| How to Earn Your Parents' Trust Posted: 02 Oct 2017 05:00 PM PDT Without your parents' trust, you might find yourself spending a lot of Saturday nights cooped up in the house while your friends are out having fun. Maybe you have been dishonest with your parents in the past or perhaps they are just really strict. Whatever the case, you are probably eager to build trust so they will see you as mature. You can earn your parents' trust through communicating honestly, abiding by their rules, and accepting responsibility. EditCommunicating with Your Parents - Be honest. Being dishonest with your parents will only make them trust you less. If you've done something wrong, fess up as quickly as possible. This will help your parents see that, if they trust you, m they will be notified as soon as you make a mistake or need help. If you make a mistake, tell them what you're going to do to make it right. Don't keep secrets from your parents; instead be open with them to build trust.[1]
- For instance, if you recently got a speeding ticket, tell your parents immediately. You don't want them to risk finding out in other ways.
- Say "I am so sorry, but I got a speeding ticket coming home today. I didn't notice how fast I was going, and I apologize. I understand if I need to be punished."
- Follow up with "In the future, I will pay careful attention to my speeding, and even try to drive below the speed limit."
- Listen to what your parents have to say. Remember that your parents have valuable opinions just like you. Explain to your parents that you want to hear their advice in certain situations. Take what they say into consideration and remember that both of you should be heard in conversations.
- For instance, even when your parents are giving you a long lecture about something, don't get on your phone or daydream. Focus on their words and apply their advice.
- Practice active listening by reflecting what you're hearing back to them and confirming that's what they're saying. This helps them know that you're invested.
- At the end of the conversation, thank them for their help and advice.
- Tell them what's going on in your life. Encourage your family to sit down and have dinners together daily. Keep them updated on everything going on with you. You never want a teacher or other adult to approach them with information about you that they don't know, especially if it's not good news.
- You might say something like "I did pretty well on my Calculus exam today, but I was hoping to do better. I'm kinda bummed that I got a B and not an A."
- Tell them you want their trust. If you have recently done something to break your parent's trust in you, sit them down to have a talk. Tell them that you are ashamed about what you did, but that you do want to fix things. Ask them if there are specific ways you can make amends. Stay humble and work to come up with solutions and abide by their rules.[2]
- Say "Dad, I'm really sorry for breaking curfew. There is no excuse for me being that late, especially since you extended it. I know I'm grounded right now, but when that's done I promise to always be on time in the future. I want you to be able to trust my word."
EditFollowing Their Rules - Go beyond their expectations. Whether you have broken your parent's trust or not, instead of tiptoeing on the rules, exceed your parent's expectations. Is your curfew at 10? Be home by 9:45. Are you supposed to do the dishes tonight? Sweep the floor, too. Let your parents know that you respect them and their rules.[3]
- If you go above and beyond now, they will be more likely to let you have more leeway in the future.
- Answer when they call or text. When your parents call or text you, pick up or respond immediately. Don't ignore them unless you are in class or at work. Your parents should be able to feel that they can rely on you to answer when they call.[4]
- Be especially sure to do this if your parents pay your cell phone bill.
- You never know if it's an emergency, so be sure to answer in case they need you.
- The more you pick up/respond immediately, the less they will call/text in the first place! Call or text them spontaneously for a similar effect.
- Do what they ask you to do. Sometimes, your parents might ask you to do things that are a bit annoying like mowing the lawn or cooking dinner. However, do everything they ask with a good attitude and as quickly as possible. Your parents probably do a lot for you, so the least you can do is return the favor with a smile.[5]
- If your parents ask you for something that you don't want to or can't do, try to amend it. Be explicit and propose an alternative, but accept their decision if they disagree with you.
- Be where you say you'll be. If you tell your mom you'll be at the mall, don't go over to your significant other's house, instead. Always tell the truth. You never know - they might show up at the mall to surprise you and then you'll find yourself caught in a lie. Always be honest with them about your location.
- Be mindful of your social media. Trust is earned from all areas of life, social media included. Post things that your family won't be ashamed to see. If you know your mom doesn't want you posting revealing pics online, don't post a picture in your new bikini.[6]
- If your dad doesn't want you speaking to strangers, set up your account so only friends can message you. Use your accounts wisely.
- Do your chores and homework without being told. If you know you have homework, do it before your parents get home so they don't have to remind you. If it's your night to start dinner, do so without them having to call and check-in. The more reliable you are with small things, the more your parents will trust you with larger things.
- Start developing your own reminder system. Set alerts on your phone, keep a calendar, use post-it notes for visual clues, or something else! Find a system that works for you.
EditBeing Responsible - Apologize when you do wrong. When you break a rule, immediately say you're sorry to your parents. Acknowledging your faults is a sign of maturity and your parents will take notice. Avoid making excuses and just be honest. Don't make them come to you seeking an apology - come on your own.[7]
- Say "Mom, I'm really sorry for breaking the lamp. I know it can't be fixed, but I can save the money to buy a new one."
- Make amends for your mistakes. When you mess up, do all within your power to correct it. This will show your parents that you are committed to making things right. Show your parents how committed you are to doing the right thing and they will view you as being dependable.
- For instance, if you forgot to clean your room and your Dad got mad, clean it thoroughly now. Go above your parent's expectations. Keep this behavior up without having to be told.
- Take on extra tasks. Earn your parent's trust by asking them to give you more responsibilities around the house. Each year that you age should come with a new set of expectations. Offer to babysit younger siblings so your parents can go out on a date night. Wash the family cars on Saturdays so they have more time to relax. Get a part-time job so you don't have to always ask for money
- Set high standards for yourself. If your family sees that you have a good moral compass and generally do the right thing, they will trust you more. Work to ensure that everything you touch prospers. Pay attention in class and study so that you do well in school. Come to work on time each day and do your job to the best of your ability.[8]
- Keep the peace with others to show to your family that you are mature and able to resolve conflict well.
- Spend time with positive people. One way to ensure that your parents trust you is by choosing your friends wisely. If you hang around people who get into trouble often, your parents might worry that you are headed down a bad road. Prove to them that you are a good judge of character by choosing good friends.[9]
- Let your parents meet your friends and develop their own relationships with them. This will show them that you have nothing to hide.
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| How to Create a Brand with Limited Capital Posted: 02 Oct 2017 09:00 AM PDT A brand is your business identity. It is the sum total of the memories consumers associate with your goods or services.[1] The process of creating a brand is the same whether you have a lot of capital or a little. However, when it comes time to market, you should seek out low-cost alternatives to running television or print advertisements. EditComing Up With Your Brand - Identify your company's mission. What problem has your business concept been created to address? For example, a fashion designer who makes maternity clothes is probably trying to provide stylish clothes to expectant mothers, which is an underserved market.[2]
- Based on this example, you can already see the outlines of a brand: stylish, relatively young, and feminine.
- Describe the benefits of your goods or services. What are consumers taking away? On the one hand, they get a product or service. However, try to identify any other intangible qualities.
- For example, women who buy stylish maternity clothes feel comfortable and sexy at the same time.
- Ask customers how they see your company. Every company has a brand, whether intentional or not, because consumers already associate emotions and values with your company. Ideally, you'll build on top of your current brand, but you need to find out what it is. The easiest way is to ask current customers to complete a survey.[3]
- A cheap survey method is to use Survey Monkey. On your receipt, you can print the URL for the survey so customers can complete it.
- Ask consumers what words they would associate with your business.
- Also ask what frame of mind they are in when they visit your store, and how they feel when they leave.
- Identify the qualities you want to convey. It's one thing to find out how your current customers see you. However, you might want to be seen differently.[4] For example, a designer of maternity clothes might want their clothes to be seen as sporty, not sexy.
- Identify the cluster of emotions and sensations you want clients to attribute to your goods or services.
- Research your clients' habits. Your consumers reveal a lot based on their buying behavior. For example, if you sell wine online, your clients might buy it before buying expensive or cheap items. This buying behavior can tell you how they view your brand.
- If you create a website, you can see which websites people visit directly before and after yours.
- Alternately, you can ask customers in a survey what other stores they regularly shop at.
EditBuilding Your Brand - Create a logo. A vivid logo will easily identify your company in the marketplace. It should also advance the emotions or ideas you want consumers to attach to your business. For example, the Nike "swoosh" suggests energy and speed—attributes a sportswear company would want clients to associate with it.
- A graphic artist can help you come up with an effective logo. Although you don't have a lot of money, ask if you can barter your services. Also look for cheap designers on websites such as Fiverr.[5]
- If you use your logo in commerce, then you should trademark it. In the U.S., you can trademark a logo for a few hundred dollars.[6]
- Write a tagline. A tagline is a brief sentence that captures the essence of your business.[7] Your tagline should complement your logo. If you use it as a trademark or service mark, you should register it as well.[8]
- For example, Nike's "Just Do It" perfectly complements its swoosh logo. Both promote movement, athleticism, and speed.
- "Just Do It" also encourages couch potatoes to get up and get moving, which creates a larger pool of potential consumers.
- If you run a massage parlor, you might have a pair of hands as your logo. Your tagline could be, "Give yourself the gift of rest…." With this tagline, you are reaching out to people who might feel guilty about splurging on a massage.
- Establish a branding voice. The tone you use in communications also conveys your brand. For example, if you're casual and breezy, you can write in an informal style. Your sales people should also speak in this voice.[9]
- If you're creating a more academic brand, then you can use more elevated language—though you should strive not to sound snobbish.
- Brand across all written materials. A brand is more than a logo. Instead, you express your brand each time you interact with the public. For example, your marketing materials should have the same logo placement, color scheme, and feel.[10]
- Select appropriate spokespeople. If you have enough money to afford celebrity spokespeople, make sure they align with your brand. For example, a business catering to white collar men probably shouldn't use a teen X Games champion as a spokesperson. Instead, the local golfing pro might be more appropriate.
- If your brand is young, fresh, and irreverent, then younger celebrities are probably effective.
- Train your employees to communicate your brand. The public associates your employees with the company. For this reason, you should train employees on how to communicate your brand. For example, you might want to script sample conversations they can have with customers. You might also want to set a dress code that reinforces your brand.[11]
- You must follow anti-discrimination laws when hiring, so don't exclude workers on the basis of race, sex, religion, or age. In some situations, the line is a little blurry. For example, if you're selling sex appeal, you can hire only men or women, depending on your target clientele. However, you should probably consult with an attorney if you have questions.
- Avoid imitation. You shouldn't try to look or sound like a big chain competitor. Instead, find your own unique style and voice. Many large chains are now trying to brand as smaller independents, so you have an advantage.[12]
- Stay consistent. You'll muddy the waters if you aren't consistent with your branding. For example, don't use a breezy style in your advertisements and then suddenly become serious. Your consumers will be confused.
- You'll also dilute your brand if you begin advertising to different market segments. For example, a clothing brand that appeals to pregnant women will probably lose customers if it introduces a line of sexy lingerie. In that situation, you're mixing your message, and your branding efforts will fail.[13]
- You are at greatest risk of undermining your brand when you try to introduce new products or services. You can certainly do so if they align with what you currently offer clients. However, consider starting a second company if they don't.
EditMarketing on a Shoestring - Use social media. Social media is a pretty cheap way of staying engaged with your consumers. Create a Twitter account and a Facebook page, at a minimum. You can also create a Facebook group around a theme instead your business.[14] For example, a massage parlor might start a Facebook group on "Relaxation Tips for Men."
- Remember to use consistent branding on your social media accounts. For example, your logo should be your profile picture on Twitter. Also put your tagline in your bio.
- Whoever handles your social media accounts should understand your branding voice.
- Create a website. Websites aren't free, but they shouldn't cost a lot. You'll probably pay a couple hundred dollars a year. You can either design the website yourself using Wix or similar programs, or you can hire someone.
- On your website, you can post client testimonials that support your brand.[15] For example, a massage parlor can have clients testify about how relaxing the massage was.
- Your website design should also complement the design scheme you use on printed materials.
- Blog. Blogging is a great way to build company loyalty. Your blog should provide value for consumers, such as "do it yourself" articles. For example, if you run a massage parlor, you can upload a video showing people how to give their spouse a massage.
- Don't blog unless you can upload content regularly, which is key to establishing loyalty.[16]
- Host events for customers. Avoid only communicating digitally. Instead, host events for your customers that help further the brand you are creating.[17]
- For example, a designer of maternity clothes can host a baby shower for a group of customers. You'll only pay for snacks and possibly rental space. At the event, you can also hand out gifts—perhaps, your new clothing line for babies.
- Help out a reporter. As a business owner, you're already a semi-expert in your industry. Reporters constantly need people to give them quotes to use in stories, so you should cultivate these relationships.[18] A mention in a newspaper article will increase your brand's visibility.
- Sign up at helpareporter.com. At the website, you'll enter your information as a possible source reporters can contact.
- Also be proactive at making contacts. Read stories about your industry and send emails to the reporters congratulating them on their great article. They'll remember you.
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| How to Remove Mold Stains from Wood Floors Posted: 02 Oct 2017 01:00 AM PDT Mold grows on wood floors when it has appropriate moisture, warmth, and food. It can not only stain wood floors, but also move below the surface to discolor, rot, or warp the wood. To keep the mold from spreading, first cut off the source of the moisture. Most surface mold can be removed with a rag and chemical spray. Removing ingrained mold requires figuring out how deeply the mold has grown into the surface of your floor or wall and using the proper method to eliminate all the growth. EditNoticing Your Mold Problem - Pay attention to any symptoms of mold exposure. There are a number of ways you learn about mold on wood floors. If you are suffering from mold exposure, you may experience headaches, itchy eyes, breathing problems, or difficulty concentrating.[1]
- Notice any musty smells. Mold emits a gas that gives it a musty smell. If you notice this smell, you likely have mold, even if it is not visible in your house. The mold may be somewhere not immediately visible, such as in your walls, under carpets, or in a crawlspace or heating duct.[2]
- See if your wood floors are warping. If mold is growing beneath your floors, it will eventually cause the floorboards themselves to begin to twist and warp. If there is any sign of warping of the wood, this means your mold problem is pretty far along.[3]
- If the mold causing the warping isn't caught and removed promptly, the warped floor may need to be removed. This process is time-consuming and expensive.
EditRemoving Surface Mold - Wear appropriate safety gear when working around mold or with chemicals. Gloves and safety glasses are sufficient for removing surface mold over small areas, no more than a few square feet. For deeper mold removal or over larger surface areas, use an N-95 mask or P-100 respirator in addition to gloves and safety glasses.[4]
- Also, wear clothing and shoes that can be easily washed or disposed of after.
- Select the proper mold and mildew cleaner. For surface mold, you want to use a cleaner designed for urethane finishes. You can also use a chlorine bleach solution, with a water/bleach ratio of 10:1. If you choose to purchase a mold cleaner, look at your local hardware store or a home and garden center.[5]
- Read through the safety labels on any and all chemicals you use.
- Wipe away the mold using a rag. Minor, surface-level mold growths are relatively easy to clean. Spray the moldy area with your cleaner or bleach solution. Let this sit for 10 minutes, and then wipe the mold off with a rag.[6] For stubborn mold stains, use a firm-bristled hand scrubbing brush. Throw the rag away after you've cleaned the mold.
- When you apply cleaning chemicals or a bleach solution, prevent the chemicals from spreading to uninfected areas. Do not leave the bleach solution on the wood for longer than necessary, as it will remove the wood finish.
EditRemoving Ingrained Mold - Test the depth of the mold. If you have mold growing on your walls (especially drywall) or flooring, the mold may have spread beyond what's visible. Press into the spot with a screwdriver or sharp tool. If the wood feels soft, the mold has spread below the surface and into the wood. This will require more than surface cleaning.[7]
- If the spot feels slightly soft, the mold can be removed.
- If the wood feels spongy or crumbles, it may be rotten and not salvageable.
- Dry out the floor using room heaters or fans. Before you begin to physically remove the mold, all of the moisture in the wood needs to be eliminated.[8] Set a large fan (or two) in the room with the mold, and direct the blowing air towards the moldy floor or wall. Let the fans blow for several hours.[9]
- Drying the moldy area will protect the floors and prevent future mold growth.
- Make sure your floors are totally dry. Ingrained mold needs to be dry before you remove it.
- Ventilate the room. Mold particles can be dangerous to inhale, and you should take precautions to avoid this. Wear a mask or handkerchief over your mouth, and open all exterior windows and doors. For added precaution, set a large box fan in one of the exterior windows to blow the mold-infused air out of the room you're working in.[10]
- If you do not have a box fan, you can purchase one at a hardware store or a home-supply store.
- Remove the top layers of mold. First use 100 grit sandpaper or a metal hand scraper to remove as much mold as you can. Use finer 220 grit sandpaper to remove more ingrained mold. If the mold has penetrated deeply into wooden floor, you'll need to use a more heavy-duty scraping tool. Use a metal utensil, such as a spackle blade, to scrape away the mold.[11]
- Sand in a circular motion, and only sand the affected area.
- Once you've removed the mold, polish the affected area with 200 or 250 grit sandpaper until smooth.
- Spray diluted bleach onto the moldy area. Mix water and bleach at an 8:1 ratio, and put the solution in a spray bottle. Spray the moldy area with the bleach solution, and let it sit for several minutes.[12] Then use an old rag to wipe up the bleach solution. This will kill any live mold before it spreads.
- Even if it looks as though you've physically removed all of the mold, there may still be spores present that are too small to see.
- Bleach will kill these and prevent further mold outbreaks.
- Cut out any mold-riddled drywall, flooring, or insulation. If the mold has fully permeated a section of carpet or drywall, it's probably not salvageable. You'll need to remove and dispose of the material to prevent the mold infestation from spreading. Use a screwdriver, utility knife, or other sharp tool to cut through the moldy insulation or carpet.[13]
- Put the moldy material into a garbage bag immediately.
- Once you've removed and disposed of the moldy wall or floor segment, you'll need to replace the material. Visit your local hardware store and purchase the necessary items to patch carpet, drywall, or wood flooring.
- Apply a wood finish that matches the original finish. Once you have removed the ingrained mold, you'll need to apply a finish to the wood flooring.[14] Try to find a wood finish that will cover up the mold stain and restore the coloring of your wood floor. For added protection against moisture in the future, apply a polyurethane finish to the wood.
- If you can't find the exact colored finish to match the original floors, use the next lightest shade.[15]
- Bag and dispose of all the debris. Use heavy-duty garbage bags to throw out all of the trash from the mold-removal process, including rags, sandpaper, and any tools that you used. If you tore up flooring or drywall in the process, use a wet/dry vacuum to clean up the mess.[16]
- Use a chemical cleaner or bleach solution to wipe down the wet/dry vacuum after use, to kill any mold spores it may have collected.
EditPreventing Future Mold - Keep floors dry to discourage mold growth. Mold needs moisture to grow. Keep an eye on your wood floors to make sure they are clean and dry. If you have wood floors in places that are prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, or kitchens, make sure you clean up any surface moisture as soon as possible.[17]
- Warm environments also encourage mold growth. Wood floors in any places that get warm, such as bathrooms or kitchens, need to be aired out to avoid mold growth.
- Clean your floors regularly. If your wood floors are clean and dry, then the conditions for mold are less likely to arise. Vacuum and mop your wood floors on a regular basis. While you may not have to clean your wood floors daily, make sure to incorporate it as part of your weekly cleaning routine.[18]
- When ingrained in wood floors, mold feeds on nutrients on the surface of the wood, but not on the wood itself. Keep your wood floors dry and clean to make sure mold does not have a food source.
- Control humidity in your house. Mold grows best in humid environments. Consider buying a dehumidifier to keep a consistent level. Indoor humidity should be at about 50% to avoid most molds.[19]
- Clean spilled water as soon as possible. Don't let any water sit on your wood floor as that could lead to mold growth.
- Air out your house during the colder months. When it's colder outside, we tend to keep our homes warmer, which creates warm air that does not escape. Additionally, plants are more likely to die in the fall and winter, which creates more opportunity for mold to grow.[20]
- Airing out your house will allow this warm air to escape, and will clear out any mold spores that have begun to grow.
- Maintain your air conditioner during warmer months. Make sure your air conditioner is in working order and not creating excess moisture. An overused air condition can create additional condensation, which will create a favorable environment for mold to grow in.[21]
- Think about hiring a professional to remove the mold for you. If you have allergies to mold, a weakened immune system, or the mold covers more than 30 continuous square feet (2.8 square meters), consider calling in a professional to address the mold problem.[22]
- Certain types of mold are highly toxic and exposure can lead to serious health complications.
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