Jul
6
Another Flag Season Has Come and Gone!
Filed Under Flag News, my business, patriotism | Leave a Comment
Well, with the Fourth of July behind us we have made it through another flag season here at Arkansas’ FlagandBanner.com.? And I am happy to report it was a fabulous one!!!? So far this year we have met all our monthly goals and are up almost 15% for the year!
A big THANK YOU to all our wonderful customers!!!
Kerry McCoy
Flag and BannerHome
Mar
22
Old State House Needs Your Help in Preserving Historic Flags
Filed Under Flag News, patriotism | Leave a Comment
Karen Martin
Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:11 CDT
The Old State House Museum recently added two flags to its Arkansas Civil War Flag Collection.
The flags are currently mounted on linen and encased in dark netting to keep the aged, fragile fabric intact. These antiquated methods of conservation prevent the ventilation of the fabric and expose the flags to further deterioration.
Both flags must be cleaned and preserved using modern conservation techniques. The museum’s goal is to conserve these two flags in time for exhibition in 2012 during Arkansas’s commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of America’s Civil War.
* Cost of conserving the newly acquired Consolidated 6th & 7th Arkansas Infantry Regiment Flag : $11,154
*? Cost of conserving the newly acquired Hart’s Battery (or Dallas Artillery) Flag: $14,727
* Total Conservation Costs: $25,881
Can you help? Contributions may be mailed to:
Save the Flags, Old State House Museum, 300 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR, 72201.
Flag and BannerHome
Jan
26
Recycle vs Sustainable
Filed Under my business | Leave a Comment
When I was growing up we “recycled”. Today Arkansas’ FlagandBanner.com is practicing “sustainable growth”. Whatever you call it I like it and we are doing our part.
Just this week we had Allied Waste Management drop off a big dumpster for cardboard and paper only. This is something we tried to do years ago but no one was offering a small enough service for our amount of paper. So, we got clever and started shredding our own paper and using it as packing materials instead of styrofoam peanuts, but we still had a lot of cardboard. Today no more worries about filling the landfill or cutting down trees …we’re recycling, I mean “sustainably growing”.
Other ways we recyle:
- we don’t use a lot of paper products in our kitchen, we wash.
- we use our leftover banner material to make “give away” banners.
- we use our excess prints to make tote bags
- and I am sure there is more, I just can’t think of it right now.
Home
Dec
17
I am totally into it…Social Networking
Filed Under advertising business, my business | Leave a Comment
I like the new trends in advertising. No more printing fliers, buying address lists, stuffing envelopes and mailing. Now you can keep your customers abreast of what’s new through electronic transfer of files…facebook, website, twitter and e-mails.
I like social networking for several reasons 1) it is less wasteful of our natural resources, 2) it is easier for the customer to receive info and throw out unwanted info, 3) it is faster to get info to customer, and 4) it is easier to create, so you can offer more promotions.
When I started Arkansas Flag and Banner, in the 70′s, sells were made by going door to door and shaking hands, the 80′s were telemarketing, the 90′s catalogs, and now technology (info on demand). This is my favorite so far.
To get special discounts join FlagandBanner.com’s Facebook page or sign up for our Flag Alerts and receive weekly e-blasts. I don’t know which method to recommend because they are both good, but different. The Facebook page is more personal, it is almost like seeing us in our underwear. And the e-blasts come right to your inbox, very effective time management.
Flag and BannerHome
Dec
2
Even the Turkey Couldn’t Hold Us Back!
Filed Under human resources, my business, personal | Leave a Comment
So with the thanksgiving holidays I expected our Weight Loss Challenge to, well… gain weight! But that was NOT the case. We overcame, against all odds, and defeated phase one of the holiday weight gaining season.
With Thanksgiving behind us we can focus on preparing mentally for the challenge of Christmas!? So, if you’re making Christmas cookies, send them some place else!!!
Here is what the Guru had to say about this weeks weigh in -
——-
Thanksgiving couldn’t keep you guys down! Some fantastic results this week people.
The numbers:
Team Red: dropped 10 pounds for a total of 28 pounds lost from initial weigh in, sitting at 1252 right now.
Team White: Dropped a pound, for a loss of 31 pounds since initial weigh-in, sitting at 1033.
Team Blue: These bad asses are taking no prisoners! Dropped another 9 pounds taking them down to 48 pounds lost since initial weigh-in, sitting at 1092 total right now.
Great job everyone! You proved that the holidays don’t have to be an excuse to gain weight. I’m hopeful that you all had a great Thanksgiving anyway. Some of you were shocked that you actually lost. I contend that once you become keenly aware of what you are eating based on the eating plan I put you on, you make more decisions that you are aware of that limit the amount of fat-gaining calories you would normally consume without realizing it
We are going into the home-stretch to Christmas right now so let’s stay focused on our goals and keep up this momentum. If you can get through this first round and actually drop you will all have a head start on the January resolution crowd. You should all be very proud of yourselves for that accomplishment.
Peace out.
JP
Flag and BannerHome
Oct
20
The Battle of the Collective Bulge
Filed Under creative stories, human resources, personal | Leave a Comment
Our company wide weight loss challenge looks to be back on track this week.? No big losses by any of the three teams but collectively we had a pretty good “loss” for the week!
Here is The Guru’s message for the week -
———————————————–
Progress! Good job everyone. Some pretty good progress was made this week. Let’s ride this wave of success to the next level.
Kerry, I think it’s time to have the talk… Everyone seems really motivated but they lack the tools they need to succeed. After this talk, everyone will walk away with useful and applicable knowledge… They will OWN it! Like that seen in the matrix when Tank uploads all that data to Neo’s brain… You’ll walk out of the room saying, “I know Kung Fu!”
Another factor that will impact fat loss progress is something we haven’t really addressed yet… Exercise. After talking to a few of you today I have determined that there is enough interest to propose a workout program that can be done in 10-15 minutes right here at F&B without having to even go to a gym using inexpensive resistance training bands as the equipment that will rev up your collective metabolisms. More on that later.
Here are the numbers today:
Some upsets today… White has come from behind for the first time since this contest started to tie it up with team Red. Team Blue dropped behind, but only by 1 pound.
Red: 1255 lb, down 3 pounds this week and down 25 pounds from initial weigh-in.
White: 1039 lb, down 25 pounds from initial weigh-in (a loss of NINE pounds this week!)
Blue: 1247, up 3 pounds this week, down 24 pounds from initial weigh-in.
The total F&B loss is 74 pounds from the initial weigh-in, so you are all 3541 total pounds as of today.
Keep sending me questions. I think you’re all starting to figure this stuff out, so don’t be shy. I want all of you to succeed!
Good job guys!
JP
Flag and BannerHome
Oct
13
One Step Forward… Two Steps Back
Filed Under creative stories, human resources, my business | Leave a Comment
So the weight loss challenge is picking up steam… just not in the right direction!? I didn’t post anything last week because, well, the numbers did not look good.? This week? Not much better and it isn’t even the holiday season yet!
Two weeks ago we had lost 100 pounds as a group. This week we back-tracked and are only down 65 pounds as a whole.? We’ve gained 35 pounds in two weeks!
Here is J(the fitness Guru)P’s inspiration for the week -
——–
The entire F&B staff gained a total of 18 pounds this week. The adjusted initial weigh-in total was 3615 pounds. Today’s total is 3550 pounds, putting the entire staff at a total of 65 pounds lost.
No more messing around. Let’s not make excuses. Take care of your body because it’s the only one you’ve got! Re-read last weeks email that I just sent this morning and make a promise to yourself to be accountable. Get a little notebook that you can journal your intake. I promise that you’ll see results quickly. It’s easy to think you’re eating okay if you’re not keeping a record of it because there are lots of little snacks that you don’t count. No one gains weight while eating a sub-maintenance calorie diet. If you are gaining then you are simply ingesting more than your body’s energy requirement. The numbers don’t lie!
It’s only going to get harder with the cold weather and holidays on the way. Take charge NOW.? Like Kerry has said, take advantage of my offer to help individuals with stalled progress.
Your friend in fitness,
JP
Flag and BannerHome
Sep
29
Company Weight Loss Challenge
Filed Under creative stories, human resources, my business, personal | Leave a Comment
So, about a month ago we started a company wide weight loss challenge.? Every week we have a fitness guru (Jean-Paul Francoeur of JP Fitness) come in and weigh all the participating employees.? We are divided into 3 teams – the red, white, and blue teams.? The team that looses the most weight by the end of the year wins the pot!
And what is in the pot you might ask? Well, to begin with it was a nice wad of cash that Arkansas Flag and Banner put in to seed-the-pot.? Each week if you, individually, gain any weight from the previous week you have to put in a dollar.
And I’m proud to announce that to-date we have lost a combined 100 pounds!? But we have a long way to go to reach many of our individual goals.
JP is good about sending us motivational emails after each week’s weigh in… I thought I would start sharing them with you.
Here is last weeks, and NO… I’m not dressed like a hooker!
************
AFB CREW – Looks like we’re getting back on track. If last week helped let me know. Don’t be shy about emailing me questions either. If you’re okay with everyone else benefiting from my reply just send to “all.” If you prefer to ask questions privately I’ll respect that too. I want to see a major loss this week!
Somehow (I don’t know how) Red team held on to their lead, but only by 3 pounds. Blue is hot on their heels. Red actually gained a pound last week, as did White team. Blue had the most loss this week with a drop of 6 pounds!
The numbers:
Red: 1382 (up one pound from last week and down 34 pounds from initial weigh-in)
White: 1217 (up one pound from last week and down 28 pounds from initial weigh-in)
Blue: 1240 (down six pounds and down 31 pounds from initial weigh-in)
Total amount lost from the entire staff since the weigh-in is back on track at 93 pounds. Congratulations F&B crew!
I want to issue a challenge this week. I think that if every person in this contest were to drop at least one measly pound we would have a 20 pound loss. IF you guys can lose a net of 20 pounds, Kerry has agreed to spring for a nutrition lecture by yours truly. And Kerry will dress up like a prostitute and walk downtown at lunch for an hour and try not to get arrested. (Just kidding on that last part)
Here’s how you can do it. It’s a simple matter of caloric restriction. Follow the guidelines I sent you last week but in addition to that, drop your regular serving size portions in half, and skip all dessert and beer for one week. Just try it for one little ol’ week.
Blue team, you’re only 3 pounds off… Every time you sit down to eat remember that you could pass Red this week and take one for the team! White, get back in the game. No more taking up the rear. Show ‘em that you’re still a contender.
I’m out… eat trout,
JP
**************
Flag and BannerHome
Sep
8
Dreamland Ballroom on Today’s THV news
Filed Under Dreamland Ballroom, advertising business, personal | Leave a Comment
So Sunday morning I am sitting at home sipping coffee, when the phone rings. It is Today’s THV reporter, Faith Abubey, she says, “Is this Kerry McCoy owner of Arkansas Flag and Banner?”
Faith had seen Dreamland Ballroom’s press release about our new nonprofit status and wanted to do a story on the place. Faith and I laughed about it must be a slow news day for her to be calling me at home and that I didn’t need a shower because it wasn’t smell-a-vision. So a time was set for us to meet in the Ballroom for the interview. She is a great women. She works alone with a camera and a mike. She records, writes, edits and narrates her own stories, all while wearing heels and makeup. What a girl!
The story aired Sunday at 5, 10 and 6 the next morning. I think she did a really good job but you be the judge…here it is…
Dreamland Ballroom on Today’s THV
Flag and BannerHome
Aug
17
Getting your GSA contract number is nothing to sneeze at. It is down right hard to fill out all the paper work and the government people you have for help well, they’re government people. But after years of talking about it and a solid year of applying, I have been accepted into the elite group of GSA contractors.
Funny thing is now that I have completed all the forms and jumped through all the hoops, the actual bids are easy to complete. I get a new bid via email almost everyday and it is so easy to fill out. Luv it. It has only been a few weeks but so far so good, I think it was all worth the effort.
Flag and BannerHome