AMA will be assisting Paul over the next 30 days to make this transition effortless and complete for clients. Be assured this change will have no impact on your web service.

Please pay any past outstanding invoices from AMA in the same manner by calling 902-404-0651 or by mail to the address on this letterhead.

We would like to thank you for your past business and continued support. If you have any concerns please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Russell Scott
Janet Wilson
Paul Green

This was a look at a couples shoot with Ani & Khamadi this December 2011.

With the help of La Trinidade, she created a beautiful atmosphere for her guests to enjoy. The show featured poetry from the Artyst, soulful singer Ceeceefied, prize clutch give-a-ways, a live dj, a plethora of photographers onsite to capture the evening and more. We laughed. We cried. We were delighted and I know that everyone left the night hoping and looking forward to another night with the creator of Clutch Culture. Thanks Mo.

As Calmunity goes forth into the new year, we’ll continue to look for sponsorship opportunities for young entrepreneurs in and outside of Nova Scotia. We welcome all inquiries and love the idea of helping creative people so let us hear from you, send us a message.

Check it out online.

A Simple Meta Tag

Insert the following into the head of your document.
Refresh your browser once it’s complete and enjoy.

<meta name=”SKYPE_TOOLBAR” content=”SKYPE_TOOLBAR_PARSER_COMPATIBLE” />

I know we all have to start somewhere with the things we want to do and to Shelly, the owner of NADA, you have put together an awesome start. The restaurant looks beautiful. There’s a fresh coat of paint on both the outside and inside of the restaurant. She’s prepared two separate spaces for customers wishing to dine-in and those wanting to browse through her artifacts. Overall, the place is well organized. The food is spot on. I had a good time chatting with friends and strangers and left there with a full stomach feeling warm and fuzzy.

An observation of black owned business

In this province, I’ve noticed that it’s not uncommon for black owned restaurants to go out of business within the first year. Why is this? This is one of my deepest concerns for a restaurant like NADA. So much energy, time and money goes into preparing the shop and it leads me to wonder if there’s as much thought that goes into marketing, and long term goals/objectives. I wonder if the restaurant appeals or would appeal to potential customers who are outside of the African / African Nova Scotian community.

More over, I hope they’ll be able to adjust and adapt as needed to changing times. I want to trust that good things will happen for this little shop, and that they will take the time now to ensure their restaurant is a staple place to eat or shop like John’s Lunch in Woodside or Wharf Wraps in Eastern Passage. Good luck and fortune.

But I can’t help but to wonder what mistakes have black owned restaurants been making to lead to such a consistent turnover over the past five years?

So why is this a relevant topic?

There’s a method to the money. Here’s the truth, I base my pricing largely on where I think the industry is at. I then compare that industry standard to my product and services, living needs and the needs of my business and derive a result that I think is more than realistic and fair. I leave a little bit of room for negotiating but I’m not really concerned with ‘nickel and diming’ anyone and if it makes sense to do so, I’ll reduce my estimate. But these are the main ingredients I factor into my thinking. This thinking has helped me to create a pricing structure which has lead to sustainable business relationships, adequate cash flow for my business and great experiences where I get to craft beautifully functional websites, posters, illustrations, photography… you name it and still eat. And I of course want to generate more and more revenue so that I can grow my business, manage awesome working relationships with clients and hire on creative people.

So what’s the harsh reality?

Sometimes, we have to say no and cut our losses. Both the client or the designer can do this. If a project has already been started, Mike Monteiro uses a phrase with a lasting sentiment. And truthfully, I’m not money hungry. It’s not uncommon for me to receive or seek out projects that I deem worthy of being done free of charge, ie Word Iz Bond’s website or Black Business Initiative’s Progressive Roots Network identity. If you have a worthy cause and no funding, you’re welcome to ask me to help. If I can’t help you, if I’m not the correct person for the job, I’ll let you know and I’m happy to refer you to other businesses or freelancers who may be more appropriate or suitable for your project.

Here’s what I want to leave you with.

I work for my clients to get results and to foster the best relationships with them. From the beginning conversations concerning a project, through to the completion and furthermore there afterwards, I have your best interests at heart and in mind. My pricing will always be realistic and will always respectfully consider both the interests of my business and also our potential and existing clients. This is one of our Calmunity commitments.

Contest Rules:

1. It’s very simple. Help a brother out! In order to be eligible for your free photo book or DVD you must follow Calmunity Communications on Twitter (if you have an account) OR like Calmunity Communications on Facebook.
2. Also, permit Calmunity Communications the privilege of proudly posting a few samples (5 – 10 shots) of our shoot on Facebook.
3. Lastly, send Calmunity Communications an email to info@calmunity.ca with the Subject reading “Lighting Kit Contest”. Feel free to use the form on the home page of this site. Only one email submission per person. Seems simple enough right! Well get busy then.
4. Oh p.s. You must be available for the shoot to be taken within the Halifax Regional Municipality. Sorry, Toronto family.

Prizes to be one:

1. Professional photobook from Black’s with 24 to 32 photos from our shoot OR
2. A DVD with 50 to 75 photos from our shoot.

*Our Contest Winners:

Duby Downey and Verena Rizg! Congratulations to our winners. And thanks to everyone for playing.
Stay tuned for more contests, give-a-ways, and unique offers on services.

Personally, I know that thinking about typefaces, leading, orphans along with color, font size and weight will have a major impact on the tone and communication of an otherwise heavily weighted photographic or illustrative layout. I see the obvious tensions between illustrative line quality and type especially when the two disagree. On the opposite side of things, I’ve gradually learned to recognize when the two elements agree. As I briefly reflect on my growth as a worker in a creative field, type and technical decisions concerning it is one of the elements I’ve consistently and intentionally had to continue working on tightening up. Below, Tim Brown gives a pretty solid lecture on the history of type, techniques and drawing inspiration from unique typographic characters. It’s given me some inspiration, a way to describe the importance of type with others and a few new gems too that I can start to incorporate into my work moving forward.

Additional Honourable Mentions

I thought I’d also mention some paid services that provide beautiful typefaces for use on the web.
Checkout: Typekit and Font Bureau.

Maybe you’re starting a business but you can’t afford to quit your job, so you devote your off hours to working on your dream. Or perhaps it’s your new years resolution to get in shape but somehow you still haven’t got the time in-between going to work and taking care of the kids. What it all comes down to is priorities and time management and quite honestly the harsh reality is that it can be very challenging to grapple with. What do you do? Are you starting small? Are you starting at all? Or are you waiting for the right moment? I’ve started small. If starting small is all you can afford now then I hope you do so. I hope your small act is like the seed which is planted and with a little water, some sunlight and careful attention grows a little more each day.