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August 2025
THE TRUSTED ADVISOR THE TRUTH ABOUT LUCK
Why Success Isn’t Just Chance
All of us have had those moments that felt really lucky or unlucky. But the truth is that most “lucky breaks” aren’t random at all. Good or bad luck isn’t predetermined or unplanned; it’s something we create through mindset, work, and effort. Aug. 26 is Make Your Own Luck Day, a great reminder that we have more control than we realize. ZAC: I don’t believe people get randomly lucky. My philosophy has always been that the harder you work, the luckier you become. The outcomes you experience are based on the things you do in life and the momentum you create, in both our personal lives and our businesses. The most successful people didn’t just get there by chance. They got there by making a decision, working hard to achieve it, and continuing with a positive mindset. It all goes back to the law of attraction. The energy you put out is what you get back. Having an abundance mindset makes a huge difference, and you’ll notice more wins naturally coming your way. The same is true for the opposite: If you approach something thinking you’ll lose or it won’t go well, that’s probably what will happen. Trusting that you will succeed changes everything, even your “luck.” It may sound a little cliche, but I feel pretty “lucky” everyday, in business, family, and health. As you get older, you start to appreciate what you have even more. Sometimes, you will feel unlucky and things won’t go your way, but it’s about context and perspective. How do you turn that misfortune into something positive? NICK: It’s easy to, in any one instance, look at someone and think, well, that person just got lucky. But, if you zoom out and look at the bigger picture over a lifetime, it’s about creating opportunities, working hard, and putting yourself in the path of good things that set you up for success. It cuts both ways, too. Sometimes, you work hard and still get a bad break. But if you’re constantly trying your best, you’ll be luckier more often over time. When you start talking about good things and putting good vibes into the universe, it creates positive momentum, and opportunities open up. It’s essential to put that energy out there and help others. People will take notice, and
chances to change your life and meet your goals in meaningful ways will present themselves. Even when something bad happens, you can spin it into something useful. We always say we never lose at a trial; we learn. Negative experiences are still valuable because they teach you and help you keep improving. I don’t think I’ve ever felt truly unlucky, other than the time Zac beat me on the golf course, which had nothing to do with skill, right? My life isn’t what I had initially planned. I thought I would move to a big city and a major firm, but things changed. Honestly, I’m lucky I didn’t follow that path, because if I had, I might not have ended up with my wife, met Zac, or started this firm. Moving to Orlando just might be the luckiest thing I have ever done. You don’t always achieve your goals or dreams in the way you plan them. Sometimes, the way things unfold is precisely how they were supposed to; that’s where the true luck is.
NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000 1 – Zac Leacox & Nick Norden
What Caused the Luddite Uprising? The Original Anti-Tech Movement
Most of us associate technology with progress. Ideas and inventions like electricity, computers, and the internet allow us to live more comfortably, communicate better with the world, and progress toward a more advanced and well-rounded future. However, not everyone looks at technology as a good thing. In today’s society, we refer to these individuals as Luddites. This is not a new term; it originates from the 19th-century Luddite movement in England. After mechanized looms and knitting frames became popular, British weavers and textile workers with years of training feared that unskilled machine operators would replace them. As machines spread throughout England, these workers broke into factories and destroyed the new technology. They referred to themselves as Luddites, in honor of Ned Ludd, a supposed weaver from Anstey who was rumored to have wrecked a textile machine in 1779.
While Ned Ludd may sound like a hero to the Luddite movement and similar to other historical rebels like Joan of Arc or William Wallace, he was more like Robin Hood than anyone else. There’s no proof he ever existed. He was a mythical leader whom many referred to when trying to inspire other Luddites or strike fear in the companies replacing artisans. Although the term “Luddite” has survived the test of time, their movement was relatively short-lived. The first major attack on a factory occurred in 1811, and similar events followed across England for the next few months. By the following year, machine-breaking became illegal, and 17 men were executed for their actions. By 1813, the movement was essentially dead. Modern Luddites may hate technology and think it interferes with the traditional ways of life, but most won’t go to such extreme lengths as breaking into factories and destroying all the equipment.
Strange Rules in a Tropical Paradise HAWAII’S UNCOMMON LAWS
Don’t take it with you! Many people like to take a memento of their vacation home, such as a seashell or a rock. If you plan to do this while visiting Hawaii, you must be careful where you grab from. You cannot remove rocks, plants, or wildlife from state or national parks. Not only is this action illegal, but it also invokes the “Curse of Pele” upon the individual. Many who take rocks home with them end up mailing them back later after facing bad luck or misfortune. It sounds like something out of “Moana,” but it’s probably not worth the risk. No skyscrapers. If you want to build a home or business in Kauai, you’ll have to keep the building shorter than four stories. It’s illegal for buildings to be taller than coconut palm trees on this island, which is how it has retained its natural beauty. Other Hawaiian islands do not have this law, which is why many high-rise hotels and resorts line the coast of Waikiki Beach.
When you travel outside the continental United States, you often have to research the laws and customs of your destination to ensure you stay out of trouble. While this is certainly a good idea when visiting Europe, Asia, or another continent, you should also do research when visiting somewhere closer to home. Even Hawaii has strange laws you might not know about until it’s too late. Here are three of the weirdest laws you must follow when visiting Hawaii. One at a time. Many people who go to bars, concerts, or sporting events have a habit of getting two alcoholic drinks at once to ensure they don’t have to wait in line when they need their next drink. However, doing so in Hawaii could land you in trouble. To curb people’s drinking habits, the Aloha State does not allow people to have two drinks in front of them at one time. You also cannot order a multi-serving drink, such as a pitcher of beer, unless you’re with another person.
2 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
NO ROOM FOR DISTRACTION Why Every Kid Needs a Homework Haven
While some kids love school and eagerly start their homework when they get home, others dread everything about it. They might not enjoy what they’re learning or have a difficult time sitting down to study. You could try countless strategies, such as hiring a tutor or offering rewards, but the solution might be simpler than that. If you don’t have a dedicated homework area in your home, now is the time to create one. Start by determining the best location in your home. Ideally, choose a location without distractions, such as a bedroom or office. However, if your child does not work well without supervision, put them in a central location. If you don’t have the space in your home to set up a dedicated homework area, you can create a homework basket or cart to break out whenever it’s time to do schoolwork. You also need to gather supplies and set them up for success. Consider the assignments your
child will need to complete during the school year and provide them with the necessities for each assignment. Younger children will likely need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue, while
older kids should have access to pencils, erasers, a calculator, and a dictionary. All that’s left is organizing everything they’ll need. Separate everything into bins, cubbies, or baskets by their subject. You could apply labels to each bin to ensure everything stays organized. This will help your child focus only on the task at hand. Once you establish the space, you must set ground rules to ensure your child does their homework. Restricting the use of phones or tablets is a must in today’s day and age. They may say they need it for their studies, but it will distract them. If possible, set specific times your child should be at the desk doing schoolwork. Even if they don’t have homework that day, they can still benefit from studying. While it might not fix every school woe, creating a dedicated homework area for your child could help them foster a love of learning!
Have a
Summer Chickpea Salad Inspired by HowSweetEats.com
Laugh
Ingredients •
2 (15-oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed 4 green onions, thinly sliced 2 ears grilled corn, cut kernels from the cob 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered 3 tbsp chopped fresh basil 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
• • • • • • •
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper 3 tbsp olive oil
• •
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp honey
• • •
3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 lime, zested and juiced
Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, onions, corn, tomatoes, basil, and chives. 2. Toss well with salt and pepper and set aside. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, add oil, vinegar, honey, garlic, lime juice, and zest. 4. Whisk until the mixture is warm and garlic begins sizzling. 5. Pour over the chickpea mixture and toss well to coat. 6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
3 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
407-801-3000 NordenLeacox.com 633 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32803
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Inside This Edition
2 1 The Mindset That Changes Everything Who Were the Luddites?
Hawaiian Laws You Have to See to Believe
3
The Homework Game-Changer Hiding in Your Home Summer Chickpea Salad
4
The Value Menu Joke That Cost Taco Bell a Lawsuit
TACO BELL TRIED TO REBRAND 50 CENT It Ended in a Lawsuit
Rapper 50 Cent was seemingly everywhere in the mid-2000s. His hit albums, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” and “The Massacre,” took the country by storm, and nearly everyone was familiar with at least one of his iconic songs. He appeared in commercials for Reebok, Vitamin Water, and other consumer goods, but one popular fast food enterprise attempted to use his name without the artist’s approval. As you might expect, 50 Cent didn’t take kindly to this and promptly sued the chain. In 2008, Taco Bell unveiled an ad campaign promoting the low cost of items within their Why Pay More!? Value Meal. Offering burritos, nachos, and other signature Taco Bell items for 79¢, 89¢, or 99¢ got people’s attention, but their marketing experts thought the campaign needed more punch to drive business. The brand suggested that 50 Cent change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent, or 99 Cent.
Unfortunately, Taco Bell did not contact the rapper to see if they could use his name while promoting their new menu. He was bothered by this and filed a lawsuit against the fast food giant. The lawsuit claimed that Taco Bell made 50 Cent the star and focus of their nationwide campaign without seeking or obtaining his authorization. A spokesperson for Taco Bell claimed that the company “made a good faith, charitable offer to 50 Cent to change his name to either 79, 89 or 99 Cent for one day by rapping his order at a Taco Bell, and we would have been very pleased to make the $10,000 donation to the charity of his choice.”
50 Cent sued Taco Bell for $4 million. He won the lawsuit, but the settlement terms were not disclosed.
This case serves as a great lesson to any business owner. Do not use a celebrity’s name or likeness for a marketing campaign without permission!
Photo: RiverNorthPhotography
4 NordenLeacox.com | 407-801-3000
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
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