We’re honored to be recognized as an innovative startup by MeetAdvisors. But, of course we want to win. And to do that, we’ll need your votes!

If you’ve been following and participating in our monthly Featured Business of the Month get-out-the-vote efforts, then you know how much we love celebrating excellent small businesses in the most democratic way possible.

So, before voting for your favorite local small business, go to the MeetAdvisors’ finalist list and click the thumbs-up next to TalkLocal, your favorite conversation driven local search platform.

We know we’re your favorite one because we’re the only one!

So, go ahead, celebrate innovation! Celebrate democracy! Your vote counts and we count on your vote! So, go vote TalkLocal!

Thanks!

Written by Krystal Moore

You’re one month into the New Year and life is hectic. You may be having trouble keeping your New Year’s Resolution. Even my humble resolution – to drink less soda – has been a struggle. The caffeine withdrawal alone has been enough to drive me batty, let alone the temptation everywhere. But, I’m proud to say that I haven’t drank more than two cans of soda a week all year! Is it just a coincidence, or had I single-handedly driven Pepsi to literally enter the milk business because their sales have been so low? Regardless, here are the five tricks that have worked for me so far. Maybe it can help with your resolutions, too!

Want It: You have to want it and want it hard and not for the people who say it would be good for you but because you feel it would make you a better you in some way. I want to limit soda intake because it’s been giving me too many migraines and migraines stink.

Tell Others: If you keep it all bottled up, no one expects you to keep the goal but you so tell others so they can keep any eye out for you, as well. I told my friends and now they stinkeye me each time I grab a soda. It’s annoying but understandable.

Be Reasonable: Don’t say you want to save billions and then kick yourself if it’s only millions. Start with a goal that’s realistic and then work your way higher after your success. This is why I’m not quitting soda cold turkey: I’d only lose my mind trying. Besides, one less won’t kill me.

Make a Plan: It’s always easier to get through life when you have a plan of what you’re doing and sure, plans can go awry but that doesn’t mean give up. It just means get ready for plan B. For lunch, I will pack a water bottle and those Crystal Light mixes. If I forget, I can go and get one of the Crystal Light mixes from the store and use the water from our water cooler.

Keep Trying: Hey, people are just people. They make mistakes and then they’ll want to quit and forget it but keep going until you reach that goal you want so you can set the bar even higher next time.

As George S. Patton once said, “Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” Good luck on your continued effort to reach your goals, and may you feel the exhilaration of victory this and every year.

So, tell us: what were your 2015 resolutions? Post your answers here or on our Facebook page.

Last month (or last year, whichever you prefer), TalkLocal began the process of searching for its first Featured Business of the Month. The finalists were named and the votes were tallied. Though all of these small businesses were great choices, there could be only one. Thanks to the support of its many loyal and happy customers, the TalkLocal Featured Business of the Month for January is… (drum roll).

Cheaper Than A Geek!

Congrats to Cheaper Than A Geek, its owner Christopher Barber and the small, but hardworking team that has helped it run so fluidly during its fifteen years of service.

Cheaper Than A Geek is located in Crofton, MD and assists people in the area with all of their computer needs. Whether your computer’s going at a snail’s pace because of annoying viruses or it’s stopped running and you don’t know why, whether PC or Mac, Cheaper Than A Geek is ready to get that computer working back to full capacity.

CTAG has already won more customer service awards than any other IT company in Maryland. Its “customer service oriented approach”, as Barber says, is clearly working for them as TalkLocal received an out-pour of customer testimonials which all stated just how great CTAG is and why it deserves to win.

So, here’s another title to add to your website, Cheaper Than A Geek. Congratulations!

Of course, this is only the first award of the year. So, who is your favorite local services provider? Vote for your favorite or nominate your own business by clicking here.

The Centennial State of Colorado is well-known for its beautiful scenery, especially the picturesque mountains that always leave people breathless. Whether you’re a Colorado native or a visitor to one of the state’s biggest attractions, like Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs or the Denver Botanical Gardens, you know there’s already much to love about Colorado.

Now, TalkLocal is launching in Colorado to connect consumers to local professionals.

TalkLocal is a virtual concierge service that connects consumers with professional handymen, landscapers, accountants, etc. in 90 seconds.

Just think of us as your local search sherpa. Here’s how it works

Colorado is home to the United States Olympic Sports Committee, so it’s obviously a city where everyone strives to be their very best whether they’re an Olympic skier or a local plumber. And, when it comes to business acumen: it’s the home of the addictive and delicious Chipotle headquarters. Need we say more?

“TalkLocal is only here to make this great state even greater,” said TalkLocal cofounder Gurpreet Singh.

So, if you want to connect with the right local pro without wasting time calling around, it takes just three simple steps:

1. Go online to www.talklocal.com (or use our mobile app)

2. Put in the information of the job you require (where, when, what)

3. Wait for one of three professionals to call you in 90 seconds to discuss the job

It’s just that easy. No hassle, no trouble, and best of all: it’s free to use.

So, while Colorado may have its ups-and-downs due to all of those gorgeous landscapes, TalkLocal will make these business connections as smooth as a freshly paved road.

Thanksgiving is a day known for a variety of things: parades, days off from school, and food…a lot of food. But what we really need to remember is that it’s supposed to be known for giving thanks. Thanksgiving is a day to remember that we may have experienced challenges with still more challenges to come, but that we are also fortunate in many ways. We’re fortunate, most importantly, to be surrounded by loved ones whom we count on to support us as we face life’s challenges.

Thanksgiving also reminds us of those who may be having an especially hard time sharing in the spirit of gratitude because they don’t have as much good fortune as others.

Now, how do we give the gift of gratitude to those who may not have much? We give them something to be thankful for!

Here are five ways that you can show thanks or give thanks this Thanksgiving.

Give: We don’t just mean money. You can give a neighborhood family a turkey for Thanksgiving or an army member a care package so they remember the holidays.

Donate: Maybe you don’t know who to donate to but there’s all kinds of organizations, be it the Salvation Army, a local charity or one overseas, like our founder, Gurpreet Singh, did for the Sikh Helpline.

Volunteer: Whether it’s at an animal shelter, senior citizens home or a soup kitchen, everyone appreciates someone helping out when they need it.

Fundraise: There are different fundraisers going on all throughout the year. Find one that works for you and go participate. If you don’t see one, create your own.

Cook: If you’re not able to get to an outside location to help, that’s fine. Help out in your own home. If you don’t usually cook or clean on Thanksgiving, then here’s your way to thank the people closest to you.

We understand that life can be hectic, but we want you to remember that there’s a lot to be thankful for. Whether that’s your family, your home or the fact that you’re alive and well, always remember to give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!