Often mistaken for a fashion model, LadySonya is a celebrity piano instructor, with a lively girl next door attitude. However anyone views her, this young lady is establishing her brand as a music mogul, exercising her inner power to become highly successful.

An extraordinary talent in the music industry, LadySonya has aspirations to use her skills to chase her dreams while inspiring others as well. She currently gives piano lessons to aspiring music producers/artists as well as major music producers and artists in the industry via LadySonya Music Studio, in Atlanta, Georgia.

In 2007, LadySonya, a Georgia Peach native from Columbus, Georgia, and transfer student from Troy University to Georgia State University, began her life shift of miserably working 2-3 part-time jobs to prosper through college. In less than one year of living in Atlanta, LadySonya quit her part-time job as a stock person for Ross Department Store and decided to follow her dreams of being in the music industry. With no money saved, nothing but a Radio-Shack 76-key keyboard, and one year of college experience, she decided to start her own business of teaching piano lessons. She found a contract position to teach at Tarang School of Music & Arts, Suwanee, Georgia, and began to make her mark. LadySonya also found various online sites to assist with marketing her newly established company.

Many supporters on social media such as Facebook and Twitter began to take notice of LadySonya’s swift entrepreneurial progression, and in May of 2009, LadySonya held her 1st Annual Spring Recital for LadySonya Music Studio Company. The event inspired 75+ guests to attend. As the company started blooming even more, she began to hold recitals twice a year, one in May and the other in December, filling the venue with up to 150+ guests per show.

In 2011, LadySonya decided to take her name to the next level by writing her life story/testimony of how she went through 7 part-times jobs in a one-year span, along with almost giving up everything to move back to Columbus (Read story on www.iamladysonya.com).

During the summer months of 2011, LadySonya organized her very own Network (Twitter.com/TheLSnetwork) to help aspiring entrepreneurs in the music industry by encouraging them to constantly gain valuable information to guide them along the way.

It is dedication, drive, and determination that lead the role-model “LadySonya” to reach out to her numerous supporters and fans by creating an Annual Vision Board Extravaganza (2012) to empower others to follow their dreams. In addition, she annually hosts two music recitals for students to grow out of being shy musicians, and created Lady University Movement to mentor young and older ladies desiring to become leaders. LadySonya also appears frequently at events as a motivational speaker and serves on panels as an entrepreneurial inspirational expert.

“Shut Up and Drive” is the mental note that pushed LadySonya to the next level to be more than a piano teacher, but a business lady with ongoing dreams of being the next Oprah, with the diva attitude of Beyonce, and musician skills of Alicia Keys. She works day in and day out to build her empire.

With a strong family and spiritual backbone, LadySonya believes her ultimate purpose in life is to indeed inspire others to stay focused.

Whether you view LadySonya, as a musician, artist, entrepreneur, model or even social networker, know that she is on top of her business/brand and she’s working hard to touch lives like never before, while making her dreams become a reality.

McQueen’s primary business is Ardyss International, an international health and wellness conglomerate. Her organization produces over $50M in revenue annually. As a Platinum President with Ardyss International, Erika markets a broad range of products and services that promote the importance of proper nutrition, wearing a healthy bra, looking your best, eliminating toxins from people’s lives and living green. She and her husband are also executive producers at Bright Ideas, an Entertainment Company, and part owners of Body Quest Ice Cream, a company that manufactures a very unique healthy ice cream that helps dialysis patients. McQueen has also created a line of DVDs, and marketing materials to support her growing business. She has been featured in an upcoming reality show and Success from Home, a national magazine, just to name a few.

McQueen is driven by her desire to encourage people all over the world to “Get Lifted” in the areas of mind, body and finances. Her “Get Lifted” campaign has inspired people to elevate their lives on all levels. Holistic success has always been the goal for herself, her family, business partner and customers. McQueen’s success has enabled her to become a resource to the many people looking for answers to a better life. The totality of her experiences, both good and bad, contributes to her overall perspective on life and to her strong entrepreneurial spirit. She has effectively turned all of life’s upsets into something spectacular!

Look for Erika McQueen in the next issue of Briefcases & Stilettos newspaper!

Emmy award-winning TV journalist, Joyce Brewer, is the creator and host of Mommy Talk Show, Atlanta’s new parenting talk show. The online show unites her passion (Motherhood) with her profession (TV News). Joyce lives in Atlanta with her husband and son.

In October 2011, Joyce released an e-book, Use What You Know: A Business Idea Guide for Moms. It’s designed to help mothers turn their skills and expertise into a business. The book explains how Joyce used her background in TV to host a parenting talk show that gives her the flexibility to work from home. It also features five other mom business owners in Atlanta who created amazing businesses without going back to school, selling someone else’s products or investing a lot of capital.

Joyce has reported for TV stations in Columbia, Missouri; Youngstown, Ohio; Kansas City, Missouri and most recently in Jackson, Mississippi. Joyce’s work has also appeared on Dateline NBC and Good Morning America. In 2005, Joyce was a guest on ABC’s The View to discuss the news coverage of Hurricane Katrina that later earned Joyce and her colleagues at WAPT-TV Southeast Regional Emmy awards for Best Newscast and Best Breaking News. The highlight of Joyce’s career was getting a one-on-one interview with the person who inspired her TV career: Oprah Winfrey.

Each month, Joyce tapes Mommy Talk Show on-location at family-friendly businesses in Atlanta, giving moms an opportunity to watch videos featuring cool places to play, eat and shop with their children. It’s a win-win for moms who are looking for things to do and businesses that want to get the word out by sponsoring the parenting talk show. The show uses the influential power of mom blogs, video and social media to connect Atlanta moms with businesses they’ll love to TALK about!

Joyce also works with new and growing businesses to create videos that grab the attention of their target audience. The video interview Joyce produced for an Atlanta chiropractor about the benefits of chiropractic care for expectant moms and newborns (http://bit.ly/fP4nPp) went “viral” when it was viewed more than 1,000 times in two months.

The Long Island, New York native has a B.A. from Hofstra University and an M.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. Since moving to Atlanta in 2009, she has become an active member of Ladies Who Launch Atlanta and Georgia Social Media Moms.

Pamela D. Hogan is a celebrity stylist who is passionate about making women and girls over not only on the outside but also on the inside. Since the age of 15 she has followed her destiny to a lifetime career in cosmetology. Her passion and desire to use her talent allowed her to be an expert who specializes in precision cutting, and with her artistic vision and impeccable attention to detail, she enjoys working with clients to come up with styles individualized to their meet personal needs.

A master of her craft, she keeps up with the latest techniques and hair trends as they appear on the fashion scene. Pamela is a National Educator, Fashion Show Coordinator, and Salon Owner, who has traveled as far as Africa and Trinidad to teach. Currently, she is the proud owner of Xclusive Salon and Spa of Atlanta. She is trained in and has expanded upon the natural hair care techniques that silken the hair. She is also known for her community outreach and her contribution to benefit fashion shows for cancer patients. Her work also extends to numerous award shows such as Stellar Awards and Trendsetter Awards.

Whether you want a contemporary classic cut or a funky avant-garde style, you are sure to be pleased with the experience you’ll have with Pamela, as well as the results. Among all of her dreams and endeavors, her latest accomplishment is opening an Institute to teach others about cosmetology and makeup. On October 3rd 2011, her dream for hundreds of students to attend and experience a new revolution in the hair and makeup industry became a reality. Not only will Pamela Hogan educate her students, but also seek to change their lives for the better.

There are people who dream, but never act. There are those who act, but don’t succeed. And then there is Kimberly Chapman, Co-Founder of Nairobi Professional Products, Founder of the Chapman Foundation, and Publisher of Sheen Magazine. Through her business ventures, the Greenville, SC native has brought beauty, entertainment, and even educational opportunities to women and students nationwide.

For the past 20 years, Kimberly Chapman has created a name for herself as a beauty industry heavy-hitter. The brainchild of she and her husband, William Chapman, Nairobi Professional Products has gone from a grassroots business to one of the beauty industry’s most recognized and trusted professional brands, being distributed, today, worldwide. In an industry that it is consistently changing both trend and product-wise, it may be hard for one to believe that a company has been able to maintain a name for itself. Yet, it is not impossible if you know Chapman, who has not only been able to move with the industry she is in, but has also been able to maintain a multi-million dollar business at a time when many have forgone trips to the salon. A consistent big name at industry trade shows and amongst industry professionals, the success of Nairobi Professional is a testament to Chapman’s perseverance and business savvy.

It is no secret that today, many print publications have either folded or sold to competitors. This is what makes Sheen Magazine so special. In an economy when many are not purchasing magazines, Sheen has managed to go on stands, selling nationally in outlets such as Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million, and even Target. Focusing on celebrity, beauty, fashion, and entertainment, Sheen is building a fan base amongst the young and the fabulous. Again, this is a testimony to Chapman’s ability to keep her finger on the pulse of business. Her willingness to take risks when others shy away from opportunity has not only made her wealthy, but an up-and-comer in the world of periodicals.

Yet, the venture that best speaks to the core of Chapman as a person is her Chapman Foundation. Bankrolled solely out of her pockets, the foundation allots scholarships to young college students. A champion of education, The Chapman Foundation not only makes differences in the lives of its recipients, but also in the community, putting on culturally and artistically motivated events to educate those in the area. Through the foundations numerous events in Greenville, Chapman has also created an outlet for those in entertainment and cinema to expose themselves to the public.

In short, for one to have not heard of Kimberly Chapman, their ears have simply not been to the pulse of the beauty and entertainment industries, or non-profit sector. Chapman, through 20 years of entrepreneurship, has not only enriched those closest to her, but also her community. For her, it is not just about making money, but more so about using and pulling her resources to better mold the people around her. This is what has made her successful. This is what has helped her as a philanthropist. And this is what definitely makes her a person you should know.

Erica Diamond is all about inspiring women around the world. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WomenOnTheFence.com, Women’s Expert, Entrepreneur, Author, Blogger, Speaker, Radio Correspondent, Spokesperson, and Mentor.

After enjoying seven years of great financial success with her company, Erica sold her business in 2006 to Canada’s largest bag retail chain to raise her young boys. Her business journey along the way has awarded her a Young Entrepreneur Award, Top 30 under 30 Entrepreneur Award, Top 40 under 40 Entrepreneur Award nomination, among numerous others, and finally, The Profit Hot 50 Award – one of Canada’s 50 emerging growth companies. Erica was the only female CEO on this list.

Erica Diamond is the author of the new release, The 99 Things Women Wish They Knew …  Before Starting Their Own Business, endorsed by incredible names such as Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York and Brooke Burke, as well as Suzy Welch.

Erica Diamond was recently named FORBES Top 100 Websites For Women, THE TOP 20 WOMEN IN CANADA, 25 Best Twitter Feeds For Women, and 50 Best Blogs By Women. In addition, Erica Diamond is the new 2011 Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day.

In her own words …

I have been baking professionally for 10 years and I was originally inspired by my Madear!  I cut my own piece of life’s pie 3 years ago when I ventured out on my own to give my community what I felt it was missing: a place to turn their stressed lives around, get real home-made treats … where money isn’t the main focus!

I got my first boyfriend baking home-made chocolate chip cookies and perfected my brownie recipe when I was going through my divorce and fell in love with sweet potato pie when my partnership fell apart, and now, cupcakes have been my current celebration of all things wonderful going on in my life. I’ve realized creating sweets works for me!

I have a 16-year-old whom I am extremely proud of and to whom I plan to leave a solid legacy of business, ethics and options that I am currently building. Spirituality, Community and Politics make up who I am and are a part of all that I do.

Connect with me …

• Facebook: Cake Café Atlanta
• Twitter: Cake Café Atlanta
• url: www.cakecafeatlanta.com

People You Need to Know Magazine is proud to spotlight Janet C. Scott, an attorney with Alexander & Associates, where she practices education and employment law. She has previously worked as a solo practitioner, with the Law Offices of Tavis L. Knighten, P.C., and as a Legal Compliance Analyst with the DeKalb County Board of Education’s Office of Internal Affairs. Janet is a graduate of Spelman College, Cum Laude and holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Education, Mercer University. Janet earned her law degree from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

During law school, Janet interned with Emory Law School’s Barton Clinic for Child Law and Policy and served as an extern at the Fulton County Superior Court with Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane.

Janet served as Historian for GABWA and presently serves as Parliamentarian and Co-Chair for the Glitter Gala Committee. She also served the Georgia Young Lawyers Division (YLD) as co-chair of the Aspiring Youth Program Committee and Director of ABA Awards. Currently, Janet serves in the following community organizations: U.S. Selective Service Board, DeKalb County, Georgia; and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Leadership DeKalb Class of 2010.

Janet has been recognized by the Georgia Young Lawyers Division for her outstanding service to the YLD; and the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Scholarship recipient and Outstanding Law Student.

Prior to attending law school, Janet taught at Chamblee Middle School and was recognized in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Janet has a passion for advocating for children’s rights.

People You Need to Know Magazine is proud to spotlight Krista Woods.

Being the sibling of six children, Krista Woods has always been forced to take charge in order to get things done. She has never been one to take no for an answer.

Though her family has a military history, she was once told she didn’t have what it took to even complete basic military training. Krista went on to complete 8 years of military service honorably as an Air Traffic Controller.

When she was told she couldn’t enlist as a pilot due to height restrictions, she began taking Diamond Star Aircraft flying lessons on her own. She was also told the book she wanted to write would be nearly impossible to have published without a huge fan base.

Believing that she had an important story and message that would help others, she completed her book anyway. She has now received a publishing deal from Publish America for her awareness book called, Skeletons Revealed. Her book is about overcoming the obstacles of a troubled upbringing, so that you can take control of your destiny with confidence. She inspires you to retrace your steps, starting at the very beginning, in order to understand how the power of unresolved skeletons impact your actions today.

Last but not least, when Krista Woods was told that it was impossible to break into the acting industry, she took it as a challenge head-on. She relocated to California completely alone at the age of 19 in pursuit of her ultimate dream.

In the years to come, she built a foundation in the television industry being featured in a number of Commercials, Movies, Television Shows, and Industrials. She also went on to be featured in various magazines, and print ads for Ardell Eyelashes, which has been displayed in stores nationwide.

Krista has been a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild, as well as the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. She is a firm believer that with persistence, and dedication … Anything is Possible!

To Book Krista, contact … About Faces Models & Talent ~ 404-233-2006.

People You Need to Know Magazine is proud to spotlight Tangie Henry.

Gifted to inspire, Tangie Henry has spent years encouraging others to rise above their circumstances and soar to new heights.

As a Registered Nurse and Certified Life Coach, Tangie has an opportunity to “minister” to all types of women at times of great vulnerability. She has a heart for women who are broken and bruised and those challenged by life’s obstacles. Offering Inspiration with a Flair, anyone needing a little motivation is inspired by her to move past their setbacks and go to the next level.

Using her life experiences, a little sistah savvy and a lot of Godly wisdom, Tangie encourages women to be their better selves. She is the founder of InspiredSistah LLC, a faith-based company dedicated to “Inspiring Women to Live on Top of the World.”  Tangie currently lives in the metro Atlanta area with her husband, Jessie. She is available for workshops or speaking engagements catering to the needs of women.

For general inquiries or booking information, visit her online at www.InspiredSistah.com.