Cindy Cashman	The Week of December 19th, 2004

Marketing Guru

1. What’s in your wallet right now?

In my wallet right now is $183.00. I learned from a mentor of mine, Foster Hibbard, who taught me that the feeling of having creates and to carry $100 or more in my purse at all times.

2. What do you wish your parents taught you about money?

I wish my parents would have taught me what I’m teaching people right now with my e-course, Power Strategies: The Foundation for Creating and Building Wealth. The biggest thing learned from my mother was how to find really good deals. When it came to decorating my house, the minimum estimate was $100,000 to decorate it and I was able to do it for about $20,000 which is 20 cents on the dollar. I love bargain hunting at estate sales, auctions etc. My dad taught me that you don’t buy anything unless you can pay cash for it. Period. End of discussion. I have been following that advice for over 16 years. In fact my dad got his first credit card when he was about 72 years old. He went to the mailbox everyday to see if his credit card was in. He was going golfing with some friends and the only way he could make his reservations was with a credit card.

3. What is your worst habit around finances?

I’m not as organized as I would like to be, but I’m getting there.

4. What makes you happy?

Many things make me happy. Being with my friends and people that I love and that love me. I love being outdoors and in nature. I love being on the water, riding my wave-runner or being on the boat. I love playing, having fun, laughing, and bringing a smile to other people’s faces. It means a lot to me knowing that my message has helped a lot of people when I speak or write. Even my book EVERYTHING MEN KNOW ABOUT WOMEN which was written under a pseudonym, Dr. Alan Francis, has brought a smile to many people’s faces. We have a choice every morning when we wake up. We can choose to be happy or not happy and I choose to be happy most of the time. It’s a choice we make.

5. Personal philosophy around money?

I’m a big believer in the law of least effort and also loving what you do and having fun. If it’s not fun I’m not interested. What I’ve learned is that the more fun I have and the more I focus on what I love to do, the easier it is to manifest money. So, therefore, money comes easy when I stay focused on doing what I love to do.

6. Where does money come from?

Foster taught me money is energy and therefore money is just an exchange of energy. This goes back to doing what you love to do. That enthusiasm comes out and you attract money to you. When you decide what it is that you want to do, make a game plan, put your energy and enthusiasm into it, take action and go for it.

7. What would you do with a million dollars?

I’d change that question to say “what have I done with a million dollars”. I’m 46 now, and back in 1988 when I was completely broke and had no money I made a list of all the things I would buy and places I would go if I won the lottery. I felt I have won the lottery with the success of my books. I was literally able to check off almost everything that I wanted to buy. I have traveled almost all over the world, swam with dolphins in the wild, rode elephants in the jungle etc. I also love giving back to charities that I believe in and helping other people. Where I am right now is putting together a new list of exciting things I would like to do.

8. What is your most prized possession?

I don’t have a most prized possession.

9. Who is your role model?

My mentor was Foster Hibbard. I took a class from in back in the early 80s and he taught me a lot about life in general. I would say the most important thing I learned from him was it’s the feeling of having that creates so create the feeling of having.

10. What is your greatest achievement?

First, I am so proud of my son Erick Nelson who is the pride and joy of my life. Second I would say starting a business with less than $3,000 and selling over a million copies of my own books. Third, learning to read when I was 21 years old.

11. What organizations do you support?

The Women’s Shelter and some children’s organizations.

12. What contributions to society do you want to make?

I want to inspire millions of people all over the world to believe in themselves and go for their dream. You can do it.

13. If you could buy one thing right now what would it be?

A perfect relationship.

14. Favorite activity that doesn’t cost a dime?

I love being out in nature, hiking, being with my friends, having interesting conversations, reading a good book and having lots of fun. There are so many fun activities that don’t cost a thing.

15. How do you indulge yourself?

A number of ways first I take time every day to have fun. Fun is a big part of my life. So I get out and go on the lake, I go motorcycling, I jump on the trampoline, laugh, meditate and the list goes on.

At the age of 21, Cindy tested only at the third grade reading level. An accident that kept her housebound in a neck support for 6 months was her much needed wake up call. She realized how out of balance her life had become, and set out to correct it, using the same skills that had taken her so far in the athletic field. Cindy also focused on improving her reading and writing ability, as well as increasing her already outstanding marketing skills.With only $3,000 and determination, Cindy Cashman and a partner started Newport House, Inc. and published the now best-selling blank book, EVERYTHING MEN KNOW ABOUT WOMEN (written under the pseudonym of Dr. Alan Francis). Cindy knew that marketing the book would require the type of original creative thinking not usually taught in MBA schools. She recognized that selling through traditional booksellers would be a hard sale, as it would get lost among the thousands of titles. Instead, using creative marketing she sold the book to women's clothing stores, where its $3.00 price would make an attractive gift - stores bought them by the thousands.On the strength of this initial success, they published ten original books and sold over a million copies to become one of the most successful self-publishers in the country. Cindy's "Life Lessons" series: Life Lessons for Couples, Life Lessons for Mothers, and Life Lessons for Women are available in over ten countries and seven languages under the pen name Cindy Francis. Andrews McMeel Publishing purchased the rights in 1995.Now, after a brief "retirement", Cindy writes and speaks to audiences worldwide on Sales, Marketing and Intuition. Her stories inspire and motivate, while her questions stimulate you to tap into your natural talents. Cindy says, "One question changed my life."

For more information contact http://www.cindycashman.com

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