Day 16 - The Morning After

It's about 8 AM and for some reason, I'm awake. I don't like that. I'm going to do a few things but then it's back to bed for me.

I keep getting asked the million dollar question..."how does it feel?"

Yesterday was the official grand opening of The Cupcake Gallery. I'm sure I defied some odds here and there. I'm a Black man that has nothing. Seriously. I was laid off due to the recession and was forced to either sink or swim. I didn't come from money or power or prestige - all we ever had was the ability to think...a lot. I opened a cupcake shop in the middle of a recession. The cupcake world is DOMINATED by non-blacks. I'm getting record hits to my website and rave reviews on all the online sites regarding my cupcakes. I was only open for a week before I got my first celebrity order for cupcakes...and they enjoyed them immensely. We met our monthly goal in only 5 days of operations.

Considering all of the above, I should feel great, right?

Don't get me wrong, I feel good - but I don't feel great. I'm not satisfied. This is going to sound funny, but, I'll try to explain.

My goal was never to open a cupcake joint. My goal is much bigger than that. The cupcake bakery is only 10% of the actual goal. The goal is to be at least a millionaire by the time I'm 30. Because my eye is on that prize, I'm much focused on achieving that goal. Am I happy about yesterday's success - absolutely. But because I've not yet met my main goal, I've still got more work to do. So, I'm happy - but not content - I'm looking ahead and basically eating the elephant, one bit at a time.

I suspect there will be more successes along the way. Success is a bi-product of achieving goals - and that will be great. I will be content once I reach the real goal I've set out for myself to achieve.

I'd like to personally thank my entire Facebook family. They've been great in spreading the word and showing support for this little vision of mine. When I've acted a fool and cut up on Facebook, they've commented and acted a fool with me. When I've needed an encouraging word, they've stepped in and given it to me. I'm grateful for that. Also, my Twitter fam - they're the absolute best. There's nothing like my Tweeps. Who ever thought that so much could be done in 140 characters or less? They make it possible and we have a great time while doing it. My personal thanks to everyone who RT's my stuff and a special shout out to @JamalHBryant - the man encourages me more than I think he'll ever know. My Uptown community has been absolutely great in this. I've had repeat customers that have come in three times a week for cupcakes. They wave as they're jogging past. They stop in just to say hello when they're walking their dogs. It's been a fantastic experience thus far. I vowed to make our establishment a well known and reputable business in the Uptown community and with residents like the ones we have - it's easy to make that happen. I'm not from the Uptown community, but they don't care - I have a business there and they welcome me with open arms.

A special thanks to the God-mothers that God has given me. We're not related by blood, but you couldn't tell that we weren't family. I drive them CRAZY - but they're there every step of the way. I know they're praying for me (when I get on their nerves...and when I don't). It means the world to me to know that I've got God-given family members who care, who support, who pray, and who aren't afraid to cuss me out when I need to be cussed out.

Lastly, to my family. I've done some crazy things in my life...the last 15 years have been a ride through some kind of roller coaster. We've had some very interesting family moments - so many, that when we start thinking about them all we can do is laugh. Who would have thought years ago when we were all cooped up at 1349 N. Kostner that today, in 2009 here's where we'd all be? No one. I love you dearly - and thanks for being the foundation and support that I've needed to get where I am.

I was going to write about "my defining moment" but that's going to be another blog post. I've written enough, right?

-Darius

Day 12 - Hitting The Pavement

I've finally had a slow moment here at The Cupcake Gallery so I'm using my time wisely. I know getting this million isn't going to be easy - so, I'm starting now. Preparation is key. Although I'm not planning to launch this next product for a few months, I think it's still important to get busy with research and business plan writing now. So, that's what I'm doing.

Just wanted to drop in and leave one piece of advice!

Proper preparation prevents poor performance. If you're prepared, then you'll perform well.

I'm preparing now.

What preparations are you making right now so that you'll perform well?

-Darius

Day9: It's Been A Week

So, I've officially been a business owner for a little over a week.

How does it feel? Honestly, I don't think it's really set in just yet.

Let me try to explain.

For me, the goal is to have at least a million bucks by the time I turn 30. Opening a business is just one step in getting to that goal. I'm happy that I did that - but I'm looking ahead. There's a lot of work to be done. For me, I'm really focused on the other 99% that has to be done. I think that's why I'm not jumping up and down with joy at this point.

I can see others and their excitement. For me, that's how I know that this journey is no longer about me. My Godmother went into a happy fit when she found out I was finally approved to for my C.hicago B.usiness L.icense. I can understand why. She's never had a whole lot. So, for her to see me accomplish a dream that I shared months ago - it gave her a vicarious hope. It was like a movement where you march for generations to come. When I realized how what I was doing was affecting other people in positive ways - then I knew that this was no longer about me.

I'm humbled by that. I certainly am. I still have more work to do though.

On a happy note...in 5 business days we've met our monthly goal. Now that's good news.

I'm off to continue to plan the Grand Opening celebration that will be happening this coming Sunday, 11/22 at 12 Noon. It should be fun!

-Darius

Simple, Eh?

So, I'm reading - lol. When I have time.

I'm reading "Made To Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Other Die." It's a pretty interesting read. I think what's so good is that is REALLY gets in the thick of ideas. It covers things like what makes ideas work and what makes them fail. I think what's particularly good is that it helps you, proactively, make ideas work in the minds of people.

I caution you, if you're working on an idea - then read this book. If you're not working on an idea - then don't read it -it's super boring otherwise. I'm imagining if I weren't working on anything if I'd be into the book - and I don't think I would be - at all. But hey, that's just me.

Today was good. I met with my publicists to work on plans for our grand opening. That should be fun. We've got some really good ideas. Then right after that it's on to working on our marketing plans - we've already laid the ground work, it's just time for execution. Fun stuff!

The first principle in the book talks about things being simple. All ideas that stick must really be simple. That's not a hard thing to grasp - right? In other words, leave the details for later.

I'm laying my idea and marketing for it against that of the Snuggie...which by the way made $229 Million to date. I've come up with 12 Lessons to Learn from Snuggie - which I'll share one by one...starting tomorrow - lol.

Remember, ideas must be simple...plain and simple!

-Darius

Business Report

So, The Cupcake Gallery...this is so interesting to me.

If you told me a year ago that I'd be my own boss, I wouldn't have believed you.

So, let's just recap what's happened thus far with business.

So, I opened up on 11/7 - Soft opening it was. We completely sold out 5 times during the day. It was amazing. Sales were amazing too. I have a monthly goal range for revenue. I fell 15% short of the of the lower number in the range...in one day of sales. I was at 33% of the larger range # in just one day. That's amazing. It was truly a good day.

I learned a few things though:

- Be sure to be prepared. Thing everything through - over and over. I should not have sold out at all. I should have totally been prepared.

- Delegation is important. I hired Jazz and let her work the front of the house. She did a fantastic job...delegation totally works.

- Marketing is super important. I think the reason the turn-out was so great was because I plugged as much as possible. I used my social media outlets and let word of mouth run its course. I think that's why it was great.

That's enough for now. I'm working on the grand opening now - let's see how this goes!

-Darius

The Hand Is ALWAYS Quicker Than The Eye

It's an easy lesson to learn.

Mondays are my day off. I decided to treat myself to the movies. I did a double movie - This Is It and Law Abiding Citizen. They were 2 very good movies. On the train to the theater this guy on the train approached with probably the oldest trick in the book. He had a small table, three different colored bottle tops, and a small red ball. Yes, I fell for it. The first two times he let me win. Then, I lost. 10 bucks. He wanted me to play again. I was DONE. I had learned my lesson.

You see there are two things you'll need to learn about me.

1. I love challenges (sometimes a little too much).

2. I learn lessons quickly.

Therefore, that 10 bucks will be the last time I lose money with one of those scams.

I started thinking. I think a lot. I think all great leaders should be constantly in thought. The mind should constantly be moving. Just my opinion. Anyway, there's a lesson to learn in this!

Here's the lesson: The hand is always quicker than the eye.

What do I mean by this? It's simple. EVERYONE has a purpose in life. I'd be willing to bet (figuratively, remember, I'm done with physical bets) that you've already been involved in the things that are laying the foundation for what you love to do. Yup, it's true. If you don't know what you love to do, just stop and think about what you've been doing. You've already been doing it in some capacity. Whether or not it's going to make you profit is another blog post. The point is that you already have what you need to move you towards fulfilling your purpose...you just probably haven't realized it just yet.

Your hands have been doing it, but it just hasn't registered yet.

Take some time to continue to think and analyze.

Remember, the hand is always quicker than the eye.

-Darius

Day 1 - Figure Out What You Have

I get asked a lot of questions from time to time. It shocks me that people see me as some type of subject matter expertise. For years I wouldn't have thought that I'd be in that type of a "position" but it's cool now. One of the things I hear a lot is "I don't know what I'm good at."

That interesting to me...very interesting. I'll tell you why!

Lots of times you hear these same people saying that they want to be rich or they're going to have the corner office or they want to own their own business or this and that...you get the picture.

I want to ask them one question. How is that possible when you don't know what you're good at?

Dreaming is cool. But before you can start thinking about trips to San Trope, cars, houses, and all the other jazz that comes with richery (yup, I made that up), you've got to sit down and figure out how all of this money will appear. Trust me, it doesn't come overnight and it doesn't come like magic.

Before I tell you how I did it. Let me say this. EVERYONE is good at at least one thing. Sometimes that one thing is apparent and other times it's like finding a needle in a haystack. Either way, it's going to be your responsibility to figure out what you're good at.

Why? Well, I read on my pastor's blog that you can't be great at something you're not good at!

(reread that last statement and write it on your heart)

Here's what I did to figure out what I was good at.

1. I tried something

2. I failed at something

3. I tried it again until I got better

It's that simple - lol...seriously.

I could never consider myself a baker. I don't have the time nor the patience. Plus, I don't think I fit the baker characteristics. I'm not artsy or creative enough. I'm not some grandmother who bakes killer apple pies from scratch. I just don't fit the profile.

When you look at my baking career, it's A MESS. I remember being able to make really good homemade cheesecakes about 10 years ago. I was good at that - even the first time I did it - I excelled. I let my "baker's imagination" take over and I told myself I was going to experiment. Well, I did. I think I soaked strawberries in apple juice and flavored the cheese cake with strawberries or something like that - I don't even remember...but it was a mess. I had friends over who TO THIS DAY still rag me about that messery (another word I made up) of the cheesecake. But who cares? I tried. I failed. I tried again.

The next time it was cookies. Oh Lord, why cookies?!?!? First of all, I can read. I followed that recipe step by step. The cookies ended up spreading into a thin mess and when they cooled, if you had some mortar and cement you could probably build a small hut - that's how hard they were. Don't tell anybody, but still today - I can't make cookies to save my life - lol.

Where did cupcakes come from?

I have a food blog - Everyday Cookin' - and while cooking wasn't a challenge, baking was. I challenged myself on January 26, 2009. I pulled the thought of baking a cupcake out of my ear somewhere. It was totally random. But, I did it...and I had some friends come and taste the cupcakes. THEY LOVED THEM. I made more and more and eventually got orders from Facebook and Twitter all thanks to my personal brand (more to come on that later). And that's what got started.

It's a shame it took my getting laid off to realize what I had in my hand. I could have been doing this years ago.

How do you know what's in your hand? Just ask yourself ONE simple question.

If you didn't have to worry about money, what would you love to do?

Dream for a moment and answer that question. It will lead you to doing what you love to do - trust me...it works EVERY TIME!

The first step is to figure out what you have! You don't have to be good at it. I guarantee what you think you have still needs refining before it can be used. Moses had the rod, but he needed God's direction before it was powerful. That's what I did. I stopped and took out a blank sheet of paper and wrote down what I was good at. It took me a while because there were things there that I liked to do - but that wasn't the question. The question was to find out what I was good at - not what I liked to do. That was the first step!

-Darius

The Beginning

I've always had a love for blogging...I just couldn't figure out how to make it work for me. Let's see, I started off about 8 years ago with my blog life - it's been an interesting ride. It's taken me from Chicago all the way to New York and back. It's taken me from the climb of the corporate ladder and to the unemployment line. Now, as a young business owner I've got a lofty goal and well, I think it's totally possible. I'm aiming to become a millionaire by the time I'm 30 years old.

How will I do it?

Who knows...but I've got a few ideas.

The first is The Cupcake Gallery. It's a concept cupcake bakery that offers more than 34 flavors of cupcakes. This is my first of many ventures into business.

It's be a long road though, it certainly hasn't been easy. We'll get into what I did to get to where I am and the lessons I've learned. That's going to make for some good blogging. Trust me - it will.

But for now, just know that at 27 (28 in just under 2 months) - I'm setting this goal for myself...and well, we'll see where it gets me.

I'm doing some good reading so I'll be talking about what I'm reading, the habits I'm forming, and all the interesting stuff that comes along with the territory. It should be fun. Hopefully in 2 years it would have paid off...literally.

I'm also making one rule - I have to post daily...like everyday...like even when I don't want to.

Geez. Here goes!

-Darius