October 2005 Newsletter

The Hurricane Heartbreak

Hi Everyone,

In planning this month’s newsletter, for some reason I kept getting stuck—something kept urging me to change the theme we had planned months ago. I don’t know about you, but I ache inside for our fellow brothers and sisters who have felt the devastation of recent hurricanes. I simply could not move forward with “business as usual” and felt that this BE NICE Newsletter should continue to focus on the task at hand: that of raising money and raising hopes.

As always, I reached out to my friends and comrades (I have the best friends!) and asked them to participate in this issue. The People Profile features a man I’ve known almost 20 years, Sam Brocato. Although our friendship both in business and personally has been consistently supportive over the years, during the past month Sam and I have communicated daily, because Sam is in Louisiana, rolling up his sleeves, getting involved, raising money, and keeping many of us informed. His stories and pictures over the past month have been vital in keeping me focused. Sam recently said that our efforts to rebuild are more like a marathon than a sprint. Because of his words, I am preparing for this marathon called hurricane relief efforts, and plan to be active and involved for years to come.

This month’s audio message is one of my favorites because it features one of my favorite people, James Morrison, speaking on one of my favorite topics: balance. Oh, how this planet could benefit from that message.

Finally, the Do Something and Corporate Corner articles will surely be useful to anyone (YOU!) who plans to make a difference. Thanks for helping me live my fantasy of spreading this BE NICE message and giving nice people a voice.

XOXO, Winn

A BE NICE Story
Do you have a BE NICE story to share? Send it to editor@BeNiceOrElse.com. If it appears in the newsletter, you’ll receive a BE NICE T-shirt and CD!

All too often, we stop ourselves from getting involved because we think our small contributions can’t possibly make a difference. WRONG! In the same way that individual drops of water combine to form an ocean, our individual contributions can add up to millions—or even billions—of dollars for hurricane relief. Here are three BE NICE stories that really touched my heart this week.

At one of my recent seminars, a woman came up to tell me about her son and daughter, ages 9 and 12. They held a car wash and raised $700 for hurricane relief.
Our good friend Leeza Gibbons shared a BE NICE story about her 7-year-old son Nathan Meadows and his friends, Jordan and Jason. “The kids wanted to do something to help the victims,” Leeza said, “so they made lemonade and offered homemade cookies to passersby on the street corner. They had the cutest little stand with a hand-printed sign saying ‘For the Hurricane Victims.’ Most people who came over were so charmed by the sweet smiles on the kids’ faces that they gave way more than the price of the lemonade and cookies. They all learned that feeling of satisfaction that only comes from doing something for someone else. As parents, we had a chance to talk with our kids about something that can seem so scary in a way that made sense to them.”
California school superintendent Jack O’Connell realized that the kids in his state want to help make a difference. He established the California Kids Care project, a month-long fundraising drive to help with hurricane relief efforts. “If, through this project, we could raise just one dollar for every California student, that’s $6.2 million for the victims of Hurricane Katrina,” O’Connell said. Participating schools will be recognized by the state Department of Education for their efforts with a certificate of appreciation, O’Connell added. “But most important, children who participate will know they have done something tangible to ease the suffering of others.”

Monthly Audio Message

This month’s audio message comes from James Morrison, co-founder and co-owner of the multimillion-dollar salon and manufacturing company TONI&GUY/TIGI USA. His inspiring message about his September 11 experience, his individual discoveries, and his hopes for the future is especially relevant today in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Immediately after the hurricane hit, James announced his plans to donate the proceeds from his One Life T-shirt sales to hurricane relief efforts. He’s also joining David Wagner and Winn Claybaugh for a Be Nice, Balance & Daymaking Tour for Hurricane Relief. James is a shining example of the difference one person can make.

Listen to James Morrison’s inspiring message.

If you enjoyed this month’s audio message, you’ll love our MASTERS Audio Club. CLICK HERE for more information.

People Profile

Louisiana native and salon/beauty academy owner Sam Brocato was recently named chairman of the Beauty Associations for Katrina Relief. This newly formed coalition sprang into action immediately after Hurricane Katrina when Sam and other industry leaders asked themselves what they could do to help hurricane victims within their industry. The coalition plans to raise $5 million to help members of the beauty industry rebuild their salons and professional lives following the devastation.

“Only by working together can we hope to raise the much-needed funds that will help rebuild beauty in this once vibrant area of the country and, in doing so, strengthen our entire industry,” Sam says. “Our sole goal is to make this region of our country, and the hard-working salon professionals in it, once again able to provide the vital beauty services upon which their clients and customers depend, and truly need now more than ever.”

Sam and the coalition are outstanding role models for other industries to follow. You can learn more about their efforts at www.probeautycares.org. Follow their lead and ask yourself what the people in your industry will need in order to rebuild or recover from the Gulf Coast hurricanes. Then take action and do something to help!

Do Something!
“If You’re Good at Coming Up with Excuses, You’ll Never Be Good at Anything Else!”

So that you don’t use the excuse of “I don’t know where to begin or who to call to get involved,” we’re making it easy for you. You have a choice, and your simple, passionate efforts with any of these organizations can bring relief to those affected by recent hurricanes.

CLICK HERE to download a list of nationally established relief organizations.

Corporate Corner

Soon after Katrina hit and left her devastation, I received several phone calls and e-mails from individuals who were feeling desperation and heartache but didn’t know what to do or where to turn. Their solution? They wanted me to contact big corporations and wealthy friends and ask them to write out some big checks. My response to them was, “I’m sure those companies and those people are writing out their checks, but what are you doing?”

I want to challenge stores, businesses, and companies—big and small—to teach your people about grassroots efforts. Encourage them to do their part. Empower them with resources and ideas on how they can personally get involved with making a difference. If you have the power to do so, perhaps you can take a team of ten staff members to lunch and let them brainstorm some hurricane relief fundraising ideas. Perhaps you could help them organize a car wash on a Saturday in the parking lot of your company, where employees can “show up” to do their part. Not only will it raise necessary funds, it will also put your company in a new light . . . one that gives back.

True leadership calls upon every person to assume the responsibility for inspiring each other. CLICK HERE to learn more principles and practices of true leadership.

Quote of the Month

“I want everybody to give at the level that you can. This is about our country, all of us as Americans coming together, opening our hearts. I want you to put your money where your heart is—and give.”
– Oprah Winfrey

Walk the talk and wear the talk.
CLICK HERE!