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A Snag on the Way to Success How Ruined College Plans Forced Me to Pivot
The path to success is rarely a straight line. Today, I’m working my dream job as the head of marketing and development for the Sheppard Law Firm. But as I started my unintended gap year after high school working at a supermarket, I had far less faith that things would turn out as I’d hoped. I discovered a passion for graphic design during my first year of high school, almost by accident. I saw one of the teachers designing a poster for an open house on a computer program I’d never seen before. “What’s that?” I asked him.
One day, something broke me, and I couldn’t imagine working at the grocery store until the following fall semester. So, I started doing freelance design work. I knew I had the skills to create what my clients wanted — it was the credentials I lacked. But with some resume embellishment, I ultimately found work as a webmaster with a small startup company. It was the first job I’d ever had that didn’t involve cleaning toilets. Somehow, I’d gone from thinking my career was over before it began to working in my preferred field overnight. I realized that
“It’s Photoshop,” he responded. I was immediately intrigued and thought, “I want to do this for a living.” As my senior year approached, I found myself caught up in the pressure of getting into a prestigious college. I had friends who attended Johns Hopkins, Brown, and NYU, and we all thought the university you attended would dictate your future. I dreamed of going to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, and I worked hard on my application. I was thrilled when I was accepted — but dismayed when I realized I could not attend for financial reasons. I thought I’d had my whole life
maybe all the stress my teachers and guidance counselors had placed on getting a degree from a good school wasn’t entirely accurate. I could still make my dreams come true. I applied to Full Sail University and earned my two-year bachelor’s degree in graphic design. I enjoyed it so much that I returned to get my master’s. My job with the startup gave me good references to work for an automotive design firm, where I worked my way up to web design. Now, I’m at Sheppard Law doing what I’d always imagined: finding creative solutions to unique problems.
But I also know I’m lucky. I can see how easy it would be for someone in my position to get stuck in limbo for years. If you have children or grandchildren nearing or in the middle of this transition in life, I urge you to remind them and yourself that they have options. There’s more to their futures than a fancy degree — and since life doesn’t always turn out as we expect, it pays to have a plan B.
mapped out. I would get my education in Brooklyn, become a designer, and work for a famous design firm. Instead, I was stuck at home while everyone else embarked on new adventures. Gap years may not be generally uncommon, but they were among my circle. I felt pretty hopeless for a while, stuck in a fog of uncertainty while everyone around me waited for me to make a move.
–Liam Ladia
1 (239) 265-9779
AUGUST 2023
Stop All the Racket! What Are Your Rights Regarding Construction?
During August, it seems like there’s construction everywhere. No matter where you look, dozens of neon orange cones and workers in high-visibility vests! That’s because August is a busy part of “construction season” in most of the country. You’ll experience commuter detours, loud and jarring noises, and even damaged property!
permitted hours, you have the right to file a complaint with your local police department. For Renters You have limited options as a renter. If construction occurs, you can check your lease or bylaws to see what hours construction can take place. If you have noisy neighbors who like to renovate their apartment, you can call your police department’s non-emergency line if they are making loud noises during quiet hours and file a complaint with your landlord. Construction can be an inconvenience. Therefore, if you continue to hear noises from your neighbors or construction workers, you can file a noise complaint through your police department’s non-emergency line. However, if your property is damaged because of construction, you have every right to hold the at-fault party responsible and sue. If you have any questions about your rights as a homeowner or renter, please contact a lawyer today for more information.
But do you have any legal rights when it comes to construction? Can you sue if it becomes too disruptive or causes you to lose sleep? So, whether you have a neighbor who loves DIY projects or if you’re experiencing frequent construction in your area, here’s what you need to know. For Homeowners Whether your neighbors are building a back deck or renovating their garage, they must perform these activities in a way that doesn’t obstruct or disturb you and your property. Having an open line of communication is vital. You can talk to your neighbor about the noise and ask if they can work during certain times of the day or tell you when there will be loud noises. Additionally, cities and neighborhoods have ordinances that explain when you can make loud noises and when “quiet hours” are in effect. So, if your neighbor or nearby construction is making excessive noises outside the
They can guide you in the right direction when attempting to resolve these issues.
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How Medical Alert Systems Work
Medical emergencies don’t wait for the right moment and often happen at inconvenient times and in inopportune places. The most frightening outcomes can occur when you can’t speak for yourself or count on others to see your distress. August is MedicAlert Awareness Month, which aims to educate people about the devices that can keep them safer in emergencies. The terminology around medical alert jewelry and systems can be confusing, and we want to demystify the various options. Once you better understand your choices, you can determine whether you or your family would appreciate the peace of mind they offer. Medical ID Bracelet Personalized jewelry that contains the wearer’s medical conditions and needs has been around for decades. They alert any medical personnel or bystanders to crucial
information they’ll need to help someone in medical distress. (People sometimes call them “medical alerts,” causing confusion.) Doctors recommend them to patients with certain conditions, and they are helpful for people who have epilepsy, allergies, or complex or unusual medical needs. At-Home Medical Alert Monitoring You’re most likely familiar with medical alert systems from the “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up” commercials from the 1990s. But while advertising made them a punchline, the devices can save lives and are helpful to people of various ages and health statuses. At-home systems have a wearable button the user can press in an emergency, and it will connect to 911 or a designated family member. They are best for people who live alone, have health concerns, and/or spend little time outside of the home.
Mobile Medical Alert Systems The latest and greatest medical alert
systems employ GPS technology to keep users connected and monitored wherever they go. However, they require a subscription service to use. In an emergency, the device will connect to a monitoring service, which responds according to the user’s needs. Some devices also have fall detection features, which allow them to help someone who may be unconscious. They provide users with security if they cannot speak for themselves or their medical emergency occurs in a public place without witnesses. Anyone who is vulnerable to medical emergencies, living alone, and/or prone to falling should strongly consider a medical alert system. In addition to providing you and your family peace of mind, one could make a lifesaving difference in a crisis.
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floridaestateplanning.com
Technology and Wealth in the Internet Age
As an estate planner, attorney Craig Hersch has unique insight into how business and wealth have changed over the past decades. He shares some of his thoughts on thriving in today’s environment below. Read his full article at FloridaEstatePlanning.com/adapting-technology-wealth. It is fascinating to see how the rules of business have changed in the last several years. Businesses and careers can implode by becoming obsolete overnight. The microchip and the technological advances it offers have changed our society. Those who keep up with technology and incorporate it into their careers and businesses prosper, and those who don’t suffer.
I can trade for $6 online? Why should I pay the CPA to prepare my tax return when I can use a website for free? Why do I pay an estate planning attorney when I can prepare my documents on the internet for a fraction of the cost? But there is a way for both businesses and service professionals to break free of the commoditization trap. They must first recognize that the pitfall exists, then embrace the same technology that produces the gap to create unique, personalized value that consumers will flock to. When everything looks the same, people search for someone who can provide three things: leadership, relationship, and creativity. Those are elements that no computer can replicate. Leadership, relationship, and creativity enhance the consumer’s comfort, clarity, and confidence in deciding which new car to purchase or how best to balance one’s investment portfolio. Those that can help the consumer zero in on what’s most important to them will find success.
The microchip has caused many businesses and careers to fall victim to the “commoditization trap.” The commoditization trap is the perception that your business’s goods (and prices) are the same as any of your competitors. You see this most often today when shopping in the brick-and- mortar stores. You check how much something is inside a physical store, then you go online to find it at a cheaper price. And it isn’t limited to goods — services are being commoditized too. Why should I pay the
These can be scary times for those who don’t adapt, but they also offer unlimited economic opportunities for those who understand the challenges and are willing to use technology to their advantage.
stockbroker his standard commission when
TAKE A BREAK!
These savory and sweet pork chops are covered in a flavorful hoisin glaze and take only 30 minutes!
INGREDIENTS
• • • • •
2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp minced ginger 1/3 cup hoisin sauce 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• • • •
4 boneless pork chops (about 2 lbs)
3/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp sesame oil Cilantro (optional)
2 tbsp water
DIRECTIONS 1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer garlic, ginger, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and water. Whisk occasionally until mixture is fully incorporated (about 4 minutes). Set aside. 2. Lightly salt pork chops. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add sesame oil and wait until smoking. Place pork in skillet and cook until browned (3-4 minutes on each side, depending on thickness of pork chops). 3. Remove pork chops from skillet and transfer to a cutting board. Let rest for 5 minutes. 4. Drizzle hoisin mixture over pork chops and top with cilantro if desired.
ANSWER ON TOP OF PAGE 4
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INSIDE this issue
SUDOKU ANSWER
An Unexpected Path to Success PAGE 1 Can You Sue Overly Noisy Construction? PAGE 2 Do You Need a Medical Alert System? PAGE 2 How Technology Has Changed Business and Wealth PAGE 3 Hoisin-Glazed Pork Chops PAGE 3 A Guardian Angel Covered in Fur PAGE 4
The best compliments we receive are your referrals. When you refer us to your loved ones, we do all we can to exceed expectations.
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How Willow Saved Her Owner’s Life
We all wish our pets would be there for us in an emergency. Dogs, cats, and other animals can accomplish amazing feats when provided with enough love and care, and a cat from Liverpool named Willow recently proved that many times over. A cat’s sense of smell is incredibly effective at detecting when something is abnormal, and Willow used her nose to save her owner in the nick of time. For many with diabetes, falling into a diabetic coma is a constant concern, and they regularly check their blood sugar levels and take insulin shots to avoid that scenario. Amanda Jameson, a 51-year-old woman from Liverpool, received a diabetes diagnosis years ago but had always stayed on top of it. In April 2023, she fell asleep while her blood sugar was dangerously low. Thankfully, her cat, Willow, noticed something was wrong and sprang into action. Willow went to the living room, where Amanda’s husband had fallen asleep watching television. Willow proceeded to bite his leg and jump on him until he woke up around 4 a.m. He could tell something was wrong, as this was abnormal behavior for Willow, so he followed her to the bedroom, where he spotted his wife. She was slumped over and unresponsive, and he immediately called her an ambulance. Doctors informed Amanda’s husband that she was moments away from slipping into a diabetic coma, but Willow had smelled something off and gotten help before it was too late.
Most pets would get a few extra treats for their heroism, but Willow’s feats earned her a more prestigious award. The National Cat Awards named Willow as a finalist for their “Moggy Marvels” category. If Willow wins, she’ll receive a trophy, a £200 pet store voucher, and a year subscription to Cats Protection’s “The Cat” magazine. Although Willow likely doesn’t care about the trophy or the subscription, she’ll be happy enough with £200 worth of goodies and her owner safely by her side.
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