CrossCheck Blog

Don't hate! David Hasselhoff is huge in Germany, and as it turns out, so is the price tag on the Knight Industries Two Thousand, or just plain KITT to mere mortals such as ourselves. Lucky for us, the focus of this infographic is on the auto aftermarket cost of our favorite Sci-Fi Movie Cars and not the discography of The Hoff. (<<< "You're welcome" for that link right there!)

Who? What? Clarence Ditlow? Auto dealers mourning? OK, maybe not mourning, but even the most cynical, hardened, multi-location, millions-of-units-selling auto dealer veteran has a professional appreciation for the contributions of Clarence Ditlow. What's ironic is that very few know who he was, let alone the fact that in some ways he single-handedly saved, and will continue to save, millions of lives on American roadways.

Pet owners desire two things from veterinary practices when it comes to pet care: Efficient, fully dependable, informed care for their pets by competent techs and veterinarians. The best possible pricing and or payment plans, particularly in times of emergency. CrossCheck knows veterinarians don't spend four years in undergrad, four years achieving a D.V.M or V.M.D., passing the NAVLE and taking the veterinarian's oath to bungle pet owner's #1 desire. Instead, this blog article focuses on how veterinarians can help offset cost by advising pet owners on the top five pet insurance plans, and if all else fails, by offering pet owners a check processing service called Multiple Check that is equally adept at offsetting the high cost of pet care.

We see you over there, veterinarians! We know you to be hard working, compassionate, dedicated, driven and more. All told, you've got mettle, the right stuff. You've endured volunteering at shelters, AP science classes in high school, four years of pre-vet undergrad studies, the GRE, vet school applications, four years of veterinary school with King Kong sized debt averaging $135k, and the licensing exam. Whew ... now get a job, doc, but don't forget the oath first! Whether you hung a shingle or joined an existing practice, it's time to show off your business acumen. Yes, we said business acumen, and if you don't have one, you better focus on developing one. It's not all birthin' puppies and spaying cats. The horror ... you may even have to develop a business plan. Everyone contributes to running a profitable practice, from reception to surgery, from individual contributors to doctors and owners, everyone. If business is done right, everyone profits too. We know that's music to your bank account because King Kong is on your back. To help you domesticate Kong, we've compiled a list of profit inducing resources:

Petaluma, California, like its southerly neighbor San Francisco, is known for electic goings on. The World Wrist Wrestling Championships are held in Petaluma. It was once known as the Egg Basket of the World, and no one who has witnessed it can forget the World's Ugliest Dog competition. CrossCheck proudly calls Petaluma home too. For auto lovers though, American Graffiti rumbles the loudest! The most iconic scenes, the driving ones in particular, were shot in downtown Petaluma. The '32 Ford Deuce Coupe vs the Harrison Ford-driven '55 Chevy scene is at the apex of drag racing cinematography. Biased? Just a skosh.

The support group started right on time. About halfway through, apprehensively, I made my way to the podium. I felt the calling and it was my turn to confess. With all eyes on me, the walk down the middle aisle seemed miles long. I stood behind the podium, straightened the microphone, cleared my voice more than once, grabbed both sides of the podium, and gave in a higher power. "I'm a collector," I warbled. What a relief to have been on the first step to becoming a recovering collector. With that said, let the record reflect that I am not a hoarder!

Thinking of starting a business? You’re an American hero. Entrepreneurs like you start 543,000 each month, and there are almost 28 million small businesses in the United States today – half again as many as there were thirty years ago (U.S. Small Business Administration). They provide 55% of all jobs, adding 8 million of them since 1990. They occupy around half of all commercial space. But as any investor will tell you, past performance is no guarantee of future success. Despite these remarkable achievements, today the entrepreneur is an endangered species. If you’re stepping up, we want to help.

Any business owner who reads the news knows how much influence economists have over corporate America, Wall Street and the government.

All things being even, you chose the #1 best job in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 100 Best Jobs of 2015. Why though? Was it the median salary of $146k? Was it the work-life balance? Yes and yes, no doubt, but one reason really stands out. Because you are particularly compassionate, restoring your patient’s oral health and transforming their lives tops the list of reasons why you became a dentist. When you help someone smile, the whole world truly smiles.

Dogs and their humans may be spending even more time outdoors this summer since the winter was so brutal and fall is fast approaching. The dog that was happy to sit by the fireplace all winter may be ready to get out and run, whether in the back yard, around the neighborhood, or on vacation with the family. With kids out of school, pets may enjoy more playing time, and walks don't have to be canceled due to weather as often as they do during winter months.