Carlos Valentino

I read somewhere that one’s net worth can be best measured by the size of their network. I decided that it was time for me to share my wealth of friends by creating my own network. Welcome to Sacramento Chic where I interview wedding vendors and post their response on-line so Brides and Grooms can get to know them a little bit before they actually meet. Webster dictionary defines Chic as “Smart Elegance and Sophistication…” and my aim is to personally hand select and highlight “Sacramento’s Chic” Wedding Vendors.

I received a this entry as a blog comment a few days ago and I thought that it would service us best if it was it’s own blog entry.

It comes as no surprise to anyone that Sacramento Bride and Groom has had a disagreement with how Afwpi is structured, that was one of the reasons why we decided to withdraw from the association several years ago. Even though we did not receive a mailed letter that was sent to some members, we did get a copy. “THEY” said in their July 6, 2009 letter that they are a “for profit” Unincorporated Association and that many associations are structured the same way. However, most unincorporated associations are non-profit organizations and in the state of California, all unincorporated associations must be registered with the Secretary of State. My question… Is Afwpi registered as an unincorporated association, or are they simply running a business as husband and wife? Their business licenses taken out in 2008, indicate the latter. The letter continues with “We wanted to set the record straight on that”. Their explanation left things unclear, so I did a little research on just what an unincorporated association is, here is a portion of what I found.

A non-profit unincorporated association is any grouping of persons (i.e. a collective, an activist organization, etc.) uniting together for some special purpose or business other than making a profit. Most states will grant tax-exempt status to an unincorporated association or club, you will have to contact your state government to get information about applying for it. However, if you just take out a non-interest bearing account at a bank or credit union (i.e. a checking account) you will not have to file taxes for your association and, therefore, you can avoid dealing with the government at all. The main differences between an unincorporated association and a non-profit corporation is that the members of an unincorporated association can be held directly liable if someone were to sue the association and it is problematic for unincorporated associations to have paid employees. I don’t know about you, but it sounds a little risky to be a member of this type of association.

While I agree that most small businesses have encountered financial hurdles, the solution is not to incur more debt than you can pay. It’s difficult to imagine how adding more shows is going to solve the problem. In fact, adding shows that do not include a sufficient budget for advertising will only make matters worse for the very people they purport to help… the vendors. When a vendor does a show that does not bring in a significant number of quality brides, that vendor has less money to spend for other marketing avenues that does have an advertising budget. When a vendor buys an ad in a magazine they have a right to expect it to come out on time, be distributed as promised, and be of sufficient quality that brides will want to read. The letter suggests that a reason for the money woes is a “reduction in our home values”. Regardless of that, when money is collected for an event, that event must be paid for. These are standards that must apply to all. For the life of me I cannot understand how a group of people on an all expense paid trip to the Philippines …”to discover their country and to develop more members there”… will help pay the bills here. The Philippines Department of Tourism is hoping that the people in this group will send brides over to the Philippines for “destination weddings”. How does “developing more members there” help the Department of Tourism? Don’t we want to keep our brides here, using local venues and vendors? It sounds like a big boon-doggle to me.

I’m happy to hear that they are willing to take responsibility for their problems and I believe them when they say they never wanted to harm the members, however, the end result is the same, and people have been hurt. I also cannot figure out how “all” funds that come into the association are applied to its operations and advancement. Don’t they pay themselves a salary? Don’t they have a mortgage and other bills like the rest of us?

Now, about those “intentions”. We all know where that road leads and what it’s paved with. None of us ever set out to do harm to others, and over the years many of us have given AFWPI countless of hours support. But there comes a time when intentions are not enough, there must be concrete evidence that steps are being taken to correct the problems. Unfortunately, when those of us who have disagreed with their policies and lack of professionalism, we become a member of what is commonly known as the “dead meat society”. We are no longer welcomed and our letters to the ethics committee are never read or addressed. We are quite simply perceived as the enemy, which is unfortunate, because we really do not wish the association any harm. What we want is an organization that actually operates at a level commensurate with the standards of their own “Code of Ethics”, and I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

Like Carlos, we feel there are too few who stand up and tell it like it is… we are perceived as troublemakers and malcontents. Nothing could be further from the truth, we are in fact, just a few who are not afraid to stand up for ourselves and let the chips fall where they may. We “choose the harder right over the easier wrong” and we will “never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won.”

So where do we go from here? This Ladies and Gents is my last installment on this issue, it was bitter sweet and the end has arrived. I close this chapter the way I started it, announcing to the world that this is not a personal attack to those involved, but a demand for integrity. I think it’s a sad day when people who we put on pedestals let us down. I once held this organization in high regard and today the voice of history reminds me of how much of a fool I am for doing so. I will never ever ever mention this group in any of my blogs ever again unless, they decide to say a few words. I wanted this to be a fair conversation and though I know many have read the entries, no one has come in their defense. I hope this blog segment encourages others to speak out when things seem wrong and think twice where they place their loyalty.

I’m flattered and amazed at the amount of e-mails and phones calls that I have received on this issue. I’ve even been stopped in the mall and in a restaurant just so they can tell me their experiences with this group. To all who have called and e-mailed me, I’m sorry that I haven’t returned your call; I aim to contact you after my last installment on this matter. I am aghast that so many have expressed disdain for this organization, but no one, for what I can tell, has said a word in public. Friends have asked me to stop, others are afraid that I’m might be digging my business into a grave, I can’t. Why?

If I asked to you to recommend a restaurant, immediately you would throw out a name and the reasons why I should go, you might even go as far as to recommend a dish. However, how would you feel if you found out that the restaurant and dish that you recommended lead to me having food poison. Even though you were not immediately responsible in any way you would feel bad and it would be safe to say that you would never recommend that restaurant to anyone again. When I joined this group and I recommended it to many and I feel responsible to share what I’ve learned. Whatever they want to do with this information is their prerogative. Can this group change and grow into a beautiful Phoenix of the wedding industry? I hope. Will my business suffer, no doubt, do I care, hell yeah, do I have a grudge, nope? The spirit of fear will always make you blind and to stay quiet really make no sense. I owe no allegiance to anyone but my Clients, my Family and my God. Many have asked for more of an in depth response, on my next and final entry on this matter, Sacramento Bride and Groom will take the reigns and their response is a eye opener.

“Take the Red Pill you stay in Wonderland
and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Act 5

I want to remind you that this blog is about anything that turns me on or off and today I am turned on by the Fiesta at Ford. If you live in California if won’t be long before you get bit by the Green Bug and I have big expectations for this bug. It’s sad that it’s not made in America but I still want Ford to succeed. I’ve never wanted a Ford, not even a Mustang; until now. I wonder how this ride would look with my logo on the side panel; pink maybe? Going Green the new American ideal.

Many might think that this is an attack, however those that know me understand that I have faith in the vendors of Sacramento, but the old ways of doing business is dead. Some would say “What do you care?” Regardless, I don’t see anyone with the COJONES to speak about this publicly; so I made it my cause. This entry is for all those who are concerned of backlash if they make their voices heard. Read, comment and let’s create a dialog with the aim to find a fix. In business, actions speak louder than words, apologies smells like a empty office space for rent. Stay anonymous when replying, but tell the truth.

Before I begin, I ask that you think of the greater good when leaving your comments.

1. The faces of the torch holders must take a back seat. Your target audience is a bride between 23 – 35, the face of the group must fit demographic; pass the torch and stay as an advisor

2. Today’s bride is a savvy web user with little patience when it comes to bad websites. The current web page is not a web page but a ugly bulletin board that when out with Mc Hammer and the Atari 2600

3. The board members should be divided into Juniors and Seniors board members. The young members will bring new ideas because they have their thumbs on the pulse of style, fashion and the newest trends of the market, while the Senior members bring their experience and wise council

4. Partner up – Learn a lesson from those fortune 500 companies that are partnering and merging just to ride out this economic storm. Merge for 3 years and grow, while keeping your brand identity, like Chipotle and McDonald’s

5. Don’t nickel and dime your vendors. If you must make money be creative; for starters have different levels of membership, however you must under promise and over deliver

6. Lastly, focus on your local vendors. Your local vendors are your family and it’s they who wish to help and support you in times of economic insecurity

You made many mistakes but your biggest is not knowing when to let go; in fact your getting in the way of your business. If you continue on this path it won’t be long before the same economic hammer that is restructuring our global business giants knocks on your door. A hard pill to swallow, yes, but so is failure. Now that you have these ideas is time for you to examine and implement them. If you don’t know where to start you can always hire me; I’m known for Getting Things Done. What is your take on this matter, what would you change?

“Take the Red Pill you stay in Wonderland
and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”

Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Act 5

I had a fun time covering the party launch for Mona Vie Emv sports drink. If you don’t have a clue what Mona Vie is, where have you been? “MonaVie features a delicious blend of the Brazilian açai berry—one of nature’s top superfoods—and 18 other body-beneficial fruits. This Balance-Variety-Moderation approach to nutrition delivers powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients to help fight free radicals and maintain your body’s overall health…” If you need any additional information on this Super Food please contact my buddy Cliff Alexander and for more images of the party, follow my show room link.

Everyone should bounce out of their comfort zone and reach their goal; no matter the pain or the fear.

Today I was bitching about stupid people. This little one reminded me that sometimes you got to kick them before they kick you.