Thinking outside the (cornbread) box
TEXT OF INTERVIEW
Tess Vigeland: And a quick update on a story we’ve been following the last few weeks. Beverly Davis has been trying to raise money to buy back her three-bedroom house in Fairburn, Ga. It went into foreclosure earlier this year. She’s been selling cornbread to try to buy the house back when it went on the auction block, which happened this week.
She joins us again. Welcome back Beverly.
Beverly Davis: Thank you.
Vigeland: Alright, so tell us what happened with your bid for the house?
Davis: The contract was awarded to another person.
Vigeland: Oh…
Davis: Well, you know what, it didn’t even bother me. I didn’t flinch, because when you walk out on faith, you have to expect negative things to make it look like you didn’t win. And it happens all the time. Two things can happen: One, there’s a possibility at the closing, everything will fall through and they’ll put the house back on the market. If the closing goes through, and they win the house, and everything is fine, then I’m still going to find out who bought it and make another offer.
Vigeland: So how much were you outbid by?
Davis: It really wasn’t that much to be honest with you. And I must share this story, because I haven’t really told people how much money I raised. I was a little bit shy, actually a lot shy, but that’s OK though. At least I’m closer now to make an even larger offer. And if they say no, then I will know that i have tried every single thing I know to do and I will move on with grace and peace and keep doing what I know to do — and that’s to never give up and to make all my dreams come true.
Vigeland: So, can you give us a dollar figure?
Davis: $54,000.
Vigeland: $54,000 is what you raised? On cornbread?
Davis: It wasn’t just strictly selling cornbread mixes or just cornbread skillet sets. Although those sales have been dynamite, but it’s the donations that people are sending in and saying, “You know what? I’ve been where you are, and I’m gonna wish you the best,” and they sent in very sizable donations. Plus, it ties into a story that people can relate to. People know what it feels like to be unemployed and not able to pay your bills when you want to pay your bills.
Vigeland: Yeah.
Davis: On top of that, they’re inspired that… you come back and fight back, you don’t give up. It’s amazing. I’m about to get emotional, but it’s just that people care.
Pause
Davis: Sorry, a little emotional.
Vigeland: It’s OK.
Davis: But it’s a good thing.
Vigeland: Hey, absolutely. They say that recessions bring out the entrepreneur in people, and I guess that’s what’s happened to you, huh?
Davis: Yeah, and so I’m thinking clearly outside of the box, thinking in terms of creating multiple prosperous streams of income. I never want to struggle like I did before. That was the most humiliating thing I’ve ever gone through.
Vigeland: So it’s thinking outside the box of cornbread that has gotten you here, right?
Davis: That’s right.
Vigeland: Well, Beverly, congratulations on the effort. Good luck on whatever happens with the house, and thanks so much for talking with us.
Davis: It’s a pleasure. Thank you for having me.
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