JOIN THE PASTRY KICKS ON-LINE STREET TEAM TODAY:
BE APART OF THIS HUGE NEW DIGITAL MOVEMENT!
PROMOTE FOR VANESSA & ANGELA SIMMONS VIA YOUR SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES & RECEIVE THE NEW FASHIONS BEFORE THEY DROP AS AN INCENTIVE!

WE ARE CURRENTLY RECRUITING ALL RACES IN THE STATES OF: NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA, GEORGIA, & TEXAS ONLY!
THIS IS AN INTERNSHIP WITH MANY INCENTIVES, INCREASED EXPOSURE, & EXPERIENCE!

YOU MUST HAVE A HUGE ON-LINE PRESENCE: FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, TWITTER, & A PERSONAL BLOG IS A HUGE PLUS!!!

PLEASE BE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 16-25! SEND AN
EMAIL TO PROMOQUEENMYSPACE@GMAIL.COM
REQUESTING AN APPLICATION. YOU MUST SEND 1 RECENT
HEADSHOT BEFORE RECEIVING AN
APPLICATION!

INCLUDE YOUR CITY & STATE IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAIL & REFERENCE THE “DIGITAL STREET TEAM”!!!

YOU WILL PARTICIPATE IN ON-LINE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS: POSTING IMAGES OF THE CLOTHING & SHOE BRANDS, SEND TWEETS, & POST VIDEOS OF THE DESIGNERS BEHIND THE SCENES!
YOU SEE ALL OF THE PRODUCT FIRST!
YOU SEE ALL OF THE EXCLUSIVE VIDEO FIRST!
YOU GET FREE FASHIONS!

JOIN TODAY, BE A DIGITAL GIRL TOMORROW!

*PREFERENCE IS GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WITH 1,500 FACEBOOK FRIENDS, 1,500 MYSPACE FRIENDS, 1,500 FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER & TO THOSE WHO HAVE OR ARE WILLING TO CREATE A PERSONAL BLOG!*

BE PROFESSIONAL, ON-LINE SAVY, ABLE TO POST VIDEO’S, TWEET & EMBED IMAGES!
REFER YOUR GIRLFRIENDS! BE APART OF SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING DIFFERENT, SOMETHING GROUND BREAKING, & FUN!!!
*YOU WILL WORK WITH AN OUTSIDE COMPANY HIRED BY PASTRY; NOT WITH PASTRY DIRECTLY!
ONLY SERIOUS & POPULAR GIRLS APPLY PLEASE!

Application:

Date:
Contact #(s):
Full Name:
Race:

What is your date of birth & how old are you?:
How did you hear about this Program?

What City/State do you live in?

Do you have frequent internet access? (required)

Email Address: (include a mobile email address if available)

Twitter Address: (How many followers?)

Facebook Page Address: (How many friends?)

Myspace Page Address: (How many friends?)

Personal Blog Address: (Monthly Hits?)

**WE WILL CONFIRM YOUR WEBSITES & NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS/FRIENDS.**

Do you have any other Social Networking Accounts (explain)?

Have you ever promoted before (if so, where)?:

What school do you attend?:

How much time can you dedicate to this program?

Would you be able to recruit qualified girls to join the Digital Street Team in various Markets?: (required)

Do you have your Parents permission to participate in this Online Program?
When can you start?:

You will be working under a company hired by Pastry, Inc. & not for Pastry, Inc. Directly. The owner (Roz-O!) is a busy Music Industry Veteran so you must be patient & understanding. You will deal with her and her associates primarily via email day to day so you must have frequent internet access in order to promote for her; NO EXCEPTIONS. If all of this sounds good then please submit your application and start promoting on-line tomorrow!

Visit: www.Myspace.com/SocietyChicks
www.PastryKicks.com

Brought to you by GhettoHeat Productions, Author Sha’s novel Harder is a read you won’t regret as you’re in for a heated read!

HARDER
WRITTEN BY SHA
EDITED BY HICKSON
IN STORES WORLDWIDE!

AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL THIS FALL…
HARDER

A GHETTOHEAT® PRODUCTION
HICKSON
CEO of GHETTOHEAT®
Publisher of GHETTOHEAT®, CONVICT’S CANDY, HARDER, AND GOD CREATED WOMAN, LONDON REIGN, SONZ OF DARKNESS, TANTRUM, GHOST TOWN HUSTLERS, GAMES WOMEN PLAY, FOR THE LOVE OF HONEY, DIRTY WINDOWS, UGLY/BEAUTIFUL: ME, SOME SEXY, TATTOOED TEARS, CLUB AVENUE, TOUGH & SKATE ON!.

Check out GhettoHeat.com!!!

FBE: Where are you from?
JH: I was born in Bartow, Flordia. I was raised in Huger, South Carolina. I typically reside in Tampa, Florida or Indianapolis, Indiana. I do a lot of traveling.

FBE: And how old are you?
JH: I’m 27.

FBE: How long have you been writing?
JH: I can actually say that I’ve been writing all of my life.

FBE: Writing takes a lot of work and dedication what made you decide to write?
JH: When I was eight or nine, I thought it would be cool to be an author (he laughs). I’ve always loved reading and I love getting lost in a well told story. I didn’t decide until about a year ago that I’d actually write a book. Once it was published, I received so much positive feedback that I’ve written another. I think I’ve found my calling.

FBE: Interesting, do you write poetry as well as novels?
JH: I write lots of poetry. Normally I use my poetry to help me develop story lines in my novels. Most of my poems tell a story.

FBE: WhaT genres do you focus on?
JH: When you read my novels, you’ll be able to find a little of everything in them. I like to classify them as “life”. My novels are African American fiction. They are inspirational, educational, erotic, and so much more.

FBE: I see you have two novels, will you do more?
JH: Yes! I’m actually in the process of completing my third.

FBE: What do you currently have published?
JH: The first is “One Life…One Night”. The second is “This Is What I Signed Up For.”

FBE: Who is your publisher, explain why you chose them?
JH: I am signed with Anexander Books Publishing. I chose them because I love their vision and direction.

FBE: Tell more about your latest piece and what is it about?
JH: My latest published novel is entitled, “This Is What I Signed Up For”. It’s as real as fiction can get. It’s a fast-paced, drama-filled read that you will definitely be able to relate to. The characters will draw you in so deeply that you’ll be able to feel all that they feel. Readers of all genres will be able to appreciate this novel that is told from both a female and male point of view. The main message readers should take from this novel is to be careful of the things you do and say. Know that EVERY action, no matter how big or small, has a reaction. You can never know for sure how the things you do and say will affect someone else and/or yourself. We reap what we sow, and we sow what we reap. Every action has a reaction or a consequence we must keep.

 FBE: I have to know what or who inspires you to make your dreams come true?
JH: I really just have a love for writing and a love for telling a story. I love entertaining and educating people with my books. Readers of my work inspire me to continue to write with the feedback they give.

FBE: Who is your favorite author?
JH: I don’t really have a favorite, but I’m a huge fan of Eric Jerome Dickey and Alex Haley.

FBE: What are you currently reading?
JH: At the moment I am writing. I don’t read anything, but the Bible while I’m writing.. After I’m done with my novel, I’ll probably read and Eric Jerome Dickey or Kimberla Lawson Roby book.

FBE: What are the advantages/disadvantages of self publishing?
JH: The advantages of self publishing are you don’t have to wait for your book to be published or accepted by a traditional publishing company. The disadvantages would probably be the costs. You have to sometimes pay a pretty hefty fee to have your book published. You also have to do a whole lot of marketing.

FBE: Have you faced any challenges as a young author? I
JH: haven’t really faced many challenges. I’ve built up a pretty supportive fan base. Everyone who reads any of my work tends to appreciate it. The biggest challenge is staying patient and remembering that because things don’t happen on my time doesn’t mean it’s not on time. God’s time is always on time.

FBE: What advice can you give aspiring authors and entrepreneurs?
JH: I’d say to always be encouraged. Everyone had to start someplace. If you really want something, go and get it.

FBE: What do you believe the future has in store for the author Jerald Howard?
JH: In the future, I see myself with about 15 novels written. Hopefully I’ll be able to help other up and coming authors out the way some have helped me.

FBE: How can people get in contact withyou and purchase your books?
JH: I can be reached by email. JeraldJHoward@yahoo.com My books can be purchased at www.JERALDJHOWARD.com
When ordered from that site, half of all proceeds go towards the research and development of a cure for breast cancer.

Here’s a piece of his latest poem ”Black Woman You Are” :

 I couldn’t care less about your hue or complexion

What I really love is your strength and direction

 For centuries you’ve found a way to overcome

You make no excuses…you just get it done

 Black woman I love you in every way

Black woman I love you everyday

Black Woman

You’re filled with love and pride…determination and resilience

I admire your courage, your beauty, and your brilliance

 AKA, SGR, ZPB, or DST

It really doesn’t matter what’s your sorority

 And no disrespect to my sisters with your wondrous calls

But the truth is I couldn’t care less if you pledged at all

 Because no Greek letter or word can define who you are

That’s not what makes you such a shining star

 It’s your essence and grace that sets you afar

Your love and your beauty makes you better than par

 Black Woman

You’ve been lied to, raped, and beaten…cheated on and mistreated

But no matter how others scoff, you’re still there when you’re needed

 And we don’t say it nearly as much as we need to

But black women, your men appreciate you

Lemonade out of lemons you continue to make

Even when we are the lemons, you refuse to forsake

 Whilst we moan and complain and fuss and cuss

You continue to believe in and encourage us

 And we love you so much more than we could ever show

Even though I use this poem to try and let you know

These words that I speak only begin to capture

An inkling, of how you cause such rapture

Rapture in the sense of pure ecstasy

Move brisk like the wind and stand next to me

No matter how I confabulate, articulate, verbalize or vocalize

My words fall short of what you are in our eyes

 Black Woman

Will Smith is not legend…it is you who are legend

You are our queens…you who are destined

Destined for greatness…destined for success

When God gave us you, he decided to bless

To bless us with your goodness…to bless us with your grace

If excellence had one, you’d be its face

 Black Woman

 I love your lips. I love your hips. I love your attitude

Let me see where else I dare allude

 Maybe to your sweet and lovely thighs

Thighs when spread, they set forth cries

 Cries of passion…cries of bliss

The cries of my baby boy’s lips I kiss

 The cries of our children pushed forth from your womb

The seeds we plant; the flowers you bloom

Black Woman

You’re my grandmother, cousin, auntie, and niece

You’re hope, you’re love, you’re happiness and peace

You’re our mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives

You’re the reason we’re here…you are our lives

 You are our triumph and celebration…the reason we gloat

This is for you black women. The realest thing I ever wrote.

Click on the link below to visit Jerald’s Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/pages/jerald-j-howard/17322734698 Join to stay updated with Jerald’s novels, poems, and videos. Also visit this page to win one of his novels!!

What’s a plush fall coat without a coordinating handbag? That’s right nothing. So if you haven’t heard Naana B. has launched their collection’s line of handbags, evening wear and day wear for Fall 2009! The Naana B Collection is available for viewings/inquiries at the blink PR Showroom in Soho New York.

“A woman designing for women, Naana B. takes the uniqueness and artistry of handbags and clothing to a new level. The line reflects the free nature of the designer’s life and adventures. A self-confessed dream chaser and globetrotter, the designer Naana B. began her artistic journey creating steel sculpture and paintings at Columbia University, later inspiring a long lasting love affair with clothing and accessories. After crafting and learning the elements of design, the line Naana B. was conceived! Handmade and produced by women artisans in Ghana (www.rcempowerment.org) proceeds from all sales go to the Rural Communities Empowerment Centre in Ghana”  (Courtesy of blinkpr).

And please visit www.naanab.com

The future was upon those the Taj Lounge on September 19th. With a futuristic/robotic theme 8 of New York City’s finest up and coming designers were brought to all that witnessed it. “The City is Mine” Fashion Show had attendees on the edge of their seats as the models strutted the artistic visions of Deon Halil, Envius Couture, Rico Flores, Molie Guablue, Brazillian Alex, and Melyssa Nycole. The show was headed by the Designers of Unleashed introducing CEO Shaleese aka yaedon marie. The signature piece that kicked off the show was created by designer Blondina. All proceeds from the show went to the American Diabetic Association. For more information on the show and the designers of unleashed check out www.modelmayhem.com/yaedonmarie, www.designersofunleashed.blogspot.com or email at donyae1972@yahoo.com if you are an aspiring model and would like to be in one of her upcoming shows. Stay tuned for more and see you at the next show!

Signature piece by Blondina

Melyssa Nycole

Unleashed fashions by Jessica

For all you “globetrotters” that love to travel even when summer’s over,  will find “Travel Happy Budget Low” by Susanna Zaraysky a fantastic and resourceful read. Author, Susanna Zaraysky has created a literary lane for herself by documenting her travels and adventures that take readers on fascinating expeditions near and far. Here’s what she told FBE about herself and other piece of work “Language is Music”:

FBE: How successful has your book been?
SZ: The books, Language is Music, and Travel Happy, Budget Low, will be published at the beginning of June 2009. From February to April 2009, I ran a contest where people could read my books for free online. I had over 114 people sign up to read the books for free.

FBE: Was writing always your passion?
SZ: I think writing was always something I liked. A few years ago, I was going through my boxes of childhood toys and items and found a children’s book I wrote in the 5th or 6th grade.

FBE: When did you see writing as a career?
SZ: The career chose me! I often wrote travelogues about my international adventures and would write short prose or poems and send it to my friends. I even wrote out poems as invitations to events I was planning. For years, my friends would reproach me for not publishing my work or writing a book. In 2005, I became allergic to myself and to my job in wine marketing and knew I needed to follow my passion. Yes! One can literally become allergic to one’s job. I developed allergies to wheat, citric acid (no tomatoes), dairy, chocolate, corn, and grapes. I was in the Italian wine and food business and could not eat most Italian food or drink the wine.

I was at an Italian wine tasting event for work and the speaker was talking about how Italian wine was losing its sense of terroir, its roots. I thought about what my roots were and decided to write a memoir about my life in different languages and cultures. I wrote that book, One Eyed Princess in Babel, but couldn’t find an agent or publisher to take it on. So, I decided to write two smaller books. Language is Music is about how to learn foreign languages using music and other media. Travel Happy, Budget Low is about how to travel the world on a budget. People always asked me how I was able to speak seven languages so well and travel to over 50 countries on a budget. I figured that I’d first make my presence with those books and then get the memoir on the market.

FBE: How did you come up with the concept and title of your book?
SZ: I came up with the idea and name for Language is Music after listening to the audiobook version of Dr. Oliver Sachs’ book, Musicophilia.
For Travel Happy, Budget Low, I was searching for a name for a while. I wanted to call it Budget Globetrotter, but that website was already taken. My mom said the book title needed the word “happy” in it. So, I came up with this name. It sounds like a title for a Chinese movie!

FBE: Are you self published or do your work with a publishing house?
SZ:I will self publish under my business name, Kaleidomundi.

FBE:Have you completed any other works that are published? Explain
SZ: In August 2009, my article about the research I did on the religious practices of Mexican transgender sex workers in Mexico and San Francisco will be published in the book, Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana: Politics, Identity, and Faith in New Migrant Communities by Duke University Press.

http://www.dukeupress.edu/cgibin/forwardsql/search.cgi?template0=nomatch.htm&template2=books/book_detail_page.htm&user_id=5516185027&Bmain.item_option=1&Bmain.item=15176

FBE: How long did it take you to complete your two books?
SZ: I wrote them both from June-September 2008. It was like giving birth to twins!

FBE: Are there any challenges that come along with being an author?
SZ:Yes! Money is a major factor. Unless one has a benefactor or advance from a publisher, the writing life has to be self financed. While it doesn’t take money to sit and write, one still has to support him or herself. This is not easy! I’ve had several part-time jobs to afford to write. I’ve worked as a substitute teacher in the Cupertino, California area for most of the past three years. I’ve also been a scribe for a meeting facilitation company. Other random jobs included: translating Brazilian soap opera synopses into English and Spanish, researching Russian yachting for a US journalist, and being a long-term election observer in Ukraine.

I am self motivated person, so I don’t have writers block or I don’t have trouble convincing myself to spend hours writing. However, I do have to say that spending the summer writing about travel tips presented some challenges. When I wrote my travel tips, I was nostalgic about all the places I’d traveled to and would often recreate my adventures in my head. I preferred to be on the road instead of writing about the past. Now, I am focused on marketing and the administrative side of publishing and I am not writing much. Once these two books go on sale next month, I will have more time to dedicate to editing my baby, the memoir.

FBE: What do you like most about being an author?
SZ: When you know your topic well and can write about it in an easy-to-understand format that people get quickly, it’s great to know that I can easily touch peoples lives. My youth is an advantage because I am living proof that you don’t need a lot of money or resources to travel and learn languages. When I was presenting my books at the Doha Book Fair in Qatar, some male high school students couldn’t believe that I was an author. I looked too young to them. They were impressed by my background and realized that they too could do what I did!

FBE: Who or what can you credit to being the ultimate motivator in your life?
SZ: My parents are immigrants from the former USSR. I came to the US when I was three years old. Despite our modest means, my parents took my sister on camping trips and international trips. They came from a country where travel was almost forbidden and contact with the outside world was outlawed. They instilled not only the love for travel in my sister and I, but also the appreciation for the privilege of having an international passport and money to see the world. It’s not just about having the means. Lots of American could travel, but they don’t even have passports or the interest in the world around them. It’s about being humble and grateful. Though I didn’t grow up in the repressive regime my parents suffered under for decades, I still come from that culture. I would say that recognizing my blessings is my biggest motivator.

FBE: Are you currently working on other projects?
SZ:Yes, I work part time doing marketing for Bookrix.com, a company that provides an online portal for writers to display their work.

FBE: Will your follow up work be geared solely towards travel or will you branch out to other genres?
SZ: My goal is to reform foreign language education worldwide so that people see that learning foreign languages is fun and that they can use music, TV, radio, movies and other media to learn languages and not just sit at home and memorize grammar charts and vocabulary. After the books are published, I am going to pursue consulting projects for educational institutions worldwide to add my methodology to their curriculum.

FBE: What advice do you have for up and coming authors and entrepreneurs?
SZ:Plan your time. Don’t overload yourself. Hire help. Get a virtual assistant to take care of the administrative stuff you don’t have time to do.

Please visit her website at www.createyourworldbooks.com for more info on my books.

For FAQ’s about Susanna: http://www.createyourworldbooks.com/FAQ.html

To see videos where I describe the books, please visit my You Tube Channel: www.youtube.com/CreateYourWorldBooks

Born in Skokie, Illinois, this composer and founder of DBRmusic.com, became a member of his elementary school’s orchestra program, playing the violin at just 5 years old. “It was just something I wanted to do…I was fortunate enough to have a family that was very supportive, specifically of playing the violin. My mother and father came to every concert I did as a young child,” expressed Daniel. His career later took off as a an undergraduate at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music where he studied music. As well as, completing his masters and doctoral work at the University of Michigan under the guidance of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer William Bolcom. FBE spoke with Daniel Bernard Roumain about his successful career, making history in music, and DBRMusic.com.

FBE: In what genre would you classify your music? Or would you say you’ve musically created a lane for others to emulate?
DBR:A friend of mine who once worked at Sony Records called my music New Classical Soul. I’m not sure if I agree, but I appreciated the sentiment. Somethings and some musics are so complex that as soon as you try to define them, they change. I want to keep changing. The world may not ever need another composer, but it will always need change.

 FBE: How does your Haitian roots impact you as an individual and your music?
DBR: I’m not sure that the intersection of melody and rhythm, an important and ever-evolving aspect of music, has its roots in Haiti and my parent’s record collection.

FBE: Explain to me some of the things that encourage you to follow your career goals
DBR: I recently got married and my wife and I are expecting our first child. It’s a blessing to be able to work for your family in the confident hopes of feeding, clothing, and making them proud.

FBE: I’ve heard that you did some work with LadyGaga. Who else have you collaborated with?
DBR:I’ve collaborated with several orchestras, ensembles, and symphonies. As for well-known artists, I’ve worked with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Philip Glass, Savion Glover, Bill T. Jones as Music Director of Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, 2 Live Crew, Cassandra Wilson, Vernon Reid, and DJ Spooky.

FBE: Now I’m sure you’ve been featured on a national level in the media, can you name a few of the forums and/or publications?
DBR: I’ve been featured in several…ranging from Esquire Magazine, ESSENCE, and XXL Magazines to the Financial Times. Regarding TV, I was featured as “America’s Assignment” on CBS Evening News, to highlight one. This past June 24th, PBS aired a story about my work with the Young Composers Development Program.

FBE: Who/What influenced the launch of DBRMusic.com?
DBR:My business partner and marketing genius, Rika lino, of Sozo Media. She’s responsible for the genesis of my website as well as a hefty part of my career.

FBE: What would you say has been DBR’s biggest accomplishment?
DBR: I am convinced that the most important work of any living composer may be the contributions of time, service, and education towards the development of new audiences. Indeed, the converses, freely, with his or her own community.

FBE: What future events do you have coming up that you want viewers to know about?
DBR: I was recently awarded a commission for a full orchestral work by the Sphinx Commissioning Consortium. So in 2010, you’ll hear my premiere being performed by several American orchestras (Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, New Jersey, New World, Philadelphia Richmond, Rochester, and Virgina).

*38 year old Daniel is currently residing in Lexington, MA and encourages viewers to checkout www.youtube.com/user/dbrmusic

DBR can be contacted via his website www.dbrmusic.com and/or  myspace (www.myspace.com/dbrmusic) where you can join his mailing list!

Thanks to the determination and artistic eye of one young and chic interior designer, what we think of as the typical “Bachelor Pad” will soon become obsolete (well, in New York City it will be). FBE got the opportunity to talk to Founder and CEO of August Black, Taylor Spellman. She’s putting an inventive and affordable spin on making any ole’ pad into a home. P.S. She’s only 25!

FBE: Tell the FBE world who you are?
TL: Taylor Spellman

FBE: And where are you from exactly?
TL: I am from Wethersfield, Connecticut and my company August Black, is based in New York City.

FBE: Tell me a little bit about your company and how you derived at the name (very unique)?
TL: The concept behind August Black is that in New York City men don’t get married until later in life so for years, they’re left on their own to decorate. These guys went to great schools, hold high-powered jobs and make a lot of money…yet their apartment is never at the level it could be. These men are not going to hire a full interior design service as its much more than the guy actually needs or wants. However, they will come to August Black, the male friendly solution to an apartment in need of a discerning eye.

To come up with the name I worked with a branding firm called Great-Monday. ‘August’ actually means “inspiring awe or admiration” and “occupying a high position or rank”. A lot of my clients currently hold a high position and rank and if not yet, they’re certainly on their way.

FBE: What’s your background in interior design?
TL: I actually do not have any formal training in interior design. I came to New York as a dancer to attend The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and later graduated from Fordham University at Lincoln Center with a Degree in Business.

FBE: What drove you to launch “August Black“? and What were you doing before that?
TL: Prior to launching August Black I had helped countless friends spruce up their places. I was designing so many homes for free that I finally had that light-bulb moment of wait…I could be making money doing this. It was then that I launched “August Black“.

FBE: Do you have a team or are you working independently?
TL: I have a team of over 20 people that work for me as independent contractors. Painters, builders, electricians etc. Outside of that, I have two interns and I recently signed on a full time partner.

FBE: What makes your artistic vision unique when compared to other designers in the industry?
TL: What makes our vision unique is that no other designer is coming to the table with the approach that we take. Our client doesn’t want to be inundated with countless options, fabric swatches and design banter. Our vision is straight forward and to the point. We focus on what is best for him from a design perspective: color, aesthetic etc but we always keep in mind his busy schedule and basic needs. We never force a client to do more than he wants in regards to his time or budget, which are both common problems with other designers.

FBE: What inspires your designs?
TL: My client. I am solely inspired by who he is and the vision he has for his home. Every guy starts by saying he doesn’t know what he wants or what he likes and by the end of the process he has always discovered his inner designer.

FBE: Who is the ultimate “August Black” client?
TL: A man between the ages of 25 and 55 who is up and coming or is already extremely successful. He is a guy who understands the value in having a nice home but doesn’t have the time, energy or the know-how to do it himself. A lot of our clients are younger guys but we also have a good amount of recently divorced men who especially need our services as they’re back out on their own for the first time in several years.

FBE: Where has “August Black” been featured?
TL: We’ve been featured on New York 1 News and in Forbes.com.

FBE: Why the decision to go into business for yourself?
TL: I always knew I would go into business for myself it was just a matter of finding the path and niche that suited me the most. Although there’s great risk involved in starting your own business, there’s also huge rewards. There’s nothing better than answering to yourself and yourself only.

FBE: What personally inspires you?
TL: The ever looming option of failure.

FBE: What affect has the economy had on “August Black“?
TL: In a lot of ways August Black has actually benefited from the economic downturn. In this economy it feels insensitive to hire a full interior design service that can range anywhere from 30K to 100K. August Black has a wide range of services that are both flexible and recession friendly. Another way August Black has benefited from the economy is that more men are entertaining at home instead of going out. Whether it’s hanging out with friends or cooking for a date, we’ve seen more and more men turning their bachelor pad into a home.

FBE: As you are a very successful 25 year old, what advice do you have for other young people?
TL: If you really want to run your own company you have to start with a good idea (that’s the easy part). You must be extremely self motivated and realistic with both yourself and your time. Most importantly you have to be very comfortable biting off more than you can chew….and then chewing it….quickly.

FBE: How can my viewers contact you?
TL: Viewers can contact me at Taylor@august-black.com or by calling us at (917) 703-3720.

FBE: What’s the future looking like for “August Black“?
TL: “August Black” will be a very well known brand. Soon, a guy with a nice well-kept apartment wont be the exception to the rule, it will be the rule. With the help of August Black, there won’t be a single “Bachelor Pad” left in Manhattan (keep your fingers crossed Ladies).