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LEGAL BRIEF
NOVEMBER 2023 FriedmanSimon.com 516-800-8000
GRATITUDE AND GREEK DELIGHTS A VERY PAPADOPOULOS THANKSGIVING
I come from a big family. My grandmother has 11 grandchildren on mom’s side of the family alone, plus a few great- grandchildren now, so our holidays are typically a little crowded — in a good way. We usually have 20–40 people together at the house every Thanksgiving, and this year should be no exception. As in most families, our traditions have evolved over the years. Thanksgiving celebrations happened at my great- grandmother’s house while I was growing up, until my parents took over
I make a plan of action for the leftovers to keep it interesting, western omelet with the ham, turkey/stuffing mash up plate, back to ham not in omelet form. Leftovers are only boring if you let them be.
There’s much love and laughter surrounding Thanksgiving, and we make many memories every year. I love having a designated day when we can all come together. I also think it’s beneficial to be reminded to slow down, reflect on what we have, and be grateful for it.
after she passed away in 1999. Since then, the family has slowly grown. To help everyone fit in one room, we set up a buffet with all of the delicious foods and arrange a bunch of folding tables like a snake around the room. Traditionally, I like to start Thanksgiving by playing backgammon with an older cousin on my dad’s side who stops by early or with my dad or brothers while final preparations are being made,
At the same time, I know that Thanksgiving can be difficult. Health is one of the most common things people are grateful for, but many of our clients are struggling with physical limitations due to injuries. However, the holiday also provides an opportunity for them to reflect on other reasons to be thankful, which can be key for mental health and a sense of well-being.
with the parade, dog show, or football on TV in the background of course. We take turns cycling in and out of the living room and kitchen as my mom calls out for help during final prep time. As a Greek family, we have more than the traditional turkey on our table. Among the offerings, you’ll also find spanakopita, kolokithopita (zucchini pie), pastichio (a
For my part, I have many reasons to be grateful. I’m thankful for my incredible family and friends, and especially thankful for my fiancé, who accepted my proposal earlier this year. I’m also incredibly grateful for all the clients who continue to have faith in us during one of the most stressful times in their lives. It means the world to me that so many put their futures in our hands, and it’s not a responsibility I or the staff at Friedman & Simon take lightly. On behalf of everyone here, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving and hope you’ll find many blessings to count.
greek lasagna), lemon potatoes, and a spiral ham (not Greek, but my favorite). Of course, there’s always too much food, so it’s a good thing I love leftovers. I will typically eat them once a day until “the statute of limitations” runs the following Wednesday.
-John G. Papadopoulos
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We all know patience is a virtue — but it’s a challenging lesson to remember when bill collectors are breathing down our necks. Our clients have rent to pay and families to feed, so they naturally want to resolve their cases as quickly as possible. But as tempting as it may be to take the money and run, we’ve seen countless instances where holding out for a better offer has set our clients up for improved long-term success. In September of this year, we settled a case for $1.5 million. In March of 2021, our client, a bicyclist, had his leg pinned against a parked car by a delivery truck with a significant insurance policy. He was severely injured, suffering from a broken leg and requiring multiple surgeries, leaving him with permanent nerve damage and scars. The insurance company tried to offer a million-dollar settlement in February of 2023. That’s a large amount of money, and our client was eager to settle. However, we knew the value of his injury was more and urged him to wait. We’re sure it wasn’t easy for him to take our advice. As predicted, with time, as we inched closer to a trial date, the insurance company came back to the table and increased its settlement offer by an extra $500,000. That increase will go far for our client. While our client has permanent injuries, the money he received will help ensure he can adequately care for himself in the coming years. A two-year turnaround for a personal injury case of this value is relatively swift, but we know it didn’t feel that way to the client. Two years is a long time when your life has been turned upside down. Insurance companies use this fact to their advantage and often try to save money with lowball offers when a plaintiff is out of work to see if a plaintiff is desperate enough to accept. Experienced personal injury attorneys are familiar with these types of dirty tricks. So, we urge you to trust your attorney’s guidance and let them work through the process. It’s never our intention to drag out the settlement process unnecessarily. Instead, we want to ensure you never leave money on the table — because we know that an insurance company’s first offer is rarely its best. HOW SETTLING EARLY MAY SHORTCHANGE YOUR FUTURE Patience Pays Off
As a business owner, you’ve likely spent a lot of time working to improve your business. You’ve read business books and attended seminars to enhance your skills. Occasionally, you learn something revolutionary that allows you to implement practices that make your company more profitable. Brian Tracy, CEO of Brian Tracy International, is no stranger to offering revolutionary business advice. He founded his company nearly 40 years ago, which provides counseling on leadership, strategy, creativity, and more. If you haven’t read anything by Tracy or heard him speak, you’re missing out on valuable business advice. Tracy recently unveiled his three rules for business success. By following these rules in your own business, you can reach new heights and accomplish your goals. QUALITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN COST. The big question: Do you cut costs and offer a lower- quality product, or do you deliver a high-quality product that’s more expensive? Tracy recommends providing a higher-quality product every time. If you make a cheap product and sell it for a low price, the customer will be happy at first to get a great deal, but their joy will fade as the product starts to wear down. This is how customers look at your business. FOCUS ON REVENUE GENERATION INSTEAD OF BUSINESS COSTS. It costs money to run a business, but you should not focus solely on money leaving your bank account. Start building plans to create revenue that covers your business’s expenses. Part of the reason you started your business was to make money, so start making money! Focus on creating sales and operation processes that align with your company values and promote more business. Doing so will offset the costs of doing business while bringing in more revenue that can be used to grow your company. THERE ARE NO OTHER RULES! According to Tracy, no other secret rule will bring success to your business. If you put quality first and focus on revenue generation, you can grow a profitable company. Master These 3 Simple (But Critical) Rules Want to Grow Your Business?
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Transform Power Struggles Into Learning Moments With These Techniques
One of the common challenges parents face with their young children is power struggles. When you ask your child to do something, and they refuse, you could spend countless hours and endless energy trying to get them to comply. Sometimes, the more persistent you are, the more resistant they can become. However, several strategies exist to avoid these arguments with your strong-willed kids. Here are two methods you can adapt to fit some common parenting scenarios. ASK CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS. Sometimes, kids don’t understand the consequences of their actions — they lack the appropriate problem-solving skills to help them understand why you’re making certain requests. Instead of telling them to do something, ask questions that make them think critically about the situation. If they leave their toys outside before a storm, ask what could happen to them and how they could prevent that. When your child understands that leaving toys out during a storm could damage them, they will realize that putting them away is a good idea.
Remember, when children are forced to do something they don’t want to do, they will focus more on being angry at you rather than learning a lesson or new habit. Encouraging them to develop their own conclusions will help them better understand the impact of their decisions. OFFER CHOICES AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE. Giving your children choices helps them feel like they have some freedom over what they get to do. Sometimes children refuse to comply with requests because you’ve offered them no other option. If you want your child to clean their room, don’t demand that they do it. Ask what they want to start on first — make the bed, put away their toys, or hang up clothes. Providing alternatives and allowing them to make a choice will not only get the job done faster but will also increase their confidence in knowing you value their opinion. Navigating power struggles with children can be a challenging aspect of parenting. But implementing effective strategies can make a significant difference in maintaining harmony at home. So give these methods a try and watch as your relationship with your child grows. SUDOKU
Tasty Apple Pie
Just like Grandma made!
Ingredients
• 2 9-inch unbaked pie crusts • 6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples • 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour • 2 tbsp butter
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Place 1 pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate.
3. In a large bowl, combine apples, cinnamon, sugar, and flour. 4. Spoon mixture into pastry-lined pie plate and dot with butter. 5. Cut remaining crust into 1/2-inch-wide strips, then arrange strips in a lattice design over top of pie. 6. Trim, seal, and flute edges. 7. Bake for 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2
Love, Laughter, and Leftovers Grow Your Business With These 3 Rules Don’t Settle for Less: Patience Pays Off in Personal Injury Cases Say Goodbye to Power Struggles With Kids! Tasty Apple Pie How Super Coffee Grew From $0 to $400 Million
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$0 TO $400 MILLION THE STORY BEHIND SUPER COFFEE
What is the first thing you do when you wake up? Many start every day with a fresh cup of coffee, but occasionally, we run out of time and have to pick up something on the way to work. You can get a cup, but these can be expensive and unhealthy. In 2015, a college student at Thomas Jefferson University saw a need for a healthier beverage and created something new. Jordan DeCicco was struggling to stay awake in class. He wanted healthier options that provide more energy, so he started brewing his own coffee, adding protein and healthy fats. Jordan got the energy
at Georgetown University. They quickly found success and started selling their product in stores like Whole Foods and WaWa.
Knowing their business could be even more profitable, the brothers went on “Shark Tank” to pitch their business. The brothers asked for $500,000 in return for a 4.5% ownership of the business. Unfortunately, the sharks were unimpressed. Jake, Jordan, and Jim walked away from “Shark Tank” empty-handed, but they didn’t let that stop them from reaching new levels of growth and success. The following year, Forbes recognized the brothers on their 30 under 30 list, which garnered the attention of high-profile investors. Aaron Rodgers, Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, and Baron Davis all invested in the company. The brothers made a distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch, which brought Super Coffee to stores like Target, Walmart, and CVS. The company grew in value from $0 to $400 million within five years. The DeCicco brothers and their Super Coffee venture prove you don’t need experience, industry knowledge, or wealthy investors to get your business off the ground. You just need a strong idea and dedication to follow your vision.
he craved, and it tasted good, too! Soon, Jordan knew he had something big on his hands. Jordan contacted his brothers, Jake and Jim, to share his creation and inform them of his intention to drop out of school and start a business. The three began working together and launched Sunniva Super Coffee out of Jake’s apartment
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