THAN GOOD?
While the second example certainly isn’t extortion, it raises questions. The fact is that Yelp does cold-call businesses to get them to sign up for advertising packages, and in this, Yelp has leverage. If you don’t comply, they can alter what people see when they search for your business. Business owners also point to discrepancies in reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp. They may have four- or five-star reviews on Google and Facebook, but their Yelp reviews may be noticeably lower. It’s no secret that advertisements represent Yelp’s primary source of revenue, and cold-calling businesses can help drive that revenue. But can businesses defend against ad extortion? The answer is not really, unless businesses are willing to pay a big expense. Instead, the best defense is focusing on stellar customer service — and directing customers and potential customers to Google and Facebook reviews, ignoring Yelp altogether.
GET TO KNOW EVERYONE ADVICE FROM VIKINGS STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING’S MIGUEL FLORES Most boxes like to say they have a unique culture, but Vikings Strength and Conditioning takes unique to a whole different level. If you visit the homepage of this Texas-based gym, you won’t see the typical slideshow of flexing coaches and top-tier members. Instead, you’re greeted with a picture of members and coaches putting on their goofiest faces with the caption “Welcome to our family of misfits.” Fun, upbeat, and unexpected, this image captures what Vikings is all about. This proudly eccentric gym exists thanks to CF L1 coach and owner Miguel “Mike” Flores, though if you ask him, he’ll tell you Vikings “just sort of happened.” “I never thought I’d be a business owner,” Mike says, laughing. In fact, this three-year gym owner was first exposed to CrossFit back in 2013. “Before that I would go mess around in the university rec center,” he remembers. The gym Mike eventually called home was Vikings, an unaffiliated fitness center in the small town of Olmito, Texas. There, he not only discovered a love of CrossFit, but also of the community this local gym had fostered. Eventually Mike became an unofficial assistant coach at Vikings, but the owner at the time was struggling. “He started talking about closing [the gym],” Mike remembers. “I was like, shit, I really like being here. That’s how it started.” In three weeks, Mike came to the decision that he was going to take ownership of the gym he loved. When asked what convinced him to make this leap, he reflects, “I was lucky enough to have some pretty good coaches. I felt I could pass along what they gave me.” Three years since their grand reopening, Vikings is going strong. Mike remarks, “I didn’t expect the family this gym would create, or the number of lives it would change. I have people tell me they’ve tried other gyms but feel more at home here.” Easy going and open minded, Mike had no trouble attracting early members to his cause. But building from there took getting out on the floor and working. “You have to take the time to get to know every single person,” Mike advises. “Everyone is unique.” Talking to Mike, it’s clear he takes this mantra to heart. Getting a little choked up, he recalls one powerful interaction with a member: “They told me if it wasn’t for our gym, for the relationship we’d built, they wouldn’t be around. I’ll never forget that.” Giving advice to new owners, Mike states, “It’s going to be scary. It’s going to suck at times. But it’s going to get better. You are going to change lives.”
WATERMELON CUCUMBER SKEWERS
Skewers are a Fourth of July favorite, but these are not your classic kebabs. They’re a fresh, light, and fun way to start a barbecue. Oh, and they don’t require any actual cooking.
INGREDIENTS
Equipment
• 1 medium-sized
watermelon, cubed
• 1 packet of bamboo skewers
• 2 cucumbers, cut into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 block feta cheese, cubed
• 1 bunch fresh mint leaves
• Salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Assemble skewers by placing one watermelon cube, one cucumber round, one feta cube, and one mint leaf on skewer in that order. Repeat until skewer is full.
2. Lightly season with salt and chill in fridge until right before serving.
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