KENNER
PROFESSIONAL
BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION

July 2007

Recently I was listening to a CD featuring John C. Maxwell. (If you are not familiar with his work, I highly suggest his books and CDs.) He talked about relationships and how they shape and form our lives. Dr. Maxwell was a counselor for many years, and he shared that when people came for counseling and needed help, their problems could almost always be traced back to a detrimental relationship. Clearly, he recognized that the reverse is also true: very successful people typically have good, solid relationships with friends, family, and business associates. Furthermore, many successful people can track their success through their relationships.

In KPBA, we all work hard to build relationships and with those relationships, build business. It does take time and it does take effort but in the end, those relationships can prove to be priceless in your business life and your personal life.

I would like to encourage each one of you to take the time to get a cup of coffee with a fellow KPBA member you don’t know well. Sit next to someone you don’t know at the next meeting. Step out of your comfort zone. I believe you will be glad you did.  I also believe that you will gain credibility and ultimately build your business.

On another note, we will be back at the Radisson until the end of 2007. Our move to the other hotel was experimental and temporary. Though some members were pleased with the other location, the vast majority was not. Certainly our board members appreciate all of your feedback and we thank you for it. Consider the Radisson our home for the rest of 2007. Again, if you have any feedback at any time, please do let me know.

Finally, as we move into the second half of 2007, I would like for all of you to consider being on our board. If you have an interest in any position, please do let me know.  November will be here before you know it and it will be election time for KPBA.

As always, if I can help you in any way, please let me know.

Melissa can be reached at mmitchel@marykay.com.
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MAKE A NOTE

Meeting Location

Radisson Hotel
2150 Veterans Boulevard * Kenner
July 17, 2007
11:30 AM – Networking
12:00 PM - Meeting
Reservation line:  962-3930

Brenda Christiansen
bchristiansen@laporte.com
Leave message on Reservation Line:  962-3930

Welcome

KPBA

Members

Michelle Jasper
Sales Manager
Best Western New Orleans Inn
504/464-1644
Referred by: Lisa Sweet

Jessica Johanningmeier
Fine Art Exposure
504/914-7262
Referred by:  Melissa Mitchel

Karen Seifert
Owner
Administrative Resources and Solutions, LLC
504/343-5097

TENTATIVE
2007 BCX Schedule

August 30:
Rachel Zabala
Proforma Solutions

September 27:
Fred Horton
Galerie Severn

October 25:
Judy LaBella
LaBella’s Catering

November 11:
Kimberly Raines
T.L. Starke

Contact Bob Rispoli for information and questions.
bob@rcrcleaning.com
457-3222

July BCX
Thursday, July 26, 2007
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Concordia University
New Orleans Center
3838 North Causeway Boulevard*
Suite 3050
Metairie  7002

*Lakeway 3 Building

Food             Refreshments            Fun
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Door Prizes

Two Saints Tickets
And Copies Of
$$$ The Entrepreneur’s
Edge – Finding The Money
by Dr. Daniel Hogan

Host:  Charlene Mora, Director

General Membership Meeting Information

Date:           Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Time:           11:30 AM Networking
                     12:00 PM Meeting
Location:    Radisson Hotel
                      2150 Veterans Boulevard
                      Kenner

Reservations Are Required
        
Call: 962-3930
Deadline for Reservations is NOON Friday before the meeting.
See Important Notices for a special note from reservations

Important Notices:

Business Card Exchanges: If you are ready to highlight your business and want to host a networking function, you can contact Bob Rispoli at bob@rcrcleaning.com. These exchanges are a scheduled function set for the last Thursday of the month, and Bob is already reserving these functions for 2007. 

Door Prizes Needed: Please consider donating door prizes for our luncheons and gifts for the speakers. Your organization is looking to promote its members with welcome bags and we would like your contribution.

Karen Lemoine is a new member of KPBA, the Membership Director of the Jefferson Chamber, and a person who knows how to make lemonade when life hands her a lemon.

Karen, like everyone else at the Chamber, came to the office after Katrina. She and her husband stayed during the storm and survived it only to find that their jobs did not. Karen brought no experience, but a lot of enthusiasm to her new position, which became official in March 2006.

As Membership Director, Karen handles the calendar on the Chamber’s website, coordinates salespeople, holds quarterly new member briefings, enters applications into the Chamber’s database, holds monthly membership committee meetings, and much more. She’s also a member of the Jefferson Chamber Toastmasters Club and Vice President of Membership for that organization. She belongs to Business and Professional Women/USA.

In her spare time, Karen works part-time as a bartender at the New Orleans Country Club. It was the only way to get to see her husband, since he now works there evenings.

Karen is also active with Friends of the Jefferson Animal Shelter, which finds homes (and desperately needed foster homes) for kittens. Katrina hasn’t slowed her down--she even finds the time and energy to work out every morning.

If you’d like to talk with Karen about the Jefferson Chamber, you can reach her at 835-3880, ext 11.

Table Top Presenter

Kit M. Vinson

Mardi Gras Museum After Hours

Upcoming Events

              September – Wine Tasting
              December 1 – Annual Soirée
           

It’s getting close. We have the month set for this great and fun event, and now we are working to have the best day selected. More as soon as a date is set.

These are great fundraisers for our organization and it is always helpful to put them together with ideas from our members. Contact Marsha Bode at mabode56@yahoo.com to join this committee group.

Take time to talk with your board members and offer to join a committee. The more we have working on a committee, the better the event will be. This is a great way to meet your fellow members, and find out how they can possibly help you.