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December 2022
BECOME THE HERO IN YOUR BUSINESS! A Mindset Trick That Changed My Life
One year ago, I was in Miami sitting in a small circle of other lawyers. We were there for a personal development and mindset workshop. To kick off the session, the facilitator asked each of us to share a bit about ourselves. “Where are you right now, in life and in your business?” she asked.
seas, or go after treasure. Often, they encounter a guide who aids and directs them on their travels. They fight demons or dragons (mythical representations of their inner turmoil) and, in the process, discover new things about themselves. When these strengths surface, they help the hero reconcile with God, the universe, or their loved ones, and they come home with a new awareness, ready to share what they learned. Reading about this cycle completely changed my perspective on my situation. Before, I saw my separation as a failure. But thanks to Campbell, I realized that being alone was the first step on my hero’s journey. For the last year, I’ve been fighting demons, discovering myself, and growing as a person, leader, and business owner. “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” changed my life, and it changed how I see myself in my business. In my personal life, I’m the hero overcoming obstacles and achieving goals. In my business, you’re the hero and I’m a guide offering tools and advice that will help you slay your dragons, learn about yourself and your business, and achieve success. We take many journeys in life, and every day is the beginning of a new one. Thanks to Campbell, a renewed sense of purpose, adventure, and optimism guided me through 2022 — and that reframing paid off. I grew my team, strengthened my business, and helped more clients resolve their business issues than ever before. If you’re still early in your hero’s journey and struggling to confront the demons and self-limiting beliefs holding back your business, schedule an appointment with me. My team and I will give you the guidance you need to achieve your goals. I can also offer support to any of your friends, family, or peers who may need direction in
When it was my turn, I almost didn’t know what to say. Sierra Crest Business Law Group was going well, but on the personal side, my feelings were still raw: I was six months into a marital separation. I explained things as best I could, and afterward, other members of the circle gave feedback. Then it was the facilitator’s turn to respond. “You seem a little bit lost,” she said kindly. “I hope you can find yourself. When you find yourself, you’ll be home.” I’m still thinking about those words a year later. That workshop fell during a period of transition for me, and afterward, I spent weeks thinking and soul-searching. It took a lot of courage, but I peered deep inside myself to examine my feelings and sense of discomfort. During that reflection, I discovered a book that helped me reframe my place in life: “The Hero With a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell. The book centers on a concept called the hero’s journey: 12 steps every hero must take to overcome adversity and succeed in life. Almost every piece of pop culture and myth fits this narrative, from the story of Hercules to Luke Skywalker’s path in “Star Wars” and Dorothy’s in “The Wizard of Oz.” The concept draws on mythology, fiction, and religious tradition, and it resonated with me because the journey always begins with something untenable in the hero’s life or the society. That’s how I felt about my position post-separation: It was untenable! From there, the hero leaves their daily life behind and sets off alone on a journey, whether to climb a mountain, sail the high
their businesses. Working together, we can find the hero waiting within and help them shine.
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Melanie Shaha is currently fighting her third brain cancer battle. For 15 years, she’s been suffering from a benign tumor on her pituitary gland. Although she doesn’t mind being sick, going to her appointments, focusing on her treatment, and talking to loved ones about her cancer, she doesn’t like looking sick. If you didn’t know Shaha, you wouldn’t realize she was battling cancer. But this suddenly changed once she lost all of her hair. She had two surgeries, in 2003 and 2006, in hopes of removing the tumor on her pituitary gland, but they weren’t successful. Then, when she began radiation therapy in 2017, the treatment caused her hair to fall out. “Not having hair [makes] you stick out like a sore thumb, and well- meaning people can say things that break your heart,” Shaha told TODAY. She didn’t like all the attention and the looks people gave her in public. So, her 27-year-old son Matt had an idea. At first, Matt joked about cutting all of his hair off to make his mother a wig. But the joke soon became a plan, and Matt followed through in 2018. Locks of Love Son Makes a Wig for His Mother
him from cutting it, but Matt wanted to help her feel confident and comfortable in her skin. So, he chopped it off and sent his locks to Compassionate Creations, a hair company in Newport Beach, California, that created a wig for his mother. Now, Shaha has a piece of her son to take everywhere with her beautiful new tresses. “The color is spectacular, and we had it cut and styled with a hairdresser. Matt said it looked great on me. It sure fills your emotional cup,” Shaha says. If you — or someone you know — would like to donate your hair to cancer patients, you can donate to Locks of Love, Wigs For Kids, Chai Lifeline, and Children With Hair Loss. Research donation centers in your area if you would like to give back locally. Holiday Shopping Scams Businesses boom during the holiday season because more people buy their products and services. But this means potential scams can also increase, but you can do a few things to ensure your personal information and banking details are safe. You may see products online or advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok that pique your interest. But before you click “buy,” ensure the website is legitimate. Search for the product on a search engine to see if the same links appear. Carefully read reviews, look for website security credentials, and research unknown retailers before purchasing. It’s better to take extra precautions to ensure your information isn’t compromised. In addition, never use public Wi-Fi when purchasing items online. You’re more likely to be hacked when the Wi-Fi connection isn’t protected or in a secure network. Hackers tap into public internet sources and intercept your data through techniques like eavesdropping. Although it’s appealing to use public Wi-Fi because you think it’s free, it’s not. You pay with your personal information and data. If you or someone you know is a victim of fraud, report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by phone at 1-877-382-4357. For more information on scams, fraud, and identity theft, go to USA.gov/scams-and-frauds to learn how to protect yourself better.
After graduating from college, Matt began growing his hair out. In no time, he had long and luscious hair. His mother tried to dissuade
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emails like these are all too common; unfortunately, millions of people’s data is compromised as a result. Understandably, when you first receive these scam emails, you panic because you think they are legitimate. But remember, USPS, UPS, Amazon, and FedEx won’t ask for personal information over email. A good rule of thumb is never to click on links in emails — even from the actual company. Scammers are very good at making their emails look authentic. Instead, go to the delivery company’s website and log in to your account. If action is required, you should see a notification in your portal. Alternatively, you can call the business’s customer service line to check if their email is authentic.
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MEET THE TEAM
KIRK MONTEZ, ESQ.
What are your hobbies, and how did you get into them? I really like DIY home renovation projects — like building a bathroom vanity cabinet from basic plywood and replacing the outdated one. Starting at around 4 years old, I used to help my dad around the house, and he taught me how to safely use tools. I could instantly memorize assembly instructions, so I knew where every bolt and nut went. As I got older, I did more of the physical work, and as my dad reached his senior years, he did more supervising. Either way, it always felt like teamwork. When my dad passed away in 2016, projects were my therapy. I’d see him in my dreams every night, and I would explain what my elaborate project of the week was — we’d discuss challenges and how I would address them. So, working with my hands and fixing things is my way of communing with my dad. Are you able to work from home, and if so, do you enjoy it? YES! I love it. I have a quiet work environment, and I love using remote technologies — and not having to commute one and a half hours each day lets me put more energy into working, so I can get more enjoyment out of my non-working hours. Also, I have an adorable Chihuahua pug, named Holden, who likes to watch me while I work. How has your opinion of family changed over the years? I had a great relationship with my dad — he was my best friend. When he passed away, I only regretted not spending more time with him while he was alive. For almost 20 years, I kept focusing on my career, my business, telling myself we’ll have more time. Now, I won’t let time get away from me like that with my mom, especially after the pandemic. We only have so much time, and I want to make sure I spend it wisely with the people who mean the most to me. How has your perspective on the world changed over time? I grew up thinking the world is a meritocracy, that hard work and talent guarantee success. But there’s a whole lot of luck
and unfairness involved in all of life that is beyond our control. If you never went to bed hungry as a child it was a lot easier for you to focus on homework than a child who ate one meal a day. The single biggest predictor of a child’s success and mental well-being is their parents. The one thing I’m most thankful for in my life has been my parents — and I didn’t get them through hard work — I just got really lucky to be born to them. When I meet someone particularly difficult or read about a politician’s questionable behavior, I can’t help but wonder what uncontrollable luck factors shaped who they became. If you had the opportunity to be immortal, would you take it? If we’re talking physical immortality (as opposed to something spiritual like heaven or some kind of perpetual reincarnation), there’s no way I would take it. Experiencing the death of a loved one leaves scars. Over 200 years, one would accumulate more than double the emotional scars of a normal lifetime. Over thousands, millions, billions of years, that either gets unbearably painful, or one would have to become numb to it. I don’t like the idea of either outcome happening to me. Also, Earth will be swallowed by the Sun in about 7.5 billion years — if we don’t figure out how to leave the planet by then, it would be quite uncomfortable to be standing around on Earth while everything is burning. And if one survives that, there’s the eventual Heat Death of the Universe, where all of the stars die out trillions of years from now (which is a really long time, but if you’re immortal, it’s no time at all). I’d hate to be staring out into complete darkness all alone for the rest of eternity. I like peace and quiet, but that’s just overkill for me.
What was your all-time favorite Halloween costume? 2015 Halloween. Ironman Mark 43 from Avengers 2: Age of Ultron. Made it from fiberglass and EVA foam (during the time that 3D printers weren’t very good).
691 Sierra Rose Dr., Suite B Reno, NV 89511 775.448.6070 SierraCrestLaw.com
Why a Sole Proprietor May Want To Consider Creating a Corporation
We run into a lot of businesses that are still conducting their business as a sole proprietorship, sometimes called a sole prop. Here are some reasons you might consider putting your business into a corporation or an LLC instead of a sole proprietorship. Reason number one for using an LLC or a corporation is to shield yourself personally from business liabilities. In the law we call it the corporate veil or the corporate shield. Basically it means that you as the owner or the manager or the operator of the business can’t be sued personally for corporate or LLC liabilities and debts. The second reason to use an LLC or a corporation is that there are often a lot of tax advantages. You just can’t claim those tax advantages if you’re running your business as a sole proprietor. The third reason to consider this is that sole proprietors have a hard time separating out their business from their personal lives, whereas with an LLC or corporation, you’ll have separate bank accounts and separate corporate records. It’s easier to keep track of what’s business and what’s personal.
“If you have an LLC or a corporation, it tells the world that you know what you’re doing in business.”
The fourth reason is that it’s easier to sell an LLC or a corporation than it is to sell your life, which is a sole proprietorship. And having a corporation or an LLC makes it easier to show a buyer what they’re actually buying. And then, the final reason ... I personally feel like there’s a reputation factor. If you have an LLC or a corporation, it tells the world that you know what you’re doing in business. So you’ll get more credibility from using a real corporation. If you have any questions about the decision of whether to use a sole proprietorship, a corporation, or an LLC, here at the Sierra Crest Business Law Group we’re very happy to answer those questions and guide you to the right choice for you and your business. Please give us a call.
691 Sierra Rose Dr., Suite B Reno, NV 89511 775.448.6070 SierraCrestLaw.com
BRAIN GAMES
We’ve all felt anxious, guilty, fearful, and sad — it’s a part of life. Perhaps you’ve tried to avoid or suppress these emotions, but you’re not a rock. As humans, we experience these feelings all the time. Trying to control them may only make matters worse. So, instead, focus on something you can control — your actions. That’s the central premise of Mark Freeman’s mental health book “You Are Not a Rock.” He aims to teach readers how to build emotional fitness and overcome their struggles and hardships with different techniques. The book is divided into two sections titled “The Basics” and “The Transformation.” The first half is about learning basic mental health skills and unlearning ways of thinking about mental health that cause us challenges. The second half focuses on how to create and build what you want to see in your life instead of trying to avoid and control what you can’t see. As you read, you’ll learn how to recognize your problems, practice mindfulness, prioritize and follow your values, and understand your fears. The strategies in “You Are Not a Rock” are the same tactics Freeman used in his personal life, and he shares some of those stories in the book. There are exercises at the end of each chapter that Freeman highly encourages you to complete. By TIRED OF FEELING ANXIOUS AND FEARFUL? Read ‘You Are Not a Rock’ by Mark Freeman
SOLUTION
WINTER VEGETABLE SHEPHERD’S PIE
Inspired by BBCGoodFood.com
performing these exercises, you can
Ingredients
better understand the book’s contents and implement Freeman’s tactics in your life. Before Freeman helps readers begin their journey, he states that strengthening your mental health is like working on your physical health — you won’t see instant results. “Changing your brain takes time
• 6 1/2 cups potatoes, cut into large chunks • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 onions, sliced • 1 tbsp flour • 2 large carrots, cut into rounds • 1/2 cauliflower, broken into florets
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced • 1 sprig rosemary • 15-oz can diced tomatoes plus liquid • 1/2 cup water • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas • Milk, to desired consistency
Directions
1. In a pot, boil potatoes until tender. 2. In a pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. Add carrots, cauliflower, garlic, and rosemary and stir until softened. 3. Pour tomatoes into mix and add water. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes, then remove lid and cook for 15 minutes until thickened. Stir in peas and simmer. 4. Drain and mash potatoes. Stir in milk to desired consistency. 5. Preheat oven to 375 F. Spoon hot vegetable mix into pie dish, then top with mashed potatoes. Bake until top is golden brown.
and effort … I’m not going to share with you any magical supplements or special mantras. This is simply a book about actions,” Freeman says in his introduction. If you’re interested in reading “You Are Not a Rock,” you can purchase your copy wherever books are sold online or in bookstores.
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IF SOMETHING IN YOUR BUSINESS IS KEEPING YOU UP AT NIGHT, CALL US AT 775-448-6070. REFERRALS ARE ALSO WELCOME.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
How Jerry Found His Inner Hero
What Started as a Joke Became Reality
2
Winter Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie Tired of Feeling Anxious and Fearful?
3
Protect Your Personal Data From Scammers
4
We get busy shopping for Christmas gifts online and in-store during the holiday season. It’s the season that keeps on giving — but not for all. Scammers will devise clever ways to con you out of your hard-earned money. Some will take advantage of your generosity. So, as you scroll through shopping websites and wait for your gifts to come in the mail, be sure to protect yourself from scammers. Here are some tips. Holiday Mail Scams Shipping companies will give you updates and status on your items when you order something online or ship a package off. Although this tool is excellent for tracking where your orders are, scammers will send phishing emails pretending to be these shipping companies. These emails claim your package is lost or more information is needed to process your order or shipment. Some may have a webpage link for you to submit personal information. Phishing How to Avoid Holiday Scams ’Tis the Season for Giving — Not Stealing
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