If location, location, location applies to lemonade stand success, best friends Ellia Williams, age nine, Lexi Arias, age eight, and little brother Evan Arias, age six, may well be the smartest and youngest entrepreneurs in the path of totality. Their pop-up street-side business, Solar Sips, no doubt brought in enough revenue the day before the total solar eclipse for them to achieve their financial goals: Ellia plans to use the money for a Hoverboard; Lexi wants an eclipse t-shirt; and Evan … [Read more...] about When Stars Align, Businesses Appear
Trout Phishing in America
Have you been getting phone calls from an unfamiliar number and the young and perky voice on the other end immediately asks you if you can hear her? Have you been getting emails from your friends asking for money? Or emails from familiar companies that ask you to confirm your email address? These are forms of cyber phishing that, when you say “yes” or input your email, can end up costing you. Cyber-crimes are on the rise for good reason. The ROI on ransomware hacking is about 1,425 … [Read more...] about Trout Phishing in America
My Rental is Damaged from Fire!
Landlords and tenants sometimes face the unfortunate circumstance of fire damage or casualty at the rental property. Landlords and tenants should reference the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to understand their legal obligations and remedies as situations arise during tenancy. In the Arizona Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, you will find 51 state statutes that govern the Landlord and Tenant relationship, Landlord and Tenant obligations and remedies. If a fire or casualty happens … [Read more...] about My Rental is Damaged from Fire!
Stop Doing These Five Things if You Manage People
In my column last month, I wrote about the five things you should do in order to be a great leader. I had a former student email me and ask if I had advice for new managers. The first thing that came to mind was a famous quote from Lee Iacocca that reads, “Management is nothing more than motivating other people.” Hopefully, Mr. Iacocca doesn’t mind me adding a few words to his quote. I would argue that the best managers not only motivate other people but they put them first, ahead of … [Read more...] about Stop Doing These Five Things if You Manage People
Healthy Skin Requires TLC and Sometimes a Bit More
Your skin is constantly changing and the only way to keep up the toll of aging and the effects of the sun and elements is constant care – from a daily regimen of cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection to weekly soothing masks to monthly facials and more. And good skin care isn’t only for women. Men of all ages and professions can and should benefit from daily to advanced skin care. After all, the damaging sun rays and weather don’t discriminate between men and women. There are various … [Read more...] about Healthy Skin Requires TLC and Sometimes a Bit More
What’s Happening in the World of Business Retention and Expansion?
In terms of local efforts to improve the economic environment at large, a number of events have occurred in the community during the last few months. Before jumping into the details, here is a little overview of how Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) works in Flagstaff. The City of Flagstaff has an office dedicated to working with all existing businesses, entrepreneurs and startups to help them stay here and grow here. This is no small task in a growing global economy with challenges … [Read more...] about What’s Happening in the World of Business Retention and Expansion?
Medicare ABCs
Many of us are insured by Medicare; in fact, almost anyone 65 years of age and older is! Medicare is a federally funded program that not only serves us, but serves those of us with certain disabilities, too. Thanks goodness for Medicare, right? Here’s some more great information on Medicare: Who is Eligible for Medicare? You are eligible to receive Medicare benefits beginning the first day of the month in which you turn 65. For example, if you turn 65 on Dec.15,, you can begin using … [Read more...] about Medicare ABCs
Escaping to Indoor Adventure
What do you do if your family is too active to sit around and play board games? According to Vanessa Roer, you spend a lot of time outdoors and then you open Flagstaff Escape Rooms with your husband. She and Jacob opened the business six weeks ago and things are picking up steadily. “We’ve had really good reviews and players have been happy and have had a good time,” she said. She says that the Escape Room concept started in Japan, was then launched online across Europe, and then more … [Read more...] about Escaping to Indoor Adventure
Making Difficult Conversations Easier
When was the last time you had a difficult conversation? With all the people we interact with and the diversity that enriches our workplaces and lives, it’s inevitable that we will run into other people who see the world differently than we do. It can be uncomfortable to realize we are not on the same page with another person, whether it’s a client, co-worker or family member. This discomfort can lead you to shut down, get upset or just give up on the conversation or relationship. Or, it can … [Read more...] about Making Difficult Conversations Easier
Weston Brings Midwestern Values to Southwestern Law
Duane Weston is an attorney who has been practicing business law for more than 28 years in Flagstaff. He can handle legal matters ranging from contract law to mechanic’s liens to forming LLCs and corporations. He also specializes in land development, including rezoning and conditional use permits. However, he did not always think he was going to end up in the law profession. Weston was raised in rural Nebraska, near the town of Valentine, where he attended a one-room schoolhouse with one … [Read more...] about Weston Brings Midwestern Values to Southwestern Law