The Divine Imaging Blog

For Immediate Release
December 29, 2008

Divine Small Business - “Yes We Can!” Bailout Plan for the New Year!

“Small government contractor” might sound like a contradiction in terms, but Divine Imaging Inc., a small, woman-owned GSA/DoD government contractor, has managed to thrive and grow during some of the most difficult economic times in our country’s history. This diverse group of 14 hardworking people has carved out its share of the multi-billion dollar government market for products ranging from IT equipment and office supplies, to body armor, to e-containers of “green” soups cups and paper products, using some rather unfashionable (of late) “old fashioned” American business practices: honest, hard work, showing up early, staying late and working weekends. In fact, this dynamic and youthful team believes that their future is inextricably linked to a traditional American work-ethic, “Yankee know-how” and ingenuity, and they are eager and excited to embrace the message of the new Obama administration as they continue to grow their company.

“Cutting edge-technology, competitive prices, performance and execution are just prerequisites in today’s challenging business environment…they are merely starting points, rather than the totality of our success.” said Divine Imaging, Inc. founder and President Kimberly Devane. “We believe that lasting success is built upon some very simple practices: We work hard and smart, we put in long hours, we stay out of debt, and we manage our expenses as though every dollar counts-because it does!” Ms. Devane continued “Our only customer is the federal government, so we never loose sight of the fact that we are serving people who have devoted their lives to the service of others. Our customers range from troops on the front lines in Iraq, to people processing social security checks, to the Office of the President. As taxpayers and business owners, we take pride in our fiduciary responsibility to provide the best possible value and service for our customers-American Citizens.”

“Our business plan certainly includes innovation and improvements to our IT systems and our data-base management, but our success has more to do with our mindset and attitude,” said Divine Imaging, Inc. CEO Larry Abbott. He continued “We don’t get stupid, cocky or over-confident when we look at our numbers. Even though our bottom-line this year was stellar, we still looked at what was happening in the economy and decided that we should trim expenses wherever possible, get tougher with our suppliers, avoid debt, put into motion our systems of improvement, and work even harder next year. Call it “survival of the obsessively prudent” proclaimed Mr. Abbott. Our team has a strong sense of hope and optimism for the future, and for good reasons. We are definitely “on board” with the message of the Obama administration. The morning after election night, we gave a raise to a very hardworking team member. We let her know of the raise via email, and we ended the email with the words “Yes we can”, because we instantly thought of her as we watched Mr. Obama give his “yes we can” speech the night before. This young woman shows up at 5 AM each day so that she can leave by 2:00, in order to have the time to volunteer at a home for the elderly. She greets the office with hopeful words every morning, and she leaves us all with a positive message as she departs. She works tirelessly, cheerfully and efficiently. “Yes we can” is not a slogan to this young woman, it is a behavior. This behavior exemplifies the foundation for our success.”

“We are extremely proud and hopeful as we ring in 2009! We have a solid foundation for our dreams, plans and growth, and a new administration that will support and reward small business, allowing us to do what we do best. The Divine Imaging, Inc. team turns hope into action by making good decisions, working hard, and maintaining a humble and grateful attitude. We treat our customers and team members with dignity and respect. That is what Divine Imaging, Inc. is all about, so yes, we are hopeful indeed that we will continue to thrive. Small businesses like ours do not need to be bailed out. We ARE the bailout. We will drive and rebuild the economy by using the same “old fashioned” business practices that our forefathers used to build this great country - no shortcuts, no accounting tricks…just hard work, decency and sound business practices.”

Gerry Porter
Hanson & Schwam Public Relations
Sr.VP Publicity
323-650-8512

The Divine Imaging Team

What a great song! Truly embodies the spirit, heart and bravery of our fighting men and women, the protectors of our freedom and security!

Kid Rock - National Guard Warrior

With growth can come rebirth. Life is change and one must adapt to survive and grow. We feel the following PowerPoint presentation is a beautiful example of how we can learn to embrace change, adapt and grow - we hope you find it as inspirational as the Divine team did:  A Lesson in Rebirth.

The Rock

There is a huge rock near a gravel pit on Hwy. 25 in rural Iowa. For generations, kids have painted slogans, names, and obscenities on this rock, changing its character r many times. A few months back, the rock received its latest paint job, and since then it has been left completely undisturbed. It’s quite an impressive sight.

I thought the flag was draped over the rock, but it’s not. It’s actually painted on the rock too.

Here’s the artist — Ray ‘Bubba’ Sorensen.

AWESOME Work, RAY…Thank you!

God Bless America and OUR SOLDIERS AND VETS

You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person

‘If we ever forget that we’re One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation
gone under.’  -Ronald Reagan

By Cyndia Zwahlen
Special to The Times

October 4 2007

Architect Rita Kalwani is frustrated by a years-long delay in the  launch of  a federal program that would help small businesses owned by women  earn a  share of the $412-billion federal marketplace.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-smallbiz4oct04,1,5931656.story

Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com

The large firms, which include corporate giants such as Northrop Grumman, are estimated by the House Small Business Committee to hold $12 billion in contracts that federal agencies have tagged as being held by small businesses. Many of the large firms were given the small-business label when they acquired a small company that held a federal contract. Before June 30, those big companies could be counted as small for the life of a contract, which these days could be as long as 20 years. Cleaning up the government’s contractor database can be done within a year, according to the Small Business Administration.

“Based on the results we’ve seen and the collaboration with other agencies, we feel that it’s very realistic,” said Arthur Collins, director of government contracting at the SBA. The companies were also asked to flag any short-term contracts they have with renewal options greater than one year and to voluntarily alert the government that the contracts are held by companies “other than small.”

The prime contractors have been asked to alert the federal contracting officers they deal with as well as the SBA when they make the changes, although there are no penalties for those that do not. After years of criticism, the SBA announced in November that, as of June 30, all companies with small-business federal contracts would have to recertify their size when a contract was up, which for a short-term contract is typically after five years. They also have to recertify when an option to continue a contract is exercised, as well as when they acquire or merge with another company.

Some critics have said companies should recertify annually and have expressed concerns that the new rules lack teeth. To reach its goals, the SBA has enhanced the small-business search tool, part of the federal contractor database, to make it easier and faster for contracting officers at federal agencies to find the small businesses they need to meet their contracting goals.

The agency also is reorganizing its procurement specialists. SBA district offices and resources partners, such as the Women Business Centers, will handle front-line procurement counseling and training. Meanwhile, the SBA’s 55 procurement center representatives will focus on helping federal agencies make more opportunities available for small businesses “We’ve got two markets: small business and acquisition agencies,” Collins said. “Right now we feel we need to focus on the acquisition agencies.” For more information on the new recertification rules, go to www.sba.gov .

Core services top expense study

Small businesses spent most of their money on core business services last year, including data processing, administrative support and management consulting, which together accounted for 34.5% of the $4.88 trillion spent by firms with annual revenues of $25 million or less, according to an analysis of the 2006 Visa Commercial Consumption Expenditure Index. The biggest percentage jump in spending was in the category of rent, which increased 14.3% over 2005. Overall, small-business spending grew 4.3% in 2006. The index, which excludes payroll expenses, is compiled from government data by credit card and debit card giant Visa USA of San Francisco.

Forum to tackle health insurance

For small-business owners who would like to do more to help their employees obtain health insurance, a public policy forum is scheduled Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the City Club on Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles. The event, organized by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Assn. of Women Business Owners, will update attendees on the healthcare proposals before the state Legislature. The outcome probably will affect small employers’ finances. “Health insurance is a significant line item in my business,” said Cynthia McClain-Hill, co-founder and managing director of the 15-employee, Los Angeles-based law firm Strategic Counsel, sponsor of the event. Proposals include a government-run system with an 8% employer tax and a 3% employee tax and programs with no mandates and no charges. A panel of speakers including the senior health policy advisor to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will explain the proposals and advise listeners on how they can weigh in with their representatives. The women’s business association is determined to get small-business owners involved to help solve the dual problem of affordability and availability of health insurance, McClain-Hill said. “Small-business owners have often a very intimate relationship with their employees and tend to be consumed with desire to provide [health] insurance for themselves and their employees and, frankly, riddled with guilt when they are unable to do so,” said McClain-Hill, who is a small-business owner, a past president of the association’s local chapter and president-elect of the national organization.

Registration for the event costs $55 for nonmembers and $40 for members. On-site registration is $5 more. For more information, go to www.nawbola.org . For a brief look at some of the proposed healthcare legislation, go to the Small Business California website at www.smallbusinesscalifornia.org .

Online courses for entrepreneurs

Almost 30 new online workshops meant to help users start, manage or market a business have been added by the Service Corps of Retired Executives at www.score.org as part of a series of new content at the free site. Articles on data security and e-commerce along with free technology tools and templates are also available. The organization also has updated its disaster preparation and recovery information and links, and has identified 50 online counselors with expertise in this area. Cyndia Zwahlen, Small Business Report, Los Angeles Times, July 11, 2007

Click here to read article.

Regarding an article today in the L.A.Times’ Small Business Report, “Tightened rules aim to protect small-business federal contracts”  (click: L.A. Times. Note - you will need to register or login to view article, or use www.bugmenot.com).

I think the SBA should be applauded and it is a victory for “real” small, independant business not aligned or affiliated with one big business or setup as a puppet/pass through company for big business.  I think it promotes honest and ethical business to VAR’s (value added reseller) and spreads the opporunities more evenly and challenges “real” small business to step up to the plate and do a good job!

Kimberly Devane, President
DIVINE IMAGING COMMODITIES
9350 Wilshire Blvd.,Suite 315
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone : 310-248-4492
Fax : 310-248-4496
kim@divineimaging.com