Small Business Today Magazine DEC 2014 NOUN INVESTMENTS | Page 5

SBT Houston Staff DECEMBER 2014 PUBLISHER SCOLUMN Chairman John Cruise President/Executive Publisher Steve Levine Vice President /Associate Publisher/ Creative Director/Editor Barbara Davis-Levine From the Publisher Business Development Manager Deborah A. Powell Steve Levine Business Development/PR Bill Huff Aaron Kaplan Interns Jesus Gonzalez Norma Diaz Graphic Designer Lavinia Menchaca Photographers Gwen Juarez Contributing Writers Don Brown Helen Callier Barbara Davis Mila Golovine Ruben Gonzalez Bruce Hurta Aaron Kaplan Craig Klein Paul Marcus Hank Moore Mark Murrah Rick E. Norris Mayor Annise Parker Howard Partridge Christi Ruiz Rita Santamaria Kim Sawyer Gail Stolzenburg Alvin Terry Holly Uverity Jack Warkenthien Aimee Woodall Chief Advisor Hank Moore Publisher’s Advisory Board Shah Ardalan Helen Callier Sonia Clayton Donna Cole John Cruise Dirk Cummins April Day Dr. John Demartini Maya Durnovo Kathie Edwards Mila Golovine Dory Gordon Greg Grant David Holt Richard Huebner Jeffrey Jones Darryl King Sandy Lawrence Craig Klein Wea Lee Hank Moore Lisa M. Morton Mike Muhney Leisa Holland Nelson Tony Noun Mayor Annise Parker Page Parkes Howard Partridge Susan Repka Maria Rios Grant Sadler Rita Santamaria William Sherrill Pam Terry Linda Toyota Jack Warkenthien Carlecia D. Wright Aaron Young Phone: [phone] E-Mail: [email protected] Or Write: Small Business Today 5380 West 34th Street, Ste 230 Houston,TX 77092 See us on the web at www.SBTMagazine.net Free APP for Android & iPhone go to your APP Store and type in Small Business Today Magazine SMALL BUSINESS Today MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY LEGACY PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC. 5380 WEST 34TH ST., STE. 230 HOUSTON, TX 77092 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER - STEVE LEVINE: 832-419-2814 CHAIRMAN - JOHN CRUISE: 832-460-2020 www.SBTMagazine.net ADVERTISING RATES ON REQUEST. BULK THIRD CLASS MAIL PAID IN TUCSON, AZ. POSTMASTER: PLEASE SEND NOTICES ON FORM 3579 TO 5380 WEST 34TH ST., STE. 230 HOUSTON, TX 77092. ALTHOUGH EVERY PRECAUTION IS TAKEN TO ENSURE ACCURACY OF PUBLISHED MATERIALS, SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR OPINIONS EXPRESSED OR FACTS SUPPLIED BY ITS AUTHORS. COPYRIGHT 2012, LEGACY PUBLISHING GROUP, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED. Time to Revisit What is Really Important in Your Life A s 2014 comes to a close and we reconsider our priorities and goals for our businesses and personal lives for the coming New Year, it may be time to revisit what is really important to us. You began your business with the idea of offering something that is unique and beneficial to mankind. It was YOUR business and you built it from scratch for a reason.  Maybe it is time to remember what that reason was.  Is your plan working?  Are you getting closer to those goals and dreams or (seemingly) further away from them?  Are you working for your business or is it working for you! For most of us in small business, we seem to work for the business and not the other way around. If you are like Barbara and me, it’s time for you to take some time off this month and ask yourself what is really, really important.  Then, have the wisdom and courage to build your life and business around that answer. Start with your business plan. If it has been over a year (or more) since you reviewed that business plan…it’s time!  Will it move you forward this year?  If not, change it up accordingly. Research what your competitors are up to via their websites, social media, etc. Spend some time with some of your best clients over coffee, lunch, or dinner and ask how you could improve your business to help theirs. Put your goals and dreams on paper where you can be reminded everyday of what is most important to you and then don’t give up.  No one has ever shared with us in the magazine that success came easy to them and that they immediately achieved their goals and dreams.  Remember – “If there was a victory, there had to be a battle!” Just go for it! This month’s cover honoree, Tony Noun, has worked extremely hard for what he has built for himself and his family.  Even though he has had setbacks that for some would have been devastating, Tony’s passion for helping others, determination to succeed, and indomitable spirit has helped him to rise like a phoenix from the ashes and become such a great success once again!  You will enjoy his story. Before leaving this page, we also want to share with you our deepest thanks and appreciation of your support of our publication, talk show, and events this past year.  We truly look forward to serving you in the coming New Year! May you have the happiest and most wonderful holiday and may your New Year be blessed!  Good fortune and great success to you all!!! Happy Holidays! Good Reading, Good Sales, and Great Success to You All! Steve Levine President/Executive Publisher, Small Business Today Magazine [ DECEMBER 2014 ] www.SBTMagazine.net 3