September 2019 Soto’s Chronicles
DeDe Soto
Protecting your most valuable asset — your family
FROM THE DESK OF
DeDe Soto
Happy September!
I hope you are starting to get back into the “normal” swing of things. Kids are back in school and you are getting those neglected things done! As we prepare for the fall, if you have failed to plan for the unthinkable, we have lots of workshops coming up that you can send your family and friends! Some even come with dinner (see our insert). Workshops are always educational and a little bit of fun. Remember, the only thing that is constant is change. This summer, we have represented those who have not planned and are facing conservatorships or probate. These matters in the probate court are time-consuming and costly. With a little bit of planning, these situations could have been avoided.
Networking in the modern age is a complicated and nuanced part of running any business, and choosing a social media platform for it can be a huge commitment. Luckily, this is where LinkedIn, one of the top business networking sites to date, comes into play. Two business professionals join the platform every second, with 590 million users recorded at the end of 2018 according to Hootsuite. LinkedIn is the clear choice for business networking, but even the best tool needs to be used correctly to be effective. Here are some do’s and don’ts to make the most out of your LinkedIn experience. ARE YOU USING LINKEDIN PROPERLY? B est P ractices for M odern P rofessionals
I hope you will take the time to remind your family and friends that they need to plan.
Until next time and many blessings,
Stay up-to-date on all of our workshops at Thesotolawgroup.com/Workshops.shtml .
POSTING VALUE
When posting content on your LinkedIn page, you need to ensure it will add value to the people who are following you. A great rule of thumb is to make sure the content is related to your industry or a related field of interest. You need to think about your followers’ lines of interest, not just your own. This is something to keep in mind for direct messaging as well. If a customer doesn’t see a direct value to themselves in your marketing, then they will usually consider it spam and might even unfollow you.
Continued on Page 2 ...
949-945-0059 • 1
... continued from Cover
UPDATE YOUR PROFILE REGULARLY
It’s important to keep your profile current. Keeping your info relevant is the best way to make sure you’re maintaining and nurturing your brand awareness. As a general rule, you should check your profile at least once a month. Try to look at your profile through the lens of a potential client or a new connection. Would someone recognize you by your current profile photo? Are the skills you have listed the only skills you’re utilizing? Did you recently acquire any new certifications that are not up yet on your profile? The more skills you have listed, the more connections you can make that benefit you and your business. So, when in doubt, always add it to your profile. While these are some great tips and tricks to increase your personal brand awareness on LinkedIn, they’re just the basics. Every industry is different, but this advice will get you started on the right path toward making yourself known on a professional level.
ASK COLLEAGUES TO ENDORSE YOU
COMMENT, SHARE, AND LIKE
Don’t be afraid to ask your peers or colleagues to endorse you on the platform. This benefits you in several ways. For one, it’s an easy way to maintain a connection for you and your peers. It also increases your chances of being found via LinkedIn search. Recent studies have shown that if you are endorsed, you’re more likely to show up higher on search results within your industry.
If you’re not participating in the growing conversations about your industry on LinkedIn, then you’re missing out on an excellent opportunity to generate brand awareness. When you comment or share content, you are networking in a noninvasive manner and prompting your followers to engage with the content you’ve posted as well.
BUILD A MILLIONAIRE’S LIBRARY: Book Recommendations From the Ultra Successful
What does every successful person have in common? They read. Avid reading is a key characteristic of the ultra successful because, through great ideas, you can learn how to achieve your full potential. If you want to be more successful in business and in life, you should definitely add these great books to your reading list. ‘BUSINESS ADVENTURES: TWELVE CLASSIC TALES FROMTHE WORLD OFWALL STREET’BY JOHN BROOKS Who read it? Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft Famously loaned to Bill Gates byWarren Buffett himself,“Business Adventures”was written and originally published shortly after the stock market crash of 1962. In this book, John Brooks recorded the successes and failures of 12 major companies of the era, including Ford, Xerox, and General Electric.
‘IT’S NOT ABOUT THE COFFEE: LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES FROM A LIFE AT STARBUCKS’BY HOWARD BEHAR Who read it? Katrina Lake, founder and CEOof Stitch Fix Starbucks is known for its quick coffee and seasonally controversial cups, but that’s not what turned the company into a world-conquering success. In“It’s Not About the Coffee,” Howard Behar highlights the importance of company culture and the role business leaders play in helping their team members reach their full potential. ‘CREATIVITY, INC.: OVERCOMINGTHE UNSEEN FORCES THAT STAND INTHEWAY OF TRUE INSPIRATION’ BY ED CATMULLWITH AMYWALLACE Who read it?Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEOof Facebook Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, is responsible for some of the most successful animatedmovies in the history of cinema. “Creativity, Inc.”explores the creative process behind such films and how this process can be replicated in any industry. Forbes has suggested that Catmull’s book“just might be the best business book ever written.”
‘LETTERS TO AYOUNG POET’BY RAINER MARIA RILKE Who read it? Jen Rubio, co-founder and president of Away
From 1903–1908, renowned German poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote letters to a young, aspiring poet. These candid thoughts fromone of the greatest artistic minds offer insights on life, love, and how to fully experience the world we live in. Each letter is a valuable reminder that we should never underestimate our own artistic spirit.
2 • www.TheSotoLawGroup.com
WHAT HAPPENED IN REED SPRINGS?
How a Small Town Went Bankrupt Over a Pothole
Dwyer left office while being investigated for insurance fraud, child pornography, statutory rape, witness bribery, and perjury, and he was later sentenced to seven years in federal prison. Among his many indiscretions, Dwyer also let the town’s insurance policy lapse. Reed Springs didn’t have insurance when Sally Stewart got hurt, which is why they had to write a check out of their own budget and ultimately declare bankruptcy. In this case, what started as a simple pothole accident quickly unveiled the lasting damage of an unscrupulous politician. Perhaps this case serves as reminder about why it’s important to vote in local elections.
pay for the medical bills, Stewart, who’d never sued anyone before, initially filed a personal injury lawsuit against the owners of the store in front of the pothole. However, the Missouri Court of Appeals determined the city of Reed Springs was liable for Stewart’s injuries. The court ordered Reed Springs to pay Stewart $100,000, over half the city’s annual budget. Despite the high price tag, in normal circumstances, this verdict wouldn’t have forced Reed Springs to declare bankruptcy because the town’s insurance would have covered the bill. Unfortunately, at the time of Stewart’s accident, the mayor of Reed Springs was a corrupt man named Joe Dan Dwyer.
In 2002, the quaint town of Reed Springs, Missouri, declared bankruptcy. The hard decision came after the town was forced to pay $100,000 to Sally Stewart, a woman who sued Reed Springs after she tripped over a pothole during a shopping trip. News of a greedy woman ruining a small village tomake a quick buck sparked outrage across the country. But Stewart wasn’t the real villain of this story. A little digging into this case reveals a much deeper conspiracy. Stewart had been visiting Reed Springs in 1998 when she tripped on a pothole hidden beneath some overgrown grass on the sidewalk. But this was no small stumble. Stewart tore two ligaments in her ankle and had to undergo surgery. To help
Take a Break!
Inspired by CookieAndKate.com
BASIL BERRY SORBET
Unlike standard ice cream recipes, this delicious sorbet doesn’t require fancy equipment or difficult prep. It’s also entirely dairy-free, making it the perfect vegan treat for the end of summer.
Ingredients
•
1 cup sugar
•
6 cups frozen mixed berries
•
1 cup fresh basil leaves
•
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Directions 1. In a saucepan over high heat, combine sugar with 1 cup of water, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, creating a syrup-like consistency. 2. Remove syrup from heat, add basil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl and refrigerate until cold. 3. In a blender, combine syrup with frozen berries and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. 4. Transfer to a square baking pan, cover in plastic wrap, and freeze until set, about 2 hours. 5. Scoop and serve.
949-945-0059 • 3
The Soto Law Group 1101 Dove Street Suite 200 Newport Beach, CA 92660
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
949-945-0059 TheSotoLawGroup.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of DeDe PAGE 1 LinkedIn Lessons PAGE 1 Build a Millionaire’s Library PAGE 2 A Surprising Reason for Bankruptcy PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Basil Berry Sorbet PAGE 3 How to Respond to School Bullies PAGE 4
IsYour Child Being Bullied?
What You Can Do to Help
A new school year is a prime opportunity for kids to make new friends among their classmates. Unfortunately, kids also form connections during the school year that aren’t always positive, and many children become the targets of school bullies. If you suspect your child is being bullied, there are a few things you can do to help. LISTEN When your child does open up, the best thing you can do is listen. It can be tempting to try to give them advice or question the way they handled the situation, but doing this can give your child the impression that it’s their own fault they are being bullied. Let them tell you the whole story, without judgment, and then help them come up with ideas on what to do next. FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION Once you’ve been informed that your child is being bullied, you should inform teachers as soon as possible. Apart from that, there are several ways you can help your child to deal with bullies, so talk to them about what approach they would be most comfortable with, such as de-escalation strategies or a buddy systemwith their friends. As with most conflicts, the sooner you handle the situation, the better.
KNOWTHE SIGNS Kids usually don’t open up about being bullied right away. However, there are some common signs that your child is being harassed. Here are a few of them: • If they’re refusing to go to school or ride the bus, they may be dreading their bully. • If they’re rushing to the bathroom after school, it may indicate that they’re being bullied in the bathroom, which is a common tactic bullies use to avoid teachers. • If their grades suddenly change, it may be the result of constant harassment
• Anxious or depressed moods can be the result of bullying as well. If you spot one or more of these signs, it’s time to talk to your child about what’s happening to them at school.
4 • www.TheSotoLawGroup.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com
For more information: Call: 888-735-7686 | www.TheSotoLawGroup.com | DeDe@thesotolawgroup.com For more information: Call: 888-735-7686 | www.TheSotoLawGroup.com | DeDe@thesotolawgroup.com
FREE WORKSHOPS TOP 10 MISTAKES FOUND IN ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS
`
SEPTEMBER 10 TH & 18 TH Please call us at 888-735-7686 for location information
REGISTRATION REQUIRED! This workshop is free to attend, but you must register. Light appetizers and refreshments will be served. Register at: www.thesotolawgroup.com/ Workshops.shtml or call us at 888-735-7686
Come and learn how to protect your family and your assets from the top ten estate planning mistakes!
This workshop is informative and will help you discover how you can protect your loved ones should something happen to you. Even if you have an estate plan or a living trust, new laws and overlooked items may mean your current plan is out of date or won’t work as intended.
IN ADDITION, THIS WORKSHOP WILL COVER: ➢ Learn the difference between a will and a trust ➢ How to name the right guardians for your minor children ➢ Health Care Directives done correctly ➢ Legally avoid ALL estate taxes and probate ➢ Protect your kid’s inheritance from lawsuits and divorce. ➢ Ensure that your family is prepared for life without you ➢ Leave a legacy that will last for generations
SPACE IS LIMITED — RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
ABOUT R. DEDE SOTO, ESQ. With more than 15 years of legal experience, R. DeDe Soto is prepared to provide you with the knowledgeable advice and skilled representation you need. DeDe is focused on providing personalized, tailor-made legal solutions that protect the assets and the wishes of her clients.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker