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Wood Basics For Your Next Construction Project - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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You are embarking on a new house project and need to go shopping for lumber, but with so many options out there, it is hard to know where to begin. For starters, there is hardwood and softwood, treated and untreated wood, cedar and spruce, and different lengths and widths to make every woodworkers dreams come true. However, choosing the wrong wood for your project could mean the difference between wood warping and wood lasting a decade or more. Choosing the right wood could also save you money if your project can be done as well with a less expensive wood as a top of the line wood. Below we will define for you terminology you are likely to come across when shopping for lumber and when in doubt, visit a local lumber company, such as the experts at Lyndhurst Lumber, to guide you in the right direction.

Hardwood versus Softwood

Hardwood trees are the kinds of trees that lose their leaves every year, or are considered deciduous. Hardwood trees grow much slower than softwood trees, so their lumber is much more dense and stronger. Wood that is more dense is best used for making furniture and building structures, while less dense wood is more applicable in woodworking projects. Hardwoods also have more intricate grain patterns. Grains are considered when we talk about the aesthetic beauty of a project and its strength. Tight grains are stronger than loose grains. In decorative projects, you may want to opt for hardwoods whose grains will add character. Softwoods are coniferous trees and have small grains that are not very noticeable in the final project. Softwoods are good for framing and outdoor projects and range from cedar and fir to spruce and pine.

Treated versus Untreated

Treated lumber is desirable for outdoor projects because it has a preservative forced into it to protect it against rot and insect damage. Use pressure treated lumber for projects that contact the ground or where insects are problematic. Do not use pressure-treated lumber where food or children will come into close contact with it. If you want to use rot and insect resistant wood, but do not want to use treated wood, some woods are naturally resistant, like redwood and red cedar. You also have the option of buying untreated wood and applying a plain oil-based exterior paint to it.

Lumber Sizes

For framing projects, use lumber that is 2×4. 2×4 is the most common pieces of lumber you will use for house projects, but 1×3 lumber is used in installing stripping for residential metal roofing projects. What’s more, wood comes in more dimensions than “2 bys” and “1 bys.” Depending on your project, you may need plywood or Medium Density Fiberboard (or MDF). With a litle research or call to you lumber company, your woodworking project is off to a good start.


Surviving the Offseason - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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The Super Bowl in early February signals the true end of American football season. Unless you’re a fan of either the Eagles or Patriots, the season already ended anywhere from two weeks to a month before the opening kickoff of the biggest game of the year. If you’re into college football, then the season ended January 8, when Alabama came back to defeat Georgia in overtime. These are dark times for football fans. There’s simply no sports experience quite like getting up on a fall weekend and taking in the games from the comfort of your couch, or, if you can afford it, from a seat in the home team’s stadium. There are a couple of strategies you can take while you try to make it to August, when football becomes a reality again.

See your friends and family

There’s a decent chance some of your loved ones share the same passion for the sport that you do, but that doesn’t mean you all like the same team. Your fantasy football league probably has great parties in the autumn, but it’s not autumn anymore, and it would be nice to see those pals before you come together in the late summer and fill out your fantasy football draft boards. But first there are the family members who have sat by patiently as you yelled at the TV for the last few months. So here’s what you do: spend quality time with the non-football fans in your life first. If you have a significant other, take them out to a nice dinner. At this dinner, do not mention Aaron Rodgers’ injury, the Giants’ new coach, or anything else that has to do with college or pro football. Your significant other loves you and wants to see you happy, and that’s why he or she doesn’t interfere with your love of the sport. It’s time to return the favor by shutting about it for at least one night. If your partner brings it up, that’s one thing, but the focus should be on each other, not sports. At some point, it’s also not a bad idea to thank him or her for never getting frustrated and trying to hide your favorite jersey after another early playoff exit. If you’re a fan of the Browns, then you should thank them twice. Once you’ve spent quality time with your significant other, you can worry about going out with your pals

Stock up on merchandise

Once spring has arrived and you’re no longer feeling the sting of how the season ended, then you can start looking for deals on your favorite team apparel and merchandise. Fewer people buy team memorabilia in the offseason, so you’ve got a better chance of finding some good deals. If possible, focus on locally-owned team stores rather than the big brand names. A store like Tiger People in Baton Rouge can offer a more personalized experience because they’re fans like you. It’s always better to buy from your fellow fans whenever you can. For some people, “Geaux Tigers” and “Gig ‘em” are just words. But if you’re a fan of the LSU Tigers or the Texas A&M Aggies, those slogans represent a way of life.

How the Gaming Industry Embraces Bitcoin? - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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One of the biggest worries that online gaming players face is related to the safety of their identities. Since the players use payment mechanisms like credit cards and e-wallets to make deposits, they are bound to share their identities and other personal information with the online gaming sites. Many players consider this as a hindrance and are looking for better options that can keep their details private. As online gaming is increasing in popularity, more and more players are now entering this domain. The advancements in block-chain technology have led to many gaming sites like online casino, online bingo sites accepting Bitcoin currency.

Let’s look at some of the major reasons that could make Bitcoin an ideal payment choice:

Requires minimal disclosure

One of the biggest advantages that consumers get while using technologies like Bitcoin for online gaming purposes is in terms of protecting their identity. Now, let’s suppose you are planning to play online slots, bingo games at a reputed portal such as Sailor Bingo. If you are planning to use cryptocurrency like Bitcoin for your transaction, all you would need is declare your name and address. You do not have to share confidential information such as bank account or credit card details. This level of anonymity was never possible before in the online gambling domain. It is sure to draw more and more people into embracing such payment mechanisms. Players feel more secure and safe transacting through the cryptocurrency medium.

Easy withdrawals and deposits

Another big difference that online casino players feel with the use of Bitcoin currency is the speed at which deposits and withdrawals can be made at online casinos. In the current scenario, customers generally do not find problems when making deposits. However, when it comes to making withdrawals, there are a lot of challenges that consumers usually face. Most of the times, players face unwarranted delays when it comes to getting the money back from these online portals. The use of cryptocurrency will change all that and deposit and withdrawal transactions will happen at amazing speeds. This will make the consumers feel at ease as they know that they can have quick access to their money whenever they need it.

Reduced transaction costs

Today, when you make an online deposit or withdrawals from online casino portals, you must shell out transaction charges and other fees to credit card companies or other payment portals. At times these charges can turn out to be exorbitant and online players have always been complaining about the same. When cryptocurrency comes into play all these charges will vanish. The online casino can charge their customers a very minimal fee for the service however the customer will not have to shell out anymore high transaction charges. These huge savings are bound to bring a smile on the face of consumers. Imagine the amount of money that will be saved.

With so much action happening in the cryptocurrency domain they day is not far when all online casinos will soon be opening their doors to this technology.

The Future of e-commerce from Zobrist Consulting - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Teresa Zobrist, President and CEO of Zobrist Consulting and creator of Mobiecom, a high performance mobile-first e-commerce storefront for IBM Digital Commerce joins eCommerce Radio to discuss the future of e-commerce.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Teresa Zobrist discuss the following:

  1. What does Zobrist Consulting specialize in?
  2. Tell us why you developed Mobiecom.
  3. How is Mobiecom different from its competitors?
  4. What are some trends in mobile ecommerce?
  5. Why is site speed growing in importance as a factor in ecommerce?

Teresa Zobrist is President and CEO of Zobrist Consulting, a Premier IBM Business Partner specializing in e-commerce. She has over 30 years of experience in IT and, for the last 16 years, her company has focused on building ecommerce sites for retail, distribution and manufacturing. She fosters partnership between companies for innovative solution delivery and believes in achieving high efficiency through organization and planning.

Website: http://mobiecom.tech

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zobristinc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZobristInc

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Getting Back the Use of Your Legs - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Many adults struggle with movement. It can be difficult to walk even a quarter of a mile, let alone do anything active like dance. While for some, this difficulty is cause by a disability, for others, it’s caused by a myriad of more specific problems, many of them treatable. If you miss the days you used to splash through creeks and climb trees, be encouraged. There are many stories of individuals who beat their mobility problems, and there are many treatments available for improving your quality of life.

You may have heard of Wilma Rudolph who, as a child, couldn’t walk without the use of leg braces. She grew up to become an international track star, called “The World’s Fastest Woman.” Recently, a US veteran who was told he’d never walk again underwent several years of yoga and physical therapy and is now not only walking but running. While our stories of success may not be as extreme, these and many other stories serve to remind us that anything is possible. Improved mobility could be waiting in your future.

Let’s look at some of the more treatable issues that cause low mobility. For some, it’s simply excess weight. Many people don’t realize how difficult it is to move with extra pounds, but if you’re overweight, you do know. Your mobility is decreased by your body mass. The good news is, your weight doesn’t have to have the last word over your life story. You can go hiking and rock climbing again. It will take a lot of support and determination, but it’s absolutely possible to drop that weight and get your mobility back. Other causes of low mobility may be bad knees or vein disease. Vein disease, especially if caught early enough, can be stalled by vein treatments, and the swelling and ulcers that develop on your legs will be kept at bay, restoring a great deal of your mobility. Locastro Vein Center and other treatment centers can assist in restoring your legs.

Recovery looks different for everyone, because everyone’s story is different. Like that veteran, you may be running again in the future. You may, on the other hand, find celebration in simply being able to walk–and do a charming two-step with your grandson on his wedding day. Don’t be discouraged if someone else’s recovery goes farther than yours. Every bit of regained mobility is a gift, one that you should feel very proud of achieving. You don’t know how much of your mobility you can regain. Who knows? You may even purchase a trampoline for adults and go bouncing. After all, with every step, you have a lot to celebrate!

Selecting the Right Medical Malpractice Lawyer For You - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Doctors and healthcare providers are humans too, but that doesn’t mean you should excuse their negligence. Though they’re subject to mistakes, it’s important to receive fair compensation if you’ve been mistreated.

If you’ve been injured or the subject of irresponsibility, luckily there’s help on hand. Medical malpractice lawyers can represent your legal case and help you receive the money you’re entitled to. Rochester medical malpractice lawyers are a great example of the type of experts available to you, and by conducting proper online research, you can discover a professional that’s perfect for you.

Consider Recommendations from Family, Friends, and Acquaintances

If you communicate with family members, you might discover someone close to you who has pursued a lawyer before. In this event, they can recommend a professional based on their own experience, or perhaps tell you who not to choose. If you know any other lawyers, you can seek further advice from them, since they’re likely to know someone who is perfect for your case.

Use a Search Engine and Check Your Phone Directory

By searching for medical malpractice lawyers online, you can find someone who’s most suited to your needs. You might want to include your location when you search, to discover someone within a reasonable distance of where you live. Phone directories are another great place to look, and you can subsequently search the relevant parties online.

Contact Your Local Bar Association

By getting in touch with your local bar association, you can access information that might not be available online. If you get lucky, you might even discover a free service on lawyer referral. Some countries have public lawyers you can hire for a small fee, but remember, the service you receive from public lawyers will be nothing compared to hiring a private lawyer.

Visit the Bar’s Website

After gathering a list of potential names, you can look them up on the local bar association website. Your local governing body will regulate lawyer services, so they will deter you from lawyers who have been reprimanded. This is a great way to find a lawyer with an esteemed background, and this helps if you’re taking a particularly cautious approach.

Interview Different Lawyers

Once you’ve shortlisted a bunch of potential lawyers, you can begin an interviewing process to narrow things down further. Set up interviews via phone, and gain a much better understanding of the lawyer’s proficiency by meeting them. This should make the decision much easier, but remember not to be sold by gift of gab with little substance.

Selecting the Right Lawyer

When it comes to the final decision, consider important metrics like:

  • Feedback
  • Credentials
  • Track record
  • Fees
  • Firm resources

By doing so, you’ll be one step closer to finding the right lawyer for you, creating peace of mind for subsequent legal proceedings.

How Education Can Reduce Global Poverty and Hunger - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Every 3.6 seconds a person dies of starvation, in most cases it is a child under 5 years old. It is hard to believe that such drastic statistics exists in a world where child obesity is an evolving problem too.

Although humanity has made some progress in defeating them, the extents of global poverty and hunger are intimidating; these are the problems that require further discussions and taking action. The topics are so acute, that they are often assigned as subjects for numerous college tasks, from simple descriptive essays to complicated course works and dissertations. But how to write a descriptive essay on such a delicate topic?

To write a good academic paper about global poverty and hunger one should address the complexity and coherence of these problems. Famine is often thought to be a consequence of some serious economical problems, a result of military operations, or something that inevitably comes with natural disasters. However, poverty and hunger should be estimated together with poor education, gender inequality, ineffective healthcare, weak economics and international affairs. These problems are so closely connected, that they constitute a vicious circle, making it almost impossible to determine, which of them are causes, and which are effects. Naturally, educational problems are not commonly seen as connected with hunger. Nevertheless, education is a factor that plays a significant role in defeating (or spreading) hunger and poverty on numerous levels.

Education is a powerful tool, which helps raising awareness of the problem in developed countries, and contributes to finding solutions in areas, where hunger and malnutrition exist. Even writing a descriptive essay about famine can be a nudge for further investigations of this topic in college, and, eventually, finding possible ways to help.

Every parent hopes that one’s child will get a decent education. A proper schooling gives every individual a chance for a better future, a bright career and vast opportunities. At the same time, no country has ever experienced a continuous and sustainable economic growth if it has not reached a threshold level of 40% of literate citizens. Consequently, more and more countries try to invest into their education. Financing the educational sphere will inevitably result in positive changes in several other fields.

The first thing that is likely to improve soon after funding public education is a nation’s overall health condition. Education helps raise awareness of numerous diseases, including AIDS/HIV. Researches show that AIDS spreads twice as slowly among educated women.

It is a proven fact that women, who have at least six years worth of education, make more conscious choices when it comes to labor and child raising. Educated women choose a healthier pre-birth lifestyle, which results in reducing rates of maternal and infant mortality. Moreover, children, who have educated mothers, are twice as likely to live to the age of five. In addition, mothers, who received basic education, are twice as likely to vaccinate their children, which will prevent them from further dangers of living in poverty.

Another problem is that in some developing countries, even if a child is born healthy, one is at a risk of suffering from malnutrition. It is therefore quite essential to explain the children’s needs for women and inform them about the ways they can cook healthier balanced meals for their families.

Providing basic education for an entire population is a huge investment, but it is definitely going to pay off in future as a huge economic booster. The thing is that each year of extra schooling can result in 10% salary growth further in life. Not only that education is preparing valuable workforce, it is also shaping the minds, which might soon come up with innovative solutions for the vital problems of their regions. Furthermore, it can encourage people to develop small business and engage foreign investments. Naturally, this will result in decrease of unemployment, and thus, the poverty levels will decline as well.

Recent studies show that the methods that most African farmers use now are less efficient than those used by American farmers 100 years ago. Education could help these farmers rethink their approaches and get more profits, not to mention that it would result in bigger harvests and therefore, fewer families would be starving.

As it was mentioned before, the problems with education are often connected with gender issues. Researches indicate that at this time education grants more benefits to women and girls as compared to boys. Educated women are proved to make better decisions and overall have a higher self-confidence. One of recent investigations, conducted in Kenya has shown that when provided with the same knowledge and resources, women farmers are able to yield up to 22 percent more crops as compared to male farmers.

Furthermore, education positively affects domestic relationships, as educated women are often to wait before committing to marriage and having children. They are also likely to be better mothers and pay more attention to avert their children from dying from preventable causes. Basic education can help women get a higher salary, and consequently increase the income of a family.

Thus far, more than 250 million children are unable to read and count. Although their right for a free education is noted in the United Nations Convention of the Rights of a Child, the reality drastically differs. Many children around the world simply don’t have access to a school, sometimes they have to spend about three hours just to get there. Unfortunately, the approachability of a school does not necessarily make things better. Many of the functioning schools are overcrowded, poorly equipped and don’t have enough qualified teachers. They require significant funding and constant governmental attention.

Education is a life-changing force, which can transform individual lives and the society in general. If education becomes a global priority in development, soon we will see positive tendencies in economy, politics, technology and many other fields.

4 Ways that automated trading software can help you make good investments - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Technology has made drastic advancements in may areas of the world. One of the areas that helps the economy is that of the birth of the trading platform. Who would have thought a decade ago that we would be able to set up a system to trade for us on our behalf. No more having to call up your stock broker to make an investment or a trade as you can now do it from your phone or online. This article will highlight some ways that automated trading software can help you make good investments.

  • Limits the investor’s emotional investment. One of the best features to using the AlgoTerminal automated trading software is that it can do a great deal for you as far as managing your emotions goes. This may sound bizarre, but investing can take a great deal of emotional strength out of a person. One of the best ways to make your trading consistent is to use an automated trading software that takes the decision making and emotions out of the process altogether. This platform will be able to act on your behalf without your involvement in the smallest of tasks. You set up your plan on the platform and it will survey the market and act on your behalf when it finds something promising that fits your goals.
  • Helps with discipline. Trading responsibly takes a great deal of discipline and persistence, which can be quite a difficult task. When investing, it is hard to remain disciplined and consistent because of the emotional involvement that comes with trading. When you use an automated platform, you can stick to your goals and remain disciplined even when you don’t want to be. Using an online platform forces you to create a plan and stick to it.
  • Diversify trading. Did you know that by using a trading platform, you will have the ability to trade using more than one account. In addition, you can apply various strategies to your trading plan. The computer will then scan all available training opportunities, create orders, and keep track of trades.
  • Place your order faster. It is no secret that a market can move within a blink of an eye. Using a platform can assist with the quick paced marketplace and keep you and your trades up to date with the latest information.When a human processes a trade, it can take a good deal of time which can create major disappointment when the market changes before the broker was able to enter all of the data. By using a computer who can react the moment a change has been made, you will be able to benefit more readily.

Investing in your future is a smart goal to have and one that more people should take advantage of. Trading isn’t like it used to be as you can now utilize an automated trading software to do the work for you. This keeps your trading diversified, stress and emotion-free, and well disciplined which can work out well for you in the long run.


You Can’t Lead if You Don’t Build Trust - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Leadership is the ability to influence others.

The ability to influence others hinges on the ability to build trusting relationships with your people. People do not follow those they do not trust, which makes trust the foundational cornerstone of leadership.

But business leaders who believe they must solve every problem, take control of every project, and make every decision along the way rarely create trust. Instead, their command-and-control approach not only stifles learning and creativity, it kills just about any hope for trust.

When micromanaging habits take up residence in your leadership style, the first casualty is trust. But, for some reason, a large part of corporate America doesn’t seem to understand the concept. But make no mistake: every relationship develops relative to the amount of trust in that relationship. When trust flourishes, influence (leadership) is sure to follow. Without it, your organization is on a collision course with high turnover, low productivity, shrinking margins, and unfulfilled potential.

Here are four tactics leaders must develop in their efforts to earn their employees’ trust:

  1. Invest in the relationship. To encourage employees to buy in and extend trust to you, you must first be willing to invest in them. For employees to trust you, you must first become trustworthy. And, just to be clear, cookie-cutter recognition programs or insignificant workplace perks are a very poor substitute for personal investment.Instead, spend time getting to know your people. Learn their personal objectives. Help in their professional development. To be trusted, you first have to develop a relationship.
  2. Develop effective communication skills. Poor communication is the primary cause of employee disengagement. More to the point, the clarity that good communication provides is essential to allowing employees to build trust AND perform at their highest levels.However, the job itself doesn’t provide that clarity, the leader does. Imagine how much easier it is for employees when they know exactly what’s expected of them. Imagine how much more effective people can perform when they understand the “why” behind your decisions. Imagine how engaged employees are when they understand your expectations.A lack of clarity, on the other hand, is like running a race in which the runners don’t know the distance, have no idea where the finish line is, and have no idea what their reward will be if they finish well.
  3. Hold 1-on-1 meetings with your direct reports. Consistent face-to-face meetings with direct reports provide the opportunity to communicate more effectively, align expectations, and dramatically improve engagement and performance. Leaders who invest the time in these meetings make an investment in the relationship, and employees will respond with trust.The best part? This time investment has a positive return! You easily recoup the time you invest in one-on-one meetings by virtually eliminating the need for dozens of time-robbing follow-up meetings, emails, and calls that are usually required to get updates and understand issues.
  4. Don’t criticize. Learn to coach. There is a significant difference between coaching and criticism. That difference is often not a difference in approach, but a difference in relationship.Leaders who create relationships with employees are rarely perceived as critical, even when delivering tough, direct feedback. Effective leaders understand that they can be demanding and empathetic at the same time once they’ve laid the groundwork to be perceived as genuine, helpful, and truly invested in the employee’s development.

Kelly Riggs is an author, speaker and business performance coach for executives and companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. Kelly is a former sales executive and two-time national Salesperson of the Year with well over two decades of executive management and training experience. Robby Riggs is a corporate consultant specializing in strategic transformation initiatives and driving successful change in companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100s. Their new book, Counter Mentor Leadership: How to Unlock the Potential of the 4-Generation Workplace (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2018), offers practical, actionable advice that improves workplace culture and enables organizations to bridge the generational divide. Learn more at countermentors.com.

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New Artificial Intelligence Economies, Cryptocurrency and What All Businesspeople Need to Know Now - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Dan Gailey, founder and CEO of Synapse.AI, the first and only decentralized AI marketplace joins Enterprise Radio to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence networks.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Dan Gailey discuss the following:

  1. What is Synapse.ai and how does it stand to benefit businesses of all kinds?
  2. Where Does Synapse.ai Come Into All of This?
  3. What Types of Companies Benefit from joining the free Synapse.AI network?
  4. Why Did You Start Synapse.AI?
  5. How can EPN Listeners Get Into Synapse’s Incredible Network to Grow their Businesses?

Dan Gailey is the CEO of Synapse AI — the first Decentralized AI Market and Network built on the blockchain. Synapse.AI recently announced Tier 2 of its Initial Coin Offering, which will enable people to participate in the first ever decentralized marketplace for artificial intelligence and machine learning models.

Synapse.AI is the organizer behind the Decentralized AI Summit 2018 which attracted more than a dozen thought leaders in artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency and more than 200 attendees in January 2018.

Dan previously worked in Venture Capital facilitating deal flow for cryptocurrency startups, and holds degrees from the University of Mississippi in Computational Chemistry and in Electrical Engineering with a specialized focus in Autonomous Robotics.

Website: https://synapse.ai

Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AiSynapse
Facebook: Click here
Telegram: https://t.me/synapseico
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/c/SynapseAI
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/synapseai

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5 Things to put in your office to be more creative - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be as creative as possible. You should always come up with new ideas that can be transformed into business opportunities. Your creativity should stem from your office. The manner in which the office is arranged, the kind of furniture and the general décor of your office should inspire creativity in you!

Here are some of the things that entrepreneurs can put into their offices for them to be creative:

  1. Dry Erase Wall Space for Creative Entrepreneurs

The Dry Erase Wall Space is a kind of a whiteboard that is created through special paint that turns any wall into a whiteboard. When you have this painted wall in your office, you will find it easy to hold meetings, seminars and other gatherings that would require the use of a whiteboard. With the dry erase coating that  is used to transform your walls into  whiteboards, an entrepreneur will save money  that  would otherwise have been used to buy the whiteboards. Your visitors will definitely marvel at your creativity and definitely want to try the idea in their own offices.

  1. Inclusion of flexible spaces

There are many ways you can have flexible spaces for your employees. You can do away with the fixed desks for every employee and replace these with large tables for your employees to share. You see, most of the employees work on their laptops and this does not require fixed desks anymore. You could also have couches, smaller desks or standing desks for your employees. With this kind of a formation, you are sure your employees will love the creativity and they should be more productive.

  1. Touches of inspiration

What are some of the items that could inspire you and your employees? What are some of the inspiring arts and crafts that can be placed in offices to make them more stress-free and relaxing? Well, you can add some art pieces, photos, and paintings that make the office look creative. These kinds of items are known to help employees come up with creative ways of thinking. An inspiring piece of writing or a poster is also good for the encouraging messages that they carry. They can also help enhance the culture of the company.

  1. Eliminate mess and clutter in the office

Do not fill your office with too many items in the hope of getting inspired. A cluttered office would only look messy and is not a good environment for creativity. Your workers need space to work in. All the elements that you bring into your office shouldn’t eat into your office space and make it an eyesore. Let your office look and feel tidy so that it can inspire your creative mind.

  1. A playroom for employees

A playroom is a creative way to ensure that your employees, as well as yourself, have time to play and have fun. All work and no play is not good for your productivity. You need to take your mind off work for a while; and this can perfectly be accomplished through the inclusion of a playroom in your office. Many creative ideas could come out of the game sessions with your team members.

Acclaimed Singer Songwriter Meghan Cary: Inspiring Others To “Sing Louder” - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Meghan Cary a critically-acclaimed folk artist, who has earned Billboard Magazine’s esteemed Critic’s Choice Award joins the eMusician Podcast Show. Her latest album SING LOUDER is her most triumphant work yet. Its title track debuted at #2 on the US / International Folk DJ Radio Chart.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Meghan Cary discuss the following:

  1. You’ve had quite a career thus far, earning Billboard Magazine’s “Critic’s Choice Award” for your debut album and releasing four successful albums before your latest CD. Can you take us back to the beginning and tell us how you got your start in music?
  2. Tell us a little bit about your journey since your first album. How have you changed? How has the music industry changed since you started out?
  3. You recently released your fifth album SING LOUDER, whose title track debuted at #2 on the US / International Folk DJ Radio Charts and “Responsibility” and the album entered the charts at #6 – what do you attribute this success to?
  4. SING LOUDER has an overarching message of community and coming together, why is this so important to you?
  5. You are an independent artist, meaning you don’t have the support of a label, so can you explain to our listeners what that means for you in terms of the “behind the scenes” work you put in to your projects?
  6. Do you have advice for other artists out there who are creating music and hope to achieve your level of success?
  7. What is the one thing you want fans to take away from your music?
  8. What’s next for you?

Meghan Cary didn’t mean to be a musician. But when her fiancé unexpectedly died, she picked up his guitar, figured out how to play it, and wrote her debut, earning her Billboard Magazine’s Critic’s Choice for Best Newcomer. “I wrote my grief into music and sang my way out of the abyss.” Cary continues to share the healing power of music with the community that has rallied around her message of hope and being heard.

Known for her raw honesty and ability to connect with and engage her audience, Cary brings people to their feet and at times to tears with high-energy tunes, masterful storytelling, and lyrics that resonate universally. Cary’s song “Sing Louder”, a call to raise our voices together to make a difference, has become an anthem for the music-loving community.

In fact, “Sing Louder” resonated so well with audiences in her live shows, that Cary was inspired to include some of these fans on her new record of the same name. Cary gathered 48 music lovers in the studio to raise their voices with her on two tracks, “Sing Louder”, and “Responsibility”. Many of them stepped far out of their comfort zones to don headphones and sing into a microphone. They sang with passion, joy and abandon, and it was a profound experience for Cary and all those involved. That energy was captured on Sing Louder.

“Music is the most potent tool I know to break down walls, slip through barricades, and connect with each other. And when we authentically connect, we can change the world,” said Cary. “Now more than ever we need to be courageous enough to transcend emotional, intellectual, and political barriers, and raise our voices…together.”

Cary began her career on stage as a theatre actress with over 100 credits for her work in the U.S. and Europe, and a successful on-camera and voiceover career. She’s written a one-person show with music, “On the Way to the Waterfall”, which she continues to perform around the country. She is also currently composing music and lyrics for the Broadway-bound musical, “The Accidental Caterer”.

After pushing pause on performing to raise two children, Cary launched back onto the music scene at Philly Folk Fest and was awarded a coveted Emerging Artist Showcase slot at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Cary’s smoky voice, emotional singing, and vulnerable writing continue to win over audiences, and garner favorable comparisons to Melissa Etheridge, Natalie Merchant, Stevie Nicks, and even Bruce Springsteen.

In response to life’s inevitable curve balls, Cary’s mantra is: “If you don’t know the words…Sing Louder!”

Website: www.Meghancary.com

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeghanCaryMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeghanCarysongs
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/meghancary

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How to Create a Successful Influencer Marketing Campaign - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Influencer marketing is an effective way of publishing content using social media to promote a service to audiences and attract them to that product. It’s creating thoughts and awareness to the audience that will make them convinced of purchasing your product. However, the challenge here is how to create that thought to the audience. You have to consider what your next steps will be in terms of designing remarkable content. We sat down with Roy Taylor, who dominates in the influencer marketing space.   Listed below are the great ways he shares with us on how to push a great campaign.

Determine your intentions.

By determining what kind of audience’s attention you want to grab, you can fine tune your content. Roy lives by monitoring his business’ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The best suggested way to build up KPI’s for this particular method is by:

  • Audience reach
  • Result
  • Views
  • Engagement
  • Click-throughs
  • Increment in supporters
  • Sales
  • Chatbot subscribers

Strategically selecting your social media platforms.

In selecting your social media channels, you have to learn the effective ways in posting per channel. In simple words, your strategy in posting on Instagram might not be effective in the way you post in Facebook. Learn how to best communicate on each platform, and who the best people in that space are. Which leads us on how to find the best influencer for your business’ project.

Finding a credible and suitable influencer to be your brand ambassador.

Find a person with good profile in business industry to promote your service. When the audience sees a well respected influencer promoting your business, it raises your level of credibility. The person that is a good example to be an Influencer is the one that is having a broad knowledge in business, having many experiences in business industry.  Work with someone who is consistently improving the content and process. It doesn’t mean that when you’re done posting your content, then it’s done. Far from it! You can always optimized by having your influencer promote your content on their channels for a larger reach in your brand. Going down this route, you can attract a bigger audience and it will further your posts to a broader network.

Track your analytics and outcomes.

By measuring outcomes from your social media campaigns, it will solidify whether the content is effective, the lead generation, and how much people engaged with it. This critical step will let you review what you have posted and learn new ways on how to improve your brand’s strategic online marketing.  

Renting sports gear all through geotargeting with a mobile app - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Michael Roloff, the Chief Executive Officer of Rental Pal, sports gear, when you want it joins Enterprise Radio.  A newer concept today is to rent sports gear all through geotargeting with an app with Rental Pal.

This episode of Enterprise Radio is in association with the Mobile App Channel.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Michael Roloff discuss the following:

  1. Please describe Rental Pal in your own words. How was the company first founded?
  2. What are the benefits of renting equipment over purchasing?
  3. Describe how the site works?
  4. What type of gear can you rent on the site?
  5. Are there any competitors in the marketplace and why do you believe Rental Pal is a disruptor to the industry?
  6. What about safety. Is it safe to rent equipment from strangers or what is your advice to those that may be nervous about renting equipment via an app?
  7. You also have a program where you help business owners rent sports equipment. What are the benefits for store owners using Rental Pal?
  8. For those who are starting new businesses, is there any advice you can provide from your own experience to ensure that the business is off to the right start?

Michael Roloff is the Chief Executive Officer of Rental Pal. As a former professional skateboarder and young entrepreneur, Roloff is an expert when it comes to sports rental equipment. Roloff spent over 16 years as a professional skateboarder but his career was cut short due to a knee injury.  He is an avid sportsman and has rock climbed, played baseball, football and Jiu Jitsu.

Michael graduated from the College of San Mateo with a Business Administration and a Computer Science degree. He has dedicated time to the sports community by teaching skateboarding lessons. Prior to founding Rental Pal, Roloff was a product manager for an app called Media Monster. He also made  rented out snowboards, surfboards and various of my sports equipment on sites such as Craigslist and Facebook. Roloff also had a previous start up called Easy Target Design in which clothing was designed for high school sports teams and clubs and eventually led to being purchased by an art group in Los Angeles, California.

Website: www.rentalpal.me

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rentalpalapp

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SEO vs PPC Lead Generation: What Wins? - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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We all want to be found online, but what solution do we use to get the best results? We know there is a fountain of knowledge in relation to running a business, but the subject of SEO can be a little hazy, depending on who you talk to.

When hearing terms such as SEO and PPC, we assume them to be one of the same, but nothing could be further from the truth. While both are useful for online businesses wanting to be found, they act in very different ways. This leaves thousands of online businesses asking which is the best for them.

To answer is this, we first need to look at how each traffic generation technique operates, and the pros and cons of each strategy.

Search Engine Optimisation 

For the most part, SEO is something that should be carried out by any business regardless of their marketing efforts, as it just ensures the site is in good stead. However, SEO can offer more than just making sure those typing in your brand name can find you. It can introduce you to new customers, ensure your site is being found by the right people and gain you more credibility.

For SEO to be effective, it must be in the right hands. Although anyone can learn the basics, only long-established professionals will be able to take you where you want to go. If carried out correctly, you can enjoy more organic traffic and have a lasting presence online. However, using the wrong strategies can leave your site in turmoil. This is especially true of online marketplaces offering thousands of SEO backlinks for a few dollars. If your business is being linked to by low-ranking sites, your site can be tarred with the same brush, which can be detrimental to a business.

Although SEO is a must for any business, it’s important to know that the process isn’t fast. In most instances, it will take months (even years) for your site to noticed, but perseverance is key. A professional will discuss your needs, and ensure that the content is unique, the keyword research thorough and the right tactics are being used to promote your website.

Pay Per Click Lead Generation 

As the name would suggest, pay per click lead generation is an advertising model that charges business owners each time their ad is clicked. The use of keywords is prevalent in PPC advertising, but you are given more leverage compared to SEO as you’re paying for a service. The more clicks you have, the more money your business makes (provided the model is profitable), so it makes sense to use PPC to promote whenever possible.

PPC is like turning on or off a tap, so it’s money in and money out. If you have a clear call-to-action on your website, then there’s no reason that PPC lead generation can’t work for you. PPC lead generation can offer instant results, but this will only occur if you’re able to continually fund the strategy. As such, you need to ensure that you cost your strategy accordingly.

Because PPC is so predictable and stable as a traffic generation model, its use varies from being 100% of some people’s traffic generation to only a short-term stopgap for others.

Which is Best? 

When it comes to choosing the best solution, there really is no clear winner, as both are useful, depending on your business goals. As advised, SEO is vital for any website, so in this context, it’s a strong contender for being the best strategy. However, if you have a limited time to sell a product or service, then there’s no better option than PPC lead generation, as long as you carry out some calculations in the first instance.

If you’re in any doubt, it’s advisable to speak to an SEO specialist. They will be able to advise what work needs to be carried out in relation to SEO and advise what strategies may work better with a PPC advertising model. You may find that you’re advised on the possible longevity of SEO ‘kicking in’ and to use PPC as a more expensive but short-term solution.


How to make your new website stand out - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Whether you are looking to give your existing website a brand new look and feel, or you’re new to the world wide web and want to boost your business, a new site could be just the answer that you need. Your website acts as a virtual sneak peek into just what you and your business stand for, showcasing your company in all it’s glory while making the information easily accessible to any potential clients around the globe. While that might be a lot for you to consider, don’t worry, you can make your new website stand out, without over complicating matters too!

Keep it simple

It might sound obvious, but less is more when it comes to website design and content. You don’t need to and are doing something wrong by uploading and editing new content, blogs or articles on a daily basis. The chances are that you don’t have the resources to do this either. What matters is writing quality content or providing memorable images that you can promote across all of your social media channels, and let your followers do your work for you. The same theory applies to the design of your website. A site that is simple, sophisticated and easy to use will ensure that users keep returning to your site again and again. Choose striking colors, a layout that it mobile friendly and put yourself in your user’s shoes, is neon pink truly a good idea?

A great brand

You might have your paper branding and merchandise under control, so make sure that you roll out the same strategy on your website too. Remember that your branding needs to be consistent to make your company look approachable and appear reputable and professional. There’s no excuse for letting your branding fall by the wayside. Make sure that you use your logo wherever needed and don’t forget to give your social channels some well-deserved attention too.

Get marketing savvy

Once your website is up and running, the work doesn’t stop there. However, there are a variety of handy tools that you can use to ensure that your marketing remains on target. Tools such as marketing automation software act like a second brain for your business, helping you to produce campaigns and track that all important analytics while remaining engaged with your customers. Plus, the great factor about automated software is it does the work for you, giving you time to work on other areas of your site. It’s worthwhile to do your research and consider going automated if you want to see some serious results for your online marketing.

It is easier than you might think to make your new website stand out, all it takes is a bit of planning and preparation to ensure that you have the tools that you need. Keep it simple and don’t forget to make sure that all of your digital channels are branded and in line with your company’s look and feel. Exploring automated marketing alternatives will also help you to track customer interactions and any new leads.

What Makes A Job Great? - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Everyone wants a good job; a job that pays well and that they enjoy. However, what about great jobs? Wouldn’t it be best to have a great job rather than a good one? It sounds wonderful, but what is a great job? What makes a good job into something better? Here are some of the things that make a good job great. When you’re next looking for a job, bear them in mind, and you’ll find that you enjoy work much more.

Flexibility 

Having a job that offers flexibility is something that could certainly be considered great rather than good. This could be remote working, or keeping your own hours but working to deadlines. It could even be that you are able to take time off whenever you need it or work around getting your children to and from school. Whatever flexibility means to you, it’s important to have it in a great job.

Good Communication 

Great jobs are all about communication. Being able to talk to your employer about anything that is troubling you is a wonderful thing, but it’s also good to be able to talk to them about any ideas that you might have to make the business better too. Open and honest communication can make employees feel useful and appreciated, and this fosters a sense of loyalty.

Challenging 

A good job is interesting. A great job is challenging. Using your brain every day to come up with solutions to difficult questions can be one of the best parts of any job as long as you know what you are doing (challenges, when you aren’t sure how to reach the answers, can be problematic). Training is another way to be challenged, and jobs that offer regular training are always going to be coveted. All the time you find your job challenging you will enjoy it. As soon as it starts becoming too easy, it can also become boring, and it could be time to move on.

Making A Difference

If your job helps you and a few other people, that’s good, but if it helps many other people in varied ways that will feel great. Teaching, police work, and medical careers such as occupational therapy are all extremely worthwhile. Find out more about the best places to gain a degree in occupational therapy at Quality Education And Jobs and you could discover just how much you can change someone’s life for the better. Even if these jobs don’t pay as much as some others, it is the job satisfaction that comes with them that makes them so great – and so popular.

Good Coworkers 

For some people, it’s not the job itself that dictates whether the work is great or simply good. Instead, it is the people they work with. Even the most boring job can become great if your coworkers are fun people to be around. It’s always important to make new people feel as though they are part of the team, and if you are the new person, it’s important to try to get to know everyone as well as you can. It can make going into work a pleasure.

Greater Economic Opportunity in Washington, DC - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Courtney R. Snowden the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity in Washington, DC, where she focuses on rebuilding and revitalizing overlooked and underserved communities, building a world class workforce system, and growing vibrant small businesses in the nation’s capital joins Enterprise Radio.

Listen to host Eric Dye & guest Courtney R. Snowden discuss the following:

  1. Could you please tell us what being the Deputy Mayor of probably the most important city in the United States entails on a day-to-day basis?
  2. You have a unique background in politics, technology and business. Can you tell us what entrepreneurial skills you took to various organizations you have worked for — and the impact those skills have made?
  3. Working in government is not the same as working in private business.  However, the government is arguably one of the largest businesses.  What changes have you made to the D.C. Government since you took office and what’s been the impact of those changes?
  4. What broad and/or specific advice would you give to entrepreneurs?
  5. You were instrumental in helping attract Uber to open a large — and important — new hub/resource center to an area of Washington D.C. that could benefit from its presence. Please tell us about this… how it all came about…and why this is so critically important to you, professionally.

Courtney R. Snowden serves as the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity in Washington, DC, appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in April 2015. A sixth-generation Washingtonian, Courtney is charged with rebuilding and revitalizing overlooked and underserved communities, with a focus on building a world class workforce system and growing a vibrant small business ecosystem in the nation’s capitol.

Formerly a Principal at The Raben Group, a premiere progressive public policy firm, Courtney relied upon a wealth of grassroots organizing, electoral, and policy experience to work for her clients. An accomplished political strategist, Courtney lobbied for the firm’s corporate and non-profit clients, including: Google, MasterCard, Airbnb, the National Urban League, the National Education Association, and Time Warner Cable.

Prior to joining The Raben Group, Courtney served as the Senior Lobbyist for the National PTA, directing their advocacy efforts on a variety of legislative issues including budget and appropriations, vouchers, and No Child Left Behind. In addition, she led the effort to mobilize the National PTA’s six million members and effectively prepare them to serve as competent citizen activists on behalf of “Every Child, With One Voice.” During her tenure at the National PTA, she chaired the National Coalition for Public Education (NCPE), a coalition comprised of more than fifty education, civic, civil rights, and religious organizations devoted to defeating state and federal efforts to create publicly funded private school voucher programs and tuition tax credits.

Courtney also served as the Federal and National Policy Manager for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), where she strongly advocated for policies to prevent discrimination and bullying of LGBTQ students in our nation’s schools.

Courtney started her career in the Office of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin where she served as a staff assistant and a legislative associate. Immediately following her time on Capitol Hill, Courtney was the Political Assistant at the Human Right Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT political organization in the country.

Courtney is a graduate from DC Public Schools, and earned her B.A in Political Science from Beloit College. She lives in the Deanwood neighborhood of Ward 7 with her two sons, Malik and Maxwell.

Website: dmgeo.dc.gov

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How Can Wealth Management Services Benefit Startups? - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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Whilst starting a business is an exciting and potentially lucrative venture, it is also requires a good amount of dedicated work and planning. For inexperienced startup owners, managing the funds needed for operations can be difficult, especially when planning ahead for the long term.

Luckily, there are plenty of wealth management companies which startup owners can utilise to help them use/invest their funds wisely and efficiently. Here are some of the main benefits which businesses using wealth management services.

Financial Expertise

One of the main selling points of a wealth management service is that the financial advisors it uses are experts in their field, and often have a vast well of experience to draw from. This means they are more than qualified to give trustworthy, sounds advice to startup owners who need help managing and investing their money.

A wealth management company is also likely to have a number of different advisors who specialise in different areas. This means that a startup owner can often get help with numerous areas of the business from the same firm, making them incredibly handy.

Investment

Reinvesting profits back into the business is undoubtedly one of the most important factors in helping it to grow and expand. Those businesses which are not constantly growing and evolving risk suffering stagnation, and potentially failure.

So, the knowledge of when and where to invest profits back into the business (without hampering cash flow) is another invaluable tool which wealth management services can provide to startup owners.

Long Term Success

Wealth management services can help startups to achieve (or at least aim for) long term success, as they can help owners plan ahead for any financial changes which may need to be made in the future. They can also provide information regarding pensions, accounting and tax, all of which need to be carefully considered by any business owner.

By helping startups to navigate these obstacles early on, they can help them move forward with confidence, and ensure that they have a watertight game plan for the foreseeable future.

Whilst wealth management services are by no means the key to a business’s success, they can be of great help to business owners who are inexperienced with investment, accounting and tax. They can provide any startup owner with peace of mind, and help them to make the right decisions regarding financing their business operations and achieving their business objectives.

Top Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm - Entrepreneur Podcast Network – EPN

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There’s nothing worse than being cold in your home. Home should be a place of warmth, where without coziness your house doesn’t serve its purpose as a place of comfort. Though most people usually resort to heating to raise the temperature, there are other ways you can keep warmth in without over-using central heating.

These will have a positive impact on your heating bill, which in turn positively impacts the environment. In cold states, heating accounts for a high percentage of energy consumption, and this is occasionally due to heating not working properly. If you feel as if your heating isn’t working to its full capacity, why not use a team like Duffy Energy in Elizabeth, NJ, who are great at residential heating repair, and will attend to your restoration needs.

Alongside ensuring your central heating works properly, take inspiration from these top tips for keeping your home warm.

Capitalize on Your Curtains

Taking advantages of the sun’s natural heat is a human behavior that has stood the test of time. By opening your curtains during the day, sun will enter at will, helping naturally radiate your home. If your curtains are drawn throughout the day, this will block the sun from getting in. In the evenings, shut your curtains to provide an added layer of insulation. This will keep the warmth in, while preventing cold air entering from outside.

It’s also important to make sure there aren’t gaps that can cause heat to leak out. This can be helped by using blinds, which do a great job of insulating your home in the evenings. You can discover cheap blinds online at several outlets, and it’s important to choose something tailored to your individual needs, with the right measurements.

Turn Down the Dial on Your Heating

This seems counterintuitive, but it’s an effective method for reducing your heating bill. Turning your heating down marginally can save up to 10% on your bill, while causing little difference to the temperature of your home. Capitalize on this simple tip to save money, and you can get more out of your heating, decreasing the harsh impact of cold rooms.

Block Out Draughts

OK, so we’ve already mentioned blocking out drafts where your windows are, but how about other impact areas? There are bound to be cracks and spaces in various areas throughout your home, including gaps in doors and cracks in floors. These can cause heat to escape, and with simple DIY draft-proofing, you can retain heat without breaking the bank. Self-adhesive rubber seals are a great starting point, and door draft sealers will elevate proceedings further. This is a great safe-proofing method before Christmas, and you’ll be surprised how far this stretches.

Upgrade Your Boiler

If you’ve had your boiler for 10 years or more, it’s probably time to get it replaced. With a more efficient model, you can save significantly, and your new boiler will more efficiently heat your home, producing the same amount of heat with less energy. With a new boiler you’ll experience fewer problems during the winter months, and this is a great way to retain heat.

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