Musician Flavor Flav poses backstage at the 2006 American Music Awards November 21, 2006 in Los Angeles.LUCY NICHOLSON
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Flavor Flav jumps back into fried chicken business
After successful stints as a Public Enemy hype man and VH1 reality star, the rapper born William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. – otherwise known as Flavor Flav – is returning to the fried chicken industry.
The man of 100 clocks recently announced that he will be opening Flavor Flav's House of Flavor on March 15 in Las Vegas. In typical Flav fashion, he inked the deal in front of the Crazy Girls strip club at the Riviera Hotel and Casino.
House of Flavor is a take-out, quick-service restaurant specializing in soul food. The menu will include recipes and secret spice rub mixtures developed by Flavor Flav himself over the years and during culinary school, which he attended in 1978. Meals will feature fried chicken and shrimp which, he says, will "blow up your tastebuds." On the sweet side, expect to find the rapper's signature red velvet waffles.
The eatery will be decked out in memorabilia from Flavor Flav's career, according to the press release, and is rumoured to also include a bar, merchandising area, recording studio and a stage.
House of Flavor is not the rapper's first for foray into the restaurant-chain business. In April, 2011, after only four months in business, he shut down Flav's Fried Chicken in Clinton, Iowa, after complaints of bounced checks and low staff retention.
According to TMZ, Flav also cut ties with the business because he was disgusted by the practices of restaurant manager Nick Cimino. "Let me be straight up with you, I went up inside there on April 2nd and I found potato salad that expired on February 28," the rapper said. "And it's then when I realized I can't do business with this man and I really hope no one ate those potatoes."
The Las Vegas-based Flavor Flav House of Flavor is independently owned and operated by FLAVOR FLAV and is not associated with the former Clinton, Iowa licensing deal, says a press release.
One can infer from this disclaimer that potato salad will NOT be on the House of Flavor menu.
Should I quit my job before starting a business?
The answer to this popular question depends on your situation and the kind of business you're planning to run, says the writer of this column on Bloomberg Businessweek.
Some experts, like New York business coach Therese Prentice, say would-be entrepreneurs should not to leave their day jobs until they have proved their business ideas will pan out, while others, like Toronto business consultant Phillip Moorcroft, say there's "hedging your bets" with entrepreneurship and that it's "a do-or-die decision. Either you do it, or you don't – that's it."
Should angels get a tax break for pumping money into SMBs?
For a special report report, The Wall Street Journal is exploring the pros and cons of the tax break proposal. Proponents say it's a great way to spur investment and help boost the economy. Others say the numbers just don't add up, and there's a better way to accomplish those goals. What do you think? Vote here.
EVENTS AND KEY DATES
Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon Series
On Thursday, Mar. 8, Sarah Richardson, HGTV Host, Designer and Entrepreneur Special guest: The Honourable Rona Ambrose will address the audience at the Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon Series at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.
NYT's Make Your Pitch
The New York Times wants to hear your business pitch on video. All video pitches that meet the submission guidelines will be featured on NYT small-business Facebook page, plus, selected videos will be featured on this blog, where Carol Roth - a business strategist, and a recovering investment banker, will review them.
EDITOR'S PICKS FROM REPORT ON SMALL BUSINESS
For women in business, modesty is not the best policy
The common trait is crippling women's ability to thrive as an entrepreneurs, says guest columnist and CEO of Women of Influence, Carolyn Lawrence
FROM THE ROSB ARCHIVES
No small potatoes: Landing your first major contract
It can be tough to get in the door, but play it right, and the relationship can be long-lasting and rewarding
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