Member Spotlight on Ridgely Goldsborough
Member Spotlight on RIDGELY GOLDSBOROUGH
A View From The Ridge, Inc.
Interview conducted by Winnie Hart, Communications Director
Please tell us briefly about your company.
We
publish materials in multiple formats for the personal development
industry (books, CDs, online materials) with a primary focus on the
Hispanic Market. Some of the materials are my own, some come from other
authors and joint venture partners-anything that can help our clientele
develop as business people and as human beings.
Why did you join EO and how long have you been a member?
I
joined in 1996 to further my business education and to develop a peer
group that understood the unique challenges of being an entrepreneur.
What do you like best about your business?
The
appropriate answer is, of course, the ability to impact the lives of
many in a positive way. The secondary answer is "cash." I love dealing
with real money on a regular basis, even though that carries its own
set of challenges. In a world that functions primarily in an electronic
environment where transactions happen across the ethers with no
tangible exchange (which we also do), I actually enjoy selling and
receiving hard payment in multiple currencies, then figuring out what
to do with it.
When did you first realize you were going to be an entrepreneur?
I've
never known any other way, and held only one regular job for a mere 31
days, when I was 19. Building someone else's dream makes no sense to me
and I consider myself psychologically unemployable.
What are your greatest personal strengths?
Moving
ahead of the curve and spotting an upcoming market early on-such as
personal development in Spanish. It's a grossly underserved segment of
a booming industry.
What about your weakness?
I hate details and must surround myself with people who can handle them or I'll lose interest and fail at an endeavor.
Why do you think you have been successful?
I have an under-developed sense of fear and a willingness to take significant risks if I believe in the potential of an idea.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
It
is my understanding that hair grows on cadavers. If so, perhaps at that
point, someone may spot some gray on my head. If not, don't figure on
it.
What is something you hope will be written about you in your obituary?
That I accomplished the over-arching goal of leaving a legacy while also enjoying life, family and all of the possibilities.
On a lighter note, what do you do for fun these days?
I
dine out often and then run to work off the calories-not because I like
running, but for the sheer delight of the next great meal.
Got anything big coming up on the horizon for you personally or with business that you want to share?
I
just launched my 8th book, The Great Ones, in both English and Spanish,
soon to be on tape and online. Any EO member that wants a copy, shoot
me an e-mail!
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs?
Take
risks, live fully and remember that when you lose, don't lose the
lesson. I'll take someone with staying power over someone with brain
power any day of the week. Never give up!
