G & K Event Rental - September 2019

RENTAL Resource

Fall is a time when everything starts to cool down, the leaves change colors, and G & K Event Rentals starts to get very, very busy. These next fewmonths are a popular season for people to get married, and it’s a beautiful time of year. The humidity is down, and the majority of the bugs are gone, which is a huge plus. Understandably, couples want to celebrate during this season more than any other. I always enjoy this time of year because I can help people plan for their big day, and I get to watch their vision come together. Everyone has individual tastes, and seeing how they pair their colors, set up the venue, and decide which food to provide for their guests is all so exciting. However, even though they’re wonderful celebrations, all the planning that goes into weddings is often what makes them so stressful. No one at G& K Event Rentals wants our customers to be anxious about their big day, which is why we do everything we can to help them. We know how important this day is, and we pride ourselves inmaking sure our clients have what they need with as little hassle as possible. Weddings in Fall Our Busiest Time of Year “WE KNOWHOW IMPORTANT THIS DAY IS, ANDWE PRIDE OURSELVES INMAKING SURE OUR CLIENTS HAVEWHAT THEY NEEDWITHAS LITTLE HASSLE AS POSSIBLE.”

One tool we use quite often is a program that allows us to display a scaled layout of every feature our clients want to include. This not only eliminates most of the guesswork for our customers but also helps them draw out a plan for where tables, a dance floor, the buffet line, and anything else can fit comfortably. The best part about this program is that it can give people an idea about how big of a tent they’ll need to accommodate their guests. The most important thing to know is howmany people will be attending, as that number determines almost everything else. For example, if someone has 300 guests and believes that a 40-by-120-foot tent will be enough to accommodate all of them, we can show how that size may not be big enough and recommend a tent size that will be perfect. Likewise, if our customer thinks they’ll run out of space, we can add a mixture of banquet tables and round tables to the program to show how they can maximize their space. Whether someone is having their wedding outdoors and needs a tent or in an event center and wants different chairs, tables, or special linens, we are here to help get the preparations started.

Many people who come into our office to rent tents, tables, linens, and decor don’t know where to begin. It can seem a little intimidating, but that’s where we come in handy. We’ll sit down and go through everything with our customers to make sure they have all the items they need for a successful ceremony, from the wedding to the reception.

–Lathea Sargent

1 G & K Rentals | www.gkrental.com | (507) 625-3238

G & K’s Vintage Rental Collection Supplying Great Items for Your Every Need

PROVIDING FOODAND ENTERTAINMENT Now that you’ve chosen your era, it’s time to look at the more delicious side of things. One of the most important items to include at any party is the food. Look for different recipes that would fit in the era of your event. Try creating easy-to- eat finger foods, such as cucumber sandwiches, miniature royal fruitcakes, and fun cocktails for your guests to enjoy. HOWG&K CANHELP If you’re looking to brighten your event with vintage accessories, furniture, lighting, or anything else, G & K Rentals is here for you. Our vintage rental collection has everything your party may need, including antique silver teapots, vintage lantern sets, Victorian furniture, archways, and even crystal chandeliers. For more information about our Vintage Rental Collection, you can visit our website at GKRental.com or call our office at (507) 625-3238.

On Sept. 20, the movie continuation of the hit TV series “Downton Abbey” will be released. Set in the 1920s, the gorgeous film shows the stunning Highclere Castle in Yorkshire, England, in its glory days, with accurately dressed cast members and a love for all things vintage. With thousands of people eagerly anticipating this movie, it can be hard not to get caught up in the excitement. With this popular film on the horizon, it’s a perfect opportunity to start thinking about throwing your very own vintage party. Here are a few things to keep in mind. PICK YOUR ERA Whether you decide to throw a ‘20s, ‘40s, or ‘50s gala, it’s important to know what era you want to depict. Once you’ve decided which decade you would like to portray, do a little research on that time. Look up different articles of clothing, find out what decorations would work, and, of course, encourage your guests to come looking the part. As entrepreneurs scale their businesses, there is a lot to focus on: hiring the right staff, creating the most effective marketing strategies, and setting up efficient operations. With so much to do, it’s easy to lose sight of your initial vision for your company. If you’re stuck in a rut, know that you’re not alone. Plenty of the most successful entrepreneurs have endured the same struggles and, with a little ambition and a lot of creativity, came out on top. Take Henry Ford, for example. Henry Ford made the automobile accessible and appealing for the common citizen. This ignited interest in the market from consumers and manufacturers alike, which led to innovations like air conditioning and other appliances we can’t imagine living without today. There were some key factors that played into his success, and, if you apply them to your own journey, you could gain a new perspective and be inspired to create and innovate in your industry. CONSUMER-FOCUSED Ford realized cars were unreliable and unaffordable to most and set out to change that. After developing the first moving assembly line, Ford lowered the price of cars and Reignite Your Passion Lessons in Innovation From Henry Ford

made them accessible for people outside the upper class for the first time. As long as you keep the consumer and their needs in mind, you’ll find ways to make their experience better and increase your success. SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT Unlike many companies today who sacrifice quality for quantity, Ford found ways to focus on both. He looked at how cars were actually made and found that, if he could build more cars within a certain time frame, he could pay less per car, per worker. Thus, the moving assembly line was born. When looking for ways to innovate in your industry, rethinking even the smallest, simplest details can make a huge difference for your business. You may not be able to reinvent the wheel, but who said you couldn’t reinvent the brake pads? Henry Ford may have changed the automobile industry forever, but you don’t have to go to such lengths to innovate in your own. The next time you find yourself uninspired or stagnant, look to those who made your industry what it is today. You might just find the inspiration you’ve been searching for.

2 G & K Rentals | www.gkrental.com | (507) 625-3238

Meet Danny

Our Shop Foreman

G & K Event Rentals is a family-owned and family-operated company. Many of our team members here are mothers, daughters, sons, fathers, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Being family-oriented not only means our teamworks together seamlessly with the same goals in mind but also that we can provide our customers with a genuine family atmosphere.

Danny Dauk has been with G & K for about 24 years, working and helping his parents’ business ever since he was young. At first, his duties consisted of helping his dad, Gary, with a few small things here and there, but, as he got older, Danny became more involved. “Right now, I’m the shop foreman,” Danny says. “I make sure that our customers receive the product they want, and I make sure they’re happy with it.” Customer interaction is a large part of what we do here. Every day, our team consults and works with customers, figuring out precisely what they need. We put 110% of our energy into making sure our customers are completely satisfied with the product they receive. “The best part of my job is talking and getting to know each of our customers,” Danny explains. “I really like seeing the excitement about their event and helping themmake their event exactly what they’re picturing. I meet a lot of nice people.” Although his work keeps him busy, Danny always puts time aside to spend with his family. “My wife and two children really help me unwind after a busy day,” he says. “Our son is 6 and has started first grade this year, and our daughter is 3 and is a little go-getter. We enjoy family outings, along with watching my nieces’ and nephews’ athletic games. I have 25 of them, so that keeps us pretty busy.” Along with watching family sports, Danny also likes sitting down to enjoy Vikings football and Twins baseball games. Providing our customers with family-oriented service is what we do here at G & K Event Rentals, and we couldn’t do that without fantastic and like- minded individuals like Danny.

Inspired by Food Network

Chocolate-Dipped Fruit This super easy and funway to create homemade treats provides your kids with a healthier andmore delicious alternative to packaged industrial candy. As a bonus, making it is an awesome Halloween activity for your family to enjoy.

Ingredients

1 package melting chocolate

• Assorted dried fruit, including apricots and mangoes

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil. 2. Place a large, heatproof mixing bowl on top of saucepan so that no steam can escape. Place melting chocolate inmixing bowl and double boil until melted. 3. Dip half of each piece of fruit in chocolate before transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet to rest. 4. Let cool for 10 minutes until chocolate solidifies. 5. Place in school lunches, serve at parties, and indulge in a few for yourself. 3 G & K Rentals | www.gkrental.com | (507) 625-3238

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1521 Madison Ave. Mankato, MN 56001 (507) 625-3238 www.gkrental.com

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Taking Care of Your Wedding Needs

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Throwing Your Own Vintage Party

How Henry Ford Innovated His Industry

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Team Member Spotlight

Chocolate-Dipped Fruit

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Amazing Cat Tales

Tails From the Past Mythical Cats of the World

招き猫 (MANEKI-NEKO) —JAPAN Legend has it that in the 17th century, a monk living in a small temple in Edo (now Tokyo) was struggling to survive, but he still split his meals with his cat, Tama. One day, Lord Nakaota li got caught in a rainstormwhile hunting and took shelter under a tree near the temple. Nakaota spotted Tama near the temple, and the cat raised its leg, beckoning the noble

Most owners will tell you their cats act like ancient deities. Majestic, scrupulous, and utterly unpredictable, these fascinating creatures have long captured our imaginations. Even before cat videos took the internet by storm, humans

have been idolizing felines, placing them alongside some of their most important mythological figures. BASTET—EGYPT Of course, a list of mythical cats has to start with Egypt. While many people know the pharaohs and their followers thought cats were sacred, you may be surprised by how deep the connection goes. The earliest depiction of Bastet, the feline deity of protection, is a lion-headed woman in battle. But, over the course

to come toward him. Curious, Nakaota complied, stepping out from beneath the tree just before a bolt of lightning struck it down. The lord’s life was saved, and to this day, the Maneki-Neko (the beckoning cat) is a symbol of wealth and good fortune.

FREYA’S SKOGKATTS—NORWAY In Norse folklore, the goddess Freya had a unique means of travel: a chariot pulled by two cats. These were skogkatts, or Norwegian Forest cats, that were only a little larger than your average house cat. Still, these small felines towed Freya around battlefields as she gathered warriors to send to Valhalla. On top of being the goddess of war, love affairs, and magic, Freya may well have been Midgard’s first cat lady.

of 2,000 years, Bastet evolved to resemble the domesticated, pointy-eared cats we know and love today.

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