I had the absolute honor of having lunch with two great women today — Cheryl and Diana.  Cheryl started out as my Assistant at the Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and Diana came on board in 2007.  The three of us had lunch today and had a great time.  These are two women who have been incredible to work with and make each day fun to be at work.

I appreciate their dedication to the Chamber and especially their friendship.  It takes a lot to run the Chamber office and both have been rocks for me!  Ladies — hats off to you!  My belief is that if you surround yourself with great people, great things will come…and they have. 

I hope that you have great mentors in your life.  I have been so blessed to have people who have been great role models in my life.  One of my favorite people ever — Kris.  She was my boss for nine years and has been a friend ever since.  Kris is one of those individuals who provides insight and constructive criticism with an amazing delivery.  I always said that Kris could fire me and I would probably not realize it and thank her.

Kris was blessed with a new heart in 1997 and her heart is truly bigger today than ever before.  We recently had lunch and I remembered how inspiring she is to be around.  I left that lunch truly believing that I could do whatever I set my mind too.  Kris gave me one of my first professional opportunities to be a supervisor.  She has always believed in my and I can never thank her enough.

I encourage you to find people in your life who can serve and great role models and mentors.  Or, perhaps you can inspired or mentor someone in your own life.