Our bellies and our hearts are full after last night’s wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, surrounded by our families. Just as many families go around the table and say what they’re all thankful for, we wanted to take a break from the usual tips and shenanigans to express our gratitude this week.
Devon’s Local Favorite
Is it weird to say a whole street is my favorite? Maybe, but it’s true. I love working on Third Street. There’s so much to do and eat right outside the office. I never get tired of walking to my favorite restaurants to pick up lunch or going to the cute coffee shop down the street for an afternoon pick-me-up. Of course, I’ve fallen prey to the easy shopping during my lunch hour – but with so many shops near by, can you really blame me? Two of them are literally right downstairs! There’s something so comforting about leaving work at the end of the day and the street is filled with the scent of one of the delicious restaurants right in that block. It sets a great mood for my long commute home. There’s really no wonder why Third Street, McMinnville is always being named the “best main street!”
As much as I love Third Street, though, I’m especially grateful for all the people I get to enjoy it with. My dad and I sometimes eat lunch together at one of our many “regular spots.” My friends come to town to go shopping or visit McMenamin’s rooftop bar. And, of course, the Suite 4 team has our weekly Sip & Strats which are basically the greatest team meetings where we get out of the office and get on the same page. Meeting at one of Third Street’s amazing bars, taprooms or restaurants is just a nice perk! I’m so thankful to have worked on Third Street for the last year and a half because it accentuates all the wonderful people in my life.
Audrey’s Favorite App
By now, most of you have heard about Pinterest. But have you really used it? Have you discovered all it has to offer?? I absolutely love it. It doesn’t matter what your interests are, there is something there for you. Like food. Everyone needs to eat. And this time of year we’re all thinking about those delicious dishes we all crave. One reason I love Pinterest so much is that you can find pretty much any recipe you want. I have a board labeled “Yum.” and not only do I store hundreds of things that I think look good but I go back to them and actually make the recipes. It’s so handy! If I didn’t have Pinterest when I was in college, I probably would have eaten a lot more Top Ramen.
But as much as I love Pinterest, I’d have to say I’m much more thankful for my family and friends this holiday season. After college friends tend to scatter, but I am truly thankful for those people who are always there for me.
Chase’s Favorite Video
Though it’s not an individual video, I am thankful for YouTube as a service. There are so many talented people around the world that are creating content that would otherwise be unseen were it not for YouTube. There are videos for any interest too: if you like science, there’s VSauce which answers a complex question in each video; if you like basketball trick shots, there’s Dude Perfect. Because of the variety of content, I have even stopped watching so much broadcast television. With YouTube, you also feel like you’re supporting a person and not a corporation.
On a personal level, YouTube has been an outlet for me to become more outgoing. Throughout high school and college, I was pretty introverted, but seeing other people put themselves online inspired me to do so as well. Even though I’m just recording myself playing video games, I have noticed that I am becoming more comfortable in social settings and talking to people. I never thought I would be as outgoing as I currently am and for that, I’m thankful.
Miles’ Favorite Hack
The Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich
Be honest. This isn’t a hack, this is a way of life. Friday afternoon approaches and here you are, standing in front of the refrigerator, in awe of your expert leftover Tetris skills, with the whole of leftover kingdom in front of you. Fourteen hours have passed since you feel asleep listening to your uncle complain about football amongst the din of younger cousins chasing each other with Tonka trucks. You are well rested. There is more football. There is lying about to do. You need sustenance. And behold! In front of you is a litany of day-old scrumptiousness! With great sandwich making power comes great responsibility. Choose wisely.
Here’s my recipe for an unstoppable Leftover Sandwich:
Bread – Get out of here, Wonder Bread. You need something sturdy. Something of substance. You need several grain wheat bread. Doesn’t matter how many grains, just that the packaging lists them. Nine? Seven? Two? Don’t care. But wheat bread is the sturdiest of breads so any one of those will do.
Meat – Turkey. Light meat is good. Dark meat is good. Thigh, breast, wing? Doesn’t matter, just put it on there. It’s all good. The key here is moderation. You’re not a deli in Brooklyn, the formula is not: bread, mustard, meatmeatmeatmeatmeatmeatmeatmeatmeat, bread. You want enough to have an impact, but not too much that it’s overwhelming. I use a couple good slices for mine, one light, one dark.
Stuffing – Put stuffing on this sandwich. Do it. Don’t ask. Just do it. Nothing will ever be the same if you haven’t done this before. If you have, good on you. You are a genius. If you haven’t, get ready to start living your best life.
Gravy – Apply this to the sandwich if you plan on eating it hot. Make sure to toast the bread before you microwave otherwise everything I said about the bread before becomes moot. Soggy bread is sad bread.
Cranberry – Is it blasphemous to say that this is optional? Yes. A slice or dollop (depending on how you like your cranberry) is all you need.
Greens – HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA no.
Mashed Potatoes/ Yams – Think of it like a spread or smear. It ties the whole sandwich together. I go with yams, they’re a little lighter and add some good color. If you are adding gravy, put it on top of the mashed potatoes.
Pumpkin Pie – HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA maybe not that bad of an idea…
Now that your sandwich is two feet tall, dig in and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Rachel’s Favorite Inspiration
As I was thinking of what I wanted to say for this Thanksgiving version of our Friday Faves, all I could think about was how very grateful I am to have such a hardworking, dedicated team of talented and fun people who live to help increase the survival of not just themselves, but those around them as well.
Alfred Lin, who spent six years as the COO and Chairman of Zappos, defines a company’s culture as “Everyday core values and actions of each member of the team in pursuit of our company mission.”
Our core values at Suite 4 are Family, Freedom and Fun. Our mission is to help small businesses grow because we want to free up the people (YOU) that keep small businesses running in the great U.S. of A. I see our core values reflected in the actions of my team here every day. I see my team striving to help our clients (oftentimes going much further than above and beyond in the pursuit of our mission). that’s because we know small business owners wear a thousand different hats (because we’re a small business too!). The way we see it, if we can help you create and manage a successful marketing campaign month after month, then your business grows. When your business grows, that means a stronger economy for us all! You can hire more people, pay yourself and your team better, enjoy more freedom, spend more time with your family and add more fun into your life.
At the end of the day, Family Freedom and Fun is what it’s all about. On a personal level, my team has given me more freedom to spend more time with my family, of which I am utmost grateful. They have helped me add more fun into my own life because I’m not working 70-80 hours a week anymore. I don’t know how I managed it, but I have somehow found some very brilliant people to come on board here, and Suite 4 wouldn’t be who we are without them AND the amazing clients we have the privilege to serve. I might be the face of the company, but my team is the heart and soul of it, and I am so very grateful each and every day for them.
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