Hello Mr. Silva,

I just wanted let you know what a terrific time my staff, my wife and I had at your instructors college in Mass. I know you are aware of our situation, because of it we were wondering if it was a good time financially to attend. Obviously we chose to go, thank God we did! It was the best business decision we could have ever made. Before attending, because of the way business was going, my wife and I were getting really burned out. It makes us feel great hearing what a difference we are making in our students lives but when you come home and are having a hard time paying your bills, you start to wonder if it's worth it. Since the college we have a newfound motivation, tons of information to implement and we're both on the same page with all of these ideas. In the past we would always disagree (and that's putting it nicely...LOL) on topics and eventually after lots of "discussing" get nothing done, now after hearing you, Mr. Storm and Mr. Fournier speak we are agreeing on everything and just focusing on making them happen. Since returning my staff has been teaching their best classes ever, instead of just leading the classes they are becoming terrific "instructors". You hit the nail on the head when you said we had a breakthrough, we are ready to take the next step! My heart races every time I think about it, but I am looking ahead "beginning with the end in mind", no matter how many times I've heard that I really didn't understand what it meant until last weekend. I also can't thank you enough for the offer you made of coming to our school in June, we know how precious your time is and it means the world to us, thank you very much. We would like to call to speak with you this week if possible, I was thinking Thursday morning around 11am EST if it is ok with you? I'm not sure if I can, but can you also e-mail me the requirements for next month's black belt testing in Florida, I am 5th degree going for 6th .

Thank you for all you do and for making a difference in our school.

We look forward to speaking with you!

Vinny Stasi & Joanne Stasi
Vinjo's Karate

Dear Mr. Butts:

First of all, I will say this. I had no idea any of this was going to happen for me while in your employment. I have come to just roll with it, no matter what we do because it is for my benefit. It may not always feel like that to me at the time, but while I'm in the midst of it, I realize how it is my personal benefit and I thank you for that.

As I was sitting there in training session after training session and learning the names of the speakers and what their backgrounds were, I began to realize that I was in the presence of great men and women. They are the top performers, the top in their fields and the top of their profession and the top earners of their business. To hear you talk about Mr. Silva and the other men and women who gave up their time out of respect for Master Silva says a lot. To hear you talk about the man as your mentor and someone you have modeled your business and time and resources after says a whole lot about Mr. Silva and yourself. I was so impressed with everyone, at their humbleness, at their willingness to share their success and do it so freely.

There were so many life lessons learned in addition to the training. I learned a little bit more about the man who employed me, who has invested in me, and about what you mean to the other people who work for you, and to others in your profession. I was amazed to be in the presence of men and women who have been very successful and yet are still so humble and serving. I was so impressed by Mr. Shur who stopped in the middle of his speech flow in order to give me his own water! I am so thankful to have been a part of that. I was reminded of a scripture because I realized I was in the presence of great men and women last weekend, it is Proverbs 18:16 KJV A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

I had to go and shake as many hands as I could and thank them for giving up their time to come and train me, to pour into and share with me because they didn't have to BUT they believe so strongly in what they are doing. They want their belief in martial arts and how it helps kids and people become better people to become a stronger message and they truly want to build people up. That means something to me.

You know, after my first encounter with the men from United Professionals I thought, "What am I doing in here, I am not going to own a school or run a school or be in martial arts," but after this training, I thought, why not? Why couldn't I. You can't limit yourself. They are all a fantastic group of people and your admiration and appreciation of what they have meant to you was evident. Their life and philosophies have changed your life and your life has changed our lives. Now, don't let all the training in me go to waste

I am also so grateful. You validate us and encourage us and open our eyes to possibilities. Does it benefit you to do that? Yes, but I don't think you do it just to "grow" your business (although that doesn't hurt); you do it because you enjoy building up people and bringing out the best in them. You are in the people business first regardless of the dollar value you would ever collect from people. Keep up the good work Mr. Butts. I did tell God how thankful I was, I believe He heard my prayer. You see, there are some things you can do for yourself to take your business and your personal goals to the next level, but there are some things only God can do for you and you have nothing to do with it. I asked God for those things for you, the ones you have nothing to do with, the things only He can do - those are the miracles in life, the mercy and the grace. I have shared with you in several emails what I learned from them, are we going to implement some of their marketing strategies?

God Bless,
LISA M. CHIA