Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of the famous Chicken Soup for the Soul series hosted an amazing event.  He has written a new book called “Richest Kids in Ameria.”   I was lucky enough to have Mark discover me last fall through Internet while he was searching for young entrepreneurs to include in his book.    Mark is an amazing person.  I’ve been at two of his events since we first met.  One of the cool things about him is he believes that rich doesn’t necessarily mean money.

If being onstage with Mark and eight other kids from all over the country wasn’t exciting enough, Art Linkletter was there to help Mark promote the book.  Art Linkletter became famous for many things.  One of them was his TV show,  “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”   

Some of the kids in his book

Each of us kids got to introduce ourselves and tell a little about our business.  Then they brought up Art onstage.  He told many stories of how he started, way back to when he was adopted, the struggles he faced and how he became rich and famous.  Did you know he discovered the hoola-hoop?   As the story goes, he visited Australia and saw kids making hoops from grass and branches and twirling them around their bodies.  He came back and had them made out of plastic but because you cannot patent a hoop, many companies have copied the concept and made lots of money from his discovery.

Art was good friends with Walt Disney, he was one of the main hosts at the opening day ceremonies back in 1955.   He said he’s also been in the White House longer than any president and was friends with many of them.

Art, me & Mark

Obviously, I wasn’t even born when Art had TV shows on, but my mom and dad remember watching them.  It was still an honor to be with someone so famous.  Did you know he’s 96 years young?  He sure didn’t seem that old.

He told story after story.  I think I could have listened to him all day.  He was so interesting.  I was amazed at all the things he’s accomplished in his life.

After lunch, we went back onstage and were asked questions from Mark, Art, and some of the audience.  It was so fun.  I felt like a celebrity . . . well, sort of. 

My new friend from Temecula

The day was long but well worth it.   Dinner was lobster and steak because we were celebrating Mark’s birthday.  They had a DJ and dancing after dinner.    I met a lot of really nice people and ironically, even met some from Temecula where I live.

The day got longer dancing the night away.  I was asked to do the “birthday wishes” for Mark and started everyone off singing “Happy Birthday.”   Wow!  Was I excited and honored and just a little nervous but only for a few seconds.

I’m already looking forward to next month’s Mega Book Event with Mark in LA.  I’ve been working on my own book about my business and the experiences I’ve had.   I know I’ll get to meet a lot of interesting people again and it’s been fun to even see people I’ve met at previous events.

My display table

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I really loved the one I had for December with the Christmas scene and animated falling snow but Christmas can’t last forever so it was time for something new.

When I look back on the past three years since I started my business, I still can’t believe that I’ve had as many cool things happen because of it.   There were times when I definitely wanted to quit but I’m sure glad Mom and Dad kept encouraging me.  Otherwise, I would have missed out on a lot of opportunities that most kids and even some adults don’t get to do.

I have a feeling that 2009 is going to be a really good year with lots of new things happening.  Starting tomorrow, I’m already giving my first interview of the year with Danielle Hampson.  She has a web TV/radio network and I’ll be taping a follow-up interview for an upcoming show for Mind Your Bizness.   I’ll twitter and post once I know the airdate.  She’s a really nice lady so if you have a chance, check out her website.

I’m also going to be helping Mark Victor Hansen promote his upcoming book “Richest Kids in America” on January 24 in LA at the Westin Hotel.  The cool thing is, I’ll get to talk with him onstage and he’s also having Art Linkletter do his “Kids Say the Darndest Things” but it will be “Richest Kids Say the Darndest Things.”

I was amazed that Mark interviewed me for his book and at the time, I didn’t even know the title.  Well, it’s no secret that I’m not one of the richest kids in America, at least as far a money goes, but rich can be defined in many different ways and I consider myself rich because of my family and the opportunities I’ve had.  I’ll post more about that afterward.  I’m really excited about it.

I’m scheduled for several spots on websites/blogs thanks mostly to some really cool people I met on Twitter in the past two months.

We’re still working on trying to find a manufacturer so my parents and I can quit making my products at home and start getting them mass produced.  Then we can put the big plans into action and distribute Pencil Bugs to retail stores all around the country.

Lots more in the works as far as projects with my business so I’ll keep you up-to-date as things happen.

How cool is that?   My Grandpa remembers watching him a lot and thought that was pretty cool too.  He was famous for the show, “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”  Hopefully I won’t say something too ridiculous. 

I also get to do a separate book event in late February with Mark to promote his upcoming book, which just happens to include ME!

I’ll keep you posted.