Born with a crayon in one hand and a camera in the other, Cindy Seip has never ventured far from her creative instincts. Through the years, her creative side took hairpin turns but always finished with a checkered flag.
As an “A+” student in art, it was her 12th-grade art teacher, Mr. Popovitch, that set her on a professional course in design, introducing her to the Ft. Lauderdale Art Institute. There, she would earn her degree in Advertising Design.
She began her career at the Miami Herald Tropic Magazine and later started her own design + underwater portrait photography business. Over the years, Seip has amassed an impressive client list with some high-profile names like Sony, Nasdaq, Ericsson, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AvMed, Miami International Book Fair, Breakthrough Miami, and many more. Her accolades reflect her keen eye for design.
Seip resides in sunny Miami with her husband, Miami Herald Photojournalist, Al Diaz, two great kids, and a cute Wheaten Terrier named Amanda Bubbles.
Who needs an Inkubator?
Small business owners in the health and wellness industry — as well as others looking to grow their big idea — will be mentored monthly by our experienced business coaches, including veteran entrepreneurs, PR and marketing professionals, life coaches, financial specialists, and more.
Check out what’s included in our six-month program: $100 / month
Who’s working at The Well?
Massage therapists, reflexologists, acupuncturists, Reiki master, yoga teachers, fitness experts, healthy cooking professionals, artists, photographers, musicians — you are invited to share your gifts to your clients and ours at Inkandescent Health & Healing.
Washington, DC, June 11, 2015 — Does being a dad make you a better entrepreneur? That’s one of the questions tackled in the special Father’s Day issue of Be Inkandescent magazine.
For inspiration, we turn to our newest client, entrepreneur and futurist Michael Vidikan, who runs the Dallas-based futurist think tank www.FutureInFocus.com.
We celebrate the launch of his revamped website this month, which features more than 1,400 briefs on international, corporate, and consumer trends — including business, emerging, generational, and geographic reports.
In this issue, we share three articles on the topic of fatherhood based on Future in Focus briefs:
In our Tips for Entrepreneurs this month, we share two more research studies:
299 792 458 m / s
The Speed of Light
How the rocket scientist found his wings
By Hope Katz Gibbs
“Nothing can travel faster than the speed of light,” explained the rocket scientist to the white-winged dove perched on the windowsill beside his tidy desk.
For the last two years, she’d kept him company while he was working, reading, or just quietly thinking loud thoughts.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, founder
Inkandescent Public Relations,
www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
Signed copies of the “Meat Free Monday Cookbook” by Paul, Mary, and Stella McCartney will go to the two people who donate the most money to the “No More Bull” crowdfunding campaign
Washington, DC — In celebration of Earth Day, ChompingClimateChange.org is launching a No More Bull campaign today.
Designed to slow climate change — before it’s irreversible — No More Bull includes a crowdfunding component created in partnership with the nonprofit organization A Well-Fed World.
The goal is to raise a minimum of $500,000 to develop activities that inspire people through music to accompany events including Live Earth on June 18 — created by Al Gore, Kevin Wall, and Pharrell Williams. If enough funds are raised, No More Bull will also help develop activities for this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Paris from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
Questionnaire
1. Tell us about your experience with divorce.
2. Expand on your initial thoughts by picking the category your situation fits into: Adultery, Addiction, Abuse, Abandonment, or Angst. Offer as many details as you feel comfortable with.
Internationally renown Gestalt therapy trainer Elinor Greenberg, Ph.D, author, “Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations: The Pursuit of Love, Admiration and Safety” — An internationally renown Gestalt therapy trainer who specializes in teaching the diagnosis and treatment of Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid adaptations — in a lively and practical way.
She also takes her understanding to the masses, by explaining the details of borderline, narcissistic, and schizoid adaptations to readers of Quora.com. She has been named a Top Writer for 2017 and 2018. Dr. Greenberg’s book, “Borderline, Narcissistic, and Schizoid Adaptations: The Pursuit of Love, Admiration and Safety,” is the topic of our podcast interview for our new Truly Amazing Women book series — “Why Divorce: 5 Reasons to Leave,” by Inkandescent™ founder, Hope Katz Gibbs.
Divorce Attorney Rachel L. Virk, author, “The Four Ways of Divorce: Litigation, Negotiation, Collaboration, Mediation” In practice since 1989 litigating, negotiating, collaborating, and mediating divorce cases throughout Northern Virginia, Rachel is Certified as a Mediator by the Virginia Supreme Court at the Circuit Court Family level, and is a trained collaborative law practitioner. A member of several local, state, national and international professional associations addressing divorce dispute resolution, she is the author of “The Four Ways of Divorce.”
In chapter 1, she explains: You want out. You no longer love or need your spouse. The kids are older, and you are now earning a living wage. You are tired of your spouse’s drinking, untreated mental instability, abusiveness or emotional problems manifested in part by destructive spending habits or other addictions.
Or your spouse has informed you that he or she wants a divorce, or no longer loves you. You find the cell phone records, emails, credit card receipts, hotel records or cards to your spouse from his or her paramour. You decide that if your spouse is unable to make you feel loved, fulfilled and happy, there may be someone else out there who can. You don’t want to feel empty and sad all the time anymore.
Or, you finally found your soul mate, and it is not your spouse.
Now what? Click here to read more.
I love my husband. I always will. But on Thanksgiving 2005, I knew I couldn’t stay married to him. We’d wed 10 years earlier, and for the next decade, I struggled long and hard with a single burning question: Why Divorce?
What happened that night is not as important as the fact that for the first time in our marriage I saw with pained eyes that we loved differently, played differently, and looked at the world through very different lenses. Rather than our unique perspectives bringing us closer, it became increasingly clear that we were living separate lives. Had our two kids, two freelance careers and a five-bedroom house in the suburbs snuffed out the passion that once bonded us? If so, could I live without the true love I longed for — for the rest of my life?
Richard of Indianapolis shares:
My first wife was mentally ill. I certainly should have figured it out long before I married her, but I was blinded by the love I felt for her. After she got pregnant with our son, her mental state deteriorated quickly — and at one point threaten to kill him. That was when I was sure I had to leave.
Before that I kept telling myself I could put up with this for my son. We were actually married four years. I soon realized it was much better for my son if I left her in raised him on my own. There was certainly a very difficult time with her mental illness it was very difficult to keep the Family together. When she was on her medication she was OK and things were pretty good, but she would never stay on the medication and then just had to wait for something bad to happen, I always knew something would happen but I never could do anything until she became a danger to herself or someone else.
Simone of New Jersey shares:
In my marriage, I was filled with angst — and that eventually led me to do things I knew I shouldn’t be doing. As a child, I was applauded for being the good daughter, the rule follower. Don’t have sex before you get married, marry a nice Jewish boy. I did all of that and found the perfect match on paper. I knew I wasn’t ready to get married. I had oats to sew, but I was told by family “he may not wait”. I became enthralled with the wedding plans and the honeymoon and the fantasy of it all. Both families were thrilled, and it was the right thing to do. It didn’t take long for my soul to realize something wasn’t right. I was starving to fill an emptiness inside and there was always another man there to step up.
They weren’t as much physical affairs as emotional affairs. Although I needed both, I had my line in the sand, the boundary I wouldn’t cross. It was agonizing all around. We then bought a home, raised three daughters and I fell into family life. Two of my daughters were very ill for years and the last thing I could think about was my own happiness. There were financial struggles and his professional unhappiness and years of feeling unfulfilled. We loved and respected one another, but I was a dumping ground for everyone’s problems and struggles. I was the air they all breathed, and I was slowly suffocating.
Peter of Richmond, VA shares:
I have been back “out there” for 6 years now. It took me nearly 2 years to summon the courage to start over again after my former wife abandoned me, and our 16 year old daughter. I choose the word “abandoned” because that is what it felt like to me. When your wife of 18 years only offers you her reason of leaving as “I am not happy,” it left me wondering, why aren’t you happy?
I never abused her, either physically or verbally. Alcohol wasn’t an issue. I rarely drink any alcohol. I never “went out with the boys”. She wasn’t a hunting, fishing, or golf widow. I took my family to church nearly every Sunday. I took care of my body. I never wanted to get to the point of not caring about my appearance. So why would a woman, whom I had been with for 20 years, just walk away from her family? To this day, it is a mystery.
Cherri of Philadelphia shares:
I definitely fall into the Angst category. I always said it would be so much easier if he were a jerk, but he wasn’t. Perhaps I was trying to push him into being one, or pushing him to finally say, “enough, I’m out”. That never happened, and probably never would have. I had to make that agonizing decision and finally say, “I can’t do this anymore.”
How long was I married before I starting thinking about getting divorced? Almost immediately. I cried headed to the airport for my honeymoon. I think at the time I had no idea why. I blamed it on leaving home and being a complete grown up now. My soul knew better. It took almost 30 years. I knew if I stayed my soul would starve. I was becoming a person I didn’t respect, and I was making irresponsible and selfish choices. I had a lot of potential and character and I wasn’t doing either of them justice.
Awesome mom, 57, in Fairfax, VA shares:
My x-husband and I met at the beach after college, and was the first man I’d met in my life who fit right into the role I wanted both of us to play. I liked making the decisions and being in control — he was happy to acquiesce. After two years of courting, we married and had four kids in eight years. It wasn’t long after when I began to realize I married the wrong man.
What began as a safe relationship for me began to feel like a heavy burden. But how could I end it? I was an executive with a stressful full-time job, and I couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without a partner to help — even if I did the heavy lifting of planning, preparing, care taking, and decision making. So I stuck it out for another 9 years.
Maggie of Baltimore shares:
I was married to someone on paper, but in the “real” world I always felt like I did not have a partner. I thought when you marry someone, that person is supposed to be the one whom you love unconditionally, laugh together, and talk with from the bottom of your heart. The person who can read you without ever having to speak a word. That comfortable pair of shoes that you wear in your heart. The kind of relationship that you would see in a family TV show from the 1950s.
I was raised with old-fashioned values. I come from a family where my parents stayed together and always presented a united front, where they put family and kids first, where they would give you the shirt off their back, where we all sat around the dinner table at 6:30, and where divorce was something that happened in other families.
Because saying goodbye is so difficult — no matter what the reason is for a breakup — this is a collection of thoughts, art, poetry, and more to help ease the pain, and to help you know that you are not alone.
Time, it is said, will heal all wounds … that and comforting thoughts, and friends who you have not yet met.
Here’s to easing your burden, and helping you know there is light on the other side.
If you have something similar to share — a poem, thought, artwork, a video or photo — please send it along for publication: hope@hopegibbs.com.
What entrepreneur doesn’t want to supersize their small business?
In today’s Inkandescent.TV interview with Anik Singal, 34, you’ll discover how this native of India and Maryland went from envisioning his life as a doctor to launching the multi-million-dollar distance learning firm, Lurn, Inc.
Like many entrepreneurs, his road was paved with moments of failure he didn’t think he’d recover from. But thanks to the support of his family and friends, this visionary bounced back!
If you could ask any question of an entrepreneur who turned their idea into a multi-million company — what would it be? You’ll have the chance April 14-15 at the Grand Opening to the Lurn Center, a state-of-the-art 26,000 square-foot training and community center: 2098 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD
Four successful entrepreneurs will be speaking and taking questions from the more than 1,500 guests expected to attend the April 14-15 Grand Opening of the Lurn Center — an expansive 26,000-square-foot entrepreneurship training and community center provides a shared workspace, in-person and distance courses, camaraderie, community, and more.
“We are so pleased and proud to have such amazing leaders from the business community help us launch the Lurn Center,” explains Anik Singal, 34, who since launching the multi-million-dollar training firm Lurn, Inc., in 2002, has helped thousands of entrepreneurs find success by teaching them to maximize digital advertising, social media marketing, and email marketing to grow their businesses. For his work, BusinessWeek recognized him as one of the Best U.S. Entrepreneurs Under 25.
Click here to learn who the speakers will be!
Eight start-ups are vying for the $50,000 LurnVestor prize to be awarded at the April 15 Grand Opening to the Lurn Center, a state-of-the-art 26,000 square-foot training and community center: 2098 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD.
Judges include Kevin Harrington (pictured right), an original “shark” on the hit TV show Shark Tank, and founder of As Seen on TV; and Kevin Strawbridge, CEO of Clickbank._
Don’t miss the nail biter of the event on April 15, when nearly 1,500 entrepreneurs in attendance will discover the recipient of $50,000 prize from the LurnVestor program, the funding arm of Lurn, Inc., which is headquartered at the Lurn Center, 2098 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD.
“For weeks, candidates have been submitting videos for the judges to assess and analyze before deciding the winner,” explains Anik Singal, 34, who since launching Lurn, Inc., in 2002, has helped thousands of entrepreneurs find success by utilizing his training courses that focus on digital advertising, social media marketing, email marketing, and consulting. For his work, BusinessWeek recognized him as one of the Best U.S. Entrepreneurs Under 25.
The Lurn Center will provide a home-away-from home to thousands of entrepreneurs, Singal believes, for the expansive 26,000-square-foot entrepreneurship training and community center provides a shared workspace, in-person and distance courses, camaraderie, community, and more.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
703.346.6975 / hope@inkandescentpr.com
CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS: LURN CENTER OPENS WITH FANFARE APRIL 14-15 IN ROCKVILLE, MD
Small business owners from metropolitan DC will learn how to grow their companies at the grand opening of the Lurn Center, a state-of-the-art 26,000 square-foot training and community center: 2098 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD
April 1, 2018, Rockville, MD — What do entrepreneurs need most?
“They need to jump on that flash moment— a brief window of time when something shifts and the door to opportunity swings wide open,” insists Anik Singal, 34, who on the weekend of April 14-15 will host the grand opening of the first state-of-the-art Lurn Center, an expansive 26,000-square-foot entrepreneurship training and community center that will also provide in-person and distance learning courses.
“Every entrepreneur has two choices when they feel the flash: Jump in and seize the day, or stand still and watch the door close — with you on the wrong side,” explains Singal.
Since launching Lurn, Inc., in 2002, he has helped thousands of entrepreneurs find success by utilizing his training courses that focus on digital advertising, social media marketing, email marketing, and consulting. For his work, BusinessWeek recognized him as one of the Best U.S. Entrepreneurs Under 25.
Come Lurn — for free — April 14-15
WHAT DO YOU TEACH?
Apply today to be part of our growing teacher network by answering these questions:
1. What is your area of expertise?
2. How long have you been teaching?
3. What is the name of the class you’d like to teach?
4. To which group would you like to teach the class: Women, Wellness, Kids
5. If you’d like to teach students, share your background and subject matter experience.
6. Please send us a syllabus of the class you’d like to teach.
7. Please send us your bio, resume, photo, and contact information
8. If you have a video of you teaching, please send that along.
Email your responses and any questions to hope@hopegibbs.com.
Once accepted, you’ll receive information about getting started. Scroll down for details about membership.
Inkandescent™ Learning is an educational distance learning nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting Women, educating and inspiring Kids, and bringing health & Wellness to every body.
“Thanks to distance learning, boundaries of geography no longer impede access to master teachers and excellent curriculum,” explains founder journalist, publicist, and entrepreneur Hope Katz Gibbs, whose mission is to connect master teachers with students of all ages in three segments to reach a wide audience, and earn income.
Inkandescent™ Learning is the education company of the Inkandescent Group, LLC. Designed to provide distance learning opportunities for K-12 kids in homeschool families, as well as public / private school. Coming in 2018 will be an array of classes taught by top-notch accredited teachers that help children hone the core classes, and access programs that will guide them to the careers and lives of their dreams. For more information, call Hope Katz Gibbs, founder, at 703-346-6975.
To Follow Apollo
Sing-Along Lyrics and Notes by Jim Thorne
1. The Stars Go By
2. The Robots Fly
3. A Spaceship for Two
4. The Little Bear
5. To Follow Apollo
6. The Countdown Song
7. Voices from the Sky
Journalist, publicist, author, and entrepreneur Hope Katz Gibbs started her career as a newspaper and magazine reporter after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986. Then, after studying for her master’s degree in educational leadership at The George Washington University, she launched her freelance writing business in 1993.
Gibbs has won several awards for feature and column writing for her articles, which have appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today, The Miami Herald, Costco Connection, and dozens of business, education, and general interest magazines, newspapers, newsletters, blogs, and websites.
Gibbs got into the PR business in 2001, when she founded Great Handmade Gifts, an online art and craft website that represented artists, artisans, and authors from around the world. In 2002, she began a decade-long stint working as the director of communications for the City of Fairfax Schools, and in 2006 added another client to her list, the international futurist think tank, Social Technologies.
In 2008, she incorporated as The Inkandescent Group, LLC, and since then has helped increase the visibility and credibility of more than 250 entrepreneurs, educators, authors, artists, and small-business owners through the PR and marketing services she offers, including Be Inkandescent magazine, the Inkandescent Radio Network and the Inkandescent Speakers Bureau.
In August 2014, Gibbs released her first book, PR Rules: The Playbook — The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Supersizing Your Small Business With the 8 Steps to PR Success™.
For more information, contact Hope Katz Gibbs at hope@inkandescentpr.com.
Almost every child of my generation was taught the magical words: Please and Thank You.
This began our lessons on polite interaction in a social setting. Times have changed, but good manners still remain an integral part of a child’s development.
Magical Manners is a course designed to help your child feel comfortable in group dining situations. Your child will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with peers in informal as well as formal settings.
The course will take place on two consecutive Saturdays.
Please join Soirée at Inkandescent for our first monthly: New Moon Dream Circle
When: Monday, November 2, 2016
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Where: Soirée at Inkandescent
1719 W. Main Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond
“Our Dreams are a way Spirit speaks to us to Guide us in our waking lives,” believes dream symbol interpreter Lady Stearn Robinson, who with intuitive guide Tom Gorbett has long helped people understand the messages offered in our dreams.
To help you dive deeper into your psyche, Voyager Tarot card reader and Reiki practitioner Terry Johnson has begun a monthly Dream Circle that will initiate relationships between like-minded people, and surround participants with light and love.
Soirée’s Classically Inspired Modern Cuisine
by Gold Medal Chef Terry Johnson
Breakfast
$15.95 per person
Lunch or Dinner
$22.95 per person
Created by James Wanless, The Voyager Tarot deck is a guide to showing you how to achieve your visions and dreams, creating the success you desire.
“Use the deck as an intuitive guide to forecast your future, reveal secrets of you subconscious and provide spiritual inspiration,” James explains. “This excellent decision-making tool can help you navigate life, enhancing business planning, relationship building and self-discovery.”
He notes that even if you have never before delved into the mysteries of the tarot, you’ll find the Voyager Tarot deck enlightening and easy to use. Just by playing with the cards and experiencing the beautiful imagery, you create a space for magic to happen, sparking your imagination and intuition.
How did I get into reading the Voyager Tarot?
Are you ready to get past your fears and embrace your future? It’s as easy as 5-4-3-2-1 … Blast off!
About the 3 steps: In this simple, 3-step coaching process, experienced business owner, author and journalist Hope Katz Gibbs will be your guide. Note: Each 45-minute session can be done on the phone, in person in Richmond, VA, or — for those open to using alternative healing tools — at Hope’s Reiki studio (learn more about that option below).
Coming in the Spring of 2016: Inkandescent Dolphin Tank! Stay tuned for details.
Washington, DC, June 22, 2015 — With more than 35 years of financial planning experience, financial advisor Sheldon Weiner has seen clients make literally hundreds of mistakes regarding their retirement planning.
However, the founding partner at Egan, Berger & Weiner LLC, based in Northern VA, has made a point of learning from his clients mistakes.
“As a husband for more than four decades, I do not want to have to explain to my wife, Sharon, why we do not have the quality of life in retirement that she has been looking forward to,” explains Weiner, who offers 10 simple steps to consider when planning for a comfortable retirement.
1. Save enough money! Yes, this should be obvious. And I am amazed that this very basic fact eludes so may people. Write this down: Save early and save often. I don’t care if it’s $5 a week. The sooner you start saving, and the more you can save, the better off you will be financially when you retire.
2. Make sure you put the plan in writing. So many people do not write down their plan for retirement. As a result, it is harder to stick to — and you are liable to sway from the proper path that can take you where you want to go. To keep this from happening to you, make sure your plan is realistic, complete, and gets you to your ultimate financial goals. Also, make sure you communicate these long-term goals to your spouse and your financial planner to ensure you are all on the same page.
Washington, DC, June 15, 2015 —The past decade has seen the emergence of a new twist on the traditional nuclear family: mothers who work full-time (like their fathers did), while fathers stay at home and take care of the day-to-day responsibilities of parenting.
“Although the Great Recession may have accelerated this trend, studies have shown that the majority of men who engage in full-time parenting have not been forced to do so by difficult economic circumstances, but, rather, have chosen to do so,” explains futurist Michael Vidikan, president of FutureInFocus.com.
His popular subscription-based strategic foresight and consulting firm that helps companies see years — or even decades — into the future to make better long-term decisions today.
Following are findings, drivers, and business implications for the trend.
Washington, DC, June 10, 2015 — Future in Focus celebrates the launch of its revamped website this month, which features more than 1,400 briefs on international, corporate, and consumer trends — including business, emerging, generational, and geographic reports.
A popular subscription-based strategic foresight and consulting firm, Future in Focus helps companies see years or even decades into the future to make better long-term decisions today.
“As the name of our company suggests, we want to put the future in focus and provide clarity and direction for organizations as they work to plan for what’s coming next,” said entrepreneur and futurist Michael Vidikan, who runs the Dallas-based futurist think tank.
Vidikan founded the firm in 2014, and clients range from small start-ups to international Fortune 500 companies, including ConAgra Foods, GM, The Hershey Company, Nissan, and more.
“Our coverage is mostly focused on trends that are consumer-centric and will impact the business community 2-10 years out,” noted Vidikan. “We cover a very broad spectrum of consumer and technology trends across many industries and geographies, from research about Millennials’ food preferences to the future of 3D printing in China.”
Washington, DC, June 10, 2015 — When it comes to having a deep knowledge and understanding of the history of the United States, how much do you really know?
“It might be less than you think,” writes Saba Naseem on Smithsonian.com, which asked Grateful American™ Foundation founder David Bruce Smith what he believes can be done to fix this problem. Click here to learn what he has to say.
Smith explains: “I was born loving history. When I was a little boy, my grandfather said I should read biographies—especially about the great people like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin; he believed that knowledge would flow into my young mind, and pool into a reservoir of wisdom that I would be able to tap in the future.
“It was good advice. My mother was also a bibliophile, and kept my shelves filled with classics, including biographies on Madame Curie and Winston Churchill to Catherine the Great and Joseph Lister.”
That’s why he created the Grateful American™ Foundation.
“The Grateful American Foundation honors my grandfather — and my father, Robert H. Smith, who always referred to himself as a Grateful American,” shares Smith. “We are a fortunate family, and because of that, he felt very strongly about giving back. During the last 20 years of his life, he devoted himself to education, and nothing excited him more than to see a child excited about learning—particularly history. So, I have taken his sentiment and converted it to a noun.
“Hopefully, the Foundation will move kids—and adults—to become more enthusiastic about it via videos, games, and interactive activities,” adds Smith, who in the June issue of his monthly history magazine features interviews with the four finalists — and the winner — the 2015 Washington Book Prize.
Smithsonian magazine, May 28, 2015 — In today’s issue of Smithsonian.com, reporter Saba Naseem wrote: “Last year, PoliTech, a student group at Texas Tech University went around campus and asked three questions: “Who won the Civil War?”, “Who is our vice president?” and “Who did we gain our independence from?” Students’ answers ranged from “the South?” for the first question to “I have no idea” for all three of them. However, when asked about the show Snookie starred in (“Jersey Shore”) or Brad Pitt’s marriage history, they answered correctly.”
“This lack of knowledge in American history is not limited to college students,” she says, adding that studies over the years show Americans of all ages fail to answer the most simple of questions. A 2008 study by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, which surveyed more than 2,500 Americans, found that only half of adults in the country could name the three branches of government.
In addition, the 2014 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report found that only 18 percent of 8th graders were proficient or above in U.S. History and only 23 percent in Civics.
To help address this problem, David Bruce Smith, an American author and editor, founded the Grateful American Foundation in 2014. The interactive educational series aims to restore a passion for history in kids and adults. We interviewed Smith over e-mail about his program and his thoughts on how teachers can make American history enjoyable to learn.
Washington, DC, May 27, 2015 — “Based on the principle of supply and demand, a student of economics would likely believe that with the aging American population, long-term care insurance packages should be flying off the shelf,” explains Dave Beck, a partner and insurance expert at the financial services firm Egan, Berger and Weiner LLC, based in Northern Virginia.
However, Beck notes, that according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, only 10 percent of the elderly have private long-term care insurance.
“The harsh reality is that there exists a two in three chance of at least one member of a couple going to a nursing home,” Beck insists. “Based on these statistics, you might think that demand for insurance to cover this risk would be strong, but you would be wrong.”
Consumer reluctance to purchase long-term care insurance can stem from a variety of reasons. High-premium rates, perceived cost-to-benefit analysis and the belief that the long-term care insurance policy will go unused are just a few of the arguments individuals.
“Maybe they don’t fully understand the consequences — yet, for a couple, there is a 91 percent probability that one of them will need some form of long-term care services and a 64 percent chance that one of them will enter a nursing home.”
However, there is hope.
Washington, DC, May 22, 2015 — What will our biggest cities look like in three years? In five years? In 50 years?
That’s the topic we tackle in the May 2015 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine, and we shine a light on one of the cities that is busy planning ahead for the future.
Our featured entrepreneur is Jane Ferrara, the chief operating officer of the City of Richmond’s Economic Development Authority. Her expertise in commercial real estate transactions, honed over 30 years in the private sector, allows Ferrara to anticipate the real estate needs of prospects and negotiate deals.
Case in point: Making a deal with one of the hottest companies in the country, Stone Brewing Co. Find out how she, and 200 of her colleagues, got Stone to bring its operations to the River City.
And be sure to check out Ferrara’s Tips for Entrepreneurs on how to make your company attractive to a large economic development authority.
Washington, DC, May 21, 2015 — What would America have been like if Abraham Lincoln had lived?
Allida Black, a research professor of history and international affairs at George Washington University, sat down with the Grateful American™ Radio Show to discuss how Lincoln’s assassination shaped our post-Civil War nation to the parallels in leadership and persona that exist between Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt, Black detailed how these events forever changed America.
“I can only say this: It would have been different,” said Black of Lincoln’s death. “We know that within a week before John Wilkes Booth murdered Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln was in fact talking publicly about voting rights for African-American soldiers who fought in the Civil War. Some historians of great note argue that that was the tipping point that pushed the assassin to murder.”
_In this podcast interview, David Bruce Smith, founder of Grateful American™ TV, and co-host Hope Katz Gibbs had a fascinating conversation with Ms. Black, delving into a variety of historical and hot-button issues,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, founder
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
Washington, DC, April 17, 2015 — What grabs your interest in the National Museum of American History? Is it Dorothy’s ruby slippers, an actual 199-ton locomotive, Julia Child’s kitchen, or the first ladies’ gowns? John Gray presides over it all, and seeks even more ways to connect Americans with their history.
This month, David Bruce Smith, founder of Grateful American™ TV, and co-host Hope Katz Gibbs had a stimulating conversation with John Gray in his corner office atop the museum.
“When you walk through the doors of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, you need to make a decision. Where should I look first?” says Gray.
The museum has in its collection more than three million artifacts, including Dorothy’s ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz,” sheet music written by local legend Duke Ellington, and an authentic 199-ton, 92-foot-long Southern Railway locomotive.
In this episode Gray also explains:
What is the Smithsonian doing to help people, especially kids, become more interested in American history? Watch here, then read all about it at GratefulAmericanFoundation.com.
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Washington, DC, April 17, 2015 — “The virtual currency Bitcoin is a mere speculative bubble, or it’s a force set to transform the financial world, depending on whom one asks,” says Michael Vidikan, president of the research organization Future in Focus. “Bitcoin is clearly in its early stages and its future is still unclear.”
How does Bitcoin work? Created in 2009 as a decentralized, peer-to-peer currency system, the anonymous programmer of the currency designed it so that no banks or governments were involved in transactions, which could be anonymous.
Will We All Be Using Bitcoin in the Future?
Vidikan believes there are three potential scenarios for Bitcoin:
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Washington, DC, April 17, 2015 — Yes, April 15 has come and gone, with most of us closing the books on 2014 for good. But savvy small-business owners will use this milestone to identify what needs to be fixed or changed — before April 15 next year.
Sure, filing taxes can be stressful, even emotionally painful. But as any business strategist knows, the ability to manage money is the key to small-business success.
So in the April 2015 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine. we offer some financial food for thought.
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Washington, DC, April 17, 2015 — “Much has been written about the cost of a college education and the debt burden being placed on our children,” says Pressman, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner with Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
“According to the Wall Street Journal, today’s grads are saddled with, on average, $33,000 in student loans — nearly twice the amount of just 20 years ago. Start factoring in advanced degrees or more expensive schools, and you can see how the cost can quickly spiral out of control,” he explains.
Pressman notes that 2014 college graduates have the dubious distinction of carrying the highest student loan debt in history.
What can you do to keep this from happening to your kids?
Gabriella Ostini was born in a small suburb on the coast of Southern California. She now attends Virginia Commonwealth University as a Sophomore in the Painting and Printmaking department.
Gabriella plans to combine her love for History and the Art World by minoring in Art History.
“After graduation I hope to work in a curatorial position for a museum or gallery, along with continuing my studio practice,” she shares. “I am very excited for this experience working at Inkandescent Public Relations, and to learn throughout it and meet new and interesting people!”
Jacob Woisard is a sophomore majoring in economics at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is primarily interested in behavioral economics and data analysis, and would like to eventually work as an economic consultant. Through working at Inkandescent PR, Jacob is is looking forward to advancing his knowledge and skill set in the business world.
Anna Gibbs, daughter of Hope Katz Gibbs, is a second-year at the VCU School of the Arts majoring in photography and film with a concentration in photography.
Inspired by her parents who both own their own companies, she hopes to eventually own a photography studio in New York City. She currently assists with the photography and video aspect of Inkandescent, and works closely with the InkandescentTV and Inkandescent Radio teams.
Jonathan Nichols is a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University where he is majoring in Public Relations and minoring in both General Business and Professional Writing. He has been interning at Inkandescent Public Relations since November of 2014, helping to promote the Inkandescent Speakers Bureau and “PR Rules: The Playbook”. Jonathan will be studying abroad in the fall of 2015 at East China Normal University and will return to VCU to complete his degree in the spring of 2016.
“El universo habla mejor que el hombre,” wrote José Martí in his poem “Dos Patrias”. The translation: “The universe speaks better than man”.
Eurah Jessica Lee finds hope in this inexplicable world through her independent explorations of people, places, and languages. She is a Korean-American broadcast journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University. Within the past four years, she has lived in three different countries and learned two new languages – Spanish and Mandarin.
“Being raised by a single mother, I was naturally inclined to explore for something more. Something like the Annapurna Base Camp of the Himalayas in Nepal,” she shares. It took her 7 days, a backpack, and Etta James’ “My Funny Valentine”.
Aside from her academics, internship, and part-time job, Eurah enjoys creating documentaries of her new experiences as she finds pure satisfaction only when getting herself out of life or death situations. “Who wants an easy life anyways? It’s boring.”
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Washington, DC, March 6, 2015 — “When it comes to taking control of your financial future, having a handle on a few basic rules of thumb is the key to success,” believes CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Michael Egan, a partner at Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
Last year was a great year for large-cap US stocks (the S&P 500) — the index was up 13.7 percent — yet many individuals are wondering why their portfolios did not come close to that rate of return.
“My clients want to know whether they should be more aggressive, and whether they should get rid of bonds or international stocks,” says Egan.
Before doing anything, keep in mind these 3 Financial Planning Rules of Thumb:
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Washington, DC, March 6, 2015 — “Are you confused about the concept of giving someone a Power of Attorney (POA)?” asks Lisa Hughes, an attorney and partner at Yates Campbell & Hoeg LLP.
In fact, it has nothing to do with delegating power to a lawyer or an attorney-at-law, she explains.
What it is: A POA is a legal document in which we name another person to make legally binding financial decisions for us.
How it works: The person delegating authority using the POA is known as the principal, and the person chosen to make decisions on behalf of the principal is the agent. The principal dictates the scope of the authority that is granted as well as the time when the authority becomes effective. The principal can later withdraw the grant of authority. As with any legally binding relationship, each party has duties as well as rights. In sum, the POA is a special type of contract.
What you need to know: There are a number of concepts to keep in mind when considering the type of authority you would include — and sometimes, choose not to include — in a POA.
Follow these 6 tips from Hughes to empower yourself with a Power of Attorney:
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Washington, DC, March 6, 2015 — More than half of American women are the breadwinners in their households, but women still earn 77 cents for every dollar a man earns.
Does that frustrate you? You aren’t alone.
What can you do about it?
For starters, pick up Sheryl Sandberg’s best-seller, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead. In this easy-to-read primer on how to lean in, the Facebook COO provides additional data and research into why women have a hard time making more money, getting promotions, and seizing opportunities — along with 10 tips on how to reverse the trend.
Sandberg can’t make all these changes alone, knows Hope Katz Gibbs, founder and publisher of Be Inkandescent magazine. So in the March 2015 issue, she shines a light on dozens of women who are leaning in.
Click here to read about how 12 professional business women are leaning in.
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Washington, DC, March 6, 2015 — When the sun would set along the Potomac River, George and Martha Washington could sometimes be found sipping cocktails on the veranda of their Virginia home.
What would it have been like to sit there with them, considering the politics, challenges, and issues of the day?
This month, David Bruce Smith, founder of Grateful American™ TV, and co-host Hope Katz Gibbs sit out on the porch where the Washingtons spent so many evenings — thanks to Curt Viebranz, president and CEO of George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
“When the home was originally built in the early 1730s, it was called Little Huntington Creek,” Viebranz explains. “Washington’s half-brother, Lawrence, renamed the estate Mount Vernon, in recognition of the incredible view here by the promontory, and also in tribute to Admiral Vernon, whom he served under in the US Navy.”
Did you know that Lawrence died in his early 30s of tuberculosis? “And because none of his and his wife’s four children survived childhood, when his widow died, George Washington ultimately inherited the house from her. It was Washington who built the home we see here now.”
Sonya Gavankar is an award-winning television personality who can be seen hosting programs on PBS, BGTV, and MHz Networks. Her career has spanned a wide range of shows—from international food to hard news.
She serves as The Face of the Newseum, hosting live interview programs, and appearing in video installations, video blogs, and game shows. It’s her job to bring a cohesive voice to the Newseum’s 250,000 square feet of exhibit and interactive programming.
In 1997 she represented Washington, DC, in the Miss America Pageant and for a decade produced the annual Miss DC Pageant teaching young women the best way to present themselves both onstage, in the media, and in job interviews.
In her free time, Gavankar goes behind the camera. Her photography has been shown in several Washington-area galleries, and she is a casting director for independent films.
For information on Sonya Gavankar’s speaker training packages, click the link below.
Acclaimed DC broadcaster Jan Fox’s four Emmy Awards attest to her stellar 30-year career in local network news. But don’t ask her where she went to Journalism school. The only woman role model on TV when Fox was a kid was Lucille Ball on “I Love Lucy.”
Fox herself is amazed at the contrast between her childhood — spent growing up poor in Shelbyville, Indiana — and her professional life of interviewing many celebrities and US presidents. We were excited to talk to her about her interesting journey.
Are you ready to speak well? Jan Fox can help. Click read more to get the details.
Hilary Blair, MFA, is the CEO and lead coach for ARTiculate: Real & Clear.
An admitted breath snob, Blair is a presentation and speaking voice expert, and a highly regarded coach and facilitator working extensively across the United States with businesses that include American Express, Janus Funds, Staples, Liberty Global, and Hunter Douglas.
She uses her skills and experience as a stage, film, and voice-over actor, teacher, and voice coach to help people in a variety of positions, including entrepreneurs, CEOs, writers, and project managers — high achievers craving honest feedback in order to grow.
Blair is also on the faculty of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and has been adjunct faculty for a number of universities. An active member of Toastmasters and a board member of VASTA — the Voice and Speech Trainers Association, she earned her MFA in acting from the National Theatre Conservatory, and has a BA from Yale University.
Robin A. Miller is the COO and lead coach for ARTiculate Real & Clear.
A dynamic motivational keynote speaker, she has also spent more than 20 years in teaching, training, and coaching. Miller specializes in guiding the well-thought individual to become confidently well-spoken in settings such as interviews, meetings, and keynotes.
Miller’s clients include Coors, the University of Denver, and Sterisil. She has performed vocally and conducted numerous musical groups throughout her career, as well as taught music at Baylor University, the University of North Texas, and Texas Christian University.
Her expertise in navigating customer communication derives from her experience as a customer relationship manager in the financial industry, and as a development specialist in some of Denver’s leading Level 1 trauma centers, as well as her advanced training in mediation and crucial conversations.
Miller earned an MM in Music from Baylor University, a PhD from the University of North Texas in Musicology, and an MDiv from Iliff School of Theology.
Read more to learn about Hilary Blair and Robin Miller’s three dynamic packages for groups and individuals.
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Washington, DC, February 10, 2015 — Have you had the pleasure of visiting the New-York Historical Society Museum & Library? This month, David Bruce Smith, founder of Grateful American™ TV and co-host Hope Katz Gibbs traveled to New York City to interview Louise Mirrer, the president and CEO of the museum, which is the oldest in New York City and predates the founding of the Metropolitan Museum of Art by nearly 70 years. Its art holdings comprise more than 1.6 million works.
In this episode, Mirrer tells us about:
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Washington, DC, February 10, 2015 — “When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, don’t just think about going to the gym to get your body in shape — make sure your IRA, insurance, and portfolios are in tip-top form as well,” says CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Bryan Beatty, a partner at Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
Here are his “5 Tips for Ringing in the New Year Right”:
Note: This is the year to sign up to have your contribution bumped automatically by 1 percent per year until it reaches the maximum. And remember, many employer plans offer matching contributions, so any amount up to a certain percentage that you contribute will be matched by the company you work for. Many plans offer automatic increase options on your contributions.
Washington, DC, February 10, 2015 — “If you own your own business, you can be sure that preparing a Last Will & Testament or an estate plan will be challenging — but don’t let that discourage you from doing it anyway,” insists Lisa Hughes, an attorney and partner at Yates Campbell & Hoeg LLP.
“Business owners, especially those who started a business themselves and then made it successful, generally want to provide for the smooth transition of control of the business at their death, disability, or retirement,” she explains. “At the same time, they also want to provide benefits to themselves, their families, their charities, their employees, and their customers.”
With so much at stake, the best strategy is to start the transition process at the time the business is started as opposed to when the hearse is pulling up to the curb. Begin with the basics, Hughes insists.
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Washington, DC, February 10, 2015 — How powerful and important is love when it comes to operating a powerful, successful business?
This month’s issue of Be Inkandescent magazine features a scientist who focuses not just on our professional lives, but also on our personal ones.
That doesn’t mean the research that Andrea Kuszewski does has no connection to our companies. Rather, the science she studies has turned up some fascinating facts that cross the line between work and play.
Intrigued? Click here to listen to our podcast interview on the Inkandescent Radio Network, and read our Q & A with Kuszewski in our February 2015 Tips for Entrepreneurs.
That’s not the only way we’re turning up the heat this month.
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Washington, DC, February 10, 2015 —“The time has come to return to traditional values of fiduciary duty,” Vanguard founder John C. (Jack) Bogle said recently.
To meet that goal, on Thursday, Jan. 29, the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard issued 11 Best Practices that propose to address the standards fiduciaries should meet to serve the best interest of their clients.
“These Best Practice standards would go a long way toward protecting the public and cleaning up the industry of ‘bad actors’ and bad practices,” says Bryan D. Beatty, CFP®, AIF,® a partner of Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC. Beatty (pictured here) is one of five advisers on the Institute’s Best Practices board, which has been crafting the standards for the past 10 months.
“Putting clients’ interests first is paramount to a fiduciary standard. Advisers and practitioners must lead the way and not wait for regulators,” Beatty said. “I believe that by adopting these Best Practices, we can change the industry to better benefit the investing public.”
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Washington, DC, January 15, 2015 — This month, CFP® Howard Pressman was named the 2015 Planner of the Year by the Financial Planning Association’s National Capital Area chapter.
The Financial Planning Association (FPA) award recognizes the achievement of a financial planner who:
“I am incredibly honored by this award,” says Pressman, who had been at a Fortune 500 firm for 12 years when he decided to reinvent his practice at an independent firm that made financial planning the centerpiece of the client relationship.
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Washington, DC, January 15, 2015 — Do you believe in the power of intuition?
“Five years ago I had a feeling that what I needed to do to expand my PR firm was to create a monthly business magazine that would enable entrepreneurs to educate other entrepreneurs about best practices in small business,” explains Hope Katz Gibbs, founder of Inkandescent Public Relations, and publisher of Be Inkandescent magazine.
Her gut instinct panned out.
With the January 2015 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine, she embarks on her sixth year of publishing.
“The magazine gets a million visits each month,” she shares. And on our Search page you’ll find more than 2,000 articles we’ve published to date, which we hope stimulate you to think about your business in new and exciting ways.
Gibbs believes the best is yet to come.
Case in point: the January feature on world-renowned intuitive guide Laura Day. Her fans include Nicole Kidman, Chris Rock, and Brad Pitt. In addition to celebrities, her clients include executives at some of the world’s largest corporations, as well as other professionals who hire her to help them achieve their goals and dreams.
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Washington, DC, January 19, 2015 — “Once you embark on the estate planning journey, the question of whether to include a Revocable Living Trust in your plan is inevitable,” insists estate planning attorney Lisa Hughes, a long-time partner at the Fairfax, Virginia, law firm Yates Campbell & Hoeg LLP.
“Begin by learning the purpose of this tool and then determine if it makes sense for your plan,” suggests Hughes in the Estate Planning column of this month’s issue of BeInkandescent magazine.
Scroll down for our Q&A.
Question: What is a Revocable Living Trust?
Lisa Hughes: In a nutshell, a Revocable Living Trust (RLT) is a stand-alone document (separate from the Will and the Power of Attorney) that creates a trust entity in which the Settlor (the person creating the RLT) benefits during the Settlor’s lifetime,” Hughes explains. “And, the trust continues after the Settlor’s death for the benefit of the Settlor’s other beneficiaries.”
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Washington, DC, January 19, 2015 — “George Washington has been the subject of thousands of books and articles, and yet he still remains a distant figure to many of us,” knows Douglas Bradburn, PhD, Founding Director of Mount Vernon’s Fred W. Smith National Library, located adjacent to Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.
So, how can he help demystify the mythology around this Founding Father?
That was the focus of a recent interview with Dr. Bradburn on Grateful American™ TV. Co-hosts David Bruce Smith and Hope Katz Gibbs visited Dr. Bradburn at the Library to talk about the man who led the nation in its earliest days and whose image graces the $1 bill.
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Washington, DC, January 15, 2015 — If you have a child with special needs, planning ahead for his or her financial future — especially in terms of insurance — is complex, knows insurance agent Dave Beck, a partner and insurance expert at Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
“The reason is that every situation presents itself with a different set of circumstances,” he explains.
To help more families plan ahead, Beck has outlined a three-part process.
Note: The assumptions are that you are married and that as long as either you or your spouse is alive, you can continue to support the child.
Dec. 20, 2014 — If you have a child with special needs, planning ahead for his or her financial future—especially in terms of insurance—is complex. “The reason is that every situation presents itself with a different set of circumstances,” explains insurance agent Dave Beck.
Today, the partner at the Tyson’s VA financial services firm, Egan Berger & Weiner LLC, shared a three-part process to help make it easier to develop a strategy that will work for your family on Let’s Talk Live.
Reporter Angela Stribling asked Beck:
1) How do parents begin to prepare for a child with special needs?
2) What are some of the legal considerations parents should consider when planning for a child with special needs?
3) What are the major considerations of insurance planning the parents of a child with special needs?
4) What are the major considerations that need to be taken into account in retirement planning for parents of children with special needs?
Don’t miss this segment. Click here to watch the video.
And be sure to check out more of Beck’s insurance insights at http://www.EBWFinancialNews.com.
Published: 2014
Jan: Do Biz Like a Rock Star — Michael Franti
Feb: Selling with Noble Purpose — Lisa McLeod
March: Truly Amazing Women!
April: PR Rules: The Playbook
May: Pay it Forward — Clea Newman
June: Act 2 with Ana Dutra
July: Celebrating Grateful Americans!
Aug: Future of Work — Andy Hines + Chris Carbone
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Washington, DC, November 21, 2014 — Washingtonian magazine has named Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC one of the 376 top financial advisers, estate attorneys, insurance agents, and financial planning firms in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
Editors compiled the list based on a survey sent to the top financial professionals in the DC area asking: Who would you trust with your own money? (See more below.)
“If you want financial advice and have a fairly simple life—if you’re single or rent, for example—it’s usually enough to pay an adviser by the hour, once every year or two, to map out a plan,” explain Washingtonian editors. “But if your financial situation is more complex, it may make sense to pay an adviser a flat fee, or a percentage of assets, and be able to call with questions anytime.”
What helped EBW make the list?
Washington, DC, November 21, 2014 — Washingtonian magazine has named Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC one of the 376 top financial advisers, estate attorneys, insurance agents, and financial planning firms in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
Editors compiled the list based on a survey sent to the top financial professionals in the DC area asking: Who would you trust with your own money? (See more below.)
“If you want financial advice and have a fairly simple life—if you’re single or rent, for example—it’s usually enough to pay an adviser by the hour, once every year or two, to map out a plan,” explain Washingtonian editors. “But if your financial situation is more complex, it may make sense to pay an adviser a flat fee, or a percentage of assets, and be able to call with questions anytime.”
Charging flat fees for some services, such as mutual funds, is what landed two of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals at Egan, Berger & Weiner on the list.
Since education is the key to EBW’s success, in this issue of EBW News, insurance agent Dave Beck provides information for parents of children with special needs. Scroll down to read his three-part process that will help families plan ahead.
And here’s some great news to end the year: Washingtonian magazine has named Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC one of the 376 top financial advisers, estate attorneys, insurance agents, and financial planning firms in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.
Editors compiled the list based on a survey sent to the top financial professionals in the DC area asking: Who would you trust with your own money?
“If you want financial advice and have a fairly simple life—if you’re single or rent, for example—it’s usually enough to pay an adviser by the hour, once every year or two, to map out a plan,” explain Washingtonian editors. “But if your financial situation is more complex, it may make sense to pay an adviser a flat fee, or a percentage of assets, and be able to call with questions anytime.”
Charging flat fees for some services, such as mutual funds, is what landed two of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals at Egan, Berger & Weiner on the list.
“At Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC, the goal we target is uniquely that of our clients, while the strategies are uniquely ours,” says Egan, who has more than 21 years of experience in the financial services industry and was the 2012 recipient of Advisory Elite Status from ING Financial Partners. “We pride ourselves on providing financial advice for clients seeking honesty, integrity, and guidance in their journey through life, using a six-step financial planning process.”
Pressman adds: “I am thrilled to receive this honor, and I look forward to continuing to serve my clients to the best of my ability.”
Washington, DC, December 5, 2014 — Are you happy? That’s the question asked in the December 2014 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine, featuring Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project: Or, why I spent a year trying to sing in the morning, clean my closets, fight right, read Aristotle, and generally have more fun.
“Rubin’s ‘Happiness Project’ is a powerful process. It has given millions of people permission — and a guide — to boost their energy, make time for friends, and stay calmer and more organized by making small changes, including simply making the bed every day,” says Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher of Be Inkandescent magazine. “It was a pleasure to interview her, and share her ideas with our audience of small business owners.”
Also in this issue, you’ll learn …
Washington, DC, December 5, 2014 — Cate Magennis Wyatt is on a mission. Since 2005, the founder and president of The Journey Through Hallowed Ground has been shining a spotlight on the National Heritage Area, which runs from Gettysburg, PA, through Maryland and West Virginia, to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, VA.
Why is honoring and preserving this area so important?
“It’s not just teaching more people about the lives and accomplishments of the Founding Fathers and Mothers that I am interested in,” Wyatt insists. “My goal is to have millions of people visit the historical swath that stretches 180 miles long and 75 miles wide — and includes nine presidential homes and birthplaces, more than 10,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, and sites from the Revolutionary War, French and Indian War, War of 1812, and the Civil War.”
That’s why Grateful American™ Foundation founder David Bruce Smith wanted to interview Wyatt about her project in the newest episode of the Grateful American™ TV Show.
Washington, DC, December 4, 2014 — American women face a complex challenge when it comes to securing retirement income that will last a lifetime, says Carmen Wu, a financial adviser at Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
“For a 65-year-old couple, there is a 47% chance that one of them will live to age 90, and that is up 2% from last year,” she explains.
But longevity is only a portion of the story when it comes to achieving retirement security.
Wu points to statistics that show:
“As a result, a large percentage of women rely on Social Security as a main source of retirement income,” Wu knows. “Making an informed decision about when to claim Social Security benefits must be carefully considered.”
“American women face a complex challenge when it comes to securing retirement income that will last a lifetime,” explains Financial Adviser Carmen Wu. “The reason often has to do with life spans increasing and women outliving the men in their lives.”
But that’s not the only issue. Wu explains this and more to Let’s Talk Live reporter Sonya Gavankar, who asked:
1. How important are social security benefits for women?
2. Why don’t women know some of the basics of social security?
3. What is the one most important point that can help women better understand how to navigate through social security benefits?
4. What steps do women need to consider to create a sound retirement income plan?
Click here to watch the entire segment!
New for the Holidays!
Stephanie Ponder is always creating new designs, and this year is no exception.
New for the holidays are Beaded Bezels, including this design.
Click “read more” to see other options!
Washington, DC, December 2, 2014 — “A trust is a contract that’s on steroids,” insists Estate Planning attorney Lisa Hughes, a long-time partner at the Washington, DC law firm Yates Campbell & Hoeg LLP.
“While contracts are between buyers and sellers, every trust involves three parties,” explains Hughes in the primer she offers in the current issue of Be Inkandescent magazine
Just as the consumption of steroids can create serious side effects, it’s important to consider the side effects of “trust use” or “trust abuse” before you ask your attorney to prescribe a trust for you.
Richmond, VA, December 1, 2014 — Inkandescent Public Relations officially opened its second office today—this one in Richmond, VA, announced Hope Katz Gibbs, founder and president of the PR, marketing, web development, and publishing firm based in Arlington, VA, InkandescentPR.com.
Why Richmond?
“When I was looking for a spot to open a new office, I was drawn to Richmond for its affordability, walkability, and sense that anything is possible in terms of business growth,” says Gibbs, whose office is located at 1719 W. Main Street. “What I also love about Richmond is its art, music, and food scene. This is a place where you aren’t just working, working, working to make your business a success—you can enjoy your life while you build your business. What a relief!”
What initially attracted Gibbs to the River City is her daughter, Anna, whose first choice for college was VCUarts.
“Anna had won several awards for her photos in high school and set her sights for college on the photo/video program at VCU,” explains Gibbs. “While my husband (illustrator Michael Glenwood Gibbs) and I didn’t want our daughter to put all of her eggs in one basket, we knew that this would be the perfect school for her. So we came for a tour in the spring of 2013, and I remember thinking to myself, ‘Holy Moly, this city is vibrant, easy to navigate, and filled with endless possibilities. I want to live here.’”
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Washington, DC, November 10, 2014 — What are the top three blessings in your life? Your children and family? Your business? Your health? How about your human rights? Many of us feel our freedom is an inalienable right. But for so many around the world, that is not the case.
So in the November 2014 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine,, the cover story features Karen Hanrahan, an Obama administration appointee who serves in the State Department as the deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.
What exactly are human rights? Don’t miss this issue.
October 23, 2014 — What are the 5 scariest financial mistakes that CFP Howard Pressman sees people make?
That’s the topic he talks about with News Channel 8 reporter Sonya Gavankar, who asked him the following questions:
1. You recently wrote for you publication about the five scariest financial planning mistakes people make, what are they?
2. You mention that you think many people who aren’t saving enough for their goals are aware of this fact, why do you think that is?
3. Is it ever too late to address these issues?
4. If our viewers recognize some of these issues in themselves, what actions can they take to address them?
Click here to watch the entire episode.
Washington, DC, October 14, 2014 — Harnessing the true potential of yourself, and your business, can be difficult. That’s especially true if you are struggling with any of the conditions that plague millions—such as alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Who doesn’t want to tap into their innate gifts and bring to life all the characteristics and capabilities that make their contribution to the world unique and important? This is especially true for the small-business owner,” says Hope Katz Gibbs, president of Inkandescent Public Relations, and publisher of Be Inkandescent magazine.
But how do you unlock your potential?
That’s the question Gibbs tackles in the October 2014 issue of BeInkandescent.com, which features “Acid Test: LSD, Ecstasy, and the Power to Heal.” This new book, by former Washington Post Magazine editor and best-selling author Tom Shroder, reveals the therapeutic powers of psychedelic drugs.
“When taken in controlled, medical settings, LSD and Ecstasy may have the power to heal,” Shroder has found. Click here to read more about it.
How else can you unlock your potential?
Washington, DC, October 17, 2014 — Howard Pressman used to enjoy a good scare. In fact, he was a big fan of horror movies.
“I say ‘used to’ because I think the genre has become cheesy and silly, rather than scary, “ says Pressman, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner with Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC. “Current films rely on special effects instead of on plot and acting. Gratuitous blood and gore has replaced spine-chilling stories, masterfully brought to life. Think ‘Psycho,’ ‘The Shining,’ and ‘The Exorcist.’ Those were classics.”
What are the five scariest financial mistakes that Pressman sees many people make? Unfortunately, those are classics, too.
Here’s Pressman’s list, starting at the bottom, and working his way up to the most terrifying.
Washington, DC, October 17, 2014 — When embarking on the estate planning adventure, many people want to focus on ways to protect and grow their investments or create a “golden” retirement for themselves.
But the best place to start is actually at the end, insists estate planning attorney Lisa Hughes.
“I recommend that you start by asking yourself one important question: What do I want to happen to my assets after I die? Then answer it in writing,” says Hughes. (Spoiler alert: The answer should be your Will, aka: Last Will and Testament.)
“This document delegates control over property once the person creating the Will (the “testator”) dies,” Hughes says. “Since Wills are the cornerstones of all estate planning, your Will should be the first document you prepare when doing your estate planning.
Washington, DC, October 8, 2014 — Do opposites really attract? The life-long love story of our nation’s fourth president, James Madison, and his wife, Dolley, just may prove that theory.
The new issue of the newsletter from the Grateful American™ Foundation profiles the private and public partnership of this intriguing couple and takes viewers inside Montpelier, Madison’s Virginia plantation home, where the couple spent many happy years after retiring from public life in 1817.
Kat Imhoff, Montpelier Foundation president and CEO, shares her insights into the Madisons’ relationship in this issue of the newsletter. (You can also watch the interview with Imhoff on the Grateful American™ TV Show.)
“People tend to think that Dolley was the ultimate party girl and fashion plate, but there was method to her merriment,” explains Imhoff. “Using her adept social savvy, Dolley was able to forge connections and loyalties with important and influential people. In many ways, she complemented Madison’s reserved nature.”
September 19, 2014 — What do 20somethings need to know about saving for retirement?
A lot, insists CFP Michael Egan, a founding partner at the Norhtern VA financial services firm Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
In this interview with News Channel 8 reporter Sonya Gavankar, Egan explains:
1. As a young person in there 20s and 30s, what are the most common financial planning mistakes?
2. What should the savings priorities be of someone in their 20s?
3. What is a good savings rate for retirement if you are young?
4. Top three tips for young people on getting their financial house in order.
Click here to watch the entire episode.
Washington, DC, Sept. 25, 2014 — Keeping on top of continuing education is critical for most professionals. But how many people stay current with their financial planning education?
Northern VA-based financial services firm Egan, Berger & Weiner LLC is dedicated to educating its clients about changes and trends in retirement planning. To make this learning experience as interesting and fun as possible, the partners annually host a Back to School Night.
“It’s our way of showing our appreciation to our valued clients, and keeping them on top of updates and changes that they need to be aware of in regard to their financial future,” says CFP® Bryan Beatty, a partner at EBW who has been a financial advisor for more than two decades.
Founding EBW partner Michael Egan agrees. He says the key to making sound financial decisions is knowing what questions to ask. “We have been doing educational seminars in Fairfax County for more than a decade, and we know from experience that teaching new and existing clients what to be on the lookout for is the only way that they will stay in control of their financial futures. It’s what I want for myself, and those I love. And it’s what I want for my clients.”
The free event for EBW clients and their guests averages more than 350 attendees, and has been growing every year. More than three quarters of EBW’s clients attend—even some out-of-state ones, says Idelis Favole, EBW office manager.
The event will feature speakers and presenters in the field of retirement planning who have been quoted on CNBC and “Fox Business News,” and in Kiplinger Personal Finance and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications.
Click here to watch highlights from EBW’s 10th annual Back to School Night! in October 2013.
Click here to register for the event.
Click “read more” for details about EBW’s Oct. 2, 2014 Back to School Night.
Washington, DC, September 16, 2014 — For most people in their 20s and 30s, saving for retirement is not an immediate priority, knows Michael Egan, a founding partner at the Northern Virginia financial services firm Egan, Berger & Weiner LLC.
“They would rather buy a new house or car, start a college fund for their children, or plan a nice vacation,” he says. In comparison, retirement is way off in the distance. But, “like it or not, retirement saving should be their number-one goal.”
Here’s why: “Most young people today will not have a pension,” Egan explains. “They will likely have reduced Social Security benefits. That means they are the only ones saving for their retirement.”
Case in point: “As the father of two daughters now in their 20s, I have firsthand experience with this issue. When I advised my recent college graduate to put 20 percent of her gross income from her new job into her 401(k), her friends all told her that her dad was crazy. But it’s smart to plan for your future. And the best time to start is when you’re young.”
Don’t miss Egan’s Three Savings Priorities: A Checklist for Millennials.
Washington, DC, September 8, 2014 — If you’re a successful business owner, writing a book not only offers a platform to share your experience, it also is a great way to promote your business and open up a potential new revenue stream through the sale of your books and services, explains Hope Katz Gibbs, president of Inkandescent Public Relations.
“And who doesn’t want to write a book?” asks the founder of the newly launched Inkandescent Publishing Group. “Business owners, especially, are interested in penning their thoughts and ideas and sharing them with the world.”
Gibbs has firsthand knowledge of the challenges and rewards of writing and publishing books that benefit fellow entrepreneurs. The Inkandescent Publishing Group recently released its latest book, “PR Rules: The Playbook — The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Supersizing Your Small Business with the 8 Steps to PR Success,” available now on amazon.com.
In fact, Step 7 provides extensive details and exercises on how to write a book.
“I have a couple of new authors ask me every day, ‘How do I get my book out into the marketplace?’ and now I have the perfect tool to recommend,” shares Jim Barnes, editor and Book Awards director, Independent Publisher. “This book is filled with great advice, well organized and concise, with a lively design that makes it fun and easy to read. Anyone who wants to improve the way they promote their products, their businesses, or themselves should read this book.”
For insights from a celebrity bestselling author, see the September 2014 Back to School issue of of Be Inkandescent magazine, featuring Kate DiCamillo.
A woman who is a wizard when it comes to writing books that warm hearts, touch souls—and sell millions, DiCamillo’s newest book is “Flora & Ulysses,” which won the 2014 Newbery Medal.
DiCamillo is also the recipient of the National Book Award (2001), the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (2006), and the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award (2007, 2011). And she is the 2014-2015 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature—which means this celebrity author is making the rounds to meet kids across the country. Click here to read the Q&A.
Washington, DC, September 3, 2014 — Estate planning can be complicated, but following attorney Lisa Hughes’ four straightforward steps will make it easier for you and your heirs.
“When I explain estate planning to my clients, I compare it to how I decide upon a new hairstyle,” says Hughes, a partner at Yates Campbell & Hoeg LLP. “I talk to my friends, do my research, ask a lot of questions, and pick the professional that will give me the result I want. In the end, I am an informed consumer—and, most importantly, I understand my role in the process.”
Of course, a new haircut is temporary; how you provide for your heirs can affect lives for years to come.
Here are four simple steps that will make it easier to conceptualize and work through creating an estate plan that will protect your family if you die or become disabled.
Washington, DC, August 27, 2014 — Presidential vacations may be controversial today, but taking time away from the White House is nothing new. In an e-newsletter debuting this month from the Grateful American™ Foundation, readers visit Lincoln’s Cottage, where the 16th president spent more than a quarter of the time while he was in office.
“Lincoln’s Cottage at the Soldiers’ Home is where President Lincoln made some of his most important decisions during the Civil War, and also where he found time to play checkers with soldiers and his son Tad,” explains Lincoln’s Cottage Executive Director Erin Carlson Mast, who shares insights in the newsletter, and in the first episode of the Grateful American™ TV Show.
“Scholars have called Lincoln’s Cottage ‘the Cradle of the Emancipation Proclamation’ because he created that document during his first summer living here,” shares Mast. “This place is steeped in history, but we have only been open to the public since 2008. We’re old, but we’re new.”
Washington, DC, August 19, 2014 — What will “work” look like in 2020? That’s the question two futurists tackle in the August 2014 issue of Be Inkandescent magazine.
“As business owners, most of us wish we had a crystal ball to look into the future,” says Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher of the online business magazine for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. “Fortunately, people like futurists Dr. Andy Hines and Chris Carbone track and analyze business and consumer trends and can give us a glimpse of what might lie ahead.”
According to Hines, who runs the Graduate Program in Foresight at the University of Houston: “Things will get really interesting in the decade ahead.” Many of the things that are changing “will have a reinforcing influence on one another, which could result in a fairly sweeping transformation.” Click here to read more.
Carbone, who tracks Jobs to 2020 and beyond, says: “There will be careers that don’t even exist today—just as there were no ‘social media strategists’ or ‘mobile app developers’ a few short years ago.” He also points out that employment projections available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics contain clues that can help educators, counselors, and policymakers plan for the needs of the future workforce. “These projections can also offer insight to parents, students, and career-changers,” Carbone adds.
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