Author & Founder, Den Publishing Company
Hi there. I am Nick DeCandia, a CPA (Certified Public Accountant), a nationally published author, and Founder of Den Publishing Company. Fear not, I've heard CPA stands for "Can't Pass Again", "Can't Pass Arithmetic" - just to name a couple. :-) Ah, humor! Now, I didn't set-out to write any books. As far as I'm concerned, these projects-books found me.
-ABILITY TO WRITE-
It wasn't until senior year in high-school that I found out I had an ability to write. Senior year, third trimester we had options. We could do something off school premises ("senior project" with approval). One student ~built a car. Or we could stay in school and take "seminars". I decided to take a poetry analyzing class with Anne Shepherd (my 10th Grade English teacher). I'm not quite sure what motivated me, because Math was always my favorite subject, and poetry? Come on :-). Maybe I had something to prove. [This same teacher gave me the worst grade I'd ever seen (& deserved) for a book report I tried to bluff my way through - on a book I struggled to read at all "Moby Dick", "Failing - Totally Inadequate & Incoherent" was the book report grade. [Worst grade I'd ever received (by far) before or since. I should hope so, right? :) ] But, I knew this teacher would not "pull any punches" - when it came to giving the proper grade.
I remembered two things Mrs. Shepherd emphasized about writing: 1) be specific and 2) give examples. So, I focused in - on these poetry analyzing assignments with that in mind. Sure enough, I received, "Outstanding" for one assignment, "Distinguished" for another, and "Excellent" for a third, etc. These grades meant so much more to me, because of the "Failing - , Totally Inadequate and Incoherent" grade I received from her two years earlier. It was at this point in time, that I knew I had the capability to write well! [By the way, while in High School I also became an Eagle Scout.]Anyway...
-ENGINEERING DEGREE-
I attended the University of Notre Dame, where I obtained a Mechanical Engineering degree. [Math was my "forte" - remember.] But, this writing ability served quite well - even in engineering school. For instance, I remember spending about 3 days writing a paper for the class, "Nuclear Reactor Theory" and received a 94% on that paper. I needed it - in that class! :-)
-FULL CHARGE BOOKKEEPING-
While in High School, I took some independent aptitude tests that recommended Business Finance and Accounting. I ended up entering that field, first obtaining a Business Degree, with Concentrations in Finance and Accounting - where I became a lifetime member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. Upon graduation I entered the workplace via small business corporate accounting, and worked my way up to a "full-charge" bookkeeping position (and beyond). But, I wanted to put that book ("Full-Charge Bookkeeping") on my shelf. However, when I went to buy it, it wasn't there. I searched Amazon.com. I searched the Copyright office. It didn't exist! And, when I thought about it, I realized I knew the subject matter, and already knew that I could write well--when I applied myself. So, I decided to take a stab at "Full-Charge Bookkeeping". I spent a (very) significant amount of time writing it. www.Full-ChargeBookkeeping.com
"It's good..., right-on and good."
- G.H., CPA and Controller
-many more testimonials-
-VESSEL FOR THE WORK/S-
After careful consideration, I decided to start a publishing company. The aptitude tests I had taken actually suggested starting/running a small business, in addition to accounting/finance. So, that works out fairly well. www.DenPublishing.com
Meanwhile, my mom was working on a children's book - based on a true story, that happened to her mother. My mom dropped the project, because of issues in getting it published. But, I knew she was disappointed, so I convinced her that we could finish it together. We found a talented, local university art student, via flyers and interviews, to illustrate it. We signed a contract to purchase her work, and finish the book - we did! It's based on the spirit of giving. :-) www.ChristmasTimeSurprises.com
In 2004, my daughter entered Kindergarten, and wanted to learn to read. So, I went to Amazon.com, and bought a couple of books (to remain unnamed). I was surprised at how hard they were making it. So, I asked a friend of mine how she had taught her son how to read. He was reading at a second grade level in preschool. She said with three-letter words. At that point, it dawned on me (glory to the Lord) -- if they knew 3 letter-sounds, they could read a 3-letter word. And, if I put that word on a page with some graphic art, they could read a page. It worked amazingly well. My daughter went from just knowing the alphabet to reading short-vowel books in a semester.
"It's great!"
-C.C., Parent of elementary school students.
"Andrew is having a ball. He takes it to bed with him."
-J.H., Grandparent of a 4 and 1/2 year old.
-many more testimonials-
The first and second editions are titled My Child's First Reading Book (because it was my child's first reading book). www.MyChildsFirstReadingBook.com
The 3rd Edition is titled Students' First Reading Book. www.FirstReadingBook.com
The 4th (and most recent) Edition is titled The Phonics Reading Book. www.ThePhonicsReadingBook.com/.
-GIVING BACK ! -
"Me, me, me." Don't you hate that?! I know when I hear myself talking only about me, like now :-), it bothers me... So, when an opportunity comes along to give back... Besides, the Boy Scout Motto is, "Do a good turn daily." Over the years, I've been fortunate in a couple of areas - where I may be able to do some good, in passing along (potentially) valuable information.
Believe it or not, I've spent a number of years as "Mr. Mom", raising both a boy and a girl ! This actually afforded me some time to work on the above! :-) I picked up a couple of parenting axioms, that I've lived by in raising the children. My wife and I have received numerous compliments regarding our children. So, I'd like to pass along those "axioms". All the information is listed on the site - with nothing for sale there. www.ParentingAxioms.info
I've also been fortunate to be able to maintain a proper body weight. And, I've noticed that I use 'tactics' to help me stay focused on the all-important CALORIES IN = CALORIES OUT equation. So, I've gone ahead and put those tactics on a website: www.TacticsDiet.info also as a community service. As before, all of the information is listed on the website, with nothing is for sale there!
My wife ran into a product (at Costco) that takes out ~every tough stain (including grease - believe it or not). We've used it for years and I get out 99+% of all our laundry stains with it... I've had trouble finding it at Costco these day, but Pep Boys Automotive carries it. It's called "Oil Eater - Cleaner Degreaser". It comes in a white/red plastic spray container. So, I've put up a dot.info site to pass along that information www.StainRemoving.info/. Note: we are not at all affiliated with that company, nor do we receive anything from them - for mentioning it. I just thought I might be able to help some others with laundry stains - of all things. :)
If you're going to start a business, I'd highly recommend using the book, "Built on Values", "creating an enviable culture that outperforms the competition", by Ann Rhoades (the former Chief People Officer of Southwest Airlines..., and currently President of People Ink, a consulting firm that helps companies build value-based cultures). The book contains very practical "blueprints" and many, many examples!
Finally, here's what I try to live by (for what they maybe worth):
(1) Golden Rule ("Do to others, as you would have them do to you.")
(2) 10 Commandments (Bible) &
(3) "The Four Agreements, A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom" by Don Miguel Ruiz: (i) "be impeccable with your word", (ii) "don't take anything personally", (iii) "don't make assumptions" , & (iv) "always do your best".
Regarding the four agreements, I consider the last one, "always do your best" ~all encompassing (can be argued to encompass the other three agreements). And, in fact, here's a quote or two (from historically successful athlete/coaches regarding doing your best):
“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." -John Wooden, UCLA basketball Coach (of multiple National Championships)!
“That’s a great definition. First it takes away any external characterization of success – conference championship, national championship, awards…” -Jim Tressel, Ohio State Head Football Coach (National Championship winner) & Author, The Winners Manual, For the Game of Life.
Best,
Nick J. DeCandia, CPA
Author & Founder, Den Publishing Company
Glory to the Lord.
Contact Me - Here
Nick's blog at: http://njd-denpublishingcompany.blogspot.com/ (on things like golf tips: "How to cure golf's putting 'yips'. "...).
Den Publishing Company
"It's Amazing What You Can Accomplish In A Den!"
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