“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is:  what are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK Day is an opportunity to turn a day of service into a life of service.

There are so many worthy causes and organizations that need volunteers to operate every day and work towards achieving their mission.  Wondering how to choose among them?

Think about your skills, interests and causes that impact your life or the lives of those around you.

What can you offer?  Time? Expertise?  Resources?  And then do it.  Volunteer.  Do everything that you can to help.

As a professional organizer, my favorite & most frequent project for clients is closet organization.  Also, evaluating a space and organizing it for function is my specialty.

My 11-year old daughter, Shelby, loves clothes and has a passion for sewing & fashion.

Women’s issues is certainly something that means a lot to me…especially women in business and creating every opportunity for women in the workplace.  It’s also something that I want Shelby to understand and support as she gets older.  Both the importance of being an independent woman as well as the importance of giving back to your community.

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer, with Shelby, at Wings for Success, a Chester County based non-profit, dedicated to helping women achieve autonomy, success, and confidence.  Since its founding, Wings has helped more than 11,000 women obtain the clothing, advice, and employment preparation needed to become self-sufficient. Thanks to their dedicated volunteers, a supportive community, and a solid vision for the future, they’ve been able to achieve this mission for more than 20 years.

Wings for Success works with women in need. They may be veterans getting back into the civilian workforce or homeless women getting back on track, going on job interviews or even women escaping domestic violence and trying to start a new life.

The volunteer stylists give their time to help women feel their very best when they are job hunting or starting a new job. They help clients look their best when interviewing for a new job.  Feeling and looking good gives clients an immediate sense of confidence that employers will see from the moment they walk in the door.

Upon arriving at Wings for Success’ location in Frazer, I knew this would be a transformative experience.

Displayed on the wall as I entered, their mission was clear:

A small piece of art of the wall that read:

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over.  She became a butterfly.”

A spacious and inviting dressing room wall emblazoned with words of encouragement…

“You are enough”

“Believe in yourself”

“Decide.  Commit.  Succeed.”

Shelby and I spent the day helping to organize the racks of clothing and accessories so that stylists and clients can find items easily to create outfits for job interviews, employment opportunities and needs, for a variety of industries, at no cost.  We organized the accessories by color, style, and size. Shelby worked with the stylists, putting clothes on hangers, shining up shoes and seeing all of the beautiful items coming in.

Shelby enjoyed the day so much that she wants to bring her best friend along next time.

As a professional organizer, getting to know our area’s non-profits helps me to educate my clients on where they can donate their household items, clothing, etc. but I also love every opportunity that I get to volunteer my time to help these local organizations and learn more about their mission.

Interested in helping Wings for Success?  They can always use more volunteer stylists but they are in need of a variety of items including:

New items:

• Toiletries
• Pantyhose
• Trouser socks (new or like new)
• Bras
• Shapewear
• Undergarments
• Makeup
• Nail polish

Gently used:

• Coats, gloves, knit hats, scarves
• Winter boots
• Scrubs – for those clients entering positions in the healthcare field
• Shoes – basic black, any heel, flats
• Black leggings
• Black tights
• Large size belts
• Maternity clothing

Other:

• Reusable shopping bags – for clients to take home their outfits
• Handheld steamers
• Jewelry cardboard boxes
• Lint brushes

So you’re ready to take the plunge and start your own business!  I know you’re just dying to get out there and do your thing but read this first.  It’s important to make sure that you, your business and any financial stakeholders are protected if, for any reason, you are unable to continue working.  I’ve brought in small business attorney, Julie Lathia of BenLath Law Group to walk us through several steps that small business owners may overlook when first opening their doors.

In September, when my husband & our family were faced with a serious health emergency, I was forced to take a good hard look at our personal as well as our business affairs.  

Now while my husband and my kids were my first priority during this trying time, once it became clear that my husband would be okay, I couldn’t help but think what would have happened if I had been the one experiencing a medical crisis.  Am I prepared, both personally & professionally?

On the professional side, I consulted Julie Lathia, Esq., small business attorney with BenLath Law Groupfor her advice on my business plan and how it would hold up in the face of tragedy.  I want to be absolutely sure I have all the pieces in place so that my expectations are clear to any family member or business partner that may carry on for me.

While it is never pleasant to think about the tragedies that could impact your business, it is absolutely vital to ensure that the success of your business can outlive any tragic event.  This is important not only for the business, but for the family members of the business owner(s) who depend on the income of the business.  Much like writing a will, proper business planning is absolutely crucial to ensure that your hard work and investments outlast your participation in the business. 

What Kind of Business Will You Form?

Proper planning must begin at the outset of starting the business, first by determining what kind of business you wish to form. The most common business types are corporation, partnership (general or limited) and limited liability company (also known as a LLC).  The type of business you select will be based on, among other things, participation by other partners/investors, expected profits, tax considerations and liability concerns.  

If the business is a LLC, it should prepare and execute an Operating Agreement, which is essentially a contract between all of the business owners (known as “members”) that dictates each member’s rights and responsibilities within the company.  

If the business is a partnership, the partners should prepare and execute a Partnership Agreement.  

If the business is a corporation, the shareholders should prepare and adopt 

By-Laws.  

How Will Your Business Be Organized?

Regardless of the type of business that is formed, its organizational documents (Operating Agreement, Partnership Agreement or By-Laws) should clearly define what happens, in regards to decision-making and ownership, when one or more of the business’s owners become unavailable to participate in the business, whether temporarily or permanently.  These organizational documents should act as a sort of contingency plan in the event of an emergency suffered by one or more of the business’s co-owners.  

Important Agreements & Policies to Consider

Business owners who are seeking financing, either through a private investment firm or a commercial lending institution such as a bank, are required to have these basic organizational documents in place.  

Further documents may also be required by the lender such as a Buy-Sell agreement or a Key Man policy. These documents make provisions so that the investment is not being wasted if the business loses one or more of its owners.

A Buy-Sell agreement is a binding contract between co-owners of a business which is designed to protect or continue a business in the event of an unforeseen circumstance, such as a co-owner wishing to leave the business, becoming incapacitated, going through a divorce or dying. The buy-sell agreement acts as a kind of “pre-marital agreement” where the co-owners set the price and terms for the buyout of one of the co-owner’s shares/interest in the business.    

A larger business may wish to consider adopting a Key Man policy.  This is a life insurance policy, taken out and paid for by the business, on the key individuals in the business.  This policy allows for compensation to the business in the event that the individual passes away.

Though the type of business organization and business planning will vary depending on your needs, what will not vary is the necessity of contingency planning that will guarantee your business survives even in the most dire of circumstances.

As always, being organized in your life and in your business will save you time and trouble in the long run.  So be proactive and do it right from the start.  Consult a small business attorney (I highly recommend Julie and BenLath Law Group) to make certain that you have all the pieces in place to protect your hard work & investment for future generations.

About Carrie Kauffman

Carrie Kauffman is an award winning professional organizer, member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (NAPO-GPC) and owner of Carrie’s Essential Services, LLC. Carrie Kauffman provides organizing services, in homes & offices, on the Main Line and surrounding communities. Carrie’s Essential Services specializes in moving & packing, preparing homes for sale, office setup including filing systems as well as general organizing & de-cluttering.

About Julie Lathia

Julie Lathia is the owner and co-founder of the BenLath Law Group, based in West Chester. She’s been practicing law for over 10 years and is a skilled negotiator and seasoned litigator. She focuses mainly on providing counsel and guidance to small and mid-size businesses all across the state. Learn more about her, and the firm, at www.benlathlaw.com. 

Believe it or not…the holidays are right around the corner. Many of us will be hosting celebrations in our homes…from Thanksgiving dinner for 20 to holiday cocktail parties to intimate New Years Eve dinners…no matter the size of your affair, you need to be organized! I’ve teamed up with Renee Patrone, event planner and owner of Party Host Helpers and Events By Renee to get you organized Before, During & After your party….so you can actually ENJOY your event!

BEFORE your party

What kind of host to you want to be?
Are you an outsourcing host? Or are you an “I’ve got this” type host? Maybe you fall somewhere in the middle. First decide what, if anything, you want to outsource, ie: food, bar, kitchen help, valets or the whole kit & caboodle.
Renee’s Pro Tip: Even if you are a hands on host – why not hire a service to do all the work DURING the party! Party Host Helpers are professional & experienced & can help with everything from set up to clean up! You deserve to enjoy your party!

Invitations – Who, What, Where, When
You’ve set the theme, date, time and place. Time to invite your guests. Don’t keep them guessing! Provide them with all crucial details including attire, parking as well as what to bring (guests, food, wine, etc). Renee’s Pro Tip: ask them what their favorite party or holiday song is and include it in your evening’s playlist!

Simplify your menu (and your prep)
Even hosts who LOVE to cook don’t want to spend days prepping & cooking in the lead up to the party. Catering and gourmet carryout can make life so much easier! Paoli-based HomeCooked’s popular Simplify The Holidays menus are a hit with Main Liners. For Thanksgiving, you can order “The Works,” offering a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings plus dessert! Or you can pick & choose the items you need. Heading to your sister’s house and you’re in charge of sweet potatoes? HomeCooked’s got you covered. They come prepped & ready for the oven, complete with praline pretzel or marshmallow topping! Does gravy cause you stress? Order it and relax knowing lump-free and delicious gravy goodness is a sure thing this year. More Fun. Less Fuss.

BYO? Tell them what you want (or don’t want)
Consider informing guests of any serious allergies in your home, such as peanuts, dairy, etc. If there will be kids in the house during the time of the party, consider labeling items with potential allergens or have guests avoid it all together. Spare yourself the awkwardness of NOT putting out a guest’s favorite dish…Or better yet, if you are concerned about allergens in your home, take care of the food yourself.

Make Room – Hall Closet Prep
Fall and winter holidays mean colder weather. Your guests will, most likely, have bulky coats, maybe even scarfs, hats, etc. Carrie’s Pro Tip: Empty your hall closet in advance of the party. Move current contents to a bedroom closet for the evening. If you are strapped for space or have a lot of guests, consider using portable clothing racks with hangers ready for your guests to use.

Make sure EVERYTHING is where it’s meant to be
As a guest at a party, there is nothing worse than running out of toilet paper or not having hand towels in a bathroom! Carrie’s Pro Tip: Stock your bathroom with anything and everything that your guests might need. That includes: extra rolls of toilet paper, hand towels or hand wipes, hand soap, hand lotion. If you want to go the extra mile, stock a basket with incidentals…think dental floss, mints, stain stick, tissues, feminine products, etc…

Dress Up Your Decor
Renee’s Pro Tip: Don’t spend a fortune on floral centerpieces! For Thanksgiving or fall tablescapes use a burlap runner, pumpkins and votives you already have around your home that time of year. Around Christmas, grab a large cylinder vase and fill with multi-colored ornaments or pixie lights.

DURING your party
If guests bring a dish…
If guests bring their favorite app, entrée or dessert on their own dishes, keep your post it notes at the ready. Carrie’s Pro Tip: Write their name on a post it note and slip it under the dish. This is super helpful to return items to the appropriate guest and avoid additional clutter in your cabinets!

Raise the bar but keep it simple…
We recommend beer, red/white wine, sparkling and one seasonal signature cocktail…

Keep the supplies handy…
Make sure you have extra ice, extra booze and trash bags easily available!

AFTER your party
Lost & Found
After the party ends and all of the guests have left, you may find some items have been left behind. Take photos of the items. Online invitations, such as Evite, Paperless Post or even Facebook are great for reaching out to all of your guests before, during & after the party. Post photos of items ask guests to claim. After one month, donate any unclaimed items. Don’t hang on to them. Let go of the clutter!

About Carrie Kauffman
Carrie Kauffman is an award winning professional organizer, member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, Greater Philadelphia Chapter (NAPO-GPC) and owner of Carrie’s Essential Services, LLC. Carrie Kauffman provides organizing services, in homes & offices, on the Main Line and surrounding communities. Carrie’s Essential Services specializes in moving & packing, preparing homes for sale, office setup including filing systems as well as general organizing & de-cluttering.

About Renee Patrone
Event planner Renee Patrone’s motto is “life’s a party, so enjoy it.” Owner and founder of Events by Renee and Party Host Helpers, she has spent the past 12 years helping clients across the country turn their dreams and visions into a reality. From coordinating weddings to organizing corporate events to staffing a backyard BBQ – Renee knows what it takes to throw a party so you, the host, can actually have fun! She’s been named “Best of Philly” for several categories and her expertise been featured in articles, blogs and TV stations in Philadelphia, New York City, West Palm Beach and more. Renee lives in Philadelphia but her suitcase is always packed for her next party adventure.