thank you I wanna start by saying I’m an actually an expert at something I know
actually an expert at something I know
actually an expert at something I know you were all hesitating I wanted to come
you were all hesitating I wanted to come
you were all hesitating I wanted to come here and speak about it but I couldn’t
here and speak about it but I couldn’t
here and speak about it but I couldn’t get the visual aid in here I am an
get the visual aid in here I am an
get the visual aid in here I am an expert at parallel parking like really
expert at parallel parking like really
expert at parallel parking like really good and people do not believe me but we
good and people do not believe me but we
good and people do not believe me but we couldn’t get the vehicle in and the you
couldn’t get the vehicle in and the you
couldn’t get the vehicle in and the you gotta have a lot of traffic and stuff so
gotta have a lot of traffic and stuff so
gotta have a lot of traffic and stuff so you really see I’m like a one-shot so I
you really see I’m like a one-shot so I
you really see I’m like a one-shot so I couldn’t speak on that so I had to
couldn’t speak on that so I had to
couldn’t speak on that so I had to settle on Plan B which is just as
settle on Plan B which is just as
settle on Plan B which is just as awesome I’m going to talk today about
awesome I’m going to talk today about
awesome I’m going to talk today about starting things I start things I have
starting things I start things I have
starting things I start things I have known that I’ve started things since I
known that I’ve started things since I
known that I’ve started things since I was a young kid actually I’m going to
was a young kid actually I’m going to
was a young kid actually I’m going to start at about nine years old today and
start at about nine years old today and
start at about nine years old today and we’re gonna do my whole life story I
we’re gonna do my whole life story I
we’re gonna do my whole life story I knew I was good at starting things
knew I was good at starting things
knew I was good at starting things because I would hear these compliments
because I would hear these compliments
because I would hear these compliments all the time like Tina did you know you
all the time like Tina did you know you
all the time like Tina did you know you have commitment issues or my mom’s
have commitment issues or my mom’s
have commitment issues or my mom’s favorite is jack of all trades master of
favorite is jack of all trades master of
favorite is jack of all trades master of none because I could start lots of
none because I could start lots of
none because I could start lots of things didn’t quite finish all of them I
things didn’t quite finish all of them I
things didn’t quite finish all of them I passed them on to the next people
passed them on to the next people
passed them on to the next people quickly so anyhow my favorite compliment
quickly so anyhow my favorite compliment
quickly so anyhow my favorite compliment though and all that time came from a 19
though and all that time came from a 19
though and all that time came from a 19 year old girl I was volunteering with in
year old girl I was volunteering with in
year old girl I was volunteering with in Uganda and she said to me you know
Uganda and she said to me you know
Uganda and she said to me you know thanks a lot for wrecking my life that
thanks a lot for wrecking my life that
thanks a lot for wrecking my life that is my greatest compliment today and
is my greatest compliment today and
is my greatest compliment today and that’s what I’m going to talk about
that’s what I’m going to talk about
that’s what I’m going to talk about today how to wreck your life and just
today how to wreck your life and just
today how to wreck your life and just seven easy steps now about six years ago
seven easy steps now about six years ago
seven easy steps now about six years ago I was touring a documentary I made and I
I was touring a documentary I made and I
I was touring a documentary I made and I did the film festival circuit and then I
did the film festival circuit and then I
did the film festival circuit and then I went to speak on college campuses high
went to speak on college campuses high
went to speak on college campuses high school campuses and the students would
school campuses and the students would
school campuses and the students would line up afterwards it’s such a huge
line up afterwards it’s such a huge
line up afterwards it’s such a huge honor when you know they have better
honor when you know they have better
honor when you know they have better things to do they would line up and tell
things to do they would line up and tell
things to do they would line up and tell me their entire life story and
me their entire life story and
me their entire life story and everything that they wanted to do that
everything that they wanted to do that
everything that they wanted to do that was just like my story that they had
was just like my story that they had
was just like my story that they had seen on the screen and and I really took
seen on the screen and and I really took
seen on the screen and and I really took that to heart and at the end of every
that to heart and at the end of every
that to heart and at the end of every single one of those conversations of
single one of those conversations of
single one of those conversations of them telling me what they wanted to do
them telling me what they wanted to do
them telling me what they wanted to do with their life they would end with but
with their life they would end with but
with their life they would end with but I just don’t know how to get started so
I just don’t know how to get started so
I just don’t know how to get started so that’s we’re going to talk about all
that’s we’re going to talk about all
that’s we’re going to talk about all right we’re going to start with three
right we’re going to start with three
right we’re going to start with three very simple light truths one when you
very simple light truths one when you
very simple light truths one when you want to start something there
want to start something there
want to start something there no money especially when you’re young
no money especially when you’re young
no money especially when you’re young there’s no funding and that is the best
there’s no funding and that is the best
there’s no funding and that is the best place to be do not wait for your
place to be do not wait for your
place to be do not wait for your Kickstarter to kick in it doesn’t matter
Kickstarter to kick in it doesn’t matter
Kickstarter to kick in it doesn’t matter you when you have no funding you’re in
you when you have no funding you’re in
you when you have no funding you’re in the best spot because everyone will
the best spot because everyone will
the best spot because everyone will believe in you especially when you have
believe in you especially when you have
believe in you especially when you have to work two and three jobs to do it or
to work two and three jobs to do it or
to work two and three jobs to do it or you have to sell everything you own in
you have to sell everything you own in
you have to sell everything you own in the bank and then the bank parking lot
the bank and then the bank parking lot
the bank and then the bank parking lot I’ve done that before so when you have
I’ve done that before so when you have
I’ve done that before so when you have no funding people all of a sudden see
no funding people all of a sudden see
no funding people all of a sudden see your passion when you have funding it’s
your passion when you have funding it’s
your passion when you have funding it’s a job so if you have no money to start
a job so if you have no money to start
a job so if you have no money to start your thing great that you’re in the
your thing great that you’re in the
your thing great that you’re in the perfect spot – there are naysayers I
perfect spot – there are naysayers I
perfect spot – there are naysayers I don’t know if you know this when you
don’t know if you know this when you
don’t know if you know this when you want to start something new people don’t
want to start something new people don’t
want to start something new people don’t believe in your thing
believe in your thing
believe in your thing it’s your Majin no wonder right now they
it’s your Majin no wonder right now they
it’s your Majin no wonder right now they say they support you they’ll say oh I
say they support you they’ll say oh I
say they support you they’ll say oh I support you but the truth is they don’t
support you but the truth is they don’t
support you but the truth is they don’t want to feel the pain with you you know
want to feel the pain with you you know
want to feel the pain with you you know when you have to like wreck everything
when you have to like wreck everything
when you have to like wreck everything you know to do it they don’t want to
you know to do it they don’t want to
you know to do it they don’t want to feel the pain especially the people
feel the pain especially the people
feel the pain especially the people closest to you they just want your life
closest to you they just want your life
closest to you they just want your life to be nice and easy so they’re not
to be nice and easy so they’re not
to be nice and easy so they’re not totally behind you and the third thing
totally behind you and the third thing
totally behind you and the third thing is I wanted to start something so bad I
is I wanted to start something so bad I
is I wanted to start something so bad I wanted to move to Hollywood at one point
wanted to move to Hollywood at one point
wanted to move to Hollywood at one point and I had this great life being a
and I had this great life being a
and I had this great life being a teacher in my home town why would you
teacher in my home town why would you
teacher in my home town why would you move to LA there’s like crazy people
move to LA there’s like crazy people
move to LA there’s like crazy people there you know they liked to all
there you know they liked to all
there you know they liked to all following their dreams nothing ever
following their dreams nothing ever
following their dreams nothing ever works out sometime so anyhow I ran into
works out sometime so anyhow I ran into
works out sometime so anyhow I ran into this woman and she changed my life
this woman and she changed my life
this woman and she changed my life really I don’t even know who she was she
really I don’t even know who she was she
really I don’t even know who she was she said you know if you’re gonna start
said you know if you’re gonna start
said you know if you’re gonna start something or follow a dream there’s only
something or follow a dream there’s only
something or follow a dream there’s only two outcomes and I said really she goes
two outcomes and I said really she goes
two outcomes and I said really she goes yeah there’s only two and I go well what
yeah there’s only two and I go well what
yeah there’s only two and I go well what are they
are they
are they she says well one you throw your life
she says well one you throw your life
she says well one you throw your life and the turmoil you start you know you
and the turmoil you start you know you
and the turmoil you start you know you get quit your job you pick up you go and
get quit your job you pick up you go and
get quit your job you pick up you go and start your new thing on no money and no
start your new thing on no money and no
start your new thing on no money and no friends obviously and you know what it
friends obviously and you know what it
friends obviously and you know what it worked out everything’s awesome it
worked out everything’s awesome it
worked out everything’s awesome it totally works for you and you can’t
totally works for you and you can’t
totally works for you and you can’t remember your life’s both before you
remember your life’s both before you
remember your life’s both before you started it and she said or you turn your
started it and she said or you turn your
started it and she said or you turn your life upside down you sell everything you
life upside down you sell everything you
life upside down you sell everything you own you’d go out to start the thing and
own you’d go out to start the thing and
own you’d go out to start the thing and it fails it’s totally bombed like you
it fails it’s totally bombed like you
it fails it’s totally bombed like you got to go home with your tail between
got to go home with your tail between
got to go home with your tail between your legs it was terrible it was no
your legs it was terrible it was no
your legs it was terrible it was no stupid
stupid
stupid yeah and keep that but you know what
yeah and keep that but you know what
yeah and keep that but you know what either way you don’t spend the rest of
either way you don’t spend the rest of
either way you don’t spend the rest of your life wondering what if so that was
your life wondering what if so that was
your life wondering what if so that was it I packed up move to LA everything
it I packed up move to LA everything
it I packed up move to LA everything worked out
worked out
worked out so I’m just gonna talk I’m gonna give
so I’m just gonna talk I’m gonna give
so I’m just gonna talk I’m gonna give you seven just real simple steps of
you seven just real simple steps of
you seven just real simple steps of things that you have to have and you
things that you have to have and you
things that you have to have and you learned them when you were a kid that’s
learned them when you were a kid that’s
learned them when you were a kid that’s me my little sister Mary’s fourth grade
me my little sister Mary’s fourth grade
me my little sister Mary’s fourth grade I am in fourth grade my teachers say
I am in fourth grade my teachers say
I am in fourth grade my teachers say okay we’re gonna spend a whole week
okay we’re gonna spend a whole week
okay we’re gonna spend a whole week we’re gonna start something called mini
we’re gonna start something called mini
we’re gonna start something called mini society you’ve got a start a business
society you’ve got a start a business
society you’ve got a start a business here’s your budget which was fake money
here’s your budget which was fake money
here’s your budget which was fake money by the way here’s your monopoly money
by the way here’s your monopoly money
by the way here’s your monopoly money and now go find your business now John
and now go find your business now John
and now go find your business now John Pappagallo
Pappagallo
Pappagallo I remember he brought in his Atari set
I remember he brought in his Atari set
I remember he brought in his Atari set and the boys would just play video game
and the boys would just play video game
and the boys would just play video game you know
you know
you know Space Invader pong relay all a whole
Space Invader pong relay all a whole
Space Invader pong relay all a whole week for a quarters that’s how much you
week for a quarters that’s how much you
week for a quarters that’s how much you could spend a quarter play the game and
could spend a quarter play the game and
could spend a quarter play the game and my friend Melinda she was doing tooth
my friend Melinda she was doing tooth
my friend Melinda she was doing tooth picks that should be soaked in cinnamon
picks that should be soaked in cinnamon
picks that should be soaked in cinnamon oil and they were just like two cents
oil and they were just like two cents
oil and they were just like two cents each and I thought I don’t think they’re
each and I thought I don’t think they’re
each and I thought I don’t think they’re making enough I want to like win and I
making enough I want to like win and I
making enough I want to like win and I like to win things I want to be the best
like to win things I want to be the best
like to win things I want to be the best I want to make the most money so my dad
I want to make the most money so my dad
I want to make the most money so my dad he was a fireman and he would he worked
he was a fireman and he would he worked
he was a fireman and he would he worked for 24 hours off 48 hours and on his
for 24 hours off 48 hours and on his
for 24 hours off 48 hours and on his time off he was a stained glass artist
time off he was a stained glass artist
time off he was a stained glass artist just beautiful stained glass and he had
just beautiful stained glass and he had
just beautiful stained glass and he had a shop locked the glass in it so I said
a shop locked the glass in it so I said
a shop locked the glass in it so I said okay dad this is what I need on your
okay dad this is what I need on your
okay dad this is what I need on your days off I need you to cut me all here
days off I need you to cut me all here
days off I need you to cut me all here he’s extra glass in the little squares
he’s extra glass in the little squares
he’s extra glass in the little squares so that’s that’s what I made my business
so that’s that’s what I made my business
so that’s that’s what I made my business into I would cover it with a little
into I would cover it with a little
into I would cover it with a little copper tape and I had these paint pen so
copper tape and I had these paint pen so
copper tape and I had these paint pen so if you came to me and said my mom likes
if you came to me and said my mom likes
if you came to me and said my mom likes pink and she likes tulips I’d rent your
pink and she likes tulips I’d rent your
pink and she likes tulips I’d rent your mom’s name make some pink tulips it was
mom’s name make some pink tulips it was
mom’s name make some pink tulips it was all custom ordered right with your name
all custom ordered right with your name
all custom ordered right with your name on it people love that stuff well I made
on it people love that stuff well I made
on it people love that stuff well I made $2,400 in one week fake money and at the
$2,400 in one week fake money and at the
$2,400 in one week fake money and at the end of the week we had a chapel ceremony
end of the week we had a chapel ceremony
end of the week we had a chapel ceremony and I won Young Entrepreneur of the Year
and I won Young Entrepreneur of the Year
and I won Young Entrepreneur of the Year how old are you
so you know I in the 80s you could buy a
so you know I in the 80s you could buy a car for that that was a lot of money
car for that that was a lot of money
car for that that was a lot of money cleaning out I that cuz I really knew I
cleaning out I that cuz I really knew I
cleaning out I that cuz I really knew I knew like a set a goal and I could
knew like a set a goal and I could
knew like a set a goal and I could accomplish the goal that was fourth
accomplish the goal that was fourth
accomplish the goal that was fourth grade all of you guys have some story
grade all of you guys have some story
grade all of you guys have some story like that but the most important thing
like that but the most important thing
like that but the most important thing the next step is I looked around my
the next step is I looked around my
the next step is I looked around my world to see how I felt that resourceful
world to see how I felt that resourceful
world to see how I felt that resourceful when you learn to be resourceful
when you learn to be resourceful
when you learn to be resourceful basically I have looked around and I had
basically I have looked around and I had
basically I have looked around and I had someone that could work for me I could
someone that could work for me I could
someone that could work for me I could convince to do it
convince to do it
convince to do it and I have some supplies and those
and I have some supplies and those
and I have some supplies and those things carried me a long way they care
things carried me a long way they care
things carried me a long way they care those are just the starting points to
those are just the starting points to
those are just the starting points to learning how to start something okay so
learning how to start something okay so
learning how to start something okay so from there you know I started my first
from there you know I started my first
from there you know I started my first business I showed horses horses were my
business I showed horses horses were my
business I showed horses horses were my big thing and I had to feed the horses
big thing and I had to feed the horses
big thing and I had to feed the horses and there was a lot of expenses involved
and there was a lot of expenses involved
and there was a lot of expenses involved so I started feeding the neighbor’s
so I started feeding the neighbor’s
so I started feeding the neighbor’s horses and then the chickens and then
horses and then the chickens and then
horses and then the chickens and then mucking stalls and who would knows what
mucking stalls and who would knows what
mucking stalls and who would knows what other thing I did but I eventually
other thing I did but I eventually
other thing I did but I eventually started catering their parties and from
started catering their parties and from
started catering their parties and from the time I was ten until I was eighteen
the time I was ten until I was eighteen
the time I was ten until I was eighteen I made myself invaluable quite frankly
I made myself invaluable quite frankly
I made myself invaluable quite frankly the entire community needed me every
the entire community needed me every
the entire community needed me every time they went out of town does anybody
time they went out of town does anybody
time they went out of town does anybody had animals needed an expert or someone
had animals needed an expert or someone
had animals needed an expert or someone who knew how to handle animals to deal
who knew how to handle animals to deal
who knew how to handle animals to deal with it and so that’s what I did I hit
with it and so that’s what I did I hit
with it and so that’s what I did I hit 18 oh and you know your parents I don’t
18 oh and you know your parents I don’t
18 oh and you know your parents I don’t know they’re kind of crazy they’re like
know they’re kind of crazy they’re like
know they’re kind of crazy they’re like you have to go to college when college I
you have to go to college when college I
you have to go to college when college I had this great life I didn’t want to go
had this great life I didn’t want to go
had this great life I didn’t want to go and quite frankly I was the the first in
and quite frankly I was the the first in
and quite frankly I was the the first in my family you know the first generation
my family you know the first generation
my family you know the first generation to go to university so and I’m the
to go to university so and I’m the
to go to university so and I’m the oldest child so they’re shipping me off
oldest child so they’re shipping me off
oldest child so they’re shipping me off I didn’t know why and you know the most
I didn’t know why and you know the most
I didn’t know why and you know the most painful thing is really just severing
painful thing is really just severing
painful thing is really just severing all ties to that community those people
all ties to that community those people
all ties to that community those people I I’ve made myself invaluable to and it
I I’ve made myself invaluable to and it
I I’ve made myself invaluable to and it ended up being the greatest thing you
ended up being the greatest thing you
ended up being the greatest thing you get shoved out of the nest you have to
get shoved out of the nest you have to
get shoved out of the nest you have to start over don’t you those are the
start over don’t you those are the
start over don’t you those are the greatest moments in your life actually
greatest moments in your life actually
greatest moments in your life actually when I look back though they shipped me
when I look back though they shipped me
when I look back though they shipped me off to Texas I went to college and you
off to Texas I went to college and you
off to Texas I went to college and you know starting over I had to come up with
know starting over I had to come up with
know starting over I had to come up with some stuff to do and how to make friends
some stuff to do and how to make friends
some stuff to do and how to make friends and so I became an RA and I started
and so I became an RA and I started
and so I became an RA and I started selling uh ramen noodles and blow pops
selling uh ramen noodles and blow pops
selling uh ramen noodles and blow pops out from underneath my bunk bed at night
out from underneath my bunk bed at night
out from underneath my bunk bed at night when
when
when people were hungry and then that
people were hungry and then that
people were hungry and then that developed into youth books do you know
developed into youth books do you know
developed into youth books do you know how lazy college kids are they don’t
how lazy college kids are they don’t
how lazy college kids are they don’t even return their books at the end of
even return their books at the end of
even return their books at the end of the semester so I’ve been lugging them
the semester so I’ve been lugging them
the semester so I’ve been lugging them into the bookstore every week making my
into the bookstore every week making my
into the bookstore every week making my money and and that grew into you know in
money and and that grew into you know in
money and and that grew into you know in the sorority houses they leave behind
the sorority houses they leave behind
the sorority houses they leave behind all the refrigerators and the TVs ha
all the refrigerators and the TVs ha
all the refrigerators and the TVs ha best job ever some people call it
best job ever some people call it
best job ever some people call it looting but I I just started get into a
looting but I I just started get into a
looting but I I just started get into a really sweet gig called my dad’s so
really sweet gig called my dad’s so
really sweet gig called my dad’s so anyhow from there you could graduate
anyhow from there you could graduate
anyhow from there you could graduate college you know what you have to do
college you know what you have to do
college you know what you have to do start over and if you didn’t learn that
start over and if you didn’t learn that
start over and if you didn’t learn that life skill before you got there it’s
life skill before you got there it’s
life skill before you got there it’s really hard after college so I you know
really hard after college so I you know
really hard after college so I you know I had a lot of things to do I had to I
I had a lot of things to do I had to I
I had a lot of things to do I had to I had to start a lot of businesses and
had to start a lot of businesses and
had to start a lot of businesses and organizations and I just made all of my
organizations and I just made all of my
organizations and I just made all of my 20s I don’t even remember him there were
20s I don’t even remember him there were
20s I don’t even remember him there were so many weird things I did in the middle
so many weird things I did in the middle
so many weird things I did in the middle but the one thing I knew I wanted to do
but the one thing I knew I wanted to do
but the one thing I knew I wanted to do for sure was to tell my own story that
for sure was to tell my own story that
for sure was to tell my own story that was a good storyteller and I wanted to I
was a good storyteller and I wanted to I
was a good storyteller and I wanted to I started making movies I had moved to LA
started making movies I had moved to LA
started making movies I had moved to LA and brought my screenplays there and
and brought my screenplays there and
and brought my screenplays there and acted a little bit start producing
acted a little bit start producing
acted a little bit start producing started production company and through
started production company and through
started production company and through that made my first documentary about a
that made my first documentary about a
that made my first documentary about a rock band some friends of mine who put
rock band some friends of mine who put
rock band some friends of mine who put on the largest independent rock concert
on the largest independent rock concert
on the largest independent rock concert in history and I thought okay if I can
in history and I thought okay if I can
in history and I thought okay if I can do that
do that
do that I think I can make my own so that took
I think I can make my own so that took
I think I can make my own so that took me to Africa in 2005 there were no
me to Africa in 2005 there were no
me to Africa in 2005 there were no stories coming out of Africa I had only
stories coming out of Africa I had only
stories coming out of Africa I had only seen a movie called The Constant
seen a movie called The Constant
seen a movie called The Constant Gardener won the Oscar that year and I
Gardener won the Oscar that year and I
Gardener won the Oscar that year and I thought okay that’s it I’m going so took
thought okay that’s it I’m going so took
thought okay that’s it I’m going so took me to Africa I’m filming my documentary
me to Africa I’m filming my documentary
me to Africa I’m filming my documentary and I meet a group of 65 Street kids I’m
and I meet a group of 65 Street kids I’m
and I meet a group of 65 Street kids I’m in a house there I go to their house
in a house there I go to their house
in a house there I go to their house they’re all crammed in there they’re
they’re all crammed in there they’re
they’re all crammed in there they’re malnourished they ain’t have a fever
malnourished they ain’t have a fever
malnourished they ain’t have a fever they’re hungry and I’m starting to think
they’re hungry and I’m starting to think
they’re hungry and I’m starting to think what the heck what am i doing so the
what the heck what am i doing so the
what the heck what am i doing so the phone rings and it’s my friend Pastor
phone rings and it’s my friend Pastor
phone rings and it’s my friend Pastor Bob now he’s a pastor down in San Diego
Bob now he’s a pastor down in San Diego
Bob now he’s a pastor down in San Diego California and he’s he calls on the old
California and he’s he calls on the old
California and he’s he calls on the old Nokia you know and I can barely hear him
Nokia you know and I can barely hear him
Nokia you know and I can barely hear him it’s broken and I started to tell him
it’s broken and I started to tell him
it’s broken and I started to tell him what I’m seeing I said okay I’m filming
what I’m seeing I said okay I’m filming
what I’m seeing I said okay I’m filming documentary he helped me fund it he
documentary he helped me fund it he
documentary he helped me fund it he bought the camera I tell him the whole
bought the camera I tell him the whole
bought the camera I tell him the whole thing and he says or no I’m saying I
thing and he says or no I’m saying I
thing and he says or no I’m saying I don’t know what to do like should I keep
don’t know what to do like should I keep
don’t know what to do like should I keep filming the documentary or should I like
filming the documentary or should I like
filming the documentary or should I like help these people like I don’t know
help these people like I don’t know
help these people like I don’t know which I don’t know I’m trying to decide
which I don’t know I’m trying to decide
which I don’t know I’m trying to decide and he said well do you know James 1:27
and he said well do you know James 1:27
and he said well do you know James 1:27 sounds like what that is it like a Bible
sounds like what that is it like a Bible
sounds like what that is it like a Bible verse anything yeah do you know it no I
verse anything yeah do you know it no I
verse anything yeah do you know it no I don’t you say it to me that’s your job
don’t you say it to me that’s your job
don’t you say it to me that’s your job so he says well it says that the
so he says well it says that the
so he says well it says that the religion that God says is pure andhrite
religion that God says is pure andhrite
religion that God says is pure andhrite is to look after the orphans and widows
is to look after the orphans and widows
is to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and I was like at
in their distress and I was like at
in their distress and I was like at first I thought don’t tell me that right
first I thought don’t tell me that right
first I thought don’t tell me that right now and then I started thinking wow
now and then I started thinking wow
now and then I started thinking wow that’s a pretty good religion I need to
that’s a pretty good religion I need to
that’s a pretty good religion I need to focus I mean if that’s what’s pure
focus I mean if that’s what’s pure
focus I mean if that’s what’s pure andhrite I here although I yeah I got a
andhrite I here although I yeah I got a
andhrite I here although I yeah I got a lot of work to do and then I started I
lot of work to do and then I started I
lot of work to do and then I started I mean it’s a pivotal moment for me I
mean it’s a pivotal moment for me I
mean it’s a pivotal moment for me I started to think maybe I wasn’t good at
started to think maybe I wasn’t good at
started to think maybe I wasn’t good at starting things just for me and my
starting things just for me and my
starting things just for me and my friends but there was something bigger
friends but there was something bigger
friends but there was something bigger out there maybe I was supposed to be
out there maybe I was supposed to be
out there maybe I was supposed to be here for something other than just my
here for something other than just my
here for something other than just my winning Sundance was my documentary and
winning Sundance was my documentary and
winning Sundance was my documentary and that’s importance of mentors quite
that’s importance of mentors quite
that’s importance of mentors quite frankly that’s Pastor Bob there on the
frankly that’s Pastor Bob there on the
frankly that’s Pastor Bob there on the right he exits the premiere of that
right he exits the premiere of that
right he exits the premiere of that documentary when I finally finished it
documentary when I finally finished it
documentary when I finally finished it you know having someone in your life the
you know having someone in your life the
you know having someone in your life the challenges you to the next level or
challenges you to the next level or
challenges you to the next level or remind you why you’re doing the thing
remind you why you’re doing the thing
remind you why you’re doing the thing you’re doing is imperative I have a lot
you’re doing is imperative I have a lot
you’re doing is imperative I have a lot of mentors in my life so get yourself a
of mentors in my life so get yourself a
of mentors in my life so get yourself a mentor that’s on the list so let’s see
mentor that’s on the list so let’s see
mentor that’s on the list so let’s see where we at we’ve set a goal we have
where we at we’ve set a goal we have
where we at we’ve set a goal we have been resourceful we’ve made ourselves
been resourceful we’ve made ourselves
been resourceful we’ve made ourselves invaluable to a community we’ve learned
invaluable to a community we’ve learned
invaluable to a community we’ve learned to be resilient we started over again
to be resilient we started over again
to be resilient we started over again college new jobs whatever the next thing
college new jobs whatever the next thing
college new jobs whatever the next thing is and get yourself a mentor to keep you
is and get yourself a mentor to keep you
is and get yourself a mentor to keep you on track alright so from there I just
on track alright so from there I just
on track alright so from there I just stayed that was it I gave my production
stayed that was it I gave my production
stayed that was it I gave my production company away for a dollar to my friend
company away for a dollar to my friend
company away for a dollar to my friend and I stayed for seven years but the
and I stayed for seven years but the
and I stayed for seven years but the first thing I did was I called home and
first thing I did was I called home and
first thing I did was I called home and I told my friend Laurie we were teachers
I told my friend Laurie we were teachers
I told my friend Laurie we were teachers together a long time and I said Laurie I
together a long time and I said Laurie I
together a long time and I said Laurie I have no money like no funding I know
have no money like no funding I know
have no money like no funding I know this is
this is
this is I always say I can do but I can’t do it
I always say I can do but I can’t do it
I always say I can do but I can’t do it you need to send me anything you have
you need to send me anything you have
you need to send me anything you have and she collected ten dollars from each
and she collected ten dollars from each
and she collected ten dollars from each of our friends and sent me one hundred
of our friends and sent me one hundred
of our friends and sent me one hundred and forty dollars and that’s what
and forty dollars and that’s what
and forty dollars and that’s what happened I stayed for seven years I
happened I stayed for seven years I
happened I stayed for seven years I started with a hundred and forty dollars
started with a hundred and forty dollars
started with a hundred and forty dollars and really this was the next lesson that
and really this was the next lesson that
and really this was the next lesson that I learned in my life is I stayed and I
I learned in my life is I stayed and I
I learned in my life is I stayed and I started an organization called come
started an organization called come
started an organization called come let’s dance it’s what the kids used to
let’s dance it’s what the kids used to
let’s dance it’s what the kids used to say to me jeong-do to be a in their
say to me jeong-do to be a in their
say to me jeong-do to be a in their language come let’s dance
language come let’s dance
language come let’s dance cuz when we didn’t have food what else
cuz when we didn’t have food what else
cuz when we didn’t have food what else is there come on he’s not gonna waste
is there come on he’s not gonna waste
is there come on he’s not gonna waste the day I mean I learned a lot they
the day I mean I learned a lot they
the day I mean I learned a lot they personally invited me is the whole
personally invited me is the whole
personally invited me is the whole entire new life I didn’t even know was
entire new life I didn’t even know was
entire new life I didn’t even know was an option and then I personally invited
an option and then I personally invited
an option and then I personally invited my friend Laurie and literally every
my friend Laurie and literally every
my friend Laurie and literally every other person I had ever met be careful
other person I had ever met be careful
other person I had ever met be careful because we’re having this coffee spoon
because we’re having this coffee spoon
because we’re having this coffee spoon and I’ll corner you to every person I
and I’ll corner you to every person I
and I’ll corner you to every person I ever met to sponsor a kid and help me do
ever met to sponsor a kid and help me do
ever met to sponsor a kid and help me do this and so that’s my next lesson is
this and so that’s my next lesson is
this and so that’s my next lesson is that personal invite I call it the
that personal invite I call it the
that personal invite I call it the Starbucks strategy you know you walk
Starbucks strategy you know you walk
Starbucks strategy you know you walk into Starbucks and you’re like oh
into Starbucks and you’re like oh
into Starbucks and you’re like oh they’re gonna write my name on the cup
they’re gonna write my name on the cup
they’re gonna write my name on the cup and know exactly what I want and they
and know exactly what I want and they
and know exactly what I want and they personally invite you to come back again
personally invite you to come back again
personally invite you to come back again tonight suck it in so that personal
tonight suck it in so that personal
tonight suck it in so that personal invite is what built my organization I
invite is what built my organization I
invite is what built my organization I love that so from there oh my goodness
love that so from there oh my goodness
love that so from there oh my goodness we were I was learning everything how to
we were I was learning everything how to
we were I was learning everything how to build a sustainable development
build a sustainable development
build a sustainable development compelling sustainable community that’s
compelling sustainable community that’s
compelling sustainable community that’s not easy we would start a business for
not easy we would start a business for
not easy we would start a business for every project we had so if I had to
every project we had so if I had to
every project we had so if I had to peated crew of kids at this house we had
peated crew of kids at this house we had
peated crew of kids at this house we had to start we ought to buy a taxicab to
to start we ought to buy a taxicab to
to start we ought to buy a taxicab to fund not to fund that house and I just
fund not to fund that house and I just
fund not to fund that house and I just started learning all about corruption
started learning all about corruption
started learning all about corruption all about how Africa works and really
all about how Africa works and really
all about how Africa works and really how to do stuff without for need can i
how to do stuff without for need can i
how to do stuff without for need can i one day walk away can I build something
one day walk away can I build something
one day walk away can I build something that will sustain itself and that became
that will sustain itself and that became
that will sustain itself and that became my goal but let me tell you the final
my goal but let me tell you the final
my goal but let me tell you the final final step before we go is you have to
final step before we go is you have to
final step before we go is you have to know how to fail I had a horse trainer
know how to fail I had a horse trainer
know how to fail I had a horse trainer once telling me you have to fall off 100
once telling me you have to fall off 100
once telling me you have to fall off 100 times and get back up on the horse again
times and get back up on the horse again
times and get back up on the horse again before you’re moving to the next level
before you’re moving to the next level
before you’re moving to the next level for the what that’s like insanity it’s
for the what that’s like insanity it’s
for the what that’s like insanity it’s totally true I had to learn how to fail
totally true I had to learn how to fail
totally true I had to learn how to fail a lot in my new my life motto since then
a lot in my new my life motto since then
a lot in my new my life motto since then every failures of success it you learn
every failures of success it you learn
every failures of success it you learn from it so let me quick tell you I’m in
from it so let me quick tell you I’m in
from it so let me quick tell you I’m in a new my new gig right now is vanilla I
a new my new gig right now is vanilla I
a new my new gig right now is vanilla I started an international export company
started an international export company
started an international export company I have about 20 people who work for me
I have about 20 people who work for me
I have about 20 people who work for me but the truth is I’m looking for
but the truth is I’m looking for
but the truth is I’m looking for hundreds I want to employ a lot of moms
hundreds I want to employ a lot of moms
hundreds I want to employ a lot of moms they can put their own kids through
they can put their own kids through
they can put their own kids through schools to stay in their own lives well
schools to stay in their own lives well
schools to stay in their own lives well recently someone I poured ten years of
recently someone I poured ten years of
recently someone I poured ten years of my life into destroyed it stole
my life into destroyed it stole
my life into destroyed it stole everything from me my whole life savings
everything from me my whole life savings
everything from me my whole life savings even and I just wanted to quit and
even and I just wanted to quit and
even and I just wanted to quit and that’s the big left in there people will
that’s the big left in there people will
that’s the big left in there people will hurt you I’m not here to lie to you
hurt you I’m not here to lie to you
hurt you I’m not here to lie to you things will go wrong humans are human
things will go wrong humans are human
things will go wrong humans are human but the truth is I had all those I knew
but the truth is I had all those I knew
but the truth is I had all those I knew all their blessings from when I was
all their blessings from when I was
all their blessings from when I was young I just started over and in less
young I just started over and in less
young I just started over and in less than about six months everything was
than about six months everything was
than about six months everything was back again but I really took some
back again but I really took some
back again but I really took some soul-searching so fail and fail a lot
soul-searching so fail and fail a lot
soul-searching so fail and fail a lot and invite it and when you do say all
and invite it and when you do say all
and invite it and when you do say all right what did I just learn from that
right what did I just learn from that
right what did I just learn from that because I got to keep going
because I got to keep going
because I got to keep going now I’m gonna end with this why would
now I’m gonna end with this why would
now I’m gonna end with this why would you go and help other people or start
you go and help other people or start
you go and help other people or start things that are gonna wreck your life
things that are gonna wreck your life
things that are gonna wreck your life it’s gonna wreck your comfort why would
it’s gonna wreck your comfort why would
it’s gonna wreck your comfort why would you do that one you have critical
you do that one you have critical
you do that one you have critical thinking skills and problem-solving
thinking skills and problem-solving
thinking skills and problem-solving skills and that it seems most invaluable
skills and that it seems most invaluable
skills and that it seems most invaluable commodity to the world do not let that
commodity to the world do not let that
commodity to the world do not let that go you’re wasting it too you have
go you’re wasting it too you have
go you’re wasting it too you have integrity I hope and if you don’t go
integrity I hope and if you don’t go
integrity I hope and if you don’t go find some but be willing to say no to
find some but be willing to say no to
find some but be willing to say no to profit for your integrity because the
profit for your integrity because the
profit for your integrity because the rest world doesn’t have any did you know
rest world doesn’t have any did you know
rest world doesn’t have any did you know business ethics is the greatest oxymoron
business ethics is the greatest oxymoron
business ethics is the greatest oxymoron and all in government one bit of advice
and all in government one bit of advice
and all in government one bit of advice when you build something don’t hold on
when you build something don’t hold on
when you build something don’t hold on to it too tightly it might not be her
to it too tightly it might not be her
to it too tightly it might not be her you and the coolest ROI is when you just
you and the coolest ROI is when you just
you and the coolest ROI is when you just let it fly because it was for someone
let it fly because it was for someone
let it fly because it was for someone else that is to my greatest joy so I end
else that is to my greatest joy so I end
else that is to my greatest joy so I end with this go wreck down the wall to
with this go wreck down the wall to
with this go wreck down the wall to comfort follow your heart whatever it is
comfort follow your heart whatever it is
comfort follow your heart whatever it is in there because it might be helping a
in there because it might be helping a
in there because it might be helping a lot of people all right and live in an
lot of people all right and live in an
lot of people all right and live in an extraordinary life thank you
extraordinary life thank you
extraordinary life thank you [Applause]
”
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