Pat's Suggestion Box

02/27/2026

I don't think the public understands all of the costs of nuisances .... Financially with tax dollars, reputation, our local businesses.... Clarion is sick of it.

02/13/2026

Here's a tool I would be lost without -- USPS Informed Delivery. Every morning about 7:30am, I get an email showing me what will be in my mailbox later that day!! It also tracks packages as well. Sign up, it's free!!

Informed Delivery is a free service from USPS that shows you preview images of incoming mail, plus status updates about your incoming and outbound packages. Get notifications in a morning Daily Digest email, or at any time from the dashboard using your smartphone, computer, or USPS Mobile app.

02/12/2026

Gift card purchases can really boost a business during a rough patch. After a big snow storm where the downtown is closed for several days, I like to buy gift cards/certificates because I know that restaurants need fast cash as some of their food may have gone bad after the storm.

Stop by any of the eating establishments in Franklin County and pick up a gift card -- both your loved one AND the restaurant will appreciate it!

02/11/2026

Did you know you can check for vehicle recalls by going to this site? Also, it's advised you go to your car manufacturer website as well, but this is a short cut....

Use our VIN lookup tool to check for recalls on your car, or search by make and model. Our databases also list car seats, tires, and equipment recalled for unreasonable safety risk or failing to meet minimum safety standards.

02/09/2026

A very cool concept!! Something special for our area!! Sign up today!!

01/29/2026

A few years ago I was at an event at the home of David & Cindy Bertolino. Those names don't mean much to you I'm sure, but they are a couple of very nice people from North Hollywood, California. They are selfless in generosity and have helped me out, along with many others.

They have a sign that they post when they host events at their home.....

"There's no limit to what you can do or where you can go, if you don't mind who gets the credit."

I'd like to think of this motto as to what we can do in Hampton and Franklin County. If you see a need, just take care of it -- great or small.

01/27/2026

This was brought up to me today in one of the threads on here and I want to bring it up to for general discussion.....

I think Hampton needs a pool of 4-5 flexible 1099 contract employees that could be called on or scheduled in a pinch or if someone calls in sick or there's a doctor's appointment.

Maybe 1 Saturday at month at the Library or someone has a sick kid. It would take some work, but I think that Hampton could benefit from some sort of labor pool. I don't think that one business could lean on someone for 7 days in a row, but a shift or day now and then might be logical. I just HATE to see businesses short on labor OR have to close in the middle of the day. If you are not consistent with your hours -- it leads to "well, they are never open" type of comments....and negativity.

When I struggled with help when my employee was on vacation, I hired a gal who could answer the phone -- that's all she did. If someone stopped by, I knew she could write up a sheet on a computer issue....no computer knowledge required. I paid her in cash...she was happy and I was happy....

The pay would be a bit of an issue, but let's say $13 an hour to start with for everyone -- 1099 contract so no one has to take out taxes and just a phone call away.

Your thoughts?????

01/26/2026

If you are a restaurant and know your specials for the week, post them on Sunday night. Posting your special of the day at 10am is too late -- people are already at work or have lunch covered. This restaurant posted their specials at 11pm on the day before.

Try that and see if you have success -- you may persuade someone to leave their sack lunch at home and hit up your restaurant!

01/24/2026

Our very first video is with a special young lady who has a bright future and she was the obvious choice to start out with her. Again, whether you are in Hampton, Franklin County or anywhere in North Iowa, check in with Dezerae at Phoenix Consulting to get some great information to help you or your business!
Please FOLLOW Phoenix Consulting on Facebook!!!

01/24/2026

Getting ready for our first interview!!!! Dezerae Mae with Phoenix Consulting!!!