Color Our Town Press 200 E 71st Street New York, NY 10021
https://www.colorourtown.com/ jake@colorourtown.com owner: Jake Rose for questions: email ron@colorourtown.com , or call at 646-388-2072
Color Our Town provides coloring books, calendars, maps, notecards, gift cards, and custom artwork.
From Website:
Founded in 2017 by Jake Rose, Color Our Town provides its customers ‘History with an Artistic Flair’. Through his passion for architecture and photography, Jake created a series of coloring books depicting the beauty and unique character of big cities and small towns across America through their recognizable locales and historical landmarks. What makes this series so unique is the collaboration Jake has with artists from around the world, translating his own photographs into exquisite line and color drawings, each accompanied by his in-depth historical descriptions. Color Our Town Press celebrates communities, art & architecture, and photography. Jake, joined by his dad Ron, enjoys creating a wonderful experience from beginning to end. For those wanting to explore different cities & towns across the nation, welcome to the community!
Meeting with Jake, the Founder:
I initially met Jake through his participation on an Israel trip where I served as group leader. As I got to know Jake during the trip, I learned that he is an entrepreneur and an incredibly interesting young man. He graduated college with degrees in history and American Studies. Jake wrote his first book in 2016 while a senior in college “to celebrate the town of Greenport, New York,” where he spends his summers. and launched the book at a benefit to support the charity C.A.S.T. In 2017, after he graduated from Drew University, Jake started his business by creating coloring books of the Hamptons, the North Fork of Long Island, and of New You City. His Color Our Town Collection of coloring books includes 7 books on NYC, including Color NYC Landmarks, Color Central Park, Color NYC Museums and Color Brooklyn. He has expanded beyond New York, producing books on Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Miami, Newport, Rhode Island, and New Orleans. He has expanded his artistic products to include beautifully illustrated calendars, maps and notecards. Jake recently added stylish products including tote bags, fabric masks, and t-shirts. With 25 books authored to date and an expanding line of artistic products, there appears to be no end in sight! Most products are manufactured in Hauppauge, NY.
Lessons Learned/Challenges/Advice:
Be organized. Use a work journal for daily tasks.
Maintain good relationships with your customers.
Selling is challenging. Do your best to have fun with it.
It is important to follow up with customers and partners (sellers).
Have an Entrepreneurial Mindset. Always look out for the next project!.
“autistic magician performing virtually at the moment and slowly returning to offering live performances. He performs magic shows, teaches basic magic classes and has many specialty shows for the disabilities community, including his “A Different Way of Thinking” autism advocacy magic show, adult transition planning talks and Conductor Cody children’s magic shows—inspired by his childhood love of trains. Shows are in person or virtual.
From the Website:
Cody Clark Magic encourages people to be their truest selves. Cody’s magic empowers by helping people discover and celebrate what makes them unique. He does this by using a wide range of emotions, humor, and magic moments to take his audiences on journeys of inspiration, awareness, and acceptance. He brings a sense of vulnerability to his shows through personal stories which encourage others to break down their own barriers. He humanizes complex issues to move people to a place of understanding. You will leave Cody’s shows with a different way of thinking: whether it’s a different perspective on magic, an empathetic understanding of our differences, or simply becoming aware of the magic of everyday life.
Cody’s Story
Cody calls Louisville, Kentucky home. He was diagnosed as autistic at 15 months and his parents were told he’d never walk, talk, get married, have a job, and more. He overcame these expectations while developing an understanding and empathy for the autism community. At the age of 11, was brought on stage at a magic show and was so inspired that he decided to pursue magic. He joined the Louisville Magic Club, studied at the Jeff McBride Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas, and used his Bachelors degree in Marketing and Theatre Arts from the University of Louisville to launch his business. Cody creates a truly unique style of magic by blending his own stories with his passions for theatre, stand-up comedy, classic country music, storytelling, and autism advocacy.
Shows Offered:
A DIFFERENT WAY OF THINKING features Cody’s acclaimed disabilities advocacy services which, since 2014, have magically changed people’s perspectives on living with disabilities. Services offered virtually include:
-A Different Way of Thinking Advocacy Show: Cody’s renowned performance combines magic, comedy, and storytelling to share what living with autism is like. This show encourages “a different way of thinking” about autism and acceptance, and celebrates our differences!
-Sensory Friendly Magic Shows: In this 30 minute virtual show, Cody performs his magic catered to audiences with moderate to severe disabilities.
-Adult Transition Planning Talks: Cody has developed a repertoire of hour long talks on helping disabled young adults transition to adulthood. These cover subjects such as essential life skills, self-employment, how to self-advocate, and getting the most out of life. Cody can create customized talks as well!
CONDUCTOR CODY
Inspired by his childhood love of trains, this brand features virtual magic railway adventures geared towards children ages 3-8! Cody takes his young audiences on adventures of discovery, awareness, and understanding more about the world around them. By the time passengers return to the station, they’ll have had a magical experience they’ll never forget. For more information, check out conductorcody.com. Services offered virtually include:
All Aboard About Railroads: On this adventure, we deep dive into learning about railway history, science, and operations.
Reading Railroad: This trip celebrates reading and the magic of libraries! Conductor Cody not only teaches how to read, but why we should read.
Acceptance Express: In this adventure, we learn how to accept differences in yourself and others. This show is a kid friendly complement to Cody’s show: A Different Way of Thinking
My Connection with Cody:
Cody is a skilled magician, teacher and business owner. He is also very good natured. Cody studied both marketing and theater while in college. He reached out to me as someone with deep connections in the disabilities inclusion and employment world. I was impressed with his love of magic (started at age 11!), his mastery of his craft, and the important niche he has created. Cody uses his magic to teach about self-advocacy, transition planning and more. When we first met via Zoom, Cody made sure to incorporate magic tricks IN to our conversation! I have been impressed with Cody’s ability to pursue his passions. He told me, “I always wanted to be in show business but didn’t know what exactly.” He experimented with piano, the puppets then magic. And he continues to grow and evolve as a professional and a person. I have seen Cody at conferences and referred him to professional colleagues and organizations to consider for panels and for performances. Cody helps expand my list of what people with disabilities can do professionally. He is a great magician, performer and ambassador!
Business Lessons Learned/Challenges/Advice:
Challenges:
Ensuring your executive functioning skills stay at a beneficial level. Autistics already struggle in this area, being your own boss only amplifies it
Rejection stings a bit more because it is directly tied to your ability to earn a paycheck
It’s a fun challenge, but figuring out how you stand out from your competitors and what your unique mark on your industry will be is not easy by any means
Advertising on a shoe string budget. It’s not as impossible as it used to be thanks to data scraping, social media, etc. But it is a distinct skill set to learn how to do
Lessons Learned:
Running your own business is much more than doing only the things you enjoy the most all day–it also involves developing systems to keep things afloat
It’s better to commit to less, but do everything well, than it is to overcommit and underperform on a few action items
When you can combine what you love to do with a genuine market need, you’ve hit the small business sweet spot!
Make your personal deadlines a day earlier than the hard deadlines imposed by your clients. Some people are more patient & punctual than others, so it’s best to be on the safe side and be a day early.
Advice:
Instead of being the small fish in a big pond, be the big fish in the small pond. Find a market where there’s lots of genuine need, yet hardly any serving it. This will shoot you to the top much faster than competing in the same pond as everyone else.
Be open to constructive criticism and feedback. At the same time, make sure you find a place internally where you can rest assured that your business’s products/services are of good quality overall.
Cutting deals with clients is one thing. But it is important to establish the precedent that your services are worth paying for.
Make plans, but be flexible with how exactly these plans get executed. The recipe for business failure is being too stuck to your original plans
Develop systems which allow the business aspects of your career to run themselves. That way, you can return to focusing on what you love to do all day.
“Taking old books and turning them in to hardcover journal books, DVD/VHS journals, ornaments, framed titles, ‘worldly birds,’ book jewels and bookquets”
How I Discovered HardbackYoYo and Brian Martin/How the Business Works:
I was fortunate to serve as group leader of a trip to Israel where owner, Brian Martin, was a participant. Over breakfast one day, Brian started sharing details of the company he started. “I got the idea at an art fair,” reports Brian. “I was looking for a job and took my love of books and being environmentally friendly and decided to create a business!” Brian started the business in 2010. He takes old books which were donated or from the library and “turns them in to journals.” He notes that he takes the first page, the last page and the cover and adds 8-1/2 by 11 paper to it can be used as a journal. He also adds a card pouch and a date stamp “like in a library!”
Brian does all of his work from home workshop. He produces a range of products in addition to the journal books. He reports that he:
-takes scraps from pellets and turns them into Christmas tree ornaments.
-glues spines on to a blank frame with a particular theme to make frame tiles
-makes jewelry
-makes “bookquets,” turning maps into flowers.
Brian reports attending art shows and trunk shows, and has “ a good partnership with his mother.”
When I was 18 years old, with graduation just around the corner, I was in need of a job! So my family and friends (old and new) gathered to form a team of support. Together they helped me to launch a customized business that would create a product of interest not only to myself, but hopefully to you as well. My passion for books and keeping the earth a great place for all of us t live has inspired me to create an eco-friendly business; springing old books into a new purpose. I make writing journals and other items from discarded media. We call it a microenterprise because I am the entrepreneur of this small business. I have a form of Autism called Asperger’s Syndrome, and a customized job is always the best way for me to accentuate my strengths.
Update: I am proud to report that I have been running my own business for over 10 years. Just like many self-employed business owners, I rely on the help and support of others. It makes working more fun and I get advice and input from a variety of people. My product list is growing and you can find my items in retail stores and at local fairs, conventions, expos and my Etsy store all year-round. Most importantly, I am making an income! Just like other employed business people, I am paying taxes and I feel like I am contributing to my own well-being and my present and future work potential. I reached my goal of earning my Medicare Credits before my 22nd Birthday!
Lessons Learned/Challenges/Advice:
The lessons I learned were maintaining my stability for long hours in public shows and presentations. I use social media to announce new items, offers, and shows. I also run an Etsy store to sell journals when I’m not doing any shows. It can be a challenge for me to think about using social media on a regular basis to increase sales, though I do enjoy using social media for communication on other topics. During this past year, not having face-to-face and in-person events of any type have decreased my sales, and I am currently trying to rethink my business plan to be more sustainable and ensure my sales stay steady whether in-person or online.
“Delicious custom chocolate covered treats for all occasions including chocolate covered Oreos, s’mores, graham crackers, cake pops and more. Ability to put company logo or any logo on most creations for corporate events, wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and more.”
From the Website:
“Ability, not Disability….no limits for me! Since the day I was born I have been conquering obstacles. My name is Alexa. I am a unique entrepreneur because I have Down Syndrome, which is a part of me but does not define or limit me. I have always dreamed about running my own business and now my dream is a reality. From a young age, I enjoyed baking and decorating desserts to make people happy and smile. I started Truly Scrumptious by Alexa by making delicious custom chocolate covered treats for all occasions. My family and friends loved them so much that they asked me to make them for their special events. It all started with a bowl of melted chocolate and an Oreo! Today I am making all sorts of custom designed treats like chocolate covered Oreos, s’mores, cake pops and more. I can even put your company logo on my creations for corporate events. What an incredible feeling to see the look on people’s faces when they bite into a “Truly Scrumptious” treat. “
I have known Alexa for many years as she has been a participant in many of our Camp Ramah in New England and National Ramah programs. Currently, Alexa participates in the vocational training program at Camp Ramah in New England. Families of young adults with disabilities all give a great deal of thought to what “comes next” after graduation from high school. Her mom, Carrie notes that Alexa recently turned 21 and worried about Alexa “falling off the cliff,” a term used by many parents of young adults with disabilities to describe the predicament when there are no longer services guaranteed and provided post-graduation. Alexa therefore became founder “chief employee” of Truly Scrumptious by Alexa.
“I love baking. I used to help my mom cook and bake and liked to help. I would come home from school and bake brownies. I learned to make cupcakes and mini bundt cakes on my own, and chocolate chip cookies,” Alexa reports. Alexa adds, “I love chocolate covered Oreos. I eat them in a heartbeat!”
Alexa took her love for chocolate to a new level when she made 250 cake pops in the colors of Roslyn (the local) High School for her brother’s graduation. They were very well received and people began calling with additional baking requests.
The Chalups report that Alexa initially started baking for fun, but the business continues to grow and evolve. They have purchased a special color printer for printing logos on her baked goods, and she has the support of community habilitation workers. Mother Carrie helps (i.e. cutting complex patterns), and reports, “I am hard on her,” meaning she stresses the need for a very clean work environment and for Alexa to put her hair up in a ponytail while working. The two have hired other young adults with disabilities on occasion, though they have cut back on hiring outside help during the recent Covid pandemic.
Alexa’s parents are proud of her and note that they took Alexa’s interest and helped her develop it. “The ball was rolling so we went with it. She had momentum and we had momentum. That’s how it came about.” Mom notes, “It makes Alexa feel good.” She adds, “society labels you as disabled. Why do you need to feel disabled?”
I observed Alexa carefully and patiently taking out ingredients from the cupboard, setting up her work station, and making chocolate covered oreos. I also viewed various products about to be packaged and shipped. According to the website, approximate pricing is as follows:
12 Oreos on a plate for $38
12 chocolate covered s’mores on a plate for $62
12 chocolate covered Graham crackers for $54 (prices do not include shipping)
Lessons Learned/Challenges/Advice:
It is extremely important to have the support of the community, family and friends. This helps to promote the business.
Let your child with special needs have dreams and help them to achieve them. It isn’t easy, but it can be done.
Support the business, but continue to teach and let the person with special needs continue to learn all parts of the business.
Try to keep your costs as low as possible, buy supplies wholesale and try not to make mistakes in production, take your time.
Time management is important, as Alexa gets tired or overwhelmed when she has a lot of orders.
Supporting Alexa with her company with Com Hab workers has been extremely helpful.
Mom also stresses the need to “help kids become employable.” This sometimes involves telling them “negative things and not just feel good things.” She notes the importance of sharing honest feedback. For example, she may say, “Alexa that doesn’t look good!” “We need to set the bar higher for people with disabilities so they can be more successful in the workplace!”
