Author: AR
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The Hidden Expenses Most Monument Companies Forget About
Hidden costs lurk deep in the shadows of your shop. Unseen yet ever-present, they are often ignored by most small business owners. Most know better than to ignore these gruesome, hidden costs. Yet, they turn a blind eye and choose to do so anyway. The culprit of these hidden costs is often sentimental. It is…
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One Easy Trick to Avoid a Customer’s Junk Box.
“Oh! I see it- it went to my spam box!” This one sentence is spoken by customers at countless monument shops across the country. It is a “Eureka!” type moment for them when they realize your team really and truly sent that email…it just didn’t reach them. Whether it be a quote, a proof, or…
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Made in China, 2025: A Fresh Look at Tariffs
You may read the title of this blog post and think I came up with it myself. But I didn’t. In fact, the slogan “Made in China 2025” has been China’s slogan since May of 2015- ten years ago! In fact, I wrote an article entitled, “Understanding Tariffs in a Global Economy” that was published…
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ILA Strike Update: Today’s the Day
Whew! You all! Today is the day, and I am excited to let you know (if you don’t already know), that the ILA and the USMX have reached a *tentative* agreement regarding automation on the East Coast ports. This tentative agreement was reached on January 9, but hasn’t been ratified by the Union’s board yet.…
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Looming: The ILA Strike
I know, I know. It feels like Ground Hog’s Day with all of these ILA strike updates. But, of all the international issues our industry faces, this one is by far the most important in 2025. In this previous post I discussed the political climate surrounding the ILA strike. I also provided tips and strategies…
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Introducing My New Book!
It is FINALLY here! And I am SO excited to share my big news with you! Over the past year I have spent a bazillion hours reseaching, writing, and compiling my new book: A Marine by Monday: A Hard of Hearing Man’s Journey in World War II. After all of that work, I cried when…
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The BIG Reveal Week
Oh my goodness, it is finally here!! The big reveal week! This week, I will wrap up small, final details, focusing my time on tiny, last-minute stressors. I don’t know about you, but it’s always the least significant details that overwhelm me the most. In the beginning, this project involved sorting through nearly 300 photos.…
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Update on the ILA Strikes: Looking to 2025
Remember waaaay back in October when the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and the the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) were unable to reach a deal? It seems as though that was forever ago! After all, we have had holidays, an election, and a lot of big international news since then. But, it wasn’t really that…
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Something BIG is Coming…
It is FINALLY December. For many that means a time to slow down and cherish all the things- decor, family, food, and fun. But this year, for me, it means something absolutely incredible is about to happen. Something I have been working on for just shy of a year. Something I can’t wait to share.…
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Get Ready for the Holidays!
‘Tis the season for marketing! With all the shopping and thoughts of family and friends, it is the perfect time to do some marketing. It is a well-known fact that, for most general retailers (outside of the death care industry), plans for holiday advertising are finalized in May. Of course, this type of panning-ahead may…
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Pricing Magic With StoneSpot’s Pricing Wizard!
Alright, StoneSpot enthusiasts! Today I am going to dive into the nitty-gritty details of StoneSpot’s new Pricing Wizard! Because this is a lot of information to absorb, I will cover each feature one at a time over a series of posts. If you are new to the Pricing Wizard feature, please go back and read…
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How to Get Started With StoneSpot’s NEW Pricing Wizard!
It’s officially “spooky season”, and StoneSpot has been brewing up something spooktacular! With a dash of creativity and a generous sprinkle of expertise, StoneSpot has concocted a new tech treat that promises to be a thrilling addition to your monument business. The magic of StoneSpot’s newly released and highly anticipated Powerups features is absolutely enchanting.…
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My Quick & East Sheet Pan
Who in their right mind decreed that quick and effortless meals were exclusive to weekdays?! In my household, speedy and simple meals are a must for the weekend as well. I proudly embrace this lifestyle! The key, my friends, is whipping up a speedy feast that is both nourishing and appealing to the finicky eaters…
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Taking Inventory: Post 4 How Our Company Went from Chaos to Control
Can we all agree that re-arranging and re-organizing inventory in the monument world is time consuming? It’s not like we sell soap or other light-weight products. Instead, our products weigh hundreds of pounds and require expert handling. So it is no surprise that our company’s inventory project is STILL in progress. You’ll recall from the…
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Quick & Easy Pizza Parlor Soup Recipe
As a busy mother, business owner, and ADHD sufferer, I struggle to get dinner on the table every night. Something always demands way more time than I have to give. This leaves me grasping at straws when my crew asks that dreadful question, “What’s for dinner?”