Big Words start conversations and open doors to new places.
Author: anwaryusef
Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath.
Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics.
Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. The agricultural industry is critical for everyone. There are farms of multiple sizes and small farms can certainly be profitable. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Make Big Money From Your Small Farm.
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For some people, farming is a joy. But for many, it’s also a way to make money. Farming, of course, gets a bad rap these days. But it turns out that it can still be a highly lucrative business, as long as you’re in the right niche or area. Plus, the industry is always changing: things can change fast, meaning what made money in farming last year probably won’t this year.
In the following sections, we take a look at some of the best ways to make money from a small farm in 2025. Here are your best options:
Camping
One option is to open your farm up to camping. Campsites can generate a lot of money for virtually no outlay, especially when the weather is good. Punters will often arrive from across the country to enjoy the environment.
Swap Meets
You could also look into offering swap meets. The idea here is for vendors to assemble on your campsite, set up their stalls, and then sell to customers for a minimal fee.
Sell High-Value Hemp
Finally, you could look into selling high-value hemp products, as long as it is legal to do so in your area. These products are currently in high demand due to the need to manage medical issues or even make new pieces of furniture. A lot of farmers are now cottoning on to the fact that it is a lucrative industry and one that they should look at getting into sooner rather than later.
My blog focuses on Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. A primary residence is a potential investment that someone will benefit from eventually. You thus want to keep it in the best condition possible. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Tips For Keeping Your Home In Good Condition.
A well-kept and maintained home is a happy home. Being a homeowner requires time, attention, and dedication over the years. You must be proactive and stay on top of what needs to get done and by when.
You’ll be much happier overall when your property is functioning properly and looks attractive. Your efforts and hard work are sure to pay off in the long run, so make it a priority to tackle the to-dos one day at a time. Here you can review four tips for keeping your home in good condition so you can have peace of mind.
1. Commit to Regular Cleaning & Decluttering
There are many benefits that come with regular cleaning and decluttering of your home. You can remove dirt and grime as well as boost your mood and reduce stress. You and your family members will be happier and healthier for keeping a clean and tidy home. It’s also a chance to spot anything that needs fixing or identify a pest problem. Get on a schedule and tackle each room one by one. Go through your belongings and remove items that no longer serve a purpose. Create more room for what you love and use, and make it easy to find what you are looking for in a hurry.
2. Create a Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
Maintenance is another key factor when it comes to keeping your home in good condition. It’s best to create a seasonal maintenance checklist so you don’t have to keep track of everything in your head. There are different to-dos that will need to get done based on the time of year. There’s not only interior maintenance to tackle, but also the exterior and structural projects. For example, you’ll need to change air filters, vacuum, clean gutters, and touch up peeling paint. The good news is that most of these projects you can take care of on your own when you have some free time.
3. Make Repairs & Fixes Promptly
Another tip for keeping your home in good condition is to make repairs and fixes promptly. You don’t want to ignore or put off issues, even if they are small. They may grow into larger problems over time, which can be more costly and cause further damage. It’s a good idea to have contact information handy for a local plumber who can make repairs no matter the time of day. Water leaks, clogged drains, and broken toilets aren’t something that you can let linger. You risk water damage and the potential for mold growth and other health hazards.
4. Invest in Home Improvements & Remodeling Projects
As a homeowner, you want your property to be maintained but also modern. While you don’t necessarily have to keep up with all the latest trends, you also don’t want to let your home appear dated, especially when it’s time to sell it. Invest in home improvement and remodeling projects by saving your money, creating a priority list, and setting a budget. Many of these projects, such as renovating your kitchen or putting in new flooring, can add value to your property. There are many ways to incorporate more technology into your home these days that can help you save money and make your life easier as well.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many businesses require customers to wait for their service. Thus it’s important make it as non-strenuous as possible. The following contributed post is entitled, Calm The Queue: How To Keep Customers Calm While They Wait.
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No company likes to keep its customers waiting. Unfortunately, even the most well-equipped companies have busy periods where they can’t attend to every customer immediately. There are also certain services that cannot be rushed like cooking a high quality meal or cutting someone’s hair. In these situations, the best you can do is to find ways to keep customers informed and occupied so that they don’t get frustrated while waiting. Whether it’s a long phone queue or a waiting room full of patients, here are some tips on how you can keep customers calm while they wait.
Frequently check in to provide updates
Frequently apologising for the wait and providing progress updates can show customers that you haven’t forgotten about them. This could include periodically going over to a table to let customers know how their meal is coming along or ringing up customers waiting for an overdue project to be finished to let them know what stage it’s at. In certain cases, it may be possible to use technology to let customers know how long they still have to wait, such as using an automated voice to tell customers where they are in a phone queue or allowing customers to track deliveries.
Occupy them with food and drinks
Food and drink is a great tool for distracting customers while they wait. Many restaurants use free appetisers like bread or olives to occupy customers as they wait for their food, while waiting rooms commonly provide a coffee machine or water dispenser. When it comes to high profile customers, you may be able to bring them coffee and snacks while they wait in a lobby to create a good first impression and stop them getting impatient.
Play (good) music while they wait
Music can also be used to occupy people as they wait. Many phone queues play music while customers are waiting, while many waiting rooms also play music. Of course, you don’t have to settle for dull or repetitive music – playing music that is interesting can make waiting less tedious. It’s even possible to set up phone queues that allow customers to choose their own music – something that Octopus Energy famously provides.
Provide entertainment for kids
Kids are more likely to get impatient while waiting. If your customers are likely to include families, consider ways of entertaining kids. Many waiting rooms provide bead mazes, while others go further and provide play corners. Some restaurants meanwhile provide color-in kids menus with puzzles on them.
Allow customers to go away and come back
It may not always be necessary to make customers wait at your premises. If you have an accurate idea as to when you will be able to serve them, you could schedule a time for them to come back later. For example, a restaurant might give customers the option to come back in an hour when a table is ready rather than them having to wait in the restaurant. Similarly, when unable to transfer calls due to other staff members, it may be possible to schedule calls later in the day so that customers aren’t waiting on the phone for an hour. This gives customers the option to do something else in the meantime, which may reduce frustration.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Once you have a business, you must always think about protecting it as issues of all kinds can arise. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Protect Your Business from Crime.
Unfortunately, crime is a major issue for businesses all around the world. There is nothing worse than working extremely hard to build your company up from scratch, only to find that everything is put in jeopardy by criminal activity. Though, you can never protect yourself completely, you can take steps to reduce the risks and respond to the situation in the best way possible. Here are a few ways that you can better prepare your business.
Undertake a Full Risk Assessment
First and foremost, you need to be totally clear on the risks that you face. As well as carefully assessing your office and working out where the weak spots are, you should also consider how vulnerable your business is to cyber attacks. Calling in the professionals can give you a better idea of where your business is most at risk.
Secure the Premises
There are all kinds of steps that you can take to ensure that your business premises are better secured. Just some of the top methods include strengthening doors, fitting window locks and installing security lighting. You may also decide to install CCTV and have an alarm fitted to give you that extra bit of protection. You also have the option of installing shutters or grilles for even more peace of mind, and look at commercial overhead door repair if this is what you need.
Secure Your Equipment and Stock
All businesses have pieces of equipment that are more valuable to them than others. This is where you need to begin when it comes to securing your equipment. You should carry out property and equipment audits on a regular basis to make sure that everything is completely protected as best it can be. Tag computers and also carefully record details of their serial numbers. You could also secure expensive equipment to the walls, floors or desks.
Stop Information Theft
The virtual world is the place where businesses have found themselves to be under a huge amount of threat in recent years. With the risks changing at such a rapid rate, it makes sense that you consult with people who know what they are talking about including business ransomware recovery experts. Your business will have all kinds of sensitive information that you will want to do your utmost to protect including client financial records, employee details and access codes. There are plenty of ways to better secure your IT systems including installing the latest antivirus and firewall systems. Also, you should consider using cloud-based storage systems.
Undertake Checks on a Regular Basis
One of the main reasons that criminals have success is because they keep finding new ways to access property and steal information online. The only way that you can defend against them is by constantly reviewing your processes and finding new methods to tackle the threats that you face. You should always seek advice wherever it is available as there are plenty of companies out there who specialise in what can be a complicated field. Remember, you can never be 100 percent protected but you can be 100 percent prepared.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. One the most import aspects of your business is your physical premises. In many instance, your premises appearance will impact your business’ operations. The following contributed post is entitled, Essential Tasks to Keep Your Business Premises Looking Their Best.
Creating the best possible first impression of your business is absolutely essential if you are to keep attracting customers. Every business owner wants to ensure that their customers and potential customer think about their business in a favorable way. One of the most effective ways to do this is by ensuring that your company is well-presented and represents the brand in a positive way. Keeping your business premises looking at their very best is one of the most effective ways to achieve this. You want your customers to feel positively about your business premises every time they visit. Here are some of the practical ways you can ensure that your business premises always look their best:
Keep Up With Maintenance Tasks
All buildings require maintenance to keep them looking at their best, and this is especially true for commercial buildings that are subject to lots of wear and tear. Simple maintenance tasks, such as ensuring that everything is in a good state of repair, that paintwork looks fresh, and that the building looks well cared for is essential if you want to build trust with your customers.
Make Cleaning a Priority
One of the most basic things to do to ensure your business premises always look at their best is to ensure that they are always spotlessly clean. Areas with heavy foot traffic can become dirty extremely quickly, and this can instantly create a negative impression. Ensuring that these areas are cleaned regularly will help to maintain the positive first impression that you are hoping to achieve.
Keeping up with basic cleaning tasks may be simple enough. However, there are some more intensive cleaning jobs that also need to be dealt with. One of these is the removal of chewing gum. Chewing gum removal is no easy task. But leaving it to litter external areas of your business premises looks unsightly and creates a negative first impression. Investing in gum removal equipment that helps your cleaning team to remove gum quickly is an excellent way to keep your premises looking pristine.
Set Clear Expectations
Ensuring that your business premises consistently look clean and tidy is vital. But this can only be achieved if your cleaning and building maintenance teams have a clear idea of what you want the space to look like. Setting clear expectations and standards detailing the tasks that need to be performed and how frequently they should be done is a helpful way to keep your business premises looking at their absolute best at all times.
Final Thoughts
It’s helpful to think of your business premises as a visual representation of your brand. You want to ensure that your business is respected and trusted by customers, and make sure your buildings communicate these values is a must. Once you get into the rhythm of looking after your premises, and get them looking at their best, it will be so much easier to keep them this way and to continue creating that all-important first impression for your customers.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Sometimes businesses move locations. It’s something that has to be done while not disrupting operations. The following contributed post is entitled, Moving Your Business to a New Location: Things to Consider.
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If your business has outgrown its current location and you need to find something bigger to accommodate the business’s booming growth, your lease is up, and you would rather find a better location, or you are just ready for something new, there are some things you need to consider, regardless of the reason for your impending move. Continue reading to learn more.
Perhaps you have found an amazing new location, but the property needs a lot of upgrades. If renovation is the right answer for you, make sure you work with a reputable architect, contractor, and tradespeople to ensure the job is accomplished on time and to your satisfaction. Discuss your current location, its advantages and disadvantages, what you liked, and any other insight you can bring to the planning stage. If you have visited other office spaces and appreciated their design aesthetic, functionality, or the flow of the area, mention that in the planning stages.
Once the renovation begins, you will likely have a lot of debris and recyclable materials to remove from the property. If that is the case, you will want to contact a reliable local skip hire. They will bring a bin straight to your property and leave it on-site during the renovation process. You can schedule pickups as needed or wait until the project is complete based on your needs. It is so much easier to remove unwanted materials this way instead of hauling them yourself or piling them at the end of the lot, only to have a big pile that has to be picked up later.
Create a Moving Plan
It is one thing to start a new business at a new location. It is an entirely different beast to move an active and thriving business from one location to another. The logistics are considerable, but not insurmountable. The best way to tackle a move like this is by creating a detailed plan and then delegating the oversight to a team member. This person will be in charge of keeping everything on track and reporting back to you. Essentially, they will be a project manager for the move.
Watch this comprehensive video to learn how to schedule your move along with a handy guide to keep everything in order.
It is important to note that any moving plan should encompass the daily operations of the business. After all, you need to keep things running and avoid any downtime or disruptions to your clients, if you can. Consider an all-hands-on-deck approach to the move. If it will be less disruptive, you can schedule the move on a weekend and mandate your team to work. However, they may be less than enthusiastic about that option. Alternatively, offer overtime if they work the weekend to help move offices, or offer a staggered schedule the following week or two where your employees get to pick two days off to make up for the two, days they had to work.
Moving to a new office takes a lot of effort, but you can do it if you work with the right companies. Make a comprehensive plan for relocating to the new property, and everything will go smoothly.
My blog focuses on Organizational/Management and Workplace Discussions. When you’re running any kind of organization, one of the most important things is the focus and wellbeing of your staff. The following contributed post is entitled, How to Design a Workplace That Supports Focus and Wellbeing.
Designing an office for employee wellbeing isn’t as complicated as you might think. It’s not just an aesthetic issue. It’s creating an environment that supports physical and mental health as well as emotional wellbeing.
And with MIND finding that 70% of employees have experienced poor mental health, it’s not a stretch to connect the fact that employees who feel supported in the workplace feel better and work better.
But how exactly do you design your workplace with these factors in mind?
Reduce Distractions
Acoustics can play a significant role in a disruptive workplace, whether it’s
● noise from other workplaces in a shared building ● noise from other areas of your business distracting different departments ● external noise ● chatter in the immediate workspace
Poor acoustics can lead to increased noise levels and distractions. And if employees are struggling to work, it’s going to have a knock-on effect on their wellbeing and their productivity levels.
Working with an acoustic engineer can help you understand how sound travels and what you can put in place to limit noise distractions and make things quieter and more comfortable for everyone.
Incorporate Biophilia
Biophilia decor is simply incorporating plants into the office.
There are multiple studies showing the positive impact plants and nature have on mental health and stress levels. One such study is from the University of Exeter. They found employee productivity increased by 15% when plants were introduced into the workplace. Plus, some plants are natural air purifiers, so they have dual benefits.
Encourage Breaks
It’s not all about the physical design and aesthetics in the workplace that matter. It’s how you treat employees, too. Encouraging regular breaks, not encroaching on employees’ personal time and making space for people to relax away from their workstations is highly beneficial for the company and the employees.
Employees need breaks throughout the day to rest, recharge, and take a minute for themselves in a calm and quiet environment. Studies reinforce the fact that regular breaks boost productivity too, so it’s a win-win.
Choose The Right Colour Scheme
Did you know the colour scheme you use in your workplace can impact how employees feel each day and how productive they are? There are some colours that are known to promote wellness and relaxation, and others that do just the opposite.
If you’re going to something that is calming, try blues and greens; paler shades, not bright colours, as these will have a different impact. For productivity, try pops or yellow and orange. You’ll find five more into colour theory and colours in the workplace to help you uncover the perfect colours and shades for your working environment.
KLighting
Lastly, but not least, is the type of lighting you include in the workspace. Poor lighting leads to eye strain and low mood, while lighting that is too bright can increase headaches.
Ideally, you want as much natural light in the office as possible. But for the most part, natural light alone isn’t enough to light an office, warehouse or even retail unit, far from it. Combat this by choosing low-glare lighting and shades that mimic natural lighting as much as possible.
Circadian lighting can also be a help in reducing the impact artificial lighting has on the body, too. Artificial lighting disrupts sleep patterns. But circadian lighting promotes natural sleep cycles, helping employees better regulate their sleep patterns and feel well-rested and ready to tackle the day.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. It’s exciting to start a new small business, but there are many things to consider as well. The following contributed post is entitled, Three Financial Things to Consider When You’re Starting a New Small Business.
If you’re in the process of starting a business then most likely this has been a dream that you’ve had for a really long time, but until you actually start taking the steps to get things started it’s impossible to know how things will pan out. Especially when it comes to your business finances, lets face it unless you’ve already worked as an accountant or you’re just really good with money then this will be all new to you. It’s not always the most exciting part to sit and think about when you just want to get your products, services or whatever it is you sell out there to the world! But if you do it now it can save a lot of stress later on when things (hopefully!) get busier.
Start up costs
When you sit down to work out the money you’ll need to spend then you will probably start by looking at the obvious things like equipment or any tools you need for the job. For example if you’re planning on running a coffee shop then the coffee machine along with the premises will likely be the most expensive bit. If you want to start a dropshipping business then it’s the stock and probably the storage/ fulfilment side of things where you’ll need to spend the most. But then you realise there’s fees for registering the business and getting insured and paying for the software you use every day. Your website, your branding and marketing and so many extra bits that do add up a lot. Write it all down and plan properly, it’s so important to go into things with your eyes open about what things will cost and how you can cover the costs if you’re going to be successful. You might need to look into business equipment financing or other loans depending on how you’re planning on going about paying for your startup costs.
Paying yourself
Your own income still matters even if you’re happy to put everything back into the business for now. You need to know how you’re covering your personal bills until the business is confident enough to take that on. Being straight with yourself about that early on gives you a clear idea of what needs to happen, not a hope that it might sort itself out at some point. Once you know this you’ll be aware of whether you can afford to go full time with your new business or if you need to earn some extra income for a while or rely on your savings.
Running costs
Finally there are more costs to think about too once everything is set up and you’re fully operational. Things like your bill costs for your premises and travel money are all examples. These will be needed when you do your tax return too since they can be tax deductible (and save you a few dollars). Your accountant will be able to help you out with what to track but make sure you do it early on, use an app or software to make it easier.
My blog focuses on Health/Wellness. In important part of our personal health and functioning is our hearing. When issues with our hearing arise they can sometimes be subtle. The following contributed post is entitled, Why Ignoring Mild Hearing Loss Can Make Life Harder Than It Needs to Be.
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Mild hearing loss is easy to brush off, especially when you can still hear most things if you concentrate. But even small changes can affect how you move through your day without you realising it. If sounds seem slightly muffled or conversation feels just a bit harder than before, then caring for your hearing early can save you a lot of stress later on.
When mild hearing loss goes unchecked, everyday moments start to feel more tiring. You might find yourself leaning in during conversations or guessing what someone said, which can leave you feeling worn out by the end of the day. Even small misunderstandings can lead to frustration when you’re trying to keep up.
It can also make social situations feel heavier than they need to be. When you start avoiding busy places or stepping back from group chats because they’re harder to follow, those small changes add up. You deserve to feel at ease, and paying attention early helps you stay confident.
Why taking action earlier is easier than waiting
Getting support early means you’re catching problems before they have a chance to affect your comfort too much. You have more time to adjust, ask questions and explore options that suit your lifestyle. This makes the whole process feel smoother and far less overwhelming.
Many people find that tools like Bluetooth hearing aids make life easier, especially when you start using them as early as possible. They connect with your everyday devices, keep sound clearer and help you stay involved without needing to strain. Taking steps sooner gives you more control over how you want things to sound.
Small changes that make hearing easier
Once you decide to look after your hearing, simple habits can make your day run much more smoothly. This might be lowering background noise at home, choosing quieter places to talk or turning on subtitles when you need them. These adjustments are small, impactful, and can fit easily into your routine.
You can also think about how often you’re exposed to loud sounds and give yourself short breaks when you can. Even little pauses give your ears a rest and help you stay more comfortable. These calming habits support you while you work out what level of help you might need.
Making your hearing health a priority
Taking early steps shows you’re ready to prioritize your hearing health, and that choice pays off in the long run. You’ll notice conversations feel easier, your focus improves and you don’t have to work as hard to stay involved. The difference can be surprisingly quick once you start giving your hearing some attention.
The earlier you act, the more natural everything feels. You’re giving yourself the chance to stay connected and comfortable in your everyday life without letting mild hearing changes turn into bigger frustrations. By taking small steps now, choosing supportive tools and paying attention to what your ears need, you can keep conversations easy and protect your comfort long into the future.
My blog focuses on Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. A major part many businesses is public relations (PR), which is the interaction with the general public. This can be influenced by culture and cultural differences. The following contributed post is entitled, How Cultural Differences Shape PR Strategies Around the World.
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Public relations doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Every message, campaign and communication choice is shaped by the culture it’s entering, and that means a PR approach that works brilliantly in one region might fall flat in another.
Working across borders means learning how people interpret tone, hierarchy, timing, visuals and even silence. To do PR well on a global scale, brands need more cultural awareness baked into every decision.
Culture changes how audiences interpret your message
Different regions respond to communication styles in their own way. What feels confident and direct in one country might seem abrupt in another, while a message considered modest in one culture could come across as vague elsewhere. Teams that invest time into understanding these expectations tend to create communication that lands more naturally.
This is where local insight becomes valuable. A PR agency in Thailand, for instance, understands the importance of relationship building, indirect communication and respectful language in Thai culture, which helps avoid missteps that an external team might miss. It shows how local context isn’t optional. It’s the foundation that keeps global PR strategies adaptable.
Brands also need to consider visual cues, humour, colour associations and the level of formality expected in different regions. These details might seem small, but they quickly influence how audiences interpret a message and whether they trust it.
Consumers value different things depending on cultural expectations
Around the world, buying behaviour shifts in ways that reflect local values. Some cultures prioritise family and community, while others focus more on individual achievement or practicality. Understanding what customers are looking for in your business through a cultural lens helps shape PR messages that feel naturally aligned with their expectations.
This becomes especially important for brands launching new products or entering markets for the first time. When teams speak to local priorities, consumers feel understood instead of generalised. It’s not about changing the essence of a brand. It’s about presenting that brand in a way that feels relevant to the people who are going to see it.
Customer behaviour also shifts depending on pace of life, buying habits and trust in advertising. PR teams who study these patterns can position a brand in a way that fits naturally into the cultural rhythm of the region they’re communicating with.
Brands need adaptable strategies when marketing abroad
There’s no single blueprint for marketing to different countries, because each region comes with its own communication norms, levels of formality and expectations around storytelling. A PR message that focuses on bold claims and individual benefits might resonate in one country, while a relationship-driven approach fits another more effectively.
Successful global brands build flexible frameworks. They create a core identity that stays consistent, then they adapt the expression of that identity based on cultural cues. This adaptability helps campaigns feel intentional rather than recycled, and it shows audiences that the brand has taken time to understand them.
Cultural understanding shapes every part of international PR, from tone and visuals to audience expectations. When brands adapt their strategies to different regions, they create messages that connect more naturally, build trust and feel genuinely relevant to the people they’re hoping to reach.
