Everything is made fresh in-house — from house-cured corned beef and pastrami down to the mayonnaise and dressing for their [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Are you tired of the same old BBQ, Mexican, and fast food? Hankerin’ for something to excite your tastebuds? Then don’t walk — RUN — to Impressions Catering & Take Out in Alpine, Texas.

Everything is made fresh in-house — from house-cured corned beef and pastrami down to the mayonnaise and dressing for their famous Reuben sandwich. And be sure to check out their daily specials and daily entrée — perfect for taking home for dinner!

Get IMPRESSED today!

Classic Reuben and Shrimp Penne Salad (one of the weekly salads)

Open 11 am to 6 pm
7 Days a Week
501 W. Holland Ave. • Alpine, Texas
(across from the Railroad Blues)
432.837.7233

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Who can resist the smell of freshly baked cookies? And for us chocolaholics (at least this one!), there is nothing like the original Nestlé’s Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie – right out of the oven – soft, gooey and [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]>

Can you eat just one? I know I can't! I'd surely lose that bet!

Who can resist the smell of freshly baked cookies? And for us chocolaholics (at least this one!), there is nothing like the original Nestlé’s Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie – right out of the oven – soft, gooey and perfect with a cold glass of milk.

I’ve tried baking these cookies with “store brand” chocolate chips, Ghirardelli chips, organic chips, and who knows what else…but I keep coming back to the original Nestlé’s Toll House Chocolate Chips. Their flavor, texture – the whole experience – is classic.

Now I also like nuts – walnuts or pecans, depending on my mood. Walnuts offer a sultry, comfy undertone that is reminiscent of my childhood, while pecans are rich and sweet – and a must when I am baking these cookies in Texas! By the way, I don’t limit the nuts to just the 1 cup suggested in the recipe. They deserve equal billing! So I use a full TWO cups of nuts to balance with the 2 cups of chocolate chips.

I tend to under cook my cookies a little, too, so they are soft when cooled. Then I place them in large plastic bags to keep them soft. I keep them on the kitchen counter cause I prefer mine at room temperature. And trust me – they don’t last long enough to go bad at room temp! (Can we say cookies for breakfast, lunch and dinner?) For those who are more disciplined than yours truly, then box or bag them and keep them in the refrigerator.

PLUS I have a low-sugar ingredient substitution at the bottom of the recipe with nutritional information – using Suzanne Somers’ Somersweet® Baking Blend instead of the sugar and brown sugar – which I promise you make these cookies truly almost as good as the original – with similar taste, texture and volume – and as you can see, I am very picky about my chocolate chip cookies! I use this substitution because I am on a low-sugar diet – and this helps me keep my sanity when I have to have my chocolate chip cookies – without the “sugar rush”, crash, headache, or guilt. Talking about having your “cookie” and eating it, too – and staying low sugar! YAY!

Original Nestlé’s Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes 60 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.

SLICE AND BAKE COOKIE VARIATION:
PREPARE dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.* Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

* May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.

FOR HIGH ALTITUDE BAKING (5,200 feet): Increase flour to 2 1/2 cups. Add 2 teaspoons water with flour and reduce both granulated sugar and brown sugar to 2/3 cup each. Bake drop cookies for 8 to 10 minutes and pan cookie for 17 to 19 minutes.

Nutritional Analysis Per Cookie: 108 Calories; 6g Fat (49.9% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 15mg Cholesterol; 61mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Low Sugar Variation: Substitute 1 1/2 cups of Suzanne Somers’ SomerSweet® Baking Blend for both the granulated sugar and brown sugar.

Low Sugar Nutritional Analysis Per Cookie: 88 Calories; 6g Fat (50.6% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 12g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 15mg Cholesterol; 60mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

It looks like sugar, tastes like sugar, bakes like sugar, and even measures cup for cup like sugar! All Natural SomerSweet® is perfect to sweeten coffee or tea, and to replace sugar in all of your favorite recipes. Made from a blend of 100% natural sweeteners, including chicory fiber, it’s a product you can feel good about using. With a clean, sweet taste, this low glycemic sweetener is perfect for anyone interested in the health benefits of a diet low in sugar. Sweet. Naturally. SomerSweet®.

Click here to purchase yours!

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So make sure you are drinking this with friends…or with [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> My friend Pam sent this along to me. She is not much of a drinker, but even she says this is good! And it is – smooth, refreshing – a great summer drink at the end of a hot day…as well as being deadly.

So make sure you are drinking this with friends…or with someone with which you want to become REALLY GOOD friends! It’s not called the “Pink Pantie Pulldown” for just its color!

So for you brave souls, here’s the recipe:

Pink Pantie Pulldown

1 serving

Ingredients

1 oz vodka
2 oz pink lemonade
3 oz Sprite® soda

Instructions

Pour vodka over ice in a highball glass. Add lemonade, followed by Sprite, and serve.

Nutrition Per Serving : 123 Calories; 0g Fat (0.0% calories from fat); trace Protein; 15g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 19mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Low Carb Version - Substitute a non-calorie diet pink lemonade and Diet Sprite®.

Low Carb Nutrition Per Serving: 65 Calories; 0g Fat (0.0% calories from fat); 0g Protein; 0g Carbohydrate; 0g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; trace Sodium.

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WASHINGTON – Wealthy Americans aren’t spending so freely anymore. And the rest of us are feeling the squeeze.

The question is whether the rich will cut back so much as to tip the economy back into recession – or if they [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Guest Blog by Jeannine Aversa • The Associated Press • August 2, 2010

WASHINGTON – Wealthy Americans aren’t spending so freely anymore. And the rest of us are feeling the squeeze.

The question is whether the rich will cut back so much as to tip the economy back into recession – or if they will spend at least enough to sustain the recovery.

The answer may not be clear for months. But their cutbacks help explain why the rebound could be stalling. The economy grew at just a 2.4 percent rate in the April-June quarter, the government said Friday, much slower than the 3.7 percent rate for the first quarter.

Economists say overall consumer spending has slowed mainly because the richest 5 percent of Americans – those earning at least $207,000 – are buying less. They account for about 14 percent of total spending. These shoppers have retrenched as their investment values have sunk and home values have languished.

In addition, the most sweeping tax cuts in a generation are due to expire in January, and lawmakers are divided over whether the government can afford to make any of them permanent as the federal budget deficit continues to balloon. President Barack Obama wants to allow the top rates to increase next year for individuals making more than $200,000 and couples making more than $250,000. The wealthy may be keeping some money on the sidelines due to uncertainty over whether they will soon face higher taxes.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index has tumbled 9.5 percent since its high-water mark in late April. Home values fell 3.2 percent in the first quarter, according to the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index.

Think of the wealthy as the engine of the economy: When they buy more, the economy hums. When they cut back, it sputters. The rest of us mainly go along for the ride.

Earlier this year, gains in stock portfolios had boosted household wealth. And the rich responded by spending freely. That raised hopes the recovery would strengthen.

No longer. The dizzying plunge on Wall Street in May and June and lingering stock market turbulence have shrunk Americans’ wealth. The Dow fell 10 percent for the April-June quarter. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index dropped 11.9 percent. And the rich are once again more cautious about spending, economists say.

The affluent went back to tightening their belts in June after months of vigorous showing. Data from MasterCard Advisors’ SpendingPulse showed luxury spending fell in June for the first time since November. The decline followed a solid rise in sales revenue earlier in the spring.

“It isn’t a good omen for the consumer recovery, which cannot exist without the luxury spender,” said Mike Niemira, chief economist at the International Council of Shopping Centers.

At the same time, government reports show shoppers as a whole cut back on their spending in both May and June.

Companies have responded by refusing to step up hiring. The housing market is stalling. And Americans are seeing little or no pay raises. It adds up to a recipe for a grinding recovery to slow further.

And it helps explain why economists expect the rebound to lose momentum in the second half of the year. Especially if the rich don’t resume bigger spending.

“They are the bellwether for the economy,” says Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “The fact that they turned more cautious is why the recovery is losing momentum. If they panic again, that would be the fodder for a double-dip recession.”

That’s because whether they’re saving or spending, the wealthy deliver an outsize impact on the economy. What’s not clear is whether they will remain too nervous to spend freely again for many months. That’s what happened when the recession hit in December 2007 and then when the financial crisis ignited in September 2008.

As their stock holdings and home values sank, the affluent lost wealth. Their jobs weren’t safe, either. Bankers, lawyers, accountants and mortgage brokers were among those getting pink-slipped. Those who did have jobs feared losing them. Neither group spent much.

Instead, Americans’ savings rate spiked. And most of the increase came from the richest 5 percent, according to research by Moody’s Analytics.

In the first quarter of this year, stocks rebounded, layoffs slowed and the rich were spending again. But now the rich are building up their savings and splurging less on discretionary items.

Even with recent losses, household net worth has risen 13 percent from its bottom during the recession. Net worth – the value of assets like homes, checking accounts and investments minus debts like mortgages and credit cards – grew 2.1 percent in the first quarter.

However, net worth would have to grow 21 percent more to regain its pre-recession peak. In the meantime, don’t expect the wealthy to suddenly start spending lavishly.

“The affluent – as their wealth goes down – they’ll become more and more conservative,” predicts David Levy, chairman of the Jerome Levy Forecasting Center.

How To Protect Your Money From the Coming Obama Inflation-Grab

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Stella! is an casually elegant and intimate restaurant tucked away in the Hotel Provincial (read hotel review) in the heart of the French Quarter. Touting “exciting, Global-Modern cuisine influenced by world flavors” as well as the executive chef Scot Boswell’s Louisiana roots, the menu is a delightful adventure for just [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]>

Entrance to Stella!

Stella! is an casually elegant and intimate restaurant tucked away in the Hotel Provincial (read hotel review) in the heart of the French Quarter. Touting “exciting, Global-Modern cuisine influenced by world flavors” as well as the executive chef Scot Boswell’s Louisiana roots, the menu is a delightful adventure for just about any palette.

Entering Stella! from the hotel’s carriage-way, you are immediately embraced by their newly renovated and elegant rooms – surprisingly quiet for being in just one block off of Decatur Street.

Having previewed the menu on their website, and after a full 8-hour drive from Atlanta, I was determined to have a full experience while eating lightly. As such, I chose from their à la carte menu an appetizer for my main dish – the Roasted Potato and Parmesan Gnocchi with Venison Sausage, Tomato Confit, Caramelized Maitake Mushrooms and Italian Summer Truffles – accompanied by a glass of their house pinot noir Row Eleven, “Viñas 3” California, 2007.

As I took my first sip of wine, I was served an amuse bouche of Kimchi spiced shrimp on top of a champagne mango purée topped with a sliver of crisped taro root and fresh chives. The sequence of flavors was fun! There was a sweet beginning as the purée first hit the tongue followed by a light Kimchi-taste finish. The crunch of the crisp taro root added to the fun with texture contrast.

After that fun beginning came a second amuse bouche! This one was a Kabayaki jam wonton (the Kabayaki jam a saki, soy, carrot and onion reduction) on peanut and coconut curry topped with sweet chili sauce and fresh chives. The little bite was warm with another set of great contrasts. It was more flavorful than the Kimchi amuse bouche, with the delicately seasoned wonton both crunchy and tender. The flavors blended well in an after taste with a touch of the sweet chili sauce lingering on the tongue.

As I was enjoying the amuse bouches, a round dinner roll was placed on my bread plate. I tore off a bite of the soft roll, spread on a little butter, and popped it in my mouth. What a surprise! It didn’t taste like a roll at all but a biscuit! This is a signature item of Stella! The rolls are individually fresh-baked for each diner. Instead of being topped by cornmeal or polenta, which is popular, these are topped with Japanese Panka bread crumbs.

By now my appetizer has arrived and I am ready to taste what’s next in store. The gnocchi was perfectly cooked in a delicate, rich sauce, with tender-crisp corn kernels in perfect proportion to the gnocchi. The venison sausage were shaped into flavorful little balls and balanced with the mushrooms. I tried different combinations of the components, as well as tasting each one alone. I saved the generous slice of truffle for my last bite, which was perfect. It was a great tasting adventure! There was sauce left over, which I carefully retrieved with little bits of bread.

A Trio of Crème Brûlée

For dessert, I ordered the Trio of Crème Brûlée ~ Cinnamon Star Anise, Japanese Green Tea and Ginger Grand Marnier. Much to my pleasure, each crème brûlée was cooked and served in an egg shell nestled in an egg cup, with the three egg cups lined up on a single serving dish, floating in a cloud (produced by an application of liquid nitrogen). Each egg shell was topped with emulsified and foamed crème brûlée for a playful presentation.

I am on a self-professed search for the perfect crème brûlée. The crème brûlées themselves were singularly exceptional. The Cinnamon Star Anise was bright and sassy, the Japanese Green Tea light and delicate, and the Ginger Grand Marnier rich and sultry.

Completely satisfied, I sat back and enjoyed the last few sips of my wine, when there came one more surprise from the chef – a plate of “little sweets” (I missed the French term) of five bite-sized desserts: chocolate and peanut candy, blueberry candy confection, cherry mousse marshmallow, chocolate and fresh mint truffle, and an apricot and almonds nougat. I savored each one in turn and was most impressed with the chocolate and fresh mint truffle. Instead of the expected mint flavor, biting into the truffle released a burst of fresh spearmint, right out of the garden!

Stella! far exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this restaurant whether dining by yourself or with others. The waiters Blake and Scott were attentive, informed, and happy to answer all of my questions.

Stella! offers a seven-course Chef’s Tasting that offers mini-servings of the chef’s signature dishes and can be paired with a wine tasting. They also have a wonderful International Caviar Menu which should delight the most discriminating palette!

I will return to Stella! – hopefully several times – and most definitely to enjoy the Chef’s Tasting.

For fantastic architectural highlights and all the best of the French Quarter, see chapter 8.

• Detailed maps throughout
• Exact prices, directions, opening hours,and other practical information
• Candid reviews of hotels and restaurants,plus sights, shopping, and nightlife
• Itineraries, walking tours, and trip-planning ideas
• Insider tips from local expert authors

Other Resources

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Okay, I admit it – I was drawn to the Hotel Provincial for 3 reasons: 1) great summer rates through Hotels.com; 2) right in the middle of the French Quarter; and 3) it is believed to be HAUNTED! I took a deep breath, made my reservation, and even asked for Building [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]>

Hotel Provincial

Okay, I admit it – I was drawn to the Hotel Provincial for 3 reasons: 1) great summer rates through Hotels.com; 2) right in the middle of the French Quarter; and 3) it is believed to be HAUNTED! I took a deep breath, made my reservation, and even asked for Building #5, which is considered the most haunted part of the hotel.

What the heck was I thinking?!? I lay awake the previous night wondering what I had got myself into – purposely booking into a haunted hotel in which I was going to stay by myself! Well, I was committed (or committable – you decide for yourself), so I forged ahead.

Driving down the narrow streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter, I was enthralled with the buildings, homes, balconies, hidden courtyards, quirky businesses, and that New Orleans mystique. I drove up to the Hotel Provincial and pulled into the carriage portal for valet parking into the interior lot. I felt my vehicle would be secure, since there is just one way in and one way out of the interior lot – right past the lobby and in plain view of the front desk.

The professional front desk staff (Bruce and Al) warmly greeted me and provided wonderful service – even making sure I did get a room in Building #5. When I asked about any hauntings they may have experienced, Bruce told me about an occurrence just the previous week with the smoke alarms and slamming drawers. Very cool!

A bit of history: the hotel was used as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War. Staff and guests claim to see doctors and soldiers in the halls and rooms, as well as disembodied moans and voices.

After settling into my room and dinner, I relaxed for the evening and then turned in. I was so exhausted from not sleeping the night before and an eight-hour drive that I went right to sleep. I must admit, I kept the A/C fan going all the time so the cycling of the compressor wouldn’t wake me. I heard a few bumps and creaks, which could well be attributed to building sounds. With the A/C fan running continuously, there was no way I could properly hear any subtle activity. Bottom line – I was not aware of any ghostly occurrences.

I did wake up during the night and consider getting dressed to walk the corridors for any activity. However, with another eight-hour drive ahead of me the next day on top of my exhaustion, I decided I would stay in my bed and rest.

The hotel itself is full of charm and old world elegance. Furnished with beautiful original antique pieces mingled with quality reproductions – and wonderful comfortable new beds – gives you a glimpse into its historic past. Graced with five courtyards and three swimming pools, you feel you are at a private tropical estate instead of the heart of old New Orleans. Being locally owned and operated, the hotel offers a personal experience and those little touches not found in many chain hotels. With or without ghosts, this is a wonderful, elegant hotel perfectly located within the French Quarter. (The following morning, I bypassed the ample complimentary continental breakfast and walked just 3 blocks to the original Café du Monde for café au lait and beignets. The perfect New Orleans way to start the day!)

As Arnold once said, “I’ll be back!” I will return to the Hotel Provincial – this time with proper rest, proper equipment for a ghostly investigation, and plan to stay 2-3 nights for a good chance of experiencing something. No matter what happens (or doesn’t happen), I can be sure my stay will be wonderful!

Frommer’s New Orleans 2010 (Frommer’s Complete) [Paperback]

For fantastic architectural highlights and all the best of the French Quarter, see chapter 8.

• Detailed maps throughout
• Exact prices, directions, opening hours,and other practical information
• Candid reviews of hotels and restaurants,plus sights, shopping, and nightlife
• Itineraries, walking tours, and trip-planning ideas
• Insider tips from local expert authors

Other Resources

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A friend recently treated me to a delightful 2+ hour tour of the historic town of Washington, Georgia. Guided by Jo Randall of Miss Fanny’s Tours, I learned much and enjoyed every minute!

The first place we visited was the Fitzpatrick Hotel. Built in 1899, the hotel is currently under [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]>

Fitzpatrick Hotel Entrance

A friend recently treated me to a delightful 2+ hour tour of the historic town of Washington, Georgia. Guided by Jo Randall of Miss Fanny’s Tours, I learned much and enjoyed every minute!

The first place we visited was the Fitzpatrick Hotel. Built in 1899, the hotel is currently under renovation and is open only on weekends for lodging guests. The owners are bringing back the charm of the original hotel. Soon to move into one of the storefront spaces of the hotel is the “Talk of the Town” restaurant and gift shop (a delightful place to eat known for its homemade desserts and hand-dipped Blue Bell ice cream).

The Fitzpatrick originally boasted 32 rooms over 2 floors – with 1 bathroom on each floor. Remember, this was the Victorian era! The hotel has consolidated the space into 16 rooms, each with a private bath and closet. About half of the rooms and the suites overlook the town square, while the other half face the rear courtyard and livery.

From the top, lobby fireplace, ballroom, suite bedroom and suite sitting room

Touring the hotel, we first entered the tall narrow lobby. It is said that, when the hotel was in its heyday, the main lobby was only for gentleman and their cigars as they conducted the business of checking in and arranging the luggage. A separate private entrance and room was afforded the ladies, so they would not have to endure the noise and smells of the main lobby.

Moving upstairs to the ballroom, we felt like we stepped back into time, with the beautiful hardwood floor and grand chandeliers. As found throughout the hotel, the fireplaces were originally fueled by coal (now by gas) and bordered by traditional Victorian tile. The draperies are accurate reproductions designed by Joe Barnett, better known for his cooking schools, shrimp and grits recipe, and appearances on the Food Network. A balcony has been rebuilt and overlooks the rear courtyard and livery. (The owners have been very careful in the renovation, even removing individual bricks, numbering them, and the rebuilding the brick walls by replacing the bricks in their original positions.)

We were able to view one of the suites (pictured here) and one of the standard rooms – both well appointed.

Continuing our tour, Jo told us some of the “firsts” of Washington, Georgia:

• First city to be named after George Washington (though some say it was actually named after Martha Washington)
• Home of the first plastic raincoats, developed by Margo and Alfred Moses in February 1946 and their AlMar Manufacturing Company.
• City cemetery is the last resting place of Abraham Simons, who owned a local inn. Legend says he purposely created deep potholes in front of his inn to damage wagons so the travelers would be forced to stay at his inn. He was buried standing up with a musket in his hands to meet the devil.
• Place of the first hanging of a woman, Polly Barclay, in 1806.
• First woman newspaper editor in U.S. was Sarah Hillhouse, who became the editor of the Monitor in 1804.

Could this be the chest that contained the Confederate gold?

One of Washington’s most lingering mysteries is that of the lost Confederate gold. As the last recorded location of the remaining Confederate gold, Washington, and the surrounding countryside, is thought to be the site where the remaining gold is buried. Worth roughly $100,000 in 1865 when it disappeared, in today’s dollars it’s worth would be around one million dollars. In the original vestibule of the May Willis Library sits a chest that was thought to have contained the lost Confederate gold. Found in 1948 by a merchant in his store’s basement, a Gerald0-style event surrounded the opening of the chest – in which was found just a lone Federal quarter. The search for the gold continues to this day.

We finished the tour by visiting a very lovely private home, which was graciously opened to us by the owner. Unfortunately, we had a previous engagement and couldn’t finish the city tour. I promised Jo that I would return for “Part 2″. I am looking forward to it!

A mystery, a thriller, and a love story all in one, The Hunt for Confederate Gold is based on one of America’s most intriguing unanswered questions: what happened to the Confederacy’s gold in 1865? And what might be the consequences if it were recovered today and returned to its rightful owners? And just who are the rightful owners, the U.S. Government, claiming it as contraband of a hundred-and-forty-year-old rebellion; or the Southern people? The Hunt for Confederate Gold is an exciting journey into an unsolved mystery of the past and into the crises of the present. A book of national significance, it strips the veil of falsehood from officialdom and illuminates the threats to our liberty and prosperity from those charged with safeguarding them – our own government. The Hunt for Confederate Gold is written not just about the South, but for the South; not just by a Southerner, but for Southerners. Powerfully and beautifully written, it captures the haunting beauty of the Southland and the ache in Southern hearts to preserve a proud heritage.

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4 Servings

Preparation time: 15 minutes

When I decided to start my graphic/web design and marketing business, I [...] No related posts. Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.]]> Yeah, sure it’s easy, and of course, that title is a little tongue in cheek. It takes a lot of hard work to get a business off the ground. But, it’s worth every hour I’ve spent getting to where I am now.

When I decided to start my graphic/web design and marketing business, I tried hard to find a good startup guide. I couldn’t find any that had all the steps. So, I decided to write one. So far, it’s mostly just the bare-bones outline (which is long enough as it is) you see in this article.

I’ll be adding to it every week or two, and writing more detailed articles on all the steps, so try to stop by and check it out from time to time. Let me know how I’m doing. Leave a comment if I’ve forgotten something or you have questions.

Before you spend so much as a dollar, talk to a few experts.  Go to the library or get on the internet and research, research, research.  Take a little time to make sure entrepreneurship is right for you.

Make a pro and con list of business ownership, and evaluate yourself honestly.  How many characteristics do you have in common with successful entrepreneurs?  Is your financial position strong enough?  Do you have the necessary technical and management skills?

You”re not going to be the perfect entrepreneur.  Nobody is.  But in order to make yourself the best entrepreneur you can be, consider ways to compensate for any weaknesses you might have.

These steps to starting a business are in reasonably good order, but you might find yourself varying from it under your particular circumstances. That really isn’t a big deal, as long as you get most of it done. There are some steps you”ll be able to skip as well, but please don’t skip any of the “big ones”, which I’m sure you”ll pretty much figure out from taking a look at the list.

So, assuming you’ve done your evaluation and you still want to start a business, take a deep breath, and let’s get started.

1. Conduct a feasibility study of your business. Describe your typical customer, your product and your competitors.  Who will your suppliers be?  What will you charge for your product?  How will you market your product?  These are just a few of the questions you need to answer.
2. Write a complete business plan for your company, using the information you gathered from your feasibility study.  This vitally important, often overlooked step needs to include a description of your company, its goals, competitors, market, financial information, and of course, how you intend to meet your goals.
3. Get your financing in place. There are many ways to finance your business, from your own savings to personal credit cards to bank loans.  If you need credit, know your business plan from front to back and maybe even sideways.
4. Decide what kind of structure your company will have. From a legal standpoint, there are three basic choices, sole proprietorship, partnership, and incorporation, each with advantages and disadvantages.
5. Choose a name for your company and check on name availability. Naming your company is highly individual, but it’s the first thing associated with your business, so choose your name carefully.  You”ll need to research names through your county clerk’s office or state comptroller, which checks your name choices for uniqueness against a database of other business names.
6. Decide whether you want to register federally or or by state and register your company. If you register federally, you”ll also have to register by state, which almost doubles the cost. You don’t have to have a lawyer process them for you, but it might be a good idea to at least consult with one.  You can get the forms from your local government office, have them faxed to you or download them.  You can fax or email printed copies, or complete the forms online
7. Contact the Internal Revenue Service for your Federal ID business number, and to register for the appropriate payroll, corporate income tax and import/export (if applicable).  You can also contact the IRS and your state comptroller if you need general information about business expenses.
8. Decide whether you need to collect state and local sales tax. If you do, you need to submit the appropriate documents with your state comptroller.
9. Determine whether there are special permits or licenses in your municipality. It’s highly unlikely that your municipality does not have special permits or licenses.
10. Develop the marketing materials you decided on in your business plan. They should include at least a company identity package, press kit and website.  Your identity package is your logo, business card and letterhead.  A press kit can include letters of introduction, biography sheets, press releases, articles and a brochure.  In today’s electronic age, printed materials aren’t enough.  You need a website that looks professional, matches your printed material and has great copy.  You”ll also want to make sure it’s optimized for search engines.
11. Set up your business bank account and record-keeping system. Your banker will need to see your “doing business as” (DBA) or incorporation documents, and you should probably set up more than one account so you can keep track of your finances better.  Record-keeping is required, and can be done manually or with a computer program.
12. Purchase insurance. There are many different types of insurance, but most probably your company will need at least one.  For example, if you”re going to have employees, you need to contact the appropriate workman’s compensation agency.
13. Contact potential creditors and set up credit terms. You should have researched suppliers when you were doing your feasibility study.  Now is the time to contact them.
14. Decide where your business will be located. Lease your business space.  Alternatively, you could choose to start your business from home if it’s feasible.  There are advantages and disadvantages to starting your business from home.  You have tax write-offs for example, but sometimes your image suffers.
15. Purchase supplies and office equipment. You”ll need too many things to list here, and of course, each business has different needs.  You might need a fax machine and printer.  You”ll probably need a computer.  You”ll definitely need paper, pens, pencils and a calculator.

Congratulations! Go out, buy yourself a bottle of champagne and celebrate. You’re about to embark on a most exciting journey. And may I be the first to wish you good luck and prosperous times in your business venture.

Remember to reply to this comment if you have questions, want to make comments or add steps to my list. Or, if you want, let me know how your small business is doing. I’d really like to know.

RECOMMENDED LINK

Be Your Own Boss: A Fast & Friendly Legal Guide To Starting Your Own Business

Do you want to be your own boss? Do you dream of quitting your job and starting your own business where you are free to do what you want, when you want and how you want? Do you want to make what you are really worth? Do you want to have time to be with your family? Do you want more freedom? Have you been downsized and want to take charge of your own future? Do you want to start your own business but do not know how and do not have thousands of dollars to spend on a lawyer? Then this book reveals the insider secrets your boss and your lawyer don’t want you to know that will allow you to start your own business.

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