Monday, December 29, 2025

How Language Shapes the Way We Think | Lera Boroditsky | TED


There are about 7,000 languages spoken around the world -- and they all have different sounds, vocabularies and structures. But do they shape the way we think? Cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky shares examples of language -- from an Aboriginal community in Australia that uses cardinal directions instead of left and right to the multiple words for blue in Russian -- that suggest the answer is a resounding yes. "The beauty of linguistic diversity is that it reveals to us just how ingenious and how flexible the human mind is," Boroditsky says. "Human minds have invented not one cognitive universe, but 7,000."

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Merry Christmas



Merry Christmas

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

What Does the Trend Setter Package Include?


OUR TREND SETTER PACKAGE INCLUDES ALL THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

>  Professional Website

>  Blog & Regular Blog Posting

>  Limited Social Media Posting & Management

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

>  Personalized Email Newsletter

>  Video & YouTube Channel

>  Marketing & Business Consulting

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Saturday, December 20, 2025

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Trend Setter Package


Our Trend Setter Package is unique in that it offers even the smallest businesses the marketing power of a much larger business. We do this by combining all of our services into one low cost monthly package, which ensures your Internet properties are updated regularly every month.

Think of it this way; You open a business and want some customers. So, you put out a sign. Then, you want some more business. So, you put out a sign down the street, then two streets over, then out on the freeway, and pretty soon you have them all over town. People now know about you even if they have never been in your store or used your services.

This is exactly what we do for you via the Internet. Beginning with a website, we add a blog, a monthly (or more often for some businesses) email newsletter, social networking in Facebook, Twitter, Linked-in. Next we add a YouTube channel and video is included. We help you get found. Last is our own consulting to help you get the best of our services and more.

We do this in a systematic way, which allows us to keep the cost low. Now, virtually every business can afford to look like a much larger business.

Each business is different. Give us a call to talk about your specific business. We will let you know how little it takes to get started right away.

Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Monday, December 15, 2025

CONFUSED ABOUT HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN…


Use Internet? Website? Blog?
E-Commerce? Social Networking?
YouTube/Videos?
HTML Newsletters?
“What Is This Stuff?"
“Who Has The Time To Deal With It?"
“What’s In It For Me?"
Too Expensive?
RELAX. . .

We Make It So Easy! And So Affordable!


Ryan Stone 
p: 707-480-0959
e: rstone@upwardtrend.org

Terry Minion
p: 707-434-9967
e: tminion@upwardtrend.org

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Questions No One Knows the Answers to (Full Version)


In the first of a new TED-Ed series designed to catalyze curiosity, TED Curator Chris Anderson shares his boyhood obsession with quirky questions that seem to have no answers. (Introducing the series "Questions no one knows the answers to")

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:
Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Monday, December 8, 2025

Websites Built for Connection, Not Just Clicks


Your website is often the first place people meet your brand—and first impressions matter. Instead of overwhelming visitors with information, the most effective websites create meaningful moments of connection. That might mean highlighting real customer stories, showcasing your team’s personality, or using design elements that reflect your brand’s warmth and authenticity.

A connected experience doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through thoughtful design, intuitive layout, and content that feels human. When your website invites conversation and connection, your audience becomes more than traffic—they become part of your community. And that connection is what turns curiosity into trust.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:

Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Friday, December 5, 2025

Why Your Website Should Feel Like a Conversation


A great website does more than explain who you are—it makes visitors feel welcomed and understood. When your site speaks with people instead of at them, you build trust right from the first click. Clear navigation, friendly copy, and interactive elements like quizzes, forms, or chat features help create that conversational feel.

Think of your website as a digital handshake. It should guide visitors, answer questions before they’re asked, and invite them to take the next step. When people feel seen, heard, and valued online, they’re far more likely to stay, explore, and come back again.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:

Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

How to Generate the Most Creative Ideas (No Talent Required)


Ever feel stuck staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike? Here’s the harsh truth: creativity isn’t magic—it’s a system. In just 2 minutes, this video breaks down how to generate brilliant ideas on demand, even if you think you’re “not creative.”  

We’ll uncover why originality is a myth, how the greatest thinkers like Einstein and Picasso worked, and a simple method you can start using today to spark genius ideas effortlessly.  

No fluff. No waiting. Just actionable steps you can use right now to unlock your creativity.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:
Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Creating Content That Feels Like a Conversation


Your audience doesn’t want to be talked at — they want to be talked with. The most engaging brands don’t just broadcast; they invite interaction. Ask questions. Encourage replies. Follow up when someone shares a thought or story.

When your content feels like a conversation rather than a campaign, people stay engaged because they feel included. They’re not passive viewers; they are active participants in your brand’s world.

And when people feel like they belong, loyalty grows naturally.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:

Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Happy Thanksgiving


Happy Thanksgiving from Us to You.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:
Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Sunday, November 23, 2025

EASY THANKSGIVING TURKEY | how to cook and carve the BEST turkey recipe


Are you ready to make the BEST Thanksgiving turkey? Trust me, it’s easier than you think! You don’t need to brine and you don’t need to baste. Just a few simple steps and you’ll have a perfectly golden, juicy, and insanely flavorful roasted turkey that’ll impress your family and guests.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:
Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Why Transparency Strengthens Your Brand


People don’t connect with perfection; they connect with honesty. Sharing a challenge you overcame, a mistake that taught you something, or a behind-the-scenes glimpse of your process gives your audience something real to hold onto.

Transparency shows that there are humans behind your brand — humans who care, try, learn, and evolve. When you let people see the work and the journey, trust deepens. And trust is the foundation of any lasting audience relationship.

In a world full of polish, authenticity stands out.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:

Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Monday, November 17, 2025

Turning Audience Insights Into Meaningful Content


Your audience is speaking every day — through comments, DMs, and even silence. When you treat these signals as data, you start creating content that truly resonates.

Maybe people need clarity on a process you take for granted. Maybe they’re craving encouragement, or they want to see real examples of what you teach. When you build content around their needs rather than your assumptions, your message becomes more useful, more personal, and far more impactful.

Connection grows when people feel understood — and that starts with paying attention.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:

Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Friday, November 14, 2025

Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile | Tal Ben-Shahar | Big Think


Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile, with Tal Ben-Shahar

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:
Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Turning Consistency Into Connection


Consistency builds recognition — but connection builds loyalty. Once your audience knows your voice, it’s time to deepen the relationship.

Start by listening. What questions are people asking in comments or emails? What challenges keep coming up in your industry? Use those insights to create content that feels personal and relevant.

Authenticity matters, too. Share stories, behind-the-scenes moments, or lessons learned. When your audience sees the human side of your brand, trust turns into genuine connection — the kind that keeps people coming back, not just clicking through.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:

Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Why Consistency Builds Trust Online


In today’s digital world, visibility is only half the battle — trust is what turns visitors into loyal customers. And trust is built through consistency.

When your website, social media, and email content all share the same message, tone, and look, your audience starts to recognize you. Over time, that recognition becomes reliability — they know who you are, what you offer, and what to expect.

The key is to show up regularly with value: insights, tips, and updates that reflect your brand’s voice. Because the more consistent your presence, the stronger your credibility — and the easier it is for people to choose you with confidence.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:

Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

What Is Branding? 4 Minute Crash Course.


What is branding? A brand is not a logo. A brand is not a product. A brand is not a promise. A brand is not the sum of all the impressions it makes on an audience. A brand is a result–it's a person's gut feeling about a product, service or company. It's in their heads and in their hearts. A brand is your reputation. 

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:
Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Build Your Brand, One Post at a Time


A strong online presence isn’t built overnight — it’s built consistently. From a professional website that tells your story, to regular blog posts that keep your audience engaged, every piece of content works together to strengthen your brand.

Add in thoughtful social media management across Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and you’re not just posting — you’re connecting. Pair that with a personalized email newsletter and even video content on YouTube, and suddenly, your business isn’t just visible — it’s memorable.

Whether you need marketing guidance, business consulting, or a partner to help you stay consistent, we’re here to make sure your message gets seen, shared, and remembered.

TO LEARN MORE, CALL TODAY:

Ryan Stone @ 707-480-0959 /or
Terry Minion @ 707-434-9967