It's My Anniversary!

You can't TELL ME what God won't and can't do.

Oh, by the way, if you're atheist or don't believe in God, um...you probably don't want to read this post.

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Here goes!

One year ago...to the day...my life was changed and I didn't even know it. God has a way of bringing His will to pass whether you see it coming or not. Best thing you could ever do is just go with the flow - because what The Master wants WILL come to be.

Here's a link to my old blog post...a year ago - before I ever knew what was about to happens: http://everydaycookin.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-do-you-do-in-your-spare-time.html

A year ago I had a "spare time." *in my preacher voice* How many of you know it wasn't spare time? God has a way of orchestrating time perfectly. I came home from work and decided to make red velvet cupcakes...out of the blue. You do know things happen for a reason, right?

Why cupcakes? Who knows! God did. I wanted to try something new. It was new to me, but God had it in His plan all the while.

I had a few friends come over and taste them and at that point...that's how it started. Now, don't think that in one year we go from baking our first cupcake to opening The Cupcake Gallery and there were no bumps in the road. MY GOD were there bumps in the road.

Let's look at the bumps shall we:

- I put these cupcakes on Facebook and Twitter...and I started getting orders. A few here and there...

- I sold my FIRST dozen to a co-worker for 12 bucks. I packaged them nicely with cellophane and ribbon and come cute box. I didn't even charge her enough. I damn near paid her for the cupcakes I made. Thanks Maria! I miss you!!!

- Orders started coming in...before I even had a logo or website or a plan for that matter. But because I had been dibbling and dabbling in business ventures before, a few solid hours and this was solved. See, all that prep work God put me through allowed for me to handle this situation with NO PROBLEM.

- The peoples wanted more. I remember getting phone calls and e-mails and people would ask me for the other flavors I made. Can you believe that for three months ALL I COULD MAKE was red velvet? I know...horrible. I sat down figured out a plan in like 2 hours...then started working on more flavors and a website.

- Before you know it...I had a business. It was illegal - lol - but nevertheless, I had a side hustle.

- Somewhere around April/May - I was done. It was too much for me. Seriously! I told my barber that I was officially done. The orders were too much. The people were too much. The demand was too much. I was done. He talked to me...honestly. LOL - next week, I was back making cupcakes!

- June 15, 2009 would come. It was a Monday. I remember it well. I got to work and found out I had been laid off. Somehow I didn't necessarily feel distraught. I think it was knowing I had a few more pay checks, some severance, unused vacation pay, and 401K coming along. So, I was straight. No worries here - right?

- Depression set in. Not big time - but enough. All I wanted to do was lay around the house. That was it. I didn't want to shower...I didn't feel like doing anything. I'm a fighter though - by nature - so that didn't last too long.

- I got a plan together and got excited. I figured if cupcakes were the thing - then, let's open up a joint. I stopped baking completely for about 6 weeks cuz I had a plan to work.

- I had to raise money to open a real cupcake joint. That was an experience in an of itself. I had about 40 people who expressed interest one way or another. In the end I had raised 9,500.00 with another 3,000 out of my pocked. That initial meeting was August 1, 2009.

- Let's just say trying to find the right location took FOREVER. But I found it...and it needed work...it still needs work...it's not where it should be...but it's better than it was! Freezer was there. Refrigerator was there. Convection oven was there. Counter space was there. It was up to Chicago Health Code! I'm glad I wasn't too busy looking at what wasn't in order to realize what was!

- November 7, 2009 - 10 Months after making my first cupcake ever...I opened the doors to The Cupcake Gallery! It was amazing.

To see what's happened in just one short year is nothing short of amazing. Only a merciful God could make this possible. I'm totally grateful and am in a praise mode for looking back over the last year of my life.

I think there's something to be said about preparation. It's key in anything that you do. Lots of people have their idea of how they will achieve success in life - I don't see movement though. I don't see progress. I see no preparation. How can one achieve, less he prepare? That's what I did and when opportunity knocked, I answered...ready to receive.

If there's anything in your mind that says you can't, you have THE power to speak over it and tell it, you can. Anything your mind sees, you can achieve. As a matter of fact, go after what's in your mind versus what you eyes can see. This way of thinking brings new dimension to your actions. You move ahead with clear vision and that's what eventually becomes your reality.

I'm looking at the last year of my life...God's hand is upon it like never before. As I journey on this next year and embark upon new challenges, I pray His hand continues to guide! Listen, now that I know and have experienced what's possible with preparation and God's providence, look out - you ain't seen nothing yet. This next 365 days will be exciting and challenging...but all worth it in the end!

Keep Dreaming,

-Darius

Sweet Lord...It's Been Busy

So busy...yup - that's the life of a pre-millionaire...right?

I do wish I could just win the lottery. That would make this all go so quickly, wouldn't it?

Let's see - here's a recap of the last three weeks:

• Finished a 2nd draft of the business plan
• Finished the 1st draft of the marketing plan
• Databased (that's a word - lol) all of the TV media outlets in the state of Illinois
• Formed at met with an advisory board - good stuff.
• Met with current investors
• Started communications process and unveiled the new plan w/the public (my e-mail subscription list, my 2 Facebook lists, and my 3 Twitter accounts)
• Sent out press released to major media outlets
• Completed drafts of the packaging
• Got samples of shipping boxes and frosting containers
• Relaunched www.everydaycookin.com
• Fired my complete staff @ the bakery - so I'm working 14 hours a day now

And it's only the 18th of the month. LOL. We must keep trucking through though, right?

And the saga continues. Wanna know what's the special announcement - check out my food blog - http://everydaycookin.com/?page_id=244

-Darius

Whew...Busy, Busy, Busy

Quick update - we're still working on at least that one million!

I had some good conversations. Why is that important? Simple. Remember this: if someone can talk you out of it, it's not meant to be! Think about that for a second. If need be, reread it!

I shared my vision with a few important people that usually help enhance my vision and tell me straight up if something will work...or if it won't. Guess what? We're rolling like a royce (get it - lol?) because both conversations ended with excitement about the future.

So, I can't say a WHOLE LOT - but I promise to blog about it in FULL DETAIL on 1/12/2009. If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or where ever, you'll want to tune into http://www.everydaycookin.com AT 12 Noon CST.

Okay - gotta called the FDA Attorney back (that was a hint!!!).

-Darius

28th Birthday Post

Can you believe it? I'm actually 28 years old.

The time certainly flies.

I could spend time recapping the entire year...but after TurboKick and 2 miles on the treadmill, I'm tired! LOL

I will just say this one thing...I'm blessed. I really am. My life has changed tremendously. It's interesting because for so long I was living my life for me. It was about me...my goals...my dreams...my ambitions. Don't get me wrong. It's still about that. But, what's interesting is that when God gives you the gift of influence, it becomes about so much more than just you.

Now I live my with the cognizant realization that people are actually influenced by what I do. I love it. It forces my character to ALWAYS match my integrity. That's why I don't hide anything. No need to. The truth is just that, the truth. In order for influence to work effectively, people must be able to read you - meaning you've got to be transparent. I've grown to understand that and now I live that truth.

My quest officially begins. My quest to a better life. My quest to healthier living. My quest to better relationships. My quest to true love. My quest to knowing God better. My quest to at least 1 Million BEFORE I turn 30 years old. It's on now!

What will I be doing on my birthday? Well, there will be no fancy celebrations. I feel like celebrating another year without achieving goals is a waste of time. So, next year - my golden birthday - we'll celebrate in a mighty way. I'll be working on my actual birthday. That's right - to me it's just another day.

Speaking of working - let's do a bit of an update for the folks interested in how I'm planning on getting these millions.

I've decided to start a new company. I can't divulge too much but it's going to be a food manufacturing and distribution company based here in Chicago. In other words, we'll make food and sell it to specialty stores, grocery stores, etc. I've got a few marketing tricks up my sleeve.

I ran some initial numbers and things look good on the revenue side. From a VERY conservative standpoint it looks like we can revenue about $1.2 million in the first year alone. Sounds good, right?

Well, this new company is only going to service the state of Illinois - at first. So, take that $1.2 million and multiply it times Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee and well, things look even better, right?

I put together an advisory board of young Black professionals. We're meeting tomorrow - my actual birthday. I'm hoping to share the intimate details with them and then allow their expertise to basically comb through my plans sifting out what doesn't work and then adding to what does. Instead of partying, I'll be working...and honestly, I'd have it noooo other way.

What's next for this million? Well, I will meet with my current investors on 1/11 to update them on what The Cupcake Gallery has done so far and my plans for expansion and such. Then on 1/12, we go public with the details of this new company as we look for alllll potential investors. The details will be available on my blog, cooking blog (everydaycookin.com) and The Cupcake Gallery's website - including downloadable information. I'm interested in investors from all over the country - you don't have to be in Chicago to invest. Our investors information meeting will be set some time in February...and get this, for the folks who aren't in Chicago...no worries, we'll broadcast the meeting live over the internet...good stuff, right?

I love this concept too because I have a current investor who just saw what was going on through Facebook and she actually invested...she lives in Washington DC and invested without me even knowing her. I thought that was great. So, I plan on building on that.

So, the plans are done too -the business plan is done. The financial plan is done. The marketing plan is done. All that's left is to review it w/the advisory board and then make some changes and let's put this stuff into action.

A million is soooo easily attainable at this point. I can see it. With a bit of hardwork and a touch of motivation and all of God's grace, we'll be right where we need to be!

Alright folks, I've got a long day ahead of me tomorrow. Everything in the bakery is 28% off due to my birthday - I'm gonna have a lot to bake! I'm outta here!

Good Night All,

Darius

Best Wings in the Windy City

So, this is fat. I admit it. I know it is. But, don't judge me. Okay?

On the surface this looks like some ordinary idea. Think about it.

I'm going to scour the city of Chicago with a fine tooth comb to find the best chicken wings in the city. I want to answer one question - who's got the best chicken wings?

See, simple right?

It's not though. It's called Personal Brand Marketing.

I'm not sure if this is a technical term or not, but I made it up, it's my blog, so I can use it.

Personal Brand - here's the definition: an arbitrarily adopted, but highly recognizable set of clear ideologies given to a person to distinguish its product.

Sounds good right? So, what does personal brand have to do with anything?

Think about it this way...when it comes to your entrepreneurial projects, if no one knows who you are or what you're about, then why are you doing it? In order to be effective as an entrepreneur, your personal brand must be strong. People should be able to associate actions and align them to your purpose. Thus, we become fat and search out chicken wings.

Part of this is going to be fun. Typically when you are achieving your purpose in life, part of it can be very fun. Let's make no mistake - this will be all work though. The purpose of this project is a few-fold:

• To increase the exposure to my personal brand
• To maximize the alignment of my personal brand to my social media life
• To strengthen my personal brand foundation so that continued growth is easy to achieve and easier to maintain

See, it's work! LOL

So, who wants to join me? It's simple, if you want to join in the fun then just shoot me an e-mail. We'll eat together. My e-mail is darius@everydaycookin.com. You can also follow me on Twitter. That's where most of the fun will go down. My Twitter username is @DariusTWilliams. Because I act a COMPLETE and UTTER fool on Twitter, I'll be sure to remember to identify tweets related to this project using the hash tag #BestChickenInChicago. That should get us far.

Oh yea, we have to get prepared for this. What? You think you can just start projects like these with no preparation? Hecks no!

Since we'll be eating A LOT of fried chicken wings, we must get to the gym. Cardio and weightlifting are a must. We mustn't die doing this project. So, guess what we're doing tomorrow? If you said sweating it out at the gym, then you're correct!

Sometimes I don't think straight. Sometimes I don't blog straight. Let's recap what we're doing:

You ready?

1. We're searching Chicago for the best chicken wings.

2. We will be rating and taking pictures and doing reviews.

3. All are able to join along. The more the merrier.

4. Be sure to have your own money or else you'll be doing the dishes at the restaurant.

5. We'll be Tweeting every step of the way.

6. We'll identify tweets using #BestChickenInChicago

7. We will work out 4 times a week to prepare for this venture.

8. The countdown begins. We start Monday, January 4, 2010

9. If you've got suggestions regarding chicken wing joints then e-mail me - darius@everydaycookin.com

10. We'll announce The Best Chicken Wing in Chicago on Monday, February 1, 2010.

-Darius

PS: This really fat. But remember, our personal brand must expand!

Whew....Time Flies!

So much to say - and not enough time to say it all in.

First of all - times surely does fly. Happy Holidays all.

Where have I been? I've been BUSY! There's always so much to do and so little time do it in. I'm still a very much vibrant 20-something too - so I've gotta have a social life, right? Well, I haven't had much of those lately either.

Today is a good day to blog! I'm doing my first TweetDay. It's where I tweet the hell outta of my day w/pics of every step of the way. A few people asked me to do it so they could see what actually goes on in my day. It's really not that interesting to me - but, oh well, I give the peoples what they want.

You can check out my Tweet page to follow the action. Or, if you're a friend of mine on Facebook you can follow there too! It's where all the cool kids hang out!

What's also cool is that while I'm on this quest to become a millionaire before I turn 30, I realize that many people don't really know me. I mean, you get a sense of who I am through my crazy status updates and tweets that I send. But in all reality, many people don't really KNOW ME per se. So, I decided to do a list of 50 things about Darius...in no particular order.

You ready?

1. I love to eat.

2. Food means more to me than just getting full.

3. Food is a way of life. It's a lifestyle.

4. I'm really picky about the things that I eat.

5. I have a eating style.

6. It's life fashion...but it's all about food.

7. For example, I MUST have ketchup on a ground beef taco.

8. But I don't need it on a steak taco.

9. And I think tacos taste better with processed American cheese.

10. And sour cream too.

11. If I have a touch of ketchup, I wouldn't be mad.

12. I have horrible sinus issues in the morning.

13. I sound like Darth Vader when I first speak in the morning.

14. Mucinex DM has become my BFF - like for real.

15. I can eat chicken wings every day...for every meal.

16. I think it's a cultural thing.

17. I prefer different sauces though.

18. That's where my food style comes in.

19. I love a sweet & spicy combination.

20. I'm referring to food - lol

21. I own my own business.

22. It still hasn't sunk in just yet.

23. I've got so much more to accomplish though.

24. I wish more people would think with an entrepreneurial mindset.

25. I'm not racist at all, but #24 especially goes for Black people and minorities.

26. I wouldn't have believed in it so much if I was still working.

27. Obama says small business ownership is the way to the future...and I believe him.

28. I tend to almost believe everything Obama says.

29. I'm not a very religious person.

30. Spiritual yes. Religion, not so much.

31. In the end, if you preach Protestantism and we have dinner after church, I'm all good.

32. This isn't my first crack at being an entrepreneur.

33. I used to do graphic design. I was never that good or made much money.

34. Then there was the consulting business for ministries. What was I thinking?

35. The flyers were hot though.

36. I did some catering...but catering bores me.

37. I like cooking - but not when other people want me to all the time.

38. Cupcakes. That still baffles the hell outta me.

39. That's how I know God has a sense of humor.

40. God and I are real close. We IM each other all the time. I wish he was on Twitter though.

41. I'm not close with my mother.

42. People think I am because I tend to be so down to earth.

43. LOL @ down to earth. Aren't we all "down to earth." Who's "up to space?"

44. I wish our relationship was closer, but I've resolved it probably never will be.

45. I've forgiven her for all she did to me.

46. I miss my grandmother all the time.

47. She never really saw me mature. I was still a young nut acting a fool when she died.

48. I wonder if she'd be proud.

49. Someone asked me in my Honest Box if I was really happy.

50. For one of the first times in my life, I can honestly say I am.

-Darius

Day 26 - Getting Started

So, this is the day. I'm finally going to actually get started with ordering the essential product that I need for this next idea.

This makes me happy. No really, it does.

There's a lot of work ahead though. Once I get the product - testing begins. I'll give you a clue as to what I'm ordering. Think "Post-It" Notes - lol...that's it. No more information besides that. I will tell you though that the idea is simply a million-dollar idea! It really is!

In other good news - I finally finished November financials. We finished the month at 458% of goal. That's impressive...really good. Let us hope December is the same way.

My defining moment - someone asked me what it was. I've had a few - but one in particular sticks out.

I don't know exactly what's happening here. I really don't. It's a good thing - but I can't pinpoint what God is doing. I don't think I'm supposed to. If you just look at what's happened from the very beginning up until now it just all seems sorta strategic. The paths that I'm crossing and the people I'm meeting - it all just kinda adds up to some sort of ecclesiastical strategy. And, well, that's okay with me. I'll just go along for the ride. One should never interfere with a master plan, know what I mean?

The day was Thursday. It was 4 weeks after I was initially scheduled to open. I had gotten what would be my last health inspection by The Chicago Department of Public Health. It didn't last long - and in was painless. As the inspector signed her name on the permit, I felt relieved and was ready! I made a phone call and after I said hello she said to me, "did we do it?" I knew exactly what the "it" was. I said with tears, "Yes. Yes, we did it!"

That was all it took. For the next three minutes I heard every 'thank you Jesus' and 'God is good' that came as a result of the news. This was good. Along with verbal praise there were tears and sounds of pure joy.

So much happened in those three minutes. It was as if time stopped and stood still. My mind went back through the last 15 years - from the broken family relationships, to sexual frustrations, to previous failures, to the time periods of abuse - all of that "if it doesn't kill you" stuff that happened. Then for just a moment it made sense. Everything that I'm being blessed to do has nothing to do with me at all. It's as if I'm being used so that others can benefit. That's exactly what happened. Others are being inspired and encouraged...and you know, that's fine with me.