The Tom Cruise of 7-11

Everyone knows how I like to go on and on about all the beautiful women in Las Vegas. What else is a single, heterosexual, male supposed to think about:? The other day I was chatting with my cousin back in Kansas City. She told me this: "Heah, I get it. Keep this in mind! I'm a single, heterosexual, female. I want to hear about some of your guy friends. I bet there are plenty of good looking men in Las Vegas, tell me about one of them!" I love my cousin Sally, so I decided to honor her request.

One of the regulars at 7-11 is my friend Tony. Tony works for a fancy Strip restaurant, mid-twenties, handsome, polite..Very nice young man. He came into 7-11 the other day, and I told him this. "I bet your one helluva waiter! When I was in Texas, I tried my hand at waiting, and got fired in less than a week. Tell me this, is waiting a temporary gig until something else comes along for you?" He told me this: "The money is pretty good (one of the top restaurants on the strip), but I have some other ideas that I want to pursue." I then asked him "What kind of ideas?" He told me.."I've always wanted to open up my own business. A bar or a restaurant, something a long those lines. I'm just waiting for the economy to turn around."

One of my favorite parts of seeing Tony is watching him leave. I better explain this statement a little better:) I'm not sure what kind of motorcycle he has? I do know one thing: It's fast. After he puts all of his safety gear on, he zooms out of the parking lot and before you can blink he's gone. Call me sentimental? Watching him leave, reminds me of one of my favorite movies 'Top Gun'. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, watch it and you will catch my drift. Whenever I watch Tony leave? I always tell myself the same thing: "There go's the Tom Cruise of 7-11."

The Royal Flush Queen of 7-11...

In a few of my earlier posts, I  mention the fact that convenience stores in Las Vegas are permitted to have a certain number of gaming machines in them. This makes my job as a 7-11 cashier a lot more interesting..Why? When a player 'hits' on a machine? They tip..That's always a good scenario for me..By far and away the most generous tips I receive? When a player hits a 'Royal Flush!

One of the regulars at 7-11 is my friend Lacy. I've gotten to know her a little, she always comes in for her coffee:) Oh lord have mercy! She has too be, one of the finest looking women I have ever seen..A fricking Venus..The outside is perfecto. I could go on and on about her beauty, but that's not it. It's her karma or aura? Not sure which word is best to describe it, that really sets her apart. I have a nickname for her 'The Royal Flush Queen! The name fits her well:)

"Royal Flush..Yes!" A gamer had hit! I was standing behind the counter at 7-11 waiting on customers. When I heard those two words I love so much? I immediately told myself that Lacy must be near. Guess who the next person to walk into 7-11 was? You got it, Lacy:) This is no bull! Every time, I've been at work and a gamer hit a RF? Lacy was a minute or two away from arriving or leaving the store. She walks in and I tell her this.."Guess what? You brought it with you again." She looks at me, smiles, and says:"Shut Up! Your kidding me." I had a couple of the gamers verify it. She then proceeds to get her coffee, as she's leaving, she tells me this. "It's going to be a good night for you." Well Lady Luck is never wrong, another player hit a Royal Flush about an hour later.

I was talking with my buddy in Kansas today, and he asked me this. "I know you see a ton of beautiful women at 7-11. Are any of them starting to stick out from the pack?" After a brief moment of thought, I answered his question like this. "My friend Lacy has a number of features that I find attractive. The beauty is unquestionable, it's not really that. Maybe this is the best way to describe her? She has a bombshell exterior-with an interior to match..Very beautiful girl, any way you look at it."

Organic Growth strategy..711 style:)

I've been chasing this crazy business idea for 2 years now, and my research is telling me this: ORGANIC GROWTH is the best way to start any business venture in SW Las Vegas! What exactly is Organic Growth? How would you start the process in your current setting?

Before I answer the questions above? I need to throw in a READING POINT: My research tells me? The Collective Buying Power process is starting to turn more inward..HYPERLOCAL is the technical term for what i'm seeing..The revenue projections for CBP are astonishing..(2.5bn 2011==8-10bn 2015)..Think about the numbers I just quoted? That's a 4-5 times increase in revenue over the next three years.. Lots up for grabs! The problem being? How do you grab it? Sorry I got on my soapbox again:) Let me answer the question for you

What exactly is Organic Growth? The answer is simple for me, it comes from (within)..When a person believes he has an idea that is beneficial? The first person they must convince are themselves, once that happens? They must be able to demonstrate why the idea would be beneficial to others..I could go on and on about what exactly Organic Growth is..Maybe it sounds better this way? Entreprenuership is what made America great. The country was bulit on people who created things, any budding entreprenuer nowadays? Think organically!!

How would I start an organic growth process in my current setting? !People!---I make no secret about all the beautiful people who come into my 7-11, given the proper resources? I'm confident that I would be able to hire a number of them as 'Gorilla Marketers'..(2) A web presence would then be created..(3) Organic/Gorilla team would be properly educated on what myself and a few others view as the next generation of the CBP process..HYPERLOCAL...

I'm going to close this post with something my mother told me a long time ago.."Son if your going to have one thing in life, make sure it's your happiness!" I agree with momma 100%..The thought of an effective organic growth strategy makes me very happy:)

Going Gorilla at 711

I don't know how new this term is? I'm starting to hear it a little more and more each day..'Going Gorillas'...People have different takes on just exactly what 'going gorilla' really means. I'm going to take a stab at what I think it means and why it will be important in the future of sales and marketing.

Anyone reading this blog knows exactly what my favorite thing in Las Vegas is! Vegas has a high concentration of beautiful women. Now imagine this..If some how a 'gorilla team' of these lovely women were assembled? Now your talking about a solid business strategy! Why? Call me an idiot, call me a chauvinist, at this point I could care less..I believe one thing in life is a certainty..Beautiful women bring good luck! I've believed this my whole life..

Sorry I got on my soapbox again, but I tell you! Being a single heterosexual male in Las Vegas is not an easy job. No matter what anyone believes:)

Think about this? A team is assembled, they would be dispatched to a number of different businesses in specific areas of Las Vegas. Collective Buying Power, plus a number of other marketing strategies would be offered.

 EX: A current industry report, stated that Collective Buying Power accounted for 2.5 billion in revenue for year 2011..The same report also stated that future revenue projections for the CBP process would push 8-10 billion by 2015..Think about the projections for a moment ( 2.5bn 2011--8-10bn 2015)..That's 4-5 times revenue expansion in 3 years!

I will be the first to admit it, the web is flooded with a number of sites promoting the CBP process..The truth of the matter! Most of them will not make it! Because? Lack of an effective organic growth strategy. Creating an effective data base is the key for any businesses arrival! The 'gorilla team' I'm suggesting will be efficient in a number of organic growth strategies.

When I first started this blog? The goal was to share some of my life with everyone..A friend of mine from Kansas told me the other day.."I love reading your blog..I love hearing about all the beautiful women you see at 7-11! The question I really want you to answer? How do you make money at this thing?" I answered him simple and straight from the heart.."My mother always told me if your going to read anything, read the writing on the wall and try an interpret it the best you can. The writing on the wall is telling me this: Las Vegas + Hyperlocal + Collective Buying Power + Gorilla Marketing? Might be the formula for tremendous organic growth? If some how a person can spur some organic growth nowadays? Who knows what could happen?"

The Mark Wahlberg fan club at 7-11..

One of my favorite movies of all-time? 'Boogie Nights'..It was a young Mark Wahlberg at his best. Nowadays, he's a big time movie star, so he gets all the big budget stuff. Back then? He was a hungry bastard trying to shake his 'Marky Mark' image.

You know how much I enjoy being around all the twenty-somethings that come into 7-11? Well this nice young lady came into 7-11 and bought a bunch of candy. She makes her way through the line, and as I'm ringing up her purchase I asked her "It looks like your getting ready to go watch a movie?' ..She then smiles at me and says "I'm getting ready to watch my favorite actor, Mark Wahlberg, in his new movie..Do you like Mark Wahlberg?"

Right then and their:) I thought to myself.."This could be a candidate for the third great one? Not only does this girl look like a Victoria Secrets' model, Mark Wahlberg is her favorite actor." So I told her this.."Mark Wahlberg is my favorite actor as well. What's your favorite movie of his?" She then rattled off all of his recent stuff, and then asked me the same question..My reply "You gotta go old school..Boogie Nights..The Basketball Diaries..back in the day, before he was a big movie star!" then I added this "I was a fan of his when he was in 'The Funky Bunch!" She had no idea about what I was talking about, so I gave her a brief rundown on his rap career. She then told me "I'm going to Google that, I think your kidding me about his rap career."

After she left, I started thinking about what the ideal women should resemble, for me. 1. They gotta like football..2. They have too be a Mark Wahlberg fan..3. Nice and charming..If some how I could find a women like that? I would be perfectly happy in a relationship. The problem being? 7-11 might literally have 100 women who fit the criteria:) Did I mention I love my job?

The best job I've ever had is working at 7-11..

In the end, the one thing I like most about 7-11? It makes me feel a lot younger than I really am:) I guess its because of the clientele? My 7-11 draws a ton of twenty-somethings of both genders..For the most part, all of them are very courteous, respectful, and just down-right nice...I like their positive outlook on things:) Because? It's rubbing off on me..And I needed it!!

I had lunch today with a good friend of mine. We like to meet up at the Subway for lunch (Trop & Durango) and swap ideas. This guy is one sharp cookie! Like most everyone else in Las Vegas? He's up for an idea..We started talking in detail what it would take to create a hyperlocal collective buying power website. He gave me his background and it was impressive..Masters in MIS, 20+ years of experience, he kinda reminds me of me:)

We both like this idea a lot..He asked me this question? "When you say hyperlocal, what do you really mean..How hyper is local?" I told him this "By now everyone should have some idea about Collective Buying Power (Groupon, LivingSocial)..I believe the process is starting to turn more inwards..Block by block..That too me is the best way I can describe hyperlocal and the future of collective buying power..Does that answer your question?" My friend looked at me and said "I know exactly what your saying, count me in!" Were having lunch again at our favorite Subway tomorrow (Trop & Durango) at 1 o'clock. Anyone reading this blog is invited to join us.

Do you think it's weird? A guy hangs out at his work on his day off? I like to do that, and a lot of people think it's strange..I was at 7-11 for an hour and a half today, just BSing with people, and one of the regulars asked me this. "Don't you got a better place to hang-out on your day off than 7-11?" I had to think about that for a second, and then my answer was simple.."Nope."...Did I mention I love my job?

The Jesse James of 7-11

I didn't get too watch any football today, but when you love your job as much as I love mine? Your better off working. One of the regulars at 711 is named Johnny. Johnny is originally from LA, he has lived in Vegas the last 8 years..Really cool guy..The thing that I like most about my 7-11 buddy Johnny? He reminds me of Jesse James. He's got that Vegas/SoCal swagger that I see in a lot of the regulars at 7-11.

Johnny and I like too toss ideas back and forth..We've been doing it for quite a while.  I'm starting too think. Maybe? One of these days? an idea is going too stick. He was the guy who got me started on this blog..He was starting to lose a little faith in me when he told me--"I need to see some action, I've been listening too you run your mouth for long enough..Lets see some action!" When he left? I thought too myself.."This guy is right! Las Vegas is an entrepreneurial dreamland and some how you've got too communicate your message to others."

The feedback for the blog has been fantastic..By far and away, the thing I enjoy most about my blog? Face 2 face feedback from the customers at 7-11! In my opinion, that's how things improve..Feedback...Johnny told me this the other day--"Man, if your going too work at 7-11, you might as well have some fun." I agree 100%....

A typical Wednesday at 7-11

7-11 is a great place! When I first started at 7-11? I didn't really know what I was getting myself into. I even left 7-11 for 6 months, in the end? I guess 7-11 is where I belong? My buddy Steve (He's a regular).. says it like this.."If all I get to do, all day long, is stare at beautiful women and enjoy awesome weather..I would love my job too!"

One of the regulars comes into 7-11 today, he's a big fan of the blog. We start talking about where the best looking women in the world live. He's from LA and used to play in a band. I know Los Angeles a little, but I'm more of a mid west guy in Las Vegas. I tell him this "This 7-11 is like working at a 7-11 in Santa Monica or Venice Beach. That's how beautiful the women are!" It was sort of funny:)  He looked at me for a second and said.."That's a bold statement." I told him? "I wouldn't say it, if I didn't mean it!"

I wrote an earlier post about my favorite Charger fan. Well, she came back in too 7-11..WHEW..Every time I see her, my eye:s pop out of my head:) This girl is absolutely stunning, but that's not what I like most about her-- She knows her football:) She makes her way through the line and I ask her what she thinks about Tebow and the Bronco's? She smiles at me and says "I'm rooting for the Bronco's I only hate two teams..The Raider's and the Patriot's." I then asked her what she thought about the Chief's? She told me this "The Chief's are my second favorite team..Beside's the Raiders, I'm a big AFC West fan."

After she leaves? I tell myself the same thing I've said every time I see her--"This girl has got to be sent down from heaven above? Not only does she look like a goddess! She knows her football!" Next time I see her, I'm going to tell her this..Maybe she will feel sorry for me? "All I really want to see before I die? Chief's Win Super Bowl!"

My Monday at 7-11

Today was the start of my work week..Believe it or not, I'm one of those guys who enjoys going to work:) My favorite job of all-time? When I was a kid, my dad owned a couple banks in Kansas, and in the summer? He gave me a job as a teller. It was a blast! I worked about 3 hours a day, then it was straight for the arcade or pool. My current job at 7-11 reminds me of those days.

It never stops with the women in Vegas..WHEW..This one girl has started showing her pretty her little face around 7-11 more and more. I had too use my standard line on her:) "Honey this is a fake ID. Come back when you turn 21." She looks up at me with these pretty blue eyes, smiles:) and says.."Your so sweet:" I thought I was going too faint. This girl has the best body I've ever seen! That's a bold statement! Being that I live in Vegas and see so fricking many of them. After she leaves, I take a few moments too gather myself, and then, before I can even fully recover from the last one, another beauty walks in:)

This girl..GULP...I've got a nickname for her..The Royal Flush Queen..She's an absolute 10..It's her karma that really sets her apart..Whenever she walks into 7-11? I get this feeling something good is going too happen. READ BLOG POST LADY LUCK..She makes her way through the line, and I always ask her "Where's your drink card?" (If you buy four coffees or fountain drinks, the fifth one is free). She never has her card, but I always seem to find a spare one lying around. As she's leaving, she looks at me and says.."Your so sweet:)"

After she leaves, I thought too myself.."You just had two girls, whom both resemble Playboy Bunnies, call you sweet within a five minute stretch of each other." Did I mention I love my job?

The San Diego Charger fan

The last two years, I've been chasing an idea that I believe could benefit me and a number of other people tremendously!! People acting Collectively!! I've been up and down, it cost me a marriage..Yada..Yada..Yada..But do you ever hear me complaining? No! My beliefs tell me, I'm lying a foundation for something else down the road. Sheldon Adelson (He owns a number of gaming establishments, both domestically and abroad) puts it like this: "An entrepreneur just does!" Las Vegas is an entrepreneurial dream land.

I'm slowly becoming a San Diego Charger fan. That's hard for a life-long Chief fan too admit. It isn't because I like the style of football they play, the sole reason? They've got the hottest fans in the NFL:)

This gal walks into 711, I hadn't seen her in a little while. WHEW....She is an absolute 10. Most women this hot will not pay attention too me, but I found an in with her. She is a big Charger fan, and I always try an strike-up a little conversation about football. She tells me what is wrong with the Chargers', and I tell her what is wrong with the Chiefs'..EVERY TIME..After she leaves? I tell myself this. "Man, that is the perfect women, not only does she look like Bo Derek, she knows her football." Did I mention I love my job?

My best friend? Lady Luck..

I've been telling anyone who will listen about my blog at 7-11, and I believe it's starting too stick;) It's like this, I've finally found the thing that I enjoy most, and i'm good at it..WRITING. My friend asked me the other day ""Who taught you how to write?" I had to think about that for a second, and then I remembered something my father told me a long time ago.."Son, it's very important that you learn to be legible in your writing." My father was an old banker in Kansas. In his spare time? He was an avid writer.

I got my first complaint about the blog today..It really wasn't a complaint..This lady friend of mine comes in and tells me she read it. I asked her what she thought, and she told me this. "It's all about women and luck. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy it, but maybe you could write about other stuff. I'm sure you see it all at 7-11." My reply? "It's hard for a single heterosexual guy not to think about women in Las Vegas. Cut me a little slack.."

After she left, I started thinking about what she said. Maybe I have been focussed a little too much on the women factor in Las Vegas? I'm thinking that the blog should be more about the 'people factory' aspect of 7-11. If any of my readers in Las Vegas have an idea about a blog post that they want too share with me. Let's have lunch! Until that happens, i'm going to stick with the women.

I've seen this girl a number of times, and she always gets the same thing. Bottled water, apples, yogurt. This fine specimen is one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen! I always try to act cool, when I wait on her. Believe me! My heart was about to beat out of my chest..She makes her way through the line, and I ask her how her day was. She smiles and tells me "Fine." I told myself what the hell? and then I ask her what her name is? She just smiled and said "Lilly." The only thing I could think of saying was:) "Lilly, what a nice name." Right after she walks out the door, I hear my favorite words at 7-11.."Royal Flush." One of the regulars at the machine had hit again. Man, I think good luck is contageous with these girls in Las Vegas..This was the third time in two weeks that a player hit a Royal Flush, right after an amazingly beautiful women walked out the door. Did I mention I love my job?

Lady Luck strikes Again..

The women in Las Vegas are starting to take a toll on me, in a super positive way. It's like i'm falling in love 50 times a day. It's not just their beauty, it's the aura they possess that really sets them apart. I'm not a gambler, but I do have my superstitions:) And one of them is? Beautiful women bring good luck.

I'm working my shift and I notice this goddess walk in the door. She's dressed to the hilt: At the same time, the players were getting killed on the machines.. When she came through the line. I got a really good look at her. She had mocha skin and green eyes. I would almost guess she was Brazilian. She looked like a Victoria Secret model. My heart was beating so fast I couldn't hardly concentrate. I just wanted to get through the transaction without looking like a fool. After she left, I let out a deep breath..And then all of a sudden, I hear my two favorite words at 7-11..

"Royal Flush!" One of the regulars had just hit a Royal Flush, and he was about to get paid. That means tip for me. This was the second time in two weeks that a player hit a Royal Flush: after an amazingly beautiful women walked out the door. The women in Las Vegas where a lot of different labels..Not to me..Only one word comes to mind when I think about a 'Vegas' girl: MYSTIFYING...

My day off from 7-11

How many people have seen the movie 'A Bronx Tale?' It's one of my favorites..My favorite scene in that movie is when Sonny tells G "Your only going to meet three great women in your life." I agree 100%. As of today, I have met two of them. I had the pleasure of spending some time with the second one. My ex-wife was in town visiting friends for the Holidays, so I invited her too lunch. I gotta tell you, she looked awfully good, and she is still as sweet as can be. We split-up a couple of years ago, very amicable. It was the easiest divorce anyone could have. I took my dog and she took hers:)

Moving on, I ended up reading my blog posts to her, and she was very complimentary of them. That meant a lot to me. We then started talking about Las Vegas and where things might be headed for this town in the future. A lot of people think that you can't be friendly with your ex. I guess I don't get that. Honestly, she went from being my ex-wife to one of my best friends.

Right before she left, I asked her if she remembered how we met? (I used to sell Real Estate in Kansas. I was her Realtor, before I became her husband) I then asked her what made her decide to be my wife. She told me this "Back when we first met, you were so driven and charming. You lost those characteristics when the recession hit, but now you remind of the old Rob. The one I used to love. Whomever the 3rd great women in your life is? (She watched the movie a bunch with me) is going to be one lucky lady."

One last thing, if you come into 7-11 during my shift (2-10 W-S) mention the bloggers special, and I will give you a discount on the purchase of two Hagen Daas pint sized ice creams. Have A Nice Day..