What's happening in America today from a Generation X|Y point of view.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
18 year old turns a $4K investment into $400,000 (and still growing) w/ the help of business tycoon Richard Branson
The British magnate and founder of the Virgin Group wrote that any of his followers willing to donate $2,000 to his favorite charity were welcome to attend a cocktail party with him in Miami and included a contact email at the end of the message.
Ferreira wasted no time. She e-mailed Branson, telling him that she wasn’t old enough to consume alcohol, but would still love to meet him. Hours later, she received a response. He wanted to meet her, too, as long as she could fly to Miami and donate $2,000.
The event was in just two days and without disposable income, the sister and brother secured a $4,000 loan from their parents with the promise of pay them back by the end of the summer. They boarded a plane less than 24 hours later.
Meeting a Tycoon
Nearing sundown on June 15, a dressed-up Ferriera and Scott walked into Branson’s party at the Versace mansion on Miami Beach. A bouncer ushered them into a room with 18 other people. When Branson entered, Ferreira jumped at the chance to chat with him.
“I was the first person to introduce myself; I told him that my name is Stacey, I am 18 years old and I have a business,” she remembers.
Ferreira and her brother explained their company, MySocialCloud.com. The site operates as a password storage space in the cloud where users can auto-login to every password-protected site they use. It also enables the sharing and organizing of bookmarks.
Branson was immediately intrigued.
“We ended up chatting the whole night,” she says. “He was genuinely interested in what we were doing and was the nicest person ever.”
The party extended to the following night at South Beach’s Raleigh Hotel. It was then that the siblings exchanged contact information with Branson and promised to keep in touch.
Attracting Investment
Ferreira and Scott returned to Los Angeles high on excitement. They dove into work and reached out to Branson frequently. In August, Branson put them in contact with Jerry Murdock, a Colorado-based founder of Insight Venture Partners. He then promised to match any investment Murdock made, penny for penny.
After several phone conversations, Murdock flew out to Los Angeles to meet the MySocialCloud.com team. As Ferreira says, he “grilled” them about plans for the future and the health of their business. At the end of the visit, Murdock invited Ferreira and her brother out to dinner.
“It was at dinner that he told us that he wanted to invest $400,000 into our business,” Ferreira says. “After the meal, we went back to the car, pinched ourselves and asked, is this real? How did this ever happen? We were stoked.”
Murdock and Branson’s investments came through in August, an amount that helped Ferreira and Scott move to into an office and hire employees.
Since then, Alex Welch, founder of Photobucket, has also invested—at Murdock’s recommendation.
Growing rapidly
Today, Ferreira, 19, and Scott, 21, run a nine-person team out of their Los Angeles offices and regularly keep in touch with Branson. When the company released its beta version in February, they notified him over email. Two days later, he walked through their door.
“We weren’t expecting him to come; we didn’t even have a party,” Ferreira says. “But he was passing through L.A. and stopped by to say hello. It was great.”
The team plans to officially launch by the end of the summer. Regardless of how big they get, though, they plan to stay close with Branson.
Ferreira says, “We used to watch our grammar when we would e-mail him, but now we can send casual one- or two-liners.”
Advice for Teenage Entrepreneurs
Teenage entrepreneurs: have faith. Ferreira recommends asking people for help while you are building your business. She networks through Twitter and then transitions her contacts into Google chat conversations.
And never give up.
“No matter what people say, just go for it,” she says. “So many people told us that we were too young to succeed. If we had listened to them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Source: http://www.openforum.com/articles/why-richard-branson-gave-400000-to-an-18-year-old via @OpenForum
Former model Sharon Stone definitely doesn't look 53
Former model Sharon Stone definitely doesn't look 53. And even if her age starts to catch up with her, she won't care.
The Basic Instinct star said recently in a past interview:
"I'm not afraid of aging. I just think: 'Hey, I might as well just go with it.' Like me or don't like me - and if you don't like me, then pardon me, but fuck off!"
Sharon Stone - Age-Defying Celebrities - Zimbio
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Cool NEW Soccer Uniform at Nike.com - US Hero QT (Donovan) Men's T-Shirt
Style: # 503421-419
Color: College Navy/White
Price: $25.00
$14.97
The US Hero (Donovan) T-Shirt: Show your support for the US forward!
Featuring team graphics and a classic cut, the US Hero QT (Donovan) Men's T-Shirt keeps you comfortable as you honor the international soccer star.
Benefits
- Rib crew neck with interior taping for comfort and durability
- Screen print at front and back for style
- Standard fit that's not too loose, not too tight
Additional Details
- Fabric: 100% cotton
- Machine wash
- Imported
Nike Store. US Hero QT (Donovan) Men's T-Shirt
Friday, August 17, 2012
I'm really dig'n these AWESOME NEW Puma evoSPEED 1 Sala Indoor Trainers | Collections - from the official Puma® Online Store
evoSPEED 1 Sala Indoor Trainers
$70.00
For the futsal player, this indoor shoe has everything you need to play your best game. The lightweight construction lets you navigate the court with optimal speed and flexibility, while the upper delivers greater shot accuracy and kicking power. With your footwork and its eye-catching design, your feet will get lots of attention.
Features:
- Synthetic leather upper for durability
- Anatomical design and external heel counter for optimum fit
- Cushioned midsole for support and comfort
- Non-marking rubber outsole for serious grip on indoor surfaces
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
$1 Smoothies at Jamba Juice this week only till Friday, 9-11AM
$1 Smoothies
at Jamba Juice this week only till Friday, 9-11AM
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Slideshow
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I'm dig'n my NEW "Green Swarm" C-IN2 Pop Color Square Tank
C-IN2 Pop Color Square Tank "Green Swarm"
The C-IN2 Pop Color Square Tank features:
- 100% super soft Pima cotton
- Slim fit looks great on a variety of body types
- Contrast trim around neck and arms
- Non-torque jersey fabric won't warp over time
- Limited edition seasonal colors
The C-IN2 Pop Color Square Tank is styled up in bold colors and contrast trim, so no matter where you wear it, it will rake in the compliments. Luxuriously soft Pima cotton feels incredibly smooth against your skin and keeps you comfortable and cool. The slim fit is sleek and flattering on all body types. The C-IN2 Pop Color Square Tank goes anywhere you go--be the best dressed at the gym, lounge around in luxury or even pair with pants for laid back, jeans and t-shirt style. If you're a fan of the C-IN2 Pop Underwear Collection, we also suggest the C-IN2 Pop Color Lo No Show Profile Brief.
- 1 1/2 inch wide shoulder straps
- 1/2 inch ribbed contrast trim and sides that measure 18 1/2 inches from underarm to hem. (Measurements taken from size M).
- Materials: 100% Pima Cotton
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