Ask The Expert

HI, MY NAME IS... PROFILE ON LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR: Dave Karsten

MY COMPANY & TITLE IS…

Along with my wife Cheryl, we are the owners of Karsten’s Ace Hardware with four valley locations including North 32nd St.

A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE

INCLUDES… Hopefully, I start my day with a run, then on to work - touring one or more of our stores, meeting with the team, finding new and exciting products, serving our neighbors that shop the store, inventory management, strategic planning, merchandising, planning events, problem solving, IT system work. You know, all the typical work that a small business owner does each day.

MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING/WORKING IN THE

NORTH 32ND AREA IS… My favorite thing is watching and being a part of the commercial and residential redevelopment along the North 32nd Street Corridor. I grew up in the neighborhood, riding my bike through Dreamy Draw, going to Shea Plaza for movies, eating ice cream at Thrifty Drug. Shadow Mountain Class of ’82. My high school job was working at the Shell gas station at 32nd Street and Shea – right across from where our store is today. There was no SR51, and 32nd Street was the major artery into downtown. The freeway was a welcome addition, however a real killer for businesses up and down 32nd Street. Today, it thrills me to see all the energy here once again and truly appreciate our neighbors supporting their local businesses!

MY FAVORITE MOVIE I COULD NEVER GET TIRED OF WATCH-

ING AND WHY... Hunt for Red October. I don’t know, you’ll have to ask my wife. Every time that it shows up on the channel guide (which is constantly), I have to stop and watch as much of it as I can. Maybe it is the cat and mouse relationship that was formed between two people from two very different countries operating in two separate steel tubes submerged somewhere under the ocean surface – and that connection they made.

MY FAMILY… Is amazing! I am blessed to have my wife as my business partner along with one of my sisters. Our “kids” have both worked in the business with us and are now pursuing their own paths. Our son Zach is finishing up his undergrad at ASU, hoping to land a job with the National Park Service – matching his love for the outdoors. Our daughter Hannah actually is working with us since she has graduated from ASU this past year and is getting ready to enter Physician Assistant school next Fall.

THE BUSINESS LESSON I LEARNED THE HARD WAY IS…

It is far easier to buy than to sell! As with any business, the goal is always to buy low and sell high. Entering into the transaction is easy whether you are buying inventory for the store, a stock investment or a house. Today you can simply press a button and poof - you own it! However, now the job becomes convincing others that they need what

I have and are willing to pay for it. If I buy wrong and there is no demand, it could be a very costly mistake.

ONE THING I CANNOT

LIVE WITHOUT… My garage! I hang out and tinker in there a lot. I decompress and do some of my best thinking and creative work there. It is great therapy.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE… A pilot.

THE ONE PERSON WHO

MOTIVATES ME IS… John Venhuizen, CEO of Ace Hardware Corporation. He is passionate, committed, inspirational, and knows his purpose. Check him out on YouTube – he’s great.

THE LAST THING THAT MADE

ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WAS… I laugh a lot – mostly at myself. Don’t take yourself too seriously and you’ll always have a lot to chuckle about.

MY FIRST JOB WAS… Washing planes (and bathrooms) at Scottsdale Municipal Airport, followed soon after by that job at the Shell Gas Station where we actually pumped the gas for you.

I’M CURRENTLY WORKING

ON… My fall garden, planning a bedroom remodel into an office, definitely working on a car at some level, trying to build a better structure for our organization that will support growth for more stores, and at the 32nd Street store, we are building out the garden center at the back of the store by installing shade structures and bringing in vertical and container gardens!

THE BEST GIFT I’VE EVER RECEIVED WAS... My wife and kids.

THE ACTOR I WOULD WANT TO PLAY ME IN A MOVIE OF

MY LIFE IS... Jim Carrey – he’s a bit wacky, isn’t he?

MY DREAM VACATION WOULD

BE TO… Wander. No planned itinerary, no planned destinations – just start walking, riding, driving, flying and see what I can find.

ASK THE Stress EXPERT

ARIZONA STRESS & ANXIETY RELIEF ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Q. What are the symptoms of stress between stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety? is not considered to be a clinical or A. Symptoms vary but may include mental health disorder but rather a fatigue, low mood, anxious feelings, condition or state of being. However, panic, isolation, irritability, racing anxiety can be diagnosed as a clinical/ thoughts, pounding heart, and changes mental health disorder and can run in appetite. These symptoms can be in families and be attributed partially life altering and may diminish your to genetics. Both conditions are quality of life and your ability to enjoy treatable with high success rates your interests. Stress and anxiety may when a professional who specializes also make you feel overwhelmed or incapable of making clear decisions. These conditions may also result in the inability to concentrate. Many in stress and anxiety is involved. This specialist is trained in teaching you the necessary coping skills to manage your symptoms. Q. How does stress affect my body? A. Studies show that up to 75 percent of physician visits are related to stress. Stress affects everyone in different ways. It can cause headaches, ” “ Studies show that up to 75 percent of physician visits are related to stress. individuals with extreme stress and stomach problems, insomnia, high anxiety procrastinate and are unable blood pressure, higher risk for heart to complete even the smallest of tasks problems, increased blood sugar or projects. Other symptoms may also levels, fertility and sex drive problems. occur and vary from person to person. Physical symptoms can range from An individualized evaluation done mild to extreme. For example, stress by a stress and anxiety specialist will can cause a range of symptoms from help identify your specific symptoms. minor headaches to migraines, or mild Many people ask the difference stomach aches to ulcers. Stress weakens your immune system

HOW STRESS & ANXIETY AFFECTS YOUR BODY and may pre-dispose you to more frequent flu or cold episodes.

BRAIN Over an extended

Di culty concentrating, period of time, stress anxiety, depression, irritability, mood, mind fog SKIN Hair loss, dull/brittle hair, brittle nails, dry skin, acne, can diminish your ability to fight other

CARDIOVASCULAR delayed tissue repair types of infections or

Higher cholesterol, high medical conditions blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke GUT Nutrient absorption, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, you may be at risk for due to genetics. bloating, pain and discomfort A primary stress

JOINTS & symptom is fatigue.

MUSCLES REPRODUCTIVE Fatigue can create

Increased infl ammation, tension, aches and pains, muscle tightness SYSTEM Decreased hormone production, decrease in libido, a variety of issues for your body and increase in PMS symptoms your mind. It also

IMMUNE SYSTEM suppresses your

Decreased immune function, immune system, lowered immune defenses, increased risk of becoming and may make ill, increase in recovery time concentration very difficult. In some cases, extended fatigue may result in various levels of confusion or memory problems. Fatigue can also cause body and joint aches. An estimated 18 million people in this country suffer from some type of sexual dysfunction. This may also be attributed to fatigue and other stress factors. Stress may lead to diminished interest in many activities including sex.

Q. What are the most effective treatments to manage stress and anxiety?

A. Working with a professional who specializes in stress and anxiety has been shown to be very effective in lowering both stress and anxiety. A trained stress and anxiety specialist will likely use what is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This approach teaches you to change your faulty or anxiety producing thoughts, while offering behavioral training in relaxation, meditation, aromatherapy, yoga, or physical exercise. Negative thinking has been extensively studied and identified as a primary cause for stress and anxiety. You can learn to identify faulty, frightening or irrational thoughts so they can be changed or re-arranged to lower your stress and anxiety reactions. Medications are also available and work best in partnership with Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. Stress is sometimes a choice. In other words, how you view the problem may be the problem. Both stress and anxiety are raised when your thinking is irrational and/or negative, and lowered when your thinking is more rational and positive. Self-help books and other reading materials may also be helpful for you to re-train your brain, and to change self-defeating behavioral habits. Managing your stress and anxiety will bring relief and restore your quality of life.

ARE YOU STRESSED? DEPRESSED? DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE A MESS?? STOP TALKING TO YOURSELF, START TALKING TO ME!

COUNSELING • COACHING • CARING DR SONIA - THE AZ STRESS DOC AZ STRESS & ANXIETY RELIEF

1825 E NORTHERN AVENUE, STE 135-C PHOENIX AZ 85020 (p) 602.218.6485 (e) choosejoydaily1@gmail.com

MY OFFICE, YOUR HOME, OR ON THE GO THE STRESS DOC BRINGS RELIEF TO YOU