Hair, Weather, Business the Power of Reliability

I'm picky. Very. I hold myself to a high standard, and thus I gain certain expectations of quality from others. It is to this end that I have been shopping around Ames for someone who I will let touch my hair. In the end I always go back to Melinda at Great Clips near the Super HyVee in Ames, Iowa. They had a guy who worked there who did wonders, but he stopped one day, and I got her by chance. Then one day I went in and another lady went to work on my hair. Having had two good stylist in a row, I had no clue the physical pain and disappointment I was about to receive. After that, I started shopping around watching other stylists and, in the end, I always returned to Melinda. She always does it right: knows just what I want, takes that extra time to not pull my hair, won't put stuff in it I don't like. When it looks done, if there is even a question as to it being perfect, she'll touch it up instead of saying "good enough". Her reliability causes me to work into my schedule a time to get my hair cut by her and only her and, if she's not available, I'll wait a week or two just for her.

The weather was cloudy. This has a predictable effect on people: they get sleepy. Many have a drink they turn to that they rely on to keep them awake. Some go to coffee, others to Mountian Dew, a few who really don't need it turn to stuff like Volt or some other thing that should have a radioactive label and a legal age requirement of 45. For them, it is "the only thing that works for me". If they need to stay awake they have their poison and have no interest in trying something else out. Why? Because it works. Will they settle for the off brand? Often no ... even if they are broke.

In the business class, I learned a lot about taxes, including some interesting local law about paying Iowa taxes on items purchased out of state; it the state in which the item was purchased does not charge at least as much sales tax as Iowa does, then we are required to pay the difference to Iowa. Very expensive for some types of business, after hearing about many of the cases where it must and must not be paid, as well hearing about those who would never have been caught. I have decided I don't like to roll dice and will make sure any purchases I make that I have reason to believe I wasn't charged taxes on from here on out I will pay.

Fortunately for me, most if not all of my online purchases are via companies that charge my states taxes not their states taxes. Those who live in Iowa should try to make sure that their online vendors are charging them the proper tax %. Why do that if you won't get caught? Three reasons. 1st is because it's the right thing to do even if it does cost a lot of money. 2nd is because it gets you into the habit of being reliable and honest. 3rd and unfortunately the reason most would even do it is, if you get caught it's EXPENSIVE! The penalties are insane. Keep reliable records, pay reliably, and you will keep yourself and your company in the mindset that makes someone want to come back and buy your product or service.