evolution magazine may 2013

Business Trendsetter: Jackie Dorman President, Jane Media Group

Issue 04| May 2013 $4.99

E v o l v e M e d i a

40Introducing Our Newest Feature

Power Players Under We talk networking with Briza Alvarado of Dallas, Texas

Crowdfunding A Revolutionary Alternative Funding Source for Small Businesses

Networking Events

3Tips to help get the most out of your time and efforts

Easton, Pennsylvania’s Grand Eastonian Suites Hotel

Worth Making a Visit

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Innovative marketing solutions that will

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Every day…. Every week… Every month networking events are happening in every major city and in small towns. Are you maximizing the potential value that can

be found at these events?

My message in a nutshell: networking events are one of the easiest ways to increase your business.

It’s unfortunate that most people don’t realize that they play a major role in making the most of the contact made during the event. Greater success is achieved by seeking others out rather than by expecting to be sought out. You have seen it --the random guy moving throughout the event, looking to collect every business card he could get his hands on, attempting to set up as many one-on-one meetings as possible that night. Is that a successful strategy? Probably not, especially when considering that people primarily refer those with whom they have created a meaningful relationship. It is safe to assume that most business that is referred comes from those who know, like and trust the person representing the business, NOT the guy randomly asking for cards at a networking event two days ago.

With that in mind, here are three effective rules to follow that will help you quickly get the person who you are contacting or meeting to know you, like you and begin to trust you.3Rules

to Maximize Networking Events Rule #1 - Avoid being the card collector

Simply put, networking is the beginning of a relationship. Do not get into the practice of going around, trying to collect a card from every person in the room. If you are at an event that is hour long you should try to connect with only three to five people. To be honest you will not remember most of the people you meet and what you spoke about at the meeting. Try to write a few details about the person and what you talked about after the conversation to help spark your memory later. The more people that you try to connect with only makes the process harder.

Rule #2 – Be prepared to listen.. It is not about youNetworking should be an active part of your marketing strategy. You should prepare no more than five questions that you ask everyone you begin to connect with. Being prepared will allow you be comfortable in conversation and become memorable. Moreover, you should remember to put your listening hat on and actively listen to what people are saying to you. When you listen well, you will gather key information about the person, his or her interests, and clues about when to ask for contact information.

Rule #3 – Know when to walk awayI remember hearing a comedian say after his show “Always leave them wanting more." The same is true with networking. At the event, you are only beginning the courtship, not trying to seal the deal. Do not monopolize their time. Yes, you want to get to know the people you are speaking to, but they are also there to network. Set an appointment to get to know them better. This will give you another opportunity to get to know them and their business on a deeper level. You want to learn more about their business -- after all, your clients could possibly use their services.

It is very important to remember that networking events are one of the best ways to build a solid network of business pro-fessionals. These professional can and will become the base of your referral circle. This is very much essential to any business. The more people know, like, and trust you, the more they will refer business to you.


EvolutionBusiness Network

Network, Build, Achieve

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By The Finance Girl

Who do You Rely on for Your Financial

Advice?

Who do you rely on for your financial advice? Do you have someone you can count on

to answer your questions about a topic very important to you: your money? Maybe you talk to your co-workers, check Google or call your financial consultant when you’re not quite sure which avenue is best to take. My hope for you is that whoever you are consulting, it’s someone who’s not only experienced in these areas, but also someone you trust.

If you're like me, it seems like at virtually every networking event you attend there are about 10 financial advisors standing in line waiting to introduce themselves to you and tell you why they are different from everyone else. What tends to differentiate financial advisors is the way they work with their clients. Some advisors tend to be more

transactional in their approach, some are more focused on a specific product or industry, while still others can be very comprehensive in their planning.

Apart from the contrasts in their processes, all these advisors have one very important aspect that should not be taken lightly: their personality and how it fits well with you! After all, building the trust necessary to have a successful financial relationship is easier when you both get along well.

Any financial advisor can impress you with credentials and knowledge about the best rates and returns, but if you don’t have a good relationship with your advisor, you’ll never feel fully comfortable with any recommendations he or she makes. Ultimately, one of the main responsibilities of your advisor is

to help you work on whatever it is that is most important to you, whether it is saving enough for retirement or making sure you have the right amount of protection in place for your family.

My suggestion to you is that when you are looking for an advisor to work with, find someone you feel you can trust and has your best interests in mind. Everyone has different personalities and finding someone you can really connect with and whom you know will understand you is key. What matters most is that you trust this person to be with you through every financial roadblock and achievement that comes your way.


Marketing VS

Strategic PlanBy Karen Jett

Recently, at a networking event, I met Steven. He told me about all of the marketing services that

he offered. He was comprehensive in his efforts and his services included creating a marketing plan, designing campaigns, and more. Frankly, he mentioned so many services my head was spinning and most of it didn’t stick.

When it was my turn to speak, I gave my brief elevator speech and responded to his question for more information by explaining that I do strategic planning among other services. Steven's response was, “Oh, we do the same thing!”

My mom raised me to be polite, so I didn't respond at that time and just moved on with the conversation. Inside, I wanted to scream back at Steven: “NO! We don’t do the same thing at all!” Here is the difference between what Steven does (creating a strategic marketing plan) and what I do (creating a strategic plan).

Steven concentrates on the marketing, and perhaps sales, side of business. In general, his only interest about production and innovation within the organization have to do with what new products or services are coming along and how one plans to market and sell them. Steven will look at the demographics of a target market, compare the offerings to those already in the market, and make recommendations for ways to market and sell products. These are all important and valuable tasks.

However, a strategic plan is more holistic and includes all parts of business. We will look not only at your marketing efforts (at a high level), but also at things that are going on at all levels of your business, from administrative to production, from sales to innovation. Ideally, nothing is left out.

The outcome of strategic planning is an understanding of what is most important to achieve now. This is then translated into verious action plans with specific goals. Some goals may be back office related to set the stage for growth. Other goals may focus on adding new products or services or expanding into new markets. And still other goals may involve phasing out certain aspects of your business that are not profitable enough.

Until you understand where your company is headed, it is not a good idea to go ahead with a marketing plan. For example, let us assume that you discover in the strategic planning process that you will be phasing out product A and replacing it with a new-and-improved product X. Had you started with the marketing plan, Steven would likely have asked where you want to concentrate your marketing efforts. If sales of product A have been slow or profits less than expected it would be reasonable for you to respond, “Let’s concentrate on product A. If I can get the word out sales should improve.”

With the wider perspective offered by strategic planning, you could have avoided dumping more money into product A and instead shared with Steven that product A was going away to be replaced with product X in the next couple of months. You could have then asked, “What can we do that will convert existing product A customers to product X and also reach new customers who will find value in product X?”

The bottom line is, a strategic plan is not the same as a marketing plan or marketing strategic plan. Neither are “strategic plan” and “marketing plan” interchangeable. Granted, they are named similarly which adds to the confusion. And the reality is that you should have both. Just remember, the strategic plan should come first and should be shared with Steven so that he can create a robust marketing plan that compliments your company-wide plans for growth.

Finally, one word of caution: if you meet a marketing person who confuses a marketing plan with a strategic plan, think twice before you hire that person.

www.evomag.co 7

Business

Trendsetter

Jackie DormanPresident, Jane Media Group

It is often said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Every now and again you will connect with someone whose passion burns so deeply that it is contagious; this month’s “Business Trendsetter” Jackie Dorman is one such person.

Each month we seek to introduce the world to businesses and business owners that are making a difference in their communities. This month we connect with Jackie Dorman, President of Jane Media Group.

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Evolution Magazine: Would you tell us the history and background of your company?

Jackie Dorman: In 2011, as the General Manager of the Independent Guardian Television Network, I saw the need for a new breed of women’s entertainment that empowered, encouraged and educated its viewers. Enter Jane Media Group... Jane Media group is the home to the award winning brand Jane TV, the 1st Internet protocol Television Network for women and non profit subsidiary The Jane Foundation that commits to using media such as documentaries, public service announcements and reality television to shine a light on the social injustice that women and children face around the world in the form of human trafficking, poverty, homelessness, forced abortion and other atrocities. After experiencing some success in the area of our own branding we expanded our services to include media, branding and marketing consulting for companies that want to attract the coveted female consumer. We call our approach “the power of she”.

EM: Oftentimes people tend to use excuses to explain why they are not doing the things that would put them on the path of success. However, you are a mom and more. How does family fit into the vision?

JD: That’s a good question... As a woman there are always voices that scream “you should, you should, you should!” As a former life coach and counselor, I have tried to help free my clients from the guilt cycle of family vs. career. You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other, you simply have to find a nice flow between the two. I learned a long time ago that children don’t actually need quantity of time (unless they are under 3) they need quality of time. I made the decision that no

matter where I was, on the job, or with my family, I would give 100% of myself to whatever I was doing. In other words, I won’t be thinking about work when I’m with my kids and I won’t be thinking about my kids (and feeling guilty) when I’m working towards my dream. There is truly time to do both of these things well with a little bit of well-applied discipline. For those that say there isn’t enough time, I would say, “People always find time to do what they want to do.”

“I like to call Jane TV the “real” feminist movement because it truly empowers women to express who they are and not some stereotype of what they think they ought to be.”

www.evomag.co 9

EM: We have been following you for a while and noticed that you are leading a movement of women that are not satisfied with the status quo. How does Jane.tv fit into this movement?

JD: I like to call Jane TV the “real” feminist movement because it truly empowers women to express who they are and not some stereotype of what they think they ought to be. Whether it’s a homeschooling happy homemaker or a single woman running her own business every woman is free to pursue her own definition of happiness. No “should-ing” allowed! The name Jane simply means “woman” and acts as a unifier that brings us all together. At the same time, though, this signifier demands of us to be as uniquely different as we were created to be.

EM: For all of the young women out there seeking true mentorship, give us 3 things that every person should do if they are determined to succeed.

JD:1. Trust yourself : You know more than you think you know. Listen to your intuition and never second guess a gut instinct.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!: The most successful people are always asking questions and learning from everyone they meet. You will be amazed at what other people will give you just by being asked.

3. Never give up: There is no such thing as an overnight success. Learn to love the process just as much as the final outcome.

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CrowdfundingA Revolutionary Alternative Funding Source for Small BusinessesBy Sylvia Browder

A revolutionary source of funding sweeping across the internet in droves is... crowdfunding!

According to Growthink.com, US $100m was pledged in 2011 on the crowdfunding site kickstarter.com alone, launching over 27,000 projects at a 46% success rate. Now that’s impressive!

When you are starting or growing a small business, the main stumbling block typically comes down to capital. It's extremely difficult to have or find the resources necessary to raise the amount of money you need to get your business off the ground. Funding is a very important element to the success of any business remaining relevant in a competitive marketplace. If you’ve applied for a traditional loan, SBA Micro Loan, Unsecured Line of Credit, or even a Credit Card to no avail, then perhaps your next step is to consider this hot new trend in financing. What is Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is a cutting-edge way of raising the much needed money required by businesses to sustain themselves or to begin in the first place. Typically, a small group of investors finds out about a project independently of one another. These investors want the project to succeed, and invest a particular amount of money (often small, but can be very large) to build the project's capital. If enough money is raised by the investors, the project can be implemented. Often investors receive perks like t-shirts, products related to the project, or an advanced release of the project itself. Many platforms can take advantage of crowdfunding: from political campaigns, service- or product-based businesses, artists, scientific researchers and software developers.

3 Business Preparation Tips for Crowdfunding

• Select the Best Platform: There are many crowdfunding platforms available, with new ones forming daily. It is important to choose the one that can best fit your project funding needs.

• Create a ‘WIFM’ Reward Program: Remember “What’s In It For Me?” Well, if you want to have a successful campaign, you’d better come up with some juicy rewards for prospective investors. The reward you create should be based on the type of campaign you are running. For example, Crescent Theater was forced to upgrade its equipment and as a part of their reward program, the lowest reward offer is a free movie pass.

• Design a Stellar Marketing Strategy: Consider multiple ways to connect with potential investors. The key is creating a diverse marketing campaign. Many companies, Google included, favor videos. You can also add a slide presentation, a podcast or a simple written message.


3 ways that Crowdfunding can help you:

• Independence from Banking Institutions: Banks are sitting on their cash and aren’t lending to start-up or small businesses that need capital. At a recent lecture at George Washington University, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke innocuously remarked that lately “small businesses have … found it difficult to get credit.” Most banks have high unreachable expectations along with a daunting process. Crowdfunding offers a more realistic approach to funding.

• Free Publicity: An opportunity to publicly raise funds for your business idea or existing company to myriad potential investors by way of the internet is astounding! Many entrepreneurs yearn for a chance to receive the type of publicity crowdfunding offers. If well handled, the publicity can greatly catapult your business to immense success

• Validation: Validation of your business idea is important. To know that there are people globally who believe in your concept is empowering. People will generally invest in opportunities that are viable. So, every contribution you receive from people simply means that they believe in the opportunity's validity!

3 Top Crowdfunding Sites

• Kickstarter: A funding platform for creative projects such as films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Kickstarter is full of ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others.

• Indiegogo: An international crowdfunding site where anyone can raise money for film, music, art, charity, small businesses, gaming, theater, and more.

• RocketHub: A fundraising platform that raises funds and awareness for projects primarily in fashion, music, theatre, writing, and photography.

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When is ita Mistake

to Think

BIG?"The world of reality has limits; the world of imagination is boundless,"

once said Jean-Jacques Rousseau. "Not being able to enlarge the one, let us contract the other; for it is from their differences that the evils arise which render us unhappy."

By Donnie Bryant

"The world of reality has limits; the world of imagination is boundless," once said Jean-Jacques Rousseau. "Not being able to enlarge the one, let us contract the other; for it is from their differences that the evils arise which render us unhappy."

To paraphrase the above quote very loosely, we don't get the results we want in life because we have a tendency to think too big. We want more than we can have. We want to do more than we can accomplish. If we'd start thinking smaller, we'd be much happier, says Monsieur Rousseau.

I don't think he had marketing in mind when he made this observation, but let's explore the idea to see if there’s any business wisdom we can pull out of it.

YOU’RE THINKING TOO BIG WHEN...YOU TRY TO MAKE EVERYONE YOUR CUSTOMERThere aren't a whole lot of product categories in which everyone can be your customer. Most companies are not General Mills or Fruit of the Loom. Those in service such as plumbers or tax preparers have a wider potential customer base. But even in those cases, discriminating against some customer types is almost always good for your business.If you try market your business to everyone, you usually end up with a generic sales message. Genericness invariably lowers persuasiveness. On the other hand, picking a segment of the population and designing campaigns specifically for them allows you to be much more relevant and compelling, which drives better results.

On top of that, even if you could sell to everyone, some people simply aren't the kind of customers you want to do business with, while others are the kind of people who are a joy to work with and serve.

Think about this: Red Bull could probably sell energy drinks to most American adults and teenagers (given that most of us feel short on energy at least occasionally). But are their ads generic? Do they try to appeal to every possible personality type? Not at all. They sponsor extreme sports and appeal to the risk takers. That doesn't keep Suzy Homemaker from sneaking one while the kids are at school every once in a while. Moreover, generic products very rarely generate strong loyalty or enthusiasm around a brand. Contrast that with how people feel about Harley-Davidson or Apple.

Even if you could potentially market your product to everyone, it's pretty much guaranteed that you'll get better results if you pick a core audience and really go after them. “Outsiders” will probably still buy from you. Nike promotes their product to athletes and those who aspire to be athletes. But people from every walk of life (forgive the pun) buy their shoes and other products.

YOU’RE THINKING TOO BIG WHEN...YOU TRY TO COVER TOO MANY BASESIn baseball, the catcher covers home plate and the area around it. He rarely plays in other parts of the field. Imagine the chaos if he tried!

Imagine meeting two lawyers for the first time. They hand you their business cards; one says "Attorney-at-Law" and the other says "Attorney/Pastry Chef/Acupuncturist." Which one are you going to take more seriously? The natural reaction is to believe

that the 100% lawyer is more qualified than one who is 33% lawyer, 33% chef and 33% acupuncturist. Who knows which one is really better. But the guy who can't seem to decide what he wants to be when he grows up would be a less attractive choice for most of us. It's better for you to be world-class at just one thing than to have decent skills in five different areas.

Sean D'Souza warns against "stuffing" your unique value. Sure, there are plenty of wonderful things about your business and your product, but if you try to talk about all of them, you can over-stuff your message, making it difficult for your audience to swallow. Stop thinking so big! Pick one thing and become the best practitioner and best marketer of it.

YOU’RE THINKING TOO BIG WHEN...YOUR SALES MESSAGES ARE OVERLY EMOTIONAL You can get into trouble by trying to appeal to too many emotions in your sales message. It's usually better to have a focused message. I know you don't want to leave out anything that might entice someone to buy from you. But you may very well be sabotaging yourself. Rather than touching on every possible way the prospect could feel about the benefits of your service, consider drilling deeply into one dominant emotion (or at least just one at a time).

“We don’t get the results we want in life because we have a

tendency to think too big.”

YOU’RE THINKING TOO BIG WHEN...YOU EXERT TOO MUCH TOO QUICKLYTrying to make "big money" on your first interaction with a customer is quite often the wrong attitude. This is one of the reasons people in sales and marketing have bad reputations. If you're so concerned about extracting as much cash from the buyer’s pocket as possible, as quickly as possible, without regard to his long-term well-being, you may be doing more harm than good.

Similarly, trying to get a big list of customers may or may not be the right way to structure your business. It may be better to think bigger about the value you can provide a smaller number of clients. Instead of constantly chasing more clients, it's more profitable and usually easier to get additional sales from your existing customers.

WHEN THINKING BIG IS GOOD• Thinking about how to provide the biggest possible value to your customers. As much as possible, you should try to change their lives for the better.• Turn your interactions with clients into big, memorable experiences.• What can you do for your customers that no one else can or will do? What's the most powerful transformation you can affect in their lives? Make sure to communicate those big promises.

In conclusion, evaluate yourself. Are you thinking too big in your business? Are your big thoughts ones that will help you or hurt you?

www.evomag.co 17

Power PlayersUnder 40Name: Briza Alvarado

Age: 26

Occupation: District Manager, Palacios & Son’s LLC.Location: Dallas, Texas

Affiliations: President, Lewisville-Hebron Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Evolution Magazine: Describe your work ethic. Why are you a power player? Briza Alvarado: I always felt that where you pay your dues, you shall receive your winnings. I can’t build an empire without a strong, solid foundation, which requires hard work, dedication, drive, and passion. My work ethic begins with my values: growth, focus and goal-orientedness. This paints, for me, my achievements as well as my expectations.

In my career and in business in general, I take the dirty, the great, and the not-so-easy situations and tackle them on point. There is a great sense of gratification to be humble as well to appreciate the things that result from hard work. As a Hispanic woman, I take great pride in my work and what I stand for. You can’t be anything without knowing who you are. EM: What motivates you to go above and beyond people’s expectations?

BA: If you sell someone on an idea and you deliver what you say you are going to do, that may make you good at delivering on your promises. However, when you can over deliver, not over promise, that’s when you can be great.

Every day you showcase your skills. There are two types of people – the ones that feel comfortable living a mundane lifestyle doing the bare minimum, and the ones that strive to exceed expectations, even the ones they have of themselves. I choose to strive. I feel that if I had it any other way, I would be simply surviving, not living. You don’t turn heads by doing what is simply expected. You turn them by giving extraordinary results. Presentation and image is very important to the health of your business and should be supported by solid, high-quality work. Delivery is following up on first impressions. I make sure that at any given time, I present a good image, establish a good ear, and over-deliver.

It’s not just for my business or my position in the community that I am compelled to do more than what is expected, but also for the growth of my personal self. People will always remember the bad experiences more than the good; however, people will always keep in mind the truly outstanding. I want to shed light on what I do for my business and community, not just on the title that I hold.


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EM: We hear that you are a POWER networker. Why is networking so important to you?

BA: Networking is an art. It is a field of many opportunities, many of which are hidden and some of which are obvious, and you have to find them.

There are always different types of organizations and events. What you need to know is how to relate to a variety of audiences and how you can achieve what you set out to gain. You may not know every single person in the audience, but that's the whole point of networking -- meeting new and diverse people. As for me, I know why I will be at any given event – to add on to my network. I may sound cliché, but it is very true.

Coming from a sales background gravitates me toward networking. It has allowed me to gain direct business, build referral relationships, and acquire an entire web of connections. That is the grand scheme of networking. The instant gratification may be closing a deal here and there, but the latter gratification comes with time. What I mean by that is building your own personal brand. Having the exposure of networking since 2008, I have been able to establish my name in the business world. My name is no longer just a name on a business card. It carries business value, and that is something intangible that you can take anywhere.

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How to Setup a Facebook Promotion

By Lori Thomas Dickert

Depending on the nature of your business, offering a promotion on Facebook could be an essential component to your social media strategy. Half of all

Facebook users not only log in every day but also spend an average of 30 minutes on the site, so offering a promotion is a great way to capture the attention of many of those users. In fact, the top reasons consumers choose to interact with a business on Facebook is to enter a contest or promotion, claim a coupon, take part in a giveaway or receive some other benefit. Facebook promotions are a great way for businesses to find more potential customers to interact with.

How to Set Up a Facebook Promotion

1. Use an app – Rather than developing your own app from scratch, find a third-party software platform to set up an application and promotion yourself. It’s infinitely easier and Facebook approved, given that Facebook’s official Promotions Guidelines explicitly state that “Promotions on Facebook must be administered within Apps on Facebook.com, either on a Canvas Page or an app on a Page Tab.” In other words, if you were to run a promotion on the wall of your Facebook page, it would be a violation of Facebook’s terms. It’s best to play it safe – use an app on a tab within your Facebook page.

2. Create a theme – Themed promotions work best. If you’re running a promotion around a holiday, make that holiday the theme. If there’s a topic on people’s minds at a certain time of year or there’s a special event that most people know about, you can play off the buzz.

3. Offer a desirable prize – You want the prize you’re promoting to be the most universally desired product possible. Personal electronics, for example, are attractive to many. Although your offer might bring in people who wouldn’t necessarily be your target customer, the increased sharing and exposure your business receives will make up for it every time.

4. Give an incentive for sharing – An easy way to incentivize your fans to share your Facebook page is to reward each sharer with additional entries for your prize. To accomplish this, you’ll need to select the right software platform that provides this added feature rather than trying to track this on your own.

Not every promotion you offer will have Facebook users “banging down your door” so try a few different ones until you find something that works for your business.

There are a variety of things you can offer as incentives. For example, if you are a realtor, you might offer a free comparative market analysis if someone likes your page and provides an email address. If you are a retail establishment, you could offer an additional 10% off of whatever sale you are running at the time to those who've liked your page.

Whatever you choose, make sure you provide the promotion on a separate tab within your Facebook page. With the rollout of the new Timeline format, you are no longer able to set a default landing page to a promotion in order to gain a like, but you can still provide the promo page in an effort to promote sharing of your page.

Facebook promotions can be a wildly successful strategy for publicity, if done correctly. It is easy to set up, and with a brief but concerted effort at amassing followers, you can better reach your real-life customers in no time!


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www.EvoThrive.com www.evomag.co 21

Entrepreneurial Success Resides in All Women

Jeanmarie Bills and Elena J Forbes


True entrepreneurial success is in all women; it’s in finding an alternate route or plan. There is always an alternate route, it just may not be so obvious.

At one time or another, life is sure to throw a curve ball to us all. We get excited about something in life, make big plans as to how we are going to achieve it or what

our life will be like when we find success, and then comes the curve ball, the unplanned, the unexpected.

True entrepreneurial success is in all women, but what makes us successful is finding the alternate route. An alternative always exists, even if it isn't obvious. Life has lessons for us all, and the alternate route may be the better route for you in the end. It just may be a bumpier ride.

My niece is a perfect example of this. After graduating from college she was full of excitement. Life was going just as she planned. She was starting to work as a schoolteacher, had gotten married to her high school sweet heart, and was pregnant. Life was perfect.

Then came the curve ball. She was on a field trip with her class when she developed a terrible headache and collapsed. She was rushed to the nearest emergency room and then helicoptered two hours away to the University Hospital in San Francisco. A blood vessel in her brain had ruptured and she was taken into emergency surgery to repair it. We were very fortunate that the surgery had gone well. That was two years ago and tomorrow morning I will be driving to San Francisco to be with her during surgery. Surgery number 10 on her brain.

My niece had no idea how very different her life would be from what she expected. But she has stayed true to her goals and dreams and is finding her alternate route through life. She plans on the day that she can return to being a schoolteacher. She feels it is her true calling -- that these past two years being ill are a life lesson she is still learning. She knows that her purpose in life is expanding and that this is the story that she will someday be able to share so that other people will benefit from her change in direction. The entire lesson is not yet clear, but she embraces that, in time, it will be.

Women entrepreneurs are always challenging themselves and opening themselves up to new lessons. Sometimes the path itself may have a slight shift, but there is always the opportunity to learn and grow. Successful entrepreneurship comes in persistence, learning and growing.

If life is throwing you a curve ball, you may need to step back and re-examine your path. The road to your dreams has many paths. Step back and take a look at your strategies. Are your strategies working? Do you need to ask for someone's opinion or help? Are you resisting the step, that once you step through, will bring the success you are looking for?

Whatever it is, we know that success is here for you. Don't give up on your dreams; you are closer than you think. We have a 7-day training series to help you achieve the lifestyle of your dreams called "Living A Life Without Limits." We will help you build your goals, strategies, balance and much more. We will help you find your alternate route to the success you have been looking for all along.

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www.evomag.co 23

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Become a better Leader! Make a great first impression! Become a better presenter! Read people better! Improve your negotiation skills! Enhance interview skills! Influence what your colleagues and clients think!

Considering the proverbial flowers brought to us by April, and that they're blooming all around us, we've dedicated this month's Lifestyle section to the businesses, ideas, and people who are doing the same.

Having broken out of their respective molds, each of the following are ever evolving whilst further carrying the vital DNA from their beginnings.

It is our genuine hope that you enjoy this issue, and that it may put you in touch with your roots and inspire where you are going and growing. Evolution Magazine's May edition is "Homegrown."


Evo

lvin

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ur

Life

TERRI POWELL / INDEPENDENT STYLE ADVISOR484-707-7117TERRI.POWELL@JHILBURNPARTNER.COMTERRIPOWELL.JHILBURN.COM Revolutionizing the way men shop for clothing.

Art

Homegrown Prodigy: Dale Gibbons

Dale knows Easton. He is an intuitive artist, with a wild, wild background. His work is beautiful and provocative -- as is his street-preaching and street-rhyming.

Dale supports Evolution Magazine,and Evolution Magazine supports Dale.

Poetry

A Kite

There you are in a surprise, Sighing as you blow across the beautiful night sky

You are wandering without a string.

"A Kite" is from Harper's collection "My Breeze." She writes from her heart and attends Cheston Elementary.

Luxury Ph

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tin Homegrown British Luxury

Aston Martin V8 VantageBecause it is a thing of beauty, and a thing of power.

Because it lies in wait, like a world-class sprinter in a three-piece suit, coiled in the starting

blocks before a cacophonic explosion.

Because the tach and the speedo needles twist in opposing directions, converging

at their max of marks, RPM and KM/H.

Because the sonorous, hollow moan of the exhaust note makes your

eyes water and your heart flutter.

Because it is everything smart a British automobile ought to be be, and

everything passionate you want to be.

www.evomag.co 31

Located about 100km south of Queensland state capital Brisbane, Gold Coast was developed for industrial use

during the mid 19th century. Originally a draw for its red cedar trees, the area was eventually surveyed and became a tourist destination for Brisbane in 1925. Real estate investors in the 1940s quickly recognized the city's booming potential and began referencing it as "Gold Coast." Soon after, the city evolved into beautiful beach resort by day, and top-dollar party playground by night.

Making up a large part of its resort appeal is Surfers Paradise, the east facing coast featuring beaches and waves famously known for some of the world's best surfing conditions. Stretching through the city are now over 260km of waterways and canals (for comparison, Venice, Italy's Canal Grande is approximately 3km). To the west is the Gold Coast hinterland, a World Heritage mountain range site within Lemington

National Park, which is made up of volcanic craters and is home to many rare rainforest species.However, the attraction to Gold Coast has always gone beyond it's beautiful geographic features and renowned winter weather (21C/70F, and low precipitation). The city is a premier vacation destination visited by 10m tourists bringing in over A$4.4bn per year, raising the Gross Regional Product over 60% in just seven years. As such, some of the world's best restaurants and hotel accommodations are available, such as the Gold Coast Palazzo Versace.

The city is a center for film production (some view it as the "clean, safe, beautiful, Aussie version of Hollywood"), and hosts the Gold Coast 600, a V8 supercar race driven on the local streets of Surfers Paradise and Main Beach (and includes the Indy Undie Ball

and Miss Indy Competition). In keeping with the exotic nature of the city's atmospere are bikini-clad "meter maids" who feed about-to-expire parking meters and leave advertisements and calling cards for the newest night clubs to arrive on the scene of the Gold Coast's legendary night life.

Homegrown Destination, Boutique Location

Gold Coast, Australia

Travel


In the 1920s, many of Pennsylvania's mid-sized cities (Bethlehem, Allentown, York, Carlisle, Harrisburg) competed with one another in the

creation of downtown hotels.

These hotels were the focal point of their communities and often designed by renowned Philadelphia architects who brought contemporary styles and up-to-date layouts to these new buildings.

Easton became part of this movement with the construction of the Hotel Easton, located on the city’s main business avenue, Northampton Street. The Hotel Easton was an integral part of the early 20th century downtown milieu and today marks the continuing evolution of the 18th century village into the modern small city. As such, it denotes an important phase in the development of early 20th century towns, each trying to capture the architectural fashions and building types that represented the new modern world.

Built in 1926, “The Hotel Easton” featured some of the time's most contemporary architectural designs. It exemplified the character of the age in its emphasis on

modern forms within the framework of traditional architectural style. The hotel, reaching a full 10 stories in height, was constructed in a manner that mirrors elements of the Traymore Hotel in Atlantic City as well as the 1920s New York skyscraper form, largely reflecting the work of Robert Adam.

In its first 50 years of operation, Hotel Easton was the site of weddings, conferences, and other events, and, as such, quickly evolved into the chief southeast corner building of the city's downtown, forming an important anchor to the historic district.

Abandoned in 1989, the hotel remained closed for nearly a generation, with significant damage to the interior and upper levels. In 2004, the building was acquired and renovated as a condominium with great care for the surviving historic features, repurposing the upper levels’ 170 hotel rooms into 30 apartments. The restoration included many elements of the original building, particularly the original elevator lobbies.

For more information, and to book a room, please visit:

www.grandeastoniansuiteshotel.com

Worth Making a VisitGrand Eastonian Suites Hotel

Easton, Pennsylvania

Travel (Continued From Last Month)

www.evomag.co 33

Food

Local Green & Clean

Green HarvestEaston, Pennsylvania

Predicated upon the clean and natural, Green Harvest presents local ingredients in simple, fresh, elegant ways. Quiche, tea, and homemade sauces represent the owner's eco-friendly café beneath the Grand Eastonian Suites Hotel.

The owner, Doreen provides breakfast for the hotel above, caters local events, and has the best pastrami within at least a 50 mile radius -- ask for the "Eastonian" in a spinach wrap. It is distinctive and sharp, yet buttery smooth.

Green Harvest is a local favorite visited by the usual suspects: the State Representative, artist Dale Gibbons, humor columnist Erin McGuirk, you and I.

This mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant is tucked into a small store front at 11th and Butler streets in the West Ward. The neighborhood is Easton’s most culturally and ethnically diverse, and naturally where one finds the most authentic of exotic cuisines.

Upon approach, you’re greeted first by the smiling sign hanging above the doorway; second, by the mouth-watering culinary aromas only a place like this could provide; third, after entering, by the warm, no-frills family environment which rewards your bravery for crossing the threshold.

The bottom line: If it looks like a hole-in-the-wall and you’re a little unsure of it, you know you’re in the right place. And we all know these places are the best for homegrown deliciousness and culturally rich experiences.

El Super Taco is located at 1104 Butler Street in Easton, Pennsylvania. Their food and service is excellent. We endorse this restaurant.

Super Local, Super Authentic

El Super Taco


Just enough off the beaten path to make you like you're getting some of the "real" Cancun -- not far enough to avoid all of the gimmicks tourists love.

We got our recommendations from four different locals (who all said they love taking their families there), and our reservation bumped to the top of the list (for smiling sheepishly at the girl with the seating chart). After we were seated, and the mariachi came out, I realized both the aforementioned parenthetical statements were false -- we just wanted to eat, and they just wanted our money.

Both worked out well: the service was attentive, though relaxed, the tacos al pastor a four out of five, the caipirihnas giant and mucho fuerte, and the prices grotesquely cheaper than in resort hotel land.

But best of all: the post-meal stroll along the dimly lit, yellow evening street, a beat up boulevard ringing of speedy Spanish dialects and buzzing 30 year old scooters. It just felt like Mexico. And it made us feel like we did indeed have at least one snippet of a peek into the "real" Cancun.

La ParrillaUnexpected local flair from this well-known Cancun eatery.

New feature series

Coming July 2013 Evolution Magazine / www.evomag.co

Taste INDining and Networking IN you city

Reviews of the best, the worst and the tastiest places

to dine and network IN your city.

For more information please visit www.laparrilla.com.mx

www.evomag.co 35

Culture

Local Displays on an International Platform

Arkas Art Center

Izmir, Turkey

In 2011, Arkas Holding company, put the region’s French Honorary Consulate building through a near year-long renovation, converting it into a local and international art museum. Just months after, the two story, 10 exhibit showroom was flooded with over 8,000 visitors while displaying a Renoir.

The Arkas Art Center is located in Izmir, Turkey, along the Aegean Sea. The historically rich and culturally chic metropolitan area once known as Smyrna, and now as the “Pearl of the Aegean,” is famous for, among many other luxuries, spicy tobacco and endless sunshine.

For more information, please visit: www.arkassanatmerkezi.com


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