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LEGAL BRIEF
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JULY 2024 FriedmanSimon.com
CONCRETE LESSONS
How Summer Jobs Shaped My Journey
I bought my first car when I was 15. I wasn’t old enough to drive at the time, but I had worked hard, earned money, and wanted a vehicle. I was set when I turned 16 and got my driver’s license. That truck was the reward for many long hours out in the Arizona heat working for my dad’s concrete business. I started working for my dad’s company every summer in middle school, and while the tasks were challenging, they taught me lessons that still shape me today. Summer jobs are an essential rite of passage that teaches us about respect, responsibility, and the value of a hard-earned dollar. For young people, it’s often their first experience in the professional world, and it’s a real-life lesson in communicating with people from different walks of life. When I reflect on the summer jobs of my youth, I can’t help but feel grateful because not only did these roles give me valuable skills, but they also allowed me to spend treasured time with my father. I was about 13 when I began helping my dad during the summers. In Arizona, the season is scorching hot, reaching upwards of 115 or 120 degrees. So, we started most days around 3 a.m. to finish before 4 p.m. when the sun was at its worst. I loved those mornings because my dad would drive us to the job site, and we’d talk the whole time. It didn’t feel like work in those moments; it was just bonding time with Dad. My dad didn’t just have his workload to think about; he had an entire staff he needed to show up for. There were a few guys on each crew, and if someone didn’t show up, Dad had to manage to fill those gaps. That showed me how it impacts a business owner or boss when an employee doesn’t come to work. I have always strived to do my best for my employers and never put them in a bind because I saw firsthand how that impacts everyone.
Running a business comes with stressors, and my dad modeled resilience and positivity through even the difficult times. At the firm, we recently got a new case management system, and just like anything new, there’s been a learning curve with it. Your eyes don’t naturally go where they should, and people will naturally need time to get them down. I try to keep a positive attitude on changes like this and focus on the efficiencies the system will bring us rather than the challenges it presents temporarily. Summer jobs benefit young people more than ever in this digitally driven world. Most kids have easy access to social media or video games, but they need to catch up on some essential socialization experiences. A job forces you to deal with people different from you, and you usually have to work your way up from the bottom. I’ll always love seeing young people seeking ways to earn money for themselves. Our village has one kid who offers to do yard work and chores around the neighborhood. It doesn’t matter if I don’t need any work, I’ll always hire him. And there’s no kid’s lemonade stand I can pass by without purchasing a cup. Those early mornings pouring concrete under the Arizona sun equipped me with practical skills, a strong work ethic, and a deep appreciation for perseverance and human connection. Summer jobs remind me of the invaluable lessons that come from stepping out into
the world, earning your way, and engaging with diverse perspectives. I carry with me the wisdom of those early days — forever grateful for the time spent with my father and the foundational values those summer jobs instilled in me.
-Michael J. Mills
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The Entrepreneur Behind the First Cupcake Bakery SWEET SUCCESS
Don’t Settle for Less EARLY SETTLEMENTS
The start of the 21st century marked the end of the dot-com bubble: Tech stocks that had seen tremendous growth in the 1990s suddenly plummeted. In the wake of this economic turmoil, entrepreneur Candace Nelson made the radical decision to leave her career as an investment banker and enroll in culinary school with a degree in Pastry Arts. Many were skeptical of her choice, but Nelson was committed to pursuing her true passion. Starting Sprinkles Trained and ready to chase her dreams in earnest, Nelson, then just 31 years old, opened Sprinkles, the country’s first cupcake bakery, in Beverly Hills, California.
CAN DERAIL YOUR CASE
When you’ve been in a car accident, a check for a couple of thousand dollars from an insurance adjuster can feel like a lifeline. However, agreeing to a settlement too soon could cost you. Settlements are legally binding documents. Once you’ve signed, the insurance company is not responsible for additional payments. Recently, we took on a case for a man who had been in a motor vehicle accident. The other driver was clearly at fault in this situation. Our client started receiving treatment for his pain sometime after the incident when he started to notice physical symptoms. We began gathering evidence, collecting medical records, and putting the insurance companies on notice. When we contacted the insurance adjuster, he claimed the file was closed and our client’s case had already been settled. He ultimately provided us with copies of the settlement, signed by our client. Before our client had reached out to us, he spoke to an insurance representative and signed a release early on for a few thousand dollars. The client didn’t have pain right after his accident, and it was only after he needed to seek treatment that he decided to contact an attorney.
“Everyone thought I was nuts and that I was having my quarter-life crisis,” Nelson told NBC News.
As it turns out, they were crazy for doubting her. Having grown up overseas, she borrowed Europeans’ habit of buying baked goods from specialty shops. She believed Americans would warm up to the idea of a treat, once reserved for special occasions, available as a daily delicacy. In the lead-up to her grand opening, many predicted the business would fail. It was 2005, carb-free diets were in vogue, and no one had attempted to create a bakery business solely focused on cupcakes. Moreover, Nelson was charging $3 per cupcake, which many felt was excessive. “I stood behind that cupcake counter and explained the value of my product until I was blue in the face,” Nelson told NBC News. Modern Design Her persistence prevailed. Spurred in part by her cupcakes’ iconic “modern dot” flourish, a circular decoration that adorned the tops of all her treats, Sprinkles stood out from the competition. To her credit, she anticipated her small touch would be significant and trademarked her design to prevent copycat competition. Cupcake Convenience Her foresight has proved fruitful: Starting in a single 600-square-foot location, Sprinkles now has over 40 locations and has sold more than 200 million cupcakes nationwide! But her innovations did not stop there. In 2012, Nelson banked on a new idea. Sprinkles introduced a unique cupcake-dispensing ATM, a contactless system serving scrumptious cupcakes, cupcake mix, and merchandise. Best of all, it was open and stocked 24/7 with fresh goods. Author and Entrepreneur Not satisfied with Sprinkles’ success, Nelson is dead-set on revolutionizing how Americans eat pizza. In 2017, she co-founded a Neapolitan-style pizzeria called Pizzana. Also, Nelson is far more than just a baker; she is also a TV personality. In 2021, she co-created the competition show “Best in Dough,” streaming now on Hulu. Nelson believes anyone can make it in life if they have the right recipe. Her book, “Sweet Success: A Simple Recipe to Turn Your Passion Into Profit,” is a guide to help anyone establish an expectation-defying brand. Nelson’s success is an example of how dreams can come true with just a sprinkle of innovation and perseverance.
Our client said he thought he was still entitled to pursue additional money later on if he signed the release.
It is common for insurance adjusters to attempt to get statements from accident victims right away and offer a settlement that is much lower than what could be won in a claim. Speaking with an attorney before you say or sign anything is crucial. While you may feel alright in the immediate aftermath of a wreck, it could take weeks to fully understand the severity of your injuries and medical expenses. Even if you don’t feel injured, an attorney can help you determine if a settlement is proper for you. In this case, the client had signed a settlement agreement before contacting an attorney, closing the case, and revoking his ability to argue for a higher payout.
If you are injured in a car accident, regardless of the severity of your injuries, contact Friedman & Simon today.
-Michael J. Mills
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Lights, Camera, Cash WHY REAL MONEY CAN’T TAKE CENTER STAGE
You can’t print money. Real currency is printed on a unique blend of cotton and linen available only to the U.S. government. Prop money can’t feel like the real deal. It has to be on paper and printed at a lower resolution. Robert De Niro didn’t like how the prop money felt in his hands while filming “Goodfellas.” To get around it, the prop master withdrew money from his bank account for De Niro to use. At the end of each scene, no one could leave until all the money was counted and returned. So, next time one of your favorite movie characters has cash to burn, remember, those are fake bills in the flames!
Have you ever wondered how moviemakers can afford to blow up piles of money on the big screen? It turns out that it’s tricky, as the government has a set of strict rules to follow when studios feature U.S. currency on screen. So, roll out the red carpet because we’re about to explore the laws of prop money. Identical bills are illegal. Prop money can’t look identical to actual bills because of concerns about whether it could be circulated to the public and used. This happened after a “Rush Hour 2” scene where they blew up billions of dollars in prop money. Extras took home some of the fake cash and tried to use it in Las Vegas. The Secret Service got involved immediately, shutting
down the shoot and confiscating the bills. If the money is a replica, it must be either 75% smaller or 150% larger than real bills. One of the most common methods studios use is printing only one side of the fake money. The design can also be altered slightly, like changing the shading or picture. Real cash can’t be destroyed. Even though blowing up or burning money on camera can pump up the action for the audience, legal tender cannot be destroyed in movies. Anyone can be charged with a federal crime, punishable by 10 years in prison and fines for destroying money. Only the Federal Reserve has that power. Technically, it’s illegal to even flatten a penny.
SUDOKU
Quinoa Veggie Bowl
This recipe is packed with protein-rich quinoa and a colorful array of vegetables. It’s ideal for a healthy lunch or a quick dinner!
Ingredients • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced • 1 cup diced zucchini
• 1 cup diced mushrooms • 1 tsp dried oregano • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2 cups cooked quinoa
Directions
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Add bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add oregano, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
4. Add the cooked quinoa and mix thoroughly. 5. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then serve.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 2
Why My First Car at 15 Was More Than Just a Vehicle The Risks of Accepting Insurance Offers Too Soon How Sprinkles Started the Cupcake Craze The Surprising Rules of Movie Currency Quinoa Veggie Bowl Paris Summer Olympics Will Showcase French Flair
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Paris 2024: Not Your Grandfather’s Olympics
From the country that gave us Napoleon, escargot, and high-fashion runways, this news should come as no surprise: The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will break the mold. Organizers have missed no opportunity to put a distinctly French stamp on this international event, as TikTok personality one37pm pointed out in a video. Venues, ceremonies, medals, and mascots are all intended to highlight France’s unique architecture and history. The setting for the opening ceremonies will be the picturesque heart of Paris. The parade of athletes will be held on the River Seine, with each national delegation riding in boats fitted with cameras to project the athletes’ images on public screens. It may be hard for Paris to out-do opening ceremonies of the past, such as the four-hour extravaganza at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing or London’s 2012 Olympic
Open-water swimming events will also be held in the Seine — a plan that alarmed fans who recall that the river flooded with untreated sewage as recently as last year after heavy rains overwhelmed the city’s old sewers. French officials say the city has dug a giant reservoir nearby to collect excess rainwater and prevent a recurrence. The Eiffel Tower will be a looming presence over a temporary arena built for beach volleyball and other events. The layout ensures that the nearly 1 billion expected TV viewers will get an eyeful of the iconic 135-year-old iron spire. The Eiffel Tower plays another pivotal role. Iron taken from its girders during renovations in the past century has been forged into the center of each Olympic medal in the shape of a hexagon (mimicking the rough outline of France on a map). While most Olympic mascots have been cuddly animal figures, France’s quirky mascots, the Phryges (pronounced fri-jee-uhs), are red, white, and blue
opener featuring a Queen Elizabeth body double parachuting into Olympic Stadium from a helicopter. Nevertheless, in a significant first, admission for the hundreds of thousands of expected spectators will be free, a gesture also likely to be remembered.
cartoon characters modeled after a conical hat worn as a symbol of liberty during the French Revolution. It’s a brief reminder, lest viewers forget, that among all of its other distinctions, France is also one of the birthplaces of modern democracy.
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