Working It Out-The Ben Booker Story

It is my distinct pleasure to introduce you to Ben Booker through this interview. Ben is the 2010 Bodyspace Spokesmodel winner, the Applied Nutriceuticals Spokesmodel, RX Fitness Cover model and Ironman Covermodel. He has been featured in REPS! Magazine, FitnessRX magazine and on SimplyShredded.com.

In just about every way Ben is in the top of his profession and rising but it wasn’t always that way. As a youth Ben was never comfortable in his own skin to the point that he turned to alcohol because it gave him a feeling of self worth and esteem. Unfortunately it also contributed to a serious car accident that put Ben in bed for months of recovery when he was just 17. With a broken back to heal and time to think Ben made a decision that changed his life and now he is making an effort to help young people learn from his mistakes.

Ben is an extraordinary young man with a very bright future ahead of him. To watch the entire interview with Ben Booker CLICK HERE.

Housewife Turned Entrepreneur Now Runs Global Buisness Empire

Karen Wolters started her own business at a time in life when others might be thinking of slowing down. Not Karen! She invented and patented a kitchen tool which she manufactured in Taiwan and shipped around the world. In 1990—her group became the quality control department for The Pampered Chef for all product shipping out of Asia. Her company supplies quality products to Pampered Chef to this day.

As her company grew Karen explored other ventures including a magnetic induction technology for the modern kitchen and several other very successful ventures.

Karen is an avid supporter of encouraging entrepreneurship among youth. She was co-chair of the first CEO class in Effingham; an outstanding education program teaching entrepreneurship on a high school level. She believes the best part of success is being able to give back to your community which she does in so very many ways.

To view the entire TV interview with Karen Wolters CLICK HERE

Entrepreneur's Business takes Flight

Bill Giannetti grew up in Chicago and attended Chicago Public Schools before graduating from St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, WI, eventually landing at the University of Illinois where he studied aviation and marketing.

He began flight instructing at the old Illini Airport in Urbana while still in school. It was there that he met Chip Hussey a flight student he taught. The two became fast friends. At the time the owner of Illini Aviation was trying to sell his business and the two friends made a play to buy the operation. When negotiations fell through they decided to try to open their own business at Willard Airport instead.

They got their first operating agreement with the airport in December 1978 starting as Midstate Aviation Center, primarily a flight training business. From there they gradually expanded and grew the business in size and scope. Flightstar has been profitable for 20 straight years and now employs over 100 people.To view the TV interview with Bill Giannetti CLICK HERE

A Modern Dynasty in Insurance

I have known Don Bartos for quite a few years. He has always impressed me as a dynamic young executive who has a passion for business and for life. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1996 with a Bachelors degree in Management. His career in insurance began shortly thereafter when he joined Country Companies Insurance. After 18 months of learning the business he decided that he wanted to work for himself and started an independent insurance agency. In 1999 the Bartos & Associates Insurance Agency was born. That was the beginning of what we now know as Dimond Bros. Insurance Agency today.

Albert and George Dimond originally founded Dimond Bros. Insurance in 1867. Since assuming the role of CEO of Dimond Bros. in 2000, Dimond Bros. has acquired more than 30 insurance agencies in Illinois and has more than 125 associates. Dimond Bros currently has 20 locations throughout the state and is now one of the largest independent insurance agencies in Illinois with premium sales in excess of $125,000,000. To what is already an impressive resume Don can add the following:

*President of DMB Inc., which is a commercial real estate company. Started business in 2007.

*President of "Homer’s" a package liquor business located in Paris. Purchased this business in 1994.

*President of Eagle Ridge Golf Course located in Paris. The company was purchased in 2011.

Born and raised in Paris, Illinois he still lives there with his family. He and Jessica have been together for 16 years and have two children Drake (5) and Myah (3). 

Towatch my interview with Don CLICK HERE