Latest news with #See
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Warren Buffett Has Discovered There's No Accounting For Tastes Through Berkshire's Candy Company: 'There Are All Kinds Of Crazy Things In The World That Consumers Do'
At Berkshire Hathaway's (NYSE:BRK) (NYSE:BRK) 2023 annual meeting, CEO Warren Buffett shared a rare insight into why See's Candies, a beloved West Coast confectioner owned by the conglomerate since 1972, hasn't expanded successfully beyond its core markets. What Happened: "We have this wonderful brand that doesn't travel," Buffett said. "The mystique, the actual product, the feelings people have about some things... it's limited to given markets." Despite See's strong economy in California and the western U.S., attempts to replicate that success elsewhere repeatedly fell short. "We tried everything in the world to move the brand... and we always think we were right for the first week," Buffett said. "Then we find out that the magic—we can beat any other candy store pretty much—but there aren't any candy stores anymore to speak of, as the world has changed." Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Buffett compared See's regional success to Dr Pepper's dominance in certain markets like Dallas–Fort Worth, noting that even national advertising and widespread awareness can't override local preferences. "There are all kinds of crazy things in the world that consumers do," he added, pointing out that East Coast customers prefer dark chocolate, while West Coast buyers gravitate toward milk chocolate. Why It's Important: See's Candies began in 1921 when Charles See and his family opened their first shop in Los Angeles, offering chocolates based on his mother Mary See's original recipes. The company quickly earned a reputation for quality and freshness, building a loyal customer base across California. A major turning point came in 1972 when Buffett and Charlie Munger's Berkshire Hathaway acquired See's for $25 million. What began as a modest operation with $30 million in annual revenue and under $5 million in pretax income grew into a confectionery powerhouse, generating over $380 million in annual sales and $80 million in profits, reported Markets Insider in 2019. Buffett's admiration for See's is also no secret. During shareholder meetings, he famously keeps a box of See's peanut brittle close by. Read Next: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Invest before it's too late. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.30/share! Photo Courtesy: Photo Agency on Send To MSN: Send to MSN UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Warren Buffett Has Discovered There's No Accounting For Tastes Through Berkshire's Candy Company: 'There Are All Kinds Of Crazy Things In The World That Consumers Do' originally appeared on Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Neighbors express shock after former Boy Scout leader's child molestation arrest
Neighbors of a former Boy Scout leader charged with molesting a boy and spying on minors say the allegations don't square with the man they know. Andrew Howard Whaley, 61, is charged with sexually abusing a boy he met while in the scouts. Investigators said they also found a hidden camera in a bathroom at his Forsyth County home that he allegedly used to record minors. 'It is shocking, especially right in your backyard, and you know, we couldn't believe it,' said Dianne Lacefield, whose house backs up to a cow pasture Whaley owns in Forsyth County. Channel 2's Bryan Mims said the driveway to Whaley's property on Aaron Sosebee Road near Cumming is blocked by a gate. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said this is where agents found the hidden camera and child pornography. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Whaley also owns a cabin and business in Lumpkin County, where he's accused of molesting a boy and possessing child pornography. 'I'm shocked, I really am, and I'm angry if this is all true,' said Susan Colangelo, another Forsyth County neighbor who lives in the Villages at Concord Farms subdivision. PREVIOUS STORY: Former Forsyth Co. scout leader charged with child molestation, possession of child porn She said she spoke with Whaley when his cows often got loose in the neighborhood. And because she's a nurse, she said Whaley asked for help in caring for his ailing father. 'He was a very devoted dad to his kids, but he was very devoted to his father,' she said. 'I feel very sorry for his family. He loved his animals.' In Forsyth County, Whaley is charged with six counts of creation of child pornography and 13 counts of eavesdropping and surveillance. TRENDING STORIES: SWAT team, multiple DeKalb police units respond to barricaded suspect on Lavista Road 'Life doesn't feel real:' Family mourns GA 9-year-old found shot in car Strong to severe storms moving through metro Atlanta In Lumpkin County, he's charged with one count of aggravated child molestation, one count of child molestation and one count of possession of child pornography. Whaley is locked up in the Lumpkin County jail. The GBI said 'this investigation is active and ongoing.' Anyone with additional information may contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866. Tips can also be left by contacting the GBI Tipline at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
See St. Joseph: community, celebrations & comedy
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The longer weekend promises to be an entertaining one full of celebrations, laughs and community happenings. News-Press NOW's Kendra Simpson found the weekend's top entertainment in this week's edition of See St. Joseph. What's spring in St. Joseph without the community markets? Well, the wait is over because this Saturday is the return of Market Days. Supporting local businesses has never been easier with a wide selection of flowers, baked goods, pottery, jewelry and more. These markets are an excellent opportunity to find the perfect gifts for yourself or a loved one, get to know local businesses and engage with the St. Joseph community. The first community market of the season goes from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Center for Joy, located at 1202 Felix St. St. Joseph is officially entering the wedding season with the warm weather, but St. Joe's Comedy Wedding is no typical ceremony. St. Joseph residents have been cordially invited to the most outrageous wedding of the year. Lora and Billy are tying the knot, despite a long-standing, bitter and hilarious feud between the groom and the bride's family. What could go wrong? Get ready for an evening of dancing, laughing, auctions and an incredible meal. This isn't just a wedding, it's an experience! Guests should arrive between 7 and 7:15 p.m. with the nuptials beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 515 S 6th St. Regular and VIP table tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 816-279-1225. What better way to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend than with a party hosted by one of St. Joseph's most popular pubs? D&G Pub is hosting its first-ever Memorial Day celebration. There's going to be a free fireworks display, an ice-cold beer station, grilled brats, a campfire pit and roasted marshmallows. Come for the celebrations and stay for the bonding and camaraderie. The celebration goes from 7:30 p.m. to 1:15 a.m. at D&G, located at 1918 Frederick Ave. Tune into News-Press NOW every Thursday for more See St. Joseph.
Tom's Guide
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
This epic Apple TV Plus historical drama series with Jason Momoa just got an action-packed trailer — it's streaming this summer
One of Apple TV Plus' first original shows was 'See', a post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama starring Jason Momoa; it ran for three seasons and concluded in 2022. This summer, the DC star is back on the streaming service with another Apple show — and thanks to a new teaser trailer, we've had our first proper look at what's in store. This new release is 'Chief of War,' an epic historical drama about the islands of Hawai'i. Billed as a 'passion project' for co-creators Momoa and Thomas Pa'a Sibbett (who share native Hawaiian heritage), 'Chief of War' takes us back to the late 18th century to tell the story of the unification and colonisation of Hawai'i from the indigenous point of view. Check out the teaser below: Opening with a speedy montage of what's to come, we see Momoa as the warrior, Ka'iana, looking out to the ocean, as a voiceover says he'll see 'the Prophecy' fulfilled. Things might look peaceful at first, but that peace turns to mention of war, and the trailer pivots in kind. What began as a mix of natural beauty and scenes of island life switches to shots of cannonfire, colonial visitors, and concludes with shots right at the heart of a chaotic battlefield. 'Epic' is the word Apple used to describe the series when they shared a first image from the series back in March, and, based on what we've just seen, it sure seems like an apt description: 'Chief of War' is certainly on my summer watchlist, after this. Excited? You'll be pleased to know 'Chief of War' already has a release date. 'Chief of War' is getting a two-episode premiere on Friday, August 1, 2025, and new episodes will continue to release every Friday through September 19, exclusively on Apple TV Plus. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Apple has already shared a brief series synopsis for 'Chief of War.' It reads: 'Set amidst the beautiful backdrop of the islands of Hawai'i, the nine-episode series is based on true events and follows warrior Ka'iana, portrayed by Momoa, as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century.' 'Chief of War' has been performed by a predominantly Polynesian cast. The series' ensemble cast also includes Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, newcomer Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale'o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka and Te Kohe Tuhaka. If you need something to stream while you wait for 'Chief of War' to air, check out our guide to the best Apple TV Plus shows for tons more streaming recommendations to fill your watchlist.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Local F&B group grows its team by creating space for diverse abilities
Mr Cowen See, who has mild autism, has been working as a service staff at Astons Group since July 2024. PHOTO: THARM SOOK WAI BRANDED CONTENT Local F&B group grows its team by creating space for diverse abilities It's helping more differently-abled employees thrive at work, with support from one bank's inclusive employment initiative It's lunch time. A queue of hungry diners stretches outside homegrown steakhouse Astons Specialities at Punggol Coast Mall. In the kitchen, chefs race to plate up meals. Service staff weave through the packed dining area to deliver the orders. Every table needs something. And still, the orders keep coming. For most food and beverage (F&B) staff, this is just another busy shift. But for Mr Cowen See, who is 22 and has mild autism, it can feel like a sensory overload. People with autism may have heightened sensitivities to noise, stress and other stimuli. Mr See started working as a service staff at Astons Group in July 2024. His responsibilities include making drinks and getting food from the kitchen onto diners' tables. This is his first job after graduating from APSN Delta Senior School in April 2024. His manager, Mr Charles Liong, 51, has learnt to watch Mr See's expression for signs of feeling overwhelmed. When that happens, Mr Liong and the team would offer support, by helping him handle some of the customer requests. They would leave about 10 orders for Mr See to complete on his own, Mr Liong explains. With support and encouragement from his colleagues, Mr See says he is able to focus on completing each order with accuracy and care. PHOTO: THARM SOOK WAI Mr See is one of nine new differently-abled hires at Astons after the company joined UOB's inclusive employment initiative, called The Unlimited, in 2022. Astons Group is one of the companies participating in The Unlimited. Jointly launched by UOB, SG Enable, Autism Resource Centre (ARC), Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds) and SPD, the initiative aims to promote inclusive employment as a sustainable business solution. The Unlimited is the first inclusive employment collaboration among the public, private and people sectors in Singapore. Since 2019, it has created 77 jobs for persons with disabilities across various industries. The catalyst In Singapore, the employment rate among persons with disabilities aged 15 to 64 years has increased from 28.2 per cent in 2019 to 33.6 per cent in 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Manpower. Under the Enabling Masterplan, Singapore aims to increase the figure to 40 per cent by 2030. But challenges remain, says Mr Edward Chew, director of Employment and Employability at SG Enable, the focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore. He points to two major barriers: lingering misconceptions about the abilities of differently-abled individuals, and a lack of knowledge among employers on how to support differently-abled staff in the workplace. UOB is one organisation working to bridge these gaps through The Unlimited. Drawing from its own experience, UOB launched the initiative in 2019 to introduce small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the benefits of inclusive employment. The bank's journey with inclusive employment began in 2013, when it started hiring persons with autism at UOB Scan Hub – its nerve centre for checking, digitising and archiving customer documents. Ms Gan Ai Im, who heads UOB's The Unlimited, explains that the move was initially a response to a shortage of workers with specific skillsets. These include attention to detail, high levels of focus and a commitment to accuracy. Today, differently-abled employees make up 36 per cent of the workforce at UOB Scan Hub. '(We've seen) productivity increase by over 100 per cent, and 50 per cent lower attrition rate within 1.5 years of onboarding differently abled colleagues to the department,' says Ms Gan. Building on this success, UOB created The Unlimited in an effort to become a 'private sector catalyst' in inclusive employment. The bank's main role is to connect SMEs to the broader ecosystem of support and resources available for inclusive employment. For SMEs grappling with manpower shortages, inclusive employment offers a win-win opportunity: alleviating labour pressures while making a positive social impact, Ms Gan points out. Since piloting the programme in 2019, the bank has engaged over 220 corporate clients through networking and sharing sessions, spotlighting the tangible benefits of forming an inclusive workforce. '(We also) partnered clients across various industries to (help them) become successful inclusive employers,' Ms Gan says. The spark Astons' inclusive hiring journey began after an introductory session organised by UOB's The Unlimited in June 2022. It was here that Mr Aston Soon, chief executive officer of Astons Group, heard firsthand about the experiences of Thong Siek Food Industry, one of The Unlimited's pilot clients. Thong Siek employs persons with disabilities at its seafood product manufacturing facilities. Inspired by Thong Siek's vision and long-term commitment to inclusive employment, Mr Soon's takeaway was that businesses keen to hire persons with disabilities can rely on a variety of support. Motivated, Astons signed up for The Unlimited. With the programme's help, it identified roles across production, administration and service that could be suitable for differently-abled workers. The company's management team attended a training course at SG Enable to learn how to integrate differently-abled persons into the workplace. By early 2023, says Mr Soon, Astons had onboarded nine differently-abled employees across roles like service staff member, admin assistants and a production floor worker. 'The Unlimited helped us to identify and match suitable talents that will complement our business needs, and provided step-by-step guidance on the inclusive employment journey,' he adds. 'We were also given advisory support on financial grants and schemes, and information on how to simplify our workplace and processes where required, benefitting both employees with and without disabilities.' Astons' decision to formalise its inclusive hiring strategy through The Unlimited enhanced a culture that was already taking root within the company, which runs 14 outlets under the Astons Specialities brand. Even before this, Astons had been hiring differently-abled over the years. Currently, it employs around 20 differently-abled staff, mostly in service, production and administrative roles. Beyond serving food, Mr See also prepares drinks at Astons Specialities at Punggol Coast Mall. PHOTO: THARM SOOK WAI The ecosystem Through The Unlimited, UOB connects their corporate clients with SG Enable, the charity and focal agency for disability and inclusion in Singapore. It was set up by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) in 2013. Together, UOB and SG Enable then work with ARC, Minds and SPD to identify suitable candidates for the job roles. SG Enable also provides employer advisory, training and funding support for companies hiring persons with disabilities, says Mr Edward Chew, director of Employment and Employability, SG Enable. One key initiative is the Open Door Programme (ODP) that encourages employers to hire, train and integrate persons with disabilities. ODP was launched in 2007 by MSF and Workforce Singapore, a statutory board under the Ministry of Manpower. Under ODP, employers can apply for course fee support and grants to redesign job roles, buy equipment and modify their workplace to accommodate persons with disabilities. People with disabilities can receive up to one year of job matching and employment support from trained job coaches. Another scheme, the Enabling Employment Credit, launched in 2020, provides wage offsets to companies that employ those with disabilities. 'These efforts help employers build more inclusive workplaces while unlocking a broader talent pool,' Mr Chew says. For employees like Mr See, the impact goes beyond securing a job. He has found a sense of belonging. 'I feel happy working at Astons as my manager and staff support me very closely, and I am able to ask for help when I need it,' he shares. Even during busy periods, the encouragement and trust he receives keep him motivated. 'My manager said that I complete orders very well,' says Mr See. 'I do this at my own pace but more importantly, always accurately.' This is the fifth of a six-part series titled 'Right by you', in partnership with 'Right by you' is a series that explores how organisations drive meaningful impact for communities, customers and employees. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
