Real estate news and advice for individuals and investors
The Real Housewives of D.C.'s Stacie Scott Turner loves everything about real estate, from renovating to sales to marketing.

Stacie Scott Turner has gained fame being featured on Bravo TV’s The Real Housewives of D.C. But she’s more than just a reality TV star and Washington socialite. The Alexandria, Virginia native and Harvard MBA has a successful real estate practice with Long & Foster, after working for luxury real estate company Sothesby’s International Realty.

BlackEnterprise.com talked with Turner on her newfound fame, how her practice has succeeded despite the economy, and her passion for a foundation that gives foster children opportunities of a lifetime.
You’ve gained prominence as one of the Real Housewives of D.C. How has this affected your life and career?

My [real estate] team has begun to receive calls from a lot of people who are moving to D.C. after watching the show. Viewers got a flavor for the city. They all of a sudden knew my name. Overall, it’s been pretty positive.

What’s [also] so cool about doing the show—and what was part of my motivation to participate—was it brought attention to my charity, Extra-Ordinary Life. It brought awareness to adoption and foster care issues … I take great pride and passion in being able to work with foster care youth. I try to provide experiences to those living in group homes and foster homes to inspire them to dream and overcome their circumstances.

You’re now working with Long & Foster after being an agent with Sotheby’s. What was the transition like from selling luxury homes to working with the new company?
I began my career in Long & Foster in 2001 and had a wonderful experience. I later decided to go to a small firm to learn the higher-end market and moved on to Sotheby’s. I learned what I needed, and now I’m back with Long & Foster.
It’s the middle range market that’s robust at this time. [At Long & Foster] it’s a large network of agents, and I wanted to form a great team.

How did you approach the challenge of selling homes in the current economic climate?
I continued advertising--even when the economy was tight-- to promote myself and my clients’ homes. That allows my business to keep thriving. With others cutting back, people saw more of what my business could offer. There were less people to compete against.

What excites you about real estate?
I went from a corporate career to real estate when the D.C. market exploded. I got my real estate license and purchased my own home and got involved the renovations -- just all aspects of it. I love selling, developing it, designing-- I love it all!

Turner’s Tips for Industry Success:
Focus on establishing your business so it looks like you are experienced. Have a great Website and invest money in advertising and showcasing your skills in a specific area.Team up with agents who have properties and or clients so you can get experience doing transactions.Invest in marketing a specific area to gain exposure, such as your immediate neighborhood. It’s always good to establish yourself as an expert in a certain residential area, where you know the home values and benefits of living in that area.
View the original article here

Jan Spivey Gilchrist tells us a story about what, how and why she paints the way she does- how it makes her feel and what she likes to illustrate at the 25th Anniversary of The Nicole Gallery in Chicago, IL... in the video you will see that she is signing one of her great works- The Great Migration: Journey to the North Eloise Greenfield (Author) Jan Spivey Gilchrist (Illustrator)

Watch Jan Spivey Gilchrist on You Tube

Is your Event a Hot Spot? A Black Folk Hot Spot that is- {CLICK HERE} to join our exclusive community FOR BUSINESS BUILDING CONNECTIONS! Follow BFHS on Twitter for exclusive twitter offers on to followers {Follow BFHS Network} 7,500+ have already joined in the BFHS Exclusive Facebook madness {LIKE US} Raise your credit score today Listen to our Latest Radio Show {LISTEN}

When it comes to the latest and greatest in marketingtools, maybe you've heard the term QR code bandied about as the next big thing.The initials QR stand for Quick Response, and you should think of a QR code asan easy-to-create, two-dimensional bar code that can be scanned by a smart phoneto instantly and effortlessly share targeted content online with minimalexertion by the end user.

Recently I've noticed a lot of business travelersusing QR codes as paperless airline boarding passes. Once downloaded to theirsmartphone, the traveler displays the QR code at the airport where a scanningdevice at the security checkpoint and later, at the gate, verifies theirinformation and lets them pass.

I think we're going to be hearing a lot more about these high-speed codes in the months and years to come, because the benefits they offer businesses and consumers are astounding. By pointing a smartphone at the QR code, your customers or clients have instant access to exactly the information you want to impart. All that's required is a smartphone equipped with an easily obtained QR code reader or app. When users can scan your QR code, your data is instantly converted into text, graphics, or your company's website address (a process called "dequrifying").

But the really cool thing about QR codes is that any business, start-up or entrepreneur can create them online themselves, and in many cases, can do this or free (see Kaywa and ZXing for more information).

To date, QR codes have been successfully embedded on websites and in magazine ads, direct mail, coupons, email marketing, billboards, in-store advertising and contest entry forms. If you're considering adding QR codes to your social media marketing toolbox, keep in mind that many of your customers and contacts might not be familiar with the concept. It will be up to you to bring them up to speed, telling them how the codes work and more important, where they can pick up scanner applications for their smartphones.

For those who want a QR scanning app for your smart phone, simply check with your provider's app store for a scanner. These are usually labeled "code scanner" or "barcode reader" and are available free or for a low cost. On the iPhone, for instance, you can get an app called Optiscan or QuickMark, while those using the Android phone, there's a QR code reader called Barcode Scanner. Blackberry users can upload an app called ScanLife for free.

You can always look at Flash of Brilliance- she has worked with some local businesses and putting together their QR Codes campaigns! View here or here!

Secrets of a Teen Millionaire guest appearance by Ephren Taylor, Jr. on "The Big Idea"

Is your Event a Hot Spot? A Black Folk Hot Spot that is- {CLICK HERE} to join our exclusive community FOR BUSINESS BUILDING CONNECTIONS! Follow BFHS on Twitter for exclusive twitter offers on to followers {Follow BFHS Network} 7,500+ have already joined in the BFHS Exclusive Facebook madness {LIKE US} Raise your credit score today Listen to our Latest Radio Show {LISTEN}

Jay-Z on "The Big Idea" on CNBC

Is your Event a Hot Spot? A Black Folk Hot Spot that is- {CLICK HERE} to join our exclusive community FOR BUSINESS BUILDING CONNECTIONS! Follow BFHS on Twitter for exclusive twitter offers on to followers {Follow BFHS Network} 7,500+ have already joined in the BFHS Exclusive Facebook madness {LIKE US} Raise your credit score today Listen to our Latest Radio Show {LISTEN}

The Big Idea - P. Diddy Interview, one of the premiere movers and shakers in the Black Business World! Sean "Puffy" Combs on Amazon.

Is your Event a Hot Spot? A Black Folk Hot Spot that is- {CLICK HERE} to join our exclusive community FOR BUSINESS BUILDING CONNECTIONS! Follow BFHS on Twitter for exclusive twitter offers on to followers {Follow BFHS Network} 7,500+ have already joined in the BFHS Exclusive Facebook madness {LIKE US} Raise your credit score today Listen to our Latest Radio Show {LISTEN}

Waukegan, IL-EXI and Star Productions present Kevin Hart: Laugh at my Pain Tour , at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Thursday, March 24 at 7:30pm Tickets- priced at $48.50 & $58.50 - are ON SALE Saturday, February 19 at 10AM. Tickets can be purchased at the Theatre Box Office, all ticketmaster Outlets, Charge-by-phone at 800-982-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com. All seats reserved.



KEVIN HART
The hilarious KEVIN HART went from shoe salesman to one of the most popular comedians in the country. His humor has been enjoyed on stages across the nation, as well as in feature films including The 40 Year Old Virgin, Scary Movie 3 and 4, Death At A Funeral and the most recent Little Fockers. A stand–up comedian at heart, his Comedy Central specials I’m A Grown Little Man and Seriously Funny have received rave reviews, and had fans screaming for more. This is your chance to experience the comedy of KEVIN HART up close and in person! Don’t miss it!

For more information visit www.khartonline.com

Thanks for stopping by...  Post your EVENT(S) or BUSINESS... Post it here. Got 5 minutes - Watch this video and get a Free Website for your Business Follow BFHS on Twitter Black Folk Hot Spots is now on FaceBook- Be a FAN Thanks again!!!