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BUILDING BRIDGES
Supporting businesses by lending good money to good businesses.
December 2012 - Vol 5, Issue 12
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| Greetings! |
December is finally here! We have had quite a few new applications for factoring services since the presidential election, and we welcome our new clients and new subscribers to our monthly newsletter. On Saturday, December 1st, I became Mrs. Rick Hultz! Rick and I met last year and he proposed to me in San Francisco on July 4th. Mazon Associates wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Happy December and stay safe while enjoying the season, Lisa Hultz |
| $$$ Refer & Earn $$$ |
 Business contacts, friends, family and acquaintances -- you just never know when someone you know might need Mazon's accounts receivable services.
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| Christmas Wish | |
 God give you blessings at Christmas time;
Stars for your darkness, sun for your day,
Light on the path as you search for the Way,
And a mountain to climb.
God grant you courage for this coming year,
Fruit for your striving, friends if you roam.
Joy in your labor, love in your home,.
And a summit to clear.
-- Myra Scovel, Author
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| Numbers In the News | |
 Christmas Fun Facts from www.reindeerland.org:
- More than three billion greeting cards are sent annually in the United States alone!
- It can take between 4-15 years to grow a Christmas tree of typical height (6-7 feet).
- Austria issued the first Christmas stamp in 1937.
- The names of the "Three Wise Men" are not mentioned in the Bible. They are commonly known as Caspar, Malchoir and Balthasar as these names were detailed in an early 6th century Greek manuscript.
- Based on polls and statistics, 45% of the population of the world celebrate Christmas.
- Egg-nog is a festive drink made with milk, cream, sugar and beaten eggs.
- Saint Nicholas is commonly identified with Santa Claus due to his reputation for generosity, secret gift-giving and his kindness to children.
- The names of Santa's reindeer are based on those used in the popular 1823 poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas." Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen (originally called Dunder and Blixem).
- From 1931 an illustrator called Haddon H. Sundblom produced Santa pictures every Christmas depicting Santa in his red coat as part of the Coca-Cola Christmas advertising campaigns.
- The modern day depiction or picture of Santa Claus wearing a red coat only became standard in the 1920s.
- The very first Santa pictures often depicted him wearing a variety of different color coats including green, blue and mauve.
- The famous poem "T'was the night before Christmas" was written in 1822 by Clement Clarke Moore.
- The North Pole is not on a continent, it is located in the Arctic Ocean.
- The tradition of tracking Santa Claus by NORAD happened by accident.
- The Christmas Rose (Serissa) is also known as the Snow Rose or Winter Rose.
- Alabama was the first state in the USA to declare Christmas a legal holiday in 1836.
- Oklahoma became the last USA state to declare Christmas a legal holiday in 1907.
- Christmas was banned by the Puritans under the rule of Oliver Cromwell. In 1647, Parliament passed a law making Christmas illegal.
- Holly Berries are poisonous.
- "A Christmas Carol" was written by Charles Dickens in 1843 -- it took him just six weeks!
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| Is there an invoice dollar limit on my customer invoices? | |
 Mazon has no dollar limit on individual invoices. However, before invoices are purchased, we will verify the customer's payment history and unpaid invoices against the customer's approved account limit. Credit insurance is available to clients for large invoices (we will contact you if this is needed).
If you would like to find out more about our factoring services for your business and/or apply for an account with Mazon Associates, please phone us at 972-554-6967 (toll-free 800-442-2740) or visit our website www.mazon.com.
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| Affordable Care Act: What Options are Available for Small Businesses | |
 In 2014, small businesses with generally fewer than 100 employees can shop in an Affordable Insurance Exchange, which gives you power similar to what large businesses have to get better choices and lower prices. Access to purchase health insurance coverage through the exchange is limited to citizens and lawful residents. Individuals with income up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) may be eligible for premium subsidies and cost sharing reductions for coverage purchased through the exchange. Exchange eligibility determinations must be streamlined and coordinated with eligibility determination for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
(Contributed by: Dan Shaghnessy and Staci Stager, ill Insurance Agency, www.HillInsTexas.com)
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| Be "Green" and Slash Expenses | |
Many environmentally sound practices can help you control your expenses. So find ways to reduce paper, adopt energy-efficient lighting habits, and keep up with routine maintenance on company vehicles to save on gasoline. (Source: www.Manta.com)
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| Holiday Gifts | |
 As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year, Americans are giving the gift of genuine concern for other Americans and supporting their local small businesses. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. It is time to think outside the box. Here are a few suggestions for some folks on your Christmas gift list: - Gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber;
- Gym membership -- appropriate for all ages;
- Gift certificate or a book of gift certificates for folks to get their cars detailed by a local detailer or carwash;
- Gift of having a driveway sealed, lawn mowed for the summer, driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course;
- Gift certificate for a half-dozen breakfasts at a local restaurant;
- Oil change for a car, truck or motorcycle;
- One-day cleaning services or carpet cleaning service;
- Computer tune-up services by some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running;
- Local crafts people have all sorts of creative craft projects for sale at this time of year;
- Tickets to a local play or ballet at your hometown theatre;
- And, don't forget to leave a nice tip for the mailman, trash guy or babysitter!
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| Product Recalls and Alerts |
 The following recent recalls were issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. More details can be found at www.cpsc.gov. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at 800-638-2772 or visit http://SaferProducts.gov.
Dual-Voltage CineMate II Home Theater Speaker Systems (Dist: Bose Corp., Framingham, MA); Portable Generators (Mfg: Champion Power Equipment, Santa Fe Springs, CA, sold at Costco stores); Master Forge Gas Grills (Imp: LG Sourcing, North Wilkesboro, NC); Gruga Office Chairs (Imp: Sauder Woodworking, Archbold, OH); LG Electric Ranges (Mfg: LG Electronics, South Korea); Graco Avalon Glider Rockers with Ottoman and Complete Nursery Solution Box 2/Katelyn Nursery Solution Glider Rockers (Imp: LaJobi, Cranbury, NJ); Signature Command Electronically Controlled Direct and B-Vent Gas Fireplaces and inserts (Mfg: Monessen Hearth Systems, Paris, KY); Folding Camping Chairs (Imp: Rec-Out LLC, Atlanta, GA); Microphone (Mfg: Nielsen-Kellerman, Boothwyn, PA); Powermate Sx 5500 Portable Generators (Imp: Pramac America, Kearney, NE); Ceiling-Mounted Light Fixture (Imp: Dolan Northwest dba Seattle Lighting/Globe Lighting/Builders Lighting/Destination Lighting); Lawn Mower Engines (Mfg: Kawasaki Motors, Grand Rapids, MI); Fuel Filters and Tune-Up Kits with Fuel Filters (Mfg: Kawasaki Motors, Grand Rapids, MI); Portable Generators (Dist: American Honda Motor Co., Torrance, CA); Cordless Drill (Imp: Harbor Freight Tools, Carmarillo, CA); Toro Z Master Riding Mowers (Mfg: The Toro Co., Bloomington, MN); Window Fittings: Tilt-turn Stay Arms and Side-hung Sash Hinges (Dist: G-U Hardware, Newport News, VA); Trampolines (Mfg: Sportspower Ltd, Hong Kong, sold exclusively at Sports Authority stores).
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| December 2012 Holidays, Observances, Celebrations and Events | |
 Dec. 1: AIDS Awareness Day; Dec. 7: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day; Dec. 10: Human Rights Day, Nobel Prize Day; Dec. 12: Poinsettia Day; Dec. 15: Bill of Rights Day; Dec. 16: Boston Tea Party Day; Dec. 17: Wright Brothers Day; Dec. 21: Forefathers Day; Dec. 22: First Day of Winter; Dec. 25: Christmas Day; Dec. 31: New Year's Eve.
Notice: Mazon offices will be closed Monday & Tuesday, December 24 & 25 in observance of Christmas. We will resume normal business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26. You may still submit invoices during our closed hours via fax, e-mail or drop-slot to be processed on Tuesday.
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| Thoughtful Thoughts |  The man who achieves makes many mistakes but never makes the biggest mistake of all -- doing nothing. -- Benjamin Franklin |
| December's Business Book Pick of the Month | |
 All the Money in the World: What the Happiest People Know About Getting and Spending, by Laura Vanderkam, published March 1, 2012 by Penguin/Portfolio, ISBN-9781591844570, 256 pages.
In All the Money in the World, Vanderkam says money can actually buy you happiness -- if you understand what really matters. In asking, "If you had all the money in the world (not literally) but all the money you wanted -- what would really change in your life -- would you live differently?" Vanderkam pushes her readers to think about what matters in life and how to apply that money to get the things that truly matter to you and your quest for the good life.
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| The Birth of a Tradition | |
 One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip, but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.
Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more.
When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. More stress.
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the boards cracked, and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys everywhere.
So, frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the elves had hidden the liquor, and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider pot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw end of the broom.
Just then, the doorbell rang and irritable Santa trudged to the door and opened it. There on the doorstep he found a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. Very cheerfully, the angel said, "Merry Christmas, Santa! Isn't it a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you -- where would you like me to place it?"
Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
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| Did you know: | |
The biggest selling Christmas single of all time is "White Christmas," by Bing Crosby.
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About
Our
Clients |
Our clients are traditionally businesses that are manufacturers, distributors and service companies in the following areas: advertising / marketing / apparel / design / courier / delivery services / equipment repair / equipment maintenance / environmental services / graphic design / signage / printing / staffing / employment services / security services / catering / food services / legal services / light construction / telecommunications / transportation.
Our clients may include start-up, early-stage growth and high growth businesses; under-capitalized businesses with historical operating losses; businesses with cash flow problems having a cash flow need; businesses with tax liens or turnaround situations; businesses who may have been turned down for bank loans and/or do not currently meet a bank's credit criteria.
Our clients have delivered services or products to other businesses and have business-to-business invoices that can be independently verified.
Most of our clients have come to us through referrals of current and former clients. We rely heavily on word-of-mouth marketing to bring in new clients -- and we offer a referral program.
Our clients are located in any of the 50 states in the U.S.A.
We do not accept as clients businesses which have a majority of consumer receivables such as retail businesses, progress billings, third party pay medical receivables and certain construction-related businesses.
For more information about becoming a client, please contact us by telephone 972-554-6967 or 1-800-442-2740, or visit our website www.mazon.com. | | |
 If you liked this issue of Building Bridges, please forward it to a friend. We invite you to share your newsletter thoughts with us. If you would like to submit an idea, article or joke for consideration in a future issue of Building Bridges, or just want to tell us how we are doing, please email us at MazonNewsletter@Mazon.com. Building Bridges carries no paid advertising. All articles, images and links are for our readers' knowledge and enjoyment only. (Mazon is now on Facebook!)
Mazon Associates, Inc. 600 W. Airport Fwy., Irving, TX 75062 P.O. Box 166858, Irving, TX 75016 Telephone: 972-554-6967 Toll Free: 800-442-2740 Fax: 972-554-0951 Business Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
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We searched the internet to find some of the best websites for your holiday cooking and gift-giving: