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Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral
Elderly Woman Sells Homemade Pies and Cakes
Inez has been setting up shop outside her local grocery store since November 2018, frequently rising at midnight to start baking. Her specialties include pecan pie, sweet potato pie, pineapple pound cake, and red velvet cake with cream cheese icing.
Recently, Lakelander resident, Mannie (who posts on TikTok as @mannierants), came across Inez selling her cakes in the blistering Florida heat.
In a now-viral video, Mannie zooms in on her small business, consisting of a tray table and footstool draped in white tablecloths and covered in baked goods.
"I love sweet potato pie. I would like to get two," the TikToker tells her.
Mannie starts counting out the money...and doesn't stop...completely emptying his wallet as Inez cries with gratitude.
"I don't know what your challenge is. I wish I had more, I wish I had more. I want this to be bigger for you. I want more people to come and support you, I really do."
- Mannie told Inez
However, Mannie didn't just wish it; the TikToker did something about it, putting a call out on social media.
"I don't know her, neither her situation," the text overlay reads. "But my heart says she needs our support. If you're able to please stop by if you're in Lakeland Fl. It will be greatly appreciated."
Mannie tells Fox13 News that he wasn't looking for fame. He just wanted to help a grandma out and support local.
“That’s the main reason why I made it. Not to go viral for social media purposes. I just wanted local people to support each other because that’s the best rewarding experience."
A TikTok Video Goes Viral
73-year-old Inez Hudson sets up shop outside a local Lakeland grocery store to raise money so she can support herself.
Fox13 News
It worked! Mannie's post took off, garnering more than 800,000 views and nearly 6,000 comments.
"That cry broke my heart. I can't stand to see our elderly forced to worry how to make ends instead of enjoying their latter years😢🙏❤❤"
"We’re coming GRANNY🤗🤗🤗🤗💖💖💖💖🖤🖤"
"Im in Orlando! Momma we will be there soon ❤️"
"She's so grateful 🙏 I'm from tampa im coming 2 support."
People from all over the area, and even beyond, started making the trip to Super Choice Foods to buy Inez's baked goods. And they keep on coming.
Her long-time friends are beyond thrilled for her as they know how tough it's been financially.
"I shared with her, God said, ‘stop worrying.' Trust Him and he's going to make things go to where you're not going to have to stress," said one friend, Jamie Overstreet. "Gradually, more people are coming, and to hear it's going viral, ah! That's so exciting!"
Now the only thing Inez has to worry about is selling out.
While the elderly woman is excited about the uptick in customers, she does admit her newfound fame makes her a bit nervous. Overall, however, she's ecstatic that all of her hard work is paying off.
"It makes me feel happy because I've been doing this for so long and it's something I've always wanted to do."
- Inez Hudson
Supporting Local Business
Inez joins a growing number of seniors who can no longer afford to live off their fixed incomes. According to the Pew Research Center, the older workforce has nearly quadrupled in size since the mid-1980s, equating to roughly 11 million people.
As inflation continues to hammer the country and the cost of housing skyrockets, more and more people who should be enjoying their retirement are forced to continue working.
It's also why supporting local businesses and the "little guy" is so important. Buying local ensures that our money goes to the people who need it most, rather than to huge corporations that value profits over people.
When we choose to buy from small, independent sellers we are directly contributing to the livelihoods of our neighbors and friends. So next time you're deciding where to spend your money, consider businesses like Inez's.
Your support could be the difference between struggle and success.
You Come First: Why Treating Yourself is Healthy, Not Frivolous
“Treat yo-self” has become a popular mantra in today’s world, but why is there so often guilt associated with someone doing something nice for themselves? Everyone deserves to feel pampered and special once in awhile, and it goes beyond the superficial reasons for wanting a treat. In fact, doing something indulgent can have a positive effect on one’s mental health as well as a host of other benefits. In this article, we explore those perks and get to the bottom of why it is not frivolous to treat yourself, but instead is healthy to do so in moderation.
You Come First: Why Treating Yourself is Healthy, Not Frivolous
Deprivation leads to unhealthy feelings and habits
The first reason it’s important to treat oneself is that deprivation is simply not a healthy way to form good habits. Completely cutting out things that are you crave can have the opposite effect than intended when you are aiming to live a healthy and happy life. A life devoid of any indulgences is one that will prompt feelings of resentment, frustration, and depletion.
Thus, those feelings will inevitably lead to breaking a good habit, as the craving for the treat will become so great that one will cease to care about the formation of the habit at all. Instead, a reward or treat should be built into the building of these routines and habits, as these will help individuals stay on track, and to be happy while doing it.
Indulging can rejuvenate you
In a world of constant chaos, it can sometimes be difficult to find ways to avoid burn out and to help yourself feel rejuvenated and reenergized. That is where the role of indulgence comes in. Doing something nice for yourself is an easy way to hit your internal 'reset' button and to motivate you to keep up with all the hard work that goes into your day-to-day life.
While some may associate the words “indulgence” and “pampering” with lavish and costly extravagances, that does not have to be the case. Simply having a home spa day, going for a walk on the beach, or making your favorite meal are all reasonable yet effective ways to center yourself and to feel completely pampered.
It reduces stress
Self-care is an important part of stress management, and treating yourself can do wonders when it comes to reducing your stress levels. Stress can wreak havoc on our bodies, both physically and mentally. It can prompt sleep disorders, increase the risk of hypertension, compromise our immune systems, and increase the risk of cardiac and inflammatory disease. Approximately three-fourths of the human population undergoes some level of stress within each two-week period, making it a prevalent factor in most people’s lives.
However, pampering yourself from time to time negates stress and reminds you that you and your needs are important, too. This can contribute to a higher level of confidence in yourself and your life and it can also contribute to long-term feelings of well-being.
It’ll boost your mood
No one wants to be a grump, but let’s face it -- we all get into slumps once in awhile. To turn a frown upside down, treat yourself in some way, whether it be big or small. Self-care is oftentimes associated with selfishness, which can prompt those pesky feelings of guilt when it comes to indulging. However, that guilt is unmerited as doing something nice for yourself when you’re feeling blue can be just what you need to improve your mood or to turn a day around. Again, these don’t need to be grand gestures, but instead small indulgences or treats can be just as effective in practicing self-care and to help yourself feel better.
You come first
It’s not always easy to prioritize yourself amidst a busy life filled with hustle and bustle. But doing so ensures that you will reduce your stress, boost your mood, and help promote healthy habits throughout your life. Use this opportunity to treat yourself to something fun, relaxing, and completely indulgent -- you deserve it!