I had the opportunity to attend the 2017 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit in beautiful Washington D.C.   It was a great honor to be selected to attend. It was a short visit but very inspirational, not only that I was in our nation’s capital city but the wonderful speakers I heard and to visit with Senator Klobuchar, Senator Franken and Congressman Lewis.

Standing on the roof of the US Chamber of Commerce, with the White House and Washington Monument in the background.

One of Monday’s speakers was Marc Randolph, co-founder of Netflix.  His message was to not give up on thinking up new ideas for the next new thing might be the one that is your best idea ever. If it wasn’t for a daily drive to work for Marc Randolph and his business partner, Reed Hastings, founders Netflix, we may still be going to the video store to pick up videos. They kept thinking of new ideas each day or so to relay back to each other on the ride to a job that they once had together before Netflix. Marc spoke of not all the ideas were worth going forward with and some of them where duds.

                                                                                      Visiting the War Memorials on September 11th was a surreal experience

On Tuesday I had the opportunity to listen to Mike Katz Sr. VP of T-Mobile. The perspective I learned from him was, listen to your customers and what they are dreaming of and try to make them come true. On this day the group I was with also was able to visit with Senator Klobuchar and Senator Franken.  It was a huge honor to be able to chat with our Senators in a small setting.

                                                                      Our group of local business leaders was honored to meet with Senator Franken

Before our flight on Wednesday we had a short visit with Congressman Lewis. We also took the White House tour.

                                The White House is filled with inspirational historical architecture

Although the visits were brief, I was reminded about how important it is to write your Senators and Congressmen regarding issues that are important to you. They are working for us the best that they can.

                                                    Ok, I know it’s cheesy, but I couldn’t help myself!

I hope to visit Washington D.C. again and do even more sightseeing.  If you ever get a chance to visit do not miss the National Mall and the War Monuments. I was very touched by all of them. It is very surreal to see and reflect on what they all mean.

Plan Two ways out of your home in case of a fire

In a fire, seconds count. Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy.

That’s why this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme: “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” is so important. It reinforces why everyone needs to have an escape plan. Here’s this year’s key campaign messages:

• 
• Draw a map of your home by using our grid in English (PDF) or Spanish (PDF) with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.
• Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
• Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
• Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
• Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

If you have questions, please visit www.NFPA.org, or talk with your friends at your local fire department.

Allrounder Remodeling Inc. provides residential home design and remodeling services in the southeast Twin Cities metro area, including the cities of Apple Valley, Rosemount, Eagan, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Woodbury, Oakdale, and Maplewood.

For more information, please call 651-497-7715 or 651-497-7714; or visit http://www.AllrounderRemodeling.com