AI moment in time

I asked Grok for ideas on how to build a solopreneur business using AI as my STAFF. So everything that you see from HERE down is from an AI telling me how to use AI to let AI run it all for me (no paid staff):

1. You can use Sora 2 to create Hollywood-level videos in seconds. You can build audiences of millions without a production crew.

2. You can clone your voice with Eleven Labs in under 10 seconds. Layer it on HeyGen avatars. You can create talking head videos without ever filming.

3. You can spin up code agents on Cursor or Claude Code that debug, write tests, and push to GitHub while you're asleep.

4. Record a Loom or Zoom Clips. Drop it into Chat GPT. Get a polished blog post with research, insights, and priorities extracted automatically.

5. Drag-and-drop Zapier workflows. Plug in AI agents. Automate outreach, reporting, research, even legal docs.

6. Drop a 300-page PDF into Perplexity. Get a structured memo in under a minute.

7. You can vibe code a SaaS product from scratch. Launch a landing page and drive traffic to get validation in a weekend instead of spending months in stealth mode wondering if anyone will care.

8. Generate 100 ads with variations with AI. A/B test them in Meta Ads Manager before you spend a dollar. Ship campaigns faster than any agency with a six-figure retainer.

9. Deploy voice agents that call leads, qualify them, update your CRM, and hand you a booked calendar while you're at dinner. No more cold calling, ever.

10. Build entire media pipelines from raw text to cinematic short-form content in Runway and Pika Labs.

11. You can move like a team of ten without hiring a single person. Hit $50K/month with 50%+ margins because you don't need the overhead, the office, the endless meetings.

12. Validate ideas in 48 hours instead of 48 weeks.

13. Query your data warehouse like you are texting a friend. Automate the boring parts. Focus on the fun stuff. Make money while you sleep. Get paid for life.

14. Scrape competitors and generate go-to-market strategies in hours instead of months of expensive consultants.

15. Train a custom GPT on your support docs and resolve 70% of support and trouble tickets without lifting a finger.

16. Start a business while you still have a job. Test it. Grow it. Then decide if you want to make the leap to Entrepreneurship.

OK, this is me again, TomCapone.com. Real Human. Now here is what I am finding to be interesting. VERY interesting. There are around 174K+ K-20 schools across North America serviced by the NADLA.org (North American Distance Learning Association). That is my day job. And starting Q1 2026 we shall be servicing the entire world via the GlobalDLA.org. 

I asked Grok how many of our 174K+ schools across North America have 'AI' in their portfolio. I asked Claude and Gemini and Copilot and Meta AI and others the same question. 

It appears the answer is ALL OF THEM. 

 

I don't know if there will even be traditional 'college' in 10 years. Taking out a loan to get a degree seems to be out of style. And not a very good use of money (bad investment). I don't know if we shall be talking about AI or it shall just be assumed that we all have it, use it, depend on it. Similar to electricity or WiFi - we just expect it to 'be there' ready to serve us. Not every home had electricity - and then they all did. Not every business had a telephone - and then they all did. Same for websites, computers, etc. The 'tipping point' with AI just came much faster than we predicted. 

AI’s power isn’t some secret sauce or true consciousness—it’s mostly extreme scale of compute + data + a very good architecture (transformers) that lets it approximate almost any pattern in human knowledge and language well enough to seem intelligent. The jump from 2020 models to 2025 models isn’t a new fundamental invention; it’s mostly "just" making everything 10–100× bigger and training it better. But that brute-force scaling keeps working far beyond what most experts predicted. That’s the real surprise of AI—and the source of its power.

AND SO... when people ask me where they should go to school and/or what should they study to have a career that will be 'AI' proof, my answer is:

You should go to all of them. Better put - you can access ALL OF THEM. From your home. From anywhere in the world. And you need to think of AI as you would think about having access to electricity or access to the Internet. No matter what you choose to do for a living, AI will be there. Hopefully AI will be working WITH you, and working for you - and not working against you. 

Think more like Luke Skywalker plus R2-D2. A team. That is the future of work, the future of education and even the future of entertainment. And the future is now. 

Right now. I hope that you (human you) will join us in the Global CLOUD Community. Feel free to invite your AI bot to all meetings and calls. I understand AI is very good at taking notes. 

www.TheCloudUniversity.com 

Sold At Auction

 

It is now 6:00 AM EST on November 23rd 2025. I just turned on BBC News: A gold pocket watch belonging to Titanic passenger Isidor Straus sold at auction in England for a record $2.3 million on November 22, 2025. The 18-karat watch, engraved with his initials and stopped at 2:20 a.m. (the time the ship sank), was recovered from his body and returned to his family, who passed it down through generations before having it restored. A letter written by his wife, Ida Straus, was also sold at the same auction for $131,000.

Watch Details: The watch was a gift to Isidor Straus for his 43rd birthday and is engraved with his initials. It was found stopped at the moment the ship sank, and the hands have since been repaired.

Owner: The watch belonged to Isidor Straus, co-owner of Macy's, who died on the Titanic with his wife, Ida. The couple's story of staying together on the ship was famously depicted in the movie Titanic.

Auction and Price: The watch sold for a record-breaking $2.3 million (£1.78m) at a Henry Aldridge & Son auction in Wiltshire, England. This surpassed the previous record for Titanic memorabilia, which was set by another pocket watch that sold for approximately $1.9 million.

Hey Grok: what did that watch cost in 1912?

The gold pocket watch belonging to Isidor Straus (co-owner of Macy's and a first-class passenger who died on the Titanic with his wife Ida) was recovered from his body and is one of the most famous artifacts from the wreck.

Original purchase price when new (before 1912):

The watch was a high-end Waltham 18-karat gold hunter-case pocket watch (model 1894, “Riverside” grade, 17 jewels). In the 1890s–early 1900s, a top-grade 18-karat gold Waltham hunter-case watch of this quality typically retailed for $100 – $150 USD at the time it was purchased (roughly the late 1890s to around 1905–1910).

Adjusted for inflation:

$100–$150 in 1900 dollars is approximately $3,800 – $5,700 USD in 2025 dollars. For context, that was a very expensive watch in its day — equivalent to a luxury Rolex or Patek Philippe today.

Auction history of the actual Titanic-recovered watch:

It was sold at auction by Henry Aldridge & Son (UK) in 2006 for £114,000 (about $220,000 USD at the time). In October 2024, the same watch sold again for a record £1.52 million (approximately $1.95 million USD), the highest price ever paid for a Titanic artifact.

Ah, where you going with this Tom?

The key words from this post are: Sold at Auction. Adjusted for Inflation. Memorabilia. Artifacts. Luxury. Expensive. First Class Passenger. 

This story is breaking news. Really? News is a general term for information about current events, reported on a schedule, while breaking news is urgent, unplanned news about an event that is happening now. Ah, but Breaking News often interrupts regular programming or publication schedules because of its immediacy and importance, such as a natural disaster or a major accident, and is reported as events unfold. Wow, OK. This pocket watch sale is breaking news. 

THIS POST, today's Sunday Blog is about.... scarcity. Especially manufactured scarcity for economic gain.

Scarcity is the basic economic problem of having unlimited human wants and needs in a world of limited resources. It means there isn't enough of everything to go around, so choices must be made about how to use the available resources.  

Unlimited wants: People always want more things, and their wants are often infinite. 

Limited resources: The resources available to produce those things (like time, labor, or raw materials) are finite. 

The need for choice: Because of this gap between unlimited wants and limited resources, societies must make choices about what to produce, how to produce it, and for whom to produce it. 

In a few days the USA shall celebrate Thanksgiving. And food is scarce in the USA and around the world. There is not enough food to go around due to manufactured scarcity. Just like with that pocket watch. This is why FeedingAmerica.org exists. And this is why we have their link on page 1 (the main menu bar) of the NYDLA.org - they are our official charity. 

What a world, right? How a $5,000 watch could be sold for $2.3 million. And that so many people wanted it that it sold at auction. Manufactured Scarcity. 

I think about how Isidor and Ida Straus stayed on that ship. How they did not try to use their power and influence to get to a lifeboat. They loved each other - and they loved humanity. Their last act in life was to pay it forward. I bet they were the kind of people who would donate to FeedingAmerica.org 

What do you think?

Healthcare. Education. Hunger. Pocket Watches. 

There is so much manufactured scarcity in the world.  

Visit NYDLA.org and click on FeedingAmerica.org

You must like flies

 

The first hello.... was February 2017. I met Lee Cockerell via a podcast interview that he gave to my friend David Burkus. It was a Sunday morning, and something compelled me to find Lee on LinkedIn and to reach out. That same Sunday we spent 90 minutes on the phone. Within two weeks (March) I was on a plane flying down to Orlando to meet Lee. I went with my gut. It was during that meeting in 2017 the idea for Cockerell Academy was born. 

I have blogged on this in the past, but from that 'first hello' I met Lee, his son, his entire family. When summer 2017 rolled around, it turned out that Lee's grandson (living in Orlando) was going to be doing a college Internship in Mt. Olive, New Jersey. They were having trouble finding a short term rental for the summer. 

"Well, you know Lee, Mt. Olive is around 16 miles West of my home in Boonton Township. And we are now 'empty nesters' so the entire 2nd floor of the house is his for the summer if he wants it. The only negative would be my wife Dianne would spoil him rotten." 

Today on LinkedIn (2025) I saw a post from Lee. Often I think that Lee is like a modern Will Rogers. 

Will Rogers was a immensely popular American humorist, actor, and social commentator from the early 20th century known for his "folksy" style, cowboy persona (complete with a lasso, which he would use for tricks on stage), and witty observations on current events and politics. 

Key aspects of Will Rogers:

Persona: He appeared on stage in his cowboy outfit, nonchalantly twirling his lasso, and his humor was tied to a "common man" American identity.

Catchphrase/Opening Line: He would often begin his act by saying, "Well, what shall I talk about? I ain't got anything funny to say. All I know is what I read in the papers," before launching into jokes about the day's news.

Career: He was a vaudeville performer, a star of the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway, a popular film actor (making 71 films), and a widely syndicated newspaper columnist and radio personality.

Influence: His gentle, nonpartisan wit and common-sense philosophy made him a beloved figure across the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. 

While other comedians like Rodney Carrington and William Lee Martin have a contemporary cowboy style, Will Rogers is the primary historical figure associated with the "old cowboy stand-up comic" persona. 

You can find a bunch of Lee Cockerell quotes here. And here is my personal favorite, about getting rid of the flies. 

OK, Tom...... land the plane.  Where are you going with this?

Today 11/16/2025 is the launch of our partnership with Blink. (www.GetBlink.us) It is an INTRANET that allows schools, corporations, organizations, any group from 2 to 200,000 to collaborate, to communicate, to live, learn, work, play, teach, train, coach, mentor in the GLOBAL Cloud COMMUNITY. 

William Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous social commentator. He was born as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, in the Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma), and is known as "Oklahoma's Favorite Son". As an entertainer and humorist, he traveled around the world three times, made 71 films (50 silent films and 21 "talkies"), and wrote more than 4,000 nationally syndicated newspaper columns. By the mid-1930s, Rogers was hugely popular in the United States for his leading political wit and was one of the higher paid Hollywood film stars. He died in 1935 with aviator Wiley Post when their small airplane crashed on takeoff from a lagoon near Point Barrow in northern Alaska. 

I see a lot of Will Rogers in Lee Cockerell. Both from Oklahoma. Will had 'talkies' and radio and newspapers. Lee has the Internet and Podcasts and online courses. 

But it is always about the people. The connection with the people. Not AI, not bots. No 'AI Slop' thank you very much. Real people living, learning, working, playing, teaching, training, coaching, mentoring to/from ANYWHERE in the world. 

Newspapers. Radio. Talkies. Podcasts. YouTube. And now...... INTRANETS. 

One World. Fully Connected. And as Lee Cockerell always says: "Teach Everything You Know" 

www.GetBlink.us

Good Things Come in Threes

Rutgers.edu | Audible.com | IDT.net  Yes indeed, good things do come in threes. 

Many of you know the story of how the NYDLA.org was basically 'bankrupt' during the last recession. No money. When I took over running the NYDLA in 2009 I had to use my own money to host the NYDLA website. We were struggling to just keep the lights on. It was RUTGERS that became our sponsor in 2012. They saved us - RUTGERS brought money - and their 500K+ living alumni (at the time). Now in 2025 RUTGERS has 600K+ living alumni with 360K+ alumni living in New Jersey (like me). You can find the original RUTGERS sponsorship letter on the 'About' page on NYDLA.org 

And now in 2025 we are servicing 174K+ K-20 *schools across North America. And all 8 Ivy League schools. 

But RUTGERS was the first. 

I have been in the IDT.net building (on the left in the pic above) dozens of times. I remember reading IDT Corp founder Howard Jonas book "On a Roll - From Hot Dog Buns to High Tech Billions" in 1998. 

IDT Corporation (originally standing for International Discount Telecommunications) is a multinational provider of cloud communications, point of sale systems, unified communications, and financial services / foreign exchange services for selected clients. 

Overview

IDT's first service was callback, which was based on the idea that "it costs two and three times as much to call from overseas as it does the other way."

History

IDT was founded by entrepreneur Howard Jonas in August 1990. He founded the company after opening a sales office in Israel, receiving large international phone bills and then discovering a way to lower them by re-originating calls in the United States.

In 1996, IDT founded Net2Phone, the world's fourth-largest VoIP provider (2017), and sold 32% of Net2Phone in August 2000 to AT&T for $1.1 billion in cash. That same year, IDT became a public company via an initial public offering.

Audible (owned by Amazon.com) has been a sponsor of the Distance Learning Association since they moved into Newark, New Jersey. They share the building with RUTGERS School of Business. Audible helps us to convert 'books' into multimedia, transmedia, omnimedia experiences. Think Harry Potter 'living' books. 

And so, within a city block in downtown Newark, New Jersey you will find three of the most valuable partnerships, sponsors and relationships of the (now) GlobalDLA.org 

There are 56M+ people living in the "New York Megalopolis" from Maine to Virginia. NYDLA.org became the NADLA.org servicing all of North America during COVID-19. Other than Zoom, I don't know who could have grown bigger or faster than the Distance Learning Association during a pandemic lock-down. 579M+ people live, learn, work, play, teach, train, coach, mentor from their homes (and their offices, their stores) across North America. 

And now, we are GLOBAL. The GlobalDLA.org 

Dare I say that we are...... on a roll? 

[* and the alumni of the 174K+ K-20 schools]

Startup Spectacular

 Our Halloween 2025 Special was.................. spectacular. 

"Spectacular" means something is very impressive, dramatic, or grand, like a breathtaking view or a stunning fireworks display. It can also refer to a large-scale, lavish performance or show, such as a Christmas TV spectacular, or describe something that is remarkably great, like a spectacular increase in spending. 

We had a spectacular increase in new NYDLA | NADLA membership. BOOtiful! 😎

Everyone seems to have done some sort of Halloween coupon, discount, special. I am sure that you received a million ads or emails with Pumpkins and Witches and whatnot. Since I have not had an original thought in years, we did the same. 

Ah, but what I did not predict is the number of people who would join the NYDLA.org | NADLA.org because they were starting up a business. 

Many were starting up a business because they have been chasing the dream of Entrepreneurship for years. Well, we are well aware of this, as ENTREPRENEURSHIP became a College Major years ago. Marketing was always a college major, then ENTREPRENEURSHIP. Now in 2025 you can actually get a degree in SALES.  (I teach that now...at University level). 

It's 2025. Many people are now starting up a business out of desperation. They have lost their job, they have lost their source of income. So many of the people that we have been meeting are....scared. They are worried, they are afraid and they need help. 

THIS page is old. Probably from around 2012. RUTGERS was the first major sponsor of the NYDLA. You can see their original letter on the 'About' page on NYDLA.org  Not only did they sponsor us with funds but we also connected with their 500K+ living alumni at the time. I remember offering www.RutgersCONFERENCING.com for FREE to anyone with a RUTGERS.edu email. Ah, but I digress. 

THIS page is also old. This too was probably from around 2012. Since ENTREPRENEURSHIP became 'a thing' at the College and University level, we jumped on the bandwagon. Fast forward to 2025, there are now 174K+ K-20 schools across North America serviced by the NYDLA and NADLA. And many of those students are ENTREPRENEURSHIP majors. They are going to graduate with an Entrepreneurship degree, and most will be....... startups. People with a dollar and a dream, looking for funding. Looking for support. Or many of these students are taking Certificate Courses to boost an existing career. Cybersecurity is our #1 Certificate Program across North America. 

So, it hit me this morning. 

What if we reboot / relaunch all of our ENTREPRENEURSHIP pages. What if we focus on helping STARTUPS. Especially helping folks who are starting up a new business without the benefit of a college degree in ENTREPRENEURSHIP. 

What if... we give all members of NYDLA | NADLA access to the knowledge, the technology, the talent (and the buying power) of our millions of members? 

• Give them access to our $1B+ buying power from partnerships like TD SYNNEX, Ingram Micro, D&H and others.
• Give them all access to Zoom or GoTo or Webex or 8x8 or (the list is long) at our $1B+ buying power. 
• Give them all access to Shopify or BigCommerce or WooCommerce or Kajabi or Teachable (again, long list) at our $1B+ buying power. 
• Give them all access to Dotdigital and Adobe and Zoho and Hubspot... all of our tools.
• Give them all access to PayPal, Stripe, Fiserv at our $1B+ buying power.
• Give them all access to the millions of (now global) members of the NYDLA | NADLA because 'none of us is as smart as all of us.'

Give all of these amazing people across North America a boost. Give them support. Get their startup to cash flow positive. Get their startup to sustainability. I remember what it was like to start a business (my first was in 1983 - there have been many) and it is hard! It is very scary to be in business as a solopreneur or entrepreneur.  No one starts a business to go out of business. No one borrows money from friends and family to lose their friends, and to piss off their family. 

Well, it is now 2025. There is no need to go it alone. There is no need to struggle in business alone. The world is full of amazing people who will help - who WANT to help. People who have achieved SUCCESS in business, as they too were once a startup. The world is a very scary place, and millions of people will become ENTREPRENEURS because they have no choice. They are starting a business out of survival. 

Knowledge + Technology + Talent + Buying Power. Results. Business OUTCOMES. Profitability = FREEDOM. And I have learned since 1983 that profitability is a choice. Yours. 

Our 'Halloween' page still works, it is just no longer on Page 1 of our website. Maybe we'll use it again in 2026. Ah, but THIS week, you shall see a NEW link on Page 1 of NYDLA: STARTUPS.  Until then, you can simply email STARTUP@NYDLA.org and we'll get you all sorted. 

Ask for help. Get the help that you need. And then one day YOU TOO can pay it forward. You too can help to make the world a less scary place. 

Oh, one more thing: effective immediately https://www.feedingamerica.org/ is the new official charity of the Distance Learning Association. So when we DO get a member to be cash flow positive, when we DO make (your) business SUSTAINABLE and PROFITABLE we all shall be helping to make a difference. To end hunger when we all work together. 

We're paying it back. We're paying it FORWARD. 

JoinNYDLA.org 

Are you Worth-y?

JPMorgan Chase new Global HQ in THE BIG APPLE

JPMorgan Chase opened its new $3B+ global headquarters at 270 Park Avenue, marking a major milestone in its commitment to New York City. If you sit at one of these desks, there is a very good change that you will make $1M+ per year.  

Officially open the new global headquarters at 270 Park Avenue, marking a major milestone in its commitment to New York City. Designed to accommodate 10,000 employees and thousands of daily guests, the building offers 2.5 million square feet of flexible workspace, smart technology, and advanced infrastructure for the future of work. With 2.5 times more outdoor space than the previous building – including a public plaza, green spaces, and wider sidewalks – JPMorganChase Tower fosters a vibrant environment for the Midtown community. As the city’s largest all-electric tower, it operates at net zero emissions and delivers exceptional indoor air quality, setting new standards for sustainability, health, and wellness.

Next month is the Techonomy event in NYC. https://worth.com/techonomy/ I go every year. Normally the cost of the event is $795 but if you use code EARLY30 you save 30% (before 10/31). You can find the links to sign up on Worth.com  There is a reason why Techonomy is a Worth.com event. Think about it.

I have a friend who retired from a long career with Goldman Sachs. They make around $300,000 per month. In retirement. Now, this gentleman spends his time teaching everything he knows. Everything he learned from a lifetime at Goldman Sachs. He is paying it forward, to all who will listen. He jokes with me: "I'm just an old guy trying to get into heaven." 

I have a friend Daniel Priestly who just posted on YouTube: 

"Over the last 20 years, I’ve met more than 500 millionaires. (And even a few billionaires.) These amazing individuals have been investors or entrepreneurs in a wide range of industries, with various backgrounds, but again and again, the same patterns show up. In my latest video, I share five lessons I’ve learned from some of the most successful millionaire entrepreneurs and investors in the world." Yes, Daniel has courses and books that you can buy, but what he gives away for free is priceless. Daniel has been on Steven Bartlett's podcast five times. I am sure he will be a guest again in the future.

Where are you going with this Tom?

I just returned from Hershey, PA for an event at Hershey Lodge. 150 miles each way. So I had time to listen to a few books on Audible. I learned all about Milton Hershey. 

Milton Hershey himself isn't worth anything today because he passed away in 1945. His entire fortune was transferred to the Milton Hershey School Trust, which is now worth billions and is the sole beneficiary of his estate. The value of the trust is estimated to be over $17 billion today, making the school the wealthiest K-12 school in the United States. 

His fortune is not in private hands: The trust, which he and his wife set up, controls the majority of his assets, including a controlling interest in the Hershey company.

The trust's value: The endowment was valued at over $12 billion in 2017 and in 2025 at over $17 billion. It's growing. 

The beneficiaries: The Milton Hershey School is the sole beneficiary of this trust.

The school's role: The trust provides funding for the free education and support services offered at the Milton Hershey School. 

Milton Hershey went bankrupt twice. He had a very rough childhood. We are born with nothing, and we shall die with nothing. You cannot take it with you, but you can teach everything you know. You can pay it forward. That building in NYC (scroll up) will host 10,000 employees. Many (most) sitting at those trading desks will make $1M+ per year. 

What a wonderful world it would be if they find it in their hearts to pay it forward. I can only hope that they do not make money their God. Family first, always, right? 

I can only hope that those 10,000 employees have a wonderful career, but they take the time to make their short journey on the planet worth-y. 

Pay it forward. Teach everything you know. 

https://stevenbartlett.com/

Can I have a kiss?

 

The last time I was in Hershey, PA the kids were little and we went to Hershey Park. This upcoming Thursday (10/23) will be my first time back to Hershey in 20, maybe 25 years. 

I thought about taking the train, but that was not really going to work. First I would have to go into NYC, then around 4 and 1/2 hours with two changes. So, it's going to be a road trip. 150 miles out, 150 miles back. Now, I could stay over at the Hershey Lodge. They have a special rate of $209 for the event. Or I could stay at NYDLA.org/RedRoof (2.4 miles from the Lodge) for around $63. 

But I'll probably just drive and listen to books on Audible, each way. 

During this 'search' I went down the Rabbit Hole all about Hershey Park, and Milton Hershey. There is this book on Audible: Discover the man behind the chocolate bar! Milton Hershey’s life was filled with invention and innovation. As a young man, he was not afraid to dream big and work hard. Eventually, he learned the secret to mass-producing milk chocolate and the recipe that gave it a longer, more stable shelf life. He founded a school for those who didn’t have access to a good education and an entire town for his employees. Both his chocolate empire and his great personal legacy live on today.

And another book: The name Hershey evokes many things: chocolate bars, the company town in Pennsylvania, one of America's most recognizable brands. But who was the man behind the name? In this compelling biography, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael D'Antonio gives us the real-life rags-to-riches story of Milton S. Hershey, a largely uneducated businessman whose idealistic sense of purpose created an immense financial empire, a town, and a legacy that lasts to this day.

Hershey, the son of a minister's daughter and an irresponsible father who deserted the family, began his career inauspiciously when the two candy shops he opened both went bankrupt. Undeterred, he started the Lancaster Caramel Company, which brought him success at last. Eventually, he sold his caramel operation and went on to perfect the production process of chocolate to create a stable, consistent bar with a long shelf life...and an American icon was born.

Hershey was more than a successful businessman - he was a progressive thinker who believed in capitalism as a means to higher goals. He built the world's largest chocolate factory and a utopian village for his workers on a large tract of land in rural Pennsylvania and used his own fortune to keep his workers employed during the Great Depression. In addition, he secretly willed his fortune to a boys' school and orphanage, both of which now control a vast endowment.

OK, so I'll download these two books from Audible for the trip. Cool. 

Ah, WHY am I (TomCapone.com) going to Hershey Lodge on 10/23 for the day? 

One of our main distributors for Telecom & Technology D&H has their annual event on 10/23 at Hershey Lodge. And we (NYDLA | NADLA) service our 174K+ K-20 schools across North America. And we (also) service THE ALUMNI of those 174K+ schools. We expect around 40 key telecom and technology vendors / suppliers to be on display at Hershey Lodge. Our community needs and uses what they are selling.

AND SO.... we are getting ready to email (zero spam, 100% opt-in, 50% open rate) our 174K+ K-20 schools (and our 17K+ trucking companies, and 16K+ municipalities, and 8K+ car dealerships, and 6K+ hospitals) all things in the D&H line card. Ah, but all via our $1B+ buying power. So, I have to go. I can't not go. It is my 'job' to go - to create SWEET DEALS for the NYDLA | NADLA community. 

Thomas A. Capone - the Milton Hershey of Technology. "He has all the sweet deals." 

Oh Tom..... really?  { insert facepalm here } 

150.4 miles Door to Door

I saw what you did

 

I recently attended a lunch event at the Madison Beach Hotel in Madison Connecticut. And I left with a reminder that it is never about what you say, but what you do. 

First of all the hotel is an amazing venue. Everyone in the region knows this hotel. It is a 'go to' property for Weddings and Events. It is a beachfront spa resort with ocean views. 34 rooms. 4 floors. 2 restaurants. 

From their website: Our elegant spa resort on the coast of Connecticut overlooks the Long Island Sound. Steps from our door is a private beach, which is home to summertime open-air concerts. Downtown Madison is a mile away. Enjoy our Sound of the Sea Spa. Our Porch restaurant offers alfresco dining and breathtaking views, while coastal cuisine awaits at The Wharf.

So, there was a spot on the carpet in the meeting room. Actually it looked like wax from a candle. Not a tremendous amount - but enough to make your eye 'pause' when you are walking into the room. Hmmm... what's that. 

First, one of the service staff saw it and they got down on their hands and knees, working on the wax spill. They had hot water and a wire brush. Then the manager of the hotel arrived with reinforcements. 

Out came a fancy vacuum / steamer machine. The attention to detail for the room was on full display. Without their noticing, I snapped some pictures as I knew what I witnessing. This was a branding Master Class happening before my eyes - it should be recorded. 

It was also noticed by the staff that some of the tablecloths had wrinkles. In around a minute someone arrived with a handheld steam machine. So, the tables would look absolutely perfect. This room with a view of the Long Island Sound would have nothing less than perfection, and the entire staff knew their role in the mission. They were the brand and the brand was on display for all to see. Even though I was the only one in the room to see it unfolding. 

They all knew that they were caretakers of the brand. Curators of the brand. Even the guy running the vacuum / steam machine. Heck, especially him. 

It's always about what you do, now what you say you are going to do. You never know who is watching, or in my case, you never know who is taking pictures. 

"Attention to detail at all times. ~ Thomas A. Capone

The phrase "your brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room" was famously coined by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. It means that a brand is defined by the perception others have of it, which is shaped by every experience they have with that brand, not just what the company or individual says about themselves. This includes everything from customer service and product quality to online presence and media coverage. 

Perception is reality: This quote highlights that a brand's reputation is built on how it is perceived by others. A company can state that it offers great quality, but if customers consistently have a negative experience, that negative experience becomes its brand. 

Brand is more than a logo: A brand is the entire personality of a business or person, encompassing their values, actions, and how they make people feel. This includes their online presence, their actions, and their interactions with customers. 

Building a positive brand requires consistency: To build a brand that people speak positively about, it's crucial to have consistent, positive experiences across all touchpoints. This requires intentional effort to align your actions with your values and aspirations. 

It's a two-way street: While you can't control what people say, you can influence and shape what they say through your actions. This involves creating experiences that align with your desired brand and being mindful of how your online and offline presence are perceived.

www.MadisionBeachHotel.com 

Are you a member?

From the 'Damn, I'm old file'

Members Only jackets, known for their distinctive epaulettes, collar strap, and sleek design, were created in 1975 by entrepreneur Herb Goldsmith but first introduced to the U.S. market in 1980 by Europe Craft Imports. They quickly became a cultural staple of 1980s fashion, symbolizing exclusivity and yuppie style, with peak popularity throughout the decade. Some accounts mention a possible 1979-1980 launch window tied to broader cultural shifts like the Sony Walkman and Reagan's election, but 1980 is the confirmed debut year. 

People bought Members Only jackets in the 1980s for a mix of style, status, and cultural appeal. Here’s why:

Fashion and Trendiness: The jackets had a sleek, minimalist design with distinctive features like epaulettes, a collar strap, and a slim fit, which aligned with the 1980s trend toward bold, preppy, and urban styles. They were versatile, pairing well with casual and semi-formal outfits.

Status Symbol: The brand name "Members Only" implied exclusivity, appealing to the era’s yuppie culture and aspirational middle class. Wearing one signaled you were part of a cool, in-the-know crowd, much like owning a Sony Walkman or designer jeans.

Pop Culture Influence: Celebrities and media amplified their popularity. Icons like Eddie Murphy and characters in films like The Breakfast Club wore them, embedding the jackets in 80s pop culture. Their visibility in music videos and TV shows made them a must-have.

Affordable Luxury: Priced lower than high-end designer outerwear, Members Only jackets offered a sense of prestige without breaking the bank, making them accessible to a wide audience, from teens to young professionals.

Marketing and Branding: Europe Craft Imports, under Herb Goldsmith, marketed the jackets as a lifestyle choice, emphasizing individuality and belonging. Campaigns leaned into the era’s obsession with status and identity, resonating with consumers.

Cultural Context: The jackets hit during a time of economic optimism and consumerism in the U.S., tied to Reagan’s era and the rise of materialism. They became a uniform for those chasing the "American Dream" aesthetic.

I just turned 65. I had a Members Only jacket in High School. And in college. I drove a Red Corvette Convertible in the 80s and the insurance was insane. I probably was Sharper Images 'Customer of the Month' several times (if there was such a thing). I could not afford the things that I was purchasing. That never stopped me. Now at 65 I think about all the money that I spent being a material boy. 

What if I invested that money in the S&P 500? What would I have in the bank today, at 65? Historically money invested in the S&P 500 doubles around every 7 to 8 years. Damn. 

Madonna's "Material Girl": The Iconic '80s Anthem refers to one of the most enduring hits from the Queen of Pop herself—"Material Girl", the second single from her breakthrough 1984 album Like a Virgin. Released on January 23, 1985, by Sire Records, the song became a global smash, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charting in the top 5 in countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada. 

The Song's Story and Lyrics

Madonna has described the track as ironic and provocative, reflecting her life at the time but poking fun at materialism. In a 2009 Rolling Stone interview, she said: "I am not a materialistic person."

Don't blame the kids. It's not the Internet. It's not TikTok. 

Hey, JoinNYDLA.org - it's only $25

I have some things to tell you...

They paid how much???

 

I remember it like it was yesterday: LinkedIn announced its agreement to acquire online learning company Lynda.com on April 9, 2015, with the deal officially closing on May 14, 2015. The acquisition was valued at approximately $1.5 billion and involved a combination of cash and stock.  

It also feels like it was yesterday that Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in December 2016 after announcing the $26.2 billion deal in June 2016. The acquisition brought together Microsoft's professional cloud services and the world's leading professional social network, with LinkedIn operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary.  

If you are reading this Sunday Blog, there is a very good chance that you are active on LinkedIn. I am not sure that we should classify LinkedIn as Social Media. I was one of the first 100,000 users on LinkedIn way back in the day. Somewhere in my office is a letter from Reid Hoffman when they hit their first 100K+ users thanking me (and the other 99,999 of us) for our support. I remember back then I thought that LinkedIn would be valuable if (and only if) I was looking for a job. Ok, this concept is cool, a professional network in the clouds. I am not sure if I will ever use it, because I (was) self-employed. Hey, it's free, might as well keep the account active. 

When LinkedIn acquired Lynda.com for $1B+ I thought that was crazy money. When Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26B+ I thought that was crazy money. Turns out that really smart people knew exactly what they were doing. The vision and mission of Microsoft was pure. The LinkedIn acquisition is now viewed as one of the best business deals of the past ten years. Maybe the past hundred years. 

For me, I still use the (free) version of LinkedIn. And every day (every single day) I connect with at least 10 new people. Some days 20, some days over 30. But there has not been a day in the past year that I have not met at least 10 amazing professionals thanks to LinkedIn. 

Or is it thanks to Microsoft? 

TomCapone.com goes to my personal LinkedIn account. Let's connect and THRIVE in the GLOBAL Cloud COMMUNITY. Yours and mine. 

https://news.linkedin.com/2015/linkedin-to-acquire-lyndacom

I'm a Math Major

For the first time, more people are paying tuition for an online education than for a traditional campus education. 

There are 775K+ alumni of Penn State World Campus. There are 600K+ alumni of Purdue University Online. There are 600K+ alumni of RUTGERS with 300K+ living in New Jersey (like me).

The technology of today has enabled a quality education from ANYWHERE in the world. 

Hey Grok - what is 'Education'

Education is the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, and habits through various methods like teaching, training, or self-directed learning. It can happen in formal settings (schools, universities), informal environments (home, community), or through experiences. Broadly, it’s about personal and intellectual growth, preparing individuals to navigate life, contribute to society, and adapt to change. Different cultures and systems emphasize various aspects, like critical thinking, vocational skills, or moral development, but at its core, education shapes how we understand and interact with the world.

There it is: education shapes how we understand and interact with the world.

On this Sunday I am thinking about life. Quality of Life. And how we have been told all of our lives "Gotta get a good education." 

I saw an interesting poll on social media this week: Would you advise your child to attend a trade school vs. going to college? 

Hey Grok - what is a trade school?

A trade school, also known as a vocational school or technical school, is an educational institution that focuses on teaching specific skills and knowledge needed for particular trades or careers. Unlike traditional colleges that emphasize broad academic education, trade schools provide hands-on training and practical instruction tailored to industries like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, welding, automotive repair, cosmetology, or healthcare (e.g., nursing or medical assisting). Programs are typically shorter, lasting from a few months to two years, and lead to certifications, diplomas, or associate degrees. They aim to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce with job-ready skills.

Trade schools are becoming more popular, with enrollment surging in recent years and projections indicating continued strong growth through at least 2030. This trend contrasts with stagnant or declining enrollment at traditional four-year universities, driven by factors like rising college costs, demand for skilled trades amid labor shortages, and a shift in preferences among Gen Z toward hands-on, job-ready training.

In 2025 there are 174K+ K-20 schools serviced by the NADLA.org (North American Distance Learning Association). It is K-20 as this includes law schools, medical schools, grad schools. And each of those individual schools have alumni. Just like PENN STATE or PURDUE or RUTGERS. 

In the late 70s / early 80s I drove 732 miles each way to PURDUE from New Jersey. I made that trip many times. I lived in an apartment in West Lafayette, Indiana. Paid rent, utilities. And drove back and forth. That is what you did when you went away to college. 

Key Trends and Data for Trade Schools

Post-Pandemic Recovery and Growth: Enrollment at vocational-focused public two-year institutions (a major segment of trade schools) has rebounded sharply, increasing nearly 20% since spring 2020 to 871,000 students by spring 2025. Overall trade school enrollment grew 4.9% from 2020 to 2023, outpacing a 0.6% decline at universities during the same period.

Recent Acceleration: In fall 2024, enrollment at high-vocational-focus public two-year schools rose 13.6%, marking the second year of double-digit growth (following a 16% increase in 2023). Vocational programs overall saw a 16% enrollment jump from 2022 to 2023, a trend continuing into 2025.

Projections: Fall enrollment is forecasted to grow 6.6% annually through 2030, with market revenue expanding at 6.0% per year—far exceeding broader higher education growth of 0.8%. Much of this is expected to be driven by Gen Z interest.

Rising Interest: Search traffic for trade schools increased 27% in 2024 alone, and interest among teens and adults has nearly doubled since 2017. A 2025 survey found 33% of U.S. adults recommend trade schools over four-year colleges for high school graduates (vs. 28% for college).

OK, that is all I have for you on this crisp Sunday morning from BOONTON USA. I have to run - I'm actually teaching a LIVE class at noon for TheCloudUniversity.com and we're PoweredByZoom.com. 

Gotta get ready for class. From my home.