Hustle Hiatus: Ronald Popeil

Hustle Hiatus is yet another series that digs up the whereabouts of the once famous hustlers of our time. From television to radio, weddings, funerals and everywhere in-between, Hustle Hiatus will traverse the world in search of those who have retired to the life of luxury and no commitment — or fallen into the abyss of sorrow and despair. Interesting and informative, this series promises to give you a little something different to think about and reflect on in this new ever-changing world.

Without further ado, I present to you the very first Hustle Hiatus for 2007. Perhaps one of the biggest hustlers known to man is a man named Ron Popeil, otherwise known as the pitchman for The Ronco Corporation.

From the Showtime BBQ Grill to the Pocket Fisherman, Ron Popeil was one of the hardest working people in the infomercial market. Even if you didn’t like to watch them, whenever Ron was in an infomercial he always seemed to command your attention with his voice and style. He could make anything look like a jewel brought back by the astronauts on the Apollo 13 mission, and make you wonder how you went living for so long without one of his technological marvels.

These days, it seems as if Mr. Ronco himself has fallen off the face of the planet. His infomercials no longer grace the airwaves, and no one is seen with their credit card in hand and telephone in the other, ready to order the latest product. The age of the internet has ushered in a new way to engage in commerce, and that has perhaps put a huge strain on the market for products sold via half-hour television advertising. It’s a shame, because on a Saturday afternoon, when nothing else was on, you could always depend on Ronco to make the silliest looking contraption look like a household necessity.

“But wait! There’s more!”

Unfortunately, the empire that Mr. Popeil started has fallen on bad times, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection just last month. Bitter infighting between the executives within the company is said to be one of the reasons for this motion, and the future for the once profitable organization is uncertain. Mr. Popeil is unaffected, however, because the company he started in 1958 was sold two years ago to a group of investors. Looks like they should have included his counsel in the deal…how do you run a company into the ground in just two short years? That must be some kind of record!

In 2006 Mr. Popeil was last reported spending quality time with his wife and two youngest daughters in Beverly Hills, California. He also has three older daughters from previous marriages.

Hmm. Inventor…or prophet?

Ronco’s Online Store: http://popeilfamilystore.com/index.html

Sources: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; Wikipedia

13th Hustle: Lean Mean Garage-Cleaning Machine

***This post has been updated, please see the information at the end of the article.***

You’ve seen the horror, you’ve seen the mess, you’ve even seen the sighs as people lament coming home and parking their car.

Yes, I’m referring to the unclean and cluttered garage!

Just about every garage in the United States could use a cleaning. Some are in desperate need of a complete overhaul. If you are brave enough to delve into the remote areas of the nether region, you can offer this service to homeowners in your community. You can set your own hours and prices depending on the work load, and you can even hire people once you have a system in place.


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Hustle Highlight: Zac Johnson

This week’s highlight almost comes almost as no surprise, because of the information that was posted on his website in the past week. Don’t be fooled — the information on the website goes a lot deeper than just one week, and that is the reason I chose Zac Johnson to be the focus of our Hustle Highlight.

Zac blends professionalism with a personal touch in the way he presents his reviews. Although he has been blogging for a while, he never seems to forget how to relate to his readers. He has been very successful, and I’m sure the story of how he made over $30k in less than one year will definitely inspire people to check out his story. He calls himself the ‘Super Affiliate,’ and for good reason: he has made more money using various affiliate programs than most people will make in a lifetime of trying.

In addition to his successes, Mr. Johnson appears to be very humble. He is quick to point out other successful bloggers in the community, and has been seen on numerous occasions swapping stories and experiences with them. Most people don’t seem to quite grasp that you cannot make it to the top alone, and this kind of camaraderie underscores the importance of being down-to-earth, approachable, and willing to help others. It’s these qualities that draw people to you, and in turn you reap the rewards of being selfless and transparent.

If you want to read an inspirational story of success, while also learning how you can implement winning strategies into your online ventures, a visit to ZacJonson.com is a definite must for any aspiring web entrepreneur.