Integrity Tire September 2018

spare thoughts

11974 Willow Grove Rd. Camden, DE 19934 93C Saulsbury Rd. Dover, DE 19904 SEPTEMBER 2018

www.integritytire.us | 302-747-7887

RENOVATION AND BUSINESS How Are They Similar?

changed the law for used tire sales. Once it was put in place, we lost about 25 percent of our used tire inventory, but it didn’t slow us down. We took it in stride and continued to provide the best for our customers. The house has had similar instances. For one, we had to work around the load-bearing walls in our main living area — if you knock one of those out, the whole roof will come in. We also had to rip out a ceiling in one room after discovering an old heating system running through it. Additionally, finding good contractors is like finding good employees. When you’re hiring someone, you’re dependent on someone else’s word and the history you have with that individual. Finding dependable and honest people is critical in both remodeling and business. Knowing how much money to put into a project is also an important part of business and remodeling. There are many things you have to consider financially when starting any project. With the renovations, we chose to do the biggest project first, and that’s what we’re trying to do with Integrity Tire.

My wife and I have been renovating our house since last year. The house was built in 1974 and hadn’t been updated until now. We’re doing our best to modernize it into a comfortable living space, and we couldn’t be happier with our results so far. One of the first projects we started was in the living and dining areas. We tore out the walls in the kitchen, living room, and dining room, making it one open space. We also gutted the kitchen then swapped it with the dining room. We’ve lived in a destroyed house for a while, but now it’s getting into great shape. Jolene is terrific at designing, and under her eye, the place is beginning to look fantastic. I’ve noticed that the renovation process shares many characteristics with the act of running a business. The recurring challenges are facing unexpected problems, having to find good people to work with, handling schedules, and considering finances. But both also include the pleasure of seeing all our hard work come together.

Seeing how far we’ve come and how the house looks now compared to two years ago creates an immense feeling of satisfaction. The house is finally coming together, and it looks completely different. We’ve painted the exterior, replaced the front door, and installed windows — it’s starting to look like a brand new house, and it’s almost 50 years old! It’s the same with the business — Integrity Tire is coming together after six years of hard work and dedication. The vision we had is starting to materialize in front of us, and it creates that same feeling of fulfillment.

In business, you’ll always come across unexpected problems. Last year, Delaware

“I’ve noticed that the renovation process shares many characteristics with the act of running a business.”

Jesse Zimmerman

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NEED A PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO MANAGE YOUR KIDS’ CRAZY SCHEDULES?

Try These 3 Tips Instead

the entire family’s schedule so you never miss a beat. And apps like Mealime and MealBoard give you the ability to whip up food that is cost-effective and delicious. TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAMWORK While you’re busy trying to rally the troops at soccer practice, the scene at home resembles a horror movie. Laundry is piling up, food is spoiling in the fridge, and the dust bunnies around the house now have names. Housecleaning is a part-time job in its own right. The only way to stay on top of duties around the house is to work together. A chore chart with clear responsibilities is a great place to start. Whether you have one child or eight, everyone is capable of pitching in. You can have all the organizational abilities in the world, but the best way to manage life’s madness isn’t by directing day-to-day tasks; it’s by managing stress. Instead of using these tools to control life, look at them as a way to free up time so you can decompress and enjoy the things you love.

School has started. Youth sports are in full swing. Work is crazy. Food has become more about necessity than enjoyment. All of this can only mean one thing: Fall has begun. The crazy schedules this time of year can make it tough for parents to keep their heads on straight; making it through the insanity sometimes feels more like survival than life. But there are tactics you can employ to turn the tide and find more time for yourself. TAG TEAM There’s no reason to try to do everything on your own. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” exists because managing the stressors of life requires help. A great place to start is by establishing car pools with a parent group you trust. You can alternate drivers weekly, which provides the opportunity for you to focus your attention on other priorities — or if you’re lucky, have some freedom. THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB Technology makes organization easier and more accessible than ever. By using a tool like a shared calendar, you can coordinate Gold: People who share gold personalities are sensible and organized. They enjoy following procedures and prefer to have projects done correctly. Green: Being logical and thinking things through carefully are two of the top personality characteristics for green. These people like to think about a project before delving into it and approach problems in a step-by-step fashion. Blue: Blue personalities are empathetic and compassionate. They like to be encouraged and praised for the work they’ve put into a project, and they enjoy harmony in their work environments. This month, the staff at Integrity Tire will be taking the Real Colors® test, led by Tasha Hussey. Tasha is a certified facilitator who currently works with The Newsletter Pro —

FINDING OUR PERSONALITIES

the company that sends this newsletter to your door every month.

Blue, Green, Orange, Gold!

We know how important communication is at Integrity Tire, and we’re excited to improve the relationships we’ve built with you and the relationships among our staff. When you know what colors you, your employees, and your coworkers align with, you are left with a better idea of how to work better as a team. We all approach everyday situations in different ways. These differences highlight why working cohesively in a business is

Knowing how you work with others in a group setting is a crucial skill to have in the workforce. No matter where you work, you will interact with people who communicate differently from you, whether they be your coworkers or customers. One method many different business and professional organizations are using to improve their personal and professional relationships is the color personality test, Real Colors®. The test is designed to identify which of the four personality types applies to you and the people around you, which are represented with four different colors — orange, gold, green, and blue. Orange: Orange personalities are enthusiastic and charismatic. They’re the people who might be over-brimming with energy and eager to move on to different projects and learn new things.

so crucial. So this month, join us as we celebrate our colors and take one more step in becoming

that much better at communicating with one another!

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THE PULLMAN STRIKE AND THE ORIGIN OF LABOR DAY How a Railroad Protest Laid the Foundation for a National Holiday

Eventually, President Grover Cleveland sent in soldiers to break up the strike. Violence ensued, with soldiers making a great effort to quell the strike at its core. By the time the violence ended, 30 people had lost their lives and an estimated $80 million in damages had been caused throughout the town. A few months later, President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a federal holiday. Many experts believe that this act was an effort to build rapport among his pro-labor constituents after handling the incident so poorly. This month, as you fire up the barbecue and enjoy your day off, take a moment to remember the workers who fought for labor rights in our country.

George Pullman slashed his workers’ wages by nearly 30 percent, but he neglected to adjust the rent on the company-owned buildings in turn. As a result, life became untenable in the town, with workers struggling to maintain the barest standards of living for themselves and their families. In response, the workers began a strike on May 11, 1894. As the event ramped up, it gained the support of the powerful American Railway Union (ARU). But Pullman, stubborn as he was, barely acknowledged the strike was happening, and he refused to meet with the organizers. The tension increased when Eugene Debs, the president of the American Railway Union, organized a boycott of all trains that included Pullman cars. The strike continued to escalate until workers and Pullman community members managed to stop the trains from running.

Today, Labor Day mostly means a day off and the closure of public pools. But when it was first created, it was a president’s desperate attempt to curb the tension after one of the most violent strike breakups in American history. In the late 19th century, the workers of the Pullman Company, which manufactured luxury train cars, all lived in a company- owned town. George Pullman, the owner, lived in a mansion overlooking houses, apartments, and crammed-together barracks, all of which were rented by the thousands of workers needed for the operation. For some time, the town operated without a hitch, providing decent wages for the workers while netting the higher-ups millions of dollars.

But after the economic depression of the 1890s brought the country to its knees, everything changed. “THE BEST VIEW HARDEST CLIMB.” comes after the

Panzanella, a Tuscan favorite, is a salad that features hearty chunks of bread instead of leafy greens as its base. What could be better for a late-summer cookout? Late-Summer PANZANELLA

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large sauté pan, set to medium- low heat and add olive oil. Add bread and 1 teaspoon salt, and toss often for 10 minutes or until toasted. 2. In a large bowl, mix vegetables and herbs. Toss in bread and your favorite vinaigrette and mix again. 3. Serve immediately or let sit 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

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1 small loaf French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups) 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• • • • • • • •

2 large tomatoes, cubed

2 red bell peppers, seeded and cubed

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced 1 cucumber, sliced into rounds

20 basil leaves, chopped

Salt, to taste Vinaigrette

Inspired by Food Network

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

11974 Willow Grove Rd. Camden, DE 19934 inside

302-747-7887

www.integritytire.us

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Renovation and Business

3 Tips to Help Organize Your Crazy Life

The Color Personality Test

Why Labor Day Is Indebted to the Pullman Strike

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Late-Summer Panzanella

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Local Events Near You!

For the Whole Family to Enjoy Sept mber Events

FALL FEST Where: Fifer Orchards, 1919 Allabands Mill Road, Camden Wyoming When: Saturdays, Sept. 22 through Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fall begins on Sept. 22, and what better way to start it off than with a festival? Take the family out for a day filled with activities, such as tractor-train rides, corn maze farm tours, face painting, kid bounces, and a farm animal exhibit. Admission is $11 per person, and each activity varies in price. Be sure to bring some cash along since some vendors do not accept credit cards. Enjoy September with a slew of events and activities for you and the whole family!

If you’re eager to get out of the house this September, look no further. These events happening near you are sure to catch your eye! MUSIC AT THE MILL SERIES Where: Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, 5411

Outdoor Shakespeare Tour this month! Attendees will enjoy one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies with the stars sparkling overhead. THE ULTIMATE ROBIN WILLIAMS EXPERIENCE Experience Robin Williams again through the amazing performer Roger Kabler. Kabler will re-enact your favorite movie scenes, one- liners, and comedy skits that made Robin Williams famous. Kabler is renowned for his impersonations of the late, great actor and will have you laughing in no time at all. You can purchase tickets at the Milton Theater’s website at miltontheatre.com. Tickets range from $20–25. Where: Milton Theatre When: Sept. 22, 2 p.m.

Abbott’s Pond Road, Milford When: Sept. 13, 6–7:30 p.m.

Looking to get out and spend an evening of music with your family? Now’s your chance! The High and Wides will be performing at the nature center for your enjoyment. All ages are welcome. Before the concert, at 5:30, Lifecycle will also host a ride from downtown Milford to Music at the Mill.

Rental bikes will be available. SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK Where: The Green When: Sept. 14, 7:30–9:30 p.m.

“As You Like It” will be featured in Brown Box Theatre Project’s eighth annual Free

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