Dan: I was born in Hong Kong. I made my way to Canada when I was only 14. I had zero money and zero connections. And not a word of English on my lips. I felt like a fish out of water! There were some pretty rough days back then.

Alice: What kind of education did you receive, in school and out of school?

Dan: I dropped out of college because my business was growing and taking up a lot of my time. I have nothing against higher education. But college was totally boring for me. I also discovered that it really wasn't teaching me what I needed to know. So I decided to quit school and went full time into my business.

Alice: Who were your mentors in life and how did they effect your path?

Dan: Oh…I have so many mentors in my life. In fact, I'll tell you one thing for sure. I would not be where I am today without my mentors. They've been a blessing for me. I have Alan Jacques as my marketing mentor. Alan founded BBT Events, which is one of Canada's most effective financial education companies. He gave me my first copywriting job.

I also have Dan Peña as my personal mentor. He grew a company from zero to $400 million in 8 years. Dan's a highly successful entrepreneur.

You see, Alice…I'm a big believer that your income can only grow to the extent that you grow. Your wealth can only grow as fast as you do. Why reinvent the wheels? I prefer to use my mentor's wagon instead. But it's also important to find the right mentor for you.

Someone with solid experience. Someone who's successful. And someone who'll truly care about your success.

Alice: Why did you choose this field of work versus others?

Dan: It's definitely a lifestyle choice.

I have a few friends of mine who run some pretty big organizations. They're doing 10, 20, 50 million a year in business. But they also have 30, 50, 100 employees.

They're interested in building a big organization. I'm just more interested in building a lifestyle business. Something that blends with my personal choices and life. They're interested in business awards and getting recognition in their business community. I am interested in financial freedom.

I chose the internet and built a business around my own lifestyle preferences.

I don't want to make money just for the sake of making money. It's NOT just how much money you make, but HOW you make the money. That's one area where I think many people need to think through a little better.

Alice: Dan, you're always full of energy, how do you keep up?

Dan: It's really no secret. I LOVE what I do. When you're passionate about your life and your work…when you truly love what you do, it's really not that difficult to get excited about it. And…

Just like Henry Ford said a long time ago, "You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes rise to the stars. With it, there is accomplishment. Without it, there are only alibis."

Alice: What is your measure of success?

Dan: I used to measure success only in financial terms. That was very dumb of me. Don't get me wrong…I still think money is very important! But I no longer think it's the ONLY measurement of success.

Now, success to me means:

• To have the ways, means, time and guts to choose and follow my own path.
• To make decisions based not on fear, guilt, money or politics but rather on what truly feels right.
• To have as much love, passion and fun in my life as possible.
• To be healthy in body, mind and spirit.
• To use my unique gifts to help others and in a way that makes a positive difference in people's lives.
• To inspire and motivate others.
• To live my life having true friends and die having no regrets.

Alice: If you could start all over with business, what would you do?

Dan: I'd still do what I do now. The only thing I would change is I wouldn't try to learn through the school of hard knocks. I mean…if you don't HAVE to do it, then why do it? I would have found a mentor even sooner, gone to more seminars, and read more books.

Alice: List some skills that really helped you, and how did you obtain these skills?

Dan: I've always said "Sales is the million-dollar skill". As an entrepreneur, you have to become a master salesperson. You're constantly selling. You're selling your vision to your employees. You're selling your products or services to potential customers. You're selling yourself. And you can't be shy about it.

I think sometimes people get turned-off when they hear the word, selling. Like there's something wrong with it. Or maybe they think it's something they can't do. Not true at all!

Everyone sells something every single day of their lives. It's just that it's not in the usual way they think of selling. And selling in business really is just another skill. Sure, there are the so-called natural sellers…whoever they are! But anyone can learn to be a highly effective salesperson. And with the net…it's not like you're out there knocking on doors!

And by the way…sales is not about giving presentations, or using tricky closing techniques or gimmicks. That's out of date.

It is about working smart, building relationships, satisfying the needs of your prospects, and making money.

Alice: Do you believe in having a balance between your work and personal life?

Dan: Interesting question! I believe you can't really have the balance unless you put in the work initially. Once your business is established and you have a good system and good people in place, then you'll be able to enjoy the fruit of your labor. It's very difficult to grow a business in the initial stage if all you focus on is having a balanced life.

An entrepreneur's life is chaotic. And very often you have to juggle many balls at the same time.

Alice: Ok! Great…thanks so much, Dan.