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By Ted Williams |
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Hello Thursday. I’m wrestling with whether or not to bring my 3 kids to a Panthers game this year.
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The team looked rough in their 10-26 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday, but the silver lining is that ticket prices may decrease.
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Lower bowl tickets for their home opener against the Falcons next Sunday are about $250 per ticket. Even if I leave my wife at home to play Mahjong with her neighborhood girlies, it’s still a $1,000 day.
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It’s also a bit jarring trying to manage 3 young kids when many other attendees are hammered, but maybe I’m being soft.
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I'll likely end up doing it. I’m currently eyeing their home game against the Buffalo Bills on October 26. Anyways.
đź’ĽÂ Hot Job:Â Social Media Manager, Sports Sponsorships at Truist. Lead social strategy across several sports sponsorships. 25% travel.
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âš˝ Price check: $196. Cost of a ticket to Saturday night's Charlotte FC vs Inter Miami match. Messi! 8-game win streak. Free inflatable crowns.
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👨 Shout-out: Sean Phaler for being named the new CMO at Blumenthal Arts. Previously Sean led digital marketing and international expansion for the Panthers.
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MARKETS: YEAR-TO-DATE
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S&P 500 |
6,532 |
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Nasdaq |
21,886 |
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PUMPKIN PIONEER
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40-year-old former tech designer creates "the Santa Claus of Halloween"
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Trick Ghastly has over 750K social followers
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Idea: "My wife and I were walking through Halloween decor at a big box store joking about tacky inflatables," founder Dave Mason told me. "I told my wife these would be way cooler if they could talk.”
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Product: Trick Ghastly, a 7-foot inflatable singing pumpkin for $279! You create your custom playlist and the pumpkin lip-syncs. It’s awesome.
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Early traction: Dave's first official drop was September of 2023. He sold out of 600 units in 15 minutes. A few weeks later, he restocked and sold out again in minutes.
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It's now a scary-big business. Dave's got a warehouse in South Charlotte along with a $50K content studio.
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"You don't need a lot of capital, perfect product, or paid ad campaigns to launch a product. You do need 1,000 fans."
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Organic social: Trick Ghastly saw 100M organic social impressions in 2022, 130M in 2023, and 150M in 2024.
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Given the organic reach, including 470K TikTok followers, Dave doesn't spend anything on marketing.
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"When your ad spend is $0, you can increase your net margin by over 30%."
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PRESENTED BY WINESTORE
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Winestore offering "No. 1 Pinot Noir" for $29.99
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Ted’s Reds on display at Winestore SouthPark
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Power rankings: Winestore must hate margin because their prices are ridiculous. I call these Ted’s Reds…
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2023 Granicus Red Blend ($14.99)
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2023 T. Solomon Pinot Noir ($29.99)
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2023 Snowvale Sierra Cabernet Sauvignon ($14.99)
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T. Solomon: "This may be the best sub-$40 Pinot Noir you ever try,” owner Matt Hartley told me. I 100% agree and just stocked up with 6 bottles from Winestore SouthPark last night.
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BULLISH
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Yafo unveils $13 pita burger combo, currently testing 20 per day in Plaza Midwood
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Developed by GM Connor Berryhill and Exec Chef Shai Fargian
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New: Watch out Harriet's and Ace No. 3, there's a new badass burger in town — and it's on a pita! After a month of development, Yafo releases a smashburger today.
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"As a 10-year-old concept, Yafo is in its second phase of innovation," said Shai Fargian, executive chef and partner.
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Their new-ish Pita Tacos are "flying off the shelves," often doing over 60 per day at a single location.
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Limited available: In an effort to micromanage early quality, Yafo will only serve 20 burgers per day at its Plaza Midwood location.
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Tiny take: I thought the pita would be gimmicky, but it's a badass vessel for the smashburger topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and creamy schug sauce. Delicious!
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"Burger ratios are a big deal," said FS Food Group owner Frank Scibelli, who owns 18 restaurants around town, including Yafo.
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Cost is $13 and it comes with your choice of side.
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Don't forget: Frank sold Bad Daddy's Burger Bar in 2015 for $21M. He’s a burger nerd.
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MONEY TALKS
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32-year-old financial analyst making $115K uses budget bucketing to hit $250K net worth
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SouthPark Library, this analyst’s No. 1 money hack
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Money Talks is a weekly series showcasing how real people in Charlotte approach money. Participate.
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Living situation: “I own a home in East Charlotte. 3 bedroom, 2 bath with a 3.25% rate. Bought in early 2021 for $240K. Mortgage payments are $1,400. Single, no kids.”
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Job and salary: “Financial analyst at a large bank. $105K base. 10% bonus, mostly stock.”
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Budgeting: “I love to budget. I'm a firm believer that if you have a goal, it MUST be measurable.”
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Splurge: “Kitchen items. I love cooking. I prioritize long-lasting items. I recently added 2 pieces of stainless steel from Cuisinart. Nobody needs a full set from All-Clad.”
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Money hack: “Our library system. It’s excellent. And free! I read every morning and night.”
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Rich in Charlotte: “$100K net worth. Maybe you're not 'brag about it' rich, but you can do it all.”
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Knowledge: “I share my full personal financial situation with 2 other friends. It helps demystify money. We remind ourselves that comparison is the thief of joy.”
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Full story: 32-year-old shares exact budget bucket strategy to hit $250K assets
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MONEY SNACKS
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5 other financial headlines I’m snacking on
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Mecktoberfest kicks off at OMB LoSo tomorrow. Capt Jack definitely tastes better out of a one-liter souvenir glass boot.
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Dermatology Clinic with $3.4M in revenue for sale. 30% margins. $1M cash flow. 30 years old. Prime location.
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Goodyear House in NoDa now offering kids eat free deal on Tuesday nights. Outstanding patio vibes and sneaky good burger.
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Parents are now offering cash to keep teens off phones. One mom offered her son $1,800. Another offered a car.
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Billionaires are at record high hitting 1,135 in the U.S. Collectively, they're worth $5.7 trillion. Wild.
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HOUSEKEEPING
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Rada makes The New York Times "America's 50 Best Restaurants" list, reservations skyrocket
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Very tasty Tuna Crudo ($21) at Rada in Myers Park
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Making the list: "When we found out, Chef Callan and I definitely shed a tear," owner Eloy Roy told me.
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Fun fact: Rada has sold 1,626 San Sebastian Martinis generating $33,232 since opening in January. I love the side car vessel it comes with.
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Signature dishes include their Tuna Crudo ($21), Beef Carpaccio ($23), Meatballs ($5/each), and Ravioli ($28).
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The intimate, white-tablecloth restaurant has served 15,128 guests in their first 8 months.
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Happy Thursday! At a whopping $189, I've always been too scared to order Rada’s 30 oz. Striploin Au Poivre (French for with pepper) for the table. But I may have to now…
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– Ted
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MONEY POLL
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Do you keep any financial secrets from your spouse or significant other?
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Last week’s poll results: Do you expect to inherit over $300K from your parents? (10,959 subscribers)
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