Lots of bloggers have been amused by this story about a couple selling candles that smell like Jesus (more specifically, his robes, which are foretold to be “fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia”). Jeremy Horpedahl of The LCD was in for a bigger surprise in the story: the candles’ inventor is one of his former college professors. Bob Tosterud taught his entrepreneurship at the University of South Dakota. He’s evidently qualified to teach it, as he and his wife have sold thousands of the candles at nearly $18 a piece.
Jeremy has also written about how Tosterud would require each of his students to come up with a new business idea every day. He collected the best of these over the years and eventually published a book, Almost 500! Million Dollar Ideas for $9.95. The students do the work and he reaps the book proceeds. This guy really is a genius.
Jacob Grier is a freelance writer, bartender, cocktail consultant, and magician in Portland, Oregon. He writes, eats, and drinks a lot. His articles have appeared in the print or online editions of The Washington Post, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, Reason, The Oregonian, and other publications.
“Candles that smell like Jesus…”
I think I just abandoned capitalism…
I hope they smell good. MY faith is in the balance.