Tuesday, September 25, 2012

K.I.S.S.

Most of us know what K.I.S.S. means: Keep It Simple, Stupid.
That's something that we tell ourselves every day here at Calzone. We may do complicated code or multi-faceted campaigns, but our main goal is to keep everything simple. We don't want our clients or their audiences to get frustrated or confused. 
It's really not that hard to get people excited about a message. You just have to know what it is, who you're talking to, and how to KEEP IT SIMPLE. 

K.I.S.S. also means something else at the Calzone office: Keep It Super Silly.
Okay, I just made that up. We do like to laugh here, though. This video had us pressing replay over and over again. A couple of us cry-laughed. It's called "Work Hard, Nap Hard." We completely agree.
Hope you enjoy it!


Monday, September 24, 2012

The Tereson Way is a good way to go.

http://teresonsway.blogspot.com/ Never Giving UP Today an article came out in The Idependent about my appearance on Shark Tank, tomorrow the local news KATC is interviewing me for their segment "What's Right in Acadiana" and I expect there will be many more like these to come after the actual air date passes. But I was wondering what do I want my message to be when doing these interviews? What do I want to leave people with after watching a news story? I have been in business for almost 13 years, and the honest truth is that it has never been easy! I think that holds true for many people that bring new ideas to market - especially on a next to nothing budget. My story is interesting of a mom who thought of something different and made it a successful product, but it is a similar story that we all hear very often - the "Mother of Invention" right? What I want to leave people with after either hearing my story or reading an article is the perseverance that it has taken to get to this point because that is part of the story that is often left out. The dedication and courage that it takes to stay in business when you would rather throw in the towel. And the motivation and the drive that it takes to jump over just about every hurdle put in your way and keep on going. That is what I have done despite one thing after another being thrown in my direction. I did not go looking for Shark Tank, Shark Tank found me and I am so glad they did. Had I given up long ago after the first hiccup in my business, this opportunity would have never presented itself. Key lesson - NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS - BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY MAY LEAD TO!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Success! Evangeline Down Handle Increases For 2012 Thoroughbred Season

(Opelousas, La.)–Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino recently concluded spring/summer thoroughbred horse racing season and recorded solid numbers including increases in average nightly handle, average nightly on-track handle, and total on-track handle for the 84-night season. The season, which ended on Saturday, September 8, posted a nightly average handle of $1.389 million, an increase of 4.3% from 2011’s average of $1.331 million. Nightly average on-track handle rose sharply, up 9% to $62,751 from last year’s $57,551. Total on-track handle was $5,208,405, up from $5,064,557, despite a total of five less racing nights compared to 2011. Total handle for the season was $115,291,118, compared to last year’s $117,202,645. Evangeline Downs, known as the “Home of the Biggest Fields” continued to live up to that moniker as average field size was once again one of the highest in the nation. A total of 8,145 horses started during the 877 races, an average of 9.29 per race. Steve Darbonne, director of racing operations at Evangeline Downs stated, “We set the bar high here at Evangeline Downs, and I’m proud but not content with our results. Like everyone else, we are facing difficult economic times here in Louisiana, but we continue to offer an exciting and varied product featuring full fields, often producing big payoffs that horse racing fans and bettors across the United States have come to embrace and expect from us.” “This year, Evangeline Downs hosted events and promotions all season long in our Clubhouse, paddock area and trackside,” said Darbonne. “The live action of racing with its roots in the Cajun culture created a party atmosphere for people of all ages. We definitely saw lots of families every night.” Plenty of money was also available to horsemen, as a total of $15.831 million was paid out over the season, an average of more than $190,000 a program. Live racing will return to the Opelousas, La. oval on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 with the start of the fall quarter horse season. The 46-night season will primarily have a four-evening-a-week schedule, Wednesday-Saturday and runs through Thursday, December 20. Full-card simulcast wagering continues daily on-track, at Off Track Betting facilities and via betlouisiana.com. For more information contact Evangeline Downs at 337-594-3000.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012