The Walt Disney Company is a media powerhouse with many levels. There are Disney products, the Disney resorts and theme parks, the Disney Cruises, the Disney Interactive Media Group, the Disney studios, Disney Radio, ABC (Disney) Network, ESPN (Disney) Network, and now Disney owns Marvel Entertainment.

Disney, unknown to many people, is a company worth billions of dollars. Small businesses and entrepreneurs can learn a lot from their business model! It makes smart business sense to diversify your products and services. The company has also grown by providing a combination of what people want and what people need. Disney represents a great example of cross-market appeal as well. Their services and products attract consumers of all ages and people from all cultures.

Disney is a company to watch and a company to learn from.

Alysia Friday grew up in a part of Austin that is rarely publicized. She grew up in a low-income housing project in East Austin. Friday remembers, “No one came back for us. As a matter of fact there was no encouragement to be more than what we saw lived before us. I have a responsibility if no one else does to reach back and empower someone to launch forward”. Friday came up with the idea five years ago and even went out to get the school supplies herself. Due to her dedication, other companies began to help sponsor the event in subsequent years.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Alysia Friday and I could here the passion in her voice as she explained to me what this program is and how it helps hundreds of children Last year, the Reach Back to Launch Forward program served over six hundred children. This year’s theme is “Reach Back to Launch Forward, Five Years of Serving Unconditionally.” The school supply give away will provide free school supplies to five locations this year. The Elm Ridge Apartments, Mason Manor Apartments, Springdale Gardens Apartments, Runnymeade Apartments and Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church will be host locations.

The event will begin at 8:15 a.m. with a joint rally at Springdale Gardens Apartments located in East Austin. At 9:00 a.m., volunteers will go to the various host locations to hand out the school supplies. The event will last until 2:00p.m. To give donations or to volunteer, please contact Alysia Friday at 512..990.9654. We believe this is an effort worthy of community support!

There is an old phrase that says,”a picture is worth a thousand words.” I often wonder what a smile is worth in comparison? Can we put a price tag on a smile and a good attitude? Ironically, in business we can. A simple smile can mean repeated customers, higher customer satisfaction, better revenue and business longevity.

I remember nearly three years ago when I was getting my first business cards printed up, I went into a local copy shop and was met with a smile that would turn into a business relationship and a friendship. River Oaks Kwik Kopy has been providing copying and printing services for over 25 years. There services are affordable and efficient. They are also an authorized FedEx shipping center.

Why have they been so successful for so long? I believe it has a lot to do with the owner and the people that work there. Imtiyaaz Bangee, the owner, always greets every customer with a smile and by name if they are repeat customers. He has a family approach to doing business and views his business as a service to the community. He treats his customers and business associates with kindness.

They also work hard at River Oaks Kwik Kopy. Their kindness and work ethic has translated into years of consistent business. Imtiyaaz has received several awards over the years for his service to the community and in the industry. Even when we conducted this interview, it was 2:00 on a Saturday afternoon an he still had several hours of work left.

LM: What drives you?
IB: The ability to pay bills and get involved and keep myself busy. When I was in college, there was an engineer professor giving us a talk, he said,”life is like ice…if you put it on the street it will just melt, but if you put in water you make ice water, if you put it in milk, you make ice cream. Life is like that, it is all about what you choose to do with it.”

LM: What experiences influenced your decision to start a business?
IB: Family motivation. My father, my grandfather, and my great grandfather all worked for themselves. My great grandfather owned a rice mill and my grand father and father were in merchandising.

LM: What formal education and/or training do you have or had to get to start your business?
IB: College, I have a degree in mathematics.

LM: How did you get started?
IB: Sometimes a chance arises. The previous owner of this business wanted to move to L.A. and sale his share of the business, so we bought it back in the early 80s. I have also lived in different countries. I lived in Burma, Thailand, India, and Pakistan and I learned different trades and how to deal with different types of people. My mother always said,”if your tongue is sweet, your town is sweet,” which translates to mean if you are nice to people, they will be nice to you. The prophet Muhammad said,”smiling to people is a cheap charity, but the impact is huge.” This is my approach to business.

LM: How did you determine what product and or service to sell?
IB: Because the original owner was leaving, it was a big opportunity.

LM: What lessons have you learned from your first years in business?
IB: Do not argue, you can not argue with customers, whether they are right or wrong. We are a more personalized, people oriented business and because of that our customers return. We are blessed to help our associates, and they are with us as long as we are in business. Our business is to help to pay bills for our landlord, our families, and our associates’ families. We think our small business is important to society.

LM: What has been your biggest success?
IB: We are in a good environment. We have repeated customers and our valued associates, that is our success.

LM: What has been your biggest disappointment?
IB: Increasing taxes and costs for maintaining a business.

LM: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
IB: Go get an education and join corporate America.

LM: How have you been able to maintain in business for over 25 years?
IB: The blessings, we cannot deny that. Do not try to overspend, don’t spread yourself too thin.

LM: Is there anything else you want to tell our readers?
IB: God bless our whole world.

The large group of individuals seemingly from various backgrounds were talking to each other in Spanish. In my curiosity, I went over to the person that seemed to be leading the discussions after every one left. This is how I met Gena Scurry Vaughn, the founder and CEO of the Spanish Over Coffee Program™. She was teaching a Spanish class in a unique setting. Members are encouraged to interact in these social environments to expedite the learning process.

I felt the program was very unique, innovative and a cutting edge entrepreneurial idea. Hispanic Americans are the fastest growing demographic in the country. In addition, despite the perceptions in the mass media, they come from many countries around the world and in South America, not just Mexico. Worldwide, Spanish is the second most widely used language in the world next to Mandarin Chinese with 325 million speakers.

Learning Spanish is no longer an option, it makes smart business sense. It also is a way to bring people together, considering the prominence of the language worldwide. In addition to training individuals, Vaughn’s company also holds corporate training sessions and private group training sessions.

How does this company make a difference? Although people pay for the courses, it is well worth the investment considering the life altering impact it can have on an individual. We had the opportunity to interview Gena Scurry Vaughn.

LM: What drives you?
GV: My love to make a difference, but ultimately have people be connected. The
people who call me are extraordinary. Sure you could say people “should” and
“need” to speak Spanish, but really more than anything they just want to
know one another.

LM: What experiences influenced your decision to start a business?
GV: I think I’ve always known I would have a business, but it wasn’t until I did
the Landmark Forum with Landmark Education did I get that I could start a
business now and have it go my way. So I did, on $5 and a bicycle.

LM: What formal education and/or training do you have or had to get to start
your business?
GV: None

LM: How did you get started?
GV: I started making it up and then taking action consistent with what I said.

LM: How did you determine what product and or service to sell?
GV: I think my serviced called me. It occurred as obvious to me. I would say
the important thing is to CREATE, RISK YOURSELF, TAKE ACTION NO MATTER HOW
TERRIFIED YOU MAY BE.

LM: What lessons have you learned from your first years in business?
GV: Each year is different. I’ve been in business for 7 yrs and have a few
employees and we operate in Austin and Houston. Let’s see:

1st year – you can create anything from nothing.
I remember in my first year meeting a women for coffee and giving her an
initial lesson for Spanish. She told me how much Spanish she wanted and I
said that will cost $1,500. She said “you just rode up on your bicycle and
got off.” I said “yep and that’s the price”. She wrote me a check

2nd year – I stopped doing things I did not enjoy to bring in money. This
had me put my “butt” on the line to make my business happen.

3rd year – I learned to be a dog that doesn’t have to bark.
My first corporate client tried to cancel his meeting with me and I said “do
you really want to do this, because I got other things to do”. He said okay.

4th year – I created systems. Stopped doing things in my business I don’t
like to do.

5th year – Closed my first big deal.

6th year – I’m not sure.

7th year – I learned to love my employees. This one took me a while. I
really got employees are just like kids – you love them no matter what and
there are consequences.

LM: Who were the primary influences in your life as it relates to being an
entrepreneur?
GV: Myself
My parents
Friends starting business from nothing

LM: What has been your biggest success?
GV: I don’t really have one big success. Each thing that I learned through
experience was essential.

I guess I would say staying in the game for 7 years.

LM: What has been your biggest disappointment?
GV: There are always disappointments in business. Failures, but all failures can
become assets.

Here is something I would say – the money will never be enough to drive a
business. Don’t stop creating and honoring what you are bringing into the
world. To connect people through language and risk it all is worth it to me.

LM: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
GV:Everyone is an entrepreneur. Really for me an entrepreneur is a leader this
can be in an existing business or a new business. Honor who you are. You
have a gift we all want.

Risk it all!

Do things that TERRIFY YOU AND MAKE YOU UNCOMFORTABLE. ONCE YOU DO IT. DO IT
AGAIN. UNTIL YOU DON’T [feel terrified].

The kickoff party for this year’s toy drive was held at The Corkscrew in the Houston Heights Area on December 6th. The event was a tremendous success! Many business owners from around the City of Houston attended to lend support with toys in hand.

The Discover the Magic Toy Drive is an organization we recommend supporting. Liberate Magazine, Day To Remember, The Corkscrew, Casual Chefs.com, Mireles Home Loans, and Squidz Ink Design have all joined forces to sponsor the toy drive for this Christmas season.

The toy drive will last from December 6, 2007 – December 21, 2007. We invite you to participate by dropping off a toy at one of the designated locations or making a financial contribution. Please visit Discoverthemagic.org to get involved.

If you live in the City of Houston, you can drop off toys at one of the following locations:

Discover the magic this holiday season by giving to some one else!

What do you get when you mix a very talented dancer, a smart business woman and children from diverse backgrounds? Divinity Dance Company, a school that is the vision and dream of entrepreneur Yvette Colbert. Yvette Colbert is a dancer that educates other dancers in her craft. She is also a very intelligent business woman who knows how to manage a company well.

Divinity Dance Company is a non-profit organization which seeks to provide artistic enrichment to children in low-income and culturally diverse neighborhoods. The school teaches several kinds of dance ranging from classical ballet to modern. In addition to the 100 students they service in their studio, they also teach dance and theater arts to over 200 students in the Houston Independent School District. They have a waiting list and each year they have to deny student participation to over 75 program applicants because of a lack of space.

(Click on any image to view it larger)

Divinity Dance is currently in their seventh year of operation. They are constantly reaching for higher heights through providing innovative programming and challenging students to perform on professional levels at young ages. This year Divinity Dance will be hosting its first annual golf tournament. For more information, visit the official Divots 4 Divinity Golf Tournament web site.

I interviewed Yvette Colbert and asked her the Liberate10™.

LM: What drives you?

YC: The fact that when I was growing up and studying dance, there were no other minority-owned dance studios, or minority theater arts role models in my immediate community besides my family’s. Dance and theater arts is my first love, and I won’t stop my journey until my dance studio evolves into the first African-American dance and theater arts studio and performance hall in Houston.

LM: What experiences influenced your decision to start a business?

YC: I was working full-time after graduation at a printing firm as a graphic associate, but I had continued teaching dance on the side. After awhile, my classes starting growing and I started receiving more requests to start dance programs in pre-schools and after-school programs. I really had to literally stop and pray about it, and I took a leap out on faith. I had always loved dance and children, I just didn’t think you could make an adequate living at it – and I did want to continue eating and paying my bills! I gave my two-week notice and set-up my schedule at a couple of schools, and took the plunge. I haven’t looked back since, and the company has grown to 55 studio dancers, 3 HISD contracts for their after-school programs, 3 child-care centers, 1 private school, and 1 church.

LM: What formal education and/or training do you have or had to get to start your business?

YC: My parents owned a dance studio for 11 years and I managed the programs and classes for the children and teens, so that was a great first experience in management for a studio. Formally I received by BS in Journalism with a minor in business from Texas A&M University, and then after graduation I attended the Art Institute of Houston for graphic design.

LM: How did you get started?

YC: After I had put my two weeks in at my job and lined up all my schools for dance programs, I started teaching all genres of dance in my programs to all ages, and the word spread from there. There are so many schools that desire dance and theater arts programs, but don’t know who to contact, so I just put my company out there, and directors who were pleased told other directors. I also cold-called schools I really wanted to teach in, and started programs there as well.

LM: How did you determine what product and or service to sell?

YC: N/A

LM: What lessons have you learned from your first years in business?

YC: $$$$$ MANAGEMENT!!!!!!!! I had to learn to pay myself 1st and save a percentage for the business. I kept putting everything back into the business, and wouldn’t take care of myself, which can catch up to you. You just get so wrapped up in getting everything you need for your business that everything else falls to the wayside.

LM: Who were the primary influences in your life as it relates to being an entrepreneur?

YC: Definitely my mother. She was the entrepreneur of the family and always showed me the possibilities were endless if you wanted something badly enough. She really did teach me about going after what I wanted, and never to get discouraged when you hit the rough stretches. And now my husband, an entrepreneur himself, has shown me new perspectives on pursuing my dream to the next level.

LM: What has been your biggest success?

YC: I’ve had many small victories and successes getting started, but the most exciting one so far is getting the contract with HISD to conduct the dance portion of the after-school programs for 3 of their schools. Also I was pretty excited when we finally received our 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

LM: What has been your biggest disappointment?

YC: Ohhhhhh! Lots of little disappointments here and there, but you can’t let that stop the party! I think the most shocking one was when we were scheduled to move into our own studio location, and due to numerous disappointing circumstances, we didn’t get to move in and we had to wind up sub-renting from another dance studio again.

LM: What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

YC: Don’t let the “famines” get you down. The rough patches last for a time only. Just buckle down and prepare for the moment you get out of the rut and move full steam ahead. Get creative. If you’re in a financial rut, reach deep down into your creative brain and figure it out!

Event planning is one of the best businesses to have in a major city. The wedding industry offers a lot of opportunities. Only the strong survive. For an individual to make it in the event planning industry, it requires a lot of hard work, innovative ideas and a very good product that stands out above the rest.

A Day to Remember has been a cornerstone in the event planning industry in the city of Houston for nearly 8 years. Not only are they highly sought after now, but the company is steadily expanding. I sat down and discussed A Day to Remember with Claudia De Velasco, founder of the company.

LM: What drives you?
CD:The love and passion I feel when doing the things I love to do.

LM: What experiences influenced your decision to start a business?
CD: My dad owned his own company. Growing up, I worked for him, so it only seemed natural for me to do the same. One of my brothers followed in his footsteps as well.

LM: What formal education and/or training do you have or had to get to start your business?
CD: As mentioned before, I worked for my dad, so I guess you could say he was my teacher. In addition, I did plenty of research within my field.

LM: How did you get started?
CD: My business was originally just a hobby, a hobby that actually paid me. Little by little, I started promoting the business more and more, to the point that my job was actually getting in the way of my business.

LM: How did you determine what product and or service to sell?
CD: I grew up watching and helping my mother cook and bake. I’ve always loved working in the kitchen, so it was only natural that I should get paid for doing something I love to do.

LM: What lessons have you learned from your first years in business?
CD: I’ve learned that while owning your own company is not easy, it is certainly rewarding. I’ve learned that owning your own company is not a “9-5″ kind of job, but more of a “24/7″ kind of job. In the end, though, I wouldn’t trade it for any other job.

LM: Who were the primary influences in your life as it relates to being an entrepreneur?
CD: My dad

LM: What has been your biggest success?
CD: Achieving your goal

LM: What has been your biggest disappointment?
CD: Not having started the business sooner.