Returning to the Editorial Desk after what seems a brief moment of cele-bration, thanksgiving, and hearty rec-ipes, one now is drawn to reflections and expectations of the year ahead.

In the coming months, you will see more stories on men and women who have received their visions, and taken leaps of faith to bring their dreams to fruition.

You will read about life long achiev-ers, as well as those who are just be-ginning their journeys and how they have been impacted by adversities; yet have taken the shackles off, con-quered trials and continue to move forward for the betterment of them-selves and the community, in Honor of our Lord.

The year 2013, brought with it many heart wrenching moments and dev-astation, which saw a crumbling of spirits, economics and productivity. Yet the resilience of those who care, the constant prayers for all people, and the love of a nation during diffi-cult times, can only provide the hope for a better tomorrow.

The New Year brings forth opportunities for entrepre-neurial expectations and changes

Taking a chance to be who you are is nothing short of ambitious. It can mean the difference of success and failure. There is growth and devel- opment, as well as the sense of real- ity and some fear.

One may have to come face-to-face with some truths that may not be so appealing; but in order to achieve the goals we want, we have to admit our insecurities and confront the trials which may come to challenge our new found drive and ambitions. Therefore, we must put aside the negatives that we hear from naysay-ers.

Time is a precious commodity and as a newly reformed procrastina-tor; I can tell you that there is noth-ing worse than “shoulda”, “woulda”, “coulda”, and “wished”.

So now is the time to begin that new journey; it’s a time of action, favor and partnerships within your busi-ness, workplace and community. It is time to really make 2014 your best year ever!

IMMPACT your life, your business, and your family to see God’s impact in all that you do!

Blessings to you everyone!D. Y. WilkinsEditor

IMMPACT Christian Business and Professional Magazine

Straight From the editor

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At IMMPACT Christian Business and Professional Magazine, we seek to en-courage, enhance, inspire and moti-vate you while we share your success stories and business endeavors.

For further information and/or adver-tising opportunities, please contact an Account Executive at:

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By Email:info@immpact.com

MaryKay Hruskocy Scott credits her faith, strong work ethic, integrity, and humor for her successful career. A native of northwest Indiana, her dream job in professional sports led her to Indianapolis, Indiana; where she began her career as a member of the Indiana Pacers’ highly regarded Media Relations Department.

She never envisioned that dream job would lead to her becoming a business owner. In 2011 she created Candor Creative LLC, a multi-faceted graphic design company. But, it was the path started during her tenure in the Pacers’ Media Relations Department that led to her entrepreneurship.

Always a keen observer, MaryKay noticed a lack of communication between the Pacers team and its fans. As a result, she developed Pacers Weekly the team’s first-ever

electronic newsletter, which was delivered to over 4,000 fans.

Pacers Weekly turned out to be just the right balance of challenge and reward as MaryKay served in the capacity of editor and designer. She was able to display her talents not only within the organization, but also to those in other arenas; who ultimately began to seekout MaryKay for consultative services.

After the design of the team’s annual Media Guide—a 300+ page book featuring the team’s players, statistics and history; MaryKay’s technical and creative savvy prompted her to pursue more in the field of digital media.

Ultimately, the work on the Media Guide developed into additional graphic requests, and as the team expanded into a sports and entertainment company which included two professional basketball teams (Pacers and Indiana Fever of the WNBA); a charitable division, Pacers Foundation; and the venue in which the games and events were held, MaryKay’s role expanded as well.

In 2001, she became Manager of the company’s Publications department, where she managed a graphic designer team, a print production center and digital

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asset libraries, while successfully coordinating, facilitating and executing on-time delivery of more than 2,000 projects annually. Moreover, she continued as the creator and designer of both teams’ media guides, as well as the Pacers game program.

After reevaluating her goals, MaryKay decided to take on another challenge – one that deals with ensuring she was doing work which would benefit others.

She secured a job at a local chapter of a national non-profit organization of women business owners. While there, MaryKay focused on her strengths on putting her creative and multi-tasking skills to work.

She revamped inefficient opera-tional systems and oversaw the development, publishing and delivery of premier events program books and internet ads In addition; she handled the day-to-day office operations, membership and partnership management, fulfillment, and website management.

Ultimately, during her tenure the chapter grew into the third largest in the country.

Clearly influenced and encouraged by the many women business owners she encountered, it was then MaryKay decided to join the ranks and become a woman business owner herself.

Blessed with such a diverse background, her company is able to offer a variety of services, from graphic design and proofreading to marketing, editorial and technical consultation. She also specializes in event planning and media/public relations.

MaryKay is happily married and lives in the Tampa Bay area with her devoted and always encouraging husband; their two dogs and cat.

MaryKay credits her love of God to the growth and development of her career as well as her business.

Now, MaryKay adds IMMPACT Christian Business and Professional Magazine to her growing list of consultant service, lending us her fantastic talents on a freelance basis while adding to her many diversified clientele.

immpactYour health

C E L E B R A T E YOUR LIFE WITH SHINY TRESSES, A BRIGHT SMILE AND SMOOTH, Y O U T H F U L -LOOKING SKIN

Pure beauty starts on the inside—but it

doesn’t stay there. You can replace potentially harmful substances in hair, oral and skin products with natural ingredients that will make you look your best without all the chemicals. We have compiled some important natural ingredients to use, if your morning routine needs a healthy makeover.

Naturally Hair RaisingInnovations in hair care can help you enjoy healthy, shinny, chemical-free tresses, while cutting-edge cleansing techniques can help prevent breakage of dry or chemically treated hair.

1. Camellia Seed Oil is a natural fatty acid known as an effective penetration enhancer. The presence of this oil in a conditioner aids in the delivery of other nutrients to the scalp and hair shaft.

2. Emu oil contains linoleic acid that has been shown to help the skin and scalp retain moisture. Emu also helps soothe skin issues such as psoriasis and eczema.

Looking good, Feeling goodWith Dr. Corlis R. Johnson, Pharmacist

3. Evening Primrose oil has a plentiful source of essential fat to help nourish the scalp.

4. Ginseng in anti-inflammatory and soothes the scalp while promoting hair growth. A diluted ratio of ginseng can be used as a rinse.

5. Citrus Extracts such as those found in oranges, lemon, and lemongrass can aid in cleansing and acidifying the hair and scalp when used in moderation.

6. Nettle is noted for its deep cleaning action and helps to stimulate new hair growth, a capacity also credited to ROSEMARY.

7. Tea Tree oil may help to ease dandruff and itching.

TOOTHY TIPSGreen tea’s health benefits run the gamut from reducing the risk of disease to aiding in weight loss. The polyphenols, highly concentrated antioxidants found in green tea, help inhibit growth of bacteria that cause dental decay, halitosis (bad breath), strep throat, and several types of infection.

Green tea also increases the acid resistance of tooth enamel, which is beneficial to good periodontal health.

Neem helps freshen breath and stimulate gums in addition to cleaning the teeth.

Tea Tree oil helps to gently remove dental plaque and tartar.

SKIN DEEP

A product you use on your skin should be natural enough to eat. For that reason many new skin care products such as cranberry, pumpkin and Argan oil are endorsed by skin care specialist.

Cranberries contain natural, gentle acids that exfoliate, have wonderful antioxidants and antimicrobial properties.

Take one-half cup of fresh cranberries, blend, then strain the juice and add a teaspoonful of honey, which provides moisture. Rub it onto your face, leave it on for two minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. For a cranberry toner use pure cranberry juice (not a sugary, commercial blend), put on a cotton ball with cool water.

Cranberries are better for dry skin whereas pumpkin-based facial masks are better for oily skin.

Pumpkin benefits sensitive skin, high in Vitamin A which promotes skin healing, while Vitamin C and Zinc soothes and moisturizes, especially for sunburned skin.

To create a mask, combine one-fourth cup of pumpkin with a whole egg and apply it to your face. Relax with it on for 15 minutes, then rinse.

REACH THOUSANDSOF CHRISTIAN PROFESSIONALS

WHO ARE EAGER TO SUPPORT AND DO BUSINESS WITH FELLOW CHRISTIANS

It takes a group who cares enough and has the courage and vision to turn your dreams into a reality for all your customers.

IMMPACT is prepared to help your business achievenew heights of success.

Contact Us Today!Place an AD or tell us about a Special Event.

Our Team of Sales and Service Representatives are ready to serve you. We are committed to

your professional success.

Working Together Produces The Results You Want!

For further information, please contact an account executive at: IMMPACT Christian Business and Professional Magazine

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Office Phone: 813-812-9677

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We are the architects - for better or worse - of our future. ~ James Allen

StandyourgroundJackie carpenter and how she exercised her faith

Her FaitH carried Her across tHe Bridge to a cry For Justice

CHRISTIAN BUSINESS! DEALS! MURDER! These words don’t belong together in normal situations. Yet for Jackie Carpenter, businesswoman, wife and mother; and husband

Larry, successful business owner; and son Jason, an Associate Pastor as well as entrepreneur, all suddenly were being confronted with a life altering circumstance, which could destroy everything each one had accomplished.

Jackie had to relinquish her thriving business and outside activities. She called on every particle of Faith she had in order to overcome. She primarily focused on Psalm 91 andbelieved that God would

Interviewed By: Dee Wilkis

help her get through this ordeal – the heartache and fear of losing her son to a false charge of MURDER.

Recently, IMMPACT had the opportunity to enjoy a powerful and enlightening exchange with Jackie Carpenter, international award winning author of “The Bridge: Between Cell Block A and a Miracle is Psalm 91”, about her faith and the ordeal she and her family endured; as well as, “Georgia Justice” the sequel.

In between her business and family duties, Jackie tells of her unintentional leap into writing and what her life is like these days. Jackie is constantly on the move; a wife and mother; she is humorous, a real Georgia peach, who has a super sense of humility, love and dedication to putting into action what she believes.

She has taken what was a crisis and told her story to millions prayerfully to lift them up and provide the guidance God showed her.

Traveling extensively she also does speaking engagements while promoting her books and the soon to be released movie “Stand Your Ground, A Cry for Justice”, produced by the internationally acclaimed and award winning Triple Horse Studios based on her emotionally charged books.

Waking into the unwanted glare of the spotlight as her son was arrested and held for trial for a crime he did not

commit; the devastating reality that the charges deemed a trial, without a plea bargain being offered. Most hurtful was the confusion, questions of personal past and present family, friends, and acquaintances, relationships in business and validity crept into each member of the family and business. Everyone and everything was being scrutinized based on the inaccurate and biased information provided. Jackie believes this occurs far too often in our daily business encounters.

Many Christian business leaders frequently defy the usual conception of what running a business is all about. “There are times when we must call on our faith and the grace of God’s supernatural favor to carry us beyond the everyday mundane aspects of business and its pitfalls”.

A Cry for Justice, is a story of not only a mother’s love, convictions, and faith in God to protect her son; but also how she just would not bow down to the “powers that be” – even after being told not to bring her Bible to Court, by her son’s attorney. Jackie asserted that she would not be pressured or bullied into something for which she did not agree.

Another of Jackie’s favorite biblical quotes is, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9) NASB95

Melanie WilliamsIndependent Damsel ProDamsel in Defense

Future Damsel Director of the “Electrifying Damsels”

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Jackie surmises that in business as in life, we must be strong and faithful to our beliefs. “It happens to all of us, when we hear that small voice inside ,telling us what is correct and fair; while yet feeling the pressures of the world pulling us in directions that will not lead us to the rewards we seek”.

TThe past is behind Jackie and her family now. The memory will always remain; yet Jackie says that she does not dwell on anything negative, she will not allow the enemy one inch to get in.

In front of them is the knowledge that this tragedy has a valuable message and her life’s purpose; one that needs to be taken to the far corners of the globe – for Jackie it is Psalm 91 – she encourages you to find yours.

Psalm 91 is a powerful word from God. Find your true meaning and it will take you far.

Today, Larry is continuing his success as a business leader and entrepreneur, who wows Jackie with his famous chicken and rice. Jason is currently a Pastor of his own church, and Jackie has written two award winning books for children. Her other books have now been converted into “Stand Your Ground, The Movie” and is to be released in January, 2014.

Be sure to make your reservations for the Premieres in a city near you.Go to www.fandango.com for more information.

Check local movie listings for theater and showtime

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Food For thought

Your search for a new staff member has garnered dozens of resumes. Your inbox is filled with inquiries from highly skilled, educated and experienced talent. The interview process should be informative and simple based on the level of applicants. On paper, each candidate looks strong and impressive. But what will she be like as an employee, as a manager, as a team player? Interviews rarely cover the philosophy of emotional intelligence; a concept that can be relevant to the success of your company.

It is relatively easy for companies to find technically competent people to fill their vacant positions. However, one job description difficult to match is in hiring workers with an understanding of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is defined by Daniel Golemanin his book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, as “abilities such as being able to motivate oneself and persist in the face of frustrations; to control impulse and delay gratification; to regulate one’s moods and keep distress from swamping the ability to

WHAT IS YOUR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IQ?By: Theresia Whitfield

think; to empathize and to hope.” In other words, how we face adversity depends on how well we master our emotional skills.

Richard Sudsberry, a Certified Attachment Therapist, notes: “Emotionally intelligent workers are readers of their own emotional states, and the states of others.

They are tuned in to when to speak of their own perceptions and when and how to address the perceptions of others.” Sudsberry says it is vital for business leaders to be more

“By demonstrating emotional intelligence in the workplace, you facilitate teamwork, extend your influence, and help your workplace become more effective as a company,” says Sudsberry. “It’s easy to say that others should change; it’s highly effective to be that agent of change as you work among others.”

Emotional intelligence isn’t a new concept. It is strongly encouraged even in the Word of God.

As Philippians 1:9-11 says, “This is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”

The timing of our words and sentiments can change the disposition of an entire office environment. As workers develop emotional intelligence, it lightens the load for everyone.

Interpersonal relationships bet-ween employees, as well as management can often spell success or disaster in an office.

Some highly experienced, talented and well-educated professionals might do well sitting behind their desks, but may not fare well with correcting employee behavior in a constructive manner.

Often times, appropriate commun-ication in the workplace can be the resolution to addressing criticisms, and other issues – thereby providing resolution to the any conflict within the office environment.

Words are communicated through eye contact; facial expressions; tone of voice; body tension, relaxation, and gestures; touch; and timing and intensity of our expressions.

Theresia Whitfield is an award-winning writer/journalist with more than 15 years experience.

She began her career working in TV news for such organizations as CNN, Reuters Television and CBN News.

Today she focuses solely on freelance writing about a variety of topics including faith-based issues and depression and mental health.

She is the ghost blogger for the international, multi-platinum singing sensation, The Tenors as well as for the Bulembu Foundation.

Visit her web site at www.theresiawhitfield.com for contact information and to read samples of her work.

Workplace BullyingThe ignored epidemicDr. Lisa M. S. BarrowAn internationally recognized workplace bullying expert and researcher. She is the author of In Darkness Light Dawns: Exposing Workplace Bullying and Hope For a Healthy Workplace: Introducing Philanthropian Leadership. Dr. Barrow is a business consultant and Assistant Professor at the Goodman School of Business, Brock University.

Dread work because someone there is making life miserable for you? You’re not alone. Workplace bullying is rampant in workplaces throughout North America and around the world. Also known as psychological harassment or emotional abuse, bullying involves the conscious, repeated effort to wound and destroy another person not with violence, but with words and actions.

Workplace Bullying: The Ignored Epidemic. It was at the beginning of last summer that Ontario passed Bill 168: A New Workplace Violence

According to the Workplace Bullying Institute, located in Bellingham, WA; (www.workplacebullying.org), 37% of employees are bullied at work.

Workplace bullying is an epidemic. It is literally killing or severely incapacitating individuals who have fallen prey to the workplace bully.

Workplace bullying is repetitive, abusive behavior that devalues and harms other people on the job. It is not usually physically violent but relies instead on the formidable weapons of hostile actions and words.

The bullied employees may be os-tracized at work and denied promo-tional opportunities. They may expe-rience undue pressure to perform or be given unreasonable deadlines.

At first glance, bullying behaviors may appear to be innocuous; however, when experienced over an extended period of time, bullying has a devastating effect on the targeted individuals. When most people think of bullying, they immediately envision children bullying each other on the playground.

Perhaps some reflect on their own bullying experiences as a targeted person, a bully, or a bystander who witnessed others being bullied. Very few people relate bullying to the workplace – unless of course, they are the unfortunate target of a bullying boss or colleague.

Bullies exist in our workplaces, just as they do in our schools and playgrounds. Some school yard bullies have grown up and are now workplace bullies; they are wreakinghavoc in the workplace, but very little is being done to address this issue.

Benjamin’s story

Benjamin, a 55 year-old, full-time, 30-year tenured employee at a local manufacturing company is regularly yelled at, berated and publicly humiliated by his boss. He is never acknowledged or rewarded for doing his job well.

Benjamin suffers silently as his boss continues to hurl insults at him and denies his worth and contributions. Often when Benjamin’s boss is berating him in front of his colleagues, he resembles a little boy standing in front of his mother, being scolded for doing something wrong.

Benjamin’s shoulders droop and his head hangs in shame. He doesn’t dare look up. He stares intently at the floor waiting patiently for the round of insults to end. He feels embarrassed, helpless, alone, dejected and devalued. Though Benjamin would like to speak up about the treatment he is receiving, he is afraid to do so for fear of losing his job or being subjected to increased abuse. What Benjamin is experiencing is workplace bullyin,g and he is not alone. Millions

of employees experience some form of workplace bullying on a daily

basis.

Workplace bullying intimidates and torments the targeted individual, putting his or her self-esteem and overall health at risk. Benjamin fits the profile of an employee who is likely to be bullied by a narcissisticboss who treats employees as disposable, inanimate objects.

According to recent research findings, full-time, tenured, older, male employees are more likely to be bullied at work than other employees. Bullied employees will likely experience public humiliation, become the subject of malicious rumors, and not receive acknowledgement for positively contributing to the organization.

Editor’s Note: If you or a fellow employee is experiencing any type of Bullying, please do not remain silent. There are options available to you. Contact Dr. Lisa Barrow at www.drlisabarrow.ca for additional resources and information.