by Jennifer Bucholtz
follow blog at http://navigatingthejourney.wordpress.com/
 
Remember when having an email address on juno.com was a big deal?  Memories of getting in trouble at my first job for  surfing the internet don’t seem so distant… back then, it was such a new concept that “logging on” was a rush.  What would be found in that vast world on the web? 
 
The web was created by Tim Berners-Lee around 20 years ago for the physics community.  In the last several years, it has evolved into a “social web” that connects individuals and communities, allowing them to engage in conversation any time of the day, and from any location in the world.  What we find on the web today is infinitely more developed than what we found then.  Today, we have more “cloud computing” tools at the click of a mouse than we can keep up with.  These tools are used by individuals and businesses both socially and functionally.
 
Here are three social networking tools sure to get you just as addicted to social media as I am.  You might be saying, ’Oh no, that’s not going to happen to me!’  Uh huh, right… it’s only a matter of time.  I’ll keep it simple in this article, but just wait until I introduce you to some of the “widgets,” applications, and online software that can be used through these networking sites… that’s when you’ll really get hooked! 
 
1. “Facebooking” – Facebook (www.facebook.com) allows you to create the “digital you.”  Users can share information about themselves (such as where they went to school, birthdays, and contact information), post pictures (and tag their friends’ photos), post and share links to videos, play games, and post comments on their and their friends’ walls.  Facebook can be used for personal purposes with a profile, and for business purposes with a fan page.  Profiles are automatically set to private, unless the user changes his or her page to public; to view a private profile, users are required to have a Facebook account and be added as a friend of the profile’s owner.  In contrast, fan pages are public, unless set to private; anyone can view the page, but to comment on the page, a user must have a Facebook account and become a fan of the page. 
 
Facebook was launched in 2004 by college student Mark Zuckerberg, with the premise of allowing college students to keep up with their friends.  Today, Facebook is one of the most popular websites in the U.S., and is used not only by college students, but by users as young as 16 and well beyond age 60.  Users no longer are required to have a college email address, as was the case when Facebook was first released.  Recent statistics suggest that the average age of Facebook users is greater than age 35.  More than 200 million users are active on Facebook. 
 
2.“Tweeting” - Twitter (www.twitter.com) can be thought of as a communication channel – just like text messaging, but your message goes to all of your followers at once.  The premise is to answer the question, “What are you doing?” in 140 characters or less.  Twitter is used both personally and professionally.  Twitter accounts can be set as “public” or “private.”  If your account is public, anyone can read your posts, known as “tweets” in the Twitter community, and anyone with a Twitter account can follow your tweets.  However, if your account is private, in order for users to see your tweets, you will have to approve their request to follow you.  This concept is similar to adding someone as a friend on Facebook. 
 
Twitter was launched in 2006, and has more than 14 million accounts today.
 
3. Blogging – Weblogs, or ”blogs,” allow users to post remarks (that often include links, pictures, and/or video), and readers to post their responses.  Blogs are more than just a diary; many offer commentary and ideas for a larger audience (however, a blog can also be set as private, requiring readers to be invited to view the blog).  Blogs allow users to communicate and influence their readers, as well as learn from their constituents.  Aside from businesses and professionals using blogs to educate, blogs frequently are used by families as a means of communicating with distant relatives.  One benefit of using a blog is that all posts can be archived, and each post can accompany relevant pictures and video.  Unlike Facebook and Twitter, blogs are not used for running short commentaries.  Rather, blogs are used to communicate at length on a particular topic, and include supplementary information related to that topic, as well as to develop an archive of information presented in a reverse chronological order that can be searched by category and date.
 
More than 133 million blogs are tracked on the web by Technorati.  Some of the most popular blogging platforms include WordPress (http://www.wordpress.com/), Blogger (http://www.blogger.com/), BlogSpot (www.blogspot.com), and TypePad (http://www.typepad.com/).

by Jennifer Bucholtz
follow blog at http://navigatingthejourney.wordpress.com/
 
 
“The focus of my business is luxury living,” says Stacye Jarrell, owner of Oceanfront Cottage Rentals.  Having vacationed at Tybee Island several times before, and rented a condo each time, I wasn’t sure what to expect by the word “luxury.”  When I think of Tybee Island, T-shirts and flip-flops comes to mind . . . or riding down Butler Avenue on a beach cruiser fitted with a cup holder for my frozen rum runner.  My expectation for accommodations was a simple place to sleep comfortably after a full day of riding the waves and searching for sand dollars on the beach, which seemed fitting with the laid-back no-worries attitude that is Tybee Island.  That is, until I met Stacye, and had the opportunity to spend a three-day get-away retreat at Blue Skye, one of her company’s privately owned rental properties situated on the north end of Tybee Island.  Unassuming, simple, or understated might describe Tybee Island, but breathtaking, pampering, and opulent describe Blue Skye, a custom-built three-story home with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean!
 
Blue Skye, a 4-bedroom and 4.5-bath home that sleeps 11, is equipped with a pool, elevator, hot tub, and is top-of-the-line the entire way through – from its gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, high-end appliances, and wet bar to its master bathroom with granite countertops and custom cabinetry, stone shower, and Jacuzzi tub!  Blue Skye is a three-story home with surprises and conveniences on every floor.  The pool is accessed from the first floor, hot tub on the second floor, and open living area and kitchen with screened-in wrap-around porch overlooking the ocean on the third floor.  The master suite is situated on the second floor and opens out to a private deck with a hot tub.  Just down the hallway from the master suite is a laundry room, which also houses a small fridge and microwave for convenience.  Two additional bedrooms are on the second floor, each with its own bathroom and private deck. 
 
Blue Skye is privately owned, but when not in use by its Middle Georgia owners, is available to be rented by Tybee Island vacationers.  Oceanfront Cottage Rentals manages the Blue Skye property, as well as 84 more of the most exclusive privately owned properties on Tybee Island.  The market value of the Blue Skye property is probably close to $2.5 million and, and is in the vicinity of Sandra Bullock’s and John Mellencamp’s vacation homes on the island.  Most people don’t have the funds to purchase a luxury vacation property, but renting a property 2 – 3 times a year for 3 – 7 days is do-able, especially for a property that sleeps 11 and is perfect for splitting the rental cost among occupants.  For example, a group of 11 people can book a 7-day rental during peak season, and it would cost less than $400 per person (includes housekeeping and taxes).  That’s not $400 per night – that’s per person for the week!  Whether used for family reunions, corporate vacations, or casual group get-togethers, Oceanfront Cottage Rentals provides accommodations that are far beyond the ordinary, and have certainly left me with an unexpected – and lasting! – impression.
 
To learn more about Oceanfront Cottage Rentals, visit www.oceanfrontcottage.com or call (800) 786-5889.  Accommodation information, pictures, and pricing is available online for many of the rental properties available.  Seasonal specials are also posted online at www.oceanfrontcottage.com.

 
Position your Company for Success: 5-part Series.
Part 1: Self-Assessment
 
By Adam Mauldin
Intern with MyTown Monthly magazine
 
When thinking about owning and operating your own business, it is popular to think of the successful shop serving goods that everyone wants. People crowding the aisles clamoring for more of your products, and difficulty keeping enough inventory on the shelves. The register filled with cash and customers throwing money at you. It’s a pleasure to balance your books and you are more successful than you ever thought possible. Business is good and you are good at it!
 
Ah, what a great daydream! Now, how to turn those dreams into reality? This first installment of the five part series, “Position Your Company for Success,” focuses on self-assessment.  Ask yourself these questions and know the answers before you design the letter head for your new company or sign a lease for your business location.
 
·         Why do you want to own a business?
·         What are your personal traits?
·         Can you handle stress?
·         Do you mind working alone?
 
In order to decide whether or not going into business for yourself is a good idea, know your personality, goals, competencies, and values. If your business ideas are at odds with your competencies, goals, and values, you might discover great difficulty in positioning your company for success.  You may decide that you are determined, extroverted, and energetic.  Or, you might find that you cave under pressure, are introverted, and tire easily.  Whatever the responses, you must be truthful with yourself and know who you are.  After answering the questions above, you can continue your self-assessment by reading the chapter, “Assessing Your Entrepreneurial Profile: Do You Have What It Takes?” in the book, The Ultimate Small Business Guide. A Resource for Startups and Growing Businesses.  
 
Are you in it for the money? If starting your own business is to get rich quick, small business ownership may not be the path for you.  Monetary gains do not grant satisfaction, but rather can only make a person dissatisfied, according to Frederick Herzberg who proposed the Dual Structure Theory of Motivation in the late 1950's and early 1960's.  In other words, if you hate your job and suddenly get a raise and are now paid well for this job, you will not like the job, but you will tolerate it. 
 
Common personality traits of successful entrepreneurs, according to The Ultimate Small Business Guide, are:
 
·         Extroverted and confident
·         Able to communicate effectively
·         Sociable and able to lead
·         Able to handle failure
·         Creative and Imaginative
·         Hardworking, committed, and determined
·         Individualist
 
Although, these traits are not necessarily indicative of success, they are common among successful business owners. If your personality differs a bit, don’t worry. What is important is that you know who you are; every strength and weakness, and can learn how to compensate for these weaknesses. 
Through the course of the self assessment, find your competencies – the things you’re good at. This may include experience that you have had related to the field or industry you want to enter, education, and life experiences. You do not have to have technical expertise in the area that you wish to do business in because the technical aspects of creating a good or service, and the business aspects of providing the good or service are not one in the same.  However, it never hurts to know the processes associated with the creation of your good or service.
 
Diving into the world of small business is frightening and can be humbling. But, it’s important that you don’t lose the dream!  The dream is the reason you’re reading this series and why you have begun to research ways in which you can reach success in business ownership. However, it is important that you complete your research and proceed with caution before you commit large amounts of capital to your idea. If you do not thoroughly analyze yourself and your idea in the planning stages or your business, then your dream of owning your own business can quickly become a nightmare. And, if you decide after completing a self-assessment that owning a small business is not for you, then you haven’t lost any money. If anything, you have learned a bit about yourself and will be better off for it.
 
Personality Quizzes:
Entrepreneurial Personality Test - 60 questions, 15 - 20 minutes
Is Entrepreneurship for Me? - short quiz for surface analysis
Deciding Which Assessments are Right for You - learn about the different asssessments available, and decide which one is right for you.
 
Helpful Websites:
Small Business Administration: www.SBA.gov
Service Corps of Retired Executives: www.SCORE.org
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: www.USChamber.com
 
Works Cited:
Hingston, Peter. Starting Your Business (Small Business Guides). New York: DK ADULT, 2001. Print.
 
Publishing, Perseus. The Ultimate Small Business Guide. A Resource for Startups and Growing Businesses (Ultimate Business Library). New York: Basic Books, 2004. Print.
 

Five-part Series for Entrepreneurs and New Business Owners
 
By Adam Mauldin, Intern with MyTown Monthly magazine
 
Approximately 60% of businesses started will survive their first two years. Shocked? And, these were the statistics measured in 1998 – 2002. Take our country’s economic status over the past couple of years, which some report as being the largest economic decline since the Great Depression, and I suspect the two-year business survival statistic, if measured from 2007 – 2009, is closer to 40%.
 
I can’t help but think of my father’s hometown in Oklahoma that is drying up, with crumbling facades and sepia-toned photographs telling the stories of what used to be. I start to wonder – why is it that so many small businesses fail? Is there a common reason? Surely, business survival rates are the result of more than whether an entrepreneur’s business idea is good or not! In fact, I think whether a business survives or not is due to a lot more than an idea! I argue that survival is the result of proper self-assessment, research, industry knowledge, management, and marketing/networking. An entrepreneur can have an idea – that’s the easy part! Sustainability is the hard part!
 
With that said, we have devised a five-part series, with each article to be published on a bi-monthly basis, focusing on business topics we believe are important for small business owners to keep in mind. Each article in this series will be supplemented with references to more in-depth material for those seeking additional information. While this series is geared to an audience interested in starting a business, the information provided is applicable to current and seasoned business owners. The subjects covered in the series will include the following:
 
1.  Self-assessment: Do you have the personality and hardiness necessary to own and operate a business?
 
2.  Ideas and Market Research: Have you determined the feasibility of your idea, and do you know your market?
 
3.  Mission to Market: Do you have a well thought-out plan that includes your mission and values? Do you have the end in mind?
 
4.  Management: Have you set a budget? How are you going to manage your costs?
 
5.  Marketing and Networking: How is your market going to find out about your business? What is your plan for building lasting relationships and business partners?
 
As we approach a new year, with renewed opportunities, it’s our goal at MyTown Monthly magazine that this series will serve as a stepping stone to get your idea off the ground, and positioned for success!
 
“Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be fish.” – Ovid

By Adam Mauldin
Intern with MyTown Magazine
 
Macon’s own William Segal was a magazine publisher, artist, and philosopher who chose to lead a life of quiet introspection.  He asked himself, “Who am I?” and remained determined to find the
 
answer for the entirety of his life. His philosophy was in the same vein as Henry D. Thoreau, who wished to live deliberately.  He believed that every action should have meaning, and every thought substance.  To William Segal, the world was beautiful.  He often stopped to look around and ponder his own existence; something that most people do not do nowadays, according to Ken Burns.  And, it was for this man – whom you might have read about in history books, had he belonged to another age – that Saturday’s An Afternoon with Ken Burns was held.
 

On Saturday, renowned documentarian Ken Burns visited the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon to honor Mr. Segal, an old friend whom he had known since the early 1970s.  The museum was unveiling its Segal exhibit, which showcases over a hundred paintings from the artist. Mr. Burns attended to field questions from fans and the press, and to showcase three short documentaries about his late friend. William Segal, Vezelay, and In the Marketplace totaled around 73 minutes in length, and were so well filmed that they could have been pieces themselves in the exhibit!  His shots were carefully chosen, and his scenes composed like photographs, which Burn’s described as “the DNA of film.” 
 
The event was a success, with a crowd filling the auditorium to capacity to hear Ken Burns speak.  There was a book signing after the event, during which anxious fans were able to speak briefly with the filmmaker, who was very approachable.  Although he did seem incredibly busy, Ken Burns appeared to be the sort of man that would stop and answer a question if you asked; something of which I think William Segal would have been proud.  The point of life not being to rush through it, missing everything along the way, it’s like Matthew Broderick says in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off:  “Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!”

By Adam Mauldin
Intern with MyTown Magazine
 
Last Friday, I had the opportunity to meet Paige Henson and Kendra Ferguson with HHB Advertising to learn about the uses of social networking in business. Like many of you reading this, my experiences with social networking sites (such as Facebook and Twitter) have involved logging into my accounts to send family members news of my travels, or to stay in touch with friends that have long since moved away. Recently, however, my perspectives have been broadened, as I now am responsible for using social networking sites in a business capacity at MyTown Magazine. Some of my initial questions were:
 

1. Why would a business want to use social networking?
2. How does a business use social networking without spamming its audience?
3. What is proper etiquette for businesses engaging in social networking?

 
As Paige and Kendra explained, a business should go into using social networking with a similar mind-set as a typical person would – to connect with a group of people (whether friends, family members, or business contacts) and to engage in conversation. “It’s all about the conversation,” says Paige. The purpose of a business engaging in social networking is not to sell the goods of your business! The purpose is to engage in conversation. “Unfortunately, most businesses get this wrong,” notes Kendra.  
 
Before sending out a mass email to your social networking contacts, consider the consequences. If you were the end-receiver, would you want to receive the email? Mass emails more times than not are considered spam to the person who receives it. A business engaging in social networking always should keep their audience’s interests in mind – not the business’s interests. A business engages in social networking to connect with their audience, and provide information that its audience is interested in and can interact with. “It’s to be a meaningful part of the day’s conversation,” explains Paige. Social networking etiquette is not flooding someone’s inbox, or posting company specials. Proper etiquette is empowering the contacts in your network.
 
After meeting with Paige and Kendra, I left with a greater sense of the power social networking can have in a business’s operations. “Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are only the tip of the iceberg,” says Paige. I was thankful that Paige and Kendra took time to guide me through the social networking maze, and provide me with the tools to connect with MyTown Magazine’s audience. While social networking does not replace the value of one-on-one personal interaction, it is a great way to engage in conversation on your audience’s terms – when they are available, and on topics that they choose to engage in. 
 
If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur, I highly recommend calling HHB advertising and asking them to set up a time to present their presentation on social networking to you and your business associates. They are one of the first, if not the first, advertising agency in Middle Georgia to receive social media certification on inbound marketing principles. Thanks HHB Advertising – your expertise and guidance is greatly appreciated! 
 
HHB Advertising is located at 1873 Hardeman Avenue, Suite A, Macon. To receive more information, call (478) 464-0272 or visit www.HHBAdvertising.com. Join them on Facebook under “HHB Advertising.” 
 
Join MyTown Magazine on Facebook!  

By Adam Mauldin
Intern with MyTown Magazine
 
Last Thursday, braving the heavy rains that hung over Macon, more than eighty people gathered in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame for the inaugural NewTown Getdown. This monthly event primarily is sponsored by Capital City Bank and NewTown Macon. The NewTown GetDown venue showcased Georgia’s music history, and provided live entertainment by Macon’s own Crankin’ Daddies. “It’s a networking event geared toward young professionals, and business and civic leaders,” said Kris Hattaway, NewTown’s Director of Place.
 
Unfortunately, young professionals were conspicuously absent from the night’s events. Given that so many influential people were in one place, and in an inviting and open atmosphere, the lacking presence of young professionals in the scene was a surprise. NewTown Getdown provides ample networking opportunities for young professionals. Whether already employed and building relationships, seeking employment, or getting ready to graduate and enter the workforce, networking is key for young professionals, especially given today’s economic uncertainty.
 
In a little over an hour, I talked to and was able to build a connection with nearly a dozen influential people, with whom I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. While I can be shy at times, I found the venue and the people in it to be neither intimidating nor uninterested in talking with me. I liked that there was food and a cash bar, for those who need some liquid courage. However, I also enjoyed the fact that indulging in spirits was not the purpose of the event.
 
NewTown GetDown is held every third Thursday from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at various venues in Downtown Macon. When asked why Capital City Bank decided to sponsor this series, Stephen Jukes, local President of Capital City Bank said, “We want to bring diverse people and live music together in charming places around downtown.  We want to celebrate what is good about Macon.” I say, let us raise our glasses and cheer for its success, and continued support!

By Adam Mauldin
Intern with MyTown Magazine
 
A few nights ago I decided to take my girlfriend out to dinner. Bored with our usual fare of burgers and shakes, we decided to try something new. I had heard of the restaurant Thai Pepper before, but had never been; so I suggested that we give it a try. The exterior was quiet and unassuming, with a sign that seemed to hide behind the beige stucco façade.
 
As I opened the door to Thai Pepper, I was struck by the aromas of exotic foods from distant lands. The dining room was full too, with a family discussing the day’s events; friends laughing together over rice dishes; and others engaged in quite conversation while sipping fine wines. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting; the quiet exterior masked this lively gem so perfectly. Seeing this contradiction was like in teen romance films – where the female protagonist covers her outward beauty with pony-tail and glasses, only to let her hair down in the end.
 
My girlfriend and I were immediately seated and handed both a Japanese Sushi menu as well as a Thai menu to look through. They had extensive selections, most of which were around ten dollars or less. The dining room was nice and managed to be classy, but not snooty; rich but not stuffy. It was the kind of restaurant where no matter your wardrobe you didn’t feel out of place.
 
I decided to order an appetizer of Crisp Spring Rolls, filled with chicken and vegetables. They were cooked and served quickly with a sweet sauce that complimented them nicely. Only a few minutes later my entrée, Pad-See-Eu, was served. It’s a flat noodle dish with Chinese Broccoli and a choice of meat, all served in a sweet soy sauce and a choice of hot spice. I ordered chicken, if you were wondering. The noodles were firm, as they should be, and the way the sauces mingled was a nice break from the ordinary. First the sweet soy could be tasted, and as soon as it faded a touch of spice overtook the bite but didn’t overpower it. The broccoli was crisp and the chicken juicy. In hindsight, I wish I had come with a much larger appetite as the servings were very generous. I had enough to take home for another meal.
 
All-in-all the experience was great. The food was delicious; the atmosphere welcoming; and the facilities clean. The price tag was very reasonable too; an appetizer, two drinks, and two entrees for around $25 plus tip. I recommend this place, because it isn’t often that the only thing lacking in an establishment is signage that is truly noticeable from the road. 
 
The Thai Pepper is located in the Parkway Village Shopping Center at 1806 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, GA. Contact: (478) 225-2609

by Em Fergusson
Editor with MyTown Magazine
 
I recently attended a concert by “Ugandan Thunder,” a group of young boys from Uganda, who performed at Unity Baptist Church in Bonaire. I was struck by how resilient all children become, when faced with challenges. Having grown up all my life around people from various parts of Africa, I thought of how easy it is to fall into thinking of Ugandan children as little more than commodities. In other words, we often tend to think: “oh, they’re so different, they’re so poor – let’s save them!” Well, I don’t think it’s about “saving them” (because we have so much and they have little), as it is about understanding and respecting that these children have been through horrendous situations. And these situations call for all of us to show, not sympathy, but a level of deep empathy.
 
Uganda is a country located in East Africa. It borders the following countries: Kenya, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Tanzania. The country is divided into several districts and has experienced political and economic challenges over the years. Sadly, numerous families have been dispersed, due to the country’s unsettled wars, natural disasters, and disease. The statistics are chilling. Unicef reports that since 2002, 12,000 children have been abducted. The report states that, “children in the region face desperate conditions; many are denied access to basic healthcare, safe water, primary education, essential protection and even shelter.”
 
There are a number of agencies working tirelessly to bring a brighter future to the children of Uganda. Save the Children is one organization that focuses on improving the lives of Ugandan families. According to Save the Children, statistics and facts demonstrate the need for immediate action:
 

• Over 14 million of the country's 27 million people are below the age of 15.
• Approximately 6.9 million adults are illiterate. 40% of students have malaria at any given time; malaria is a major cause of primary school absenteeism.
• 66% of children drop out of school during their primary and secondary school years.
• Over 56,000 children under age 5 die each year from nutrition-related causes.
• About one-quarter of the population is unable to secure adequate food for all or part of the year.

 
If you feel the need to give back, remember to give back with an open heart. We often volunteer in our own communities and do not perceive community members that are in need, as less than human. When you think of Ugandan children, try to think of helping, as you would help a friend in need. Empathy, then, will replace sympathy.
 
For more information on Save the Children, visit www.savethechildren.org