Ed Plein - In The "$" Zone

Turning Intrigue into Success..

"Concession sales has always intrigued me. While attending the University of Wisconsin: Eau Claire in 1988, I ran a brat stand during homecoming weekend. The amount of money we made in 2 days was astounding and has haunted me for the past 15 years while trying to 'make it' in the I.T. world.

While attending the Winter Carnival at the St. Paul Ice Palace in January, 2004, I noticed a long line of lunatics waiting for 30 minutes in 10 degree weather to get their bag of Mini-Donuts. Since my wife was one of those lunatics, that gave me the opportunity to study the operation for 30 minutes and do some rough calculations in my head about how much money they were pulling in. I learned a lot that night by watching and also learned some things I would do differently."

"We had no money to invest and already had significant debt, but still had excellent credit. So I decided to go for broke (literally) and start our mobile donut concession business (without my wife's initial consent) by buying our trailer and equipment with the last $30,000 credit we had on (gasp!) credit cards.

"We thought we could just waltz into all the county fairs and set up our trailer. Our first year in business we must have made 200 phone calls to get 6 events, 4 of which were duds. But, it was a start and we stuck with it. It's now the end of our second year and we have numerous good events throughout the summer and also raise thousands of dollars in fund raisers. The turning point for my wife was when I took about $2,500 gross from an awesome weekend event, walked into the bedroom where she was reading a book and threw the $2,500 (all in tens and twenties) in the air and let them all rain down on her.

"With a lot of grit and determination, I have almost doubled my annual corporate I.T. salary and we are looking at being totally out of debt in 4 years instead of the next 25 years. Thanks, Lil' Orbits!

"The picture is our stand this past July 4th, where we had a 40 person line for 4 straight hours." -- Ed Plein

Samantha Nickerson - Student Entreprenuer of the Year

Excerpts as published by Lighthouse News, Bridgewater, NS

"A young businesswoman has been recognized for her entreprenuer abilities. Samantha Nickerson, 16, was awarded the Student in Business Entreprenuer of the Year award through the Celebrating Community Innovation Awards sponsored Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

"The event on November 18 rounded out a two-day conference with gala banquet where six awards of excellence were presented recognizing innovation and volunteerizm. Miss Nickerson, a Grade 11 student at Park View Education Centre, was recognized for her business. Lil' Orbits Donuts, a mobile donut machine. Throughout the year, she attends special occasions and exhibitions selling her hot, mouthwatering treats. The night of the awards in the Annapolis Valley, Miss Nickerson was nervous. She knew teh she was one of three finalists before she went. But when her name was called as the recipient of the award, she was surprised. 'There was like 300 people there,' said Miss Nickerson, who managed to say a few words when she received the award.

"With the award, she was given $700 worth of advertising with EastLink Cable. Miss Nickerson was able to get her business off the ground the first year and expand in the second year through two loans from the Students in Business (SIB) program.

"In her second year, she purchased a new donut-making machine which doubled her productivity. Word is also getting out about her treats. In addition to summertime exhibitions and events, this year she will be doing Park view's winter canival.

"Her business has not only provided a good income for Miss Nickerson, it is also beginning to open opportunities for her. Even though Miss Nickerson is only in Grade 11, she was approached by Acadia University because of her early developed business skills."

Shelley Beals

Mini-Donut Hot Spots

"Shelly Beals has created what she calls "Mini-Donut Hot Spots" with her very successful catering business, centered around Lil' Orbits Mini-Donuts. Her business has been featured on many TV shows and has been commissioned to operate her equipment for such events as:

• Oprah's Legends Ball
• 4 Will and Grace Holiday Parties
• Brook Shield's baby shower
• American Idol's wrap party
• The Grammy Awards
• Dr. Phil's wrap party
• FOX Emmy Awards press party
• Danny Devito and Rhea Pearlman's New Year's party
• FOX NYPD Blue 200th Episode party
• The set of 'Scrubs'
• And many other well-publicized events too numerous to list here!

• CPS/UPN Studios
• Dreamworks Studios
• NFL
• Toyota/Lexus
• Universal Studios
• Warner Bros.
• And many more!

John and Loretta Murphy

A Mini-Donut Worth The Trip

"Two years ago, Heather Visaya was a flight attendant and happened to have a layover in Minneapolis, MN. She stopped at one of our many shopping malls and tasted Lil' Orbits Mini-Donuts for the first time. "That did it!", she exclaimed.

"She fell in love with Lil' Orbits on the spot, and upon her return home she badgered her parents and finally got them to make the trip to Minneapolis to taste fresh Mini-Donuts direct from the source! After sampling Lil' Orbits, the family unanimously agreed that they were the greatest!

"Heather then suggested that they form a family partnership and start their own business. That they did.. and Murphy's Minis was born! Heather and Loretta both quit their jobs and spent their full time developing their Mini-Donut operation. They bought a complete turn-key package from Lil' Orbits, which included the special cake mix they loved, and it caught on quickly! Now you can find Murphy's Minis at the Boise State Football Games, the Capital Public Market, Canyon County Art Festivals and more!

"We sell them by the dozen with cinnamon and sugar or for those with a serious sweet tooth we offer eight warm minis with strawberries and whipped cream. Our average selling price is $3 per dozen or $5 for two dozen. There's just something special about a hot, fresh Lil' Orbits Mini-Donut!, Loretta remarked."

Joe Albano

A Home-Made Solution for Mini-Donut Sales

Here is a letter from one of our customers, Joe Albano, sent in when we asked him for more information on his home-made micro Mini-Donut trailer:

"Hi Bonnie, you said you wanted to see the micro cart I built so here is a picture.

"Just a quick thank you for your sales help and advice with my Lil' Orbits machine.

"The cart I built works out great. I only wish I had bought my Mini-Donut machine earlier in the year, I would have had it paid off by now, came close to doing it in just one season.

"I only have time 1 day a week to use it, and am making between $300 to $800 on Sundays at a local flea market profit after the cost of food and rent for the spot. It is armed with your donut machine with room left for your SS2400 upgrade. How easy it is to make money with one of your donut machines. People just line up to give you their money and they're happy to do it. What a great business!" -- Joe Albano

Becca's Bunch

Lil' Orbits Production Manager Steps Out for MS

Lil' Orbits sponsored Terry and Katie O'Gara and Katie's parents, Barbara and Jerry Chartrand as they participated in the 2006 Multiple Sclerosis Walk for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Terry is our production manager, shown top right in the photo.

Roger and Ginger England

Donut Scented Money Since 1985

Roger and Ginger England dropped by our offices and we asked them how they were doing. "We've been with Lil' Orbits since 1985 and the money has been excellent, even though the money smells like donuts. We only work 6 months a year in Wisconsin and then spend the winters relaxing in Arizona. it would never have been possible without Lil' Orbits", they enthused.

Roger and Ginger set up their operation at a local flea market during the weekends and once a year they move to the annual St. Croix Falls county fair.

"At one time we had two donut trailers both making good money at football and baseball games, carnivals and other special events. You name it and we've done it. Now we are beginning to take it more slowly after my seventieth birthday," Roger commented.

They sold one of their trailers to one of their operators and now she is making excellent profits too.

"Working with Lil' Orbits has been wonderful over the years. Whenever we needed advice you guys were there.", Ginger remarked as they were leaving.