Tag Archives: philanthropist

11 People Who Became Successful Later In Life

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This is part two of my Famous People Who Became Successful Later In Life article. The first one was hugely popular and many people asked for a follow-up. I got so many amazing comments on it and found it very inspiring. So here is it! If I have missed out any people who became successful later in life then let me know, I can always do part three. There is more business people in this one as that was requested. I will be doing a separate one on actors who became successful later in life.

Ray_Kroc

The founder of McDonald’s, Ray Kroc, was selling paper cups and milkshake mixers at 52-years-old.

AndreaBocelliMar10

Andrea Bocelli worked as a piano player in bars until he was 33-years-old

ang lee

Ang Lee was a househusband until he was 31.

Amancio_Ortega

Zara founder Amancio Ortega worked in a shirt shop until he was 30.

Sheldon Adelson,

Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas Sands founder sold shampoo and windshield defroster into his 30s.

J._K._Rowling_2010

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling was a single mother on welfare until she was 31.

Suze Orman

Suze Orman wasn’t always a financial guru, until she was 30 she was a waitress.

Mark Cuban

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban owned a bar and worked in it until he was 25.

Colonel_Harland_Sanders_in_character

KFC Founder Colonel Sanders was washed up and broke at 65. He got fired from a dozen jobs but fought his way back and started franchising his business and never looked back. There are now 18,875 outlets in 118 countries. 

 

Manoj_Bhargava

Entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder and CEO of 5-hour Energy Manoj Bhargava was a taxi driver and a monk until he was 30.

Marykay1

Mary Kay founder, Mary Kay Ash, sold books and home goods door-to-door until she was 45.

 

 What do you think?

 

 

Philanthropist author Philip Smith to headline at Canada's premier international event on microfinance

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Philanthropist author Philip Smith to headline at Canada’s premier international event on microfinance and financial inclusion (Sept 16 & 17)

Toronto International Microfinance Summit announced today that Philip Smith, successful American entrepreneur and co-author of A Billion Bootstraps: Microcredit, Barefoot Banking, and the Business Solution for Ending Poverty will speak at its Friday Gala and set the tone for the 2-day Toronto event. In its third year, the Summit brings together microfinance practitioners, business, international development agencies, NGOs and students to learn, interact and get involved. This year’s theme – From Microcredit to Financial Inclusion: Making a Difference in our World – is the focus of the signature events:

Gala – September 16 (Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street) to raise funds for international and domestic microfinance projects and a scholarship. Reception: 6:00 pm, Dinner & Program: 7:30 pm. Silent & live auctions, entertainment.

Conference – September 17 (Allstream Centre, Exhibition Place,105 Princes’ Blvd.) features experts who address the effectiveness of microfinance as a poverty alleviation tool and provide frontline insights from around the world. A NEW MicroMarketplace will showcase products of micro-entrepreneurs. Registration: 7:30 -9:00 am, Program & Lunch: 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

“Microfinance is an effective way to deal with poverty,” says Dr. Carol Golench, President of Toronto International Microfinance Summit. “When you consider that, worldwide, in 2009 over 92 million borrowers from nearly 2,000 microfinance institutions had an average loan balance of $527USD, you realize microfinance is addressing poverty in a significant way and transforming people’s lives.”

“Microcredit enables people to become givers, not takers,” adds Philip Smith. “Microcredit should not be seen as charity but rather as the opportunity poor people need to build a decent life. Through microcredit, donors can shed the old hand-out mentality and become true partners in progress with the people of the developing world.”

Over 30 event speakers include: Bob Annibale – Citi, Joyce Lehman – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Michael Bowles – Aga Khan Foundation, Kadita (A.T.) Tshibaka – Opportunity International USA, Stéphanie Émond – FINCA Canada, Dr. Tanjina Mirza, PLAN Canada, Jeff Rayman – UEnd: Poverty Foundation, Deborah Lindholm – Foundation for Women and Gordon Crann – Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit.

Once again, The MasterCard Foundation is providing financial assistance for the first 100 students to register for the conference.

EARLYBIRD DEADLINE for conference tickets is SEPTEMBER 2 . Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn. Watch the Microwalk on YouTube. Watch for our new mobile app.

For tickets, a full list of speakers and more information, visit www.microfinanceconference.ca.

Toronto International Microfinance Summit is Canada’s premier event focusing on domestic and international microfinance. Founded in 2009, this non-profit organization was inspired by Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit (RAGM) and Rotary District 7070 Microfinance Committee. The Summit’s signature Conference and Gala are run entirely by volunteers of diverse backgrounds and ages. Our vision is a world without poverty through microfinance. Our mission is to educate people on microfinance – a formidable poverty reduction tool, create a forum for dialogue and raise funds for domestic and international microfinance projects and educational scholarships. Formerly the Summit was known as Toronto Microfinance Conference & Gala.

The Avril Lavigne Foundation, Easter Seals Announce Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club

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Giving Kids & Youth with Disabilities the Opportunity to Express Their Individuality & Have Fun

The Avril Lavigne Foundation announced today the creation of the Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals, an initiative to support recreational programming for children and youth with disabilities, their families, and communities. The first four Easter Seals affiliates selected to receive an Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals grant are Easter Seals Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana in Ohio; Easter Seals Capper Foundation in Kansas; Easter Seals Massachusetts; and Easter Seals Southern California.

Earlier this year, Easter Seals affiliates from across the U.S. and Canada were invited to apply for an Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals grant. The grants’ initiative evolved from the collaboration between Easter Seals and The Avril Lavigne Foundation originally announced in September 2010 to identify and support recreational programs for kids with disabilities and their families and communities. Thirty affiliates applied for a grant. Following a review of the top 12 applicants, award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne and The Avril Lavigne Foundation selected four Easter Seals grant recipients.

“It was really tough to pick just four,” said Lavigne. “I was inspired by the creativity of everyone who applied and the exciting range of opportunities the Easter Seals affiliates presented. Recreational programs allow children and young people with disabilities to develop critical social and emotional skills and also just have fun. As great as these programs are, a lot of times when budgets are tight these will be the first programs cut. My goal is to help bring more resources to these great programs.”

The four initial grant recipients were chosen based on their overall impact and embodiment of the Avril Lavigne Foundation’s R.O.C.K.S. mission: R espect, O pportunity, C hoices, K nowledge, and S trength.

The unique programs supported by the grant will include a program to connect teens with disabilities with other kids in their community at Easter Seals Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana in Ohio; an art camp at Easter Seals Capper Foundation; an overnight camp at Easter Seals Massachusetts; and an afterschool music program at Easter Seals Southern California. To learn more about these exciting programs, please visit The Avril Lavigne Foundation website at www.theavrillavignefoundation.org.

“We’re so lucky to have such an incredible partner in Avril and The Avril Lavigne Foundation. She cares deeply about making sure kids and young people with disabilities have every opportunity to live life to the fullest, pursue their dreams, and find happiness. She’s also passionate about sharing a message of inclusion, that kids and young people with disabilities want to laugh, have fun with their friends, and just fit in – like all of us,” says James E. Williams, Jr., president and chief executive officer, Easter Seals. “We also know when it comes to Easter Seals, Avril was most inspired by our recreational programming – services where kids and teens with disabilities can just be kids through social events, music, theater, sports, arts, leisure time, hobbies, getting out in the community and camp. That’s what The Avril Lavigne Rockstar Club at Easter Seals is all about.”

Avril Lavigne is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer/ songwriter. Though most of her philanthropic efforts have been private and anonymous, Avril has publicly supported a number of charitable organizations over the years, including Amnesty International, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, War Child, and YouthAIDS. Avril currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis. Avril’s work with children who are seriously ill or who have disabilities inspired her to form The Avril Lavigne Foundation in 2010.

About The Avril Lavigne Foundation

Award-winning singer/songwriter and philanthropist Avril Lavigne created The Avril Lavigne Foundation in early 2010. The Avril Lavigne Foundation R.O.C.K.S.: R espect, O pportunity, C hoices, K nowledge, and S trength in support of children and youth living with serious illnesses and disabilities. The foundation partners with leading charitable organizations to design and deliver programs, raise awareness and mobilize support for children and youth living with a serious illness or a disability.

About Easter Seals

Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities and other special needs. For over 90 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play. Support children and adults with disabilities at www.easterseals.com.