Join

Discover how Chris Peden’s FACT Maps help entrepreneurs uncover hidden financial challenges, tackle misconceptions, and make smarter decisions to drive sustainable business growth.

Building a successful business takes more than passion and hard work—it requires a clear understanding of one’s financial health. Chris Peden, a financial consultant with years of experience helping businesses thrive, shares insights into how his FACT Maps empower entrepreneurs to uncover hidden financial challenges and chart a path to success.

Facing Financial Realities with FACT Maps

“Sometimes, you need to slow down and see where you are,” says Chris. His FACT Maps address the fears that keep business owners awake at night. “We sit down and go through business and personal fears to make sure everything is out in the open,” Chris explains. From assessing cash flow and net worth to addressing debts, the process lays a foundation for growth by providing a clear picture of the current financial state.

Peden emphasizes the importance of starting with the present before moving into future planning. “You have to start with where you are first,” he advises, “then you can move into building the business you truly want.”

Addressing Common Misconceptions About Cash Flow and Profitability

One of Chris’s biggest challenges is helping business owners understand that profit and loss statements don’t tell the full story. “A lot of things don’t show up on a profit and loss statement,” Chris explains, citing taxes and loan principal payments as examples. His approach factors in these additional obligations to prevent surprises like a client’s unexpected $50,000 tax bill.

By looking beyond basic financial metrics, Chris ensures his clients are prepared for all aspects of their financial responsibilities. “We make sure these factors are accounted for so that you’re not blindsided,” he says.

Empowering Better Decisions Through Financial Awareness

Understanding the full financial picture isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about making better decisions. Chris recalls a client who wasn’t tracking the return on investment from their advertising. “I told them to ask, ‘For every dollar I spend with you, how much money do I get back?’ If the answer isn’t clear, it’s time to reconsider,” he advises.

This simple yet powerful approach enabled the client to make informed decisions and prioritize spending that directly benefited their bottom line. Chris’s advice is clear: “Ask the tough questions and focus on what really drives your business forward.”

With his FACT Maps, Chris Peden helps business owners face their financial realities, correct misconceptions, and build confidence in their decision-making processes. His practical insights ensure entrepreneurs are equipped to achieve sustainable growth while avoiding costly pitfalls.

Ready to take control of your business finances? Contact Chris Peden at Peden Accounting Services by calling 703-967-1948 today to get started with a FACT Map tailored to your unique needs.

0 Comments

Owning rental property can be a great investment, but maximizing rental income can be challenging without the right expertise. Freedom Property Management, led by Principal Broker and owner Tiffany Izenour, is dedicated to delivering top-notch property management solutions that increase rental income while ensuring smooth day-to-day operations for property owners. Tiffany and her team bring a wealth of experience, employing data-driven strategies to help clients achieve their investment goals.

Optimizing Rental Pricing

At Freedom Property Management, determining the best rental price is both an art and a science. “We analyze current market trends, neighborhood data, and specific property features to set a price that’s both competitive and attractive to high-quality tenants,” Tiffany explains. This approach ensures that properties are leased quickly and owners aren’t missing out on potential income. Freedom’s team continuously monitors the market to adjust pricing as needed, always staying one step ahead to maintain high occupancy rates.

A Success Story: Income Growth for Property Owners

One of the most significant rewards for Freedom Property Management is helping owners realize the full potential of their investments. Tiffany recalls a recent success: “We had a client managing their property independently and facing high vacancy rates. After coming on board with us, they saw a 20% increase in their annual rental income, just from our strategic adjustments to the rental pricing and leasing approach.” This success story is just one example of how Freedom’s expertise can significantly boost property income, transforming an underperforming asset into a solid revenue generator.

Efficient Tenant Turnover for Consistent Profitability

Freedom Property Management recognizes that tenant turnover can impact profitability if not managed well. “We have a structured process in place to handle tenant turnover seamlessly, from conducting timely inspections to promptly addressing repairs and marketing vacancies. Our goal is to minimize downtime and keep properties profitable year-round,” says Tiffany. With a network of trusted vendors and an efficient turnaround system, Freedom ensures that properties are re-rented quickly, maintaining a steady income for owners.

About Freedom Property Management

Located in Manassas, Freedom Property Management provides comprehensive property management solutions to the Northern Virginia community. Led by Tiffany Izenour, Freedom is known for its proactive approach and commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for property owners. Whether it’s pricing strategy, tenant retention, or property upkeep, Freedom Property Management ensures each property is professionally managed with an owner-focused approach. The team prides itself on being highly responsive, dependable, and dedicated to maximizing each client’s investment.

For more information on how Freedom Property Management can help you achieve your rental property goals, visit freedompm.com.

 

0 Comments

As the holidays approach, Dixie Bones extends a heartfelt “thank you” for your support through rising food costs. We’re grateful to continue serving you, offering the best possible prices to make your celebrations special. Whether you’re planning a family feast or a small gathering, we’ve got everything you need to make the holidays deliciously memorable.

Holiday Ordering & Pickup 

From savory holiday entrees to classic Dixie Bones BBQ, you can order any item individually or as part of a full meal to suit your holiday needs. Don’t forget to include dessert – our homemade pies, cobblers, and bread pudding with caramel sauce make a perfect finishing touch!

See our full Holiday Menu

Special Pie Deal – Only $20.95 for Pre-Orders!

Pre-order any of our pies for just $20.95 to pick up on:
Thanksgiving: Nov. 25 – Nov. 27
Christmas: Dec. 23 – Dec. 24
New Year: Dec. 30 – Dec. 31

Pre-order your favorites by these dates to guarantee availability; otherwise, pies will be sold at the regular price on a first-come, first-served basis.

Order & Pickup Deadlines

Thanksgiving
– Order By: Food by Sun, Nov. 24 | Pies by Mon, Nov. 25
– Pickup: Tues, Nov. 26 (10 am-7 pm) | Wed, Nov. 27 (10 am-8 pm)
– Closed Thanksgiving Day

Christmas & New Year
– Order By: Food by Sat, Dec. 21 & 28 | Pies by Sun, Dec. 22 & 29
– Pickup: Dec. 24 & Dec. 31 (before 4 pm)
– Closed Christmas & New Year’s Day

Skip the holiday stress and let Dixie Bones handle the cooking. Order early to enjoy a hassle-free, flavor-packed holiday season!

0 Comments

In this Local Business In Focus, we talked with Cristian Abrigo, operations manager at NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair. Call them today at 703-690-3889 or nvwaterproofing.com for all your wet basement solutions, foundation repair, crack repair, drainage systems, and new home waterproofing needs.

Cristian Abrigo, Operations Manager at NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair, emphasizes addressing home repair issues promptly to prevent them from escalating. He shared experiences from his fieldwork that highlight why timely intervention is crucial.

Abrigo recounts instances where minor issues became major problems due to delays in addressing them. “That happens far too often. Homeowners deal with these issues, and they hope that maybe it can go away at some point,” he explained. This common procrastination can lead to severe complications that significantly increase the scope and cost of repairs needed.

Discussing a memorable case, Abrigo detailed a scenario where a small leak led to the discovery of a much larger issue. “A waterproofing insulation. It’s a completely finished basement, so they can’t see what’s behind the drywall. They experienced water coming in and didn’t think too much of it because, unfortunately, it’s water coming in, but we’ll let it lie, and then they finally decided to do something.

While we were cutting that drywall to expose the area behind it, we found massive foundation issues, so much so that not only was water coming through the foundation wall, but dirt and silt from the outside was coming through,” Abrigo recalled. This example illustrates the potential risks of neglecting seemingly minor issues.

NV Waterproofing’s approach to inspections and consultations is to educate homeowners about the issues and the potential consequences of inaction. “So it definitely does come off a little bit as a consultant because, for us, the biggest thing is education. We want the homeowner, whoever we’re dealing with, to understand what is going on, I mean, you’re not going to make this larger investment Unless you fully understand what the issue is and how we’re going to address that,” Abrigo stated.

By conducting thorough inspections and sitting down with homeowners to discuss findings, NV Waterproofing ensures that clients are fully informed and can make educated decisions about how to proceed with repairs.

“I advise the customer on what I would handle based on my expertise. This is something that I noticed during my inspection that maybe you didn’t flag as super what you called us out here for, but for example, installing downspout extensions to prevent foundation issues from happening in other areas,” said Abrigo, highlighting the company’s proactive approach to preventing further damage.

Through education and detailed consultations, NV Waterproofing helps homeowners understand the importance of prompt action, thereby safeguarding their properties and avoiding more extensive issues in the future.

Cristian Abrigo, Operations Manager at NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair

 

0 Comments
Cristian Abrigo, Operations Manager at NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair

In this Local Business In Focus, we talked with Cristian Abrigo, operations manager at NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair. With hurricane season at its peak, NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair urges residents to take immediate action to secure their homes, ensuring peace of mind as storms approach. Call them today at 703-690-3889 or nvwaterproofing.com for all your wet basement solutions, foundation repair, crack repair, drainage systems, and new home waterproofing needs.

Cristian Abrigo, Operations Manager at NV Waterproofing & Foundation Repair, emphasizes the urgent need for homeowners to prepare for the hurricane season. With peak season upon us, proactive measures are essential to prevent and manage potential water damage.

Abrigo advises homeowners not to delay in addressing vulnerabilities in their homes.

“Definitely calling the sooner the better usually, we see most homeowners wait until that storm comes or we’re experiencing that storm to then call us. And at that point, a lot of people are also putting in calls. So you’re getting added to a list that’s a little bit longer so preparing for it. Knowing that, ‘hey, these storms are upcoming. Maybe I get someone to come out and take a look at this.’”

“Now, to prepare what could I do rather than once it happens. Then having someone come out, we do everything that we can to get to people as quickly as possible. Because one of course, we want to help them but we also know it’s an urgent matter,” he stated.

The urgency is clear—waiting until the last minute can result in longer wait times for services and could lead to more significant damage. Abrigo underscores the importance of being proactive, especially with storms on the horizon. “If you’ve experienced these issues before, it’s definitely going to suffer with these harder rains and more frequent,” he said.

NV Waterproofing provides specialized services to enhance home resilience, such as installing sump pumps with battery backups and secondary systems to ensure functionality even during power outages.

“Even as simple as if you haven’t had a water issue, but maybe you live in an area where the power goes out during these storms. Those are things that homeowners should be thinking of; maybe I should think of a sump pump that can handle if the power goes out, having a battery backup, and having another secondary pump on standby. So those are things that we can offer and take care of for these residents,” Abrigo explained.

In conclusion, Abrigo reiterates the company’s commitment to the community, especially during critical times.

“We are critical on helping the community; we want to help these homeowners that live here. We live in such a great area near the nation’s capital, and we also have so many great homes, but many of them suffer from these storms and, unfortunately, the drainage around them. So if there’s anything that we can do to help, we want to do that. And we’re a company that leads in helping our community and ensuring they’re safe,” he concluded.

 

0 Comments


Calling all young swimmers! The Manassas Park Sharks Swim Team is ready to dive into the fall season, and they want you to be part of the team! Open to participants aged 5-16, the program is designed for swimmers who can swim 50 yards each of freestyle and backstroke. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or new to the sport, this is a fantastic opportunity to improve your skills and be part of a fun and supportive team environment.

Program Details:
– Age Group: 5-16 years old
– Requirements: Participants must be able to swim 50 yards each of freestyle and backstroke. A swim test, swim lesson instructor sign-off, or proof of previous swim team participation is required before the first practice.
– Included: Each participant will receive a Manassas Park Swim Team swim cap.

Pricing:
– Non-Residents (NR): $210
– Residents (R): $185
– Members (M): $160
– All Access Members (AAM): Free

Important Dates:
– Season Duration: September 9th – November 16th, 2024
– Time Trials: September 13th, 2024
– Scrimmage: November 18th, 2024
– End of Season Banquet: November 22nd, 2024

Practice Schedule:
– 9 and Under:
– Monday: 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
– Thursday: 7:00 PM – 7:45 PM
– Friday: 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM (both age groups)
– Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (both age groups)

– 10 and Up:
– Monday: 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
– Thursday: 7:45 PM – 8:30 PM
– Friday: 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM (both age groups)
– Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (both age groups)

Note: Practices will no longer be held on Wednesdays.

Ready to register? Scan the QR code in the image or visit mpdpr.com/SharksFall24 to sign up.

For more information, contact Grace Cruz at [email protected] or call 703-335-8872.

Join the Manassas Park Sharks Swim Team and make a splash this fall!

0 Comments

DC Bike Ride is the district’s only car-free, social bike ride, bringing bicyclists from near and far together to celebrate our great city in a truly unforgettable way!

The 20-mile, car-free course is purposefully designed to be approachable for first-time riders and avid cyclists alike while taking riders past some of the city’s most iconic sights, including the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial for the perfect photo op.

More than just a bike ride, DC Bike Ride features live music and entertainment throughout the entire course to keep riders moving, several well-stocked rest stops to refuel with snacks and beverages, and a celebratory Finish Festival (open to the public) near the Capital Building with plenty of entertainment, beer, and delicious food to enjoy with family and friends.

DC Bike Ride takes place on Saturday, September 7 at 8 a.m. EST at the intersection of 12th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW.

You can join DC Bike Ride by visiting www.dcbikeride.com and choosing from a variety of Ride Passes that best suit your needs.

Use promo code LOCALNEWS15 to save 15% off a standard Ride Pass.

×

Subscribe to our mailing list