Small Business Today Magazine NOV 2014 EXHIBIT NETWORK | Page 5

SBT Houston Staff NOVEMBER 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 Robin Dahm 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 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. “To those whom much is given, much is expected.” November Greetings everyone! O ne of the criteria that the Small Business Today Magazine’s Publisher’s Advisory Board must consider in the nomination and subsequent vote for a potential cover honoree is that the nominee must demonstrate their generosity. Our cover honorees must demonstrate their generosity in how they give back to the community, their industry, and their fellow man. We at SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE have found that there is a direct link between one’s generosity and one’s success. Whether that generosity is part of their business plan or is something that is done with little or no fanfare, they are blessed when they bless others. I often think of the quote “For whom much is given, much is expected.” The idea of “For whom much is given, much is expected” is that we are all held responsible for what we have. If we are blessed with talents, wealth, creativity, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that we use them responsibly so that we glorify the Lord and benefit others. November is typically the month that we always seem to start thinking about our blessings and how bountiful our lives are. It is only normal during this month that we think more about others. Barbara, John, and I believe in blessing others and not expecting anything in return. Regardless, we have been blessed in return and here are a few reasons why: • We have met and been able to share the stories of over 30 of Houston’s most successful entrepreneurs that serve as inspiration for our global readership. • We have been able to have met so many people who want to be part of our mission to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. • We have had the opportunity at this year’s “Business Professionals of America” Conference to be major sponsors of their state conference and competition and to witness (as judges) the creativity and passion for entrepreneurship that many of today’s high school students have. • We have been honored with many nominations for this year’s “Houston Minority Enterprise Development Week Media Recognition” for our support of minority owned businesses whether they are part of our business or just in our world. This month’s cover honoree, Kathleen Maartens of Exhibit Network, is a prime example of someone with a caring heart and a successful business. As busy as she is, she takes time out to teach ESL every Tuesday evening. She and her husband Lenny treat their employees like family so much that they allow them to bring their babies to work. They also have a multipurpose room that comes complete with a full bathroom and i