Cheryl McLaughlin on Coaching, Leadership and Life

RESCHEDULED: FRIDAY JAN. 26 9am PST/ 12pm EST: Profit by Imagination Radio Show interviews Bill Rancic, Season One Winner of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice"

If you have ever had a dream about starting your own business, this show is for you!

My co-host, Michael Brooks, and I will be interviewing Bill Rancic, successful entrepreneur and the first winner of Donald Trump's The Apprentice, this Friday, January 26, 2007 at 9am PST/12pm EST on our Profit by Imagination Radio Show.

Bill Rancic is a master at living his dreams. At the age of 23, he started his own business by founding his company, cigarsaroundtheworld.com. He grew that small business from the ground up into a highly successful company, and then set out to make another dream become a reality: winning "The Apprentice" and working for Donald Trump to learn even more secrets to business success. Now, Bill is a mentor to others and will be sharing his tips, insights and strategies for success in business and life with you!

We will talk to Bill about what it was like to be on The Apprentice, first as a candidate and now as a judge, what his thoughts are on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Ownership, and find out what Bill is doing these days. (Why is he traveling the country in two 45 foot buses called the "Dream Ace Machines?" Hint: Bill Rancic is helping to promote a contest that will give one entrepreneur the chance to fulfill his or her dream of owning and managing their own Ace Hardware business worth over $1 Million Dollars. The contest ends January 31, 2007 and we'll give you the entry details on the show.)

So, mark your calendars and join us LIVE this Friday, January 26,9am PST / 12pm EST. LISTEN LIVE listen through the web. Even better, CALL IN to 1-646-915-9646 and ask Bill your questions. ( A bonus: Bill will have give aways for live listeners.

Molly Ivans on "Remembering Ann Richards"

"Richards learned to handle good ol' boys and she did it with humor."
Molly Ivans on former Texas governor, Ann Richards

Molly Ivans, former editor of The Texas Observer and friend of Ann Richards who can turn quite a phrase with her pen, wrote this amazing piece about the former Texas governor. Here's just a taste but the best is here:

"She knew how to deal with teenage egos: Instead of pointing out to a kid who was pouring charcoal lighter on a live fire that he was idiot, Ann said, 'Honey, if you keep doing that, the fire is going to climb right back up to that can in your hand and explode and give you horrible injuries, and it will just ruin my entire weekend.'"

Goodbye Ann Richards

Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas, was one of my favorite politicians, and boy, am I sad to see her go. She was a housewife and a mother of four children who decided it was time to change the way business was done in the good ol' boy state of Texas--and she did.

She campaigned for Governor throughout Texas at car dealerships, learned that people liked her when she told stories and made them laugh, and she spoke bolds truths with her smart, sassy humor that even her adversaries had to admire. And, once in office, Ann Richards brought women and minorities into leadership positions which forever changed not just the political landscape of Texas, she smashed the gender barriers in the workplace for women pursuing professional careers.

When I think about the qualities of our best leaders, Ann Richards exhibited many of them. Two of the most important come to mind. First, she walked her talk and people wanted to follow her. She took strong positions based upon her beliefs about what was best for ordinary people. She made her private battles with alcoholism and osteoporosis public, bringing awareness to these important issues, and she fought for change in government programs and public policy. She showed by her voice and her life that good people can face tough battles-- and win them-- if you face the truth and take the bold steps to change your life.

Second, Ann Richards developed positive human connections with people. Whether she was being interviewed by Larry King, speaking at the Democratic National Convention, or walking into a roomful of men who had little exposure to women in leadership positions, she had a knack for making you feel comfortable and connecting with you as one human being to another. She looked you in the eye. You felt positive and energized after being with her. You learned something as a result of being with her and though you might not agree with her, you wanted to connect with her again.

I'm sad to see her leave us, though I know her legacy will live on. I wish more of our leaders had half of the spunk, wit, courage and forthrightness that Ann Richards did.