Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here.
Empowering businesses, individuals & families by providing best-in-class services & solutions.
december-news-cover.2

“I tell my piano the things I once told you.”  ~ FREDERIC CHOPIN

Dear Readers, Community, Friends,

to-transported-so-platinum-group-qr-code-playlist

Create a quiet moment for yourself. To get us in the mood, click here to play the music from our Spotify playlist, or scan the QR Code to your right with the camera in Spotify, and listen as you read on ...

How are desolation and hope mutually supportive? Transport yourself for a moment: you are alone, all the eye can see when peering out your window is the bitter cold, white, grey, desolate winter landscape. You have been exiled to the end of the world. But wait: a little fire is crackling, you light a candle and sit down on the cold, wooden bench. Your fingers meet the ivory keys that have been your only friends, and suddenly, your heart is free. As the music escalates, you feel as if your spirit might suddenly take flight. 

And so, is the power of music.

siberian-landscape-house-snow.600px

In researching for her book, The Lost Pianos of Siberia, Sophy Roberts spent two years in this desolate place, searching for pianos that had been brought there, sometimes even pulled by sled before the train system was in place. Interviewing the pianos’ keepers, tracing serial numbers, Sophy was able to weave together an incredible story. Here, she describes the terrain where people found solace with these incredible instruments:  

“Siberia is far more significant than a place on the map: it is a feeling which sticks like a burr, a temperature, the sound of sleepy flakes falling on snowy pillows and the crunch of the uneven footsteps coming from behind. Siberia is a wardrobe problem – too cold in winter, and too hot in summer – with wooden cabins and chimney stacks belching corpse-grey smoke into wide white skies. It is a melancholy, a cinematic romance dipped in limpid moonshine, unhurried train journeys, pipes wrapped in sackcloth, and a broken swing hanging from a squeaky chain. You can hear Siberia in the big, soft chords in Russian music that evoke the hush of the silver birch trees and the billowing winter snows.”

bw-old-fashioned-russian-piano-player.600px

One such story is of Vera Lotar-Shevchenko, who spent eight years in a Soviet gulag prison camp in Siberia. She would practice (silently, only hearing the music in her mind!) on a wooden keyboard that was carved into the side of her bunk. At the time of her release, her husband had been lost in the gulag nowhere to be found. With her prisoner’s peacoat she set off directly to a music school and asked if they had a piano she could play. She sat down, people gathered around, and she proceeded to play Bach, Chopin and the rest. As people stood stunned at the beautiful music they were hearing, one thing was certain – miraculously, this music had been preserved inside of her head all these years.

Our mindset has such massive power to create rich experiences, despite what may be happening on the outside. Never underestimate the power of the inner spirit.

community-spotlight-banner

It’s that time again to bring to light so many, wonderful local businesses. Our clients represent a full spectrum: from business services, manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality, to artisan food, marketing, and more. Take a minute to get to know and support them this holiday season and beyond!

 

AMERICAN FOLK ART & FRAMING  •  amerifolk.com  Contemporary Folk Art, including painting, pottery & wood carving. Specializing in Southern Face Jugs and regional wood-fired, functional pottery. Providing innovative custom picture framing for the preservation and presentation of your fine art.

ASHEVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE  •  ashevillechamber.org  For more than 120 years, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has been the catalyst for economic vitality in our community. The Asheville Chamber connects member businesses to valuable resources such as economic development and research, business education, marketing opportunities and advocacy.

ASHEVILLE KOMBUCHA MAMAS, LLC aka BUCHI KOMBUCHA  •  drinkbuchi.com  We believe a drink can be more than a drink – that healthy guts lead to happy hearts and open minds. That’s why we created a family of delicious, living, nutrient-dense drinks – for you including Kombucha and Kefir Soda. Our purpose is to craft delicious, high-quality, nutrient-dense living foods; invest in the regeneration of our planet; and use business as a conduit for positive social impact.

ASHEVILLE SALT CAVE  •  ashevillesaltcave.com  We are a full circle wellness center located just outside of downtown. We specialize in salt therapy, Hammam steam room and massage therapy. 16 North Liberty Street, Asheville, NC 28801

BIG ADVENTURES, LLC  •  bigadventures.com  BIG Adventures is a kayak manufacturer in Fletcher. We manufacture 3 brands of kayaks – Native Watercraft, liquidlogic Kayaks and Bonafide Kayaks.

BLACK MOUNTAIN FAMILY EYECARE  •  blackmountaineyedoctor.com  Comprehensive eye care services and in-demand lenses and frames.

BROTHER WOLF ANIMAL RESCUE  •  www.bwar.org  Brother Wolf Animal Rescue believes in enhancing the lives of companion animals and the people who love them. Through adoption and pet retention programs, a low-cost mobile spay and neuter clinic, lifesaving shelter transfer partnerships, extensive volunteer and foster networks, and a trap-neuter-return program for community cats, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue impacts the lives of thousands of animals each year in the Western North Carolina region.

DARBY COMMUNICATIONS  •  darbycommunications.com  A PR and digital marketing agency representing outdoor, wellness, specialty food and beverage companies

DYNAMITE ROASTING CO.  •  dynamiteroasting.com  Artisan roaster of Fair Trade and Organic Certified coffees

HENDERSONVILLE OB-GYN ASSOCIATES, P.A.   hvilleobgyn.com  We are a small privately owned OB-GYN practice. 27 Doctors Dr., Hendersonville, NC 28792

INTEGRATED LANDSCAPING OF ASHEVILLE, LLC  •  integratedlandscapingofasheville.com  Residential landscape design and installation including patios, walkways, stairways, retaining walls, plantings of all kinds including large trees and screen trees, cottage gardens, edible gardens, rustic firepits, outdoor fireplaces and kitchens, and Asheville’s most expert drainage and grading.

JIMMY’S AUTOMOTIVE CENTER  •   jimmysauto.com  Complete automotive repair center, focused on customer service. We do oil changes to engine and transmissions, check engine lights, brakes, and alignments. Our repair staff is A.S.E. certified. We have a fleet of loaner vehicles for our Customers. 33 years of service.

JOEL HELMS ARCHITECTURE  •  joelhelmsarch.com  Joel Helms Architecture is focused on designing Wellness Driven commercial projects ranging from 1,000 sq ft renovations to 12,000 sq ft new buildings. We strongly support commercial clients who want to reuse and renovate existing buildings and tenant spaces. Together, our team will push for sustainable and value-driven design strategies throughout the design and construction process.

MONITTO CHIROPRACTIC  •  monittochiro.com  FB: @monittochiro  |  IG: @monittochiropractic  |  YouTube: Dr Paul Monitto D.C.  Specializing in the Y-strap spinal decompression adjustment. Affordable Family Chiropractic Care.

PHYSIO PHYSICAL THERAPY AND WELLNESS  •  PhysioWNC.com  Most people suffering from ongoing pain, injury or weakness worry they will never feel like themselves again. We identify the root cause and design a personalized unique experience you will enjoy so that you can return to the activities you are passionate about and live your active lifestyle again.

ROCKYS HOT CHICKEN SHACK •  rockyshotchickenshack.com  We sell deliriously good Nashville style Fried Chicken and Southern Soul Food.

STEPAMGAR KENNELS INC.  •  stepamgarkennels.com  Boarding kennel for dogs and cats. Dog grooming. PH: 828-681-8767  101 Sunnybrook Ln., Fletcher NC 28732

WestBase COWORKING  •  westbasecoworking.com  WestBase Coworking, situated on Beacham’s Curve in West Asheville, provides a one-of-a-kind coworking experience. We offer a variety of memberships to suit your working needs in a beautiful modern space meticulously designed with comfort and productivity in mind.

flexibility-blog-platinum-payroll-asheville-charlotte.260px

HOW DO YOU UTILIZE A FLEXIBLE WORK MODEL TO FUEL YOUR TEAM?

Losing employees who are already familiar with your business policies, culture, and goals can be the worst nightmare, not to mention the costs of onboarding new talents. That said, you would want to leverage a flexible work model that motivates your current staff and fuels them to stay on the job. We prepared this quick guide to get you started. Follow through for in-depth insight. 

READ MORE

260px-company-culture-platinum-group-asheville-payroll

HOW TO SHIFT COMPANY CULTURE TO SUPPORT A DIVERSE TEAM

Although a 2014 global study suggests that 72% of organizations feel culture is essential for performance, the truth remains that most businesses fail when it comes to implementing a culture change. Executives have an integral share in ensuring that their companies have a shift in culture by creating a comfortable and accepting work environment that benefits their employees.

READ MORE

NEWS.notefrommichael.titleFINAL

Michael224x224

 

Greetings!

These short winter days, along with tax planning in full swing make the days whiz by. I am looking forward to the end of this year to slow down and be with family.

This second year of the pandemic had its challenges, but I was amazed at the resilience found in our community. Some pivoted their business offerings and many are now operating with hybrid remote and in-person models. It is rare to have a shared, challenging experience, where everyone could tell a story about how they have been impacted. I am grateful for each one of you, and wish you well as we enter the new year.

Warm regards,

Michael

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? You may SUBSCRIBE HERE.

Find Your Solution