I was just blessed with my very first GREAT granddaughter! We visited Penelope, in mid-March at 15 days old. Whew, I’m feeling like I’m getting older, yikes. Well, I did turn 69 in March, so there’s that.
CEO of Gold Star Referral Clubs since losing my wife and business partner Beth in 2019. Remarried in late 2021 to Joni, a California transplant to Oklahoma. We currently have two dogs, a 30 lb. 11-month-old mini-Aussie Shepard named Paris and an 11 lb., 6-year-old poodle named Rachel. We also feed three to six cats. I claim 3 of them. The others find food in the garage and hang around.
Q: Where were you born, where were you raised, and where do you currently live (City, State/Province, Country)?
Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Arlington, Virginia, about a 10-minute drive to downtown. I then moved to Germantown, Maryland, where I met Beth. We were together for 26 years. We missed our 25th anniversary by four months. We moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2000 to attend Bible college. We completed the course of study in 2003.
Q: What is one of your favorite quotes or lines in a song or movie and why does it resonate with you?
The entire song, “In My Life” by the Beatles. It reminds me of how much I loved Beth, and how, on occasion, I still miss her.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your business?
We do business networking groups around the country. Similar in make-up of others but we operate with more grace and kindness. We apply “The Go-Giver Way” and Go-Giver principles within our groups. In fact, in our preamble we state, “Give then Receive” as a way to grow member’s business. Every year I publish in our weekly Success Tips a series on the 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
When Beth and I started Gold Star, we were in real estate. We had been in another networking group and had done very well on giving and receiving business. When we opened our own brokerage, because of the strict rules and a “thumb on your neck” atmosphere, we backed out. About a year later, we got approached by a guy that said, “You guys know all about “that networking stuff” why don’t you start your own?”
Q: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Helping business owners and salespeople to get more business! It makes my day knowing that because they are part of my clubs, they make money.
Q: What advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?
When available, buy Apple and Microsoft. Ha!
Q: What is one of your favorite places to be or travel to?
Anywhere in the Caribbean!
Q: If you could choose anyone (past or present, fictional or real) with whom to have lunch, who would it be and why?
Beth. Simply to catch up on what she’s missed and that she’s still missed.
Q: Who inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
Beth was my inspiration, and still is today.
Q: How did you first discover “The Go-Giver”?
Several years ago — like 15 years — I read “The Go-Giver.” Not only did it help me then, the entire Go-Giver book series works within Gold Star.
Q: Who would you like to see featured on The Faces Of The Go-Giver Community and why?
I’ve met so many great people though the Success Alliance, it’s hard to name one.
Q: Finally, how can we know if someone we come in contact with is a good connection or prospective customer/client for you?
Hahaha! I teach my Gold Star members to ask that very question at the end of a conversation after meeting a new person. The answer: someone of moral and ethical standards, that is looking for a way to receive more business without adding a huge investment to the mix. With our system, people that start clubs get paid to promote their businesses and get referrals to their businesses.
Please include your website link if you have one!
https://www.goldstarclubs.com
