Today is Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and I just want to take a minute to say how thankful I am to my family, especially Anne, who is the most amazing wife a guy could wish for.  She has encouraged me and stood by me even when my decisions weren’t the best and even when she thought we should do things another way.

Thanks to my parents who raised me to be the person I am today.  And thanks to my brother who, despite our differences, reminds me of how much we are really alike.

And thanks to all the friends I have made over the years, from those who I have known since elementary school to those I just met last week.  Whether we remain friends for life or for just a short time I know that there is a reason we met and we can learn from each other.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday I wrote a post giving thanks to the most awesome clients in the world.  Today I’d like to show my thanks to our business colleagues and marketing coaches.

I’d like to start this post by saying that in the last several years I have met some of the most amazing people of my life.  Below are just a few of the many people who have touched my life.  These are the ones that really stand out when I sit down to think about it.  I realize that there are some that will get missed, but know that it is not personal and you are greatly appreciated.

So that this list doesn’t go on forever, I’d like to first say I’m thankful for all the small business marketing coaches I have had the pleasure to meet and work with over the last three years.  And for your friendship and referrals, thanks to Randy Vaughn,  Adrianne Machina and Fiona Friesen.  You are all awesome. (The links go to their Twitter profiles.  You’d be smart to follow them too.)

I’m thankful for Charlie Griffith, my first true mentor and someone, besides my mother, who recognized and encouraged my potential.

I’m thankful to T. Harv Eker of Peak Potentials for helping me to grasp the concepts that will ultimately lead to financial independence.

I’m thankful to Rugger Burke, a Dallas Attorney for helping get my business set up properly.

I’m thankful to Kevin Eikenberry for reaching out to me when I first started putting out a newsletter online.  He was, and still is, a great example to me of an effective leader.

I’m thankful to Rosa Say for her openness and including me in her Ho’Ohana Community and for being an example of how to build an online community and be able to communicate love and respect through online interaction.

I’m thankful to Steve Pavlina for his brilliant insight and ideas about self-growth and improvement.

I’m thankful to John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing for helping me get started helping other small businesses.

And thanks to Matthew Ray Scott of Strategic Incubator for being a friend and example, and for just being one helluva smart guy.

Everybody have a wonderful Thanksgiving!