Using Facebook to Market Your Business

Posted on by February 21, 2013

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Traveling in Facebookistan: A Guide for Businesses

With 9 billion users, Facebook is far and away the most used social network in the world. If Facebook were a country, it would contain the third largest population, behind China and India. And like China and India, Facebook possesses its own unique customs and norms, and you should understand them to be able to fully leverage the site’s potential as a marketing tool. When I see businesses fail on Facebook, it’s often because they don’t bother to find out the local customs. read more

Ebelskivers for a Romantic Breakfast in Bed!

Posted on by February 5, 2013

As a big fan of anything brunch, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But when it comes to Ebelskivers, they are definitely in my top 3 favorite breakfast foods! They are Danish pancakes – little, delicious pancake balls filled with apples, jam, nutella, or whatever tickles your fancy. They are very versatile, can be either sweet or savory, and takes only about 3 minutes to cook. (However, an ebelskiver pan is required, and you can get them at a number of retail stores, or online.)

This recipe I used apple filling to keep them more traditional. read more

Show Your Company A Little LOVE This Month

Posted on by February 4, 2013

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As this month is Valentine’s day, a holiday dedicated to showing the ones you care about how much you love them, why not show a little to your company?

It’s been more than a month since the holidays ended, and now that we are in the second month of the new year, and some of us may be starting to lag behind on the resolutions we made at the beginning of January. Don’t let yourself get caught in the lull of winter, stay engaged and continue working on your goals and resolutions you made for yourself. read more

Small Business Tax Changes for 2013

Posted on by January 23, 2013

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Important 2013 Payroll and Tax Changes for Small Business

On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. Here are some highlights of how this Act could affect your small business:

●    Previous income tax rates for individuals earning over $400,000 and households earning over $450,000 has expired and will now increase from 35 percent to 39.6 percent. The IRS has released new tax tables reflecting these rate changes, found HERE.

●    The Act does not extend the “payroll tax holiday,” so the employee Social Security tax rate will go from 4.2 percent back to 6.2 percent up to the 2013 taxable wage limit of $113,700. As a result, a worker earning $50,000 per year will now see $1,000 less in their net take-home pay as compared to 2012. read more

Quick Black Bean Tortilla Soup

Posted on by January 22, 2013

Quick Black Bean Tortilla Soup

When I am wanting a quick dinner that is healthy and delicious, this is my go to recipe. A little bit of chopping and just a few minutes of cooking and I have healthy meal that fills us up and is super tasty!

You need:

1 red onion, diced small (about the size of black beans)

2 red bell peppers, diced small

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced finely (and just a tough of the sauce if you like it really spicy)

1/2 tsp. ground cumin read more

Starting Your Year Off Right

Posted on by January 9, 2013

Happy 2013 to you and your business!

Now that it is a new year, we have the chance to set your goals for this year, and set your New Year’s Resolutions. Why not set one for your business as well? With the new year, you have a new chance to keep your Minutes up to date.

Maybe last year you didn’t stay on top of it, and you had to play catch-up? Maybe you didn’t keep track of things throughout the year, and at the last minute you had to try and remember everything that you did for the whole year? Make it your goal to not play catch-up this year, and keep your minutes up to date! Don’t keep sloppy records, stay on top of them, and do them right to ensure that your business stays protected. read more

Christmas Cake For Breakfast

Posted on by December 19, 2012

Orange Bundt Cake – A Christmas Morning Tradition

1 yellow cake mix (Pillsbury)

1 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding

¾ c. oil

¾ c. orange juice

4 eggs

1 t. vanilla

cinnamon/sugar

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix all ingredients together, except the cinnamon/sugar. Beat 7 minutes. Grease the bundt pan well. Put half batter in pan and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Add the rest of the batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. While this is baking, make the glaze.

Glaze: read more

Gratitude to a Successful Year

Posted on by December 18, 2012

The Power of Gratitude…

“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” –Sarah Ban Breathnach, inspirational author

This is the best time of the year, and the most hectic time of year for most small business owners. It is easy to fall into the anxiety and rush of the season.

But when you pause to reflect on what you are thankful for, it can put you in a positive mood; Last month we talked about gratitude journaling, and the great way it brought meaning to the season of Thanksgiving. We have continued this feeling of gratitude through to this month, focusing on what we have accomplished this year with our business. And isn’t that the greatest way to end the year? Take a look at how far YOU have come this year, and use this to remind yourself to be grateful and positive. read more

A Thankful Thought a Day Can MAKE Your Day!

Posted on by November 20, 2012

Gratitude is not just to be reserved for Thanksgiving. Why not recognize and appreciate the abundance in your life each day?

I know, I know. You’ve probably heard many people discuss gratitude and how it can raise your vibration, and how writing in your gratitude journal helps to create more gratitude. But I wanted to try something even simpler.

I tried an experiment this month. A simple experiment of noticing one thing I was thankful for each day during the month of November. Something good that happened, a nice thought or person I recognized, or a joyful surprise that came into my life.

But I didn’t just notice. I WROTE IT DOWN on my calendar. I used colorful washi tape to write on so the appreciation could be easily seen. And guess what happened?
 read more

Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulee

Posted on by November 20, 2012

This time of year makes me want to eat everything pumpkin, whether sweet or savory. After trying many different recipes, this  is one of my favorite recipes to make during the fall season. It’s delicious, decadent, and surprisingly simple to make. I found the recipe on abeautifulmess.com and have made some slight alterations of my own. I like mine a little more spicy and pumpkin-y, so if you want a lighter flavor, you can follow her recipe here. I also subbed half of the cream for a half and half, so cut out some of the fat and calories. read more