In this episode, we’ve hit the jackpot! Literally. The lottery is a staple for the convenience store small business owner, and how your weekly habit of purchasing a lottery ticket has an absolutely fascinating story behind it that includes the type of dramatic experiences you see in the movies. In this week’s episode we are catching up with Mark Hutchinson, a name you’ve probably never heard and yet was instrumental in setting up many of the world’s lotteries.
The creation and evolution of the lottery include many strange connections between people and countries that seemingly have nothing to do with one another but are all connected. It’s hard to believe, but there’s a common thread between lottery tickets, the end of apartheid, progressive web app technology, the early years of telemedicine that pre-date the global pandemic, the start of our small business InspireHUB and - wait for it - Nelson Mandela!
If you’re looking to hear a truly inspiring story about passion, chasing the American dream, the fight for racial equality, and winning against all odds - then this is the podcast for you!
Tune in to learn the inspiring true story of how one man from Kansas found himself in the rare air of one of the world’s most inspirational figures during the end of apartheid, why dreaming big for your small business is absolutely necessary, and how to win against all the odds in your life and in business.
Cool links referenced in this episode:
- PHOTO ALBUM - Scroll down to view photos like the Mandela picture and Mark's lottery memorabilia
- Soviet Union and Pepsi Cola Trade - For our history buffs, here are some interesting articles we found regarding this trade.
- New York Times Article - Pepsi: Official Soda of the Cold War
- View photo of Owen Hickey at a Colorado Lottery event
- Take-a-Ticket - Want to know what distribution for those plastic lottery homes looks like?
Extra Goodies:
- Watch Lotto America 1988 TV Commercial - We found this compilation of 1988 TV ads. If you watch this, let us know what you think in the comments below! The Lotto ad starts after the crazy fun Best Buy ad
Connect with Mark:
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @Bigonsmall
The Big on Small podcast is powered by InspireHUB - creators of the award winning IHUBApp Digital Experience Platform.
Credits:
Produced and directed by Samantha Castro and Karolyn Hart. Additional support by Sue Braiden, Richard Brashear, Audrey Duncan and Sue Jenks. Theme music by Noah Smith. Ad music by Rhythm Scott. Mixed by Samantha Castro.
Music in this episode:
- Noah Smith “Giving Up On Love”
- Rhythm Scott “Tropical Marimba”
- Rhythm Scott “The Sunniest Kids”
- Bryant Lowry “Denali”
- Be Still The Earth “i've seen you in all your light”
