What Would a Three-Day Closure Really Cost Your Business?
What Would a Three-Day Closure Really Cost Your Business? A three-day closure is not a blockbuster disaster. It is the kind of real-world disruption that hits quietly—repairs, localized power issues, a water problem, a road closure, a small fire nearby, or a landlord issue that takes longer than expected. For many local businesses, three days is the tipping point. It is long enough to trigger missed revenue, payroll stress, appointment backlogs, and customer drift. This week, I want to focus on the
YouTube Channel Launch - Everyday Business Resilience
I officially launched my YouTube channel: Everyday Business Resilience. This channel is for business owners who don’t lose sleep over “disasters,” but do feel the strain of everyday disruptions; an internet outage, a key person out unexpectantly, a payment system down, or a week that quietly gets away from you. Each week, I share short, practical videos focused on one simple question:How do you avoid a bad hour turning into a lost week? You’ll see: Plain-English guidance on everyday business
East Montgomery County Improvement District Promotes Mattlage to Chief Operating Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE East Montgomery County Improvement District Promotes Mattlage to Chief Operating Officer (December 8, 2025) – The East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID), a political subdivision of the State of Texas responsible for economic development in the eastern half of Montgomery County, Texas, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelley Barr Mattlage to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective January 1, 2026. This strategic decision reflects the
Do You Have A Plan OR Just Good Intentions?
Do You Have A Plan OR Just Good Intentions? Over the past few briefs, we’ve looked at everyday disruptions that quietly drain time, money, and trust. This week, I want to zoom out to something even more foundational: leadership and decision clarity when something goes sideways. Most businesses do not struggle because owners do not care; they struggle because resilience is often informal, assumed, or “we’ll figure it out when it happens.” If you are running lean and juggling everything at once, that
When One Person or One Location Is Your Weak Spot: A 10-Minute Reality Check
Over the past two briefs, we’ve looked at outages, missed deliveries, and payment-related disruptions. There is one more pattern I see over and over again when I talk with owners: how much of the business rests on one person, one process, or one fragile routine. Nothing is “wrong” until that person is out or that routine breaks, and then everything stops. In Greater East Montgomery County, many businesses run lean. That’s part of what makes them agile, but it also creates hidden weak spots. This edition
News Release: 11/26/2025
Finish the Year Strong: Family, Fun, and Smart Real Estate Moves The holidays are here! Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year celebrations, life can get busy—but it’s also the perfect time to pause, enjoy family, and plan for a fantastic year ahead. What’s Happening in the Market East Montgomery County’s real estate market is lively! Homes and commercial properties are moving, and year-end is a great time to explore opportunities. Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing, a
When the Internet Blinks: What the Cloudflare Outage Means for Greater East Montgomery Businesses
At some point this year, your technology is going to fail you; probably more than once. A recent survey found that small businesses lose over 98 hours a year, roughly 12 working days, to slow internet, clunky devices, and other technology issues that derail normal work. That is more than two full work-weeks gone, just fighting tools that are supposed to help you. Last week we looked at payment interruptions and scams. This week, I want to focus on one piece of that bigger technology story: the internet
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Splendora Education Foundation Awards Record-Breaking $50,180 in Classroom Grants During Annual Grant Prize Patrol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Splendora Education Foundation Awards Record-Breaking $50,180 in Classroom Grants During Annual Grant Prize Patrol Splendora, Texas — November 17, 2025 — The Splendora Education Foundation (SEF) celebrated its most impactful Grant Prize Patrol to date, surprising teachers and departments across Splendora ISD with a record-setting $50,180 in classroomgrants. This marks the largest single-year investment the Foundation has made in innovative educational initiatives throughout the
When Getting Paid Goes Wrong: Payments, Scams, and a 10-Minute Safety Check
The reality hasn’t changed: almost every serious business will face at least one major disruption in its lifetime. What does change is the shape of that disruption. Last week we looked at outages and missed deliveries. This week, I want to focus on something less visible but just as damaging: disruptions and scams that interfere with how your business gets paid. In our area, most owners depend on a handful of tools—card terminals, online payment portals, emailed invoices, and bank transfers. When those
Greater EMC Chamber Launches ''Proud Property Awards'' to Celebrate Business Curb Appeal
East Montgomery County, TX — The Greater East Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the launch of its new Proud Property Awards program — a community initiative designed to celebrate local businesses and commercial properties that exemplify curb appeal, maintain exceptional standards, and contribute to the overall pride and beauty of East Montgomery County.“This initiative was inspired by the East Montgomery County Improvement District’s Facade Improvement Grant Program,” said Mark
What to Know Before Acquiring an Underperforming Business
Acquiring a struggling business can be a high-risk, high-reward move. Done wisely, it allows you to bypass startup costs, inherit an existing customer base, and breathe new life into an operation with untapped potential. But without careful planning, it can also lead to financial strain and missed opportunities. This guide explores the essential considerations when purchasing a struggling business and how to adapt it for long-term success in today’s marketplace. 1. Understand Why the Business Is
Northpark Needs You: Chambers Unite to Support Kingwood Businesses Amid Road Expansion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Northpark Needs You: Chambers Unite to Support Kingwood Businesses Amid Road Expansion KINGWOOD, TX — July 29, 2025 – The Greater East Montgomery County Chamber and Partnership Lake Houston have joined forces to launch Northpark Needs You, a unified campaign to support Kingwood businesses impacted by the ongoing Northpark Drive road expansion project. This regional effort comes in response to construction initiated by the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority, which—while vital to