Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
JULY 2025
901-388-5808 DouglassRunger.com From Likes to Lasting Impact Why We’re Embracing Social Media’s Brighter Side
If you know me, you’re probably aware that I don’t love social media, at least in my personal life. In fact, I’d likely use it even less if it weren’t such an effective tool for the firm’s outreach. Social media can get a bad rap these days, with so much negativity, FOMO, and comparison filling our feeds on a daily basis. But Facebook, Instagram, and all the others out there also have the power to do a lot of good. These social media platforms can unite people to support an important cause, provide crucial resources, and help you amplify your message in a way that many organizations, especially nonprofits, simply couldn’t afford to do elsewhere. July 15 is National Social Media Giving Day, which encourages users to aim their posts not at getting thousands of new followers or likes but to make a difference with charitable giving. You’ve all seen the birthday campaigns on Facebook where people ask their friends and family to donate to one of their favorite causes instead of gifts. That’s barely scratching the surface of what social media can do, but just one small way you can see the results yourself. This past May, our firm decided to raise awareness for National Elder Law Month as part of our philanthropic efforts to support local nonprofits in the greater Memphis area. Our firm does a lot of elder law and estate planning, so we have seen firsthand some of the challenges and painful experiences families face as their loved ones age. Many older Americans today are affected by Alzheimer’s, and it’s not only sad, but also extremely challenging for their caregivers.
In some instances, we’ve seen clients who give up their careers and frequently face real fatigue when caring for their loved ones who are experiencing dementia or memory loss. Heading into National Elder Law Month, I wanted to help raise awareness for families who have experienced first-hand the challenges associated with aging loved ones, so I started thinking about great organizations that help those families. After about 20 minutes of brainstorming, the answer dawned on me and was so simple! Page Robbins is an amazing local nonprofit that assists families every day! Several members of our team worked with Page Robbins on a regular basis, so Page Robbins was the perfect organization to spotlight for Elder Law Month. Page Robbins provides adult day center activities for individuals battling memory loss and Alzheimer’s, treating both them and their caregivers with dignity and care. It gives aging people an opportunity for social interaction and enriching activities, but just as importantly, Page Robbins gives their caregivers a well-deserved break. All month in May, we partnered with them on a social media campaign to raise awareness and donations for their programs. We leveraged social media not just to raise awareness of their program and gather donations for items that Page Robbins needs to run its day-to-day operations, but social media also helped us provide real tips to people facing this at home. People who saw our posts might not have known a place like
Page Robbins existed for them or just how many informational resources they have available on their website. Without putting any money behind it, one video we posted got over a thousand views in just a day, leading to multiple donations. You just can’t get that kind of reach in many other places. Social media is here to stay, and it’s not perfect, but it can be used as a platform to make a difference, promote kindness, and encourage generosity on a large scale. The real beauty is that it evens the playing field. Anyone with smartphone or computer access can make a post that prompts change. It’s easy to forget the bright side of social media with all the bad things that come with it as well. But once you immerse yourself in its capabilities, you quickly see how fast it can cause a ripple of giving. Before social media, worthy organizations like Page Robbins were limited to often cost- prohibitive marketing for limited audiences, such as radio, flyers, or in-person events. Now, nonprofits like Page Robbins can cast a bigger net and get thousands of engaged eyes on issues like aging that impact real people every day. You won’t find many food selfies or vacation highlights on my personal page, but you can be sure our firm will use these platforms to promote causes that matter. That’s the kind of post worth clicking on and the real good social media can bring.
901-388-5805 • 1
From Breakup Blues to Brighter Days
Helping Your Teen Turn Heartbreak Into a Comeback
For teens, a breakup can feel like an emotional roller coaster, with ups and downs and confusing loop-de-loops. As a parent or guardian, you can be their safety harness during this difficult time, providing advice and comfort through the twists and turns. As they deal with heartbreak, perhaps for the first time, listening and providing them with a safe space to experience the grief, confusion, and loss can help them heal. Grab that box of tissues, and let’s explore the best ways to support your child after the end of a relationship. LISTEN, DON’T LECTURE Though you might have a million questions when you learn your teen has gone through a breakup, they will likely shut down if you grill them. Start by letting them know you’re sorry for what happened and inviting them to share their feelings. Just like adults,
teens need space and time to process the relationship ending, and you can encourage them to open up when they are ready. Try working on a chore together — they might reveal what’s on their mind, but don’t push. When they do talk to you about it, ask them questions that will help them develop a more comprehensive and helpful outlook about the breakup. You can provide them with deeper insights and reassure them that the end of a relationship isn’t because they are not good enough or lacking as a person. HELP THEM SMILE In this sad and confusing time, healthy and enjoyable distractions can help your teen smile again and rebuild their self-confidence. Keep their routines in place, but suggest going somewhere fun together, like an art class, park, or museum. Not only will this
allow them to get the breakup off their mind for a while, but it will also help them discover individual passions or find new hobbies that bring them joy. Let them invite their friends over for a movie night so they have their support system to rally with and remind them that they are loved. Heartbreak hurts, but with your support, time, and a little ice cream, your teen will see that brighter days are ahead.
Cut Costs, Not Ties How Mediation Makes Business Sense
In the world of business, disputes and conflicts can arise, from late payments to contract misunderstandings. Mediation is a smart, cost- effective solution to resolve professional disagreements, saving companies time, money, and relationships. Working with a mediator allows small businesses to work out issues together, finding a resolution that makes sense for everyone and doesn’t take a huge budget or hours in the courtroom. This month, let’s explore the benefits of choosing conversation over confrontation when dealing with business disputes. LESS EXPENSIVE Lawsuits are very expensive, as the attorney’s fees and court costs pile up quickly. Mediation is often much more cost-effective because typically, both parties to the dispute will evenly share the costs of the mediator with each other, rather than paying alone. This process moves quicker than going to court, so you will naturally save money on the time commitment as well. QUICKER RESULTS The quicker you can move past a business dispute, the sooner you can get back to your clients and employees. Business disputes that wind up in protracted litigation take time, especially since courts often have backlogs. These cases drag on for months and even years in some instances before a resolution (whether it be a voluntary settlement well into litigation or a trial) occurs. On the other hand, mediation usually only lasts a day and can be scheduled quickly depending on the
mediator’s schedule. The mediation process requires less work on the front end by lawyers than protracted litigation, where a lawyer needs to complete written discovery and depositions. Furthermore, many Courts will order the parties to a lawsuit to attend mediation before the Judge will preside over a trial anyways, so by attempting “front-end” mediation, parties can save themselves valuable time and money and complete mediation, which they will likely be ordered to attend anyways. PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS BONDS Mediation protects and preserves the bonds between you and the other party, your employees, and your customers. Lengthy lawsuits damage professional relationships, but in mediation, the goal is to collaborate peacefully for the outcome that’s best for everyone. You have more control. Instead of a jury or judge deciding the result, both parties will continue to talk and negotiate until a resolution occurs or settlement negotiations break down. This process is also private, unlike court cases, which become public record. Resolution for business disputes doesn’t have to be messy or conflict- driven. Mediation offers a respectful path forward and helps save money, time, and meaningful professional relationships. Before you head to court, consider sitting at the table instead. At Douglass & Runger, we understand that preserving your business partnerships matters. Contact us at 901-388-5805 to learn how our team can provide cost-effective, practical solutions that protect your company’s future!
2 • DouglassRunger.com
As we step into July and the third quarter, it’s the perfect time to pause and take a hard look at your business plan. The year’s halfway point is ideal for determining if you’re on track, need to pivot, hire staff, and set up your company for success. Whether it’s tax planning, hiring timelines, or shifting market conditions, revisiting your plan now gives you enough time to evaluate your progress and make crucial adjustments. Here are some of the most critical aspects of your business plan to check up on this month. FINANCIAL HEALTH Your finances are essential to your company, so start by reviewing your critical financial documents: your Profit & Loss statement, Balance Sheet, Budget Variance Report, and Cash Flow Forecasting Statement. Compare your numbers to your Business Plan and the previous year to see if you met your revenue goals. Cash flow problems can seriously hinder your business, so this is an opportunity to find areas for improvement in managing inventory and payments. Even though tax-day isn’t until April, start preparation early by identifying possible deductions or credits. GOALS AND TIMELINES Evaluate your goals for the year. Examine what you have achieved, what you are still working toward, and where you need to tweak your strategies for the remainder of the year. Summer is also a good season to adjust timelines for yourself, like hiring staff. The Summer Strategy Session Revamp Your Business Plan and Reclaim Your Momentum
Inspired by OMGChocolateDesserts.com
Chocolate-Covered Banana Brownies
Ingredients Banana Brownies •
Chocolate Topping • 12 oz semi-sweet baking chocolate, chopped • 1 cup heavy cream • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter • 3–4 large bananas
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
•
1/3 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar
•
• 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. INSPIRATION “Freedom lies in being bold.” —Robert Frost
Summer is traditionally a time where the hiring
process slows down some as many people take vacations, but you still need to look vigilantly and set deadlines for critical hires. If you wait too long and only start looking in late fall, many qualified candidates may be reluctant to leave their companies due to end of year bonuses.
MARKETING STRATEGIES Marketing is just as important as your day-to-day business operations. It helps you reach new clients and stay top of mind for your loyal customers. What do your “year to date” marketing efforts look like, and are there new avenues or platforms you may be missing out on? Take a look at your analytics and metrics to see what campaigns are working and leading to sales and which campaigns aren’t converting. This is an opportunity to strengthen your brand or explore new promotions. By reviewing key areas of your business this summer, you are setting yourself up for success in the rest of the year and beyond. Contact Douglass & Runger today at 901-388-5805 to help align your legal strategy with your business goals.
901-388-5805 • 3
2865 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 DouglassRunger.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 The Ripple Effect of Online Giving 2 A Parent’s Guide to Breakups
Choose Collaboration Over Confrontation
3 Key Metrics to Measure Right Now
Chocolate-Covered Banana Brownies
4 Celebrity Book Clubs Drive Book Popularity
The Celebrity Effect How Star-Powered Book Clubs Drive Bestsellers
Nowadays, celebrities influence countless consumer decisions, from buying cosmetics to backing charities. However, few sectors have been more deeply affected than book publishing. Celebrities from Reese Witherspoon to Dua Lipa are triggering rising sales of an increasingly varied selection of books. Publishing industry sources credit their book clubs with creating closer reading communities and more adventurous book choices among millennial and Gen Z readers. Oprah’s Book Club kickstarted the trend in the 1990s, sparking millions of book sales with a single mention. In a recent shift, other celebrities are using their clout to fast-track book choices into TV adaptations. Reese Witherspoon, who rivals Oprah in her book- picking clout, turned Celeste Ng’s “Little
Fires Everywhere” into a bestseller and a TV adaptation (starring herself). Actress and producer Dakota Johnson founded a book club called TeaTime last year, which is linked to her production company by the same name. The club aims to adapt book picks such as Maria-Helene Bertino’s “Beautyland” into TV shows and movies. Actress Emma Roberts’ book club, Belletrist, has produced two TV shows based on books she recommended, “First Kill” and “Tell Me Lies.” With her friend and co-organizer Karah Preiss, Roberts tends toward indie bookstore picks with an intellectual vibe, heavy on literary and historical fiction and memoirs. Pop star Dua Lipa calls her Service 95 platform a “cultural concierge” that includes shopping guides, travel ideas, and book picks. The singer has recommended a global
potpourri of works to broaden readers’ perspectives, including Polish author Tomasz Jedrowski’s “Swimming in the Dark,” Korean- American author Michelle Zauner’s “Crying in H Mart,” and Argentine author Hernan Diaz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Trust.” Actress Emma Watson followed a different path when she launched Our Shared Shelf in 2016. The “Harry Potter” co-star’s choices tilt more toward political and personal causes, including Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues” and “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge. Whatever their motive, these stars deserve credit for endearing books to a much bigger audience. In an era when many talented authors have a hard time paying the rent, that can only be a good thing!
4 • DouglassRunger.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator