Know thyself...belive in God...dare to dream!

As stated in my previous post, my goal is to highlight young adults chasing their dreams and utilizing their talents.  Today's post is dedicated to my future (6 months to be exact) brother-in-law, Creston Burse.
Creston is currently employed by the State of MS as an IT Project Manager.  In his spare time (which is probably zero considering he's planning a wedding) Creston makes good use of his creative skill set.

"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way"

With graduation quickly approaching, I feel somewhat obligated to let you in on a small secret.  Mr. Burse customizes graduation invitations, thank you cards, and much  more.  See the interview below for a glance into the life of C. Burse!

NRH: What motivates you?
CBURSE: Failure motivates me.  I truly believe I possess the ability to do anything I want in life.  Not utilizing that ability is my greatest fear.

NRH: What inspired you to do your own consulting work?
CBURSE: Freedom.  I've been working since I was 15.  I've been blessed with jobs since graduating college.  My ultimate goal is to be my own boss.  I have always been told that you can't make the money you want, working for someone else.  Consulting work gives you the freedom to control your own destiny.  It takes a lot of hard work, and lots of discipline.

NRH: What advice would you give someone looking to branch out and start their own business?
CBURSE: Well, technically I don't have my own business, but it is in the works.  I can only give the advice that I give myself...just do it!  Time is something we can't get back. Seize the moment and make it count.

NRH: What sets your work apart? Why should someone purchase business cards/invites/etc. from you vs an online site such as Vistaprint?
CBURSE: Creativity.  I am an artist at heart.  I see things differently.  I have the ability to take your ideas, combine them with my particular skill-sets and produce a product that is unique, original, and most importantly personal.

NRH: Could you describe your scope of work?
CBURSE: Right now, I am willing to do it all.  I've done invitations, flyers, logos, websites, project management, business cards, business brochures, you name it.  I enjoy new challenges, so I welcome all potential jobs.  I have an IT background as well, so my consulting work has picked up and allowed me to branch out into other areas.  It includes PC maintenance, network infrastructure, computer infrastructure, and diagnostics to name a few. 

NRH: Where do you see yourself in 5-10 yrs?
CBURSE: First, happily married.  Secondly, in 5-10 I should have several businesses in motion, as well as a more established and developed IT consulting firm.

NRH: Is there anything else you would like to share?
CBURSE: Yeap! Count your blessings and dream big! #HailState #teamLakers #teamPackers

NRH: Last thing, if you could sum up your life, thus far, in one quote, what would that be?
CBURSE: Know thyself, believe in God, dare to dream...and get at me @ www.cburse.com

As you all can see, Creston is making MAJOR moves and he definitely has a bright future ahead.  I can honestly say he does great work because I've used his services on several occasions.  I wouldn't recommend someone I didn't believe in!  So, if you need ANY of Creston's services, I suggest you contact him immediately before he blows up and starts doing consulting work for President Obama!

Please visit www.cburse.com for any inquiries!

As always...until next time...

XOXO

t.RAE :)

Live...Love...BAKE!

As I look over my previous posts, I realize that some are funny, some are insightful, and some make no sense at all...but that's ok because I warned you!  However, my next few posts should be very intriguing.  I love to support and highlight talent. I am a firm believer in this quote:

“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.”

But not only for this reason. Sometimes we never know of another's talents unless they are showcased.  For this reason, I chose to highlight Kyrstyn Newton. Krystyn and I attended Mississippi State University together.  In getting to know Krystyn, I quickly learned that she had a passion for baking. This led to her business, Kay's Kakes.  I had the pleasure of speaking with her last week!  I'm thrilled that she has made her dream a reality!  Check out my interview below!

NRH: What motives you?

KAY: My motivation comes from the passion I have for baking.  I love what I do and that loves comes out in my baking.


NRH: What inspired you to venture out and start your own business?

KAY: Every since I can remember it has always been a dream of mine to start my own bakery.  Upon graduating from Mississippi State University, I saw an opportunity to go to culinary school.  I knew this was the first step to owning my bakery so I jumped at the chance to go and here I am today!


NRH: Do you bake for all occasions? Weddings? Birthdays? Etc.

KAY: Yes, I do bake for all occasions.  Right now I am starting small projects with sheet cakes, cookies, and pies.  During the summer I will make more elaborate cakes using fondant and flowers and doing more detailed work.



NRH: (That sounds delicious! I'm sure I'll be placing an order soon!)  What advice would you give someone young looking to start their own business with limited funds/resources?

KAY: My advice is make sure you are not going into a business just because it sounds good...that's a BIG mistake.  Have the necessary training and resources you will need to make your business succeed.  Just remember, a good plan starts with a dream!



NRH: What is your unique selling proposition? What sets Kay's Kakes apart from any other bakery? Why should I order from YOU?

KAY: What sets me apart is the longevity of freshness in my products.  I feel as though other stores and/or bakeries do not have a long shelf life; the cake gets dry too quick.  With my products, I make sure that moisture in the cakes stay longer so you will not have to discard it a few days later.



NRH: Is there anything else you would like to add that I did not cover?

KAY: I would like to thank all of my supporters that have been with me through this journey.  I would also like to thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak on my craft and business!  


NRH: And lastly, if you could sum up your life (thus far) with a quote, what would it be?

KAY: live, love, & BAKE!

With graduation quickly approaching, I know some of you will be placing CAKE orders!  I encourage you to support young business owners; give Kay's Kakes a try!  I can assure you, you will not be disappointed.  Again, it was a pleasure catching up with Kyrstyn.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to showcase her talents and her thriving business!  For inquiries, or to place an order, please see the contact information below!

xoxo T

 

...Liberty and JUSTICE for ALL...

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" -Martin Luther King, Jr.

I've been contemplating expressing my feelings toward the Trayvon Martin case.  I have a tendency to get very upset when it comes to racial injustice...but am I wrong? NO!  We all should!  If we sit back and say nothing, things like this will continue.  

Sadly, but luckily, I had parents who "prepped" me for the world we live in at a very young age.  Please don't misinterpret my words. They showed favor to no race, however, they made me aware of racial profiling.   Many times I was told to be careful and watch who you hang with because when things go wrong, the finger will most likely be pointed towards the only African American in the group.  Initially, I failed to realize the truth in this statement....but as time progressed and I saw it with my own eyes....I began to see reality.

"There is a strange kind of tragic enigma associated with the problem of racism.  No one, or almost no one, wishes to see themselves as racist; still racism persists, real and tenacious."

WHY? Why should I have to worry about being pinned to a crime I did not commit because of the color of my skin?

WHY? Why do people feel as though they are superior to the African American race? Were we not created equal?

WHY? Why do I have to work twice as hard as my white counterparts to prove my worth?...only to still get treated with less respect.

I'm no defense attorney, but clearly Trayvon Martin was doing NO wrong.  A 17 year old boy...he was just a baby yall...gunned down; not because he was a threat to society, but because he was black.  It's so sad that we as African Americans are born with a disadvantage and that happens to be our skin tone.  Please don't think for one second that I will apologize for being black.

People of other backgrounds can protest and say how sad it is to see things like this, but in reality they will NEVER know what it means to be black living in white America.  They will NEVER be gunned down( in their own neighborhood) because they "look" suspicious.

Again, please don't misinterpret my words. I'm not telling you to start a riot.  I'm not telling you to hate everyone not of the African American race.  All I'm saying is be aware.  Don't be oblivious and naive to the fact that racism still exists in 2012.

xoxo T