Sunday Saves: Favorite Tech Tools

March 27, 2020

Week of March 23rd, 2020

I heard that we should highly document what is going on right now. The things we say, think, feel will have a prolonged meaning and will be of worthy information decades removed when our kids and possibly grandkids read about how their parents survived COVID-19. For that I am thankful for this space to share Jkath weekly updates and a place to document history in the making, for what it’s worth.

Acceptance

First I am reminded of this image, almost 9 years ago. A younger version of myself newly navigating single parenting and the life of a widow. My late husband passed away in his sleep, I was a 45 minute drive away on a girls weekend when it happened. Much like today’s news, this came on sudden, I hadn’t made a plan for it and didn’t know how to navigate the range of emotions I was experiencing. Grief, fear, anger, denial, eventually .. acceptance. These last few weeks have felt a bit reminiscent. But this time it’s a collective loss, it bears no shame nor guilt. As we have had to make quick business decisions, under a certain pressure we’re always advised not to do, it has been extremely challenging. Leading a team, ongoing financial analysis, navigating the loss of our Parade of Homes Dream Home tour, deciding to stay home for Spring Break and canceling our sunny beach getaway, while managing a house full of three kids that are short of losing their minds… and ALWAYS hungry. Our pipeline for 7 consecutive days froze, it scared us as we essentially had no incoming emails while the world hit pause.

I’m here to say, I MADE IT. Not only did I survive the loss of my husband, I came out stronger and feeling better prepared for today’s crisis. Yes, I’ve had my days, but I have found I am able to take a step back and look at it from a birds eye view. I can see the other side, where we are headed. And it’s going to be good, I can say this for certain!

Favorite Tech Tools

This week, we’ve moved away from the denial and fear of what is happening and feel more prepared as we have begun to accept the new reality. Making plans for the future, carrying on with enhanced safety precautions on the job site, engaging new clients for future remodels, and creatively implementing work from home. It’s an opportunity to ramp up our tech tools, and think about ways this can change our business for the better as we move forward.

Some of our favorite tech tools are here:

Canva – graphic design on the fly

Slack – keeping our team together and communication in on place

Zoom – video calls keeping us connected to clients and a few new client consultations

Dropbox – storage for shared content, images, spec documents, spreadsheets

Homebase – app for employee timesheets

Adobe Acrobat – online contracts, send for signature

Kitchen Collaboration Reveal

Our friends at construction2style recently finished this gorgeous kitchen remodel, they asked us to supply all the custom cabinets for this project as well. A few images here, but head on over to their site for the full kitchen reveal.

photos by Chelsie Lopez Production

SALES Everywhere!

Retailers are slashing prices everywhere. So we’re sharing a few of our favorite things getting us through comfortable days at home, hitting the trail for a run or grabbing a few home decor pieces for upcoming Mother’s Day gifts, birthday’s or much needed care packages ahead.

Hope everyone is finding some much needed R&R, staying home and getting caught up. Looking forward to a few Zoom call’s I’ve set up next week, much needed connection indeed.

Katie + Jkath Team