Do Negative Circumstances Make or Break You?

Qiana Hicks is a mother, a college graduate, a career professional, and an author. Her parents were drug and alcohol addicts, and her father spent most of Qiana's youth in prison.  She has an MBA with a specialization in finance and is now managing a team of IT resources for a pharmaceutical management company in Minneapolis.

Although her life can be categorized as that of a disadvantaged childhood, due to her mother’s substance abuse problems, her biological father’s absence, and her stepfather’s alcohol and drug addictions, she survived a tumultuous youth. Qiana and her siblings suffered from many forms of abuse, neglect, and poverty and had to raise themselves.

At age 15, Qiana became an adolescent-parent.  But she worked tirelessly to overcome the challenges of her past and positioned herself to face the obstacles of the future. She finished high school on time, then enrolled in college immediately after graduation, and raised her son while pursuing a college degree and building a career. 

Qiana REFUSED to allow her past to determine who and what she would become.  She used her experiences as opportunities and lessons for her future, making her wiser and stronger.  (I nicknamed her Qiana 'tenacious' Hicks and you will too!)

Do You Know What You Were Meant to do? Are You Doing it?

Dianna Corcoran, Australian-born singer, guitar player, songwriter, producer, musical entrepreneur and two-time Golden Guitar winner in the Australian Country Music Awards including Artist of the Year, is one of Australia's most distinguished vocal and songwriting talents. 

She has earned over 400 awards with numerous #1 hits including an upcoming Hollywood movie opening theme.

This hard-working, genuine country girl has an almost 7th-octave vocal range, an infectious personality, and brings a fresh sound to country music.

She has driven over 46,000 miles, by herself, to promote her music and meet her fans in small towns across America. 



She has an unusual view of competition in this business, that can be related to any business.  She is in one of the toughest industries yet has accomplished incredible success - through tenacity and determination.  Humility and warmth are often foreign to achievement in the music industry, yet it is in her nature.  

You will not want to miss this young star's interview and her encouraging words to anyone working towards achievement -- in whatever you set your mind to do.

Her humorous and stimulating interview:

I'm Not Stupid, Just Disabled -- How Society Sees Disabled People

Wolfgang Wolf was a freelance copywriter and co-founder of Ogilvy and Mather Direct as well as their Creative Director. 

In 1990, his life made a sharp turn.  He suffered a major stroke and should not have survived.  He shocked the doctors when not only did he survive but was able to do things they said he would never do again; walk, talk, and take care of himself. 




Since his stroke, he has founded a registered charity, got a Bachelors degree majoring in Counseling and is a guest lecturer.

His book, How to Survive (After) a Stroke, is NOT a book of rehabilitation techniques and medical advice.  Rather, it gives invaluable support by sharing stories of numerous stroke survivors about isolation, loneliness, stigma, fear, disability and pain. It is a book that addresses coping skills to move past these negatives.

He is an active blogger and would love to connect with you - especially if you have