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JULY/AUGUST 2025
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A HIDDEN ADVANTAGE FOR BROKERS ON THE MOVE BOREDOM ISN’T THE ENEMY
These days, cheap dopamine hits from scrolling on social media or our apps are a quick fix for boredom. But, what if boredom wasn’t a bad thing? What if it could power creativity, create business ideas, and open the door to deep, original thinking that comes when you let your mind slow down? At CHB, we know brokers are constantly moving — chasing deals, serving clients, and keeping up with market shifts. Although the hustle and energy are essential, constant stimulation (especially the temporary highs of endless swiping) can get in our way. July is Anti-Boredom Month, a time to find new ways to combat boredom and break out of monotonous routines. For me, boredom isn’t something we have to dread or brace against; it’s a tool that allows our brains to wander and develop new ideas. Whether it’s making more effective strategies to serve your clients or creating better routines for your growth and self-improvement, the more we can lean into those moments with our minds, the stronger we can become. Boredom gets a bad rap; we often mistake it for something negative or a sign of idleness, but more than anything, it can be a call to action. In dull moments, our brain goes into a mode of daydreaming and imagination where we can make surprising connections or start brainstorming outside the box. Mundane activities, like chores or even downtime, relax and motivate you to take action, develop new ideas, and engage in problem-solving. Not only can it propel you forward, but it can also help restore your mental state and give you time for deeper self-reflection.
If brokers can embrace moments of boredom, it can lead to many improvements in their work, including better communication with clients and better solutions for complex deals. In idleness, brokers can learn from self-introspection to discover truths about how they interact with others or come up with new ideas. The best professionals stay organized, and boredom can easily prompt you to clean your workspace, identify new methods to sort information, and improve your workflow. For anyone looking to transform dullness into professional growth, there are simple ways to optimize boredom and use it for the good of your clients. When it feels like you have nothing to do, use boredom to identify new goals and plans. To truly tap into the power of boredom, you need to unplug, and we often have dozens of distractions that keep us from being in the moment when our minds wander. When we scroll, we’re trying to swipe the boredom away rather than experience it and use it to our benefit. Have a plan to limit your phone time, like putting your device away in a drawer while working, where you don’t feel tempted to reach for it. Next time you feel bored, don’t fight it. Let it take over and utilize it to improve personal and professional aspects of your life. At CHB, we appreciate brokers who think beyond the deal, and this month is a great time to sharpen your creative thinking so you’ll be ready for anything. Let your boredom spark your most innovative solutions and ideas yet.
–Kit West
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Take a moment to reflect on your high school years. Were you the student who completed all your assignments well before the deadline? Or were you the student waiting until the last second to get started? Maybe you thought you could still do it in time with a passing grade, or perhaps you didn’t know where to begin. Regardless of the reason, you procrastinated. Many people associate procrastination with schoolwork, but you can procrastinate about work, household chores, and even fun experiences like vacation planning. Those who struggle with procrastination have likely tried countless strategies to improve their efforts, from adjusting their environment to utilizing time management applications. However, we often overlook one strategy that’s been around for over a century. The next time you procrastinate, try using the Zeigarnik Effect to your advantage. The Zeigarnik Effect is a phenomenon wherein people remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. Here’s how it works: When you have tasks you need to do, don’t commit to finishing them in a day or assigning yourself a deadline. Instead, commit to doing them for five Procrastination Got You Down? The Zeigarnik Effect Could Be the Key to Your Success
minutes. Once those five minutes have passed, you can step away from the task. However, oftentimes, you continue working because you’ve found your flow and don’t want to leave it unfinished. If you continue to leave your tasks unfinished after starting them, try breaking them down into smaller steps. Each time you accomplish one of the smaller tasks, you gain motivation to continue your project. If you need to step away from your desk for more than a few minutes, write down the unfinished task. Doing so will keep it at the top of your mind, ensuring you return later to finish. This strategy shifts your mindset and increases productivity while avoiding the stress of starting something new. Unfortunately, procrastination can be a roadblock to a happier, more fulfilling life. So, if other strategies have failed you previously, try the Zeigarnik Effect!
Protect Your Company’s Credit Score Build Your Business Muscles
Building a business can require long hours growing sales, putting out fires, and driving ideas to fruition. Checking your business credit score might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it can make a difference in your ability to achieve those other goals. A low credit score will inflate your borrowing costs and make attracting strong business partners and vendors harder. To establish business credit, register for a Dun & Bradstreet Data University Numbering System or D-U-N-S number. Your payment history, the age of your business credit accounts, the size of your debt, and trade credit extended by suppliers all affect your score. To put your best foot forward, check your score frequently with Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian. Ensure your business and financial information, revenue figures, and industry classification are accurate. Mixups happen more easily with business credit scores than personal ones because identifying information is indexed only to your business name and address. If your DBA is similar to another company’s, your business might be confused with theirs.
Also, pay your bills on time or, preferably, before they are due. The clock runs faster on business credit than on personal loans. While consumer debt typically isn’t treated as late until 30 days after invoicing, business debt payments are considered “late” if only one day overdue. Your payment history determines Dun & Bradstreet’s Paydex score and is vendors’ primary information source. If you pay your bills on their due date, you will earn a Paydex score of 80 on a scale of 100. To get closer to 100, you must pay before the due date! Also, segregate your business and personal borrowing as much as possible. When starting a business, maxing out a personal credit card is a common but ill-advised strategy. Businesses typically use far more credit than consumers and can access far more credit. Following these basic rules can help you demonstrate your trustworthiness to prospective business partners and lenders, increasing your financial flexibility and opening up new opportunities!
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SIMPLE SUMMER GARDEN PASTA
SPEED UP YOUR DEALS
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
INGREDIENTS • 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste) • 1 tsp kosher salt
UNLOCK FASTER FUNDING WITH THESE SIMPLE STEPS
• 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 lb angel hair pasta • 1 cup fresh basil • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese • Cooked, chopped chicken for serving (optional)
When a financing deal drags on, no one wins. As a broker, your customers rely on you to guide them through the process and be a trusted advisor. A little extra time spent vetting applications, double-checking vendors, and spotting red flags early can save a lot of headaches down the road. At CHB, we want to help you close deals faster, and it all starts with getting us the correct information up front. The stronger the package you send, the quicker we can get your clients the funding they need. Let’s explore the most important steps you can take to keep your financing agreements moving forward. Key data for fast financing. One of the first things you can do to ensure a financing deal moves smoothly is to provide us with the correct information from the get-go so we can understand your client’s financial health and story. You need to cover all the basics, like the business name and contact information. You must also paint a clear picture of the finances by providing tax documents, bank statements, and a credit application. We have a helpful checklist available to make sure you don’t miss any critical information and can keep things running smoothly. Vetting vendors for success.
DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and toss until well coated. 2. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature while the pasta cooks. 3. Add pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook per package directions until al dente. 4. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water to add to the tomato mixture. 5. Coarsely chop the basil leaves. 6. Add the pasta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil to the tomato mixture and toss again until combined. Serving suggestion: Add cooked, chopped chicken for more protein!
Take a Break
Take the time to research and vet the borrower’s application and the vendor. You should verify the vendor’s credentials, look at inspection reports, and gather as detailed financial information as possible from your client. When lenders like us look at applicants, we want to understand their economic track record, loan repayment ability, and overall net worth. As you evaluate your borrower, understand the five Cs of credit: capital, condition, capacity, collateral, and character. Eliminate red flags. If you find any red flags, like poor credit or potential financial issues, work to eliminate them quickly. More importantly, stay transparent and communicative with your lender. We want to know the positives about your
applicant and vendor, but we also need to know the negatives. Document everything and alert us throughout the process if you catch anything suspicious. At CHB, we want to keep your financing deals moving through the line as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our application checklist can be found by scanning the QR code or visiting CHBEF.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ CHB-Deal-Processing-Checklist.pdf .
AMERICAN BICYCLE CHERRY FIREWORKS
FLAG INDEPENDENCE PADDLEBOARD PICNIC
RUBY STARS SHERBET TRAMPOLINE
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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
C.H. Brown Co., LLC A PLATTE VALLEY COMPANY 20 W. Frontage Rd. • Wheatland, WY 82201 307-322-2545 • chbef.com
Inside
1 Swipe Less, Think More 2 Meet Procrastination’s Worst Enemy 2 Steps Toward Building a Strong Business Credit Score 3 Simple Summer Garden Pasta 3 Take a Break 3 Vet Applications and Vendors Early 4 Lake Views and Mountain Trails
EXPLORE WYOMING’S LATE-SUMMER CAMPSITES SAVOR SUMMER’S END
Lakefront Sights This time of year, lake traffic will start to thin out at popular waterfront camping spots like Glendo and Guernsey State Parks. The Glendo Reservoir offers access to water activities like boating and fishing all year round and is known for having one of the best walleye fisheries in the state. The park features 19 campgrounds with something for everyone. Your family can enjoy hours of diverse hiking and relaxing days on the lake, especially as the busy season tapers off. Guernsey gives you water access as well as a peek back
There’s still plenty of time to enjoy a late summer camping trip with your family in Wyoming’s serene landscapes and outdoor adventures. From the impressive Medicine Bow Mountains to the popular lakes in Platte County, this part of the season brings good weather and ample opportunities to connect with loved ones in nature. The Medicine Bows The mountain peaks of Medicine Bow National Forest are a special place in the state. Offering a cool spot in the warm summer, the
into history. Along with plentiful camping options, it’s home to the Guernsey Museum, the Castle, and Brimmer Point, prime examples of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ (CCC) work in national parks. Near Guernsey, you can see some of the most well-preserved ruts of the many wagons that traveled along the Oregon Trail.
area is home to excellent rock climbing, water activities, fishing, and hiking. Known for its beauty, history, and the iconic Laramie Peak, this area is a popular destination for campers looking for adventure. Whether you want to pitch a tent off the beaten path or stay in your cozy RV, a wide variety of campsites are available. The Saratoga and Encampment areas are especially breathtaking, with larger developed campsites featuring amenities, like Ryan Park Campground, and dispersed camping opportunities that allow you to set up in more rugged locations.
Late summer is a perfect time to camp with your family in one of Wyoming’s beautiful national parks before the season changes. Whether you are avid hikers, fishers, or just want to glimpse the past, there’s a campsite for everyone waiting to explore!
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