The Sweet Auburn Area Coalition has announced that it will hold the 1st Annual Black History Month Parade in the Historic Sweet Auburn District of Atlanta, Georgia, on February 25, 2012. The Black History Month Parade will celebrate the culture, heritage, history and accomplishments of Black Americans in the United States and from across the world. We are excited to present a forum to showcase the centuries of history heritage and accomplishments of African-Americans, says Earl Little, founder of the Black History Month Parade.

The Black History Month Parade and festival will feature some of the nation’s top marching bands, entertainers, dignitaries, civic groups, non-profits, celebrities, corporate groups, entertainment and fun for the whole family. We are inviting families from across the world to come and attend and participate in the festivities. The post-parade festival will feature live entertainers performing modern music, live arts performers & artists, public speakers, comedians, food, beverages, art and family oriented programs.

We also see this as a perfect marketing opportunity for many companies that support the African-American demographic. “We are asking all companies to participate in this magnificent event and show their support for the market that supports their brands, which ultimately will allow us to build a larger parade that will inspire, while providing, positive entertainment for all those in the community” says Carlos Coleman Executive Director of the BHMP.

The Black History Month Parade is scheduled to take place in the MLK Sweet Auburn District of Downtown Atlanta, the location of many corporate or regional headquarters, sporting facilities, and is the central most traveled historic tourist attraction of the city. The Sweet Auburn District was a major organizing center of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s and is home to Dr. Martin Luther King. The city of Atlanta is also home to thousands of students from Atlanta’s historically black colleges and universities whom will play a large role in the success of this event.

For more information, including information on participating or sponsorship of the Black History Month Parade, please visit www.blackhistorymonthparade.com or call 1- 866-551-5666.

On Monday, January 23, 2012, the movers and shakers in metro Atlanta business came out to the exquisite Cole Haan boutique in Phipps Plaza to celebrate the birthday of Atlanta’s very own supermodel and businesswoman, Ms. Renée Knorr.

The wonderful evening was called the “Celebration of Life Birthday Fetes”, and the special and invited guests who attended were proudly wearing Renée’s favorite colors, black & Chanel shade pink.

When we arrived at Phipps Plaza, it seemed as though the entire mall had closed down for this very special occasion celebrating the life of one of Atlanta’s most beloved citizens. As we entered the fabulous Cole Haan boutique with the talented and creative Glennette “Cookie” Haynes, owner of Stephin Oubre Events and Interiors, we were warmly greeted by those who were already there, mingling and networking.

One of the first people we met was Renée’s personal photographer, who’s also a celebrity in his field, Mr. Paul Biagui. Susan Zeltman, Store Manager at Cole Haan and her staff made everyone at the event feel truly welcomed. The co-hosts for the evening were Roberta White and Janee Knorr. They both did their best to ensure everyone had a great time. The music for the evening was provided by Unknown Lyric and the gift bags everyone received were compliments of the following sponsors: Smallcakes, Infiniti of South Atlanta, BVLGARI, FRS Energy Drink and Anuschka Jivan Wellness Spa.

It was also great seeing Jing Chen from the Falun Dafa Association of Atlanta. Jing was there telling everyone about Shen Yun Performing Arts appearing in Atlanta for the first time this year at the Cobb Energy Center. She reminded us that January 23rd is the start of the Chinese New Year!

It was a pleasure meeting Shawn Brown, owner of Cheese Caked; Jamar Bates, Financial Services Professional with Mass Mutual Financial Group; Mayson Hulsey, Event Coordinator for SmallCakes – A Cupcakery; Terry Check of Terry Check Photography;  Barry C. Omekam, Director of Bkamgroup Inc.; and Carlos Coleman, CEO of CFOX Productions. Carlos… thanks for telling us about your 1st Annual Black History Parade on February 25, 2012 on Peachtree Street and Auburn Avenue in downtown Atlanta. It was also great to meet Johan Kjellsten, a fellow tennis enthusiast.

A few minutes before Renée Knorr made her grand entrance into the private event, we were kindly instructed by the hostess, Roberta White, to form a long line on each side of the store. We were to resemble a runway so that Renée could feel even more at home. She gracefully strutted and glided down the human runway, briefly stopping to warmly hug and give a friendly kiss to all who were lined up on each side of her to whisper birthday wishes.

Renée looked very lovely, elegant and statuesque in her Ben’s Design dress, which was a heavenly pink color, shantung satin, with chantilly lace at the top, adorned with 24k gold trim and fine gold links.

After the event at Cole Haan, we were off to Buckhead to have dinner at a reserved room for Renée Knorr’s birthday guests at the popular Sufi’s Persian Restaurant. Mosha, the owner of this lovely restaurant and his wonderful staff did a marvelous job making sure that everyone was served in a timely and efficient manner.

Lauren Lovanella with Georgia Crown Distributors, provided the pink champagne, and Renée Knorr gave a special salute to the other January birthday babies who were present: Calvin Anderson, Dawn, Joi Williams, Gene Gimono and the publisher of The 19th Hole Magazine, Ian Lawrence. Music at the dinner was provided by performing artists, Antonia Lawrence and Yewanda. Antonia sang her new and uplifting song, “The Power of a Woman”, as a tribute to Renée and she also led the group in a Stevie Wonder rendition of “Happy Birthday”.

Renée Knorr gave a heartfelt thanks to her dynamic styling team: Hair Stylist, Sean Anderson; Pink Passion Dress Designer, Ben Almonor; Fashion Stylist, Tobias Terrell; Bebe’s Earring Fashion; and Make-up “The Beautiful One” Inspired by Roberta White.

Renée Knorr is currently featured in the 2012 Leading Ladies in Atlanta Business edition of People You Need to Know Magazine available at metro Atlanta Kroger and Whole Food stores. We were honored to be among her many esteemed guests. The evening will definitely be one to remember.

People You Need to Know Magazine
Atlanta’s #1 Magazine Showcasing Women Business Owners
Member: Atlanta Press Club
Winner: Best Promoter “Spark Plug” ~ New America Media

Photography Credit: Paul Biagui

Thank you for coming to the Meet the Businesswomen of People You Need to Know Magazine networking event on Thursday, January 12th! The attendance was incredible and we’re happy to hear that many of you have made some very VALUABLE business contacts.

If you weren’t able to attend the first high-energy business networking event, we’ve scheduled another phenomenal gathering of WOMEN business owners, which will be held on Monday, February 6, 2012 at the magnificent Loews Atlanta Hotel, 1065 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30309, from 7-9 pm.

There’s no charge for this inspiring event. It’s open to the public. So … save the date, spread the word, bring a friend, expand your network, and meet some of the leading ladies in Atlanta business, who are featured in People You Need to Know Magazine!

Please REMEMBER to pay for parking, or your car WILL be booted. Parking options. http://tiny.cc/lt3q1

People You Need to Know Magazine …
“When You’ve Got to be KNOWN in Metro Atlanta!”

Join the Movement ~ Support Women Business Owners!

On Thursday, January 12th from 7-9 pm, at the fabulous W Hotel, located at 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, in downtown Atlanta, you’ll have an opportunity to meet and connect with women attorneys, physicians, business coaches, image consultants, interior designers, dentists, inventors, branding specialists and other phenomenal women who are featured in the 2012 People You Need to Know Magazine ~ Leading Ladies in Atlanta Business.

Join us as we kick-off 2012 by celebrating the brilliance of WOMEN business owners in metro Atlanta. You’ll also have an opportunity to get a complimentary copy of our beautiful new magazine that’s just off the presses.

Save the date … Thursday, January 12, 2012, 7-9 pm at the W Hotel on Ivan Allen. We’ll see you there! You don’t want to miss this uplifting gathering of Atlanta businesswomen.

**There’s no charge for this event. It’s open to the public.

People You Need to Know Magazine
Join the Movement ~ Support Women Business Owners!
770-460-5995

Maintaining a work-life balance is essential if we are to be effective and fulfilled in life. It is easy to lose focus when we are out of balance. Work-life balance is now considered to be the second most important driver in employee attraction and commitment ahead of compensation. Importantly, those workers who have it work twenty-one percent harder.

The preoccupation with work-life balance is no surprise in today’s busy existence. Gone are the days when leaving the office meant actually leaving work behind. Blackberries, laptops, iPhones and the magnitude of social media sites mean our availability and our access is constant. This easily gets out of control, particularly if you are a type A personality (workaholic). The competitive global environment and current economic uncertainty puts increasing pressure on people to work overtime due to cuts in manpower and the constant threat of redundancy.

The consequences of all this, not surprisingly, is more stress, ill-health and inbalance. We have better living standards and more wealth than ever before yet people feel less happy with their lives. Women especially have greater opportunity, achievement, more influence and financial independence yet face increasing levels of depression.

Every human being deserves the right to live in balance, giving time and energy to the things that enrich and fulfill us and make our lives worth living. Positive psychologist, Martin Seligman writes that some people are hard-wired to respond optimistically to work-life balance or the ups and downs in life, while others are not. The good news is it can be learned with a little bit of discipline.

6 Tips for Leading a Balanced Life

1) What do you really want?
We leak energy and become drained and frustrated when we get into a pattern of pleasing others and living in accordance with their standards rather than our own.
Are you clear of your motives and your underlying passions and purpose in life?
What are your values and are they in sync with your actions?
Are you being truly authentic and speaking your truth?
Getting clarity on what you truly want from your life is the first critical step to leading a more balanced and meaningful existence.

2) Who are you surrounding yourself with?
Are you stimulated by your peers, colleagues and clients?
Do you have true friends who have your best interests at heart?
Are you in the right environment to best utilize your talents and gifts?
Do you have a personal development plan or life/business coach to provide objective guidance?

3) Are you thinking the right way?
There is substantial evidence that the way we think can have a profound and a lasting effect on our mood and motivation levels. If you are one of life’s pessimists, then you will need to re-program your thoughts to expect the best, not the worst, and to swap those habits for more encouraging self-talk. Focus on what has been going well rather than how far you are from your goals. See obstacles as opportunities, remain flexible and open to possibilities. Recognizing and being grateful for what you have is a great way of getting things in perspective.

4) Listen to your body.
Self-care is essential to restore and maintain well-being and balance.
Are you sleeping well?
What are your eating habits?
How would you describe your energy levels?
Taking time to exercise and look after yourself is an essential component to balanced living. Listen to your intuition as it never lets us down and provides the subtle nudges to move us in the direction that is right for us.

5) Set healthy boundaries.
Real life and business is interconnected, but that does not mean you need to give up your privacy. You need boundaries so you can feel generous without feeling depleted and available without feeling drained.

6) Nourish your Soul.
Review your emotional and spiritual health. Do you need to forgive someone or let something go?
Are you learning something new?
Are you fully engaged in your work?
Are you connected?
Is there something you were born to do?

While company policies geared at greater flexibility of hours are in demand, they only go so far in providing the solution to employee engagement and commitment. There is an increasing trend of employees turning away from the daily treadmill and looking for alternative solutions to create a more balanced way of life. You deserve to have a more balanced way of life.

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Kath Roberts now describes herself as a ‘talenteur’ and ‘corporate escapee’ having spent 13 years in the recruitment industry for an international brand where her last role was Managing Director. She now liberates talent by coaching others in following her lead to set-up their home business selling personal development products creating financial freedom and enhanced work life balance. If you’re looking to escape the corporate world and become a home entrepreneur, but you’re not sure how, then this is an option you might want to consider. For more information please visit http://www.alchemy4thesoul.com

Adult women today are under more stress than women in any previous generation. While the sources of stress are both internal and external, there’s no doubt that stress has a deleterious effect on women’s health, and that it can certainly accelerate the aging process.

One of the stressors that women face is the enormous pressure to juggle family and work. With over 70 percent of elementary school children having a working mom, mothers strive to shine in their careers while giving their children the care and attention they need to thrive. Throw in assorted soccer practices, dance lessons, swim team trials, and other after school activities – plus the occasional business trip – and women often find themselves racing from one event to another. Housekeeping chores, even when shared, add another layer of “to-dos” to a woman’s life. The end result is that the things that a woman does for her own physical, spiritual, and mental health fall to the bottom of the list, and are all too often neglected.

Another major stressor in women’s lives – and one that is surely detrimental to women’s health – is the emphasis that advertisers and the media place on a woman’s appearance. Although there have been some acknowledgments that this is a factor, and some companies have changed their ad campaigns to incorporate images of “real women,” women today still hold unrealistic expectations of their own health and beauty. Given that the average American woman is five feet, five inches tall and 160 pounds, the pressure to become model-thin is often irresistible. As a result, women spend inordinate amounts of time, energy, and money on weight loss plans and exercise regimes that do little to permanently alter their physiques and instead stress them out even more.

At its most basic, the key to women’s health and healthy aging is stress relief. Relieving stress is an active choice that women must make, and one that will ultimately make them better partners, mothers, and workers. Here are three preliminary steps that will move any woman towards having more energy and mental clarity, as well as a greater sense of satisfaction:

1. Prioritize - You can’t do it all, but you can do most of it. Make a list of the values and goals that are most important to you, and then take a hard look at the ways you spend your time. Are your activities supporting your values and goals? If not, drop those that don’t support you and focus your energy on those that do.

2. Engage in Self-Care – Unless your proverbial cup is full, you won’t have anything to give anyone else. That means taking care of your body, mind, and soul. Set aside time each week to nourish your spirit, and nourish your body with the health food and health supplements that will give you the energy to go about your day.

3. Learn to Say “No” - Most women are people pleasers, and are too quick to agree to anything that is asked of them. Learn to set good boundaries with others and you will feel less stressed and better able to focus on the activities that are important to you and your family’s well-being.

Remember that relieving stress is a choice – one that will lead to women’s health and healthy aging.

Many people do not think that they are creative. This is because the creative spark has been smothered underneath the day-to-day stress of earning a living and not taking any time to explore and develop our passions. You can easily learn creativity to better express yourself. There is creativity in some form within everyone, whether it is a deeply buried urge to use colors or an embedded set of emotions that are stirred by musical notes. Creativity doesn’t just mean painting or creating some kind of art, creativity is letting your mind and your soul be  free to wander, to express how you feel in any kind of medium.

There are numerous benefits to getting in touch with your creativity. First and foremost, learning to be creative and freeing your mind to do so enables you to better explore your feelings and express those feelings more clearly … verbally. Creative activity also relieves stress and can help clear your mind of daily stressors making you more relaxed and gives you the ability to sleep or concentrate better afterwards. Learning creativity means getting in touch with the “you” that may be hidden from the rest of the world.

You may not have any training with artistic expression such as painting, but when you hold a brush to a clean piece of paper you may find that your mind knows what it wants to express and the colors you choose, the strokes you make are all straight from your heart. Don’t ever think that finding your creativity means that you have to take classes or training; unless that is what you want to do. You can always allow yourself a private relaxation and stress relieving creative activity that isn’t for anyone else to see or even know about. Your urge to create comes from deep within, and if you don’t let it out to play once in a while, it can affect all sorts of areas in your everyday life. That creative juice is there, but it’s up to you to open the cap and let it out.

Learn creativity to better express yourself verbally, emotionally, physically and visually. Each step you take toward developing your creativity and finding your passions will reflect in your day-to-day life. You will find that you are more relaxed, more open to new ideas and much more creative when it comes to problem-solving and dealing with stressors. Your body will feel healthier, your mind will be clearer and your soul will be free.
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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!

“Change before you have to,” says Stormy Wellington. Do not be conformed to this world and follow the masses. Too many people wait until it’s too late to decide to do something different, even though they know they need to change.”

This network marketing guru boldly walked away from a company where she was at the top of her game, breaking records, and earning $25,000 to $100,000 a month, to start all over again with a company that sells healthy, organic coffee, Organo Gold.

Why? Stormy was attracted to the company’s stable environment, great leadership, compensation plan, and a product that people consume on a daily basis. You don’t have to teach, train, or educate anyone to drink coffee, they drink it anyway.

Breaking records is the norm for Stormy … becoming an Emerald Consultant in only eight short days and being the first single African-American woman to achieve Diamond Consultant status. She’s truly a Storm and has already become a rising star in the company.

“I am a visionary,” says this powerhouse woman. “So many people are stuck worrying about the fear of loss instead of seeing the possibility of gain. You have to learn to change your mind, in order to change your money. Make up your mind and raise your expectations in life. You deserve the best — both quality and quantity of life.

Stormy knows from personal experience what positive thinking can accomplish. As a young child, she always believed that she was going to be wealthy, but didn’t have a vehicle. Stormy was never a fan of school, so she found it hard to discover a true career path. Those whom she knew who had become wildly successful, became wealthy from their intellectual property, not their degrees. Yet, Stormy never lost hope and knew without a doubt one day she would take the world by storm and be successful and wealthy.

By walking in her purpose and remaining strong in her faith, Stormy was able to turn adversity into accomplishment, becoming a self-made millionaire, a motivational speaker, an author, and now a star with Organo Gold.

“I want people to know if I can do it, so can they,” Stormy says. “You possess the key to all things. With a positive mental attitude, belief, courage, faith and hard work, there is nothing you can’t accomplish.”