When I was twelve years old, my father took me to see Zig Zigler. I remembered sitting in that dark auditorium listening to Mr. Zigler raise everyone’s spirits up to the ceiling. I left there feeling like I could do anything. When we got to the car, I turned to my father and said, “Dad, I want to make people feel like that.” My father asked me what I meant. “I want to be a motivational2 speaker just like Mr. Zigler!” I replied. A dream was born.
Recently, I began pursuing my dream of motivating others. After a 4-year relationship with a major fortune 100 company beginning as a sales trainer and ending as a regional sales manager, I left the company at the height of my career. Many people were astounded3 that I would leave after earning a six-figure income. And they asked why I would risk everything for a dream.
I made my decision to start my own company and leave my secure position after attending a regional sales meeting. The vice-president of our company delivered a speech that changed my life. He asked us, “If a genie would grant you three wishes what would they be？” After giving us a moment to write down the three wishes, he then asked us, “Why do you need a genie？” I would never forget the empowerment I felt at that moment.
I realized that everything I had accomplished—the graduate degree, the successful sales career, speaking engagements, training and ma