“I Want To Learn The Story ‘Behind’ The Story, and This Is Where The True Wisdom Is Nested” With Dr. Greg S. Reid and Marco Derhy
“Treat people like family; they tend to invite you for dinner more often.”
As part of my series about “Success Stories,” I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Greg S. Reid. As an author, he has been published in over 70 books in 40 languages, inspiring millions. Sharing his message with the masses, he has spoken on stages from the Pentagon to the United Nations. Making films, his latest project, “Wishman,” will hit screens soon, based on the real-life story of Frank Shankwitz, creator of Make A Wish.
MD; Thank you so much for doing this with us! What is your “backstory”?
You know, the typical Beach kid who cannot spell and has dyslexia becomes a best-selling international author. I realized early that it’s the (application) of great wisdom that leads to success. This led to many setbacks and tremendous accomplishments. The key for me was just to ACT.
Fun fact: I had only one job from age 20–40. I was selling promotional items to businesses over the phone. This drove me to start my agency which was sold for my first million-dollar break.
Leaving home as a teen, I was not a great student. Dad said, ‘you need to go to college, son. You will never make a living (talking) to people.’ But here we are, an entire lifetime later — and I have generated fortunes by working on my gifts rather than focusing on my setbacks.
I have been featured now in over 130 books and have placement on the Las Vegas strip walk of stars ⭐️
Award; Tonino Lamborghini *Ya, that guy — I was also awarded — Honorary Ph.D.
MD; Indeed, a remarkable achievement! Graig, can you please share the funniest or most interesting story that has happened to you since you started your company? Share the funniest or most interesting story that happened to you since you started your company.?
The week we opened the doors, UPS went on strike. This was tough on us, considering we shipped our products nationwide. Seeing this as an opportunity, we used it as a sale (urgency) promotion to potential customers, saying, order with us now and pay nothing today. We will print and send COD (cash on delivery) the moment we can send it when the strike is over.
People felt trust in us as we didn’t force it down their throats, and when the smoke cleared, we shipped TONS of merchandise, gained huge accounts, and gave us the cash infusion needed to catapult our business. Sometimes we need to look at an obstacle as an opportunity.
MD; Graig, what do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
Today, it’s all about how we make a person feel. Products are the same, and equipment and messaging are similar. The idea now is to give people an ‘experience’ when they partner with us. Treat people like family, and they tend to invite you for dinner more often.
MD; Since none of us can succeed without “some type of help” along the way. Is there a particular person you are grateful to who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Charlie ‘Tremendous’ Jones — who said…
“You are the same today as you will be in five years,” besides two things:
- The people you meet
- The books you read
Surround yourself with positive-minded things, and like-minded things happen. Hang around whining, complaining, boneheads — and you too will become a whining, complaining bonehead!
MD; Are you working on any new exciting projects?
Always! This new movie-producing gig is fantastic, challenging, and like nothing else I have ever accomplished. The business of film is like an episode of Seinfeld — George Constanza’s‘ opposite’ day.
It’s NOT a regular business. I mean — where else could you offer someone hundreds of thousands of dollars to work for a couple of weeks and not even be worth a phone call back?
MD; Have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
Of course, and proud of it. Even my adorable young son shares his Mantra with people wherever we go. Loudly he says; My name is Colt! I’m happy, and I’m powerful, I’m successful, I’m brave, I’m worthy, I help people — My name’s colt!
MD; Do you have a favorite book that deeply impacted your life? Can you share a story?
The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall. The greatest book on tough love and mentorship you will ever enjoy.
MD; What are your “4 things I wish someone told me before I started my company,” and why? Would you mind sharing a story or example for each?
i. Surround yourself with people who are getting the results you desire for yourself and ask THEM for guidance.
ii. Teamwork really does make the dream work.
iii. Hiring the best people who are the most expensive only hurts ONCE.
iv. BEST: Seek counsel and not “opinion.”
Counsel is based on wisdom, knowledge, and experience, whereas opinion is based on ignorance and lack of know-how.
For example, if you wanted to write a book and ask a friend who’s never done it, they may talk you out of it based on their lack of knowledge and ‘thoughts’ on the industry. After all, they have never done it. Compare that to a meeting with Jack Canfield, who wrote chicken soup for the soul and sold half a billion copies. He may say, ‘sit down before you get started. Here is what you need to know, and offer real-life counsel based on wisdom, knowledge, and success in the field.
If we would spend our time only seeking counsel and ignoring people’s opinions — that is the day our life will change.
MD; Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? They might see this. :-)
I would love to meet someone who has done amazing things, yet people may not have heard the story ‘behind the story. This is where true wisdom is nested.
MD; How can our readers follow you on social media or perhaps a website?
Readers can follow me on; my website, LinkedIn, Instagram
