From The Lab To The Ice Cream Counter
12 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // May 7th, 2008 // 11:47 am
What is former research scientist Gal Hever doing with those big spoons? The 35-year-old opened an ice cream parlor after being laid off by Amgen, which is in the process of shedding 2,600 jobs to cope with its crisis. His plight reflects the problems that will be picked over at Amgen’s annual meeting today. As CNBC’s Mike Huckman notes, some shareholders are unhappy and want to bounce Amgen ceo Kevin Sharer. You can watch here.
James
Wait a minute, wait a minute–how is working for yourself a plight? How is owning a business a plight? How is being surrounded by ice cream all day a plight?
I see it as impressive that he turned around, started work in a completely different environment, and will, hopefully, find success. Maybe he’ll even be happier.
That’s not plight–that’s finding your cheese elsewhere. Go Gal!
Lisa Van S
Ouch,…. Maybe He realizes that their are growing numbers of folks on Antipsychotics who will be craving a sugar fix.
Chris
Ed,
Another scoop!
Lisa Van S
Chris,
Have to admit,… That was good.
Ed Silverman
Well, few like a plain vanilla story, but Mike really gets the credit for finding the guy. Since the shop is located right near Amgen HQ, I can’t help but wonder if he didn’t just find him by ducking in for a quick frappe :)
Dan
Thanks for posting this, Ed.
Seriously, I admire his diversity, as illustrated by his obviouse attempt to re-acquire possibly misplaced happiness and passion, perhaps. Most others refuse such a task because of thier pride and ego. My opinion based on speculation.
Dan
By the way, that was sarcasm.
Ky Sanderson
Owning your own business and selling ice cream is honorable work. Much more so than pimping bio-tech cures that don’t really work.
Clinton
“Much more so than pimping bio-tech cures that don’t really work.” Second that. This guy is likely to be a lot happier now that he’s out of that mess.
Gal
Thanks for all the kind words guys. Owning my own business is a lot more fun, but the financial stress accompanied by it is not.
I am at a point now where I need to find another job, because the business is not making enough money. Most of these franchises dont make enough money for their owners, not as a single store, Once you buy more then economies of scale come into play and you can make a decent living, but I dont have the money to open any additional stores.
I now have to look into relocating, because Amgen will not hire us laid off workers back, eventhough there are positions in my old department. The biotech options here in Thousand Oaks are very few and far between.
Hopefully I wont have to relocate and sell the store, because I have put a ton of time into it.
Gal
btw, yes this is really me, the guy from the video. Mike was a plaeasure to work with and I can only thank him for finding me.
Ed Silverman
Hi Gal,
Thanks for stopping by to update us on your situation. Sorry the store isn’t working out. Personally, I’m a big ice cream fan. But I know that having one outlet is difficult.
That said, I hope things somehow work out and you find what you’re looking for.
Best
ed