A look back at the first issue...

The responses are in for the first issue. Most agree on two things: first, there was a noticeable absence of pictures and graphics. Second, the idea behind the magazine is great. The majority loved the idea behind the magazine and thought that this is needed within our community. I had the opportunity to present the magazine to a small group of small business owners at a recent meeting of the Greater Caribbean Chamber of Commerce. The magazine was widely accepted and most lauded the initiative. But, most also agreed that to take the idea to the next level there must be a more visually appealing publication.

There was some method to launching the magazine sans pictures and graphics however. During my research, I realized that to be accepted readers will look at the quality of the articles. If the quality of the articles is poor then readers would shun the magazine regardless of the graphics and pictures. So my total focus was showing the type of articles that would be a regular feature in the magazine. But in the final analysis, the feedback was good and the production of the second issue is well under way.

The first issue featured a contribution from Mrs. Jene Williams-Rhoads and Mr. Richard Benrubi from the law firm of Liggio, Benrubi and Williams, PA out of Palm Beach. The article is appropriate due to the fact that we are in hurricane season and this issue is a real problem that South Floridians face whether they are of Caribbean descent or not. So many thanks go out to Mr. Williams-Rhoads and company. In fact, Jene was the first to agree to submit a contribution to the magazine and I am indebted to her for her cooperation and support.

The article on the FAU Small Business Development Center was facilitated by Maggie Gunther. This center represents a vital area where small business owners and potential entrepreneurs can tap for assistance. I am actually looking to working further with the center on different initiatives as the magazine takes root.

Spirit Airlines agreed to a question and answer interview that was done by email. Initially, I wanted something a little more in depth but decided that the article needed to be light and not so intense. The contacts at Spirit, Natasha Babulal and Rebecca Rivera, were cooperative in helping to put the article together and I am looking forward to communicating further with them about their commitment to the Caribbean area.

The piece on hurricane preparedness was again timely and appropriate. Not only are individuals seeking to protect their personal property but business owners have to protect their businesses as well. Initially the focus of the article was the effect that the prior year’s hurricane had on the Caribbean community. However, the writer Noreen Compton found that most owners in the community would prefer not to relive the ordeal so we ended focusing on how these owners can prepare for this season instead.

The feature story was on Soccer World and was the most fun to put together. Steve Shand the owner was receptive to the idea and after a quick phone call to him to explain the concept of the magazine, he agreed instantly. One of the things that he said that stuck with me was the fact that it takes money to make money. He is right in that rather simple comment. He also emphasized that honesty was extremely important in the business world.

The final article was part one of an introduction into the world of trucking written by George Leposky. Various requirements that are necessary to embark on a trucking career were discussed. This article sets up part two which will center around what truckers of Caribbean descent have to say about their life on the road.

As a result of the first issue, the FAU Small Business Development Center requested to use the story on Soccer World as part of their success story feature series. So thus far I have concluded that the first issue was a success. If each issue has an ending such as this then the magazine would have served its purpose.

First Issue Completed and Distributed

Well I am happy to say that the first issue has been published and distributed. I will offer my thoughts on the first issue in a later post. But today I am inclined to write about the distribution of the magazine.

The magazine is being distributed for free and is available at selected locations throughout the tri-county area. These carefully chosen locations include restaurants, a bank and other professional offices. All the owners have been real receptive to the idea behind the magazine and were more than willing to allow me to place the publication in their place of business.

During the distribution route, I ran into an old friend at a Jamaican restaurant in Miami across from the Miami Dade Community College. The name of the restaurant is PepperPot. We had a long talk catching up on the past several years. He was really supportive of the magazine and was more than willing to allow me to place the magazine in his restaurant. We tossed a few ideas back and forth and he provided me with a few leads to pursue as far as securing some advertising commitments. We also talked about the challenges he faces running the business that he took over from his father. The restaurant will be 30 years (I think) in existence next year. As I sat there talking to him I thought to myself this is a story in the making. To round out our discussion he pledged his support as far as advertising is concerned for the next issue. Surely this is excellent news as I put together the second issue that is due out the end of August.

Another interesting stop on the distribution route was my meeting with the head of the Greater Caribbean Chamber of Commerce who is the manager of a bank that is situated in a predominantly Caribbean community in Broward. I had met her once before but had spoken to her a few times. She has been extremely supportive and encouraging about my magazine idea and was thrilled that the first issue is now in existence. She allowed me to place the magazine in her bank and offered to pass on any feedback that she is aware of. That type of support is essential for a variety of reasons, none more so than the fact that she is the head of a prominent organization that is in contact with local entrepreneurs that I am reaching out to. In fact the next members meeting for this Chamber is mid July. I plan to attend this event to further pitch my magazine.

I have some additional avenues that I aim to pursue for distribution. This area will need constant evaluation as I aim to ensure that the magazine is reaching the intended audience. And of course there is the never ending search for new ways to reach out to the targeted audience. So new channels will be added for the upcoming issue. One of those avenues will entail visiting various social and civic organizations that are aimed at the Caribbean population in the Dade Broward and Palm Beach counties. More on that later

So all in all everything went on as scheduled. Now that the magazine is in circulation I am eagerly awaiting any feedback on it.

In closing, I came upon an interesting situation while in the distribution process. In Lauderhill, there is Caribbean restaurant/bakery that is a franchise called Golden Krust and has a drive through. So I am wondering if this is the first (or only) Caribbean restaurant that has a drive through. Will keep on the lookout for this....................