Tag:Tips
My Visit with Alan Steele of SBDC
Alan Steel
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has made arrangements with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to have Alan Steele come to the MCEDC office in Plymouth once each month to council existing Marshall County businesses and future entrepreneurs. The service has been offered for most of 2011 and has been reasonably well received with 16 businesses taking advantage of the service through September.
Earlier this month I decided to take advantage of the service myself regarding a business venture I am considering outside Easterday Construction Co., Inc. While I had some ideas of what I wanted to do, I knew there were gaps in my knowledge, since this would be a move into a new arena for me. I also felt that it was appropriate that I go through the experience with Mr. Steele since as Chair of MCEDC, I have been promoting the service to others.
The meeting was quite productive. The questions he asked were pertinent and thought provoking. At the end he explained several options for additional information he could obtain for me. I received the additional information within about 10 days. I would recommend the service for anyone that is considering a new business, expanding an existing business or just needing help with their current business. I think this is a seriously underutilized resource.
Letter from the FBI
Getting a letter from the FBI is a little like having a police car come up behind you on the highway. Even when you aren’t doing anything wrong, haven’t done anything wrong and don’t plan to do anything wrong… it makes you nervous. We received one of those letters today from the FBI talking about potential terrorist activity as we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The letter included a flyer with a list of potential indicators and best practices concerning construction sites. Most of them are common sense, but the reminders are good. I’ve scanned the flyer and included it to the right.
It is best we don’t forget, lest it happen again.
Germaphobia
I am surrounded by sickness here lately. Becky has been sick this week and is hacking and coughing and snotty when I go home. Will and Kathy are both hacking and coughing here at the office. Kathy has been making fun of me for wiping down my phone after she uses it!
For years I’ve been one of those people that wash my hands in the public restroom and then use the paper towel to open the door when I leave. Touchless is great, where everything is on sensors and my preference is for bathrooms without doors or with doors that open out, but that doesn’t always work. I’m not a big fan of the blower dryers for this reason.
Well, I’ve noticed that I’m apparently not the only one. More and more public restrooms have trash cans near the exit. (Keeps me from having to practice my basketball shot across the room!) I got a little vindication from Commercial Building Products magazine this month when I saw the picture here to the right. It came with the caption, “Mounting paper-towel dispensers near an exit door provides users the chance to protect themselves from any germs left behind by others. The conveniently located waste container makes it easy to keep used towels off the floor.” Good plan!
Outdoor Living Update
Progress is continuing on the outdoor living project previously discussed here. The perimeter walls are going up now. These walls are solid concrete retaining wall block. They are double sided allowing them to be dry stacked vertically and used as both the inner and outer wall finish. A separate cap stone will be installed where the wall serves a a seat wall. Around the kitchen area, shown in the progress picture to the right, a granite counter top will be installed once the stainless steel kitchen appliances and cabinets are in place. The stone floor progress can be seen in this picture as well.
We are currently waiting for the bar stool structures to be delivered. They will be installed using a cantilever support system by Seating Innovations that will be mounted to the floor behind the wall. It will then extend through the wall. The chairs themselves will be aluminum to simulate the stainless steel finish of the cabinets. The seats will be cherry. The seats do not come with an outdoor finish from the factory, so we will be getting them raw and field finishing them with a marine finish. It will require maintenance, but should be good for several years before retreatment.
We’re installing the ceiling at this time as well. We are using vinyl soffit material as the ceiling finish. The flexibility of the vinyl allows it to conform to the wood framework of the barrel ceiling. The ceiling is being installed using screws to allow for future accessibility. This will allow access to the attic area for additions or changes to the electrical system or sound system. Can lighting is being installed throughout along with some ceiling fans and chandeliers. There are also surround sound speakers planned for enhanced television viewing. There will be hurricane shutters that require periodic maintenance as well. When necessary, the ceiling can be removed to access the shutters and actually lower them for service if necessary.
Vinyl Base Installation Tip
This tip comes from observing Pat Creamer of H & D Creamer in Warsaw install vinyl base at LaPaz Garden Court. Outside corners are always difficult to perfect with vinyl base. It’s not unusual for the adhesive to lose its grip and allow gaps at the corner.
Using scrap cardboard, cut a form to fit the corner. This can be used to fit any corner dimension or configuration, whether 90 degree or not. Each form can be duplicated as necessary using a razor knife. Once you have forms for your corners, here are the steps for using them to create perfect corners:
- Cut the base to fit the linear dimension required.
- Heat the base with a heat gun to maximize flexibility. Be careful not to over heat as this could cause discoloration or could actually melt/burn the vinyl.
- Apply adhesive to base and wall. Place base while adhesive is still tacky. Reheat if necessary, but take care not to over dry the adhesive.
- Apply the form to the corner with an appropriate weight. Leave the form in place until adhesive has set. (Read the specifications for the adhesive you’re using to determine recommended curing time.)
Thanks Pat!
