Meet Anna Cuevas, America’s Loan Modification Guru from San Diego, C

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do professionally. Through my book, blogging and media I provide information to homeowners that empowers them be their own best advocate, and use this knowledge to fight back and save their homes from foreclosure

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project? I really enjoy when I see that I can turn someone from being stressed out, fearful and anxious into the confident empowered person they are meant to be, with the information and knowledge I pass on to them. The possibility in even making a tiny difference in the lives of others empowers me, the ripple effect of my service to others.

Tell us about the non-profit/charitable/community organizations your company supports? The Foreclosure Crisis in America and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

Why did you choose them? I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on Mother’s Day 2009 and a miracle saved my life. When you face the possibility of your own death your priorities and mission in life changes in that instant. If God kept me alive it was not to keep my gifts to myself and I knew that with much knowledge comes much responsibility, I had information I needed to share with people that are hurting from the fear of foreclosure to empower them to be their own best advocate, it became clear that it was my responsibility. With my remission from ovarian I wanted to bring awareness to women for early detection.

How do you support them? For instance, do you volunteer, donate products and services, money? Do you serve in a leadership capacity within the organization? I blog about the different guidelines for the available programs that help homeowners modify their mortgage and I break it down in easy to understand language but mainly I offer people hope and let them know they are not alone.

I donate 10% of my retail book sales proceeds to Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

How has your support impacted the organization? You/your company? I am extremely humbled and touched when I hear from the homeowners on my blog find comfort, faith, hope and become empowered to fight back to sae their homes for their families when they were almost ready to give up. It really makes me feel good inside to hear from people and make a difference in someone’s life.

Tell us about any new projects you have coming up (or recently completed). I just completed my new #1 bestselling book Save Your Home: without losing your mind or your money

What is a typical day like for you?My typical day is quite busy, I pretty much never stop all day, I am on from the

Anna Cuevas and Les Brown

moment my eyes open. Between marketing the book, which really does take a lot of time if you want to reach the amount of people I need to reach, writing arcticles for the Huffington Post, blogging on my site, and calls it is quite the busy day. In addition, with the publicity we are doing I am also doing radio interviews and attending personal development conferences to keep learning how to be even more effective as a leader and expert.

What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome? The biggest risk I took was deciding to write Save Your Home, no one could have really prepared me for the big sacrifice both time wise and financially to really turn out a quality project. Spiritually I knew this information needed to be brought to the many homeowners searching for solid answers and direction all in one place, so using my direction from Romans 12 and Isaiah 61 I set on on the mission. God has guided every one of my steps on this journey, I just have to be present to listen and hear.

Learn more about Anna at http://www.askaloanmodguru.com

WHERE GIRLS ARE KNITTING AND CROQUETING CAPS TO DONATE TO CANCER CENTERS

Knots of Love collaborates with Agano with Kenya to help cancer patients - Knots of Love, a registered 501c3 charity that provides hand knit and crocheted caps for those who are fighting cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, has expanded to Africa, where girls are knitting and crocheting caps to donate as part of their community service.

“It has been exciting to work with Agano with Kenya and watch the project unfold,” explained Christine Fabiani Shively, Founder of Knots of Love. “We will be able to help many more patients suffering from cancer and terminal illnesses across the nation with the caps being donated by the girls in Kenya.”

With the help of Lion Brand Yarn, Knots of Love donated skeins of yarn, as well as crochet hooks, to Agano with Kenya for this project. The caps will arrive back in the states and will be donated to Knots of Love’s 355 cancer treatment centers across the United States and abroad.

About Agano with Kenya

Agano with Kenya commits to a ten-year agreement with orphaned, college-aged girls where educational funding and career guidance is reciprocated with community service and “paying it forward” to the next generation who enter the program. More information is available at www. aganowithkenya.org.

About Knots of Love

Knots of Love provides hand knitted and crocheted caps for people experiencing the effects of cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Knots of Love volunteers knit and knot more than 3,000 caps each month, which are then shipped to over 355 cancer treatment centers, infusion centers, hospitals and oncology offices in all 50 states, Canada and Mexico and Ireland. Knots of Love has shipped more than 93,493 caps since its inception in 2007. More information is available at www.knotsoflove.org.

Meet Adele M. Gill, RN/ Book Author & Blog: The Inspiration Café and Silver Lining Communications, Inc. in Fallston, Maryland

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do professionally. I am a wife, mother of 2 living in Maryland. As the RN author of 2 inspirational self-help books, “Patient Persistence,” and my new book, “7 Pathways to Hope,” and “The Inspiration Café” blog, I write about the close correlation between health, optimism and faith–the mind-body connection. My books provide hope for those who are hope-challenged; and who isn’t from time to time?

I started writing inspirational books when I had to leave nursing due to health challenges some 28 years ago. Due to myasthenia gravis syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease, I am presently speech & mobility impaired, walk with a walker, and am on a Bipap respirator 16 hours per 24 hour day. I revel in the precious hours I am not on my breathing machine, and feel called to encourage others through my writing with the time that I am not bedridden, including working with the homeless.

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place?

I have known that I wanted to be a nurse since I was about 4 years old, and have been writing since I was about 10 years old. When I had to leave nursing, it broke my heart, as I loved working in pediatric neurology and the newborn nursery at a large teaching hospital in Baltimore. However, I had to find new avenues to pursue when I left my job.

I especially enjoy providing others with the encouragement they need to make a difference in their own lives and communities. People really need to cultivate and embrace optimism to succeed in life. My books provide them with important tools to keep going despite obstacles that may present themselves.

What was the inspiration for your company/project? When I became disabled and had to retire from nursing, I experienced major depression as I missed working as a nurse. Soon, I began to learn new ways to cope with the loss, and subsequently found out how vitally important hope really is to daily life and wanted to help others grow in hope, as well. Optimism is everything! Especially when combined with prayer, it can rejuvenate sagging spirits at the end of a challenging day, and improve cardiovascular health, arthritis and even help in the treatment of cancer. In “7 Pathways to Hope,” I reveal 9 recent ground breaking medical research studies on the medical benefits of optimism and prayer. In fact, chapter 2 can change your life! About 10 months ago, I started The Inspiration Café blog to provide regular encouragement to others.

My husband and I started Silver Lining Communications, Inc. when my most recent book, “7 Pathways to Hope” was published to promote my mission of hope.

Tell us about the non-profit/charitable/community organizations your company supports?

Women of Vision The Samaritan Women Local Homeless Shelters

Why did you choose them? As a member of the Baltimore Chapter of WOMEN OF VISION, I serve as co-chair of Spiritual Life. That is, I pray for the needs of our organization. Our group is growing by leaps and bounds as we support international causes such as microloans for women in dire need in other countries. Locally, we provide support at local homeless shelters and are preparing to work in Baltimore City with The Samaritan Women helping prostitutes come off the streets and start anew with compassionate retraining in areas such as the culinary arts.

How do you support them? For instance, do you volunteer, donate products and services, money? Do you serve in a leadership capacity within the organization?

This Fall, I will join Women of Vision & The Samaritan Women at one of 4 strategically located “Spa Houses” provided by The Samaritan Women designed to give the women hope for a new life. There, the women can come off the street for a shower, a meal, and a manicure. Eventually, it is our hope that they will want to relocate to The Samaritan Women Houses to begin a new life in faith. As Spiritual Life co-chair, I am praying fervently for the women we serve in this ministry as well as the volunteers.

How has your support impacted the organization? You/your company? From writing inspirational books to volunteering, I am able to provide others with the optimism necessary for major life change for the better, thus creating a ripple wave effect enabling others to grow in confidence.

Tell us about any new projects you have coming up. I am presently working on my next book: From Broken to Blest: The Mind-Body-Faith Phenomenon.

What is a typical day like for you? Upon rising in the morning, pray then write my blog, “The Inspiration Café,” carefully beginning with a short scripture passage from the bible. This devotional blog is designed to reach women & men through the cultivation of hope and faith. Most days, I write through the morning and early afternoon, then get on my respirator for 3 hours in the afternoon before cooking dinner for my family. 1-2 mornings per week, I also work with the prayer team at local homeless shelters with the poor.

What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome? The biggest obstacles I have overcome is depression from living with a progressive neuromuscular disease, and the disease itself as it at times has seemed daunting. Happily, I have come to a point in my life where I am hope-filled and look forward to each new day. I am healed of the depression, and am eager to help others that face this hurdle through writing..

From where do you draw inspiration? I draw inspiration from the many women in my life who have made a difference in my life and that of my family. Who have been your role models, mentors, etc? I have many close women friends who have helped me get to this point. Their example and encouragement and prayers have been a beacon of light for me, ever leading me to in turn, inspire others.

What do you do to keep yourself sharp? I write something everyday

What one thing have you done in the past year that has made a significant difference in your life/your business? I published my 2nd book with American Book Publishers

What one thing would you like to learn this year? I would like to learn to expand the readership for my blog and share my new book, “7 Pathways to Hope” on Oprah!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself with 2-3 more books published

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment? I write, sew, knit, make rosaries for catholic missions abroad, volunteer helping others

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? Hope is vitally important to optimal health in body, mind and spirit. I am very interested in writing an inspirational article for WE Magazine.

What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?

My books are available on Amazon.com

Learn more at Silver Lining Communications

Dallas County resident, Michelle Armour, is collecting clothing, toys & non perishable food for her new Foster Kids Charity, so that children will have something decent to carry their possessions when moving into foster care.

On June 22, 2008, a Plano traffic wreck killed Geoff Hart; his wife, Christy; their 12-year-old daughter, Rebekah; and their two foster children, Kevinnesha Palmer, 6, and Raven Lucas, 5. Michelle witnessed the accident and was impacted by it. She started to learn more about the foster care system in Texas and now 3 years later she has learned that the very things most of us never take the time to notice – could mean the world to thousands of children who enter the foster system.

Michelle founded Foster Kids Charity, a nonprofit organization who delivers care bags to foster children & needy children (homeless or children who are a victim of abuse & neglect) in Texas. Her mission is to also promote fostering children and help reduce the number of children who stay in the foster care system for so long.

Michelle has been collecting toys; nutrisious snacks/food for children, clothing & other items every chance she gets.

Michelle’s personal mission is making sure the children know it’s not where you came from, but how you carry yourself once you leave.”It’s an opportunity for that child to know their self worth and an opportunity for that child to know that someone else cares and appreciates them,” says Michelle.

How you can help:

Visit Michelle’s website at Fosterkidscharity.org

Donate Funds – online ,check or chase account 962055992. Funds will be used to buy and fill the care bags as well as ship them directly to needy children…

Donate Goods Get rid of your old/new clothing, school supplies, shoes, toys and books. Donate gift cards, gift certificate for fun activities such as: movie ticket, sporting events tickets. Donate non perishable food for kids: peanut butter, apple sauce, cereal bars, boxed juice & milk, crackers, vitamins & others.

Please send or drop items with a letter of encouragement to the address listed below:

Foster Kids Charity Inc. 12830 Hillcrest Rd Suite 111 Dallas Texas 75230

Meet Tina Deszi, A Woman on a Mission

What if you took your lifetime dream and made it happen with a lot of work and a lot of dedication, saw your dream grow and expand, and then had your dream turn into a nightmare because of your own health?

I recently met a woman named Tina Deszi. Tina adds new meaning to a Type A personality. She’s high energy, incredibly sincere and incredibly devoted to her own women’s group, Power of Women Exchange, which she co-founded.

But Tina, like all of us, has a back story that makes me realize just how much we can give each other, maybe even more now that we’re of a certain age.

Tina will be 47 this July and her story lends itself to all of us as a shining example of how we have wisdom now to know what’s best for us and wisdom to make changes as we need to and when we need to.

Tina’s first business was in partnership with her mom providing homecare services to older women and men.

Then, as the co-founder of POWE, Tina has built her group up to several successful chapters and now, at the height of her networking career, she’s resigning and going back to her original business with her mom. “Health care has been my life. You’re either born with it or not. It’s not pretty or glamorous; it’s messy, but it’s instilled in you.”

When Tina and a colleague founded POWE, she started neglecting her homecare company. And she didn’t like that to happen. “T & E (her homecare business) is about Boomers. My mom and partner is a beginning boomer and I’m at the very end of the boomers, so we have a good knowledge of that sandwich group. “We’re getting older but we’re not always living better, so we have to have help to live better and healthier. That’s what we do at T & E.”

To that end, Tina is now establishing a centre for older men and women to provide them with wonderful choices as they grow older, as they age. “People need the extra help that we will provide over standard services provided by the government.”

While Tina was busy growing this new arm of her business with her mom, a close friend of hers found out she had breast cancer. I had a “going off to chemo party for her, complete with t-shirts, and she made us all promise to get a mammogram. I had mine done and they found a lump. I cried for my girlfriend every day because she had 2 little kids and so I kept my own cancer on hold.”

“I started writing a blog as therapy and within 6 weeks, I had 5,000 people reading my blog! That made me realize just how much high impact stress I was dealing with. My doctor said I had to make changes in my life: lose some weight, give up caffeine and all preservatives and drink no more than 2 glasses of wine a week!”

“As I wrote about my stress levels, I also made a list of my stressors and they were all from POWE. When I journaled this, I could no longer deny my cancer.” So Tina decided to step down from her leadership role at POWE, her baby.

“Our Board of Directors said I was retiring, rather than stepping down and that phrase gave me the courage to go the next stage of my life. I now have full confidence in my decision to concentrate on our elder services atT & E and on my family and my life is full now too.”

“Individually we can change little, but as a group, mostly by leading by example, we can let people know that they can have a full life if they chose to. My choice has given me quietness with no chatter from my head. I can listen to my heart instead.”

“That’s why I created Full Life Integrated Health Care Centre. It’s a dream that I’ve had for years and when I realized it was still at the back of my mind, I knew it was my dream coming true. We’ll have fully integrated health care including wheelchairs, diapering, feeding and it will include offering the same services to young people with disabilities too. Clients will pay a low monthly fee and that will include both medical and social services. It’s not a nursing home, not a live-in concept; people come for the day’s programs and then go back home.”

“We’ll also have short term emergency housing for victims of elder-abuse. And it will all be dependent on fundraising. I see aging as ‘Once an adult, twice a child. We need help when we’re little and then again when we age.”

“There’s nothing like this in all of Canada because it includes partnering with insurance companies to include this service for their clients.”

“I want people to stand beside me, embrace me in his effort and see the bigger picture and lobby for change in this direction. In 10 years, I want to see this country wide and into the U.S. too. I hope that everyone is aware and understands that it’s building a community and caring for our aging population to continue to live a full life.”

“If I don’t celebrate who I am now, I never will.”

Congratulations Tina for setting such a great example for women of a certain age!

©Marcia Barhydt, 2011

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in music?

Well I was born and raised in a small town in Maryland called Hagerstown! I am a small town bubbly, fun loving girl at heart! I always loved to sing as a small child and during my teenage years but believe it or not I was a very shy and insecure during those years so I did not really take singing seriously and pursue it with my whole heart until I moved to Florida in my early twenties. At that time I started singing as a lead worship singer at a church called Living Word Fellowship Church and training with many amazing vocal coaches and that is when singing and writing songs became my real passion and calling in life!

I am an inspirational singer/songwriter who is passionate about my music and making a difference in the world with the songs that God has placed in my heart! I love people and I love living life to the fullest and following the dreams that God has placed in my heart! On this musicial journey It has not always been easy and there have been bumps in the road but I was determined to follow the path that God had laid before me and now in my life things are going so amazing, beyond what I could ever think or imagine! 2011 is truly the happiest year of my life!

I have the most amazing parents and friends that love and support me in my career! I am with the love of my life TC (his real name is Torrance Copeland but everyone calls him TC) and we will be getting married very soon! I have 2 precious little nephews Sebastian and Deangelo and my boyfriend’s 9 year old daugther Mia that I love with my whole heart! At this time I am so busy with my music career but TC and I hope to have a baby in the next few years!

What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place? What was the inspiration for your company/project?

I am so fullfilled and enjoy doing my music so much because the songs that God has inspired me to write and sing are impacting the world and making a difference in the lives of others! Everyday I receive special messages, comments and e-mails from people who tell me that my music has touched them and impacted their lives in a postive way! That is truly an amazing feeling! God is really the main inspiration behind my songs and why I do what I do! I have written many of my songs based out of my own life experiences or someone or something that has touched my heart so deeply that I just had to write a song to express my feelings about it!

What has been the most profound result being in the music industry?

Definetely the most profound result of being an artist is the fact that I create songs that truly come of the depths of my heart and soul and seeing the impact that my songs have on others! I love being real and unique and that is why I choose to write my own songs and go with the direction that has been placed in my heart! God has given me a gift and I am so happy inside that I am using my gift to make a difference in the world for others!

Tell us about any new projects you have coming up.

2011 has truly been the most amazing year for me! I am so excited about all the wonderful new doors and opportunites that God has opened up for me this year! Currently I am in the studio with my main producer Ben Bagby recording new songs for my 2nd album which will be titled “Paint Me A Rainbow” like my fun new dance single “Paint Me A Rainbow” that was just released in Feburary of this year! I hope and pray to have my 2nd album released by late 2011! I am also working with a local dance choreographer here in South Florida named Kim Rosano on a new “Paint Me A Rainbow” sassy dance! Kim and I are so excited because we are planning to do a hugh “Paint Me A Rainbow” sassy dance flash mob and we want everybody from all ages and all walks of life involved with our new dance! My new dance is truly going to be so much fun for everyone involved! I also have a strong desire to write an inspirational book but right now my main focus is working on my new album and my new “Paint Me A Rainbow” sassy dance! I just had a recent music photo shoot with my art director April Anselona so I will be putting up my new photos sometime in May! On top of all that I am also scheduled for more live performances and radio interviews as well, so right now I am a busy bee!

What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome?

Well as a teenager when I still lived in Maryland I suffered from the eating disorder anorexia but with the wonderful help of a great counselor, the grace of God and my family and friends I overcame anorexia and was completely healed in my late teens /early twenties! With the help of my counselor Susan I really spent one year of my life reaching deep in my soul and worked on why I had the eating disorder in the first place! Getting counseling was the best thing that I ever did! During my late teens I also suffered from vocal nodules so I had to undergo major surgery to have 5 vocal cord nodules removed! Many of the voice teachers that I have trained with over the years told me that it is a real miracle that I sing like I do after having such intense surgery on my vocal cords! I took a hugh risk by moving to South Florida on my own at the age of 21! I knew that if I stayed in Hagerstown, Maryland that my dreams would not be fullfilled so I decided to move away to Florida and I tell you it was one of the best decisions I have ever made!

From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc?

Jesus is my main inspiration and hope, my parents, my grandma, my sweetie TC and those around me who have impacted my life in a profound way!

I have had so many amazing vocal teachers over the years that have mentored me such as Gil Magno, Cheryl Long, Norma Mendoza & Katherine Farnham! We all need mentors in our life to help us grow so I am so thankful to God for the voice teachers that he placed in my life over the years! Some of my music artist role models have been Prince, Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Tori Amos, Bjork and many more

What do you do to keep yourself sharp? What one thing have you done in the past year that has made a significant difference in your life/your business?

I train, train, train my voice which is so important for a singing artist! I take care of myself by eating healthy, exercising 3 to 4 times a week, and trying to get enough rest! As a singer these things are most important! My boyfriend TC got me a juicer this past Christmas and so I have been faithfully juicing since 2011 and it has really made a difference! I just discovered that juicing with raw garlic along with all my other fruits and veggies is a lifesaver and awesome for my singing voice! I also surround myself with positive, caring, uplifting people and that has really helped my life and career so much!

What one thing would you like to learn this year?

How to write a book and the steps that are needed in the book writing process! I know how to do a full music album project but writing a book is a whole new thing for me!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Wow, I see myself on top of the world, traveling and doing music tours! I see my music reaching millions of people worldwide! God is already opening the windows of heaven for me so I know in the next 5 years so many more amazing doors will be opening up for me beyond what I could ever think or imagine! The possibilites are truly endless when you have God on your side and you believe and trust him! He is ultimately the one that opens the doors!! I also see myself married to TC and with one little baby! TC and I want to travel to beautiful Italy for our honeymoon and so I see myself in Italy sometime soon as well! I also see myself giving to those less fortunate in world in bigger ways! I already give now but I see myself being so blessed that I am able to bless others more then ever before!

What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment?

I love, love, love to go thrift/vintage/consignment shopping! I am a thrift store fanatic! I love to scrapbook and I find it very relaxing! I have 27 scrapbooks of my life already made! I love to spend quality fun time with my sweetie TC, his daugther Mia,my 2 little nephews Sebastian and Deangelo and the rest of my family and friends! It is so important to cherish the simple things in life that we do with the ones we love! I love to walk outside and rollerblade on the beach boardwalk! I love to dance and act crazy! I just love being childlike and have real fun in my life!

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Remeber to Smile and Laugh and That All Things Are Possible With God!

What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?

www.cdbaby.com/cd/amybarbera2

www.itunes.com/amybarbera

www.youtube.com/amybarbera

Official Facebook Music Fan Page

Tell us about your business and how you came up with the idea for ICUDrive.com?

I was driving on I-75 with my 3 young boys when a young lady merged and went across 3 lanes of traffic without even looking up because she was texting. She almost killed my family and a few other cars close by. I screamed in fear, “You don’t even know you almost caused an accident, I wish I could call your mother!” My 7 year old asked why I couldn’t. I just told him it was impossible. He said, “Mommy, nothing is impossible, you just need to think about it some more!” Well, it didn’t stop there, he asked me every day if I had an answer. So I really had to think about the problem and together we came up with a simple solution. From my 7 year old icudrive.com was born.

What makes ICUDrive unique? Unlike high tech gadgets, iCuDrive.com allows the community to be a parent’s eye on the road. You see, the icudrive.com bumper sticker has a personalized one word ID. If you are driving behind a teen enrolled in our program you and you see them driving in a manner which you believe is not safe, like texting, you can simply call 1-855-icu-DRIVe. Our call center will then call the parent with your concerns. We believe this will create parent – teen teachable moments which in turn create a safer roadway for all.

What are the benefits of using your service? As a teen, I was driving my parents car with other teens as passengers. I was not driving as carefully as I should and that evening my father told me a friend of his called concerned over my driving behavior. Well, I denied it, of course. My father replied that I was driving the only red convertible Cadillac in Tampa. I was caught. More than that, I realized I was no longer anonymous and anyone could call my parents to tell them what I was doing. From that day on, I parked between the lines, drove more concerned for others, let people in, didn’t blast the music and most importantly, followed the rules my parents set for me. So the benefit of using icudrive.com is that for $8.99 a month you employ all the other concerned families on the road to keep your teen on notice that they not anonymous. We also want this to be a tool of communication between you and your teen. Our Family Driving contract gives you the way to open those lines.

How has it been received? iCuDrive.com has been well anticipated and we are excited to start our launch. We expect the launch to drive many families to us looking for answers to the seriousness of the epidemic to distracted teen drivers. Daily eight teens lose their lives to a distracted driving event. This is not acceptable.

How do you market ICUDrive Online? Offline? iCuDrive.com has opened its marketing with press releases and word of mouth as well as online media outlets.

In addition, iCuDrive.com has expanded its scope to include many charities and organizations. How do we do this? Simple, for each school or organization that wishes to join our efforts, we will donate back to them $1 per month per teen. Add it up, 1000 students from your local high school will generate $1000 a month for the schools PTA! Our nationwide program is also associated with safeteendriver.org and anyone who wishes to donate to them may also do so. The program safeteendriver.org was started when a teen was drag racing and killed Bruce Murakami’s wife and daughter. Again, this needs to be stopped. We need them to know we are a village raising the teens to be aware.

What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why? My 3,5, & 8 year old boys who yell out icudrive.com every time someone cuts us off or is texting and driving. I want to keep them safe and don’t want something as avoidable distracted driving to take anyone’s family!

What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers? Don’t let your own fears of failure paralyze you. You have to push through to find success.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years? We are a community and can reach out to others to help our dreams happen.

What do you do for fun/relaxation? Fun is time with my family. I have had 15 hospital stays over the last 3 years and couldn’t find a future until I looked into their eyes. Don’t take one second for granted, you never know when it may be your last. We owe it to our children to never give up. They need to see hope, love and goodness in our lives.

What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year? We want to sign up 10,000 teens over the next 12 months. We know that our nation wide program will save lives and parents need to take the first step with their own family. The common theme with parents who have buried their teens due to distracted driving is that they were good kids and they trusted them without a doubt. Don’t let this be a false since of security. We might have the best teens in the world but it does not make them perfect. Maybe if they knew you weren’t the only one keeping an eye on them things would be different.

You want to write a book on … Safe Teen Driving

What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you? Visit our Website: www.iCuDrive.com, call 855-icu-drive or 813-469-1804, or email: laura@icudrive.com

Meet Ebony Steele co-host on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show

Inspiring women across the globe, Ebony Steele embodies the essence of what it means to lead, inspire and persevere.   Her daily adjustments to balance life, career, health and wellness are ones that are relatable to women everywhere.

As a young lady in Birmingham, Alabama, Ebony Arrington desired to entertain the hearts to all who crossed her path.  Her natural ability to amuse and bring smiles to those around her ordered her destiny as a performer, as she participated as a dancer and model in performance and modeling schools throughout the Birmingham area. As a graduate of Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Ebony’s tenacity to achieve success aesthetically and intellectually contributed to her collegiate achievements specifically being crowned as Miss Tuskegee University and later Miss Gulf Coast.

Ebony’s spoken words of inspiration, “To Dance is the Body, To Perform is the Heart” is a simple phrase that illustrates her dedication to the art of dance and the development of the youth in her community.  Following the entrepreneurial spirit of her grandmother, Flora McGhee, founder of Birmingham’s first black owned modeling school, Ebony extended her legacy by providing an opportunity for young performance artists.  In 1998, Ebony founded and continues to serve as Artistic Director to the Ebony Arrington Dance & Performance Studio in Birmingham, Alabama.  From humble beginnings with a mere 17 students and handful of instructors, the Ebony Arrington Dance & Performance Studio has matured to service more than 400 students, staffed with full time instructors and 2 locations for dance training in the Alabama area.

Innate talent and training coupled with years of entertainment experience are definite reflections of dreams achieved for National Radio Personality Ebony Steele.  Over a decade ago, Ebony Arrington met Rickey Smiley while working at a local mall in the Birmingham area.  A genuine connection was formed and a kinship was developed.  Rickey shared his vision for Ebony as his co-host on his radio show from what then seemed to be a distant dream. A decade later both Ebony and Rickey can be heard across the country on the National Syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show.

In 2008 Ebony’s spirit of “Steele” was threatened with what some would consider a fatal health concern.  Ebony joined the masses of women across the world and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not a victim, but an advocate is the best way to describe Ebony’s tenacity and perseverance in defeating this disease.  Now a 2-year survivor, she serves as a beacon of light to other women and men as she has and continues to educate and make all aware of the disease.  In early 2010, she was selected as a Susan G. Komen Circle of Promise Ambassador and General Mills Pink Together Ambassador as the face of the campaign to create awareness and search for a cure.

Ebony’s contagious smile, abundant laughter and giving spirit are few in the abundant positive characteristics bestowed upon her. She has graced an array of covers for local magazines and has been featured in national publications including Essence.com and Rolling Out Urban Style Weekly.  From choreographing young performers talents to sending light to the hearts of her listeners, Ebony Steele is a global role model for men and women alike.

Listen to Ebony every week on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show with her witty interpretation of the things we see in life…. That “ain’t nobody sayin nuthin” about. If you’ve seen something that “ain’t nobody sayin’ nuthin’” about, contact Ebony today at http://ebonyarrington.com!

Great Quotes from Great Women allows us to learn from some of the greatest women of all time – not considered so because of personal achievements, but for the effect their efforts have had on the lives of countless others. With more than 200 quotations, Great Quotes from Great Leaders profiles the timeless wisdom of 29 of the world’s greatest women. Their passion and persistence have advanced womanhood and the world. So learn from Great Quotes from Great Women and apply their wisdom to your own life.

Meet Ellen Sue Burton, Publisher of DUO Magazine in South Florida and Founder of Do Unto Others Day – a Woman on a Mission!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do professionally.

After leaving the University of Florida in 1975, I married Andre S. Burton, CPA, my husband of 36 years and practiced Court Reporting for the next 20 years. Thereafter I dabbled in numerous other businesses including event planning, interior design, property management, writing, and editing. Three years ago after working as a Public Relations Director and Editor with another South Florida publication I consulted my 52 year old body and 25 year old spirit as I prognosticated the second half of my journey. I realized that my primary profession of mother and housewife had slipped slowly through my fingers landing squarely in the hands of my now independent children, fellow Gators, Michelle (2004) and David (2009). Wallowing in my uselessness would not be an option. Opportunity knocked. . . or rather called on the phone. . . and in 2008 the President of the PTA would become the Publisher of DUO.

How did you become publisher of DUO Magazine. In other words what was the inspiration for starting a magazine especially in this economy?

As a five-year-old I walked down the street holding a cardboard canister as my aunt knocked on doors raising money for Cystic Fibrosis (an illness her youngest daughter succumbed to at 34 years old). I am now all grown up and walking down a different road knocking on different doors. My newborn, DUO “Do Unto Others” Magazine, “The Little Magazine making a Big Difference” brings somebody new and somebody wonderful in to my world on an hourly basis: Unsung Heroes, charities, foundations, people changing lives. From mom to publisher. Trading homeworking with kids to networking with celebrities. It seems so surreal. I may not have precious little arms wrapped around my neck anymore; but I am now keeping warm and snuggly with the cyber hugs I get in the e-mails I receive from readers, my staunch supporters, who applaud my latest endeavors and are rooting for my success every step of the way. “Dare to live. Dare to give.” It seems like only yesterday that I came up with the motto for what then was just a vision. Now I’m not only living it. . . I’m loving it!

What makes DUO different from other magazines?

DUO “Do Unto Others” Magazine is more than just a Magazine; it’s a Movement! It’s a heartfelt journey through the endeavors of the charitable organizations and Unsung Heroes who are changing lives and making a difference.

Who is your target audience?

Recession-proof jetsetters, entrepreneurs, charitable organizations, and philanthropists, people with art on their walls and music in their hearts.

I understand you have created a holiday of the same name, “Do Unto Others” month/Day. Tell us how that came about and what your goals are with the day?

“Do Unto Others” month/day is an event that I have envisioned since the inception of the magazine. I wanted an opportunity to celebrate those caring individuals who believe in the success-driven philosophy “If you give it up, you’ll get it back.” I’ve created this celebration to thank those Compassionate Capitalists who pay forward a portion of their day-to-day earnings to those in need, to those who receive more pleasure in giving than receiving. I wanted to extend an invitation to these loving individuals to join forces and share a portion of themselves, either monetarily, physically, or spiritually with those whose lives are less blessed than theirs.

How can our readers get involved?

Log on to www. DUOmagazine.com to submit stories about themselves or others who are changing lives, paying it forward, making a difference not only this day, but every day. Make a donation, mow a lawn, lend a shoulder for someone to cry on. To DUO Magazine, “Making Miracles Matters the Most”. Go out and make a miracle happen. And on February 24th, embrace yourself for being somebody who truly makes a difference in this world.

Where do you see yourself/ your holiday in 5 years?

I am optimistic that “Do Unto Others” Month/Day will become a nationally recognized holiday, with February 24th being the day that we take time off to recognize those in our families, our lives, our businesses, community activists, and Public Service employees with award ceremonies, written commendations, media coverage. . . or even just a warm embrace and a great big thank you.

What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?

EllenSueB@aol.com

http://duomagazine.com

http://twitter.com/DUOMagazine

DUO/FaceBook