Why Orange?

We get the question all of the time, “Why is it called Orange Leaf?”  Honestly?  Probably because Orange is cool!  Lemon Leaf, Apple Leaf, Grape Leaf doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.  And the color orange has its own personality that other colors can’t match.  Purple Leaf?  Blue Leaf?  Doesn’t work!

So what is Orange’s personality?  According to psychologists that know about this stuff, the psychology of Orange is exactly what you think it would be.  Orange is considered the color of adventure and social communication.  The color orange radiates warmth and happiness, combining the physical energy and stimulation of red with the cheerfulness of yellow.  The color psychology of orange is optimistic and uplifting, rejuvenating our spirit. In fact orange is so optimistic and uplifting that we should all find ways to use it in our everyday life, even if it is just an orange colored pen that we use. Orange brings spontaneity and a positive outlook on life and is a great color to use during tough economic times, keeping us motivated and helping us to look on the bright side of life.  With its enthusiasm for life, the color orange relates to adventure and risk-taking, inspiring physical confidence, competition and independence. Those inspired by orange are always on the go!  

In relation to the meaning of colors, orange is extroverted and uninhibited, often encouraging exhibitionism or, at the very least, showing-off!  The color orange relates to social communication, stimulating two way conversations. A warm and inviting color, it is both physically and mentally stimulating, so it gets people thinking and talking! 

Enthusiasm, courage, stimulation, vitality, and rejuvenation are all effects of orange.  So when you look around and see the orange paint, the orange shirts, and of course the orange furniture, you know you are going to be in a good mood.  Orange is awesome!

So in my way of making lists for anything and everything I do, here is a list of my 5 coolest things that are ORANGE (besides Orange Leaf):

· The nickname for the Denver Broncos’ defense in the late 70’s was “The Orange Crush”!  That’s a cool nickname! 

· The color of the wrapper for the best candy bar ever made – Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, is Orange.

·The nickname of the Dutch National Soccer (Football) team is Oranje, the Dutch word for "orange”.

·Oompa  Loompas are orange!!

·The dominant color of the most fun holiday, Halloween, is Orange.

So, why Orange? Cheerful, Spontaneous, Optimistic, and Enthusiastic, capturing each of the best parts of the other colors in the rainbow. Throw a little LEAF in there for your health and who would want to  live any other way!

Tom Hagan - Guest Blogger 

Disco & Freaux Yeaux!

Do you know why Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt stores are so cool and fun to hang out in?  Well, besides the best frozen yogurt around, it’s the environment of each Louisiana store.  It’s the orange and green colors that dominate the decor.  It’s the 70’s inspired furniture, and of course the 70’s soundtrack!  Everyone likes to make fun of the music from the 70’s, especially the disco era, but it is undoubtedly the best yogurt eating music around.  No one can hear “YMCA” or “Car Wash” and not instantly be in a good mood.  And that’s what is really at the core of your visit to your local Orange Leaf store.  You want to feel good about what you’re eating and where you are eating it.  You want the kids to be happy and the kids want the parents to be happy.    Some people think we’re little nuts for always rocking the 70’s/Disco in our stores, but next time you visit an Orange Leaf in Louisiana, take a look around.  Notice how many grandmas start tapping their feet when “Jive Talkin” comes on.  And then when the grandkids start dancing, its Disco Fever Orange Leaf style!  So go dig in your parent’s or grandparent’s closet, be on the lookout for loud colored polyester and some platform shoes.   Get in the car and come do the Hustle at your nearest Orange Leaf and see how much fun it is.   If we could just find some groovy shag carpet!

Lovin' that DISCO!

Dancing to the DISCO

If you couldn’t tell, this week’s blog was authored by a pinch-blogger:  Tom Hagan.  I have wanted to guest-blog but wanted to do off-topic subjects such as movies, music, television or sports.  

Staying in the frozen yogurt universe this week, I wanted to write about the the disco Freaux-Yeaux connection.  Orange tile,  green paint and Strawberry Popping Boba do not jive with country, metal, talk radio or today’s pop music but goes beautifully with the 70’s and disco!   So in honor of the kings of the disco era, and because I love lists, here is the Orange Leaf Top 5 Bee Gee’s songs (at least according to me!!!).

1. Stayin' Alive (this one is pretty obvious)
2. “More Than a Woman” 
3. “How Deep is Your Love”
4. “Night Fever”
5. “Nights on Broadway”  (the most underrated Bee Gee’s song)

So next time the kids have turned up the worst music in the history of mankind & you feel a little nostalgic for your childhood tunes, swing in to Orange Leaf and see if you can remember the steps to the Hustle, and don't forget to ask the Orange Leaf team member on board that day to turn it up a little!!

Tom Hagan - Author

What do you have going on right now?

Teri and Mike Poole at their Lodge at Belle Island Hunting Club 

It was this fateful question, when asked to Mike Poole, from his friend in Oklahoma, Steve Cromwell, who owns several Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt stores, that the beginning of Orange Leaf LA sparked into existence. This ONE simple question led the Poole family on a journey that has brought them more joy than could ever have been expected. "Orange Leaf LA is truly a family venture and keeps the kids laughing, on their toes, but more importantly allows them each and everyday to meet new people and form great relationships, who they might not ever had the chance to meet otherwise." states Mike.   Teri and Mike Poole, watching from the sidelines, are so overjoyed to see their children working together, and not only that, SUCCEEDING TOGETHER. 

Tom & Shannon Hagan

Brittany & Cade Eskridge

When THE question was posed to Mike, he tapped his son-in-law, Tom Hagan, husband to his oldest Shannon to take the reigns of the new venture.  Tom went to Oklahoma to visit & speak with Orange Leaf Corporate, and that was all she wrote as they say.  Two weeks later, Olyla, LLC (Orange Leaf Yogurt Louisiana) was formed & with that, signed a contract capturing the rights to the entire state of Louisiana.  The frozen yogurt business was an entirely new adventure, and a long jump from the Oil & Gas business in which they all worked in.  Everything had to be learned and implemented in a very short amount of time.  Tom, along with Mike, picked MONROE for the first store.  

Amy & Brad Lawrence

Tom immediately got his sister and her husband, Amy and Brad Lawrence, involved as they live in Monroe.  From beginning to end, these three waded thought the new experiences of the frozen yogurt business, and pulled off the success that the Monroe store still achieves one year later.  When Monroe opened in December 2010, it was apparent that Tom, Brad and Amy needed help and LOTS of it.  “Shifting into high gear, “ as Mike so often relayed to his kids, was the only way OLYLA, LLC would capture the Frozen Yogurt markets for the 15 required stores that were to open in Louisiana over the next 4 years.  So, what does a family do when called upon to jump?  They say How High?  And that is just what the ENTIRE family did.  Shannon & her sister, Brittany Eskridge were the next to enter the yogurt wars in January 2011.  Brittany’s husband, Cade Eskridge, was shortly to follow.  Brittany and Shannon’s brother, Shane Poole jumped on board in May, and that was the last piece of the puzzle.  

Shane Poole w/ Michael & Catherine

Tom, Shane, Cade, Shannon & Brittany

“It’s funny.”, Shannon says, “Brittany and I share an office and the boys share the other.  The laughter we hear through the walls on a hourly basis leaves Brittany and I staring at each other and shaking our heads.  Work isn’t supposed to be this fun, or is it?” asks Shannon. 

OLYLA will open 5 more stores in the next 2 months, so things are moving at an extremely fast pace.  “In less than a year, we will have 8 of 15 stores open”, says Brittany.  “The kids are getting into it, too. My daughter, Catherine, will be the Dreaming of an Orange Christmas girl depicted in our magazine ads next month!” states Shane.  The older kids are some of the best employees, serving as shift leaders during time on the floor at Orange Leaf.   “OLYLA will employ over 100 employees by the end of 2011,” states Cade. “That is something to be proud of.” The Orange Leaf Louisiana employees are fun, energetic and dependable.  A better team couldn't have been assembled if they tried harder.

Eskridge Kids: Taylor, Paxton, & Tate

Poole Kids: Catherine & Michael

 Tom, Bailey, Shannon, Erin Higginbotham & Blake

Just to think that all of this came from one simple question, What do you have going on right now? This makes you listen to every other question that is posed a little more intently.  You never know when something important might be coming your way if you recognize the opportunity when it presents itself.