arlington-prospect

APAG 75: Matt Grana Of Grand Frame Inc. Explains What To Look For When Purchasing A Frame

ENJOY THIS EPISODE: On this 75th edition of the podcast, Matt Grana of Grand Frame Inc. is my guest. Matt & his family have been in business for over 40 years enhancing our photography experiences. Capturing that special moment, in time, is something we all wish to do with our pictures. It’s Grand Frame, and their many different services and expertise, that puts our photos over the top.

Gary Grana, Matt’s Dad, started the business over 40 years ago in Niles. At the age of 17, Gary was a high school art student with a passion to hand craft frames. In his junior year Gary told his parents he wanted to start his own framing business. With a $3,500 loan, and a dream, Grand Frame Inc. was founded.

By the age of 3, Matt Grana had built his first frame at the store. With his Dad’s work ethic and special talents, Matt absorbed the traits, he needed to carry on his Dad’s business. Excelling at providing high quality craftsman ship and serivce for his customers has always been the most important aspect of their business. So much so, Grand Frame stands by their work with a lifetime guarantee on their products.

Changing With The Times…

With the advent of camera phone, Matt knew he needed to provide a service for the changing times. Instaframing.com is a place where picture takers can go to get online photos framed. With the success of the Ecommerce site, the new showroom buildout, and the photo restoration business Grand Frame is going stronger than ever.

Be sure to tune into this story of entrepreneurship, family, and community involvement.

And please, don’t forget to go to iTunes to leave a review on the podcast. It is easier than ever to do so.

Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode:

What Makes A Great Frame

Picture Restoration

Ecommerce Site Instaframing.com

Grand Frames Lifetime Guarantee

Matt’s Charitable Involvement And Volunteerism

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Grand Frame Inc Website

Instaframing.com

Facebook Page

Sponsors:

Novak & Parker Home Appliance. Go to Novak & Parker, Mention You heard About Them On The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers Show. They Have A Special For All Listeners

Austin-Jarrett Law. If You Are Buying Or Selling A Home And Need Legal Representation Please Contact Shani Jarrett.

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

And finally, please leave an honest review for The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them.

Bumps, Bruises and Gravel Hands!

(Weekly Notions…)

By: C. Steven Weirich

Safety first, right?

It’s what we have been taught since we were little babies. Err on the side of caution is how the saying goes, I believe.

As our son, Wynston who is seven months old now, starts to grow he becomes more curious. He is crawling around everywhere getting himself into anything and everything. It is kind of amusing. If I or Jenn turn our back for more than 30 seconds he is into something he shouldn’t be.

As parents we are supposed to be the guiding light for our little ones. Teaching them when to put the foot on the gas pedal and when to put on the breaks. But I believe too much safety can be too much.

Most of you reading this “Weekly Notions…” grew up before we went hyper sensitive with kids. Nowadays when you see a kid riding his or her bike down the street they look like Robocop. They wear helmets, elbow pads, knee pads, and whatever else you can think of. Pretty soon they will be wearing armored jousting suites with just a little peep hole to see out of.

Okay, I know I am exaggerating to make a point. Call it a metaphor if you will.

Is there such a thing as being too safe?

I believe so.

When a child takes a ride around on their bike all geared up looking like they are headed to combat, it gives them a false sense of security. It gives them the (Notion) that they can’t get hurt with all that gear on. I believe it promotes MORE risk taking.

I do, however, get it. It’s the times we live in. If your child is riding around with no safety equipment on you will be wearing the Scarlett letter on your chest as a parent. Your neighbors will be saying under their breath, “I can’t believe they don’t have protective equipment on little Johnnie. The Smiths are bad parents.”

As kids, we didn’t have all the protective gear to wear when we hit the road to a friend’s house. Did we do stupid sh*t? Of course we did, it’s what kids do. It is what they are supposed to do.

I don’t know about you? But when I took a spill because I was trying something risky I thought twice about doing it again. I felt the effects of the falls I took. Those bumps, bruises, scrapes, gravel hands, and rung bells stuck with me. I think if I would have had the gear kids have today, I would have been doing crazier stunts and taking more risks than I actually did.

This reminds me of this past week, I had Pat O’Donnell of Hearth & Home on The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers ® Podcast/Show. Hearth & Home has over 5,000 sq. feet of showroom highlighting all of their beautiful fireplaces. I recommend you go check it out. Here is their website.

Pat stresses throughout the interview the importance of safety when purchasing a fireplace for your home. When we think of the appliances in our dwellings like dishwashers, ovens, washing machines and dryers we always seem to be concerned with their age. A question Pat poses in our interview is, why aren’t we more concerned with the age of our fireplaces?

With summer quickly coming to an end now is the time to act. Before you know it, many of us will be around the fireplace on a cold winters night enjoying each other’s company. Before you get your fireplace back up and running be sure to tune into episode 72 of the Podcast with Pat O’Donnell. This information is valuable to you. Not only are you going to learn about the importance of safety, you’re also going to learn how an efficient fireplace will make your nights huddled up around the fire more enjoyable.

In my real estate business, I try to minimize the risks, by not letting uncontrolled fires burn. This is where being safe (wearing all the gear) can pay off to maximize your profit. I have all my home sellers go through a thorough diagnosis of their property before putting it on the market. This process, AKA, The Value Drive Approach to Sell Real Estate A practical guide to protect yourself from REAL ESTATE GREED by thinking like Warren Buffet is my safety standard I use to get my clients a superior result when selling their home.

As our son, Wynston, continues to grow we know tons of new experiences are right around the corner, like walking. We can’t wait for this, LOL! It is our job to keep him safe but not too safe that he doesn’t learn the valuable life lessons we learn each and every day by taking some risks.

As the saying goes… “erring on the side of caution” is definitely a good way to live. But remember, a little risk won’t hurt you either. Because our biggest bumps and bruises in life usually teach us the biggest lessons.

Here’s to a good week!
C Steven Weirich

Steven Weirich is the Founder & Host of Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers™ www.arlington-prospectadvicegivers.com

Co-Creator of ‘The Value Driven Approach to Sell Real Estate’
We have seen the traditional real estate approach disappoint
many of our clients. This is why we’ve taken to studying
the World’s greatest investor, Warren Buffett, and his investment philosophy,
to develop a unique approach to selling our clients homes.
We’ve discovered, by treating your home as an investment,
like a business with a “stock”-price – through a
Value-driven Approach – there is a unique way to extract up to
$30,000 or more of additional profit from any home
on the market.

For a copy of the book go to www.literature4charity.com
@properties

Call or Text 847-607-6711
cstevenweirich.com

APAG 74: Ginette Slaiher Of Acupuncture Wellness & Fertility Clinic Informs Us On 5 Ways We Can Increase Our Chances To Conceive

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Enjoy This Episode:

On this 74th edition of the podcast, Ginette Slaiher of Acupuncture Wellness & Fertility Clinic is my guest. Ginette gives us some great ADVICE on how we can better prepare our bodies for conception. Infertility effects millions of Americans each year. It may even be effecting you? It’s an issue that we, if better informed, can take control of by taking better care of our bodies. If this issue is effecting you or you are thinking of having children in the future this is a must listen to episode.

In this information packed interview Ginette Slaiher shares her amazing story. Growing up experiencing different health issues, Ginette felt she needed to find a way to treat and provide therapy for others. During her battle with pneumonia she realized acupuncture relieved much of the symptoms. It was then when Ginette knew this was her calling.

Throughout her journey Ginette has always been growing and expanding her knowledge of holistic treatments. Her insistence on providing treatment for her patients has been the driving force in her career. It wasn’t until a colleague of hers needed some assistance that she started working with fertility cases. And you know how the saying goes… the rest is history.

Ginette also walks us through a visit with her at the Acupuncture Wellness & Fertility Clinic. Giving the listeners five essential things, they need to be aware of when trying to have a baby. As Ginette says in the interview “When you are trying to conceive you need to conserve”.

Be sure you tune into this vital information. Share it with friends and family members throughout social media. Because Ginette Shailer might just be the person you are looking for.

Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode:

Five Things That Can Improve Fertility

Why Infertility Effects Millions Of People Within The United States

The Benefits Of Acupuncture

Addressing The Misconceptions Of Acupuncture

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Acupuncture Wellness & Fertility Clinic Website

Facebook Page

Sponsors:

Novak & Parker Home Appliance. Go to Novak & Parker, Mention You heard About Them On The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers Show. They Have A Special For All Listeners

Austin-Jarrett Law. If You Are Buying Or Selling A Home And Need Legal Representation Please Contact Shani Jarrett.

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

APAG 73: Dan Schoenberg Of The Arlington Heights Historical Museum Talks About The Important Role The Musuem Plays In The Community

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ENJOY THIS EPISODE:

On this 73rd edition of the Podcast, Dan Schoenberg of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum is my guest. As museum administrator, Dan has brought new life to the Historical Society. In this historic interview he explains the important role the Historical Museum plays within the Village of Arlington Heights.

“We are not makers of history. We are made by history.” -Martin Luther King.

This quote is indicative of the museums mission. History is what makes us who we are. It is up to us, as a community, to preserve and cherish those that made an impact before us. It is great people like Fred “Pop” Muller and William Dunton who have fascinating stories about their early days of Arlington Heights. These stories capture who we are as a community and where we are headed in the future.

The Arlington Heights Historical Museum is a gathering center for families to meet and here stories of great people who paved the way for us. It was 60 years ago when Village residents decided to get to together to preserve the history of Arlington Heights. Thankfully these great people recognized the importance in preserving our history. Celebrating this momentous anniversary, The Arlington Heights Historical Museum has many different activities for families to enjoy.

Don’t forget to stop into the museum gift shop so you can take a taste of history with a six pack of the famous Arlington Club Soda bottled right here is Arlington Heights. You can pick up some bottles at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum. And be sure to follow “Pop” Muller throughout the area as he sells his delicious soda pops.

Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode:

History of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum

60th Anniversary

Arlington Club Soda Company

The Importance of Preservation

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Museum Website

Fred “Pop” Muller Facebook Page

Arlington Heights Historical Museum Facebook Page

Sponsors:

Novak & Parker Home Appliance. Go to Novak & Parker, Mention You heard About Them On The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers Show. They Have A Special For All Listeners

Austin-Jarrett Law. If You Are Buying Or Selling A Home And Need Legal Representation Please Contact Shani Jarrett.

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

APAG 72: Pat O’Donnell Of Hearth & Home Discusses Why Safety Matters When Purchasing A Fire Place

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Subscribe: Android | RSS

On this 72nd edition of the Podcast, Pat O’Donnell of Hearth & Home is my guest. Pat walks us through the extensive 5,000 square foot showroom of Fireplace heaven located on Northwest Highway in Mount Prospect. If a fireplace purchase is in your future, you must listen to Pat O’Donnell talk about all the nuances in your new stress relieving purchase. We dive into the importance of safety, quality, and efficiency when it comes to purchasing a well built fireplace.

In business since 1971, Pat O’Donnell’s Dad, Bob, started what now is Hearth & Home out of necessity. As a salesman, at the time for Northern Illinois Gas, Bob O’Donnell had what he thought was job security. But then he received that dreaded phone call so many of us hope never to receive. Bob was informed they were eliminating his position within the company. With the stresses of providing for his family he decided to take matters into his own hands. As so many great entrepreneurs do, Bob started his businesses in a time of hardship. Knowing the gas business, inside and out, working for what is now Nicor Gas, Bob and his partner felt it was a natural fit to start Hearth & Home. And the rest is history.

Enjoying a fire in your living room, outside, or wherever your fireplace is located relieves the stresses of our everyday lives. It cultivates great conversation and brings people together. There is something about a good, controlled, fire that soothes us. Pat O’Donnell believes to truly enjoy your experience you must be thinking about safety first. Then be sure to purchase quality in order to enhance the experience. Hearth & Home is certified with the National Fire Place Institute. Giving them the highest certificate within the industry.

Being a lung cancer survivor of more than seven years, Pat O’Donnell, shares his story of survival with our audience. Being a nonsmoker, Pat has made it a priority to shed light on the growing number of nonsmoking lung cancer cases in the country. The American Lung Association is near and dear to Pat’s life. His story of courage and strength is inspiring to all who battle this terrible disease. Thank you for sharing this amazing story with us.

Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode:

Five Things Consumers Should Be Aware of When Purchasing A Fireplace

The American Lung Association

(NFI) Certification

Hearth & Home Products and Services

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Hearth & Home Website

Facebook Page

Sponsors:

Novak & Parker Home Appliance. Go to Novak & Parker, Mention You heard About Them On The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers Show. They Have A Special For All Listeners

Austin-Jarrett Law. If You Are Buying Or Selling A Home And Need Legal Representation Please Contact Shani Jarrett.

Kristy Riedel of US Bank. For all your home mortgage needs and construction loan financing contact Kristy at 847-650-7982

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

The Roller-Coaster of Life… (Weekly Notions…)

Weekly Notions…
By: C. Steven Weirich

Can you believe it; summer has already come and gone?

Who doesn’t feel a little gypped every year around this time? We all try to cram in as many things as we can, by now, but summertime always comes and goes before we know it. Unlike other seasons in the Chicagoland area, that take forever, summer always seems to go by fast. Super-fast!

I am sure many of you were out and about this past Labor Day weekend. A good old fashion barbeque is usually on the list of things to do. This long end of the summer weekend, I hope, reminds us of how great the summers are here.

It was only a year ago, at this time, that my wife Jenn and I were eagerly awaiting our wedding day. September 10th 2016, will always be one of the most special days in our lives. The ceremony, up to the last minute, didn’t come without some major fingernail biting.

As always, when you plan an outdoor wedding the weather can be unpredictable. Especially when you are on the shores of the “Great” Lake Michigan. I have seen many crazy weather days along the Lake but nothing quite like this one. The emotional ups and downs were like the roller-coasters at Six Flags Great America. One minute your heart is in the pit of your stomach the next you get a breath of air to gather yourself.

Waking up that Saturday morning I didn’t have a good feeling about the weather. There was a layer of fog over the lake that was about 30 feet off of the water. The moisture in the air was so thick just walking through it got you a little wet.

As the day progressed the rain started coming down. I was feeling like I was stuck upside down on that roller-coaster ride. By 2:30 the wind picked up, and let me say picking up is an understatement. There were 30 to 40 mile an hour gusts right off the lake. Lake Michigan, as most of us know, can turn for the worse very quickly. Every half hour we needed Tom Skilling reporting live to give us updates.

The shoreline had 7-foot white cap waves running into it that looked like something an ocean would produce. They were so big, Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High could have surfed them. All he needed was a cool buzz to ride the tasty waves that day.

I remember, the upsetting moment as if it were now, saying to Jenn and her Mom, “this isn’t going to happen at the garden. It looks like we are going to have the ceremony at the reception hall.” When I said those words my heart sank. It felt like I was on that roller-coaster caught upside down in one of the massive loops. Nothing sucks more than being stuck on a broken coaster, during the middle of the ride on a sweltering hot summer day. I should know, I have experienced it before. But then, after thinking you are stuck for what seems like an eternity, the goofy looking carnival maintenance worker appears, out of nowhere, to save the day. The guy has a cigarette hanging from his mouth, his clothes are tethered, and it looks like the night before got the best of him. But before you know it, he has the ride back up and working and you are getting off ready to go to the next ride. How quickly your outlook can change…

All of a sudden the clouds broke and the sun took over the sky.

By 3:30 we had completely shifted back to having the wedding conducted outside. The ceremony was to be held at my parents’ house in Benton Harbor Michigan under beautiful blue skies, that were grey just two hours before. With Lake Michigan as our backdrop we couldn’t have asked for a better setting.

Most of you, who read this, know my Mom is well known in the garden community for her four plus acres of heavenly horticulture on the shores of Lake Michigan. Their property is better known as ‘Lake Cliff Gardens’, the perfect venue for Jenn and I to exchange our vows. And perfect it was.

Everything we encounter in life we try to plan and prepare for. We do, however, need to be accepting of our plans changing. If everything always went as planned, how fun would that be? Pretty boring if you ask me. Jenn always says one of the first things a physician taught her PA class was “those who can’t adapt to changes struggle the most in life”. And so true that is. Because life is just a big journey of changes for good or bad.

This past year has been the most fulfilling year of my life. With the birth of our son, Wynston, life changes by the day. Things we never plan for now come up daily. It has taught us to be nimble and on our toes in order to make good decisions for our young family.

This past year has also been the best year I have had in my real estate business. I don’t talk a lot about how many homes I have sold because quite frankly, who gives a sh*t? When people inquire about my real estate services I refer them to my documented approach instead of boring them with how many properties I have closed. However, I will say, without you the readers of my content, referring my real estate services, I would not be writing to you and podcasting each and every week. So for that… I cannot thank you enough.

It is amazing how much can be accomplished in just one, short, year of our lives. I have learned to game plan 1-3-5 years out when it comes to my business. Not a few months, like I used to. I’m not saying that I won’t, or you won’t, hit some roadblocks along the way but if we stay the course things should work as planned.

So don’t feel gypped that summer is already over. Start planning for next year and the year after that. Commit. Stay the course. Accept change when it happens. If you do, your results will be great.

What are your plans the next 1-3-5 years? I would like to know.

I cannot wait to share my plans, with YOU, on how WE will come together to make IMPACT on our community in the coming year. Stay tuned. It’s going to be huge!!!

Here’s to a good week!
C Steven Weirich

Steven Weirich is the Founder & Host of Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers™ www.arlington-prospectadvicegivers.com

For a copy of the book go to www.literature4charity.com
@properties

Call or Text 847-607-6711
cstevenweirich.com

The Bob Ross (Who?!!) of Real Estate

Preparation Plus Presentation Produces Profits.

Selling a home, the RIGHT way is not for the faint of heart. It takes hard work. It takes dedication. It takes planning. It takes the entire “Value Driven Approach” process to produce the profits sellers deserve when selling their home.

When we help our clients sell a home it is like painting a picture. You want the buyers to envision themselves in your home. How do we do this you may ask? By strategically crafting a theme for your home, both Visually and through a Property story, we create an Emotional connection for potential purchasers to buy your home.

When I meet with clients who want to sell their home, I try to come up with a theme and an emotional benefit to present your home to purchasers. (As documented in our book, Fundamental Mistake #3 “Don be suckered. Don’t make pricing decisions about your list price based on a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis), or what many real estate agents refer to as a “Free Home Evaluation”. If we adhere to this rule and clearly show the benefits to purchasing your home, then the barriers of price are thrown out the window.

Sellers have a hard time seeing the final product that we want to present when we initially meet because they are too close to the situation.

But once they watch the process unfold, before their eyes, it is a thing of beauty to see as their eyes light up and see that light bulb go off. “Ahhhhh… That is what Steve and Theresa, my interior designer, was talking about the entire time.”

The story, if you will, that we tell about your home comes together and is presented in such a strategic way that potential purchasers have no choice but to feel emotionally attached to your home.

Remember the dude with the Afro that was on TV painting and telling Stories while he painted? I had to google “Dude that painted with an Afro”, Well his name was Bob Ross.

Bob knew exactly what the finished product looked like before he started painting. He would tell you a Story as he painted the picture. You’d sit there watching him say, “There is no way this is gonna turn into what he is talking about.

But then…

Something would click. Might be half way through the painting. Could be near the end. But something would just click and you’d think. “Damn Bob was right, this turned out exactly as he said it would.”

The process is not always pretty. You’d have no clue how he got there. But Bob knew all along how the painting would turn out and you didn’t.

This is the same thing we do with your home.

There is a vision and a purpose behind everything we do. You might now always see it, but at some point the light bulb will go off and you’ll say. “Ahh, that’s what Steve was trying to accomplish. I get it not.”

Sellers always want to tell you how ‘their house is different and better than the one down the street.’ And that might be true in some instances but, most likely, it’s not. Because that house has other features that you don’t and vice-versa.

However, each home does have a certain vibe and ‘Story’ to it that we try to enhance during the ‘Pre-Production’ process. Yes, I just made a new term while writing this, but think about it… Your home, when we unveil it to the public. When we share its Story. When we allow potential purchasers to see your home. This is a theatrical event where the public will come and give you immediate feedback on how you have done in properly preparing you home.

My wife, Jenn is a PA (Physician Assistant) she went to PA school which is on par with medical school, just condensed into a two-and-a-half-year program. Jenn studied for hundreds of hours to prepare for her examinations each week. Two full years of hard work and preparation came down to one ‘big day’ taking the board exams to get licensed.

Think of your home in the same manner… Preparing for the ‘Big Day,’ when you go ‘Take the Test’ and potential purchasers can- Grade You- on the work you have done on your home.

If you have done your ‘Homework’, there will be an immediate Emotional Connection between purchasers and your home. This is how we achieve an A on the exam. We all want an A, don’t we?

How do you do this?

There are specific steps that we take to overcome the barriers of purchase. Most of these steps are done during the ‘Study Stage’ of your home.

Let me give you an example:

First one is a story of a Mount Prospect resident of 20 years. Paul had been trying to sell his home for over a year. With no offers and very little positive feedback, he turned to our approach for help.

The agent Paul previously tried to sell his home with had no preparation steps in place or what I call the ‘Study Stage’ to prepare the home for sale. When the property was put on the market the results were pathetic. He had very few showings and NO offers in over a year.

After Paul called me the first time we sat down at this house. We discussed what would be needed to prepare the house for the market again. He asked me if I could sell it. I told him, I’ll do my best and promise that we’ll present your home better buy going through the ‘Study Stage’.

As far as results, I never guarantee anything, but what I can say is that “We will position your home in the best light to obtain maximum profits.”

We quickly got the ‘Study Stage’ in process in order to prepared for the big ‘Exam Day’. All in all, it took about three weeks to put in the hard work.

The results… SOLD in three days for $750,000 a price Paul was Elated with.The heavy lifting was completed during the Study Stage.

I have many other stories of The Value Driven Approach to Selling Real Estate working for clients over the last two years. I will say, there is one reoccurring theme with all of my sellers. If they are willing to put in the work during the ‘Study Stage’ the results are great. If we fail to do our homework, we receive poor grades from the buying public which equals no offers.

What everyone fails to understand is they see the end result…That this home was on the market for 3 days. Selling for the highest price in Mount Prospect in the last year. The agent made ‘easy money’, the sellers were so lucky.

This couldn’t be FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.

What the public doesn’t see is the weeks or even months of PREPARATION, the ‘Study Stage’. The public, all they see is the girl in the white coat practicing medicine, they don’t see the sacrifices the sellers made. The hard-work. The late nights preparing. The weekends, not going out, but getting their house ready.

This is why I tell everyone… Selling a home stinks… Selling a home correctly, by taking the time to prepare, is even more difficult.

But the end results are worth it!

Like Bob Ross painting a picture… Like Jenn going to PA school for 2 ½ years to prepare for that one test… Selling your home is an event. Engineering Emotional Attachments… It is accomplished with the hours of preparation for the big day when you go live.

If you are considering selling, it’s never too early to start the ‘Study Stage.’

You can reach C. Steven Weirich the author of this article at (847) 607-6711

APAG 71: Heather Sobel of Havana Joe’s Cigar Store & Lounge Educates Us On What Makes A Great Cigar

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On this 71st edition of the Podcast, Heather Sobel of Havana Joe’s Cigar Store & Lounge is my guest. Heather invites us into the Havana Joe’s Humidor to cut, light, and pick the perfect full body flavored cigar for all of her customers at the lounge. Being in the cigar industry for five years now, Heather, has brought her knowledge and expertise to Havana Joe’s. Her hospitality has created a contagious atmosphere for cigar aficionados all throughout the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Make sure you go to check it out, you are going to learn a lot from Heather.

Heather Sobel’s first cigar experience was with her Dad at the age of 18. Thinking his daughter wouldn’t like a cigar, especially a full bodied stogie, he gave Heather a toke. Little did he know, cigars would become his daughters passion and career. Much like wine, cigars depend on what your pallet enjoys and will accept. Heather’s pallet enjoys a full body flavored cigar but for many of her customers at Havana Joe’s Cigar Store & Lounge they enjoy something a little lighter. This is something Heather and her staff will help you with. It’s her knowledge and expertise that is going to find you the perfect cigar for your pallet to enjoy.

Cigars have a long and interesting history. They have been around for well over a thousand years, although not in their present form. Wikipedia defines a cigar as being a tightly wound bundle of tobacco that is ignited so that the smoke can be drawn into the mouth. This was, in fact, all that cigars were for many years. They are thought to have been invented by the ancient Mayans, who wrapped the tobacco in either palm or plantain leaves. In fact, an ancient Mayan pot from the 10th century depicts a Mayan man smoking one of these primitive cigars. While this clearly demonstrates that smoking was common at this time, it is not known just when the Mayans discovered the tobacco plant and its ability to be used for smoking purposes.

What ever the Mayans were up to in the 10th century, they got it right. The cigar culture is being passed down from generation to generation. Head over to Havana Joe’s Cigar Store & Lounge in Mount Prospect to enjoy your favorite cigar. You will love the welcoming environment.

Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode:

Cigars For Veterans

What Makes A Great Cigar

Havana Joe’s Welcoming Environment

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Havana Joe’s Facbook Page

Havana Joe’s Is Located at 211 E Rand Rd Mount Prospect, Illinois, IL 60056

Sponsors:

Novak & Parker Home Appliance. Go to Novak & Parker, Mention You heard About Them On The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers Show. They Have A Special For All Listeners

Austin-Jarrett Law. If You Are Buying Or Selling A Home And Need Legal Representation Please Contact Shani Jarrett.

Kristy Riedel of US Bank. For all your home mortgage needs and construction loan financing contact Kristy at 847-650-7982

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!

How LOSING $10K In One Day Taught Me A Lesson…

How Loosing $10k In A Day Taught Me A Lesson. (Weekly Notions…)

(Weekly Notions…)
By: C. Steven Weirich

Most of you, who read this weekly email, know I spent seven years at the Chicago Board of Trade. The lessons were plentiful. But the biggest lesson learned didn’t come to my (conscious) attention until recently.

It was a typical Wednesday morning. I started trading the bond market around 7:30 am. My typical day, turned not so typical in the blink of an eye.

The left side of the trading screen turned to nothing but a sea of blue. Frantically, I grab my mouse, clicking and clicking to try to liquidate my position. As the market continues to go higher, my heart sinks into the pit of my stomach. My position, a short position betting that the market would go lower, has now become a BIG problem. There are no sellers, only buyers, so I can’t get out of this losing trade.

As money starts to dissipate from my account, like a slot machine takes your cash at a casino, I take a DEEP breath to gather my composure. It’s about the only thing I have left to calm me down from my panic like state. I stop for a second and realize, if I continue to panic my problem will only get worse.

If you haven’t traded before, which I assume most of you haven’t, there is an awful feeling you get when you have to chase the market to get out of a losing position. It’s like chasing your dog around the backyard when you don’t have a fence. Every time you try to lunge to grab the dog, he or she darts away. No matter what you do, the dog is always one step ahead of you. And it isn’t until your furry little friend gets tuckered out that you can finally grab him to get him inside.

This is how I describe a losing trade that you can’t get out of. It isn’t until the market has left you breathless. Panicked. Petrified. That it finally lets you out.

That day ended up costing me over $10,000 in losses. It was pretty devastating blow… To my ego and my confidence.

Having left the trading pits, the year prior, I took my skills off the floor to a computer trading platform. The problem was these skills didn’t equate to trading in front of four 17 inch, graphic filled, monitors.

Not researching and honing my skills, like I had for three years before I started trading in the bond pit at the Chicago Board of Trade, cost me my career. Not saying I would have made it trading on the screen but I feel with more research and market study I could have given myself a better chance.

That terrible year, in 2005, was filled with a constant feeling of stress throughout my body. I never felt right in my skin. I wasn’t breathing normally, my sleep was terrible, and I was always on edge. When I think back, I believe my troubles were due to my lack of presence. I wasn’t living in the moment. I was chasing the dream of being a trader instead of chasing the knowledge I needed to become one.

How do we become PRESENT with ourselves?

You always hear people, especially athletes, say I was in the moment. I think this is a question we should sit back and think about for a minute…

Remember Michael Phelps, the 28 time olympic gold medalist swimmer, and his look right before his race. That was someone in the moment. Or, like Michael Jordan at the end of a game taking the final shot. What we didn’t see, behind the scenes, was these great athletes preparing for the moment we all got to witness. Hours of preparation was the reason for their success.

Being present, is something we should all work on to better our lives. Present with our professional lives. Present with our families. Present with our relationships.

I think I have the answer to the question… So I am bringing it to you…

I recently interviewed Savita Laura Jachim of Awakening Wellness with Savita on The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers Podcast®. Being a Holistic Stress Management Specialist, Savita teaches how to free the mind to focus on being present. If we are present, we are more equipped to handle the stresses of everyday life. My favorite quote from Savita in the interview is, “Stress is the internal response to something that is happening externally,” that is so true. How we handle what is going on internally dictates our actions externally. And actions are what matter most, right?

Tune into to hear Savita Jachim talk about her journey and the years of study it took her to become a Holistic Stress Management Specialist. You can listen to Savita on episode 69. It’s a can’t miss. And to book an appointment with Savita go to her website here.

I realize now that I wasn’t equipped, internally, to handle the stresses I brought upon myself in 2005. That in turn caused my, EXTERNAL, actions to be reckless. Taking risks, I should not have been taking. When I was on the floor, I never let a day get out of hand like I did in this example. It’s because I was PRESENT at all times in the trading pit.

When I left the floor, I didn’t put in the time, preparing, doing the proper research to succeed. By not being prepared it clouded my judgement. Hence my internal stress caused my external pain.

This is why I collaborated and co-authored my book ‘The Value Driven Approach to Sell Real Estate’. It took two years of research, case studies, planning and trial & error to come up with this stress relieving process/approach for my clients. My goal is to never have, you the home owner/seller, feeling like I did in 2005 clicking away trying to get out of a losing trade.

For a FREE copy of my book go here or reply to this email.

This week’s NOTION…

Take a DEEP breath… Exhale… And Tune into episode 69 with Savita Jachim of Awakening Wellness.

Here’s to a good week!
C Steven Weirich

Steven Weirich is the Founder & Host of Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers™ www.arlington-prospectadvicegivers.com

For a copy of the book go to www.literature4charity.com
@properties

Call or Text 847-607-6711
cstevenweirich.com

APAG 70: Amanda Hinman Author And Founder Of Hinman Holistic Health Institute Gives Us 7 Essential Steps To Having A Vibrant Child

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On this 70th edition of the Podcast, Amanda Hinman, Author of Vibrant Child: 7 Steps To Increase Your Child’s Health & Happiness and Founder of Hinman Holistic Health Institute is my guest. Amanda has an amazing story to share with us today. Her life’s work, is with one family at a time helping parents put their children’s health and happiness first.

As parents, our children’s health and happiness is our biggest concern and responsibility. This couldn’t be more true for the Hinman family. By the age of eight, Amanda’s daughter was having multiple seizures a day. As the seizures started to become more frequent, Amanda decided to take her child’s health into her own hands. She says in the interview that she didn’t choose her life’s work, it chose her. As any Mom would, Amanda couldn’t and wouldn’t accept the four different seizure medications doctors had prescribed her little eight year old. After visiting numerous of doctors, no one had a real answer to what was wrong. Amanda then set out to conquer her daughters health issues. After a year of researching and tweaking the foods she ate they were able to stop taking the medications. Her daughter is now a vibrant and healthy middle schooler staring a brand new school year. You must tune into for this amazing story.

I usually write the story about my guests on each episode of the Podcast. But I cannot do it justice. So I suggest all you listening to go to the Hinman Holistic Health Institute’s web page here. Amanda’s story is one of strength, courage, inspiration, and love of her family.

I hope everyone who tunes into this episode, finds it to be helpful, resourceful, and just maybe this information can change your lives as it has the Hinman’s.

Ideas and Topics Discussed in This Episode:

Vibrant Child: 7 Steps To Increase Your Child’s Health & Happiness

The 3 Elements of Change

Why Love And Respect Within Our Relationships Matter

How Parents Can Take Control Of Their Children’s Health

Links/Resources/Sponsors Mentioned:

Hinman Holistic Health Institute Website

Facebook Page

Sponsors:

Novak & Parker Home Appliance. Go to Novak & Parker, Mention You heard About Them On The Arlington-Prospect Advice Givers Show. They Have A Special For All Listeners

Austin-Jarrett Law. If You Are Buying Or Selling A Home And Need Legal Representation Please Contact Shani Jarrett.

Kristy Riedel of US Bank. For all your home mortgage needs and construction loan financing contact Kristy at 847-650-7982

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks for joining me again this week. If you have any tips, suggestions, or comments about this episode, please be sure to leave them in the comment section below.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post. Thank you!