Members of our Southwestern family Patrick and Julie (Cate) Kelly need our prayers this Christmas.  Patrick & Julie both sold with the Winning Tradition organization.  Patrick sold in 1998 & 2000 with James Madison University and Julie sold in with the Wheaton College group in 1998-1999.  Patrick and Julie were married in 2007 and have an adorable 2 year old daughter, Cecilia.

We ask for your prayers as Patrick is battling his 2nd brain tumor in the past 7 years.  After 3 rounds of chemo his tumor seemed to be gone, but Patrick’s neurological health has been declining very quickly for unknown reasons.  He was put into a coma 2 weeks ago as he was having seizures.  He was taken out of the coma and seemed to be making progress, only to start declining again.  After yesterday’s test results they believe his lymphoma is spreading throughout his brain.  They are also still trying to determine the source of his neurological decline.  While the cause is unknown, they believe it is most likely not reversible.

Julie has been writing a blog to keep everyone up to date on Patrick at http://getwellpk.blogspot.com/.  You can also sign up for the virtual prayer vigil for their family on the blog.   Julie, Patrick, and the rest of the Kelly family are so grateful for your prayers.

Last week a group of SW student managers were attending a Leadership Retreat in Des Moines, IA.   Lee McCroskey was helping run the retreat and as they wrapped up lunch and were heading into the conference room, one of the managers remarked, “Rick Perry is in the restaurant.”   Lee was busy getting the projector ready, messing with the PowerPoint and then he got a text: “Rick Perry in restaurant.”  Lee said, “It dawned on me that this was no joke, since there was a debate that night in town!  We suspended the meeting and I headed over to meet one of our alums, now Republican presidential candidate.”  He talked about their time with Gov. Perry in his blog.

A cluster of student managers encircled Gov. Perry.  It was a nice encounter–the restaurant had emptied–and there were a couple bodyguards on the periphery.  Perry seemed interested in the Southwestern students, and his body language gave no indication he was in a hurry to exit.  We chatted about Southwestern, who we knew, and asked him about that night’s debate.  His “Gold Seal Gold” election schedule sounded daunting, and we were glad to be able to spend a few minutes with him.

Overall, Perry made a good impression (would you expect any less?).  He was warm, friendly, interested in us and what we were doing.  Obviously, photos were in order so we fell in and took a few shots.  As we broke up, we asked him if he would mind saying a few words about his Southwestern experience on video.  Perry told us that he could not endorse a product or company, but he did say we could quote him: “Southwestern’s the best thing I ever did.”

Gov. Perry’s roommate from the bookfield, Judge John Brieden, recalled their Southwestern summer in an article on mysanantonio.com.   They sold with Al Godwin’s Texas A&M group in Festus, MO in Southwestern’s library division.

The book set included a biblical encyclopedia, commentary and two others lost to Brieden’s memory. What he remembers are the qualities that later served Perry well in his state campaigns and will come into play if he leaps into the presidential race: a sharp focus both on the job before him and on his overarching goals.

A bookman running for President?  Most of us that have carried a SW samplecase would tell you it was inevitable.  Many of the skills gained from the bookfield are a great base for a Presidential candidate.   No matter what occupation we pursue, selling books with Southwestern is an experience I would not trade for anything.  A sentiment Gov. Perry echoed in a  Nashville Post article written after the passing of Southwestern’s former president, Dortch Oldham.

“I count my time working for Dortch Oldham as one of the most important formative experiences of my life,” commented Texas Governor Rick Perry…  ”There is nothing that tests your commitment to a goal like getting a few doors closed in your face” Perry said. “Mr. Oldham taught legions of young people to communicate quickly, clearly and with passion, a lesson that has served me well in my life since then. Mr. Oldham will be missed.”

John was from Rockville, Maryland, but was a West Virginia Mountaineer through and through. Countless WVU students stayed and played over the years in his house off campus, the “Red Relaxer,” including many who became legendary in Southwestern as well. John sold books 7 summers, breaking numerous company sales records in the process. He was proud of making President’s Club in a single day with a then-record 504 units.

He believed greatly in the potential of young people, and became an outstanding District Sales Manager. His organization was called The Slight Edge, because he knew that if young people could gain the Southwestern advantage while college students, its impact would continue to grow over the course of their lives and they would become world-changers. He was right; the Slight Edgers who were blessed to work with John are now in every field under the sun, making a positive difference in our world as they grow through life.

The many colleagues and dealers who spent time with John knew him always to be unselfish and generous, with a great sense of humor, an inexhaustible collection of stories and jokes, and a constant conveyer of his belief in people and in what they can achieve with their lives. Which of us didn’t stand a little taller when he would clap us on the back, and say, “Hey, brother!” or “Hey, sister!”? His natural competitiveness showed in sales and on the basketball court, and his long history of coaching youth sports helped put many kids on a great path of fitness and sportsmanship. His intensive work with Christian ministry – particularly in developing men of faith – had an eternal impact on many. One of you said today what so many of us feel: “I know I would be a different person if it were not for him.”

John loved his family massively. His wife, Nan (who as Nan Tschudi, was a great bookgirl as well from Angelo State University, and an amazing wife and mother), along with their beautiful children Maddie, John-Paul, Brendan, and Bridgette as well as John’s mother and six siblings are grateful for your expressions of support — and your prayers — during this incredibly difficult time. Maddie wrote today, “He was a great man who impacted so many, and loved the Lord with all of his heart. He is having a great time dancing and singing in heaven.”

Visitation is Friday, September 30 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9100 Crockett Road, Brentwood, Tennessee, at 4pm. The funeral mass will be said Saturday, October 1, at 1:00pm with a reception to follow.

Many of you have asked about donations for family support.  They may be made to the John Liederbach Memorial Fund at Regions Bank, Attn. Angie Johnson, 1729 Mallory Lane, Brentwood TN 37027.

We also invite you to share your stories, memories, and thoughts of John to be included in a scrapbook for the Liederbach family by leaving a comment below or by sending them to Deb McCroskey, 1501 Pear Tree Circle, Brentwood TN 37027-7379.

We have lost — and we mourn — a dear friend.

Kate is the author and inspiration behind the SWparents site on Southwestern Advantage Online. Kate sold with Southwestern for 10 summers. She’s just a regular Renaissance woman – having had a successful singing career, own’s one of the world’s largest online book stores (www.fatnoggin.com), and is a published author: The Million Dollar Parent: How to Have a Successful Career While Keeping Your Family a Top Priority.

“Parenting is the most important job on Earth with the least amount of professional training. I was inspired to build a community where parents could seek professional advice and support, and where we could recognize parents who are doing a great job – because I know how difficult it is. ”

Kate and her husband Daniel live in Austin, Texas with their two young children where you will catch them either singing karaoke, solving a puzzle, kicking a soccer ball or feeding the homeless on any given night of the week!

Sam Kirk’s 17 years with Southwestern Company taught him about business and the “real world.” He decided to apply that knowledge by educating teens about entrepreneurialism and helping them have the tools and knowledge it takes to not only run a business, but succeed.

Southwestern Company Alum

I have had the privilege of getting to know Sam, his wife Cynthia – and more recently, their oldest son Eugene who participated in the Southwestern Company summer program the past two summers. Having taken tours of the Youth About Business facilities and attending their awards banquets has opened my eyes to how much the Southwestern experience can be applied to help others. I know many of the people who carry the sample case are service-minded – but Sam and his family have taught thousands of young people how to be self-reliant and knowledgeable when it comes to business and life. Youth About Business has spread beyond the home base of Nashville to various sections of the country including the Northeast, Midwest and South.

An excerpt of Southwestern Company from the Nashville Parent article:

“Real-world experience has become the hallmark of the non-profit YAB, which was founded by Sam Kirk 13 years ago. “I think it’s important that we give students the opportunity to discover how America works,” says Kirk. “One of our themes is that we give students the skill-sets that will help them rise above their circumstances,” he adds. Kirk himself engaged in his first business experience at the age of 16 as a salesperson for the Southwestern Company, working with Southwestern for 17 years before leaving to start YAB with a simple mission in mind: providing young people from low-income and under served communities the opportunity to chart their own destinies and possibly own their own companies.”

More from the Nashville Parent article. Find more testimonials about Southwestern Company »

Southwestern Company‘s Great Recruiters Seminar 2011 was highlighted by several alumni guest appearances.  Our new product Dream Team provided a lot of knowledge and excitement for the attendees. The new online product, named Southwestern Advantage, consists of several elements, each under the development of a separate expert.

Ethan Shen (4 summer bookperson), our Technology Consultant & Project Manager, promoted the new aspects and features of Advantage online.  Its mission: 1) to help young people realize their academic and personal potential and 2) to help Southwestern Company managers double their profits.

David Kong (also a 4 summer bookperson), another of the product’s key developers, walked the students through an overview of how Advantage would integrate and enhance the books.  David’s specialty is SEO and is the creator of both the Redline and FORCE websites.

Haley Price (3 summers) not only is developing a children’s site—complete with videos, blogs and articles to help young students get better at life—but she also delivered an energetic speech Thursday evening to all the attendees.  Haley worked previously at Microsoft and we are excited to have her back at Southwestern Company.

Kate (Walker) Raidt (10 summer book veteran) went on to describe her vision of a parent component to the new online product, which would provide advice on a range of parenting topics.  Her site would also feature a Mom of the Month—someone who is doing an outstanding job with her kids!  Kate also authored the book, The Million Dollar Parent.

If there weren’t enough alumni energy already, GRS culminated with an inspirational talk by former head of the Elite Eagle organization, JT Olson.  JT shared how his training and background helped him with his new project, the Both Hands Foundation.  Both Hands is a non-profit ministry that serves widows in the community and helps raise funds for families who would like to adopt.  JT stressed making a difference and how student managers could have an impact on someone else’s life through their involvement with Southwestern Company.

many of my readers know that i sold books door-to-door for the southwestern company for 3 years while in college.  anyone that knows me personally is also aware that i considered this experience to be one of the most challenging of my life.  it was also remarkably gratifying, humbling, and immensely educating.

ironically, all these years later, i now work at southwestern again.  only this time - in a different capacity.

last week i attended their great recruiters seminar in nashville, tennessee.  since my days on the bookfield, i’ve met many successful businesspeople, physicians, entrepreneurs,  musicians,  lawyers, professors.  you name it… 

but i must say, that spending time with these tenacious and hard-working young book sales men and women … had me exceptionally inspired.

one of 2010′s top salespeople, jenny nut, said the following:   “success is not easy; but it is simple.  keep a positive attitude, believe in yourself, believe in others… find a purpose …  you will never go anywhere if you don’t move your feet.”

this is a 21-year old girl who spent the summer slinging books door-to-door.  getting told “no” more than 40 times a day.  working tirelessly toward a goal which she adamantly considered to be well worth the effort.  this is a person who has the gut and the determination to go after what she wants.  this is also a person who made over $20,000 in 90 days. 

and no, the business is not only about money.  money is not the sole measure of success, here or anywhere for that matter.  but i can testify (based on experience), that if one person makes this much of it through the program – they had an undeniably strong work ethic, a positive and resiliant mental attitude, and a mission to succeed.

so here’s to you, bookpeople.  here’s to  the grit, the gumption, the humility, the fortitude – and all other great things it takes to do this job well. 

you inspire me.

If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Hank is the son of Southwestern CEO, Henry Bedford. While a student at Middle Tennessee State University, Hank had a successful summer in 2002. Hank pretty much grew up at Southwestern Company, working summers in the office and helping student dealers with their check-out process.

As quoted in an article in the Tennessean, he credits high school wrestling and the Southwestern Company internship for mentally preparing him for the grueling production schedule on the movie sets.

“Honestly, two things prepared me for my career more than any academic studies: wrestling at Franklin High School and selling books door to door in college for The Southwestern Co. They both prepared me for hard work, sacrifice, rejection and a grueling schedule,” he said. “On set, we worked about 80 hours a week.”

Anyone who has sold books may be thinking right about now how the 80 hours a week sounds all to familiar.

Upon taking a chance and moving to LA, Hank has had the opportunity to work on a Comedy Central series and several other movies – including his directorial debut, a short film titled Down South.

Right now, Hank is looking forward to gaining more experience in the hopes of directing his own feature film. With several projects in the works, he plans to maintain the “bookfield” schedule with no plans to slow down.

For full article: Take a bow: Franklin grad shows fighting determination in Hollywood

The two summers before I sold books with Southwestern Company I helped run a grant funded program in small Nebraska towns.  Basically, we brought educational and fun activities to towns with less than 500 people.  As you might imagine, there are not many constructive summer activities for kids in small towns.  It was a great experience!

The service aspect of working with Southwestern Company was also one of the main engaging advantages that attracted me to selling books.  Whether or not the people I talked with bought, I always knew I was doing a good thing just talking with a family about the importance of education.  The lessons of taking the focus off yourself and serving others radiates through many of our SW alumni.

Five year Southwestern Company alum Ella (King) Herlihy was a Top First Year, a Wall of Greats Winner and is now married to one of the top all-time booksellers in our history, Steve Herlihy who sold for nine summers.  Steve and Ella are great at giving back to Southwestern Company by housing students, hosting SW gatherings and speaking at Sunday meetings.  They have five children (or “booklets” if you’d like to call them that) and live in Atlanta.  

When reflecting on her Southwestern experience Ella states, “Those principles we learned selling books DO help us in our daily lives – it is not a myth – even at age 41 and 46, we still have to make a conscious decision to get up with a great attitude and an “I Love My Job” mentality.  Being a homeschooling mom to five children under age 11 (yes, we already have ALL of the books) requires more patience than is humanly possible and some major attitude management.  We explain to our children over and over again ‘your sister did not MAKE you do that – you and you alone are in control of your attitude.’  We also have been both showing them and telling them that ‘anything worth having is worth working hard for.’  They don’t get it so much yet, but just you wait until they hit the bookfield!  Only 7 more years until Massie is old enough!”

Ella and Steve are involved with a wonderful ministry that brings hope and healing to families with a child stricken with cancer.  Blue Skies, is a a ministry that takes families who are facing life-threatening childhood illnesses for a week-long beach retreat in Florida.  It is free for the families who have a child being treated and the volunteers raise support to fund the retreats.

Blue Skies is in the running for a $250,000 grant from the Pepsi Challenge.  If Blue Skies receives the most votes in December, they will be able to use the $250,000 to take 120 families to the beach for a week of rest and recuperation and reconnecting with one another while they are in the midst of fighting for their child’s life.  You can vote daily in December and help Blue Skies go from #42 to #1 and put Pepsi’s grant to great use.  Vote at www.refresheverything.com/whereskiesareblue.