Social Media Workshop

Nipa Shah of Jenesys Group is offering a hands-on workshop on Social Media on Tuesday, August 18th 2009 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Crowne Plaza - 27000 Sheraton Dr. Novi, MI 48377.

Learn how to leverage social network sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and dozens of others to:

• Build connections.
• Engage others in conversations
• Ask & receive feedback
• Create positioning for yourself or your business
• Build brand recognition & a referral network

Check Jenesys Group website for registration details.

Indian Community members appearing on local TV

Nipa Shah of MIICC and a Community Correspondent for Channel 50 recently interviewed Mira Bedi and Rupali Bedi both members of our local Michigan Indian Business Community. The topic was "Indian Weddings"

Rupali Bedi an Event Planner plans out Indian Weddings and Graduations. Rupali explains the different things she and her team arrange for an Indian Wedding (Haldi, Henna, Mandap, Receptions). You can contact Rupali at 248-212-1555 or check her website (RangoliEvents).

Mira Bedi of Chrysallis Fashions talks about her Fashion Design Business which she started about 3 years back. Mira has a fashion design background from Mumbai. She designs anything custom make/design for the Indian Bride/Groom. As she says "If you can Dream it then I can definitely make it for you". You can contact Mira at 248-396-2767. Here's the interview.

imhoblogs.com - A new blog launched by Michigan Indian Community member

Nipa Shah has just launched a new blog titled "In My Humble Opinion" which according to her is

Blogs on various topics that will create interest for readers...opinionated, yep, that's me! But I'm humble about it - lol

Ha Ha!

Check it out. Some of the interesting topics she has blogged on so far are

• McDonalds takes on Starbucks
• Mumbai Blasts make us all angry but do we Indians really want war?

Do you own/write a blog and would like the community to know about it then send us a note.

Raksha Dave - Indian Dance Instructor

Raksha Dave an Indian Dance Instructor from Rochester Hills, MI was interviewed yesterday by Nipa Shah of Michigan Indian Chamber of Commerce on WKBD 50 in the "Street Beat" segment.

Raksha Dave has been teaching Indian cultural Dance for over 20 years. Her students are both kids and adults. Raksha Dave teaches approximately 14 dance classes a week.

Raksha Dave in addition to being a Dance Instructor is also a poet, a writer and likes to write a lot of her own songs which she uses in the dances. Prior to being a Dance Instructor Raksha Dave was a journalist in India.

You can contact Raksha Dave at:

My Biggest Pet Peeve - From Nipa Shah's Blog

Nipa Shah has a interesting Blog post out at MIIC.Com site titled - "My Biggest Pet Peeve - What's yours". Here's how it starts

How many times have you sent an email or made a "business" phone call and not heard back? And have you noticed that this is more so in the ethnic community (especially our Asian Indian community) than in the Caucasian community?

I’m pretty tolerant of most things, although I am very passionate when I talk, I don’t get upset easily (really I don’t). And I’m also tolerant in that, I don’t mind if you send me ten copies of the same email, copy me on things that don’t pertain to me, send me stupid jokes and even stupider reasons why I should think like a Democrat or vice versa.

But what does get to me is situations where "professional" and "business" people don’t return calls or emails - and in some cases after they’ve initiated them!

I very much understand what she is saying because I experienced the same thing initially. What about now? Now I don't send emails anymore to those "Gods" of our Michigan Indian Community. I just don't want to pamper their egos to get a response.

So dear Nipa, move on and keep doing the good work and here's something to remember - "Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do Luke 23:34"

Congratulations to Nipa Shah of Novi, MI

Congratulations to Nipa Shah, President of Jenesys Group, Novi for being honored with "Top 10 Michigan Business Women". She was given the Global Business Award.

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Greater Detroit Chapter honored the Top 10 Michigan Business Women at the 14th Annual Awards Luncheon which took place on March 13 at the Detroit Yacht Club. (Reuters Link).

While accepting the award one of the thing Nipa said was

I strive to be a leader and a mentor. For all the women out there, whether you think about starting your business or want a career change, use me as a resource because I'm sure there is something that I can help you with.

India Spice celebrates one year serving the Indian American community in Michigan

If you aren't looking around while you are driving down 12 mile Road between Orchard Lake Road and Middlebelt in Farmington Hills, Michigan, you are sure to miss this restaurant located in a large strip mall. And that means that you are sure to miss out on some wonderful dining experiences.

India Spice, located at 30701 West 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 recently celebrated one year in business. They are located behind the car wash that is prominently located on 12 mile, just east of Orchard Lake Road.

They serve wonderful south and north Indian food, although their expertise is really in all the wonderful Dosas that they serve. And if you were sitting around in my family room tonight you would have heard my 18 year old daughter exclaim "I love their chutney, can we get a big box of it mom" about the sweet tamarind and the green cilentro chutneys that my daughter was literally pouring like soup over the pakoras from India Spice.

India Spice does a wonderful job with email marketing, sending out well written newsletters announcing their specials like "all you can eat dosas" and other. So, if you aren't on their email distribution list, I would recommend that you call them and get on it asap.

India Spice offers Michigan India Chamber of Commerce (www.miicc.com) members a 10% exclusive discount that is good towards dine-in orders up to $500. Some limitations may apply so check with MIICC or India Spice.

India Spice restaurant has good food and friendly service. So what are you waiting for? Check this restaurant out soon and learn more about them by visiting www.indiaspice.us.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us here at MIBAZAAR.

Meet the contributors here at MIBAZAAR:

Nipa Shah: President of Jenesys Group, LLC
Host of Weekly Podcast for Asian Indians
Recently Launched: Michigan India Chamber of Commerce, theBloogle.com (blogging site)

DJ Amri: One of the top DJ's in Michigan. If you need her to DJ your special event visit her website. (Note: She is so much in demand, you might have to call her well in advance for your special event).

Rita Patel: An extremely talented personality. Rita is an artist and designer. All of her work is original, handmade and one of a kind. She sells her work at Etsy. (Note: 10% of every purchase is loaned by Rita to low-income entrepreneurs in developing countries through kiva.org. All monies refunded from the original loans will be re-loaned out to others.)