Take a look at our October newsletter!
404-418-8244 Oct 2020
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Service Is at the Heart of Brauns Law Working in Restaurants Taught Me About Service
Busboy. Dishwasher. Fry Cook. Burger/ Cheesesteak Cook. Prep Cook. Pizza Oven Cook. Barback. Head Chef. Kitchen Manager. And everything in between. Those were my jobs between age 15 and 22. I would not be where I am today without the experiences I had and the skills I learned working in restaurants. I am reflecting on the industry’s impact on not only my life, but all individuals since it looks like COVID-19 will ultimately decimate two-thirds of those jobs. At least in the near future. Working in a restaurant, no matter what the position, is hard work. When people tell me their dream is to own a restaurant, I quietly think they are nuts, unless of course they have spent their career working in one and truly know what they are getting into. Restaurant jobs have supported untold masses, from those working through college to those trying to develop another career while still having reliable income. But more importantly, the skills, mentality, and work ethic restaurant workers develop will last a lifetime. Working as a cook taught me the importance of preparation. The more prepared we were for the expected dining crowd, the better the night and the better the food — from prepping all the food for cooking, to how you set up your workspace. Little things matter, like where you put the ingredient that you will be reaching for a thousand times a
night to how to organize your space for cleanliness and food safety. To this day, I still pull out all the ingredients and “stage” them before cooking a meal at home. Staying with the cooking role for another minute, timing is also important. I think it is a fair statement when I say cooking from a recipe is easy but getting the timing down of how all the components and side dishes come out together, fresh, without waiting, is the hard part. Timing is just something you learn from experience. Like many things, repetition equals success. Having good timing requires you to be self-aware of not only what you are doing, but also those around you who are supporting you while you are supporting them. And isn’t an important part of life about good timing? Speaking of timing, do you know the phrase “in the weeds”? That is a tried- and-true restaurant expression for when you are backed up or behind on your work. It is a term everyone from servers to bartenders and cooks use. Everyone has been there. In its simplest form, being in the weeds is a challenge for your time, energy, and work. The way to get out of the weeds is to grind, work smarter, and ask for help. Aren’t those all great life lessons? Then there is service. After all, it is called the service industry. When I was a busboy at the beach, the smart and
successful servers knew that incredible service meant better tips. They would diligently clean their tables before their shift started. One savvy server would tip me extra if I paid special attention to his tables. He was a stickler for never letting a person’s water glass be empty and making sure plates were quickly removed after the person was done eating. We all know what great and horrible service feels like in a restaurant. Great service makes you feel special. Service is at the heart of Brauns Law. I’ve never put this in writing, but I will now. Clients are made happy by two things: money and service. Truth be told, we could do the very best job imaginable and 12 strangers on a jury could come back with something other than what the client expected. So, in some aspect, we don’t have complete control over the money despite our very best efforts. But what we always have control over is service. Service is 100% in our control. Every single team member at Brauns Law was hand-selected for their personality and character. It took me years and many mistakes misreading job candidates before I finally assembled our dream team. Clients and their problems, fears, and concerns are our job, not a burden. At the end of the day, serving is our pleasure. (Thanks Chick-fil-A for that line by the way.) -David Brauns
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MENTAL HEALTH AT HOME 3 When you lead a busy lifestyle, mental health often takes a back seat to other pressing matters. Thankfully, there are a number of easy-to-use apps to help
GREAT APPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR
Moodfit (GetMoodfit.com) Think of this app as a fitness tracker for your mind. The mood tracker allows you to record your moods and thoughts and follow trends and changes over time. You can look at these trends yourself or set the app to monitor specific areas of your mood. This highly customizable app is packed with tools and resources to help you with your mental health. In addition to the mood tracker, Moodfit offers a range of breathing exercises and a guide to mindfulness meditation.
then suggests a series of “missions” you can complete to help you get into a better state of mind. Missions are short, achievable tasks, like taking a walk around the block or cleaning up a room in your home. Of course, like all the apps listed here, it is not a replacement for professional mental health care, but it offers evidence-based exercises and a level of support that’s not often found in smartphone apps. Talkspace (Talkspace.com) While this app contains a number of mental health tools, its primary purpose is to connect you quickly with one of the company’s thousands of licensed and experienced therapists you can message on a regular basis. Unlike traditional therapy where you schedule an appointment and meet in person, Talkspace allows its user to communicate with their therapist through the app’s encrypted messaging system. It also allows you to request a check-in from your therapist and provides a place for them to upload your therapy notes. Talkspace is more costly than some other apps, but depending on your specific needs, it may be worth it.
address this concern. Even if you’re pressed for time, these apps can help you maintain your mental health. And if you’re just looking for some simple resources to guide you through mood-boosting exercises, they’ve got you covered there too.
MoodMission (MoodMission. com) If you’re struggling with mental health issues, like anxiety and depression, you may feel like this free, evidence- based app was designed just for you. MoodMission asks you a series of questions to assess how you’re feeling,
Testimonials DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT
The first law firm I contacted last year, after my accident May 23, was very unprofessional ... I never met the attorney — I don’t even know if there was a real attorney. When I got in touch with the Brauns Law Firm, I was treated with care, respect, and most of all, professionalism. There wasn’t a day that went by that a question was not responded to; someone from the office helped immediately. I have referred three people within a year (due to car accidents), and the Brauns Law Firm took care of them. If you get in a car accident, call the Brauns Law Firm — don’t call anyone else, PLEASE. –Susan Porter
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Have a Spooky and Safe Halloween
Essential Tips for Everyone
If you’re letting your kids trick-or-treat:
Even now it’s hard to say exactly what Halloween celebrations will look like this year. We may not gather in large groups for extravagant parties, but without a doubt there will be families out trick-or-treating in some form or fashion and cars on the road as people head to small get-togethers. Because this haunting night is already scary enough, let’s all make sure we practice our best safety protocols so we can keep the festivities going. If you’re driving: Slow down in residential neighborhoods and stay at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit. Keep an eye out for kids on sidewalks, roadways, and medians. Kids who are wearing dark colors will be even harder to see. Watch for children crossing the street, as they won’t always be looking for cars. Turn on your headlights to make yourself more visible, even during the day. Be careful when entering or exiting all driveways or alleys.
Encourage them to wear costumes that are bright, reflective, and easy to walk in. Make sure children under 12 are supervised by an adult or an older, responsible youth. Establish the route your trick-or-treaters will follow, as well as a time to return home. Teach children to stop only at well-lit houses and to never go inside a stranger’s home, and instruct them to not eat candy until they’re back. Don’t be shy about checking their collection for good measure. If you’re trick-or-treating with kids: Wear something colorful or reflective even if you aren’t dressing in a costume. It’s your job to keep an eye out, so don’t wear a mask that will obstruct your vision. Watch for costume mishaps like billowy or ripped pieces that could cause tripping. Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries, and never shine it into the eyes of drivers. Stay on sidewalks as much as possible, crossing
streets only at the corner, never between parked cars or mid-block.
If we all do our part to stay safe, we’re sure to have a fun Halloween no matter how we decide to celebrate.
WORD SEARCH
ROASTED ROSEMARY BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND POTATOES
If you’re having trouble getting the kids to eat Brussels sprouts, try this delicious vegan recipe as a side dish. Every vegetable tastes better roasted!
Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss until the Ingredients • 1 3/4 lbs fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise • 3 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved • 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, minced • 4 tsp olive oil • 1 1/2 tsp sugar • 1 tsp sea salt • 1/4 tsp pepper
3. Spread the mixture on the baking sheet, then bake
35–38 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add more salt and pepper as desired, then serve!
APPLES CALENDULA CANDY HALLOWEEN
HORROR MASKS OPAL POPCORN
SCARY SCREAM
Brussels sprouts and fingerlings are evenly coated with oil and seasonings.
TREAT TRICK
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Inspired by “The Oh She Glows Cookbook”
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404-418-8244 | WWW.BRAUNSLAW.COM 3175 SATELLITE BOULEVARD, SUITE 330 DULUTH, GEORGIA 30096
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Service Is at the Heart of Brauns Law
The Best Mental Health Apps You Can Use From Home
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What Some of Our Clients Are Saying
Halloween Safety 101
Roasted Rosemary Brussels Sprouts and Potatoes
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When ‘Star Wars’ Invaded Halloween
The Spooky ‘Star Wars’ Shortage of 1977
A long time ago … in October of 1977 to be exact, Halloween was fast approaching and many parents faced a major dilemma. That year, kids didn’t want to go trick-or-treating dressed as vampires, witches, or ghosts. The classic costumes simply wouldn’t do. That Halloween, almost every child in the United States wanted to dress as their favorite character from the new hit movie, “Star Wars.” Today, you can walk into a Halloween City on Oct. 30 and easily pick up a costume for Rey, Darth Vader, or Princess Leia. But in 1977, less than five months after the release of the first movie in the popular franchise, getting your hands on “Star Wars” merchandise was a bit more difficult. Ben Cooper, a costume company in Brooklyn, had the foresight to license “Star Wars” for costumes right after the movie came out. Unfortunately, they didn’t foresee how great the demand for these costumes would be.
Retailers across the country were selling out of “Star Wars” costumes as fast as they came in. Some stores reported selling more “Star Wars” costumes than pumpkins. Kids who got their hands on an authentic Han Solo or C-3PO costume were considered lucky.
commonplace, but in 1977, this was uncharted territory. Kids searched for white dresses to be Princess Leia and bathrobes they could cut short to mimic Luke Skywalker. Moms everywhere broke out their sewing machines and created costumes using only action figures for reference. It was grueling work, but it showed how
But kids who arrived at the store to find the costume shelves empty didn’t throw in the towel. Instead, they went and
much kids wanted to spend Halloween in a galaxy far, far away.
found some brown towels to make their own Chewbacca costumes.
The “Star Wars” costume shortage marked a new era for Halloween — one where making your own costume was just as cool, if not better, than buying it.
In the current age of cosplay, homemade costumes based on movie characters are
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