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WATCH: Awesome Spanish Restaurant Says If You Can't Pay, You Won't Go Hungry

2013-05-24T00:00:14Z

With Spain hit hard by an economic downturn, a recently opened restaurant in Terrassa, Catalonia has found a way to offer the unemployed a helping hand.

According to Euronews, Terrassa's city council teamed up with local charities to fund a restaurant that hosts a "work exchange scheme." The program allows those who are unable to afford meals to pay for their food by volunteering for an hour at the restaurant.

These customers, who usually have been out of work for 2 to 3 years, can serve, clean or help out in the kitchen in exchange for a full-course meal.

"This is aimed at people wanting to regain and strengthen their self-esteem. People wanting to improve their daily lives," restaurant manager Xavier Casas told Euronews.

Spanish news source El País estimates that half of the establishment's business comes from regular customers and the other half comes from volunteers.

"It is great that there are people who still get up in the morning thinking about how to help others," volunteer Miquel Perez told El País.

A Rhode Island man has been empowering the homeless by recruiting them for a church meal program and allowing them to help feed the needy.

H/T: msnNOW

Tea Party Founder: IRS Is 'Terrorizing' The American People

2013-05-23T23:25:59Z

Jacob Soboroff talked with Tea Party Patriots founder Mark Meckler, whose organization was targeted by the IRS probe into conservative groups, about his lawsuit against the tax organization. Meckler told HuffPost Live that he feels the IRS is 'terrorizing' the American people.

McDonald's Quietly Offers Ohio Hero Free Food For Year

2013-05-23T22:57:09Z

Life is good for this Ohio hero.

Just one day after a group of Cleveland restaurants announced plans to give local man Charles Ramsey free burgers for life, McDonald's quietly confirmed that it will offer him free food for a year.

Ramsey's quirky interviews detailing his efforts to help free kidnapping victims Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight earlier in May made the dishwasher famous -- especially the part about him eating a McDonald's Big Mac moments before the rescue.

The three women had been abducted, held in a squalid house and abused for roughly a decade, allegedly by homeowner Ariel Castro. On May 6, Ramsey heard Amanda Berry's screams from his neighboring porch and helped break down Castro's door.

As word of Ramsey's heroics spread, the Internet inundated McDonald's with suggestions to offer him a reward.

A Reddit post advocating for Ramsey to get free Big Macs for life received more than 19,000 upvotes.

When McDonald's tweeted that it would "be in touch" with Ramsey, the statement was re-tweeted thousands of times.

We salute the courage of Ohio kidnap victims & respect their privacy. Way to go Charles Ramsey- we'll be in touch.
— McDonald's Corp. (@McDonaldsCorp) May 7, 2013

Following criticism that McDonald's might be benefiting from a tragedy, however, spokespeople for the chain told reporters Thursday that the reward offer had been made quietly, as a sign of respect for the victims' families.

"We followed up directly and privately with Mr. Ramsey regarding recognition of his actions," McDonald's spokeswoman Heidi Barker Sa Shekhem told The Los Angeles Times. "Out of respect for the survivors of this harrowing ordeal and the ongoing investigation, we have not shared publicly details of our outreach."

In honor of Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight, McDonald's has also donated $10,000 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

McDonald's did not immediately respond to The Huffington Post's request for comment.

Lili Balfour: 3 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Fail Smarter

2013-05-23T22:43:47Z

There is no sure fire way to prevent failure, but one can always fail smarter. Entrepreneurs fail smarter by 1) understanding the basic terms of their term sheet, 2) understanding how much capital is needed, and 3) having an exit plan.

Termsheets

In the exhilaration of securing capital, many first time entrepreneurs fail to read, and understand, the language around liquidation. All smart entrepreneurs know to seek legal council prior to signing off on a term sheet. However, even those who do understand the terms, tend to visualize a profitable exit; in which even the least entrepreneur friendly terms are digestible. Unfortunately, not all companies liquidate at a profit. In the event that there is a fire sale, entrepreneurs can feel a deeper burn if they neglect to properly negotiate the language in their term sheet.

A common mistake first time entrepreneurs make is failing to fully understand the events that could potentially occur during the sale of their company.

Liquidation Preference

Liquidation preference dictates how the proceeds of a sale will be distributed.

"In the event of any liquidation or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Series A Preferred shall be entitled to receive in preference to the holders of the Common Stock a per share amount equal to [x] the Original Purchase Price plus any declared but unpaid dividends (the Liquidation Preference)."

Tip: Most investors will request a liquidation preference of 1x. If your liquidation preference is substantially higher, this is a red flag.

Participation

An entrepreneur needs to understand participation. There are three varieties: full participation, capped participation and non-participating.

Fully participating stock will share in the liquidation proceeds on a pro rata basis with common, after payment of the liquidation preference.

Capped participation indicates that the stock will share in the liquidation proceeds on a pro rata basis until a certain multiple return is reached.

Non-participating would not participate at all.

Tip: Some investors will request fully participating stock. Be mindful of how this will affect your proceeds during the liquidation.

Redemption Clause

The redemption clause puts a finite number of years on the investment's life. This is enacted to protect the investor and provide a guaranteed exit.

"Redemption at Option of Investors: At the election of the holders of at least majority of the Series A Preferred, the Company shall redeem the outstanding Series A Preferred in three annual installments beginning on the [fifth] anniversary of the Closing. Such redemptions shall be at a purchase price equal to [x] times the Original Purchase Price plus declared and unpaid dividends."

Tip: Most investors do not enforce redemption, however, it is used in some term sheets. Discuss this with your investor and understand the ramifications.

It is important to work with an attorney who will educate you on these terms and make certain that you understand what you are signing.

Not understanding these basic terms could leave a first time entrepreneur in for a shock when it comes time to wind down their company.

Capital

Most entrepreneurs dread building and maintaining financial models. Unfortunately, the number one reason companies fail is that they run out of capital. Know your numbers.

All first time entrepreneurs should have a general understanding of their revenue model (how money is coming into the company) and their financial model (how money flows through the company).

When entrepreneurs take the time to create a financial model and track their cash flow, they are in a better position to detect a crisis and reposition for a downturn. This will assist them if they need to pivot or exit the company.

Entrepreneurs can protect themselves in a future crisis by establishing limits. For instance, entrepreneurs can set a baseline of capital (3 months worth of salary, operating expenses, and legal expense) as the point in time that they need to seriously consider winding down and looking for a buyer.

Tip: Budget for a worst case scenario. Most entrepreneurs build out a financial plan based on one scenario only. This creates a blind spot for operations.

Exit

Another mistake entrepreneurs make is failing to attach an exit strategy to the worst case scenario. They typically have an exit strategy based on their best case. For example, if we reach $100 million in annual sales, we could potentially sell to these top five companies.

Entrepreneurs who fail to create a worst case exit strategy miss out on opportunities for asset sales, liquidations, and other sales strategies that are employed when a company is failing.

Tip: Prepare for the worst and you will come out on top of any exit.

This blog post originally appeared on http://blogs.wsj.com/accelerators

Amanda Schneider: Meaning Is the Antidote to Corporate Zombies

2013-05-23T21:05:07Z

We've all seen the glassy-eyed, open-mouthed and wildly carnivorous creatures roaming around. No, I'm not referring to extras on The Walking Dead; I'm talking about your co-workers. Despite productivity levels reaching an all-time high, morale is flagging and more and more people are just going through the motions. There are fewer people doing more work which leads to fewer breaks, longer hours and less sleep. Factor in the "always on" business culture due to technology tools and you have the recipe for "presenteeism" where hordes of employee zombies wander through the hallways of offices around the country. Reanimating these dormant personalities may not be easy but it can be done. One of the most effective strategies: give them a purpose.

Money has been proven to be a short-lived benefit, and according to a great economics study from Daniel Pink's book Drive can even have an inverse effect on employee motivation for knowledge workers. Additionally, younger generations are shifting the balance from monetary focus to other rewards like work-life balance, recognition and autonomy. To be clear, money is important and employers should compensate their workers fairly enough to take the issue off the table entirely. However, the "carrot and stick" business mentality is nearing the end of its usefulness. Instead, we need to find ways to help our employees find meaning in and passion for their work again.

Instilling engaging processes is easier said than done but here are some guidelines to help in this endeavor:

Employees are only as Engaged as their Managers

Dynamic, eloquent founders and managers are an absolute must in the office. Management must be clear on the company's mission and vision. People will not work hard and smart for businesses that are only focused on lining their pockets. In order to attract the right type of people and have them execute well, management must clearly define the pathos and goals of its business to inspire employees. There has to be a larger message that helps guide the company's decisions. In McKinsey & Company's "Increasing the 'Meaning Quotient' of Work," authors Susie Cranston and Scott Keller recommend businesses create their mission around one of four areas:

Society - "We will make the world a better place to live"
Customer - "We are going to change the way the world buys cars"
The Working Team - "We are going to be the best place to work for marketers"
Themselves - "We are going to invest significant resources to aid your professional development and growth"

Trust Your Employees

Rather than oppress knowledge workers with the always on workplace, use it to your advantage by enabling autonomy. The 9-5 work day is standard throughout corporate America but can be counterproductive. Production-oriented goals are much more effective than simply throwing man hours at a project. Forward-thinking companies are recognizing this and shifting from "owning" an employee's time to "owning" the result. Allowing people to work where and when they want is not only possible, but more productive.

The mental component of this tactic cannot be understated as it gives employees a huge boost as they feel enabled and empowered to do their jobs how, when and where they do them best. Of course, managers will need to know their employees and censure those that cannot handle this kind of responsibility but it stands to reason you would likely not want to employ people that could not handle that responsibility.

Foster Sparks, Not Wet Blankets

This goes beyond a friendly staff and warm-toned paint on the walls to more of the emotional state of the business. Are people mocked when they ask questions or propose big ideas? Does your organization adhere to a strict hierarchy where managers parse out action items and do not take feedback from their staff? Businesses with these types of toxic environments create 'worker bees', i.e. people that can perform mundane tasks when they are asked and deliver exactly what they were asked to do, but do not provide any extra value to the company. These clock punchers feel disenfranchised and must be given the opportunity to communicate as equals to their managers and peers so they are continually developing their skills towards advancements within the company.

When it comes down to it, avoiding presenteeism and encouraging engagement comes down to culture. Cultures are not easy to create but can be very easy for a few bad apples to destroy. Ensure your employees are aligned around a common goal that gives them meaning and sense of purpose. Ensure that managers are engaged and have the skills to engage their employees and recognize the signs when an individual begins to slip into "zombie mode." Voluntary one-on-one mentoring programs are also helpful in establishing a baseline of trust and respect for employees. Junior staff can learn the ropes and have a resource at the company to voice their concerns and struggles outside of their reporting structure, while more experienced workers can gain another sense of purpose by sharing their experiences and advising newer employees on how to affect positive change. Fully engaging every employee is certainly not easy however, when it comes to bottom line results I can think of nothing more important or profitable for the company.

Leilani Münter: Why We Need to Fight for Tesla

2013-05-23T20:47:08Z

I spent last weekend driving a Tesla Model S from Washington DC to Atlantic City and back. Never before in my life have I driven a car that has started so many conversations. People were gathering around the car as it was parked at the supercharging station in Delaware. "Is this a Tesla? I heard about this car on the news. Can I get a look inside?" Photos were snapped. A woman chimed in, "I saw one of these last week in Virginia and I followed it just so I could check it out." Heads were turning and tongues were wagging.

On Wednesday, Tesla made headlines when the company wired nearly half a billion dollars ($451.8M) to the Department of Energy, repaying their full loan with interest nine years early, and becoming the only American car company to have fully repaid the government.

As a race car driver, my opinion on the performance of the vehicle is this: The Tesla Model S is a masterpiece. With incredible power from the moment you touch the accelerator (no need to build up rpm) to a world-class suspension coupled with the lowest center of gravity of any sedan, this car from top to bottom is the best street vehicle I have ever driven. And when something is this good, it is sure to make some waves. And Tesla is doing just that.

Just recently in my home state of North Carolina, a legislative proposal was unanimously approved by the State Senate's Commerce Committee that could make it illegal for Tesla to sell to NC state residents, or at the very least sell in any way other than via the established dealer network. The irony of lawmakers trying to ban the sale of an American-built, Motor Trend Car of the Year that sources from over 30 manufacturers in NC makes me shake my head and wonder.

You know the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, as the laws of logic and physics tell us, if something is true, then the opposite must also be true, or in this case, "If it is broke, then fix it."

In a world of environmental calamity and decay, greed, a corrupt political system, lobbyists, and special interest groups, things are definitely broke and need to be fixed.

And that is why we need to fight for Tesla.

It is not just that Tesla has developed a super-sexy car that has garnered a slew of awards, including Consumer Reports' proclamation that it may be, in fact, the best car of all time. No, it is about so much more than that.

The environmental argument for Tesla making it is long past debate. The need to get off fossil fuels is (almost) universally accepted as a must. The U.S. currently spends $1 billion per day on foreign oil, and some of this money is going to countries that don't like us very much. Our dependence on oil is a national security threat, and every time we fill up with a gallon of gasoline, a portion of that money is going toward putting bullets in guns shot at our soldiers. As long as we are dependent on oil for our transportation, we will be giving our money to the countries with the most oil. While the Model S is definitely not going to be Tesla's car for the masses, for every Model S sold, a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi with a combined fuel efficiency of 14-21 MPG is not on the road. With cars below the $25,000 price range now routinely getting 35MPG or better, this is a good place to focus. Tesla has openly discussed plans for a mass-market car priced at approximately $30,000 in the next three to four years.

Tesla must succeed because it is fighting the establishment. Free market economics is touted by conservatives, and yet almost routinely now we are seeing legislation being introduced designed solely to block the competition that Tesla is bringing to the old guard.

The bill that has now been passed to the House not only attempts to block the sale of a Tesla directly to a consumer, it is also seemingly encroaching on the fundamental right of every American to choose what they want to drive. It is also unconstitutional to regulate interstate commerce.

Supporters of the bill argue that Tesla selling directly from the manufacturer to the customer is "unfair competition." It is the same sales model used by Apple Computers and Ikea's furniture, so why should cars be any different? If we believe in letting the free market decide, then the market has spoken and it likes Tesla. Last quarter Tesla outsold Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. If Tesla has produced a better product and found a better sales model that consumers prefer, then the free market is stating very clearly: the competition needs to improve.

Lawmakers supporting the bill have also stated that the bill "protects consumers." How is forcing North Carolinians to cross state lines to test drive and purchase a car protecting us? The truth is, of course, that the bill is not protecting us, it is protecting the dealers. When I asked this question of a Senator's office who is a co-sponsor of the bill, the Senator's aide finally admitted to me that the Senator is helping to protect dealers over consumers. He told me this is likely "because there are far more GM and Ford dealerships in his district than Tesla owners."

How can public officials, elected to serve the best interests of the American people, so blatantly go against the oath they swore when taking up the position in public office? The answer is simple and something that we are seeing more of every day: Public servants are no longer a voice for their constituents, but rather puppets for special interest groups and corporations, funders of the next election cycle.

With the stronghold that these groups now hold over our officials, it becomes clear that the only way to get the voice back to the people is to diminish the power that these groups wield. And this is where companies like Tesla come in. By challenging the status quo and not just doing something because it is the way it has always been done, by being inventive and innovative and thinking outside the box, and by listening to the consumer and delivering what they actually want in a way that is convenient for them, companies such as Tesla and Apple are able to bypass the old vanguard and provide the real essence of a free market.

And herein lies why the current institution is so afraid. What these companies are bringing is competition, and yes, it is unfair. It is unfair because for so long these folks in the automotive business, at car dealerships and the oil and gas industry, have been able to make up their own set of rules; rules that, when you look closely, are designed to make them richer at the expense of the consumer. And now along come companies like Tesla and they are re-writing the rulebook and guess what? Consumers are taking notice and like this new playing field.

This is an American-built car that has surpassed all the competition. After all the naysayers touted that "there is no market for electric cars," those same people are calling it "unfair." The competition is very nervous, and they should be. The result is this bill, which, if anything is right in our state, should die in the House.

Tesla has arrived, and North Carolinians should have the choice to buy one if they desire. I plan to place my own order with Tesla soon -- before it's made illegal and I am forced to haggle with some car dealer over whether or not floor mats are included with the price of my car.

Major Bourbon Distillery Warns Of Looming Shortage

2013-05-23T20:31:11Z

Whiskey is having a moment.

The category of spirits -- which includes whisky, rye, bourbon and related alcohols -- has for the last few years enjoyed a boom in popularity, partly thanks to a renewed fervor for American, local and small-batch products. In particular, the straight American whiskey category experienced a 5.2 percent increase in total production volume in 2012, and is expected to enjoy similar gains this year, according to research firm Technomic's 2013 SpiritsTAB report. (Whisky refers to whiskies distilled in Scotland and Canada, according to The New York Times.)

To put that expansion in perspective, consider that straight American whiskey, a relatively small sub-category of spirits with 8.2 percent of the total spirits market, is experiencing a growth rate similar to vodka, Technomic reports. At about a third of the market share, vodka is the largest U.S. spirit category, and its production volume rose by 5.8 percent in 2012.

But the high demand may be too much for some U.S. distilleries to handle, particularly smaller operations. On Wednesday, Sazerac Company's Buffalo Trace Distillery announced that it anticipates a bourbon shortage in the coming months.

"Bourbon whiskey consumption has been on a roll, and Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries are struggling to keep up with demand," reads a company press release, warning that products like Buffalo Trace and Eagle Rare may be missing from shelves for a short period.

Kris Comstock, a bourbon marketing director for the distillery, stressed that the announcement was not a "scare tactic ... We always want to be upfront with our fans." Another brand owned by Sazerac, Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve, has also become a scarce commodity of late.

In an interview with The Huffington Post, Technomic's Donna Hood Crecca said that whiskey's aging process, which can take decades, could be to blame. "Because whiskey is an aged product, the issue of a spike in demand can make it difficult for a small supplier to keep up," she said.

Despite Buffalo Trace's popularity and recent growth -- with production volume up 30 percent in 2012 and 40 percent in 2011 -- Buffalo Trace Distillery is a small outfit. It pumped out just 64,000 cases of whiskey last year compared to Jack Daniel's 4.8 million, Crecca said.

Still, Crecca said its growth is part of a broader trend connected to the food industry's emphasis on local and artisanal products. "They have that great American heritage to them," Crecca said of Buffalo Trace and other American whiskeys, which is especially appealing to millennial consumers.

Other distilleries, too, have experienced shortages. Earlier this year, Beam Inc. admitted plans to reduce the alcohol content of its famous bourbon Maker’s Mark in an effort to stretch supplies and accomodate demand. Beam later reversed its decision following a wave of dissent from unhappy customers, but not before a run on Maker's Mark sparked a spike in sales.

In 2009, Beam Inc.'s small batch straight bourbon whiskey Knob Creek also suffered a shortage.

As for Buffalo Trace Distillery's shortage, press representative Amy Preske told HuffPost that the company is making efforts to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. There are plans to make more bourbon, add additional bottling lines and hire more employees. Buffalo Trace also plans to hire someone whose job will be to keep careful watch over the distillery's bourbon inventory.

"Of course, since most of our bourbons are aged eight, 10, 12, or all the way up to 23 years, it will be a while before these changes are seen, hence the potential periodic shortages," Preske said.

Video Shows Taxi Drivers Discriminating Against Black Customers

2013-05-23T20:04:40Z

Finding a cab in D.C. can often be a difficult task. Due to discrimination by taxi drivers, some have a much more difficult time than others.

A WUSA9 undercover investigation -- see a video about the investigation above -- found D.C. taxis 25 percent less likely to pick up a black passenger than a white passenger:

We tested nearly 100 taxis over three weeks on Saturday nights from 6:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. We tracked WUSA9 decoys acting as passengers , and volunteers including people we met on the streets to see who DC cabs would choose DC cabs would refuse.

Out of 53 cabs tested with a white decoy near a black passenger, 13 taxis drove past the black passenger and picked up the white passenger.
Of cabs tested without a decoy, our investigation showed black passengers waiting up to three times longer than their white counterparts.

WUSA9 found the longest wait time for a black passenger during the investigation was around two and a half times longer than the longest wait time for a white passenger -- a 14 minute, 45 second wait for the black passenger, a 5 minute, 44 second wait for the white passenger.

Another WUSA9 investigation in December found that 15 percent of black customers were denied service.

A separate WUSA9 investigation in May discovered people with disabilities were also severely discriminated against by cab drivers. Nearly 50 percent of taxi drivers drove past a person with disabilities in favor of someone without disabilities. And if the driver did pick them up, some "took them to the wrong location without warning, or charged an illegal extra fee."

The station has a website set up where people can log their own incidents of discrimination -- here's the link.

Lawmaker: 'Medical Marijuana Saved My Life'

2013-05-23T19:56:05Z

L.A. Councilman Bill Rosendahl's cancer is in remission -- and he credits medical marijuana for this. Wednesday, in a blog post on The Huffington Post, he became the first sitting elected official to detail using pot while in office in hopes he'd further the cause.

He sat down Wednesday to talk with HuffPost Live's Jacob Soboroff about his story and the future of medical marijuana.

Obama 'Betrayed Me'

2013-05-23T19:20:54Z

President Barack Obama has faced a lot of criticism about his administration's harsh stance on marijuana, and much of it comes from medical cannabis users who suffer from chronic illnesses or serious diseases.

But perhaps Bill Rosendahl's voice will cut through the noise. The Los Angeles City Councilman and cancer survivor is the first elected official in the United States to openly use medical marijuana. In a frank interview with HuffPost Live's Jacob Soboroff Tuesday, Rosendahl ripped the President for his hypocrisy on marijuana use. He called Obama's current position on pot an irresponsible betrayal of cannabis patients and prisoners in jail for marijuana-related convictions.

"First he kind of acknowledged medical marijuana, kind of giggled about it, and helped create all these illegal ones that came up in our city," said Rosendahl. The councilman was referring to Obama's past as a recreational marijuana user and the hope he offered for marijuana reformers -- and LA dispensary operators -- while a candidate for the 2008 presidential race.

But as an administration, Obama is officially against marijuana legalization and has actually launched an aggressive enforcement policy against growers and collectives.

"He came in with all the right energy and then, I feel, betrayed me on every step of the way," said Rosendahl.

In the video clip below, Rosendahl said to Soboroff, "Medical marijuana saved my life."

On Tuesday, LA voters approved Proposition D, which caps the number of marijuana dispensaries at about 135 from a high of nearly 1,000 a few years ago. It also imposes higher taxes, regulates hours of operation, and sets rules on proximity to parks and schools.

Opponents claimed Proposition D creates a medical marijuana monopoly among remaining shops. Supporters of the winning measure said it would balance the needs of ailing patients who say they need the drug with concerns about loitering and crime related to pot shops that popped up across the city.

The new law was passed several weeks after the California Supreme Court gave municipalities the right to ban stores outright.

The Obama administration's enforcement of marijuana as a Schedule I drug continues to be felt in California. In the past month, dispensaries throughout northern California received letters from the Justice Department warning of property seizures and prison sentences should they not shut down. Hundreds of dispensaries have been shut down in California by the feds since 2011.

Michele Serro: I Just Sold My Company. So Why Do I Feel Sad?

2013-05-23T18:56:56Z

Last month I beat the abysmal startup odds to become one of the very few that finds meaningful traction, intrigues one of the big players, and gets acquired.

My gamble paid off. The blood, sweat, and tears that I left on my keyboard for almost two years was worth it. Move, Inc. (operator of realtor.com) acquired my company Doorsteps and I was entirely happy with the idea. Their leadership was fantastic, passionate, and committed. I had -- and continue to have -- no doubt that this was exactly the right move for us, at the right time, and for the right reasons. The acquisition not only meant that we had a vision that others believed in, but also an even better chance of seeing that vision come into full bloom.

So why am I so bummed?

After the money transfer happened and I was walking home, having typed a jubilant message on my phone back to a friend, I kept waiting for the flush of euphoria I expected. After all, I had just sold my company after less than two years of work. I had vindication that I could build something worth buying. And I had a sense of professional stability about how I would be spending the next few years, after many months of chronic uncertainty. I should have been clicking my heels Mary Poppins-style down Broadway.

I realized I was being ridiculous. Or even worse, unforgivably ungrateful.

But the truth is, for the past two years Doorsteps had been my obsession. I started it because I wanted to, but pretty soon I realized it was because I needed to. I would have done it for free, which is convenient since most of the time I essentially was doing it for free, earning probably close to minimum wage just given the sheer number of hours I was clocking.

That doesn't mean it was a slog. But it had become my sole focus and in many ways, my identity. The highs and lows came fast and furious, but on some level I think I got used to the wild emotional swings. I got used to living in a constant state of anticipation, of not knowing how it was all going to turn out.

Being acquired had suddenly changed all that. I had answers. I had stability. I had resources. But I also had to close one chapter and open a new one. My chapter. Get used to a different set of pressures, and open myself to different set of opportunities.

It's a well-worn cliché that launching a business is like having a baby. Getting acquired is sort of like sending that baby off to first grade. Now another bunch of grown-ups get to have a say in how your child develops and grows -- who she or he becomes. That's difficult but also exciting. Not cry-on-your-keyboard-at-3 a.m. exciting, but exciting nonetheless.

For me, it's not the pain of having to relinquish at least some of the control along with the ownership. It's about moving into a different phase of the company. No mother of a first grader sincerely wishes her kid were back in diapers, though it doesn't stop her from struggling just a little bit with the idea that that phase is long gone and never to return.

So while I can't say I've started clicking my heels just yet, I am still tapping my feet. Because one thing that hasn't changed since the acquisition is my deep sense of impatience. I still have a big vision for Doorsteps, and we ain't there yet. I now have the runway, I have the support, and I have the resources. What I don't have left are any excuses. And that fact in itself is worth celebrating.

Lloyd Chapman: Should the Federal Government Be Giving Small Business Contracts to Fortune 500 Firms?

2013-05-23T17:32:24Z

Ever since the economy took a nosedive in 2008, I have watched with total amazement as presidents, Congress, economists and the mainstream media have totally and completely ignored the single most important factor in the U.S. economy.

Small businesses create virtually 100 percent of the net new jobs in America.

Let's take a quick look at the facts. According to the U.S. Census Bureau data, small businesses are responsible for over 90 percent of the net new jobs in America. The Kauffman Foundation released a study that found small businesses had created 100 percent of the net new jobs in America since 1980.

Over 99 percent of all U.S. firms have less than 500 employees. 98 percent have less than 100 employees and 89 percent have less than 20 employees. There are over 28 million small businesses in America. They are responsible for over 50 percent of the private sector work force and over 50 percent of the GDP. Over 90 percent of all U.S. exporters are small businesses and the overwhelming majority of technical innovations in America come from small businesses.

If the U.S. Census Bureau data and if the Kauffman Foundation data are correct, large businesses in America have created somewhere between zero percent and 10 percent of the net new jobs in America.

If you want to know why unemployment is still way too high and why the middle class economy is still struggling, I think I know the answer. When you look at TARP and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, about 95 percent of our tax dollars that went to business, went to big business. Think about that for a moment. When the U.S. Census Bureau data shows small business have created over 90 percent of the net new jobs in America, our government gave 95 percent of the funds designed to create jobs to the big businesses that have created between zero percent and 10 percent of the net new jobs. Raise your hand if that sounds insane to you.

Glad to see then. I was starting to think I was an economic god from the future and could see things no one else could comprehend about job creation on this planet.

If that sounds crazy, I have bad news -- it gets worse. Back in 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower and Congress realized small businesses were the engine of economic growth in America. They passed the Small Business Act. Today, based on the original provisions of the Small Business Act current federal law requires that a minimum of 23 percent of the total value of all federal contracts and subcontracts shall be awarded to small businesses.

Here is the bad news part. Over a dozen federal investigations have found most of the contracts the federal government claims are awarded to small businesses actually wind up in the hands of large companies, including Fortune 500 firms and many of the largest foreign owned corporate giants in the world. In 2003, the General Accounting Office found over 5,000 large businesses were getting federal small business contracts. In 2005, the Office Inspector General for the Small Business Administration referred to the diversion of federal small business contracts to worldwide corporate giants as, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire federal government today."

If Dwight D. Eisenhower knew that the wonderful economic stimulus plan he signed into law had been perverted into the total and complete opposite of everything he and the Congress of 1953 intended it to be, he would turn over in his grave. If he knew our government was counting federal contracts to Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Rolls Royce, British Aerospace and Russian government owned RosoboronExports, as small business contracts, I think he would rise from the dead and bitch slap every member of Congress.

When Eisenhower left office he gave his famous speech warning of the growing power of the "military industrial complex." It looks like he knew what he was talking about because that is exactly who seems to be hijacking the lion's share of government small business dollars. Did I mention that not only are these monstrous corporate giants shipping American jobs out of the country at a record rate and creating ZERO net new jobs in America, many of them are paying little to no federal income tax?

Welcome to democracy 2013 style and the best government money can buy, as they say.

I have a simple and possibly brilliant idea. I may even get the Nobel Prize in economics for this one. As crazy as it sounds, why don't we try not giving federal small business contracts to the biggest companies in the world?

I have heard some wacky conspiracy nut guy in California has actually written a bill to accomplish just that and he has even had it introduced to Congress. I think it's H.R. 1622. Call me crazy but I think it's worth a shot.

Check out my video on this blog post Here

Bill McBean: If I Could Start Over: 6 Facts I Wish I Knew When Starting My First Business

2013-05-23T15:59:20Z

If I could start over, I would separate issues like opportunity, business growth, improvement, and threats, etc., into two categories: external and internal. By separating them, they become much more manageable and easier to focus on, and I think knowing that back when I was starting out would have been a great advantage.

Internal: In order to grow a business and create long-term success, the owner has to realize that business growth and success depend on the fundamentals of business. So if I could start over I would have learned more about these fundamentals and how they would have helped grow my business faster and with more control.

I've learned over the years that these business fundamentals should be developed in sequential order. Here is a little information on each of them:

Leadership. All success starts with the owner defining what success looks like by determining their success destination, and how the business will operate when it arrives at the destination. Every other fundamental that follows is derived from an owner's leadership.

Management and Control. Moving the business from where it is today to where you want it to be tomorrow depends on achieving the goals and objectives which lead a business toward the destination. To support the goals and objectives, processes have to be created so you and your employees know where the business is as it moves towards achieving the objectives and goals. In other words, processes help employees attain success and pinpoint where the problems are that need to be solved.

Protection of Assets. This includes all Balance Sheet items, like inventory and accounts receivables, and keeping them current. Writing off assets like account receivables and inventory can kill a business, or at the very least damage it. Protecting assets also includes non-balance sheet items, like customers and their continued loyalty to your business and employee turnover, training, and compensation.

Planning. Planning defines how the business will meet its goals and when. The plan describes the 'blocking and tackling' needed to be done daily and the resources -- both people and financial -- to get the job done. Planning in most businesses doesn't work because the business lacks the leadership, the controls and processes, or the proper protection of assets in order to make the plan a reality.

External

Marketing. In order to market effectively owners need the strategies and tactics of the plan in order to attract the right customers for the goods and services they sell... beginning by defining what customer group is the easiest and most profitable to attract first, second and third.

The market battle -- or war zone. This begins with the owner understanding the cost of attracting a customer and not selling them, or retaining them. The market is simple to understand; its success versus failure, and needs all the fundamentals working together beginning with the most important one -- leadership.

And, lastly, it requires the owner to continually educate themselves on general business platforms like the financial statements, motivation, marketing strategies and customer identification, just to name a few. In order for a business to grow and improve the owner has to take the leadership role of improving their overall business knowledge.

Summary: In other words creating success is not just one thing but several business basics or fundamentals working together in unison formulated around and beginning with leadership... and that's definitely something I wish I had had a better understanding of when I was first starting out.

The Burger Caddy To Revolutionize Fast Food Packaging

2013-05-23T15:10:35Z

One look at a creation by Seulbi Kim, a student of industrial design at Rhode Island School of Design, and we're smacking our heads thinking, "Why didn't we think of that?"

Kim's Togo Burger is a folding cardboard caddy that allows an entire fast food meal to be held with one hand. In a series of drawings detailing the innovation, Kim explains her thinking behind it.

"I thought about packages which can minimize materials used, maximize efficiency, and provide convenience for customers as well as staffs at restaurants," she wrote. The Togo Burger is a student project, so don't expect to see it in stores anytime soon -- unless fast food chains take note. We think they should.

Check out the below GIF of the project from Funri.

COCKATOO MUCH: Bird-Flavored Ice Cream Is Real

2013-05-23T14:52:11Z

Mint chocolate chirp?

Not quite.

Torimi Cafe in Japan, known for serving up tea and homemade ice cream while allowing customers to sit among birds, hatched up a new gimmick: pet bird-flavored ice cream.

The cafe debuted its Java Sparrow, Parakeet, and Cockatiel flavors at a department store's small bird expo last week, according to Rocket News 24.

Don't worry -- the desserts just imitate a bird's flavor. No fowl play.

But what can tasters expect?

We're not sure. The business' flavor descriptions leave us even more befuddled than we were when we first heard of bird-flavored ice cream.

Cockatiel, for example, contains honey-apple, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds, and tastes as if "you're sleeping with your mouth open and your cockatiel runs over your face and gets its leg in your mouth."

Thanks for that imagery, Torimi Cafe.

While most companies are steering clear of bird-flavored anything, weird ice cream variations pop up all the time. In Brazil, one beer brand introduced beer-flavored ice cream, asking customers, "Shall we go to the bar to have an ice cream?"

We've also seen the likes of cheddar cheese ice cream, prosciutto ice cream, and even pizza ice cream.