Priceless Vol 6 Number 9


Personal and Professional Empowerment www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


Serving Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach since 2006


Three Football Monarchs to Sign Pro Contracts


Page 7


New York Loses Popular 30-Year-Old Radio Station


Norfolk State University’s 2012 Graduation


Page 8


Langley Federal Credit Union


Announces Board of Directors


Page 12


Foot Solutions Franchisees Find the Perfect Fit


BY CHRIS PARKS Inspired by their Tom Joyner BY RICHARD PRINCE The nation’s largest radio


market lost one of its two big black-music stations recently, and with it the nationally syndicated, civically aware voices of Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden.


Joyner said he was sad and


urged New York listeners to keep in touch with his show via the Internet, but Baisden vowed to fight and launched a petition drive.


“It’s the end of an era and


a long-standing rivalry in New York City radio,” Deepti Hajela reported for the Associated Press.


“Urban adult contemporary


station WRKS, or KISS-FM, will no longer be broadcasting at the 98.7 FM frequency after 30 years in operation. Emmis Communications, which owns


Michael Baisden


the station, announced that the frequency would be leased to ESPN and turned into a sports talk format starting 12:01 a.m. Monday April 30, 2012. ESPN has an AM frequency in New York City, but has been looking to shift to FM.


“The end of KISS-FM, a


mainstay among African-Amer- ican listeners in the area, leaves rival station WBLS at 107.5 FM as the only urban adult contemporary station in New York City.


“Recent changes in the


way radio ratings are measured made it very difficult for us to find success with KISS FM,’ Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan said in a statement announcing the change. Some in the radio industry have complained that a new ratings system undercounts minority radio listeners, which in turn can affect advertising sales.”


Want to win tickets to the 2012 Hampton Jazz Festival? See page 15


THIS EDITION’S HIGHLIGHTS


Your Opinion Editorial Career Opportunities Hampton Roads Upcoming Events Scholarships Watch


When Should the Roles of Parent and Child Reverse? The Virginia Beach City Council Session of 4/24


Organist/Music Director Needed Summer Youth Employment Program 22nd Annual Umoja Festival LFCU Scholarship Renamed for CEO


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love of helping people and creating a greater awareness of health and wellness, husband and wife team Earl and Yuri Milligan took on the challenge of owning their own business. Taking Earl’s experience in the Navy, as well as Corporate America, coupled with Yuri’s public relations background, they opened a Foot Solutions franchise. The couple admits there have been a few obstacles along the way, and when asked about the biggest, they confess that it was opening the business in the midst of one of the worst recessions this country has faced. Fast forwarding three and a half years, their business is doing great. “God has kept us,” says Yuri. “We have used creative advertising and hard work to improve each calendar year in sales.”


The key to Earl and Yuri’s success is


that they believe in their products. “The feet are the most neglected part of our body. We


Free May 2012


Foot Solutions franchisees, Earl and Yuri Milligan, pride themselves on top notch customer service in their store located at 2643 George Washington Memorial Hwy, Unit C, Yorktown, VA.


encourage everyone to have the ‘Foot Solutions Experience’,” states Earl, “We promise you will learn more about your body and leave encouraged and more comfortable.” The franchise services runners, walkers, people who are on their feet all day, and children who are experiencing foot, ankle, and/or knee discomfort with preventive and accommodative products. The store has also


PERFECT FIT PAGE 5


Loans to Start and Grow a Small Business: Finding What’s Right for You


Small business owners


typically need to borrow money to buy equipment, pay suppliers and employees, and otherwise finance their operations. To help you get a loan that fits your needs, here are some basics to consider:


Comparison shop for govern- ment-guaranteed loans that may be offered by your bank and a few other financial institutions serving your community. The U.S. Small Business Administration backs a certain portion of loans to help borrowers qualify for attractive financing terms. If you need a loan for less than the lender’s minimum amount, ask your bank for a referral to a lender participating in the SBA’s microloan program, which combines business coaching and technical assistance with access to loans up to $50,000 (although the average loan amount is about $13,000). Also be aware that certain borrowers, such as veterans or victims of disasters, may be eligible for special loan programs.


Understand the different types of financing.


For most small businesses, there are three key ways to finance operations (not including investments or loans from family and friends):


• Personal lines of credit, such as credit


cards (either an owner’s personal card or a business card guaranteed by the owner) or home equity lines of credit (the small business owner’s home serves as the collateral) are commonly used, but there are risks.


LOANS PAGE 3


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