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Deprive a child – feed a brain?

April 11, 2011 in Business Start-Up, Inventions, Personal Development with 23 Comments

A few years ago, Pinon, Arizona Middle School science teacher Rochelle Silvers asked her seventh-grade students if anyone would like to do a science project for the state science fair. The only student to raise his hand was Garrett Yazzie.

Garrett, a Navajo Indian, thought maybe he could get a trip off the Indian reservation where he lived.   While 13 years old at the time, Garrett also dreamed of being able to help his little sister who suffered asthma from the fumes of their coal burning stove.  The trailer he and his family lived in had neither running water nor electricity.

For his project, Garrett made a solar-powered water heater out of 26 aluminum cans and a car radiator from a 1967 Pontiac, which he had found at a junk yard. His heater was able to heat water for bathing and could raise the inside air temperature by 45 degrees Fahrenheit.   Now known as “the junk-yard genius” Garrett’s efforts attracted the attention of Extreme Makeover, resulting in a new green home for his family and a new Ford SUV.  Read more »

Why Do You Want to Write a Book?

April 7, 2011 in Business Start-Up, No More Mondays, Personal Development with 4 Comments

Experts tell us that 81% of Americans want to write a book.  So chances are pretty high that if you’re reading this, you are one of them.  There are many reasons people want to write a book.  Your motivations are probably a combination of these factors:  Read more »

  1. Communication: Having a book is a wonderful way to communicate your message to a broader audience.  If you are a speaker or teacher you can exponentially increase your audience with a book.  If you have any area of expertise, a book can help you leverage that expertise.  Writing a book will help you find your own voice.  It will help you trust that you have something important to say.  You have a message that must be told.  A true writer is someone who cannot not write.  I didn’t start out wanting to be a bestselling author – I started by struggling with people who were trying to find meaning in their work and wanted to share those principles with more people.

The Mule Raffle

April 6, 2011 in Business Start-Up, Marketing, Workplace Humor with 3 Comments

A city boy, Kenny, moved to the country and bought a donkey from an old farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day the farmer drove up and said, “Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the donkey died.” Kenny replied, “Well then, just give me my money back.” The farmer said, “Can’t do that. I went and spent it already.

“Kenny said, “OK then, just unload the donkey.” The farmer asked, “What ya gonna do with him?” Kenny replied, “I’m going to raffle him off.”

Farmer, “You can’t raffle off a dead donkey!” Kenny, “Sure I can. Watch me. I just won’t tell anybody he is dead.” A month later the farmer met up with Kenny and asked, “What happened with that dead donkey?”

Kenny, “I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $898.00.  Read more »

Will you buy this recipe?

April 4, 2011 in Business Start-Up, Finding Passion with 1 Comment

Dan, I am putting together a collection of tried and true recipes from various sources. What are the legalities about creating this using other’s recipes? Thanks. Nina

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How many of you have had dreams of selling Grandma’s brownie recipe or about making millions selling your own secret salsa recipe?  And of course, the first thing you want to do is protect your recipe as your own.  Just like in writing a book, composing a poem, or jotting down the lyrics to the next big song, you expect to protect your recipe.

Unfortunately, according to the U. S. Copyright Office, a list of ingredients alone cannot be copyrighted.   But here’s where there is an interesting twist.  The “intellectual effort” the original writer gave to create the dish in a certain way makes it different from another recipe with the same ingredients. Each writer has her own voice and tone on how to prepare and finish a recipe.  Read more »

Would you buy this t-shirt?

March 24, 2011 in Business Start-Up with 6 Comments

Dan — My daughter and I are going to make a small run of t-shirts that she designed so she can make money to go to camp.  I found a great supplier who is very patient and willing to guide us. They can do a run of 50, white shirt, nice quality, various sizes for $7.75 a piece. If Vanessa wants to make $5 per shirt, would you be willing to pay $13? Or is that too much? What would be a good price?  Mom

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Mom — Most t-shirts are going to sell for about $10, but if they have a really catchy saying or picture they can go for $15.95 or even up to $17.95.  Check out my favorite sarcasm shirts here:  DespairWear

I would suggest that you test your design idea before you have 50 printed.  Even at $7.75 each that’s almost $400.  Unfortunately, I know a whole lot of people who have a lifetime supply of rags because they printed t-shirts they thought would sell.  Read more »

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