What's your plan?
IU Kokomo's Black Student Center addresses financial freedom; also, Bona Vista hits it big with casino night
What’s your plan? That is the question that the Indiana University Kokomo Black Student Center (BSC) attempted to help people answer at its recent business seminar.
On Feb. 6, local entrepreneur Angelina Sims and a team of mortgage, real estate, and insurance experts led a seminar discussing the various ways to financial freedom. As the flyer mentioned, “learn real estate tactics, strategies, and hacks to financial freedom. Discover not only the know-how, but the know who.”
“I tend to work more with people like me, who have the same vision and have the same goals”, said Sims. As she described the talents of each presenter, she beamed with joy at how dynamic each person was and what they brought to the table. She was excited about how this team of career professionals impacted the audience and the tools they were able to walk away with.
The all-black cast including Sims, consisted of Haven Russell, a mortgage loan originator-FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional; Karen Julkes, an insurance agent, tax preparer, and life coach; and Brandon Arnett, a mortgage loan originator- DSCR/Investment Loans.
Sims, a resident of Kokomo, a mother, a wife, and entrepreneur, has long had a dream to inspire people to learn the ins and outs of a business that she found difficult to understand at first. Not only was it hard for her to find the “know what,” but also the “know who.” That industry was real estate, and when she began the journey of purchasing her first home, she felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to help others navigate the process.
“When I purchased a house, I didn’t understand the process,” said Sims, owner of About Your Home Real Estate. “There were so many things that I wanted to know, and I didn’t know who to go to.”
Often, people find from their experiences and learning the hard way, there is an easier way to teach someone else how to learn a particular thing. That is very much the case with Sims. As a real estate managing broker who supervises a team of real estate agents, she is responsible for verifying the continued licensing of her agents, hiring, onboarding, and training new agents, and ensuring the performance and legal compliance of their team.
Sims knew from that whole process, she had an interest in real estate, and regardless of whether it was in the field of home buying or anything else financial, she wanted to be that person people go to when they have a question and need access to different resources.
“There are so many resources out there,” said Sims.
IU Kokomo’s BSC continually provides enrichment opportunities for students on campus, as well as community folk who seek something greater for themselves. From hosting various business seminars, art exhibits, instructional sessions, and social gatherings, the BSC above all else strives to give an experience that people can walk away from feeling empowered and with tools they can apply to their everyday lives.
The IU Kokomo BSC does plan to host more “What’s Your Plan” events. The insightful real estate and financial planning seminar gives invaluable information and hacks that can be very useful for people that are seeking another stream of income.
The team could honestly take the show on the road, do very well, and sell out every venue. The extremely knowledgeable presenters within their respective areas of expertise engaged with the audience in a friendly and pliable manner. Never once did they hesitate to answer a question, and always had a response.
One of the takeaways from the event was just how real the information was. Stefani Quarles mentioned, "I see just how different tv shows make real estate seem versus real life."
That is an accurate assessment. There is a lot to consider when pursuing commercial or residential investing, however, this team made every bit of information given palatable and agreeable to the senses. Participants felt they could go and jump right into it. And just maybe they can. Maybe you should.
Bona Vista’s “Viva Las Vista” comes back with a bang
Bona Vista Programs Inc's. Las Vegas-themed fundraiser, “Viva Las Vista,” at Kokomo’s The Venue on Jan. 28 raised $12,000 for programs for the non-profit organization.
“It was the best year yet with attendance and money raised,” stated Bona Vista Development Coordinator Brittany Barnard.
The annual event, which started in 2017, was very popular. Just before the COVID pandemic caused lockdowns everywhere, the group raised $9,400.
“During the pandemic, the event was actually held virtually using a platform called GiveSmart so that we didn’t have to cancel it completely,” added Barnard.
This year they decided to bring back the live event. More than 200 attendees bought tickets to the event, and Viva Las Vista did not disappoint. From a silent auction to blackjack and craps tables, there was something for everyone.
WWKI’s Kenny Beasley did the DJ duties, as the patrons lined up at check-in to get their chips. Many were attired in their Vegas best, from dress casual suits to glittery shirts, with quite a few jeans and boots thrown in for good measure.
The buffet was catered by Main Occasions, which had a great spread of dishes for the attendees, and Broad Ripple’s Sertoma Club brought its gaming gear with dealers in the traditional white shirt and black bow ties. Sertoma club members were willing to give some instruction on the various games of chance, all proceeds of which went to Bona Vista.
Barnard shared comments about the event location, The Venue located at the corner of Alto and Park roads in southern Kokomo.
“The Venue was the perfect space, and patrons are giving positive feedback. They can’t wait for next year’s event,” she said.
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