Business Strategy & Marketing

This weekend – August 1-3, 2014 – is a Virginia sales tax “holiday” for a long list of “back to school” type items. This applies whether a person is in school or not. The official bulletin states that“items need not be intended for use in school or in connection with a school activity to be eligible for […]

A couple of years back I stumbled on an interesting song called “Mademoiselle Noir.” The whole premise is the same as Rapunzel, except instead of being viewed as virtuous and lovely, the townspeople think she is evil and fear her. This isn’t the first time a classic story has been retold with a drastically different […]

“No need to worry, my accountant handles that” – The Notorious B.I.G Since I’ve been in practice I have found that a lot of people have the Biggie Smalls viewpoint on money management. This sounds reasonable in theory. Accountants are financial professionals. The clients have confidence in their accountants’ expertise and trust what is being […]

“Sometimes I have a difficulty talking to people who don’t race sailboats.” – Bruno Gianelli That was one of my favorite lines from The West Wing, a show where the dialogue was so good and the characters so unbelievably quick-witted that it made you feel like an idiot. In the scene, President Bartlet was upset […]

“Something for nothing, a bargain, a steal Used cars on credit card, lost another wheel I’d like to get it for free It’s what the price should be I just wanna pay less I just have to confess Quality and value, always wanting more Tip my hat to the taxman, the revenue does pour” – […]

“A little bit independent in your walk A little bit independent in your talk … A little bit independent with your smile A little bit independent in your style” – Fats Waller “A Little Bit Independent” With the start of a new year, many people are thinking about changes they want to make. Losing weight, home […]

I am a wandering, bitter shade, Never of me was a hero made; Poets have never sung my praise, Nobody crowned my brow with bays; And if you ask me the fatal cause, I answer only, “My name was Dawes” – “The Midnight Ride of William Dawes” by Helen F. Moore Does anyone out there […]

“Free advice is often overpriced.” — E. C. McKenzie In the age of the internet, it is increasingly easy to find advice and information on…pretty much every topic. I love it. If I want to find steps for a simple DIY project, information on some obscure piece of history, or literally almost any bit of […]

Originally published November 11, 2013 “Necessity is not an established fact, but an interpretation” – Friedrich Nietzsche I love my job. As dry as accounting seems, I find it fascinating. You get insight into a business’s operations and finances – truly the core of what is going on. People open up to you on things they […]

Originally published October 21, 2013 My favorite uncle, Sam Stevens, has always had a lot of insight. Throughout my life I’ve often looked to him as a source of perspective and discernment. One of my favorite pieces of advice that he gave actually wasn’t directed at me, but to another one of his nephews – […]

Originally published October 7, 2013 “I crossed that intersection Truck came in my direction Crashed – then the driver said: “Look out, can’t you see that light is red?” Now he tells me Now he tells me People wait until it’s much too late Now he tells me” Now He Tells Me” – The Nat […]

Originally published September 9, 2013: “It is an immutable law in business that words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises – but only performance is reality.”– Harold Geneen The world has always been filled with promises – some good and some bad. Friends and relatives make commitments to us out of the goodness […]