
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]

Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]

Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]

By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]

Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]

Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]

Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]

Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]

Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]

Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]

Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]

Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]

Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
entrepreneur

As far as I can remember I have always had this burning desire to be independent and different. In the 8th grade I was picked “Most Eccentric.” At first I was insulted, but then it marinated for a bit, and I began to embrace my eccentricity. I viewed this as my chance to stand out from the crowd – to lead and not follow. However, growing up in a sheltered upbringing I never had a chance to fully embrace my independence – something I wanted so badly. Getting married at the age of 17 was my ticket to freedom or so I thought. My life truly began the moment I left my unhappy marriage. That was my rebirth so to speak.
A year later after my “escape,” I started a group. This group was called Women Empowered and was intended to connect and befriend other women all while creating a support system. The inner entrepreneur in me came out and came out strong when I decided to turn this group into something more real. Nonprofit status was attained two years later. I found my passion and nothing could stop me. Whenever I am asked what qualities I possess that have helped me during this journey; my answer is always: Persistence and Stubbornness. I keep going and I rarely take no for an answer to both my benefit and detriment. It’s all a learning experience, and I take the good and leave behind the bad.
Having an entrepreneurial mindset is liberating and serves in all areas of life. It has allowed me to be open minded, innovative, take risks, and be annoyingly persistent. If you don’t get it done, who will? If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will. An entrepreneurial mindset allows you to free yourself from all the external noise and inner chatter. It allows for creativity to flourish. It’s the umbrella of all great things. It gives you freedom – something I’ve strived for my entire life. I have it now, and it’s not going anywhere.
– Shelly Ulaj
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