Business Lessons from sucessful entrepreneurs and business leaders: LunchLearning.com

Reading time: 2 - 2 minutes

Video Time: 55 minutes 45 seconds

Larry North. Big guy. Big heart. Big entrepreneur. Larry is the founder of Larry North fitness centers, a company he began in 1989 after developing a love of fitness and health. . .a lifestyle he developed to a degree, at least, to counteract the childhood challenges of growing up as his website puts it: “the son of a professional gambler and compulsive dieter.”

Larry’s subsequent belief that “the more a person is denied something, the farther they will go to get it,” was spun into something more positive, and when paired with a desire to help others, Larry channeled that energy into the development of Larry North Fitness.

There are parts of this presentation to the Collegiate Entrepreneurship Association that are difficult to hear because he uses an old highlight from 60 Minutes, but the story is strong regardless and a big part of why Larry’s journey is relevant for many entrepreneurs without the unfortunate circumstances of Larry’s history.

It’s a lesson about courage, achievement, drive, forgiveness and maintaining a passion for others. Well worth your time on today’s LunchLearning.com

Reading time: 3 - 5 minutes

Video Time: Varies

Wow. If every lecture in college were as inspiring as this one, I don’t think universities would have ANY trouble getting young people to attend. Mitch Thrower (@mitchthrower on Twitter) gives an amazing lecture on entrepreneurship to a captive audience of students at the University of San Diego.

If you’ve ever wondered how entrepreneurs do what it is they do, Mitch will give you a little insight. If you’re a student wondering about what your first or next job will be, listen to Mitch to learn about how you can create your OWN job…your OWN life. If you’re already an entrepreneur. . .Mitch Thrower’s talk will help you remember why you started down the path you’re on right now.

I LOVE this lecture. It’s in 9 parts. . .1-4 are yours today. . .parts 5-9 are coming tomorrow.

If I’ve tempted you too much, you have the time, and you just can’t wait for tomorrow’s installment, here is the link for the whole series: Mitch Thrower’s “Secrets of Entrepreneurship” lecture.

From Tim Thrower’s Bio: A serial entrepreneur, Mitch is also the co-founder of one of the fastest growing companies in the US — The Active Network, Inc - Active.com - a software, marketing and registration powerhouse. He also co-founded and was the CEO for 7 years of The Active Europe Network, Ltd. which operates Active’s business model in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

His initiative and efforts to rapidly consolidate participatory sports registration software companies worldwide, has without any doubt, created the “Ticketmaster ” of participatory sports — with his entrepreneurial ideas and initiative forever changing the global landscape of sports.

Author of “Give Me Ten Seconds and I’ll Change Your Life” formally published as “The Attention Deficit Workplace,” Mitch Thrower is also a columnist for Triathlete Magazine and BizSanDiego Magazine.

Thrower holds a BA from Saint Lawrence University and an MBA from the University of San Diego, where he has served as Entrepreneur in Residence, and where he lectures on Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management.