Richard Maize: Schools Shouldn't Discriminate Against Kids

Justin Aaberg was a high school student living in Anoka, Minnesota. He played the cello, and his mom says he always had a smile on his face. Justin was also gay. And because of that, kids bullied him at school. This summer, he hanged himself.

This kind of tragedy has taken place too many times across the country--in Massachusetts, where Carl Walker Hoover, an 11-year-old who was tormented at school for "acting gay," committed suicide this April; and in Texas, where straight-A eighth-grader Asher Brown, bullied for years, took his own life last month.

A report by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) found that nearly 9 in 10 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students had experienced harassment at school in the past year and nearly two-thirds felt unsafe because of their sexual orientation. LGBT students are consistently more likely than their heterosexual peers to face violence at school and attempt suicide.

So what can we do to reverse this awful tide? As parents, we need to teach our kids to respect differences at an early age. School staff personnel need to know how to respond to bullying and create an environment that welcomes a diverse student population. But we also need strong laws to stop the harassment that destroys so many young lives.

Schools shouldn't discriminate against kids based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity--but they also shouldn't be allowed to ignore the kind of harassment that led Justin, Carl, Asher, and too many other young men and women to take their own lives.

These tragedies hit home on a personal level, ripping holes in families and communities. But they also require that we ask ourselves what kind of country we want to be, and what kind of environment we want to raise our kids in. 

I firmly believe that the values of respect and compassion that I learned growing up in Minnesota are still part of the fabric of America. Now, in the wake of so much grief, we have a chance to prove it.

I always keep in mind that it's your support that allows me to take on these fights. And I can't thank you enough for standing with me.

Richard Maize: Fashion Show THIS weekend! Chance to win 2 tickets to Coachella!

Fashion Show THIS weekend! Chance to win 2 tickets to Coachella!

Don't miss out on THE GREEN INITIATIVE HUMANITARIAN FASHION SHOW, or on your chance to win 2 tickets to COACHELLA!

The Green Initiative Humanitarian Fashion Show is....

THIS WEEKEND, October 16th! You can still get tickets, and trust us, this is an event you will not want to miss!

PLEASE NOTE: The show is now back to it's original location: 6040 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles CA, 90028 We apologize for any confusion!

It's not too late to buy tickets!   http://www.facebook.com/l/de511N3k1l5KG_Jgyf66uqk2qXg;gymfashionshowtix.eventbrite.com/


— Things You Won't Want To Miss This Weekend —

THE CHANCE TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO COACHELLA!                         That's right! If you are in attendance this Saturday, you will have a chance to win 2 tickets to Coachella 2011! Raffle tickets will be available for $5 each or 5 tickets for $20. Are you excited? We are!

PROJECT GREEN DREAM: We will be premiering one of our new endeavors: Project Green Dream! We are very excited about this new project - the idea is to reuse those gorgeous dresses you have, but may never wear again, and give them to a less fortunate girl who might not otherwise be able to have a fabulous gown to wear for her special events.

GREEN HALLOWEEN:Green Halloween has provided us with all kinds of fabulous support, and you can get an idea of some of their fun and festive ideas at our booth! We will be featuring a display "costume swap" A great way to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Four Fabulous Green Designers
 http://www.facebook.com/l/de511OW2EDGo7e0DBiNsmMpmMLQ;www.emilyfactor.com
 http://www.facebook.com/l/de511-2sGoiPngqtGYi5D4bzA_w;www.kristinit.com
 http://www.facebook.com/l/de5114_N2u9eqCsWt_qml6la0Fg;www.koekjay.org
 http://www.facebook.com/l/de511vbPbaL3_wKB82FrUE0-jlA;www.jonano.com


You won't want to miss out on the lines these designers will be showcasing! For anyone who thought being green and being fashionable couldn't go hand in hand, wait until you see all of these high fashion, eco-friendly, lines!

Richard Maize on The Importance of Physical Exercise for Executives

Richard Maize on The Importance of Physical Exercise for Executives

"Having an exercise routine as a business executive is probably as important as anything you can do for yourself," says Richard Maize.

Richard Maize is respected for his comprehensive, professional knowledge of real estate, mortgage banking and general business practice. Maize was ranked as the number one mortgage banker in the United States and serves today as a consultant to dozens of businesses both in the US and abroad.

"Even as the conclusive tests will reveal of all the benefits to you physically and mentally, the mental edge you get from an hour of exercise everyday is incomprehensible.  A routine that includes at least 40 minutes of cardio exercise will bring your mental being up to a level for the entire day."

 "As a business person, that amount of exercise will spur new ideas and allow for better concentration.  The obvious health benefit trumps all others.  If there is stress in your life, exercise battles the physical deterioration that this causes."

 

Maize adds: "A change in routine is also important.  I, personally have started doing spinning 4 to 5 times a week and lifting light weights twice a week.  Once, my body adapts to this healthy exercise routine, I may revert back to jogging on or off a treadmill so that my routine does not become mundane and will continue to challenge by body." 

 

"Working out not only keeps you young in mind, body and spirit.  While I work out personally, my mind drifts off and I will think of business issues and will often come up with answers during my workouts.  Even while on vacations, my body will react to long walks or activities that other people my age will wear down."

 

Richard Maize says that he enjoys a weekly dosage of golf and tennis.

 

Maize concludes: "I have had a sports trainer as my finance situation will allow.  For me, after a certain amount of trainer training he or she becomes somewhat of a highly productive and motivating baby sitter. Encourages one to continue their routine.  I love them. Especially in helping to stretch you after the workout."

Richard Maize: The Green Youth Movement Presents LA Fashion Week’s Eco Fashion Show

The Green Youth Movement Presents LA Fashion Week’s Eco Fashion Show

Nonprofit Greens the Runway to Raise Environmental Awareness

Los Angeles, CA – October 11, 201`0 – This season, green is the new black. Los Angeles-based nonprofit, the Green Youth Movement (GYM) will be presenting THE GREEN INITIATIVE: A Humanitarian Fashion Show at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 16th, 2010 at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, California. As part of Los Angeles Fashion Week, this highly anticipated event aims to celebrate sustainable living by showcasing collections from eco-friendly designers. THE GREEN INITIATVE is positioned to prove that fashion and sustainability can go hand-in-hand, and that eco-conscious alternatives can be just as “haute” on the runway.

Produced by The Gallery Los Angeles, THE GREEN INITIATIVE will feature collections from sustainable designers such as Emily Factor, Kristinit, Jonano and others. All designs are made in the United States, utilize sustainable materials and are responsibly produced – just the kind of environmentally sound solution that the Green Youth Movement advocates in its mission to promote sustainable living and green education amongst the younger generation.

“THE GREEN INITIATIVE is an opportunity to communicate the importance of living sustainably to the next generation of consuming adults,” says 18-year-old Ally Maize, founder of the Green Youth Movement. “We want people to reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink the choices they make every day in every aspect of their lives, including fashion.”

Proceeds from THE GREEN INITIATIVE will go to directly to the continuing support of Green Youth Movement’s active projects and initiatives.  THE GREEN INITIATIVE will also give guests a sneak peek of GYM’s “GREEN DREAM PROJECT” which is an effort to encourage teens to recycle holiday dresses by donating them to less fortunate students. “Fashion is such a big part of youth culture and serves as an ideal means of raising global awareness of sustainable living,” adds Chloe Mills, Gym’s 16 year old president “We hope THE GREEN INITIATIVE gets people excited about being green and making environmentally-conscious lifestyle choices.”

THE GREEN INITIATIVE is open to the public. Tickets are available for purchase at  

http://gymfashionshowtix.eventbrite.com/

Richard Maize Shares Business Secrets with Young Entrepreneurs

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2010

Richard Maize Shares Business Secrets with Young Entrepreneurs

Richard Maize, a native of sunny California, is a philanthropist and supporter of the poor and hungry throughout the world, as well as in his hometown of Los Angeles. 

Richard Maize actively promotes ecologically sound practices in his own home and provides useful information on "going green". He avidly supports Israel and is one of the first to be on the spot to lend a helping hand when disasters occurs around the world, lending his support to Israel's efforts to provide disaster relief such as in Haiti.

Richard Maize is dedicated to supporting worthwhile non-profit organizations in the US and Israel that give people “the chance to live healthier and happier lives,” according to Richard Maize.
He generously contributes time and financial resources to community organizations that cover health, welfare, young leadership, the environment, art and culture. These include the Los Angeles Police Foundation, American Cancer Society, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Camp Harmony, Greystone Mansion and many others.

“We are trying to facilitate an appreciation and understanding of the role that creativity plays in our lives, alongside support for vital institutions,” Richard Maize stated.

As an example of the activities of Richard Maize is the generous support of the Sheryl Weissberg Lymphoma Research Foundation. Richard Maize funded research for clinical trials and research conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center and Tower Cancer Research Foundation. 
“We wholeheartedly support research and treatment for lymphoma, one of the most devastating cancers,” said Richard Maize. “Together with partner organizations and individuals, we want to be able to say that this disease has been eliminated and is now a disease of the past,” he added.

Richard Maize now indulges in his real passion, sharing some of his business secrets and insights with up-and-coming young entrepreneurs:

"Success does not mean solely making money," says Richard Maize. "People have passions for different endeavors. Some people love to teach or coach kids. Not much money earned; but the reward with a successful career typically will outweigh the higher wage earner. Some people will give of their time for non profits and charitable organizations. There is very little by way or monetary reward. But, there is nothing that can take the place of that reward especially if their jobs are carried out properly."

Maize adds: "The answer to the question is simply no matter what you chose for self gratification, you must not be lazy, you must be organized, you have to deal with people honestly and forthright, a very important aspect of being a success is that you are available and you must be responsible to your job and others that count on you."

Maize says that the most important tool to be successful is that you must care about what you do and if you are self employed, you must love what you do.

When asked about how to create productive business relationships, Richard Maize responds: "You have to create respect for who you are and your ability in your field. A client business associate wants to hand off a duty to a professional and feels that they gave it to the best (or close to) and that person can do the job better than the client themselves. You have to show your business associate that you are honest and available. The next thing you must make apparent to your prospective associate is that you have fresh ideas and that you know your business as well as anyone. You should glow with confidence without going over the line of cocky.

How many hours per day should you put into your work?

Maize states that if you are an employee, that question is answered for you by your contracted work hours (unless of course you go the extra mile and stay longer for special jobs or projects). Maize says expecting and showing you are staying late for extra money is not always the way to succeed in a salaried position. For a self directed entrepreneur, the hours you put in to a day is made up of mandatory hours as you need to get something completed whether it is an idea to fully develop or an actual project. Also, for a service job, Maize says that one needs to basically be available 24/7

.

"Clients love that. Available and encroaching too much on your family life has to be guided with great direction," says Maize. "A very important aspect of time for work is also directed by your mental and physical state for the day. On great feeling and sharp days, take advantage of them. Write out new ideas on current and future projects."

Richard Maize, who has faced some of the highest peaks and lowest valleys, was asked how should one handle adversity?

"This can be tricky," says Maize. "If you have backing and are an honest person, adversity is just a bump in the road. You are allowed a couple of those. If the adversity is simply a business crisis, you need to face it head on and understand you are the best in the field and can work it out. Another idea in your field can sometimes be helpful. If the adversity is a bit more than a simple business crisis, you need to get the strength to lift above it. You know the person you are and must lift above the challenge knowing it will pass. Don’t put your head in the sand. You need to deal with all problems with dignity and decorum. Be happy and continue to show both strength and confidence."

Maize says that many global leaders and American Presidents when faced with their most challenging moments, when the entire world appears to be stacked against them, takes the good advice of their PR advisors to "act and be Presidential in all you say and do." Maize says that by exhibiting such confidence during a crisis, one places those around him or her in a comfort zone of security. And this is one of nature's most basic principles for leadership.

Is there a connection between team sports and business success?

"As an athlete that understands working with others to a achieve victory, I think team sports may have been the single most important ingredient to a successful business life," says Maize. "In team sports, you are taught playing fair, yet aggressive. You are taught the importance of your teammates as if they were in your own family and their success is vital to your own success. Helping others (your teammates) go forward is also helping you going forward. One thing you are not taught but are inherent in sports as a whole if you are an athlete, are the internal competitions which give those that have a successful operation have the competitive edge. It teaches you had to get both mentally as well as physically prepared to meet your next opponent. The better you are prepared, the more likely victory will come your way. And then, you go through victory and loss. You get to react and learn how to accept both in a professional and fair way."

How does one balance both their personal and business lives?

"When you are successful in business, the two intersect often," says Richard Maize. "As a successful business person, you yield confidence that is felt in your personal life. You are more apt to be a leader amongst your friends and family. In my opinion, personal is way more important. Friends and family is not easily lost and rebuilt. For a successful business person, you often can make the wrong choice in fields or investment options due to choice or financial shifts, but can rebuild that just as easily as losing."

Maize continues: "I feel, unlike others if asked this question (whereby they may say business first), is that I would always make time for my friends and family and have plenty of time for my business matters in between (there are obviously exceptions to that rule if a business matter is pressing). In general an ingredient to a successful business is to have a successful personal life."

How important is formal education?

Richard Maize smiles, looks down and again makes direct eye contact with a warm, youthful pose.

"An education is important for a couple of general reasons. By the way, education could, but often does not, come from pure experience depending on what type of individual you are. If you are a professional such as a doctor, lawyer, journalist or scientist, a formal education is mandatory. There too, you get your best education by on duty learning by those with more experience. That holds true with any type of career. It is very important (and lucky in most cases) to find the right mentor to learn from. Your business career in some instances can be so influenced by the first mentor out of school you learn from."

Maize concludes: "I truly believe a formal education is important, not to remember facts you learn in school (which is likely forgotten during our lives). It is to massage your brain so that you have the tools to logically figure out problems that will be in front of you. To have good inductive and deductive skills, is more important in the business world than to have pure facts. A solid pre and post University graduate education will also empower you with the potent tools to find the urgent answers to the many unexpected questions you will face down life's long and winding road." 

www.RichardMaizeFoundation.com

/www.RichardMaizeRealEstate.com

www.RichardMaize.com

http://www.prlog.org/10465660-richard-maize-aids-la-homeless-during-hanukkah-christmas.html

www.LAChildren.co

Richard Maize: My Thoughts on Being A Business Mentor To Youth

Recently Richard Maize was asked by one of his students on his thoughts in participating as a YLDI mentor and what it has meant to him?

Richard Maize - providing valuable
business mentoring advice to youth.

"Well, this is my third term.  


Each mentee has been bright, polite and striving for success.  Having opened discussions about business, family and the world as a whole and where the young mentees see themselves is very rewarding.  


Providing my mentees with good, experienced advice is a passion that I had for many years.  I used to get paid for it.  As a consultant I would ask and receive thousands of dollars for the advice that I provide to university students today at no cost."


Richard Maize adds: "It is much more gratifying, donating ones time to eager young adults who actually listen, takes your advice and implement it.  It is the best when a mentor can make a positive difference in these great young people's lives. 


And to see these mentees then contributing to their families and their own business communities, making a real and positive impact on society - this is the greatest reward!" 

Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation

• Monday, August 30, 2010

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Richard Maize Launches Richard Maize Real Estate Mortgage Banking Mentoring Website

Richard Maize, one of the most successful businessmen in North America and for many years the leading US real estate mortgage banker, is now contributing his successful experience and expertise to university students and young real estate, mortgage banking entrepreneurs both on and off the Internet.
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"Being a mentor is a fulfilling experience and offers the opportunity to contribute knowledge and insight to guide and influence a future leader in his or her professional development path."

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) August 30, 2010

The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation has launched the Richard Maize Real Estate and Mortgage Banking Mentoring Website.

Richard Maize, one of the most successful businessmen in North America and for many years was the leading US real estate mortgage banker, is now contributing his many years of successful experience and expertise to university students and young real estate, mortgage banking entrepreneurs both on and off the Internet.

Richard Maize has been volunteering with the Young Leadership Development Initiative (YLDI) for the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

In launching the Richard Maize Real Estate and Mortgage Banking Mentor Website, Maize stated: "This Website is dedicated, as a non-profit, community service to help young businesspeople make the right decisions in business."

Maize adds: "Being a mentor is a fulfilling experience and offers the opportunity to contribute knowledge and insight to guide and influence a future leader in his or her professional development path."

"This is an absolute pleasure for me. It was always my hope, as I looked towards eventual retirement, that I would be able to help my close friends do a little better in their own businesses. Now helping young people achieve their goals is even better than I ever expected. You have their respect as a successful, Jewish middle-aged businessman and you can really make a difference," says Maize.

The Richard Maize Real Estate and Mortgage Banking Mentor Website provides many commonly asked questions with answers by Richard Maize. Among the many questions and answers are the following:

How do ambitious young students with a mind for business and real estate and financing take their first steps in the business world?

Richard Maize: "The first step is to find a mentor who can guide you as to what is pertinent in today's business world. The real estate and financing business changes all the time. Once the goals are set, the young student will have to see what his or her strengths are within those parameters. This is the foundation of getting a niche in competitive business. Learn from the experienced and make what you learn younger, more imaginative and stronger than the last generation. Just like at home. You want your children to take the best from the parents and to add on with their strengths to make them even better."

"Experienced and smart business people look for young smart and innovative people to carry on what they have been doing to make their business continue with or without them in a new and better way.

How does one succeed in today's Web 2.0 fast moving, highly competitive market today?

Richard Maize: "Think Niche! Don't be like the rest of the herd. Study the marketplace and see what direction you see the business going. Be the innovator; not the follower. Find a niche and run with it. Market what you do and have others follow and work for you."

What does a young person do with very little or no money who wants to go into the real estate investing especially with the prices down and great opportunities?

Richard Maize: "Money attacks money. Confidence attacks money. Brains and ideas attack money.

First come up with an idea and opportunity. One of my mentees suggested mobile home parks to me for my thoughts. Great cash flow. Very depressed market (like most markets), great occupancy (especially in this economy) and well thought out with projections and cash flow analysis. This was their Niche. They put together a prospective and went shopping for money. With great ideas and well prepared, money was thrown at them."

Are we experiencing a low priced real estate market as a periodical cycle or is it a trend?

Richard Maize: "A little bit of both. It is certainly a cycle and could also be a trend. The real estate market had increased so fast by so much, there was artificial wealth to all those who owned real estate. However, the debt was so available that many of the real estate owners (especially single family) could really not afford the payments (thus the collapse of the markets). The only way out was to sell or continue to refinance the asset. By selling, additional equity is realized. By refinancing, tax free equity is taken but eventually you have to pay the government and the bank.

Now that the financing is such that you actually have to be a qualified borrower, the demand for real estate will be much lower coupled with getting all the bargain prices visa vi the foreclosed properties out of the market."

How about securing financing today? How do those who don't have a track record or much income get a loan for either a house or income property?

Richard Maize: "Very tough right now. We are back to relationships with your bank. Family members need to come back in the picture to help get financing. You need a job that pays enough money to qualify for a loan. Or, with the proper introductions, a "private banking" (VIP within the banking industry for high net worth clients) have lower criteria for loans."

How does one get into the finance business (mortgage banking) in this market place?

Richard Maize: "For the mortgage industry - first, be the very best you can be. Knowledge is the key. You never want to have your clients or employees know (or think they know anyway) more than you do. Learn the field, then get the best mentor in the field and just listen to him or her work at her desk, then build confidence that you can do what you need to do to get the job done at the best and most competitive manner in the marketplace. Think outside the box and look at all alternatives to get the job done."

"Is this a good time to invest in real estate?"

Richard Maize: "This is a great time to buy real estate. You buy when people sell and you sell when people want to buy". You either need seed money from your own account, relatives or start a fund.

Is there a difference between the LA, New York and international markets and if so what are they?

In California and New York is where the differential is. The laws are very different. In New York you need an attorney to close to perfect a mortgage which is more costly than California where you will need an escrow company to complete the transaction. In New York you have various mortgage taxes and you need to use a mortgage to document a lien. In California there are no mortgage taxes and you need a trustee to guarantee a lien. It's a lot easier to complete a transaction in California."

How do we avoid pitfalls, mistakes, shortcuts, corruption and greed to keep our and the lives of others clean?

Richard Maize: "You absolutely need to know and guard yourself from those you do business with (under the assumption that you are an honest person which most are). Avoid temptation and good sales work by con people for their benefit. Understand, a smart person can always make more money under the guidelines than taking shortcuts which leads to greed. Don't be tempted by the fast talking "bad guy". Listen to your gut. Follow your instinct. You are not above the law (either ethical or legal). You need to be respected and trusted."

The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation actively promotes a wide variety of humanitarian projects, including ecologically sound practices in his own home and provides useful information on "going green".

Richard Maize avidly supports the democratic State of Israel and is one of the first to be on site to lend a helping hand when disaster occurs around the world.

Immediately following the devastating earthquake which struck Haiti in January 2010, Richard Maize joined forces with the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Israel Flying Aid to illustrate their life saving efforts to the world.

Richard Maize is dedicated to supporting worthwhile non-profit organizations in the US and Israel that give people "the chance to live healthier and happier lives."

Richard Maize generously contributes time and financial resources to community organizations that cover health, welfare, young leadership, the environment, art and culture. These include the Los Angeles Police Foundation, American Cancer Society, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Israel Maccabiah Sports Games, Camp Harmony, Greystone Mansion and many others.

"We are trying to facilitate an appreciation and understanding of the role that creativity plays in our lives, alongside support for vital institutions," Richard Maize stated.

"But of all of the community work that I am presently involved in, nothing is more rewarding than being directly in contact with our youth. Helping them to learn, grow and secure honest and prosperous careers in the real estate and mortgage banking industries. Giving these young students a fishing rod is by far more valuable than giving them fish."

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