| Children with life-threatening disorders deserve wonderful chances such as a trip to Disney World, meeting a celebrity, or going on a shopping spree. A Special Wish Foundation is determined to make these dreams become a reality. With incredible support from local organizations and individuals, we have brought smiles to the faces of hundreds of children and their families.
A Special Wish Foundation is seeking out dedicated professionals within the community to serve as members of the Board of Directors.
Interested individuals will be required to participate in monthly meetings, assist in fundraising efforts, lend professional expertise, and serve as an ambassador to the Dayton Community. Past and present Board of Directors have had the privilege to participate in granting over 1,400 wishes to local Dayton children birth through age 20. You can make a difference in the life of a Wish Child. To inquire about the Board of Directors please email [email protected]. |
Community
Boonshoft’s Pub Science Series Continues with the Science of Beer
The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery continues their monthly Pub Science speaker series with a lecture on beer brewing by one of the area’s foremost authorities on the subject.
Mike Schwartz, owner of Belmont Party Supply and Brewtensils, will present “The Art and Science of Beer Brewing” on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7:00 p.m. at Blind Bob’s in the Oregon District.
Schwartz’s “world-recognized” beer store consistently ranks in the top 25 stores nationwide by respected craft beer websites ratebeer.com and beeradvocate.com. He opened Brewtensils, an equipment and supply store for making beer, wine and cheese, in Oct. of this year and conducts various introductory classes aimed at the beginning home brewer.
“I’ll talk about yeast and how it affects your beer,” says Schwartz regarding Tuesday’s presentation.
The Pub Science series, which began in December, was created as a fun way for anyone to learn about science and technology in a relaxed, informal setting. Previous topics discussed were nanotechnology and forensic science.
Pub Science is held the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. There is no cover charge for the event however, donations are accepted.
For additional information, please call (937)275-7431 or check our event calendar!
Scan Your Way To Masquerage
Dayton’s Party of Parties is just 5 weeks away -Masquerage, AIDS Resource Center Ohio’s (ARC Ohio) annual masked party for a cause fundraiser. But for one lucky winner, visiting the sponsors of this year’s Masquerage will pay off in a big way- they can Scan Their Way to a $500 Red Ribbon Lounge Ticket package that includes VIP event tickets, an overnight package at the Dayton Marriott with breakfast on Sunday and transportation to and from the event.
In a unique partnership with Dayton-based Comtactics, participants can use their smart phones to scan a QR code from a poster at each sponsor’s business and when they visit at least 10 sponsors, they will automatically be entered in a drawing to win the Red Ribbon Lounge ticket package. Participants can download a free code reader for their smartphone on the ScanDayton.com site. Participants can even enter the drawing by texting the word “SCANDAYTON” to 41411 and then follow the instructions.
Comtactics, LLC, a multiplatform communications company based at Dayton’s Tech Town, developed the “ScanVenger Hunt” idea as a creative way to introduce the technology to the Dayton-area. They’ve successfully hosted ScanVenger hunts at The Greene and during Urban Nights. “This will be our first partnership with a nonprofit fundraiser and we’re excited about using 2d technology for this dynamic interactive contest, says Sean Fields, President and CEO of Comtactics.
Since Masquerage’s inception in 2002 , this party for a cause has raised more than
$650,000 in unrestricted funds in support of HIV/AIDS case management, education, prevention, testing and advocacy; allowing attendees to have a unique and entertaining experience while supporting ARC Ohio and its mission of impacting those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. With offices in Dayton, Lima, Mansfield and Toledo, ARC Ohio is recognized as the leading provider of HIV/AIDS related programs within a 40 county region of Ohio. For more information about ARC Ohio, log onto www.arcohio.org or call (937) 461-2437.
To be entered in the drawing to win a $500 Red Ribbon Lounge Ticket package you’ll need to visit at least 10 of the sponsors- but since we like our friends at DaytonMostMetro.com you can scan the cod
e pictured here and you’ll only need 9 more!
You can visit American Family Insurance, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Better Business Bureau, Coco’s Bistro, Digital Fringe, The Flower Shoppe, Lexus of Dayton, MacTown, any of the Marion’s Piazza, Masque, Meadowlark Restaurant, Preen Apothecary, either of the Square One Salons and Urban HandMade. Keep checking the Masquerage website for more additions!
Tickets for the Masquerage party can be reserved online at www.Masquerage.org or charged by phone by calling 461-2437 x 2029. General Admission tickets include welcoming cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, and nonstop dancing and entertainment for $50, while entry to the Red Ribbon Lounge runs $150 per guest and includes heavenly delicacies created by The Meadowlark, valet parking courtesy of Lexus of Dayton, a swag bag full of sinful delights, and, for the first time ever, a complimentary array of lustful libations!
Ronald McDonald House Radiothon
Press Release
On September 23rd, 2010 from 6:00am to 7:00pm Mix 107.7 will hold the second Radiothon to benefit Dayton’s local Ronald McDonald House. Throughout the 13 hour Radiothon, we will be broadcasting LIVE from McDonald’s on Dayton-Xenia Road in Beavercreek, and McDonald’s on Stroop Road in Kettering. Not only will listeners be entertained by Mix 107.7 DJ’s Jeff Stevens, Kristi Leigh and Sean Vincent, but they will also get a chance to learn more about RMHC as we bring our mission to life on air! This year we are asking the generous Miami Valley community to help us KNOCK OUT our goal of $30,000!
There are several ways you can help support the Radiothon and RMHC’s mission! 1) First and foremost, tune in to Mix 107.7 on September 23rd! 2) Encourage your company, department, school or club to collect spare change for donation RMHC. Groups that collect over $250 will be mentioned live on-air! Thanks to the generous support of Wright-Patt Credit Union, donations can be counted for free at any WPCU location from Sept. 13th – Sept. 18th. 3) Listeners can also Pay-2-Play and dedicate songs throughout the day for a good cause (Available soon via http://rmhcdayton.org/donate.php). 4) Also, for the music fans out there, bid on the SummerFest guitar signed by Blondie AND Cheap Trick at http://www.mix1077.com/pages/Radiothon2010.html .
Thank you Mix 107.7 Radiothon partners and sponsors for helping to raise much-needed funds for families with hospitalized children; these include Miami Valley Hospital, ClearChannel, McDonald’s, Wright-Patt Credit Union, WDTN-2, McFall & Son Insurance Agency, Grange Insurance, and more. If interested in sponsorship opportunities which include dedicated time-slots, please call Kevin Tibbs at 937.224.0047 ext: 40 or go to http://rmhcdayton.org/sponsorship.php.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Miami Valley Region, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization. Funds raised help cover the expenses associated with nights of stay for families with critically ill, or injured, hospitalized children. Each chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities is autonomous, with its own Board of Trustees, responsible for the governance of the organization. Ronald McDonald House Charities is not owned by Dayton Children’s, or by McDonald’s, and is responsible for its own fundraising.
The Litehouse Development solves a few of Dayton’s housing problems
… but probably not what you think.
You know that the city of Dayton has a vacancy problem, and there has been a lot of discussion about what to do with vacant, abandoned properties. Tearing them down is one option of course, and probably the one that gets the most discussion, and there is a problem with tearing them down because then you have an empty space, and what do you do with that? I believe that the vacancy problem is two-fold. Not only does Dayton have too many homes, Dayton has too many of the wrong type of home.
Yes, Virginia, there really are people who want to live in Dayton Ohio. They want to experience all that Dayton has to offer- celebratory and inexpensive stuff to do, vibrant arts community, not-so-big city life. They want to be home owners, not renters, but they can’t find a house. Oh I know we have plenty of homes- too many homes in some neighborhoods. But for a certain type of buyer: young or creative or entertainment-seeking types who would be a perfect fit in the downtown area, Dayton doesn’t have what they are looking for because the housing stock that exists, is simply not a good fit for everyone. Downtown Dayton’s housing stock is plentiful, but it’s old, and the truth is that not everyone loves a historic home. Not everyone wants to live in or care for a historic home, and that’s okay, except, if you want a brick ranch, mid-century modern, vintage 20’s bungalow, or modern dwelling, then you have to live elsewhere. So the solution might be to mix things up a bit- not only tear down the unwanted housing stock, but build property that people want: Affordable, low maintenance, cool, hip, modern spaces that appeal to and attract a new breed of owners into the Dayton market.
I visited the Litehouse model home site last week during their Open House and was intrigued by what I saw. The exterior is modern and unlike anything else in the Dayton area. The interior is unusual as well, being a vertical stacked space that packs amenities onto a tiny physical footprint. This should appeal to a very specific buyer, but more than that, it’s going to add to the presence of residents in the direct downtown area, and that’s a cool thing, good for all the city residents.
The Litehouse townhomes focus on greener living, with local manufacturing, Leed standardization, Energy Star appliances to keep these homes as efficient as possible. This is going to be a growing trend and it’s nice to see a builder using proactive solutions for those buyers who are already looking in this direction. They are also looking to attract buyers who want an affordable home. This is going to be key for getting more buyers into Dayton: Affordable, modern, green properties that give buyers another downtown living option. The plan is to create a community of approximately 40 homes, and once a few more are occupied, you’ll see them attract more buyers- most people don’t want to be the first in a new development, although, you do get a nice view of Patterson Blvd right now.
These are sexy properties with a new attitude about how a home can function and what a home can be. Take a look at 
the couple to the right. Standing on the unfinished roof-top terrace of one of the Litehouse units, you can see the natural response to the possibilities this space might afford- the body language says it all. This is the type of housing that Dayton needs more of and it’s good for the entire Dayton area that we have the opportunity to watch this development add to our real estate options in Dayton Ohio.
So, how do you buy a new home? You can plunge ahead and contact the developer yourself if you’d like, or you can have a Realtor take you to a developer if you want a little extra guidance through the process. It’s similar to buying any home, except, as one developer told me, there is no other person’s dirt to wonder about.
The question is, can majestic historic beauties live in peace and camaraderie with ultra-modern clean cut lines? For all the talk about not wanting to live in little boxes that all look just the same, most people like a sense of continuity and similarity within their own neighborhood. With the Litehouse development, we can begin to integrate the new and old while we adjust to the future of Dayton real estate.
Photo credits: Teri Lussier
Lifetime’s Remarkable Women Series honors Isus Founder
To shine a spotlight on an extraordinary woman, and to inspire and empower
others to make a difference
in their communities and world
Here is the write up featured on Lifetime’s Remarkable Women:
Ann Higdon created Improved Solutions for Urban Systems (ISUS) in 1992 to develop approaches to keep high-school-age youth in school and to reclaim school dropouts. In Dayton, over 60 percent of the urban youth dropped out of high school, and according to an Annie E. Casey Foundation study, an additional 6 to 8 percent drop out in middle school and are, therefore, never counted as high school dropouts. The effects in the city were deteriorating neighborhoods and escalating crime. Montgomery County, where Dayton is the main city, used two-thirds of its budget for criminal justice and indigent-family-related expenditures. Author James Conant, in his book “Slums and Suburbs: A Commentary on Schools in Metropolitan Areas” called these kinds of issues “social dynamite.”
In the early nineties, Ann Higdon talked to anyone who would listen about what she believed could be done, but few people believed that these young people would respond to an idea that required more of them than anyone dared believe they could do before. Few believed that it was an appropriate use of funds to support an idea fostered by a person who had no nonprofit, teaching or housing-development experience. But, as Ann listened to the stories of the young people who left school without completing, their stories resonated. She had been a poor student, had a difficult childhood and was first homeless when she was four. She was afraid of being bullied and got in trouble for fighting back. Ann was able to make a better life for herself because one person had confidence in her, and with that encouragement, she began to work her family out of poverty.
In 1992 she borrowed $100,000 from National City Bank in Dayton to start the first ISUS organization, working with National City to replace food stamps with an electronic benefits system in Ohio. During the early years, Dayton Rotary, a nearby hospital and other benefactors also supported the project. In 1995 they received the first public money through a federal grant, and in 1999 Ohio passed enabling laws for charter schools. That year, ISUS created the first of three charter high schools for returning dropouts; until recently, Dayton had more students in charter schools per capita than any other city.
The ISUS organizations uniquely accomplish their mission by recruiting disengaged youth back into an educational experience that is competency-based and career-oriented, and that engages students as volunteers who practice their newly acquired skills in the context of community service.
Upon entry, ISUS youth are on average 17 years old and function in math and reading at 
the seventh grade level. Roughly 85 percent are low-income, seven in 10 are known to juvenile court and three in 10 are youth with learning disabilities, which is about twice the percentage in the system. At ISUS, students attend a longer day and year — totaling about 300 additional hours per year. Students alternate between academics, technical coursework and hands-on practice of skills. Technical instructors are hired from business and industry and assisted to obtain teaching certifications at Wright State University.
Since 2001, ISUS has graduated more than 700 returning dropouts with high school diplomas, industry credentials or some college coursework. Recently, ISUS was written into House Bill 562 as a Demonstration Project to collect data and inform the legislature on issues and accountability measures for dropout-recovery schools.
Other measures of success are the competencies students exhibit — for example, the redevelopment of the Fairgrounds neighborhood, where students gutted and rebuilt 12 homes and an eight-unit apartment building. The project was reported by the Dayton Daily News as “The Miracle on Frank Street.” Now there are homes built by developers, and bustling businesses. ISUS students are credited with sparking the resurgence of the neighborhood.
Ann Higdon personifies the entrepreneurial spirit by crafting the pursuits of her organizations to contribute impact and return on investment. She demonstrates commitment and takes risks in the pursuit of better solutions to social problems, and targets a population that researchers agree is the hardest to serve — youth offenders.
Ann and her organization, ISUS, are recipients of numerous honors, including the Purpose Prize, the Dayton Business Journal’s Regional Leadership Award, the Dayton Daily News’ Top Ten Women Award, the YMCA’s Woman of Influence Award, the HUD’s Secretary Award for Excellence, the Points of Light Award and the Dayton Business Journal’s Not for Profit Organization of the Year Award.
Smart Car Raffle Drawing to be held Mon, Sept 13th
On Monday, Sept 13th, ISUS will be hosting a VIP reception in Wright-Dunbar Historic District, where they will be giving tours of their Replica Homes Green Building Project. As part of the festivities ISUS and the Dayton Rotary are hosting a Smart Car Raffle to raise money to continue to fund future building projects. Rafle tickets run $100 and are available through Dayton Rotary members, or call the Rotary office to charge by phone at 228-3331. Three winning tickets will be pulled with the 1st getting a handcrafted dragonfly bench, the 2nd will receive a $250 Home Depot gift card and the 3rd ticket pulled will win the brand new, fully loaded Smart Car!
Wine, Washes And Wet Noses
Wine, Washes, & Wet Noses
Sunday, September 12, 2010
1:00-5:00 pm
A Taste of Wine
90 South Main Street
Miamisburg, OH 45342
Join us for our 2nd Annual wine-tasting and dog wash event! Enjoy a relaxing glass of wine while Square One Salon & Spa washes your dog. There will be a raffle with items such as a Square One Salon gift basket, an iPod Nano, and a Dog Lover’s gift basket. All proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Visit www.humanesocietydayton.org for more information.
The Adventures of Nikki Nett
Well, hello there! Thanks so much for coming back this week! This week’s adventure takes us to Preen Apothecary in Oakwood.
*Please note: friends, family, and employers- if I am ever missing for more than several hours and you can’t reach me by phone/text/facebook/twitter/foursquare/email/BBMessenger, etc., there is a VERY strong possibility that I am at Preen. Seriously…look there before filing a missing persons report.
As you will find out if you continue reading my blog in the upcoming weeks, you will learn quickly that I LOVE make-up. I said last week that I love shoes, but I love make-up more. Much more. Whether it’s a highly pigmented, finely milled eyeshadow in the ‘right now’ dramatic shade, or the blackest black mascara with a big fat brush, or maybe the yummiest, sheerest, not too sticky gloss that leaves just a bit of color, I love it all. 
Is it the excitement of getting something new & shiny? The creativity of trying new colors and techniques? The ability to be up to the moment without dropping $700 (or more) on this season’s Louboutains? Heck if I know. All I know is it makes me sublimely happy and I have discovered my new little slice of heaven about 5 minutes from my house!!
Preen Apothecary is located at 2508 Far Hills Ave. For those of you (like me) who need landmarks, it’s right by DLM. Although they have received national attention in several magazines, if you don’t know it’s there, you might just drive right by (sometimes several times a day as I have apparently done for the last few years!). I finally stopped by there recently and instantly dubbed it my favorite place. Or in dramatic Nikki fashion, “my most favoriteist place eveerrrrr”. Although it is located right on 48 with traffic buzzing by outside, the moment you walk in, you feel the calm. No bass loaded techno and bad fluorescent lighting, no army of sales people ready to pounce, just a sunfilled menagerie of girly-ness and 3 lovely ladies who could be your best friend.
Nicole Gianuglou, owner of Preen
One of these great women is Nicole Gianuglou, Preen’s owner. Nicole spent many years in New York City working in the Beauty Industry, more specifically as a National Makeup Artist for Nars. Some of you may already be familiar with the Nars brand and even if you don’t have any of the sleek black packages residing in your make up bag, you have probably heard of his cult favorite blush, Orgasm (the perfect peachy pink that perks up almost any complexion). Nicole spent a lot of time traveling the country for Nars & while at a small shop in Nashville, the idea of opening her own store started to form. Upon returning home to the Miami Valley, Preen became a reality. With fingers crossed, Nicole soon discovered a loyal customer base (you’ll understand why after spending 30 seconds in the store!).
During my most recent visit, I had the opportunity to have my makeup done by Tracy. She is described by Nicole as “beyond belief as an artist”, after she did her magic, I certainly agree! We started off with the basics. All skin prep was done using Peter Thomas Roth’s line which included: Max Sheer Defense SPF 30 (weightless on my skin), 
Unwrinkle Primer & Foundation (loved them both- even though we were layering, there was no masky, heavy feel at all), Intense Anti-Aging Eye Cream & Bronze Instant. Tracy was so knowledgeable in regards to the products themselves as well as technique. Most women skip eye cream on their upper lid in hopes of getting more staying power from their shadow….well guess what? Stop doing that! Whether you are opting for some sparkle or a matte finish eyecolor, moisturizing first keeps it all smooth (and younger looking!). My other favorite tip from Tracy was the choice of brush used to apply the foundation. It was a blush brush! Nars brush #6! It provided a lighter touch and more blendability than a standard ‘foundation’ brush would. Love it!!
So once we had a nice finish on my face, it was time to move on to the fun stuff. I gazed longingly at the very extensive collection of electric purples, insane blues, deep burgandies and glittery blacks lined up like little soldiers in the Nars display. My imagination was 
running wild with thoughts of an intense smoky eye that would make even Adam Lambert jealous. It was rock star time…or was it? Tracy was gathering some shimmery champagnes, soft pinks and copper colors. Huh?? Let me just say that I’m sooooo glad I just shut up and let her do her thing. She worked a new look for me that I never thought I would try….very natural. I felt a little confused when I checked out my reflection and shrieked “OMG- I LOVE IT!”. As a self-proclaimed smoky eye fanatic, I was half tempted to run home & toss all of my super dark shadows. Mmmm hmmmm….this lady is THAT good! As a new brunette after spending my entire life as a blonde, I hadn’t yet realized that by toning it down, I was actually enhancing certain features. Thank you, Tracy for that (literally) eye opening experience. I could have happily skipped out of the store & been on my merry way, but no ma’am, we were not done. After gushing over our mutual love of 
mascaras with a big brush (not the plasticy ones that have become so popular lately) Tracy applied just a couple coats of Lash Fusion Mascara. There are polymers in there & some science stuff and blah blah blah,,,,all I know is my lashes were long & full & lovely! Then, just to kick it up another notch (and put me in my comfort zone again) Tracy took my day look into night with just a touch of a deep eggplant color along my lashline. Perfection.
I intentionally left out the part about the brows as well as creating the perfect pucker because those will be future installations of my Adventures. I think I have been blessed with pretty good brows, but we’ll see if that holds true once I sit down with Beth, the Brow Guru. She is one of the dynamic Preen trio and I’m so excited to chat with her next. There’s no doubt I’ll learn something new
Rest assured, Preen Apothecary will make regular appearances in The Adventures of Nikki Nett! I left out so much….all of the ‘gifty’ things, the Alexis Bittar jewelry with it’s cult like following, the hair products and, the subject closest to my heart…the obscene amount of lipglosses & color. I need to stop before I slip into a hazy makeup coma.
Nicole, Tracy and Beth have worked hard to make sure all of Preen’s customers feel appreciated, pampered and heard. I think they have done a remarkable job with that! When asked what the best beauty advice she ever received was, Nicole quoted Francois Nars and said “Don’t be so serious, it’s only make up”. AMEN to that! With the turning of the leaves and transitioning from tank tops to turtlenecks, find a minute to stop in and see what new looks can take you into snuggle season.
Can’t wait to find out more? Have a suggestion on where the Adventures should take me next? Comment below or let me know via twitter @Nikkisayswhat
Where Am I? September 8, 2010
Hint: 
Woof
Where Am I? September 1, 2010 is the stack of books sculpture in front of the Washington Centerville public library located at 111 W. Spring Valley Rd. The name of that sculpture is “The Record” by Michael Frasca and is 22′ tall. My own children are too old (read cool) to be outwardly impressed by this sculpture, but I can imagine the impact it must make on the youngest library patrons.
South Park Tavern – An Entrepreneur Success Story
Previously, I wrote an article about starting a business with little capital and smart business plan. Here is a great case study:
Bill Daniels has been in the pizza business for a number of years. He has a degree from Wright State University and the business savvy and technical knowledge of the food (pizza) industry. This is a great combination for an entrepreneur.
After starting the successful Pizza Factory years earlier, Bill acquired a building a few blocks away on Wayne Avenue in the South Park neighborhood and began to lease the space on the top floor to tenants. Then slowly he built the success of South Park Tavern. At first, he found Shane, who is a sharp bar manager who had experience in the industry. He gambled on Shane and Shane gambled on him. He opened only on weekends and served no food. The neighbors were thrilled to have a place and so they supported the tavern. Service was terrible and there was no food. But each weekend, the place got better. Bill invested everything earned from those early days back into the business. He began to offer pizza by transporting it from the Pizza Factory store down the street. He extended the hours each time business picked up. The neighbors relentlessly promoted the tavern. If there was a special event, Shane would open the tavern.
Next, the great marketing promotion and understanding of the customer took off. Shane opened through the week. They had open mic nights to bring in bands. They had half price pizza nights on Monday. Bill built a patio outside and remodeled the tavern, installing 12 micro brew taps in the process. Instead of offering the same beers and pizza that most other chains offer, the South Park Tavern offered exotic seasonal beers with unique and flavorful pizzas.
The South Park tavern offers only beer and wine. By not offering hard liquor the establishment identifies itself as family friendly tavern. Many would be tempted to increase revenue by offering hard liquor, but Bill and Shane understood the importance of their market positioning.
So, Bill used a formula that involved several trends in the industry.
- Popularity of micro brew beers
- Different pizzas
- A hang out for the people of the neighborhood
- Bands and music
- No hard liquor
As a result, the South Park Tavern has become a popular and successful business. It did not start with a million dollars of capital. The business stretched the capital and grew in small increments. The business tried to differentiate itself and it created loyal customers. Bill and Shane are not done. They plan to carefully expand the business further.
There are some lessons for entrepreneurs in the growth of the South Park Tavern…
YP Roundup – September 2010 Happenings
August went out with a bang with great events like First Friday with updayton’s Street Buzz, Generation Dayton’s Volunteer Speed Matching, the Ballet Barre British Bash and the Litehouse Tour and Firefly Afterparty. But if you missed these great events, there’s lots lined up for September. Back to school means back to action for a lot of local YP groups with only 30 days in the month, but almost 20 events planned! There are great options to find the events you’re interested in and get involved.
Wednesday, September 1 – The Dayton Ballet Barre hosts their monthly meetup at the Dayton Racquet Club with food, drink and fun at 5-6:30 PM.
Friday, September 3 – Generation Dayton invites local newsman Dan Edwards to present Body Language 101 at this free event (lunch at your own expense). Learn what your body language is giving away about your thoughts and learn how to read others, too!
Friday, September 3 – FIRST FRIDAY! All sorts of great events filling the streets of downtown. Official info here.
Thursday, September 9 – Generation Dayton hosts Thirsty Thursday – an after work get-together at Beef O’Brady’s in Centerville for great happy hour drinks and your opportunity to network and meet new people in a casual atmosphere.
Thursday, September 9 – The Dayton Urban League Young Professionals presents International Protocol with Leah Hawthorn from 6-8 PM at the Dayton Urban League building. You’ll learn proper etiquette and the importance of image when dealing with international clients.
Friday, September 10 – URBAN NIGHTS – so, So, SO much going on. It’s like you take First Friday and “turn it up to eleven!” Urban Bikes (with a Dragons game), Tap Factor (don’t miss this great troupe), Karaoke with the Human Race Theatre Co. (and your chance to sing before one of their shows), view the winners of the Downtown In Focus Photo Contest, and more. Just come downtown and you’ll find all sorts of action. Even better – Join the updayton Street Buzz as they catch some live acts and grab some great food or the Dayton Creative Syndicate;s Poker Crawl (because You, Too, Can Hold ‘Em Like They Do in Texas) to check it all out with other YPs
Friday, September 10 – Hit Therapy Cafe during Urban Nights to join the Dayton Urban League Young Professionals at YP @ Play. It’s kids games in a grown up way – Twister, Musical Chairs, Wii, Jenga, Cards, and more keep your attenti0n while sharing great drink specials and good times with friends. $10/person
Friday, September 10 – The Montgomery County Young Republicans host a fun social at Elsa’s on Stroop. This is your chance to get together with like minded YPs and get revved up for the upcoming election season.
Monday, September 13 – The Young Republicans have their regularly scheduled monthly meeting at Buffalo Wild Wings in Town and Country in Kettering starting at 6 PM.
Thursday, September 16 – HYPE hosts their Third Thursday social at the Caroline in Troy – it’s a great opportunity for YPs in the Northern Miami Valley to socialize with food and drink specials. All invited – regardless of if you live north or south of 70!
Thursday, September 16 – JumpstART hosts their monthly jump into arts activities by highlighting the Dayton Art Institute and their newest exhibit, Modern Masters. For $10, you get two drink tickets, food, a special viewing of the exhibit, a great way to meet YPs from all across the region and your ticket to Oktoberfest!
Friday – Saturday, September 17-18 – Check out Taste of the Miami Valley for a great selection of fabulous local foods!
Tuesday, September 21 – Generation Dayton hosts Business and Breakfast at the Bob Evans on Miller Lane
Tuesday, September 21 – You got to check out Speed Volunteer Match last month; need more speed? Hit the Gen D annual speed networking event. Meet new people in a structured atmosphere and make introductions so quickly that if you don’t like them, they’ll be gone soon enough! Coco’s at 5:30 PM.
Tuesday, September 21 – Do you want to know how to take your exuberant, creative energy and translate it to a long-term career? Join the Dayton Creative Syndicate for guest speakers Tony Neary and Tom Kisker from Traction.
Wednesday, September 22 – HYPE invites you to learn more about how health care is changing in our nation and how it affects you at a special event – Demystifying the Nation’s Health Care Bill at the Troy Chamber of Commerce with conversation continuing at the Caroline.
Friday, September 24 – Breakfast not fit into your schedule? No worries – Generation Dayton fits into your schedule with lunch on the fourth Friday of the month for good food and great conversation at Murray’s Place in Moraine.
As always, if I missed anything – please post your info to the DaytonMostMetro.com Event Calendar and click on Young Professionals so we know what’s happening! And let us know in the comments below where you plan to be…
Where Am I? September 1, 2010
Hint: For the Record
Last week’s Where Am I? August 25, 2010 was the Hindu Temple of Dayton, at 2615 Temple Ln, Beavercreek. That photograph doesn’t do the building justice- it is much more lovely in person.
DMM Artist Spotlight – Carli Dixon
Last month we kicked off our DMM Artist Spotlight with Amy Kollar Anderson. Today we’re happy to introduce a friend of DaytonMostMetro.com and our next artist spotlight – Carli Dixon! Many of you know Carli’s husband Hamilton (or at least his work that can be seen in many local places). But Carli is an amazing artist in her own right, not to mention a mother and savvy business woman with a strong love for her neighborhood (South Park) and her city – Dayton, Ohio. We recently caught up with Carli to find out what makes her tick…
Carli Dixon – In Her Own Words
It was nearly 17 years ago that I sat at my desk as a freshman at the American University, searching for an inspiring business idea for my Small Business Development class. I wanted to care about the project, even though it was only a test-run in business plan writing. During the weekly phone date with my Mom, back in Ohio, I lamented my lack of enthusiasm for most of the ideas generated for the project so far. She had her own worries, strapped to her 8th year in what felt like a dead-end corporate job that was suffocating her. We talked about what life should be about, what passion should feel like, and what we could do to change our lackluster circumstances.
It was during that conversation that we decided to make a change. That small but powerful part of the psyche that is fueled by passion was speaking to us both, and we chose to listen. Within 3 months, we had discovered a small company that manufactures machinery used for preserving flowers. We researched the business, visited the machine manufacturer, and purchased our first machine in March of 1993. While my Mom spent that Spring experimenting with the machine, I enjoyed the exhilarating process of researching and writing the plan for a business idea I actually believed in.
In the 17 years since that ground breaking conversation, we have grown to become one of the nation’s premier floral preservation
companies. We have expanded our capacity with the purchase of 4 additional machines, and we now service all of Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Indianapolis, as well as any clients nationwide who discover our company via FreezeFrameIt.com or word-of-mouth. We have 9 full-time employees, with specialities in graphic design, custom framing, floral design, customer sales and support, accounting and marketing. We have developed a patented floral shipping cooler called an E-Z ship kit, which we distribute to our clients through our over 100 partnering locations.
In 2008, we expanded our floral preservation options to include Bloombeads, our exclusive flower-petal jewelry line made for a client’s actual flowers. After months of product development, testing, and system building, we launched the product line in Spring of 2009. Since then, the line has grown to include Bracelets, Pendants & Necklaces, Earrings, Rosaries, Rings, Men’s accessories, and even Pandora-style charm beads. Each jewelry item is custom-made by hand, using the actual flower petals mounted in sterling silver findings.
It’s been a wild ride, a passionate process, a bonding mother-daughter experience, and in the 17 years, we’ve never looked back.
And now – here’s Carli’s answers to our 10 questions:
Where are you from originally and/or what brought you to Dayton?
I was born in Yellow Springs, Ohio; I’m the granddaughter of a Sicilian stone mason and nature lover, Carmelo Ricciardi, who spent 12 years working with Hugh Taylor Birch to build what is now the Glen Helen Nature Preserve . My grandfather actually formed the “yellow spring”, built the original swinging bridge, and hauled in the slabs of stone to make the 150+ steps at the Cory Street entrance to the Glen.
What is the most surprising thing about living in Dayton?
How at peace I feel here, as opposed to any other place I’ve lived in or visited. I attended college in D.C., and when my college friends ask what’s here that makes me want to stay, I say “Time…and breath.
Atta Girl Art & Gardens
Have you reinvented yourself in your life, and if so, how?
Oh yeah, 5 years ago I bumped into the love of my life, Hamilton Dixon, at the Oregon District coffee shop, and since then, I am a new and improved version of myself. Our partnership has set the stage for me exploring the glories of motherhood and family life, has urged me to pursue my craziest ideas (i.e. AttaGirl Art & Gardens Complex), and pushed me to the limits of what I can accomplish as a business person and life partner.
If you weren’t in Dayton, where would you be?
Living on a farm/homestead in Kentucky, surrounded by wildflowers and vegetables, and farm animals…oh, and I’d have a big ‘ol tractor, and a powder blue pickup truck.
What do you think Dayton needs most?
When I think of what makes other urban settings seem alive and exciting, I picture PEOPLE…people sitting in cafes and restaurants and strolling the streets…Dayton has plenty of people in and around it, and it has enough (ideally, we would have more) attractions, cafes, galleries, restaurants, bars, etc….So what if Dayton focused on bridging that gap…daily transportation from U.D., Sinclair, Wright State, WPAFB, etc. to participating downtown locations that offer group specials or incentives. Fill the current venues and businesses with people, which might make downtown a more interesting market for other businesses. Point being; build momentum by creatively working with what you already have at your disposal, and funnel that momentum in a direction that encourages more people to engage in downtown.
What has been the most challenging part of starting your business?
Learning to become a human resource manager, while learning the art of delegating. Both are crucial in a growing business; you can’t grow without the ability to delegate tasks effectively, and you need staff members to delegate to, so a growing business requires proficiency in both areas. Having never held another full-time position in any other company during my career, I was starting from ground zero in both arenas.
What’s the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
Lead climb a 5.10 rock climbing route in Mallorca Spain; It was the hardest lead route I have ever attempted. I made it to the top, thanks to tenacity and a solid dose of terror.
Who inspires you?
My kids; I am so much more capable and motivated now that they are in my life.
Who helps you make your business succeed?
We are a team, and each team member truly does make a unique contribution. Nanci, my mom and business partner, is the jeweler, as well as our accountant and systems analyst. Our sales and production team is made up of Angie Poland, Laura Clark, Mandi Osborne and Coral Bruss, and they each bring unique skills to our organization. Tommy Cooper (bassist for the Motel Beds) is our custom framer and graphic designer. Susan Riley, former custom framer for the Rutledge gallery, is our full-time floral designer. Brittney Williamson is our full-time fresh flower processor and mini-memento designer. Lastly, my step-dad John Hames (the current Executive Director of the American Wine Society) is our building engineer and expert at machine maintenance.
What is your favorite quote?
“It’s the choices you make when no one is looking that ultimately define you.” -Hugh O’Brian Leadership Conference (I was 12).
Party Planners Habitat Needs You!
Dayton Habitat is recruiting skilled volunteers to help plan and organize our 2011 Spring Gala “Dancing With Our Stars”. A variety of committee members are needed to serve on the silent auction, public relations/media, decorations, and sponsorship committees. If you are interested in donating your time and talents, please contact Jen by email at [email protected] or by phone at 937.586.0860 ext. 16.
Habitat for Humanity serves as a hand up, not a handout, for families in need. Families apply to us to earn a house of their own. Once accepted into the program, our “Partner Families” work alongside our many volunteers to build their house. They put in 275 to 550 hours of “sweat equity” before earning their home, which is then sold to them on an affordable, interest-free mortgage. Partner families make a down payment toward the purchase of their home.
Mortgage payments from Partner Families are put back into the Fund for Humanity to build future homes. Other funding sources include revenue from our ReStore, corporate and church sponsorships, individual donations, government and foundation grants, and fundraising events.
Best Source of Startup Capital – Customers!
The single biggest problem for startup businesses is the lack of startup capital. It is very challenging to start a business with few resources. Many experts state that under-capitalization of a business is one of the large reasons for failure.
I started my business with $500. How did I do that? First, I prepared for the event. I planned to draw no income for the first year, so I reduced my lifestyle, increased my savings and built a buffer to handle that early dry period. Next, I focused on getting to cash positive as quickly as possible. That meant lining up customers early. Pre-selling is a technique that entrepreneurs don’t do often enough. I kept every expenditure low. I wanted to prove that the product was going to be successful, before ramping up investment. How did I know if the product was a success? The customers and marketplace told me.
Was it easy at first? No. It was brutal. When the business began to grow, I took out bank loans and used my home as collateral. The business was almost 10 years old, before I was able to able to remove the home pledge from the business loans. I never spoke to a venture capitalist. It took a lot of sacrifice to my lifestyle, but it paid off more than I could ever imagine. My main engine for growth was customers.
The best part about customers is that their only interest is buying your products or services. Customers don’t receive equity or interest on their purchase. So, in terms of capital, selling products and services is the BEST way to raise capital. Banks want lots of collateral; such as your home. Venture Capitalists want very large returns, equity and control. Customers don’t want your home or control of your business. They simply want you to deliver what you promised to them at the agreed price. Make a profit on the agreed price and use that profit to invest and grow your business.
A mentor told me one reason that my business was successful was because I did not spend time chasing capital. I have seen businesses spend all of their time trying to woo investors. The investors become the customer, instead of the customer being the customer. The business owner thinks that capital investment solves all problems. It does not. Profitable sales solves problems better than anything else.
One final thought. Keep your expenses under control. You don’t need the fancy office or car when you start up. You don’t need excess staff or over-engineered products. Managing expenses is a challenge. In start up phase, capital is so precious. Protect it.
The Adventures of Nikki Nett
Meet my friend Nikki Nett. She’s sassy, she’s single and she’s a shopaholic. She can hold her own whether we’re drinking cosmos or tequila, and she can do it all in 4 inch heels! She’s always up on the latest gossip, the hottest night spot and the newest boutique in town. And now she’s telling you about it, too!
There are a couple philosophies that I live by.
1.) There is no situation in life where lipgloss is inappropriate.
2.) Rockin’ shoes really CAN make your life better (just ask Cinderella).
This week, we are going to delve into the wonderful world of shoes. Not just any old ordinary shoes, no ma’am (or sir)! We are going to talk about the sexy stilettos. The kind that you put on and instantly become more glamorous, more confident, maybe even a little naughty. The kind that make you look like you have legs for miles, that give your booty that extra lift, and that make you walk a bit taller (literally AND figuratively). These shoes are my weakness. Some people dream of vacations, winning the lottery, an amazing house- I dream of Carrie Bradshaw’s closet. Although I don’t live in Manhattan with my Mr. Big, I’m working on the shoe collection, slowly but surely.
I have found a little slice of heaven here in the Miami Valley, a glimpse into the closet of my heart, if you will. 
Integritas in the Dayton Mall! Perhaps you have seen or heard the commercials with their slogan “Life’s too short for boring shoes!“, well those words are what owners Manish & Stacy Agarwal believe wholeheartedly and they want to make sure YOUR life is never boring! (Ok, they can’t go to the grocery store for you, or help you find a date for Saturday night, I’m pretty sure they don’t want to do your laundry for you, but they can at least provide you with the extra 4 inches in a hot color to make all of the above seem more bearable)
Recently, I had the chance to speak with Manish about Integitas. He just returned from a buying trip and I have to say, I know I’m excited about what’s in store for this season!
What made you decide to open a shoe store here in the Dayton area?
We opened the store in 2004 because we saw the need for good, fashionable shoes in the Dayton market.
What’s your favorite aspect of owning a shoe store here?
Being able to bring a little of the big city looks here to this smaller town. (THANK YOU!!)
What is the best fashion advice you’ve ever been given?
LIFE’S TOO SHORT FOR BORING SHOES!! (I concur, I really, reeeaaallly do!)
Integritas is located right next to Victoria’s Secret in the Dayton Mall. In addition to carrying so many of the current styles by Guess, Jessica Simpson, BCBgeneration and Coach for women, they also carry men’s styles. 
Admittedly, the men’s section only got a glance from me seeing as how I was mesmerized by a silvery, sparkly, fabulous shoe from Guess. Oh, then there was the sexy suede one to the right of it with the same style in fuchsia as well. Oops…getting sidetracked, ok, back to the men. Cole Haan, Robert Wayne, Mezlan, Steve Madden for Men are just a few of the brands you will find at Integritas. Soon they will also begin carrying a denim line as well as some fashion forward shirts for men.
Integritas is not ‘just’ a shoe store. You can top off your look with a pair of designer shades from D&G, Versace, Burberry, and Prada (ok, I don’t mind if I do!) or grab one of this season’s ‘IT’ bags. I couldn’t decide which one I couldn’t live without, Looks like another trip is in order (I’ll make up any excuse). There are shoes there that need a good home, MY home. The leopard print peep toe with the red bow needs to be worn with my favorite LBD. The red suede ones with the spikes should make friends with my skinny jeans & black t-shirt. Thigh high boots?? MUST HAVE.
The next time you have the perfect outfit on, look down, need a little extra ‘oomph’ in your step? Swing by Integritas, you’ll be glad you did. And tell them Nikki sent you!
Stay tuned for Nikki Nett’s next adventure into the world of shopping, make up, partying and fabulosity! We never know where she’s headed, but we always know there will be a story about where she ends up!
