A few years ago, a teacher named Ken Smith was spending his summer working in the gift shop at Yellowstone National Park. One of the items they sold there were the circus animal cookies that are so popular with children.
Ken thought that it was silly to sell cookies depicting giraffes, lions and tigers at Yellowstone. He thought that the cookies should depict bears, elk, bison and other Yellowstone creatures instead, and have an Yellowstone theme instead of a circus carton.
When he discovered that there were no such products on the market, he started the Wildlife Cookie Company to fill the niche. The first product he released was indeed based on animals in Yellowstone, and the cookies were a success. The company then made the decision to branch out into other National Parks, with a unique product for each area.
So when they decided to do a Great Smoky Mountains cookie box, our lives crossed. Ken contacted me and asked if I would provide the photos for the product container. I was only too happy to comply, and about six months later, the cookies appeared in gift shops and concession stands both in an out of the Park.
So if you are visiting the Smokies, and if you buy a souvenir cookie box, look on the back! If you look at the Clingman's dome observation tower very closely, you can see my wife waving at me! She has been immortalized forever in the sphere of animal cookiedom.
Now, how many people can say that? And the point of all of this? If you have a good idea ... run with it!
For more information visit the Wildlife Cookie Company and SmokyPhotos.com
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Nice Post!
It has been said that you never know were the next great idea/invention will come from. Congratulations.
Happy New Year
Tony
No surprise, she is a smart cookie! She picked you, my friend!
Richard,
What an honor to have your pictures selected for the marketing. You, and of course, your wife, must be thrilled.
Rich
There is no end to the talent and secrets I learn here about my friend, Richard Weisser!! xxoo
Tony...
And that's the point. I just edited the post to say that if you have a good idea, run with it!
Caren...
It was another one of those coincidences, as I had no say in the selection of the photos!
Rich...
It's pretty cool, a I'm glad the company s doing well!
Richard, Awesome story and congrats for having your photos immortalized! So many ideas come to us, it's the ones we act on that make the difference.
Hi Richard! WOW, how cool is that?! Ingenious Ken not only had a great entrepreneurial idea, but was smart to have YOU do the awesome photos! Do you receive a portion of the profits?!
Hey, even though this is history in the making, you should post this one to the Local History group!
HAPPY NEW YEAR and congratulations!
When you think there is nothing left to invent, then someone come up with another great idea? What great vision to fill that need. Have a great 2009.
Susan...
Well, I started to do the MeMe, but I realized I was out of interesting facts to tell about myself, so I decided to focus on one interesting fact with a moral. If you have a good idea, run with it!
Kris...
When I heard about what Ken was doing, it was one of those "why didn't I think of that?" moments! Thx.
Debe...
Hmmm I have a lot of posts that I should move there. Thanks for the idea. And although I was not directly paid (except for carton after carton of cookies) I have a credit line referencing SmokyPhotos.com which is a commercial site that benefits from the additional traffic!
This is a wonderful story Richard. How awesome to get some of those cookies and save for future grandones, see Granma there at the top of the tower? Wow. that will be a special moment for sure.
That's pretty neat. What animals does he have for the Smokies?
Hi Richard- that is very cool! I knew you were talented, but had no idea that you were married to someone famous! LOL Congratulations on a great honor to be the selected photographer!
That's just awesome. Your talents and accomplishments know no bounds!!!
Mark...
Yes, there's a good idea that is overlooked every day, I'm sure!
Gail...
I have a whole case socked away ... the cookies won't be good any more but the packages will remain!
Tim...
Black Bear, deer, eagle and UMMM Not sure. I'll have to check! lol
wow, richard, that's a pretty cool story! are you sure your wife is waving and not screaming to get down?
You are correct though about ideas - some of the greatest inventions and products have come from little ideas that people had the courage to run with!
So many times we have ideas but we are too scared to try it out. Good for him and good for you and your gorgeous photos.
Richard, this is a great example of the entrepreneurial spirit. I did a photo shoot a few years ago for a record album. I got a steak dinner and a stack of albums out of the deal, and a credit on the album. The credit made it all worth while. You're a smart "cookie" and I sure you will benefit from it in the long run. Happy New Year!
Well... Aren't you special...
Mary...
I need to revamp the SmokyPhotos site, and will do so ASAP! Thanks for the comment.
Susan...
I just have been in the right place at the right time, that's all! lol
Leesa...
Hmmm...you may have a point there! ;)
Stacey-Ann...
It's just one of those little things that makes life interesting!
Michael...
It's neat to see your work in production ... there's something that's really cool about it!
Mel...
Why yes, I am! lol
Richard - I knew your photos were good but I never thought... You just never know what opportunities are out there unless you're open to them. Next time I'm up that way I'll have to buy a box of cookies!!
I fervently agree!
The only problem I see with this entire story is that you said "animal cookies that are so popular with children." Dude I had some of those animal cookies this year. Very cool Richard!
Richard: How cool is that? Immortalized on a cookie box...you and your wife. The point is well taken about having an idea and running with it.
Wonderful! I'd love to be on a cookie box....:) What a wonderful idea and gives us all inspiration to try something new!
Richard, isn't that a nice little feather in your cap? I love the idea of your photos on the animal cookie package.
Sounds to me like a great client gift, for your clients?
Now that is a neat story!!! This photo thing you do had really lead you down some really great places.
Thats a story for The Food Newtwork and a neat claim to fame !
Now, that is really cool! No, certainly not a lot of people can say they have a wife hot enough that they put her on a cookie box! (I thought I would boost your wife's ego a little)
Connie...
And the cost is just about two dollars, you can't beat that!
Mel...
(Blush)
JL...
Well, why doesn't that surprise me? lol
First, what a great story. I love it when someone sees and need and is smart enough to fill it. I think it's great to find success stories like that. Secondly, what fun to have your photo used in such a cool way! Congrats to you! ~A:)
Chris Ann...
I knew there had to be a moral to this post ... I actually added it on the first edit! lol
Sally...
Exactly ... you never know where the next "pet rock" will come from!
Alan...
I never thought about that! I should order a case of them right now!
Hey Richard...that is one cool picture...i will have to keep an eye out for that one!
Richard - that is awesome. I love the idea and actually being able to execute the idea + have your photos on it! Sweet. ~Rita
Hey Richard,
I wonder what it would cost to have a box done up with logos. I think it would be so cool to have them for my clients with children. I had a showing last night with a small child present...full of energy!!!!
I would love to have had something to give that child to keep her occupied. She was a cutie though. How cool would it be to have handed her a box of animal crackers with my logo and info on it!
When her parents go to take the box from her, there I am again!
Now, I don't know anyone who wouldn't think this is just great. I would say I'm surprised but you take amazing photos...and even the Mrs. gets a little immortality out of the deal.
Marlene...
Now that you mention it, a lot more interesting places than real estate! lol
Chad...
Not as interesting to some as others ... most people around here take it for granted! THX
Todd...
There's a really funny story about that ... you see ... I took some photos of her last night ... and told her I put a photo of her on the Internet this morning and she freaked out! lol
Alisha...
Exactly ... it is FUN! Thanks, my friend.
Bill...
It's kind of neat to see them in stores!
Rita...
The actual production is done by a packaging company ... they sell a lot of these things!
Laura...
Now that's a great idea ... I'm not sure what it would cost, my guess is that a local graphic design firm could come up with something!
Jesse...
Thanks my hilled friend! That means a lot to me!
How cool!
That might require a trip, just to get the cookie box! Cool story Richard with a very good point! Thanks, have a healthy, happy and prosperous 2009!
Richard,
I am sure that many people would have an idea similar but to implement it takes knowledge and initiative.
Richard,
Cool stuff! I bet your wife just loves you for the cookie box...
Ann Hayden in windy Wildwood, Missouri
Richard, I KNEW those photos of yours would make you famous some day. I just had to think cookies. Great job. Now send all your Active Rain buds a sample box. Your post made me hungry!!
Richard,
That is such a great honor to be asked to supply the pictures for the container. Congrats my friend and Happy New Year.
Interesting. Just stopped by to tell you Happy New Years. I hope you have a great time if you are going out!