Adam Snyder's blog

 Summer’s Here and the Time Is Right for Signs to Sell Your Beets

The Farmers’ Market is probably one of my favorite weekend destinations. I love fresh vegetables and fruit – not mention these days you can find farm-fresh eggs, fresh organic cheeses and dairy products, just-picked herbs, and some fantastic organic grass-fed meats if you’re really lucky. For a foodie like me it is absolute nirvana…a perfect state of peace, not the ‘90s Seattle grunge band!

Yet on my treks to various markets recently, I’ve noticed one thing that often could use some extra pizzazz – the signs many of these small businesses use to market their farm-fresh goodies. Whether you’re selling homemade crafts, grass-fed brisket or the oh-so-delectable banana-pineapple-macadamia nut salsa I can never resist, the signs you use to advertise your business and set you apart from the other vendors selling similar wares are critical! ...read more

Not too long ago, I finished my first marathon. It was quite an effort but it was rewarding. Now, I am wondering what to do next – another marathon, an Olympic triathlon or something completely different? No matter what, I will keep running. And if you are thinking a marathon is too daunting, a fun way to compete is the marathon relay.

In a marathon relay, you and three to four of your friends each take part of the marathon and only run a section of it. I did one last December with my sister and three of my friends and it was great. Runningrelays.com is great website that even has Random Team Name Generator that helped us figure out our own team name – the Questionable Motley Crew. It also has lots of tips and tricks for running relays of all lengths. If I can find a team, I’ve even been considering running the “Capital 2 Coast” relay that goes from Austin to Corpus Christi, Texas.  ...read more

This is Part Three in our three-part series on celebrating the upcoming Fourth of July holiday in style!

With Independence Day coming up this Sunday, I can’t wait to celebrate with family and friends (and enjoy a long weekend, too!). I always look forward to seeing our Fourth of July fireworks, but this year I wanted to find different ways to celebrate the holiday. I thought I’d share some fun and festive ideas I discovered online:

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This is Part One in a three-part series on celebrating the upcoming Fourth of July holiday in style!

The Fourth of July is coming up, which means cookouts and picnics and neighborhood get together. I am in Texas which also means the temperature will be somewhere between 100 and one million degrees outside, depending on the heat index. It is entirely possible I will become stuck walking through melted asphalt at some point during the day.

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Being a former manager of a FedEx Office center, I can tell you that the team members working behind the counters really know small businesses. And not just because our company once was a small business (did you know the first Kinko’s was just one copy machine located on the sidewalk next to a taco stand in California?). No, it’s because small businesses are in our centers each and every day, working with team members to find the solutions that help them build business. And for the last three years we’ve done a nationwide survey of entrepreneurs just like them to see how they’re feeling about things – their business, their customers, the economy and more. 

This year, the results told us that things are looking up for small businesses…that they feel poised to help drive the U.S. economy out of its rut. I thought that was great news, and definitely worth spreading the word about! ...read more

This Memorial Day, when you’re enjoying your day off from work and perhaps grilling out or spending time with family, take a moment to remember the reason for the holiday. It’s a time to reflect on our country’s history and thank those who have served in the armed forces to protect our freedom and safety. Both of my grandfathers served in World War II (one fought in Iwo Jima and one was an airplane mechanic), so I am especially thankful on this holiday.

To help commemorate the occasion, consider sending a care package to a serviceman or woman serving overseas right now.  

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It has been really windy here in Dallas lately-- way more than usual. One good thing about a windy day is that it makes for excellent kite-flying weather. I have found different websites with tips for making kites and came up with my own template for a small kite that is pretty easy to put together and allows you to decorate it however you want. 

Here are the supplies you’ll need and steps for assembly. (FYI, most of these items can be found at FedEx Office locations and some can be used free of charge in the self-service area.)

What You’ll Need: ...read more

I love cookies. I love all kinds. They are my greatest vice. If you want some of my money, offer to sell me a cookie. Now not to toot my own horn, but I am pretty good baker myself. People seem to love my baked goods, especially my rice cereal treats — which you bakers out there know aren’t really baked. They are quite easy to make and are always crowd pleasers, so I often use my skills to help generate donations for charities I support.

Here are my tips for hosting a successful bake sale fundraiser: ...read more

My team at work is a little food obsessed. Okay, truthfully, we’re a LOT food obsessed. We start talking about lunch around 9:30 in the morning. So when it comes to team builders, we find there is nothing better than a potluck. A little time with colleagues with good food and good conversation can really build team unity.

There is not much to planning the perfect potluck but there are some key things you can do to make them effortless. ...read more

With Easter just a little more than a week away, I thought it was time to share some helpful sites (besides our own!) with ideas for celebrating this special holiday. My best friend’s 3-year old, Cade, is to the age where he is starting to understand holidays and as “Uncle Adam” I’ve been thinking up Easter activities. The first thing that comes to mind is the traditional Easter egg hunt. Even though it can be a fun activity – as adults search for devilishly difficult hiding places and kids scurry around trying to find them – I wanted to “hunt” down tips for less common ways to enjoy the day with family and friends. And of course, since it is me, I have been putting some serious thought into Easter dinner. With that in mind, here are a few sites with ideas to help celebrate this April holiday. ...read more