It's Been a Great Ride

I was the fifth of six children of Irish immigrants. I worked my way up from delivering newspapers on the South Side of Chicago to CEO of Merry-Go-Round Enterprises, which in 1987 Forbes magazine ranked as number 34 on its list of the best companies in America.My success began with the blessings and gifts I received from God and my parents: good health, and a keen sense for how to do a job better, faster, or with more enjoyment. On top of that, my parents and my Catholic education instilled in me the virtues of responsibility and discipline. Jeanne-my friend, my lover, and my rock for all these years-and I started our life together with only $2,600 to our name. In this book I tell about what I went through to get to where I am and share the lessons I learned along the way. My life is living proof that there are always setbacks in life. The key is how to respond to them. My philosophy has always been: Never give up. Always look forward. Never say Woe is me, but ask, What am I going to do next? If you believe in yourself and your abilities, keep trying, and keep working hard, things will work out. I pray that all of us will discover our God-given gifts and talents, and use them in ways that will help ourselves, our families, and the world around us flourish. We all have an opportunity to live a full and successful life. With faith in God and hard work, we all can.