Articles By ehadmin

New Year — time to promote yourself

As the New Year arrives it is time for all of us to think about how our company is portrayed.  Are you top of mind to your customers? Or have you gotten lax in keeping your name and message out there?  You want to be remembered when your customer is looking for your services.  Don’t let them find your competitor.  Make sure your are prepared to reach out with business cards, flyers, brochures and leave behind items.  We can help you on all these fronts.  Give us a call and we’ll put everything in motion for you so you can concentrate on driving the business.

Plan Your Best Summer Vacation

As summer fast approaches, now is the time to plan the best vacation ever. Whether you just decided to book a trip and are beginning to dive into the planning process, or you already have the basics of your vacation taken care of and need help sorting out the rest, we are here to help.

Define Your Intentions

Setting an intention for your trip will give you focus and meaning during your travels. Deciding beforehand the purpose of your vacation – such as rest and relaxation, sun and beach, or exhilaration and adventure – will help the planning process. Make sure to finish this step and begin booking your trip at least 2-3 months ahead of time for the best hotel stays and airfare.

Plan And Let Go

Our time off from work and school is precious, and though it may seem necessary to plan each day of your trip down to the minute, the fun of adventure comes from leaving some aspects to chance. Plan the important logistical items and then let your feet be your guide through the city, stopping whenever something grabs your attention.

Fly Early

Nothing puts a damper on the start to your vacation like a delayed or canceled flight. While that is out of your control, there is one surefire way to help you avoid such stress and anxiety: fly early. Airports are less congested in the early mornings and bad weather typically surfaces later in the day. This will also get you to your destination earlier, and in some instances, help alleviate the side effects of time changes and jet lag.

Find Some Nature

Connecting with nature by walking along a river, camping, or sitting on the beach, will help you slow down and enjoy life at a slower pace. If you end up somewhere without cell phone coverage, use that time as an excuse to do a digital detox. Technology is a common comfort which often consumes much of our time and diverts our attention away from our surroundings. Don’t forget to soak in the beauty of the world around you.

Travel Tip — Surge Three Sixty Five

Sister Company up and running

Our newest venture, ShyKatz Limited, is officially up and running.  We are excited about the opportunities to change your wearables into “art”parel.  No minimums, everyone can be custom or you can select from one of the stock designs.  So much fun.  Check it out at www.shykatzltd.com

Product Expansion

We are proud to announce our newest product being produced by our sister company, ShyKatz Limited, LLC.  T-shirts have always been part of our product line.  But up until now, silk screening was the only option.  Now we can “print” in full color on apparel with no minimums changing wearables into “art”parel.  Each garment will be customized to your taste be it faith based, sports, family reunions, animal photos, causes, or anything you can think of.  We look forward to seeing you about town in your very own “art”parel.

23 years and counting . . .

Update By: ehadmin
Date: March 8, 2017

March 1 marked our 23rd Anniversary.  Who would have thought that a business that started with no customers could survive the ups and downs of all these years.  There have been some very lean years, but thanks to our loyal customers we have been able to continue.  As marketing and the economy evolve, so does Extra Hands.  Over the years we added several new categories, including “promotional products” to our line to assist customers in finding the right item to promote themselves.  Most recently we created the “Give Back” program in order to support some very fine not-for-profit organizations.

As we begin a new year, we take another hard look at our business model.  Change is a constant outcome when looking to the future.  Without change, there is no room for improvement and growth.  Stay tuned to see what this year will bring.

Money-Saving Holiday Travel Tips!

Avoid Driving Yourself to the Airport

Airport parking prices rise around the holidays due to increased travel traffic. See if a friend can drive you to the airport, call a cab or pick-up service, or look into public transportation options.

Get There Early

Millions of people are going to be traveling this holiday season. Assume that there will be tons of traffic and long lines at check-in and security, so be sure to arrive extra early.

Avoid Excess Airline Fees

Pack lighter to avoid checking a bag, don’t pay the extra money for priority boarding, and avoid upgrading to first class. If you do plan to check bags, register them online before heading to the airport. Skip the Wi-Fi fees and don’t buy food or drinks on the plane. Instead, pack snacks from home or enjoy the complimentary options that the airline provides.

Get Free Flight Upgrades

If you’re bumped on an oversold flight, try to negotiate for an upgrade on your next flight. If you’re a frequent flyer or club member with the airline you’re flying with, you can also try to score an upgrade. Arrive early if you plan to try this; it’s a lot harder to negotiate in a rush.

Travel Tip — Surge Three Sixty Five

Tips for Spending the Holidays Away from Home!

Whether you’re spending the festive season cozying up in a cottage nearby, or jetting off to spend the holidays on the beach, don’t miss these essential tips for enjoying your well-earned break away from home.

Pick Somewhere Family-Friendly
Any parent knows that traveling with kids can take a lot of planning. The good news is that many family holiday vacation spots strive to understand what families need and provide it.

Plan Ahead
The winter holiday season might be the most wonderful time of the year for kids, but it’s also the busiest and most booked up in advance. Before you make any promises about holiday events, festivals, shows, theme-parks or experiences, check what’s available and reserve your tickets.

Create New Traditions
No sense hauling that heirloom Christmas tree ornament or that hand-crafted menorah or Kwanzaa bowl across the country. Instead shop at a local store to find inexpensive paper wall hangings and pop-up centerpieces. Traveling offers an incredible opportunity to build new family memories and traditions.

Family Back Home
In the holiday excitement, be sure to stay connected to all important grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins back home. Whether you choose Skype or FaceTime, have your apps and devices organized and ready to go before you travel.

Travel Tip — Surge Three Sixty Five

Simplify Your Thanksgiving Travels!

This Thanksgiving, the airline industry expects 12.3 million roundtrip passengers and AAA expects 46.3 million Americans to hit the road. Here are expert tips and tricks for making one of the busiest travel holidays of the year easier than ever. You can thank us later!

Be Mindful and Thoughtful

Can holiday travel feel stressful? Does it help to take out your frustration on fellow passengers and travelers? It doesn’t have to be this way. Frame your journey as an exciting adventure. Everyone traveling has a similar goal to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones. Practice slowing your breathing if long lines or traffic are causing you stress.

Travel Light

Everyone flying will be packing carry-ons to accommodate their journey. Overhead compartments will fill up quickly. Try to pack everything into a backpack that will fit under the seat in front of you. If you have gifts or bulky items, consider shipping them to your final destination ahead of time.

Travel at Odd Times

The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year, closely followed by the Sunday after the big day. Fly to your destination a few days early and fly back on Friday when the masses are out shopping the best deals of the year. Drive through the night to avoid traffic.

Stay Connected

Smartphone users can take advantage of apps that provide updates on airline statuses, road traffic, weather, and current news. Social media is a great resource to be the first place to hear about anything that might go wrong with your flight. Airlines can also be more responsive to public pleas of assistance on social media.

Travel Tip — Surge Three Sixty Five

Lincoln Training Center (LTC) — this quarters Give Back program recipient

The fourth quarter is upon us and we are excited to let everyone know that the Lincoln Training Center is this quarters recipient as part of the Extra Hands Give Back program.  Looking for holiday cards, client gifts, awards or just need a new look for 2017, call the team at Extra Hands and we will make it happen — and you support a worthwhile organization in Lincoln Training Center.