Here we are at the end of 2011, and what a year it’s been!

As we get ready to take a break for the holidays and usher in 2012, I want to sincerely thank you for being a part of our community, and allowing me and our entire team to do what it is we do.

I also wanted to share a very special story with you — something that you’ve played a part in, even though you may not have known about it.

This may just be one of the proudest moments of my entire career, because we’re about to bring to life a dream that I’ve had for some time — and it’s thanks to all of the incredible people who support and follow me.

As with most entrepreneurs, I love to serve others and help people get the clarity and confidence they’re looking for.  Part of being an entrepreneur is this deep-down sense that you have the potential to really have an impact on the world, and others.

When you own your own business, you’re literally creating new opportunities, new things in the world.  That’s one of the things I love about being an entrepreneur, and also having the opportunity to inspire and educate so many others.

One of my core values is contribution, but for the past couple of years I’ve been struggling a bit with this.

The reality is that we’ve been so busy with our business, adapting to the changing market and focusing on what needs to be done .. that I didn’t consciously focus on feeding my core value of contribution.

So at the beginning of 2011, I said to my business partner (and best friend) Kourosh that this was the year we needed to step up and make an impact. 

I didn’t know what that would be, or how, but we both committed that this was the year we’d find a way to really make a contribution that would affect people for the better.

I’ve always believed that writing a cheque to a charity is sort of empty for me, because I like to see the results of the impact I’m having.  To me, doing something “hands on” is infinitely more powerful, especially for your spirit when you get to witness the impact.

Both Kourosh and I are parents, and feel grateful every day for having healthy, happy kids that never want for anything.

We decided to set an ambitious goal that would involve changing the lives of many children, their families, and their entire community for the better.

Earlier this year, through the Just Like My Child Foundation, we committed to building a new school in Uganda, Africa.

In 2012, we’re going to travel to Africa, along with many of our team, friends and partners, to experience the opening of this school.

These are some of the kids that will benefit from this brand new school that is now under construction — a school that will literally change their lives, and open up opportunities they would have never otherwise had.

This LITERALLY would not have been possible without the support and trust of our clients, subscribers, marketing partners and associates.

I want to thank YOU, because the fact you’re reading this means you are part of our community, and I genuinely appreciate your trust in me, and what we do.

The greatest outcome of owning a business ultimately is being able to create a ripple effect in the world, and that’s what I’m excited about for this school.

We’re literally helping children get an education that they would otherwise never have a chance at, and changing the world begins with education.

I am so humbled and grateful to be able to play a part in this, and I can’t help but reflect on how blessed we are to never have to worry about access to education, or even access to basic health care or food.

I hope that over this holiday season that no matter where you are, what you have or what’s going on around you .. that you take a few moments and count your blessings.

And know that my entire team and I are deeply appreciative of having you in our little universe, and I look forward to continuing to inspire, educate and challenge you in 2012 and beyond!