Working with 17blue Digital Marketing agency, I was able to write blogs for a handful of their clients. Here are some samples of my work for their portfolio of small businesses in Eastern North Carolina…
JFG Business Tech
5 SMB Cyber Statistics Every Business Owner Should Know
Investing in cyber security may not be something at the top of your to-do list when starting your small business, or when managing your business that has been successful for many years. As business continues to move into the digital space, the need to invest in cyber security increases. Small businesses are especially susceptible to cyber crimes and security breaches. Take a look at some eye-opening statistics about cyber security for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
43% of all data breaches involve small and medium-sized businesses. This means that almost half of all data breaches, including personal and business, impact SMBs.
32% of SMBs only use consumer-grade cyber security options. As a business, even a small one, you should invest in cyber security for businesses, not consumers.
Less than 50% of SMBs are finding their breaches within a few days. If breaches go unnoticed, they may cause more damage. Unlike larger businesses with IT departments and systems to detect breaches instantly, SMBs may not find out about their data breach until it’s too late.
61% of SMBs experienced a data breach in the past year. Your small business is at risk. Data breaches are expensive, so investing in cyber security is an investment that will save you money in the long run.
60% of small businesses fail after experiencing a cyber attack. Due to the cost of recovering from a cyber attack, many small businesses simply can’t afford to continue operations in the wake of a breach.
These numbers may seem daunting, but JFG is here to help. With IT professionals on board, our services can protect your business from a cyber attack and detect any possible threats before they reach fruition. JFG’s services can secure your network and devices from viruses, malware, and ransomware. With our help, we can prevent any cyber attacks from reaching your business and improve your efficiency. Through investing in IT services, you could ultimately save your business thousands of dollars.
American Dream Cakes
Fall Wedding Trends 2022
Peak wedding season begins in late spring and extends into the earlier days of autumn, allowing couples to celebrate their nuptials outside, or at least take dreamy outdoor photos after the ceremony. However, the hot summers in Coastal Carolina may urge engaged couples to consider a fall wedding, beating the heat while still enjoying a moderate temperature.
Let’s go over some of the most seasonally appropriate wedding trends for fall of 2022.
Colors
Classic fall colors like burnt sienna, burgundy, and dark green are great options to consider for your fall wedding. Less expected palettes might include sage green, mauve, navy blue, or even a soft gray.
Decor
To set the scene and decorate your venue for both the reception and ceremony, opt for dried flowers and greenery over fresh. Another decor trend is to completely wash the space in one color by going for a monochrome look. Matching table linens, plates, centerpieces, and wedding party outfits will create cohesion and a sense of sophistication.
Cake
“Naked” cakes are a big trend this year, leaving the layers exposed. Decorate your naked cake with seasonal fruits and greenery to complement the season deliciously. Another cake trend is to avoid the cake altogether and celebrate with a spread of fall desserts – pies, cupcakes, tortes, pastries, cookies, among many other favorites! You can’t go wrong with a pecan pie on your wedding day!
Horizons East Building Company
Is There an Ideal Time to Start Building a House?
Summer
Starting your build in the summer is a common choice, and because of that, the demand for contractors and materials is higher. This will make summer construction more expensive. However, it’s a common choice for good reason. The longer days mean more sun and workable hours and it is warm enough to work outside, but heat can also be a downside to summer construction. If the build is expected to take more than a few months, summer is a good choice, as the construction can extend into fall without any problems.
Spring
Spring is a wet season, but it’s also a great season as far as heat and cold are concerned. Building a foundation on mud is not advisable, so the weather is a big factor when it comes to spring. It isn’t a busy season for construction, so there won’t be as high of a demand as there is in summer for materials and workers. Like summer construction, spring is a good time to build for projects that may take more time, because construction can extend into summer, and if needed, fall.
Winter
The coldest season of the year brings the lowest priced materials of the year. Luckily, it doesn’t get too cold in Eastern North Carolina in the winter, so winter construction can be an option! Especially if the project begins in the fall and extends into winter, or begins in winter and extends into spring. One thing to take into consideration with winter construction is the holiday season and scheduling around the time off that many employees will take.
Fall
Construction in the fall is another desirable season. It isn’t too cold, and it isn’t as wet as spring typically is. Home builds that begin in the fall can finish the exterior work in time for the coldest parts of winter, leaving behind only interior work, which won’t be impacted by weather.
May Exterminating
The Importance of Weather Stripping
Pests can find their way into your home via many channels, and as the temperatures lower this fall, it’s time to stop them in their tracks while they seek warm shelter. Doors that you use to enter your home are easy ways for pests to enter your home, as are your windows. Weather stripping can help prevent critters from using these entry points to inhabit your home!
Weather stripping comes in a variety of forms: tape, v-seals, gaskets, and sweeps. Install weather stripping on any doors that go outside, or to non-finished areas like the garage or attic. It is also important to add weather stripping to windows.
However, it may not be necessary to install weather stripping to every single door and window in your home! There are a few ways to determine whether the entry point needs the weather stripping. When the weather cools down, if the window frame is cool to the touch, it most likely needs weather stripping. The same goes if the window rattles or makes any noise with the wind!
To test your doors, light is the answer! If light comes through the cracks around your door, it needs weather stripping. A test for this is to shine a flashlight around the frame when it is dark and have someone stand on the other side to check if any light comes through. If light can come through, pests can too.
Not only does the weather stripping prevent entry to your home, it can also make it less attractive to pests. Odors, heat, and light that can escape through non-weather stripped nooks and crannies will attract pests.
While weather stripping is key to keeping pests out of your home, it has additional benefits! It can add additional insulation to your home, keeping you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This will save you money on electricity, too.