Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Greenwich Post, 8/18/11
Former Post editor wants to help you ‘Stick It 2 the Man’ with new Web site
Written by Ken Borsuk, Staff Reporter
Tuesday, 23 August 2011 12:00
As former editor of the Greenwich Post, Peter Moore was famous for bringing readers a little “common sense” where he tried to speak truth to power in the community.
Now he’s hoping to bring the people a little more by offering them information he claims they won’t be able to find anywhere else because the powers that be don’t want it out there.
For people looking to get out of debt, fix their credit, get through a divorce, save money on their groceries or simply make their lives a little bit better, Mr. Moore is offering them a chance to overcome the obstacles and effectively “stick it to the man.” By visiting stickit2man.com online, people will have access to 50 e-books over a variety of categories that provide methods for people who are seeking answers outside of the mainstream. These are online books that claim where others say “no,” a person may overcome the challenges and obstacles in their way and turn it into a “yes.”
While each book available on the site comes with a full money back guarantee, all Mr. Moore is promising is a new perspective and urging his customers not to give up just because an obstacle seems insurmountable. He said he saw the opportunity here to develop a digitally based business that could actually help people.
“This is a gateway to people having the opportunity to improve themselves,” Mr. Moore said in an interview this month with the Post. “So many people when they face these challenges they feel like they should just give up because there’s nothing they can do. I’m an optimist and I’m a tenacious person. I believe we can overcome our problems, and this is a chance for people to face what’s holding them down and beat it. It’s a way of ‘sticking it to the man’, so to speak. This is how I live my own life and I wanted to help others and let them know that this information is out there.”
Mr. Moore, a father of two who lives in Bridgeport but who grew up in Greenwich, said he is a firm believer that tenacity is critical to individual success and this site promises to provide tips that can help. The books provide information that a person can’t find just with a Google search, Mr. Moore explained.
The prices for the e-books range from under $10 all the way up to $97. Mr. Moore did not write the e-books. He simply researched them and brought the best ones to the site that fit his message. These are not tips that are going to break the law, he stresses, but rather provide people with methods that are already out there. This includes everything from being able to get out of a speeding ticket to being able to rebuild your life after a divorce. The site features authors ranging from attorneys to business leaders to ex-police officers to licensed therapists often speaking from their first-hand experiences.
“We want to empower individuals to lives of a better quality, not just ‘beat the man’,” Mr. Moore said.
The basis for him wanting to do this comes from his own experiences, something he shared in a press release announcing the launch of the site.
“In 2009, I lost my job, my marriage and any semblance of normalcy in my life,” Mr. Moore said. “But what I never lost was my tenacity and determination. I decided I would never again be subjected to the often selfish, back-stabbing culture that pervades corporate America. I knew I deserved better and so does everyone else. That’s why I’m doing this.”
While these kinds of promises may too often be the stuff of Internet scams, Mr. Moore stresses these are methods that are going to work if people invest the effort into it. After launching in June after more than four months of research and work putting the site together, he’s gotten great feedback from customers. He said people are responding to the kind of “insider information” they can get from his site, which comes with the attitude he was famous for in his tenure at the Post.
“We’re off to a great start and this is only the beginning,” Mr. Moore said. “We want to bring this to the masses as our next step.”
More information is available at stickit2man.com or twitter.com/stickit2man.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Stickit2Man.com: It's a Lifestyle
I've said it before, but I'll say it again: Stickit2Man.com was NOT conceived out of bitterness. Rather, it was derived from experience. There were a couple e-books that really helped me in times of need. From experience, I know that self-published e-books can often lead you to insider tips you're just not supposed to know.
To live the "Stickit2Man" lifestyle, you don't need to be hell-bent on revenge. You shouldn't live your life in perpetual anger. One does not need to be a therapist (like my dear friend Megan Cassano, LCSW, Ph.D) to know that's the path to misery. Instead, you should wake up every morning and ask yourself, "What could be better? How can I make it happen?" Then GET GOING!
But simultaneously, be grateful. Be very grateful. You are on a path to enlightenment. It will never end, but one day you will look back and say, "Wow." The fact that you are even trying to better yourself puts you above many people who just stick with the status quo and are too scared for a better life. You are different. You are empowered.
Don't waste a single day. But if you do, forgive yourself and move on. Remember, The Man works hard to keep you down. So keep getting up and rising above. Fight the good fight, my friend. Peace.
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
To live the "Stickit2Man" lifestyle, you don't need to be hell-bent on revenge. You shouldn't live your life in perpetual anger. One does not need to be a therapist (like my dear friend Megan Cassano, LCSW, Ph.D) to know that's the path to misery. Instead, you should wake up every morning and ask yourself, "What could be better? How can I make it happen?" Then GET GOING!
But simultaneously, be grateful. Be very grateful. You are on a path to enlightenment. It will never end, but one day you will look back and say, "Wow." The fact that you are even trying to better yourself puts you above many people who just stick with the status quo and are too scared for a better life. You are different. You are empowered.
Don't waste a single day. But if you do, forgive yourself and move on. Remember, The Man works hard to keep you down. So keep getting up and rising above. Fight the good fight, my friend. Peace.
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Minor League Business
Tonight, my fiancee and I took in a game by the Bridgeport Bluefish professional baseball team. They're part of the Atlantic League, an independent faction that plays at a level that can be roughly described as somewhere between Double-A and Triple-A. We enjoy these games a great deal. Tonight, we got in extra cheap -- as the Bluefish hosted a promotion offering all lower-level seats for $3 apiece.
Atlantic League teams are a unique blend of ballplayers -- and the Bluefish are no exception. Some are young guys who were perhaps overlooked in the Major League drafts and are just looking for a big-league team to notice them and pick up their contracts. More often, however, these Atlantic League players have played some minor-league or even big-league ball. Somewhere along the road, many got hurt, suffered a slump or were just viewed as washed up and released. These players now seek a second chance. Few make it, but since forming in 1998, over 50 players from the Bluefish alone have had their contracts purchased by affiliated clubs and some have made it back to the majors.
Thanks to The Blogging Ladder, a group I created last week on Facebook that now numbers about 100 people, I now feel a real sense of community with other Web site operators, bloggers and small business owners (who often hold the former two titles as well). I feel like we're a community of minor-league business owners. That's not to disparage anyone's business but merely to point out that we're all trying to grow into something greater than ourselves -- and leaning on each other to do so. That's the beauty of Facebook -- it's filled with individuals determined to succeed but less cold and corporate than a pure business networking site.
Like every Bluefish player who dreams of making it to the majors, I ponder whether most of us will become independently wealthy through our businesses. Statistics might suggest only a few of us will get there. But if the camaraderie, teamwork and "ladder" concept -- designed to pull us all up together -- prevails, we certainly stand a better chance than most!
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
Atlantic League teams are a unique blend of ballplayers -- and the Bluefish are no exception. Some are young guys who were perhaps overlooked in the Major League drafts and are just looking for a big-league team to notice them and pick up their contracts. More often, however, these Atlantic League players have played some minor-league or even big-league ball. Somewhere along the road, many got hurt, suffered a slump or were just viewed as washed up and released. These players now seek a second chance. Few make it, but since forming in 1998, over 50 players from the Bluefish alone have had their contracts purchased by affiliated clubs and some have made it back to the majors.
Thanks to The Blogging Ladder, a group I created last week on Facebook that now numbers about 100 people, I now feel a real sense of community with other Web site operators, bloggers and small business owners (who often hold the former two titles as well). I feel like we're a community of minor-league business owners. That's not to disparage anyone's business but merely to point out that we're all trying to grow into something greater than ourselves -- and leaning on each other to do so. That's the beauty of Facebook -- it's filled with individuals determined to succeed but less cold and corporate than a pure business networking site.
Like every Bluefish player who dreams of making it to the majors, I ponder whether most of us will become independently wealthy through our businesses. Statistics might suggest only a few of us will get there. But if the camaraderie, teamwork and "ladder" concept -- designed to pull us all up together -- prevails, we certainly stand a better chance than most!
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
Monday, August 15, 2011
Remembering the original rebel
In the mid-1950s, music, like much of America, was quite segregated. A record company owner from Memphis, Sam Phillips, knew he couldn't reach the white teenagers directly with a black artist but knew there was no sound like the rhythm and blues. Seeking a white singer with a "black sound," he recruited a 19-year-old trucker who had recorded a demo as a present for his mother a year earlier. After several frustrating attempts failed to produce anything substantial, the trucker, Elvis Presley, casually jammed during a break with his two backing musicians, Scotty Moore and Bill Black. The result was his first regional hit: a version of the Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup classic "That's All Right." The rest was history.
Some ignorant folk like to accuse Elvis of pilfering a style for his own race. The best retort for this accusation came from black soul singer Jackie Wilson: ""A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man’s music, when in fact, almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis."
But Elvis was more than a uniter of race. He was a pioneer and a rebel. He taught American teens that they could express themselves through music without the constraints imposed on their parents' generation. He brought rock n' roll to the masses. And he redefined what it meant to not only be a musician but an entertainer. As a result, he inspired a whole generation of musicians, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and even Led Zeppelin -- all of whom credit Elvis's influence to their success.
Elvis died on Aug. 16, 1977 -- 34 years ago tomorrow. Yet his influence, music and memory will last forever. He's still the King. And we honor him for Sticking it to The Man.
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
Some ignorant folk like to accuse Elvis of pilfering a style for his own race. The best retort for this accusation came from black soul singer Jackie Wilson: ""A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man’s music, when in fact, almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis."
But Elvis was more than a uniter of race. He was a pioneer and a rebel. He taught American teens that they could express themselves through music without the constraints imposed on their parents' generation. He brought rock n' roll to the masses. And he redefined what it meant to not only be a musician but an entertainer. As a result, he inspired a whole generation of musicians, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and even Led Zeppelin -- all of whom credit Elvis's influence to their success.
Elvis died on Aug. 16, 1977 -- 34 years ago tomorrow. Yet his influence, music and memory will last forever. He's still the King. And we honor him for Sticking it to The Man.
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Why I go to church
I don't fear hell. I've been there. I don't judge the "saved" and "unsaved." I don't judge other religions. My views are pretty much "one God, many paths." I've gotten plenty out of Buddhism, Judaism and other "isms." But when I'm in worship, I'm reminded of one very powerful fact: God is in charge. I've seen WAY too many miracles to believe otherwise. It's convinced me beyond any reasonable doubt that God not only exists but is ultimately plotting out a plan -- or at the very least, a short term one. That's a Christian interpretation and those of other faiths may feel otherwise. But few can dispute that those with faith can bring light and happiness to the darkest places. Life can still be very difficult sometimes, but imagine it without faith! What a black hole.
I don't pretend to think God wants me to be rich or professionally successful. Maybe he/she doesn't. But what I do know is that the ego of the rich and powerful is not the ultimate authority. Wealth is transient. God's glorious grace is forever.
Stick it to The Man,
Pete
I don't pretend to think God wants me to be rich or professionally successful. Maybe he/she doesn't. But what I do know is that the ego of the rich and powerful is not the ultimate authority. Wealth is transient. God's glorious grace is forever.
Stick it to The Man,
Pete
Friday, August 12, 2011
Death, taxes and Hugh Hefner?
As long as I'm avoiding going to bed, let me assure you of two things:
1. Hugh Hefner is not dead.
2. I don't know enough about video games to show you a proper Leona Build.
3. I just used two of the most popular search phrases on the Internet within the last 30 days ("Hugh Hefner dead" and "Leona Build"), thus this blog should get more traffic. Isn't SEO wonderful?
4. For more SEO and other revenue generation tips, visit the "Start Your Own Business" section of Stickit2Man.com!
Stick it to The Man! (I can't count, that was four things!)
Pete
1. Hugh Hefner is not dead.
2. I don't know enough about video games to show you a proper Leona Build.
3. I just used two of the most popular search phrases on the Internet within the last 30 days ("Hugh Hefner dead" and "Leona Build"), thus this blog should get more traffic. Isn't SEO wonderful?
4. For more SEO and other revenue generation tips, visit the "Start Your Own Business" section of Stickit2Man.com!
Stick it to The Man! (I can't count, that was four things!)
Pete
Grocery shopping
If there's one thing that's a wallet-vacuum, it's groceries. I hate grocery shopping. It's a rip-off. No offense, but I shop like a man. I get what I need and get out. My fiancee usually brings a list -- and we are pretty good at sticking to it.
You think supermarkets choose their layout by accident? No chance! It's laid out to maximize your spending. Particularly if you're the type to "stroll through and see what we need." Supermarkets are arranged a certain way -- to maximize THEIR profits. Why do you think the temperature is so cold in those places? Cold temperatures are scientifically proven to make you hungrier. And when you're hungry, you shop more impulsively.
In this economy, you're likely feeling the pain of grocery shopping. Perhaps you're on food stamps. No shame in that. But are you able to feed yourself healthy, nutritious meals? What about your family? Do you have to ruin your health because you're on a tight budget?
NO! You need to empower yourself and fight back. If you click here, you will be taken to the Stickit2Man.com "Save Thousands on Groceries" section. You can literally save over $200 a month! And remember, these books are cheap, but the knowledge they impart is PRICELESS!
Stick it to The Man!
Pete
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
You think supermarkets choose their layout by accident? No chance! It's laid out to maximize your spending. Particularly if you're the type to "stroll through and see what we need." Supermarkets are arranged a certain way -- to maximize THEIR profits. Why do you think the temperature is so cold in those places? Cold temperatures are scientifically proven to make you hungrier. And when you're hungry, you shop more impulsively.
In this economy, you're likely feeling the pain of grocery shopping. Perhaps you're on food stamps. No shame in that. But are you able to feed yourself healthy, nutritious meals? What about your family? Do you have to ruin your health because you're on a tight budget?
NO! You need to empower yourself and fight back. If you click here, you will be taken to the Stickit2Man.com "Save Thousands on Groceries" section. You can literally save over $200 a month! And remember, these books are cheap, but the knowledge they impart is PRICELESS!
Stick it to The Man!
Pete
BACK TO STICKIT2MAN.COM
Thursday, August 11, 2011
I have a job interview
I haven't blogged for awhile. Truth be told, I've been scrambling. Ever since we lost a major client for our courier business, I've been trying to scrape up cash wherever I can. eBay, little bits of freelance, other courier work, etc. When we lost our medical client late last month, I was at an impasse. Almost two years ago, I told myself I would never work for anyone else again. I've gone to great lengths to keep my word to myself. I've sold on eBay and Amazon, done some freelance writing, worked roadside assistance, delivered flowers, delivered medical supplies, built and started Stickit2Man.com and cut my lifestyle expenses to necessities -- and sometimes, I've even cut those out. I don't have health insurance right now -- even though my kids do. My personal life is relatively happy, but I'm stressed constantly. And I'm worried about providing for my kids.
There are few companies for which I would commute to New York City at this time. Four hours of traveling a day is not for me -- and fortunately, I'm not in a miserable marriage anymore that forces me into that predicament (in the name of providing with one income). But if I can work in Connecticut, I've decided that providing a little security to my fiancee and kids can be important -- and that I won't truly sell out all that is dear to me if I play my cards right. Of course, no job is truly secure these days, but the volatility of sinking or swimming isn't as extreme as in self-employment. For this reason, I've sent out a few resumes and I have a very promising job interview next week. That doesn't mean I have the job. The position is not even in PR -- although it does play to my strengths.
Stickit2Man.com will continue. We have over 620 likes on Facebook now. I did my first press interview earlier this week. Eventually, I will move the blog to the site domain and redesign the site. My principles haven't changed, but I'm going to be a good husband and father. And that means keeping a steady income flow, while I slowly build my fortune on the side.
My ultimate fate will always rest in my hands -- and God's. I won't be a victim of this economy.
Kick ass and take names,
Pete
Back to Stickit2Man.com
There are few companies for which I would commute to New York City at this time. Four hours of traveling a day is not for me -- and fortunately, I'm not in a miserable marriage anymore that forces me into that predicament (in the name of providing with one income). But if I can work in Connecticut, I've decided that providing a little security to my fiancee and kids can be important -- and that I won't truly sell out all that is dear to me if I play my cards right. Of course, no job is truly secure these days, but the volatility of sinking or swimming isn't as extreme as in self-employment. For this reason, I've sent out a few resumes and I have a very promising job interview next week. That doesn't mean I have the job. The position is not even in PR -- although it does play to my strengths.
Stickit2Man.com will continue. We have over 620 likes on Facebook now. I did my first press interview earlier this week. Eventually, I will move the blog to the site domain and redesign the site. My principles haven't changed, but I'm going to be a good husband and father. And that means keeping a steady income flow, while I slowly build my fortune on the side.
My ultimate fate will always rest in my hands -- and God's. I won't be a victim of this economy.
Kick ass and take names,
Pete
Back to Stickit2Man.com
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Give us some press, will ya? ;)
Stickit2Man.com Launches with Eye on Empowerment
Stick2Man.com, an e-book portal dedicated to helping individuals to overcome life’s problems and save time, money and sanity, announced its public launch today.
Unlike e-books featured on regular bookselling sites, the e-books featured on Stickit2Man.com teach little-known information and insider secrets to their respective industries, not just common sense.
“We will show you how to do everything possible – short of breaking the law – to improve your life’s situation or achieve your goal,” Moore said. “A corporate publishing house would likely shy away from making these secrets public. But we won’t!”
Moore, a longtime business publicist and former editor of the Greenwich (Conn.) Post, who has written for several daily and weekly newspapers and, through his PR work, has placed stories in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and Advertising Age, among other media outlets.
Moore’s inspiration for the site came from various bumps in the road he has taken in his own life and his ability to persevere.
“In 2009, I lost my job, my marriage and any semblance of normalcy in my life,” Moore said. “One thing I never lost, however, is my tenacity and determination. I decided I would never be a victim. I was going to make things happen. I deserve better and so do you!”
Authors featured on Stickit2Man.com include licensed therapists, attorneys, former police officers and business gurus. Many of the authors carry first-person, “been-there, done-that” experiences that aid their expertise in writing their manuals.
“We want to empower individuals to lives of a better quality, not just ‘beat The Man,’” Moore said.
The site will feature regular updates and new categories; a featured “E-Book of the Day,” announced via Twitter and Facebook and a frequently updated blog. The site’s newest category, “Save Thousands on Groceries!” was launched on Aug. 1 and can be accessed at http://www.stickit2man.com/
# # #
Stickit2Man.com is an online e-book retailer dedicated to spreading society's 'forbidden knowledge' in order to help individuals conquer life's roadblocks and become informed, empowered and happy. Stickit2Man.com encourages its customers to question authority, challenge presumptions and never believe 'The Man' can keep them down. In other words, it's more than a Web site -- it's a way of life. For more information, please visit http://www.stickit2man.com.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Negotiating a deal. Yay, NFL! Boo, Government!
Stickit2Man.com here! I wouldn't have wanted to be on either side of the NFL lockout. Days on end negotiating in boardrooms and stuffy hotels. No, thank you!
Here's the bottom line. Owners wanted to protect their assets. Players wanted to protect themselves. Both felt justified, yet both were vilified for sacrificing the fans' interests. That wasn't their intention, but neither side was bound to generate much sympathy. Not the owners (in this economy? Pffffft!)
And not the players. Most fans would simply argue that these gentlemen -- many being multi-millionaires -- are certainly not "the little guys." But as Chris Rock once said (regarding basketball): "Shaq is rich. The white man who signs his checks is wealthy." That's the effective dichotomy in football as well. And these NFL "rich dudes" are extraordinarily talented and put their bodies through physical hell. Two points worthy of mucho dinero in a free market.
So, give the players credit -- their negotiating eliminated two-a-day practices, reduced full-contact practices and successfully held off the implementation of an 18-game season -- perhaps for a long time. In doing so, they empowered future generations of players many years down the line. Of course, it's easier to do when you're unionized!
But I digress. With the regular season fast approaching, the two sides realized their revenues were at stake. Not from the die-hard fan (like me), but from the casual one who might purchase memorabilia (perhaps as a gift) or add to the Nielsen ratings by tuning in on a whim. This made both parties compromise in a hurry. Hey, at least they found the motivation.
I can't say I have the same confidence in our government regarding the debt ceiling. They just seem too stuck on principles -- and that goes for both political parties. This August deadline to reach a deal, unfortunately, will likely make victims out of Social Security recipients, our military and small businesses who do business with the government. Unfortunately, neither party cares enough to place principle above dogma. For shame. In my view, both major parties are worthy of being deemed "The Man." They're certainly going to keep us down.
So take rising up into your own hands. How? "Surf the site. Live the life." Stick it to The Man!
Here's the bottom line. Owners wanted to protect their assets. Players wanted to protect themselves. Both felt justified, yet both were vilified for sacrificing the fans' interests. That wasn't their intention, but neither side was bound to generate much sympathy. Not the owners (in this economy? Pffffft!)
And not the players. Most fans would simply argue that these gentlemen -- many being multi-millionaires -- are certainly not "the little guys." But as Chris Rock once said (regarding basketball): "Shaq is rich. The white man who signs his checks is wealthy." That's the effective dichotomy in football as well. And these NFL "rich dudes" are extraordinarily talented and put their bodies through physical hell. Two points worthy of mucho dinero in a free market.
So, give the players credit -- their negotiating eliminated two-a-day practices, reduced full-contact practices and successfully held off the implementation of an 18-game season -- perhaps for a long time. In doing so, they empowered future generations of players many years down the line. Of course, it's easier to do when you're unionized!
But I digress. With the regular season fast approaching, the two sides realized their revenues were at stake. Not from the die-hard fan (like me), but from the casual one who might purchase memorabilia (perhaps as a gift) or add to the Nielsen ratings by tuning in on a whim. This made both parties compromise in a hurry. Hey, at least they found the motivation.
I can't say I have the same confidence in our government regarding the debt ceiling. They just seem too stuck on principles -- and that goes for both political parties. This August deadline to reach a deal, unfortunately, will likely make victims out of Social Security recipients, our military and small businesses who do business with the government. Unfortunately, neither party cares enough to place principle above dogma. For shame. In my view, both major parties are worthy of being deemed "The Man." They're certainly going to keep us down.
So take rising up into your own hands. How? "Surf the site. Live the life." Stick it to The Man!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Lessons from Stew Leonard
Forget about "stick it to the man" on Tuesdays! Every Tuesday, I'm with my two sons, ages 4 1/2 and almost 2, and generally don't do much work. It's a bit hellish for my fiancee to shoulder the burden, but she is good about it. Not that being a parent of two young children isn't REAL work. My father used to tell me that having two kids is three times the work of having one. I'm inclined to believe he was trying not to scare me. It's more like six times.
But if I have to have to combine having the kids with a shopping trip, I'm grateful for Stew Leonard's. For those who live in Connecticut, no further explanation is necessary. For the others, let me briefly explain: Stew Leonard's is known as "The World's Largest Dairy Store." It's part supermarket, part theater and part fantasyland. Kids LOVE it! While known initially for its dairy products, it now sells almost every perishable grocery imaginable.
From Wikipedia:
"The New York Times called Stew Leonard's the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores." The store has taken tips from educational practices, were they implement visual, auditory, and kinesthetic strategies into their sales. Stew Leonard’s have created animatronics characters called the farm fresh five. These animatronics are life like, which perform songs and dance that entertain the customers from all ages. This has made the shopping experience more engaging and exciting for families. It provides an area for kids to have fun while the parents shop.
"This new concept of selling has taken away the stress from long lines at the grocery store.[3] The stores are not set up like traditional grocery stores; one must walk through the entire store (though there are short cuts). As customers walk through a path of aisles, they are greeted by different employees dressed up in costumes and by animatronic favorites such as Twinkie the Kid, the Chiquita banana, and Clover, a cow's head that moos when one pulls its rope. The stores also feature petting zoos and outdoor cafes in the warmer months and sell a variety of prepared meals year round. Customers are also offered an unusually large number of food samples for a supermarket, as well as free drink samples."
Stew Leonard himself, now well into his senior years, is a marketing genius, a tireless entrepreneur, a generous soul and a convicted felon. In the 1990s, he served four years in prison for tax fraud, a crime he readily admitted. Yet, even in his guilty plea and prison sentence, he remained as upstanding as possible. He acknowledged his faults, protected other family members from being indicted and served his time. And today, he exhorts others (through his autobiography) to "do the right thing" -- in business and in life.
There's more to Stew's story (and his autobiography is on sale at his four stores), but my point is simple: The man has always treated customers like family, known that "relationships" are key to business, been exceedingly generous to his employees (Fortune Magazine rates the store as one of the "100 Best Places to Work For") and loved what he does. Shopping at Stew's isn't a chore. It's an adventure. And even though I'm a cheapskate who disparages most "lifestyle" marketing campaigns as ripoffs, I could go for the Stew's lifestyle more often.
Stickit2Man.com aims to instill a lifestyle in its customers as well. Don't take no for an answer. Fight for what you want. Stay empowered, but stay positive as well. Screw moping. Get up and GET GOING!
Till next time: "Stickit2Man.com: Surf the site. Live the Life." See ya at Stew's!
But if I have to have to combine having the kids with a shopping trip, I'm grateful for Stew Leonard's. For those who live in Connecticut, no further explanation is necessary. For the others, let me briefly explain: Stew Leonard's is known as "The World's Largest Dairy Store." It's part supermarket, part theater and part fantasyland. Kids LOVE it! While known initially for its dairy products, it now sells almost every perishable grocery imaginable.
From Wikipedia:
"The New York Times called Stew Leonard's the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores." The store has taken tips from educational practices, were they implement visual, auditory, and kinesthetic strategies into their sales. Stew Leonard’s have created animatronics characters called the farm fresh five. These animatronics are life like, which perform songs and dance that entertain the customers from all ages. This has made the shopping experience more engaging and exciting for families. It provides an area for kids to have fun while the parents shop.
"This new concept of selling has taken away the stress from long lines at the grocery store.[3] The stores are not set up like traditional grocery stores; one must walk through the entire store (though there are short cuts). As customers walk through a path of aisles, they are greeted by different employees dressed up in costumes and by animatronic favorites such as Twinkie the Kid, the Chiquita banana, and Clover, a cow's head that moos when one pulls its rope. The stores also feature petting zoos and outdoor cafes in the warmer months and sell a variety of prepared meals year round. Customers are also offered an unusually large number of food samples for a supermarket, as well as free drink samples."
Stew Leonard himself, now well into his senior years, is a marketing genius, a tireless entrepreneur, a generous soul and a convicted felon. In the 1990s, he served four years in prison for tax fraud, a crime he readily admitted. Yet, even in his guilty plea and prison sentence, he remained as upstanding as possible. He acknowledged his faults, protected other family members from being indicted and served his time. And today, he exhorts others (through his autobiography) to "do the right thing" -- in business and in life.
There's more to Stew's story (and his autobiography is on sale at his four stores), but my point is simple: The man has always treated customers like family, known that "relationships" are key to business, been exceedingly generous to his employees (Fortune Magazine rates the store as one of the "100 Best Places to Work For") and loved what he does. Shopping at Stew's isn't a chore. It's an adventure. And even though I'm a cheapskate who disparages most "lifestyle" marketing campaigns as ripoffs, I could go for the Stew's lifestyle more often.
Stickit2Man.com aims to instill a lifestyle in its customers as well. Don't take no for an answer. Fight for what you want. Stay empowered, but stay positive as well. Screw moping. Get up and GET GOING!
Till next time: "Stickit2Man.com: Surf the site. Live the Life." See ya at Stew's!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Glass Half-Full
Designing and running an e-book and e-commerce Web site like Stickit2Man.com -- well, let's just say I wouldn't call it a labor of love. "Labor of a curmudgeon" might be more like it. Many nights I've been coaxed by my fiancee out of a good night's sleep to work on this site. But I've thanked her for doing so. Without her nagging, I'd still be building -- or, worse, I'd have quit. If you know my career path even slightly, you'll understand why I've chosen this line of work. I want to combine all the skills I've ever acquired (PR, marketing, journalism, creative writing) and put them to good use. And I never want to work for anyone other than myself ever again. But that doesn't mean I don't ever doubt myself or hit standstills.
For starters, I have horrible ADD. Diagnosed at age 5, raised on every amphetamine, SSRI and anti-depressant imaginable. The best analogy I've heard is that it's like having a "radio station" in your head with a moving dial you can't stop. And even today, with a good sense of motivation and a little discipline, my distractions are plentiful. Especially in the age of YouTube and Facebook -- hey, I need entertainment sometimes! Sometimes I just have to encourage myself with a motto stolen from a Verizon ad campaign several years ago: Make progress every day.
That's actually the message of empowerment I want to pass along on Stickit2Man.com. The phrase "Stick it to the Man" isn't intended to be vengeful or angry. It's meant to convey a simple message: "You're a lot more empowered than you think. You can change your life -- or at least the parts you don't like. You just need a few tools." In this case, they come in e-books!
If you haven't done anything else today, do something to better yourself. And then do something unselfish for others. Even if your life isn't perfect, these actions should help your attitude adjust to one of "glass half-full." Self-esteem derives from doing esteemable things. Believe me, I know.
That's all for now. Till next time: "Surf the site. Live the life."
For starters, I have horrible ADD. Diagnosed at age 5, raised on every amphetamine, SSRI and anti-depressant imaginable. The best analogy I've heard is that it's like having a "radio station" in your head with a moving dial you can't stop. And even today, with a good sense of motivation and a little discipline, my distractions are plentiful. Especially in the age of YouTube and Facebook -- hey, I need entertainment sometimes! Sometimes I just have to encourage myself with a motto stolen from a Verizon ad campaign several years ago: Make progress every day.
That's actually the message of empowerment I want to pass along on Stickit2Man.com. The phrase "Stick it to the Man" isn't intended to be vengeful or angry. It's meant to convey a simple message: "You're a lot more empowered than you think. You can change your life -- or at least the parts you don't like. You just need a few tools." In this case, they come in e-books!
If you haven't done anything else today, do something to better yourself. And then do something unselfish for others. Even if your life isn't perfect, these actions should help your attitude adjust to one of "glass half-full." Self-esteem derives from doing esteemable things. Believe me, I know.
That's all for now. Till next time: "Surf the site. Live the life."
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Welcome!
Welcome to Stickit2Man.com's official blog. I'm Pete, the CEO. But when you're sticking it to The Man, titles don't mean much. Just call me Pete. :)
Here, we intend to share anecdotes, tips and all things worthy of fighting The Man!
Someone close to me recently advised me not to make Stickit2Man.com too "negative" a concept. We understand how the title can seem angry. Rest assured, my intention is to empower you, the reader -- not leave you dwelling in bitterness! We're in the business of success!
Feel free to send me suggestions anytime. My email is webmaster@stickit2man.com.
Here, we intend to share anecdotes, tips and all things worthy of fighting The Man!
Someone close to me recently advised me not to make Stickit2Man.com too "negative" a concept. We understand how the title can seem angry. Rest assured, my intention is to empower you, the reader -- not leave you dwelling in bitterness! We're in the business of success!
Feel free to send me suggestions anytime. My email is webmaster@stickit2man.com.
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