Entreprenuer – Page 3 – Hamp's Corner of America

What Am I Thankful For In 2015?

What am I thankful for on this Thanksgiving? Where do I start? First of all, I am thankful for being the child of Doreatha (Childs) and Codis Hampton. Two people whom I dearly loved and will miss through eternity. And my heavenly father for placing me in their care and guidance in the first place.

I am thankful for having such wonderful siblings as my sisters, Delores, Carol, and stepsister, the late Johnny Mae. And let me not forget my little brother James Edward. I was the oldest and should have been the most responsible, but forgive me when I strayed to the dark side in my late teenage and young adult age.

That was a period when all five feet four of me thought to be cold blooded, hardcore and tuff was a prescription for survival in this country. The streets of Milwaukee called for guile, cunning, a bad attitude and short fuse. At least that is what I thought at the time. The first words out of my mouth to anyone who disagreed with me on any subject was F_ _ _ you, followed by I will kick your M-F A_ _. It made no difference if the guy was 5’4” 140lbs or 6’4” 250 lbs. My only suggestion to the person was to bring a lunch because it’s going to be an all-day fight to the finish. I won some and lost others. In fact, have you ever seen a group of different size dogs on the street or in a yard? The smallest runt of the pack is always barking the loudest, jumping up and down. The others may not even bark, but that runt is lunging at you as you walk by and seems to want to tear one of your limbs off your body. I was that runt.

I was mad at the world, didn’t care who knew it and was not planning on passing the age of twenty-one. And if that was to come to pass, I was going down swinging at my foe. Along the way, I found out a simple truth. It didn’t matter who won, my body still felt the pain from being in a fight. All praise is to God; I got over and lived through that phase. I also give thanks to a three-year service in the US Army which helped me mature in a manner I never knew existed for a black man in this country.

I’ll tell you some other people who knew what I was learning the hard way. And that is my mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, uncles, Aunts and adult cousins. If I had listened to them in the first place, well…that phase in my life could have been spent more productive maybe resulting in a master degree in something or the other. I have no regrets. That is what it took for me to get to 2015. Now it’s just another reason for me to be thankful today.

I am grateful for having met my wife, Sandra along the way. For our children, Shawn Lynn, Richie and Brandon, now grown and finding their way in life, I am all so proud of their accomplishments. They are down to earth people who are real and see life as it is not through rose colored glasses. My wife and I tried to raise them in the way we were raised hoping they would be better and avoid some of our mistakes. The fact that they are alive and well is a blessing in itself.

Today, I can say; I have family and friends that I keep in contact with, some daily, weekly, others monthly, and yearly. There are friends and family I haven’t touched bases with in a while who know me well enough to know I still care and think about them. As in life, there have been disagreements with family and friends causing them to fall out of touch for whatever reason. They should know; I’m not a person who holds a grudge or harbor some dislike for them because of some incident between us. Thank God, I can say, I’m not that kind of person today. I have evolved and continue to do so. I am a better person than I was years ago, last year and several months ago, as I continue to work on me every day. I am certainly thankful for that.

Make no mistake about it. I go through what you all go through on a daily basis. We have to deal with rude and obnoxious people in the grocery store or other retail outlets. Making a phone call to a vendor while trying to correct their billing error can be challenging. Is it me, or am I correct in concluding that customer service is lacking at too many of our service industry companies these days? Sometimes it’s as though the Human Resource Office in these companies have hired a staff of incompetent, uncaring, and impatient individuals to answer their phones and yet call themselves a customer service representative. Most of time, I feel I should send them an invoice for helping them do their job. You feel me? But then, over the years I’ve learned not to let a person or persons put me in a bad mood for the day. I deal with it at that time with that person and move on; it’s that simple. And for that change in my personality, I am thankful to Jesus Christ.

I am oh so thankful for the new people I am meeting in my life. Some of which, I have never personally met or seen, but often communicate by phone as if we’ve known each other for a lifetime. I’ve met most of these new friends and contacts in connection with my church, BTR Show, publication of books or my role as their tax preparer.

Every day many of these people or colleagues give me hope there is a better day coming for our people of color and communities across this nation. We share a common goal for the human race and specifically for the black race. These are people of all colors who demonstrate on a daily basis that they are community driven first rather than only seeking profit for their endeavors. It is these people, along with my upbringing that keeps me going and selfishly giving of my time for my community.

I am so thankful to my Savior for guiding me as I take the actions required to give and contribute in my way to our community. To say that I’ve evolved into a good husband, father, citizen and black man in 2015 is an understatement in my view. I’ve found peace with myself, my God, my family, friends and everyone else. And for that, I am eternally thankful this Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to you all, may you find the same type of contentment in your life.

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-6t

Join us at the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

“In my latest book, Remember Moz, Gracie & John Hampton’s First-Born, I wanted to tell the world about a unique individual. Not because he happened to be my father but to explain who he was, where he came from, and how he evolved into the man he became up until his death. In doing so, I wrote of his ancestor’s roots back to and through the Civil War. The inclusion of his birth and upbringing in the heart of Arkansas, or Jim Crow country, add southern reluctance to learn why our country involved itself in a bloodthirsty four-year exercise in the first place? Then you begin to understand why, our parents behaved the way that they did. See if I captured the essence of this paragraph.” Get the book via the Authors Page at http://outskirtspress.com/webPage/isbn/9781478766056

or visit my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at https://hcofa.net/

Black Hair Care Industry Update 2015, Part II

Think about it. Of all the numerous manufacturing and service industries in this country, which one should be dominated primarily by the consumers they serve? Of course, it’s the Black Hair Care Industry. In Part I of this article, you got the 411 on the Koreans attempt to dominate that industry. And make no mistake about it, only a tiny fraction of the funds Koreans earn from black consumers find its way back to our communities. So let’s put a number on it and say ninety cents of every dollar earned goes to the Koreans coiffures never to return to the hood.

Those black consumers who buy their hair products, wigs and accessories from the neighborhood beauty supply store? On the way, they often pass by empty storefronts, closed schools, and vacated fire stations. Do you ever wonder why we have to shop at suburban malls to find a major department outlet? A store run and mostly staffed by Koreans has no intention of putting any of their profits in your community, nada, zip, none, 0 dollars.

You say our communities are poor and cannot support our grocery stores, sidewalk cafe’s and any entity that provides a quality product for a fair price? Here is a quote from Nielsen’s African-American Consumer Report from 2013. “Despite historically high unemployment rates, Blacks have shown resiliency in their ability to persevere as consumers. Black buying power continues to increase, rising from its current $1 trillion level to a forecasted $1.3 trillion by 2017.” There is no reason the bulk of that buying power should not be circulating in the black community before heading out to other communities.

You want to improve your environment, your hood, the neighborhood in which you live. Spend your money with those who you know will put the money back into your neighborhood. Especially during this holiday period as there is a call to boycott Black Friday and seek out black business to spend your hard earn cash. If not directly with stores in your community, then indirectly, because as black entrepreneurs rise to the top of the economic scale, so shall you, the black consumer. Consumer spending is the lifeblood of any community located within our United States Economic system.

That ladies and gentlemen is a monumental ethnic consumer change in behavior that has been absent in our communities for far too long. One of the fastest ways to effect major change in the treatment of a race of people in this country is to direct our spending toward people, regardless of color that has our best interest at heart. You feel me?

There are smart, innovative, and hungry entrepreneurs who are looking for you, the consumer to try their product or visit their Beauty salon. They want you to see and report to friends and neighbor the usefulness and quality of their goods and services. And the kicker is, they look like you, meaning that ninety cents of your dollars spent will circulate in your community several times. Over time, you will see other business entities return to your neighborhood. Why, because as we’ve reported, there is money and wealth in your community.

We are not naive here; this has to happen over time. Let’s start this Christmas Buying Season. If you, the consumer change the direction of your disposable income to those who will help build or feed your community, you will begin to see the result sooner than later. Let’s meet a few entrepreneurial innovators in the Black Hair Care Industry.

Madam CJ Gardner, in her words “having an affinity for promoting cultural awareness” is one such innovator. She also disproves the notion that all ideas should be colossal in nature. The idea should be to see a need and attempt to fill it which is an apt description of her #thehookmeup tool.

Having earned a B.A. from Rutgers and an M.A.S. from Fairleigh Dickinson Universities, she has worked in the juvenile and adult corrections world approaching twenty years. She entered into the cosmetology world because of an overwhelming interest in protecting her natural hair while wearing a ‘sew in hair’ weave. The thought and actual practice of removing the weave was an emotionally taxing and stressful venture for Ms. Gardner. The tools used to go through the weave removal process was no help at all in providing a warm and fuzzy for protecting one’s hair or avoiding cutting a finger. She would ask for herself and eventually answer her question, “What if there was an all-inclusive tool to remedy this problem, along with eliminating the infamous ‘itchy weave pat’?”

We can now report that after talking on the financial and entrepreneurial responsibilities that are required, Madam CJ has brought her patented and own Hook Me Up tool to the American market. Predictably the consumer market has welcomed such a innovated tool. So much so that the local TV Fox News affiliate, Channel 29 out of Philadelphia aired the following report during a broadcast of Empire. Click the following link to view the entire report. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8nAdnWvJ7qNUmpDSVI0aDh1U28/view #thehookmeup tool just hit the market around the second week in September. After viewing the noted Channel 29 report, I am sure you will find the necessity of the tool itself for the entire Hair Care Industry. Go to http://www.thehookmeup.org/ for purchase details. You can also find a taped interview I completed with the New Jersey native for my Blog Talk Radio Show broadcast on September 30, 2015. Click on my shows link at the end of this article to find the broadcast.

We find our next innovator right here at home. Here name is Dalila Dynes, aka DD. She is the owner-manager of DD’s Serendipity Salon and Spa located in Oakland, California. You can visit her website at http://www.serendipityhairsalon.com/

She began at the tender age of twenty-three with the intent to service any and all races of clientele. DD has perfected the craft of multi-cultural hair styling over her fifteen years of hair styling. So much so that she’s developed a healthy hair care class for parents of mixed-race children. Or as she also describes it, “Parents not versed in black hair care.” There is also a styling class for the trans-gender community. These are the among a few of the specialties offered at her Salon

You get the feeling that this entrepreneur is attempting to create a mood when speaking with her about her salon and spa. DD feels her customers should and do come to her facility to be pampered in the same manner as if they were in one of the major Las Vegas Hotels. Thus, she offers the use of her Jacuzzi Spa and massage service, with a shower, garden patio, and art gallery. Given her background as a natural artist, photographer, and dancer, she has a performance stage. One might get the correct assumption that DD is offering complete relaxation, a memorable experience that results in a warm and fuzzy feeling one gets when they have rewarded themselves. All of the services offered are at a reasonable and competitive price.

I interviewed her on my HCofA BTR Show which you can access by clicking on the following link, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica/2015/11/18/entrepreneurs-with-a-purpose I bring it up not as a promotional tool for my show. If you want to hear passion and conviction from a professional Hair Stylist-Owner-Manager in the Hair Care Industry, you need to listen to this interview. Dalila “DD” Dynes provides you a detailed description of the relationship and trust issues required between a stylist and their customer. For that matter, any Entrepreneur should take note as she gives an A-plus message on providing great customer service. It was my pleasure to hear that kind of devotion to one’s craft.

And finally, my friend Sam Ennon at www.BOBSA.org, continues to bring it. He has collaborated with Alex and Natascha Dube. They are the South African couple who invented and manufactured the Afro & Twist comb. If you have not heard, Natascha originally used a tennis racket to get the twist style she used for her hair. Note her picture here. Needless to say, a racket would not fit into a ladies normal size purse. Being the innovators she and her husband are, they came up with a smaller comb to meet her styling requirements that also appeals to the black community. It was a simple fix for entrepreneurs who have a need and find the products or item absent on the current market.

As initially stated, they hooked up with BOBSA’s Sam Ennon who was instrumental in the packaging of and promotion of the Afro & Twist Comb, Cleaning Spray, Moisturizer Conditioner, No Flake Styling Gel, Locking & Twisting cream plus a useful small sponge used in the application to round out the hair twist styling process. The utilization of these items promises to provide the end user with a clean, moisturize and nice minty scent for any preferred twist style. One can step out on a date or attend an evening affair looking fresh and as though your sporting a professionally prepared hairdo. For your information, the products are distributed by Afro & Twist Comb |CA dixassoc@earthlink.net |209-888-4800, CA sam@bobsa.org | 650-863-3491 | IL 708-769-2154 | GA 404-752-9183.

As previously stated in numerous articles, my aim is to get you acquainted with Entrepreneurs that have a purpose. Our entire purpose is to enlighten our community and turn them on to the goods and services that are not only beneficial to you the black community. The people I write about or have on my BTR Show are always quality driven and community conscious which is just what is needed to lift up our neighborhoods standard of living. That is my promise to you, hoping that you find the individuals and organizations mentioned here meet that standard.

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-69

Join us at the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

or visit my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at https://hcofa.net/

Black Hair Care Industry Update, 2015, Part 1

In 2014, I was surprised to learn that a the United States 1965 decision to ban the import of any wig that contained hair from China contributed to the Koreans attempted domination of the US Black Hair Care Industry. Six months earlier in a successful attempt to aid their wig manufacturers, the Government of South Korea banned the export of the desirable raw hair by anybody other than their own. The result was a Korean monopolization of the Black Hair Care as depicted in Aron Ranen’s, http://diaryofahairobsession.com/black-hair-the-korean-takeover-part-2/ documentary. In a four-part documentary, Ranen’s film points this out and provides in debt insight into the industry as of 2009.

You should note that the acts by the two governments “almost providing a monopoly.” For a monopoly to work, competition must be halted by regulation or lack of availability of the monopolized service or goods for sale. In this case, the consumers held and still hold the key to monopolization.

I wrote this article for one reason. It was the beginning of my concern and ultimate involvement to promote the haircare storyline where ever I could in an attempt to wake up our people. Obviously, I am and was not the only ones concerned about the attempt by the Koreans. It got the immediate attention of people who were directly involved in the industry. Because…it affected their bottom line, the profit and loss in their salon, beauty shop, and even your neighborhood black barber shop. They’d been on the front lines of this competitive market long before the actions taken by the US or Koreans.

I was able to learn how industry manufacturers and beauty salons were prepared to cope with industry experts like Sam Ennon, Founder of BOBSA.org. As well as Regina “Regi” Kimbell, Co-producer and director of ‘My Nappy Roots: A Journey through Black Hari-itage Documentary.’ Regi, who I might add recently held their 3^rd Annual Los Angeles Natural & Lifestyle Expo in August of this year. Most of you may know it as an extension of Regi’s Nappywood brand. Sam, who has become a friend and close associate, continues to take steps in not only countering the Korean domination plans but alerting industry players to each others products and services. The bottom line, they did not intend to take this takeover attempt as a foregone conclusion. Various processes were already in place as others were being perfected to bring to the forefront of the fight.

As stated in the 2014 article, I attempted to interview not only a few movers and shakers in the industry. I wanted to hear the thoughts of front line stylist. The mom and pop beauty shops along with the upscale beauty salons. I was stunned to find that most local Bay Area Beauty Shops I contacted did not want to comment to the media. The concern once again was their bottom line. The fact is, the Koreans had made great headway in their domination of the industry. Some black stylist and shop owners were forced to used Korean products or go out of business. At least that was their impression of the Beauty Supply landscape.

Most didn’t mind talking about their concerns but was reluctant to a point of flatly saying “thanks for the invite to your show, but no thank you. I have a business to run and don’t want any problems.” The result, was I got no takers, and those were the ones who returned my calls. There was dead silence from others. The subject of Korean products was a non-starter. I turned my attention back to the above industry experts, Regi Kimbell and Sam Ennon. There were others I know, but I felt comfortable with these two individuals.

As previously noted, Mr. Ennon is the founder of BOBSA, a black-owned organization whose members offer the same type service as any Korean Beauty Supply Product vendor in the world. The organization was formed to seek out members who are involved in the black hair care industry. The idea is to share information, open up communication and act as a proven effective and quality based alternative to the Korean attempted domination of the industry.

In fact, Mr. Ennon was a guest on my show. He offered a very involved interview by providing historical and current references to the industry. He was the first person who was willing to speak out in no uncertain terms about what happened, was happening and how he expected to change the course of the industry with the help of BOBSA Members. You can catch the March 18^th HcofA BTR interview at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica/2015/03/18/bobsa-stands-for-black-own-beauty-supply-association-and-you. In short, BOBSA acts mainly as a Networking business association connecting Cosmetologist, Hair Care Manufactures, and associated products from over the world. Members and others quickly learn that the mere association opens up a world of innovative and constructive business minds from people who are bound and determined to make a difference in the industry on their own. The fact that these individuals are allowing their company and connections to come under one umbrella forms a formidable organization that benefits those Entrepreneurs. One thing is now certain, there is no reluctance from most beauty salons and others to provide an opinion on products they have invented or issues in the industry itself.

You may have noticed that I had not mentioned the most important individuals in the Black Hair Care Industry. That would be you, the consumer. What do you think or value as required by the industry to obtain and or retain your hard earn dollars? They know you want a quality product at a competitive price. A product has to make you look good and feel confident about whoever is contributing to that end. Frankly it’s also a business decision for you too. You love your people, but if they cannot deliver, oh well.

I’ve got good news for you. There have been major changes going on in the background while some have been in the forefront for you and them. Let me give you some examples. One great place to start is with a good book on the industry itself. Nicole Lee, Managing Cosmetologist, and inspiring author’s book appropriately entitled “Healing Cosmetologist.” I introduced her on that same March BTR show that included Sam Ennon’s interview. She is a writer who penned an open directory to the requirements needed to excel in the world of cosmetology.

On an advertisement for her book, she writes, “Did you know that your hair is an antenna that transmits and receives thoughts outside of your 5 senses? It carries energy of vibrations within each strand, holding information about an individual’s spirit and is often transferred through the power of touch. Because of its connection to the head or Crown Chakra (energy space between the spirit and physical body), it is sensitive and can hold vital links to spiritual wisdom, knowledge and even healing.” My first reaction upon reading these words were, “Say What?” That’s why I including Nicole in this article because she brings something new, innovative and a good vibe to your experience with your stylist. It’s the kind of “feel good experience” you want when you pay for a service that contributes to your appearance and outlook to all others in which are in your social circles. Do you feel me?

A glance at her Resume and you will find revealing words and learned capabilities such as Instructor, Spiritual Coach and Successful Experienced Business Owner with advanced knowledge of Metaphysics, Universal Law, and Napoleon Hill Philosophies, coupled with Business Success Strategies, Personal Growth and Spiritual Tools used for enhancing one’s life towards bliss. You may want to read that description of this lady’s capabilities again just for your complete edification. The point being, Cincinnati resident, and author Nicole Lee prepared herself for a leadership role in the areas above. That is the expertise she points out in her book and practices as a Consultant in the world of Cosmetology.

She is but one of the first industry innovators that look like you, therefore, know what appeals to you. I intend to introduce you to a few more in Part 2 of this article. Don’t get it twisted; I am not saying that todays Black Hair Care Entrepreneur need all be people of color. Meaning that they are the only ones who know what you need. But I am saying that is one body type and color that you know should be an expert on what you the black buying consumer need.

Come back for Part 2, in one week and meet more of the innovative game changers in the Black Hair Care Industry. People from around the world and, of course, stateside that understand your requirements and are reaching out to you and you alone. In other words, their products are designed for your practical, budgeted and quality requirement. For remember, they are your next door neighbor, even if they are from another country. Explain you say, they are like you, in mind, spirit, style, and body type.

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-5X

Join us at the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at https://hcofa.net/

Why Do We Rush To Get Everywhere?

Every now and then I remember the words of a class instructor from back in the day. I was attending a Semi-truck driving course in Plymouth Indiana. It was during the time when I was searching for any profession that would allow me to take care of my newly growing family as a married man. This class was one of a few I took hoping to land, as my father use to call them, “A good job.”

The instructor reminded us all as we prepared to get practice time behind the wheel of semi’s that particular day. He warned, “Remember this…there is an accident up the road. If you hurry, you can get in on it.”

Everybody is always in a hurry. They say, and I repeat, they say they don’t have time. Or the old standby, “Hurry up, I’m running late.” Most automatically add the word “again” to “I’m running late.” Do you notice we never seem to catch up? Frankly, I am not even sure if some of us would recognize what we were chasing if we caught up with it. If you are not careful, you may pass it moving so fast. You’ve heard the saying “Can’t see the Forrest for the trees.” And what is it? That, my friends, is the real question. What are we really chasing?

As youngsters, we were trying to get in all the playtime we could before our parents asked us to come into the house. We chased the opposite sex as teenagers. As young adults, sometimes our chase of that main squeeze became our number one priority with a career as number two. However the numbering, the chased took on a serious note. Because we were also chasing a standard of living, to live life the American way. You remember, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

And let’s say you, sooner rather than later, found them both and all that they encompass. With that being, a good mate, young children, a decent place to live, and a good paying job (or career) to support all those other things. Maybe you’ve been one of the fortunate who is a professional sports player or blessed as an entertainer. If not, and we are talking about today. Most households have both parents working to make ends meet. Whichever …you’ve finally made it. Now what, are you going to slow down, stop rushing all over the place? No…because now your nickname should be Mr. or Mrs. Paranoid. You remember how it use to be compared to how it is…and now your number one priority is to keep what you have. You have got to keep producing, rushing before somebody catch you and take some or all of those things away. Then there is the possibility that you may do something to lose one or more of the things that are currently making you happy. That is if you are happy. It’s difficult to be happy and paranoid at the same time.

There is safety and comfort in a family unit. At least it was back in the day. Today we are not spending as much time with each other as we have in the past. Teenagers are somewhat on their own whether one or both parents are at home. They tend to be self-absorbed with smartphones, tablets and talking with friends. Yet we, including them are still in-a-hurry and normally chasing something or the other. Mostly it’s ourselves because we’re constantly running out of time. Life does have an expiration date. We don’t know when but we do know it’s a certainty.

I remember prior to retirement I made punctuality part of my D&A. It was a fetish to get away from the term “Color People Time.” Now I find myself not being able to calculate how long it is going to take me to get to the freeway from my house. This, knowing the way that I drive, it’s not going to take me as long as some people to navigate my way through traffic. I might add that I am a defensive driver, not a reckless speeder. Defensive driving is another mindset I learn at the semi-truck driving school. Mind you, we are not talking about commute traffic. While in my car, I sometimes smile as I become impatient with a particular driver. In these cases, my mother would often yell at the same type driver, “I wish I’d known you own this street (or highway), I would not have come this way.”) So in retrospect, I am still in a hurry to make appointments on time.

The point is we don’t really have to hurry. If we take the time to give ourselves enough time to avoid being pressed for time. That would include timely appointments and the biggie…reaching a certain prosperous station in life. One thing that I have learned over the years is if there something for you…that God has in store. You will get it. It may not be in the time frame that you had in mind, but it will be there waiting for you whenever you get there. Our Father in heaven is not going to give someone else your blessing. He does not work that way.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not a religious fanatic, or someone who can quote the Bible from start to the finish. Many, who’ve read my articles, know how I’ve described how the Catholic practices and beliefs had me questioning God Almighty as a teenager attending St. Benedict de Moor. It took me a long while, but I have reconciled my faith in Jesus Christ and all that he embodied. Although, as an acquaintance of mine said the other day, “I’m not quite there yet.” This was his answer to an unsolicited question of did he feel as forgiving as Christ was and is. That would be my answer too. For this articles view, I am simply stating that even if you do not believe in Christ. And you choose to look at it another way. The fact is, life will provide what you have coming and you don’t have to rush to get it. That is the exact point of this article.

No matter, how fast we attained certain things like food, shelter, a good mate, fame and a workable annual income that supports you and yours. After securing all those needs and other things that come with that, most will not be satisfied. I will just state here, Google or Bing Maslow’s “Hierarchy of Needs.” Study his pyramid and think about life.

You simply cannot rush to success. It has to come to you. You can and should prepare, by continuing to put in the work to handle it once received. Oh, a few might get it early in life and lose it just as quickly. And…success for some might mean an entirely different thing to others. You know the hashtag, “It’s complicated.”

So the advice here is to take your time. Save yourself a lot of stress, wear and tear on you and your family’s nerves. Whatever is for you will come, sooner or later, to you. Just make sure you are aware enough to recognize it, especially those progressive steps. Sometimes it looks like we are going backward instead of forward but that is not true. No matter whom we are, we learn something new every day. That alone is progress because you are better today than you were yesterday. You have to take advantage of the circumstances leading up to your blessing. And just as important, live life one day at a time, one moment at a time and you will find yourself enjoying it more if you slow it down. I’m just saying…

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-4s

Join us at the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

Get my latest book, a collection of my Blogs/Articles from 1999 through 2014. It’s entitled The Episodic Thoughts of Hamp. Go to the following Authors page link for details. http://www.outskirtspress.com/webPage/isbn/9781478746232

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at https://hcofa.net/

Forming Co-operatives is a Smart Business Decision

The right kind of Co-op is a boost in spending power, product and inventory management for the small Entrepreneur. Wikipedia defines a Co-op as “an autonomous association of people who voluntarily cooperate for their mutual social, economic, and cultural benefit.” The operative word is cooperative. Further, it means that a group of individuals has decided to band together because it makes them stronger in some manner than trying to go it alone.

Back in the day, my wife and I was the owner-manager of a Gift and Record Shop. We got lucky enough to be located next door to a pizza restaurant. During one of the hot and muggy summer weekends, say like…Thursday nights through Sunday night, my eyes were opened. After the bars had closed, the parking lot filled up with a lot of couples, or people stopping to get food before turning in for the evening. I extended my hours to accommodate this crowd. Now I was getting the spinoff from that jolly and enthusiastic crowd who’d had a few drinks and noticed that we were still open too. After eating or ordering a pizza to go, they would stop in buy a record or some pretty little gift to impress their date and head off into the night, smiling from ear to ear. Oh, don’t be coy…you know what would come next between those couples.

That particular summer saw a big threat to the mom and pop record stores. They were being chased out of business by the large record store chains. Now that I had a good customer base, I thought I would try to talk to some of the other small shop owners into forming a co-op of sorts to buy records directly from the large record labels.

Five of us met in the shop of another record store after business hours. We will call him Jim for this article. I presented my plan to the group. It fell flat on its face. There was no debate; the plan was no good, according to Jim, the oldest shop owner in the group. Even though we all were currently getting our records from the same downtown wholesaler (let’s call him Bossman), paying the same price regardless of the quantity, we could not strike up a deal.

I’d already spoke to a large chain out of Chicago that was willing to sell us records at an average savings of fifty to seventy-five cent less than we were currently paying Boss man. And, depending upon the size of the record (45 single or 33.3 LP), artist, and label, some purchases were returnable if we didn’t sell them over a certain period of time. It was a sweetheart of an offer, but we had to buy in certain quantiles to get the deal. It was an ideal reason for forming a co-op.

The co-op deal fell through not because it didn’t make sense, but because of the old “who died and made you the big chief” syndrome. It was quickly noted that I was the youngest of the group. Jim, approaching his tenth year of business, did not see any value in the proposal. He and one other guy, who I later learned was a friend of his, didn’t want to anger Boss man. I never could find a way to validate Jim’s wholesale price. I suspect he had a different kind of deal. His shop was smaller in size, as opposed to others, only sold records. Although he said, we all were paying the same price. I’d already been told that every business owner paid the same prices by Bossman. He also gave me a printed wholesale price sheet.

The Bossman supplied almost all of Milwaukee Record stores, white, black, Hispanic or whoever bought records wholesale. He even shipped to the suburbs. The biggest problem I and others had was that Bossman would put his LP’s & 45 on sale for the same price he sold them wholesale. He was not trying to help you out in any shape of form. If you bought 4, 5 or ten copies of a record, no matter the format, you owned it. No returns unless it was discovered the records was scratched. So you either had to sell the record at some price, usually at a loss if it was old or eat the cost and get rid of it any way you wanted. Either way, Bossman had been paid his price and was also selling the new release at the same sale price he asked us for at wholesale. Now day’s people are savvier about their industry than we were at the time.

Today allows for a much more level playing field. There still may not be much profit margin between wholesale prices versus a retail price, especially for small stores. Product cost is always going to be the number one concern of the consumer, thus the retailer. Yet, now I believe an invaluable difference is how you market your product, the quality of the same and your shops customer care and service. You hear certain entrepreneurs talk about it all the time. After you have settled on a competitive price for your goods and product, you have got to produce an environment in which to offer the same.

As people, we always remember how we are treated, was it a pleasant experienced at say…a dentist office? I have a local dentist I’ve used since moving to Pittsburg in 1996. He was recommended to us by my wife’s co-worker. I was nervous on my first visit to his small office. Normally I am one of those people who warn (which I did) the dentist before I sat down. “Don’t start anything and there won’t be nothing. Doc, I cannot stand pain so…watch it.” He just smiled, while reassuring me that I was in good hands.

First of all, you sit in his dentist chair, serenaded by soft jazz music. The pain you ask, I don’t remember. I do remember the precision he showed as he went about his work. He shook my jaw and gave me a shot to numb the area he needed to drill and fill. I never lost consciousness as he carried on a conversation with me trying to contribute with my mouth wide open. My ears were also fixed on the sounds emitting from his office speakers. Suddenly it was over; he was telling me he will see me in six months. I got in the car and could not wait to tell my wife what a wonderful experience I had at this dentist office.

I know, this might be an extreme example, but you can equate this experience with any profession. Look at today’s restaurants, displays in the mall windows, on the department store’s floor. They don’t only make attractive displays for holidays. You walk in one of the malls quaint shops or a high-end jewelry store, the temperature’s just right and they have impeccable display lighting. The product is laying there as if it’s saying “Hi there, take me home with you.” Not trying to shock your system while you daydream but now think of WalMart. Do you see the difference?

As a small entrepreneur, there are many subtle changes you can make to create atmosphere. And there is no doubt you can and should create it, especially if you want staying power. That goes for websites, as well as brick and mortar stores.

Use your business associates to help you improve, buy in quantity or bounce ideas off them while networking. If you do not remember anything else about this article, remember this…pick those business associates, and people who you interact with on a daily basis very carefully. The one mantra one continually hears when attending “Success” seminars in any field, including personal growth, is to choose your associates and friends wisely. The difference between me back in the day and now, is I do not waste time interacting with people who have no plan or in the extreme case really have no clue. I am not mean or anti-social. I love people, but I know some type of people is not good for my state of well-being. So I just avoid them as much as possible. It’s for personal and business reasons. I can now report that I have a great group of people that I interact with on a continuous basis. They all bring something to the table as I hope I do the same for them. People who have your type of goals and aspirations are not hard to find these days. You just have to reach out and network with all kind of people. This attitude is also the reason I love communicating that fact to all of you via my articles and books.

No matter what anyone says, there is still room in the retail and even services marketplace for creativity and cooperation. Don’t, believe me, sat down in a quite area and turn on your laptop or tablet. Disregard the news headlines on the portals; listen to your electronic friend talking to you. It’s saying, “Where we going today Boss? What is it you want to know? What can I do for you?” Let your creativity flow and you will find the answers to your questions are not that far away after all.

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-3V

Join us at the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at https://hcofa.net/

Whose Time’s More Valuable, Yours or Mine?

Here is a question for you…whose time is more important, yours or mine? I ask because the answer is obvious. Most people who answer truthfully will, of course, say their time. We all think our time is a premium possession in which, often we don’t have a spare minute.

Some people, who have shortcomings in a particular area of entrepreneurial expertise, have no problem in asking for your help on their project. This is especially true for those who may not possess good business person skills. They often ask you to give your time and effort for free, without any type of compensation. They appeal to your sense of pride in your race, community or country. They want to reap the benefits of monetary reward or prestige for their pet project. But as far as your contribution to the same, they want something for nothing.

I have found the perfect solution to those types of situations. It is no secret, for I learned this lesson in my thirty’s. There is nothing like putting words in a contractual or agreement format to ensure that all involve understand what is required and expected from any type of collaboration. Presenting this type of document to others has a way of weeding out those who want something for nothing.

Don’t get me wrong, the document is not asking for some outrageous fee. You are just putting together stipulations of a working agreement between business persons. Both of you are going to agree on whatever is included in the document. Most Entrepreneurs will understand, except those who wanted something for nothing. They suddenly have second thoughts. For me, I just laugh to myself and thank God I saved a lot of time by weeding these type folks out of my life. Because…in the end, time is of the essence with me.

There is that word…time. Let’s go a little deeper into that thought. Young folks…say eighteen to thirty don’t have any time for anyone. At least that is the way it seems. We rush from thought process to the thought process, relationship to relationship, maybe even one career to a completely different type. How we make, our living is of the utmost importance at this stage of life. Indeed, how much we are paid for our services is the primary reason we choose a particular profession.

By the time we reach the thirty to the forty-year-old range, there is a gradual or sometimes sharp turn in one’s priorities. Here we began to seriously look at where we are in life. We look at our current social and intimate contacts as well as our financial status. If we have children, or maybe grandchildren, we begin thinking of their well-being for the future. Bottom line, at this age bracket, most have gotten real serious about life. Time is becoming a premium that is not to be wasted as we did at a younger age.

Fifty to sixty is another age range where people look at time differently. It’s like you began to hear Rod Sterling’s “Twilight Zone” theme music. You know that you are about to enter a time zone of no return. It’s not too late to prepare yourself for old age. Make no mistake about it, some may figure that fifty is the new forty. That really makes no difference to how young you feel, the fact is you are still dealing with irreplaceable time.

For those of us over sixty, time for all practical purpose, indeed for any purpose is what we are now trying to measure. The primary being how much more time do we have on this earth. By the time one reaches this age bracket, you began to look back and see what you have or have not accomplished. We believe it’s too late for some things and not too late for others, depending upon your perspective and previous ambitious. Some of us find other careers later on in life.

From a social perspective, you no longer have the patience you once had with trivial matters. You have no time for rude people. You have reached a heightened understanding of people’s motivation that causes them to act in a certain manner.

From that special relationship with a spouse you value the time you have spent together. If the person is still around, you laugh and reminisce at the crazy times you two had or marvel at the things you accomplished. You wonder what might have been had you went in this or that direction in your life. Overall, you are thankful you can sit back and think about how it was at that time. Most of all, you appreciate the now.

And finally from a business perspective you might have things you want to accomplish, or to be more exact, unfinished business. We are trying to make a difference by leaving something of ourselves behind for others to know that we were here on earth at a specific time. No matter what age group you fall in, think about that a minute.

That is the primary reason for me to refer to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. Without going into Maslow’s entire theory, all one need to understand is to look at his pyramid of needs pictured in this article. For those who are not familiar study it a minute. And then think about the fact that any age bracket in your life you may had reached a certain level in this pyramid. Maybe it was just one of the sub-titles at a particular level. Then, for whatever reason, you fell back down to the “Basic Need” level. The point being and the primary idea of Maslow’s need is that it is rare for one to have reached the pinnacle level of “Self-fulfillment Needs.” Why? Because most of us spend a lifetime of running up and down this entire pyramid.

There is no doubt that each rung on the ladder of this design takes time to get, solidify, and maintain throughout a lifetime. Most believe the time is really controlled by God. For that atheist out there, let me put it another way. You do not control the length of time you will be on this earth. And that is why each and everybody’s time is most valuable to them.

So the next time you ask someone in the over sixty age bracket if they have a minute, an hour, or anytime, realize you are asking for their most precious commodity. If you are coming at them from a real place of need or help, they most likely will find the time to give you. If not, don’t be surprised if they look at you like you are crazy, shake their head and just walk away without a word. You feel me?

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p436aY-68

Join us at the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

Get my latest book, a collection of my blogs from 1999 through 2014. It’s entitled The Episodic Thoughts of Hamp. Go to the following Authors page link for details. http://www.outskirtspress.com/webPage/isbn/9781478746232

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at https://hampscofa.net/