Darlene Houston Joins Sisters in Business SIB Debuts Her "Purse-sonal Collection" 

Sisters in Business is proud to present one of its newest SIB Clients, Ms. Darlene Houston of  Darlene's Purse-sonal Collection.  Darlene is a native Chattanoogan and the third of five siblings. This family ranking, presented her with a lot of challenges in her role as a sister. Under the guiding hands of her supporting parents, Edward Houston and the late Dorothy Andrews Houston, she has now emerged as an outstanding businesswoman with a zeal for creativity and a passion for design, that is definitely “Purse-Sonal!”

Reflecting back over her earlier years, one can see how being in service to others, became a natural for Darlene. Her parents were the owners of the renowned “Old Time Barbecue” for twenty-six years in the Chattanooga community. Through this family venture, she learned first hand the dynamics of the business world. Her personal accomplishments during her twenty-eight years  in the corporate world, helped her establish sound business principals in managing others, centered on total quality management principals and service to clients.

Darlene’s venture into entrepreneurship, materialized as a result of her inner quest to find out exactly what family gene had been passed on to her. She often pondered this, while listening to her brother sing like a Mocking Bird and watching another sister, not only sing like a Mocking Bird but also design clothing with such Broadway flair! As each sibling discovered his or her unique talents, Darlene just waited, and waited, and waited for that unique talent to reveal itself. And that it did, right into “her hands.”

Click here to read more about Darlene Houston of Darlene's Purse-sonal Collection.

Article Written by Beverly Cosley      Photography by Michael Houston    

Darlene Houston SIB NETWORK INFO   Click links below for more info.)   Business Location Chattanooga, TN     Business Phone 423-894-1590     Email Address: darlene @darlenespursesonalcollection.com     Website Domain www.darlenespursesonalcollection.com     Business Directory   SIB Web Page     SIBay Merchandise

Treasa Newton of Woman's Way Journal SME (Subject Matter Expert) for SIB's "Lunch & Learn" on December 14 , 2006

SIB Sponsor and Partner Treasa Newton will be  (SME) for month of December. 

Treasa Newton is Editor / Publisher of Woman’s Way Journal, a regional information publication for women. She began Woman’s Way in March of 1993 as a ministry to “education, inform and empower women in a family-type publication.” Today, the publication has over 60,000 readers monthly and is distributed in seven counties; two in Tennessee and five in Georgia.

Prior to establishing Woman’s Way Journal, Treasa was CEO of Creative Communications, a local advertising agency in the Chattanooga area for ten years.

She has served as Supervisor of the Communications Department of Blue Cross / Blue Shield of Tennessee, as Public Relations Director for a national hospital management firm and was responsible for some 150 hospitals nationwide. She also served as Director of Information Services for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as advertising assistant for a major manufacturing company and as editorial assistant for the Tennessee Credit Union League.

Current community involvement includes serving on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Chattanooga as parliamentarian and on the board of the Tennessee Federation of Business and Professional Women as Regional Director. She served as that organization’s state president in 1987-88.

Santha Bone, Sister of the Month-December 2006   Santha Bone - Realtor   Wayne Roach & Associates 6249 E. Brainerd Road Chattanooga, TN 37421 423.899.3200 santhabone@yahoo.com

Visit Santha Bone online at www.sistersinbusiness.net where she can be found in the the SIB  Business Directory, and at http://www.WayneRoach.com

Got Power?  

Get Empowered.

At Sisters In Business "Lunch & Learn" Meeting Thursday, December 14, 2006

at The Cellar restaurant in the Tallan Building.

The Cellar is located downtown Chattanooga at the corner of Martin Luther King (MLK) Blvd and Chestnut inside the Tallan Building Chattanooga, TN 37402. Phone:, (423) 648-0880. Lunch will be available if so desired, not required, at a cost of $10.50 per person, and will begin 11:30 AM. Click here visit the Cellar Restaurant which also makes available its menu daily.   FREE PARKING: Nearby Day's Inn Rivergate has graciously allowed free parking for all luncheon attendees this day.

Open to Public.

Come Meet and Greet!

Come Talk and Eat!

Hear a Brief Speech,

From an SME! (Subject Matter Expert)

Get Empowered!

How to Balance Those Tempting Holiday Treats with Good Nutrition Tips  

by Felicia Wilson

'Thinking small also is a way to avoid big calories!

Tis the season to be tempted—by momma’s good cooking, holiday parties and treats lurking around the office

There are several strategies for making your way around the buffet table at family gathering and/or the office party.

I hear you asking: How? Well you can better resist holiday treats with a little preparation. First and foremost, do not skip breakfast or lunch.

You can have a lower-calorie meal earlier in the day, make sure you don’t starve yourself because you are sure to overdo it when it’s time for the party.

Also, consider the connection between what you wear and what you eat.

It has been recommended that you wear clothes that are close-fitting so that when you eat enough you are sure to feel it, and when you feel it STOP!

Please be sure not to wear clothes that are uncomfortably tight, because this could cause significant discomfort.

Potluck is a good time to prepare eye-appealing fruit kabobs or a low-fat recipe from a light-cooking magazine.

Other strategies:

• Maintain variety in your food consumption each day.

• Watch portion sizes.

• Watch the fat in your holiday diet; stoke up on fruits and vegetables to satisfy hunger.

• Drink a couple glasses of refreshing water before party-going or party-giving.

• Have a piece of fruit or raw vegetables before party-going or party-giving.

• Be aware of the calories consumed when the cook tastes while cooking.

• Avoid, where possible, the excesses of extras ... gravy, cream, mounds of butter, sour cream, mayonnaise and hidden cheese.

• Choose white poultry without the skin.

• Balance your social circuit with a few walking circuits around the block.

• Avoid eating standing up.

• If you decide to splurge, make it worthwhile by selecting something you really enjoy ... then just have a small portion.

People with existing conditions such as heart disease can try nuts and snacks that have unsaturated fats. Those will keep you satisfied but also are heart-healthy.

Even small physical activities help burn those extra calories:

• Go for a walk at lunch.

• Use the stairs instead of the elevator.

• Play active games such as Twister at family gatherings.

• Walk to your mailbox instead of rolling down the car window as you go by.

Last, do not be too hard on yourself and attempt to start a diet during the holidays. Your goal can be to maintain your weight.

Look for the Sisters In Business Health and Fitness monthly column written by "Faithful Fitness" Instructor Felicia Wilson.