Be inspired!  The following video features businesses who, with “The Oprah Effect,” reached heights they would have never imagined.  “The Oprah Effect” is equivalent to savvy direct marketing and advertising wrapped up into one person–Oprah.  The video talks about how business-as-usual changed drastically overnight once their products were featured on The Oprah Show.

For business owners who are struggling in this difficult economy, there is power behind marketing. Thinking of unique ways to cross over into new demographics or even polishing up the way you’re presenting your product or service are just a few of many ways you can increase your revenue.   Creating partnerships is a great idea as well.  So even if you don’t have access to that Oprah Effect, there are things you can do today to improve your business, and I hope this video will motivates you to move in that direction.

But honestly though, wouldn’t you just love to get that call from Oprah?  I know I would

Warren Buffett speaking to Radley, a character on the animated series "The Millionaire's Club"

“Failure is not falling down, it’s staying down”

“The more you learn, the more you earn”

These are some words of wisdom that Warren Buffett shares with kids in an episode of a cartoon web series entitled The Secret Millionaire (Watch this interview where Warren Buffett talks about The Secret Millionaire).  The animated series, created by Andy Heyward and Amy Moynihan Heyward of A Squared Entertainment, is designed to teach kids about business and finance.   Most of all, it teaches kids how important it is to live by principles such as integrity and building good character–important values that transcend into the business world.  With universal themes such as ‘never giving up’ and ‘investing in yourself,’ adults can learn a thing or two as well.

I watched the below episode entitled “All Fall Up” and I can honestly say that even I could learn a thing or two from it.  Watch it with your kids because afterall habits are easily learned in their youth.  Why not start them off with good business know-how?  They’ll thank you later for it.

Learn more or watch more videos at http://www.smckids.com.

Yes, it’s Friday!  PAYDAY… right?  Well, for some it is.  Well, before you blow that paycheck over the weekend, it’s important to get a quick reminder as to why you shouldn’t.  Let’s take a look at the topic of investing, shall we?

It’s no secret that African countries have the highest investment opportunities.  Many may pose a risk, but if you do your homework and maybe, just maybe, find a connection to a given country–be it your heritage, partnering with a local business, etc.–you can be very successful investing in the continent.  There are many successful businessmen and businesswomen who have made it happen–why not you?

Of course, if you have never invested your money in anything, or don’t even known where to begin… baby steps.  Just one step at a time.  However, learning about those who have made it and how they made it will help prepare you for future success… starting today.  I encourage you to watch the full length of this video and let me know what you think.  Given that this video was aired mid 2009, it’s interesting to see the historic events referenced in the video and then looking at what’s happening now–especially in Lybia.

Hopefully after this video you’ll feel less inclined to touch that savings account and rather more motivated to take a lesson in investing or think of businesses you’d like to start.  If anything, you’ll gain a little bit more knowledge about Africa

Some people don’t realize how powerful motivation can be.  A loss of motivation can be detrimental to how far you progress in your life.  To help others jump start their inner desire to be motivated, I decided to begin a “Transformational Tuesdays” series where I’ll post videos on a weekly basis that will inspire daily transformation.

Sales is just one of those professions where a daily boost of motivation is almost required.  In this clip, motivational speaker Les Brown teaches us how to dig deep and to find that ‘something’ inside of us that will help push us to reach our goals everyday.

Anyone who knows me should know about my love for music, especially music that is unique in some kind of way.  I just recently discovered the band–like yesterday–called Quadron (from Copenhagen,Denmark).  They call their music “electronic soul” because of the mix of electronic sounds in their music.  So far, my favorite song of theirs is called “Average Fruit” and they just released the official video for this track this week… watch the vid here.

You can also see them perform live tonight with Bilal and J*DaVeY tonight at the Ecoplex:

]]> http://www.bessiekaine.com/quadron-performes-last-of-many-performances-in-l-a-tonight/feed/ 0 http://www.bessiekaine.com/dia-de-los-muertos-cultural-festival/ http://www.bessiekaine.com/dia-de-los-muertos-cultural-festival/#comments Sat, 09 Oct 2010 11:27:20 +0000 bkaine http://www.bessiekaine.com/?p=1011

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CULTURAL FESTIVAL

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2010
12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE!

Admission is Free!

Rose Hills Memorial Park
3888 Workman Mill Road
Entrance Gate 1 – Follow signs to SkyRose Chapel
Whittier, CA  90601
For more information:

Grace Kaine, 310-424-8113

MAP IT

For more information about the benefits of Advance Planning or to RSVP for this event, please call Grace Kaine at 310-424-8113 or fill out the following form:

Posing with Shondrella Avery

Saturday, August 28, 2010 marked Sickle Cell Disease of California’s first ever Sickle Cell Walk-A-Thon which took place in Darby Park in Inglewood, CA.  The walk, organized by Tara Ragin and hosted by none other than Girls Behaving Badly actress and SCDC board member Shondrella Avery, involved walking three laps around the track all in the name of spreading the word about sickle cell anemia.   The day included games for kids, a video game lounge, and live music provided by the Matthew Jamele Trio.  SCDC put the event together as a way of fundraising for the much needed cause.

The official 1st Annual Sickle Cell Walk-A-Thon photos on Facebook

To learn more about the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation or to register to be a volunteer, please visit http://scdfc.org.

With friend Janelle for the Free Jazz experience @ LACMA

This was the first year I had attended the summer Jazz concerts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and it truly was a treat.  This free event takes place at the Los Angeles Times Central Court at LACMA, where we are entertained with two hours of non stop jazz music every Friday (and Saturday) and is open to the public.

There were four different areas of seating for the event:  the foremost section of seats were the quietest section and were perfect for those music connoisseurs who needed absolute concentration in order to fully enjoy their jazz experience; the second set of seats were for those who wished to consume alcohol… it was also the perfect section to get your chat on with your friends (or work on your laptop such as myself–yes, I brought my work with me); the area behind the chairs offered round tables which made for a romantic setting for couples, and finally a large grassy area at the very back great for families to layout their picnic baskets and for kids to run a muck.

Check out some of the talent that have graced the LACMA stage:

Kamasi Washington And The Next Step

Kenny Dennis Trio

Jazz pianist Les McCann

To learn more about LACMA or to obtain their latest Jazz Concert schedule, visit http://www.lacma.org

Shoe Frenzy‘s motto is “Heels That Heal.”  Their goal is to sell top designer and name brand shoes for $50 and under in order to fund their is to fund low-cost/free Women’s Health Care and Counseling services.

Their 2010 event takes place this Saturday, so come out to support the cause and walk away with a new pair of shoes too.  Your mom will love them, right? 

To learn more about Shoe Frenzy and the Women’s Clinic and Family and Counseling Center, visit http://www.shoefrenzy.net.