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DECEMBER 2022
Doing Our Part With Heart THROUGH VOLUNTEERING AND DONATIONS
It’s called the most wonderful time of the year for a reason — a time to gather with loved ones and spend quality time together. As the holiday season quickly approaches, gifts and presents will surely be on one’s list. However, during these times, we should also consider those who may not be fortunate enough to celebrate with gifts. The holidays are about sharing, caring, and spreading joy — not just for your family but others too! That is why we here at Douglass & Runger enjoy giving back to our community during the holiday season. One organization that is near and dear to our hearts in Memphis is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital which provides treatment and research for young children fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases. We make donations to St. Jude’s every year, and it’s such an incredible cause. What’s truly interesting and makes it very near to my wife and me is that we bought our home from the family of one of St. Jude’s first CEOs. His name was Dr. Alvin Mauer, and he served as the second CEO of St. Jude between 1973 and 1983 and was hand-picked by Danny Thomas, the founder of St. Jude’s to help St. Jude grow. Under his leadership, St. Jude doubled in size and added a $10.5 million research building. Dr. Mauer also established the hospital’s affiliate program, which created St. Jude clinics in other cities, enabling some children to receive treatments closer to home rather than traveling to Memphis. It’s truly fascinating to know we’re living in the same house as the former CEO knowing how many lives he touched during his tenure at St. Jude’s. We’re also very supportive of the animal shelters in the Memphis area, like the Tunica Humane Society. The facilities they have for animals in need are excellent, and you can tell the people at the Tunica Humane Society genuinely care for them. We had a client pass a few years ago who left behind a cat named Patches. I tried to find a home for Patches, and eventually, someone directed me to the Tunica Humane Society! They took Patches in when nobody else would and supported him until he found his forever home. Sunny Meadows is another great animal shelter that we support, and it’s actually where we adopted our dog, Thumper, in Nov. 2020, and we couldn’t thank them enough for bringing us all together.
Over the years our attorneys have volunteered with the Memphis Area Legal Services, commonly known as MALS, an organization providing free legal representation to those in need. MALS offers workshops where attorneys are made available to answer general legal questions for people in the Memphis community. We’ve even sponsored some of their events to help raise money for their excellent programs. It feels great to give time and money to worthy causes any time of year, but there’s something about the spirit of Christmas that always seems to make it more special during the holiday season. So, if you you’re struggling for last- minute Christmas shopping this year, you could always make a donation to a friend or family member’s favorite charity in their name. I hope you and your family will have a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.
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HAVE YOU HEARD OF PLOGGING? BOOST YOUR HEALTH WHILE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT
HEAD OUT IN GROUPS. Everything is more fun with others! Round up a group of friends, family, or coworkers and join the initiative together. If you’re up for it, you can even make it a contest! ADD IN DIFFERENT EXERCISES. Plogging doesn’t only have to incorporate jogging — while gathering trash; you can do squats, burpees, lunges, or even pushups. SWITCH UP ARMS. While plogging, holding the garbage bag in the same hand can become uncomfortable, especially as that bag gets heavier! Be sure to change which arm holds it from time to time! INCORPORATE SPRINTS. If jogging becomes too simple for you, try sprinting between trash to intensify the activity.
According to Our World in Data, the world manufactures more than 270 million tons of plastic annually. About 8 million tons of this plastic winds up in the ocean — that’s 3%! Plogging, a fad that originated in Sweden to help minimize pollution, is taking the world by storm. Essentially, you jog and pick up litter at the same time! Some cardio and a giant clean-up effort? It’s a great way to enjoy the cool winter temperatures while doing something good for the environment! Plogging can be done with others, at any time, and pretty much anywhere litter or trash exists. It’s a win-win! The origin of the word “plogging,” according to the Farmer’s Almanac, comes from a combination of jogging and the Swedish word for “pick up,” which is “plocka upp.” All you need is a pair of running shoes, a trash bag, stamina, some free time, and water to stay hydrated! If you’re interested in taking up the hobby or plogging every now and then to make a difference in our environment, here are some tips to keep the activity fun and interesting!
Plogging is a great way to reduce pollution while getting in your workout! Local parks, neighborhoods, and common areas are a great place to start!
Let Your Small Business Shine!
OUTWORK THOSE BIG COMPETITORS
Being a small business owner in today’s environment can be intimidating. Larger companies have bigger
Most customers need to see a brand’s name multiple times before even considering doing business with them. So, the more you can get your small business’s name out there, the better chance you have at standing out against the competition. DELIVER EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. It’s a well-known fact that individuals do business with people they know, like, and trust. You can develop more personal and deeper relationships with your customers as a small-business owner than many large businesses can. Customers value services just as much as products. If they feel genuinely appreciated, they are more likely to come to you versus a big-name brand. Some larger companies have lost the personal touch that many people need and appreciate. Where they lack, your small business can shine! Having that personal connection with your customers encourages them to continue doing business with you. BE INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY. One of the best advantages that small businesses have is they are local. There are plenty of small businesses out there that have a big name in their community! It’s beneficial to get to know your neighbors in the surrounding area or even donate products or services to those who need them most. You may be surprised at how much support you can receive in return. There are plenty of different ways to be successful in a competitive market. Either way, as a small-business owner, you have to believe in what you’re doing and be willing to outwork your competitors.
marketing budgets, brand recognition, and general dominating power in the industry. These larger companies have built empires and can easily overshadow small businesses. Still, while it may seem like an uphill battle, smaller businesses can use strategies to their advantage to be just as successful! ESTABLISH A DIGITAL PRESENCE. Digital marketing is an effective way to reach a global audience in a way that’s cost-effective, scalable, and measurable — the opportunities are endless! While word of mouth and referrals can help your business grow, customers may struggle to find your business if your online marketing strategy is lacking. With an online presence, you can: • Interact with your customers and learn what they’re looking for. • Target the right audience at the right time. • Communicate with your customers at every stage of the buying process. • Drive engagement to create brand loyalty.
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Take the First Step Toward Success
A Business Plan Guides Your Decisions
No-Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs
A business plan is similar to a road map — it helps you navigate toward the
Inspired by TheFoodieAffair.com
destination of your goals and needs as a business owner. It’s possible to travel without one, but it may increase your odds of losing the path to success. For many small-business owners, a business plan can be an essential and strategic tool to structure, operate, and grow a new business.
This year-round treat is the perfect dessert for any holiday party. Since you don’t need to worry about a hot oven, it’s a great recipe to make with the whole family — including the little ones!
INGREDIENTS • 1 cup powdered sugar • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tbsp softened butter • 1 lb white chocolate candy coating
The business plan lays the foundation for your new business. It outlines the goals and objectives, information regarding your product or services, marketing strategies, and finances. A solid business plan is the first step toward success and will help you stay focused on your goals and keep you moving if you face any obstacles.
DIRECTIONS 1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper. 2. In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, and softened butter. Mix until evenly combined. 3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the lined cookie sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until firm. 4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate candy coating in increments of 30 seconds, stirring occasionally until smooth. 5. In the same bowl, use skewers to dip peanut butter balls into the chocolate before placing them on a lined cookie sheet so they can harden. 6. Chill until ready and then serve! INSPIRATION “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” —Henry David Thoreau
Here are a few ways business plans guide you toward success!
MANAGE YOUR PROGRESS. As a management tool, a business plan will help evaluate your progress and provide insight into aspects of your business that may need attention. The experience you gain as your business grows may necessitate revisions to your business plan as well. It’s important to remember that these plans can and should be modified to accommodate new ideas and strategies! UNCOVER NEW OPPORTUNITIES. Starting a business always involves some trial and error, but as many of you know, you can learn from your failures! You may see your business from a different perspective through all the processes of trying to find what works best for your business. Finding new opportunities through “trial and error” can help businesses thrive and may result in creating new operational milestones for success. CREATE STRATEGIES FOR MARKETING AND SALES. Having marketing strategies in place will help you reach your customers and these strategies are a critical part of your business plan. Cohesive sales and marketing strategies are instrumental in the success or failure of any business, and the exercise of documenting these strategies in a business plan can increase your company’s likelihood of success. It’s important to remember that a business plan will evolve and grow over time as your business does the same. A business does not succeed simply by luck. It takes careful planning and execution of those plans to help give the business the best possible opportunities for success! The business startup lawyers at Douglass & Runger, PLLC, Attorneys at Law, can assist you in getting your business started on a good foot. Call us today at 901-388-5805 to learn more about your legal options when it comes to your small business.
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2820 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 www.DouglassRunger.com
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Advertising Material
1 The Importance of Giving Back to the Community 2 Banish Trash With Plogging Competing Against the Big Guys 3 Understanding the Importance of a Business Plan No-Bake Peanut Butter Snowballs 4 How to Impress Visitors This Holiday Season Inside This Issue
Impress the Guests WITH THESE HOLIDAY HOSTING TIPS
The holidays are rapidly approaching, and soon, we’ll share laughs while enjoying the festivities with our loved ones. Before
refrigerator, and cupboards with your guests’ favorite foods and drinks. If you don’t know what they are, ask ahead of their visit! Your guests will appreciate your conscientious gesture and have a much more enjoyable time if they can eat their favorites while visiting. PREPARE A GUEST ROOM. If your guests are staying with you, you need to prepare somewhere for them to sleep. Make sure you make up the bed, have plenty of pillows and blankets on hand, and provide adequate closet space for their clothes. Even if they aren’t staying in a traditional bedroom, their sleeping area should still be ready when they arrive. Clear off a table for them to use as a nightstand and put sheets on the couch or mattress where they’ll sleep. USE REAL DISHES. When we have company over for a meal, especially a large gathering, it’s usually easier to use plastic or paper options — saves on cleanup, too! The holidays are not necessarily the time for this shortcut. Break out the fine china if you have it, or use regular dishes for your guests. It’s okay for the kids to have paper plates, but if you want to make a good impression on visiting adults, nicer dishes will dress up the table setting and meal.
the celebrations begin, you must prepare your home for visitors,
especially if they stay overnight. It can be stressful whether it’s your in-laws, best friends, or distant cousins coming to stay with you. You want to leave a good impression, but how do you ensure everyone’s needs are met, including yours? Here are three tips for setting yourself up for a successful holiday, regardless of who stays with you. STOCK UP ON YOUR GUESTS’ FAVORITES. Have you ever stayed with someone who didn’t have extra food for their guests? Don’t put your guests in this situation. Load up your pantry,
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