For many people, the idea of needing a caterer only occurs to them when it comes to big swanky events, such as a wedding reception, and while the majority of Chicago catering companies are in the wedding reception business, they also offer services and menus for other events, such as corporate retreats or even company holiday parties.

If you are a Chicago-area business owner or manager, you know one of the most important ways to start and keep a successful company running smoothly is the morale of the employees and interdepartmental relationships. This can be achieved multiple ways, starting with the contact and communication between supervisors and staff. Low morale among staff leads to low production of the business, which hurts everyone from the top of the company hierarchy on down. It is also important for employees to get along with each other and be on friendly terms. Since your employees all work so closely together, a sense of trust needs to be established, and one of the best ways to build that trust is through corporate retreats. Usually held off site, these retreats are a chance for the employees to relax outside of the business atmosphere and connect in a more laid-back manner. It is also the perfect opportunity for managers to boost morale, whether it’s in the form of fun trust-building exercises or by handing out prizes and gifts that include the company’s logo. But what do you do about food?

Many of these corporate retreats can, and are, held at hotels and last a full weekend. In these instances, the meals are usually provided by the hotel, or attendees eat out at local restaurants. But what if your retreat isn’t a retreat so much as a single day spent off-site discussing the future of the business? Maybe your event isn’t even business related but, instead, is an annual holiday party or perhaps someone is retiring. Whatever your need, there are plenty of corporate party caterers in Chicago to choose from, all of which can accommodate the needs of events of all sizes. Not sure where to find one? Ask around! Chances are other companies in your industry have had at least one catered event and can make a recommendation. You can also just go online and do a quick web search for “event catering Chicago” and get a whole list of caterers in the Chicago area.

It is easy to assume that you only need to worry about catering a party or event if it is happening somewhere other than the office, and while the catering companies are available for those options, it’s also possible to have caterers come into your office and set up in a conference room, if you have one available. Many will also provide the utensils and plates, along with the catered food. All you have to do is provide the space and the people for a perfect catered party.

As if the economy isn’t bad enough and you don’t already have to struggle, the worst thing imaginable has happened: you have to file for bankruptcy in Milwaukee. This isn’t an easy reality to accept, especially if you have always tried to be very careful and responsible with your money. But even bad things happen to good people, and there are, thankfully, bankruptcy laws in place to protect you from further financial hardship, and plenty of bankruptcy lawyers in Milwaukee County who are there to assist you as you attempt to navigate the bankruptcy process. But before you proceed, first make sure you have no other alternatives to filing for bankruptcy. It might seem as though you don’t have any other choice, and perhaps you don’t, but be sure because bankruptcy will show up on your credit for up to ten years.

If you and your family determine that bankruptcy is the only logical option, the next thing you want to do is find an attorney. While it is possible to file without the assistance of a lawyer, it is not recommended. It is true that hiring a lawyer will mean paying additional fees that you clearly don’t have right now (if you did, chances are you wouldn’t be filing for bankruptcy), but these lawyers are in the business of helping people exactly like you. Because of the significance of filing, you do want to be sure you find and select the best attorney for your situation. This means taking the time to do your research. If you know people who have already filed for bankruptcy, see if they would be willing to make a recommendation. Ask around and visit the websites of various attorneys for more information. Be sure to also find out how much their services will cost you. While some attorneys charge the same flat fee for anyone, others working on a sliding scale and calculate a fee based on the amount of debt you owe. There is also the question of when you will have to pay, as a portion of lawyers require payment up front, but other bankruptcy lawyers – fully aware of the financial situation you are in – are willing to take payment in installments. You want to not only be able to find a bankruptcy attorney you trust and feel comfortable with in regards to your case, you also want to find one who understands and is willing to work with you when it comes to payment.

Even if you don’t live directly in the city of Milwaukee proper, there are plenty of other options for bankruptcy assistance as well, including debt relief agencies in Menomonee Falls, WI and other nearby cities, so no matter where in the Milwaukee metro area you live, there is plenty of bankruptcy help to be found.

Like so many artist there are times in my like where I am struggling to find inspiration for my artwork. Over time I have developed a few techniques that I use to jump-start my creative ideas. I consider these art inspiration ideas a starting point, and by no means an ending point. Sometimes these ideas lead to dead ends, but other times they have led to some of my favorite creations.

1. Start a Journal/Sketchbook – Every waking moment of your like there is potential to find art inspiration. Keeping a journal/sketchbook with you can help you remember life’s situations that give you inspiration. Whether its a simple sentence that generates an image in your head or a quick sketch these simple notes can help give your artwork inspiration! Every once in awhile I will come up with a great unique idea for a unique pastel drawing.

2. Create a list of your likes and dislikes – I feel it is much easier to find art inspiration for my art among subjects that I am passionate about. When I am struggling for art ideas I create a list of 10 subjects I am passionate about. Once I have my list I narrow it down to 2 choices. Among those 2 choices I create more detailed lists of sub categories from that main topic, and many times find art inspiration among those detailed choices.

3. Carry a Camera – I can find no greater inspiration for artwork than real life itself. Whenever possible I carry a camera along with me snapping pictures of interesting shapes, situations, and people! Some of my best selling artwork has been based off of inspiration I got from the real world. I also find that when people buy artwork online they often look for artwork that reminds them of their life and situations they have been in.

4. Recycle – There is nothing that says you cannot reuse your favorite artwork for inspiration. If your objective is to sell your artwork, take one of your favorite pieces of selling artwork and create a series of paintings based upon your original piece of work. Chances are if somebody liked your original piece enough to purchase it, somebody else may be interested in purchasing a similar piece of artwork.

5. Try something different – When all else fails I try something I have never done before. Try using new colors, try changing mediums. This is art we are talking about, there are no rules. Try something you have never done before. In reality art inspiration is all around us from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed, and even in our dreams, we just need to learn to recognize it!

A big debate going on today is WiFi and how widely it is being used today.  A lot of Laundry mats in Madison are debating whether to get WiFi.  At first thought it seems like a no brainer, but there is a cost factor to consider.  Most internet will cost between $40-$70 this is actually a steep fee for most Laundromats because they don’t have much income generating in addition they want to keep there expenses low.   What you must figure out is if you will generate enough new business to help off set the new cost.  If you cannot off set this cost then it is not worth the risk.