Labor Day

Did you ever wonder as you're grilling your burgers and dogs, how we got a "labor day?" We didn't always have one, it showed up in the late 1800's.

So, who first proposed a "holiday for workers?" It’s not entirely clear, but two workers can make a solid claim to be the Founder of Labor Day title.

Some records show that in 1882, Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a "general holiday for the laboring classes" to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.

Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, New Jersey, proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

According to the New Jersey Historical Society, after President Cleveland signed the law creating a national Labor Day, the Paterson Morning Call published an opinion piece stating that "the souvenir pen should go to Alderman Matthew Maguire of this city, who is the undisputed author of Labor Day as a holiday." Both Maguire and McGuire attended the country’s first Labor Day parade in New York City that year.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.

And rightfully so. On the back of pure labor, we got everything we now enjoy. Roads, bridges, buildings, autos,​ trains, you name it. All built on American ingenuity and sweat.

So yeah, drink that beer. Chili that dog. Enjoy your weekend. We all work hard, as did our parents and grandparents. A nod of thanks, and a day of rest is deserved. 

Have a great weekend! We'll get back to business tips very soon!!

Your leverage.

 

1. Watch how people react when you say no.
   That’s when their true intentions come out. Loyalty stays even when boundaries are clear.

2. The most dangerous people are the ones who “mean well.”
   They don’t take responsibility. They just take your time, and make you feel bad for noticing.

3. Just because they were there in the past doesn’t mean they deserve a spot in the future.
   Some connections are seasonal. Don’t make them permanent out of guilt.

4. Your circle is your leverage.
   Let the wrong people in and they dilute your decisions, your energy, and your momentum.

Let’s talk about fear.

Not the kind that keeps you safe—but the kind that keeps you stuck. The fear that creeps in when you're about to do something new… something bold… something that matters.

If you’ve ever felt that kind of fear—whether you're thinking about launching a firm, raising your rates, or even just making a change—you’re not alone. I’ve felt it too. And here’s what I’ve learned: fear isn’t a sign that you’re not ready. It’s actually a sign that you are.

Fear shows up when we’re stepping outside our comfort zone. It’s a signal that you’re standing at the edge of growth. That what you’re about to do means something. And the truth is, you don’t need to feel confident to begin—you just need to begin. Because confidence doesn’t come first—action does.

Every step you take, even the shaky ones, builds the belief you need to take the next one.

No “perfect” time!!

 

1. Execution is not sexy. It is necessary.
   Some of my biggest moves happened when no one was looking.

2. You are not stuck. You are stalling.
   And the only way to get unstuck is to move anyway.

3. There is no “perfect” time.
   Perfect is a lie. The time is now. Even if it’s scary. Especially if it’s scary.

The longer you wait, the heavier the weight.

 

1. Dream homes are built on uncomfortable days.
   You do not get the reward if you are not willing to go through the resistance.

2. Discipline is louder than motivation.
   Anyone can act when it’s easy. Discipline shows up when the mood is gone.

3. Vision is the spark. Execution is the engine.
   You need both. But only one of them pays contractors.

4. The longer you wait, the heavier the weight.
   Start now. Even if it’s messy. Even if you are unsure. The price of waiting is always more painful than the cost of starting.

Business owners have never wanted to talk with salespeople.

 Let me prove it to you.

When was the last time you bought a car? Did you enjoy the experience? Were you excited about the buying process? It’s such an awkward and outdated sales interaction. You’re either uncomfortable because you think you’re wasting the sales rep’s time (more likely, vice versa) or you just don’t want to be pressured into purchasing something until you’re ready...or both of the above.

Now they can avoid the middleman and get savings immediately!

Keep Nurturing

 Today's sales cycle is significantly different than traditional marketing efforts.  Nurturing leads is crucial to conversion and maximizing commission.  Sending one email or leaving one voicemail will not give you the results you seek.  

Engage, support, and build meaningful relationships with your prospects by providing them with appropriate and relevant content and information at every stage of their journey. 

The do-not-do list is a power tool.

 

1. Most to-do lists are just guilt traps.
   Tasks stacked out of fear, obligation, or habit. Not impact.

2. Every “yes” to a low-value task is a “no” to a million-dollar move.
   Time is not your issue. Focus is.

3. Discipline is not doing more. It is doing less with more intention.
   Success loves simplicity. Not busyness.

4. The do-not-do list is a power tool.
   It forces clarity. It demands ownership. It creates profit.

Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas.

 

If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats. Howard Aiken

That's like me telling you about the WOTC program that came out in 1942 and equates to $1200-$9600 for each W2 employee you had hire. Why are so few grabbing this money that is not a grant, loan or PPP? 

 See the Magic now! YourWotc.com

Did you choose comfort instead of challenge?

 

1. Take 15 minutes and reflect on your last 12 months.
   Wins. Losses. Missed opportunities. Write them down.

2. Ask yourself where you coasted.
   Where did you choose comfort instead of challenge?

3. Write one thing you refuse to carry into the next year.
   A habit. A mindset. A story that needs to die.

4. Decide what “next level” looks like.
   And make one move toward it this week.

You start. You stumble. You figure it out.

 

1. Every level requires a better version of you.
   Same habits, same mindset, same comfort zone? Same results.

2. No one is ever really “ready.”
   You start. You stumble. You figure it out. That is how winners evolve.

3. Your future is shaped in quiet moments.
   Reflection is not soft. It is a weapon for clarity and course correction.

4. Legacy is built in the long game.
   Show up with consistency, not just intensity. The scoreboard will show it.

Stay obsessed with what is ahead.

 

1. Aging is inevitable. Evolving is optional.
   You do not get better just because time passes. You get better because you choose to.

2. Most people celebrate survival. Few push for expansion.
   They made it another year. Cool. But did they move the needle?

3. If you are not proud of how you lived the last year, fix it now.
   Next year will come either way. Show up for it differently.

4. Gratitude is fuel, not fluff.
   Be thankful for who is with you, but stay obsessed with what is ahead.

Dollars Follow Value

 

That principle alone could forever change your business- be it a product, service, cause or event!

When we create something of value, dollars will follow.

Recently, my niece complained that she was worth more money than she was making while working at a local shop. I explained to her that her income per hour would go up in direct proportion to the value she brought to the hour, not by complaining she was worth more.

While I agreed that, as my niece, SHE was worth more, the amount she was getting paid to pour hot coffee into a cup was precisely what she could expect to make.

Today, one of the most challenging things for many to grasp is the concept that the value you bring to an hour is what you can expect to get paid. If you want to make more money, add more value!

Once you have the value, outreach to the masses!

Make it a HUGE week readers!

Sit down and face the hard questions.

 

1. The brain will lie to you to keep you comfortable.
   But your future depends on stepping into discomfort, not away from it.

2. No one else is coming to fix it.
   You either learn to lead yourself or you keep waiting forever.

3. Reactivity kills momentum.
   Every time I act from emotion instead of intention, I pay for it later.

4. Most of my biggest breakthroughs came after I sat down and faced the hard questions.
   Not in books. Not in conferences. Right there with a pen and paper.

Your thoughts are either fueling your next level or feeding your limitations.

 

1. Clarity is not something you find. It is something you create.
   You create it by shutting off the noise and sitting with the truth.

2. Busy does not mean productive.
   Most people are moving fast just to avoid thinking deeply.

3. Growth starts where excuses end.
   When you stop pointing fingers and start asking better questions, everything shifts.

4. Your thoughts are either fueling your next level or feeding your limitations.
   There is no neutral. They are always leading you somewhere.

Challenges for You

 

1. Pitch something bold.
   Send the ask. Make the call. Have the conversation. Stop playing small.

2. Write down your last three no’s.
   Then write what you learned. There’s a goldmine in the gap if you’ll dig for it.

3. Reframe rejection in real time.
   Next time you hear no, say thank you. Then ask a better question.

Grit builds the future.

 

1. You cannot succeed if you’re scared to be told no.
   You’ll water everything down until it’s invisible. Rejection sharpens your edge.

2. No is rarely the end. It’s usually the start of the real conversation.
   If you keep showing up, most no’s turn into maybe’s and then into yes.

3. Rejection builds grit. Grit builds the future.
   Every time I got punched with a no, I got tougher. More focused. Hungrier.

4. The biggest growth spurts came right after a no that crushed me.
   Not before. Not during. After. If you don’t fold, you’ll get there.

Success lives on the other side of awkward conversations.

 

1. Rejection is a signal you’re in the game.
   Most people avoid rejection by avoiding the ask. That’s not strategy. That’s fear.

2. You’re not being rejected. Your timing or offer might be.
   Detach your worth from the outcome and start learning from it.

3. The people you admire have heard no more times than you’ve even tried.
   Success lives on the other side of awkward conversations.

4. Avoiding rejection is just a fast pass to regret.
   You’ll either feel the discomfort now or the disappointment later.

What We Do

 Built to Help You Keep More of What You Earn

When cash flow is tight and expenses feel out of control, Stryde is the partner that finds what others miss. We go beyond surface-level savings to dig deep—uncovering hidden tax credits, eliminating unnecessary fees, optimizing benefit programs, and streamlining employer costs. Every dollar we recover goes straight back to your bottom line.

Keep Nurturing

Today's sales cycle is significantly different than traditional marketing efforts.  Nurturing leads is crucial to conversion and maximizing commission.  Sending one email or leaving one voicemail will not give you the results you seek.  

Engage, support, and build meaningful relationships with your prospects by providing them with appropriate and relevant content and information at every stage of their journey. 

What's Your Business Exit Strategy?

Ever since you became a business owner, you’ve focused on growing revenue, managing expenses and leveraging tax advantages. But don’t overlook a critical element of your long-term financial well-being, that is, a business exit strategy. 

Ideally, your exit strategy will help you meet your retirement and estate planning goals.

The Power of Specificity

 

Adding context isn't just about making prompts longer - it's about making them smarter.

For example, when asking about market trends:

Basic: "What are the market trends?"
Better: "What are the emerging market trends for sustainable consumer goods in USA for 2025, focusing on plastic-free packaging?"

Target market and timeframe combinations.

Of course, not all details are equally important - just like specifying CEO's favorite shade of blue won't be of any help when crafting a prompt for business analysis.

Focus on the information that directly impacts the answer you need.

The key is to ask yourself:

• Will this detail change the answer?
• Is this information relevant to my goal?
• Would different context lead to different results?

Are you missing out on easy tax savings?

A lot of business owners think tax planning is just something your CPA does during tax season.

But real tax planning is proactive. It’s strategic. And it can help you save thousands, even if you’re just getting started.

Tax planning is one of the most valuable tools a business owner can use.

Action builds belief.

 

1. Perfection is just procrastination with a better outfit.
   You’re not polishing — you’re stalling.

2. Momentum creates clarity.
   Every step forward reveals the next move.

3. You’re not behind because of your plan.
   You’re behind because you never pulled the trigger.

4. The longer you wait, the more confidence you lose.
   Action builds belief. Waiting drains it.

Consistency, presence, and purpose!

 

1. Chasing other people’s version of success will leave you lost
   Figure out what really matters to you

2. A strong life starts with strong priorities
   And Instagram isn’t one of them

3. You don’t need to burn it all down to build something new
   You just need to build with intention

4. Masculinity is not volume
   It’s consistency, presence, and purpose

You cannot recover wasted attention.

 

1. Saying no is a growth strategy.
   Some of the best moves I ever made came from cutting, not adding.

2. Delegation means nothing without deletion.
   You cannot scale what you refuse to remove.

3. Most “important” tasks are urgent for someone else, not you.
   When you build someone else’s agenda, don’t be surprised when your results stall.

4. Energy is your most limited resource.
   You can recover money. You cannot recover wasted attention.

When the real version of you shows up.

 

1. Wealth without wisdom is dangerous.
   Ask anyone who had money and lost it.

2. More money doesn’t make you more focused.
   It makes distraction more expensive.

3. If you’re sloppy broke, you’ll be sloppy rich.
   Tighten your systems before you scale.

4. Character gets tested when the stakes go up.
   That’s when the real version of you shows up.

Jail time?!?

 

In perfect business harmony: See The Magic - bit.ly/4lqLi1E

The most dangerous thing a biz owner can say.

 Someone reaches out fired up to change their business, fix what's broken, finally scale, finally build something real.

Then they hit themselves with the same line that's killed more momentum than anything else:

"Let me think about it."

You know how many people I've watched waste YEARS thinking about it? While at the same time losing everything they worked so hard for.

Meanwhile, the winners are already making moves. Learning. Adjusting. Compounding.

They don't wait to have every piece figured out before they act.

The ones who wait get passed by. The ones who move grow faster, because they're actually in motion while everyone else is still planning.

And no, you don't need a 'perfect' plan to get into motion. Just START the darn thing. Get momentum in your favor and you'll be shocked at how quickly the steps start appearing in front of you.

If you don't even know where to start - that's when you need to lean on others who've already done it and can show you the formula.

That's why this works. It's NOT about perfect timing. It's about finally surrounding yourself with people who move when others stall out.

You can waste another year waiting for perfect conditions. Or you can start multiplying what you’re already sitting on.

The choices are always the same. Move or wait. Grow or stay stuck.

There is no neutral.

 

1. Success doesn’t fix your habits. It exposes them.
   The cracks show up fast when the pressure hits.

2. Money reveals identity.
   Not what you say — what you do when no one’s watching.

3. You don’t rise to wealth. You revert to preparation.
   Who you are now is who you’ll be with more money.

4. You’re either becoming more capable… or more exposed.
   There is no neutral.

Tax Due Dates

August 15

Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for July if the monthly deposit rule applies.

Employers: Deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income tax for July if the monthly deposit rule applies.

There is still time for you or your CPA to grab your deductions to lower or eliminate your bill!!

September 10

Individuals: Report August tip income of $20 or more to employers (Form 4070).

The best opportunities do not wait.

 

1. Decisions create momentum.
   The moment you commit, the wheels start turning. Clarity often shows up after action.

2. Fast action beats perfect plans.
   You can out-execute most of your competition simply by moving while they are still thinking.

3. Feedback gets sharper in motion.
   You learn more by doing than you ever will by planning.

4. The best opportunities do not wait.
   Deals vanish. Momentum fades. If you are not quick, someone else will claim what should have been yours.

Thank you Debbie H.

Most cold emails fail for six simple reasons.

 

1. Subject lines don’t get opened
2. Openers feel generic
3. The problem doesn’t resonate
4. The solution feels like a stretch
5. There's no credibility
6. The CTA  (call to action) falls flat

Fixing just one can boost reply rates—but fixing all six consistently is what makes outbound scalable.

A good CTA (the text that accompanies a link, QR Code, or button) can help you get more clicks.

 

A good CTA (the text that accompanies a link, QR Code, or button) can help you get more clicks and scans than you ever thought possible.

3 Tips:

1. It's better to be bossy.

Want someone to take an action? Actions = verbs, so use them!

Instead of sharing a link that says “Free Tickets,” you might say “Claim your free tickets.” Simple as it sounds, it’s something many brands overlook.

    2. Don't make them guess.

You see a sign with a QR Code on it, but no context to explain what it does. Where does it go? Why should you scan it? If you’re like most people, that'll be a hard pass.

Uncertainty creates anxiety, so it’s a big no-no for CTAs. People want to know where you are taking them when they follow any link (not just QR Codes). Use language that makes it clear what comes next.

 

    3. No one wants to work (anymore).

“Work” words are a major CTA sin that I see all the time. The most common offender? Learn more. Ugh. Learning sounds an awful lot like schoolwork, and who wants to do that? (Read more is a close second.)

Try to find low-effort words—or better yet, flip it so it sounds like your brand is doing the work. I use this trick all the time with CTAs like Show me more

Confidence.

 

Let’s talk about something that doesn’t come from degrees, designations, or decades of experience — confidence.

If you’ve ever questioned your worth, felt like you needed to do more or know more before stepping up, charging more, or speaking up… you're not alone.

Here’s what I want you to know:

Confidence isn’t something you wait to earn. It’s something you practice — every single day.

Most of us have been subtly conditioned to believe that we have to be perfect before we’re allowed to be powerful. That we need to prove ourselves again and again. That if we’re not doing it all — and doing it flawlessly — we’re failing.

But the truth is, the ideal person we compare ourselves to doesn’t exist. And the more we try to meet their impossible standards, the more we chip away at our own voice, value, and vision.

Here’s how you can begin to shift that today:

Stop waiting to be “ready.” You’ve figured out hard things before — parenthood, exams, client chaos — and you’ll do it again.

Question the self-talk. Would you speak to your child the way you speak to yourself? If not, rewrite the narrative.

Inventory your evidence. List out moments where you didn’t know how things would turn out — and still figured it out. That’s real confidence in action.

Surround yourself wisely. Borrow belief from those who see you — until you can see yourself that way too.

The real game isn't just about cash.

 

It's about time.

Time with the people you love. Time to show up. Time to live while you're building.

And the crazy part? When you structure your business around time and freedom… the money actually comes to you way easier. Don't ask how or why. It just does. But most people never get there. They build a monster that eats every minute of their day, drains them physically and mentally, steals time they'll never get back... but they call it a “success.” If you're a business owner and you can’t imagine being able to step away at 10am during the week to take your kid out... ... But deep down, you want that more than anything… Tell me what's holding you back.

Know your energy level.

Midweek is the perfect time to re-sort your list by energy level. High-energy? Knock out a tough project or major decision first. Low-energy? Handle the easy wins, quick emails, forms, supply orders. Super tired? Focus only on next steps, not the whole project. 

Use your brain when it’s sharpest, not when you’re running on coffee fumes. You’re not lazy. You’re strategic.