I recently received mortgage solicitations in the mail from two different companies on the same day. As a player in the mortgage industry I like to see what my competition is doing. As a result I analyze all mortgage related marketing material that comes across my desk. For some reason both mail pieces were super hyper in selling their potential customer on the idea of the mortgage tax deductions. Both mail pieces expounded on the idea that by utilizing your home to finance various goals you will, in effect, reduce your tax bill. Ironically, as I was reading various financial publications I subscribe to, I came across an article written by a financial advisor who was illustrating the benefit of making minimum payments on mortgages while investing all you can in various investment vehicles. This financial consultant reasoned that since interest rates on mortgages were averaging 6 percent and that long-term investment vehicles were averaging 12 percent, you are in effect netting a 6 percent return.

Finance seminar

SEPT. 29—The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship at Chatham University will host a Finance and Business Seminar from 8-9:30 a.m. at Chatham University, Howe-Childs Gatehouse, Woodland Rd., Shadyside. This is the fourth in a four-part seminar series held in conjunction with Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP about finances, which is a critical part of business. After each session there will be an “ask the finance expert” session. The topic is “Is It Time for a Tune-Up? Preventative Maintenance for Your Assets.” Presenters Karen T. Mangis and Anne M. Stalter will discuss some potential risks and results of a lack of control, as well as cost effective controls for small business owners. Registration is required and the cost is $20 per seminar, which includes a continental breakfast. For more information, visit www.chatham.edu/cwe.

Bernie Madoff was convicted of scamming Jewish friends, business associates and even foundations of more than $50 billion. Kirk Wright was convicted of scamming African-American friends, business associates and prominent NFL players of more than $150 million. In both of these cases, most of the victims were “referred” to these criminals by respected and successful friends.

Scam artists are all around us and their schemes are ubiquitous. Scammers are lurking in our barbershops and beauty parlors; in e-mails from Nigeria and with our friends on Facebook and Twitter; on the telephone supposedly representing victims of natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina; and even in our churches and social clubs trying to sign us up for natural gas accounts or “once in a lifetime” investment opportunities. Factors such as the slow economy, home foreclosures and the Internet have increased the bandwidth for potential scams. But why do scams work and how can we avoid them?

Grind for greatness is the mantra of entrepre­neur, trainer, speaker, James “Bird” Guess.

“I want you to succeed and reach your goals to become successful,” he told his audience from the Micro Business Institute. During his four- hour presentation and using his mantra, Guess outlined his formula of how to execute a strategy of becoming a successful entrepreneur.

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE—James ‘Bird’ Guess empowers his audience while presenting his well tested success principles.

“I came from nothing, but I am still grinding,” said Guess, explaining that success is a process. Outlining his formula of how to become an accomplished entrepreneur, he defined grinding as when an entrepreneur creates success using ambition, vision, strategy and perseverance. Utilizing his “Success Book,” one of many training tools developed through his company, Guess stressed that a fiery spark of energy, a mental picture, a unique plan of action and the refusal to stop trying is important to achieve anything in life.