How to start a small business in Chesterfield

Whether it’s a pet store, a deli or even your own chiropractic practice, I’d wager that most people at some point have thought about starting their own small business.  After all, the entrepreneurial spirit is a driving force of the “American Dream.”

Well, the City of Chesterfield wants to help you realize that dream, so they’ve partnered with the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce to offer a 10-week course on the Fundamentals of Small Business.

The course is designed to assist new small business owners and those contemplating starting a business by reviewing basic principles of owning and running such an enterprise.  Participants will have a hands-on opportunity to start to develop a business plan or validate an existing one. Other course topics include, utilizing cash as a strategic tool, handling tax and legal obligations, insurance needs, negotiating with customers and suppliers, managing stress, setting business goals, and financial planning.

If that sounds like information that you could use to help get your small business off the ground, then make plans to sign up.  The $170 course begins on Wednesday, September 22 and runs each Wednesday for 10 consecutive weeks from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  To register, or to find out more information, call 636.537.6720, e-mail scantlon@chesterfield.mo.us, or visit www.chesterfield.mo.us.

(Photo Credit: thetrainingcycle)

Renter’s insurance tips

Do you currently carry renter’s insurance?  Westmont at Chesterfield Apartments strongly advises their residents to get a policy.  It’s really not as expensive as you may think.  In fact, you can save money on your policy in quite a few ways.  Here is one in an article I found about saving money on renter’s insurance.  Check out this video too.

Organization Affiliation: Many renter’s insurance companies offer a discount for being affiliated with certain organizations. These can range from credit unions, college sororities, or just having a certain credit card. Call your service center and ask them for a list of the organization affiliation.

Have you seen “Cop Out”

Cop Out

Action star Bruce Willis and ace comic Tracy Morgan play bickering-but-got-your-back Brooklyn buddy cops. Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) directs the gritty, goofball goings-on as the guys hunt for a stolen 1952 mint-condition baseball card, a hunt plunging them into a gunslinging war with a deadly drug ring. Batter up, fans. The boys are ready to take you out to the ol’ brawl game!   Rated R.  Genre: Comedy, Action & Adventure.

The closest Redbox kiosks to Westmont at Chesterfield are at McDonald’s (1701 Clarkson Rd) and Dierberg’s (1730 Clarkson Rd).

Walking on water…

Have you been to the Chesterfield Mall in the past few weeks and noticed those big plastic spheres that were floating in what looked like a swimming pool over by Macy’s?  You may have wondered, “what in the heck is that?”  I know that’s what I was thinking the first time I saw them.  They’re called H20 Balls and besides being a great workout, they’re actually a lot of fun!

If you guessed that people actually get inside of those things, you’re absolutely right.  Once inside, you get to do the unthinkable…walk on water.  Yup…while the plastic ball floats on the water’s surface, you get to walk around (without actually getting wet).  Trust me, it’s quite an experience.  After 5 minutes, you’ll probably be breaking a sweat or two.

The cost to give it a shot is $7 for 5 minutes.  Try it out and ask one of the attendants to explain some of the “water walking” techniques that you can try out.  Oh yeah, and it’s for both kids and adults so you can make it a family experience.  For more information call 636.532.0777 or visit www.Chesterfield-Mall.com.

(Photo Credit: ksdk.com)

“The Expendables” hits Chesterfield area theaters

In a nutshell, The Expendables is a bout a crew of highly skilled mercenaries that are hired to overthrow the dictator of South American country. Of course things get hectic and a lot of stuff gets blown up and bad guys get beat up.  What did you expect?

The Expendables opens this weekend in theaters all around St. Louis and Chesterfield.  Here are the showtimes for AMC Chesterfield 14, Wehrenberg Chesterfield Galaxy 14 and AMC Creve Coeur 12.  Check out the trailer below.

Guide to Missouri’s Sales Tax Holiday

Chesterfield-area children are headed back-to-school and we all know what that means…back-to-school shopping.  Clothes, school supplies and computers will all be in high demand over the next month, so making plans as early as possible to get your child equipped with what they need to be productive students is important.

Of course we all want to save money on school supplies and clothes.  One of the best ways to do so is to take advantage of Missouri’s state “tax-free” shopping holiday that runs from this Thursday (Aug. 5) through midnight on Sunday (Aug. 8).  And just so your clear, the reprieve on taxes is only mandated at the state level.  Some local jurisdictions may still charge local taxes.  Off hand, I know that the St. Louis Mills Mall in Hazelwood is waiving local taxes and they are only about 20 minutes from Chesterfield.  You can confirm other local tax-free areas at the Missouri state website.

Below is a list of items that will be tax-exempt this weekend.  Happy shopping!

• Clothing (items up to $100)
• School Supplies (up to $50)
• Computer Software (up to $350)
• Computers/Laptops (up to $3,500)
• Computer Peripherals (such as scanners or printers) (up to $3,500)

Got churrasco?

Do you know what “churrasco” is?  Churrasco is the centuries-old Brazilian way of roasting meats over pits of open fire.  The “gauchos” (Brazilian cowboys) always prepared their food this way for festive occasions and family gatherings.

Brazilian steakhouses that prepare all-you-can-eat churrasco meals have been growing in popularity in the United States for some time now.  In fact, we have one right here, about 5 minutes away from here at Westmont at Chesterfield.  If you haven’t been to Bacana Brazil (16123 Chesterfield Parkway West) yet – and you love your meat cooked over an open fire – they you should make plans to check them out.

It’s pretty cool how they serve the meat too.  First, you grab your side dishes from the gourmet salad bar.  Then whey you sit down at your table, you turn a little card up, signaling the chefs to bring their dozen-or-so  fire roasted meats to your table for carving.  When you are done, you flip the disc back over until you are ready for more.  If only all restaurants operated like this!

Student Appreciation Day
Enjoy their churrasco dinner on Tuesdays for only $19.95 with valid student I.D.

Sushi Sunday
Every Sunday they offer sushi during dinner hours from 5pm to 9pm for no extra cost.

For more information,  call them at (636) 532 6969 or visit their website.  Need directions?  Here you go…

1. Head southeast on Westmeade Dr toward Clubhouse Cove
2. Turn left at Justus Post Rd (0.4 mi)
3. Turn right at Chestfield Pkwy S (0.1 mi)
4. Make a U-turn at Fontaine Dr and Bacana Brasil will be on the right

(Photo Credit: imagensporfavor)

Beat the heat!

This has undoubtedly been one of the hottest summers in Chesterfield in a long time.  According to weather reports, it doesn’t look like the heat is going anywhere anytime soon.  It might rain this weekend, but it will definitely be a scorcher.  If you can beat the rain, this will a great opportunity to take dip in the Westmont at Chesterfield swimming pool.

If you’re anything like me, the last thing you want to do in this hot weather is cook something in the oven.  Why add to the heat?  My tip for the day: make sure you have food available that’s microwavable.

Speaking of which, did you know that there is a wrong way and a right way to clean out a microwave oven.  Apparently you’re not supposed to use certain cleaners for the inside.  Check out this video to learn the correct way to do it…

Dream control

I thought this movie looked cool.  It’s all about dream control.  Did you know that being able to control your dreams is a specialized skill that can actually be acquired through special training?  Don’t go signing up yet though.  It is EXTREMELY difficult.  Less than 100,000 peoplie in the U.S. are believed to be able to have lucid dreams that can be controlled.  Interesting, huh?  I thought so too!

Anyway, check out Inception.  It’s about dream control too.  The trailer is right here for you to have a sneak peek.  It just hit theatres this weekend.  Here are movie times for AMC Chesterfield 14, Wehrenberg Chesterfield Galaxy 14 and AMC Creve Coeur 12.

Get Him to the Greek

Besides including a “who’s who” of music celebrities, ranging from Twisted Sister’s Dee Snyder to Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, this movie seems like it might be pretty good.

It’s about a young up-and-comer at a record label who is assigned the task of escorting a perpetually plastered rock star from England to the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.  Sounds easy, right?  HAH.  The movie opens this weekend.  Check out the trailer…

Need movie times?

AMC Chesterfield 14, Wehrenberg Chesterfield Galaxy 14, AMC Creve Coeur 12

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