Blue Chip Company - Better Days Radio

This is our third week on business pioneer’s and future Blue Chip Companies to watch.

THE BROADCAST EMPIRE BUILT FROM THE MICROPHONE UP

Everyone loves a hero. We love old fashioned rags to riches stories about starting at the bottom and zooming straight to the top. Cathy Hughes' story is one of those. In the world of radio and business, she has built an empire and attained status of truly heroic proportions. A college drop-out who became pregnant at 16, Hughes gained 82 pounds and suffered from depression. However, her son, Alfred, became her inspiration and her motivation. Unstoppable, Hughes pushed forward, saying a prayer every morning, and behind the microphone---raising hell. She has slept nights in a sleeping bag on the station's floor and played her own LPs brought from home to fill air time, working in every aspect of radio from sales to talk show host.

In 1973, Hughes was named general sales manager to WHUR-FM in Washington, D.C, and by 1975 was hired as the general manager of the station. Under her guidance, WHUR-FM, which had been struggling along with $300,000 in annual sales revenues, increased its annual revenues to more than $3.5 million. In 1978, Hughes left WHUR for WYCB Radio, where she served as the vice president and general manager of the station.

Hughes and her husband at the time, Dewey Hughes, decided they wanted to buy their own radio station in 1979, and after being rejected by thirty-two banks, they found a lender. With their loan, they purchased WOL, a small Washington, D.C. station and Radio One was born. While Hughes wanted a talk format for the station, the bank was pressing for music. A compromise was reached permitting Hughes to have a morning talk show program that was followed by music programming throughout the day.

Hughes' marriage ended shortly after purchasing the station and she began her path as a single mother. She purchased her husband's share in the station, but hard times soon forced she and her son, Alfred, to give up their apartment and move into the station to make ends meet. Over time, however, the station began turning a profit, largely due to the success of her talk show.

Today, Hughes and her son, Alfred Liggins, the president and CEO, work side by side running Radio One, Inc., the largest African American owned and operated broadcast-company in the nation. It is the first African American company in radio history to dominate several major markets simultaneously, and the first woman-owned radio station to rank #1 in any major market. In 1995, Radio One purchased WKYS in Washington, D.C. for $40 million -- the largest transaction between two Black companies in broadcasting history.

In May of 1999, Hughes and Liggins took their company public. Hughes made history again by becoming the first African American woman with a company on the stock exchange. Radio One's value is currently in excess of $2 billion dollars. In 2000, Black Enterprise named Radio One, "Company of the Year", Fortune rated it one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For", and Radio One was inducted into the Maryland Business Hall of Fame.

This week’s Future Mogul Blue Chip Company to keep your eyes or should I say keep your ears open for are the Radio POWER Duo Sir Daniel and Drama Dupree from www.BetterDaysRadio.com headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. This month they celebrate their 1 year anniversary. The radio media moguls, Sir Daniel (SD) and DRAMA DUPREE (DD) shared with Lil Mogul (LM) their views on the power of the media, their 10 year plan and if Lady Gaga will take over the world in 2010.

(LM) What’s your Zodiac Sign?

(SD) Virgo
(DD) PISCES

(LM) Where were you born?

(SD) The island of the sun, Barbados
(DD) OPELIKA, ALABAMA A SMALL TOWN NEAR AUBURN UNIVERSITY

(LM) Where do you currently live?

(SD) Atlanta
(DD) ATLANTA, GA

(LM) Where did you go to college?

(SD) Clark Atlanta University (Go Panthers!)

(DD) I ATTENDED TWO JR. COLLEGES SOUTHERN UNION FOR BUSINESS AND BAUDER COLLEGE FOR FASHION DESIGN

(LM) What do you do (career or claim to FAME)?

(SD) I am the creator and co-host of Better Days Radio, Online radio for us by us (photo of Sir Daniel)

(DD) MY CLAIM TO FAME IS YOUTUBE ON DRAMADUPREE.COM. I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE I AM NOT A FAMOUS PERSON AND I AM NOT THAT POPULAR AMONGST THE MASSES. BUT I AM POPULAR AMONGST THE POPULAR PEOPLE.

(LM) How did you get started in your new found career or industry?

(SD) For several years I worked as a Producer and Board operator at THE major urban radio station in Atlanta where I soaked up everything you could possibly learn about the industry and creating good shows. One day I stepped back and realized that my personal goals weren't being fulfilled and my talents were not being used. So on a whim I decided to create my own opportunity to showcase my abilities and to talk about issues that meant something to me.

(DD) I WAS FIRED FROM MY CORPORATE JOB AT HOME DEPOT AND I WANTED TO VENT. A FRIEND GAVE ME A CAMCORDER AND SO I VENTED, UPLOADED IT TO YOUTUBE AND FRESH FROM CRUNK AND DISORDERLY POSTED THE VIDEO ON HER SITE AND I WAS AN INSTANT HIT

(LM) Do you think entrepreneurship is for everyone and/or important?

(SD) The entrepreneurial spirit is not in everyone. It takes a commitment that could almost be considered a compulsive obsession.

(
DD) HONESTLY, NO I DO NOT. EVERYONE DOES NOT HAVE A BUSINESS MIND. NOW WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK IF SOMEONE FINDS A GREAT PARTNER THEN MAYBE. I, DONT HAVE A GREAT BUSINESS MIND BUT I HAVE GOOD BUSINESS MINDED PEOPLE IN MY CAMP. YES I THINK ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS VERY IMPORTANT, AFTER ALL SMALL BUSINESS' ARE WHAT MAKE AMERICA GREAT.

(LM) What was one of your highlights as an entrepreneur or during your career path?

(SD) So far my biggest highlight was broadcasting live during Atlanta Pride '09 from the lobby of the host hotel.

(DD) WHEN I WAS FEATURED ON CNN AND WAS WRITTEN ABOUT IN ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION. I KNEW THEN THAT SOMEONE WAS LISTENING AND LOOKING. I PRAY THEY STILL ARE. I ALSO LOVE LOVE LOVE THE FACT THAT MY OWN COMMUNITY HAS TAKEN A LIKING TO ME. I JUST KNEW YOU ALL WERE NOT FEELING ME AND THEN WHAM, I WAS HIT IN THE HEAD WITH EMAILS AND COMMENTS AND I WAS ELATED THAT MY OWN KIND LIKE ME AND APPRECIATED WHAT I DO. (photo of Drama Dupree)

(LM) What would you share with other getting started as an entrepreneur or on their career path?

(SD) For anyone on the path to their dream, please know that it can be a lonley place because no one else shares your vision, but that vision is God given. And there is a lot to be said for visualization and projecting your vision and goals. Write it down and make it plain!

(DD) BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. KNOW YOUR BRAND. STAY TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE. NO ONE WILL BUY WHAT YOUR SELLING, IF YOU DONT BELIEVE IN WHAT YOU ARE SELLING.

(LM) If you can TELL the community to AWAKE UP – What should they be aware of?

(SD) The community needs to be aware of their power to create a new reality and to change to world's perception of who we are.

(DD) AIDS. ITS LIKE WE DONT PAY ENOUGH ATTENTION TO THIS DISEASE TODAY. WE DONT SEE ITS REAL AFFECT IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE POSITIVE DONT TELL US THAT THEY ARE POSITIVE OR THEY DISAPPEAR FROM OUR COMMUNITY. THEY NEED TO SPEAK UP AND TELL US THEY ARE STILL HERE. TELL US THEIR STORY SO WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM. TODAY, WE JUST DONT SEE IT. IM GOING TO NEED FOR US TO SEE IT AND FOR US TO KNOW THAT IT IS STILL HERE.
STABILITY AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDANCE ARE ALSO SOMETHING OUR YOUNGER GENERATION AND SOME OLD HEADS NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF.

(LM) What is your ultimate 10 year plan for The Future?

(SD) In 10 years I plan on being an international media pundit

(DD) TO HAVE MY OWN TV/RADIO SHOW ON A GLOBAL SCALE ON A MAJOR NETWORK. TO BE VERY SUCCESSFUL AND STAY AWAY FROM SEX SCANDALS; UNLESS OFCOURSE IT HELPS MY CAREER...LOL. YOU KNOW THE GAYS LOVE A GOOD SEX SCANDAL WITH A HOT DATE...LOL, LET ME STOP.

(LM) What motto do you live by?

(SD) Manners matter- be gentleman first.

(DD) LEARN TO USE WHAT YOU HAVE GOT AND YOU WONT NEED WHAT YOU HAVE NOT! RIGHT NOW I DONT HAVE A MAJOR TV SHOW, I HAVE YOUTUBE, I DONT HAVE A MAJOR RADIO SHOW, I HAVE BETTER DAYS RADIO. SO IM USING WHAT I'VE GOT.

(LM) President Obama has completed 1 year in office what do you think about this performance?

(SD) I think President Obama is doing the best he can with what he was given. I believe he is going to turn it up a notch and some people won’t be ready for that.

(DD) I SAW AN INTERVIEW WHERE I BELIEVE HE GAVE HIMSELF A 'B' AS A GRADE. I WOULD GIVE HIM A 'C+'. I KNOW HE CANT DO EVERTHING IN A YEAR BUT I BELIEVE HE COULD HAVE DONE BETTER IN TERMS OF THE LAWS THAT AFFECT THE LGBT COMMUNITY. I KNOW HE HAS HIRED A LOT OF OPENLY GAY PEOPLE AND TRANSGENDERED FOLK BUT I STILL THINK THERE ARE THINGS HE COULD HAVE ADDRESSED IN HIS FIRST YEAR. SO I SAY A 'C+'.

(LM) Have you seen a Change?

(SD) I have seen a change in some of America's behavior since Obama came into office. Some of it is progressive and some of the behavior screams of a darker time in America's history.

(DD) OH GOODNESS YES, I HAVE SEEN CHANGE. THANKS TO HIM I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN MY LIFESTYLE DUE TO HIS INCREASES WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. WITHOUT THAT FINANCIAL HELP I DONT KNOW WHERE I WOULD BE. PROBABLY STILL OUT THERE ON THAT CORNER. I ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT HE MAKES HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY SEEM APPROACHABLE UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT. IVE SEEN HOW HE HAS TRIED TO UNITE THE DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICANS. PREVIOUS PRES, NOT SO MUCH.

(LM)What is new in the music industry? (hip hop is a major force but what is next?) World Fusion, Alternative Pop, Indie Bands, etc.??? What would you like to see?

(SD) The music industry is struggling whether we realize it or not. But you will see a lot more hybrid music. Many "rap" artist will become more experimental with their music. I also believe OUT Hip Hop will have a major break-through turning the world upside down.

(DD) WHAT I SEE HAPPENING IS A RESSURGANCE OF OLD; BUT ITS NOT WORKING FOR US, WE ARE NOT BUYING IT, WELL IM NOT BUYING IT. YOU CAN SEE THAT FROM RECORD SALES. WHAT I LOVE TO SEE ARE ALL OF THE INDEPENDANT ARTISTS WHO ARE DOING THINGS FOR THEMSELVES. AND HONESTLY, THEY ARE PRODUCING BETTER MUSIC. I WANT TO SEE DANCE MUSIC FOR THE MASSES, LIKE WHAT THE BLACK EYED PEAS ARE DOING. AND REAL LOVE SONGS, LIKE ANITA BAKER, NOT REMAKES OF R&B ARTIST INTO A NEW VERSION OF R. KELLY.

(LM) Is Lady Gaga going to take over the World? (Music, Fashion, Red Carpet)

(SD) Lady Gaga is brilliant and she willed herself into an icon in only 2 short years. It will be interesting to see how multi-faceted she is in the near future.

(DD) YES, I THINK SHE IS. TO ME SHE IS THE RUPAUL AND MADONNA OF THE NEW DECADE. REMEMBER ALL THE BUZZ RUPAUL AND MADONNA CREATED WHEN THEY FIRST CAME ON THE SCENE. LOOK AT WHO WAS BEHIND RUPAUL'S IMAGE. LOOK AT WHO MADONNA SURROUNDED HERSELF WITH. NOW, LOOK AT WHO IS BEHIND LADY GAGA, A BUNCH OF UBER TALENTED QUEENS. SEE WHAT WE CAN DO, WHEN WE ARENT BITCHING AT EACH OTHER. WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND CREATE SOMETHING GREAT LIKE LADY GAGA.

Blue Chip Company - Royalty Media

This is our second week on business pioneer’s and future Blue Chip Companies to watch.

Reginald F. Lewis born December 7, 1942 in Baltimore, MD, was an American business pioneer, who was one of the most successful business leaders during the 1980s. He was the richest African American man in the 1980's. Lewis grew up in a middle class neighborhood. He won a football scholarship to Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), graduating with a degree in economics in 1965 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1968.

Recruited to top New York law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP immediately after law school, Lewis left to start his own firm two years later. After 15 years as a corporate lawyer with his own practice, Lewis moved to the other side of the table by creating TLC Group L.P., a venture capital firm, in 1983.

His first major deal was the purchase of the McCall Pattern Company, a home sewing pattern business for $22.5 million. Lewis learned from a Fortune Magazine article that one of the Norton Simon companies that Esmark planned to divest was McCall Pattern Company, a maker of home sewing patterns founded in 1870. With fewer and fewer people sewing at home, McCall was seemingly on the decline—though it had posted profits of $6 million in 1983 on sales of $51.9 million. At the time, McCall was number two in its industry, holding 29.7 percent of the market, compared to industry leader Simplicity Patterns with 39.4 percent.

He managed to negotiate the price down and then raised $1 million dollars himself from family and friends and borrowed the rest from institutional investors and investment banking firm First Boston Corp. Within one year, he turned the company around by freeing up capital tied in fixed assets such as building and machinery, finding a new use for machinery during downtime by manufacturing greeting cards, and he then started to recruit managers from rival companies. By containing costs, improving quality, beginning to export to China, emphasizing new product introductions. This combination led to the company's most profitable year in its history. With the addition of McCall real estate worth an estimated $6 million that they retained ownership of, he later sold the company at a tremendous profit for investors a 90-1 return. Lewis's share was 81.7 percent of the $90 million.

In 1987 Lewis bought Beatrice International Foods from Beatrice Companies for $985 million, renaming it TLC Beatrice International, a snack food, beverage, and grocery store conglomerate that was the largest African-American owned and managed business in the U.S. The deal was partly financed through Mike Milken of the maverick investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert. In order to reduce the amount needed to finance the LBO, Lewis came up with a plan to sell off some of the division's assets simultaneous with the takeover.

When TLC Beatrice reported revenue of $1.8 billion in 1987, it became the first black-owned company to have more than $1 billion in annual sales. At its peak in 1996, TLC Beatrice International Holdings Inc. had sales of $2.2 billion and was number 512 on Fortune magazine's list of 1,000 largest companies.

In 1992, Forbes Magazine listed Lewis among the 400 richest Americans with a net worth estimated at $400 million. He also was the first African American to build a billion dollar company. Lewis died at age 50, from brain cancer. Despite the notoriety surrounding Lewis's financial coups, little has been written about the life of this remarkable man. Based on Lewis's unfinished autobiography, as well as scores of interviews with family, friends, and colleagues, the book, "Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?”, is the inspiring story of Reginald Lewis: lawyer, Wall Street wizard, philanthropist -- and the wealthiest black man in American history. It cuts through the myth and media hype to reveal the man behind the legend. What emerges is a vivid portrait of a proud, fiercely determined individual with a razor-sharp tongue -- and an intellect to match -- who would settle for nothing less than excellence from himself and others. When six-year-old Reginald Lewis overheard his grandparents discussing employment discrimination against African Americans, he asked, "Why should white guys have all the fun?"

This week’s Future Mogul Blue Chip Company to keep your eyes out for isn’t white or a guy; however, she is having BIG FUN. Co-founder and President, Lynne Rene (LR) formed www.royaltymedia.net in December 2006. She shares with Lil Mogul (LM) her view on being an entrepreneur in 2010, rates President Obama’s first term in office and explains why your Brand is so important in business.

LM: What’s your Zodiac Sign?
LR: I am 100% a textbook Libra.

LM: Where were you born?
LR: Columbia, South Carolina

LM: Where do you currently live?
LR: Uptown in Hamilton Heights in Harlem, USA

LM: Where did you go to college?
LR: The College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

LM: What do you do (career or claim to FAME)?
LR: I like to term myself as a renaissance woman, because I wear as many hats as I can. I am currently an Event Director for Royalty Media Group, makeup artist, and an actress. Often I am asked what my passion is and I love living life and experiencing all that the God has created for me.

LM: How did you get started in your new found career or industry?
LR: It actually found me, not to sound uneventful. But, I moved to NYC in 2006 with the intent on becoming an actress, and ended up starting Royalty Media Group with my childhood best friend Likwuid and it just seems like God placed me where he deemed necessary for me to be.

LM: Do you think entrepreneurship is for everyone and/or important?
LR: What a great question! I love entrepreneurship. It is the foundation of creativity and career freedom. Whether or not it is for everyone depends solely on the individual! I believe in no limitations in life. But, one must keep in mind that you have to have a high tolerance against the word no, and you must acquire a tough skin. You have to keep in mind entrepreneurship is a highly independent career move, and it is a personal declaration of non conformity so get ready for resistance.


LM: What was one of your highlights as an entrepreneur or during your career path?
LR: When I got removed from corporate America and I began devoting all my energy, passion, to Royalty Media Group and Lynne Rene. That was the highlight of my career and LIFE!!!

LM: What would you share with other getting started as an entrepreneur or on their career path?
LR: Resiliency is the key. Have the strength to go for what you want, because it will not be easy. Also, reality is important to in entrepreneurship because at first you may have to work for years, without seeing much of a financial return. But, you have to keep your eyes on the prize. Freedom is priceless!

LM: If you can TELL the community to AWAKE UP – What should they be aware of?
LR: Never place success, money, or someone else before you! You are, and should be your number one FAN! No one will ever love you the way you can.

LM: What is your ultimate 10 year plan for The Future?
LR: In ten years, I want Royalty to at the fore front of black entertainment for women and minorities. Additionally I want to be doing more acting as well.

LM: What motto do you live by?
LR: Be real, or be nothing.

LM: President Obama has completed 1 year in office what do you think about this performance?
LR: I think he has done incredibly, but I wish the press, media, and the United States would be more understanding and realize that this man has entered office after George W. Bush who...well you know.

LM: Have you seen a Change?
LR: I have seen a change. From sloppy to a little more uniformity. But, our country is so askew right now that we will not view a full change until a decade from now.

LM: How powerful is the media in 2010?
LR: Media has reached a new level in 2010. It is present everywhere more than ever, visually, audibly. The net is becoming a beast, in that folks are positively and negatively impact online media. Recently, I have noticed it is becoming a device of the weak, because now more than ever the common coward Joe is sitting at home in front of his laptop and he can voice all his opinions with a cloak of anonymity because he blogs under a pseudonym. Everyone has a voice now a days and they use it unapologetically to say things that are not socially acceptable out in the open or at the dinner table. An often time this is casts a shadow on actual online journalism and calls for online journalists to work harder to convey the true art of online media.

LM: How would you describe the word BRAND? Is it important to have, to make BIG money? LR: Brand is what makes one recognizable to the world. It is a huge facet of identity for an entity. Big Money is important but it means nothing if one is not happy. So, I think happiness trumps money any day.

Blue Chip Company - ClubVIPLister.com

It’s February, Black History Month!!! I wanted to highlight a number of people who are black businessmen and women. With only (4) Tuesday this month, I decided to honor both Pioneers that had the passion and foresight to stay in the game while celebrating our FUTURE Moguls who are creating their empires today. In the next few weeks you will meet Blue Chip Company Founders, Creators and CEO's like: Lynne Rene of Royalty Media Group, Sir Daniel & Drama Dupree of Better Days Radio and Darnell Henderson of H.I.M-istry Skincare partnered with business pioneers; Reginald Lewis, Cathy Hughes and Madame CJ Walker.

The pioneer of black cable television is Bob Johnson. Born Robert L. "Bob" Johnson on April 8, 1946, Johnson is the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), and former chairman and CEO. He is currently chairman and founder of RLJ Development and majority-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, a NBA franchise along with rapper Nelly and NBA legend Michael Jordan. In 2001 Johnson became the first African American billionaire, and the first black person to be listed on any of Forbes world's rich list. In 2009 Forbes estimated that his net worth declined to $550 million because of the economic recession.

A cable network is a television channel available via cable television. Such channels are usually also available via satellite television, including direct broadcast satellite providers such as DirecTV, Dish Network and BSkyB. Alternative terms include non-broadcast channel or programming service, the latter being mainly used in legal contexts. In 1979, Johnson created BET, the first cable television network aimed to African Americans. It was launched in January 1980, initially broadcasting for two hours a week.

Eleven years later, BET became the first black-controlled company listed on the NYSE. As of 2007, BET reaches more than 65 million U.S. homes and expanded into other BET-related television channels that make up the BET Networks: Centric TV , and digital cable channels BET Hip-Hop and BET Gospel.

In 1998, Johnson took the company private, buying back all of its publicly traded stock. In 1999, BET was no longer a black owned business when Viacom bought BET for $3 billion. Johnson's 63% stake made him worth over a billion dollars after taxes, making him the richest black person until surrendering the title to

Oprah Winfrey, when then-wife Sheila Johnson claimed much of his billion in divorce. Johnson continued to be the company's chairman and CEO for six years. In 2005, Johnson turned over the titles of President and Chief Operating Officer of BET to Debra L. Lee, a former BET vice president.

A Future Mogul Blue Chip Company to keep your eyes out for is ClubVIPlister.com. Formed in 2009, Founder and CEO Toyce Francis (TF) shares with Lil Mogul (LM) his view on small business, success and his 10 year plan.

LM: What’s your Zodiac Sign?
TF: Aquarian

LM: Where were you born?
TF: Bridgeport, Connecticut

LM: Where do you currently live?
TF: Harlem USA

LM: Where did you go to college?
TF: BA in Communications – University of CT, MBA & MA in Management – Albertus Magnus College

LM: What do you do (career or claim to FAME)?
TF: Aside from my boutique web design agency, Prodigal Sun Design (www.prodigalsun.com) I am an Internet Entrepreneur. I just soft launched a new endeavor called ClubVIPlister.com that includes national gay nightlife listings, social networking, an entertainment blog, gay YouTube mega channel and lots of other cool features. Think gay facebook with nightlife listings.

LM: How did you get started in your new found career or industry?
TF: Initially, I presented my idea to some established LGBT magazines as additions to the websites that my company maintained. But each organization was more concerned with the cost than the opportunity. I then decided to stop giving away my ideas and to just do it myself.

LM: Do you think entrepreneurship is for everyone and/or important?
TF: It’s definitely not for everyone. It takes courage, tenacity and most of all the ability to tolerate uncertainty. Sure you can get a job with a guaranteed paycheck at maybe 65K a year, but that is the limit of what you could make. Whereas on your own, you may not have the guarantee of 65K, but your earning potential is only limited by your imagination... Most people opt for the paycheck.

LM: What was one of your highlights as an entrepreneur or during your career path?
TF: So far, my biggest accomplishment is completing the initial building phase of ClubVIPlister.com. It’s the realization of over a year of hard work and planning. But my greatest highlights are yet to come.

LM: What would you share with other getting started as an entrepreneur or on their career path?
TF: You have to believe in yourself, your abilities and your product. Don’t let naysayers stop you from pursuing your goals.

LM: If you can TELL the community to AWAKE UP – What should they be aware of?
TF: It annoys me when people hear me talk about my goals, and act as if it’s a pie in the sky fantasy. People become millionaires every day. Why can’t I be one of them? Why can’t you or anyone for that matter? And why not dream big and aspire to major goals. Dreaming is FREE! Oprah started somewhere. People can be so small minded in their thinking. So I want the community to think bigger and not so colloquially. And if you can’t wrap your head around the big dreams of others... Keep it to yourself.



LM: What is your ultimate 10 year plan for The Future?
TF: I see myself sitting comfortably on at least 8 figures, with several successful businesses including more web projects, some TV & Film productions as well as some real estate investments. I see myself positively impacting the lives of my family, those around me and the community. And I see all this from the terrace of my penthouse apartment with spectacular views of the city.

LM: What motto do you live by?
TF: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result.

LM: President Obama has completed 1 year in office what do you think about this performance?
TF: He can’t fix the worst economic break down since the great depression in a year. And its especially difficult given the partisan politics of Washington. I think that he is doing the best job that he can, given the multitude of issues he inherited from the dumbest president in history.

LM: Have you seen a Change?
TF: It’s too soon to see any real results. Ask me again in 3 years.

LM: How will your service assist the consumer and/or community?
TF: My goal with this site is to make this site not only a good resource that lets people know what is happening in the community, but also helps people connect.

LM: What is next to the site?
TF: For now, I am just really focused on making this project a success. I have a bunch of other projects in preliminary phases... Doing research, making contacts, laying the groundwork but its too premature to reveal just yet. You will have to wait to see about those. So for now, check out www.ClubVIPlister.com and create a profile. Get on the list.