visionary living magazine

GENERATEK N O W Y O U R M O N E Y S T O RY

OPPORTUNITYI N E X P E N S I V E S O L U T I O N S

INFLUENCECAN YOU KNOW IT

CHANGER E C H A R G E Y O U R R E V E N U E

PREMIERE ISSUE

Visionary Exchange is an exclusive location where the decision makers convene for

powerful connections and powerful results.

visionaryexchange.com

visionary exchange

LinkedIn.com/VisionaryLiving | twitter.com/VisionaryLiving

Connect your vision

Mail BondingDo you have a success story, bright spot, tool or resource to share with us? We would love to hear from you! Perhaps

you are facing a challenge in your business venture that you would like our team of savvy business experts to help you

with. We want to hear that too! Email us at [email protected] with “Mail Bonding” in the subject line

and you might be highlighted in an upcoming issue.

perspective

What is Visionary Living all about?

Visionary Living Magazine is all about inspiring and empowering you to take action and make the most of your time! It’s about time well spent in your endeavors and relationships, and becoming creative, resourceful and collaborative so you can turn your visions into a reality. Time is a visionary’s most valuable commodity; how and where you spend it and with whom you spend it with will determine much of the outcome. We bring you stories, tools, resources and connections to help you make the most of your time, grow your business and feed your entrepreneurial spirit.

Do you remember your first television set, computer or cell phone? How about the first time you ever typed “www” and began to use the internet? What a difference a few decades of innovation and technology can make in our lives! Visionaries such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Paige and Sergey Brin were not halted in their tracks by fears or what-if’s, and they didn’t wait until they had “perfected” an invention. They harnessed their power and passion to continually take action and move forward and bring their visions to fruition. We dedicate this premiere issue to visionaries, entrepreneurs

and business owners, helping them find the power to act, to turn a vision into reality even though the solutions may be nowhere in sight. Perhaps you have a frustration in your business, check out Design & Deploy as Neena Newberry shares a few tools and resources to “duplicate yourself” and create cost-effective and simple opportunities. In Execute & Act learn how CEO, Jennifer Dean took her existing resources to create a new game plan and instantly increased profits within her organization! And while action is important, sometimes it is equally important

to know when to relax and recharge. For times like that, we have brought in some of Houston’s best, sommelier, Ben Roberts who shares with us his favorite wine selections for the fall and Houston Foodie, J.C. Reid with one of his favorite restaurants to leave the decisions up to the chef.

‘‘Time is a visionary’s most valuable commodity; how, and where, you spend it and with whom you spend it with. ‘‘

Lisa GodfreyFounder & Editorial Director

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VisionaryLivingMag.com | 5

INFLUENCETHE EVER ELUSIVE

PAGE 20

25 | Leave It Up to the Chef!

30 | Turning Point, Melissa Moss

22 | Under the Cork, Behind the Label

A few clicks of the mouse and you can be turned in with our friend Maren for some entrepreneurial goodness on her weekly podcasts.

Take a journey with our sommelier behind the enigma of wine.

The four things you need to know about influence.

Discover how one non-profit creates a powerful movement that transforms fitness enthusiasts to powerful advocates for the cure.

In this relationship discern who the real hero, villain and characters are.

Yes, we said $5 and there’s not a venti mocha or a tall, non-fat latte with an extra shot in sight!

Be adventurous with the “Houston Foodie” and belly up to the bar, omakase style.

Learn great ideas how one solopreneur implemented cost-effective ways to duplicate herself and develop connections with potential clients.

No creativity needed to learn how enrolling in a few courses can turn your hobby into a profitable business.

One CEO reveals her bold moves that turned a challenge into profits in just one month, and how you can too!

11 | Building an Empire, $5 at a Time

11 | Escaping the 9 to 5 with Maren Kate

14 | Change is at Your Fingertips

16 | The Longest Relationship of Your Life

20 | The Ever Elusive Influence

19 | Pushing the Pedal

12 | Forget Frustration, Create Opportunity

contentsPREMIERE ISSUE

A brand personality test from Sally Hogshead, the author of Fascinate - “Your Triggers to Persuasion and

Captivation”

3 | PERSPECTIVE

6 | CONTRIBUTORS

8 | INTERACT

26 | CONNECTIONS

29 | CHALLENGE

This is a cool tool for our entrepreneurial spirits still in the corporate setting until

they escape the 9 to 5!

GETRAISED.COM

Do you know your {F} SCORE?

Next IssueJan|Feb 2011

Plus!

6 | Visionary Living Magazine

contributors

BEN ROBERTS | connoisseurKARI MUSICK | artist

DUSTY LOVE ROBERTS | museTIFFANY WRIGHT | maestro

writer. Recently I spent several days in Napa interacting with a cross section of characters that comprise the world of wine. From billionaires to farmers and everyone in between, gaining a greater understanding of their motives and being able to sample the results from this diverse group is as good as it gets.

producer. Eight months was worth the wait! Last December, I applied for my dream job with a non-profit. Even though it was an industry I had never worked in, this was MY job! Interviews, waiting and more waiting followed. Then I got the call and the job was mine for the taking. So take it I did! I’m loving life!

J.C. REID | epicureSARAH BOHM | creator

writer. I usually spend October weekends making day trips into central and south Texas to sample the great food associated with the cooler fall temperatures. Driving west to famous barbecue joints of central Texas and south to the seafood shacks along Galveston Bay. houstonfoodie.com

designer. As a recent college grad-uate, I have put my graphic design degree to the ultimate test - plunging head first into the world of magazines. Learning the “ins” and “outs” of this fast-paced business and working on a creative team has been a rewarding start to my career.

editor. I am always on the lookout for life lessons; improving myself and my circumstances, always worthy goals. The thing about constant improvement, is that it is constant. If it appears that nothing needs to be fixed in your life, tackle the clutter and Feng Shui your mental space.

creative director. Giving birth to a magazine is definitely a monumental life experience. And just in case that was not enough for the scrapbook, during the same time I delivered my first child, Jorden Cole. Life is simple when you know what’s most important.

TAMMY PRICE | keepsakeKRISTIN “KIKI” SMITH | aberrant

photographer. I’ve been so busy capturing the precious moments of others I forgot to create my own. Sometimes we get so caught up in the daily hustle and overlook the people and events most important to us. Today is the perfect day to catch up with old friends and start making new memories.

art director. I am the hidden balance that quietly connects you, consciously and unconsciously, to the pages of Visionary Living. I live to create the magic that will spark YOUR imagination and challenge MINE! Visually connecting you to the writer, well THAT my friend, is what I consider ... “Time well spent”!

FOUNDER & EDITORIAL DIRECTORLisa A. Godfrey

ART DIRECTORKristin “Kiki” Smith

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTDusty Love Roberts

CREATIVE DIRECTORTiffany Wright

CREATIVE TEAMSarah Bohm, Kari Musick

Jessica Smith, Intern

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTVanessa Murray

v

PHOTOGRAPHERSTammy Price (contributors), J.C. Reid,

Dreamstime, iStockphoto

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

SPONSORSHIP [email protected]

Tamsen McMahonMelissa MossNeena NewberryJ.C. ReidBen Roberts

Karla BarguiarenaLisa A. Godfrey

Maren KateDavid Kreuger

Dusty Love Roberts

Visionary Living Magazines is published by CEO Visionaries, LLC, 5847 San Felipe, Suite 3000, Houston, TX 77057. Copyright © 2010 by CEO Visionaries, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Visionary Living Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. For subscription information, call 832-334-3114 or send a check in the amount of $35.00 to Visionary Living Magazine, 5847 San Felipe, Suite 3000, Houston, TX 77057. Visionary Living Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

Visionary Living Magazine | visionarylivingmag.com | 14


Interact | october–november

Paula Padgett, Sarah Bohm, Michael Chabala, David Shellar,

Tiffany Halik

Guest, Debbie Weatherford, Guest, Zana Blakely

Cindi Boudreaux, Rebecca Castillo

28 | THURSDAYBusiness After Hours 5:30PM–7:30PM Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse 6213 Richmond Ave. GalleriaChamber.com

The Business of Your Career Kim Sawyer 3:00PM–4:30PM 3050 Post Oak Blvd. ASTDHouston.org

26 | TUESDAY

Staffing Management SIG Meeting Rich Stark, CPA, Senior Partner, Lucas Group 11:30AM–1:00PM,

4321 Directors Row HRHouston.org

27 | WEDNESDAY

28 | THURSDAYPolitics & Pancakes Bill King 7:30AM–9:00AM

Kenny & Ziggy’s Deli 2327 Post Oak Blvd. GalleriaChamber.com

WRAPup

Share your visionShare your networking and professional association activities with Visionary Living Magazine. Email: [email protected] with event details.

Houston’s Women’s Professional Network Event at

Cha Champagne Bar

09 | TUESDAYConventional, Non-Conventional & Renewable Energy for the Future Greg McCormack 11:30AM Anadark 1201 Lake Robbins Dr. WENHouston.org

Accelerated Networking E-Women Network 11:30AM–1:30PM

Hotel Derek 2525 West Loop South eWomenNetwork.com

05 | FRIDAY

B2B Social Media Bootcamp Toby Bloomberg, Bloomberg Marketing Nov. 8-9, 8:00AM–5:00PM

Marriot Houston Galleria 2900 Sage Road,

08 | MONDAY

09 | TUESDAYABWA Monthly Meeting Sunday Witte 11:30AM–1:00PM Maggiano’s 2019 Post Oak Blvd. ABWAGalleria.org

05 | FRIDAYFast Tech 50 Walter Ulrich 11:30AM–1:00PM Hilton Americas Houston Hotel 1600 Lamar HoustonTech.org

Health Care Reform Exploring Human Capital 8:30AM–11:00AM

The Four Seasons Hotel 1300 Lamar Road HoustonWellness.org

04 | THURSDAY

International Committee Meeting 8:00AM–9:00AM Hotel Granduca 1080 Uptown Park Blvd. GalleriaChamber.com

04 | THURSDAY

04 | THURSDAYHiMA November Luncheon Raegan Hill 11:15AM–1:15PM

Courtyard on St. James 1885 Saint James Pl. HoustonIMA.org

03 | WEDNESDAYWhat Science & Tech Professionals Want to Know, John Eggert, Ph.D. 11:30AM–1:00PM United Way 50 Waugh Road HODN.com

Inside C-Suite, Coaching Secrets H. Rad Eanes, III 6:00PM–8:30PM

Hess Club 5430 Westheimer Road HoustonCoaches.com

01 | MONDAY

CEO Netweavers Conference George Martinez 8:00AM–1:00PM

United Way of Greater Houston 50 Waugh Drive CEO Networkers Houston Conf 2010

02 | TUESDAY

03 | WEDNESDAYNational Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon 11:30AM–1:30PM Hilton Americas 1600 Lamar Road AFPHouston.org


november

PLANahead

Greater Houston Women’s Hall of Fame Gala 6:00PM–8:30PM InterContinental Hotel 2222 West Loop South GHWCC.org

Coaching & Coffee Lisa Godfrey, C.E.O. Visionaries 7:30AM–9:00AM Cafe Express–Upper Kirby 3200 Kirby Drive CEOVisionaries.com

Women’s Success Summit Sandra Yancey, CEO 11:30AM–3:00PM Hotel Derek 2525 West Loop South eWomenNetwork.com

Community Coffee Company, CEO Matt Saurage, CEO 11:30AM–1:30PM Location–tba AMAHouston.com

dec. 09 | THURSDAY

jan. 05 | WEDNESDAY

jan. 07 | FRIDAY

jan. 12 | WEDNESDAY

Connect your vision

LinkedIn.com/VisionaryLiving | twitter.com/VisionaryLiving

11 | THURSDAYInvesting in MLPs EV Energy Partners 11:30AM–1:30PM

Hess Club 5439 Westheimer Road EnergyProspectus.com

Texas Life Science Conference Sara Mathews Nov. 10-12, 8:30AM

BioScience Research Collaborative 6500 Main St. BioHouston.org

10 | WEDNESDAY

NAWBO Lunch 11:00AM–1:00PM

Briar Club 2603 Timmons Ln. NAWBOHouston.org AMAHouston.org

11 | THURSDAY

11 | THURSDAYQuarterly Networking Luncheon Greater Houston Partnership 11:30AM–1:30PM

Hyatt Regency 1200 Louisiana Houston.org

17 | WEDNESDAYSuper Charge Your Business Brian Combs 3:00PM–5:00PM

United Way 50 Waugh Drive HoustonIMA.org

Smart Employee Management 9:00AM–4:30PM

Meetings on Pointe Training 2190 N. Loop West, Suite 311 HRHouston.com

12 | FRIDAY

Creating a Business Facebook :00AM–12:00PM UH Small Business Development Center 2302 Fannin, Suite 200 SBDC.UH.edu

12 | FRIDAY

15 | MONDAYHWA Golf Tournament 1:00 PM Houston Oaks Country Club 22602 Hegar Road Hockley, Texas 77447 HoustonWellness.org

26 | FRIDAYCoaching & Coffee Lisa Godfrey, C.E.O. Visionaries 7:30AM–9:00AM Cafe Express–Upper Kirby 3200 Kirby Drive CEOVisionaries.com

Treatment Without Diagnosis is Malpractice, Spencer Bynes, Accendo Intl. 11:30AM–12:30PM, DBM Offices 11200 Westheimer, Suite 250 ASTDHouston.org

17 | WEDNESDAY

HHCC Member Orientation Dr. Laura Murillo 9:00AM–10:00AM HHCC Office 1801 Main, Suite 1075 HoustonHispanicChamber.com

18 | THURSDAY

25 | THURSDAYThanksgiving Enjoy! VisionaryLivingMag.com

10 | WEDNESDAYHTC Orientation Walter Ulrich 4:00PM–5:00PM Houston Technology Center 410 Pierce HoustonTech.org

Leadership Breakfast Ravi Kathuria 7:30AM–9:00AM The Marriott 1750 West Loop South GalleriaChamber.com

10 | WEDNESDAY

Your Time Is Now, Gov. Rick Perry & First Lady Anita Perry 7:30AM–5:00PM George R. Brown Convention Center 1001 Avenida De Las Americas TXConferenceForWomen.org

10 | WEDNESDAY

10 | WEDNESDAYAMA Luncheon – Imperial Sugar John Sheptor, CEO 11:30AM–1:00PM Junior League of Houston 1811 Briar Oaks Lane AMAHouston.org

October 17-22, 2010Palm Desert, CA

For more information or to register call 781.402.5555 or visit www.linkageinc.com/GILD

This proven program for transforming employees into first-class leaders combines a five-day immersion experience with a year of ongoing education and support.

Some leaders are born great… the rest we made!

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This year's faculty of 100 includes:

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— Stephen Covey, author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People


Friend | follow

I got the idea of interviewing Micha Kaufman, the co-founder of Fiverr.com shortly after using the site several times in one day. I was hooked, for five bucks I got someone to record a very professional voiceover for my

Grasshopper.com telephone number. I also got someone to create an eBook

cover and toyed with the idea of taking the girl up on her offer to wear my company’s name on her forehead to high school for a day – but then thought naah, that’s not my target demographic. This interview is chock full of amaz-ing advice from a man who in six months has grown his start up to epic proportions, they have 75,000 active listings on the site

and have been featured on news outlets everywhere. Micha gives great perspective for those thinking about starting an internet business and his ideas on making every-thing simpler is truly ingenious. If you get half as much out of this interview as I did it’ll be well worth the 30 minutes spent – so turn off your rerun of True Blood and listen to some entrepreneurial goodness!

To download the podcast go to: VisionaryLivingMag.com/Podcast

Check out Micha’s start up at Fiverr.com and be prepared, you’ll probably be there for hours.

Maren Kate is ranked by Forbes.com as the #4 Woman

Entrepreneur to follow on Twitter (@marenkate) and

has dedicated her blog, EscapingThe9to5.com to

people who want to escape the 9 to 5 like she did.

But be forewarned, this blog isn’t for everyone, so

don’t be offended if it isn’t for you. Here are some

common characteristics of people who may get a

lot out of the documenting of her journey in escaping

the 9 to 5 and becoming independently wealthy via

entrepreneurship.

If you are weird, abnormal or off beat this is a blog that may be for you.

If you have hundreds of good ideas in your head but don’t know how to execute them.

If you are absolutely, head over heels in love with entrepreneurship.

If you hate your job and can’t wait to get the H, E, double hockey sticks out of there.

If you like your job but know that the only way you can truly reach your goals is by making a lot more money and having the freedom being your own boss will allot you.

If your idea of pleasure reading is Fast Company, Forbes or Entrepreneur magazine.

If you love blogging and want to develop a business out of it.

If you are insanely passionate about a specific thing (be it knitting, hockey or German Shepherds)

If you want to make money doing what you love!!!

EscapeTHE 9 TO5

Building an Empire, $5 at a Time: The Story of Fiverr.com

Remember, money is not the end but just the means, the goal is freedom, the ability to do what you want, when you want, to travel, to help others and just to live an extraordinary life. That is what drives me every day. ‘‘

‘‘

123

7

4

8

65

9

By Maren Kate

WITH MAREN KATE


IF you’ve never experienced the benefits of an executive coach, getting your head around the idea of

it can be a challenge. In fact, my first task with any potential client is usually to help them understand what coaching

is and what to expect from it. It’s understandable that a few important

questions are consistently raised before someone is ready to make the commitment to coaching.

How does it work? What is the process? What are the roles and

responsibilities? What is the value of coaching? In the first year of having my own business, it did not take long for the repetition to become abundantly clear. I kept having the same conversations over and over again! Was I in Groundhog’s Day? No, but it was seriously starting to feel like it. Before I let it rattle my chains, I made the decision to put aside any frustration and look for a solution. Let’s face it, getting frustrated wouldn’t get me

anywhere. Instead, I decided to look for opportunity in the situation. I knew there must be a creative, cost effective and efficient solution to deal with the issue head on. Now, all I needed to do was figure out what it was. My first priority was to answer the most commonly asked questions. Choosing audio as my medium, the recipe was short, sweet, cost effective and convenient. Deciding to post the finished product on my website, I set a time limit of 60 seconds and started on the script. Then, it was on to logistics. To record my minute-long masterpiece, I turned to FreeConferenceCall.com. There, for the cost of calling the long distance number they provided, I was able to record and download and edit my audio quickly and easily. In fact, with the exception of writing the script, the whole process took under fifteen minutes! My next goal was to explain the value of coaching. But was I really the best person for the job? Maybe not. Personally experiencing the results of my services, my past clients were certainly more qualified. So I reached out for testimonials.

Design | deploy

CREATE OPPORTUNITY By Neena Newberry

Forget Frustration,

Solutions don’t have to be complicated or expensive.“ ”


TurnHereVIDEOhighlights the qualities that make your business stand out from the crowd — capturing the attention of potential customers. And the results speak for themselves*:

*BIA/Kelsey User View Study, February 2010.

26%OF VIDEO VIEWERS VISIT A STORE.

21%OF VIDEO VIEWERS MAKE A PURCHASE.

21%OF VIDEO VIEWERS REQUEST MORE INFORMATION.

From here, the idea snowballed; morphing from audio to video and growing to include background information on my coaching philosophy and style as well as one client’s leadership success story. Taking the reins behind the scenes, I hired Turn Here Video because of the rave reviews they received from small businesses. Taking just two weeks, they produced the entire video at no cost—simply collecting a minimal monthly fee to host it on my website. As an added bonus, creating this video also helped me identify the most valuable information to share – about executive coaching, myself and my business. On my quest to reduce redundancy, I came across the simplest and easiest

solution last. As you might expect, most people have a broad sense of what they hope to accomplish through coaching – but that’s it. By the end of their first phone call or meeting with me they have a clear picture of what they will achieve and how they will measure their results. Guess what?! This is coaching. By simply pointing out the process I took them through, I am able to effectively provide the information they need by example! Wow, that was easier than I thought. So, what’s the moral of this story? Solutions don’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, solving the problem is as simple as looking for the opportunity in your frustration. So before you succumb to irritation or simply give

up, try shifting gears first. And if doing it alone sounds intimidating, don’t shy away. Instead, engage someone else; a brainstorming session will give you a boost in the right direction. Greater efficiency and less frustration is always well worth the time! Curious to see how my audio and video turned out? Check out the final products online at NewberryCoaching.com.

Share your tech secret.Got solutions? We want to hear them! Tech savvy tactics or a fresh twist on a familiar issue, spreading your problem solving savvy today means rapid advances tomorrow. Email your stories to [email protected]

Engage someone else; a brainstorming session will give you a boost in the right direction.

neenaNewberryNeena Newberry is the Founder of Newberry Executive Coaching & Consulting, LLC. As a Certified Professional and Executive Coach, Neena works with high performing senior leaders and managers to sustain their performance.



CHANGE IS ATYOUR FINGERTIPS

IT CAN BE AS EASY AS TURNING THE CHANNEL TO GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE AND PROFITS.

By Karla Barguiarena


IN the lobby of the Houston based staffing company Dean’s Professional Services, there is a

creed on the wall. A strong statement about their company values, it is a commitment to deliver 150% to their clients. Believing 100% is a failure, Jennifer Dean, the CEO of DPS, simply has a different definition of status quo. In a year when the economy forced everything from mom and pop businesses to major companies to close their doors, Dean’s Professional Services was doing alright. In fact, they were doing more than alright. “We were in a growth mode,” says Shannon Divers, Director of Human Resources, “ahead of where we were a year ago.” But in order to stay ahead of the curve the executive team knew they had to evoke changes. In a place where the majority of their staff had on average, a nine year tenure, reinvigorating the team proved to be a challenge. DPS decided it was time to shake things up. “We are always looking for new ways to maximize our company’s potential and our staffs’ potential,” said Jennifer Dean. And that’s

how the idea to re-organize their current staff structure came about. In a timeframe of just one month, each member of the DPS’s team, from a supervisor to a receptionist, was asked to re-apply and re-interview for their job. Employees were told to treat this as the real deal since they would be undergoing a series of interviews with different people. The goal was to learn more about each employee and learn whether or not they were the “success fit” for their current position. “Most of our staff was enthusiastic about the process,” said Elaine Makris, Director of Finance and Accounting, “but some were a little nervous, almost fearful.” The first steps were to layout the project and create a timeline. One week was set aside for revamping the current positions, goals and objectives. The next week was used for interviews, followed by two weeks for re-training. The most difficult part, says Makris, was watching some of the employees nervousness come out during the interview process. “It was almost discouraging”, she said, “but we followed through and it led to discoveries”. Discoveries of employees possessing hidden talents no members of the management team

were aware of before the process began. “We learned employees not only had a desire, but a huge potential, to grow in other areas of the company. “It was a real eye-opener,” said Divers.” In the end, all employees who re-interviewed were re-hired. Only three returned to their previous positions. Employees were also provided clear expectations in their new roles and given the training and tools to achieve them. The result? Change. Some change was sparked by the executive team and some by the employees, but overall a more engaged and productive team was created in the end. “We were looking for more momentum and drive and we got it,” said Makris. In only one month, the company’s revenues grew 6%. “Our team has been empowered,” said Divers, “they know it is now up to them to take this opportunity and run with it.”

Execute | act

Seth Godin asserts in the September 2010 issue of Harvard Business Review, “Failure demands a response. But the status quo is embraced and incredibly protected.” The most prevalent catalyst for an individual or company to make a change is failure. Whether it is a failure to launch, to deliver, to trust, to compete or a failure of determination, fallout from any failure can become the vehicle for change, growth and movement. Fostering change in employees and company culture when “things are going well” is the greatest challenge a leader faces. When the look and smell of failure is nowhere in sight, how do great leaders improve the culture and increase momentum beyond status quo? How do they recharge their revenue generators when nothing is “broken”? ‘‘ The re-interviewing

led to discoveries. Discoveries of employees possessing hidden talents no members of the management team were aware of before the process began. We learned employees not only had a desire, but a huge potential to grow in other areas of the company. ‘‘

karlaBarguiarenaKarla Barguiarena is a former news reporter for KHOU-TV and is currently a freelance writer and blogger.


By David Krueger, M.D.

LONGESTRELATIONSHIP

THE

OF YOUR LIFE

You’re writing a story that you may not know how to fully tell. It’s a very personal story with its own history and language. It’s highly visible to others but often not to you. It’s a story that you talk about

every day, and think about several times a day. It is remarkably simple yet intricately complex. This story has an internal and external dialogue, a secret language and encrypted messages. It’s complicated because some important aspects are emotional, unspoken and even unconscious.

davidKruegerDavid Krueger, MD is an Executive Mentor Coach and the CEO of the executive coaching, training and wellness firm MentorPath. The Secret Language of Money, his most recent book, is a Business Bestseller and has been translated into 10 different languages. Visit TheSecretLanguageofMoney.com or NewMoneyStory.com

This story is about the longest relationship you’ll have in your life. Your parents discussed it before you arrived; people will deliberate it after you die. Maybe you’ll get ten years out of a car, perhaps fifty with a spouse, but this story you can never stop writing or living. You can’t break up with it, run away from it or coax into loving you more. Even though it’s un-examined and elusive— you orient life decisions around it. You alone determine the genre; fiction, nonfiction, tragedy or triumph, the story always tells most about the teller. This story ghostwrites every aspect of your life story. From what you eat and drink, to what you plan and play. Health, recreation, stresses – even your drinking water - are all impacted by this story. And, how you live this story will be what you teach your children. And your clients. Villain or hero, it is the most popular legal substance to all people of the world. It speaks to you. You speak with it. It’s your money. Loren Eiseley observed in The Unexpected Universe, “Reality has a way of hiding from even its most gifted observers.”


Generate | earn

The wonder of money is that it can represent anything. It’s a stand-in for what we idealize and desire yet fear and lack, for what we covet, crave, spurn, chase or follow.‘‘ ‘‘

What’s your money story? What would you ideally like your money story to be?

Consider these

questions

We Use Money in Self-Talk. What people say and do are inevitable, unavoidable self-statements of their beliefs and personal realities. All that you say is about yourself. A life story or money story manifests through self-statements. A very few examples:

. Proclamation of freedom . Assurance of love . Embodiment of power . Affirmation of autonomy . Evidence of security . Proof of worth . License for opportunity . Foster alliances or exclusions . Instrument of control When we talk about money, our experiences and ideas regarding money, we are talking about ourselves.

Money Speaks to Us. Money sometimes speaks to us just below the level of our conscious awareness. Money speaks to us as confidante, seducer, adversary, protector or drug. Money serves as a tangible container for hope, freedom, ambition, love or disappointment. Money can become a currency of caring, a symbol of success, a promissory note for happiness, or just filler for a sagging sense of self. We make money mistakes because we use money to accomplish non-financial goals. We give money meaning. When we make money more than the simple, tangible thing it is, we stop understanding it.

What’s Your Money Story?

Your money story is not your income, assets, expenses or debt—it’s your relationship with money. It’s how you use money in story lines of what money means to you, says about you, and what you say with it. It’s a running dialogue about how much you feel you deserve and how much you’re worth—even how much you believe you’re capable of. It’s about your sense of “enough.” Your money story has little to do with math. If money were about math, no one would have personal debt. You can fulfill a desire you didn’t know you had by spending money you don’t have. You can define yourself by acquisitions not paid for. You can even borrow based on how much money you will be lended rather than how much you can pay back. A secret language becomes most developed by emotionally powerful desires. A desire is not quieted by its satisfaction; desires can be created by filling them. Being the legal tender of desire, money becomes the inkblot of the Rorschach test: when our eyes look straight at it, there is only a design on paper. But when offered the chance to imbue the design with meaning, the interpretations will be as wishful and varied as the fantasies of the respondents.

We Speak With Money.

Money says whatever we tell it to. The wonder of money is that it can represent anything. It’s a stand-in for what we idealize and desire yet fear and lack, for what we covet, crave, spurn, chase or follow. We use money to show how much we care—or how little. We use to it measure success and buy happiness—or try to. We use it to bolster our self-esteem, to regulate moods, to influence others. We use money to communicate. We give money meaning: we breathe life into it, give it emotional value, build a relationship with it and make it bigger than it is. Money can make any statement and carry any message.”

Money Story and Life Story.

A money story reveals our relationship with ourselves as well as to money. A Money Story articulates a Life Story. It is not wealth, position, possessions or even a chase of happiness that creates problems; it is when you lose yourself in the chase. The messages will keep repeating themselves—people will keep writing the same money stories that imprison them—until they are listened to. You can illuminate and understand your relationship with money in order to write an informed, strategic and successful money story. Your money story is a large part of your life story. Some of the money issues are really about money, but many are about other matters, private or even secret, hitchhiking on issue related to money. You write your money story and live it. You can revise it, or write an informed, powerful New Money Story®.

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Give | care

Pushing the PedalBP MS 150 | BENEFITTING THE NATIONAL MS SOCIETY: LONESTAR

“The BP MS 150 is a unifying force that connects all involved with the thousands of people who live with MS everyday. We’ve seen cyclists join the ride with fitness as the primary motivator, only to be transformed into some of our most avid supporters. It’s a powerful movement that compels people to take action.”

The 2010 BP MS 150 Houston-to-Austin Bike Ride had a record setting goal to raise 18 million dollars

to help people with MS move their lives forward. The National MS Society: Lone Star serves an estimated 20,000 individuals and their families affected by multiple sclerosis in 174 Texas counties. The Lone Star Chapter has offices in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Join the movement to create a world free of MS at JointheMovementLoneStar.org

BP, KBR, Sanford Barlow LLP, Shipley Donuts,

Toyota, Bechtel Corporation, Pfizer, Noble Energy, Mattress Firm, Republic Services, Sam’s Club, National Oilwell Varco, Breakpoints, Accenture, Seyfarth Shaw LLP, CenterPoint Energer, CITGO, Halliburton, Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

April 16-17, 2011VISIT MS150.ORG TO REGISTER, TO RIDE, VOLUNTEER OR DONATE.

The passion shared by cyclists, sponsors and volunteers alike is a significant component to the success of this event year

after year,” explained Mark Neagli, Regional Executive Vice President. “The BP MS 150 is a unifying force that connects all involved with the thousands of people who live with MS everyday. We’ve seen cyclists join the ride with fitness as the primary motivator, only to be transformed into some of our most avid supporters. It’s a powerful movement that compels people to take action.” You probably know someone impacted by multiple

sclerosis. This chronic disease of the central nervous system affects 20,000 people in 174 Texas counties. And it stops people from moving. Early

and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis.

CAUSE

EFFECT OPPORTUNITYLearn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at NationalMSSociety.org. The BP MS 150 Bike Ride is one of three outstanding fund-raising rides hosted by the National MS Society: Visit ms150.org to register to ride, volunteer or donate.

Donate or volunteer your contribution to the National MS Society: Lone Star will help

fund cutting-edge research, drive change through advocacy, and provide programs and services for people with MS. Log on to ms150.org to join the movement today.

SUPPORTDONATE


YOU CAN BUILD IT. YOU CAN MEASURE IT. YOU CAN DEFINE IT, AND EVEN SELL IT…

INFLUENCETHE EVER ELUSIVE

By Tamsen McMahon

BUT CAN YOU KNOW IT?

The Four Things You Need To Know About Influence: In a world of wooden blocks, influence is more like play dough. Simply ambiguous with simple roots, influence is defined as the ability to make thing(s) happen. Well, that’s not a problem, right? Seductively minimalistic, the answer.

Influence applies to everything, nothing and the infinite combinations in between. At its most simple, influence is the ability to make things happen. But which things? For whom? Over what span of time? Some people influence ideas, some actions. Some influence big actions, some small. Some influence lasts a moment, some lasts a lifetime. When we talk about influence, and particularly when we talk about measuring it, we have to define our terms… and know the limits.

Influence is simple...which makes it complicated.

1.


tamsenMcMahonTamsen McMahon is a communications and branding strategist who consults, writes, and speaks in service of helping people and organizations make change happen. She’s the Director of Digital and Strategic Initiatives at Sametz Blackstone Associates. ‘‘

You see the cause, you see the effect, but what you can’t see and never will, is where influence actually happens: in the “and” between the two. ‘‘

Influence | grow

Someone writes a post. Someone else retweets it. Another person sees the retweet, reads the post, and writes a comment. Still another person finds the post on his own and then follows the commenter’s advice, to the benefit of hundreds of others. Each person took an action. Each action had an effect. But which action is the most important? And who had the most influence overall?

Not so easy, is it? It depends on what you’re asking? Why you’re asking? In what context you’re asking? And the situation? Influence depends on the situation and what you care about. The cause (the idea)? The effect (the actions, the results)? Or the connection between the two? Whether building or measuring influence, we need to understand which type of influence is important, and why.

To influence the actions of others, you must first have access to them. But access alone won’t begin to spark a movement, the other essential ingredient is authority over the audience or something they value. Popularity helps with access: the more popular you are, the more reach you have, and thus the greater possibility of influence. But popularity doesn’t guarantee influence, it only opens more doors. And it’s ephemeral: tastes change, needs change. On the other hand, authority doesn’t guarantee influence either, though you

could argue its bond is stronger. Whether granted or earned over time, authority has the potential to intensify influence, while authority grants power. But it’s ephemeral, too. Earned authority, which is gained over repeated interactions, lasting the lifespan of its integrity and relevance. Granted authority, often lasts only as long as the appointment (or the appointee…) does. Influence requires both reach and authority, to varying degrees. Focusing on only one or the other will leave you seeing half the picture. Or less. Both need attention. And constant maintenance.

2. 4.

3.

Influence is contextual.

Influence is the product of reach and authority.

(Most) Influence is invisible. You see the cause, you see the effect, but what you can’t see and never will, is where influence actually happens: in the “and” between the two. You can’t see inside every individual head to know or understand if and how the two relate, because it happens in the back channel. In instant messages, in DMs, in phone calls, emails, and Waves (sniff…). In person, in meetings. At lunches and dinners and breakfasts. Out of town. Out of sight. That’s why what we can see gets so much attention, and measuring it the cause of such debate. But understand this: for every person consciously exhibiting their influence (and influences), there are just as many (or more) consciously shielding it. Just as every King has his Merlin, every Influencer is influenced. And you’ll likely never really know who they—the real influencers—are. At heart, influence is something we can only guess at based on what we see. We can throw metrics at it, but that’s like throwing dust at light, trying to see the beam. Like throwing a sheet at the Invisible Man, trying to see what can’t be seen. Is that what you see, too? Tell me.


So when or how did fruit juice become an institution? Yet this is all that we are essentially talking about, just an agricultural product belonging to the same category as carrots, lettuce and figs. But when was the last time you ordered a fine bottle of tomato juice in order to impress a date or waxed poetic over a bowl of green beans. The cynic may point directly to the mood altering capacity of alcohol. Granted a little buzz does wonders when spirits are low yet if that was ones only aim why waste all the time and effort on grapes when the fermentation of potatoes would do the trick.

UNDERTHECORKBEHIND THE LABEL

By Ben Roberts


Savor | enjoy

T he anthropologist might say that our fascination with wine stems from some subconscious link with our past when wine was the most efficient method for storing and transferring the calories harvest-

ed from wild vines. I would counter that if our ancestors wanted to store this harvest, raisins would have been the obvious choice. What if the cipher to this riddle is to be found much closer to home, somewhere much more intimate? What if the search for the element behind the enigma is actually our humanity? Before you scoff at this uber romantic extrapolation, allow me to share with you my own experience as a wine professional, or rather more succinctly why I love what I do. A sommelier/wine steward’s job is more than just sipping someone else’s Bordeaux with one’s pinky in the air. Most of your time is spent shuffling invoices, analyzing product mixes and haggling over prices. It requires thousands of hours of rote memorization of obscure facts such as the colloquial name of some ‘special’ dirt found only on one hillside in Spain or the metric volume of some medieval Hungarian bucket used to measure ‘special’ moldy grapes. To make matters worse, one is constantly

trapped in conversations about the latest clone or biological agent with semi-deluded, starry eyed winemakers stoned with the organics of an industry ruled by technocrats. Yes, you get to drink a lot of wine but that also loses its allure over time. It is also not about some perceived status symbol obtained by knowledge of the finer things or some short cut to hobnobbing with the elite. For me it is actually about facilitating the making of memories. As I approach a table to recommend a pairing or bottle of wine, the thought that a stranger would grant me the honor of orchestrating their time away from all the responsibilities and demands of their everyday lives, the most precious time they have, still leaves me in reverent awe. What an honor to be invited to share in something so human as time spent in intimate exchange. My wine list is my tool chest. Each wine a tapestry of flavors that I hope to weave into a mix that will fulfill my goal of making someone else’s evening memorable. The enigma is, therefore, in the symbolism and not the substance. That wine can be seen as the luxurious trappings, the chant touch with which we dress up the times we cherish most is for me the mystery and the wonder of wine.

White: Riesling is one of the most misunderstood grapes in the American market. Its wines can be incredibly complex and can go with a host of different dishes. French Reisling from Alsace is a perfect complement to heartier fall dishes yet still crisp enough to be enjoyed outside. Trimbach Riesling 2007 $15-20

Rose: One of my other serious favorites this time of year are French Rose’s. Unbelievably complex and NOT sweet, these are perfect to sip on the terrace all by themselves or have with any number of dishes, especially fowl. This is one of the best; Domaine OTT “Les Domaniers” 2009 $25-$30

Reds: When Autumn comes around I start looking for red wines which offer the same type of transitional qualities that one finds in the season. For me this means less bright, vivacious fruit notes, a little more earth and more savory qualities. Brunello di Montalcino “Le Paturnie” 2004 by Tenuta Vitanza is a perfect example. $30-35

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Experience Wine


Crave | taste

CHEFLEAVE IT UP TO THE

By J.C. Reid

I magine a restaurant where you pay a fixed price and then have the chef make a dinner especially for you based on your tastes and preferences. Sound farfetched? Actually, there’s a restau-rant in Houston that specializes in this

type of dinner: Kata Robata Sushi + Grill. And although this service sounds unique, Kata Ro-bata didn’t invent it. This type of dinner follows a long-standing tradition in Japanese sushi restaurants known as omakase, a term that’s loosely translated as “It’s up to the chef.” Here’s how it works. After making arrangements with the restaurant for omakase, you usually sit at the sushi bar directly across from where the sushi chef works. The chef will ask you about your likes and dislikes and any dietary restrictions you may have. Based on that feedback, he will create a series of dishes using his experience as a chef, with the freshest and most unique ingredients he has on that day. The dinner is traditionally presented with the lighter dishes in the beginning (usually sushi or sashimi), and then the heartier dishes at the end (often grilled meats). The dinner as a whole is intended to be creative, innovative and surprising. Although most sushi restaurants in Houston offer omakase, Kata Robata is well known for it, mainly due to the creativity and experience of

Executive Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi. A recent omakase dinner included a Texas-inspired sashimi dish of thinly sliced hamachi (a type of fish known as yellowtail or amberjack), sliced jalapenos and yuzu olive oil sauce. Other traditional Japanese ingredients might include sea urchin roe (uni), monkfish liver (ankimo), and fatty tuna (toro). Once you’re ready to take the plunge and try the Japanese tradition of omakase, here are a few tips to ensure a memorable dinner. Always call ahead to make sure omakase is available; making a reservation several days in advance is preferable. It is often better to go on a slower weeknight when the chef can focus more attention on your dinner. You will be asked how much you want to spend. A typical charge is $60–$100 per person (not including alcohol, tax or gratuity). In general, plan for about $10–$15 per course. In addition to any likes or dislikes, let the chef know your “adventure” level (referring to how exotic the ingredients and preparations might be). Although omakase is naturally adventurous, you might characterize your tastes as “mildly adventurous” to “very adventurous.” Remember, you are putting the dinner in the hands of the chef. You are not expected to tell the chef what or how to cook. Be adventurous, go with the flow and be open to new experiences.

Be adventurous, go with the flow and be open to new experiences. ‘‘‘‘


Are you Houston’s next InDesign Star? Inspired Arts & Designs is always on the look out to discover

new creative designers and showcase their talent in Visionary Living Magazine. If you have what it takes to capture the attention of our audience with exciting and unique design, contact us today.

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Whether you are purchasing a new home or refinancing we will work with you to find the best loan program, customized for your needs.

We can offer a wide range of loan choices, competitive rates with flexible terms. Visit DeniseWargo.Blogspot.com for the 10 Questions to Ask Your Lender.

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VISION Production Group helps companies build relationships between their brands and their unique audiences across a wide

array of integrated media. VISION specializes in video and live event production, strategic brand engagement, content creation, creative visual design and experience marketing.

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Enjoy the personalized service in a private and exclusive setting that only the Loni Regan

Salon provides. Specialties include hair extensions, highlights and hair styling for weddings and special events. We are conveniently located at 2990 Richmond Avenue, Suite 290A with ample parking. Loni Regan, Salon Owner

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Our team of certified and professional coaches partners with clients to build and restore their personal and professional goals. AY & Associates is deeply committed to helping people lead better lives by identifying and

breaking self-perceived limitations while developing strategies to affect positive change. We can partner with you and your organization today.

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C.E.O. Visionaries provides business coach ing to visionaries and

entrepreneurs. Fuel your entrepreneurial engine and learn how coaching can help take you to the next level! Join us for “Coaching & Coffee” on November 15th at Café Express on 3200 Kirby Drive for your extra shot of Entrepreneurial Mojo.

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Partner with Us!Do you have a great connection to share? Perhaps you know of a company that offers phenomenal products or provides a great service. Share your best service providers and connections with Visionary Living Magazine and our readers. When your connection sponsors a page in Visionary Living Magazine, you will earn a 10% referral fee, so that we all profit from your powerful connection!

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EARN FREE ENERGY!

Copyright © 2010 Ambit Energy Holdings LLC. All rights reserved. Ambit Energy is certified by state regulatory bodies to provide energy service to residential customers in areas where retail energy supply is deregulated. The Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) recognizes Ambit Energy as a Retail Energy Provider (REP). PUCT Certificate #10117. Ambit Energy is an Energy Services Company (ESCO) certified by the New York Public Service Commission (NYPSC).

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Cova Wine Bar specializes in personalized, perfectly paired dinner and cocktail events and can be arranged in the comfort of our Reserve Room, in the semi-private Cove, or on the spacious patio at our Washington location. From intimate events to corporate functions, Cova provides the facilities, staff and cuisine to impress. Please contact our Event Manager for a tour.

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The Siegel Team We help provide our clients with solutions for the multi-dimensional aspects of their financial affairs so they are confident that their financial priorities are taken care of. If you are concerned that your current investment plan isn't working, or if you do not have one, please call us for a second opinion or complimentary consultation.

Why Clients Work With Us Expertise: We have over 30 years of combined experience in the financial services industry. We have two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals working for you. Advice: We use a service approach to understand your unique situation, personally and financially, in order to advise you on a broad spectrum of financial issues appropriate to your specific circumstance.

Access: A member of our team is available during business hours and calls are returned the same day. If our clients need our advice, after business hours, on something that may impact their finances, they are encouraged to contact us on our cell phone.

Passion: We are passionate about what we do and about helping you succeed.

Communication: We proactively contact our clients during difficult times, as well as for regular reviews, in order to ensure we are on track to help them meet their short and long-term financial goals. Education: We discuss the markets and investments, in simple terms, so that you better understand the reasoning behind our recommendations. This is an ongoing process that we believe is important to building strong relationships.

Process: We use a personal customized process to developing solutions that are tailored for you. Our emphasis is on comprehensive financial planning and helping our clients implement behaviors that will help them reach their long term financial goals.

Advocates: We bring value to you in other areas of your life by recognizing things, or introductions, that may be of benefit to you beyond your financials.

Our goal is to help you get the most “life“ out of your money Financial Planning

Goals Investment Management Asset Allocation

Retirement Planning Retirement Plans Social Security Healthcare

Estate Planning Beneficiary Planning Annual Gifting Special Needs Charitable Giving

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5065 Westheimer · Suite 1000 · Houston, Texas 77056 | Phone: 713-965-8179 Email:[email protected] | www.ubs.com/team/siegelteam


Challenge | motivate

35

4

When you update, change or begin something new in your world, the positive ripple effect will spread to

your spouse, and your relationship.

The secret ingredient to significant other satisfaction is YOU.

ten

Fuel the Fire!The world is truly at your fingertips. Use your power to pay it forward. Inspire a fellow cyber-spacer to keep inspiring; tell them how their idea or creation caught your eye, encouraged you or sparked a movement.

Revenue Recharge

Merci Beaucoup, Gracias, Mahalo, Danke, Spasibo, Thank You.

You are who you surround yourself with. If you have a customer or consultant who is no longer in sync with your values and vision, dismiss them and watch the profits grow.

Gratitude has no language barriers. Face to face, by email or by snail mail, praising the efforts of those around you is always a welcome custom.

Yes, You Can Get Some!

Pump your flexibility muscles and empower someone else to make the final call.

Devote resources to “doing,” rather than acquiring. You may be surprised to find that investing in experience yields a higher return than a portfolio full of material possessions.

2 Act!Don’t wait for a fear to subside; move forward in spite of it.

Pass the Torch6 Experience Exchange

7 Read the Reviews

8 Put on the Brakes

You are the author of your money story. So, what chapter are you in? Do you like the tale you are telling?

You read them before you see a movie, buy a cell phone or decide where to dine. But when was the last time you checked out your rankings? Analyze your inbox. Count the accolades you’ve received. What do you notice?

Take the pedal off the metal, exit the autobahn and opt for the road less traveled. STOP and allow yourself the opportunity to pause, breathe and savor today.

Hero, Villain OR Victim?9

oneBy Lisa Godfrey

The Arrival You’ll Never Know When I Grow Up

Winter Without You

Create | empower

Before becoming an artist my career was in publishing, and I was not happy. I desperately wanted to leave my job but had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew that I had an eye for color and I loved art, specifically illustration. So

my first thought was to open an art/illustration gallery. I wrote a business plan and came up with a name and logo but then realized it would take a lot of up-front money to get it off the ground. That scared me. Next, after taking a seminar on color psychology, I decided that I’d become a color consultant, advising companies on which colors to use for their logos and products. I began taking color and design courses in the evenings. Just signing up and attending the classes made me feel better. For my color theory assignments I had to paint with gouache (opaque watercolor) and I loved it. I started painting outside of class and found that I had a steady hand and could paint very tiny details. At first, it was difficult to show my work to anyone. But after I got into a few galleries and created a website, things started taking off. I wanted to be an artist but could I make a living at that? When I met some artists who were managing their own careers, I became inspired. So, in 2002 I quit my publishing job and have never once regretted it. Managing my finances is sometimes difficult, especially in this economy. It’s hard for me to budget when I don’t know how much is coming in each month. But now that I’ve been doing it for a few years I know which months are slow and when I can expect business to start picking up again.

Great talent deserves endless attention. This is your moment to be discovered. Are you an emerging artist who has yet to have a platform to expose your creations to the world? Or even if you know of a burgeoning talent that our VL audience will relish, please share with us at [email protected]

Share your creative talent.

TurningPointBy Melissa Moss

I have found that my story resonates with a lot of people who are unhappy in their careers. I usually suggest to start by taking some classes. My classes helped me tremendously, even if it was just to feel like I was doing something for myself. And they eventually allowed me to discover a talent that I never knew I had. MelissaMossArt.com

Not All Yields Are Created Equal...

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Vanguard Natural Resources is a publicly traded limited liability company focused on the

acquisition and development of mature, long-lived natural gas and oil properties. Our primary

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distributions to our unitholders, and over time to increase our quarterly cash distributions.

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