Note from the Editor

Alice in Wonderland as it Relates to Being an Entrepreneur

By: Dawn Nauman

It was at the end of July my best friend, Lola, and I decided to start The Loop Magazine. We had a vision and a dream, and we took action quickly. We had no money and no connections, but we had a vision of something that we felt like needed to exist. It wasn’t until awhile later that someone used the word entrepreneur in reference to us.

After that label befell me, I have felt things that I don’t think there are even words for, but for the ones that do- confused, paranoid, tired, scared…-no terrified, frustrated, and very, very competitive. Honestly, I recognized some of the same emotions on the face of a pregnant lady.

Pregnancy is similar to being an artist or business owner. You become pregnant with your vision, make, create and carry your “baby,” you nurture it until it’s time to “give birth” to it, and then afterward you are scared to death and make tons of mistakes your first year. Then you try to act like you know what’s going on, but really you have no idea and you are learning as you go.

We decided last week, The Loop Magazine is in its second semester of its freshman year, and we are planning our next big move and we are so excited…and scared, frustrated, tired, and paranoid…but mostly totally stoked! Over the course of this year, I have gained an appreciation and overwhelming amazement for business owners, artists, and those who are not afraid to see a way, take it, and then show others.

Although, I think there would be more people living their dreams if they weren’t living in their fears. I went on a cinematic adventure recently, taking in Alice in Wonderland. For some reason, I found connections between Alice’s encounters and the crazy ride that we have experience this last year.

Alice was tested through out the movie, which brought up the concept of impossibility and self doubt. At one point Alice said, “This is impossible.” To which, The Hatter responded, “Only if you believe it is.” I thought this was such a powerful statement. Take it a step further, what impossibilities do we have, other than ones that we create for ourselves? Even some of the most successful people can be imprisoned and stifled by their own thoughts.

I go on facebook and so many people are talking about their “Haters,” fair enough, everybody has one or twelve haters. However, how many limits do we place on ourselves by believing our fears and fearing our failures? Even in the movie, Alice wondered if she was the “correct Alice” and knew she would not be able to do what was needed of her. Proving that listening and believing in your fears brings death and unrealized purpose.

This issue also speaks to the power of beliefs and faith. Where is your faith at? Alice repeatedly said,  “I believe in six impossible things before breakfast.” I meet people every week who are starting and doing things for themselves. Being among those who are struggling to create a vision, I believe it is important to truly believe in the impossible everyday. Honestly, what can’t be accomplished when fears, negativity and doubt are deleted from within ourselves?

Later in the movie, the queen looks to Alice and tells her she cannot live her life for others, but only herself because when the time comes, she will face that beast alone. True story. My advice for anyone looking to start a business or to create something, you better be damn sure because you will be facing “the beast” alone. Believe in what you are doing, saying, selling and creating through all adversity, and when you decide to make a move, do not look back.

Although it is a strange comparison, little, pale Alice is quite the model for a success out of trial and struggle. She never stopped dreaming despite her (dream killing and player hating) family. I think everyone knows a “dreamer”. Usually the word “dreamer” is used in a negative way because many times, a dreamer isn’t a doer. My advice, never stop dreaming, never stop aspiring, and remove all impossibility, become a dreamer AND a doer…Also go see Alice and Wonderland!

Twitter 101

Get Twitter Savy

Tweeting to your tweople is a must

By: Twitter.com/ladyswaggceo and lolatimes10

Twitter is a free social networking and micro logging service that enables its user to send and read messages known as “tweets.” The tweets are text based post up to 140 characters displayed on the authors profile page and delivered to author’s subscribers known as “followers.”

Twitter was designed as a social network to keep friends and colleagues informed throughout the day, but it soon became widely used for promotional, commercial and political purposes to keep customers, constituents, and fans up to date, as well as to solicit feedback.

Many artist, models, dj’s, promoters, fashion designers, club owners etc. use twitter to keep everybody updated with what they are doing including events, fashion shows, mix tape releases and much more. Being able to post music, videos and blogs makes it easier to find out promote and find out information.

Many people don’t watch the television anymore they just log in to twitter and get all the major information from there. Marketing is one of the main reason people use twitter. It’s a great way to network with different people and to get some great connects. Other then business twitter allows you to meet and chat with many different types of people all over the world. Twitter has quickly taken over the game of social networking.

Interesting Twitter Information FYI

* # or hash marks: are used to create  trendy topics  like #KanyeWest or #NASA

Trendy topics:  is anything that people in twitter world is buzzing and tweeting about. Lots of valuable information can be found out this way for example the death of Michael Jackson or when Kanye West was being #lame.

@replies is a tweet that, although public and visible to all Twitter users, is directed specifically to one Twitter user

Follow Fridays: recommending your followers to follow the awesome people you follow, also abbreviated as #FF. EX: #ff @KevinHartforreal @lilduval @Lolatimes10 @Dynomitedawn

RT: That’s short for re-tweet, which is a re-posting of an interesting tweet from another twitterer. Which if you get RTed a lot that would make #cool. It is also an interesting way to find new and interesting people to follow.

#MusicMonday is where you name and list or tweet links of new music, music your listening to or just some cool music your   interested in at the time even songs you #remember like  “Prince – 1999″

Tweeter side note-When you join twitter you don’t want to follow a million people and have one or two people following you back because that would make you #lame and a twitter-loser and then you would have to #killurself

Oklahoma City Twits to Follow:

“FOOLiN ON TWiTTER”

Other then networking and business there are many individual that are normal people that keep twitter poppin. These people are what the loops @LadySwaggCEO call “Foolin”. These individuals keep twitter interesting, fun, exciting and start the funniest #TT (Trending Topics). These people are some of the ones @LadySwaggCEO found that everybody were talking about. If you know anybody on twitter that is always “Foolin” let @TheLoopMagazine or @LadySwaggCEO know and they could be on the next “Foolin on Twitter” list.

This is @Swipedeeznutz from twitter. One of the funniest. Will make you want to pee in your pants. He is a pro at starting #TT and getting them on the board in a matter of minutes. Follow Swipe asap.

This is @suckmyaura from twitter very funny guy. Will make you feel horrible for laughing at his jokes but he is hilarious. Everybody should follow him

This is @TheRealAJeanius from twitter His name is Alex and calls his self a jeanius. This is a great name because he is a jeanius at making people laugh on twitter. He has started many #TT (Trending Topics) and has made many people smile, and as you can see he loves to smile to. Follow Him

This is @phenominal_phil from twitter very funny dude. He is very creative with his joke and will keep your timeline exciting. Follow him.

This is @x_tinaaa08 from twitter. She is a very cool female to follow. She is very honest/ real and goes hard in the paint when it comes to #TT so Follow Tina.

Heart-warmed Designer Lends Haiti a helping hand.

Tiki Doll, an Oklahoma designer, doing her part to help Haiti. This past Saturday Feb. 27TH at the farmers market  Tiki Doll held a benefit fashion show and concert called “Connecting souls for a Cause.”  The models, from Anthony Davis agency and Eric Epperly, cat walked specifically for Doctors without borders and the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti.

Doctors Without Borders is an international medical humanitarian organization. That works in more than 60 countries to assist people who survive violence, neglect, or catastrophe.

“Connecting souls for a cause” highlighted apparel from numerous locally   found stores and designer Chaos, 15 Caliber, Panoply, Express, and Oklahoma’s own Tiki Doll. The show also spotlighted numerous local artists Treo, Promusia, O’fidelis, The Electric Primadonnas and The BOOM Bang, Miss Chocolate and Amber Woods.  Def poetry artist King Kosher emceed the event, who dazzled the audience with his piece called “Amazing Grace. ” Here are some of apparel that ripped the runway.

Tiki  Doll

Panoply

Express

Thank you Tiki Doll !

All photo are property of The Loop Magazine .Ó

Photos courtesy of Lola Adeyemi.  For photo request contact The Loop Magazine llc

All white sorority wins Sprite’s Step Competition

This weekend, Zeta Tau Alpha of Arkansas, of all places,  entered and won the Sprite Step Off Challenge, which is  primarily an African American competition. Dressed in all black matrix style costume, the team put together a metronomic, show stopping performance with plenty of trills.

The crowd was surprised from start to finish at not only the talent and skill-set of the team, but also there shear ability to keep the beat from start to finish. Punching a hole in the stereotype that white people don’t have rhythm.

The crowd went nuts when they exited to T-pain’s ” Take your shirt off .” The only response that could be said was ,”Close your mouth!”

Hot or Hot Garbage!!

(polls)

The Urban League Helping your get your money right

Got  money on the  mind ? Want to  stop  spending in 2010 ?  The Greater Urban League of Oklahoma City is hosting a  six  week  financial fitness  series starting Feb. 2nd 2010.

Each Tuesday, from 11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m., participants will learn different strategies and techniques to improve their financial well being.

Series topics will be as follows:

Tuesday, February 2 – Money Smart Resolutions

Financial success is not always dependent on income; in fact, many people earning an impressive salary struggle to make ends meet because they haven’t followed the basic steps discussed in this seminar. From developing a spending plan that works to setting goals to weighing insurance needs, this presentation covers the core concepts necessary to develop and maintain personal financial control.

Tuesday, February 9 – Psychology of Spending

This workshop turns a critical eye toward the motivating factors behind shopping decisions. The various money personality types will be explored, as well as the tendencies and attitudes that have shaped your past spending habits. You’ll come away from the workshop prepared to change negative financial habits into positive ones.

Tuesday, February 16 – Understanding Credit

This workshop covers what should and shouldn’t be included on a credit report, the role of credit bureaus, how credit is scored, and consumer credit reporting laws. Specific guidance on disputing inaccuracies, improving a credit score, and dealing with identity theft and fraud will also be provided.

Tuesday, February 23 – Building a Better Budget, Part 1

The workshop will cover the key concepts of identifying short, mid, and long-term goals, and designing a realistic spending plan that will enable you to live within your means while saving for the future. Included in the presentation will be a discussion of how to become and remain debt-free, and how to stay motivated.

Tuesday, March 2 – Building a Better Budget, Part 2

Part two will continue to cover key concepts of designing a realistic spending plan.  Participants will be encouraged to bring a sample household budget to review during the workshop.

For  questions please  contact Gayle Berry at gberry@urbanleagueok.org

405.424.5243

Oklahoma Artist Profile: Zonefied

Zone’s talent is quickly pushing him to the top of Oklahoma’s music scene

By: LadyswaggCEO

Loop Spotlight on Zone. A Oklahoma rapper from Norman.

Zonefied is an a upcoming rapper from Norman, Oklahoma, who is taking hip hop to the next the level. Zone first started rapping when he was young, but didn’t get serious until he was 17. Getting to see how music inspires people is what motivated him to start  and keep rapping.

Zonefied wanted to see if he could make that kind of effect on the people using  his different and unique style of rap. Some of Zone’s first smash its are “HaHa Zone Anthem”, “All Of You”, and “Ummm It Don’t Matta”.

He has also worked with many artist and DJ’s.  Some of them include: Yung O, Dj DramaBoi, Young Star, Chop Chop, Grind Daily, G-Ni from ATL, Six9 from Arkansas, Young Black from Cali, Cik Money from Cali, and Big XII .

Despite all of his projects with other artists,  he also does solo work. Currently,  his upcoming project is his mixtape ,“I’m In The Buildin.”

In this video, S.O.S. Ent. and Zone collide together to bring a double feature for Grindhouse. An intro is so sick, it’s called an “Ill’tro.” Check it out.

Support Oklahoma artists. Listen, Read and Leave a comment. Please provide some feedback about his work.

For more music and to contact Zone:

-Email: Zonendabld@Gmail.Com

-Twitter.com/ ZoneFied

-Myspace.com/Zonesh

New Fashion from OKC

Jovanna and Vanessa rock the new promotional t-shirts for their new fashion line.

Two girls dared to get creative…

Two 18 year olds, Jovanna, aka Lady Swagg, and Vanessa Williams, aka Miss Nessa, are striving to be successful. Sometimes, youth will beat experience. Already the two have there own street team, “Queenz of Qemet Entertainment”, throw events, host events, work in the music industry and do major networking. For some, these things would be too much to handle, but that’s not even their main focus…It’s their new fashion line. Both girls have found their passion and invested in it in every way.

Jovanna and Vanessa have very unique style, and have always wanted to have their own clothing lines. Like many passionate, determined and driven individuals, they started earlier than most. For them it started at the age of 15. The self proclaimed “Okc Fashion Queens” say,  ”They draw their inspiration from the diverse culture and free, unique fashion scene of New York City.”

Jovanna’s female line is called “Jomion”. Vanessa’s female line is called “Vip StrutRaw”.  “CrownRaw”, the men’s line, was named by combining the “Crown” in Jovanna’s clothing line and the  ”Raw” in Vanessa’s line. The feel of the line is edgy, youthful, strong and urban.

Currently, the girls have hand selected the ten models to represent their lines. In addition to this,  many artist, producers,  and dj’s  are wearing their clothing.  Jovanna and Vanessa work everyday to one day see their clothing line on the red carpet.

Both believe they have the strength and tenacity to push and pull their dream until it has out grown the state of Oklahoma and is seen across the United States. A goal is for Jovanna and Vanessa is to soon have their own store where the clothes can be  available  for purchase.

They have already had fashion show try outs and are now working on having a few Rip the Runway Fashion Shows in Texas and Oklahoma. The Okc Fashion Queens  have linked up with Chic & Elegant Agency to collaborate on the upcoming shows.

The photo shoot pictures are of the ladies’ clothing line t-shirts, which are what they call their promotional shirts. The pictures were taking by The Loop’s Lola. The models are Hoodbanga and Myles from Lawton Oklahoma, Calvin and Cameron from Oklahoma City and of course Lady Swagg and Miss Nessa the CEO’s of the clothing lines.

You can find out more information on these ladies on:

Myspace.com
Twitter.com/LadyswaggCEO
Twitter.com/MissNessaCEO

Ray-Jay a Bro-Mo-Sexual???? Danger Speaks

The Yung Buck that Danger refers to is Ray-J’s friend Yung Buck, not Yung Buck the rapper.

This Yung Buck!

NOT THIS ONE:

///Straight as the day is long.

*What are your thoughts? is Danger bitter? or is this a case of an under cover brother???

MAC Ent. provides opportunity for everyone to give

Make this season “More About Caring”

Note from the Editor:

This year is far worse than years before, there are more Americans and Oklahomans in need. At the same time, it leaves many feeling the state of the economy should exempt us from the responsibility of giving.

Despite this, one Oklahoma City group, M.A.C. Ent., has made it possible for us to give to the community through their second annual food drive. M.A.C. Ent. has made a name for themselves through a high level of talent and making a change for others. What would happen if more companies operated under that same principal?

During a time that is hard for nearly everyone, we could withhold the spirit of giving and keep for ourselves. However, on a larger scale, maybe this “recession” wouldn’t feel like a”recession” if we eliminated this pattern of thought. No matter age, gender, race, social or economic standing, everyone is capable of giving something. It is hypocritical to stand with our hands out, but at the same time, be driven by self preservation.

Look at our country’s most powerful leaders-politicians, celebrities, musicians, and athletes. The most highly recognized, remembered and regarded are those who gave and received nothing.

Giving is a gift.

We urge you on Saturday the 21st from 10 am-2 pm to bring your non-perishable canned and boxed foods to:

Textures Salon, Inc.
1212 N. Hudson Suite A.
OKC, OK 73103

-or-

Main Edge Barber Shop
1112 N. Midwest Blvd.
Inside the east gate plaza

With the donation of 4 can goods or more you will receive a 80′s baby skating ticket for $5

Oklahoma Abortion Law HB 1595

Governments intent to intimidate?

By: Jennifer Laurin

Abortion rights groups have filed a lawsuit to try to block a new law, HB 1595, which requires women seeking abortions to provide doctors with answers to a 34-item questionnaire to be filled out by abortion providers before each procedure.

The questionnaire asks about the mother’s reason for the abortion, her method of payment, and even what type of insurance she has, as well as whether the fetus received anesthetic and whether there was an infant born alive as a result of the abortion. The law also bans sex-selective abortions. The questionnaire requires doctors to pass the information on to the Oklahoma Health Department, which will post it on a public website. (Read More)

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