All right, lets get started on painting. This is probably one of the most favorable Do It Yourself (DIY) projects out there and more than a fair share of us have tried and failed at this project. I am going to hopefully pass on a few tips and tricks I have learned from my professional painting friends and leave you with a few Internet links that you can use to build up your skills. Painting seems like an easy process. You just grab some paint and off you go, but that only works if you want that … [Read more...] about Painting Your Home
Columnists
Buying and Selling Businesses
Funding a Business Acquisition WCI Brokers is the largest full-service business brokerage firm in Northern Arizona. As business brokers, we have facilitated over 500 business acquisitions in Northern Arizona over the past 15 years. This article is one of a series of articles written by our professionals at WCI Brokers on topics important to business owners. Funding a Purchase The funding of a business acquisition is an important component in the decision-making process of both buyers and … [Read more...] about Buying and Selling Businesses
A New Year for Solar
Changing pages on the calendar is as inevitable as any other change. It is constant and dynamic with relentless force moving on a path into the future. What happened in the past is now the stepping stone path on which we walk. In the residential solar industry, one stone in place is the surcharge on new solar systems. The Arizona Corporation Commission approved a new fee equal to $0.70 per installed Kw on residential solar systems. This fee is subject to change. It is ironic that consumers … [Read more...] about A New Year for Solar
Calculating Home Prices
When shopping for a home, the question is often asked, “Should you use the average price per square foot or median price to figure home values?” The answer is a tricky one. The short answer: neither are accurate methods of determining the current market value. An online article from about.com provides some insight: Smaller square-foot homes generally command higher per-square-foot costs and larger square-foot homes generally command lower per-square-foot prices. Let’s look at how … [Read more...] about Calculating Home Prices
Updating Websites
The Internet was introduced to consumers in 1969, however, it wasn’t until 1990 when one of the largest advancements was written, called the World Wide Web. This progression led to the first web page in 1991. With the nature of technology, it seems impossible to keep up. As a business owner, it’s essential to pay attention to the changes that could affect your company. For most consumers today, the first impression of a company is usually through their website. Ask yourself, “When was the last … [Read more...] about Updating Websites
Wildflowers that Come Alive
Few plants in the garden deliver a more natural appearance than wildflowers. Although true success with wildflowers is dependent upon timing, adhere to these simple tips, tricks, and techniques and you can paint a swath of color across your springtime landscape. A true wildflower seed needs the freeze-thaw cycle of winter and early spring to germinate properly. This is especially true for the most popular varieties like the poppy. Cold weather cracks open a wildflower seed’s hull so it can … [Read more...] about Wildflowers that Come Alive
Business Loan Types
If you own a business, chances are that at some point your business could benefit from bank financing. Your company may be growing and need financing to meet increasing working capital needs or you may need to finance a new vehicle or equipment to be used in your operations. Whatever the case, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of some common business loan structures to help plan appropriately. The types of loans people tend to be most familiar with are straight amortizing term … [Read more...] about Business Loan Types
Who Wants To Be A Tiger?
If you’ve spent the last two years perfecting your tiger parent skills (following the publication of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom, Amy Chua’s 2011 advocacy/memoir in defense of boot-camp style parenting), the first thing to understand is that it doesn’t end there. Junheng Li, CEO of the independent equity research firm, J.L. Warren, now offers softie Americans something for the workplace. Tiger Woman on Wall Street is Li’s memoir of childhood in China under the tutelage of her tiger … [Read more...] about Who Wants To Be A Tiger?
ERAU Preparing DNA Experts
As security and intelligence issues and crime are tackled with an ever-expanding arsenal of forensic methods, Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus will meet the need for more DNA and biology specialists by introducing a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Biology in Fall 2014. The B.S. in Forensic Biology, which originated within Embry-Riddle’s popular B.S. in Global Security & Intelligence Studies degree program, combines the disciplines of biology, chemistry, and law, engaging students in evidence … [Read more...] about ERAU Preparing DNA Experts
Using Licensed Contractors
Daily, my phone rings with calls from residents within our community asking about contractors. Homeowners want to check the status of a license, they ask for referrals and guidance prior to hiring a contractor and then there are the callers who need help, they have been hoodwinked, taken advantage of, overcharged or have experienced shoddy workmanship and have even experienced the contractor that has disappeared in the middle of a project. There is no shortage of contractor horror stories … [Read more...] about Using Licensed Contractors