Tag: family business

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*10 Year Business Anniversary & GIVEAWAY*

First of all, THANK YOU for allowing us to serve you these last 10 years. It has been our privilege to create beautiful spaces you love!

In June of 2010, as the job market was dwindling and the economy was tanking. Phillips Tile & Stone was born. Trevor had his first project the very weekend I was a matron of honor in a dear friend’s wedding. Her anniversary helps me remember the exact day otherwise we might not have remembered. So thanks for getting married Jason and Alisha! Love you guys! Happy 10 year wedded anniversary to you both, too!

We’ve slowly grown over the years. I guess you could say we learned about business as we were in business. Our logo was created 3 years later in 2013 by a sweet woman from our church. The Versailles tile pattern used on there was intentional as it was Michelle’s first Mother’s Day gift from Trevor. When we celebrated 5 years as a company, we were pleasantly shocked! To us, 5 years was huge! At year 7 Michelle finally sat down, with a newborn baby in her arms and created a website. All the while Trevor was hustling at creating masterpieces for our wonderful clients. In year 9 we become an LLC and officially added Michelle as a co-owner, another exciting milestone. We are so thankful for the business owners, home owners, fellow craftsman, designers, friends and family we’ve been able to assist along the way. It’s an honor we hold very dearly. Never in our dreams would we have imagined this would be how we put food on the table but we are loving the adventure!

To celebrate, we are having a giveaway on our business Instagram AND Facebook accounts! We hope you join in on the fun. If you haven’t figured this out yet, we appreciate you all so much!

Here is our Facebook post to enter!

Here is the Instagram post to enter! ((This giveaway is closed))

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBdKSCkBVE3/?igshid=2sme3bcf0qmk

Nebraska and Iowa…thanks for letting us make you prettier. 🙂
So surreal! Thanks for letting us have our moment to celebrate!
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Simple Mother’s Day Meal Idea

Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday. It’s possible to make this day special no matter the situation you find yourself in. If you are looking for inspiration keep reading. I’m all about finding ways to make celebrating easy but look exceptional. One way I’ve found to do that is Charcuterie Board Meals. My family loves charcuterie board dinners. Or lunches. You could even make a dessert style charcuterie board! Let your imagination soar as you make your grocery list and tailor it to your taste buds. Here are a few ideas to add to your grocery list.

  1. Cured meats. (my family loves roast beef, summer sausage and pepperoni)
  2. Cheese. (We are simple, Colby Cheese for the win! And lots of it!)
  3. Olives.
  4. Nuts.
  5. Dried Fruit.
  6. Crackers or baguette bread. (At least 2 types of crackers)
  7. Jelly, honey, mustard or jam.
  8. Pickles
  9. Cookies or chocolate pieces
  10. Guacamole, salsa and pita chips
  11. Hard boiled eggs

There are so many ways you could enjoy this easy meal, too. Outside on the patio, on a hike, as a picnic. It’s very transportable. Be sure to include the kids in the making and clean up process. Enjoy and Happy Mother’s Day!

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Free VIRTUAL Estimates


We have been doing virtual estimates for awhile but have never advertised. While we love meeting our potential clients in person, we also enjoy having the ability to make these estimates work on your time. FaceTime, phone, text or email. We’ll get the information needed to provide you a detailed estimate for your next project! Simply head over to our contact form to get started. We love creating spaces you love!

#PhillipsTileStone

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FREE Home-School Resources

Our world is under different circumstances with the closings of schools and businesses due to the Corona Virus. If you find yourself suddenly quarantined at home with your kiddos and have no clue what to do, keep reading. My hope is to provide you some resources from a work from home, homeschooling mama. Our kids ages are 8, 6, 4, 2 and a newborn. Here are some easy, cheap or free activities that my kids truly enjoy. I’m hoping they add some sanity to your new homeschooling life as well. It really is a privilege to be at home with your kids!

3-5 years old

Our 4 year old is constantly on the move, but he will sit to do school! He loves it. Here are some free handwriting printables. All you need is the free worksheet, a pencil and crayons. http://www.handsonhomeschooling.com/free_pages/Aa_to_Mm.pdf http://www.handsonhomeschooling.com/free_pages/Nn_to_Zz.pdf

Music

I use these music cards all the time and they are free to print. https://thefameschoolblog.com/2012/06/06/first-piano-lesson-activity-piano-keyboard-pattern-cards/

I like to play Sing Spell Read and Write music that I find on YouTube while my budding readers are playing. Here is that link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBs2y-XJitQ&list=PLrtE5C373xWbqIvqbhaPhIaNIQYSqsqJp

Art

My kids LOVE art! We use https://www.artforkidshub.com/ often. Your kids will be making masterpieces in no time.

Coloring is great for all ages, here are free topical coloring pages. https://www.coloring.ws/coloring.html

Typing

My oldest uses this to learn typing. I’ve been told this is what some schools use as well. https://www.typing.com/

Math

Free math worksheets for grades k-6th https://www.k5learning.com/free-math-worksheets

This next math suggestion isn’t free but it’s worth every single penny. My kids love it! https://www.ctcmath.com/

Gym

It’s cold outside and our kids need to burn off energy! YouTube to the rescue again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_A_HjHZxfI&t=705s https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

Simple Quick Bread Recipe

Kids love to eat, so teach them how to cook and bake! This recipe is so easy and SO good. You probably have all these ingredients in your home, so what are you waiting for? Just be sure to include your kids while making it. http://www.redflycreations.com/2012/10/the-amazing-amish-cinnamon-bread.html

Free Home Fun

-Make a blanket fort

-Make a painter’s tape maze for hot wheels cars

-Do home chores together

-Play with legos

-Read books together

-Side-Walk Chalk Art

-Play a board game

-Make play dough, we love this recipe!

*Here’s one more giant freebie list http://lifeaslanhams.com/free-printables/

The thing about homeschooling your kids, is you are simply passing along the information you know, to your kids.

I don’t want to overwhelm you with suggestions so hopefully this gets you started in a good direction. These are all REAL suggestions our kids enjoy. I hope it helps you as you make the most of this extra time together! No, it’s not always easy. However, it’s always worth it and your kids will never forget this extra time with you.

From the business owning, homeschooling family that thinks YOU CAN do this!

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Do we have your VOTE?

Did you know we collaborate with some of the best designers and builders in Omaha? Our goal is to make the design and construction process as easy as possible for our customers. We’ve built this business from the ground up and I feel as though we’re just getting started!

Would you please vote for Phillips Tile & Stone LLC? Winning a business grant like this would only help us hire more talent and serve our customers better! Which is what we strive to do daily.

https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/home/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1?fbclid=IwAR335JaP04iQfl3_n3-tXph-GcdVzwAwExjTsSDHzZUx8SvHqI_h9hoxAk0#/gallery/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1

One more plug, WE ARE HIRING!!! Phillips Tile & Stone is expanding and we are hiring additional craftsmen for our company. Please email PhillipsTile.Stone@Yahoo.com for more information.

#PhillipsTileStone #Omaha #FedExSmallBusinessGrantContest #hereforYOU #daretodreambig #hiring #wearehiring

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FedEx Small Business Grant Contest-Can you help us?

Let me tell you something, I stumbled across this pretty sweet small business grant and decided to push fear aside and GO FOR IT! Haven’t you ever heard, “Try something everyday that scares you?” If you haven’t, there is a slight possibility I made it up, but I’m positive I’ve heard it somewhere.

Well, a month ago I ran across this FedEx Small Business Grant Contest and decided to go for it! Here’s a little bit about Phillips Tile & Stone LLC. We exist because of YOU. Since 2010 we’ve been in business because our customers have referred us to their family and friends. That’s pretty much how we ran for a couple years. It was by the seat of our pants and learning as we go how to operate a business. Fast forward to now. 2020. We’ve learned a little bit in the past 9 years. We’re looking to hire more craftsman and marketing talent to expand and earning this small business grant would literally help us serve our customers and employees better! Which is what we strive for daily.

This contest voting runs through March 8th and you can vote for us EVERY DAY if you want! My due date is March 1st. I would be so grateful for your vote. We all would here at Phillips Tile & Stone. Thank you for letting us serve Nebraska (and Iowa) since 2010 with the best craftsmanship and customer service. It’s a true honor.

https://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/home/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1#/gallery/detail/06f86e32-01e1-4c41-b7b5-038b04b6ebe1

Michelle Phillips and the whole Phillips Tile & Stone Team

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Show Your Home Some Love

February. The month of love. You might be considering what to get that special person in your life. I recommend grilling a good steak at home and cuddling on the couch afterwards eating brownies and ice cream, but Valentine’s Day inspiration isn’t my intention for this blog post. I wanted to give February a different spin and offer some ways to show your house some love! Soon it will be spring and we will want to be outside as much as possible. Let’s take advantage of this indoor time period and show our homes some lovin’.

1. Clean the Fridge (and the Freezer, Too)

You’re about to have all sorts of fun produce to load up in your fridge, so take this time to clean out your frig and make it shine again. Think of the grapes, watermelons, lettuce that will soon take over your frig space! Plus ice cream and ice pops in the freezer. Make things easier for ‘Future You’ and make the space now. Pull out all of the drawers and racks and wash them. Clean the inside with a de-greaser or scouring pad to get rid of sticky residue. Replace that old box of baking soda with a fresh one and don’t forget to vacuum the condenser coils on the back! Your fresh veggies will thank you!

2. The Oven

If you can’t see thorough your oven window or if you’re getting used to that smell of food burning every time you preheat, then it’s time to clean your oven! If you have an oven with an auto-clean cycle, it’s important to wipe out any big spills first to prevent flare ups.
For manual cleaning, try using a natural paste of baking soda, water and liquid dish soap instead of harsh chemicals.
Be sure to wipe up grease and grime spills as soon as it happens instead of letting it sit inside your oven and get harder as time goes on.
Clean that thing now and it’ll be pristine and sparkly when you are ready to fire it up again.

4. Carpet and Rugs

Carpets accumulate a lot of dust, dirt and even fungi over time, all of which are unsightly, unhygienic and can be potential health hazards. Up to 80% of carpet dirt is loose and on the surface, and can be removed with regular vacuuming. Kinda makes you want to vacuum right now, right?
Let’s further extend the life and appearance of your carpets as well as banish those really stubborn bugs and stains with regular deep cleaning.
It’s well worth renting steam-cleaning equipment or hiring a professional carpet cleaning company to do the job.

4.Windows Inside and Out

Clean, clear windows make any room feel lighter and cleaner simply by letting more light in, and the more natural light you get, the less electricity you use! How’s that for a fun fact? Not to mention, the lighter the room, the lighter your mood!
When cleaning your windows, wipe the inside up and down, and the outside left to right. If you end up with streaks, you’ll know which side they’re on. Don’t forget to wash screens and sills/tracks.
Are your window coverings drab? Just run them through an air-fluff cycle in the dryer with a damp towel (to attract the dust) for 15 minutes, and rehang immediately.
For a quick, complete wipe-down of your window blinds, shut the blinds and wipe with a microfiber cloth. Then close the blinds in the opposite direction and wipe other side. Tada! A little cleaning makes a huge difference.

I’m all about a little bit of daily progress. Cleaning these areas will also help get rid of germs that might be lurking around from the January we just finished. I think it’s totally necessary to show our homes some love. What other areas will you be cleaning this month?

Happy Valentines Day,

Michelle Phillips

love

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Happy New Year

“Never allow waiting to become a habit – live your dreams and take risks, life is happening now.” – Paulo Coelho

We are rooting for you! May 2020 be a productive year for us all. Now let’s get to work!

From the Phillips Tile & Stone Team

2020

It’s a fun time to reflect on 2019, here were our most ‘liked’ Top Nine pictures on Instagram. Here’s to more blue prints, more happy commercial and residential clients, more social media involvement, more employee hires and more Husker wins!

As always, we are thankful for YOU! Thanks for making Phillips Tile & Stone LLC possible by spreading the word. Happy New Year!

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*Merry Christmas*

All might not be calm. All might not even be bright. But the true reason why we celebrate Christmas is! We are wishing a joyful day to you and yours!

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing’ Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born

Merry Christmas from the Phillips Family and 30 week old baby belly.
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Thanksgiving Prep – Cinnamon Bread Recipe

Who else loves gathering around a table with family and friends to enjoy wonderful food? I know I’m not alone in basking in the warmth a meal with loved ones can bring. I’m convinced a beautiful table, rich conversation and mouth watering food can brighten anyone’s day! As I start to *think* about what I’d like to prepare, this simple quick bread comes to mind. I use to make it weekly. It’s easy and so good! Add some real butter and you’ve got yourself a real winner.

It’s always fun to listen to others’ Thanksgiving plans. So many unique traditions are held, there’s no ‘right way’ to usher in the Thanksgiving feast. Whether you enjoy a Taco bar, and forget the Turkey, or play a solid game of tackle football before your meal. Every family celebrates in their own unique way.

In Omaha, the weather is getting cooler. We’ve pulled up the garden and prepped it for winter. In years past, it’s always been difficult to say goodbye to warm months and come to grips with winter making her grand entrance. It’s different for me this year. I’m embracing the seasonal change without a grumpy attitude and looking forward to hunkering down with my family these next few months. My son says I’m getting older, I think getting older might also mean you learn to make the best of everything. Like arming yourself for winter with new soup recipes, board games, puzzles and indoor projects to last the next four months. Whatever the case, I’m ready to share this warm quick bread that you can easily bake and serve to eat during a card game. My kids love to play Sleeping Queens. It’s a great card game and Amazon carrys it. You definitely need to add it to your game closet. 🙂

The Amazing Cinnamon Bread (that’s what I call it anyway!)

CINNAMON BREAD (makes 2 loaves)
Batter:
1 cup butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk or 2 cups milk plus 2 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda
Cinnamon/sugar mixture:
2/3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon  (I do add more cinnamon and sugar as I feel is needed. It’s called cooking with love. )

Cream together butter, 2 cups of sugar, and eggs.  Add milk, flour, and baking soda.  Put 1/2 of batter (or a little less) into greased loaf pans (1/4 in each pan).  Mix in separate bowl the 2/3 c sugar and cinnamon.  Sprinkle 3/4 of cinnamon mixture on top of the 1/2 batter in each pan.  Add remaining batter to pans; sprinkle with last of cinnamon topping.  Swirl with a knife.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 min.  or until toothpick tester come clean.   Cool in pan for 20 minutes before removing from pan.

I have also made this bread in muffin tins which made it a little easier to freeze and take out as needed.
ENJOY!!!

~Michelle Phillips