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(248) 543-0340 | www.janetdaviscleaners.com 27607 Woodward Ave., Berkley, MI 48072
JULY 2025
I built an entire outline, put together the speech I needed to deliver, and did way more research than I needed to. It made talking easier. I could inject humor, interact with the crowd, walk around the room, and make eye contact. I focused on time management, setting off timers for myself when it was time for other speakers to wrap up. I got a lot of positive feedback after that. People thought I carried the torch from the previous president well and also helped modernize the organization. The coach I worked with on the Clifton Strengths Test gave me some helpful tips. You have to use your strengths, not to cover up your weaknesses, but to handle situations. Public speaking is a muscle and skill you can build. It’s like a cold pool. If you walk in, it will take half an hour to get in, so you just have to jump. Don’t wallow in your fear. The truth is that your audience will not notice if you mess up. People are pretty kind and want to see you succeed.
Nerves Don’t Mean No
How I Went From Stage Fright to Spotlight
I’m not Mr. Public Speaker Man. When I need to give a presentation, everything is fine until the words come out of my mouth. My brain disappears for a minute, my hands start shaking, and I freeze. When I was first approached about a year and a half ago to put my hat in the ring for the newly vacant role of President of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, I said no several times. It involved a lot of public speaking, not one of my strong points. Eventually, I agreed because I decided to immerse myself in what made me so nervous. July is Freedom From Fear of Public Speaking Month, and everyone, even skilled speakers, can relate. It’s one of the most common phobias, and everyone is afraid of it at some point, even if they don’t know it right away, like me. After saying “no” multiple times, the association’s outgoing president talked me into running for the position, and I was ultimately elected. One of your primary duties as president is to emcee the entire
organization’s annual meeting. I was nervous, but I tried to reflect on a coaching experience I received.
When we were named one of America’s Best Cleaners, the team took the Clifton
Strengths Test, which assesses your strengths and weaknesses. I was the only one in the room who had no people strengths that came naturally to me. I thought, ‘I’m the owner of a business and president of an organization. What can I do about this?’ We had a coach working with
If you’re like me and countless others who get nervous when speaking in front of others, understand that it’s normal. Create an outline, prepare ahead of time, and keep doing it. It’s a matter of repetition. The only
our team, and he said, “You have to talk in public.” For me, public speaking is an energy drain, not an energy booster, but it doesn’t mean I can’t do it. “Bingo,” he said. It was a matter of looking to my innate abilities and learning to work with them. Preparation was going to be the key. As I got ready for the annual meeting, I thought about meetings I had attended in the past and scripted out what needed to happen.
way you’ll get better is to keep putting yourself out there repeatedly. You don’t have to be fearless to be a great speaker. We all get nervous when it’s our time to stand up there and sound good. You just have to be willing to show up and find the best methods for you. If I can emcee a big event without passing out, you can, too. –Kyle Matthews 1 (248) 543-0340
Hosting a dinner party should feel like a joyful gathering, not a full-blown production. But let’s be honest — between menu planning, cleaning, and organizing, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you can throw a dinner party that’s unforgettable and low-stress as long as you plan. PICK YOUR PARTY VIBE First, decide on your theme. Is this an elegant Tuscan evening, a cozy, comfort-food night, or a breezy backyard bash? You can pull inspiration from the seasons, favorite travel destinations, or even your go-to movies! 2 WEEKS OUT: INVITATIONS AND INFO It’s time to rally the troops! Send your invites — whether a group text or a fancy card — about two weeks in advance. Ask about dietary restrictions now to plan a menu that works for everyone. And don’t stress if someone can’t make it. That’s life! 1 WEEK OUT: MASTER YOUR MENU Lock in your menu and write your grocery list. Balance it with a showstopper main, a veggie or salad, a starchy side, and a dessert. To start things right, you can also add a simple appetizer and a signature cocktail. 3 DAYS OUT: SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP Get your grocery shopping done a few days in advance so you’re not sprinting through the supermarket the day of. This gives you time to double-check for forgotten ingredients. THE DAY BEFORE: CHOP, SET, AND ROLL Prep anything you can store in the fridge overnight — salad dressings, chopped veggies, dessert, you name it. Then, set your table. Want to impress? Add candles, linens, or a low flower arrangement guests can see over. Remember, DIY decorating can help you stay within your budget while still looking stunning! DAY OF: SHOWTIME! Choose your outfit early and give yourself plenty of time to cook. Batch your cocktail before guests arrive so you won’t be shaking drinks all night. And don’t forget — music and lighting work wonders for setting the mood. FINAL TIPS You can prepare for the aftermath by emptying your dishwasher ahead of time ( your future self will thank you ). A secondary location for food and nibbles away from the kitchen will keep guests spread out. And most importantly? Enjoy it. After all, that’s the whole point. Host Like a Pro Be the Cool, Calm, and Collected Dinner Host of Your Dreams
Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and your dress is the centerpiece that should be picture-perfect! Even the most beautiful gowns can wrinkle or lose their shine after alterations or when they come out of the box! While a full cleaning of your wedding dress might not be necessary before the big day, a proper steaming can help your bridal best look flawless, remove creases and refresh the fabric for the celebration. Get ready to fall even more in love with your dress with these hot tips on steaming your gown before you say “I do!” It’s a common practice for bridal salons, cleaners, and seamstresses to steam a wedding dress before nuptials because it’s a safe way to give it an extra boost of beauty. If you purchased your dress brand-new, it may arrive in a box from the manufacturer, leaving it creased. Destination weddings often lead to creasing after a wedding dress has traveled in a suitcase. When you take your dress in for alterations, new wrinkles can also appear, especially in areas around the seams and hems. If done correctly, steaming is a solution to the crinkles in the fabric. If you’re trying this on your own, use caution. The steam can cause burns or even create more wrinkles if you don’t do it correctly. We recommend covering the steamer head with a small towel to prevent water from spitting onto the gown and using light sweeping motions rather than staying in one area for too long. At Janet Davis Cleaners, we’re experts in making wedding dresses look their best for this momentous occasion, and we can help your wedding day be wrinkle-free. Before You Say ‘I Do,’ Let Us Smooth Out the Creases BRIDAL BEAUTY BOOST
We recently helped bride Jessica get her gown camera-ready for her big moment!
“I had the pleasure of working with Kyle, taking care of my dress, which consisted of steaming and getting it picture- perfect for my Big Day,” she said. “Kyle and his staff are incredibly kind and caring for any gown that enters his store. When my gown was ready for delivery, the driver was so gentle and delicate when delivering.” Let us steam away the stress of creases before you walk down the aisle! Contact us today for the pre-wedding pampering your dress deserves!
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UNPACK MEMORIES, NOT THE LAUNDRY STRESS From Suitcase to Clean Clothes
The hanger shortage is still an issue, and we will continue collecting your hangers! Instead of sending them to the landfill, let us put them to use. We offer a cardboard hanger recycling tote you can request to fill with the hangers you no longer need. It can also help you organize your closet. Thank you for all your help. THE HANGER SHORTAGE CONTINUES
Once you’ve unpacked the wonderful memories of a vacation, it’s time to tackle the post-trip pile of laundry! After a getaway, a suitcase of dirty clothes can feel overwhelming as you return to your routine. It’s easy for the bathing suits or hiking gear to add up when you’re enjoying your well- deserved time off, and the last thing you want to do right after a vacation is spend hours at the washing machine. Here are three important things to remember as you transition from vacation mode back to reality. SUITCASE SMARTS Plan and pack a laundry bag in your suitcase whenever you’re getting ready for a vacation to help keep things organized
while you’re on the go. Waterproof options will help ensure no damp clothes, like bathing suits or towels, will leak into the rest of your items while you travel. Separating dirty laundry as you go will make it less chaotic whenever you open your bag and make the cleanup go faster when you return home. If your whole family is on the trip, consider bringing one suitcase for dirty clothes. ONE LOAD DOESN’T FIT ALL Vacation laundry isn’t a one-size- fits-all situation. Your bag is likely full of a wide variety of clothing, from workout gear to formal wear, and one setting on your washing machine might not cut it. Pay close attention to the different wash settings and fabrics of
the items you need cleaned to ensure they aren’t damaged. After your trip, you might also need to remove unusual stains, like sunscreen or mud. SKIP THE SORTING Along with the jet lag and tricky stains, you may have a larger load of laundry to take care of after a trip. Instead of spending hours separating delicates from beach towels, let Janet Davis Cleaners handle the sorting and special care your vacation wardrobe needs. No matter what your suitcase may hold after your family adventure, we can take this task off your list so you can relive the memories without scrubbing away! Contact us today!
INGREDIENTS Banana Brownies • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted • 1/3 cup light brown sugar • 1/2 cup sugar Chocolate -Covered Banana Brownies
Inspired by OMGChocolateDesserts.com
SUDOKU
Chocolate Topping • 12 oz semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped • 1 cup heavy cream • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter • 3–4 large bananas
• 1/4 tsp salt • 1 large egg • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla • 1/2 cup mashed banana • 1 cup flour
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease an 8x8-inch pan with cooking spray. 2. In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, sugar, and salt. Add egg and vanilla and whisk. Add mashed banana and whisk, then whisk in flour. 3. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until the center has set. 4. Place chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. 5. Bring heavy cream to a boil, pour over chocolate, let it sit for 1–2 minutes, then stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in peanut butter until smooth. 6. Slice bananas and arrange over cooled brownies. 7. Pour chocolate mixture over bananas and place in the fridge for 15 minutes before serving.
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1 Afraid of Public Speaking? Me, Too 2 The Art of Hosting Without Losing Your Mind (248) 543-0340 www.janetdaviscleaners.com INSIDE THIS ISSUE
27607 Woodward Ave. Berkley, MI 48072
Why Steaming Is a Must Before the Big Day
3 Let Us Handle the Post-Trip Chaos
Chocolate-Covered Banana Brownies
4 The Path to a Happier You
SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT 3 Habits That Lead to a More Fulfilling Life
We all want to live long, happy, and fulfilling lives, but doing so can be challenging. We must intentionally reduce stress and bring more balance to our lives. This doesn’t necessarily mean we must overhaul our lives and find new jobs and friends while removing anything that doesn’t
in the backyard will help you boost your health and connect with the world around you.
PRACTICE GRATITUDE. Stress and difficult situations can overshadow so much good in our lives. Take some time each
bring us joy. Instead, we can make simple changes to our day-to-day routine that can significantly impact our perspective, happiness, and overall well-being. Want to improve your outlook and get more enjoyment from life? Try incorporating the following behaviors into your routine!
day to reflect on the blessings in your life and show your appreciation for those who matter most to you. If you have a hard time finding things to focus on, consider picking up journaling. Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to boost your mental well-being and gain more appreciation for life.
SPEND MORE TIME IN NATURE. You’ve probably heard countless times how beneficial spending time in the great outdoors can be for your mental health and overall well-being,
DON’T BE AFRAID TO SAY NO. One of the most difficult things in life is telling others “No,” especially to your friends and family. However, failing to say no can negatively affect your mood and perspective. Make time for yourself, and don’t be afraid to turn down invites or requests if they impede your personal time or ask you to do something overwhelming or stressful.
but that just shows how valuable it is. You don’t have to take up hiking or visit a national park to get your fill of nature. Simply taking a walk through your neighborhood or enjoying some time
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