BCN Magazine 3rdQuarter-July-September : simplebooklet.com

MARKET RESEARCH THE KEY TOSUCCESSCONTENTSBCN QUARTERLY MAGAZINE5 TIPS FOR BUILDINGRELATIONSHIPS3 FINANCIAL TIPSFOR BUILDING YOURLEGACY3 FINANCIAL TIPSFOR BUILDING YOURLEGACYSETTING 3RDQUARTER GOALS602CONNECTED FOR SUCCESS EDITOR'S NOTE03 05040712HOW TO SURVIVE RELOCATINGYOUR BUSINESS-JENNIFER MALONEFEATURE STORYTHE BUXTONS15PLACES TO VISIT IN THE DMVBUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKINFO@BUSINESSCROSSINGNETWORK.COMPO BOX 303MANASSAS, VA 20108WWW.BUSINESSCROSSINGNETWORK.COM18MOTHER & DAUGHTER DUO:BEGINNING TO END EVENTS

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BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  |  2This edition is all about the value of building healthy relationships. We will give tips onrelationship building as well as feature people from the community that are findingsuccess in business through great relationships. Thank you for supporting the DMV Business Crossing Network! We look forward tocontinuing to keep you Connected For Success!Liletta HarlemCofounder, BCNwww.businesscrossingnetwork.comEditor’sNoteBUSINESS CROSSINGNETWORKI am honored that you have joined us forour 3rd Quarter BCN magazine!

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BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  |  35 TIPS FOR BUILDING RELATIONSHIPSBY LILETTA HARLEMBe genuine and authentic. People can tell when you're being fake, so it'simportant to be yourself.Be interested in others. Ask questions and listen to what they have to say.Be helpful and supportive. Offer to help others when you can.Be positive and optimistic. People are drawn to those who have a positiveoutlook on life.Be forgiving. Everyone makes mistakes, so be willing to forgive and move on.Relationship building is a journey, not a destination. It's about being present,listening, and being open to learning from others. It's about building trust andrapport, and creating a space where people feel safe and supported. When you build strong relationships, you create a foundation for success in allareas of your life.Here are 5 tips for building strong relationships:Building strong relationships takes time and effort, but it's worth it. When youhave strong relationships, you have a support system that can help you achieveyour goals.

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BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  |  4Market Research- The Key To Success Did you know one of the number one reasons that small businesses fail is because of lackof research?Market research is essential for businesses of all sizes, from startups to establishedenterprises. It can help businesses make better decisions about their products, pricing,marketing, and distribution.Here are some of the benefits of market research:Identify new market opportunities: Market research can help businesses identify newmarkets that they could enter or new products that they could develop. For example, amarket research study might reveal that there is a growing demand for a new type ofproduct or service. This information could help a business decide whether to enter thismarket or develop this product or service.Assess the potential of existing markets: Market research can help businesses assessthe potential of existing markets. This information can be used to make decisions abouthow to allocate resources, such as marketing and sales. For example, a market researchstudy might reveal that a particular market is growing rapidly. This information could help abusiness decide to increase its marketing and sales efforts in this market.Understand customer needs and preferences: Market research can help businessesunderstand customer needs and preferences. This information can be used to developproducts and services that meet customer needs. For example, a market research studymight reveal that customers are looking for a product that is more affordable and easier touse. This information could help a business develop a new product that meets these needs.Market research is a valuable tool that can help businesses make better decisions andachieve their goals. If you are considering starting a business or expanding your existingbusiness, market research is a must-do.

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BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  |  5Now is a great time to do an assessment of your business to determine what’s workingand what can be adjusted.Here are 3 ideas for setting 3rd Quarter goals for your business:1  Invest in marketing and advertising. This is a great way to reach new customers andgrow your business. There are many different marketing and advertising channelsavailable, so you can choose the ones that are most likely to reach your target audience.2  Expand your product or service offerings. If you're already successful in your currentmarket, you can expand your reach by offering new products or services. This can helpyou attract new customers and grow your business even further.3  Improve your customer service. Excellent customer service is essential for anybusiness that wants to succeed. Make sure you're always responsive to customerinquiries and that you go above and beyond to meet their needs.Need some help analyzing your business? Visit our website to schedule yourComplimentary Business Diagnostic with our team! Setting 3rd Quarter Goals Schedule your appointment TODAY: https://mikewilliams.acuityscheduling.com/

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The best time to start planning your financial future is yesterday.None of us are getting any younger. The best time to start is NOW! A lot of people will say, “I wish I would have done when I was younger.” That’s why we can’t take any more time toprocrastinate our finances. The last thing you want to do is wait until it is too late. Get a jump starton finances as soon as you can, whether it’s cash flow, retirement, or insurance, they all go hand inhand. No more putting it off for tomorrow. Life insurance is NOT bad when properly planned out and used.When people hear “life insurance,” they automatically think, ”when I die.” Yes, that is a smallportion of it. When the time does comes, your family will be paid out. But, there are more LIVINGbenefits that come with the right life insurance. There are many ways of using your insurance, likeprotecting yourself from the volatile market, protecting you income, borrowing from it tax freewhen needed. These are just some ways to protect you and the income you’ve worked so hard forover the years. We can’t continue to put all of our money into retirement without protecting it.Leave your LEGACY the right way!What will your LEGACY be? We all have to go someday, but how will you be remembered? Whatproducts do you have in place to financially free your family for generations to come? There are somany different products that you can properly put in place that will move the needle to help yourfamily when you are gone. When the time comes, your family will miss the income that you wereconsistently bringing in. Supplementation of that income will be needed to keep the bills paid,schooling for your kids, and the everyday needs your family needs.Please don’t be afraid to reach out and we can go over some of your financial goals and find outwhich products will effectively be best for you and your family. Together we can come up with acomprehensive plan that will best suit your needs. Adam GettisFinancial Services Professional/Insurance RepStrategic Financial Group3 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1500 | Houston, TX 770463 FINANCIAL TIPS FOR BUILDING A LEGACYBUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  |  6Adam Gettis

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Building New RelationshipsOne of the key challenges I faced was the need to abandon my plans of establishing a physicalresource center for Ladies Empowered with Resources. Prior to the move, I had just acquired anew office space, and I was excited about transforming it into a hub of support forentrepreneurs. However, the sudden relocation required me to rethink and adapt my approach.The most significant challenge, though, was the uncertainty of building a new network from theground up. I questioned whether I would be able to establish the same level of connections andsupport that I had in my hometown. It was essential for me to address these doubts and find away to overcome them.To handle these challenges, I began by reaffirming my sense of self and recognizing mycapabilities. I reminded myself of the skills, experience, and passion that I bring to anyenvironment, including a new location. Next, I actively engaged in networking opportunitieswithin the community. I attended local business events, joined professional organizations, and sought out networkinggroups specific to my industry. Additionally, I embraced the power of virtual platforms andonline communities. I focused on leveraging technology to create a virtual space whereentrepreneurs could connect, learn, and grow. This allowed me to reach a wider audience andconnect with individuals beyond the geographical constraints of the DMV and Milwaukee area.BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 7I am the founder of an incredible nonprofit organization calledLadies Empowered with Resources. Our main focus is to empower aspiring entrepreneurs andbusiness owners by providing them with the necessaryresources to succeed. Through a variety of training sessionsand enlightening seminars, we equip individuals with theknowledge, skills, and tools they need to thrive in theirventures.Around one year ago, I made a sudden and significant movefrom Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the DMV area. Prior to the relocation, I had invested years of effort intocultivating a strong network in my hometown. So, startingfrom scratch in a new place was a daunting prospect.Building New RelationshipsJennifer MaloneJennifer Malone

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Maintaining Business Relationships Back HomeOne of the initial steps I took was to honor and continue nurturing my connections throughspeaking engagements. Even though flying back and forth incurred considerable expenses, Irecognized the importance of upholding my commitments. These speaking engagementsprovided an invaluable opportunity for me to not only share my relocation journey but also toemphasize my continued dedication to serving my target audience virtually. This allowed me tomaintain a strong presence and reinforce my commitment to my audience.My AdviceRelocating as an entrepreneur is not merely a physical transition; it encompasses variousaspects of your life, including spiritual and emotional connections. Choosing a new city,neighborhood, job, and forging new connections all have a profound impact on your spiritualwell-being. It is not as simple as packing your bags and moving to a different place; it involvesan emotional journey that takes place mentally, socially, spiritually, and physically.When contemplating a relocation, I advise entrepreneurs to ask themselves importantquestions. Consider what you are taking with you and what you are leaving behind. Reflect onthe beliefs you are willing to let go of and the new beliefs you want to embrace. Examine thebehaviors you are willing to shed and the ones you desire to cultivate. Consider the kind offriendships and connections you want to leave behind in your previous location and the kind ofpeople you aspire to share your current space with.As an entrepreneur, I encourage you to leverage the power of social media in your relocationjourney. Join business groups and organizations specific to the city or region you are movingto. Engage with local Business Chambers of Commerce to expand your network and tap intovaluable resources. Social media platforms are also an excellent way to connect with fellowentrepreneurs. I personally found success by reaching out on a DMV group, inviting others forlunch in my area, and through that connection, I discovered the Business Crossing Network.BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 8While the prospect of relocating may feel intimidating, it is crucial toremember your inherent capabilities and the achievements you havealready made. Embrace the challenges and uncertainties as opportunitiesfor personal and professional growth. Have faith in your purpose, destiny,and the healing that can occur within you through this transition.Jennifer Malonewww.ladiesewr.comjennifermalone@ladiesewr.comhttps://www.facebook.com/jennimmalone

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It’s often stated that friends should never do business together. This group of friends hasproven that with hard work, you can have a business and it can be very successful!Check out our interview with The Black Coffee Company and about their business builton friendship!Please tell me about your businessThe Black Coffee Company started in February 2018, offering organic coffee beans, looseleaf tea, and branded products to help our communities. We invest in people and ideasthat boldly push our society forward, while staying true to the legacy we stand upon. Ourcore values are Community Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Freedom.We opened our first coffee shop (Black Coffee Atlanta) on Juneteenth in 2021. BlackCoffee Atlanta has become a hub for entrepreneurs, creatives, and the local community.We are looking to expand into the DMV very soon!!!Please share how many of you started the businessThe Black Coffee Company was founded by 5 lifelong friends, Jamin Butler, Chris Bolden,Branden Cole, Gino Jones, and Leonard Lightfoot. We all attended Xavier University ofLouisiana for undergrad. After graduating, we stayed in touch, but it was visiting theMotown Museum in 2015 and discovering how the Gordy family united their resourcesto create Motown that motivated us to collaborate and create something greater thanourselves.BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 9THE BLACK COFFEE COMPANY A business built on friendship

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How did you work effectively with distinct personalities and strengths?It takes trust and a shared vision to work effectively together. The root of our trust beganwhen we decided to pool our resources together and start an investment club in 2016.Consistently, every month we would contribute $50 to the investment pool and every twoweeks we would have a virtual conference call to discuss stocks and investments. Our bondand trust grew because of having these conference calls and getting to know each otherfinancially.What’s one of the biggest accomplishments that came from working togetherOur ability to continue to work together and grow Black Coffee Company to where it istoday is one of our biggest accomplishments. We credit our ability to work as a team as oursecret weapon. We can share the workload and leverage everyone’s strengths to thebenefit of operating and growing Black Coffee Company.What message do you have for friends going into business together?There is a saying to never do business with friends. However, we encourage friends to worktogether and create a business. Build trust over time, be consistent, and create a businessthat solves a problem for a customer. For us, coffee is the vehicle we are using to empowerthe community, promote the practice of entrepreneurship, and share ideas and resourcesto build generational wealth.Website: www.theblackcoffeecompany.comEmail: contact@theblackcoffeecompany.comIG, FB, Twitter: @BLKCOFFEECOTikTok: @theblackcoffeecompany BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 1 0

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THE GROWTH COACH OF NORTHERN VASTRATEGIC PLANNING, BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT, SALES TRAINING, TEAM TRAININGBETTER BUSINESS, BETTER TRAINING,BETTER RESULTS!FREE ASSESSMENTS UPON REQUESTS –MWILLIAMS@THEGROWTHCOACH.COM PH 703.402.8345BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 1 1Retreat to the Silk Rose Spa, a unique place torelax and rejuvenate, with space for solitude.From Moroccan bath techniques and hot oiltreatments of Northern Africa to Ethiopiansteaming traditions, we curate uniqueexperiences to help you decompress. And. Just.Breath. Even our massages, facials andacupuncture employee exotic oils and techniques.Get ready to pause, reflect and reconnect. Yournew world awaits.info@silkrosespa.cominfo@silkrosespa.com703-673-01116911 Richmond Highway, Suite 405BAlexandria, Virginia22306silkrosespa.comALEXANDER Q IS A VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON WELLNESS BOUTIQUE. OUR CERTIFIED COACHES HELP YOU HEAL TRAUMA AT THE ROOTS USINGYOGA, STRENGTH TRAINING, AND NUTRITION WITH OUR ROOTS TO WELLNESSPROGRAM. RTW MONTHLY INCLUDES• TWO LIVE VIRTUAL CLASSES• 1:1 VIRTUAL SESSION• COMMUNITY COACHING SESSIONS• WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGESTAKE US WITH YOU EVERYWHERE! EVEN THE GYM.REGISTER AT ELETHIAGAY.COM/PROGRAMSThrash & Sassy Hair Salon571-662-8717thrashnsassy@gmail.comthrashnsassy.com

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BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 1 3Smell Of Love CandlesWe are an organic candle company founded andled by my son, Alejandro, a young entrepreneurfrom the Washington D.C. metro area.We specialize in creating natural, hand-pouredsoy and coconut wax candles that are good foryou, good for the environment and are sociallyresponsible. Alejandro started Smell of LoveCandles to buy more comic books, save moneyfor college and to help those in need. My daughter, Valentina, Alejandro's little sisterand our Assistant of Operations, is following inher brother's footsteps and loves to make soapsand sugar scrubs, with my help. At first, it was just Alejandro tinkering in the kitchen. He made 6 candles for launch andmade the labels himself. However, as demand grew, we all got involved. Sacrifices For The FamilyWe live by a schedule, between swimming, basketball, dance, and the business, everyweekend is accounted for. Any time that we want to gather with friends or dosomething different, it has to be planned out well in advance. We're usually booked out6-8 months in advance between sports and the business. Moments We TreasureIt's hard to pick just one moment. There have been many monumental moments in thebusiness from the first time Alejandro was on the news to the vice president buying ourcandles but they don't compare to watching your kids develop skills right before youreyes. I've seen Alejandro go from a shy boy to the young man that he is now andwatching my daughter go from helping pass the bubble wrap to developing her salesskills is incredible as a mother. A Family Building Dreams!Smell Of Love Candles & The Startup Learning Center

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BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 1 4The Startup Learning CenterThe Startup Learning Center to teach entrepreneurs the legal foundations for building asustainable business. A lot of small businesses will pull templates from the internet or buya template from a site, not knowing that these templates are written to be vague andprovide very little protection if things went to court. At The Startup Learning Center we arehelping close the gap between small businesses and the legal foundational knowledge thatis needed to build a sustainable, scalable business. My experience with Smell of Love Candles, benefits my students of The Startup LearningCenter.I don't teach anything that I haven't personally tried with Smell of Love Candles so ourstudents at The Startup Learning Center are getting someone who not only works with the1% but takes all those skills and knowledge and applies it to our family business. The BenefitsDoing business as a family is wonderful. We get to grow together, and enjoy the journey ofentrepreneurship together. Alejandro states, "I enjoy it because we all do it together andwe spend a lot of time together." What parent wouldn't feel proud to have their child feelthat way about doing business together! smelloflovecandles.comstartuplearningcenter.com

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BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 1 5Things To Do In The DMVOne of our favorite spots to go for beautiful scenery and great activity.Meadowlark Botanical Gardens are botanical gardens and an event venue located at9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, in Vienna, Virginia. Highlights: July & August- Hosta Garden, Herb Garden, Perennial Garden, ButterflyGarden, White Garden, Bold Garden, Salvia Collection, Hydrangeas, Container Plantings,Crepe Myrtles, Ferns & Fern Allies, Annual Plantings, Aquatic Plants, Grasses. Strollthrough the Potomac Valley Collection to see the diversity of native plants andexperience the seclusion of a mature hardwood forest.September- Hosta Garden, Herb Garden, Ferns, Butterfly Garden, Container Plantings,Grasses, Chrysanthemums, Annuals, Salvia, Early Fall Color, Cancer Garden. Walk out tothe Salvia & Herb Gardens for a real sensory treat.https://www.novaparks.com/parks/meadowlark-botanical-gardens/gardensMEADOWLARK BOTANICAL GARDENS

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3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 1 8BUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly MagazineMother & Daughter DuoBeginning to End Events, LLCMichelle, Tell us about Beginning to End Events, LLC?Beginning to End Events, LLC (B2E) is a mobile event planning firm where we create impactful andmeaningful experiences for not only our clients but also their guests. I originally started B2Eunofficially in 2015 but made it official in 2021 during the pandemic. At Beginning to End Events, we take pride in handling your events from the idea phase to afterexecution of the event. We have a growing number of dynamic and reliable vendors that we workclosely with so you don’t have to find your own. No event is too small or large for us!While we don’t have certain type of events that we specialize in, we thoroughly enjoy building smallbusiness networking events, expos & exhibitions, weddings, anniversary parties, baby showers andpicnics. We’ve even worked on a bourbon tasting experience for a client. That was fun!Talk about having your daughter on your team and how that has benefitted both of you:It’s truly a joy to work with my daughter, Saniya, by my side. She’s always willing to jump in and helpwherever she's needed. She started off handling backend administrative tasks and had grown tomanaging pieces of some events. She’s a staple on-site for all events she’s available for. You’ll oftenhear her trying to take a task off my plate so that I can make sure I'm taking care of myself includingmaking time to eat.Working together has drawn us closer as mother and daughter. As a mother, I’ve always hoped that Iwould be close to my daughter and I would be able to serve as an example for her. It’s evident thatmy hope has come true and I’m so thankful for that. I also want to believe that she’s benefited from seeing her mom run a small business because shehas a small business of her own, Hair by NoNo. She’s been able to take a natural skill that we bothhave and have created a lane for herself. I’m beyond proud of her!When a mother and daughter work together, this can bechallenging. You're not just colleagues, you're also family. Thiscan make it hard to set boundaries between your work life andyour personal life. This mother & daughter team, however, haveshown that it's not only possible, but can be very rewarding!Check out this interview with Michelle and Saniya of Beginning ToEnd Events.

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Saniya, How do you feel working and supporting your mom?I feel it has brought us closer. It helps us communicate better during events but also outside ofevents. I love working for my mom and we often bounce different ideas off of one another. I also lovebeing able to support my mom in what she loves. It's rewarding to see the smile on her face when wecomplete an amazing event, and also to see the clients smiling!How has this help shape your goals Working with mom helps me because I'm able to pick up little tips here and there and apply them inmy everyday life. I've learned that when setting goals, you can have a big main goal but also havesmaller goals that will help you to reach the main goal. For example, with events, there are differentcomponents, big and small details and in order to create a successful event, you have to planproperly, so setting goals is very important. Each event is different so you have to shape your goalsand objectives around that event. This has helped me in my personal life. What tips do you have for families and working together in business Be patient. Sometimes working with family can be difficult but if you are patient and communicateeffectively, working together is a huge blessingBUSINESS CROSSING NETWORKQuarterly Magazine3rd Quarter | 2023B C N M A G A Z I N E  | 1 9What skills do you think it’s help instill in your daughter That’s a great question. I think she’s learned to pay attention to the smallest detail, even if no one elsewould pick up on it. Dedication and commitment to a task or job is another skill she’s learned. Lastbut not least, the art of putting together a tablescape. For our recent wedding anniversary, myhusband and I came home to a surprise dinner party set up by her. It was so pretty and thoughtfuland in that moment I knew she had been paying attention on every job we had. www.beginning2endevents.comMichelle@beginning2endevents.com804-385-2914

BCN Magazine 3rdQuarter-July-September

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