Christmas in Ashland

A few weeks ago, I found myself in Ashland with an hour or so to kill, so I took a walk downtown to look at the Christmas decorations. I've always adored the way that town decorates for the holidays. It's so delightfully old-fashioned and fun.

HerKentucky Business: Lydia Powell Bookkeeping

The HerKentucky team is thrilled to present HerKentucky Business, a monthly spotlight on female entrepreneurs in the Bluegrass State. 

Just as Emily did in March, I'm here to talk to you about a new business I launched this year - Lydia Powell Bookkeeping. It seems a bit odd to conduct a self-interview, but I wanted to share my story in the hopes it might inspire other Kentuckians to find their way in business. Thanks to Heather and the other HerKentucky women for allowing me this space!

Bio: 

Lydia Powell holds a degree in accounting from Transylvania University and has 10+ years of experience in accounting and auditing. She's worked with non-profit organzations, governmental entities, small businesses and been employed by major manufacturing enterprises in Kentucky.

1. Are you a native Kentuckian? Why have a Kentucky business? 

I am a native Kentuckian and very proud of it! Kentucky is my history and my home. When faced with the potential relocation of my job, my husband and I had some difficult decisions to make. We cast about, testing out the dream of living abroad. When we decided that wasn't exactly what we wanted, we briefly reconsidered pursuing relocation with my job or making a major relocation to a different area of the United States.

In the end, we decided that Kentucky was our home and held our future. Our family and many of our friends are in Kentucky. Our support systems are here. The cost of living is definitely right! Honestly, while I enjoyed the thought of moving to far off lands, I couldn't quite wrap my head around what it might be like to live somewhere else!

When we decided to remain in central Kentucky, I decided to start my own freelance bookkeeping company. Not only can I take full advantage of my education and career experience, I'm also passionate about helping other small businesses succeed - in Kentucky and beyond. 

I'm of the mind that we should enjoy what we do and do it well. I enjoy the organization and analysis aspects of finance, and I want to help business owners get out from behind their computer screens, struggling with their books and back to what they enjoy and do well! 

2. Many younger people say they can't find many corporate-type jobs in Kentucky, so they leave the state. What was your experience?

My experience has been extremely positive! Other than a brief stint in state government during and just after graduation, I've been employed by Kentucky businesses in corporate-type jobs. 

When I was in high school and even college, the trend was for young people to move out of state as soon as they could. I think that trend is reversing or, at least, changing. With impressive improvements in our state university systems and a cost of living that remains below the national average, I think young people are realizing that Kentucky is a hidden gem. I know lots of young people, just like our own Sarah Stewart Holland, who ventured to larger markets to begin their careers but moved back to Kentucky to begin their family and continue their careers.

3. What was the hardest part of starting a new business?  What do you wish someone had told you before you started Lydia Powell Bookkeeping?

While I can often be cautious with new adventures, when I get an idea in my head that I'm passionate about, I tend to jump in head first with eyes closed tight! The hardest part of starting my new business has been making myself go slow, make plans and strategies for the long run and implementing those in a methodical way. I hope that this planning and considered action will set me up for success in the long run!

Luckily, I have a strong business education and background, so I feel like I may be better suited to navigate the confusing and complicated waters of starting a business. I think other entreprenuers may have a great idea but not a great foundation regarding how to get that idea turned into an operating and profitable business. I highly recommend the resources of the Small Business Administration, the Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and the Kentucky Secretary of State's Office. I urge other new business owners to go through the exercise of creating a business plan - even if no one but you ever sees it, sitting down to write out a plan makes you think!

4. What is the most rewarding part of entrepreneurship/small business ownership?

I've only been in operation for about a month. So far, though, nothing I've done for my business has felt like "work." You know that Sunday-night-dreading-Monday-morning feeling? I don't have that when I think about the tasks I need to accomplish for my business. I've also met some amazingly inspiring and encouraging people. When I announced my new business venture, I never expected the support I've received from friends and strangers alike. It's awesome to know that other people want to help you succeed.

5. What suggestions do you have for women who want to start their own business?

Believe in yourself or fake it until you make it! 

Go outside your comfort zone. I hate to do it, too, but it's good for you. I've met potential clients I'd never met before for coffee, I've called people I don't know on the phone - both things I normally hate to do, but that were so rewarding!

Seek out and network with other women in business. I've been lucky enough to have a supportive group of women to turn to when I need reassurance and to ask practical questions of. Basically, we inspire and support one another and it's wonderful. If you don't know where to find a group like that, ask at your local Chamber of Commerce if they have a women's group, check out Femfessionals to find a local chapter (Lexington has one!) or join and participate with a group on sites like LinkedIn.

And now: the quick-fire round!

1. Bourbon or martinis? Ack! I'm a beer girl - the craftier the better.
2. One dream you still want to reach?  I really want to visit Ireland with my mom someday.
3. Favorite Lexington restaurant? I'm a new Table 310 convert, but really want to try out the food at The Village Idiot (the beer selection is great). I can't wait for 21C to open a new hotel and restaurant in Lexington, as well!
4. Favorite way to spend a Friday night. My 22-year old self would be so embarrassed, but now I love a good Friday night at home with pizza and beer, some popcorn, a good movie and my husband and the dog on the sofa.

Local Spotlight: Lou What Wear

I recently came across a blog that spotlights Kentucky Fashions in both Louisville and Lexington.  

Being a fashionista and fashion blogger myself, I instantly realized what a great idea these two blogs are! 

The below was taken from the Lou What Wear "about me" page: 

Gah she looks cute…

Don’t lie, you’ve said it. You’re surveying the room at (the bar, wedding, cocktail party, charity event) and you spot her. The best dressed girl there. She’s perfectly put together from top to bottom and suddenly you’re struck with a case of outfit jealousy.
Well, if you all can’t admit it, I will (maybe you’re that really cute girl and if so, I applaud you). I can get a pretty serious case of outfit jealousy from time to time. Whenever it strikes, I vow to never have it again and commit myself to mastering the art of styling so I can be “that girl” (the cute, pretty kind of that girl – Not the over-served, out of control kind of that girl) next time.
But really, we all know that celebs look good when they head out on the town but when you’ve got a gaggle of professionals picking out the perfect look from head to toe – you should look good. What I’m impressed with are the gals that pull it all together on their own – those lovely ladies are the inspiration behind LouWhatWear.
So move over New York, out of the way L.A. – the little city in the middle that is Louisville is vying for some of the fashion spotlight. Next time you’re out and you see a tall girl with a camera coming your way, get ready to reapply some gloss and get your pose on.

This is a fun collaboration they did with other Kentucky Fashion Bloggers for how to wear a fur vest: 

So there you have it, fellow Kentuckians! Keep up with style spotting across the state with Lou What Wear !

Bacon Sandwiches with Bourbon-Caramelized Onions and Feta

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Oh, y'all. 

 Tonight, my brother and I found ourselves cooking a quick and simple supper that was so very good. We took my trusty cold-weather potato soup and livened it up with some amazing bacon sandwiches. The bourbon onions on the sandwiches (Little Brother's creative concoction!) were downright amazing, and added a little taste of Kentucky!

Bacon sandwiches with caramelized onions and feta cheese

• 6 slices bacon
• 2 medium white onions
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Bourbon
• Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
• Feta cheese crumbles

Caramelize the onions: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat in a saucepan. Add sliced onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover. Simmer until translucent and tender, 10-15 minutes. Remove cover, increase heat to medium. Add remaining tablespoon butter, brown sugar and a dash of pepper. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Add splash of bourbon, simmer another 5 minutes.

For each sandwich, use three slices of bacon. Cut each slice in half. Lay three of these pieces vertically side-to-side. Lay remaining pieces horizontally on top of the vertical slices and weave in an over-under design, creating a bread-shaped square of bacon. Place in a shallow baking dish lined with aluminum foil. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until brown and crispy.

On toasted sandwich bread, add a layer of feta cheese crumbles, a bacon square and caramelized onions.

Potato-leek soup

• 6-7 slices bacon
• 2 leeks, chopped (white and light green portion)
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 7-8 Russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into quarters
• 64 oz box chicken broth
• 1/3 cup half-and-half
• Kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper

Cut bacon into lardons. Place in dutch oven over medium heat; cook until bacon is lightly browned and fat has rendered. Add leeks and garlic, cook until translucent (3-4 minutes). Add potatoes; let cook for 10-15 minutes. Add chicken broth (It's better to use homemade stock, but packaged broth will do in a pinch...) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let cook for about 25-30 minutes, until potatoes are soft. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Using an immersion blender (or a food processor), blend most of the soup, leaving a few chunks of potato. Add half-and-half and let cook another 10 minutes or so before serving. If leaving on the stove for a while, you may need to gradually add water to keep from thickening too much.

Small Business Saturday (and all season) in Lexington

Did you know that for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, about $68 stays in the local economy compared to only $43 if spent at a national chain? 

Here in Lexington, we have a great organization called Local First Lexington which advocates for shopping local all year long. To bring Small Business Saturday into focus and to encourage shopping local all holiday season, Local First Lexington is having a "Shift Your Spending" Challenge.

Between November 19-January 1, shop at Local First Lexington merchants and save your receipts. Once you have 10 local receipts, you can enter the challenge here and be entered to win $500 in gift certificates to local businesses!

Need some recommendations for members? Here are my top 10:

1. Coffee Times Coffee House: Coffee, tea, and gifts
2. Lexington Beerworks: Great spot to take out of towners for a brew, or to get your home brewing supplies
3. West Sixth Brewery: Get the IPA
4. Good Foods Market & Cafe: Local and organic food and awesome hot bar
5. The Morris Book Shop: Super cute book shop with a great selection
6. The Crushed Violet: Best place to get a fragrance 
7. Bluegrass Barkery: My pup's favorite store
8. Street Scene: Amazing vintage boutique
9. Columbia Steakhouse: Get the nighthawk, and don't skimp on dessert
10. Room Service: Furniture and accessory consignment - have gotten a couple great pieces of furniture here

Where will you be shopping locally in Lexington?

Small Business Saturday: Shop Prestonsburg

Here at HerKentucky, we're all about shopping local. We love to support the small businesses that make our Kentucky towns unique and awesome. This holiday weekend, we're doing all we canto support Small Business Saturday by patronizing our favorite local stores. We hope you will too! -- HCW

If you find yourself in Eastern Kentucky this weekend, I highly recommend a trip to Prestonsburg's Court Street. Downtown Prestonsburg is really flourishing lately; cute new stores are nestled alongside longtime favorites. Shopping in Prestonsburg is so different than it was when I was a kid, even though Billy Ray's hamburgers are as great as ever. If you're shopping in Prestonsburg today, you should definitely stop by Daffodils and Lad n' Lassie.

Daffodils is an adorable little boutique that always has the perfect gift. You can find a pair of TOMS, a precious little throw pillow, or even a new outfit. As my six year-old cousin would say, "I need to go to Daffodils to get a new charm for my Pandora bracelet!" Everything there is cute and oh-so-girly!

Lad n' Lassie has been the place for kids' clothes in Floyd County since the 1960s. When I was a kid, we always made a special trip there to pick up my tights and leotards for cheerleading and gymnastics. I was always mesmerized by their collection of Madame Alexander dolls. These days, I love picking up presents for local baby showers at Lad n' Lassie. It makes me feel so connected to home!

Where are y'all shopping for Small Business Saturday?

Small Business Saturday Shopping

Here's a true confession for you: I'm not much of a shopper. I dislike crowds, I dislike trying on clothes, and I dislike pushy salespeople.

With all of that in mind, plus the fact that I really like sleep, there's a very slim chance that you'd ever find me joining in the madness and mayhem of Black Friday. (I also really hate the new trend of of pulling employees away from their families on Thanksgiving Day so mega corporations can have a few more hours of sales.)

Last year, though, I got on board with the idea of Small Business Saturday. I got turned onto the idea of a day dedicated to shopping in locally owned stores when I got an email from American Express touting a $25 statement credit for purchases from small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Saving money and supporting my community? That's a deal I can get down with!

I've preregistered my AmEx card and will be visiting some new small businesses and going back to some old favorites. On Saturday, I plan to buy some gifts for myself and my family and friends from:

• Larkspur Press - a specialty letterpress print shop in Monterey, Kentucky. I love their broadsheets and special editions of Kentucky authors' works (Wendell Berry, Ed McClanahan, and more).
  
• Poor Richard's Books - my local bookstore will see some purchases for me and family members. I'll likely stop in for my favorite Chai Latte at the Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe next door.
  
• Finally, to counteract the roughly 4000 calories I ate on Thanksgiving Day, I'll be heading to the local running shop, Cool Comfort Shoes, to buy my favorite running socks and check out their deals on Uggs and Sperrys (I may give in to the Uggs fad. Uggh.).

 Where will you be shopping this Small Business Saturday?