Bestseller
Steven Schussler appears Live on Fox & Friends
Nov 18th
It’s a Jungle In There By Rainforest Cafe® Creator Steven Schussler
Andrew Marc will Sponsor The Building of the Structure, and will Feature Their Fall 2010 Outerwear Event to Raise Awareness for Smile Network International
(THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2010) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—It was announced early this morning that a 15-ton palace carved out of more than 30,000 pounds of ice will be constructed on the Fox Plaza, 48th Street and Avenue of the Americas, for a “Fox and Friends” interview on Friday, November 19th in support of a book segment for It’s a Jungle in There, written by author and Rainforest Cafe® creator Steven Schussler with Marvin Karlins. The mission for the event is to raise awareness for Smile Network International, (www.smilenetwork.org), a Minnesota-based 501(c) 3 organization that surgically repairs cleft lips and palates of impoverished young people around the world. Steven Schussler is a founding member and lifetime advisor of the board of directors, and 100% of his proceeds from the book will go to Smile Network International. The event will be sponsored by the Andrew Marc luxury apparel brand, who will supply the hosts of the TV show with garments from their fall 2010 collection. Andrew Marc will also spearhead a sweepstakes for the viewers to enter to win a $1,000 shopping spree on AndrewMarc.com. In addition, their team of models will also be passing out hot chocolate & biscotti to people in and around the plaza.
Originally from Rockaway Beach, New York, Steven Schussler is no stranger to PR stunts, and his book, It’s a Jungle in There, encourages anyone with a dream to “learn to become a creative genius, and take your ideas as far as you can to make them come true.” In order to attract investors for his idea of Rainforest Cafe, he transformed his home into the Rainforest Cafe® prototype. After four years of showing the concept to potential investors, Schussler opened the first Rainforest Cafe® at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota in October 1994. He and his public company built and operated 45 Rainforest Cafe® restaurants in seven years, on three continents and sold the chain to Landry’s Restaurants Inc. in 2000. Before selling to Landry’s, Rainforest Cafe® received over 40 awards in 6 years including: Fortune Magazine’s “Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S.A.” (named to the list two consecutive years); Nation’s Restaurant News’ “Hot Concept Award,” and Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 100 Entreprenuers.”
Steven Schussler says, “What better way to kick-off Thanksgiving than by giving thanks for what you have. At the end of the day, it’s not about how much you can acquire in your life, but how much you can help others. In Chapter 28 of my book, It’s a Jungle in There, I talk about the importance of philanthropy and how entrepreneurs must embrace social responsibility. My motive for creating the Ice Palace on the Fox Plaza is to raise awareness for Smile Network International, and to share the message that anyone can overcome obstacles and get ahead in business if they put their mind to it.”
The Ice Palace, which is also a prototype for Steven Schussler’s concept restaurant called, “Water, Fire & Ice™ The Ultra Polar Lounge™,” will be carved by Minneapolis-based Ice Occasions™ owner, Chris Swarbrick. His team also created sculptures for the Vancouver Olympics, and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. “It will take (100) 300-pound blocks of ice to construct the 15-ton Ice Palace on the Fox Plaza, and upon completion will house an ice bar stocked with Aquadeco Water in beautiful designer bottles, a circular ice couch, a fire and ice table (with real fire), an ice carving of a penguin, and a full size gorilla!,” said Swarbrick.
For More Information about the event, or to interview Steven Schussler, please contact Justin Loeber and his team at Mouth Public Relations (www.MouthPublicRelations.com), 212-260-7576; Media@MouthPublicRelations.com.
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Marketing Yourself to Market Your Product
Nov 15th
Chapter 15 of my book, “It’s A Jungle In There” Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights, and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring1
Self-Examination Question: Do you consider (and take advantage of) the impact you have when selling your idea, product, or service?
Small Biz America with Steven Schussler It’s A Jungle In There
Nov 12th
Listen to this episode http://www.smallbizamerica.com/sbb/detail/its-a-jungle-in-there-with-steven-schussler/
ajungleintherebook.com/endorsements”>Donald Trump says, “His story is not only compelling, it’s fun, inspiring and full of sound business advice.”
Harvey Mackay says, “If anyone is king of the jungle, it’s Steven Schussler. Entertaining and inspiring, a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs!” -#1 New York Times best-seller….
Without a college degree, Schussler became the CEO of a company twice named by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 100 fasted growing companies in America.
Here are some of the questions guiding our discussions:
1. You had some major challenges in the beginnings. Tell us about the process that lead to the success of RainForest Cafes…
2. You have said the importance of researching a new product or service concept is paramount to success. How does an entrepreneur approach the matter of getting market validation for a new concept?
3. So much of doing business is about relationships. Let’s talk about the power of a first impression. I think you have a story to share around this theme.
4. We’re sitting together in late 2010. What is your sense about the current business-startup environment. How can entrepreneurs overcome the tight credit markets and low consumer spending headwinds.
Steve Schussler is Walt Disney of Theme Restaurants
Nov 10th
Steve Schussler is Walt Disney of theme restaurants
Behind the scenes with Rainforest Cafe owner
By Rachel Hutton Wednesday, Nov 10 2010
http://www.citypages.com/2010-11-10/restaurants/steve-schussler-is-walt-disney-of-theme-restaurants/
To view photos of the tour go to: http://tcb.citypages.com/slideshow/steve-schusslers-theme-restaurant-empire-31805049/
The offices of Schussler Creative are located in a dull, nondescript Golden Valley industrial park, near businesses that deal in the mundanities of insurance claims and automotive parts. But inside, Schussler Creative has the energy of a Silicon Valley startup. On the day I visited, I could hardly find a seat in the reception area for the assemblage of model outboard motors, revolving Ferris wheels, and Disney characters dressed in Star Wars garb. So I leaned against a ledge where a cloak-wrapped Mickey aimed his light saber at Donald Duck, who had been frozen, Han Solo-style, in a carbonite block.
All this, I soon learned, was merely a warm-up for the contents of Schussler’s adjacent warehouse. A staff member led me to the office’s utilitarian kitchenette where muffled tribal music could be heard playing behind a set of double doors. The staffer held a remote control, and I noticed that one of the buttons was labeled “FOG.” Anticipation built as it does when the line for a Disney ride inches forward: What sort of imaginary world lay beyond? More >
It’s a Jungle In There – First Business Interview to Air
Nov 8th
Steven Schussler on First Business interview
First Business airs in most US television markets and internationally before the market opens. It is a fast-moving, idea-packed half-hour that looks ahead at the coming day’s trading. First Business airs in over 120 US cities before the market opens, includes: San Diego; San Francisco; Washington DC; Phoenix; Orlando; Kansas City; Minneapolis; St. Louis; Pittsburgh; Dallas; and Seattle.
For more information please check out: www.firstbusinessnews.com
Review of Stevens Book from Former VP & GM of WKAT Radio
Nov 8th
Sid Levin, the Former VP and GM of WKAT Radio “CBS” Affiliate in Miami Florida writes a review of It’s A Jungle In There. This is the gentleman who wound up giving Steven Schussler his first job in Broadcasting!
“Many years ago, the young man in the Superman costume and I worked in the radio business together. I knew then how special he was and his remarkable career has proved me right. And now he has written an “how to do it” in an intense, helpful, instructive book that is also great fun to read.” Sid Levin
Jim Pawlak of Dallas Morning News Reviews It’s A Jungle In There Business Book
Nov 8th
Steven Schussler, the creator of Rainforest Cafe and other theme restaurants, shares his Five Ps of successful entrepreneurship: personality, product, persistence, people and philanthropy.
Chapter 7, “Be Excellent or Be Gone,” opens with this question: “Are you willing to take the extra time to create a product of service that is excellent rather than acceptable?”
Two plaques on the wall remind Schussler of what every business owner needs to remember: “When you’re out of quality, you’re out of business” and “The noblest search is the search for excellence.” Mediocrity shuts down businesses quickly.
Chapter 8, “Sweat the Small Stuff: The Importance of Paying Attention to Detail,” says that while the big picture is important, you need to have customer’s eyes. What do they see when they walk into your establishment?
You need to have employee’s eyes, too, because staff won’t treat customers better than management treats them.
Jim Pawlak reviews business books for The Dallas Morning News.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-p2books_31bus.ART.State.Edition1.2490cc7.html
Book Signing at Best of Times Bookstore
Oct 14th
Best of Times Bookstore
Thursday, October 14, 2010
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
425 W 3rd St
Red Wing, Minnesota 55066-2310
(651) 388-1003
http://www.bestoftimesbookstore.com/event/its-jungle-there-author-steve-schussler