Dear Mary, Thank you for being born! Your words inspire and encourage others to aspire. I have been a salesperson for over 26 years and have assisted many companies in making fortunes but did not make any for myself. My parents never taught me to work to be a millionaire! They taught me to work hard, to go the extra mile, have integrity and good work ethics, be creative and dependable, and that in doing so companies would find me valuable. And this has been true in most all cases even though I may not have been rewarded greatly in money I know I have been appreciated. But as I grow older I find myself saying “what if” it was my own company. A friend and I have thought of an ingenious advertising idea and campaign. We have expanded this idea into an enormous cooperative. It is one that agencies have not even considered in the marketplace. I know it can be massive and generate millions, and that other companies would want to immediately imitate or purchase our concept and campaign. However, we need some professional feedback and assistance in launching it. We would be most honored and grateful for your thoughts and will gladly give credit where credit is due and future options once in place. I thank you for being the person you are to share your knowledge and pray that we can be as generous as you are to others. Thank you! L.Wilson

Wells said. I was in the Advertising business and all you say about bringing everything you have to your self creation and contribution to others in order to succeed is one of the magic ingredients. Yes I did find that lust was the pitfall to be avoided as a surefire career killer. Some clients tried to blindside me, but mostly all were wonderful. Lust was not an option, but the real thing that Mary Wells and all successful entrepreneurs know that what is vital is their unique creativity and the focus and hard work to bring this to others. Self belief is crucial to yourself and your audience, but learning everything possible was the hard part for me. Learning to understand a balance sheet and the bottom line was difficult, but for me the most daunting was working with and trusting those I chose to work with me. This is a never ending work in progress, and often charm and sincerity did not work, but without these human elements I couldn’t have succeeded.

Hi all, this is probably not the place to post this but can you help? I work hard, have a good business etc and have perhaps been neglecting my wife a little recently due to over working. So, I want to treat her to something particularly nice as a thank you for putting up with me over the last few months. I overheard her talking to her girlfriend saying how much she would love a fur coat - to use her words ‘a full length silky soft fur coat’. The question is, what kind do i buy her? I know her sizes and want to surprise her with one - what do i get? Your advice would be deeply appreciated.

Actually, most of this conversation has been about working and becoming a millionaire. You can also become a millionaire by starting your nest egg as early as possible, - ideally right after you get out of school and into the workforce. Begin saving, even if it’s only $5 a week. Give your savings a raise every 6 months or year. When you get a raise, bump up your savings. Invest very conservatively - leave the stock speculation for a separate part of your financial life. Think cd’s and t-bills, - anything where you won’t lose money. By the time you’re in your 40’s you will be a millionaire through the power of compounding interest. Even at 3-4%, it works. I have interviewed many high net worth individuals as part of my work in market research. Many of the very rich are surprisingly conservative in their approach to investments. I have met a number of them who achieved their wealth in exactly the way described above. Thinking about it this way can free you to take more chances with your work and your career.

Mary, I was a Flight Attendant (back then known as a Stewardess) for Braniff. I loved the planes with all their colors. And the uniforms were so much fun. Because I have red hair — my favorite uniform was the chocolate one with the bubble. And, I usually flew on the “chocolate flight”. You brought a new, innovative lifestyle for all of us. Several of us still get together and we still talk about our “many colored” life with Braniff — they were wonderful times…wonderful experiences. Thank you for bringing that color into our lives.

Mary, I’ve always admired you and have enjoyed reading your posts. I think one of the hardest parts (other than belief in yourself) is identifying opportunities. Approximately 2 years ago a couple of the salesmen at our company asked me what I thought about going in with them to start a new company. Not knowing (or believing) that they were serious it was dropped, now I wonder if the opportunity is past it’s prime or not. So I guess that is really my question, how to identify whether something is a solid opportunity or if it is simply wishful thinking?

several years after my husband died, a friend asked me what was the most important thing i’d learned, i answered “i’ve learned to talk the language of money”. she was startled that my answer hadn’t been more emotional—you know something like -coping with the lonliness, grieving for love lost, etc. but, in fact, for my survival—i knew that i had to figure out how to manage my finances. most people advised me to hire a financial consultant, but i instinctively knew that no one was going to wake up every morning worrying about my state of affairs more than i was. i had managed a large budget as a communications director for a mid-size city, i had handled household finances, and i had survived a divorce which resulted in my being a single parent for several years. BUT i hadn’t ever had the full responsibility for my financial well-being. when my husband died i had both debt and a life insurance policy. the life insurance policy by most standards was generous, and i could have been star struck by it—but fortunately i wasn’t. i immediately subtracted our debt, including mortgage from the proceeds and then divided the rest by the number of years i hoped to live (i was 55, my mother is 97). the result of that little mathematical exercise made me understand that i better figure out a way to GROW my money or i would be a poor, old woman (not a pretty picture). my husband died at the nadir of the tech bubble—so our IRA and other investments had lost most of their value. this fact alone jump started my education. i read everything i could and still do about investments and the business environment. i spend two hours on my computer every morning from 6am to 8am reading the nytimes, the wall street journal, motley fool, investors business daily, and all the news stories that have been pegged to the equities i hold. as a side note—i also read liz smith to get a real handle on the world around me. i have recently joined my daughter as a partner in her marketing, promotional business. she was at a crossroads, the business was growing but she was floundering financially. we drew up a job spec that outlined what type of person she needed to help her get to the next level of success and when we reviewed what we had written, she looked at me and said “mom, that’s you.” we had a very serious discussion about what our becoming business partners meant—we are very close and our relationship was most important. but we did what all should do when considering entering into a partnership—we hired a lawyer and drew up a contract as to what we expected from one another. she takes care of the clients (with my support), i take care of the money. when i joined the company, she had no terms with her vendors—now we don’t do business with anyone who won’t give us terms. my daughter is brilliant (truly she is) BUT she was afraid to ask vendors for terms or ask clients to pay their bills. i’m not. i believe we are creating not only a business model-but a family business that her young sons will be happy to join or at least become a part of as they are growing up. my ten year old grandson has already contributed-the other day he walked into our office —which is in my daughter’s home and looked at her computer screen—he said “mom, what is TOYKYO?” my daughter and i had been looking at an image we were printing on a t-shirt for a client and of course, had been thinking that we were looking at the proper spelling of Tokyo-oh boy would that have been a disaster. so we instantly made him a proof reader. he loved it. the point i’m trying to make is —women must learn to speak the language of money before it’s too late. i read a chilling article in the wall street journal several years ago which featured a group of widows in the their 70’s and 80’s who were struggling with their diminishing resources. their husbands had arranged their financial futures by instructing them to put their assets into money market funds and cd’s by doing this that wouldn’t have to think about their money it would just be there for them. well, it wasn’t “just there” for them—interest rates had been reduced so that they weren’t making much if anything in interest and they kept drawing down the principle which, of course, was not being replaced. the quotes from these women were heart rendering and frightening-they were having to choose between food and rent or worse. the sad irony is that these women had been relatively well off when their husbands died—living in condos in florida — but now they were the newly poor and had no idea what to do. the story seared my brain. most of these women had their health—but little money; i knew they wouldn’t remain healthy. i have about five different books (unpublished) that i have written since my husband died — about the grief, loss and how to learn to live alone. these “books” have been mostly written as a part of my healing journey. the one thread that runs throughout all of them is the topic of money-money-money. we were brought up to think it was crude to discuss money; i now know it’s cruel not to. this “talk” has turned into quite an epistle, i hope i haven’t taken too much space, but i want to tthank you, Mary, for raising this topic. it didn’t surprise me, because you have been the beacon for me of an enlightened women for many years. onward-cbw

This query doesn’t seem to have grabbed the interests of this “population group” - but the tangential threads are amazing. Perhaps we might examine them more closely. IOW, I think we all like to learn about successful women, encourage, and praise others, but there is a limit, IMHO, with all due respect.

Mary: I quited my 6 figure income engineering job to do something I love past 15 yrs - entertainments and cooking. I recently own a small Fish n Seafood restaurant. We r very famous on several dishes… I am looking for expanding more, not on the franchise side… Right now, I m more looking for someone (some companies) can help me to produce it in a mass production, introduce to Supermarket, and funding, etc… I really don’t know where to start, so help me Mary :)) I so far have been contact some big chain market to introduce my products but I need either some grants or loan or funds in order to make this a reality… Can you direct me so I can earn my first million bucks :)) Thx, V

Due to a company merger, I was let go from my previous company back in August, along with 37 other people. Fortunately, I found a contracting position 4 weeks later. So far, a 3-month contract has turned into 8 months. At a company meeting today the IT Director told us if things do not change in 60 days, the doors will close. I have many ideas to control my own life. Creating my own successful company really excites me. Maybe I’m foolish, but creating and running my own company is more important than making a million. Well, for now! Using my creative and business skills to build a successful company is what it’s all about for me. After I reach that goal, then I’m ready for my next goal - make a million dollars and more. Working long and hard hours is no problem. I’m ready. So Mary, what is my next step so we can talk?

Thanks Mary! I love this thread and appreciate all that I’ve learned from all, who have posted. I started a “Life Coaching Business in January of 2008. Oh my goodness, What I’ve learned! I wanted to offer the people, who seek my services the best, so I trained under Martha Beck. She is the real deal. During the last day of our training, she stressed that the business was not about making tons of money, while that may come out of our generosity, the real business plan is to end the suffering of each of our clients. Many, who I have met for coffee, look so successful on the outseide, but have lives out of harmony with who they really are. I just left an emotionally abusive marriage and am really considered disabled and qualify for benefits, as one with a hidden handicap. I could just stop today and enjoy the disability benefits. However, I have this passion to really help people get on the road to the right life. I guess this comes out of my quest to help every person find a way to rescue themselves out of a situation though they feel they must settle. So far I have two paying clients and I’m so honored that they are giving me the opportunity to help them find a better way. This field is so rewarding. I taught children with mild learning challenges for years and had to quit due to my health. I’d love to use my professional knowledge as an educator, who was trained in brain research, to reach every child before they become trapped in a “dungeon of limiting thoughts”. I’ve begun offering free parenting classes for parents to learn how to be their child’s own life coach. Now, I want to use my skills to work with teachers in staff development. Sadly, I was the significant adult for many of my students in middle school. This is still a truth for many educators. Parents with two incomes, who are just exhausted or people, who really try but don’t know how to raise children without breaking their sprits, seem to be the rule rather than the exception. Mary, I would appreciate any advice you have to offer in getting started. I’d love to write a book on resilience and remind people that suffering is a choice. I also want to change the world….by helping children and adults to see that the thoughts that structure their lives may be their truth, but are in reality barriers to a better life. My goal is that by teaching children and teens to replace limiting thoughts “I’m ugly. I’m stupid.” with thoughts to embrace how unique and wonder that they all are that the need to self-medicate with drugs, etc. could be avoided. I’ve named my business “Create a New Season” and work hard to take advantage of every lead I have and do what I can to market myself. However, I certainly “don’t know nothin’ bout birthin’ a business; so I’d love ideas and any helpful hints.

WOW! many thanks- i would love to speak with you . Your piece on taking ownership on every aspect of your business truly hit home! — I am a newly single & almost 60 years old, a bit too entrepeneurial for my own good; seeking to make my new life as fruitful & fulfilling as possible. Seeking personal growth & satisfaction. I am trying to take “ownership” of every aspect of my personal & professional life. I have created a small wine marketing business; providing FREE wines to art institutions, non-profit organizations & women’s “causes”, throughout the country. I would love to work with you or any other groups you are affiliated with. Thank you in advance for your time, our most precious resource. Thank you for this amazing forum. I would love to fine wines for any of your upcoming events/forums…perhaps a women wine maker event? I am also one of the Director’s of the National Women’s Wine Competition, the only wine competition in the country, judges solely by women. HOpe we can continue conversation, email/phone: 650-347-3318, best, judith consulting business. I work with non-profit organization, art institutions, womnen’s firms. etc., all over the country. I broker, at no charge tot the non- profit organization, their ability to serve wines at their events; receptions, dinners. I would love to work with wowowow.com & any events/forums that you are planning: FREE wines! or perhaps, let’s plan a Women’s WINE event? I am also the Director of the National Womens’s Wine Competition( the first & only wine competition judged solely buy women in the county!) . Love to speak with you - ( phone:650-347-3318/email) judith best, judith

The energy of focus in your words is fantastic. About to close my first practice as a financial failure. Oh, well moving on to business endeavors that I have been afraid to try. Working who knows what. I saw dot Phd’s flipping burgers and MD from abroad doing all sorts untill they achieved what they wanted. If Suzie Orman, Martha Stuart, Oprah, and countless others use their brains and determination to make the life they have now, may be larger than they ever dreamed, then I have to give it a shot. Need to work on a team, and step out of the comfort zone. Just found this site, amazing, just what I need without my common sense mom and brilliant aunt to guide me.