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donahoekearney.com
May 2021
EVERY HERO NEEDS A GUIDE
Did you ever notice that all great stories have a hero with a problem they need to overcome to survive, get back to normal, get better, and defeat the enemy? It’s in every great movie, novel, and classic literature: “Star Wars,” Shakespeare, even “Frozen” (I have young nieces). And every hero has a
This month, we are actually featuring a really cool story of one of our clients who transformed their career and started a business after their case was over. We see that a lot with the people we help. But we’re not
the hero. You are.
We’re the guide who helps you
win and gives you the tools, information, advice, expertise, and experience you need to win — to make sure you don’t lose everything or get taken advantage of like so many people after a serious injury do. So, no matter what you’ve been through or what you’re going through now, I hope you recognize yourself as the hero. Embrace that responsibility. Remember, life is a one-way journey and there are no do-overs. You have a unique set of talents and skills that can make you a hero to your family and friends, so learn how to use them. Remember, you’re the hero of your life. We’re here to be your guide.
guide, like Yoda in “Star Wars” or Mr. Miyagi in “Karate Kid.” Luke Skywalker doesn’t defeat Darth Vader without the training Yoda gives him, and the same goes for Ralph Macchio. (Okay, I probably need a reference after 1984 …) I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately after talking to some long- time clients and studying this. We tell a lot of stories in our trials, so I’ve been interested in storytelling for a long time. (And I used to love to tell stories to my kids when they were little — when you do this and act it out a little, the kids are just spellbound, asking, “What happened next?”) But I really never thought of the hero-and-guide connection with our clients until recently. Yes, we make it easy for our clients after a serious injury. We help them stand up to the insurance company and make sure the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of them, and we help them survive (even thrive) in a complicated, unforgiving legal system after a serious injury.
- Frank Kearney
202.393.3320 • 1
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AN INSPIRING STORY OF REINVENTION AFTER COVID ENTREPRENEUR OF THE MONTH:
And we make our own cleaning solutions in-house. Most cleaning companies use bleach in their solutions, which is damaging to animals and plants. We use natural products, safe for plants and pets. Access Reliable Home Services can be your one-stop shop for outside surfaces, because soon they will be rolling out asphalt maintenance (cleaning, repairing cracks), which is something every homeowner needs to preserve value in their home. Soft washing and repair annually is a lot more affordable than laying down a new driveway. Call Richard Reynolds today at his company Access
We hear inspiring stories all the time about how our clients have taken incredibly difficult circumstances and faced them head-on. All of our clients are heroes because of what they overcome being in an adverse system like workers’ compensation, long-term disability, and car accident insurance. That’s why we love to share the truly remarkable stories of
shows, and they aren’t going to produce shows if you can’t fill the seats to capacity or have the crowds at an outdoor event.” So, Richard was ready and started Access Reliable Home Services , a business that offers soft washing , a surface-conscious approach to deep cleaning decks, roofs, and siding. Why soft washing instead of pressure washing?
people who have been seriously injured and can’t return to work in their former capacity. And like a cat, no matter how you throw them, they always land on their feet! This is the story of Richard Reynolds Jr., the union stagehand turned entrepreneur.
Most people don’t know that pressure washing is really rough on wood decks and
siding for houses. And they don’t find out until it’s too late
Reliable Home Services and schedule your soft washing. Now that the weather is warming up and you want to host parties on your deck again, you need someone to help your exterior shine!
and the damage has already been done to their outside elements. Richard’s company, Access Reliable Home Services , has proprietary solutions that will guarantee
Richard was injured at work in January of 2020. And as he recovered from the injury, he walked into COVID with eyes wide open. Here’s what a stagehand does: When there is a production anywhere in the DMV (the Wolf Trap, Merrifield, Kennedy Center), stagehands build the sets and
the best and safest cleaning. This is what they say about their services: We do soft washing, not pressure
The great news is that we just settled Mr. Reynolds’ case, which gives him money to invest in his business and really hit the ground running, serving the DMV and beyond. We believe in our clients and their ability to be the heroes in their own stories. If you find yourself injured and can’t work, and you’re worried about how you will pay your bills, we make it easy to discover that you are the hero and you can stand up to the insurance company. Contact us today at 202.393.3320. We make it really easy to get started.
washing. Soft washing can be done with eco-friendly cleaning solutions at 60 PSI (pressure washing is done at 1,600
handle the lighting. Stagehands do heavy duty and often very dangerous work — climbing, building, and hanging from heights. It’s a very respectable and profitable trade.
PSI), which doesn’t hurt your exterior elements and does a better job of cleaning. Pressure washing will remove nails or screws from a wooden deck. It causes decay long term on siding and concrete. Soft
But nobody could have predicted COVID-19. And it looks like it will still be a while before events are at capacity. Richard wasn’t going to wait around for the industry to bounce back. When the jobs stopped coming in, Richard was already planning a side business. By March, he was already putting together a business plan and carving space for himself in the new market. “You see, it’s easy to be in denial about when you are going to be able to go back to work,” Richard said. “But you have to remember that producers have to produce
washing offers better cleaning, and it won’t ruin your surfaces. And on the roof — what you need is a safe cleaning solution to sit underneath the shingles, and then it is softly washed away. There is a big buildup of algae, mildew, and heavy dirt that we can take care of for a roof of any age!
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SIDE HUSTLES AND NEW BUSINESSES - IT'S IN OUR DNA
At Donahoe Kearney, we are no strangers to entrepreneurship. Frank and Keith started Donahoe Kearney nearly 17 years ago from scratch. Our Director of Client Services, Brooke Birkey, had a concierge child care business for six years in D.C. When our Senior Paralegal Priscilla started with us, she was still pulling down a good 20 hours per week as a local restaurant server. Now, she has a business developing and selling essential oils (her office smells great by the way). You might even say it’s a part of our DNA. Many of our clients go on to start new businesses after they settle their cases as well. Some of them had a side hustle while they were working full time, and then they turned their side job into a full-time job after their injury. They know what a lot of people don’t know — successful saving and getting ahead financially often means earning a second income. And for some, the pandemic and technology have made it easier because of the new demand for delivery drivers, errand runners, and personal shoppers.
Speaking of DNA, here’s a real live Instacart worker (which his parents find hilarious since the last time he was in a grocery store was when he was strapped into the cart — now he is buying organic nonfat latte coffee creamer made from ethically sourced almonds ...). A veteran Instacarter knows which jobs pay the most, which stores are easiest to navigate, how great customer service will increase tips — everything but how to grocery shop for your own family!
Sean Kearney, Frank's youngest son and Instacart solopreneur
If you’ve been hurt at work, don’t forget that your weekly benefits should include ALL your income — it’s called wage stacking. So, don’t leave that part out. It could make a big difference for you while you’re recovering from an injury that happened at work.
SUMMER DRIVERS
Summer means more dangerous drivers on the road. If someone you know gets in an accident, have them order their free copy of our DMV accident guide.
FRANK’S FAVORITE HAMBURGER FOR SUMMER! Even though I love to grill (even in the winter, we grill once a week), these Whole30 burgers can also be cooked inside on the stovetop and are easy and delicious. Either way, finishing them in the oven means they don’t dry out or lose their shape on the grill.
INGREDIENTS • 1 lb ground beef (80% lean) • 1/2 tsp salt
• • •
1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp mustard powder 1/2 tsp garlic powder
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together and form 4 hamburger patties. Chill patties in the freezer for 15 minutes. 3. Grill patties over high heat for 4 minutes each side. Finish in the oven for another 4–5 minutes and you’re done! Enjoy! Sneak preview of next month’s recipe: Frank’s Famous Flank Steak. You’re going to love it!
202.393.3320 • 3
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
Donahoe Kearney, LLP 708 Pendleton Street First Floor Alexandria, VA 22314 202.393.3320 DonahoeKearney.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 Every Hero Needs a Guide
2 Entrepreneur of the Month:
An Inspiring Story of Reinvention After COVID
3 It's in Our DNA
Frank’s Favorite Hamburger for Summer!
4 Frank’s Column: Happy Mother’s Day!
FRANK’S COLUMN happy mother's day! Someone once told me I had a face only a mother could love. Really. Here are some of the things my mom has given me: a strong faith, respect for others, confidence, and loyalty. To this day, you can’t say a bad word about her children (some of whom are nowhere near as good as me). Now, some things I just didn’t get, like patience, but that’s not her fault. Mom tried. A powerful reminder of a mother's love. to be closer to the casket to say goodbye, where she broke down and cried, “My baby, my baby …” for my 68-year-old aunt who had died of cancer. That’s what it's like for my wife, my mom, my sisters, and my mother-in-law. I hope it's the same in your family.
For most, motherhood is all-consuming and never ends. I’ll never forget my aunt’s funeral about 30 years ago. After everyone left, I pushed my 91-year- old grandmother (mother of eight) in her wheelchair
- Frank Kearney
Mother’s Day is May 9 — Call your mother!
Do you know someone we can help? We make it easy on you to refer your friends, family and coworkers! Just have them call 202-393-3320 or use this QR code for a confidential, no risk assessment of their case.
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