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MARCH 2023
An Open Book SOME OF MY FAVORITE READS
We get most of our information from the internet, and books are sadly going by the wayside. It’s scary to see book bans around the country and bookstores closing right and left. March 2 marks Read Across America Day, and celebrating books seems more important than ever. I love to read, especially books about various businesses, motivational stories, and mindset/personal development books. My introduction to this last genre started in 2018 when I read a book by my friend Natasha Hazlett called “Unstoppable Influence: Be You. Be Fearless. Transform Lives.” Natasha used to practice law, and we have known each other for at least 15 years. After attending a live event with Natasha and her husband Richard in Boise, Idaho, I picked up Natasha’s book on the flight home — and I didn’t put it down until I’d finished reading all 248 pages. I used to be the kind of person who would knock mindset, self-improvement, personal-development books and materials. I’d never been properly introduced to them, and I thought they were silly. “Unstoppable Influence” completely changed my perspective on the topic and introduced me to many concepts including the abundance mindset, the law of attraction, the power of positive thinking, living a life by design and not default, as well as limiting beliefs and false assumptions. Natasha wrote “Unstoppable Influence” in a very touching and vulnerable way. I learned a lot about my friend from reading her book that I did not know, which was a humbling experience. We’ve always had a good-natured, joking relationship, and we’re more likely to razz each other than give compliments. But I had to tell her sincerely that her book was incredible and changed my life for the better. Over the years, I’ve purchased at least 50 copies, given them to many people I know, and made the book compulsory reading around the office. “Unstoppable Influence” opened me up to a new way of thinking and turned me into an avid reader of other personal-development books. Another favorite is “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz. To paraphrase, Ruiz argues that we should follow four rules: keeping your word, not making assumptions, avoiding taking things personally, and always doing your best. If you do these things, he believes you’ll have a much happier life — and I think he’s right. I also love “The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less” by Richard Koch. It suggests that our input does not necessarily equal our output. Generally speaking, 20% of our customers generate 80% of our revenue, and
20% of our work creates 80% of the best results. The secret is to find what produces the best results and focus your energies there. The book was one of the reasons Douglass & Runger reduced the areas of law we practice from a
wide variety of matters to family law, probate and estate planning, and business law — so we can focus on the ones where we are able to produce the best results for not only our clients but also our firm.
I’ve grown so much from reading that I started a book club at the firm in 2022. Participation in the book club is completely voluntary, but the
firm will purchase the book for everyone who wants to participate, read it over the course of a quarter, and
discuss the book at monthly “Lunch and Learns.” Our team seems to love it and it helped us learn a lot about each other’s personalities and experiences — and I think we’ve also learned a bit about ourselves! We’re currently finishing “Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results” by James Clear. This book talks about how major habit changes can occur by making small improvements on a daily basis. The book somewhat revolves around the 1% principle. For those unfamiliar with the concept, if we take a 365-day calendar year as an example, 1.00^365 equals 1.00, which translates into zero progress. That being said, 1.01^365 translates into 37.8, which means that if you can be only 1% better at anything each day over the course of the year, you can improve by 37.8% in a year. The introduction to concepts in books like “Unstoppable Influence,” “The Four Agreements,” and “Atomic Habits” transformed my entire thought process about self-improvement! So, while March 2 may be Read Across America Day, there’s always a great reason to pick up a book, whether it’s fiction or non- fiction, and make a habit of reading!
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HELP YOUR CHILD FINISH THE SCHOOL YEAR STRONG
WITH THESE 3 TIPS
We’re rapidly approaching the end of the school year, which can be challenging for many high school students. Some may have recently entered a spring slump (or succumbed to “senioritis”), where they grow bored or tired of school and now have their sights set on summer break. You may notice their grades slipping, which could signify skipping school or not trying on their assignments. This can have extreme consequences for their future, like not qualifying to attend their college of choice or even losing a potential scholarship if they’re in their senior year. As their parent, you can help them avert a potential disaster. You might not be able to do the work for them, but you can encourage them to do better. Here are a few ways to help your child avoid the spring slump.
say negative things about school or your child’s teacher(s), they will emulate your feelings. Try to flip your perspective and view their schooling positively if you do struggle with feeling negative about it. Speaking positively about school will help your children enjoy the experience better and set them up for success in the future. PROVIDE MOTIVATION. What motivates your kids? Some kids perform better when rewarded for their actions, while others might need some form of discipline to encourage them to do better. Some kids don’t do well when encouragement comes from their parents, so you may need to find an outside source if your child does not respond appropriately to you. Every teen is motivated by something. If you can provide that motivation, they will do much better in all aspects of life. EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GOOD GRADES. Sometimes, you just need to sit your kids down and have a conversation about the importance of keeping good grades and doing their assignments. But make this a discussion, not a lecture. If you try to dominate the conversation, it could adversely affect the situation. Explain the significance of grades and their potential impact on their future. Answer any questions they have and be honest in your responses.
CULTIVATE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
Most children look to their parents as a
primary example of how to act. If you consistently
Unpaid Debts
WHEN SHOULD YOU HIRE A COLLECTION ATTORNEY?
Most of our commercial transactions use a “pay first” system. The deli won’t hand you a sandwich until you pay, and a mechanic will keep your car if you attempt to skip out on a bill. But companies that sell professional services or work directly to other businesses often use an accounts receivable billing model. It’s the price many companies pay for doing business, but it can cost them dearly when clients fail to pay. Any business that invoices customers should have a robust billing department to ensure timely and complete payments. But even the best plans fail, and business owners often need help responding. No one wants to burn bridges with a valuable customer, but nonpayments can destroy a business. When the internal collection process fails, businesses have multiple options. Some choose to engage the services of a Collection Agency. Collection Agencies charge companies a fee or percentage of the debt for collecting payments. Their methods sometimes fall into legal gray areas, so research carefully before hiring. But a Collection Agency can be ideal for a Creditor whose Debtor
only owes a few hundred to a few thousand dollars — particularly when the Creditor does not intend to work with the Debtor again. However, larger debts may require a more careful and structured approach. Business owners should consider hiring a Collection Attorney to resolve the matter. Collection Attorneys have more tools at their disposal than a Collection Agency. For large values, Collection Attorneys are often more efficient, effective, and affordable than Collection Agencies. An experienced Collection Attorney should not immediately jump to using aggressive tactics. In many cases, a letter from an attorney indicating a business is willing to take legal action prompts the Debtor to pay. However, when this tactic fails, a Collection Attorney can file a lawsuit to pursue payment on behalf of the Creditor. They can also uncover assets when a Debtor hides them and create payment arrangements when the Debtor does not have the means to pay all at once.
cases. If you’re struggling to receive payment for delivered products or services, call our office at 901-388-5805 to discuss your case. Our attorneys will help you determine the best path forward that ensures your financial wellness while maintaining your professional relationships.
Douglass & Runger has significant experience successfully representing Creditors in collection
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Bad Blood
Classic Cabbage Rolls
Why Partnership Disputes Occur
Business partners often begin their ventures with the best intentions and a solid foundational friendship. But the demands of running a business can fracture even the strongest relationships. Business partners sometimes lose the ability to resolve their differences when things get heated, making it wise to enlist the services of a Partnership Dispute Attorney. Partnership Disputes happen for many reasons, but unsurprisingly, most center around finances. People go into business to make money, so issues arise when one partner (or both) feels they’ve been taken advantage of or cheated by the other partner. Frequently, the source of the dispute is one partner not making their required capital contributions or sharing disproportionately in profits or losses. Partners may agree on funding methods or profit and loss management, only to have one fail to hold up their end of the deal. Neglecting to provide promised capital puts a partnership in a precarious position. Meanwhile, a partner who feels they are receiving an insufficient portion of returns compared to his or her contribution or shouldering too much of the losses can quickly become dissatisfied.
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
INGREDIENTS • 1 medium head cabbage • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion, divided • 1 tbsp butter • 2 14.5-oz cans Italian stewed tomatoes • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided • 1 cup cooked rice • 1/4 cup ketchup • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1/4 tsp pepper • 1 lb lean (90%) ground beef • 1/4 lb Italian sausage
DIRECTIONS 1. In a Dutch oven, cook cabbage in boiling water for 10 minutes; drain. Rinse in cold water; drain. Remove 8 large outer leaves; set aside. 2. In a large saucepan, sauté 1 cup onion in butter. Add tomatoes, garlic, brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer sauce for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 3. In a large bowl, combine rice, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and remaining onion and salt. Crumble beef and sausage over mixture and mix. 4. Remove thick vein from cabbage leaves for easier rolling. Place 1/2 cup meat mixture on each leaf; fold in sides. Starting at an unfolded edge, roll leaf to completely enclose filling. Place rolls seam side down in a skillet. Top with sauce. 5. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cook 20 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted reads 160 F. INSPIRATION “Keep your face always
Problems also occur when a partner believes the other has breached their fiduciary duty. All partners are responsible for acting in the business’s best interests. In some cases, partners may have differing views on which actions are improper. However, more serious charges involve misappropriation of funds, theft, or gross negligence resulting in business losses. Ethical breaches create some of the thorniest Partnership Disputes. Disputes can also arise when authority is not delineated clearly between partners or one partner feels shut out of management decisions. Partnership Agreements should spell out the terms by which partners will settle disputes, but contracts sometimes require legal enforcement to ensure all parties meet their obligations. Further, a poorly written agreement may not include remedies for particular situations. While Partnerships Disputes often become emotional, these disputes don’t have to spell the end of the relationship. The experienced attorneys at Douglass & Runger approach these matters with tact in an effort to save the partnership while resolving the underlying dispute. If financial disputes or other partnership problems threaten your business’s well- being, call us at 901-388-5805 to discuss these matters with a member of our team.
toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” —Walt Whitman
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2820 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 www.DouglassRunger.com
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Advertising Material
1 Curt Shares His Favorite Books 2 How to Help Your Child Overcome the Spring Slump When You Need a Collection Attorney 3 Behind Business Partnership Disputes Classic Cabbage Rolls 4 The Best St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations in America Inside This Issue
Feeling the Luck of the Irish? CHECK OUT AMERICA’S BEST ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS
As we inch closer to the beginning of spring, nature around us is coming back to life. Soon, the grass and trees will return to their typical green hue if they haven’t already. Luckily, you don’t need to wait until April to see an abundance of green again. On March 17, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and people across the country will dress in green to honor the occasion. Certain cities in the U.S. go big for St. Patrick’s Day. If you’ve never attended a St. Patrick’s Day parade or celebration, maybe this is the year. Here are three cities with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations worth checking out. CHICAGO, IL Nobody does St. Patrick’s Day quite like Chicago, Illinois. The entire city gets a makeover! This year, on March 11, Chicago will host its St. Patrick’s Day parade, which includes dyeing the Chicago River
a beautiful shade of emerald green. They’ll start tinting the river around 9 a.m., and the color will fade within six hours, so make sure you get there early! Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is also one of the biggest in the country. You’ll see floats, Irish step dancers, and much more. NEW ORLEANS, LA Once Mardi Gras concludes, all eyes are on St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The city hosts a parade on March 11, and it’s always quite a spectacle. You’ll see the makings of Irish tradition everywhere, including cabbage, onions, and potatoes, so keep your head on a swivel. You can also head to the Irish Channel neighborhood on March 11 to attend an all-day block party. Plenty of green beer will be available at this event, so come ready to celebrate! NEW LONDON, WI Let’s say you want to do something slightly toned down but still exciting for St. Patrick’s Day. Then, you’ll want to check out New London, Wisconsin, for one of the country’s most unique St. Paddy’s Day celebrations. Leprechauns will change the city signs from New London to New Dublin. The city also puts on an Irish funeral parody in its annual downtown parade.
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