Achieving Success From The ‘Inside Out’ – The Magic of 2019
In the video montage above and in the articles below, we describe some of the great accomplishments of 2019 - and yes, in 2019, there were so many wonderful things achieved. But the truth is that success is not only about the changes we achieve in the external world. Even more so, the true measure of success is all about how we ourselves change in the process. How we create a vision, how we exert the effort, how we struggle mightily and thereby ‘grow’ via the process. Against this measure too, 2019 has been an extraordinarily successful year.
So, as we list the tangible achievements, let’s go one step beyond. Let’s take a moment and ask ourselves – how have we ourselves changed and grown this past year? How have we become stronger? Wiser? What have we learned? And, in taking stock, let’s be emboldened and excited about the coming year. Knowing that we have increased our capacities and powers – and are well positioned for the extraordinary year ahead. Fully committed to helping others, and especially using our new-found powers to help every individual achieve his or her full potential.
Newport: A Small Town on the Move!
From setting World Records to a new housing project, my hometown of Newport N.H., has had quite the year! When we started the Newport Sunshine Initiative almost two years ago now, we had a vision of what the picturesque Main Street could be. Full storefronts with shops, restaurants, maybe a brewery, and people filling the streets enjoying all the Sunshine Town has to offer. Two years in and anyone driving through downtown Newport can see the difference. An example: Once the only town on Route 10 without American flags, Newport now has an American flag flying proudly on every light post. And new sidewalks up and down the street. Not only does the Main Street just look busier, it really is. New businesses are starting to move in including a credit union, a major bank expansion, and a very cool distillery in the old police station right on the Main Street.
Getting the Local Economy Moving – The Spark of Innovation
With the hiring of Cody Morrison, the Town’s first ever ‘Economic Development Coordinator,’ Newport has seen a dramatic uptake in grant funding and new projects that will help jumpstart the town’s economy. Cody has successfully moved Newport forward by assisting with a new ‘School to Work’ program, winning a grant that will help to modernize the town’s water system, and his most recent achievement: securing a grant that will put Newport on the map as home to the area’s only electric vehicle charging station.
Meanwhile, the Sunshine Initiative has been very busy behind the scenes working on new job opportunities for the residents of Newport as well as an innovative new housing project that will allow renters to own ‘state of the art,’ single family homes. Did you hear that? Renters will get to own the homes they are renting via this exciting program. And best yet – 46 of these units have already been approved and are targeted for completion by the end of 2020.
The Positivity of Sunflowers!
While these major changes take time, we have taken some immediate action in parallel to generate positive energy and momentum. For instance, initiating a number of community enrichment programs to help build the positive community spirit and give everyone something to be part of again. The first ever ‘Sunflower Project’ truly represented the epitome of our efforts. In May of this year, we sent over 3,000 packets of sunflower seeds to every business and home in Newport with a corresponding message asking everyone to plant them in their yards for everyone to see as a sign of unity. What is more beautiful than driving through a town and seeing every lawn, and open space bursting with sunflowers?
Well, it worked! If you had the opportunity to visit Newport this past fall, homes, businesses, even the schools had sunflowers growing. It was beautiful! The project culminated in our first ever Newport Sunflower Festival, a tradition we hope to continue on into the new decade. The Sunshine Initiative was proud to host the Guinness Book of World Records on Sept. 7th, as we attempted and successfully set the record for “The most people building flower bouquets simultaneously”. People of all ages, backgrounds, and bouquet making talents came together to accomplish something, to make their community a little better and what a success it was! Not only was it an absolutely beautiful sight, you could just feel the positive energy. It was such a huge success, we are currently gearing up for our 2020 World Record attempt!
2019 was a year of change, of forward thinking, of community action and engagement. We saw many new people come out to our monthly meetings eager to get involved and share their ideas and talents with the town they love. Newport is ready for the next decade and we are so excited and honored to be part of the ride.
Children of Fallen Patriots – New Hampshire Leading the Way
Children of Fallen Patriots is a national organization, but we take a lot of pride in the work we are doing right here in New Hampshire. This has been a banner year for Fallen Patriots - New Hampshire, and we could not be prouder of our accomplishments in 2019. Thanks to all of you, especially our wonderful partners at Swim with a Mission, we were able to raise over $60,000 this year from New Hampshire alone.
Our Annual Gala was once again a major success. And, this year we continued to get the word out about this vitally important organization and the cause we all support. We attended fairs and festivals, handing out literature. We spoke at Rotary Clubs, American Legion Halls and veterans’ organizations. We even had Children of Fallen Patriots Day, officially proclaimed by Governor Sununu and recognized by the State of New Hampshire, back in May.
As we move forward, we are growing the team of volunteers and supporters. Most of all, we are creating a successful template here in New Hampshire – a ‘playbook’ for generating support and building an organization – that can ultimately be shared with other states and rolled out across the country.
Profile of the Week – Joe Segal:
Over the past year I think back on some of the great people we have recognized in our ‘Profiles of the Week.’ From public servants, educators, veterans, and community leaders, we’ve had the pleasure of honoring some truly great individuals. This week’s profile pays tribute to an extraordinary man whose life has made a huge impact on the business world – and especially the consumer sector. A gentleman who defied the odds, did the unthinkable, and created something out of nothing. This week’s profile is in honor of the late Joe Segal, founder of QVC, who recently passed away at the age of eighty-eight.
Before describing the great successes of Joe Segal, I’d like to share my personal connection and relation to this outstanding man and his family. Beyond my knowledge of him via our mutual involvement in the beauty and skincare industry, I became acquainted with the Segal family thru his son Marvin, who holds a special place in our hearts. A close and wonderful friend of both Karen and myself, Marvin has shared great stories with us about his dad and their experiences together in business. We also had the great pleasure of being introduced to Joe by Marvin and hosting him in our office not too long ago. I know Joe Segal is looking down on his Marvin with pride and joy.
Joe grew up in Philadelphia and founded more than twenty-two companies during his lifetime. From marketing to software and beyond, Joe was involved in so much. He said ‘Never worry about the margins. Be brave. Marketing is what cuts thru the noise.’ And was he right. A fun fact is one of the first companies he started was a printing company supplying business cards. He started this company at the age of thirteen – and this was an early indication of the entrepreneurial activities that would follow. Graduating from Wharton at the age of twenty, Joe was on his way.
As one of his first big successes, Joe was the founder of the Franklin Mint. The mail order memorabilia company was a great success and paved the wave for expanded ideas and opportunities to follow.
In 1986, Joe Segal founded his best-known venture - the amazingly successful home shopping channel, QVC. Today QVC is seen by over 380 million viewers worldwide. Vision, commitment, and willingness to take a chance defined Joe Segal.
Quotes of the Week: Achieving Success
“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”
Napoleon Hill
“When your desires are strong enough you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.”
Napoleon Hill
“Follow your dreams. If you have a goal, and you want to achieve it, then work hard and do everything you can to get there, and one day it will come true.”
Lindsey Vonn
“You can achieve only that which you will do.”
George Halas
“Most people give up just when they're about to achieve success. They quit on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game one foot from a winning touchdown.”
Ross Perot
“Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work, sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness and respect for authority is the price that each and every one of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”
Vince Lombardi