THREE BALLS CHRONICLE VOLUME 6 / ISSUE 11 November 2023
IN THIS ISSUE Letter from the President Letter from the General Manager Loyalty Pawn Family Security Awareness Store Manager Updates Golden 1 Center Events Monthly Sales Monthly Birthstone Guide Monthly Birthdays and Anniversaries and New Hires Loyalty Pawn’s Core Goals, Values and Visions Employee Services Corner
Team Loyalty! Happy Thanksgiving, we all hope that everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving with their friends and family!! We still have many events and King’s games that are available so be sure to check that out starting on page 11 and we have many events for you and your families to enjoy, so be sure to get your requests in. We have also added new section learning about security awareness that will be updated monthly with new information, so be sure to read up on that information. And don’t forget to share our electronic newsletter with your friends and families on the Issuu App. Keep doing an amazing job Team Loyalty!!
President’s Letter Hello Team Loyalty, Wow, what an October! I had a lot going on, with my mother’s funeral, a pawn focus group to visit Dallas, Tx., to visit Uncle Dan’s Pawn and finally my 49 th birthday. I am glad October is over!! I would like to thank all of you for the prayers and warm condolences for my mother’s services. It was very much appreciated during this exceedingly challenging time for myself and my family. On another personal note my middle daughter Lilly just got her permit and soon to get her driver’s license so please watch out on the roads out there and be careful. I am ready to move on to the next step of the holiday season here we come November, Black Friday, and December. I also am amazed at how fast this year has gone by and these next two months will be no exception, so get ready for New’s Year’s Eve and hello 2024. The one area of concern I have is in store sales. We need to do a better job of closing sales. I am asking, do you have any suggestions? Any outside of the box ideas? Any extra training, we can give you? We are open to all ideas and want to be helpful in closing sales. The loans are fantastic and, as we have said for an extremely long-time loans are brought in by the company and our team members are needed for the sales numbers to grow. I do realize the state of the economy and the inflationary period we are in; however, everyone will buy Christmas gifts, so we need to utilize these next two months and use the call back binders, press add-ons, turn layaways over and ABC (Always Be Closing). I would like to wish you and your families a Happy Holiday Season, this will be a busy time for Loyalty Pawn, but I do want each of you to be able to spend time with your family and loved ones. One topic at the Focus Group in Dallas was work/family life balance, which is a struggle for any retail, brick, and mortar business, as we cannot work from home and need to be in store. This is an area of concern for our Focus Group, and we are working together to find ways to make sure all of us can enjoy our work and our home life.
Gratefully Yours, Stan Lukowicz, III
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Letter from the General Manager Greetings everyone, I hope everyone had a safe Halloween! This last month, I had the privilege of visiting some pawnshops in Dallas, Texas. This was a wonderful experience. It is interesting to see how operations are not particularly different, even though we operate in different states. One of the most intriguing locations was P&J Pawn, which operates from Jack Ruby’s building. Some back history: Jack was the man who shot Lee Harvey Oswald for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The building itself had a lot of history! The other stores we visited were from Uncle Dan’s Pawn. We saw 4 of his locations throughout Dallas. His stores are fine-tuned for business and look fantastic. Although Uncle Dan’s has different rates, products and customer service are top tier. Visiting other locations brings immense value. By doing so, it gives us a great perspective on the things we are doing correctly! The top sales associate for October was Dominic T. The second place was Norma B. and the third place goes to Danni R. The sales for October were not as strong as previous years but we remain hopeful for the holiday season. I wanted to give a big congratulations to Norma for getting 1st place in productivity and first place for physical transactions done. The El Camino location has a shining star! For those who are jewelry-driven, we will be sending more pieces out very soon! Keep up the splendid work team! As for general business, October had steady loan growth, and we anticipate it to be the same through the end of the year. Our physical items are starting to increase as well. As mentioned before in previous newsletters, we are looking forward to increasing our layaway balances at each location. Each location could secure and manage a minimum of 100k layaway balance. 100k is the minimum amount of inventory that we have company wide. Retail, in general, has softened in the last six months. However, our locations offer value-priced items even at a discount. To conclude, we are embarking on the last couple of months of the 4th quarter. This is a crucial time to sell our in-store goods. We are preparing more jewelry inventory for the locations and look forward to moving quite a bit through the holiday season. We know the economy has been an issue lately, and clients' wallets have been restrictive. As mentioned before, we have a very flexible layaway program, but there is a great savings in taking advantage of our monthly sale. Good luck to everyone in hitting your personal sales goals! Sincerely, Wayne Silliman, General Manager “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.” Henry Ford 3
Loyalty Pawn Family Greetings Loyalty Family, The biggest opportunity for retail is here, and it's crucial that we fully capitalize on it. November has always been a fantastic month for sales, especially for our top salespeople who strive to hit their incentives. We currently have ample inventory, but if you need more, we can definitely work together to get it for your stores. Our loan balance is approaching $6 million, which I’m sure we will exceed this month; it's just a matter of how much we surpass it. This month we’re going to do something different. I will conduct a self-interview and fill out a questionnaire for everyone to get to know me better. For those who are unfamiliar, my name is Javier, and I am the operations manager for Loyalty Pawn. Canelo Alvarez, the renowned boxer, once said, "There's no talent here, this is hard work. This is an obsession. Talent does not exist; we are all equals as human beings. You could be anyone if you put in the time. You will reach the top, and that's that. I am not talented; I am obsessed." 1. What’s your favorite way to spend a day off? My favorite way to spend a day off is by working on DIY projects around my house. I love the challenge of learning new skills and improving my living space. I also enjoy spending time with friends, going out, and having a good time. Lastly, I'm a big fan of boxing, so I love watching matches on my days off. 2. Where’s the next place on your travel bucket list and why? On my travel bucket list, I have Spain, Italy, and France. I'm drawn to these countries because of the rich cultures, delicious food, and the opportunity to experience different ways of life. 3. What was your favorite age growing up? My favorite age growing up would have to be my early 20s. It was a time of new experiences and self-discovery. I had the freedom to explore different paths and have fun while transitioning into adulthood. 4. Do you have a favorite holiday? Why or why not? I have two favorite holidays - Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. Both holidays are special to me because they bring together friends and family for good times and great food. Fourth of July represents the warmth of summer, celebrating our freedom, and enjoying the company of loved ones. Thanksgiving, on the other hand, is a time to express gratitude, share a delicious meal, and create lasting memories. 5. What was the last thing you read? The last book I read was "Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight. It's a fascinating story about how Nike came to be, the challenges they faced, and how they became one of the biggest brands in the world. 6. What was the last TV show you binged-watched? The last TV show I binge-watched was "Yellowstone." I really enjoyed the action-packed storyline and the family dynamics in the show. The beautiful Montana landscape added an extra layer of appeal. 7. Are you into podcasts or do you only listen to music? While I have always been more into music, I have started exploring podcasts as well. I particularly enjoy Joe Rogan's podcast, as he brings on a variety of brilliant and funny guests, providing a wealth of knowledge and different perspectives. 8. What's one thing that can instantly make your day better? As a foodie, enjoying a good meal can instantly make my day better. Food has the power to uplift my mood and bring me joy. 9. What’s one goal you have for this year personally and professionally? One of my goals for this year is to continue my weight loss journey and reach my target weight. Personally, I aim to be under 200 pounds by the new year, which would be a significant achievement for me. 10. Ideally, how would you spend your birthday? Although I don't typically celebrate my birthday, it's always enjoyable when friends and loved ones want to take me out for drinks and food. The best part is when I don't have to pay the bill! 4
11. What's your favorite board game? Monopoly is my favorite board game. I love the strategic elements of the game, creating alliances, and making deals. I'm quite competitive and always strive to win. The game mirrors the industry I work in, where negotiation and deal-making skills are essential. 12. What’s the best way the company can celebrate you and your team for successes? The company already does a great job of celebrating our team's successes. They take us to conventions, provide opportunities to enjoy events at The Golden One Center, and allow us the freedom to celebrate in a way that feels right for us. 13. What causes are you passionate about? I recently discovered the work ethic scholarship started by Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs. This cause resonates with me because it supports hardworking individuals who go the extra mile to get the job done. In a world where work ethic is often undervalued, it's inspiring to see someone championing this important trait. 14. What’s an essential part of your daily routine? Although I didn't consider myself a routine person, I've found that my daily routine plays a crucial role in my weight loss journey. I wake up at 6 AM, hit the gym or go for a long walk to set the tone for the day. Starting with a black coffee after my workout, I eat lunch around 1 PM and stop eating around 8 PM. This routine has helped me stay focused on my goals. 15. Who or what inspires you in your career? In my career, I draw inspiration from successful entrepreneurs who have built their businesses from the ground up. Their stories of hard work, perseverance, and innovation motivate me to push myself and strive for greatness. There is a long list of individuals who inspire me, including Big Sta, Luke, Wayne, and Dan all of whom have motivated and pushed me in different ways. 16. What’s something an outsider wouldn’t know about your industry? One thing that outsiders may not know about my industry is that pawn shops often get a bad reputation due to misrepresentations in movies and TV shows. In reality, pawn shops are not all about criminal activities or taking advantage of people. We are here to help individuals in need and contribute to our community. We go above and beyond to provide assistance and fair deals to our customers. 17. What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of? One of the career highlights that I am most proud of is being a part of Loyalty Pawn and contributing to its growth. As the operations manager, I have played a significant role in building a reputable and widely recognized brand nationwide. It's fulfilling to see the impact of our hard work and dedication. 18. Do you believe in having a "five-year plan"? Yes, I strongly believe in having a five-year plan. Setting goals and having a clear vision for the future helps guide my actions and decisions. It allows me to stay focused, motivated, and work towards achieving long-term success. 19. What’s the best piece of advice a family member has given you? One of the best pieces of advice I have received from a family member is that nobody cares about my problems or success as much as I do. It's up to me to take responsibility, work harder than those around me, and continuously strive for selfimprovement. 20. What is your definition of success? For me, success goes beyond financial achievements. It is about leaving a lasting impact and making myself irreplaceable in everything I do. Success is about personal growth, making a positive difference in the lives of others, and finding fulfillment in my work.
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Security Awareness Enhancing Security Awareness: Identifying Theft and Emergency Preparedness As we strive to ensure the safety of our customers and maintain a secure environment, it is essential that we all have a strong understanding of how to identify and address instances of theft. Furthermore, being prepared for unexpected emergencies is crucial for the well-being of everyone at the store. In this article, we will discuss key training measures and emergency protocols to enhance our security awareness. Identifying Theft: To effectively manage instances of theft, it is important for employees to receive training on identifying suspicious behavior. Here are some signs to look out for: 1. Consistently picking up items and relocating them within the store: Pay attention to customers who frequently move items to different areas. This behavior may indicate an intention to steal. 2. Displaying behavior suggestive of switching price tags: If a customer appears to be tampering with price tags or seems overly focused on price differences, it could be a red flag for theft. 3. Repeatedly checking surroundings for signs of surveillance: Customers who constantly look around, particularly in a suspicious manner, may be attempting to avoid being caught while engaging in theft. 4. Tapping the showcase to check for tempered glass: Be cautious of individuals who tap or knock on showcases, as they may be assessing the strength of the glass for potential theft. 5. Taking pictures or videos inside the store: Customers who engage in such activities without a clear purpose may be casing the location for a future theft. 6. Entering the store wearing hoodies, hats, or masks: While not all individuals wearing these items have malicious intent, it is important to be mindful of customers who attempt to conceal their identity. Training measures need not be overly complex. Simple steps such as instructing employees on how to contact a manager or operate security alarms can be effective. Providing them with code words for discreet communication in the presence of suspicious activities can also enhance overall safety. Additionally, requesting identification or driver's licenses to view luxury items and jewelry pieces from customers not in our database can help prevent theft. Emergency Preparedness: Creating an effective emergency evacuation plan is crucial for the safety of everyone in case of unexpected events. Here are some steps to consider: 1. Identify potential hazards specific to our location and establish evacuation routes: It is important to be aware of potential risks and establish clear paths to exit the premises safely. 2. Clearly mark exit signs and ensure they are unobstructed: Visibility of exit signs is essential during emergencies. Regularly check that they are clearly visible and unobstructed. 6
3. Conduct regular drills to familiarize everyone with procedures: Regular practice drills will ensure that all team members are familiar with emergency protocols and know what steps to take in different scenarios. 4. Assign roles to individuals: Designate evacuation wardens who can guide others during emergencies and ensure a smooth evacuation process. 5. Establish protocols for emergency contact: Have a designated phone number or communication system in place to communicate with emergency services or authorities quickly and efficiently. 6. Regularly review and update the plan: Keep the emergency plan up to date to accommodate any changes in the environment or personnel. Regularly review and communicate any updates to the team. Remember, safety is our top priority. By being proactive, observant, and well-prepared, we can maintain a secure environment for everyone at Loyalty Pawn. In case of emergencies for the Broadway location, please follow the contact order provided below: 1. John - Contact for riot/unrest situations. 2. Wayne - Contact for fire/flooding/gas leak emergencies. 3. Javier - Contact for fire/flooding/gas leak emergencies. 4. Kirby - Contact for fire/flooding/gas leak emergencies. Stay safe and vigilant!
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Shop Talk Manager Updates El Camino Team Loyalty, I hope everyone had an amazing October! Team El Camino made an impressive second-place finish, coming just $500 short of the top spot. That's enough to send shivers down your spine! As we head into the bustling holiday retail season in November, we've set our sights higher, aiming for a $75,000 target. With Christmas approaching and our location holding the largest layaway balance, it's a goal we're confident we can achieve. In the words of the great Arnold Schwarzenegger, "The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent." Congratulations to Norma for exceeding her goal by bringing in $20,000 last month, $5,000 over her target. For this month, we've set new goals for everyone, and with fall festivities and Black Friday deals happening throughout the month, success is within reach. We encourage all team members to harness the power of social media and other selling platforms to help us reach our goals. Remember, one of the most powerful tools you have is right in your hand - your cell phone. On a different note, I hope everyone enjoys a beautiful Thanksgiving this month with their families and friends. I'm truly grateful for the privilege of working at an incredible company that not only values my contributions but also fosters an environment where I can continually grow and express my creativity. Cheers, Tony Mora
Roseville Hello Team Loyalty, I hope that everyone had a fun and safe Halloween, and now, as we approach Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of the importance of gratitude. I’m thankful for our amazing team, our loyal customers, and the community that supports us. Roseville is thrilled to share some exciting updates with you. First, we're proud to announce that we finished first in sales for October, a remarkable achievement that wouldn't have been possible without our dedicated team. Also, our loan balance has grown by 2% to surpass the impressive milestone of $1,200,000 and we welcomed 205 new customers to the Loyalty Pawn family, demonstrating our expanding reach in the community. We're delighted to provide our services to even more individuals, and we look forward to serving them with the same dedication and commitment. Furthermore, our redemption rate is on the rise, increasing by 1% to an impressive 98%. This reflects our customers' satisfaction and trust in our services, qualifying our customers, as well as Brittany’s commitment to calling every customer on the dot list. Thank you, Brittany, for your hard work and dedication! As we move forward into this month of giving thanks, let's continue to work together to make Loyalty Pawn a place where everyone feels valued and respected. I’m excited about the future and the opportunities it holds! Thank You! Justin Martinez 8
Broadway Hello Team, The Broadway team is exited for Halloween to be over and Christmas to be on its way. Adam is getting those sales in with a $6500 sales week. The team has been pushing layaways trying to get our layaway balance back up to $125k which is our goal. We are looking to hit at least $60k in sales this month and we have a good start going so far and just need to carry it on. The other goal we have here at Broadway is to have our whole inventory photographed and posted to Buya by the end of the month. John Mark
Florin Mall Hello Everyone, I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Halloween. I cannot believe we are coming to the end of 2023 already. As we say every year, wow how times fly. Great job to Team Roseville for taking first place in sales follow by Team El Camino. Florin ended with almost $47k in sales. November of 2022, we did a total of $83k in sales. We are going to be shooting to hit the same amount. Florin is still holding on to $1.9million in loan balance with a total of 1893 total transaction for October. We are also going to be decorating for Thanksgiving with a fall theme. We have an awesome sale for the whole month of November up to 65% off on selected jewelry and 25% off on everything else. This is the perfect opportunity to lock in these sales and a great way for our clients to start their Christmas shopping early. Let’s have a great November. Keep yourself positive, cheerful and goal oriented. Sales success is 80% attitude and 20% aptitude. Mark Xiong
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Top Performers in October st
1 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sales
Productivity
Phys Transactions
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
Norma Bobadilla (El Camino #1)
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Dominic Tognolini (Roseville #3)
Danni Robinson (Roseville #3)
David Palomares (Florin #2)
David Palomares (Florin #2)
Adam Kimbro (Broadway #4)
Johnathan Thao (Florin #2)
Stephanie Salfaro (Florin #2)
David Palomares (Florin #2)
Ah Xiong (Florin #2)
Ah Xiong (Florin #2)
October End of Month Balances Loyalty Pawn #1 El Camino Loyalty Pawn #2 Florin Loyalty Pawn #3 Roseville Loyalty Pawn #4 Broadway
Loan Balance
Purchases
Layaway Balance
$1,729,992.00 $1,909,079.00 $1,207,473.00 $1,152,917.00
$29,738.00 $21,272.00 $23,006.70 $18,688.00
$101,511.66 $63,513.52 $76,102.65 $75,987.68
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Golden 1 Center Upcoming Events Below is the list of events that are posted as of right now and we will be adding events to this list each month as they get posted! The events in green are available and the events in red have already been spoken for. If you would like to request tickets send you ticket request forms to lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com so that I can get your requests in and if you need a request form email lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com and I can send you a copy! With the Golden 1 Center opening back up there is a limited number of tickets available, so for every event you are only allowed to request and receive 4 tickets per event!
Event
Day
Date
Time
Lauren Daigle
November 14th
Tuesday
8:00 PM
Grupo Fontera w/Luis R. Contiquez
November 22nd
Wednesday
8:00 PM
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
December 1st
Friday
3:00 PM
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
December 1st
Friday
7:00 PM
V 101.1 Holiday Jam
December 9th
Saturday
8:00 PM
For King & Country
December 10th
Sunday
7:00 PM
Stevie Nicks
December 12th
Tuesday
7:00 PM
Harlem Globetrotters
January 15th
Monday
1:00 PM
Harlem Globetrotters
January 15th
Monday
6:00 PM
Cody Johnson
January 19th
Friday
8:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 26th
Friday
7:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 27th
Saturday
1:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 27th
Saturday
7:00 PM
Monster Jam
January 28th
Sunday
1:00 PM
PBR
February 2nd
Friday
7:45 PM
PBR
February 3rd
Saturday
6:45 PM
PBR
February 4th
Sunday
1:45 PM
Toby Mac
February 8th
Thursday
7:00 PM
Gloria Trevi
February 10th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Disney on Ice
February 15th
Thursday
TBA
Disney on Ice
February 16th
Friday
TBA
Disney on Ice
February 17th
Saturday
TBA
Disney on Ice
February 18th
Sunday
TBA
Disney on Ice
February 19th
Monday
TBA
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Madonna
February 24th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Playpoi Carti
February 25th
Sunday
8:00 PM
Marca MP
March 1st
Friday
7:30 PM
Bad Bunny
March 5th
Tuesday
8:00 PM
Fall Out Boy
March 3rd
Sunday
6:30 PM
Nate Bargatze
April 5th
Friday
8:00 PM
Luis Miguel
April 7th
Sunday
8:00 PM
Kane Brown
May 10th
Friday
7:00 PM
Kane Brown
May 11th
Saturday
7:00 PM
NF
June 8th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Tim McGraw
June 29th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Pepe Aguilar
July 29th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Los Temerarios
August 24th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Zach Bryan
November 29th
Friday
8:00 PM
Zach Bryan
November 30th
Saturday
8:00 PM
Kings Games
Day
Date
Trail Blazers vs. Kings
Wednesday
November 8th
7:00 PM
Thunder vs. Kings
Friday
November 10th
7:00 PM
Caveliers vs. Kings (2 Available)
Monday
November 13th
7:00 PM
Warriors vs. Kings
Tuesday
November 28th
7:00 PM
Clippers vs. Kings
Wednesday
November 29th
7:00 PM
Nuggets vs. Kings
Saturday
December 2nd
7:00 PM
Nets vs. Kings
Monday
December 11th
7:00 PM
Thunder vs. Kings
Thursday
December 14th
7:00 PM
Jazz vs. Kings
Saturday
December 16th
7:00 PM
Wizards vs. Kings
Monday
December 18th
7:00 PM
Celtics vs. Kings
Wednesday
December 20th
7:00 PM
Suns vs. Kings
Friday
December 22nd
7:00 PM
Timberwolves vs. Kings
Saturday
December 23rd
7:00 PM
Hornets vs. Kings
Tuesday
January 2nd
7:00 PM
Magic vs. Kings
Wednesday
January 3rd
7:00 PM
Raptors vs. Kings
Friday
January 5th
7:00 PM
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Time
Pelicans vs. Kings (2 Available)
Sunday
January 7th
3:00 PM
Pacers vs. Kings
Thursday
January 18th
7:00 PM
Hawks vs. Kings
Monday
January 22nd
7:00 PM
Pistons vs. Kings
Wednesday
February 7th
7:00 PM
Nuggets vs. Kings
Friday
February 9th
7:00 PM
Spurs vs. Kings
Thursday
February 22nd
7:00 PM
Heat vs. Kings
Monday
February 26th
7:00 PM
Bulls vs. Kings (2 Available)
Monday
March 4th
7:00 PM
Spurs vs. Kings
Thursday
March 7th
7:00 PM
Rockets vs. Kings
Saturday
March 10th
3:00 PM
Bucks vs. Kings
Tuesday
March 12th
7:00 PM
Lakers vs. Kings
Wednesday
March 13th
7:00 PM
Knicks vs. Kings
Saturday
March 16th
7:00 PM
Grizzlies vs. Kings (2 Available)
Monday
March 18th
7:00 PM
76ers vs. Kings
Monday
March 25th
7:00 PM
Mavericks vs. Kings
Tuesday
March 26th
7:00 PM
Mavericks vs. Kings
Friday
March 29th
7:00 PM
Jazz vs. Kings
Sunday
March 31st
6:00 PM
Clippers vs. Kings
Tuesday
April 2nd
7:00 PM
Pelicans vs. Kings (2 Available)
Thursday
April 11th
7:00 PM
Suns vs. Kings
Friday
April 12th
7:30 PM
Trailblzers vs. Kings
Sunday
April 14th
7:30 PM
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September Sales Flyer
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Monthly Birthstone Guide This will help educate you about some of the more popular semi and precious stones we come across and it will also help you close some more sales. The idea is to educate you on each month’s birthstone as you can arrange your cases properly and make suggestions to our clients that may be browsing or even looking for a gift. Let’s think outside the box when utilizing this information.
JANUARY – Garnet
FEBRUARY -- Amethyst
MARCH – Aquamarine
APRIL – Diamond
MAY – Emerald
JUNE –Pearl & Alexandrite
JULY – Ruby
AUGUST – Peridot
SEPTEMBER – Sapphire
OCTOBER – Opal & Tourmaline
NOVEMBER – Citrine & Topaz
DECEMBER – Topaz & Turquoise
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Anniversaries, Birthdays and New Hires November Anniversaries Ramsey Lewis 5 years
November Birthdays Johnnathan Thao November 16th Jason Wagner November 19th Jonathan Sinatra November 20th
October New Hires We don’t have any new hires this month.
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Loyalty Pawn’s Goals, Values, and Visions “The Leader in Local Lending” Company Wide Goals • To Offer Immediate Relief with a Short-Term Loan. • To Develop, Recruit and Inspire an Elite Work Force, Driven by
Loyal Business Practices. • To Provide the Highest Standard of Quality, Commitment and Value to Every Customer in Our Loyalty Pawn Family!
Core Values • Loyalty • Dedication • Creativity
Company Vision • Loyal People Committed to Everyday Satisfaction
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Loyalty Pawn Employee Services Corner November … And the dead leaves lie huddled and still, No longer blown hither and thither; The last lone aster is gone; The flowers of the witch-hazel wither –Robert Frost (1874-1963)
Did you know…that… November is National Family Caregivers Month? This November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of caregivers who provide care and support to their loved ones. In the United States alone, over 53 million people serve as unpaid caregivers for family members, friends and neighbors, and of these, around 11 million are caring for elderly parents while also raising children.
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/family-caregivers-month.html National Family Caregivers Month-Continued The Sandwich Generation and its growing responsibilities. Currently, millions of caregivers have growing responsibilities as they look after two generations, aging parents and younger children. These so-called “Sandwich Generation” caregivers tend to juggle their demanding caregiving responsibilities along with their career and other family obligations. Although in recent years, the number of Americans taking care of both aging parents and younger children has risen only marginally, the financial and emotional burden of sandwich-generation caregiving continues to grow. For example, according to a 2022 University of Michigan study, sandwich-generation caregivers are twice as likely to report financial difficulty (36% vs. 17%) and more likely to report substantial emotional difficulty (44% vs. 32%) than their peers who only act as a caregiver to a parent over 65. To Care for Others, Care for Thy Self— Being a sandwiched parent is incredibly stressful, so it is important for this generation to take care of themselves and not get lost caring for both young and aging family members. Although being a caregiver can be a drain on time, resources and energy, it is critical to remember that one cannot truly care for others unless they first care for themselves. Here are a few strategies taken from Care. com to help members of the sandwich generation.
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Take Time to Recharge — You can’t pour from an empty cup, so self-care is not only essential for the caregiver, but also for the family. Share the Load with Your Family — Enlist the help of your family to perform specific tasks. Make sure ongoing responsibilities like shopping, taking the kids to school or extracurriculars or taking aging parents to therapy are spread out across members of the family and not just born on the back of one parent. Talk to Loyalty Pawn’s Employee Services — Work flexibility is crucial for sandwiched caregivers, so talking to us can be really helpful. We can help inform you of any resources within Loyalty’s benefit offering that can be useful. Also, taking advantage of the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) may be able to offer benefits that can provide some employees with job protection if they need time off. employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com
MONTHLY MOVES - Seated low back Stretch You’re standing at your store’s workstation when suddenly lower back pain strikes, radiating all the way up your neck. Wincing in discomfort, you resist the urge to stretch out right next to the water cooler. Right? Though we’ve all been tempted to discretely practice yoga poses at our workstations, subtle and inconspicuous movements are often better suited for relieving pain on the job. Seated stretches that can be done while remaining at your desk are ideal for alleviating back pain without drawing unnecessary attention or disrupting your coworkers. Simple motions such as the seated low back stretch that gently opens the back while keeping your chair upright can offer relief until you have more freedom and space for additional restorative poses. With some slight adjustments, you can address nagging back pain professionally and politely at the office. Check out this website for stretches you can do while at work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=bEDH_uTcdf4
November…Celebration Days • • • • • • • •
November 1 is All Saints’ Day. November 4 is Will Rogers Day… it is also Sadie Hawkins Day. November 5 at 2 A.M. is the end of Daylight Saving Time. Set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night at bedtime! November 7 is Election Day (U.S.) Don’t forget to vote in state and federal elections! Every vote counts! November 11 is Veterans Day (U.S.) and Remembrance Day (Canada). If you’re fortunate, we may experience an “Indian Summer” in November, but according to the traditional definition, it can only occur between November 11 and 20! November 19 is Discovery of Puerto Rico Day. November 23 is Thanksgiving Day (U.S.).
November… Just for Fun Days 19
November is Banana Pudding Lovers Month—who knew? Here are some more wacky celebrations to look forward to: • • • • • •
Nov. 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day Nov. 6: Zero-Tasking Day Nov. 9: National Scrapple Day Nov. 16: National Button Day Nov. 21: World Hello Day Nov. 23: Fibonacci Day
November was the ninth month of the ancient Roman calendar and has retained its name from the Latin novem, meaning "nine." In Finland, they call November marraskuu, which translates as "the month of the dead." It is one of four months with a length of 30 days on the Gregorian, or modern, calendar.
November Astronomy The Full Beaver Moon November’s full Moon is traditionally called the Beaver Moon. Why this name? In the Colonial Era, this was the month to set one’s beaver traps before the swamps froze and beavers retired to their lodges, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. In 20232, November’s full Moon occurs on November 27, 2023.
Thanksgiving Turkey Option 1: The simplest roast turkey breast While a traditional Thanksgiving feast may involve carving an entire turkey at the table, a simpler or more intimate Thanksgiving works with simply roasting the turkey breast. One advance of roasting just the breast is that it comes out juicy and doesn’t get dry. • Then just add your sides—like mashed potatoes, seasoned stuffing, your favorite seasonal greens and don’t forget dessert!
Turkey Cooking Tips Ensure one pound per person—or more if you want to ensure leftovers! Order or buy 2 to 3 weeks in advance! Have a good roasting pan and a rack (which often comes with the pan) plus an instant-read thermometer for safety, if not peak flavor. See how to use a meat thermometer. If you buy a frozen turkey, it’s important to start defrosting days in advance—one day for every four pounds—and it is recommended that you defrost it in the refrigerator. If your turkey is not frozen, unwrap it a couple days before cooking and let it air dry in the refrigerator so the air dries its skin tight. You don’t need to truss your turkey (tie up the legs) unless you’re stuffing the bird. Keep in mind that a trussed turkey takes longer to cook. Have plenty of turkey or chicken stock on hand. Make sure you know how to carve a turkey before you’re facing the big bird! Hot Link: Understand the history and origins of Thanksgiving. 20
401K-Loyalty Pawn Retirement $avings Program Are you saving for retirement? Why not start today? If you have completed 12 months of service with Loyalty Pawn, you’re eligible to participate and start putting away those pretax (or post tax Roth) dollars into your very own 401k account. To enroll, send me an email and I’ll help you get started. Contact Employee Services at employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com Start saving for retirement’s tomorrow, today!
If you need HR, Payroll, Benefits, or Family support, Loyalty Pawn’s Employee Services is only a phone call, text message, or email away, on demand, anytime! 916-752-2255 employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com
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