Arts Education in 3D!

Think about how math surrounds you every day from cooking, getting dressed, banking, to traveling. Integrating the arts allows educators to take math off the printed page and make it 3D. The incorporation of arts education into a Childcare Center or Afterschool Program’s daily lesson plans will keep students engaged and reveal hidden talents! Although there are many highly noted professionals within the industry today’s highlight is Wolf Trap and Preschool of the Arts Inc.

Wolf Trap

Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts integrates arts-based learning strategies that enhance the early childhood curriculum and providing engaging, effective professional development for early childhood educators. Professional development workshop Math in Motion allows teachers to explore and support math fundamentals and concepts in the early childhood curriculum through dance and movement. Take a look at the video below:

Preschool of the Arts, Inc.

Preschool of the Arts Inc. is childcare facility located in Connecticut and everything this facility does and offers is dedicated to the growth and development of the student and their support systems creativity. With this awesome program the students gain the independent thinking skills to carry them throughout their life’s journey, discover new things about the world around them through music, art projects, creative movement and dance programs.

Highlights

• §  Literacy Night with guest speakers who discuss methods that the parents can use to increase their children's interest and skills in reading.
• 
  
• §  Family Music Night is a joint effort between the students and adults to make music and participate in many awesome movement activities.
• 
  
• §  Art Night is designed for the families to create their very own work of art with their child. 

Daycare Financing

If your looking to finance a childcare but your credit just won’t get it First Children’s Finance is a company that can make your dreams come true! First Children’s Finance provides training, business-development assistance, workshops & seminars for in marketing, business plans, software applications, business reference library, access to attorneys and CPAs, and free confidential and individualized one-on-one consulting.

This company provides capital and business-development assistance to childcare businesses to expand or start child care either within a home or building to improve the quality of the facility, purchase a new building, add on, remodel or upgrade. If you need to purchase supplies, equipment, fulfill licensing requirements, manage cash flow or simply strengthen or grow your childcare business they will provide for that as well. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $125,000.  Take a look at the list of requirements below.

Requirements

• Located in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Texas
• Own or lease the child care facility
• Be licensed by the appropriate state agency, or show that you will become licensed as a result of the loan
• Be prepared to provide collateral and make an equity investment in the business
• Currently serve, or be prepared to serve, children whose families qualify to receive childcare assistance

Other Companies

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) assists underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding businesses. Opportunity Finance Network® (OFN) can connect your business to a national network of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI). They have a track record of originating more than $23.2 billion in financing in urban, rural, and Native communities.

Alternative financing has its disadvantages; many lending companies are unregulated by federal or state governments, and generally conduct business in any way they want to. Although the lenders have flexibility policies, you may find yourself in a sticky situation challenging with the way they conduct business.

What Angel Investors Want

Since my last post I decided to make a change and work backwards! When writing a business plan many entrepreneurs start at the beginning of their plan a work through it piece by piece, but according to the Angel Investor Rob Moss the ability to implement and execute comes from starting at the exit strategy and working backwards. According to an article on business planning structures investors want to see a clear exit strategy and a way to make a profit so they can move on to the next deal.

My Life Lesson!

Incorporating the principal of beginning with the end result in mind allows me to execute my business plan at an accelerated pace. Researching our competition through trade publications and knowing what companies in our industry are doing well and how we are different is key. Trade publications provide important information on industry trends, by utilizing this information it has allowed us to strategically plan beyond the first five-year of business. Taking the advice of the Angel Investor Panel from the previous post, we’ve incorporated a long-term plan with the consideration of how our customer base may change in the next 10 to 15 years. Clearly defining how we are different from our competitors lowers investor’s risks. According to ehow facts Angel Investors look for differentiating factors in a company because it this demonstrates a strong chance of returning five to ten times of their initial investment within three to seven years. 

What’s Important?

When it comes to an investor reading a business plan the most important sections are the financials, management team, and exit strategy! It is important for investors to feel comfortable with your knowledge of the industry, business experience as well as that of your management team. The New York Times has an article that goes into detail on how small businesses fail because of a weak management team. Investors want to see realistic financial projections that show how long it will take for the business to show a profit and for them to recoup their initial investment. 

Angel Investor's Dream Company

The Funding Post asked four Angel Investors to describe what they are looking for in a company prior to investing in them. W. Jay Lovelace wants the company to understand their target market. Rob Moss looks for a company that is executing their business plan. Dwaine Canova is interested in how strong the entrepreneur’s financial pro forma plan is. Canova believes that an entrepreneur cannot properly grow a business unless they understand the financials and the actions of the management team impacts the bottom line.  John Mascarenas looks for companies who understand their industry trends and growth potential. Key points of each investors discussion is listed below:

Key Points

• Company’s growth potential
• 18 month revenue projections plan
• Solid business plan with an exit strategy of 36 to 48 months
• Starting to execute their business plan at an accelerated pace
• Business plan has an exit strategy of 36 to 48 months
• Beginning revenue
• Strong and fun management team with creativity

Angel Investor Bio's

W. Jay LovelacePrincipal, WJL Investments

W. Jay Lovelace is an angel investor as well as the Principal of WJL Investments. Prior to his retirement he was the Vice President and General Manager for Honeywell's Satellite Systems a high tech electronic company that produced $150 million annual in the aerospace industry.  Lovelace holds a bachelor's degree in General Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of South Florida.

Rob MossGeneral Partner, Kingdom Venture Partners

Robert J. "Rob" Moss, CCA (Certified Capital Advisor / Certified Charity Advisor) currently a General Partner of Kingdom Venture Partners, LP and was a founding principal of the Capital Consortium ten company. financings in 2004 totaling $25 million in private funding. Moss is the youngest professional awarded a membership in International Mergers & Acquisitions, Inc., and was inducted into the International Who's Who of Investment Banking, and the Who's Who of Information Technology.  Moss received his Associate degrees in Medical Studies and Business Administration from Iowa State University in 1987, and a Bachelors of Science in Community Health in 1989, certificates in Financial Service Industry, and a Masters degree.

Dwaine CanovaCEO, Veracson

Dwaine Canova works with banks, venture capital funds, angel funds, and other financial institutions to fund service, manufacturing, technology, and industrial products. Canova's book Overcoming the Four Deceptions in Career Relationships provides techniques for entrepreneurs to be  more effective within their industry. Canova holds an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BS in Agronomy from Fresno State.

John MascarenasDirector of Strategic Investment, Intel Capital

John Mascarenas is a Senior Investment Manager at Intel Capital’s Strategic Investment Group Department where he directs investments in Intel's in Digital Enterprise sector. Mascarenas is directly involved in over 45 private equity transactions that total $1billion! Prior to his reign at Intel Mascarenas was also involved in several new technology startup ventures for Intel and personally started and sold two private companies. Mascarenas holds industrial design patents in digital imaging.

Afterschool Program Help!

Afterschool programs invest time in the personal growth and development of your child by engaging them in meaningful activities. The trick is finding a program that will fit the needs of your child and the family budget!

Help with Childcare
Afterschool programs may be a bit hidden due a partnership with another program that is larger. The Afterschool Alliance suggests that parents try looking at community centers, settlement houses, and community learning centers, full-service schools, museums and libraries. Childcare facilities with afterschool programs within them may be categorized as an “Extended Learning Center” or “Supplemental Educational Service”.  Thinking outside the box will lead you in checking into some of the art councils within your community or the local youth employment programs.

The federal government has an active database for local youth afterschool programs, all you have to do is put your zip code in. School districts in Houston have a lot of resources on afterschool programming, be sure to ask the principals, counselors, and teachers about 21st Century Community Learning Centers program or visit their website or this strong resource that provides help Child Care Aware. KidSource Online by Wendy Schwartz has an awesome guide for choosing an afterschool program, the tips below came from her article.


Childcare Facility Questions

• Is the afterschool program in a safe and clean environment? 
• Is there enough space for activities and quiet time? 
• Are the rest rooms adequate? 
• Are nutritional snacks or meals provided? 

• Do the activities look exciting and challenging? 
• Are they age-appropriate? 
• Are the participants having fun as well as learning? 

• Can children come before school and on holidays as well as in the afternoon? 
• Is there an extra fee for that? 
• Is there a late fee if you must pick up your children after the program is over? 

• Can children attend only a few times a week instead of every day? 

• Are there extra fees for trips, personal tutoring, and lessons? 


Computer Child Sex Offenders!

Children use the Internet more than playing outside, climbing trees, riding a bike, roller-skating or simply playing games with their friend. We are in a digital age and have to protect our children from child predators via the Internet! The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published tips for parents keep their child safe from computer child sex-offenders.

Online After Dark
When children are online at night it increases the risk of them becoming a potential victim. Although these computer child sex-offenders are always online, the majority of them work during the day thus leaving their evenings free to search for child!

Pornography 
Sex offenders often supply their potential victims with pornography as a means of opening sexual discussions and for seduction. Child pornography may be used to show the child victim that sex between children and adults is "normal."

Unknown Phone Numbers
Your child may not give out their phone number, but computer child sex offenders are cunning, they will give your child their phone number. According to the FBI these computer child sex offenders have gone as far as telling the child to call collect or obtaining a toll-free number, to hide their identity from parents. Since we are in a digital age the use of a caller ID makes it easy for the sex offender to have your phone number.

Internet Safety A Parent's Guide with Mr. Arturo Trejo 

PBS Digital Studios

Published on Jun 28, 2012 by PBSParentsPicks

Retrieved from YouTube on August 3, 2012

Patti Ghezzi offers some excellent tips for parents in her article Internet Safety Tips for Parents.  Talk to your child and tell them that people on the Internet are not always who they say they are. Then take the time to demonstrate on the computer how easy it is to set up a false identity online. Remind them to never give out any personal information online and teach them how to be vague online. Since children are naturally trusting, don’t assume that your child knows everything about Internet safety or how to protect themselves from computer child sex offenders.

Legal Advice

Trademarks for Bloggers and podcasters

Gordon Firemark interviewed

Within this podcast Attorney Gordon Firemark provides information on how to protect your blog sites, podcasts, and websites. Firemark discusses the importance of trademark registration and how it gives broader rights and protections to the trademark-owner. Trademarking your site through a lawyer could cost about $1,000 per trademark, but it is worth it. Although descriptive titles are still very difficult for podcast and blog site owners to trademark it can be done. Firemark stated that until our sites are well known as associated, the best way to protect our creative sites is to trademark a “series,” like the website or podcast name and not the individual episode or blog post titles. The Lanham Act established trademark protection for unregistered marks. The three trademark symbols are listed below.

•    ™ Goods or products

•    ® Registered trademark

•    SM A service mark (best for podcasters, bloggers, websites)

Is Net Neutrality a Virtual Taking?

Professor Daniel Lyons, Boston College Law School

 In this podcast professor Daniel Lyons discusses the principal of “Net Neutrality” and it’s effect. Net neutrality is a principle that gives the federal government the authority to regulate Internet traffic. Lyons advises website owners to keep the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations in mind when developing policies. In August of 2005, the FCC adopted an Internet Policy Statement with four principles “to ensure that broadband networks are widely deployed, open, affordable, and accessible to all consumers.” This Internet policy is extremely important for bloggers, podcasters, and online businesses and has assisted in the restructuring of my company.

NLRB says what to include and not to include in your social media policy

Travis Crabtree

Travis Crabtree discusses the best way to create policies for your company according to the National Labor Relation Board (NLRB). The NLRB is not fond of company policies that require employees to only include information that is ”completely accurate and not misleading and that they do not reveal non-public information on any public site.” Language within your company policy that prohibits employees from posting “offensive, demeaning, abusive or inappropriate remarks” or warning employees to think carefully before connecting with their colleagues is also unacceptable. Within my business the following policy is inserted.

You are responsible for any information you post online.  Any online behavior, including that done during non-work hours, that unnecessarily casts the Company in a negative light or that adversely impacts the Company environment of teamwork will ultimately be your responsibility and may be the basis for discipline by the Company.  Some examples include, but are not limited to, any vulgar, obscene or disparaging comments about the Company, its employees or customers that do not address the terms and conditions of your employment. 

Parent's as Artist Managers

So your child want's to be a star? As a mother of four very talented children aspiring to take the entertainment industry by storm I’ve often wondered what does it really take for them to be successful. After careful research three areas of concern in what I like to call “Parent Artist Management” really stood out. These areas are the child’s rights, the parent’s responsibility, and the team. When it comes to child rights within the entertainment industry the Coogan Act (SB 1162) states “every time young performers work under an entertainment contract, 15% of their gross earnings are set-aside for them until they reach legal majority.” This awesome law was designed to protect young performers and Coogan Accounts are available to insure that young performers really receive the portion of their earnings when they reach the age of 18.

Although your child is protected by the Coogan Act, when it comes to signing a management contract as a “Parent Artist Manager” for your child's entertainment career is one of the trickiest and most important legal tasks you will ever do.  The affects of that contract can last for your child’s entire life! Parent’s who sign these contracts without the support of a good team of industry professionals advising them are most vulnerable to industry predators. As a result your child’s contract may contain a clause holding you liable for your child’s contracts, and you could end up owing a large amount of money based on a decision your child makes within their career when they become an adult. Look at it this way all of your house, bank accounts, and assets are at risk! This is what almost happened to “Parent Artist Manager” Meshiel Cooper Traylor, mother of Craig Lamar Traylor the young actor known for his role in the Fox television show, Malcolm in the Middle.  Meshiel Traylor signed a two-page management contract with talent manager Sharyn Berg of Sharyn Talent Management in the beginning of 1999, for 3 years at 15% commission. According to and article in BizParentz Foundation the contract stated that Craig’s mother Meshiel Traylor would owe money to Sharyn Berg if Craig decided to get out of the agreement on his own, whether successfully or not!


The first 2 years everything was great and Berg worked with Traylor advising the family, coaching Craig, taking him to auditions, even loaned them money when times were hard.  Until 2 1/2 years into their 3-year agreement when Craig landed a recurring role on Malcolm in the Middle and his mother, Meshiel, sent a certified letter to Berg stating that while she and Craig appreciated her advice and guidance, they no longer needed her management services and could no longer afford to pay the 15% commission. Berg responded by informing the Traylor’s that they were in breach of their management contract and filed a lawsuit against the Traylor’s for her commissions. The court battle lasted 4 years and Berg was awarded commission and interest of $154,714.15, repayment of loans of $5,094, attorney fees of $13,762, and $405,000 for commissions according to Craig’s future earnings.  Meshiel Traylor did not give up she hired attorney Robert Pafundi, who noticed that Craig’s right to cancel the contract was never addressed. The case took a turn because Pafundi filed a Notice of Disaffirmance of Arbitration Award by Minor. It canceled the original management contract, the arbitration award, and accused Sharyn Berg of practicing as an unlicensed talent agent. Craig was released from his contract but his “Parent Artist Manager” Meshiel Traylor was still held liable for the commissions of more than half a million dollars!

On the road to success as a “Parent Artist Manager” it is our responsibilities as parents to employ a team of industry professionals who will protect your child’s rights in every area.

The Law's of Laws

This week I had the pleasure of job shadowing Mr. Aaron Laws, President of Platinum Promotions Ent. & Artist Management LLC Company. The opportunity of witnessing a real negotiation between Laws and Universal was an experience of a lifetime.  After the negotiation I asked Laws how did he prepare for the meeting and his response was “It’s all about building relationships prior to negotiating and researching the companies terms and conditions. Prior to negotiating we compared Universal’s criteria and standards to what our company could realistically bring to the table.” He talked about having strong affiliations with other companies within your industry and because of the relationship with his long time friend Jay South CEO of Stone Magazine an affiliate company of Interscope. The relationship between Laws and South opened the door for Laws Company to do business with Interscope.

Laws stated that this industry is all about relationships and to achieve success when dealing with up and coming artists, managers, record labels, and other professionals within the industry is simply developing strong relationships. According to Laws the best way to achieve success is to turn those contacts into colleagues and develop a relationship with everyone you meet.  During our interview Laws began to reflect on one of his most recent and more difficult negotiation involving several partners of one entity and how he dealt with negative emotions. The decision was split between the decision makers on whether or not to partner with Law’s company and launch their product in the Houston Area. Laws strategy was simple, he showed them “The Big Picture” and how this deal will benefit their company, in the words of Laws “That was the deal breaker.

This enjoyable interview left me with food for thought as well as advice to share with up and coming artists. The best way to develop a professional relationship with an individual who you are aspiring to work with is to share a common interest, and stay connected by attending conferences, events, educate yourself on the business aspect of your craft and seek out affiliates that will add value to your business.

When Youth Find Their Voice!

Songwriter Darden Smith is known for cranking out a song in five minutes in a classroom of 20 to 50 youth in an effort to teach students how to harness their own creativity and encourage them to use their voice. ASCAP member Darden Smith does this on a regular basis in his Be An Artist Program, where he goes into classrooms armed only with his guitar, his laptop and a sense of humor.  Within the 50-minute sessions he approaches the students not as a teacher, performer or an entertainer, but as an enthusiastic artist who loves his craft. Students recognize what they love to do and are encouraged to try things they have never done before like writing a spur-of-the-moment song together. According to Smith “to be an artist” is to be creative, passionate and think big at whatever your pursuit is in life, from playing soccer, choosing a shirt to wear to school, enjoying a slice of pizza, developing an advertising campaign, managing a production line, to starting your own business.

"I don't tell them that they all should be songwriters that's the last thing the world needs!" he says. "But I do try to encourage them to find their passion and follow what they love to do." Smith started the Be An Artist Program in 2003 at local elementary schools in Austin, Texas, where he is based. Since then it has expanded to scores of middle schools and high schools across the United States and Europe. Smith has taught in schools in Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico, and in the suburbs of Atlanta as well as spending extensive time in schools near Glasgow, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Germany and Paris. From California to New York and across the Midwest schools in the United Kingdom, France and Germany also participate. His message is simple if you love to play video games then learn to be a software developer and create them. Love to skateboard? Look at Tony Hawk and how he made a career from it. Love clothes and shopping? You can be a stylist or a personal shopper. Smith started playing the guitar when he was nine years old and continues to uses his own life as an example. "I tell students, 'Look at me now! I'm 48 years old and I still love to play the guitar!'" He is a prime example of what happens “When Youth Find Their Voice!”

Mississippi Youth Takeover

The Mississippi 4-H Tech Team in Lucedale, Mississippi continues breaking through obstacles, tackling big problems and making measurable contributions where they live. When Hurricane Katrina struck Lucedale on August 29, 2005 the town of around 3,000 people were left without power and vital information from their traditional outlets of the radio and television. Since the popular social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter weren't included in the original communication plan, eight high school students from the Mississippi 4-H Tech Team knew it was time for action. With an understanding of the emerging role social media plays in the lives of millions of people the 4-H'ers met with Lucedale Mayor Doug Lee, the local fire and police department, the development association, chamber of commerce and other emergency management professionals, to train them on how to use social media to quickly communicate with the public and each other during an emergency.

As a result of this meeting on August 15, 2011 approximately 30 Lucedale residents crowded City Hall to learn from these youth on how Facebook, Twitter, blogs and YouTube are important communication tools during an emergency, as well utilizing these social media sites within their business for marketing. The 4-H Tech Team went into detail on how social media outlets work and trained the officials and business owners on a one-on-one basis. "If we were able to do this six months before Katrina hit, we would've been able to send out alerts to everyone in our community," said George County 4-H'er, Marissa Landen. "If they had their cell phone, now that Facebook is on cell phones, and if Wi-Fi was down at the time, they would know where to get water from and where to go find food from."  After conducting several training sessions for emergency management professionals throughout the state, this awesome group of high school students were able improve the emergency communication methods and developed a strong leadership role within their community.  The Mississippi 4-H Tech Team has conducted several trainings to emergency management professionals and business owners throughout the state of Mississippi, and continues to provide training sessions to three surrounding counties. This is an awesome example of youth leadership at it's finest!

US Educational System

I watched Sir Ken Robinson’s RSA Animate on Changing Education Paradigms on Ted and was in total amazement of the way he illustrated his speech and the knowledge shared.  As Sir Robinson began to touch on the reason why our educational system needs to be reformed, he pointed out that currently we are trying to meet the future needs with the past ideals of industrial interests. The audience was inclined to listen and trust what he said because he started off with common facts, and his presentation was well organized. He touched on three primary issues of concern not only within the school districts but also within parents. Why students lack interest in current school subjects, the declining stake in the arts education, and ADHD.  His speech inspired me to dig deeper and explore the possibilities of integrating “divergent thinking” to foster creativity within the students of The Artz 4-H Club.

The National After School Alliance

It has been acknowledged all over America of the urgent need for improving and increasing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills among students. Although reports like “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” from the National Academies, show the benefit of a STEM related education and how it will increase a graduating students chances within the workforce, it wasn’t until the National After School Alliance (NAA) declared 2011 as the “Year of Science.” Last year the Afterschool Alliance and the National Summer Learning Association went full force in increasing the awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) learning during the out-of-school hours. Their goal was to inspire student into become innovators pursuing STEM related careers. 

The
 Urban Afterschool Program Committee is one of the association’s services that I could defiantly utilize. Since this committee is dedicated to the identifying the special needs and concerns within urban afterschool programs, personnel, participants, families, and communities, they would benefit my program the most.  When it comes to marketing the NAA encourages their members to take a few minutes to contact Congress or access tools to take action for afterschool every day and build a relationship with our elected officials. They also offer a Program Toolbox that has all of the tools to reach policy makers with a special focus on how to raise afterschool issues with policy makers. The Afterschool Alliance Policy and Action Center is an awesome resource for the latest policies that currently affect the industry, and are strong advocates on the public policies affecting the After School field.  When it comes to reaching their audience in a large volume the NAA utilizes their Theory, Practice, and Research quarterly publication. This publication has the focus of bringing everyone together who has a heart for helping young people. This journal is a forum for of discussion that reaches across the worlds of academia, service, philanthropy, research findings and policy.

The National After School Alliance has eight committees to assist their members. The Convention Presentations Review Committee provides peer reviews for all of the NAA proposals for the conventions. 

The Help Line Volunteers
 assist NAA’s members with resources to solve any issues they are facing, and overcome dilemmas by offering resources. The Diversity Committee identifies special needs and concerns of members within all racial and ethnic groups and meets with the NAA Board of Directors regarding challenges, needed resources, advocacy needs, networking opportunities, or additional workshop trainings. The Platform Committee reviews the Official NAA Platform and makes suggestions on changes to this platform. Program Site-Directors Committee identifies what the needs of the professionals who work directly in leadership and reports the needs of the members and offer recommendations to the NAA Board of Directors.  The Publications Committee reviews resources and offer suggestions of new material for professional development as well as the NAA website. The Rural Afterschool Program Committee identifies the needs of programs within the rural areas. This committee is as detailed as assisting the personnel, participants, families, and communities. 
The
Urban Afterschool Program Committee is responsible for identifying special needs and concerns impacting urban afterschool programs.

The National After School Alliance is a strong networking association and I am so impressed with their organization that I plan on joining them this week.