Dezanii Lewis

I am a writer based in Charlotte, NC

Featured Articles

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.
Queen City Nerve •

Anti-Abortion Protesters Allegedly Harass, Assault UNC Charlotte Students

On Oct. 26, an anti-abortion group called Genocide Awareness Group (GAP) appeared on campus at UNC Charlotte, comparing abortion to genocide while displaying graphic images of unborn fetuses. While this is not the first time such a group has appeared on campus at the university, some of this group’s reported behaviors raised a discussion about what happens when anti-abortion advocates stretch the limits of freedom of speech and use actions that could be considered harassment or even assault.

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Feature Stories

Queen City Nerve •

East Side Animal Hospital Fights for the Indie Vets | Queen City Nerve

When Dr. Natalie McShane opened East Side Animal Hospital in fall 2024, she did so with the intent to push back on the corporate monopolization that she has seen spreading throughout the veterinary care industry in recent years. Dr. McShane remembers a time before health care consisted solely of conglomerates, a time when your doctor likely owned a private practice and there was a more personal relationship. Names like Novant, Atrium or CaroMont have come to dominate the health care industry, an...
Queen City Nerve •

Professor Chronicles History of UNC Charlotte Arts Department | Queen City Nerve

An arts school might not be the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of UNC Charlotte, but by chronicling the history of the university’s Department of Art & Art History, Professor of Art History Jim Frakes hopes to change that.Founded in 1964 by artist Maud Gatewood at the behest of the university’s founder Bonnie Cone, what began as the Fine Arts Program at what was then Charlotte College is celebrating its 60th anniversary this winter with a number of exhibits. Despite that m...
Queen City Nerve •

Books on the House Increases Reading Accessibility in Charlotte | Queen City Nerve

The idea that reading just isn’t fun is one that, in all my life experience, simply rings false. The truth is, most people don’t dislike reading, they just don’t know what they like to read or where to get it. As a voracious reader from the tender age of 5, I know what I like and where to get it; I’m a huge champion of Park Road Books and the public library, for instance. But there’s another lesser known bookshop bringing the light of literature into lives around Charlotte, and the best part is...
Queen City Nerve •

Zepeddie’s Pizzeria Returns After Decades-Long Closure | Queen City Nerve

Typically, when a popular business shutters its doors, customers never expect to have that dining experience again. In the case of Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, however, it just took a little patience.On Nov. 1, the Zepsa family will reopen the New York-style pizza joint that they first opened in 1994 and were forced to sell 25 years ago.While the neon sign from the original restaurant, which closed in 2001, has been preserved and put back to use, with WWII-era windows nodding to the quaint charm of the...
Queen City Nerve •

Blacker the Berry Lemonade Sweetens the Story of Black Culture | Queen City Nerve

Though its origins can’t be pinned down exactly, the saying, “The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice,” has its roots in the African American community. It’s often used to appreciate and uplift one’s Blackness, especially in moments where it is cast in an inferior light. While it is a figurative phrase, local entrepreneur Michaela Boddie has put a more literal spin on it.Boddie founded Blacker the Berry Lemonade with a goal to highlight the rich flavors and vibrant aspects of Black culture....
Queen City Nerve •

New Novel Shares Teacher's Mission to Make Fishing More Inclusive | Queen City Nerve

When you think of your typical fly-fisherman, what image comes to mind? It might be someone like Brian Hester, a middle-aged white man. Hester, an avid, self-taught fly-fishing enthusiast and visual arts teacher, knows this is the case, and he’s determined to change it. Centering his efforts on bringing more Black, Indigenous and other people of color, specifically women, into fly-fishing, he has sought to create a more welcoming mindset in a subculture dominated by white men.Working as an arts...
Queen City Nerve •

Darius Lockhart’s ASÉ Wrestling Centers Mental Health, Black Culture | Queen City Nerve

Anyone who’s watched even a few minutes of a wrestling match knows that the sport is a physically taxing one. The wear-and-tear that the sport puts on the bodies of athletes has to be experienced to be explained. What many don’t know is that the sport wreaks just as much havoc on the mind as it does the body. Historically, not much has been done to combat that fact.That’s something Darius Lockhart aimed to fix when he launched ASÉ Wrestling.ASÉ (pronounced ah-SHAY) Wrestling is an independent wr...
Queen City Nerve •

Of Earth & Sky Returns With New Public Poetry Installations | Queen City Nerve

The Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF) is renowned for its inspirational visuals, stunning performing arts, and thought-provoking exhibits. Each program offers attendees the opportunity to view a piece of the world through someone else’s eyes, and the ongoing Of Earth and Sky public art exhibit fits that mold perfectly.Launched locally in 2021, Of Earth & Sky comprises a series of public art installations located in various parts of the city where CIAF is taking place that feature poem...
Queen City Nerve •

Yvonne Bynoe Depicts Black Joy, Everyday Life in How I Got Over | Queen City Nerve

Black history contains a multitude of stories, many of which may go untold forever. In recent years, however, more and more newly discovered stories offer differing perspectives and insight into Black history. These are the stories that influenced Yvonne Bynoe to curate her latest exhibit, How I Got Over: Contemporary Black Southern Portraiture, A testimony of community, joy, and triumph.Currently showing at UNC Charlotte’s Rowe Gallery, where it will be on display through Sept. 24, Bynoe aimed...
Queen City Nerve •

Greg and Subrina Collier Debut 3rd & Fernwood in Midtown | Queen City Nerve

When Greg and Subrina Collier first arrived in Charlotte in 2012 with dreams of entering the local restaurant scene, they were inspired by eateries like Delta’s Restaurant in Uptown, and Jackson’s Cafeteria in Uptown — diners that doubled as community hubs, serving a diverse range of people. “What we loved about those places is everybody was there,” chef Greg Collier recently told Queen City Nerve. “You had the mayor and the city council there with general contractors, there with lawyers, there...
Queen City Nerve •

PULSE Xperience Highlights BIPOC Creatives at Blackbox Theater | Queen City Nerve

Black, Indigenous and other non-white (BIPOC) creatives too often have to elbow their way to a seat at the table. Instead of being invited or even welcomed into predominantly white spaces, BIPOC creatives are constantly being told to create spaces for themselves. At some point, Khalif J. Guiden got tired of seeing BIPOC creatives treated as an afterthought, offered only “breadcrumbs” by the institutional organizers within Charlotte’s mainstream arts scene. That’s why Guiden, a rapper and produce...
Queen City Nerve •

‘Kudzu: A Story of Belonging’ Explores the Impact of Gentrification | Queen City Nerve

The housing crisis is a topic that almost every demographic can relate to in some context. Whether directly or indirectly, most people have been affected by it and have much to say about it. And while that remains the case, it’s people of color and other vulnerable communities who are most impacted by this wide-reaching and ever-growing issue. With its new production, Kudzu: A Story of Belonging, local Black-led artist collective Mixed Metaphors Productions explores what it means to call Charlot...
Queen City Nerve •

Code Red Comedy Puts Charlotte Comics to the Test | Queen City Nerve

If there’s one thing that most comedians can agree on, it’s that there are a number of landmines to maneuver when on stage. It doesn’t matter if it’s stand-up or improv, comics have to be quick on their feet.Most comics have to figure out how to navigate that landscape on their own, but here in Charlotte, they’ve got Code Red Comedy, a monthly comedy showcase and competition show.What makes Code Red Comedy different from your average competition is that the landmines are guaranteed. “In the most...
Queen City Nerve •

Sonja Nichols Celebrates Southern Lion Grand Opening | Queen City Nerve

Blacklion had stood as a staple of the south Charlotte community for nearly 30 years when it shuttered its doors in 2023. While many wondered if anything would take its place, self-described serial entrepreneur Sonja Nichols said she felt she was sent to fulfill the task.“God put it in my spirit one day for me to go and find out if the Blacklion was for sale,” she said. She drove to the store — a marketplace that housed all types of local artists and vendors selling everything from furniture to...
Queen City Nerve •

Howard McNair's Improvisational Jazz Has Roots in Gospel | Queen City Nerve

Sitting behind his keyboard, Howard McNair counted in his band members to kick off rehearsal at The Playroom. The snap of drums came, followed by the strum of guitar, and then the rest of the group joined in. They easily slid into a jubilant, upbeat song which immediately had toes tapping and heads bobbing.He may not have looked like your typical jazz musician at that moment, in a black baseball cap and black-and-white Jordan 11 Retros, but McNair was in fully his element as he kicked off that r...
Queen City Nerve •

Enovia Bedford Discusses Being Black in Tech Upon Announcing Latest Venture | Queen City Nerve

When people think about the tech industry and its major players, people like Enovia Bedford rarely come to mind. In primarily white-, male-dominated spaces, Black women and other marginalized groups so often see themselves pushed to the background, their contributions overlooked — but Bedford says that’s exactly why she’s here.“There’s so much room for growth in tech, and I’m excited to be a part of making it a more inclusive and innovative field for everyone,” she said. As the founder of Vett D...
Queen City Nerve •

Durag Fest Serves as a Different Type of Juneteenth Celebration

Black people often lack spaces created by and for them. When they try to include themselves in existing spaces, society tells them to make their own, and often when they make their own, they’re accused of gatekeeping or exclusivity for not being more welcoming to whites. It is in this context that Charlotte artist Dammit Wesley has over the years cultivated the Durag Festival into a true Black space for Charlotteans.The Durag Festival, an annual celebration that helps commemorate Juneteenth in a...
Queen City Nerve •

Taylor Redd Breaks Barriers as Redd Rose Vodka Founder

Any entrepreneur will tell you about the hardships that come with building a business: seed funding, analyzing supply and demand, marketing and any number of other tasks. Taylor Redd, founder and creator of Redd Rose Vodka, has experienced all of these challenges with one added caveat: having to sell herself as a competent Black woman in a male-dominated industry.“I’ve been a mixologist for 11 years,” she said. “One thing I recognize is the lack of women representation in the industry— and outsi...
Queen City Nerve •

Eat Black Charlotte Expands on Food Festival with Bites on Seventh

Eat Black Charlotte started as a simple hashtag in 2020, a way for local foodies to better highlight Black food businesses in Charlotte, but like any good social media campaign, it eventually grew into something more.

The Eat Black Charlotte Food & Culture Festival was launched originally as a way to wrap up the Eat Black Charlotte Week, a weeklong event that encouraged residents around the city to support the area’s Black-owned restaurants.

Now four years in, the Eat Black Charlotte team cont
Queen City Nerve •

Margarette Joyner Highlights Untold Narratives Through Costume Design

When people think of Black history, African history, or the like, they tend to gravitate to the horrors of said history.

While learning about the atrocities that occurred during past time periods remains important, other stories exist. In fact, it’s just as critical to spread those narratives that depict Black people as more than being enslaved.

It’s those untold stories that Margarette Joyner seeks to explore in her exhibit, A Legacy of Elegance, currently showing at the Projective Eye Galler
Queen City Nerve •

Urban Sweets Co. Adapts After South End Closure

For many businesses, shuttering the doors to a storefront, especially a flagship location that had only been open for a single year, spells the end of things. But Kristen Stewart isn’t most people and Urban Sweets Co. isn’t most businesses.

Stewarts’ ice cream company, known for its Charlotte-based flavors like Belmont Banana Pudding, Plaza Midwood Peanut Butter and SouthPark Strawberry Cheesecake, began as a mobile operation from its launch.

So in November 2023, when Stewart was faced with th
Queen City Nerve •

Jimmy Pearls Plots Next Move While Staying True to Its Roots

From time immemorial, cooking has served as a way for people to tell stories of their culture, their history, and their roots, baring their honest souls to loved ones, community members or patrons.

This sentiment acts as the foundation upon which Jimmy Pearls was built, and co-founder Daryl Cooper believes it plays an integral role in the success his establishment has seen as of late.

On Jan. 24, Jimmy Pearls became the only Charlotte establishment to be nominated for the coveted 2024 James Be
Queen City Nerve •

Mia Love Live Navigates Anxiety in One-Woman Show

There’s nothing easy about anxiety, but when it comes to dealing with it, hiding from the issue is the most simply way out. Putting it on full display to discuss in front of thousands of people is another thing entirely. But if that’s what it takes to address something often considered taboo, then that’s what Mia Love Live is willing to do.

Drawing on her experience as a radio personality, poet and writer, Mia Love Live is the force behind This is My Brain on Anxiety: The Detailed Experience of
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News

Queen City Nerve •

KT Winery Goes Worldwide with American Airlines Announcement | Queen City Nerve

If you’ve ever woken up with a wine hangover, you know just how cruel the vino can be on the morning after. There are a number of reasons wine hangovers have earned this reputation — congeners like tannins, histamine and sulfites are prime suspects. Then there’s that staple of the American diet: sugar.Wine doesn’t necessarily have more sugar than beer or spirits, but it can mix with the aforementioned ingredients to worsen that infamous wine hangover.The team at KT Winery, a Black-, Asian-, and...
Queen City Nerve •

Wedgewood's International Holiday Bazaar Highlights, Helps Refugee Community | Queen City Nerve

Wedgewood: A Social Justice Community, formerly known as Wedgewood Community Church, will host its annual International Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 1, with this year’s proceeds benefiting Refugee Support Services, where the event will be held. The International Holiday Bazaar is a vendor market with deeper meaning, allowing patrons an opportunity to experience other cultures through vendors representing an array of differing nationalities. The bazaar is just a piece of Wedgewood’s puzzle, said spokes...
Queen City Nerve •

Usher Brings Down the House for Two Nights at Spectrum Center | Queen City Nerve

At approximately 9 p.m. on Tuesday night, concertgoers at the Spectrum Center counted down from 10 to kick off the first of two shows by R&B icon Usher in Charlotte, part of his Past Present Future tour. He sold out both nights at Spectrum, with all of his upcoming tour dates sold out through October. His whopping 47-song setlist encompassed a myriad of Usher’s songs spanning his nearly three-decade career. He opened with an electrifying performance of “Coming Home” before transitioning into “Da...
Queen City Nerve •

Check Out Your Library Tour Comes to Charlotte | Queen City Nerve

A national immersive library tour has arrived in Charlotte with an aim to bring awareness of the resources available in public and school libraries.The Check Out Your Library movement and national tour is hosted by OverDrive — the company behind apps Libby, Sora, and Kanopy that allow users to access digital content, e-books, and video streaming free from their local library.Charlotte’s stop on the tour is in partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and runs from Aug. 14-16 with free event...
Queen City Nerve •

Affordable Housing Champions Share 2023 Charlotte Woman of the Year Honors | Queen City Nerve

Two women leading local work toward housing solutions have both been recognized for their efforts by being named 2023 Charlotte Woman of the Year.Laura Belcher, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region and Dionne Nelson, president and CEO of Laurel Street, will share the honor, which has been awarded annually since 1955 to women whose service and contributions to the city of Charlotte help promote a significant improvement in the lives of the city’s residents. “Through y...
Queen City Nerve •

Grow Cafe, Charlotte's First Coffee Shop for Parents, Set to Open in Highland Creek | Queen City Nerve

A new “play cafe” that will cater to parents of young children is set to open next month in the Highland Creek area of northeast Charlotte. Grow Cafe, a Black- and family-owned play cafe that caters to parents and children aged 0 to 6, will open in mid-July at 5324 Docia Crossing Road, Suite B, in a shopping center anchored by Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas. Stacy and Michael Baker, a married couple with children who live in the Highland Creek area, will own Grow Cafe, partnering with Enderly Coffee to...
Queen City Nerve •

L'Ostrica Set to Open in Montford Park This Summer

A new addition to Montford Park was announced this week, with LʼOstrica setting an opening date for later this summer. The upscale restaurant will draw culinary inspiration from Italy, Japan, France and Korea, according to a release on Tuesday.

The restaurant will be located at 4701 Park Road, Unit D, between Montford Drive and Selwyn Avenue in a shopping center that’s currently home to Waterbean Coffee and will add Koibito Poké in July.

Launched by Cat Carter and Eric Ferguson, the idea for t
Queen City Nerve •

5 Things to Know: Actor's Theatre of Charlotte Announces Closing

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte announced Monday that the company will cease all productions this fall following the upcoming run of Evil Dead: The Musical. Actor’s Theatre, which has hosted performances over the span of 33 years, is one of Charlotte’s oldest theatre companies. Their final run will go from Sept. 29-Oct. 30.

Executive Director Laura Rice released a statement on Monday about the closing: “Despite our best efforts, we are heartbroken that we have to bring down the curtain on such a r
The Borgen Project •

Development Projects in Dominica Helping Nation Rebuild and Grow

The Commonwealth of Dominica, not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, is a beautiful country located in the Caribbean. While the nation is still developing, it is making a lot of progress in improving its economic state. These five development projects in Dominica are helping to reduce poverty in the country.
• River Defense Wall Project

Like many Caribbean countries, Dominica is greatly affected by hurricanes. The country aims to lessen the effects of hurricanes with this project. In
The Borgen Project •

Access to Education in Uganda Improves With Exam Ban

In the country of Uganda, education is of high concern. Given that there are over 100 students in some classes, the quality of education is severely lacking. In an attempt to focus on quality and learning retention, Uganda has done away with primary entry level examinations. As opposed to the examinations, the focus will now be aimed at ensuring that the quality of teaching is up to par. Any school found violating the ban will face strict repercussions.

The country’s Ministry of Education found
The Borgen Project •

Sale of Diamond Funds Development Projects in Sierra Leone

The Peace Diamond, the second-largest diamond ever mined in Sierra Leone, sold on December 4, 2017 for $6.5 million. The sale comes as a relief to the government. as the proceeds from the sale of the diamond will go towards development projects and infrastructure in the country.

The village where the diamond was found, Koryardu, has no running water, electricity, roads or schools. Given that the country is still recovering from the recent Ebola virus outbreak, these are much-needed funds. These
The Borgen Project •

Entrepreneurship Boosting Women's Empowerment in Moldova

In the Eastern European country of Moldova, women have a very peculiar place in society. Men revere and admire women in their society, but many men also hold traditional views which say that women should be the caretakers and the nurturers of the household. These views can stagnate women’s empowerment in Moldova.

Domestic violence is also an issue. About 22 percent of women in Moldova claim that they have been abused at the hands of a partner. This number can increase as the parties get older,
The Borgen Project •

Good News About Quality Education in Kenya

In an attempt to increase quality education in Kenya, 90,000 teachers are set to be trained. Instructors are required to participate in a government-sponsored program that will boost learning in primary schools, according to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

Over the years, more and more students have had increased access to education in Kenya. As a result, the adult literacy rate is almost 80 percent whereas the regional average is 61 percent. There are still some hurdles to cross, h
The Borgen Project •

Her innovations a light to Women Empowerment in Algeria

In Algeria, women are typically viewed as insignificant and lesser than their male counterparts. Ironically, the honor of a family rests almost solely upon the shoulders of the women.

The literacy rate of women in Algeria is 73 percent, for men it is 87 percent. The unemployment rate for women rests at 41 percent, for men it is only 22 percent. There is clearly a disparity in how women are treated in Algeria. Fortunately, efforts are being made to encourage women’s empowerment in Algeria.

Alge
The Borgen Project •

Women's Empowerment in Eritrea

Eritrean society, like that of many underdeveloped countries, believes women to be inferior to men. This mindset has lasted for a long time but attempts are being made to change the “patriarchal culture” of the country, which would greatly benefit women’s empowerment in Eritrea.

Women’s empowerment in Eritrea is a major goal of the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Eritrea. Since women’s independence was gained in 1991, the UNDP has been making meaningful strides in increasing the status of wom
BORGEN •

Good News About Polio Eradication

SEATTLE — Polio, a highly infectious disease that invades the nervous system and can cause paralysis in a matter of hours, was once found in over 120 countries across the globe. It can be fatal and there were “40 cases an hour” according to Bill Gates. Now, polio eradication is within sight.

The disease that was once ubiquitous around the globe has seen a steep decline in recent years. In 2014, there were 300 cases reported, in 2015, the number was 74 and in 2016 the number was 37. How many hav
The Borgen Project •

Good News About Access to Hepatitis C Cure

More than 300 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis C. With recent efforts to increase access to the Hepatitis C cure, elimination of the virus is now possible, according to the World Hepatitis Alliance.

Over the past two years, three million people around the world were treated for Hepatitis C. The biggest deterrent to access to the Hepatitis C cure was funding, with prices for the drug being as much as $1000 for one pill. Fortunately, though, Doctors Without Borders has made ac
The Borgen Project •

Ending Child Marriage Could Reduce Global Poverty

In many developing countries it is common practice to marry off girls before the age of 18. Consequently, when girls are married at such a young age, they do not receive an education. This practice can cost countries billions of dollars, according to the World Bank. However, recent studies show that ending child marriage could reduce global poverty.

Child marriage, which primarily affects girls, has many consequences. It causes overpopulation, poor health for said child and it tends to lead to

Opinion

Niner Times •

Opinion: Spring break should be scheduled later in the year

Spring break is when students can blow off steam after enduring rigorous midterm exams and various assignments. Unfortunately for UNC Charlotte students, spring break will be much earlier this year, which should not be the case.

At the halfway point in the semester, spring break gives students the refresher they may need to make it to the finish line of the marathon that is the spring semester.

Spring break will occur from Feb. 27 to March 4 – about a week earlier than it was last year and onl
Niner Times •

Opinion: Printing should be free for students

The cost of printing for a student can add up over a semester, and since many students use printing services exclusively for assignments, students should not have to pay for printing.

At UNC Charlotte, printing a single piece of paper with black ink costs nine cents. For color, it is thirty cents. When college tuition costs are considered, some students fall short and avoid unnecessary spending. Unfortunately, many students are forced to print out their assignments.

Many professors still requi

Listicles/How-To

Queen City Nerve •

Caribbean Takeout Spots To Check Out in the Hot Season

Finding good Caribbean takeout can be hard. Sometimes the restaurants lack a certain something, be it authenticity or maybe even a website, making it quite literally hard to find.

Fortunately, Charlotte has grown into a place where immigrants come to thrive, and that often means serving up the national cuisines they grew up learning to cook perfectly. There is no shortage of great Caribbean food in the Queen City, you’ve just got to know where to find it.

Just in time for summer, we’ve compile
Niner Times •

Where in Charlotte to take graduation photos

Graduation season is right around the corner, and finding ways to commemorate this achievement can be stressful yet exciting. One way to observe this milestone is by taking graduation photos on or off campus. Here are some places in Charlotte to capture graduation photos.

Romare Bearden Park in Uptown is a popular destination with lush, scenic gardens. It also features a color-changing waterfall that is often the backdrop for photos ranging from weddings to casual ones. If the photographer's ti
Highview Apps •

Using Social Media for Support

When you acknowledge the fact that billions of consumers utilize social media in one form or another, it's hard to ignore the role that social media can play in your business. It is likely that, in this day and age, you have some sort of social media presence. You may have been using it for marketing most likely, but if you have only been looking at social media as a means of marketing, you're missing out on additional opportunities. There was once a time when, if someone was outraged about some
Highview Apps •

How to Effectively Support Your Customers

In your quest to be the best, a few things can fall by the wayside. When you're trying to make your site visible, when you're trying to increase sales, there's one thing at the base of all of that and you cannot forget that base. Your base is, obviously, your customers. You cannot forget about them. You're probably thinking, "How can I forget my customers? I need them if I want to meet my sales goals." That is not what I mean. You can't just remember your customers when you're trying to meet you
Highview Apps •

Grow Your Business Using Affiliate Marketing

Some days owning an e-commerce business is easy and others it's very, very hard. So hard, in fact, that you want help in order to acheive the best results. There's nothing wrong with wanting or needing help. The only thing wrong would be if you don't know what kind of help to enlist. For store owners, their help comes in the form of various marketing techniques. Marketing is at the crux of every retail or commerce business structure. One cannot be successful without it.

Think about a youngster,
Highview Apps •

Understanding Your Marketing Funnel

There are ways to be successful in your line of work and there are ways to fail. There are so many moving parts to being in ecommerce that it might seem like it's impossible to win in this field. Everything in ecommerce takes time, but it's worth it in the end. But what's the endgame for you? To be successful? Well, how do you measure success? For many, success is equivalent to how many sales are made. This is totally fine and normal, but do you understand the journey your customers take to make
Highview Apps •

7 Ways to Use Instagram to Market Your Products

In case you were otherwise unaware, Instagram has become a huge marketing giant. So much of a giant, in fact, that its marketing has increased to the tune of 2 million advertisers. While that can seem superfluous and oversaturated, rest assured it's actually pretty good. In fact, Instagram can boast that 75% of all users take action after viewing the post of a business. Coupled with the fact that 50% of all users follow at least one business on Instagram, I'd say it's a pretty decent model. Ther
Highview Apps •

How To Be Productive When Working Remotely

Once upon a time, human beings needed to be present in a collectice space in order to work. Then, technological advancements and different job varieties occured that allowed human beings to work remotely, thus making their lives easier in many ways. The end.

That's the world we live in.

Gone are the days where every job requires you to be physically present at the job site at all times. We live in a world where it is necessary for some employees to work remotely much of the time if not all of
Highview Apps •

Link Building Strategies for New Ecommerce Stores

So, you just opened an ecommerce store?

I'm guessing you might be a little overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. How do you spread the word? How do you increase your site's SEO (search engine optimization)? There are a lot of questions to ask and oftentimes not enough answers to go around. One helpful thing that would be helpful for you as a new ecommerce store owner is link building. What's link building? Well, it's simple. At the very least, it can be described as an SEO strategy that will b
Highview Apps •

How to Manage Inventory Across Multiple Sites

It almost goes without saying that one of the main goals of running an e-commerce site is to increase sales and be successful. In this day and age, though, it can be a little difficult to manage such a feat. With the need to maintain visibility, be alluring, and increase profits, among other things, it may seem like you're working with the cards stacked against you. Chances are, you know the deal and you want to give yourself as many chances as possible. Let's say you want to try your hand at se
Highview Apps •

3 Ways to Better Manage Back Orders

There is no way around it. As often as many store owners try to avoid it, back orders can happen to the best of them. It's unavoidable when a particular product may be extremely popular. While this may seem like a good thing for your profits, it can also spell bad news for you as a store owner. Most consumers don't want to wait for anything and hardly anyone subscribe to delayed gratification. That doesn't mean that an instance of a back order is hopeless cause, though. It is a manageable situat
Highview Apps •

Choosing the Right Supplier

Having the right supplier is a critical facet in the diamond that is your e-commerce business. For all intents and purposes, think of a supplier as your business partner. In effect, they are and having the right, or wrong, one can make or break your business. You've probably given some thought to whether or not you need a supplier of any kind and found that yeah, you do. Honestly, it makes things a lot easier when you have someone to help. Or maybe you already have supplier and you're not entire
Highview Apps •

5 Ways to Increase Ecommerce Sales

It goes without saying that one of the goals of running an e-commerce store is to generate revenue. Of course, you do it because you love it, but you want to make money off of it too, right? That's the whole point: to generate income on your terms and be your own boss. It's a dream come true! Unfortunately, it isn't always as easy as all that. Generating revenue for your business takes work and sometimes seems an impossible feat. With all the competition out there, it's always difficult to disce
Highview Apps •

Ways to Write Product Descriptions that Sell

Think about what makes you buy a product. There are always a great many contributing factors, but what's the biggest? Is it when the products are described in the simplest of fashions? I'd be willing to bet not. Just as we need visual representation when browsing a product, so too do we need a quality description of said product. Anyone can see the blue coat on your site so there's no need to describe to us that it's a blue coat. What makes this blue coat special? Why should we buy it? How would
Highview Apps •

5 Ways to Avoid Cart Abandonment

I'm guilty. I'm not going to lie about it. I have been one of those shoppers who abandon their carts during the checkout process. I’ve done it multiple times and it’s possible that I will never stop. But guess what? I’m not alone.

Nearly 70% of consumers abandon their carts during the checkout process. That’s a steep number! If you were to calculate the amount of the consumers who visit your site and subsequently abandon their carts, I’m sure that you would find that you’re almost hemorrhaging
Highview Apps •

Tips for Taking Photos That Increase Your Sales

There is absolutely no way around it. People are extremely visual creatures. This becomes even more true when it comes to online shopping. Because we cannot see the products in person or experience them, it is critical for the customer to be able to trust that they can see the product in enough detail. Speaking from personal experience, I have totally forgone getting a product if the pictures weren't available or up to par. Clearly, you don't want this to happen to you. You want your customers t
Highview Apps •

5 Profitable Channels to Sell Your Overstock

As an e-commerce store owner, you're thinking of all of the year-end things you need to do, I'm sure. One thing plaguing you is what to do with all of this excess inventory you possess. You may have a few items left over from a time earlier in the year that didn't sell too well to being with. Or perhaps you simply ordered too many of them and the supply was greater than the demand. Maybe you're just making room for everything new coming in. Or maybe your excess items are seasonal, making it diff
Highview Apps •

5 Tips for Choosing the Right Virtual Assistant

As the owner of your business, you probably want to do everything yourself because you trust yourself to get the job done. You know what needs to be done more than anyone. Your business is your baby. Your precious, if you will. But listen up, Gollum, you have to let other people help you with it sometimes. In fact, it's critical that you do so.

Allowing others to help you with certain tasks will allow you to focus on the more critical tasks that your business needs in order to survive. For obvi
Highview Apps •

Ethical Ways to Increase Your Followers

As an e-commerce store owner, it can be pretty hard out there. There are so many factors that determine success and so many millions of ways to attempt to achieve it that you might not be entirely sure of the best way to go about getting it. In theory getting followers, or increasing sales, or optimizing SEO may seem like it'll be a home run. In theory? Not so much. In fact, sometimes it may seem so hard to attain that you'll want to take shortcuts from time to time. Toeing the line of ethics ca
Highview Apps •

Stress Management for Entrepreneurs

Managing your own business is tricky. Sometimes it seems like your best is never enough. Other times it seems like there's just too much to do. It can get really hard out there. Plenty of times it may seem as though there is advice out there for entrepreneurs, but it's not always the right kind.

Day in and day out entrepreneurs get business advice, but very seldom do they get personal advice. I've got a little secret for you: you are your business and it is important to take care of yourself to
Highview Apps •

You're Not Sending Enough Emails

Building a solid customer base is something any e-commerce store should strive to do. Otherwise, how do you plan on growing? Ask yourself, where would you be without your customers? Where would any store be without its customers? In a world of trouble, that's where. And it isn't enough just to have customers, you must have returning customers above all else. New customers can be a flash in the pan, but your customers who return are your bread and butter. The best way to get customers to return i
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Reviews

Niner Times •

Book Review: You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty

Genre: Romance, Fiction

Rating: 4/5

It all happens so quickly: an orange, blossoming fire; the sound of shattering glass; blood. Boom. You're a widow. That's what happens to Feyi Adekola. She's lost the love of her life in a car crash before their first anniversary, and she spends five years mourning him. When we first meet Feyi, a very talented artist, she's broken and guilt-ridden. She feels guilty for surviving the crash and living without her husband, Jonah. She never feels that he's her ex because they never broke up; he died.
RiceBall •

Bring Spider-Man Home

Let’s get excited. Let’s get VERY excited!!

We’ve all seen the new trailer for the upcoming movie Spider-Man: Far From Home. This trailer looks amazing to say the least, but it also causes more questions than it answers. The last time we saw Spider-Man he was saying, “I don’t feel so good” and fading away into the ether, leaving us all broken-hearted and sobbing uncontrollably. I am not afraid to admit that that movie made me bawl like a baby. And from the louder sobs I could hear in the theate
RiceBall •

The Cards Have Fallen

All the cards have been dealt and laid on the table for the series finale of House of Cards.

If you’re like me, this was a bittersweet viewing. Yes, you’re excited to see how everything will end, but also anxious because, well, it’s ending. Being emotionally involved in a show for six years can do that to you.

The biggest buzz surrounding this show was the fact that Frank Underwood, played by Kevin Spacey, would not be featured on the final season. The announcement came on the heels of sexual
RiceBall •

The Legacy Begins: Children of Blood and Bone

“You know how to win. Just make sure you know when to fight”

The New York Times calls this book “a magnificent, heartrending, earthshaking debut.” The West African inspired fantasy novel was the buzz of the book world long before its release. I first heard about this book on Goodreads. From the way the cover looked, to the title, this was a book I instantly wanted to read. The cover features a girl with daring eyes, beseeching the reader. Her white hair defiantly soars high. Her skin is as deep
RiceBall •

Let’s Go, Solo!

Haven’t you always wanted to know about Han Solo’s history? Like where his ne’er-do-well, bad-boy persona originated? Or the true details of the Kessel Run? You know—that amazing feat of myth that’s as ubiquitous a story in the Star Wars Universe as the bad aim of a Stormtrooper? And what about how he became the owner of the Millennium Falcon—wouldn’t you love to see that card game?

And now we can! It’ll be extremely interesting to see Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon in their prime. Lando Ca
RiceBall •

The Thing About Phasma

The lights glint against her armor

And now no man or beast can harm her

She carries herself within her armor with purpose

And now no one will ever see beneath the surface

And now you’re out of commission

The only one willing to take a stand

I am yours to command

This article reveals details about The Last Jedi and the book, Phasma . You have been warned.

I’m a huge fan of Phasma. I was a fan of her when I found out that she was being portrayed by the illustrious Brienne of Tarth, a.k.a.
RiceBall •

A Review From A Galaxy Far, Far Away…Star Wars: The Last Jedi

So, before we get started I simply want to say that I enjoyed Star Wars: The Last Jedi. That being said, I expected a lot more. I heard someone say that this movie was better than Empire Strikes Back. If you agree with that, then to you I say this: you need to reevaluate your life choices. There will be spoilers in this so if you have NOT watched The Last Jedi…then you should NOT read this review.

The Last Jedi picks up where The Force Awakens left off. Rey, in the noblest of gestures, handing

Blog

Nefels Anonymous •

Done in a Flash

I’ve said before how I have always struggled with finishing pieces for myself. Writing for publications, school, and work allowed me to help meet deadlines, but the things I wrote about were always for someone else. One would think that this would help me with meeting my own deadlines, but if you say that then you’ve never met the Imposter (the name I’ve bestowed upon my imposter syndrome). Writing stories for myself has always been hard–in fact, I struggle with posts for this blog constantly. C
Nefels Anonymous •

Is Love Truly Blind?

“Love is blind.” How many times have we heard that phrase? An adage as old as time, it has become ubiquitous in conversations concerning why people make questionable decisions in their relationships. Typically, it is used in relationships where we can see the other person. So, when we say “love is blind,” we’re usually saying that love allows one to ignore any and all red flags–love gives you blinders. But what if it were different? What if you were capable of seeing the person, but you didn’t a
Nefels Anonymous •

My Dog IS My Baby

A little over 10 years ago, I made my way to Logan International. I wasn’t catching a flight, but I was going places. In order to begin my journey, I needed to get to the cargo area of the airport. It’s been a long time now, so all I remember is a blur of faces and signs and my cell phone ringing infrequently with someone on the other end telling me that if I didn’t get to them in time they would close and who knew what would happen to my precious cargo.

I grew confused when every worker I aske
Nefels Anonymous •

In Defense of Pamela Isley

Have you ever heard of Pamela Isley? Well, if you haven’t, let me tell you a little about her: she’s someone who cherishes her friends, is a staunch defender of all things plants and has the most spectacular green thumb, and, in some incarnations, has even given her life to save others. Despite this, she’s been thrown into an insane asylum on multiple occasions and is often times one of the targets of a very well-known caped crusader.

It’s not her fault she has a better bond with plants than wi
Nefels Anonymous •

Why Do This Now?

4 years to the day, on January 7, 2018, I created my first WordPress account. Primarily, I did it to link to a separate site for which I was writing as a contributor. I didn’t think anything of it until I realized I could use it to publish my own blog.

I picked a [now defunct] site address, picked a few stock images to represent the hero image for pages, wrote, what I thought was, a quirky little message, and took a break.

In my eternal optimism, I thought someone might stumble upon my homely