October 13th sounds unlucky to begin with, but for me, so many personal and professional crises had begun on that date, it couldn’t be a coincidence. I started to dread this day so much, I wouldn’t even fly on it, and I travel a lot.
October 13th, 2000
After our industry collapsed in October 1998 during a Wall Street liquidity crisis, we laid off 240 of our 275 employees and then went through a period of significant financial losses. We raised $1.5 million from friends and family, but eventually ran out of cash two years later trying to reinvent ourselves. We could not meet payroll. We hired a bankruptcy lawyer and were going to file bankruptcy on October 13th.
October 13th, 2004
This is the day my 3-year-old son, Mason, was diagnosed with a with a large cerebellar brain tumor which led to two emergency brain surgeries and 18 months of rehabilitation. When we first met the surgeon, he gave Mason a 50/50 percent chance of survival.
October 13, 2006
After 13 years, I sold my business, Platinum Capital, giving me liquidity and an opportunity to pursue a new passion.
This was a turning point for me. I wanted to start a new chapter in my life. These challenges had taught me the following, which I often share with my clients to help improve their lives and businesses:
- Get clear on where you want to go.
- Pursue what you are truly passionate about.
- Focus on the things that increase your energy, and eliminate the things that deplete it.
Oct 13, 2007
I completed my first Hawaii Ironman, a 140.6-mile swim, bike, run journey. I also raised money for the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, the same hospital that had treated my son three years earlier.
October 13, 2012
I completed my 4th Hawaii Ironman. All together I have completed 12 full distance Ironman triathlons, and even though I just celebrated my 50th birthday, I have no intention of stopping.
October 13, 2015
I am grateful for my health, family and friends.
Looking in hindsight, I can now see that each of these trials had a successful outcome and feel grateful for what overcoming each adversity taught me:
- Oct 13, 2000 – I was saved at the 11th hour from bankruptcy by an angel investor
- Oct 13, 2004 – My son not only survived, but is thriving. He is now 14 and just completed a marathon on Antarctica
- Oct 13, 2006 – The timing was lucky but perfect. The global financial crisis struck soon after and I would have lost the business
It’s now October 18th, and last Tuesday came and went without any issues. I don’t dread October 13th anymore; it one way or another led me to find my newest passion, making a difference in the businesses and lives of CEOs and Entrepreneurs around the world.
About CEO Coaching International
CEO Coaching International works with CEOs and their leadership teams to achieve extraordinary results quarter after quarter, year after year. Known globally for its success in coaching growth-focused entrepreneurs to meaningful exits, CEO Coaching International has coached more than 1,000 CEOs and entrepreneurs in more than 60 countries and 45 industries. The coaches at CEO Coaching International are former CEOs, presidents, or executives who have made BIG happen. The firm’s coaches have led double-digit sales and profit growth in businesses ranging in size from startups to over $10 billion, and many are founders that have led their companies through successful eight, nine, and ten-figure exits. Companies working with CEO Coaching International for two years or more have experienced an average revenue CAGR of 31% (2.6X the U.S. average) and an average EBITDA CAGR of 52.3% (more than 5X the U.S. average).
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