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Black Radio Station in the Valley? How Would You Like the Sound of That?

A long time ago, I wrote a blog about having an "African American TV Show in the Phoenix Area." I wasn't necessarily saying that I was going to start it up, I was more or less thinking out loud about the possibilities. I still think it can be done. I just don't have the capital to make it happen. Well, not yet ...

In the meantime, I've seen and heard a lot of people complaining about our lack of a REAL black radio station here in the Phoenix area.

I admit it's a damn shame we don't have one. Well, I shouldn't say we don't have one because Gospel 860 AM and several Internet radio programs (including magic108.com, Life Matters Today and Atypical Sports Show) are based in the Phoenix area.

However, when I think of a black radio station, I envision an FM radio station, with entertaining, knowledgeable, respectable black DJs and hosts who talk about issues of the day and play R&B, soul, neosoul, hip-hop music. The station also provides news and other information that the community needs to know.

We clearly don't have a mainstream radio station like that - well, not yet ... I've been told from several sources that black radio and TV programming is on the way!

Phoenix has been the home to black radio stations in the past (remember KUKQ 1060 AM? remember KMJK 107.3 FM?), but inadequate financial support forced them to move on.

In order for a black radio station to survive here, it would have to establish a SOLID business plan and work constantly to find out what Phoenix listeners want! We all know that Phoenix's black market is really fickle! If the black radio station can't find a happy medium here ... ohhhh man!

Moreover, a black radio station would need BANKABLE community support! We can't take it for granted this time. We would have to treat this radio station like WE ALL own it - after all, radio is BIG BUSINESS!

We can't just lend our ears to the radio station ... each of us would have to contribute actual DOLLARS to keep it going!

I look forward to your feedback on this blog! What's your vision of the ideal black radio station in Phoenix? How would you support the radio station? Is a black radio station the key to unifying our people?

Share your thoughts in the COMMENTS area below!

Black Businesses, Customers Need to Work Together In Order for US to Succeed in Arizona

As the owner of PhxSoul.com, I'm highly interested in seeing other black businesses succeed. In fact, I want business owners of all races to succeed! 

One of PhxSoul.com's goals is to offer this Website as a platform for businesses to promote their products and services to the African American community. I also like to offer advice and ideas that could help!

One of the theories that I've been kicking around lately is the notion that black businesses and customers in the Phoenix area really need to work together to make sure OUR restaurants, hair salons, nightclubs, publications, clothing stores, etc., survive for the long-term!

I'm just going to come out and say it because I know that I speak on behalf of many African Americans in the Phoenix area ...

Many of OUR businesses are doing an excellent job of providing us with the facilities, events, services and products that we want and need! I encourage you to keep on doing what you're doin'!

However, many of OUR businesses are mediocre at best!

Yeah I said it! Many of OUR businesses are not cuttin' the mustard and that's why we are seeing our businesses close at an alarming rate!

Some will not like what I'm writing here, but I'm doing this out of love! I want to see us prosper in Arizona! Sometimes the truth hurts!

I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a black-owned restaurant and received rude customer service! Servers who treat you like they're mad you came, long waits for food and beverages, the bathrooms are disgusting and the food is just average at best. How many times have you heard a server say, "Oh sorry, we're out of that!!" Ahhhh! that drives me crazy!

Right now I'm dealing with a black-owned print shop that is providing some of the slowest service I've ever seen in my life! The job that I requested should have only taken a couple days. Instead, I've been waiting for more than a month! I've had the same work done at Kinko's and it took 24 hours!  

The black businesses that have succeeded here for decades have done it because they understand the importance of having a good reputation. They care what their customers think, they adapt and they advertise/market to customers of all races. They only colors they care about are green, silver and copper!

One of the main problems in the Valley's black community is that many of us don't speak up to save our own businesses. I know I've been guilty of this. I've received bad service and didn't say a word to the owners and employees. Instead, I just decided that I would never go back. I know many people do the same. This is just wrong! We can't settle for average treatment!

If I voiced my opinions and told the former owners why their companies weren't up to snuff, maybe they could make changes and maybe they'd still be in business!

We as customers all need to make our expectations known so we are treated with the respect and good service we deserve! We can't afford to let OUR businesses fail! Tell them, "We're not gonna take it! No we aint gonna take it! We're not gonna take it anymore!"

So what exactly can black businesses do to retain customers?

• Treat every person who patronizes your company like he/she is the President of the United States!
• Make sure your office, restaurant, barbershop, etc. is fully stocked with the products that your customers want!
• Ask for feedback from your customers! Provide those customer service cards so people can fill them out. Give your customers incentives for submitting the customer service cards - discounts or prizes!
• Offer coupons to encourage people to buy your products/services.
• Set up shop in a desirable locations - some of our places are in dangerous neighborhoods!
• Train your employees! Make them feel like valuable assets so they'll take pride in their work! 
• Advertise to customers of all races - this is Arizona! Advertising on TV, the Internet, newspapers and billboards can be affordable if you budget properly! Advertising is IMPORTANT!

What can black Arizonans do to make sure OUR businesses stay OPEN?

• Give honest feedback whether it's positive or negative!
• Give businesses a second chance if they provide you with a bad experience at first - tell them what they need to do satisfy you!
• Ask how you can help the business grow!
• Stop asking for the "hook-up," you should be willing to pay money for the products and services you receive. That's the ONLY way a business will stay afloat!

I look forward to your feedback on this blog! If you agree or disagree with PhxSoul.com's opinions, share your thoughts by using the Comments area below! 

 

Is There Really a Cure for Bad Breath? I Hope So!

We've all been in this situation ... you strike up a conversation with someone at Club Central or The Legion and then your nose quickly picks up on a smell that makes your eyes water and your ears twitch!

You do a quick breath check by covering your nostrils and your mouth and realize that it's not you.

Instead it's the person who's all in your face, talkin' nonstop and he/she has no clue that his/her breath smells like doo-doo!!

How many times has THIS happened? LOL!

You offer the person a breathmint and he/she always says, "Naw, naw, I'm cool!"

You think to yourself, "No you aint!! Yo breath is HOT!!"

I saw this banner ad and I had to post for a quick laugh! Why do I feel so bad for the kids who are featured in the ad?!

To all those victims of the bad breath blast ... I hope this product REALLY works!!

Smitherman Earns Prestigious Designation to Help Homeowners in Danger of Foreclosure

Cynthia Smitherman of Emage` Fine Properties, LLC of Chandler, has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, after completing extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In the Phoenix metro area there are thousands of homes in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Smitherman. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Smitherman with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

The Distressed Property Institute opened in January 2008 and provides training on-site and online. The CDPE is the premier designation for Realtors helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales.

“Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible. If you are facing foreclosure call today, these services are offer at no cost to the homeowner.

Contact foreclosure expert:

Cynthia Smitherman, DB, CDPE, ABR, GRI, Vice President, AAREB, REALTIST

Emage` Fine Properties, LLC

602 697-4487

http://www.homes4saleaz.com/

View the Photo Slideshow from the PhxSoul.com Happy Hour on Sept. 11!

The PhxSoul.com Happy Hour event on Sept. 11 at the Estate House in Scottsdale was a big hit!

More than 50 people attended the gathering which offered opportunities for PhxSoul.com readers to mingle with each other, play board games and card games, sample gourmet appetizers and listen to live music.

Mimi Ahmed Photography - the Official Photographer of PhxSoul.com - captured the event with a wonderful Photo Slideshow!

Please click on the photo below to enjoy the pictures!

Tremaine Jasper is the owner/operator of PhxSoul.com.

Better Business Bureau Warns about iJango, Possible Pyramid Scheme

New business alleges you can make money by multi-level marketing the Internet

A new money-making opportunity that claims to “Multi-level market the Internet” could be nothing more than a pyramid scheme warns Better Business Bureau. An investigation by BBB shows that iJango – a new self-described multi-level marketing company – is aggressively seeking representatives for a product that has no track record. Consumers are paying hundreds of dollars in upfront fees based on the claim that they can earn money by recruiting others to do the same – a red flag for pyramid schemes.

Multi-level marketing is one form of compensation often employed by direct selling companies, whereby sales agents recruit other sales agents and receive a cut of their sales for products. Pyramid schemes, which are illegal, promise that participants can make money primarily by recruiting people who then pay for the opportunity to recruit more people. The money is then filtered up through the pyramid.

“Millions of people earn honest money by selling products through multi-level marketing; however, some money-making opportunities blur the lines between MLM and pyramid schemes,” said BBB President/CEO Matthew Fehling. “iJango is making big promises about its money making potential, but based on our investigation, BBB believes the potential to generate revenue may primarily depend on the ability of participants to recruit additional representatives.”

More than 3,400 people nationwide have contacted BBB to check out Austin, TX-based iJango since August 1, 2009. iJango is being marketed heavily on Websites, including YouTube and Twitter, through spam e-mail campaigns and at in-person sales presentations across the country. In-person sales presentations have been held in many cities including Phoenix and Plano, Texas, with people having been contacted by e-mail and encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.

In the company's promotional materials, iJango is described as an interactive Website "portal" for customers to access social media and interact with online merchants. iJango claims that their representatives can make money by inviting "friends, family and associates to use iJango ... for FREE!" The business claims that this portal tracks individuals' Web traffic and e-commerce, thereby generating commissions payable to iJango based on Web page views and purchases made by the user.

iJango says participants can pay an upfront fee of $50 to join the program, but recommends purchasing a package for $149.95 with a monthly maintenance fee of $19.95. The company further claims that consumers participating in the program will earn income in two ways:

• The recruitment of other individuals to purchase the opportunity and the recruitment of registered customers.
• Commissions that are generated by Web site traffic and purchases through iJango Web site “portals.”

BBB has recently received complaints concerning the ease of use of the iJango portal, delayed availability of materials and alleged difficulty in canceling membership. The company has responded to some consumers by stating that they have issued, or will issue a refund. iJango has earned a BBB rating of F – and its full BBB Reliability Report™ is available online.

Cameron Sharpe is one of the co-founders of iJango and has traveled the country presenting the iJango concept. Cameron Sharpe also co-created Ultimate Introductions, a.k.a. Ultimate Singles, a supposedly Christian dating service that generated complaints from customers by charging thousands of dollars and failing to deliver on promises. Ultimate Introductions was sued by another company in 2004 for theft, fraud and unfair competition; as part of the settlement it was required to go out of business.

BBB recommends consumers exercise extreme caution when evaluating any business opportunity and consider the following advice in order to make an informed decision:

• Avoid any plan that places primary emphasis on commissions for recruiting additional distributors. It may be an illegal pyramid scheme.
• Beware of plans that require purchase of expensive products and marketing materials upfront. These plans may be pyramid schemes in disguise.
• Beware of plans that claim to sell miracle products or promise enormous earnings.
• Don't pay or sign any contracts in an "opportunity meeting" or any other pressure-filled situation without first taking time to think over the decision. Talk it over with a family member, friend, accountant or lawyer.
• Remember that no matter how good a product may be or how solid a multi-level marketing plan appears, an investment of time, as well as dollars, may be needed for your investment to pay off. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information on pyramid schemes and to check the reliability of any business, visit www.bbb.org.