Great Tips for a Smoother Move- Breckenridge Real Estate

If you're among thousands of people who have picked up and moved their family to a new home or a new community, you have fresh memories of some of the ups and downs or thrills of moving. Drawing from personal experience, I know there are lots of ways to help make your household move easier and smoother. Read here for help to get your life and your possessions organized for a peaceful and exciting move. 

      Make a list: Write everything down! You'll thank yourself later. Before you pack even one box, create a a computer-printed list of numbers with a space to write down the contents. Or a spiral-bound notebookcan do the job. You'll place a number on EVERY box you pack and list the contents on your list. Don't put the list down unless it's in a place you'll call Packing Central. This is where you'll find your labels, marking pens, box tape, and other supplies. When describing the box contents, be specific -- "A-D files" is better than "files", and "Tulip dishes" rather than "misc. kitchen".

Have plenty of supplies. Don't make me say this twice-- you'll need LOTS of boxes--probably more boxes than you think, and having enough boxes will make your life easier! (If you buy your boxes from a moving company, you can always return unused boxes for a refund. If you got them free from the grocery, just toss any leftovers. Have about 10 boxes set aside to use for last minute items on moving day, such as bedding, clothing, and cleaning supplies. You'll need strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely. Use unprinted newsprint (newspaper can stain your items) or packing paper or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion household goods. Again, you'll need lots more supplies than you think, so get extra - so the packing can go smoothly. Return any unused supplies after the truck is packed. Utilize wardrobe boxes. These tall boxes are perfect for bulky, lightweight items such as comforters, pillows, and blankets, as well as clothes that need to remain hanging.

Call your mover to ask the width of the wardrobe boxes they'll be bringing. Then measure the clothes in your closets (including coat closets) to see how many wardrobe boxes you'll need. You can also use them for closet storage boxes, shoe boxes, and other bulky items such as fabric bolts, large baskets, or gift wrap tubes. Breckenridge Real Estate Try not to make the boxes too heavy to lift. One mover told the story of someone who put a bowling ball in a wardrobe box! When the box was lifted off the truck the bottom gave way, sending the bowling ball on a wild ride down the ramp, across the street to the gutter, then down a hill where it finally came to rest in a roadside ditch. (Is that a strike or a spare?)

Breckenridge Colorado maintains the feel of a historic mining town while offering resort- like amenities and  real estate opportunities designed by nature to fit every lifestyle. More than 4,000 people call Breckenridge home even though thousands more visit the region to ski, snowboard and enjoy other winter activities. Other pastimes such as hiking, biking and golfing are popular with amateurs and experts alike during the gorgeous summer months. Breckenridge real estate offers a wide variety of choices when it comes to finding the right property. Luxury homes, mountain cabins, townhomes, condos and acreage are available for home buyers looking to settle in this wonderful mountain town.

To buy or sell in the Breckenridge Real Estate market or any other area in Summit County, contact the experienced real estate professionals at TenPeaks Sotheby's International Realty. If you would like more information about buying or selling Breckenridge real estate or any other area in Summit County, contact the experienced local real estate professionals at Ten Peaks Sotheby's International Realty.

For Free listing updates check out our website at www.TenPeaksSothebysRealty.com

YUMMY!! - BRECKENRIDGE REAL ESTATE

ARTICLE FROM SUCCESS MAGAZINE

Taking a Chance on Chocolate

Frank Crail turned a small-town idea into sweet success.

Brandy  Jules 

Frank Crail, a former CIA systems analyst and tech company founder, wanted a simpler life. He and his wife wanted to move from Southern California to a small town where they could start a small business and raise a large family. They accomplished the latter, eventually having seven children.

But that small-town business idea did not remain small; under Crail’s leadership as CEO, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory grew to become the largest candy store chain in the United States. Thirty years after it was founded, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has more than 350 franchises in the United States, Canada and the United  Arab Emirates.

Crail had been co-founder and president of a company that developed billing software for the cable television industry when he and his wife decided to move to Durango, Colo.He knew he wanted to start some type of business there. “I looked around for a business to open and really didn’t find anything that seemed to make any sense,” Crail tells SUCCESS, “and actually went up and down the street talking to people and asking, ‘What kind of business does Durango need?’ ”

Many people told him a carwash would be nice, but Crail couldn’t see himself running a carwash. Another suggestion he heard was a candy store, and that idea appealed to him.Now offering about 300 varieties of chocolate candies and confectionery products, such as fudge, gourmet truffles and caramel-dipped apples, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory continues to grow. It recently introduced a new concept called Aspen Leaf Yogurt, a self-serve yogurt franchise, and the first store opened in San Antonio,Texas, in December.

SUCCESS: You created a family experience for customers by drawing them in with the aroma of chocolate and encouraging them to watch it being made. Was this part of your marketing plan?

Frank Crail: Yes, it was. We try to create an ambiance in the store where people feel comfortable coming in, where kids like to watch stuff being made. We sample; we try not to be just a chocolate store where you can come in and buy some chocolate and leave, but we really try to engage people and entertain them and actually answer questions and make them part of the process of what we are doing. And I think that’s one of the trademarks of Rocky Mountain.

Was it your plan to franchise in the beginning?

FC: No, it wasn’t. Really what happened, after we got the first store up and running, one of the other partners thought he would like to do it on a full-time basis … So we found a little space in Breckenridge [Colo.], and that’s when we opened our second store. And Jim Hilton, who was the partner, moved to Breckenridge and ran that store for about six months. And then we opened a third store in Boulder,Colo., and the third partner, Mark Lipinski, operated that store. And so there still wasn’t any grand idea of ‘Let’s franchise.’

Another friend of ours who lived in San Diego heard about it and said, ‘Wow, I would like to move out of San Diego and try something if you guys franchise.’ At that point, we really didn’t know anything about franchising; it was totally new. So I started doing some investigation on what it would take to franchise, and we decided, ‘Let’s give it a shot; let’s test it and see if it makes any sense as a business opportunity.’ Things went well, and so we decided we would start franchising.

What strategies did you use to grow your business?

FC: The No. 1 thing is you have to have a great product. We have never cut back on the expense of raw materials. From the very beginning we put up the best product we possibly could. And I think no matter how good your service is, no matter how great the ambiance is in the store, the customer is not going to come back unless they know the product they bought is really good.

Were you ever fearful in the beginning or as you were building your company?

FC: One of the things that drive people to be successful is the fear of failure. Many times I would wake up at 2 in the morning and think, Oh my gosh, how am I going to make payroll? Or, Is this really going to work? How are we going to overcome this obstacle? I guess I sort of have a habit of looking at what’s the worst possible thing that could happen. Anything better than that is going to be good.

It’s much easier now than it was in the early days, when I just felt like I was the only person worrying about anything. Now I’ve got lots of people that help me do that.

What daily practices help you stay motivated and focused?

HIKING IN THE MOUNTAINS - THINGS TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF -  HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT CRAMPS

SAFETY FIRST

Many people enjoy coming to the mountains and going for hikes.  Summit County and surrounding areas offer many hiking trails. You can chose trails off of Wilderness, Ten Mile Range, Buffalo Mountain and Mohawk Lakes. These areas, along with the Peaks Trail, are some of the locals' favorites. You may also chose to stroll along some of the local lakes.  The local visitor centers have maps of these trails or you can go on line and look for the perfect hike for you, your family and friends.

Hiking can be fun but there are some important things to be knowledgeable of.

When you're at such a high altitude all hikers need to be aware of the following;

Be prepared. Bring plenty of water, sport drinks, food and sun screen (remember to apply to your ears and the back of you neck).  SAFETY FIRST.  

Always let friends and family know where you plan to hike and bring a cell phone.

How to know if someone is suffering from Heat Cramps: 

The pain of heat cramps can affect a hiker's leg muscles, calves, abdominal wall, back or even arms.  If you, or anyone in your group, experiences any of the above you should;

Stop and relax in a cool and shaded area if possible.  Take in plenty of fluids preferably water and or sports drinks with electrolytes. STAY AWAY FROM CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL.  Gently massage the affected muscles and stretch gently.  If these symptoms do not go away within an hour after resting, it is time to seek medical attention.

How to know if someone is suffering from Heat Exhaustion:

Feeling faint or dizzy - Nausea - Low Blood Pressure - A rapid weak heartbeat, cool, moist, pale skin - Low-grade fever - Sweating Heavily - Heat cramps - Fatigue - Headache.  If you or someone in your group is suffering from any of the above symptoms, do the following.  Get the hiker to the coolest area as possible and out of the sun.  Keep the hiker hydrated. In this situation water is a good friend to have. Soak body, hands, wrists and or feet in a stream, you can also wet down their clothing including hats.   If someone has a temperature of 101F or more, or they faint, GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. 

One more bit of information, it may sound like fun to drink alcohol while hiking but it is not advisable. 

So enjoy your hike, be safe and return to the county soon.  And if you happen to see a property that peaks your interest, please stop by Ten Peaks Sotheby's International Realty, 69 Marksberry Way, P.O. Box 4163, Breckenridge, CO 80424 - 970.453.0550 - We have plenty of water on hand and coffee and tea drinks for your tired body after your beautiful hike.