Our locally owned Kent and Maple Valley Sylvan Learning Centers are here to help in our communities time of need! With local school closures, we are getting a lot of people contacting us with thoughts like: 

“How do I keep my child occupied?”

"What can I do to reduce learning loss?"

"How can I help my child prepare for their next grade level, having missed significant classroom time?"

We know there are questions many of you are asking right now, especially as you may be juggling a job, trying to keep the fridge stocked and navigating your newfound role as “teacher.”

So, if your son or daughter is still in jammies and your screen time rules are out the window, take heart:

• One, we are hearing this from MANY families. This is unchartered territory for all of us, and it’s okay!
• And two, you aren’t in this alone. We’re here to help.

Even though our center has temporarily suspended in-center tutoring, we’ve been bumping up our free learning activities and resources for you on SylvanNation.com over the last few weeks — ESPECIALLY printable worksheets for elementary-school kids.

We are also now offering LIVE Online Tutoring, delivering our high quality of education we have been known to deliver over the past 40 years, now online while schools are closed. This is utilizing our teachers in an online setting, not just videos or an automated program.

If your family can only play so much Minecraft, Monopoly and Scattegories or you just want to keep your child excited about learning, check out our fun learning activities today.

You can get more information at our website, Facebook page, or by calling our center.

https://locations.sylvanlearning.com/us/kent-wa
https://www.facebook.com/KentSylvan/?ref=br_rs
https://www.sylvannation.com/

During this time of uncertainty and school closures we find ourselves asking:

“How do I keep my child occupied?”

We know it’s a question many of you are asking right now, especially as you may be juggling a job, trying to keep the fridge stocked and navigating your newfound role as “teacher.”

So, if your son or daughter is still in jammies and your screen time rules are out the window, take heart:

• One, we are hearing this from MANY families. This is unchartered territory for all of us, and it’s okay!
• And two, you aren’t in this alone. We’re here to help.

We are here to help, your local Sylvan Learning Center has both free resources available, as well as Live Online Tutoring to help families in need. Sylvan Learning Center of Kent and Sylvan Learning Center of Maple Valley are both locally owned, and here to help our local families with their educational needs!

In addition to offering your child live, online sessions with our tutors, we’ve been bumping up our free learning activities and resources for you on SylvanNation.com over the last few weeks — ESPECIALLY printable worksheets for elementary-school kids and writing resources for teens.

We are all concerned about learning loss, the potential for students who are not ahead in class to enter their next grade behind the needed skill level, and to help keep their minds engaged in healthy and constructive thinking during a long break from the classroom.

Sign up and access these helpful and FREE resources today: https://www.sylvannation.com/

You can also connect with us on our Facebook page for additional Free Resources, updates to programs we are rolling out during school closures, and to stay in touch with our local communities.

This is a short story shared by one of our Licensed Massage Therapists at LaVida Massage of Federal Way. It highlights her challenges with migraine headaches, and a great solution to reducing migraines or all together eliminating them, without drugs, pills or supplements! We do offer this service at LaVida Massage of Federal Way, if you have struggled with migraine headaches in the past, or do now, please contact us to give this treatment a try!

Sara's Story:

Intraoral massage helped me make my migraines headaches almost non existent. My son was about 2 years old when I first started getting migraines. There was no rhyme or reason. After exhausting every avenue to try to fix them I came upon intraoral massage by being up late one night stressed out because the Dr wanted me on daily migraine medication. I try the more holistic approach the Dr prescribed that wasn't a option for me. I was tired of having to go to different emergency rooms dragging my family for hours on end and sometimes having to drive myself in the middle of the night making the husband come home to watch my kid so he could sleep while I went and had to be given IV drugs to make the migraine stop and me pass out simultaneously. I could go on an on; but intraoral massage has worked for my for almost 2 years now and I have had probably one migraine in that time (which was mild). The crazy thing is you do feel it instantly and along your face muscles do play a strong roll in the neck muscles and traps which everyone seems to have issues with the leaning forward posture, working, driving and such.

Not all industries are created equal and not all industries are worth investing in. As the job market improves and unemployment rates drop - to 3.8% in February 2019, to be exact, your next business investment may just be around the corner. You may have your specific interests, your niches, and your curiosities; however, some of those may be more valuable in today’s market than others. If you are buying a business in 2019, here are 5 of the best industries to consider.

1. Micromobillity
Think electric-powered bikes, scooters, and skateboards. A future free of petroleum-driven vehicles and increases in simplified urban transportation means this industry is booming with no signs of stopping. In fact, Ford just acquired an e-scooter start-up called Spin for $100 million at the end of 2018. This, in addition to market trends, shows that increased awareness in this industry means now is the time to invest in it. To do so, however, you need a team that not only understands the current technology but is ready to begin improving and inventing for the next big thing. 

2. CBD
There is quite the demand for products containing Cannabidiol, or CBD, in the US. This natural component of cannabis and hemp is not a drug but has shown to have properties that aid in anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relief needs. As the holistic community continues to grow in its awareness of the benefits of CBD, now is the time to buy a business dedicating its energy into the creation of CBD products - think creams and other skincare, diffusers, and candles.

3. Baby
TechnologySince the iPhone was released in 2007, smart technology has gone from an exciting new product to an everyday necessity. You would be hard-pressed to find any individual further than two feet from the nearest smartphone or smartwatch to check their email, text messages, and heart rate. The industry is expanding to target babies - everything from fertility tracking and breastfeeding to helping newborns sleep. As this kind of technology becomes the norm, it becomes much more accessible to both producers and consumers. Without a doubt, experts say technology regarding babies is the next hottest thing to invest in.

4. WorkleisureTrend
Who does not want to look business appropriate without compromising comfort? Because the answer is likely no one, this industry has continued to grow and grow with no signs of stopping. An outfit that is both comfortable and can easily transition from office to the gym is highly sought after. If you are in the retail industry or interested in beginning a career in apparel, workleisure is the way to go.

5. Personalized Nutrition
As Americans become more aware of preventive medicine and lifestyles, nutrition has become a hot topic of conversation. Be it the Keto or vegan diet, not every “healthy” person can agree on which lifestyle is full-proof and the right one to follow. In fact, much of this has to do with the fact that not all two bodies and digestive systems are alike. Cue: personalized nutrition. An industry incorporating your genetic makeup with your physiological needs.

What these five leading industries show us is that technology and health are the biggest players. Whether it has to do with mental health, fertility, or nutrition, technology can play a role in simplifying and improving our everyday lives. If you are hoping to be one step ahead of the game with your next investment, consider these industries your best bet.

As you narrow down your choices, think about talking to an expert at Transworld Business Advisors. Familiar with following market trends and the businesses that are being bought and sold daily, their expertise can be exactly what you need to make that final decision. Contact TWorld.com/Renton for a free consultation.

By Donna Maurer. For more, contact her via donnamaurer.com

Muscle cramps, fatigue, nausea, back pain, swollen feet, and heartburn! Creating life is a natural process, but that doesn’t mean it’s comfortable. While some women feel great throughout their entire pregnancy, others experience every discomfort in the book. Thankfully, there are several steps a mom-to-be can take that will relieve their discomfort. Eating a healthy, nutritious diet, gentle exercise like walking and yoga, and prenatal massage can all make pregnancy much more pleasant.

For an expecting mom, prenatal massage offers physiological, emotional, and psychological benefits. It’s different from a regular massage because it focuses on the particular needs of a mom-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes of pregnancy. A qualified prenatal massage therapist knows how to adapt the technique for a pregnant woman in each trimester of her pregnancy.

For the pregnant woman, prenatal massage can relieve mental and physical fatigue, improve circulation and blood flow, improve the function of sore or stiff joints and muscles. This noninvasive and gentle form of therapeutic bodywork can also ease the discomforts of pregnancy while nurturing the emotional needs of the pregnant mother and helping her get ready for labor and delivery.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at how prenatal massage can help during every stage of pregnancy.

The Benefits of Prenatal Massage During Every Stage of Pregnancy
Prenatal massage offers benefits for both mom and baby throughout the entire pregnancy. When you are expecting, everything you do, especially what you eat and how you exercise, could affect your growing baby. There is a direct connection between the mother’s state of mind the healthy development of the baby. Common pregnancy complications, such as uterine prolapse, scar tissue, and incontinence, can also be prevented by keeping your uterus and ligaments healthy with prenatal massage.

One study even found evidence that receiving prenatal massage regularly throughout pregnancy can shorten delivery times and make labor more comfortable, possibly reducing the need for epidurals and other pain medications. The same study also shows that receiving massage as a regular part of prenatal care reduced the need for cesarean births by half.
Other key benefits include:

• Reduced stress levels and fewer insomnia issues because of the increased relaxation
• Relief of hormone-induced anxiety and depression
• Less edema, nasal congestion, shortness of breath, fatigue, and digestive problems
• Reduced hip and joint pain, sciatica, headaches, leg cramps, muscle spasms, and lower back pain
• Reduction of stress on the joints and muscles
• Fewer stretch marks because skin and underlying tissues are more pliable
• Supports circulation and blood flow for both mother and baby
  
• 
  

First Trimester Benefits
It used to be that prenatal massage wasn’t recommended for women in their first trimester, but that’s no longer the case. Recent studies show that proper prenatal massage by a qualified practitioner can have tremendous benefits at this stage of pregnancy. And, a healthy first trimester sets a good foundation for a healthy pregnancy, baby, and delivery.

Prenatal massage during the first trimester will focus mainly on correcting pre-existing problems like back, pelvic, neck, or shoulder pain that could worsen as the pregnancy progresses. Relieving these problems now will help your body adapt to the rapid changes that come with creating a new life.

This stage of pregnancy also brings a whole host of symptoms due to the sudden influx of pregnancy hormones. Prenatal massage can provide significant relief for many of these symptoms, including morning sickness, constipation, and headaches.

Second Trimester Benefits
As you enter the second trimester of pregnancy, things settle down a bit, and those initial discomforts begin to subside. However, your belly is also growing at a rapid rate, and as your center of gravity is thrown off, back pain can become a problem. Prenatal massage at this stage can relieve tenseness in the muscles and improve your posture and alignment.

Now is also the time your massage practitioner will want to focus on supporting the rapidly enlarging uterus as grows from about four ounces to as much as 13 pounds by the end of your pregnancy. Your practitioner will work to keep your ligaments flexible and toned, which will be extremely beneficial for preventing not only pelvic and back pain, but also preterm and back labor.

Third Trimester Benefits
Now that you’ve entered your third trimester, you and your practitioner will be focused on getting ready for labor and delivery. Hormonal changes and weight gain will put additional strain on the ligaments that support your uterus. 

The added pressure your bulky uterus puts on your legs and feet may cause swelling or fluid buildup. Your growing uterus is also likely to cause issues with elimination and digestion, and heartburn becomes a daily issue. You may also be experiencing increased anxiety about labor and delivery.

Prenatal massage in the third trimester can be incredibly beneficial for all of these symptoms, and it will also help to keep your stress levels low. Your practitioner will have special pillows and a larger table to make sure you’re comfortable and secure throughout your massage.

Postnatal Massage Benefits
Postnatal massage can offer some incredible benefits after delivery as well. Your body goes through so much during pregnancy and childbirth, and postpartum massage is a great way to support your body and help it get back to normal after your baby is born. It can support proper bladder and digestive function and help get your pelvic floor back into shape. It’s also excellent for coping with the stress and possible depression that often accompany the hormonal changes after pregnancy.

As you can clearly see, prenatal massage can be incredibly helpful throughout every stage of pregnancy and beyond. It’s a non-invasive and safe way to support your mind and body and encourage a comfortable pregnancy and childbirth.

There are many benefits to franchising your business or becoming a franchise owner. However, one does not often hear about the next step: reselling a franchise. As an entrepreneur, it is not uncommon to be satisfied with accomplishing one goal and while constantly looking for new challenges. Your franchise business could have been a passion project, but your time to start your next project has arrived. The only problem is, where do you start? Transworld Business Advisors has extensive experience with franchises. We have compiled a list of six things to know when reselling a franchise.

Contact Your Franchisor
The moment you bought a franchise, you became one half of a franchisor-franchisee relationship. Because of this, the first step is to call your franchisor –– there is no reason to keep your desire to resell a secret. During this step, you may ask them a series of questions:

1. What are the transfer fees when I sell the franchise?
2. What qualifications do I need to look for when choosing a buyer for the franchise resale?
3. What rules of thumb do you use to value my franchise?

 In some cases, there are no fees, but when there are, it can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000 to transfer ownership of the franchise. Speaking of the transfer, the next buyer must meet certain qualifications approved by the franchisor before a sale and transfer can be made. These qualifications often relate to credit score, net worth and experiences. This conversation is key before beginning the resale process.

Review the Agreement
Secondly, it is not only wise but also important to review your franchise agreement. Transfer fees and other specifications will be outlined, which are important to note for future negotiations. All of your questions should be answered at this stage. Any further inquiries can be clarified by your business broker.

Prepare for the Sale
Like any other business, your franchise needs a business valuation. A Transworld broker can assist you in getting your finances in order and determining the value of your business. Once completed, you can find a competitive, but accurate listing price. Not to mention, financial documents will be in question during the sale, so being more organized will not only be beneficial, but will prepare you to answer all of the buyer’s questions.

Comprehensive Business Analysis
As mentioned above, it is important to understand the state of your business. Not only financially, but also the morale of your employees and the intangibles –– like customer loyalty and goodwill. Being a part of a franchise means your reputation precedes you, however, the success of your individual franchise can be determined by attributes like location and customer retention. This, along with other aspects of your business will be carefully analyzed by your broker to help you prepare for the listing.

Negotiations with an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)
The moment you are ready to list your franchise for sale, it is important to understand the value of anonymity. For one, you do not want competitors or employees to know you are selling your franchise. Transworld will prepare a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for all participating parties, to protect you from leaked proprietary information. In addition, a sale might scare your staff into quitting, employees fear that when management changes their jobs could be in jeopardy. An NDA is vital for a successful resale.

Close the Deal
Finally, after sifting through the offers, you may find yourself moments from closing a deal. At this point, your franchisor has approved the buyer and you are ready to transfer ownership to the next franchisee. Your business broker will help sort out the legal documents and even serve as a neutral location for signatures and deal closures.

Although you own a franchise business, a resale –– after a certain point –– is much like selling any small business. The key is to sort out financial documents, list at a competitive price, and have the guidance of a broker to find the right buyer. Transworld provides a network of vetted buyers to ease the process and sift through the fake offers. If you are interested in reselling your franchise, contact your local Transworld today for a free consultation!

Buying a business often requires you to have the money necessary to complete your acquisition. This can be achieved in a variety of different ways. No matter what method you finally choose to pursue, to be successful you will need to be aware that different sources of capital will have their own priorities.
So, to give you the best chance of securing the funding you need, let’s look at three possible sources of credit and consider how you should modify your approach in each instance to guarantee the best outcome.

1. Getting a bank loan
Perhaps the most formal way to get the money you need to buy a business, is to apply to access the loan capital which the banking sector has earmarked to support business. In the United States the most popular loan programs are the SBA 504 and 7A lending programs.

But note that these programs have strict rules, mean that applications from would-be entrepreneurs and the businesses they are looking to purchase are subject to a great deal of careful scrutiny.

As an aspiring business owner, for example, your previous business experience will be carefully evaluated. You will help your case further if you can also show you have a good grasp of general business matters such as accounting, small business and overall business planning. Any relevant qualifications you possess will also greatly help your cause.
As an example, if you were looking to buy a restaurant you should be prepared to detail and demonstrate what you know about the generic aspects of the relevant industry you are looking to invest in.

Any bank will also want to see you have a good personal credit record. You should also expect that a bank will probably require any loan they offer to be secured by collateral – most likely all of the business assets.  They will also ask you to sign a personal guarantee and pledge your personal home as collateral as well.  

And though, as a new owner, you will not have any track record of business performance to offer, you should be prepared for the bank to ask to see a detailed business plan. This should detail your business strategy, and also indicate precisely how you will spend the loan capital and what returns you anticipate on your investment.

Though this application procedure can seem daunting, if you succeed you will know your business proposal has been thoroughly tested.   There are companies that can help you put together a plan for you.

2. Acquiring an angel investor –“friends and family”
This may be an individual or group offering funding to you because they believe in you or your business you are buying. One major business advantage of such a funding source is they can be flexible with terms depending on your relationship.
And provided your angel investor can see your business has real potential (and thus will bring them a profitable return), they may not be particularly alarmed by any high-risk factors in the deal like a bank would be.

The downside is understanding what happens of the capital is lost or the return is delayed. Make sure you have good legal agreements in place. These agreements might not be as expansive as a bank would require, but understand that this type of borrowing money can be tricky.

3. Seller financing
Seller financing can be a complex issue on both sides but where appropriate, seller financing can have a number of advantages. 
For instance, any financing you receive will be easier to qualify for than from most other sources, and you will often get access to the finance you need much quicker. Furthermore, this arrangement means the previous owner has a powerful motive to see you succeed and will often be prepared to help in several ways.

In addition, it also implies the former owner believes you have the ability to make an ongoing success of the business in your own right.

But do remember that, even where seller finance is available, it will only be for a proportion of the sale price which is often about 50%. However, on the positive side, that may be a viable means of closing what would otherwise be a funding gap or any funding at all.
And in some circumstances another lending sources may look on your funding application more favorably if they know the seller has enough faith in you to offer financial support. Indeed, some lenders may even insist upon having such evidence before they proceed.
 
By Bruce Hakutizwi, USA and International Accounts Director for BusinessesForSale.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for buying and selling small and medium size businesses.

April is National Stress Awareness month and with the public issue of both mental and physical health, this is a great time to make sure both your mind and body are in the right place. LaVida Massage is the perfect place to help you alleviate any stress that is clouding up your mind and creating tension and havoc on your body. I know before I worked at LaVida, I didn’t really know what I could do or what benefits I would gain through regular stress management. But, LaVida offers both therapeutic services and products to help you manage the hustle and bustle of the world around you.

Creating time for a massage from one of our Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT), once a month, will help alleviate stress-induced knots or tightness in your body. One of the benefits of going in for a routine massage is that the LMT will ask you which areas you would like to focus on each time. Personally, I like to communicate with the LMT when they find the tense muscles, to focus on those specific areas. Receiving a monthly massage has helped me, not only with physical stress, but with mental stress also. Knowing that I have that monthly massage coming up gives me something to look forward to and I can plan my more physically strenuous activities around the time of my massage.  If you are unsure about what type of massage is right for you be sure to communicate with your therapist during the massage to ensure you are receiving the appropriate amount of pressure.

For stress relief in between your monthly massage try one of our 100% Pure Essential Oils or essential oil blends to help eliminate stress on a daily basis. You can use these essential oils in a variety of ways. My favorite essential oil is pure Lemon Oil. It reminds me of a freshly cleaned room or a crisp, early summer day. Use them as a replacement to candles in an essential oil diffuser or add a couple drops to a spray bottle with water and use them as a natural air freshener. A subtle and direct approach, my personal go-to at work, dab a little oil onto a microfiber towel and hold up to your nose to inhale. It allows me to take a step back from work, clear my mind, and not disturb anyone around me.
To find a LaVida Massage nearest you check out our website. Wherever you go, we will be happy to provide the utmost care and service to make sure your experience leaves you feeling leagues better than when you came in!

As you can imagine, purchasing a business is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. In fact, it is one of the most expensive commitments you will make in your lifetime. Therefore, choosing the right one is important. When you are looking to purchase a business, there are a number of factors to consider before making an offer. The first step, of course, is to think about the industry and type of business you would like to purchase. Secondly, hire a trustworthy and compatible business broker to lend expertise and guide you through the process. Furthermore, consider these 5 factors when evaluating a business to buy.

1. Reputation
2. Competition
3. Current Market
4. Owner’s Reason for Selling
5. Customer Base
6. Employee Satisfaction and Retention
   

Once you have found a potential business, ask yourself these very important questions.

1. Is this business a manageable size for me?
2. What are people in the community saying about this business?
3. How much interaction does this business have with local competitors?
4. Why is the owner selling? Are they retiring? Are profits down? What is the status of the current market?
5. What are the company’s reviews? Are customers happy? Are employees smiling at the store or restaurant?
   

The main reason to ask yourself these questions is to determine if the business is worth the investment. There are a number of reasons why a business owner might sell but knowing can make or break a deal for you. For instance, if they are selling because a competitor opened up nearby and sales are down, chances are you will not have much better luck. Meanwhile, if the owner is selling because they are retiring and their children do not want to continue the legacy, it may have incredible customer retention and incredibly loyal staff.

Of course, once you have found a business that interests you, the next step is to request financial information. Have profits been rising? What has been the cash flow for the last two years? How depreciated is the equipment? These questions will help you determine if the asking price is one you are comfortable negotiating.

At the negotiation stage, you can ask your broker any and all questions you may have. It is their responsibility to guide you through the process and help you make the right moves. Your next business purchase may be right around the corner.

Contact your local Transworld Business Advisors office for a free consultation and to take the first step toward your next investment! TWorld.com/renton