Talking Points for 11th Grade Classroom
College
Graduation + First Sales Job (1979–1981)
- Hired to sell welders/battery chargers.
- Territory ranked 50th of 50 → I worked 80–100 hours
a week → within a year, it was 2nd in the country.
- Promoted to the Iowa territory, which I made #1 in the
nation.
- Straight commission, living in $13/night hotels.
- Income:
$50K first year, $75K second (when others my age made ~$13K).
Takeaway: Outwork everyone. Success is earned, not handed out.
Moving
West—Seattle & Computers (1981–1984)
- Drove west with no job, no plan—just ambition.
- Landed at a small computer company. Wrote their training
manual by shadowing every employee.
- Became the top salesperson by out-calling and
out-hustling everyone.
- Joined a second company, again became the #1
salesperson.
Takeaway: Experience doesn’t matter—effort and hunger do.
Break
+ Backpacking Europe (1984–1985)
- It took 8 months to travel Europe.
- Learned independence, resilience, and cultural
awareness.
Takeaway: Life isn’t just about money—experiences matter too.
First
Entrepreneurial Leap – Telemarketing & Used HP Computers (1985–1995)
- Started my own telemarketing business, making cold calls
for other companies.
- Partnered to sell used Hewlett-Packard computers—one of
only five companies worldwide doing it.
- Grew from 2 guys in a small office to 75 employees,
12 sales reps, engineers, and a 50,000 sq. ft. warehouse.
- Ran a company for 10 years; highly successful.
Takeaway: Entrepreneurship means doing every job until you can
hire others. Learn every piece of the puzzle.
My
Own Company – U.S. Computer (1995–1998)
- Started the same business, but this time owned 100% of
the company.
- Within 6 months → $1M in profit.
- Sold the company in 1998 for several million dollars.
Takeaway: Ownership = real wealth. Working for yourself beats
working for others.
Life
After Selling—1998to Today
Real
Estate & Investments
- Invested in apartment complexes, senior housing,
rental homes, and short-term rentals.
- Owned and operated Emerald City Smoothie.
- Learned that diversifying your investments is key.
Retirement
at 49 (2006)
- Stepped back from day-to-day business life at age 49.
- Could live comfortably because I had built wealth, not
just income.
Writing
& Coaching
- Authored 9+ books (children’s stories, Christian devotionals, and business/life advice).
- Built a reputation as “America’s Favorite Children’s
Storyteller” and “America’s #1 Life Coach.”
- Teach lessons through stories, coaching, and speaking.
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