Pop-A-Lock - December 2018

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POPALOCKKY.COM

KEYSTROKE MONTHLY THE

DECEMBER 2018 Where Basketball Meets Business My Journey to Pop-A-Lock

W hen you’re running the sidelines with coach Eddie Sutton and challenging the likes of Dwane Casey, current NBA head coach of the Detroit Pistons, the last things on your mind are locks. But if anything is going to prepare you for operating a business later in life, it’s waking up every day trying to figure out how to help win an SEC championship. My journey to starting Pop-A-Lock didn’t begin like most business owners experience. In the 1980s and into the early ‘90s, my day- to-day life consisted of trying to help young men reach their full potential in the game of basketball. Actually, you might remember me from Sports Talk Radio or Wildcat pregame shows. As a former assistant coach at the University of Kentucky, I spent my time working with the top recruits in the country and the best basketball minds in the game. The job taught me problem-solving, perseverance, and ingenuity — all characteristics I see as necessary for running a successful company. When the time came for me to move on from coaching, I made the only transition I knew how. I went into a job that combined both basketball and business.

that only adversity can bring. I was at a loss for where to go next when I got a call from my friend who worked at Pop-A-Shot. This friend informed me that he just played golf with a gentleman who was looking to expand a business called Pop-A-Lock. I looked at the situation and believed this opportunity was fate. As one of the initial franchisees, our young and burgeoning business started with a focus on helping people who were locked out of their cars. After a few years, we saw that our customers had greater needs, so we expanded to better serve them. We started re-keying homes and businesses, while maintaining an emphasis on making automobile keys. The more time I spend in this industry, the more I realize that needing a locksmith isn’t a matter of if ; it’s a matter of when . The necessity doesn’t just go for individual uses, but also for businesses. When I’m not breaking down the Wildcats season or helping others with their locks, you can find me with the love of my life, Marilyn, and our two goldendoodles, Kelsey and Beckett. They’re beautiful dogs and bring irreplaceable joy to our lives. I’m also an avid tennis player and try to get out on the court three or four times a week. At 72 years old, I feel fortunate to still have the skill to hit a nice drop shot with my backhand. Basketball, business, and life all come down to the same unifying concept for me. When push comes to shove, I want to help people in need. I was able to do that as a coach, and now I do that as an entrepreneur. Not everyone is blessed to have a life so rewarding, and this holiday season, I choose to be grateful. I hope you can find the same thankfulness in your life. -Doug Barnes

“If anything is going to prepare you for operating a business later in life, it’s waking up every day trying to figure out how to help win an SEC championship.”

Pop-A-Lock wasn’t my first business with a “pop.” For those of you who love arcade games, my first job after coaching was functioning as a regional distributor for Pop-A-Shot. I’d travel around the Midwest, showing people the fun side of basketball. It wasn’t quite like watching Kenny Walker throw down a dunk, but it still let me see the joy a simple game can bring to the masses. But the fun didn’t last long because the company decided to do away with the position of regional distributor, and I was faced with those defining moments

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A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY PROGRAM

Health Coverage for Furry Companions

The close bond that humans form with their pets can be mystifying to those who proclaim they are not “pet people.” A dog given a spot on the bed or a cat given specialty food might seem extravagant to some, but a glance back in time shows that this close companionship developed long ago. Ancient Egyptians were sometimes mummified with their feline or canine companions, and when given the choice between losing a battle or harming cats, Egyptians chose a loss to their Persian adversaries rather than attacking soldiers who’d strategically strapped felines to their bodies. A special relationship developed between humans and their animals during the process of domestication, and pets earned their proverbial place at the table. For some pet parents, this close bond makes insurance coverage for their fur babies a no-brainer. Some employers are

even offering it as an employment benefit. When it comes to caring for our furry companions, veterinarian Jean Maixner points out that having pet insurance can keep families from having to make a gut- wrenching decision when a pet gets sick or hurt. “If you get the right policy, it can be an asset to the health care of that pet and have a significant impact on the bill that results from an emergency visit,” Maixner says. As with human health insurance, pet health insurance policies vary. A higher deductible usually means paying a lower monthly rate. You can find plans that cover accidents and illnesses, and some plans even cover routine care, like vaccines. In an assessment of policies, Consumer Reports found that for a relatively healthy pet, most policies actually cost more than they would ultimately pay out. However, they also found that for a pet that develops a serious illness or condition,

many pet insurance policies will indeed pay out more than what they cost. Talk with your vet to see if there are any conditions your pet is prone to. Consumer Reports also recommends reading all the fine print when looking at plans to make sure you understand what will be covered. For many people, pet insurance offers peace of mind that their companion will be protected. As Herb Weisbaum, consumer advisor for NBC News, says, “If you buy pet insurance and don’t use it, consider yourself lucky.”

AN EMERGENCY DOOR UNLOCKING PROGRAM

Our Way of Serving the Community

If we get a call about a child locked in a car, we drop everything we’re doing and take immediate action, free of charge. We attempt to be on site within 10–15 minutes so we can open the vehicle before the situation escalates. In Kentucky alone, we’ve performed over 8,000 EDU rescue services, helping countless families. Many people assume leaving a child in the car is due to negligence that happens only to those who lack common sense, but in reality, it can happen to anyone. If a child falls asleep in the back seat while running errands, it’s easy to focus on the tasks at hand and lose track of your surroundings. Across the nation, Pop-A- Lock has preformed over 350,000 EDUs. We always tell people to call 911 first before contacting us. Often, the local authorities will enlist us, but it’s pivotal to make them your first call. Remember, an EDU is an entirely free service we provide to protect the children of our community. There’s no judgment or penalties, because we all make mistakes. We just want to help where we can, and this is one crucial way we can assist people on a daily basis.

Every year, we encounter the unfortunate situation where a child has been left in a locked car on a hot day. In as little as five minutes, the temperature in your car can rise by 10 degrees, and after 15 minutes, it can increase by 20 degrees. That’s why we provide the Emergency Door Unlocking (EDU) program.

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WHICH LOCK IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Check Out These 3

We deal with every type of lock imaginable. If we haven’t seen it, then it doesn’t exist. Keypads? Yep. Deadbolts? Sure thing. Rusted clamps from ancient sunken treasure? Probably. Every security measure serves a specific purpose, but with all the options out there, choosing which is right for you can be daunting. That’s why we want to provide you with three simple choices that will work for a variety of purposes. NUMERIC KEYPAD Both homes and businesses alike can benefit from a lock that is opened and closed from a four- or six-digit keypad. They are easy to use, safe, and prevent you from ever having to fumble for your keys again. However, there are a couple of critical points to remember if you choose this type of lock. • Periodically, clean the numbers to prevent smudging or oil buildup. If someone can see the digits you’re regularly pushing, then it could be easier to decipher your code. • Change your combination of numbers every four months to prevent wear and tear on the same buttons. OLD-FASHIONED DEADBOLT Most houses choose the classic deadbolt not just because it’s familiar, but because it’s stood the test of time. Now, that doesn’t mean this tried-and-true lock doesn’t still have a few problems. Here are some tidbits for you to keep in mind.

• Keys can often break in deadbolts or be misplaced. Ensure you always have an accessible spare in the near vicinity. • Door jambs of older buildings can wear down over time and slowly compromise the integrity of your lock. Periodically, check for water damage or other signs of erosion. SMART LOCKS Controlling the thermostat, lighting, and security of your house from the hub of your smartphone is certainly an appealing prospect, but this method also comes with some points of caution.

recipe title • Always know who has access to your digital devices. • Many security apps also offer a passcode option in order to use them. We recommend implementing this, ensuring it’s a different combination than the one that unlocks your phone. The cav at with all three of these is that it’s still possible for you to be locked out of your house. The good news is we can help with all of them. If you’re ever in a bind, give us a call. We can help with any lock under the sun — including treasure chests.

HOLIDAY ROAST PRIME RIB

LAUGH OUT LOUD

Looking for an easy holiday roast that still feels elegant enough for the occasion? Look no further than this delicious prime rib flavored with garlic, thyme, and red wine.

INGREDIENTS • 1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds) • 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped • Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

• 2 cups red wine • 4 cups beef stock

DIRECTIONS 1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove roast from fridge and let sit until it reaches room temperature. 2. Heat oven to 350 F. 3. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 4. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare. 5. To make au jus, place roasting pan with drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock and cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 6. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

POP-A-LOCK 739 MILLPOND ROAD LEXINGTON, KY 40514 POPALOCKKY.COM

LEXINGTON SOUTHERN IN 859-253-6736 502-895-6736 812-288-7576 LOUISVILLE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

HOW POP-A-SHOT BECAME POP-A-LOCK PAGE 1 A LOOK AT HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PETS HOWWE SERVE THE COMMUNITY PAGE 2 3 TYPES OF LOCKS TO CHOOSE FROM HOLIDAY ROAST PRIME RIB PAGE 3 WHAT DO MY SYMPTOMS MEAN? PAGE 4

4 WINTER ILLNESSES YOU’D RATHER AVOID Know What to Look For Before They Attack

Achoo! That’s the last noise you want to hear this winter. Cold weather brings a slew of sicknesses, so be vigilant to treat these common illnesses, or better yet, avoid them altogether. THE COMMON COLD Although there is no cure, a cold is easier to treat than other illnesses. If you or a loved one has a runny nose, low-grade fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, or sore throat, the common cold has most likely taken hold. With the help of rest and perhaps some cold medicine, like cough drops and decongestants, the cold will come and go in about a week. BRONCHIOLITIS Bronchiolitis appears most commonly in children less than a year old and is caused by other viruses. Of the many symptoms — nasal congestion, low-grade fevers, and coughing — wheezing is the one you should be most concerned about. If your child is having difficulty breathing and is dehydrated, they may have caught a more serious strain of the virus. Most children will recover with at- home rest, but some may need to be hospitalized for more severe symptoms.

INFLUENZA The flu is known for causing high fever, muscle aches and pains, nausea, and other symptoms similar to a cold. Often, the fever will last for around five days, but it can be shortened with the aid of antiviral medications. However, these medications are recommended only for children who face serious complications or hospitalization from the flu. If you want to avoid catching this, your best bet is to receive the annual flu vaccine. STREP THROAT A sore throat, headache, stomach ache, vomiting, and high fever are signs of strep. This infection is treated with antibiotics and should be addressed soon after the first symptoms appear to prevent further complications. Children with strep throat should stay away from school and other activities until they’ve been on antibiotics for 24 hours. Everyone knows that getting sick is no fun and is best avoided at all costs. However, it happens to everyone eventually. Catching a virus or infection in its early stages can help you shake the sickness much faster.

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