Conrad Hilton

A biography

Known for his hospitality and honesty, he changed the face of hotels of North America.

Christmas day, Conrad Hilton was born. Gus hilton, his father, had much say in his town. He bartered and had a hand in any business in the little towns they lived in. Mary Hilton was his mother, and built a deep devotion in him. Both these people instilled a sense of drive and passion in doing well inside of Conrad. Conrad worked in his father's general store, and learned how to run a business himself.

Conrad grew into a strappingly handsome young man, and went into politics. His father didn't think it was a good idea. After his term was over, he kept some values of his work experiences. He tried his hand at many different things, and decided to start a bank.

Hilton started a bank on $1000.00. It failed miserably. He was now 29 years old, and he thought he'd have to go work for his father. But as it turned out, 1918 presented the World War I. Conrad was posted in Paris and found his job extremely enjoyable. But while he was in Paris, his father died, and he had to return to pay his respects.

Conrad went to Texas in 1919 with $500.00. He stayed at a hotel that had to turn people away. It brought in over $2000.00 a week, and Conrad bought it. He went on to buy more and more hotels. Customers got a bargain, and conrad got a profit. Business grew and grew. Conrad Hilton thought up the name "Minimax" mininum dollars, for maximum enjoyment.

Conrad went to church religiously, and there he met Mary Barron - his wife.

At age 40, he was a well known, wealthy man. But at this time, depression took hold. He lost everything except the El Paso Hilton Hotel. He refused to lose another penny. He tightened his belt and cut costs. He persevered through hardship and refused bankruptcy. As the nation recovered from the depression, Hilton's efforts revived and his image were stronger than before. People trusted him, because he was the one who was strong.

Conrad, after this, went to the west coast. He saw opportunity where others saw disaster. He was able to utilize the events around him to get on top of things. He was married to Jaja - a young hungarian actress, hoping to stike it rich. After this, Hilton even tried to go after the Plaza! But he decided against it.

Hilton's worth was estimated over 1 million dollars. He would bargain hard, but would never attempt to cheat someone. As hard as he worked, he had to play as well. He believed in the power of prayer. He created a name for himself that was amazingly well-known. He died at age 91 and left a legacy behind. He worked for the betterment of all, and had fun doing it. His legacy was to see that everyone that needs to be helped, can be.

I never knew about Conrad Hilton and his life. I admire it actually! Its much different than Paris Hilton's life. Everyone knows what Paris Hilton's life looks like. I mean, it's not even partially the same as Conrad's. Conrad has such a good heart and wanted everyone to be a little rich. He couldn't make that happen, but that was his heart. And thats what I like about him.

The Home Depot

Home Depot

The people originally behind Home Depot:

Bernie Markus - Jewish. Father was a carpenter. Taught him that you have to have money. You can't live without it. His service strength and cheerleading skills were inspirational to employees. Learned how to learn from other's stories of success and failure.

Arthur Blank - Lived with less in life. Father died when Arthur was 14. He played offense and defense in football. Got straight A's & senior class president. Was a jock and played a strong game. Had strength and organization.

Ken Langone - gave 2 million to the entrepreneur's idea and owned 70% of the company. He had the finances and knew how to get the money to support the good idea.

Pat Fareth - Came up with the idea of Home Depot essentially, but failed to run his own company. He ended up going bankrupt, and the young company hired him. He became in charge of marketting. He knew how to sell.

Home Depot was successful because the owners listened to the reviews of the customers. They took the customer's advice for a better run company. They tapped into a new trend of "do it yourself" thinking. They had good product. Low prices. Efficient brands. Home Depot was an idea hatched in a coffee shop that thrived. The people working were kind and helpful, and had so much fun, that they didn't feel like going home after the long day. Price, Assortment and service defined Home Depot.

So what? What does all this information on Home Depot actually say between the lines? Well, what it means to me, is that if you run a company that caters to people's wants and needs, and being courteous and helpful about it - chances are that people will come back. They kept on developing the idea of this wonderful company, even though it was inconvenient for them and they didn't like it.

Martha Stewart

The drive and the ability to do a job well is how Martha Stewart is defined. Martha Stewart was born just out of the great depression. World war two was coming to an end, and her father taught her how to garden well. She learned how to clean and cook very well from her mother. She didn't seem to be interested in playing with dolls, or other things children liked to do. She much preferred to cook and help her mother.

When she was schooling age, she aced everything she put her head to. She was excellent especially at art. She excelled through highschool and was one of the only girls who went into advanced mathematics.

She heard that she could get into modelling, and got an amazing job getting paid $15/hour. She also pulled together the prom with her father in 1959. Upon graduation, She recieved a scholarship to Barnard College and continued to model to make a living through college. In 1961, martha was living in New York and learned how to utilize work as her relaxation ethic.

She had fallen in love with a man named Andy Stewart. So she married him, and dropped out of college. She worked full time to get Andy through law school. After he had finished and they both travelled the world together, she went back to Barnard, and trained herself to take care of both of them. She became pregnant and her modelling career became slack.

1968 - 1971 Marth was commanding a six-figure salary working as a broker. She and her husband moved from the city and moved to Westport, and bought a old farm house. They transformed the old farmhouse into a beautiful place. She built up her reputation of an excellent hostess. She successfully created a catering business. Unfortunately, she lost her temper, and stuck to her perfectionism. A lot of her employees couldn't take it.

When her and her husband celebrated the release of one of his books, a publisher loved her food and presentation so much that he wanted to publish a cookbook for her. After "Entertaining. By Martha Stewart" was released, her career took off.

The more she got into her business, the more she fell away from her family. Her husband left and divorced her, and her daughter went off to college. She lost touch with her mother and her siblings as well.

She lived through her mistakes and continued to run her empire. She is now worht 638 million.

From Martha Stewart's life so far, I can learn that you can surround yourselves with interesting and successful people, and learn from them. I also learned that you can incorporate skills and passion into a career that gets you far. By making smart moves, you can build an empire for yourself... Love comes first. Whether thats referring to your spouse, to your children, or to your other immediate family and friends. Integrity and honesty come next in line. I think if you maintain those key elements, you can have the success you seek.

The apprentice

As soon as the show opens, the teams change around players, and the game has changed from the inexperienced against the experienced to the battle of mixes. Magna and Networth go head to head, seeing who can auction off different levels of interaction with a celebrity, by holding an 11 minute on-air auction for the opportunities.

John, takes it upon himself to pitch the ideas. He presents it to them in such a way, that he's rude toward the girls... He steps over them, and cuts them off when they try to say something, or try to help to put thier two cents in.

Both teams came up with ideas on how to raise the most funds for AIDS research, but they had all these pre-concieved ideas, that even if the artists would have had better ideas for making more money, they would have not been heard by the young apprentices.

Both teams did a great job. Net worth raised $11,000 and Magna raised $21,000. By presenting the option of them putting their own ideas into the hat, Magna scored higher by having the artists interested in donating money personally.

Net worth is sent to the conference room, and one person must be fired. Chris - the team manager, chooses to bring John and Erin back with him to the conference room. In the conference room, Chris is confronted about not managing the jobs well enough, but in the end, John's inability to pitch a good offer got him fired.

This episode has taught me that I need to keep the options open for God to actually use a situation. Also the leader wasn't delegating the jobs to people's ability. He delegated the main job to a friend. You know the statement "It's nothing personal - its just business." Well, this time it was everything personal and nothing business. I think that was a huge mistake that thankfully did not get him fired, but at least he knows for next time.

Mike Kind - The Last Lecture

Key # 1. If you learn from someone else's mistakes, you can learn from failure. It's how you respond to the failure. Failure IS the key to success in almost every situation.

Key # 2. Opportunities are vast and unlimited, so keep your eyes open! Observe and stay alert for new ways of doing things. Be open to a "Eureka!" moment.

Key # 3.Refine and define an idea. Transform it from a good idea to a great idea - that works! Fix a problem or a glitch that people have gotten used to.

Key # 4. Increase the cirle that influenced you for the better. Spend time with people that sow wisdom into your life. You can learn from thier experience. You can grow from taking advice and go further faster.

Key # 5. Think Rocky Balboa. Do not quit. When you've tried everything - take it and learn from it. Never throw the towel in.

Key # 6. Don't stop learning. Your brain needs to be trained just like the rest of your body. If you stop working out, you get weak and incapable of endurance. Stop learning - you get more and more incapable of learning. You can learn something new every day.
***** ***** ***** *****

The one key that stands out to me the most is to increase your circle of influence. I have experienced success in this area already. I always find that when I sit down with one of my mentors, I leave encouraged, a little wiser, and a little more confident than when I first came in. Its all fine and dandy to spend time with friends - preferably the one equipped with a better attitude, but you need to schedule in time with people you admire and look up to. I would encourage anyone, that when you find someone you admire, to get into a friendship with them. Have them influence you for the better. It really helps. Trust me.

The Apprentice

The show opens, and there is so much conflict between the team of apprentices, and nobody can find common groud. There is a lot of problems with one of the women, Audrey. She brought some personal problems to the show, and they are biting her in the butt. The challenge of building a miniature golf course is presented to the two teams by Mr. Trump, and they head out on their ventures.

Audrey turns out to convince her team "Net worth", that she is strong enough to be project manager, and begins to put people in charge. She has made a decision not to make any decisions so that is anything went wrong, she could point the finger. She would not give clear direction. In the end, the team made just over $300.00.

The other team, "Magna" is run smoothly and clear direction is given out. They marketted wisely and got a lot of attention. The team successfully made over $500.00.

Heading to the board room, "Net Worth" gets a little "ratted out" for their low presentment of the business. Audrey, Craig, John and Angie argue and defend themselves. Audrey blames and points the finger away from herself. Audrey is fired, and the team is down one person.

I learned from this that teamwork and excitement for the job are very important. Leaders and managers must be passionate about the program - so passionate that she could have picked up the slack. She needed to take responsibility for the downfall of the project.

Eswaldo

Master Moves is a product that balances you, builds muscle and tones your whole body with one move. Eswaldo has come to try and get $300,000 for 30% of the business.

He came in with no experience, but only the ability to sell the product. All the dragons thought that the investent asking was too high a risk. His evaluation was way off. All of them had ducked out, and as Eswaldo walked away, one of them offered $300,000 for 100%.

I don't know if that would be an offer worth accepting, but I personally would invest in it, simply because it looks like a great product. I would firstly want to see how much bark is behind the bite in this fitness breakthrough before I invested in it.

Uro Club

Dr. Floyd Seskin is trying to get support for the "uro-club". The "uro-club" is a device that helps older men relieve their bladder pressure on the golf course. He wanted to get $25,000 at 51%. He had sold 3000 of these "uro-club".

One of the sharks decided he'd offer Floyd 70% for $25,000. Floyd was happy with the offer, because he simply wanted the product to be out there. He is a doctor, he doesn't need the money, he just wants to see something in his life, spread its wings and fly.

Uro-club is still successful, surprisingly to me. It has no relation to me, so I would not have invested in it.

Pork Barrel Spice Rub

Brett Thompson & Heath Hall

Pork Barrell is a barbeque sauce company run by these two men, who are also politicians. 50k for 10% was their initial offer. However, their first concern would be their initial job, not the company. They were hard working, but spread thin. All but one of the sharks ducked out of offering anything at all because of these reasons.

The last shark standing offered 50k for 50%. Both accepted the offer. I honestly don't think that they would have gotten another offer, and they were willing to give it a shot.

I wouldn't have offered to support them. I don't honestly think their heart was in their product, and they wouldn't invest everything they had nor take risks for the sake of the product. They didn't have enough passion to impress me.

Trends

Trends

Top 10 Trends:

Economic turmoil
Green Power
The Senior Market
Discount Retail
Local business
Education
Parental Outsourcing
Health and Wellness
Texas
Affordable Alcohol

Education


Education is a very important step in any individuals life. With the stress on the economy, many people are choosing to upgrade in order to get better paying jobs in order to be more successful. With close to 12 million people enrolled in post secondary education the future is looking promising. Enrollment at less expensive junior colleges, trade schools and online universities is also on the rise, particularly since student loan financing is still in short supply. Education is also a great investment in the future as it is always needed. Their will always be students to teach.

Randy Pausch - The Last Lecture.

Randy Pausch's last lecture was interesting, and a messy array consisting of words of wisdom - armed with a successful name behind his advice. He talked about the importance of being happy, and having fun while learning. He compared this to asking the crowd whether they were a "tigger or an Eeyore". He mentioned that arrogance was a limiting factor - a thing that he learned from experience earlier on in his life.

He told the class listening that you need to listen to what your mentors and teachers say, and you also need to pay attention to what your friends, and fellow students say to you and about you. One thing that I thought was awesome was how he said that every brick wall is a chance to prove your determination. He said that we needed to raise the bar higher for ourselves and keep trying.

2 Pizza, 1 Pop, and 1 Home made cookie - $4

During our entrepreneurship week project, of selling 2 slices of pizza, a can of pop and a homemade cookie - all for four dollars, we had so much success. It was so much fun, and we all learned how to cooperate with eachother. I learned that through teamwork, and people working with you armed with a good attitude - you can overcome any problem that comes up. The team was willing to reposition themselves so that they could bring success to the whole team. It was a blessing working with them, and something I won't soon forget.

TOMS Shoes - A History

TOMS shoes was founded on the idea to help others. Children in Argentina don't have shoes to protect their feet. Blake Mycoskie decided to do something about it. He wanted to create a shoe popular in argentina called the "alpargata" and sell it in the United States, and eventually all over the world. With every shoe bought, he intended to give one to a person in need.

Without having to sell his product, the concept of the product sold the product itself. The newspaper started the TOMS buzz, and the internet carried it. Word of mouth was the strongest, and continues to be the key advertising trick for TOMS shoes. If you would like to support the cause, you can go to their website at www.toms.com

Arnold - 3 things we can learn.

There are three things we can take from the life of Arnold Schwarzeneger.

Arnold supported many foundations and kept himself focused on what was really important to him. He brought his family to set and always put them first. From this, I learned that you can keep your priorities straight, even if you're in the world.

Arnold also promoted health and fitness in schools where students were affected because it was overlooked. He was the number one icon and example of a healthy body and mindset. He is an excellent example and role model for me to keep pushing, even if it seems impossible.

Arnold set the standard for pushing for your dreams as well. He had extremely humble beginnings, and fought for what he wanted in life - to be the strongest, and to be an actor. He kept fighting past the hurdles of a hard and "future-less" life. He proved everyone wrong by succeeding at everything he said he would.

The Foldio

Christian Lane came looking cfor an investment of 30,000 pounds for 15% for a company named "Foldio". A product that holds a big peice of paper folded, but leaves no fold marks behind. Only two dragons stayed in. One offered 80,000 for 35% for support and mentorship from the investor himself.

3 ideas come out of this product presentation:

1. Every idea is good.
2. Homework is important.
3. Mentorship is key.

This guy was only 19 and got approximately 200,000 dollars for this idea that turned out good.

Element Bars

The entrepreneur who makes Element bars - a natural energy bar made with regular ingredients came to the Shark Tank. He asked for $150 000 investment for 50% of the business. He went for giving up 30% of his business for a licensing agreement where he gets 4% of sales and $150 000 for investment.

The funny thing was, that he went back and forth with the sharks. He negotiated with the sharks and refused every offer, until the last one was re-made. He knew his product was valuable and decided the last offer made was worth it.

Streamline Fitness

A high-end, sophisticated gym, dedicated to helping you achieve your fitness goals. Enthusiastic trainers, high-end equipment, and a postive surrounding atmosphere will encourage growth, perseverance, and determination. There will be a tanning salon, a supplements and juice bar, sauna and a massage therapy option located inside the gym. There will be an optional "women's only" side to the gym as well.

This gym will not be open to public without a $30.00 drop in fee. This is a members-only area, dedicated to your success. The monthly membership can range anywhere from $50.00 - $100.00/month. We will be in association with nutritionalists and physiologists so that we can work with the injured or medically impaired clients.

Ray Kroc

The ultimate competitor in the food industry was Ray Kroc. He was born in 1902 and his first business ventures were lemonade stands, grocery stores and soda fountains. In grammer school all he cared about was making money - and he jumped at the chance to join the army during World War II. He trained, but the war ended soon, so he went back home, and at the prompting of his parents - went back to school. But he only returned for one semester.

In order to get his father's permission to marry his love - Ethel, he began to sell paper cups. He also found work at a local soda fountain. He conviced them to use his paper cup, so people could bring a soda home, and he was right. It revolutionized the face of the soda fountain.

Work was everything to ray after this, and he barely made time for his family. He left the paper cup business and went into milkshake machines. His business slowed over time, but one restaurant continued to order these machines. He flew out to California and went to meet the men of McDonalds.

The McDonald brothers revolutionized fast food. They created an assembly line like that of FORD. Every burger was the same. No questions asked. Kroc joined the team, and thought he could open franchises for them, making more money for their great business model. At 52 years old he made the cover of American Restaurant Magazine. He sold 18 franchses and kept 1% of the sales; giving the McDonald brothers only 0.5%.

In 1951, he ended his marriage with Ethel. He married a woman named Jane out of convenience and continued to make money. He wanted more control of franchises and sought out new locations. He always looked where there were churches. Where there were churches, there were good families - the perfect customers. He bought McDonalds from the brothers for 2.7 million. He then utilized TV commercials for the business.

Later on, he found his absolute true love, divorced jane and married Joan - the woman of his dreams. He then used his money to start a scientific medical research company and bought the San Diego Padres baseball team. He suffered many strocked and in 1984 - died at age 81

McDonalds was mostly into the real estate business - not necessarially all wrapped around the food industry. The company developed an innovative food production and delivery system. Ray Kroc wanted to make sure everyone got good value - essentially what they deserved.

Dream Maker Lottery

This is the quick informational speech I will be giving while trying to sell tickets for the car Sardis Secondary is drawing for.

"Hi there! I'm here on behalf of Sardis Secondary Highschool supporting our Dream Maker Lottery. We're raising funds for the dreams of our graduating students this year. You will be able to help students go for post-secondary education by providing more scholarships and bursaries to them. We also have many grads who cannot afford to even go to their own graduation banquet. Honda has kindly donated a 2001 Acura EL, and we are selling tickets for it. All the proceeds will go straight into our graduation legacy fund. The draw date is June 8th. We would really appreciate your support with this."

Shark Tank!! 2nd Attempt

Jeff Wolsky went to the sharktank for a swim. He asked the sharks if they would invest $75,000.00 in expanding his existing business - making bobblehead dolls available in a mall kiosk. He did not however inform the sharks that he had an existing online business, selling the bobbleheads already.

The sharks first accused him of being guilty of hiding his online business from them, and few of them opted out for this reason. Information and numbers were asked about this business, and he wouldn't give exact count for what it made - he would only give the answer "Between five and six hundred thousand a year."

After the offer for $125,000.00 for 20% was presented, Jeff almost accepted until the other sharks sent him out of the room to deliberate.

The sharks came up with a plan to give him $100,000.00 and 20% of the business. Jeff declined. After the offer was declined, the last shark offered once more $125,000.00. Jeff countered the offer and asked for $100,000.00 with only 7% of the business. The last shark finally ducked out, and Jeff was sent home.

What I don't understand is why he couldn't use his company's money to expand. He was called greedy and he called the others greedy right back. In reality, he was greedy. He wasn't willing to risk any of his other business for the new one. He refused every offer, and walked out the door empty handed.

His online business is still thriving, but the kiosks never really took hold. This was probably a good thing - considering a lot of money would have been lost from the sharks when it could have gone to a better place.