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JUNE 2017 www.katconstructionllc.com (612) 326-1122
An Unpredictable
If you had told me 15 years ago that I’d one day be running a construction company, I wouldn’t have believed you. That’s not to say I’m unsatisfied with how everything’s worked out. Far from it. I love the challenge of running a small business, communicating with customers every day, and working alongside my fantastic team. How a Biochemist Ended Up Running a Construction Company
My degree is in biochemistry, and it’s only through a rather convoluted series of events that I ended up where I am. Years back, I was working as a lab tech, which may sound like interesting work. At the beginning, it was, but eventually it became too cookie-cutter. Luckily, I managed to move up, first to tech supervisor and then into sales. Unfortunately, I was stuck. The only position I could feasibly be promoted to was vice president, and it
Getting another job in a laboratory is not an easy task, as I’m sure you can imagine. I interviewed with many places, but they all essentially said the same thing. I remember, vividly, one guy took a look at my resume and told me, “Well, you’re clearly qualified, and you have the necessary experience. But I’m sorry to tell you we can’t accept applicants who are unemployed.”
After a few years with the company, I began to get the feeling that I could do a better job myself, especially when it came to the treatment of employees. Like many construction companies, they took advantage of their workers, underpaying them and treating them as easily replaceable. I went off on my own and started KAT Construction in 2011 and have never looked back. Now that it’s my own business, I’m able to ensure that every member of my team is treated fairly. It’s paid off; I’ve got guys who have stayed on for years, a rarity in the construction world. It wasn’t an easy road to the point I’m at now, but I’m grateful that everything shook out the way it did. Business is booming, I get to interface directly with my customers daily, and best of all, the work keeps me on my toes.
didn’t seem like our current one was going anywhere. So, I took a sales job at a competing lab that had been trying to recruit me for a while, thinking I’d climb the ladder there. Shortly after, my new company decided it was time to downsize. I was counted among the many salespeople told to pack
This was my first sign. After a few of these frustrating interviews, I decided something needed to change. I applied on a whim to a contracting job, and lo and behold, they hired me on the spot. I went from my lab job, a salaried position
“It wasn’t an easy road to the point I’m at now, but I’m grateful that everything shook out the way it did.”
their bags. I later learned that this was what that lab did. It hired a bunch of salespeople, and then, six or seven months later, laid them off when funds became tight.
with a 401(k), to selling roofing on commission. But I made it work, and eventually moved into a production management position.
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TO KEEP YOUR BEVERAGE COOL
The sun is summer’s greatest ally — and greatest enemy. For every sun-soaked day at the beach, there are sunburns trying to ruin the party. With every excuse to drink an icy beverage, the sunshine’s more determined to keep the drink from staying cool.
Bonus Hack: This has nothing to do with the sun, but is still a neat way to make drinking your beverage easier. If you go fancy and use a straw when you drink from a can, you know how hard it is to get the straw to stay put. Spin the can’s tab around and feed the straw through it. Now you’ll have a well-behaved straw that doesn’t shift around when you need it to be there for you. The sun is hot, and the summer is long. You need the comfort of a cool beverage to help you get through it. Keep cool, wear sunscreen, and have fun!
This other example requires less work, but it takes more freezer space. And if you’re like the rest of us, your freezer is pretty packed in the summer! Wet a paper towel and wrap it around a bottle or can before you place it in the freezer. The contents inside will cool much more quickly. If you have more time to plan, this hack will keep your drink cold for longer. Ice doesn’t fit in a bottle, and freezing your beer or other beverage will get you to Slushy Town in a hurry. Fill an empty bottle about halfway, put the cap on, and place it in the freezer on its side. When it’s frozen, pour your favorite beverage inside — the ice from top to bottom will keep the contents cool on the go.
These hacks will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the summer sun without the side effect of a warm beverage. First, let’s say you just got home from the grocery store where you purchased a 12-pack of your favorite soda. You’re thirsty and it’s room temperature at best , right? Patience is a virtue, but there’s nothing wrong with accelerating the process. Fill a bowl with ice water and add a teaspoon of salt, then submerge a can of soda in the bowl. This process will cool your drink more than twice as fast as just putting it in the freezer.
“My review is unsolicited, and I have received no form of compensation for it. KAT Construction has done an amazing job with our reroofing job. From diagnosis of hail damage, to helping with the insurance claim, to securing the construction permit with the city of Richfield, to the one-day roof replacement, KAT Construction saw the project through from beginning to end. The roof was replaced with GAF-brand shingles with a 50-year (aka lifetime) warranty, which is a KAT standard for roof replacement. Suffice it to say, I believe the house looks great with this new roof. As mentioned before, the actual tear-off and reroof was completed in just one day. When I left for work, the crew was just arriving, and when I returned home, they were beginning their site cleanup. With regards to the cleanup, a crew member ran a large magnet around the perimeter of the house. Given the number of nails that are pulled from the tear-off, I admit I was surprised to find just two missed nails. I have no reservations recommending KAT Construction for reroofing projects.”
“We hired KAT Construction to help us after a hailstorm. Our insurance company was trying to give us less money than we were supposed to get through our contract. KAT dealt with the insurance company and helped us get the claim that we were owed. They followed through with all the work until everything was completed. Very helpful company; I would highly recommend KAT Construction!”
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Demystifying Storm Repair Insurance Claims
At KAT Construction, we specialize in insurance-funded storm damage restoration. We know a thing or two about filing an insurance claim after a severe storm has ransacked your home. We also know that filing a claim can be an unwieldy, confusing process. Here are some tips you should know:
First, notify your insurance company or agent. Give them a call as soon as you start the claims process. Make sure to have your policy information available, if possible. File as soon as possible. After you contact the insurance company, they will send an adjuster to inspect the damage. They will then give you a proof-of-loss form, which you should use to file your claim as soon as you can. Make sure you have a qualified contractor on-site to go over damages with the adjuster. Prevent further damage with temporary, inexpensive repairs. Board up broken windows or cover the hole in the roof with a tarp. Make sure to keep receipts so you can later be reimbursed. If you need to relocate, keep receipts of those expenses as well — many
homeowner’s policies provide for temporary lodging.
Record the damage. Take as many pictures and videos of the damage as possible. Make a detailed list of your damaged or lost personal property, but don’t throw out items until they’ve been inspected by the adjuster. Keep records of all messages, photos, documentation, and bills submitted to the adjuster and the insurance company. Make notes of your phone calls. Choose a good contractor. While your insurance company will write the estimates, it’s important that you ensure that the contractor you choose will play nice with the insurance company, and agree to work for the determined
amount. Make sure they have professional references and certifications, an up-to-date contractor’s license with the state of Minnesota, and proof of up-to-date liability insurance. Don’t pay in advance. Pay the bill to the contractor in full only after the work is completed, per your agreement. Follow these instructions, and you should be fine. However, if you’re still baffled, don’t forget that the professionals at KAT Construction can help you with your claim.
ROLL
Start your summer off
fresh with this sandwich from the sea.
Recipe inspired by BonAppetit.com.
• • • •
8 ounces fresh or canned crab meat
•
2 soft rolls, split down the center like hot dog buns Green leaf lettuce leaves (for serving)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Kosher salt
• •
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
Freshly ground white pepper
1. Mix crab and mayonnaise in a small bowl and season with salt. 2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. 3. Butter opening of buns and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. 4. Place a large leaf of lettuce in each bun. 5. Add crabmeat mixture and season with pepper. 6. Enjoy!
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www.katconstructionllc.com (612) 326-1122
INSIDE
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An Unpredictable Journey 4 Drink Hacks to Keep Your Beverage Cool Client Testimonials Demystifying Storm Repair Insurance Claims Laugh Corner Summer Crab Roll It’s Time to Geocache In
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CACHE YOUR DREAMS IN THE
Want to be a modern-day treasure hunter? Geocaching is for you! These days, just about any kind of outdoor adventure can be planned and tracked via smartphone. An added benefit of this is being able to partake in an activity many outdoor enthusiasts have never heard of: geocaching. Now, you can spend your afternoons hunting for hidden trinkets, and all you need is a GPS. Geocaching has its roots in the 150-year-old game of letterboxing, in which people hid boxes containing small handwritten letters in outdoor locations. Once exclusively a tool of the U.S. Military, Global Positioning Systems are essential to geocaching. The hobby officially began in 2000, when accurate
GPS readings became available to the masses due to the military’s removal of Selective Availability, a program intended to limit non-military use of the system. It didn’t take long for people to begin concealing and hunting caches throughout the world. Geocaching originally required the purchase of an expensive handheld GPS unit, but can now be done with a smartphone. Everything you need to get started can be found on Geocaching.com. Simply create an account and follow the instructions.
every parent’s solution to getting their child out from in front of the TV. Plus, it can be a fun side activity to add to any outdoor adventure. Most importantly, geocaching is an inexpensive way to spend quality time in nature, alone or with others.
One really cool aspect of geocaching is how it marries technology with the great outdoors. It’s
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