diff --git a/bin/embark b/bin/embark
index eb0b4d55..f10fdd79 100755
--- a/bin/embark
+++ b/bin/embark
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env node
 
+console.log("starting embark...");
+
 var Embark = require('..');
 Embark.process(process.argv);
diff --git a/lib/index.js b/lib/index.js
index 38b7a9fe..6868f235 100644
--- a/lib/index.js
+++ b/lib/index.js
@@ -91,6 +91,13 @@ var Embark = {
         self.logger.contractsState = Embark.monitor.setContracts;
         self.logger.availableServices = Embark.monitor.availableServices;
         self.logger.setStatus = Embark.monitor.setStatus.bind(Embark.monitor);
+
+        if (options.useDashboard) {
+          self.logger.info('========================'.bold.green);
+          self.logger.info(('Welcome to Embark ' + Embark.version).yellow.bold);
+          self.logger.info('========================'.bold.green);
+        }
+
         // TODO: do this after monitor is rendered
         callback();
       },
diff --git a/lib/services.js b/lib/services.js
index c56b69cf..158ee0af 100644
--- a/lib/services.js
+++ b/lib/services.js
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ var ServicesMonitor = function(options) {
 };
 
 ServicesMonitor.prototype.startMonitor = function() {
+  this.check();
   this.monitor = setInterval(this.check.bind(this), this.interval);
 };