refreshing waterfalls, visuals, plants and sounds effects thoughtfully placed and orchestrated to give a feeling of peace and serenity. To compete Liz says, “We have quality equipment and are constantly keeping ourselves on top of the latest equipment procedures and product”.

A Latina who recognized a niche’, Liz added that she decided to open her establishment when she saw an opportunity other than remain a service provider. Liz began her career in Scottsdale. “With the training and exposure I’ve had one would assume that I’d open my business in Scottsdale, however, that’s not where my demographic regularly lives, does business or most anything else” she added. “My decision was determined by my potential clients lifestyle and demographics. Also I took a long hard look at the opportunities before me in reference to people of color. The playing field was and still is wide open.”

Skin Frenzy has recently launched a new skin care line. “Comparatively, there is little being offered for Latinas and those women of African American and Native American decent in the areas of skin treatment. I saw that ( the darker skin toned clients) as my market.” Skin Frenzy opened for business where it would have the best exposure and potential clients.

Location being a key factor in the initial success of any business. With Light Rail and Downtown development on her heels, Skin Frenzy is poised for growth. Soon Liz can click her heels saying, there’s no place like home. “In my currently location clients will have a better chance of affording my rates. Since the rents are much more reasonable here, I can pass along the savings giving them the opportunity to become regular clients and feel that the day spa treatment and experience is something they can add into their normal routines, just like the women in Scottsdale.”

return to profiles index

Photo page 29 and Cover Photo by Robert Smith http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 29 Romanesque

Marc-Anthony Massage Anthony Moncreif, Owner 930 E. Broadway Suite 7 Tempe, AZ 85282 Phone: 480-777-8366 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.marc-anthonymassage.com Employees: 1 Experience: 4 years Licensed Massage Therapist Awards: Elsevier Health Sciences Award Associations: South Mountain/Laveen Chamber of Commerce

assage Therapy does not have to be painful.” So said Anthony Moncreif, owner of Marc-Anthony Massage. In fact, he feels “Mconsumers should become educated about their health specifically as it relates to the benefits of massage therapy. A licensed massage therapists since, 2001, Moncreif is a leading Arizona professional in the delivery of Deep Tissue, Myotherapy, Shiatsu, Sports, and Swedish Massage. “I’m graduate of The Bryman School, one of the best massage therapy facilities in the area. When I went into the business, I wanted to set my business apart from others. One of the ways I felt I could do that was to become extremely knowledgeable about my field. Also, being good was not enough. I determined that enjoying my work was important and if I did, then my customers would enjoy their therapy experience as well.”

Today, no matter if they’re operating within manufacturing or the new knowledge-based economy, a growing number of workforce driven-high achievers have revealed, through surveys, variations of job stress and anxiety which they affirm is the culprit to low production or unmet project goals. Seeking to improve morale and productivity more employers are opting to invest in the use of massage therapy as a means to improved mental, physical and emotional well- being on the job as a precursors to unexpected paid leave time off and in some cases termination. By Angela Brooks Moncreif added, “ implementing a mobile corporate chair incentive program is a great way to boost morale or they can be utilized to ease nervous feelings when tension is exacerbated during crunch times in the workplace”.

“Touch is an essential part of the human experience. Massage therapy is a uniquely personal experience,” Marc said. Highly experienced in the areas of Reflexology, Lymphatic Drainage, Pregnancy Massage and many other unique spa treatments, Anthony’s area of specialty was the study and affect of poor posture on the muscular skeletal system. His studies fostered his strong interest in proper posture with corrective techniques and in various degrees of stretch treatment to help rebuild the body. Anthony's goal is to bring people to a return to positive state of health and well-being. He offers a variety of services and profiles assures individual sessions are delicately designed to a customized fit for each index client.

30 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 http://www.gpbcc.org

The Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce A Winning Strategy

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http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 31 WellDone

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32 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 LEGAL

The various incarnations of the internet are new and exciting vehicles for the distribution of information. Regrettably, they are still far less than perfect and not fully controlled or secure. The Ebony Cactus magazine is distributed only by the website, by e-mail subscription or by direct e-mail request. The Ebony Cactus How to Receive The Magazine (TEC) therefor cannot warrant that the function Ebony Cactus or operation of The Ebony Cactus magazine Electronic Document, autoresponder, The Ebony Cactus website or linked websites will be free of defects, that defects will be Published twice monthly, The Ebony Cactus (TEC) is a corrected, or that they will be free of viruses or other 100% electronic magazine, no hard copies will be available. harmful elements. To receive it, you need a recent model P.C. or Macintosh computer equipped with E-mail and Adobe Acrobat As a visitor to and a user of The Ebony Cactus magazine or Reader 6.0. Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 will work, but some Website, you, in effect, agree that your access will be features will not be available. Copies of The Ebony Cactus subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this legal may be accessed in the following manners: notice and that access is undertaken at your own risk. As a visitor to and user of The Ebony Cactus Website or 1. E-mail subscription Electronic Magazine, you must assume full responsibility You may subscribe to the Ebony Cactus by either sending for any costs associated with servicing of equipment used a subscription request to: in connection with use of our site or documents. The [email protected] or by clicking Ebony Cactus magazine shall not be liable for damages of the subscription link found at any kind related to your use of or inability to access the http://www.theebonycactus.com website or opening the TEC magazine electronic file. The latest edition will be sent to you twice monthly as an e- mail attachment (see legal). Note, the subscription list is for We endeavor to present the most recent, most accurate, the use of TEC only. It will not be sold or distributed to any and most reliable information on our E-magazine and outside parties. There is no subscription cost. Website at all times. However, there may be occasions when some of the information featured in The Ebony 2. Download from the web page Cactus magazine or at Archived copies of the most recent and past editions of http://www.theebonycactus.com may contain The Ebony Cactus will be found at incomplete data, typographical errors, or inaccuracies. Any http://www.theebonycactus.com for download (see errors are wholly unintentional. In addition, the opinions of legal). guest writers are their own and may not reflect the views of No cost. TEC and thus TEC can not be held liable. Please be aware that we present our content "as is" and make no claims to 3. Send it to a Friend its accuracy, either expressed or implied. We reserve the Knowledge is power. The Ebony Cactus magazine offers right to amend errors, make changes to our Website, or to knowledge. Empower your associates. update our magazine at any time without prior notice. To Tell them. the fullest extent permitted by law, The Ebony Cactus magazine disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied.

No part of this magazine may be used for business or promotional use without a written request and permission from the Publisher or the Editor. Main Index

http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005 33 480.784.4444 - 520.321.1000 All Ticketmaster Outlets including Robinson’s May, Tower Records, Wherehouse Music and Fry’s Marketplace

The First Business and Living Guide to South Mountain and Laveen Villages Phoenix South coming soon! www.phoenixSOUTH.com

34 http://www.THEEBONYCACTUS.com Vol. 4 No. 4 April 2005