Doing Business with Arnold Schwarzenegger – Success is being Resourceful - Part 2

y being resourceful, we can accomplish great things. We just need to take inventory of the resources we have and use them in creative ways. Here's an example: I used frequent flyers miles to pay for tuition. That's right! But, you're not reading this to hear about my tuition bills.

As I had mentioned in my last blog, I wanted Arnold Schwarzenegger to help me take over Carolco Pictures. Only one problem; I didn't personally know Arnold and even worst, he had no clue I existed.

So I started asking everyone I knew or came into contact with if they knew Arnold. Everyone was saying, "no" or, "yeah right" or "good luck." Anyway, I continued to press on even though I was short on cash, time and contacts. I need to mention that at this time in my life I was living in Salt Lake City, Utah a wonderful place to live but NOT a power player when it comes to big business or Hollywood.

I was driving to the premier of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, staring Robert De Niro. In the car is Mark, a print broker, and his wife, Susan, who is a stay at home mom. So, without fail, I ask Mark if he knew Arnold or how to contact him. He said no. Suddenly Susan exclaimed, "I don't know him but I know when he'll be in town next." My head jerked to attention. Simultaneously, Mark and I asked, "How do you know?"

The manager at the supplement store told me Arnold was coming into town to present an award to Senator Orin Hatch. "Wow, can I call the store manager and speak with him?" I asked. She gave me his name and number.

I then called the store manager and he explained that Arnold was coming into town to present Senator Hatch an award from the Weider company. I asked if I could attend the program and he said I would need to check with the Wieder company because they were putting on the event. I asked for and he gave me the contact information I needed. Weider Publications, LLC owns and publishes health and fitness magazines.

I contacted Don at Weider company and asked if I could attend. He said, no, unless I was involved with the media. I responded , "Do you need more media coverage?" After further discussion, he agreed to let me attend if I could bring some media. I promised I would and I did along with video cameras and everything, kinda. I knew a buddy who was a cameraman for one of the news stations and he showed up with another friend who wanted to break into the news business so we were all set. Don was happy because we looked official enough which made him look good.

Arnold gave a great talk, very funny and the audience ate it up. After the talk, Don introduced me to Senator Hatch, Joe Weider and, finally, Arnold. We chit-chatted for a few seconds and took a photo. After a few more minutes, I moved in for the kill. This was my only chance. I'm thinking, "If Arnold says yes, it will change my world." I explained the overall concept for taking over Carolco and Arnold listened intently.

"What kind of interest do you have?" I asked Arnold. He paused and said, "I don't think I would be interested at all." He explained about prior commitments and gave me some history about Carolco's management. We discussed the project for a few minutes longer, out of courtesy for me, I suspect. Ok so I didn't do business with Arnold but I believed the strategies were worth the headline. Now let me ask you - if you're going to be turn down by a possible investor who would you like to be turn by a small shot or a big shot?

The Rest of the Story:

Twentieth Century Fox bought Carolco's assets. Arnold went on to make a few more movies and then become Governor of California. Me? Well, I learned a great strategy that has allowed me access to very successful and influential people including: Wayne Huizenga, Gerry Robert, Brent Spiner, Patrick Snow, and Bill Bartmann, just to name a few. If you would like to build your contacts and accelerate your success follow these actions.

Actions

1) Make a list of your current resources

2) Make a list of the different ways you can use your resources - be creative

3) Identify people that could help you and start asking everyone for an introduction

You Were Created to Succeed!

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