Book review: ‘Start a Successful Business’ by Colleen DeBaise

Colleen DeBaise is a contributing editor at Inc. and podcast host at The Story Exchange, a media nonprofit devoted to women business owners. She is the founder of Hampton Bee, a media site that provides news and tips for consumers who support small businesses on Long Island’s East End. In 2005, she was the winner of the Newswomen’s Club of New York’s Front Page award for specialized writing. Her book ‘Start a Successful Business: Expert Advice to Take Your Startup from Idea to Empire’ gives expert advice for helping potential entrepreneurs get their business off the ground.

From the editors at Inc. Magazine, ‘Start a Successful Business’ simplifies the business process and includes startup stories made to inspire and spark entrepreneurs into action. Its purpose is to walk readers through the seven crucial stages that it takes to build a successful business from idea to empire. Each chapter makes up one of these steps: Chapter 1: Come Up with a Brilliant Business Idea, Chapter 2: Select the Best Strategy and Structure for Your Startup, Chapter 3: Figure Out Funding, Chapter 4: Get the Word Out – and Get Customers, Chapter 5: Dig Deep to Discover Customer’s Wants and Needs, Chapter 6: Become an Exceptional Leader and Chapter 7: Prepare to Go Global.

All include various case studies and last words that summarized the chapter. Chapter 2 includes important basics everyone should know such as how to write a business plan that includes plan templates, components of a business plan, permits and paperwork while Chapter 3 has the all-important subject of business funding and provides funding sources such as credit cards, retirement savings, crowdfunding and professional investors. It also includes ways to calculating startup costs with bootstrapping tips like sharing office services and equipment, lease instead of purchase and negotiate fees and terms with all service providers and suppliers.

‘Start a Successful Business’ gives readers clear and concise information on starting a business from idea to successful business and includes interviews with success stories meant to inspire the everyday person to strive out on his or her own. It is meant to inform and motivate people who want to start a new business but do not know where to start and gives them easy step by step advice. The stand out chapter is Chapter 4 because it has much needed advice on how to get the word out about a new product or service. These ideas include networking, referrals and reviews, affinity groups, cold calling and advertising. Specially geared towards modern advertising is the ‘Social Media 101’ section that has the different social media networks, how they work and which one to use depending on a person’s needs: YouTube for tutorials, Instagram for visual based ideas and Snapchat if target audience is young, as with millennials. The tone is relaxed and easy to understand and follow. It is recommended for those with little to no business knowledge and is full of useful advice, ideas and success stories to motivate anyone who has ever dreamt of being a business owner.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

Buddy V’s Italian Birthday Cake

buddyvcake — Buddy V’s Italian Birthday Cake. Photo: Buddy V’s Ristorante, used with permission.

The month of September is fast approaching and what better way to celebrate that special day than with cake. As San Antonians get ready to celebrate, TLC’s ‘Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro, from Buddy V’s Ristorante, located at The Shops at La Cantera is graciously sharing the secret recipe for the much loved Italian Birthday Cake. (Buddy V’s Ristorante, 2018)

Italian Birthday Cake courtesy of Bryan Forgione
Ingredients:
•3 vanilla sponge cakes
•Rum simple syrup
•Cannoli cream
•Chocolate pastry cream
•Toasted almonds
•Whipped cream

Method:
1.Brush sponge with simple syrup. Then spread cannoli cream.
2.Place second layer of sponge and brush with simple syrup. Then spread chocolate pastry cream.
3.Place third layer of sponge and brush with simple syrup. Using a spatula, smooth chocolate pastry cream on the sides of the cake. Then smooth whipped cream on top of the cake.
4.Coat the sides of the cake with toasted almonds.
5.With the star tip in a piping bag, pipe a border around the top and bottom of the cake.

Sponge Cake Ingredients:
•265 grams water
•160 grams blended oil
•1 tbsp vanilla extract
•9 egg yolks
•375 grams cake flour (sifted)
•157.5 grams sugar
•19 grams baking powder
•3 grams salt
•9 egg whites
•300 grams sugar

Sponge Cake Method:
1.Whip water, oil, vanilla extract, yolks and dry ingredients until double in size.
2.Whip egg whites and sugar until stiff peak and fold into mixture.
3.Spray pan and put parchment.
4.Bake at 325 degrees F until it springs back.

Rum Simple Syrup Ingredients:
•985 grams sugar
•985 grams water
•1 cup rum

Rum Simple Syrup Method:
1.Boil sugar and water until sugar has dissolved.
2.Add rum.
3.Cool in ice bath.

Cannoli Cream Ingredients:
•2 lbs. Impastata
•1 lb. Ricotta, tub
•2 drops cinnamon oil
•8 oz. sugar
•4 oz. cocoa drops

Cannoli Cream Method:
1.In electric mixer with paddle attachment, beat both cheeses and sugar.
2.Add oil.
3.Lastly, add cocoa drops and taste the cream.

Chocolate Pastry Cream Ingredients:
•360 grams egg yolks
•600 grams sugar
•125 grams cornstarch
•1 qt. + 488 grams Half & Half
•8 grams vanilla extract
•3.5 grams salt
•2 oz. butter
•70 grams cocoa powder

Chocolate Pastry Cream Method:
1.Combine Half & Half, sugar, vanilla and salt in a pot. Bring to a boil.
2.In a bowl, combine yolks, cocoa powder and cornstarch.
3.Temper the milk mixture into yolk mixture.
4.Put back onto heat and with a hand blender, mix until thick.
5.Add butter.
6.Strain and cool in ice bath.

Whipped Cream Ingredients:
•1 qt. heavy cream
•1.5 cups powdered sugar
•1 tbsp vanilla extract

Whipped Cream Method:
1.Whip all ingredients together until stiff peak.

Buddy V’s Ristorante
15900 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 462-1167

Fast Eddie’s celebrates 20 year anniversary with Camaro giveaway

Fast Eddie’s is celebrating its 20th anniversary with festivities and prizes. Photo: Fast Eddie’s, used with permission.

Fast Eddie’s, the largest group of billiards halls in the U.S., is celebrating its 20th anniversary with six months of festivities, prizes and a Chevy Camaro giveaway. In recognition of loyal guests and many enthusiasts, Fast Eddie’s is hosting a series of anniversary parties at each location on the first Friday of every month from August 2018 through February 2019. Each anniversary party will have a festive theme, drink specials and raffles. The grand prize, a new 2019 Chevrolet Camaro, will be awarded to one lucky winner in the color of their choice during the last party. (Fast Eddie’s, 2018)

Fast Eddie’s opened its first location in San Antonio in August 1998 by hospitality experts and bar veterans, Bob Wilson, Mark Beyer and Mark Lewis. These talented entrepreneurs created a neighborhood gathering place with more entertainment options than were available at any other billiards halls. With large, comfortable environments that feature multi-dimensional entertainment, high-end audio-visual equipment, top of the line pool tables, dart boards, video games, music, comfort food, a full bar, themed events and charity benefits, Fast Eddie’s has drawn a loyal following. The single pool hall on Culebra Rd became so successful, it spurred the growth of Fast Eddie’s to 15 locations in Texas and Louisiana.

During each of the Fast Eddie’s 20th anniversary parties, one lucky winner will receive a $3,000-value prize. There is no cost to enter. Guests can attend recurring 20th anniversary parties at any of the 15 Fast Eddie’s locations beginning August 3, 2018. Forty finalist tickets will be issued per location per event. During each party, a total of ten tickets for the Grand Prize Camaro Giveaway will be drawn on the hour from 9pm to 12am. The final tickets will be distributed on January 4, 2019. To qualify for the grand prize, participants must be 21 years of age or older and possess a valid U.S. driver’s license, must attend any of the first six Fast Eddie’s parties and win at least one qualifying ticket at any of those six events. Winners of each monthly Fast Eddie’s 20th Anniversary party will be announced via Facebook Live and on HDTVs at each location. Participants must be present to win. Additional information on how to participate and event details and terms and conditions are available online.

Fast Eddie’s 20th Anniversary Party Event Dates:
• Friday, September 7, 2018: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Friday, October 5, 2018: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Thursday, November 2, 2018: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Friday, December 7, 2018: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Friday, January 4, 2019: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Friday, February 1, 2019: car giveaway and one $3,000-value prize giveaway

Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar San Antonio locations:
9910 W Loop 1604 N Suite 113
San Antonio, TX

7616 Culebra Rd #103
San Antonio, TX

502 Embassy Oaks
San Antonio, TX

11221 Perrin Beitel
San Antonio, TX

Limited edition honey-infused bourbon from Garrison Brothers Distillery

honeydewbourbon — HoneyDew, the limited edition honey-infused bourbon from Garrison Brothers Distillery will be available starting August 17. Photo: Garrison Brothers Distillery, used with permission.

Garrison Brothers Distillery recently announced the release of HoneyDew, the latest experimental release in the company’s portfolio of ultra-premium, Texas-born bourbon whiskies. HoneyDew be available at the Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye, Texas for a limited time starting August 17 with only 4,000 bottles available. The special release 80 proof bourbon is infused with 100% Texas-made Burleson’s wildflower honey resulting in a smooth, light bourbon with a subtle honey finish. (Garrison Brothers Distillery, 2018)

The project is eleven years in the making and a departure from previous styles created by the brand. Nancy Garrison, wife and business partner of proprietor Dan Garrison, wanted the distillery to produce a honey-sweetened bourbon whiskey since they started the business together in 2006. Dan strongly objected due to his disdain for “flavored whiskies,” hence the name “HoneyDew”, as a play on “Honey Do” requests. Garrison’s objections to flavored whiskies come from the fact that so many of them are chemical concoctions; several even made with propylene glycol.

The new bourbon has tasting notes of sweet elderberry syrup, yeast, yellow-flesh peaches, apricots, white chocolate and of course, delicious, golden Texas honey. Garrison Brothers will celebrate the release of HoneyDew with a party at their distillery in Hye, Texas on Friday, August 17. Dubbed the HoneyDew Hullabaloo, the daytime party will feature frozen HoneyDew cocktails by Frost 321, a mobile cigar lounge by Habana Cowboy and a honey-education tent by Burleson’s Honey. Distillery gates will open at noon and the festivities will last until 6p.m. HoneyDew will be available exclusively at the distillery in Hye, Texas for $69.99 beginning August 17 at Hye Noon.

Garrison Brothers Distillery™ is a small farm and ranch located in the Texas Hill Country which produces straight bourbon whiskey. Founded in 2006, Garrison Brothers is the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas history and is one of the first distilleries in America outside of Kentucky to produce authentic, handmade bourbon whiskey and only bourbon whiskey. At the American Craft Spirit Awards in 2016, they were awarded a gold medal for their Cowboy Bourbon™, silver medal for their 2016 Vintage Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey and another silver for their Texas Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The distillery and its barrel barns are open to the public for tours in Hye, Texas.

Garrison Brothers Distillery
1827 Hye Albert Rd
Hye, TX 78635

Movie adaptation: ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ by Kevin Kwan

Kevin Kwan is a Singaporean-American novelist best known for his satirical novels that comprise the Crazy Rich Asians Trilogy. He was named as one of the ‘Five Writers to Watch’ on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of Hollywood’s Most Powerful Authors. In 2018, he made Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people and was inducted into The Asian Hall of Fame. ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ follows a young Asian American woman who travels to meet her boyfriend’s family, only to find out they are one of the richest families in Singapore. It became a best seller and is followed by ‘China Rich Girlfriend’ and ‘Rich People Problems.’ Kwan once stated that this intention in writing ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ was to introduce a contemporary Asia to a North American audience and that it is loosely based on his own childhood in Singapore. The movie adaptation of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ will be released on Wednesday August 15 and stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding and Gemma Chan.

According to Amazon, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ is the story of New Yorker Rachel Chu who agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend Nicholas Young. She pictures a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry someday. What Nicholas failed to tell her is that his childhood home looks like a palace, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars and that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor. On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back as soon as she steps off the plane. Soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives and scheming social climbers.

Camp Gladiator stadium takeover at Alamodome

campgladiatorpic — Camp Gladiator stops in San Antonio on Saturday August 18 at the Alamodome. Photo: Camp Gladiator, used with permission.

Camp Gladiator, one of America’s fastest growing fitness companies, is proud to announce a series of free, open-to-the-public stadium takeover events this August in celebration of its tenth anniversary. With the motto “Changing Fitness, Changing Lives,” these fitness events will take place in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Waco, Texas; as well as in Charlotte, North Carolina; Raleigh, New Carolina; Shreveport, Louisiana; Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; Tampa, Florida; and Nashville, Tennessee. The stadium take-over in San Antonio will take place on Saturday August 18 from 7a.m. to 1p.m. at the Alamodome. (Camp Gladiator, 2018)

Founded in 2008 in Dallas, Texas, by Ally and Jeff Davidson, Camp Gladiator is a movement dedicated to transforming lives through dynamic, fun and challenging outdoor group workouts led by talented trainers who inspire campers to discover their best selves. To celebrate its ten-year anniversary, Camp Gladiator is creating the camp experience on a grand scale by providing the rare experience of working out on the grounds of notable large stadiums in each city for a day of outdoor fitness fun. Since its humble beginning, Camp Gladiator has grown to over 80,000 campers with over 900 trainers across 350 cities. In its tenth year, Camp Gladiator is entering new markets as its pattern of rapid growth continues. Most recently, the company announced plans to expand to Jacksonville, Florida, in January 2019.

The stadium takeover days offer a social, hangout space for guests to have fun and get to know what Camp Gladiator is about. The events feature food, retail, and fitness vendors and other fitness activities such as a slamball slam contest and a battle rope station. Each city event has an Eventbrite page to RSVP and an RSVP is required to attend the free event. The events are open to all ages and all fitness levels. Attendees under 14 years old must have a parent present to attend. All campers will be provided with online waiver forms with their RSVP. Guests are asked to wear athletic clothing.

The Camp Gladiator stadium takeover events start on August 11 in Austin, Texas, and continue in cities across the nation on August 18 and August 25. The day is programmed around a free, CG trainer-led group workout. Attendees can sign up as a spectator or a competitor. The events will either be a “Dash” event where the participants will be released in waves to run between 10 workout stations held throughout the stadium or a “Mega Workout” where participants will complete the 10 workout stations as a large community workout. Dash events are held inside the stadiums are 2 to 3 miles long. Mega Workout events are 60 to 90 minutes long and are held on the stadium grounds or in stadium parking lots.

Both the Dash and Mega Workouts are full-body workouts that combine strength and cardio exercises designed to challenge campers of all fitness levels and ages. The workout is based off the CG camp experience which focuses on endurance, strength, agility, and interval training suitable for all fitness levels. Camp Gladiator provides an encouraging community to inspire greatness and a competitive spirit in each camper.

“We are really beyond excited to be celebrating 10 amazing years of Camp Gladiator and the impact made on hundreds of thousands of campers across the nation. We can’t wait to host our loyal campers and everyone in our amazing communities that have supported us through the years at stadiums across the nation.” Ally Davidson, Camp Gladiator founder and CEO.

Men’s finals of Masskrugstemmen at Krause’s Café

krausecafebeerstein18 — On Saturday August 11, Krause’s Café is holding the final of the men’s stein-holding competition. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten in New Braunfels has been hosting traditional stein-holding competitions since May. Officially called Masskrugstemmen competitions, they are Bavarian strongman/strongwoman tests that have their roots in Germany where participants hold a liter of German beer by the handle, straight out in front of their bodies for as long as they can. The last person still holding his or her liter of beer correctly wins. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2018)

This Saturday August 11, Krause’s Café & Biergarten is hosting the men’s finals which brings together the male winners from each previous round. The men’s finals will determine the overall ‘strongest’ steinholder, ultimately earning a chance to participate in the Masskrugstemmen at the Hofbrauhaus in New York City on September 15. In New York, the stein master will then be named as national champion and win a trip to Germany. This is the final battle royale of the men’s series of Masskrugstemmen. The Women’s Finals will take place on Saturday August 18.

Krause’s Café is a New Braunfels historic restaurant that opened in 1938 and ran successfully until 1995. Recently it reopened and while keeping true to the original traditions it now has a ‘biergarten,’ live music and more. The menu reflects its German heritage and South Texas flavors while offering over 70 beers that include local, regional and international options as well as cocktails and wines on tap.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten
186 S Castell Ave
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-2807

Culinaria Restaurant Weeks

culinaria18 — Culinaria Restaurant Weeks is August 11 through 25 at participating locations. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

August is the time of the year to celebrate all things food related in San Antonio with Culinaria Restaurant Week. Culinaria Restaurant Week was created by the culinary community to promote the different menu options that San Antonio has to offer. It offers locals and visitors an opportunity to discover new cuisines that perhaps they never had a chance to experience at affordable prices at restaurants in areas ranging from downtown to Stone Oak. (Culinaria, 2018)

Now in its ninth year, Culinaria Restaurant Weeks, scheduled for Saturday August 11 through Saturday August 25, has expanded its footprint to include eateries in neighboring Boerne and New Braunfels, as well Alamo City favorites. Participating Restaurants in the Tri-County area will offer special three-course prix-fixe menus: $25 Breakfast/Brunch, $15 lunch and $35/$45 dinner. Guests can expect some restaurants to offer additional course options as well as wine, cocktail and beer pairings. This is the perfect opportunity to try out a new restaurant or let it serve as the catalyst to reconnect with friends, family or co-workers.

Participating locations include Acenar Mexican Restaurant, Aldo’s Ristorante Italiano, Biga on the Banks and many more. The best advice to anyone participating in Restaurant Week is to plan. Full details on participating restaurants, including Restaurant Week menus can be found online. Reservations are not required but are encouraged as walk-in service cannot be guaranteed.

As a non-profit organization, Culinaria has been promoting San Antonio as a premier destination for culinary, beverage and hospitality to an international audience, while also serving as a resource for educational opportunities in those fields. Events that make up Culinaria include Restaurant Week, a 5k Wine & Beer Run, the Wine + Food Festival and the Hallowine Run as well as smaller events with several community partner events.

“Restaurant Week presents a tremendous opportunity for local residents and out-of-town visitors to discover the art of gourmet dining at affordable prices. Plus, it generates excitement and buzz about the wide range of choices and excellent food that define San Antonio and neighboring cities” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, president/CEO, Culinaria

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. debuts first location in San Antonio

Last week, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. opened its first location in San Antonio along the historic River Walk. Inspired by the Paramount Pictures’ hit film “Forrest Gump,” Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. presents a down-home, family-friendly dining experience that perfectly captures the charm and American spirit that made the film a smash hit. Each location offers a taste of southern hospitality and friendly service that involves the guest with such activity as its famous “Run Forrest Run” and “Stop Forrest Stop” license plate signs. It also offers interactive movie trivia, a retail market with regionalized merchandise and the iconic ‘Box of Chocolates’ for purchase, as well as photo opportunities with the world-famous Shrimp Louie mascot. (Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., 2018)

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. remains the first and only theme restaurant chain based on a motion picture, serving patrons around the world including Bali, Cancun, Hong Kong, London and Tokyo among many others, as well as major destinations across the United States like Hollywood, California; Santa Monica Pier in California; Times Square in New York City; the Las Vegas Strip; Navy Pier in Chicago; Mall of America; Miami, Florida; and San Francisco’s Pier 39.

Known for its quality seafood, Bubba Gump offers 19 different preparations of shrimp, as well as an exciting variety of fish, steak and chicken dishes, crisp salads, fun kid’s meals, creative desserts and award-winning ribs. The menu also offers signature items that include Coconut Shrimp, Grilled Seafood Trio, Jenny’s Catch with Lobster Butter Sauce, as well as appetizer favorites like Bubba’s Far Out Dip, Shrimper’s Net Catch and Run Across America Sampler. Guests can also enjoy new menu items like the BBQ Brisket Burger or the Backyard BBQ Combo with Tender Brisket, Barbecue Ribs, Grilled Chicken and Corn on the Cob.

Located at Navarro and W Crockett Street in the heart of the River Walk, it is within walking distance to nearby hotels, shops and attractions. In addition to its southern aesthetic, the restaurant will also offer riverfront dining on its outdoor covered patio. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 10p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11a.m. to 11p.m.

“San Antonio is a vibrant city recognized for its historic roots and eclectic culture. We are thrilled to join this thriving community and bring our entertaining atmosphere, memorable food and beverage, array of merchandise and souvenirs along with our engaging and interactive service to the River Walk.” – Jim Dufault, VP and COO of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
406 Navarro St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224-4867

Book review: ‘Superhero Ethics’ by Travis Smith

superheroethics18 — ‘Superhero Ethics’ by Travis Smith is an interesting look at superheroes and the qualities that makes them worthy of emulating. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Travis Smith is an American author who received his PhD from Harvard University and is associate professor of political science at Concordia University. He has been collecting comic books since he bought Uncanny X-Men #207 with his allowance in 1986. His writing has appeared in the Weekly Standard and Convivium Magazine. In his latest book, ‘Superhero Ethics: 10 Comic Book Heroes; 10 Ways to Save the World; Which One Do We Need Most Now?’ he uses superheroes to put the focus on timeless human conditions and examines how people use them to shape their character and face life’s challenges.

‘Superhero Ethics,’ poses the questions: given the choice, which superhero should people follow today? Who is most worthy of admiration? Whose goals are most noble? Whose ethics should people try to emulate? Travis Smith takes ten top superheroes and pits them one against another, chapter by chapter. The hero who better exemplifies how people should live advances to the final round. By the end of the book, a single superhero is declared the winner and is crowned the most exemplary. It is divided into the Introduction, Chapter 1 The Best of the Beastly: The Hulk versus Wolverine, Chapter 2 Beacons of Imagination: Green Lantern versus Iron Man, Chapter 3 Responsibility and the City: Batman versus Spider-Man, Chapter 4 Ideals in Action: Captain America versus Mister Fantastic, Chapter 5 Gods in a Longbox: Thor versus Superman and the Conclusion, where the author reveals the winner.

With superheroes being more popular than ever, Travis Smith uses them to explore the topic of ethics in a more familiar way that is also easy to understand. He takes the childhood argument of who is cooler, Batman or Superman and takes it up a notch depending on what a person’s most important human characteristic. For example, if someone “thinks the biggest problem society faces today is the degree of divisiveness exhibited by its citizens, then Captain America is a good role model to adopt.” Even though in the end he declares a clear winner (no spoilers) by examining every aspect of society and human conditions, he hints at the old cliché that everyone is a winner because they all have their endearing and winning qualities. Since it is an in-depth exploration of the comic book world, ‘Superhero Ethics’ is a must-read for comic books fans interested in ethics and will no-doubt leave readers pondering the different topics long after the last word is read.

“…I have learned a few things from superhero stories: First, if some scientist promises to bring all humankind peace and joy through the application of some technology, it means he’s the bad guy; second, global governance is for supervillains; and third, reboots disappoint.”