10-Year-Old Builds Business on These Yummy Treats

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Some 10-year-olds bake cookies with their parents for fun. But Cory Nieves bakes cookies to build an empire.
The fifth grader is the founder, CEO and head of distribution for Mr. Cory’s Cookies. Every Saturday, he takes to the streets of his home in Englewood, New Jersey to sell his homemade creations. He uses a wagon cart to bring his products to local businesses like boutiques, barbershops, and car dealerships.

And although his mom is now legally required to do the baking, Nieves is still the one in charge. His mom, Lisa Nieves told CBS News:

“Sometimes I cannot believe my son is my boss. Like, hold on a second. And sometimes I have to correct him. Because he sometimes takes that to the head. And I have to say, ‘Hold on, Cory, I gotta cut the check. You can’t. So let’s get it together.”

It’s been five years since Nieves first got the idea for Mr. Cory’s Cookies. And now he sells up to a thousand cookies each weekend, at about $1 apiece. His business has also led to an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres show and more than 30,000 followers on Instagram.
Clearly, Mr. Cory’s isn’t the only company selling cookies. Though the Nieves family did come up with their own recipe, there are likely some other factors that have led to the brand’s success.
First, the company’s strategy to bring its products to other businesses where consumers are already shopping has been a successful one. And the low prices for a quality product have also clearly been a selling point. Having Mr. Cory as the face of the company probably hasn’t hurt either.

And he says he isn’t done yet. The mini mogul has his sights set on the fashion industry and some other top-secret projects. He told CBS News:

“All the new stuff that’s gonna come out, it’s secret. You know, a lotta new stuff I wanna come out, G-14 Classified. That’s, like, highly secured. Like, high security. If you bribe us, you might just go to court.”

Source: http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com

Homecoming 2014: Soaring through time

The Chaska High School Student Council is planning many of the familiar Homecoming activities this year, but with a wist.

Coronation is going to be black and white.

It's part of this year's Homecoming theme “Soaring through time,” according to Moriah Gerber, Student Council president.

“Coronation is going to be in the past. It’s going to be all black-and-white themed and it’s blasting through the ages,” she explained. “By the time you get to the end of the week, which is the dance you’re going to be in the future.”

Homecoming activities are Monday, Oct. 6 through Saturday, Oct. 11. The week's dress-up days follow students' progression through time:

    Monday: “Babies are us” – students wear pajamas.
    Tuesday: “Future you” – students wear college apparel.
    Wednesday: “Your life in color” – students wear Powder Puff colors for their corresponding grade.
    Thursday: “Senior citizen day” – students dress like seniors.
    Friday: “Hawk pride day” – students wear Hawks apparel and colors.

Gerber said the school will also be creating a time capsule during lunch periods. Each grade will have their own capsule and they will be stored in an office for viewing.

The homecoming king and queen will be crowned during coronation at 7 p.m., Oct. 6 in the high school auditorium.

Gerber said coronation will be black and white to make it seem as though students are watching a black and white movie and will be reminiscent of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. “Our announcers will be dressed for the occasion. There’s going to be old fashioned music when you first walk in,” she said.

The court will be introduced and the members will play games in front of the school as they've done in past years. However, this year there will be more audience participation. Baby pictures of the homecoming court members will be displayed and the audience will have to guess which person the picture belongs to. Students can scan a QR code with their phones which will direct them to a website where they can pick their option, according to Gerber.

On Oct. 8, DECA is hosting a Powder Puff football game at the Chaska High School football field. The freshman versus sophomore game begins at 7 p.m., followed by the junior verses senior game.

Pep fests will be held on Oct. 9 and 10 and include court members playing more games, getting the school fired up for Friday's 7 p.m. football game verses Bloomington Kennedy and a performance from the dance team, Gerber said.

The Homecoming parade will be at 4 p.m. Friday in downtown Chaska. Luke Standbrook, Student Council secretary, said he's expecting around 25 floats this year. He's been trying to get a wide variety of organizations from the high school and the community involved in the parade. “This year I want to show our town all the aspects of our high school, instead of just sports and some activities,” he said.

The parade will include this year's inductees for the Chaska High School Hall of Fame, who will also be announced during the football game. The 2014 inductees are Dan Pelowski, Cari Meister, Nathan Pelowski, Mindy Hansen, Rachael (Schmieg) Hovey, Brady Borner and Gregg Robert Schneider, said Jon Summer, Chaska High School athletics administrator.

Saturday, Oct. 11 will be filled with activities, starting with the hall of fame festivities. There will be a meet and greet at 11:30 a.m. followed by the luncheon at noon and the hall of fame program at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 if purchased before Oct. 6 and $25 at the door. They can be purchased at the high school activities office, Summer said.

Gerber said the Homecoming dance will be from 8-11 p.m. at the high school. The dance will be future-themed and will include black lights. “We're going to have silver things everywhere and we're going to have a time machine when people first walk in,” Gerber said.

Source: http://www.swnewsmedia.com

How Being Lazy Can Help You Grow Rich

To be successful you need to commit to working long, hard hours. You need to commit to doing whatever it takes, even if that means working evenings and weekends. Becoming rich and building a company successfully - including a real estate investment company - means you need to work hard AND smart. I know the gurus out there that will tell you this business is easy and anyone can do it. That sounds great, but because I am not here to sell you books, tapes or a coaching program, I feel comfortable telling you the truth. The truth is I don't know anyone who started a real estate investment company and made it successful without total commitment of time and energy.

When I was getting going with my investing career, I was a full time student and worked part time at a bank. I spent my lunch hour and weekends calling and meeting with motivated sellers. Nobody has ever told me I am lazy, at least not directly to me, but I like to think there is a time and a place where being lazy will help you. Actually, I believe that being lazy on certain things is required to run and grow a successful company. Sound crazy?

With very few exceptions, every item I work on makes me think about a new way to do that particular task. I am always thinking about ways to never do that task again. Is there a way I can automate this, outsource it, or hire someone to do it?

For example, the least fun part of owning property for me is when a tenant moves out. I don't like visiting a vacant house to check the damages and the cleanliness. I don't like lining up contractors to do the "make ready", and I don't like setting up a marketing campaign for a new tenant. I don't like showing the property, collecting applications or screening tenants. I don't like any of it; but, I love owning rentals.

If you know me at all, you also know that I am not very fond of property managers either. I only use management companies when I feel it is necessary. Instead, I have property management systems in place and a great staff to help me. For example, it makes perfect sense for me to outsource or automate my property turnovers. When I have a turnover, I have a leasing agent that will view the house along with one of my contractors. Together they will tell me what needs to be done and then it gets done. From there my leasing agent does all the work until I have a qualified tenant to move in. Of course this costs money, but it makes sense to hire someone to do what they enjoy and are good at.

Another recent example is we just hired someone from Fiver.com to design a logo for us. It is a simple logo and the truth is we could have done this on our own but it made financial sense for us to outsource it. We paid five bucks and we have a good looking logo that meets our needs.

Another way to think about this is you need to free up your time so you can focus on high paying work. The highest paying task you can be doing is finding deals, so anything that distracts you from that could be outsourced or delegated. Your time is worth the value you put on it. If you can hire someone for cheaper than you feel you are worth, then you need to find a way to do that. Focus on the high paying work and you will get rich. Focus on not doing any work and having your business continue to run and you will be financially free.

The bottom line here is that as long as you are willing and committed to making sure the work gets done, it is healthy to not want to do the work and to try to find ways to "get out of it." Oftentimes it makes sense to document your work, even though that makes the task take much longer than normal, so that you can turn that task over to an assistant sometime in the future. You should constantly be thinking about being lazy and not working at all in order to eventually make that a reality.

Source: http://www.PineFinancialGroup.com

The Lone Ranger Is Dead!

The Lone Ranger IS dead and yet many of you, as entrepreneurs, are still acting like one. This has got to stop - if, in fact, you are serious about growing your business, making money and making a difference in the world. What DOES need to happen, in order for you to succeed, is to get engaged with a group of similar-minded, high-achieving entrepreneurs - a master mind group.

I DO know what holds many of you back - FEAR and IGNORANCE.

I just read post by Seth Godin:

In search of a timid trapeze artist

"Good luck with that, there aren't any.

If you hesitate when leaping from rope to another, you're not going to last very long.

And this is at the heart of what makes innovation work in organizations, why industries die, and how painful it is to try to maintain the status quo while also participating in a revolution.

Gather up as much speed as you can, find a path and let go. You can't get to the next rope if you're still holding on to this one."

There is always fear around the unknown. That excuse is not 'special' to you. I know that when it comes to joining a high-level group of entrepreneurs for the purpose of growing your business, many fears come up - some of which include:

• - Am I good enough?
• - Can I do as well?
• - Am I smart enough?
• - Are my revenues significant enough?
• - Have I been in business long enough?
• - Can I really afford to do this?
• - What if I fail?
• - What if I succeed beyond my wildest dreams? (yes, that's a common fear!)

And so much more! What if I tell you that you are not alone? I had some of those very same fears when I joined my first high-level group 3 years ago.

Here's the thing, though - what if you keep doing what you're doing? How's that working for you right now? I know, for certain, had I not made that decision three years ago (with huge butterflies in my stomach), I would not be running a business well over 6 figures right now!

Why am I so adamant about this? Because I know what you don't know.

• - I know that if you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting.
• - I know that together, we're all stronger.
• - I know that a great business coach can teach you essential business and selling skills to help you grow your business faster than you can do it on your own.
• - I know that having the support and love of fellow master-minders is priceless!
• - I know that more heads are better than one.
• - I know that I am not making the costly mistakes (re-inventing the wheel) that I would if left to my own devices.
• - I know that I am reaping the benefit of learning from a coach who is also working with her own coaches.
• - I know that I can practice new techniques in a safe environment.
• - I know that I am not alone - these people understand me. (my family doesn't have a clue what I do, LOL)
• - I know that I am learning from the other 12 'experts' in my master mind group - phenomenal resources right at my fingertips!

And there are so many more reasons that I commit to being part of a high level master mind group. We are known as the Hell Raisers 1 - and I love that!

Are you serious about growing your business? Do you want to make some real money this year?

"Life is a checkerboard, and the player opposite you is time. If you hesitate before moving, or neglect to move promptly, your men will be wiped off the board by time. You are playing against a partner who will not tolerate indecision!" - Napolean Hill

This also applies to your business! Is this the year you pack it in? Is this the year you declare bankruptcy? Is this the year you get a J.O.B and give up on your dream?

All I have to say about that is shame on you, then! When the answers, the support, the learning - is all at your fingertips. But you let F.E.A.R. get in your way.

All you need to do, this year, - right now - is to make a decision. Find yourself the right coach, get involved in a master mind group, learn what you need to know to succeed - and the world will be a better place.

To the 'Lone Ranger' - let's all say - R.I.P.!!!!

Source: http://www.wealthywomenleaders.com

Too Busy! Where Does Your Time Go?

Have you ever completed a grueling week in your business, felt exhausted at the end of the week but had no financial gain to show for all your efforts?

Do you often find yourself doing tasks in your business that you could have, and should have delegated properly to a team member, or outsourced to another party?

Do you work more hours in your business than anyone else?

If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions then you need to stop and assess yourself and your business.

You could be costing your business a fortune.

I recently asked a client to do a time study because he seemed to always be very busy but had very little to show for his efforts. His debtors were running at a quarter of his turnover, he was falling behind in his payments to suppliers. He was not getting to all customer enquiries and as a result was losing business to inferior competitors. While he worked in a price sensitive business, being on time and being in a position to do the work would give you an additional 5% margin.

When we analysed his time - the results were staggering:

•     He worked 90 hours over 10 consecutive days.
•     He spend 40 hours managing deliveries, loading and unloading, organising the warehouse, etc.
•     He spent 10 hours on deliveries, driving the van and also on collection from suppliers.
•     He spent about 4 hours on sales and dealing with customers
•     He spent 10 hours sorting out issues that his team handed to him, from pricing to customer complaints.
•     He spent 2 hours on the financial aspects of his business
•     He spent 1 hour collecting money
•     The rest of the time was spent on trivial tasks/
•     He did not meet his team at all

This man's business was in trouble. It was in trouble because he had not delegated and he had not introduced any accountability to the team. He did not like confrontation and he felt that it would always be quicker if he did it himself.

I worked with this client on hiring one team member to do all the warehouse, stock and deliveries. We introduced proper roles for all the team and carried out some training and reporting. We focused more effort on credit control collecting about 70k additional in 6 weeks. We also went to work on selling, converting more enquiries in less time.

Source: http://www.derekodwyer.com

19 Reasons Fall Is The Finest Season

With Tuesday's equinox, we've entered into autumn. The season is marked by several telltale signs: The air cools, the light dims, sweaters appear, and so do ghosts.These are but a few of the arguments for why fall is the best season. If we missed yours, tell us in the comments.

1. Because forests turn technicolor.

2. Because crunching leaves is the most fun you'll have all year. 

3. Because the sun is bearable, yet bright.

4. Because football.

5. Because whether you're talking cardigan, hoodie, or crew neck, you look good in sweaters. 

6. Because Halloween is easily the most awesome of holidays. But beware of ghosts.

   

7. Because Thanksgiving is great, even if it gets a little crazy sometimes.

  

8. Because we all need to spend more time with quilts.

9. Because people go crazy for pumpkin spice lattes. 

10. Because pumpkins are really where it's at, especially giant ones.  

11. Because pumpkins turn into pie.

12. Because we can't forget the rest of the squash family, who are equally awesome.

13. Because apple picking rules as much as this kid's shades.

14. Because apples turn into cider.

15. Because cider turns into donuts.

16. Because fall makes cooking easy, since crockpot = win.

17. Because fall style is awesome. Need proof? Consider the universe within corduroy. 

18. Because scarves make your life better.

19. Because, when we really get down to it, it's all about the leaves.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com

Time - Whether It Flies or Crawls, Goes By

Time, given equally to each and every one of us, 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, 4 weeks in a month and 52 weeks in year. Why is it then that only at the end of a life, do you realize how much time was wasted? This is not necessarily only at the end of your life, but often at the end of the lives of people close to your heart.

Is that what it takes for us to decide to live a full life? And what is a full life? These questions sting like hornets in the back of my mind, over and over and over again and each time I fail to come up with an answer. There are so many books out there covering the different legs on which a full life is built, but they all mean nothing if you don't know what your purpose in life is.

Here I am again today, with a loved one who's passed on, and I cannot help but think, it wasn't her time. Not in the sense of age, because in that case it surely is correct, but in the sense that she never got to live. She was such a lively person, but perhaps she was born in the wrong time or era. She deserved so much more than what she got. And I lay frustrated in bed at night thinking that there was nothing I could do to change that for her, only to realize that nobody can change the path you are on, but yourself.

Time is such a fragile concept, and being me, I love to listen to music. There is a song by Anna Nalick called "Breath", I quote: "Life is an hourglass, glued to the table". Every time I listen to this song, it is a clear reminder that nothing done, can be undone, if you fail to grab time by the horns and make the best of it it is done, you need to remember that the opportunities past, cannot be recalled and time gone by cannot be rewinded. What's past is past. Much wiser people than I have stated: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery but today is a gift that's why it's called the present." All of which brings me back to wondering what time is. When you look at the meaning of the word time as per the Oxford Dictionary, it becomes clear: "The indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole."

There are so many beautiful quotes on time, and my all-time favorite quote will probably always be the one by Stephanie Meyer in New Moon: "Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me."

In conclusion, time only passes slowly when you need it to pass fast, and passes fast when you need it to pass slowly. So don't life a live full of wishes, as wishes is what causes you to miss time. To miss those beautiful moments in time that could have resulted in a full life.

Source: http://www.dynamichealthyliving.com/