Simply Starla's Weblog » Charly Magazine

Were you moved to tears?

simplystarla — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:14:25 +0000

I was!!
MICHELLE OBAMA – my girl! Is that an appropriate reference to the first lady? Who knows? Who even cares? I was thrilled to watch a glimpse of history tonight at the Democratic Convention! Real black people setting the stage to make change for all of american people. I just can’t get over it.

I was slightly annoyed that I had to nearly physically make my 10 -year-old (almost 11) daughter turn from WWF to the video, intro and subsequent speech by Michelle Obama, but it was well worth the challenge.

This is a pivitol moment in history – I can’t even begin to say enough about it and what it means for our country, black families, black men, black women, middle class families, working class families, and so on and so on - so I won’t. I’ll just keep it simple and say it’s amazing! Maybe once I come down off this high, I’ll be able to intelligently articulate a newsworthy piece – I’ll save it for www.thecharlymag.wordpress.com!

Good night – and register NOW if you haven’t already!!

Tyra Banks & Freakonomics!!!

simplystarla — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:41:15 +0000

I was pleasantly surprised today(about 10 days ago when I originally started this blog) as I caught 10 minutes of the Tyra Banks show (running late) before work. The episode was addressing the issue of names and whether a child’s name impacts the level of success they will achieve in the future. It was a topic extracted from the book Freakonomics!

READ ABOUT IT: www.freakonomicsbook.com !

The short is that this economist dispels popular cultural myths (stereotypes really) by explaining the situations using his economist logic. It is very thought provoking. I don’t know if I would have really read the book on my own – or own a copy if it wasn’t required reading for one of my grad school classes, but I am very happy I made that investment – even if it was only on amazon.com! I even had to do a group project (in the same group as my husband no less) – we presented on the chapter that is explaining why drug dealers still live with their mamas! (shout out to Kuma and Natalie:)

Names are hard right ?

Shaquana, Moniqua, Lexus? No offense to anyone reading this with those names, but really – I wonder what goes through the names of HR people when they get a resume with Shaquana Jackson vs. Sarah Simon? Is Shauana rejected? Is she thought to be some g-fabulous sista with brightly colored extensions, equally bright nails and no skills? Is Sarah a quiet, reserved, well-mannered people pleaser? HMMMMM????

I leave you to ponder that – and to battle with any thoughts you had there. I encourage you to read the book or try to catch the Tyra episode to dispel any name myths you may have.

Also check out how my business partner and I created Charly Magazine’s name -

www.thecharlymag.wordpress.com

(side-note I am singing – what’s m’n – f”n name – snoop doggy dog – in my head

WIERD!!

are you a night owl? Get paid for those hours!!!

simplystarla — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:08:44 +0000

So I came across this article today on yahoo.com. It’s interesting to me because it applies to my significant other and some other folks I know.

Business Careers for People Who Sleep Late

by Gabby Hyman

Sleep like a vampire during the day? Don’t fight it. British researchers have found that human beings are genetically wired to favor mornings or nights. Some of us simply have stronger mental clarity and physical endurance at different hours than our peers.

So, night owls rejoice! If your circadian rhythms run counter to the American nine-to-five workday, you can still build up a tidy nest egg and thrive in a career that operates in the afternoons and evenings. Here are six rock-solid career choices for morning haters:

Personal Financial Advisor

In tough economic times, people need expert guidance in building investment portfolios, streamlining personal budgets, and managing retirement funds. Millions of baby boomers are retiring. That’s why jobs for personal financial advisers are slated to grow by an astonishing 41 percent between 2006 and 2016.

Many advisers work for firms selling insurance or securities, but a third of them are self-employed. Not only can you sleep in, you can set your own hours. You’ll need at least an undergrad business or finance degree to earn sleeping-late privileges, and you can take exams to receive a Certified Financial Planner credential. You may also need securities-trading licenses. High-end salaries top $145,000.

Corporate Event Planner (are you sure about this one Gabby – from my random event planning experiences vendors like 9 – 5 calls and deliveries, etc.)

Planning, organizing, and executing successful company meetings, trade conferences, and publicity events for corporations and non-profit agencies makes for exacting work. If you like to attend evening events, dress up, and stay late, this can be a perfect match if you have business savvy. Depending on their organizations, event planners can be a combination of public relations manager and travel-hospitality agent.

Most business sectors (financial, manufacturing, health care, high tech) need sharp planners to manage grand openings, festivals, fundraisers, seminars, new product launches, award events, annual meetings, and holiday events. You can prep for this career with a degree in public relations or business administration. PR and promotions managers average between $73,060 and $82,180 in annual wages.

IT Manager ( I believe that just for the mere fact that it’s after midnight and I am blogging and reading about this ish – tryna to launch a online women’s community like no other – Charly Magazine – see the mag link to your right! )

Computers rarely sleep and neither do the companies that rely on IT managers to oversee network systems around the clock. If late morning, afternoon, or evening shifts appeal to you, there’s a digital system somewhere that needs immediate tending. In regions where tech is king (Silicon Valley, for example), IT managers work flexible schedules, wrapping their hours outside of heavy commute times.

Look for undergrad and grad degree programs in networking, security, business, or an MBA program with a focus in technical management. Median earnings for IT managers skyrocket well into six figures, which means you’ll sleep well no matter the hours you keep.

Lodging/Dining Manager

Envision yourself as a kind of Casablanca Rick, plying customers with good service and building a late-night establishment with a fierce customer loyalty? Hotel and dining managers are night-owl classics, often staying after closing to have a cocktail with their staff or devoted patrons. You may be the last to lock up after doing the books.

Prepare for success by enrolling in a hospitality or culinary management degree program, or by earning a degree in business or management. Work for a major lodging or dining company, or at a family-run hotel, bed and breakfast, cafe, or bar. Sign up with an international hotel firm and find yourself waking up late–in paradise.

Management Consultant (arguably most consultants!!!)

Management consultants are engaged to help their clients work smarter, not harder. They are role models of the concept, often choosing when and how much they want to work. If you join their ranks, you’ll probably begin at a management consulting firm, working straight hours until you develop your own clientele and launch your own business. You’ll still have to hustle, but you can take time off between contracts, and set appointments that suit your body clock.

The Department of Labor predicts that “management, scientific, and technical consulting services” will remain among the fastest-growing careers (at an incredible 78 percent) for at least the coming decade. A business degree program is the best place to start. If you already have a degree in accounting, high tech, or health care, shoot for an MBA to bolster your credentials and your salary, which can vary greatly depending on your level of expertise.

Call Center Manager (since reading “The World is Flat” I would ask – answering calls in WHAT country????)

Jobs for call center managers are expected to grow by a dizzying 25 percent through 2016. Call center managers work afternoon and evening shifts supervising customer service representatives. You’ll focus on improving performance metrics, agents training and coaching, and forecasting call volumes.

Managers can hail from within service organizations, but many improve their chances for gaining top management roles in pursuing business degrees. Average national salary for call center managers is $61,512.