By Tom Stoltz, business program faculty Angie Norbeck, Minneapolis 2014 Faculty Member of the Year. Globe University-Minneapolis Business Management Program Chair, Angie Norbeck, thrives on sharing the experiences she has accumulated in the retail industry and through lifelong learning. Her enthusiasm and dedication has led to Angie receiving Faculty Member of the Year for 2014. Ms. Norbeck, who has an undergraduate degree in business from Metropolitan State University and master’s degrees from Capella University and Augsburg College, loves giving back to her students. "I enjoy watching students grow throughout their programs and celebrating with them at the finish line, graduation," Angie said. Her care and concern for her students is well respected and recognized by others at Globe University-Minneapolis. "Angie has a unique style in the classroom that embraces technology and continuously engages our students," said Christine Storms, director of education at the campus. "She consistently has positive feedback on her evaluations from students and is innovative with her applied learning projects." In addition to teaching both undergraduate and graduate level courses at the Minneapolis campus, Angie provides leadership and guidance to students, helping them schedule classes, advising them on which courses to take, and assisting the graduate program administrator. During her time away from her campus duties, Angie takes great enjoyment in cooking and creating craft projects. She is also a Pinterest fanatic and says that the app is one of her major distractions. Angie also enjoys going to dinner with her son who is in his senior year of high school. The post Angie Norbeck Receives Faculty Member of the Year Award appeared first on Globe University Blog.

This month’s Globe University-La Crosse Artist in the Library is Mollee Whyte, veterinary technician student and library student worker extraordinaire. Her photography collection revolves around one subject who happens to be the cutest, most adorable little kitten on earth. His name is Martin and every photograph features a escapade or pose. On the level of cuteness, Martin’s photos are off the scale! Mollee was exposed to the great work that rescue organizations in our community do by being involved in spay and neuter day, hosted by the veterinary technology program on campus. This event allows various rescue organizations to bring their animals in for a free spay or neutering. After taking part in spay and neuter day, Mollee was on a quest to adopt a rescue pet and in the process she fell in love with Martin. Mollee and Martin Mollee and Martin’s story is all too familiar. Everyone seems to go to the humane society ‘just to look,’ but often end up bringing a pet home. Mollee’s took a trip to the local Coulee Region Humane Society. "Woodrow, my boyfriend, and I were bumming around trying to figure out something to do to. I suggested that we go to Coulee Region Humane Society just to look at all the cute kittens and puppies," Mollee said. Martin was one of the first kittens they saw. "He was standing in the back of the kennel," Mollee states. "When we stopped and looked at him, he ran right up to the front of his kennel to greet us, hoping we would play with him." Mollee kept asking Woodrow to look at other cats, but Woodrow couldn’t take his eyes off of that cute orange kitten.   Once Mollee held Martin in her arms, she "just fell in love with him" and knew she wanted him as her own. Martin has since grown to be the cuddliest kitten Mollee has ever met, and she has seen many kittens as a vet tech student. Martin’s favorite things to do are "lounging in the window, catching some rays, climbing up the back of the computer chair and perching on the head rest, watching the fish and playing in the bathroom sink." Please stop by the Globe University-La Crosse library this month to check out Mollee’s collection. The post Vet Tech Student’s Photography on Display appeared first on Globe University Blog.

Kayla Taddy, medical assistant student Students, staff, and faculty at Globe University-Green Bay were asked to nominate an individual they felt deserved to be recognized as our fall 2014 quarter student of recognition. This quarter’s student of recognition goes to an individual that excels in and out of the classroom. Kayla Taddy, a medical assistant program student, shows us that if something is important, we will make time for it. So, here is to a 2015 with no excuses. Let Kayla Taddy show you it is possible to do well in all aspects of life. 1.  Be an active student ambassador. Kayla was selected as a student ambassador within the medical assistant program by instructors and staffs and has shown her classmates that she takes this role seriously and wants them to succeed. "Kayla has an encouraging, compassionate, and approachable attitude," Veronica Kruse, medical assistant program chair, said. "In the same breath, she is very task orientated and likes to complete her to-do list accurately and timely. She is very efficient with managing time and enjoys staying ahead of the game whenever possible." A classmate of Kayla’s shared a similar response, "Kayla has helped me gain confidence in my skills and offers words of encouragement and a listening ear. Simply put, Kayla is an excellent role model for future students." 2.  Participate on a committee and create positive change. Kayla is also a member of the Medical Assistant Program Effectiveness Committee that gathers quarterly to discuss a plan to continuously improve retention, placement, externship/employer experience and overall student experience within the campus’ medical assistant program. Kayla offers advice from a student perspective that allows future students a chance to enjoy their hands-on experiences that much more. The program continues to evolve and improve with the help of Kayla’s feedback. 3.  Volunteer within your community. Many members of the Globe University-Green Bay campus commented on how amazed they were with Kayla’s ability to juggle a family and a full-time course schedule while continuing to volunteer regularly within the Green Bay community. Congratulations Kayla and thank you for showing all of us how to be a better person in 2015! The post 3 Ways to Become a ‘Student of Recognition’ appeared first on Globe University Blog.

Ladies, he may not be the real Bachelor*, but Mark Taggart is an impressive career services coordinator. Employees at Globe University-Green Bay were asked to complete a survey nominating an individual they felt deserved to be recognized as our 2014 staff member of the year. This individual had to showcase our university’s We Care mission, be a team player, and demonstrate leadership consistently. 1.  We Care The following are just a few quotes from the survey that showcase Mark’s ability to live our university’s mission: Mark takes a moment out of his day to greet every employee and ask how they are doing, and when he does this, you know he truly wants to hear how they are and if he can help in any way. He goes above and beyond to show ‘We Care’ to staff and students by meeting with students to help with their career search, asking staff and students how they are really doing, and lending a listening ear and offering encouragement to pick up and keep pushing forward. 2.  Teamwork When it comes to teamwork, it is fair to say that Mark is our "bachelor" on campus in that he knows how to gather the ladies, have fun and accomplish his goals. Here are just a few additional ways Mark’s actions define teamwork: Mark enjoys being next to admissions to offer additional tips on growing the team. He also enjoys being an integral part of the admissions tour and welcomes any new student to his office sooner than later. Mark is quick to volunteer any time help is needed on or off campus, and he also regularly volunteers his time outside of work to help raise funds for the Bellevue Dog Park. Even though it takes extra time on his part, Mark is willing to meet with students who have not even started their program yet but need help with the job search. He is willing to participate in events and other duties outside of his role as well. He tries to build up others around him even outside of his department and stays positive and uses humor to make the environment more fun. 3.  Leadership Finally, repetitive words and phrases found throughout the survey define Mark’s quality leadership and truly support him as The Bachelor of Globe University-Green Bay which makes him our staff member of 2014. Positive energy. Hard worker. Dedicated to students and co-workers. Genuinely wants everyone to be successful at what they do.  Honest. Relatable.  Professional but still knows how to have fun. Congrats Mark! *Ladies, unfortunately Mark Taggart is not a bachelor and is happily married. The post 3 Reasons Mark Taggart Is the Bachelor of Globe University-Green Bay appeared first on Globe University Blog.

Campus Director James Decker and award recipient Hamza Akram, MBA By Minnie Walicke, director of career services at Globe University-Minneapolis In December, Globe University honored graduate Hamza Akram with both an MBA degree and the Director’s Award for Excellence. The award is given at each graduation to the student who most personifies the values of scholarship, professionalism, and service. About his recently completed academic experience, Hamza commented, "It has been a great achievement for me to pursue the master’s degree at Globe. What I learned in class I have been utilizing at work and that has helped me in my career. All of the instructors at Globe are connected in their specific fields and that helps students to understand and learn the current skills needed in business." However, Hamza is not finished with his education. He is enrolled in Globe’s Doctor of Business Administration program to earn his DBA. "Earning my DBA will enable me to better design strategies and policies for outstanding performance, and is another step for my career," Hamza said. Dr. Frank Plachecki, an instructor in the graduate program, recalls, "Hamza set the example for professionalism and passion for higher education. Faculty are fortunate to see him excel both in the classroom and in service to our student population." Learn more about our graduate programs here. The post MBA Graduate Is Simply "Excellent" appeared first on Globe University Blog.

The Globe University-Woodbury Student Chapter of National Veterinary Technicians in America (SCNAVTA) is not only known for their love for animals and science, but also for their philanthropic efforts on campus and in the community. Loading up the truck with the donations to bring to the Animal Humane Society. Throughout the fall quarter, SCNAVTA hosted a drive for the Animal Humane Society in Woodbury, Minn., collecting food, treats and gear for local four-legged friends. After the holidays, the group surprised the Humane Society by bringing the boxes of donations to the local facility. SCNAVTA members will continue their philanthropic efforts this quarter by hosting a food drive for the Christian Cupboard, a local food shelf, as well as a phonebook drive for the Humane Society. They are collecting old phonebooks because the Humane Society uses the paper for the bottom of cages. All items will be collected in boxes located on campus throughout the winter quarter. Please contact Heather Holmgren, veterinary technology instructor and SCNAVTA adviser, with any questions. "I wanted to become a veterinary technician because I want to help animals and be able to do all I can to give them the care they need," said Samantha Dittel, veterinary technology student. "I joined SCNAVTA to get more involved with animals, because I want to help them however I can." ABOUT SCNAVTA:At the humane society in Woodbury dropping of the boxes of donations. SCNAVTA is a group of veterinary technology students who meet weekly during the quarter to improve their understanding of veterinary science, network with professionals, and host fundraisers to raise money for local shelters and more. SCNAVTA is part of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). The post SCNAVTA Goes Above and Beyond for Furry Friends appeared first on Globe University Blog.

You have the training and skills, you’ve updated your resume and now you’re looking for a job or maybe a promotion at work. Next step, upgrade your look. Are you dressing for the job you want? Do you look the part? If you want to be noticed, you need to dress for the job you want. Dressing for the job you want not only sends a message to those around you, it impacts how you feel about yourself. When you look good, you feel better about yourself and that shows in your self-confidence. Dressing for the job you want shows that you are professional and ready for more responsibility. Think about how you perceive others. Does how they look make a difference in how you treat them? Employers and recruiters recommend dressing professionally to get ahead at work.   What is professional dress Appropriate professional dress will depend on the workplace. There are different levels of acceptable office attire ranging from very conservative to casual. It will depend on the position and industry you are working in. If you are looking for a promotion at your current employer, pay attention to how your manager and her peers dress. You will want to dress similarly. If you are going to be interviewing for jobs, look at what is appropriate for the industry and dress one level up. It is better to be a little overdressed than under-dressed. Interviews should be a step more formal. Basic types of dress you will see include: Business professional (or business formal) will require a matching suit for either men or women. This is the most conservative level. Men should wear a dark suit with a white shirt and tie. Women should wear a slacks or skirt suit with a blouse. Think power suit. If you are working in the legal field or as a financial professional, chances are you’ll be wearing suits. Business casual has the widest possible range. It can vary from workplace to workplace. Business casual still means professional and conservative, but  more relaxed than business professional. It generally means mixing more formal business pieces with less formal pieces. You can wear sweaters, shirts or blouses rather than a suit jacket. Dress slacks will be expected for men. Women can include dress slacks, skirts or dresses in their work wardrobe. Casual work is the most similar to your everyday dress. While it means that jeans are appropriate, leave the gym wear at home (unless you are working in a gym). You still want to look professional - clean, modest and put together. Uniforms make it easy for you. You know what you need to get and will always look prepared and appropriate. The earlier you choose a career field, the sooner you will have an idea what type of work clothes you will need.   Building your work wardrobe Now that you know that you need work clothes and what type you need, you probably want to know how to get it without breaking the bank. It is a process and an investment, but the key is to start with basics and build from there. If you can start building your wardrobe while you are still in school, you can spread the cost over a longer period of time. Keep your eyes open for sales and pick up a piece at a time. Whether you need business professional or business casual attire, invest in dark colored basics for suits, slacks, skirts and jackets. You can’t go wrong with navy, black and gray. A white button down shirt is another necessity. If you find one that fits great, buy two. When buying shoes, make sure they are comfortable for the job you will be doing. If you are on your feet a lot, comfort will be a necessity. Black is a neutral that will go with everything. For women, stick with a modest heel, not more than three inches. Flats can also work if you are not a fan of heels. Invest as much as you can in your key pieces. Shoes and suits can last for a long time if they are good quality.   Additional resources: Dress for Success Life on a Budget Lifehacker Don’t forget to plan for that first impression when you are looking for a job, want a promotion or are meeting clients. Investing in your professional look will help you reach your career goals.         The post Your Guide to Professional Attire appeared first on Globe University Blog.

Have you met our new evening administrative assistant? Jessica Dressel joined us at the beginning of Winter Quarter. "Helpful," "friendly" and "cheerful" are just a few words to describe Jessica as we welcome her to the Globe University-Madison West team! Jessica, however, is not new to our campus. She is a September 2014 graduate from our business administration program. We were excited about the chance to make her a part of our team! Jessica Dressel, new evening administrative assistant Jessica grew up in Avoca, Wisconsin, and went to Riverdale Elementary/Middle School and then Riverdale High. She was on the yearbook committee and loved being in art and science classes. She graduated fourth in her class with high honors. She still lives in Avoca with her mom and four cats. In addition to working here, she also works part time at Culver’s in Spring Green. She loves to read and can go through a book a day (when she has time). She graduated from Globe University-Madison West in September with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Administration. She is currently attending Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in the Culinary Arts field. "Globe University was the school that really stood out to me when I expressed interest in it. My admissions representative was wonderful, and she really got me psyched for coming to college," Jessica said. "I’m excited about being on the opposite side of things in this great school. The instructors and staff were so great while I was a student that they have forever changed my life. When I was offered this position, I was thrilled to come back and work with everybody. I’m also excited to be getting some experience in the business field and use my degree while I continue my education in the culinary field". Her advice to new students is that "no matter how good of a student you were in high school, college is much harder! So definitely study and take notes! I thought it would be just like high school, but it was a lot more difficult. Also, get to know your instructors and your classmates, as they can be a valuable resource to have when the going gets tough." We are excited and thrilled to have Jessica as a part of our team. Make sure to stop at the front desk and say "hi" and ask for her graduate advice. The post Business Administration Grad Joins Globe University Staff appeared first on Globe University Blog.

You may have been wondering about the incredibly cheerful voice coming from the office near the front desk … Meet Becky Brown, the new director of career services at Globe University-Wausau! Globe University-Wausau welcomes Becky Brown Becky is a Wausau native, and attended local high school, D.C. Everest. She is a graduate of Marian University in Fond Du Lac. She is excited to be part of the Globe University-Wausau campus. She says, "I have really enjoyed how welcoming everyone on the faculty and staff has been. I can tell how invested each of them are in the success of the students on campus." Since Becky joined the Wausau campus, several graduates have been placed in their chosen fields. Becky is looking forward to more of these successes. "I look forward to meeting and working with the students in placements, resumes, and whatever other assistance they may need from me career-wise." Becky plans to develop relationships with various employers in the surrounding areas to increase the opportunities for students as they prepare for their future careers after graduation. She is also planning to develop even closer relationships with the staff and faculty on campus. She says, "I look forward to really working in collaboration with the rest of the faculty and staff here to ensure our students are self-confident, have the desire and drive, and are given the very best foundation for success; not only while they are enrolled as students here, but as they continue out into the work force." When Becky is not on campus helping our students spread their wings, she enjoys spending time with her children. She has a son who is a sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Mankato. He is a football player there, and she loves to spend time at his games with her daughter. She and her daughter also enjoy cooking and baking together, and enjoying the many outdoor activities available in Central Wisconsin, especially camping. She was recently district sales manager for Marcolin USA, which is an Italian eyewear company. Becky has some favorite quotes that inspire her, and hopes our students find inspiration in them as well. "My favorite quote is, ‘If you really want to do something, you will find a way … if you don’t, you will find an excuse.’ I also believe in this, ‘You create your own happiness.’" Welcome to Globe University-Wausau, Becky. We are very happy to have you here! The post Globe University-Wausau Campus Welcomes New Director of Career Services appeared first on Globe University Blog.

We often view celebrities as being superhuman, reaching the heights of fame by way of exceptional talent, enviable good looks and charismatic personalities. Like magnets attracting good fortune at every turn, it seems as though they were born with a predisposition for success. At least, that’s how it looks from our point of view. What no one ever talks about is how the superstars of today did not start out that way, and that overnight success is largely a myth. Let’s take a look at a few celebrities who rose above the opposition and made their dreams a reality. ACTORS Many of our favorite actors experienced opposition early on in their careers, getting rejected by casting directors, booed off stage or told they would never make it in the business. Here are a few notable actors who had to overcome serious setbacks before embodying our favorite characters on TV and in movies. Jim Carrey "Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them." Comedic genius Jim Carrey had a rough childhood and doubted his future in entertainment when his first few standup routines bombed. Undeterred, he poured his energy into his craft and caught the attention of Rodney Dangerfield, who took him under his wing and helped his career flourish. His film credits now span a list of blockbuster hits such as The Truman Show, Dumb and Dumber and the Ace Ventura series, proving that being dealt a bad hand in life can still lead to aces. Oprah Winfrey "Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time." Oprah’s first job was as a television anchor in Baltimore, where she was fired for being too "emotionally involved" with the news stories. Imagine if that experience had discouraged her from pursuing a career in television. We would not have a beloved cultural icon, and she would not be worth the $3 billion that she is today. Harrison Ford "You may get real tired watching me, but I’m not going to quit." It’s hard to believe that the actor who played leading roles in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films was once told he would never succeed in the movie business. Yet that’s exactly what an executive told Harrison Ford after his first film. Fortunately, he was unfazed by the criticism and went on to produce a body of work that will live on for years to come. He truly has "the force" to succeed. Jon Hamm "Don’t be afraid to fail. It’s not the end of the world, and in many ways, it’s the first step toward learning something and getting better at it." We can’t imagine the wildly successful Mad Men series without Jon Hamm as the show’s complex and often morally ambiguous lead character, Don Draper. And while he epitomes television success now, Jon Hamm spent the better part of a decade getting rejected for roles — even getting dropped by his talent agency. Just like deadlines are crucial in the ad world, Jon gave himself until age 30 to make it in the business or he’d give up on acting altogether. Lucky for him — or should I say, for us — he landed several roles before his self-imposed deadline, and eventually beat out 80 other actors for the coveted role of Don Draper. Lisa Kudrow "I’ve learned you can make a mistake and the whole world doesn’t end." Friends is a staple in American sitcoms, and it wouldn’t be the same without the quirky yet lovable Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow. With her top-notch acting ability and great comedic timing, Lisa Kudrow first auditioned for the role as Roz in Frasier. She got the part, but was eventually cut from the show before it even aired. Instead of dwelling in defeat, she rebounded with her role in Friends a year later, contributing a huge part to the show’s success. Marilyn Monroe "If I’d observed all the rules I’d never have got anywhere." The entertainment landscape of the 1950s would have been a drastically different place without Marilyn Monroe. Even decades after her death, her timeless beauty inspires imitators everywhere. But her traumatic childhood and early rejection in show business could have led her down a different path. Columbia Pictures told her she wasn’t talented enough to pursue an acting career, and a modeling agency advised her to become a secretary because they thought she wasn’t pretty enough. Thankfully, she disagreed. Jerry Seinfeld "Keep your head up in failure, and your head down in success." At his first standup event, Jerry Seinfeld froze and was booed offstage. In his first sitcom role, he was fired over "creative differences." These experiences might have discouraged others out of the entertainment industry, but not Jerry Seinfeld. He continued to act and perform onstage, and also did that little thing where he created and starred in one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. No big deal. MUSICIANS Pursuing a passion for music and trying to make a living out of it is no easy feat, and musicians are among the hardest working people in the entertainment industry. Some of them are literally "starving artists" before they get their big break, and others struggle for years to get signed by a record label.  Jay-Z "Successful people have a bigger fear of failure than people who’ve never done anything because if you haven’t been successful, then you don’t know how it feels to lose it all." Jay-Z is truly a "rags-to-riches" story. Born Shawn Corey Carter in a rough neighborhood in New York, Jay-Z always had an interest in music. He began freestyling and writing lyrics at a young age, with influencers such as Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway. He recorded his music and tried to get the attention of many record labels, but to no avail. He persisted in getting his voice heard and decided to create his own record label, Roc-a-Fella records, which allowed him to sell his first album in mass quantities — over 75 million copies, to be exact. He has also won 17 Grammy awards for his unique sound. As the saying goes, if there is no door, build one. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart "Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius." On a cold January day in 1756, a prodigy was born. At age 5, Mozart was proficient enough on keyboard and violin to perform for European royalty. At age 17, he was hired on as the court musician in Salzburg. But Mozart was a restless man, never content with staying in one place for long. This led to constant job hunting and subsequent dismissals from superiors. Mozart could never quite make a stable living at his craft and died with little to his name, yet his music is lauded as some of the best ever created. Madonna "I stand for freedom of expression, doing what you believe in, and going after your dreams." The "Like a Virgin" singer has reinvented herself more times than we can count. She raised the bar for what it means to be a pop artist, using sex appeal and sometimes shocking imagery to convey her messages. It’s hard to imagine a world without Madonna — the performer, the actor, the style icon. Before signing with Sire Records in 1982, Madonna was rejected by the same music producer responsible for the soundtrack in Dirty Dancing. A line from the rejection letter reads: "I do not feel that she is ready yet, but I do hear the basis for a strong artist." The letter is almost comical now, seeing as it describes one of the "strongest artists" in the world. The Beatles "We were all on this ship in the sixties, our generation, a ship going to discover the New World. And the Beatles were in the crow’s nest of that ship." - John Lennon The 1960s rock band rose to international fame in record time, epitomizing boy band sex appeal and releasing one hit after another. They captured the hearts of millions of adoring fans. But it might surprise people to learn that the best-selling band in history was once told "no" by a record company, and that "guitar groups are way out of style." The members of the The Beatles were undeterred by the rejection and were signed by another label — guitars in hand — just three months later. WRITERS Like all professions, being a writer takes time, talent and perseverance. Many of the most revered writers of our day had to push through the fog of doubt and rejection and cling to that inner voice that told them they could do it. J. K. Rowling "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default." Before becoming one of the richest women in the world for her Harry Potter series, Joanne Rowling was a single mother struggling to make ends meet. She battled depression and poverty for many years, yet she still made time for her creative writing. One day as she was riding on a delayed train, the idea for Harry Potter came into her mind. She let her imagination run wild with the story, not having the slightest clue that it would become the framework for one of the world’s bestselling book series. Stephen King  "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work." Getting a novel rejected is bad enough, but getting it rejected 30 times is even worse. That’s what happened to Stephen King when he tried to get his first novel, Carrie, published. He threw it away in defeat and that could have easily been the end of his career. Knowing how hard he had worked on it, his wife dug the manuscript out of the trash and told him to submit it again for publishing. He took her advice, made a few revisions and finally got the novel published. It sold over one million copies in the first year. This was only the beginning of a long and lucrative career for the gifted writer, whose novels have inspired popular film adaptations from The Shining to The Dead Zone. Emily Dickinson "Luck is not chance, it’s toil; fortune’s expensive smile is earned." It could be argued that Emily Dickinson was born in the wrong time period — a time when female writers were not given the same acknowledgement and praise for their work as males. Throughout her lifetime in the mid 1800s, only about a dozen of her 1,800 poems were published. It was not until her death in 1886 that her younger sister discovered her poetry, compiled it and got it published. She is now considered one of the most important American poets of all time, proving that literary genius can outlive death. Jack London "Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well." Before he penned the popular novels White Fang and The Call of the Wild, Jack London endured a childhood of poverty and a series of grueling jobs. The odds were against him to become a writer, a fact that materialized when he received six hundred rejection letters for his first story. After three painful years of rejection, Jack London finally got the attention of publishers and became one of the most successful writers of the early 1900s. Stephenie Meyer "Sometimes ideas feel like they were already there, and that you’re just discovering them." The wildly popular and dramatic vampire series Twilight would not exist if it weren’t for a friend of Stephenie Meyer’s encouraging her to get it published. Stephanie wrote the series in only three months after being inspired from a dream she had. In an effort to get it published, she wrote 15 letters to literary agencies and all but one of them either rejected her or didn’t even reply. But one was all she needed, and shortly thereafter, eight different publishers competed for the rights to publish her series. Her book deal ended up selling for $750,000, and now she has an estimated net worth of $125 million. ENTREPRENEURS  Entrepreneurs are the people with big ideas who are willing to take even bigger risks. They sometimes put everything on the line for their ideas, pouring every bit of energy and every penny they have into a project without knowing the outcome.    Henry Ford  "Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward." Henry Ford’s early businesses all failed and left him broke five times before he founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903. His idea that "horseless carriages" could be mass-produced and affordable to everyone, not just the wealthy few, was an exciting concept at the time. He worked for many years developing his plans for gasoline-powered automobiles and eventually his vision became reality. Steve Jobs  "Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition." Steve Jobs failed at his early business ventures and was even fired from Apple in 1985. He  founded a new company, NeXT, which ultimately flopped, and decided to return to Apple in 1997. He worked his way up to becoming Apple’s CEO in 2000. Focusing his energy on innovative technology, Steve Jobs breathed new life into the brand and is credited for overseeing the developments of the iPod, iMac, iPhone and iPad. Colonel Sanders "I’ve only had two rules: Do all you can and do it the best you can. It’s the only way you ever get that feeling of accomplishing something." At the ripe age of 65 years old, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken got a social security check in the mail for only $105. He was frustrated but also motivated to try something new with his life. He had been selling his chicken on a small scale to humble patrons at a gas station, but decided it was time to set his sights higher. He traveled across the U.S. in search of somewhere bigger and better. He knew how good his fried chicken recipe it was; he just needed to find the right people to buy it. After being told "no" 1,009 times, Colonel Sanders finally got one "yes" in the form of a business deal in Utah. KFC is now one of the most popular franchises in the world with over 18,000 locations. __________________________ If we’ve learned anything from these celebrities’ stories, it’s that in the face of rejection, setbacks and failures, hard work and perseverance are the stepping stones to success. No one ever achieved anything by being content with mediocrity and giving up at the slightest hint of defeat. Because in order to become one of the stars, you have to reach for them. The post 19 Celebrities Who Failed Before They Succeeded appeared first on Globe University Blog.