Costco Connection - June 2012

; FRESHviews

WALLY AMOS: BE POSITIVE

Wally Amos is the founder of Uncle Wally’s Muffin Company. You can reach him at www.

wallyamos.com.

tute secretary, I became one of Howard’s secretaries. It was a life-shaping experience. Howard became a surrogate father to me, and a strong bond developed between us. I also got to know his dynamic wife, Marie, very well.

Years later, his health fading, he offered to help me with a financial crisis. Howard also died before I could say goodbye; however, on a trip some time later from Miami to Tampa, I visited Marie in Bradenton, Florida. It was a necessary visit that brought closure. I saw the bed where Howard had spent his last months, on oxygen and bedridden. It was the bed from which he sent his last letter to me, offering to help in my defense with the Famous Amos lawsuit. I declined his help, knowing his time was limited. I told him I was OK. I did not want him being concerned about me.

Long ago, I met Dave and Marge Palmer, who were on vacation in Hawaii. We became instant friends and stayed in contact through the years. They always remembered my daughter, Sarah, on her birthday and holidays. Marge died first, and I stayed in touch with Dave. Sometime later, when Dave died, his daughter, Mary, called to share the news with me.

I believe that spirit lives on; as my friend Albert Roker used to say, “You can’t kill life.” Is there someone you need to call today? C

Cool web tool

Old friends and mentors

IF YOUR GOAL is to be your own boss and launch your own business, information aplenty is online. But finding one central repository for all that data can be a wild goose chase.

MEMORIES OF FRIENDS who mentored and influenced us are important to our well-being and development. But it’s easy to lose touch. It’s important not to. Here’s why.

In 1957, Ernie Riccio gave me my first job, at Saks Fifth Avenue. He became my first mentor, and over the years we developed a close friendship. On a visit to Tampa some years ago we had a reunion. It was so great to see him again. We reminisced, and it felt really good to be in his presence. We spoke only once after that meeting, but one day I was thinking about him and called. His wife, Marcia, answered the phone. She told me Ernie had died. I thought, “I should have called sooner.” Never wait to make that special call. Later might just be too late.

Howard Hausman hired me at the William Morris Agency after I left Saks. After about five months working in the mailroom and as a substi-

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Sudden inspirations

A STUDY OUT of the UK looks at where business ideas come from—and the findings reveal some unlikely places as the sources of inspiration.

Business Link, the UK government’s online resource for small businesses, asked 500 entrepreneurs where they do their best thinking. Some 41 percent admitted the bathroom was a prime location for coming up with a killer idea, with 43 percent of women and 38 percent of men crediting quiet time “in the loo” as their source of inspiration.

Nearly half ( 49 percent) of the entrepreneurs said they had their business idea in bed—the third most likely place for having that “Eureka!” moment.

Work was the highest-ranked place for getting great ideas ( 72 percent); “while talking to friends” came in second ( 57 percent).

Why did most of the respondents start their own business? Eighty percent wanted power and control over their lives; 78 percent sought the personal freedom of going it alone; and 77 percent believed their idea could make money.

The tipping point that persuaded entrepreneurs to take the plunge was seeing others take the leap, getting laid off, watching the British TV show Dragons’ Den, having a baby and moving.

Ray Lambe, director of Business Link, says, “While this survey gives an interesting, light-hearted take on the thought process of starting a business, we are very aware that it is often a big and serious step to take.”—Andrew Don

PHOTODISC

What was the inspiration for your business? Share your story with us by emailing connection@costco. com with “Business ideas” in the subject line.—Ed. What was the inspiration for your business? Share

Nillie Goldman, an Edison, New Jersey, Costco member, business professional, entrepreneur and licensed social worker, created Web To TheRescue.com, a free and comprehensive site to help people launch and grow a business or nonprofit venture. She says, “I conducted an exhaustive search for resources to help entrepreneurs—considering thousands, selecting the best ones and then organizing them by topic.” Those topics include:

• Accelerator and incubator programs— programs that facilitate the launch of entrepreneurial ventures

• Business building resources—items such as email- and phone-productiv-ity tools, multi-tasking time savers and customer service resources

• Funding your busi-
ness or nonprofit—links to
angel and venture capital
outlets, business plans and
other funding options
And much more.

Goldman assures readers that Web To TheRescue. com is a dynamic website. “I add new resources as I identify them,” she says, “and research them to determine that they should be included.” C