Cindy Seip, Director of Book Design
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.
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.
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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.
- For information on Jan Fox’s speaker training packages, click the link below.
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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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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, founder
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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:
- The genesis of the New-York Historical Society: The New-York Historical Society Museum & Library (NYHS) was founded at a time when artifacts were considered to be treasures, and the public was considered to consist of people who would ruin them if allowed to come near them. Built in 1904 by architects who built banks all over New York, it was designed as a vault, with the goal of keeping the treasures locked inside where they would be safe from the public.
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Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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”:
- Take advantage of the increased contribution limits in 2015. Contributions to 401k and 403B plans have been increased to $18,000 (from $17,500) — and catch-up contributions have been increased to $6,000 for participants 50 and older, for a total of $24,000.
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.
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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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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, founder
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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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Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, founder
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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:
- Promotes the financial planning profession,
- Does a considerable amount of community and charitable work,
- Has gained media recognition,
- Is a strong mentor,
- Is innovative with financial planning techniques and practice management,
- Has received individual or firm recognition, and
- Is a current FPA member.
“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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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, founder
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703.346.6975
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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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, Founder
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, founder
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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.
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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.
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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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Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs, founder
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
email: hope@inkandescentpr.com
cell: 703-346–6975
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?
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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.”
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.
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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.
- Founding partner Michael P. Egan, CFP® focuses on getting Baby Boomers to and through retirement. Minimum: $500,000.
- Howard Pressman, CFP® focuses on helping Gen X and Millennials plan ahead for their financial futures. Minimum: $100,000.
“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.”
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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 …
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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.
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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:
- Women make up 57% of all Social Security beneficiaries age 62 and older, and 68% of all beneficiaries age 85 and older.
- In 2012, only 45% of women age 65 or older were married — compared to 75% of men.
- 67% of women spend a portion of their adult lives as unpaid caregivers.
“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.”
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“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!
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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!
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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
- Settlor: The party that creates the trust.
- Trustee: The party responsible for carrying out the settlor’s desires and intentions regarding the trust property.
- Beneficiary: Those who benefit from the trust.
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.
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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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Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703.346.6975
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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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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June 18, 2014, WUSA — Billed as the online place to go for “inspired resources for entrepreneurs,” BusinessInfoGuide.com features a Q&A with Inkandescent PR founder Hope Katz Gibbs, and her book, PR Rules: The Playbook.
The first in a series of rulebooks for entrepreneurs from Inkandescent Publishing, “PR Rules: The Playbook” is a DIY, hands-on primer on how to create and manage a strong PR and marketing campaign.
Gibbs, a journalist-turned-PR specialist who has helped hundreds of business owners increase visibility since founding Inkandescent Public Relations in 2001, answered a host of questions from BusinessInfoGuide about her work and “Pr Rules: The Playbook,” including:
.
- Can you share some business tips for our readers?
- Can you share something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
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Washington, DC, Aug. 11, 2014 — Like many 50somethings, Dave Beck is a member of the sandwich generation. “That means I am caring for my aging parents while supporting my own children—a situation lots of us are in now, or will be one day,” says the partner and insurance agent at the financial services firm Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
From his vantage point, Beck sees up-close the importance of planning ahead for the inevitability of aging. In fact, Beck says, when he talks with his clients about planning for the future, their number one concern—almost unanimously—is to avoid being a burden on their loved ones as they age.
“What they don’t often realize is that by not taking the proper precautions, there is a real possibility that they will be a burden to all of the above,” insists Beck, who offers the following suggestions.
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Washington, DC, July 21, 2014 — Inkandescent PR art director and illustrator Michael Glenwood Gibbs has won a coveted honorable mention award from 3×3 Illustration Annual for the cover of PR Rules: The Playbook.
The colorful cover shows eight steps, to reflect the book’s emphasis on the 8 Steps to PR Success, which are called out in the book’s subtitle: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Supersizing Your Small Business With the 8 Steps to PR Success. Atop the eight steps is a silhouetted figure raising a megaphone, out of which pours a riotous cascade of brightly colored flowers—each one unique.
“The cover wonderfully conveys that when entrepreneurs use the 8 Steps to PR Success, their business will be seen and heard,” says Hope Katz Gibbs, founder and president of Inkandescent Public Relations, and author of the book.
“We also love the cover design because it’s playful, and we created “PR Rules: The Playbook” to show small-business owners that promoting their business can be fun!”
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July 16, 2014 — An inherited IRA does not have the same protection from creditors as an IRA originally saved for the purpose of retirement.
That’s a result of a recent Supreme Court ruling, says CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Bryan Beatty.
Why does this matter? “Because it could make an impact on your retirement savings,” explains Beatty, a partner with Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
IRAs and Roth IRAs receive what is known as a “retirement funds” exemption under Section 522 of the Bankruptcy Code. This exempts tax-exempt retirement funds from a bankruptcy estate.
Except when it doesn’t.
In this interview on News Channel 8 with reporter Sonya Gavankar, Beatty answers several important questions to help you understand the issue.
Click here to watch.
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Washington, DC, July 17, 2014 — An inherited IRA does not have the same protection from creditors as an IRA originally saved for the purpose of retirement. That’s a result of a recent Supreme Court ruling, says CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Bryan Beatty.
Why does this matter? “Because it could make an impact on your retirement savings,” explains Beatty, a partner with Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
IRAs and Roth IRAs receive what is known as a “retirement funds” exemption under Section 522 of the Bankruptcy Code. This exempts tax-exempt retirement funds from a bankruptcy estate.
Except when it doesn’t. Here’s why.
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Truly Amazing Woman Sonya Gavankar: Miss District of Columbia 1997, reporter, and the Face of the Newseum. Click here to watch the video.
Truly Amazing Woman Reta Jo Lewis: Candidate for Mayor of DC, 2014. Click here to watch the video.
Events Make News at the Newseum: Standing between the U.S. Capitol and the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue and featuring dramatic vistas of Washington, the Newseum is a sought-after venue for conferences and special events. The essential features of the Knight Conference Center—size, technology, flexibility, furnishings, catering, and support systems—combine to create an environment that makes any meeting, press conference, or reception a success. But it is the views of the US Capitol, National Gallery of Art, and the National Mall that make each event unforgettable. With an atmosphere that is firmly tied to the history, power, and grandeur of Washington, the Newseum is destined to become a top choice for organizations that want to create memorable and unparalleled events in the nation’s capital. Click here to watch the video.
Meet Tim Russert: “Inside Tim Russert’s Office: If It’s Sunday, It’s ‘Meet the Press’” recreates Russert’s NBC Washington office much as it looked when he died of a heart attack in June 2008 while preparing for his next show. The office, located on the Newseum’s fourth level, offers a unique window into the world of a newsman at the top of his game. Click here to watch the video.
Images of Haiti: Click here to watch the video.
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Washington, DC, July 3, 2014 — In what ways do you consider yourself to be a Grateful American?
That’s the question that author and publisher David Bruce Smith is investigating in his new Foundation through The Grateful American™ Series.
With the goal of restoring enthusiasm for American history in kids and adults, Smith’s new website, which launched on July 3, is a portal for parents to learn more about the nation’s Founding Fathers, its presidential and historic homes, and its ideals.
“Quite simply, our goal is to make it fun to learn about American history,” says Smith, who borrowed the title for The Grateful American™ Series from his father, developer and philanthropist Robert H. Smith. “My father always referred to himself as a grateful American. He realized that the community and this country have been good to our family, and he wanted to give back. The Grateful American™ Foundation is my way of doing the same.”
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June 18, 2014, WUSA — On today’s noon broadcast, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER PRACTITIONER Howard Pressman was featured talking about The Dark Side of Retirement.
Pressman told WUSA9 reporter Debra Alfarone that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Among Americans of all ages, 12.4 per 100,000 will take their own life each year.
- Among people over age 65, that number jumps to 14.9—and some experts believe the instances are under-reported.
- As startling as those numbers are, white men over age 65 take their own lives at a rate of 29 per 100,000—almost triple the overall rate.
Alfarone asked: What can you do about it?
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
703.346.6975 / hope@inkandescentpr.com
Washington, DC, June 12, 2014 — Saving for retirement is challenging for most people—but studies show it’s even tougher for women, who all too often live in poverty during retirement, says Carmen Wu, a financial adviser at Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC..
Wu notes that on average, women who are 65 years and older rely on a median income of around $16,000 a year, and they rely almost exclusively on Social Security benefits, according to the recent congressional analysis of 2012 Census data. That’s $11,000 less than men the same age, whose annual income is about $27,612, she points out.
Why are women challenged in this way? Wu cites five main reasons:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
703.346.6975 / hope@inkandescentpr.com
Washington, DC, June 30, 2014 — What does retirement look like to you? For many, the ideal imagery of this phase of life is exemplified by a distinguished gray-haired man and an attractive silver-haired woman walking hand in hand down a magnificent beach, enjoying the sunset while gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. They don’t have a care in the world, and why should they? They are retired.
But is there a dark side of retirement that no one talks about? Howard R. Pressman, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner with Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC, says there is, and he’s willing to spill the beans about it.
“Leaving the workforce can provoke a profound sense of loss,” Pressman says. Despite the availability of safe and effective treatments, late-life mood disorders remain a large problem. Older adults make up 12 percent of the US population, but account for 18 percent of all suicide deaths, according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. This is an alarming statistic, as the elderly are the fastest growing segment of the population, making the issue of later-life suicide a major public-health priority.
Pressman cites disturbing trends from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as well:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703.346.6975
THE GRATEFUL AMERICAN™ SERIES INTERVIEWS HISTORIAN THOMAS FLEMING, AUTHOR OF, “The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers”
Washington, DC, May 16, 2014 — “Novelists focus on the intimate side of life,” insists best-selling author Thomas Fleming, who has penned dozens of historic books including his recent novel, The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers.
“This is the first time anyone has looked at the intimate side of the lives of these famous Americans with an historian’s eyes,” Fleming told David Bruce Smith and Hope Katz Gibbs, co-hosts of the The Grateful American™ TV Show.
The video interview with Fleming was shot in the beautiful formal dining room of Alexander Hamilton’s home, The Grange, in New York City, where Fleming shared anecdotes about the men and women who shaped the founding of the United States.
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May 23, 2014, Let’s Talk Live/News Channel 8 — What does retirement look like to you? “To hear the financial services industry tell it, retirement looks like a distinguished gray-haired man and an attractive silver-haired woman walking hand in hand down a magnificent beach, enjoying the sunset while gazing lovingly and contentedly into each other’s eyes,” says Certified Financial Planner Howard Pressman of Egan, Berger & Weiner LLC. “They don’t have a care in the world, and why should they? They are retired.”
But is there a dark side of retirement that no one talks about? Yes, believes Pressman, who shares statistics and suggestions with reporter Sonya Gavankar on today’s episode of Let’s Talk Live!
Click here to watch.
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The Muse, May 13, 2014 — In today’s issue of themuse.com, reporter Elizabeth Alterman writes:
“When I was laid off in January, in addition to the usual concerns, like “How quickly will I find a new job?” and “How will we pay the mortgage?” I also worried about having yet another employment gap on my resume.”
She asked career coach and author of The Essential HR Handbook, Sharon Armstrong for advice.
Armstrong said: “Honesty is always the best policy. Don’t hide it; explain it. During the entire process of conducting a job search, maintain your integrity and demonstrate it. Jobs come and go, but being known for being truthful—and conversely, deceitful—can last a lifetime.”
Click here to read more.
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WUSA9, May 9, 2014 — On today’s noon news on WUSA9, Certified Financial Planner® Rita Cheng, author of Wealth Management Rules: 12 Tips to Help You Harness Your Financial Know-How, explained four strategies to help women become more engaged and empowered about their financial well-being.
- Raise your voice.
- Value all of your contributions in the household, not just the financial/economic ones
- Don’t make assumptions or generalizations.
- Look back with pride
Click here to watch the segment: www.wusa9.com
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May 1, 2014, Driving Your Marketing Radio — In this episode of “Kick Your Marketing Into High Gear,” host Ely Delaney talks with Hope Katz Gibbs about “The Trifecta Of Small Business Failure,” and how to turn it around to small business success. Hope is an entrepreneur with mission running multiple businesses all under on core mission: “Promote, educate and inspire entrepreneurs.”
“From her PR firm to the success her entrepreneur magazine, radio show and publishing company, the core mission covers them all and keeps her business and her clients on the path to success,” Delaney explains.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What is the trifecta for small business failure and how to overcome it
- People love stories, but what makes a great story?
- How consistency will take you further
- Why saying “no” will open the door for more “yes”
- The keys to juggling multiple projects and keeping same
- and much, much more…
Click here to listen to the episode.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
703.346.6975 / hope@inkandescentpr.com
Washington DC, May 1, 2014 — When do you know when you are rich enough? “That’s the million-dollar question,” says Sheldon Weiner, a founding partner at the Northern VA financial services firm Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
Weiner explains: The Oxford Club, a private, international network of investors and entrepreneurs, has a singular mission: To grow and protect the wealth of its members. So I love that its chief investment strategist, Alexander Green, is famous for asking the question that I often hear my clients ask: When are you rich enough?”
Stop reading this press release for a minute and ponder this question for yourself. Pull out a pad and pen, or type on your favorite electronic device the three things that would make you feel rich enough. For Weiner, the three responses are:
- When you are in good health,
- When you have a great family and close friends, and
- When you enjoy many interests.
“While some are convinced that a person’s wealth can be determined only by their income, I would argue that you determine your level of wealth by looking at a balance sheet of your life—not just an income statement,” he insists. “And if having a lot of money is important to you, then pay attention to you net worth. I believe that it is a far better measure of how rich you are than annual income, though a high income certainly helps.”
How can you assess your situation?
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April 24, 2014, MoneyforLunch — On today’s episode of Bert Martinez’ radio show, Money For Lunch, he interviewed PR expert Hope Katz Gibbs, author of PR Rules: The Playbook.
Martinez asked Gibbs:
- What inspired you to write “PR Rules: The Playbook.”
- In your book, you write about “The Trifecta of Small Business Failure.” These are the three mistakes you see almost every small business owner make. What are they?
- How can entrepreneurs turn the trifecta on its head?
- You have been a reporter for more than 30 years, writing for publications including The Washington Post, USA Today, and Costco’s magazine, The Connection. How does being a journalist help you with your PR business?
- Why did you get into the PR business in the first place when you launched InkandescentPR.com.
Click here to listen to the interview.
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Yogify Your Business, April 17, 2014 — What do handstands and marketing have in common? That’s the question the yogi and serial entrepreneur Andrea Allen answers in her new series, Yogify Your Business.
“Do you ever wonder how yogis easily stick a handstand, meditate for long periods of time or effortlessly slide into the splits?” Allen asks. “Maybe you’re one of them and already know the truth: it doesn’t happen overnight! Certain principles need to be applied, like focus, discipline, presence, letting go and practice.”
More and more people every day are becoming aware of these principles and are seeing the benefits, and here’s the really exciting news: “There is a world-wide movement happening in the business world where owners and management are starting to apply these yogic principles to marketing, sales, and operations and seeing results,” Allen insists. “Awesome, right?”
More good news:
- You don’t have to be a yogi, to get it.
- Even yogis can learn how some of today’s most successful entrepreneurs are weaving businesses and yoga together.
- Host Andrea Allen interviews 20 successful business owners who reveal how connecting inward to their authentic selves, and tapping into the basic principles of yoga, has transformed their businesses.
- When we fully show up to living our purpose, clarity, connection, creativity and cash will flow and the lives of others will be blessed.
Click here to listen to Allen’s interview with Inkandesent Group founder Hope Katz Gibbs.
And click here to learn how you can Yogify Your Business.
Namaste!
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How do you know when you are “rich enough”?
That’s the topic Egan, Berger & Weiner partner Sheldon Weiner tackles in this issue of EBW Financial News.
“Stop reading this article for a minute, and ponder this question for yourself,” he suggests. “Pull out a pad and pen, or type on your favorite electronic device, the three things that would make you feel rich enough.”
You may be surprised to hear what’s on Weiner’s list. You also may be surprised to learn that you are wealthier than you think. Scroll down for all the details.
Also be sure to check out our sidebar article on “Savers vs. Spenders — Which one are you?”
An oldie but goodie, a 1996 tome by marketing professors Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko gives us a glimpse into the behavior of those they call UAWs (Under Accumulators of Wealth), and those who are PAWs (Prodigious Accumulators of Wealth). Which group do you fit into?
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THE GRATEFUL AMERICAN™ SERIES INTERVIEWS ERIN CARLSON MAST, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LINCOLN’s COTTAGE AT THE SOLDIERS’ HOME
Washington, DC, April 1, 2014 — For American history buffs, there’s nothing quite like visiting the home of a former president. And when that president is one of the nation’s most revered and beloved, as is Abraham Lincoln, it’s both stimulating and enjoyable to meander through his summer home in Washington, DC.
David Bruce Smith and Hope Katz Gibbs were thrilled to sit down for an interview with Erin Carlson Mast, executive director of President Lincoln’s Cottage at The Soldiers’ Home, which stands just 3.5 miles from the White House.
In this interview, you’ll learn how Lincoln travelled to and from the Cottage, why he once met visitors in his bed slippers, and how Mary Todd Lincoln recovered from the loss of her son inside the walls of this special summer home.
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THE GRATEFUL AMERICAN™ SERIES INTERVIEWS CIVIL WAR EXPERT, “1861” AUTHOR ADAM GOODHEART
Washington, DC, April 1, 2014 — Civil War expert Adam Goodheart brings the history of the civil war to life this latest interview on David Bruce Smith’s Grateful American™ Radio Show on the Inkandescent Radio Network.
Tthe author of “1861” and the upcoming “1865,” Goodheart has penned two books that capture the essence of the battles and the time. A historian, essayist and journalist, Goodheart’s articles have appeared in National Geographic, Outside, Smithsonian, The Atlantic, and he is a regular columnist for The New York Times’ acclaimed Civil War series, “Disunion.”
Goodheart is also the director of Washington College’s C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He splits his time living there, and in Washington, DC.
Co-hosts David Bruce Smith and Hope Katz Gibbs were thrilled to sit down with the popular author to talk about 1861: The Civil War Awakening.
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March 31, 2014, WUSA Channel 9 — Are you ready to file your 2013 taxes? Be sure you are getting all the credits you can, says CFP® Michael Egan. Don’t miss his appearance today on the noon news, WUSA Channel 9.
Click here to watch.
Seven Tips to Remember Before You File Your 2013 Taxes
Egan answers these questions:_
- What are the retirement plan contribution deadlines?
- I understand you can also deduct professional services fees. How much, and how does that work? Are there any limitations?
- Are Long-Term Care premiums tax deductible, provided that you purchased a “tax-qualified” plan?
- What about Capital Gains and 529 Plan contributions?
- How should we account for those on our tax filing?
- Also, same-sex married couples may now file a joint return. How does that work compared to previous years?
- If you have a foreign bank account, how should you handle that?
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March 26, 2014, History News Network — In today’s issue of Rick Shenkman’s History News Network, he features an interview by David Bruce Smith, creator of the Grateful American™ Series, with Doug Bradburn, founding director of the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington. Click inside to read their Q&A.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703.346.6975
THE GRATEFUL AMERICAN™ SERIES VISITS MOUNT VERNON, GEORGE WASHINGTON’S HOME
Washington, DC, March 27, 2014 — What made George Washington the icon that he became? That’s the question that David Bruce Smith, creator of the Grateful American™ Series, asked this month of Doug Bradburg, PhD, executive director of the new presidential library at Mount Vernon, Washington’s home, in Alexandria, VA.
“The nation’s first president wasn’t perfect,” Bradburn shares. “In fact, Washington had adversity and failures; what makes him stand out is that “he just overcomes them.”
Knowing about Washington’s successes and his failures are part of what make him admirable, and what makes learning about him interesting. And learning about him, and history in general, is a mission of publisher David Bruce Smith.
“You have to know where you came from to know where you are going,” Smith says. That philosophy explains why he launched the The Grateful American™ Series in January 2014.
The interactive, multi-media program is designed to restore enthusiasm in American history in children—and grown-ups, too. Throughout the year, Smith will be recording interviews for the Inkandescent Radio Network with the executives who run the nation’s presidential homes, as well as historians, authors, and educators who know the importance of keeping our nation’s history alive.
Smith visited Mount Vernon to interview Bradburn, founding director of the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington. Their conversation took place in the new presidential library, which includes Martha Washington’s papers and books owned by George Washington himself.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703.346.6975
Washington DC, March 1, 2014 — When it comes to planning ahead for the financial future of the Millennials in your family, the key is for parents—and their offspring—to know their goals and understand the options, says Certified Financial Planner Bryan Beatty, a partner at the Northern VA financial services firm Egan, Berger & Weiner, LLC.
Here are three ways to get started.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, InkandescentPR.com
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703.346.6975
EILEEN TAKES GLAMPING TO A CRAFTY PLACE WITH HER 2014 #PAPERTRAIL TEACHING TOUR
Glamorous, luxury camping—aka: glamping—has a friend in Eileen Hull, an innovator in the craft industry, who is embarking on a nationwide tour in her vintage Serro Scotty camper to teach crafts in cities across America
Washington, DC, March 12, 2014 — Anyone who loves camping and crafts will be intrigued by artist Eileen Hull’s 2014 #PaperTrail Teaching Tour.
The Northern Virginia mother of four and grandma to three is loading up her Serro Scotty camper with art supplies—many that she has created for the craft company Sizzix—and embarking on a series of trips across America to teach and connect with other “glampers.”
“I’ll be promoting my branded craft products in independent stores, chain stores, art centers, and other venues,” says the woman who colleagues and customers call the Queen of Crafts. “My goal is to share my love of crafting along with the belief that it does your soul good to take time to create every day.”
The #PaperTrail Teaching Tour has three phases.
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Hope Katz Gibbs, author
Journalist, publicist, author, and entrepreneur Hope Katz Gibbs started her career as a newspaper reporter after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986. In the years since, she has won awards for feature and column writing for articles that have appeared in The Washington Post, USA Today, The Miami Herald, Costco Connection, and dozens of other business, education, and general interest magazines, newsletters, and blogs. Read her clips at HopeGibbs.com.
Hope got into the PR business in 2001, when she put her masters degree in educational leadership from The George Washington University to work and became the director of communication for the City of Fairfax Schools in Northern VA. Soon after, her PR client list expanded to include the international futurist think tank, Social Technologies, which was based in her stomping ground of Washington, DC.
In 2008, Hope incorporated The Inkandescent Group, LLC, and since then has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs, educators, authors, and small-business owners increase their visibility through her PR and book publishing services. “PR Rules: The Playbook,” available in April 2014, is the first book published through her Inkandescent Publishing Company. Learn more at InkandescentPR.com.
Click here to learn more about editor Kathleen McCarthy and illustrator Michael Gibbs.
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Here’s what people are saying about PR Rules: The Playbook — The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Supersizing Your Small Business Using the 8 Steps to PR Success
Alan Webber, co-founder Fast Company magazine; 2014 candidate for governor of New Mexico
“Back when I wrote ‘Rules of Thumb,’ Hope interviewed me for the cover of her business magazine and did a great job. Now she’s written the Rules of Thumb for PR—and it is an absolute winner! This book is a must-read for every small business owner. Buy it, read it, and do what it says!”
Gene Weingarten, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Washington Post columnist, and author of “Flack Yourself,” — the Preface of PR Rules: The Playbook
“Hope Katz Gibbs is far less pathetic, incompetent, and shameless than most PR people. Her book actually contains some smart advice, not that any of those clueless frauds will take it.”
Lee Woodruff, veteran PR expert, broadcast journalist, best-selling author, In An Instant
“In a digital age where the rules seem to be broken or changed every week, ‘PR Rules’ offers concise, clear and usable information from industry experts on how to move forward in an ever-changing marketing terrain. Even a PR veteran like myself can learn something from this book by Hope Katz Gibbs and her team.”
Jim Barnes, editor and Book Awards director, IndependentPublisher.com
“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. 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.”
David Bruce Smith, author and publisher, David Bruce Smith Publications, creator, The Grateful American™ Series
“If you want to learn how to have significant success, you must read this book.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.inkandescentpr.com
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703 346-6975
Edinger Associates Assists Emmis with $131 Million Purchase of Two NYC Radio Stations
February 21, 2014, Washington, DC — Edinger Associates PLLC served as transactional and FCC counsel to Emmis Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: EMMS) in its purchase of urban, adult, contemporary radio station WBLS 107.5, and its sister station WLIB 1190, for $131 million in cash from YMF Media. WBLS is the No. 2 radio station in New York, and WLIB is New York’s first African-American targeted station offering an urban gospel format.
The transaction involves a Local Programming and Marketing Agreement pursuant to which Emmis will begin to program the stations on March 1, 2014, assuming Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance has been received. In addition, there will be two closings, one following initial grant of FCC consent to assignment of the stations’ FCC licenses, and the second to follow in February 2015.
The Edinger Associates team was led by Brook Edinger with the assistance of Partners Ladd Johnson and Scott Woodworth, and Senior Counsel Dag Wilkinson, as well as Attorney Kristen Basie, and Legal Assistant Mikki Stuart.
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February 18, 2014, History News Network — In this article by History News Network Publisher Rick Shenkman, he interviews David Bruce Smith, creator of The Grateful American™ Series about his inspiration, plans, and long-term goals for his project to restore enthusiasm in history for kids.
Shenkman asked: What inspired you to launch the series? Smith said: “My father. He always said how grateful he was to be an American, and that really stuck with me. Most of my family are Jewish immigrants, and they knew how lucky they were to be in this country. I have always felt that way, too, and I passed that on to my children. I hope to inspire others to do the same.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hope Katz Gibbs
Inkandescent Public Relations, www.InkandescentPR.com
hope@inkandescentpr.com / 703.346.6975
IN CELEBRATION OF PRESIDENTS’ DAY (Feb. 17), DAVID BRUCE SMITH PUBLICATONS LAUNCHES THE GRATEFUL AMERICAN™ SERIES
This interactive multimedia program is focused on restoring enthusiasm for American history in children — and grown-ups, too!
Washington, DC, February 17, 2014 — In celebration of Presidents’ Day, David Bruce Smith launched today his new interactive multimedia program, designed to restore enthusiasm for American history in children—and grown-ups, too.
“You have to know where you came from to know where you are going,” insists Smith, a Washington, DC-based author and publisher who recently penned, “American Hero: John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States.”
“Kids are often asked to memorize a bunch of dates that don’t mean anything to them, so history seems boring,” he says. “Then they are given standardized tests, which don’t measure what they don’t know—they measure what they haven’t been taught. It’s not the teachers’ fault. The system is dysfunctional.”
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AARP, Feb. 11, 2014 — In today’s issue of AARP’s Work Reimagined, reporter Eilene Zimmerman asks the question: “To self-publish or not to self-publish?” and offers a checklist that will guide you, thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
Zimmerman interviewed Inkandescent PR’s Hope Katz Gibbs, who said that books are “the new business card. When a book is well done, it is the best way to show, rather than tell, others what you know.”
Click here to read the entire article.
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Photographer John David Coppola specializes in covering high-profile events and conventions for organizations in Washington, DC,—including The Marshall Legacy Institute, The Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, and the Mintz Levin law firm, among others.
The native Washingtonian has a passion for travel. For work, and often for play, his favorite destinations include London, Paris, Beijing, Barcelona, Tokyo, Seoul, Rome—and, of course, cities throughout the United States. In fact, as we were writing this article, he was on a shoot in Portland, OR, and took this breathtaking image of a waterfall (see below).
John received his Bachelor of Science degree (cum laude) in photography at the American University in Washington, DC. He also did post-graduate work in Photoshop and digital photography.
In recent years, he has started shooting video, and he brings his signature “life in motion” style to every project he works on. In fact, he recently filmed three pilots for the InkandescentTV.com show Truly Amazing Women TV.
Music is also a passion for this versatile artist. Pictured right, he captures the lyrical qualities of the Sri Lankan ceremonial dance group, Asanga Domask and Serendib Dance, when they performed for a diplomatic reception in Washington DC.
When he’s not attached to his cameras, Coppola is a professional upright and electric bassist. See where he’s playing next at www.johndc.com.
Scroll down to see more of John David Coppola’s photography.
Click here to learn more about John: JohnDC Photography.
And don’t miss his videos on Truly Amazing Women TV.
A classic view of the US Capitol: Shot for the website homepage of the Washington-based National Parking Association.
That’s why they make the big bucks: Lufthansa German Airlines exec Natalie Hartman Trapasso has very little free time. She had an hour in between meetings, so we shot this business photo in the living room of her home.
The magic of black and white: Even though model Kerry McAteer has vivid red hair, this image showed off her beauty in a more nuanced way. That’s why I love shooting photos in black and white—they often tell an even more powerful story.
Strength shows: Military officer Bryce Adams needed a new headshot for his resume—and he didn’t have time to scout an interesting location. So we set up this shot in the kitchen of his Arlington, VA, apartment. He got the next job he applied for.
Passion is power: Perry F. Baltimore III, president and executive director of the Marshall Legacy Institute, is passionate about the evils that undiscovered landmines inflict on innocent people, animals, and communities.
Any cool heads in the House?: A heated discussion ensues at the US Capitol during congressional hearings that The US India Political Action Committee took an interest in. Pictured here is Michael E. O’Hanlon, director of research at The Brookings Institution.
Sunset in Key West: “Once in awhile you get shown the light, in the strangest places if you look at it right.” — Jerry Garcia
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Ed Reinsel’s take on his three favorite videos, in his own words.
In Virginia, The Ballston LaunchPad Challenge is an initiative for visionaries to receive funding to develop their big idea. It took us multiple days to shoot everything in this 60-second spot.
This commercial ran in local theaters in Ballston and on the web to build interest in the contest. The announcement of the winners is in December 2013.
Click here to watch it.
AOL Home features this video we created featuring entrepreneurs Kirsten Quigley and Cris Bourelly. These two moms had an aha! moment—to make Lunchskins reusable lunch bags.
I spent an entire day with them to shoot this video. That’s what it takes to tell this story! I wanted to truly capture how they moved from concept to product to stores.
Click here to watch it.
NBC4 Washington hired me to do a promo, which took less than a day to shoot and told a nice story about teacher and poet Simone Jacobson for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is part of the community outreach NBC4 does for viewers.
Watch it.
For more information about Ed, visit ReinselVideo.com.
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Holistic doc Kimberly Muzinski* takes a whole-body approach to care, including chiropractic, nutrition and lifestyle management, and mind-body health to help patients achieve their individual health goals.
To help unlock emotional blocks that impede wellness, the magna cum laude graduate of the Logan College of Chiropractic uses Neuro Emotional Technique (NET).
It’s a mind-body stress-reduction tool that combines a number of techniques and principles from traditional Chinese medicine, chiropractic, and applied kinesiology to help improve behavioral and physical conditions.
“This gentle technique helps us assess whether an emotional blockage is what is interfering with someone’s emotional and physical health,” Muzinski explains, noting it is a holistic approach to well-being focusing on imbalances in the structure of the skeletomuscular system, unresolved negative emotional blocks, toxins in the body, and deficiencies in nutrition.
“So, if someone has chronic or recurring back pain or headaches and migraines, this is a technique that can uncover whether it’s actually an emotional blockage that’s interfering with the healing process.”
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We hate to admit it, but we are judged immediately by the image we project.
No one knows this better than those in television news. When women first entered TV news, they were told to dress like the men. Times have changed. Now you can see a financial commentator on a morning show in a sleeveless leather dress.
So what do the professional executive woman and the young woman entering the career field need to know about managing their image?
My training came from competing in the 1997 Miss America Pageant. As a short-haired pageant novice, I had no idea how to achieve a perfect pageant image, but was pretty sure I didn’t want it anyway. I was guided, by trial and error, to a professional image that set me apart from everyone else.
For the past 20 years I’ve been helping young women find their personal sense of style while looking professional—yet not boring. Standing out from the crowd has to show not only in professional experience but in visual presentation. I teach simple tricks to make every woman look and feel her best.
I’m always amazed when I stand at the makeup counter and see the products that promise to change my life. I just grin, and stick with the simple tried-and-true tools that have been my mainstay—items that are affordable and won’t break the bank.
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When I was starting in the world of recruiting, my company did a really smart thing—they sent us to a sales program.
We went away for a week-long session to develop our ability to effectively turn a job applicant into a new-hire.
At the time, I really wasn’t sure why this made sense but as I progressed in the staffing profession, I became very grateful for that opportunity. The company also, very smartly, sent all their sales people to a class on interviewing because they totally got the fact that you use a lot of the same skills in recruiting that you do in sales.
Odds are good that you have had an applicant that you really wanted to hire—and who turned you down.
It happens, no matter how careful you are. However, I think there are some ways to ensure that as many of your applicants as possible say “yes” to a job offer.
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One of the most exciting aspects about being multicultural is that the New Year celebration does not end on January 1.
According to the Western calendar, January 31, 2014, marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year—also known as “Spring Festival,” the longest and most important celebration for Chinese families across the globe.
Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, meaning it is based on both lunar and solar cycles, it is celebrated on a different date each year. And each year we celebrate a different symbol in the Chinese zodiac.
2014 is the Year of the Horse.
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February 1, 2014. Do you love Black Friday? You aren’t alone. Since the start of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season.
The “black” harks back to days when accounting records were kept by hand—red ink indicated a loss, black a profit.
Due to the sluggish economy in recent years, this shopping day has become increasingly important to the retail industry.
While this year’s massive hacking scandal at Target, which compromised more than 40 million customers, may not have resulted in us shopping less on Nov. 29 and in the weeks that followed—it has increased our awareness about credit protection. In fact, experts believe Target experienced one of about 600 publicly disclosed data breaches in 2013.
The good news is that there are several things you can do to protect against a breach.
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February 2014, Be Inkandescent magazine — We hate to admit it, but we are judged immediately by the image we project.
No one knows this better than those in television news. When women first entered tv news, they were told to dress like the men. Now you can see a financial commentator on a morning show in a sleeveless leather dress.
So what can a professional executive woman and the young woman entering the career field learn?
My training came from competing in the 1997 Miss America Pageant. As a short-haired pageant novice I had no idea how to achieve pageantit was pretty sure I didn’t want it anyway. I was guided, by trial and error, to a professional imagethat set me apart everyone else.
For the past 20 years I’ve been helping young women find their personal sense of style while remaining professional yet not boring. Standing out from the crowd has to show not only in professional experience but in visual presentation. I teach simple tricks to make every woman look and feel her best.
I’m always amazed when I stand at the makeup counter and stare at the products that promise to change my life. I just grin, and stick with the simple tried and true tools that have been my mainstay — items that are affordable and won’t break the bank.
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We thank all of the journalists, marketing and sales specialists, social media gurus, futurists, and entrepreneurs who have been interviewed for PR Rules: The Playbook.
With the 180-page guidebook just about ready to head to the printer, we want to give our featured experts the opportunity to peruse the page where they are quoted and let us know if you’d like to make any final changes.
If that’s you:
1. Click here to see the index and find the pages were you are quoted.
2. Type in the passcode we sent you via email to download the pdf of the book.
3. Get back to us with comments by Monday, March 3, as we ship it to the printer March 8. If we don’t hear from you by then, we’ll assume all is well.
4. If you like what you see, we’d love to get a Testimonial from you to post in the book. Send that (and any questions you have) to hope@inkandescentpr.com.
5. To thank you for your contribution, we’d like to send you a complimentary copy of the book. Please also send Hope your mailing address.
Here’s to making fireworks with PR Rules: The Playbook. — The Authors: Hope Katz Gibbs, Kathleen McCarthy, and Michael Gibbs
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January 30, 2014, History News Network — “David Bruce Smith has a mission: to get young people more interested in American history,” writes Rick Shenkman, publisher of History News Network.
“Smith, the scion of a wealthy and prominent family in northern Virginia (his father, Robert H. Smith, was the president of the National Gallery of Art) founded David Bruce Smith Publications LLC in 2003,” he explains. “The company specializes in the production of specialized, limited edition books on historic figures. Smith’s most recent is American Hero: John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States.”
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8 is our magic number in PR Rules. On the 168 pages of the book, you’ll find 8 sets of advice in 8 areas that we believe will help you see your business from a new vantage point.
Why did we pick 8? Because we believe in the knowledge of numbers.
“If seven is the number of evolution, 8 leads us beyond ourselves,” writes Wolfgang Held in “The Quality of Numbers 1 to 31.” “The octave is the 8th note on the scale, and it’s the resolution is the stream of notes comes to rest. The world dawns on the 8th day, and 8 is the first cube number. In the ancient view of the universe, 8 encompasses the planets.”
In Chinese, the word for 8 (八 Pinyin: bā) sounds similar to the word which means prosper and wealth. In regional dialects the words for 8 and “fortune” also sound similar.
And, flipped on its side, the number 8 is the symbol for infinity.
So we we dedicate this book to helping you go beyond yourself, to achieving your dreams and ambitions, with the information you play with in “PR Rules: The Playbook.” Here’s to having fun, and to your success!
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Bilguunzaya Battogtokh, Intern Summer 2014
Bilguunzaya Battogtokh is a sophomore at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia. She is interested in studying business and economics and is super excited about interning at Inkandescent. She hopes to learn a lot during the course of her internship and meet new people as well. Outside of school and work, she is really passionate about soccer and is very excited for the 2014 World Cup.
Lianne Provenzano, Design Intern Summer 2013 + Summer 2014
Lianne Provenzano is a rising first year at the University of Virginia. Having graduated from James Madison High School with an Advanced Diploma in June 2013, she will pursue a bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Sciences at UVA. She is currently working as a summer intern for Inkandescent Public Relations, and is interested in all aspects of design and publishing.
January 16, 2014, WUSA Channel 9 — Are you ready to get your financial house in order? Don’t miss Bryan Beatty’s tips, featured on the noon news today on WUSA Channel 9.
Click here to watch.
And click “Read More” for Beatty’s “5 Things to Do to Smartly Plan Ahead for Retirement in 2014.”
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Elizabeth Kim, Intern Summer 2014
Elizabeth Kim is a junior at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where she is a pursuing concentrations in Marketing Operations Management and Retail. Her role models are Wharton Professor Barbara Kahn, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, J.Crew CEO Mickey Drexler, designer Tom Ford, and Audrey Hepburn.
Elizabeth is working toward a career in the fashion industry. She believes that fashion is a language and an art that not only has a part in expression, but also can be used for empowerment and self-identity.
Hallie Goldstein, Intern Summer 2014
Hallie Goldstein is a rising sophomore at Indiana University in Bloomington where she studies broadcast journalism. She is a proud member of the Media Scholars, a small group of students that are passionate about media and excel in their field.
Along with broadcasting, Hallie is interested in telecommunications. Hallie is also passionate about children suffering in Africa and has studied the Yoruba language which is spoken in Nigeria and other parts of western Africa.
Her goal is to have a career that allows her to travel the world and report from unique locations. Her dream job would be taking over for Giuliana Rancic as a reporter for E news.
Emily and Jeff: A destination wedding in Maui
During the course of the day, I watch for telling moments between the bride and groom. Emily and Jeff’s beach ceremony had just ended and they were walking away from the guests to be alone for a few minutes. Both were emotional. She gently raised his hand and softly kissed him on his wedding band. These small moments are what make a wedding memorable and as the photographer, I have to find and capture these moments on film.
Samantha
I always start the day with the bride as she prepares for the wedding. The pictures taken with the bride at this time are usually fun and relaxed because she is surrounded by people who love her. It is a very comfortable situation where I can create memorable images. The stylist had just finished Samantha’s hair. She walked over to the mirror to have a look. What I saw in the mirror reminded me slightly of Vermeer’s “The Girl with the Pearl Earring”. I wanted to capture that moment.
Jessica and Adam
After the ceremony, I like to take the new couple away from the crowd to make some nice, intimate portraits. Often, I have to create the ambience by using lighting effects that still look natural. This photo was shot in a basement hallway with a chandelier overhead and mirror lined walls. The ambient light level was poor, so I used a small strobe to create a warm glow on the bride and groom. I used a fast, prime lens that gave me a shallow depth of field to create the romantic effect.
For more information, visit: www.charliearchambaultphoto.com.
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Each year we celebrate a new year in the Chinese Zodiac. As an Asian American, I often think back to my childhood days when I studied the 12 creatures represented in the Chinese calendar, with a different animal celebrated each year.
2014 is the Year of the Horse. The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people’s ethos—making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able. Ancient people liked to designate an able person as ‘Qianli Ma’, a horse that covers a thousand li a day (one li equals 500 meters).
What does that mean in terms of financial planning?
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In the world of investment, winning and losing has much to do with the concept of risk.
In fact, in my experience, the best investors are those who look at investing as an art, rather than a science. The tools they rely on most are common sense and experience.
What I was most intrigued by in the book, “Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing,” by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, is the discussion of whether individuals are wired to win or lose—and how this affects innovation and responses to setbacks.
From a financial planning point of view, here’s how I believe people’s perspective on winning and losing relates to saving for retirement.
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As the daughter of a Chinese father and American-born mother, I have been exposed to many different stereotypes in the US, Europe, and Asia. I also grew up taking in mixed messages about what it means to be a successful, professional woman.
While both my parents expressed their belief that I could achieve anything with hard work, focus, and dedication—I saw that professional women’s struggles in Asia are exacerbated. As I grew older, I saw that women are not taken seriously professionally if they are too passive, but that they can also be derailed professionally by being seen as “too ambitious,” “too expressive,” “too opinionated,” or “too individualistic.”
Finding a way to lean in that felt right to me was the key to my success.
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My father emigrated from Taiwan in the 1960s with only $17 to his name and the clothes on his back. Even though he was poor in the material and financial sense, he never considered himself poor.
His mantra was that financial wealth alone did not represent one’s “true wealth.” He stressed the fact that he was rich in spirit and blessed with his education.
The most valuable financial advice that my dad instilled in me was not to define myself by what I have, but rather by my accomplishments and education. He insisted that while money did not buy happiness, it did provide peace of mind, freedom, and flexibility.
I learned that money should not be the sole determining factor for the decisions I make in life. His financial wisdom and insight have enabled me to adopt a balanced, holistic approach to financial matters, for which I am eternally grateful.
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Each March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is: “Women inspiring innovation through imagination.”
As a financial planner, I look back at the generations of women who throughout American history have drawn on their intelligence, imagination, and sense of wonder to make extraordinary contributions, and I am awed.
I’m also not surprised at how far we have come. Currently, women outnumber men in American colleges and universities. This reversal of the gender gap is a recent trend, noted in 2009, when 57 percent of bachelor degrees, 60 percent of master degrees, and 52 percent of doctoral degrees were awarded to women.
Fortunately for women, this increase in education translates into increased influence—and affluence.
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“Statistics show that the number of unmarried couples who share the same residence is on the rise,” says FPA Diversity Committee Co-Chair Rita Cheng, CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth “Just two years ago, the number of opposite-sex couples living together jumped 13 percent, to 7.5 million, according to the US Census Bureau. The number of same-sex couples living together in 2010 also increased over the previous year—up 30 percent—from 476,000 in 2009 to about 620,000 in 2010.”
Additional research confirms that the trend is continuing to grow, which presents unique financial planning concerns to the couples, as well as challenges for their financial planners.
Members of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) have created the FPA Diversity Initiative in an effort to raise awareness and promote an environment that embraces diverse communities of consumers and professionals.
Who is included in this demographic?
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What, exactly, is financial management?
Although many people know that saving for their financial future is important, many don’t know what steps to take to accomplish their goals.
Following is a primer that I use to help my clients understand the playing field of financial planning. My hope is that it will make taking the first steps in the planning process easier for you, too.
Let’s get started.
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Is being wild and adventurous—and strategically planning ahead for retirement—a non sequitur?
That question was answered for me when I read Mel and Patricia Ziegler’s book, “Wild Company: The Untold Story of Banana Republic.” Not only did they start their retail fashion company with $1,500 and no business experience, they re-imagined military surplus as safari and expedition wear.
Innovation was the key to their success. And the same is true when it comes to being creative about planning ahead for your financial future.
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What is the one trait that all the best wealth managers share? Empathy.
Clearly, education, expertise, and experience are important. But empathy—the ability to mutually experience the thoughts, emotions, and direct experience of others—is key because it facilitates mutual understanding.
Empathetic wealth managers can inspire their clients to adopt the positive changes necessary for them to reach their life financial goals.
According to the writings of 8th-century Buddhist scholar Shantideva, the key to cultivating more empathy is to learn to see the complexity of a situation. Even if empathy does not come naturally to us, it’s a virtue that we can develop over time.
Identify an empathetic wealth manager by considering the following.
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I love power couples. When two strong-minded, confident people come to me for help with their financial planning, I know we’re going to end up creating a savvy approach to managing their money.
Not only do dynamic duos exude positive energy and confidence, the merits of each personality often compensate for their character flaws in each other.
That said, their strong-willed determination to be the best does not guarantee that power couples don’t experience power struggles or discord when it comes to money.
Why is it so hard to manage money and love?
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