The Groza Learning Center offers tutoring in all subjects grades K-12.  Custom programs are created for each student based on their Groza Learning Center diagnostic and scholastic goals.

About The Groza Learning Center:  They believe students can enjoy learning.  It is their priority to uphold the highest academic standards while connecting with each student and making sure their needs are being met.

On Tuesday, September 18, the Grozas along with 200+ of their friends, family, and clients celebrated the opening of their newest center.  Party-goers dined on farm-to-table bites from Paleta, drinks from Pali Wine, Resource Water, and Sneaky Pete’s Beverage Co., and got a sweet treat from Cookie Good and Scarlett’s Cupcakes.  Adults were treated to a presentation by Lori Gottlieb, M.A., New York Times bestselling author and parenting adviser to the Aspen Institute and contributing writer for the Atlantic. While Lori was speaking, kids inside the center participated in a battle of sexes pictionary tournament, played scrabble on their scrabble wall, and made duct tape wallets and earrings.

Scott and Christy Groza in the lobby of the new center.  New logo and website courtesy of Mintwich Design

Kids making duct tape wallets and earrings.

The scrabble wall!

Guests enjoying Paleta.

Lori Gottlieb

Team Groza!

I’m going to start off with my favorite quote from the article, “Just because you don’t understand social media doesn’t mean you should forfeit all common sense and hire your niece, nephew, or any other recent college grad (say, your best friend’s sister-in-law’s kid) because “they’re really good on Facebook.”  It’s like the writer, Hollis Thomases, and I are sharing the same brain!

Below you’ll find INC’s 11 reasons why a 23-year-old shouldn’t run your social media and my 11 reasons why someone over the age of 45 shouldn’t either.  Again, this doesn’t mean that people of any age can’t run social media, it just means you have to find the right person for your brand.  Those who are willing to put in the time, stay up-to-speed with all that is relevant in the social media world, and those who are dedicated to the brand and company will succeed!  But, I do believe there is a sweet spot – someone who is a seasoned communicator, is social-media savvy, and has been in the corporate world who can make your social-media campaign a success while putting your mind at ease that your brand is in capable hands.

1.  They’re not mature enough. Compared with young people 50 years ago, who were eager to enter adulthood and settle down, today’s youth are not only not eager to do so, but most do not feel that they’ve reached adulthood until late into their 20s or early 30s, according to research from Clark University. Instead, they tend to feel unstable and self-focused and would rather explore who they are and how they can transform their lives. This is great for them but not so great for you, their employer–particularly because social media is all about communicating with your audience in mature and accountable ways.

45+ – They’re too mature. An older generation remembers what it means to pay your dues, fax things out, and write things down.  Technology is moving fast and many people in this generation got on the train too late and are still playing catch up.  The key to a successful social-media campaign is knowing the ins and outs of all of the social networks and communities.  Pintrest isn’t just for recipes and crafts and Instagram isn’t just so your pictures look better.  There is a method behind the madness.

2.  They may be focused on their own social-media activity. Because of the above, if you hire a young person to manage your social media, you may also need to need to worry about how he or she is actually spending his or her time. Will you need to be monitoring the person?

45+ – They may not think social-media is worth focusing on. I have found the exact opposite problem with older people.  Many don’t truly grasp the importance of social-media and therefore look at is as a “nice to have” not a “have to have.”   The less time spent on social-media, the less people you are reaching as a brand.

3. They may not have the same etiquette–or experience. Your recent college grad may have experience with Facebook and Instagram, but make sure you check out the substance of his or her updates and posts. You need to make sure your posts reflect your brand–and that you don’t wind up with a late-night smartphone photo landing in the wrong account. At the very least, ensure you have a social-media policy in place.

45+ – They may not have the same etiquette–or experience. This goes for any age.  Posts always need to reflect the brand, not the person running the social networks.  (My #1 pet peeve from several brands I follow is that they don’t “know” their audience and are posting as a person, not the company.)

4.  You can’t control their friends. This isn’t exclusive to recent grads, of course, but it’s a risk to consider: Even if you hire a real winner, be sure that his or her friends won’t post inappropriate content to your company’s social-media accounts.

45+ – You can’t control them (or their friends!). People of a certain generation tend to forget that EVERYONE can see what they write on Facebook and there are a TON of websites with some amazing examples.   Here’s your giggle for today!

5.  No class can replace on-the-job training. Social media for business is really so many things wrapped into one: marketing, customer service, public relations, crisis management, branding. How deep is the experience of a young person in delivering any of these things?

45+ - No class can replace on-the-job training. While many people of this generation are familiar with Facebook and Twitter, are they in the know of what is the latest and great in social-media?  Do they know the new “rules” on Facebook and how they will effect your brand?   Just because you blog doesn’t mean you know anything about social-media and how to grow a customer base online.  For all of you wanting to learn out there, Mashable is a great place to start!

6.  They may not understand your business. You are handing the keys to your social-media kingdom to a newcomer, but there’s plenty that he or she needs to understand beyond the social tools themselves. What are the nuances of your products or services? What makes you stand out in the marketplace? What are the typical expectations of your customers? How do you troubleshoot issues or cajole customers into working a bit more with you? What does your company stand for? No new hire will be able to absorb these issues overnight, of course–but a brand-new graduate will have an even steeper learning curve.

45+ –  They may understand your business, but not how to translate it. You might have a great employee who knows your brand through and through and can sell it to anyone, but can they communicate this to your customers in 140 characters or less?  Knowing HOW to use effectively Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pintrest, Tumblr, etc. are just half the battle.

7.  Communication skills are critical. Communication is critical to solid social-media execution. Before you let a young hire take over your company blog posts, take stock of his or her writing skills. Also: Many young people have not yet learned the “art” of communicating. Make sure they know how to read between the lines, rather than taking things too literally.

45+ – Communication skills are critical. Again, this goes for any age, but it stands for repeating… KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!  The first step to communicating positively is to listen.

8. Humor is tricky business. People like to be entertained, on social media as well as elsewhere. Will a young hire understand the boundaries of humor and entertainment appropriate to your target audience, or could your audience wind up being offended?

45+ - Humor is tricky business. What one person finds funny, isn’t always going to be what everyone else finds funny. There is a lot of trial and error that goes hand-in-hand with social-media. So, listen to your fans/audience and know when humor is appropriate and when it is not.  Several large corporations have gotten in trouble for this and I doubt all of them had a 23-year-old intern running their social-media.

9.  Social-media savvy is not the same as technical savvy. Good social media requires a combination of both. Successful social-media management involves production requirements, tools, analytics, and other aspects of work.

45+ - Social-media savvy is not the same as technical savvy. This is my number one reason why some people shouldn’t be tasked with social-media.  Social-media is a communications tool, but it also involves a ton of analytics, strategy and thought.  Just because you have the latest smart phone, tablet and computer, doesn’t mean you know what you’re doing when you’re posting on behalf of a brand to 100,000+ fans and followers.

10. Social-media management can become crisis management. The real-time nature of social media can quickly turn fun engagement and conversation into a public relations disaster, especially if the person behind the wheel isn’t thinking a few steps ahead. Are you really willing to take that risk?

45+ – Social-media management can become crisis management. This is one of the times when a more seasoned communications professional can be a huge asset.  But, again, you also need a strategy behind crisis management.  What people tend to forget is that once something is posted on a social network it’s posted.  Even if it is taken down seconds later, someone most likely got a screen grab, and your instinct to jump on the problem just got worse.

11. You need to keep the keys. If you do go ahead and hire a new grad, make sure he or she sets up the social-media accounts using your company’s email and shares the passwords with you. Otherwise, you could wind up with no access to these social-media accounts–and no way to take them over.

45+ – You need to keep the keys. This goes without saying!  All of the login info for any corporate social-media sites should be in one document that is easily accessible to the powers that be.  People can do stupid, vindictive things at any age.

Something to consider, one corporate company that I like and respect has a team of people posting on its social-media sites.  This has forced the team to become one, post as the brand and not as individuals, and takes the pressure off of one person.  With the role social-media plays in corporate branding today, a team can help alleviate any stress should someone call in sick, makes more than one party responsible for strategy, posting, etc., and shares the workload.  So many people think, “Oh, I’ll just post something on Facebook today and tweet a couple times.”  That is just dabbling in social-media. If you’re going to get in the pool, dive in.

Just this year alone I have had some of the most incredible professional experiences of my life… In January I attended the Health Matters Summit in Indian Wells where President Clinton read my tweet question to the entire conference!  (I asked why organic food is so expensive and what our country is doing to make fruit and vegetables more readily available to a larger demographic – and, yes, all in 140 characters!  Follow me on twitter @loftmkt)

In March, I worked with the Academy of Country Music to introduce the world to the ACM EXPO – 200,000+ square feet of everything country at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.  17 musical acts, two stages, a RAM Ride & Drive, the BBQ Throwdown, beer gardens, a mechanical bull, a rhinestone cowboy hat that cost $10,000, and a military concert where Thompson Square dethroned Sugarland as Country Duo of the Year.  I’ve never worked so hard or had so much fun. (You can follow me on instagram too @erosey8)

In April, I helped Hollygrove celebrate their 100th Anniversary in Hollywood and raise more than $175,000! This was the first celebrity event for EMQ Families First and we hit it out of the park with great national and local coverage focused on our celebrity hosts for the evening – Busy Philipps, Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka, Mary McCormack and master of ceremonies, Rob Reiner.

This year, LOFT has seen some of the best media coverage to date with stories gracing the pages of the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Daily Candy and on TV with segments on Good Morning America, E! News, On The Red Carpet, KNBC, and more.

And this is just the beginning… LOFT is on track to continue this year with even more greatness!  To kick off another year in business here a a few new pictures of me too!

A quick thank you to my amazing clients for always believing in and trusting my counsel and to my friends and family for your support.  See?  I told you I wasn’t crazy when I decided to branch out on my own!

Congrats to Blee Inara for being on Good Morning America (again!).  Get their great looks for 50% throughout the weekend using promo code: GMA.  Get free shipping on all of the rest of the Blee Inara collection at www.bleeinara.com!

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FOR ONE TIME ONLY PIG OF THE MONTH IS OFFERING

50% OFF ALL OF THEIR BARBECUE MEATS & SAUCES!!!

So what are you waiting for? DIG IN AND LET’S GET MESSY!

*Oh and don’t worry if you don’t want it right now – you can specify your delivery date through 12-31-11 at checkout*

BUY BARBECUE RIBS (ANY STYLE) 50% OFF

Originally $55 – Now Only $28.00

BUY HAND PULLED PORK 50% OFF

Originally $65 – Now Only $32.50

BUY BARBECUE SAUCES 50% OFF

Originally $8.00 – Now Only $4.00!

About Pig of the Month:
Pig of the Month is an online retailer specializing in world famous barbecue and sides – all one click away from your dinner table. With a smoking technique that was perfected over decades, the company ships homemade, all natural BBQ products ranging from a variety of meats, sides, and sauces straight to your door – all ready to be served within 30-minutes of arrival.

Established in 2010 by Lea Richards after leaving her high stress job in finance, Ohio based Pig of the Month BBQ is the product of a beloved family tradition and the result of one family’s insanely wild goose chase throughout the U.S. for the best barbecue. Until the realization hit that they didn’t have to go anywhere for the best barbecue… The Pig of the Month team has all the experience, tips, and recipes from around the country to make the best barbecue in the country right in their house, and now offer customers the chance to eat it in theirs.

Per Lea Richards, “Our dream is to start a new tradition – This holiday season, we’d love for families to do away with the traditional turkey and roast beef dinners and enjoy finger-licking barbecue instead!”

Perfect for holidays, the Super Bowl, special occasions or just the craving of amazing barbecue, Pig of the Month brings barbecue straight to your door without a trip to the store, hours of cooking or a mess to clean up in the kitchen.

Happy eating!

The Pink Hair Project (#pinkhairproject)
Donate to The Save the ta-tas® Foundation and get your hair turned pink!  Go onto their site here.  Make a donation (today it’s only $.99, then it’s $5+) to benefit independent research and submit a photo.  They’ll send it back to you within 24-48 hours with you rockin’ pink hair!  People can use this photo all month on your social networking sites to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness.  Here’s mine!  I keep getting questions it I actually dyed my hair… nope, it’s the lovely work of my digital hair stylist, Nick, at Save the ta-tas.

Pinktober Bloggermania (#stttpinkblogs)
This October Save the Ta-tas® will be having more than 30 amazing women blogging about breast cancer and how it has affected their lives. From healthy recipes, to survivor stories to pink in the NFL, see what the ladies are saying! Visit the Save the Ta-tas® Facebook page daily, or follow them on twitter @savethetatas, for links.

Save the ta-tas. ta-tas® Brand (est. 2004) and The Save the ta-tas® Foundation (est. 2008) were created as a way to fight breast cancer using laughter and fun. ta-tas® Brand has donated 50% of their proceeds to the cause over the last six years and to date, has donated $690,000+ to fund the fight against cancer.

Again, it is a true honor to work with an organization that gets it.  They don’t hide where their money goes, they donate a ton and the founder and I happen to have gone to the same college.  Make sure to ask the right questions this October and know where and how much of your money goes to what.  If you buy from Save the ta-tas, you can learn more here.

September 19 – International jewelry company, Blee Inara, today announced the launch its children and mommies-to-be line, appropriately named Blee Kids. Blee Kids will debut at Coterie in New York on Sept 18-20.

Upon finding inspiration from her own sense of harmony, bliss, goodwill and peace, Ivonne Kino founded the jewelry line, Blee Inara, to bring a positive and fashionable vibe to a traditional symbol. All designs are original, handcrafted, 18k gold plated, adjustable, and unique, each with an eye charm to provide the wearer with comfort and protection against undesired energy. Blee inara’s key concept consists of encouraging individuals to enhance one’s own style, layering the jewelry and creating a personal combination of pieces that all represent goodwill.

“As a mother, I know how important is for us to protect and surround our kids with positive energy,” said Kino. “I created this line to do just that, while adding a little extra beauty to our customers’ everyday lives.”

The Blee Kids collection includes bracelets, necklaces and pins made out of 18k gold plated charms and a variety of chains and beads mixed with materials like cotton ribbon, glass beads, elastic, cords, strings, leather, and of course, Blee Inara’s signature eye charm, that is handmade with three separate layers of glass. Prices range from $15-$30 retail and are available online now and in retail stores this fall.

About Blee Inara: From stay-at-home mom to successful entrepreneur, Ivonne Kino created “jewelry with a soul” when she launched Blee Inara in 2000. Based in Los Angeles, Blee Inara offers the perfect combination of design, comfort, and beauty, all inspired by a sense of harmony, bliss, goodwill and peace. For more information please visit www.bleeinara.com. Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bleeinara and on Twitter @Bleeinara.

Blee Inara has also recently launched 5, that’s right, 5!!! new lines for this holiday season.  Make sure to check out Bling Inara… my personal favorite!

NEARLY 700 FILMS SUBMITTED TO NFFTY 2011

Youth-made Film Submissions Reflect A More United World

(Seattle, WA, Feb. 16, 2011)  The National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) closed film submissions yesterday after receiving nearly 700 submissions, double the amount of entries last year.  The festival received submissions from 25 countries and 40 US states.  2011 marked a significant increase in female filmmaker submissions as well.

This year’s festival theme is “United By Film, Future By NFFTY.”  The hope is to demonstrate how everyone, from festival attendees to filmmakers, is brought together by film and that the future of film will be seen at NFFTY.  This year’s submissions embody the “United By Film” theme.  Despite cultural and geographic differences, the 2011 films show that today’s youth are drawn to share stories about the basic human emotions and condition.

NFFTY programmers note that the economic downturn and devastating world issues have made a strong impact on youth throughout the world.  “Even though many of the films are uplifting and comedic, there is an increase this year in films dealing with darker and more serious issues,” comments Jesse Harris, Executive Director.

NFFTY will present this year’s collection of films April 28 through May 1 in Seattle.  Kicking off the festival is Opening Night at Cinerama directly followed by an after-party at the Space Needle.  “This has been a great year for NFFTY.  We’ve launched a youth filmmaking workshop series, membership program, had a heavy traffic increase on our website and developed relationships with exciting new sponsors.  NFFTY 2011 presenting sponsors are: Volvo Cars of North America, Bing, Nike 6.0, and Imbee.com,” states Harris.

Festival Passes and Opening Night Gala tickets are available now online at www.nffty.org, with individual tickets and the complete schedule becoming available online March 8.

About NFFTY: NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) is the largest and most influential film festival for young filmmakers (age 22 and under). NFFTY occurs each spring in Seattle, Washington and includes up to 200 film screenings, filmmaking panels, film contests, parties, and opportunities for young filmmakers to network with industry professionals and each other. Young filmmakers from around the world submit feature-length and short films in narrative, documentary, animation, music video, experimental, and action sport categories.  More than 10,000 film fans are expected at NFFTY 2011, April 28-May 1.  For more information, please visit www.nffty.org

The founder of The Buzz Girls launched yet another amazing venture this summer called the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest in Los Angeles.  The OCFF is a summer movie series running July thru October in parks all over Los Angeles.  Featuring more than 60 different gourmet food trucks throughout the summer, the OCFF has something for everyone.

More than a dozen movies were screened this summer including cult classics Pulp Fiction, The Big Lebowski and Princess Bride and some new favorites like the Hangover and Wedding Crashers.   The Outdoor Cinema Food Fest creates the ultimate picnic environment for entertainment and food enthusiasts – no basket required!

Movies are presented using only the highest quality projection, screen and sound available; which includes a 52 foot screen with 15,000 watts of professional JBL sound. Standing three stories tall, it is the largest outdoor movie screen on the west coast.

The $8 grounds fee includes access to food trucks, entertainment, park amenities and free movie.  It’s the perfect Saturday night outing and you can bring your dog too!

Halloween is almost here and The Outdoor Cinema Food Fest has the ultimate scary movie weekend planned…

10/30 ZOMBIELAND
Los Angeles State Historic Park
The Cornfields near China Town
1245 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012-1901
Music By The Quiet
* Bar Available, No Coolers

10/31(Halloween) – THE SHINING
Exposition Park Near USC
700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Music By Criminal Belly
* Outside beverages permitted, no coolers over 9 quarts.

Doors open at 5:30pm
Bands starts at 6:30pm
Movie begins at 8:00pm

And… don’t forget some great press that featured the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest this summer!