Just a reminder of what it's all about...

Hey guys!  Thanks for checking out this new adventure I'm starting. What is it? Let me tell you a little bit about my dream!

It has always been a dream of mine to own my own business. To "do my own thing" and find a way to make a living doing something I love. Since my PGA Tour dreams have not yet taken flight, I have been looking for something else to do. About eight months ago, the idea hit me. Why not mix two of my favorite things?! Frozen yogurt and art!

Here's how it's going to work. My dream is to open a self served frozen yogurt shop and use the wall space as a gallery for local artists to display and sell their artwork. Not your typical fro-yo chain. More of a local, home-grown, family feel to the place. A place where you can enjoy a delicious treat and some great art from people in the community that you live in. More than just that, it will be a place to gather, connect, and interact with your friends, family, and community.

So where does the name Fresh Freezes come in? Simple. My love for the beach and the South Florida lifestyle. Mix that with my love for frozen yogurt and there you go! Frozen yogurt plus fresh breezes equals Fresh Freezes!

Here's a little bit about the self served frozen yogurt concept. Instead of walking into a typical yogurt shop and choosing between one or two flavors, a handful of toppings, and then having the clerk determine how much goes into your cup, imagine being able to fill your own cup with as many flavors as you want and as much or as little frozen yogurt that you want! Then walk over to the toppings bar and let your heart run wild! Then simply place your cup on the scale and pay by the ounce. Now before I get comments about this already being an industry with chains popping all over, let me say "I KNOW"! But trust me, Fresh Freezes is different.

I will be adding in the element of supporting local artists by giving them a gallery space to display and sell their artwork allowing them to follow their own dreams. We will also host artist showcases and allow a selected artist to use the entire shop to host their own gallery night.

Fresh Freezes will also be a place that the community will love to come. Not only will the yogurt be delicious, but we will be available to host birthday parties, charity events, and other special events. It is my goal not only to run a business, but to help improve the community.

So what's keeping me from this dream? Simple. Funding. In this economy, starting a new business is not exactly the kind of thing that banks are looking to support. I have checked on bank loans, Small Business Administration programs, and government grants and nothing seems to be an open door. I have also looked into a private investor or business partner willing to front the money but I lack those types of connections. So how am I supposed to get the money to make my dream come true?

Here's my crazy plan the just might be crazy enough to work! I have estimated my start up costs to be between $150,00 - $200,000. That's a lot, I know. How can I hope to raise that amount of money working a part time retail job? I can't. But I have an idea that might be crazy enough to work. My thought at first was to get all of my friends to give me $1 and then build on that. But then I realized, I have nowhere near that many friends! Then I thought, what if I can somehow get 150,000 people to give me $1?! CRAZY!! Right?! But maybe crazy enough to work!

So here are the details. In order to get the money to start my dream business, I decided to do something that I have never heard of before. Someway, somehow, get 150,000 people at least to give me $1. How does that happen? It starts with my friends and family. Then they pass it on to their friends and family, then they pass it on and so on. It's a long shot but it may work with your help! We can talk with local media, use this blog, Facebook, Twitter, and hopefully make it to the national media eventually. Just think what could happen if I made it to the Today show or better than that, the Ellen show?!

All it takes is $1! From 150,000 people! For less than the amount of spare change you probably have in your car you could help keep the American dream going! My American dream!

Here's some things that you should know as well. Once I reach my goal of enough money to open the doors of Fresh Freezes, the remainder of the money raised will be going to local charities. I do not plan on pocketing any of the funds raised. Also, donating a dollar does not give you ownership in the business. Just have to throw that out there.

So what do you think? Details and specifics are still being worked out but I figure I've got to start to get the word out now. Why wait?! There will be much more to come in the near future. Help me chase my dream! It will cost you less than your favorite drink from Starbucks!

Ellen...

I sent in my letter to the Ellen show today! Let's hope she gets it and is able to help out by spreading the word! I know she would love the idea and be a huge help to getting the dream off the ground! Fingers crossed everybody!

P.S. Have you given your donation yet? Have you told all your friends to do the same? I need your help!

Thanks everyone!!!

Fund-Raising Event!

Fresh Freezes is hold it's first fund raising event! I will be participating in a "Yard Sale" event and need everyone's help to get the money rolling in! Along with your donations, HINT HINT, this is a great way to help the process as well as come and chat with me about the business. I hope you can make it! Please spread the word! Remember, I can't do this without YOU! Please be sure to share this with your friends as well! Your pocket change is my dream!

http://www.storeselfstorage.com/yard-sale-palm-beach-gardens

Update...

Hey everyone. Here's the latest on what's going on with everything. There has been an excited response from quite a few people about the idea and the plan of raising the money. I hope that excitement turns into donations!

To date, there has been two donations totaling $25 towards the big goal! Have you made your donation yet? Why not?! Think about it... For less than a cup of coffee and about the same price as most candy bars you can help me start my dream! By the way, you can always give more than just $1 but that is totally up to you! Check your cars and couches for extra change. You don't use it anyways so why not send it in to me?!

As far as a business update, I am looking at adding another aspect to the store. Instead of just self served frozen yogurt, why not self served frozen yogurt shakes?! You pick the flavor, you pick the goodies to put in it, and then just let us mix and shake it all together for you!

I am still searching for the charities to donate any extra funding to. Some of my top choices are Susan G. Komen for The Cure and Els for Autism.

That's all for now. Remember to get that donation in and spread the word!! I need all the help I can get!!!

Good News!

Good news! The first donation has arrived! $5 down, $149,995 to go! Have you made your donation yet? have you told all of your fiends to yet? Let's get this show on the road! I can't do this without you! Click on the "Donate" tab at the top of the page and get your $1 (or more!) in today!

DONATE!!

Check out the new "Donate" button on the page! I can now start accepting donations for Fresh Freezes! You can give your $1 or more if you want! Thanks for the support guys!

New Facebook Page

I just finished the new Facebook page! Make sure you go on and "Like" it!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresh-Freezes/180766068631716