7 Ways to Make it to Year 7 as a Small Business Owner

We are celebrating the 7th anniversary of Root Realty today and I can't help but reflect on how far I have come in the past 7 years as a person, and business owner. I am so proud of everything Root has accomplished here in Jacksonville, and I am beyond excited to see what comes next for us. Today also has me thinking about all of the lessons I have learned along the way, so I thought I would share 7 tips for my fellow small business owners to make it to year 7!

Starting and running a small business is no small feat. It requires dedication, hard work, and a strategic approach to ensure your business not only survives but thrives!

If you're looking to make it to year seven and beyond in business, here are 7 things that helped me in my first 7 years. I hope they can help guide you on your business journey!

1. Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses from the Very Beginning

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses is the cornerstone of building a successful business. Take the time to conduct a thorough self-assessment and be honest with yourself about where you excel and where you may need assistance. This self-awareness will help you make informed decisions about which aspects of your business you should handle personally and which you should delegate to other members of your team!

2. Leverage Where Needed as You Cannot Do It All!

It's a common misconception that as a small business owner, you have to do everything yourself. In reality, trying to handle every task can lead to burnout. Instead, leverage the expertise of others when needed. This could mean hiring employees or outsourcing tasks like accounting, marketing, or IT. By delegating, you free up your time to focus on what you do best and allow your business to grow more quickly and efficiently.

3. Trust Your Gut. ALWAYS.

Intuition plays a significant role in decision-making for small business owners. While data and analysis are crucial, sometimes your gut feeling can lead you in the right direction when facing tough choices. Trust your instincts, but also be willing to learn from your mistakes and adapt your decision-making process over time.

4. Find Your Niche and Lean All In

One of the keys to success in a competitive market is finding your niche and becoming an expert in it. Understand your target audience, their needs, and how your product or service can fulfill those needs better than anyone else. Once you've found your niche, focus your efforts and resources on serving it exceptionally well. Specialization can set you apart from competitors and create a loyal customer base.

5. Hire the Best Talent + Quality - Never Compromise This
Your team is the backbone of your business, so hiring the best talent is non-negotiable. Look for individuals who not only have the necessary skills but also align with your company's values and culture. High-quality employees will contribute to your business's growth and reputation, so never compromise on finding the right people for the job!

6. Automate as Much as Possible

In today's digital age, automation can significantly streamline your business processes and save you valuable time and resources. Look for opportunities to automate repetitive tasks, such as emails, inventory management, or customer support. By doing so, you'll reduce the risk of errors and free up more time to focus on strategic initiatives to grow your business and giving your clients the best possible service!

7. Leave Positive Impressions Everywhere
Your reputation is everything in business, and positive impressions can lead to loyal customers and valuable referrals. Always strive to provide exceptional customer service, exceed expectations, and go the extra mile. Additionally, maintain a strong online presence through social media, online reviews, and a professional website. Every interaction, whether in person or online, is an opportunity to leave a positive impression.

In conclusion, making it to year seven as a small business owner requires a combination of self-awareness, strategic decision-making, and a commitment to excellence. By identifying your strengths and weaknesses, delegating when necessary, trusting your instincts, specializing in your niche, hiring top talent, embracing automation, and leaving positive impressions, you can increase your chances of not only surviving but thriving in the competitive world of small business. Keep these tips in mind as you navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and here's to many more successful years in business!

Rooting For You,

MaryAnne Rodriguez

5 LOW MAINTENANCE PLANTS FOR YOUR HOME

Are you like me? in the sense that you love plants but every plant that you buy dies? that’s how I used to be actually, because I used to buy the wrong plants for my home, and also very high-maintenance plants. Nobody likes high maintenance anything! LOL. Well, guess what? These 5 houseplants are easy to care for, they will bring the outdoors in and visual interest to your home:

1. Money Tree: this guy boasts a braided trunk, and yellow-green almond shaped leaves; watch where you place it because it can grow up to 6 ft indoors. It’s a symbol of good luck and prosperity, all you have to do is expose it to bright, indirect sunlight 6 hrs a day, and only water it when the soil is dry. This plant prefers humid environments, so it could make a fun botanical accent in a bathroom, where it will be exposed to regular shower steam (that is if you shower often).

MONEY PLANT. Photo from 1-800 FLOWERS.COM


2. Spider Plant: This girl is long, elegant, and ribbon-like, perfect as a hanging plant. Spider plants thrive in temperatures ranging from 65° and 90° Fahrenheit, and they produce little “babies” that you can re-pot for added greenery. It needs to be watered 1x per week and may need occasional trimming.

spider plant. photo from realsimple.com

3. Peperomia: I love this one because it’s not super picky about the environment, it is no more than a foot high, and features large, rounded, waxy leaves, that are sturdy and super smooth. These plants thrive in low light and do well when watered sparingly (once per week).

PEPEROMIA.

4. Fiddle Leaf Fig: The glossy violin-shaped leaves on this plant, make it look elegant, they grow upright on a sleek trunk. A fiddle-leaf fig is perfect as a focal point of a room if you can situate it in a floor-standing container where the plant is allowed to grow to at least 6 feet tall. It's a fairly fast grower and can be potted at any point in the year. Keep in mind this gorgeous plant is toxic to cats and dogs. You have to water it once every 7-10 days.

FIDDLE LEAF FIG TREE. PHOTO FROM LEON AND GEORGE. COM

5. Zebra plant: The Zebra plant is perfect for plant lovers with limited space. These spiky green plants rarely grow taller than one foot. The upward-growing leaves have white bands, which provide them with their name and unique look. You only have to water it once every 2-3 weeks, when the soil is mostly dry.

Zebra plant.

I hope this blog post is useful, and motivates you to go and add some green to your home. Did you know that there are now self-watering pots too? I found this company called Easy Plant and I thought it was an amazing idea, to sell beautiful, live indoor plants in their innovative self-watering pots. You don’t have to find a sitter for your plants anymore!

—Dany Amparano

HOW TO CHOOSE WHITE PAINT AND THE BEST WHITE PAINT COLORS

polar white by benjamin moore

White, the color white brings peace, calm, and a sense of serenity, it’s the lightest color in the spectrum and it doesn’t have a hue. White represents serenity, harmony, and balance. In a spiritual sense, this color symbolizes purity, holiness, and innocence. White, gives the perception of cleanliness and suggests simplicity, order, and organization. So, if you ask me, you can’t go wrong with white walls, white cabinets, white bedding, white EVERYTHING.

But have you ever gone to a store to purchase white paint and stood there for hours without knowing which one to choose? The amount of white paint tones is ENDLESS, and it is SO hard to choose! I am not going to pretend to be an expert here, you are going to find one hundred articles talking about the kind of undertones in white paint, what works best for the interior or the exterior of a home depending on how much sunlight you get in the space, etcetera, but, I will give you a few quick tips so you can make a better and faster decision:

1.    Ask for samples: When you are trying to find the best white paint color, it is important to get samples of each color before making your final decision. While making up a few samples can be a bit of an investment, it’s nothing compared to repainting a room when the wrong color goes up.

2.    Once you have the samples, try them side by side at home, in the exact space that you are planning to paint. This will allow you to see how the color looks in your space and decide if white walls are the right choice for you.

3.    Observe how the color looks at different times of the day and take photos.

4.    Pick a white that relates to your space: Even put some of your home decorations next to the color to see which one matches better.

5.    Buy high quality paint.

 Now off to colors, here is a list of the 10 Best White Paint Colors in 2023:

  • Polar White 2069-70 by Benjamin Moore: Polar White offers a bright, clean look that’s perfect for adding a touch of modern style to any room.

  • White Dove OC-17 by Benjamin Moore: Benjamin Moore white dove is a subtle shade that will give any décor an elegant touch. 

  • Simply White 2143-70 by Benjamin Moore: Simply White is a crisp and vibrant shade that reflects light and makes a space feel larger.

  • Chantilly Lace 2121-70 by Benjamin Moore: Benjamin Moore chantilly lace is a warm white paint with almost no undertones, which makes it an extremely versatile and neutral paint color.

chantilly lace by bm (photo from house beautiful)

  • Pure White SW 7005 by Sherwin Williams: Pure White is a bright and bold hue that adds an exciting pop of color to any décor.

  • Alabaster SW 7008 by Sherwin Williams: Alabaster is a soft and muted off white paint color that creates an inviting atmosphere.

  • White Heron SW 7627 by Sherwin Williams: White Heron is a timeless shade perfect for achieving a classic look. 

  • All White 2005 by Farrow & Ball: All White is a creamy white that pairs well with cool grays and blues for a modern look. 

  • Extra White SW 7006 by Sherwin Williams: Extra White by Sherwin Williams is a modern off-white that offers a clean and bright look. 

  • Oyster White SW 7637 by Sherwin Williams: Oyster White by Sherwin Williams is a warm white and inviting shade that creates a cozy atmosphere

Do you want to hear a secret? Bit of Sugar by Behr is our beloved MaryAnne Rodriguez’s go-to. And unlike me, she is a PRO at this LOL. I must go find my overalls and my paintbrush now. I hope this was useful!

bit of sugar by behr

Dany Amparano

PS.-Here is a list of articles that I used as a source of inspiration, and might be useful for you:

FAMILY HANDYMAN
SOUTHERN CRUSH AT HOME
CHAIRISH
THE YOGA NOMADS
THOU SWELL

5 BEST COFFEE SPOTS IN JAX

I cannot start my day without my Cup of Joe, I love waking up at 6:30 am to the aroma of fresh coffee, and my husband, who doesn’t drink coffee AT ALL, doesn’t get my obsession with it; every time we travel, he dreads having to stop by a coffee shop so I can get my caffeine fix, especially because I usually want to go to the trendiest, most popular spots in town and there is always a long line LOL. But let me tell you where my obsession comes from, I have always been really bad at staying up until late at night, I prefer waking up extra early in the morning, so during finals in high school, my dad used to make me a cup of “cafe con leche” (with tons of sugar I am sure) so I could be awake and studying at 5 am, at the beginning I HATED the taste, but with time, I learned to appreciate it, got rid of the sugar, and found that I am way happier in the mornings if I have my cup of coffee.

Geez Louise. As a coffee lover, it was REALLY hard to choose JUST 5 spots, I also didn’t want my selection to be biased, so I asked my Root-mates what their favorite coffee spots in JAX are, and here they are!

Bold bean coffee, riverside location

1928 cuban bistro

  1. Bold Bean Coffee Roasters: Their mission says it all “To source, roast and serve remarkable coffees, learn continuously and foster community, to be good people and have fun” and boy have they accomplished their mission. Whether you go to their Riverside or Beach location, you can be sure to find great coffee and a sense of community. They source coffee in a sustainable way from countries like Peru, Colombia, and South Africa, to name a few…
    *Lauren’s go-to order is their Iced Vanilla Latte.

  2. 1928 Cuban Bistro: They have locations in Baymeadows, Ortega, St John’s, Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville Beach. Not only do they serve CAFÉ DELICIOSO, but also Cuban food that is to die for, think Croqueta Egg Sandwich, Cuban Sandwich, Empanadas, Ensalada, Pan con Lechon, yuuum, now I am drooling. Do you know what else I love about them? 80% of their staff are Latina Women (or JEFAS, as we Latins like to call them), this place is modern, authentic, and Latina owned.
    *According to Erica and Anna, they serve the BEST coffee, straight cafecito, cortadito, or capuccino.

  3. Southern Grounds: What can I say about SG that I haven’t already said in previous blog posts? Southern Grounds holds a special place in my heart. It was the first coffee shop that I visited when I moved to Jacksonville in 2016, this is where I met my first friends, started a new project, and brought my newborn baby to work with me, one of my best friends and I would go for long runs on Saturdays and grab our Iced Coffee after, so we could chillax while sitting, sipping and talking by the beach. UGH, I love this place.
    *My favorite is their Iced Latte with almond milk. Erica’s go-to order is pancakes/grits with a Hot Hazelnut Latte.

  4. Brew Five Points: This is THE spot for us Root-mates, if you stop by from M-F, you will probably find one of us working there, or getting coffee to go for the rest of us. Brew serves good coffee, good food, and they have a good time while doing it. If you stop by, make sure you take a look at the wall of local art that they have exhibited there, it never disappoints, sometimes, they also sell locally grown flowers, arranged by one of their baristas, who owns the Antibride.
    *Emily’s favorite is the Iced Honey Latte.

  5. Le Petite Paris: They have 3 locations: Mandarin, Atlantic Beach and Southside -coming soon. Stepping into LPJ, feels like being in literally little Paris, “The sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional Parisian café await you at Le Petit Paris”, they are open for breakfast, lunch, and brunch, and guess what? they serve wine. Who doesn’t love a glass of white wine with a Croissant fresh out of the oven?
    *Our favorite is the Lavender and Honey Latte.

BREW FIVE POINTS.

Other local coffee shops worth mentioning are:

  • Social House Coffee: our fave? the Vanilla Capuccino

  • Vagabond Coffe: if you are a tea drinker, go for their CHAI, it’s one of the best in town.

  • Bitty and Beau: This is MaryAnne’s favorite, she claims it’s “The sweetest coffee shop”.

I gotta go now, as usual, this post made me thirsty and hungry! See you soon at one of these hot spots!

Dany










BEST BRUNCH IN JACKSONVILLE

When I set up to write this blog post about the BEST BRUNCH IN JACKSONVILLE, I was thinking about the best way to approach it, should I only talk from personal experience? should I ask my friends for their favorite spots in town? or should I ask my Root-mates? I decided to go with the latter. I know not everyone is a big fan of brunch, because what do you order, breakfast, lunch, or both? It can be confusing, and brunch is also known as the “most dreaded meal in most professional kitchens” but I know that my Root-mates are huge fans of this dining experience, so hopefully, this post will serve as a guide for you, and will get you to try THE best brunch in Jacksonville.

 

One of MaryAnne’s favorite spots for brunch is ORSAY. Her first date with Gerry was there, so it’s a special spot for both, she says: “You can’t go wrong with the deviled egg selections, in-house pastries, and of course, the grand mimosa! If you can, try to get a spot outside for a more casual/weekend feel”. Outside it is MA!

Orsay Restaurant, photo credit, instagram @orsayjax

 

Erica loves eating brunch at Prati Italia at St John’s Town Center, she also recommends grabbing a table on the patio (when the weather is nice) with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary in hand and ordering the Fontina Meatballs as an appetizer. It doesn’t matter the time of day, her go-to meals are the breakfast bowl, veggie omelet, or the fried chicken biscuit * chefs kiss *.

yummi drinks at prati italia. photo credit, instagram @pratiitaliajax

 

The District SPR in Springfield is hands down Emily’s favorite brunch spot, she likes to reserve a private yurt or enjoy the outdoor garden for a truly relaxing atmosphere while enjoying live music (see a pattern here? My Root-mates are outdoorsy). Emily claims “you can’t go wrong with the Maple Bacon Deviled Eggs, the Charcuterie Board, and the Champagne Tower.

charcuterie board. photo credit: instagram @thedistrictspr

 

Alaina’s choice is Taverna in San Marco, and I agree with her! The ambiance at Taverna, is unbeatable whether seated indoors or out. She highly recommends ordering the Poached Eggs or the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes paired with Mimosas (go easy on the OJ!). My personal favorites are the Prosciutto Scone and the Taverna Benedict Florentine.

 

Terry’s Grill is Jamie’s favorite spot to get brunch, she said “It gives you the feeling of a small-town place in a big city”. Biscuits & gravy is her go-to order. I haven’t been here, but their ½ Pound Patty Melt with Grilled Onions and Provolone looks delicious!

 

Katie’s favorite spot is Southern Grounds. She loves to order a Mimosa or Coffee with their amazing Grits Bowl. Amanda seconds The District SPR and loves eating brunch at Metro Diner (on Hendrick’s Ave) because it has a quirky interior and they have a creative take on the classics, especially Eggs Benedict. Another must try here is their Chicken and Waffles, you can trade their Waffles for Croissant French Toast, they top it with strawberry butter and it’s to die for! Did you know you can also BYOB (bring your own booze)? Now THAT’S A PLUS!

photo credit: instagram @southerngroundsco

chicken and waffles @metrodiner

 

Here is a quick list of other places mentioned by my Root-mates:

Biscotti’s/ Jacki

Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar/Ariana and Lauren

Bistro Aix, Community Loaves and Le Petit Paris Café/ Sidney

photo credit: @lepetitparisjax instagram

Coop 303, The Local/Erica.

*You can click on each restaurant’s name to go to their website, read their menu and locations.

 

By the way, have you watched The Big Brunch? it’s an eight-episode series on HBO Max, if you haven’t, turn your TV on and do it right now, it’s a cooking competition that tasks chefs with making brunch, the show is in the hands of “Schitt’s Creek” co-creator Dan Levy, and it is yummy, funny, and warm. So go ahead, ENJOY!

the big brunch, hbo max series.

I must go, writing this blog post made me hungry.

Dany Amparano @danyamparanorealtor

 

10 Ways To Maintain Your Home

  • Changing out your air filter every month will keep your air conditioning system running smoothly and efficiently!  Your air filter will be located in your air handler which should be somewhere inside your home or in your garage (if you have central AC system). You can determine what size filter you’ll need to buy based on the measurements printed on the side of the filter (Ex: 20x23x1).

  • This next really came as a shock to me so don’t feel badly if you’ve never done this before. Your dishwasher has a filter located at the bottom of the unit underneath the dishwasher blades. You’ll unlock the cylindrical filter by twisting it counterclockwise and gently pulling it upward. Place the filter into a bowl or the sink filled with hot soapy water which will loosen the food debris. After a few minutes, you’ll use an old toothbrush to scrub out all the remaining debris and replace the filter into your dishwasher. After I’ve got the filter squeaky clean, I like to place a bowl of vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher and run a steamy deep cleaning cycle! It’s recommended that you clean this filter once monthly btw- YIKES!

  • Using daily shower spray is a great way to keep your shower sparkly in between deep cleanings, but at least once a season, I like to give my shower a nice little scrub down. Bar-Keepers Friend is JUST the product for this job! First, remove everything from your shower. Then have a scrub brush and a bowl of hot water handy as you sprinkle Bar-Keepers Friend over the surface of the shower. Get your scrub brush wet and lightly brush the powder across the floor to create a paste. Let the paste sit a few minutes before using hot water to spray away the excess. I like to focus more heavily on the grout than the tiles, as those seem to look the most discolored! You can also use this method on on floor grout to liven up the color!

  • Yep, another filter! Make sure you’re changing your refrigerator water filter every six months to ensure you’re drinking the freshest water you can!

  • While we are on the subject of refrigerators, did you know that there a coils underneath it that need to be maintained for optimal functionality! Mine are behind a plastic kick plate at the bottom of my fridge. I like to take my vacuum attachment and vacuum out the coils probably twice a year.

  • Keeping water properly diverted from your house is a task that is well-worth your while and can prevent big issues down the line. Ensure water is properly diverted by cleaning out your gutters every so often. You’re going to need a ladder, a small shovel, gloves and a water hose. Use the shovel and gloves to remove the dirt and debris. From there, take your water hose and spray out the downspout to pass any clogs! To avoid this monotonous task, I highly suggest investing in Gutter Guards. Gutter Guards are mesh cages that can be fitted over your gutters to keep debris from settling in your gutters all together!

  • Per Consumer Reports, 14,000 house fires per year are caused by clothes dryers! It’s recommended that you have your dryer vent cleaned out once a year! A quick Google search will connect you with a dryer vent cleaning company so you can rest easily!

  • Take it from me, if you live in a house with exterior paint- keep an eye out for chipping paint and apply touch up paint right when you spot it! Repainting your entire exterior can be BIG job if you go at it alone so touching up as you go will save you a lot of time! And fun fact from a Realtor’s perspective- when it comes to resale of your home, chipping paint can be a problem several loan types for buyers. Tackling paint touch-ups head on will help you avoid doing it on the fly while you’re under contract with a buyer!

  • If you’ve got a lot of trees and plants in your yard, you’re going to want to have them regularly maintained. I recommend hiring a tree trimming service once a year to take care of dead limbs and overgrowth. When it comes you plants and bushes near your home, you want to ensure that the plants aren’t touching your actual structure. When plants are touching your structure, you are more open to insects and critters!

  • If you’ve noticed an unpleasant smell coming from your kitchen sink disposal, its time to give it a good cleaning, but HOW?! First, I like to take sprinkle a little baking soda into my drain. After that toss about 4-6 ice cubes down there with some lemon wedges you’ve cut up. Flip on the disposal switch and listen to that bad boy clean away! The ice will get any stubborn food off the blades; lemon and baking soda will freshen and deodorize!