Dr. Cynthia Barnett - audio: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

True to his word, Alex continued his giveaways into November and all the winners who will work with me in 2009 through the SMARTSTART Business Success Program have now been selected.

Dr. Cynthia Barnett’s story is a particularly happy one. She was so hoping to win but her name did not come up in round number one or round number two. But she did not give up! I recognized her name when it was pulled in selection round number three and it was one of the happiest congratulatory calls I got to make throughout this process.

Dr. Cynthia is a real go-getter. She has just jumped in with both feet and is now working on building her awesome brand Dr. Cynthia’s Freestyle Retreats. You can check out her web site at www.refiredontretire.com or click on the play button to hear her winner’s interview.

We’re so excited about the new program we’ve put in place to help entrepreneurs in North America. We thank you for inspiring it and for being a part of it too!

If you haven’t heard about it yet, please register your name and email address so we can send you more information as the program unfolds. (Just click on the Register tab at the top of the web page.) (more…)

 

 SG60 - Bilaal Rajan [7:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It’s been awhile since we featured someone in our 60-second spotlight but I think you’ll agree it was well worth the wait when you hear this young giver’s story!

Meet Bilaal Rajan, a giver since the young age of 4, and the author of Making Change, a book that shows us all how to start small and give big.

Although he has just turned 12, Bilaal has been recognized around the world for his fundraising efforts and he’s really just getting started making his dreams a reality!

After reading all about his giving story in my previous post, please check out his web site at www.handsforhelp.org to learn more about this enterprising and truly inspirational young man.

Caught an interesting item in The Economist earlier this week. It was a story about Barack Obama called Explaining the Riddle.

I had no idea Obama was something of a “comeback kid”. His life was very different eight years ago. He’d lost a congressional primary in Chicago, and both his political and personal bank accounts were empty. He couldn’t get a floor pass and had to watch the proceedings from a big screen in a car park. And the rental car company had even rejected his credit card. Haven’t we all experienced our own version of these… shall we just say “down times”?

But just look at (more…)