What makes you an expert in your industry? It takes quite a bit of education to become a CPA, CA, but there is still plenty to learn in the trenches day after day. It is so helpful to have 20 years of accounting experience. Working in an area where I see so many different industries and operations is invaluable to me. One of the things I appreciate most about my experience in life is being raised on a farm here in Vauxhall, Alberta. I learned skills, work ethic, and resilience that no classroom in the world could have taught me.

ADVICE: It is tough to boil down business advice into a few words. One time, I had a client whose tax concerns affected their ability to make business decisions. I came up with this analogy: I suggested that business is like a dog. The head is your decision-maker, the body is the engine that makes your business run, and the tail is like your tax. You have to pay attention to your tail to make sure not to get it slammed in any doors. But when you start making decisions with only tax in mind, you stop making decisions with your head.

Books you recommend? Way too many to try and list.

COVID-19 Updates - 20 active cases in Brooks & the County of Newell.

The global frequency of vaccine-induced blood clots has been estimated at approximately one case in 100,000 to 250,000 doses. In comparison, Albertans 55 and older who are diagnosed with COVID-19 have a one in 200 chance of dying from that infection.

Canada Day event is proceeding in a phased approach.

• Plan A: Host a drive-in movie and fireworks at the CRA.

• Plan B: If restrictions allow, host a modified event at Duke of Sutherland Park with entertainment and activities as permitted.

Unusual Laws in Alberta

1. A person must not paint a wooden ladder.

2. Plots in the Cemetary shall be used only for the burial of human bodies.

3. No person shall ride a horse over any plot or boulevard in any cemetery.

4. Non-tennis activities are not allowed on Tennis courts.

5. Even house number can only water their lawns on even days of the month.

Turns out dad was right. According to Alberta OH&S you can’t paint a ladder so that the condition of the ladder is not disguised. The last 4 bylaws could get you fined in the City of Brooks.

Public Notification Bylaw Council is satisfied the new bylaw allowing advertising on the City's website and social media pages is likely to bring matters to the attention of a substantial number of residents and expedite the process.

Portable Sign Bylaw has been updated to reduce time spent responding to complaints. Businesses can now have one sign for their business or one with Third-Party Advertising. One sign advertising a Community Event is also permitted per property.

Whistle Cessation? Survey says 53.68% NO. Below are comments from the survey.

“I lived for many years beside the CPR railroad tracks. Many loaded coal trains whistled as they passed through on the cold winter nights and shook our beds, but we slept on. We knew it was a small price to pay for a good life in Canada. Train whistles may seem like an annoyance to some people, but they are very relevant for safety and also as a Canadian tradition that bears importance to sustain, therefore, I feel the huge expense for change is not justified.”

“The technology is adequate to keep the crossing safe and it is a quality of life issue for the adjacent residents which affects their health, (sleep disruption, the whistle is apparently between 96-110 decibels while OHS sets safe decibels at 85) as well as property values.”

Council voted 4 to 2 to keep the whistle.

Pop-Up shop at the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce on Fridays & Saturdays. This week in the pop-up shop is The Pearl Drop - Glass Gemstone Water and Tea Infused Water Bottles. Create your own unique bottle by choosing your own gemstones pearl and light.

“You know what we’re Canadians, we’re rolling with it” Local restaurants got a hand from the city and made the quick pivot to outdoor Patios. The City provided picnic tables and expedited the requirements. You can now enjoy dining at these outdoor patios.

1. A & W

2. Boston Pizza

3. Denny's Restaurant

4. Don Chava Taqueria

5. Earthy Eats & Specialty Tea

6. Gus Restaurant

7. HI Roadhouse Patio - At the Heritage Inn

8. McDonald's

9. Montana's BBQ & Bar

10. The Steaming Cup

Wasana Restaurant owners have decided it is time for retirement. They are selling the business with equipment. Asking $130,000.

Brooks Dynamite Academy is expanding its early learning and child care program to The Town of Bassano! Transforming the former Evangelical Free church building. They're aiming to open the doors at the end of May 2021.

Weekly SPURring

Beat the competition by having a bias toward action.

While others may have terrific ideas or be able to see an important issue from many angles, action-oriented people are good at getting things done.

As you attempt to build your company or your career, know that you can beat just about anybody in the marketplace as long as you wake up every day and take action.

Do not choose to be confused about the right decisions.

A value-driven professional is able to see the world through an objective lens, and they do not let “people-pleasing,” lesser desires, or conflict-avoidance affect their clarity of mind.

The question we must ask ourselves in situations that seem confusing is this: If I were a different person, looking at my life from the outside, what would be the obvious right action to take?

Business Made Simple
–Donald Miller

I will if you will.

Hit the button below because your Big Dream could spur on someone else. 😁