Buzz Editor

About Buzz Editor

Posts by Buzz Editor:

Buzz Interviews Eileen Kendall of Kendall Law, a Professional Law Corporation

I spent 12 ish years working for someone else. Someone else managed my time and made money off my hard work. In 2015 I started thinking about a 5 year plan to go out and become my own boss. In 2016 that 5 year plan turned into a right now plan. Everything happens for a reason. I left my firm in mid September 2016, got married on September 23, 2015 and opened my doors October 1, 2016. It was the best thing I could have done for my life and career.

Buzz Interviews Heidi Butzine of Social Workplace

Buzz Editor 0

I worked for 10 years managing a consulting firm that I launched with my partners at the time. We grew quickly and suffered through growing pains like most companies. At our peak we had 50 employees and served clients across the US. When we sold the company, a lot changed. It was in 2007 right before the recession hit. We had to reduce staff and transition those who were left to our new corporate owner’s offices in Downtown Los Angeles.

While it was totally agonizing losing staff that felt like family, if we weren’t part of a bigger corporation, we could not have been able to offer severance packages or help finding other employment. It gave me an interesting perspective on how businesses are run from the corporate side as compared to the small business side.

A few business ventures later, I pulled from these experiences and my partner and I decided to open up a flexible office called Social Workplace. We began planning and putting together our years of working with all types of businesses to create a flexible workspace.

Social Workplace developed into a cowork space in the South Bay of Los Angeles; a place where businesses of all sizes could find a right-sized solution for flexible long- or short-term office space, meeting rooms and event space. We quickly attracted businesses literally from around the world looking to open up a Los Angeles office space as well as local creatives and consultants looking for a local spot where they could come and work, have a professional business mailing address and meet clients.

Sylvester-Long-Out-of-Pain-Into-Purpose-Motivational-Speaking

Buzz Interviews Sylvester Long of Out of Pain, Into Purpose

Buzz Editor 0

Born and raised in Columbus, Georgia, I was always the kind of person who was optimistic and liked to encourage my friends, family, classmates, etc. Everyone wondered why I was always so positive and smiled a lot. I told people that despite any negative situations that happen in my life, I do my absolute best to smile through it because those situations were not going to define me at all.

My grandfather was a local pastor, and every time I saw him, it made me smile because of how much he cared for the people. He was such a true humanitarian. He was one of my main role models growing up, and he still is even though he passed five years ago. I find comfort in knowing that although he passed away, I gained a guardian angel in him. My grandfather passing way was probably one of the hardest times of my life.

At that time, that is when my journey to motivational speaking began. I wanted to continue his legacy in my way, and make sure that it still lives on through me. Ever since I started this journey, I enjoy every minute of being able to share my story with others while motivating others to be the best that they can be in God.

Buzz Magazine Chicago: Meet Juno The Artist

Buzz Interviews JUNO

Buzz Editor 0

I never in a million years imagined that I would be an artist. I went to college for social work and my first job was at a rehab facility for teenagers. A 15 year old heroine addict introduced me to the guitar for the first time and I became obsessed. I was trying to change his life, but he wound up changing mine.

From there I was introduced to the youtube guitar world. I had devoured every single video you could find on the internet, but there was not a lot of guitar videos teaching R&B/Soul music. I thought I’d take a stab at it, and I started posting guitar covers of my favorite songs and teaching the few things I knew. The videos began to go viral and I got a call asking if I wanted to go on tour with Fifth Harmony. At first I thought it was a joke, and I almost ignored the email. Over the next 2 years, I traveled all over the world and played in some of the biggest rooms I have ever seen in my life. It all felt like a scene out of a movie.

Selina-Hodge-KeNiya-Speaks-Foundation-Inc.

Buzz Interviews Selina Hodge of Ke’Niya Speaks Foundation, Inc.

Buzz Editor 0

In 2006, at the age of 24, I was diagnosed with Kidney Failure. I had to start dialysis immediately in the summer of 2008 because my kidney functions rapidly decreased. Being on dialysis at such a young age was no joke. I remember, at one point, all my hair fell out. I suffered a seizure and a stroke. I battled with potassium, protein and low iron issues over the years. My skin was dark and bumpy. I was tiny as a toothpick. I was doing dialysis at home peritoneal dialysis. I was trained on how to connect and disconnect myself from the machine every day. I had to do dialysis for nine hours, every single night, for over three years.

In 2011, I was at my mother’s house, searching craigslist for furniture for my new apartment. My mother made a comment (that I thought was silly at that time) to post on craigslist for my need for a kidney transplant. I had to think about it for a while and I knew the only way to get my mother off my back about it was to post the ad. Within 24 hours of posting on craigslist, I received an email from a local news station. I was skeptical at first, but I decided to reply back when I was able to confirm that the information within the reporter’s signature was legit. Next thing I knew, the news station was in my living room, filming my story about my need for a kidney transplant. People from all over the world sent me emails wanting to donate and/or telling me their health stories as well. I was doing countless interviews, even filming for a show that aired on Oprah Winfrey’s Network, called “Lost and Found” That is when I knew that this was more than just me needing to be saved. I had to be a voice for others as well. I would continue the fight long after I received a new kidney.

Within numerous emails that I received, which happened to be close to a thousand, a young lady by the name of Stephanie Grant reached out to me and for some reason, her email really stood out to me. It was like I could feel her good spirit as I was reading her email. I invited her to do a news interview with me, not knowing she would be the one to donate to me. Five months later, on December 13, 2011 I received the gift of life. Stephanie Grant donated her kidney to me, a complete stranger at that time, and gave me a second chance at life. I have been dialysis free since then and I thank God for her! She is an amazing person! We keep in touch a lot. After our transplant surgery, she moved back to her home town in Springfield, IL. We take turns visiting each other almost every year.

A few years later, after my kidney transplant, I found out that I was pregnant. All of those years went by and I was always told that I would never be able to have kids. Well, they were proven wrong! I gave birth to my very first child, Ke’ Niya, my preemie princess on October 6, 2017. She was born at 25 weeks and four days old. I was suddenly diagnosed with HELLP and had to have an emergency c – section. It was all new to me, but I was just so happy to be a mother at the age of 34 (2 months before I turned 35).

The NICU was a whole other world for my family and I. Just when I thought I had been through it myself and knew everything medically, my daughter had common preemie issues. My baby girl was a fighter. She went from weighing 1 pound 7 oz to 6 pounds within four months of being in the NICU. She was everything to us! Both my parents were finally grandparents and my sister/my only sibling, finally an aunt. Ke’ Niya was born on my sister’s birthday.

Unfortunately, our lives changed forever in the blink of an eye. Just two days before our Ke’ Niya was due to be discharged and come home to us, tragedy struck and she passed away in the NICU. My life has never been the same since. I had plans for Ke’ Niya, we all did!

Buzz Interviews Tim Norton

Buzz Editor 0

I grew up like many suburban kids in Massachusetts – drowning in an elusive yet characteristically New England ‘sports obsession’ that I never got assimilated with. Rebellion drew me in. Music was an escape, so was pushing around a board. Skateboarding and music were my two huge creative outlets growing up; I’d lose track of time skating a ledge alone, or recording a song in my dad’s home music studio for hours. I went to Berklee college of music for three years, made incredible memories, friends and connections – while honing many of the professional skills I use today.

I then left Berklee and the fast paced North East and moved to CA, starting a jamband that focused on americana, songwriting and improvisational concerts. I was recognized for some awards and grew a local following, then changing the band a bit and heading out on the road to tour. 4 years of touring the Western half of the country taught me so much and as I sit here in quarantine, shit do I miss and cherish those marginally showered weeks, sleep deprived drives and new friends that you’ve known forever at every juncture.

Taking a break from the road in Fall of 2019 couldn’t have come at a stranger time. I had just built up residencies at multiple local music venues and started releasing music under my own name, while taking various digital marketing classes to help build my fanbase as an artist…….and then boom – covid19. No mo’ toh! No mo’ bars!

Buzz Interviews Ange Cox of Cats Rule All

Buzz Editor 0

Cats Rule All started the spring of 2012 in Los Angeles. I drew up prints, t-shirts, buttons, and stickers to sell at The Brewery Artwalk. I also sold shadow boxes, paintings, and sculpture relating to cats. After my first show I started making connections with other events around the city where I continued to sell my artwork. I’ve always been obsessed with cats. My oldest artwork I still possess is an illustration book of the 12 cats I had growing up.

Since I’ve been in LA most of my day jobs have been making props and costumes for music videos, movies, Disney, DreamWorks, and other large events. Everything I learn at work I apply to my personal art.

I continue to make cat art because it brings me and other people so much joy. The whole process is enjoyable for me and it’s been my main creative outlet to express myself. I plan on making cat art for the rest of my life.

Buzz Interviews Shawn of Evolution Plus

Buzz Editor 0

I started off with a group of friends that attended college at FIU we were inspired to hosting a event for our pairs which we did and was very successful at it
After college we decided to keep the momentum going and created a brand called LOTUS .
Lotus is not just an event but more of a lifestyle, whereas we host carnival events , charity events , travel retreats ,fitness events etc
We are happy for the continued support and growth.

Buzz Interviews Stephanie & Marisol of Cascabel Salsa Gourmet

Buzz Editor 0

Our story begins when we (Stephanie and Marisol) met in Houston in 2011 at a Zumba class. We stayed in touch after that, and became good friends. We are both from Mexico City: Chilangas!

A few years later, Stephanie traveled back home for vacation, and brought back some home-made Salsa Macha that her grandmother had prepared. If you are not familiar with it, Salsa Macha is a Spicy Mexican Chili Oil. It’s a staple on many dinner tables and drizzled on most of the food served. She ended up sharing a bit of it with Marisol, who loved it. It then dawned on us that is was near impossible to find Salsa Macha in Houston. That’s where the idea of creating a business began.

It took us a few months to then formalize the business, and sort out scaling and production. We then began selling at local farmer’s markets and hot sauce festivals. We then partnered with Satellite Pizza food truck who uses Cascabel on some pizza recipes. We also expanded to sell at local retail establishments, including The Heights Grocer and Luce Avenue Coffee Roasters.

Most recently we have started selling at the Whole Foods Market in Houston. We hope to expand to other retailers in the Houston area and beyond.

Buzz Interviews Risa Auger of Happy Healthy Meals

Buzz Editor 0

You could say my fit life started when I was three at the ballet studio. Training, learning and performing into high school gave me a foundation of dedication — until it ran out. But, when I DID go back after getting married and having my beautiful little girl, I went full force.

Maybe a little too much. Gym life, the stress from work, overtraining and undereating put me in a strange fitness holding pattern. I wasn’t sure where to go from there or how to get out of the plateau. I did know that I needed to do something though. I lowered my calorie intake so far to try to force progress, I actually started hurting my metabolism, killing my digestive system and gaining weight.

This started a passion for learning about the healing power of food, for encouraging balanced workouts and taking rest days. Today, I am sharing this passion with a podcast, a facebook page and a set of articles on LinkedIn.