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NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com MAY 2025
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What Every Small-Business Owner Needs The Business Growth Playbook
Owning a small business is one of the most rewarding things you can do, but it’s not for the faint of heart. People who don’t know any better often assume that if you’re a business owner, you can set your schedule, take vacations whenever you want, and finally be your own boss. The reality? A joke I often tell people is that business ownership is great because you only have to work half-days. The question is, which 12 hours do you want to work? In May, we celebrate National Small Business Week to recognize the hard work and ingenuity of entrepreneurs and small-business owners. It felt like the perfect opportunity to talk about my experience as a business owner and share a few things I’ve gathered along the way. When I started, my wife and I ran a business out of our house. Fast-forward to today, and we’ve grown to a team of multiple employees working out of an office building I purchased last year. The journey hasn’t always been smooth, but I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to make a business successful.
changed the way I look at my business. Instead of blaming others, I started asking, “Did I give my team the tools they need to succeed?”
I also learned that systems create consistency. In “The E-Myth Revisited,” Michael Gerber emphasizes that successful businesses are built on repeatable processes. McDonald’s is one of the best examples. They take teenagers and plug them into a structured system and get consistent results. For a long time, I assumed employees would figure out things like I did. However, I quickly realized that what seemed obvious to me wasn’t to them, so I started building checklists and structured systems to keep everything running smoothly. Mastering marketing is another key task for business owners. Sure, we focus on specific industries, but the truth is that we’re all in the business of marketing. No matter how great you are at what you do, if you don’t have clients walking through your door, it doesn’t matter. I’ve spent years learning marketing because I knew I wouldn’t have a business without it. If you haven’t made marketing a priority, now is the time. Even the best businesses will stay small without a steady stream of clients. Finally, knowing your numbers is non-negotiable. Don’t get caught in the trap of running your business based on your checking account balance. Many business owners assume they're fine if they have money in the account. If it gets low, they panic. But accurate financial tracking is more than that — it’s about key performance indicators (KPIs). Think of your checking account like the fuel gauge in your car. It shows you what’s left, but KPIs are like the speedometer and navigation; they tell you how fast you’re moving and when it’s time to adjust course. Creating a Business That Works for You Despite the challenges, I wouldn’t trade business ownership for anything. I continue to learn things daily from my experiences and other people running their businesses. Throughout it all, I’ve found that success comes down to a
few fundamental areas. If you own a business, ask yourself a few questions. Are you effectively leading your team? Do you have systems in place? Do you know your numbers? Getting these things right can make all the difference. And if you need help figuring out the financial side, let’s talk.
The 4 Pillars of a Successful Business A big part of running a business is understanding that every success and every failure comes back to you. I realized this early on, but it hit home after reading “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink. The book discusses how great leaders take full responsibility for everything in their organizations. If something goes wrong, it’s not someone’s fault — it’s yours. This mentality
–Bob Norton
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DIET DECEIVERS
Shockingly Sneaky High- Calorie Snacks
For most health-conscious Americans, counting calories is the go- to method for keeping their bodies and eating habits in check. Unfortunately, even the strictest dieters may be defeating their goals without realizing it. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, moderately active males aged 31–45 need to consume 2,600 calories daily to maintain proper weight and health. In contrast, moderately active females in the same age group need 2,000. Moderately active older adults need 2,400 and 1,800, respectively. Although these amounts seem to offer considerable wiggle room at first glance, you may be shocked to learn how quickly calories add up — even when your diet consists of “healthy” options.
We should all show appreciation for the moms in our lives year-round, but Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to do something extra special. For many busy moms, a relaxing, stress-free breakfast in bed is the ultimate treat. But Mother’s Day breakfast doesn’t have to be an over- the-top display or super complicated to prepare. A little planning, a few thoughtful details, and helping hands make all the difference. Start with a menu she’ll love. Mother’s Day breakfast in bed should be simple but meaningful. Breakfast go-tos like pancakes and French toast are delicious and easy to make, and you can add a parfait or fresh fruit and a cup of freshly squeezed juice for a special touch. If she loves eggs and toast, go in that direction. Preparing Mom’s favorite dish or incorporating ingredients that remind her of a family tradition can take the meal to the next level. Present it beautifully. You can elevate even a simple breakfast with a few thoughtful additions. Ditch the disposables and use real plates, silverware, and linen napkins. Deliver the breakfast with care on a lovely tray accompanied by a small vase of flowers. Keep everything organized neatly, and include a handwritten card or note to add a heartfelt message to the meal. Make it a team effort. Get the whole family involved — minus Mom, of course! Even young kids can pitch in by spreading butter, arranging fruit, or folding napkins. Older kids can help out more with the actual cooking. To make Mother’s Day morning stress-free for everyone, do prep work the night before. Chop fruit, prepare the coffeemaker, and premix the pancake batter. And don’t forget the cleanup. Working as a team to wash dishes and put things away will ensure a dirty kitchen doesn’t ruin Mom’s special day when she gets up. Remember, you don’t have to prepare the perfect meal to make Mother’s Day memorable. It’s all about showing your love and appreciation. The holiday is an opportunity to bring the entire family together to create a special moment for the most important woman in your life. Treat Mom to a Magical Morning The Ultimate Mother’s Day Breakfast Plan
Glaring truths about ‘good’ foods. First, let’s avoid the misconception that calories are the end-all,
be-all of a successful diet plan. Sure, you could keep your weight down by
eating nothing but 2,600 calories of Oreos every day, but your body would miss out on much-needed protein. For a healthy way to provide your body with this essential nutrient, reach for chickpeas instead — but keep in mind that a single 1-cup serving on top of a salad packs nearly 300 calories. To put that into perspective, that’s the caloric equivalent of pouring an order
of McDonald’s small fries and a packet of barbecue sauce on your leafy lunch. Here’s another not-so-fun fact: One cup of guacamole has about the same calories as a McDouble burger! Drinks you should ditch. Thirsty? No problem — just swallow 10 teaspoons of sugar! Sounds preposterous, right? Well, that’s how much sugar you consume every time you drink a 12-ounce regular Coke, which also has more than 140 calories. Other drinks you may think are “healthy choices” really aren’t. Even though electrolyte drinks like Gatorade might seem like a great option after a workout, several brands are high in sugar, sodium, and other chemicals. A better choice? Coconut water, which naturally has electrolytes! Fruit juices are another tricky one. They may tout vitamins but are sugary and high in acid. You’re better off eating the actual fruit.
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When our furry friends get sick, it’s up to us to bring them in for a veterinary appointment. It’s part of the responsibility of being a pet owner, but stray animals have no owners. Who takes care of them when they most need it? Sadly, help is beyond their reach in many cases. However, some dogs won’t let anything stand in their way, especially if it’s a difference between life and death. In January 2025, a stray mother dog noticed her puppy stopped moving and jumped into action. Without an owner to guide her, the mother brought her baby to a local veterinarian clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. The staff saw the dog standing outside their door, so they checked on her and noticed the lifeless puppy. The pup was freezing cold, and the vet wasn’t even sure if it was still alive! The vet could not hear the puppy's heartbeat with a stethoscope, so he checked it with a needle, which provided promising results! The dog was alive but had a very slow heartbeat. The vet used a blow dryer to warm the puppy up, and before long, it was awake and moving again. All the while, the mother was at the puppy’s side with her head perched on the examination table. So, how did the puppy’s mother know where to take her baby? This wasn’t her first encounter with this vet clinic; the same doctor was already treating the puppy’s littermate after good Samaritans brought her to the same clinic a few days earlier. Both puppies have been reunited with their mother and are all under the close eye of the clinic. Stray Dog Outsmarts Fate and Saves Her Puppy’s Life
Whether discussing humans or dogs, parents are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their children survive and thrive. However, dogs might have to be more creative with their efforts.
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
• 1 boneless beef chuck roast (about 2 lbs) • 3 medium carrots, peeled, chopped • 2 medium sweet red peppers, chopped • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 8-oz can unsweetened crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce • 2 tbsp packed brown sugar • 2 tbsp white vinegar • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1/2 tsp pepper • 3 tbsp cornstarch • 3 tbsp water • 24 lettuce leaves for serving
1. In 4- or 5-quart slow cooker, combine roast, carrots, peppers, and onion. 2. In small bowl, stir together the next 6 ingredients; pour over roast. 3. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours. Remove roast, let cool slightly, then shred. 4. Skim fat from cooking juices, then transfer juices and vegetables to a small saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. 5. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water, stir mixture into juices, and cook 3–4 minutes until sauce is thickened. 6. Return beef, sauce, and vegetables to slow cooker; cook for 10–15 minutes. 7. Serve beef in lettuce leaves. Directions
Bloom Cinco Derby Emerald
Gemini Graduation Lily Memorial
Mother Roses Teacher Veterans
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Norton Accounting Services, LLC
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
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INSIDE 1
The 4 Keys to Business Growth
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Hidden Hazards to Your Health Mother’s Day Breakfast Ideas to Wow Mom A Stray Dog Pulls Off the Ultimate Rescue Mission Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Lettuce Cups Secrets to a Stress-Free Family Picnic
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DITCH THE STRESS, EMBRACE THE FUN SPRING FAMILY PICNICS MADE EASY
When was the last time you gathered the family, threw down a blanket, and enjoyed a meal together in the warm sun? A picnic is the perfect springtime activity, but the planning and food prep can make it seem like more hassle than it’s worth. The truth is, however, that picnics don’t have to be complicated. Here are four tips for planning easy family picnics. Pick the perfect picnic spot. When choosing a location for your picnic, think about how your family would like to spend the day. A park with open fields and playground equipment keeps kids entertained between bites, but a park isn’t the only option. The beach, a local lake, or a mountain picnic area are all fantastic for a family picnic. Just remember bug spray and sunscreen and find a shady spot on hot days. Don’t overthink the menu. Picnics are all about the food, but that doesn’t mean you have to fuss over the menu. Keep things simple, and choose items that can withstand time outside the cooler. Easy-to-eat options like sandwiches, fruit, and
finger foods are tasty and quick to prepare. Add variety with veggies and hummus or cheese and crackers.
For an extra treat, grab premade cookies or brownies. Lemonade, juice, and fruit-infused water are refreshing options and keep everyone hydrated without the caffeine. Bring an insulated cooler for drinks and food, and don’t forget wet wipes for easy cleanup. Create a cozy, kid-friendly setup. The picnic blanket is a great start, but you can take things up a notch with a few extras. Plush blankets, throw pillows, and lawn chairs offer comfortable sitting and lounging options. Pack entertainment as well; outdoor games, like Frisbee and ring toss, and a portable speaker to add to the fun. Don’t forget — it’s about family! Family outings shouldn’t be stressful; the best ones are sometimes the simplest. Instead of worrying about perfect details, focus on spending time together outdoors, relaxing, and enjoying good food and even better company.
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