January 24, 2009 – a date I’ll remember for a very long time. (Photos courtesy of Debbie Lefever)

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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