Oprah Inspires Local Startup
Chris Hollar says that when you’re considering a career change, it doesn’t hurt to have Oprah Winfrey in your corner.
Last fall, Hollar, a mother of two who lives on Verona’s north side, was selected as one of 30 women around the country to participate in a career workshop conducted by motivational author and Oprah acolyte, Marcus Buckingham.
As part of the workshop, Hollar traveled to Chicago and met Oprah herself, who stood next to Hollar as she encouraged the women to pursue their dreams.
“Having Oprah tell you in person that you should live your best life, you can’t really say, ‘No Oprah, I’m going to pass,’” Hollar laughed.
The experience pushed Hollar last December to end her 13-year career as a speech pathologist and start her own business selling natural and organic cosmetics. The business – Truth, Love, Beauty – now operates out of The Purple Goose, 400 W. Verona Ave.
Hollar said she’d kicked around the idea for her business for a couple years before the workshop.
“I felt like the whole thing was the kickstart to make some positive changes in my life,” she said. “Life-changing is the only way I can describe it.”
Photo by Verona Press.
Angela on May 23rd, 2008 1:03 pm
It’s always fun to see what inspires people to do the things they do. I’m glad to see she found the inspiration she needed and that it has gone so well for her.
Rita on May 23rd, 2008 1:24 pm
Absolutely LOVE your blog I read it often since I discovered it a few weeks ago. Thanks for the awesome posts.
Vince on May 25th, 2008 5:29 am
I was looking for a business opportunity – but due to my financial state needed it to be something that cost me almost nothing to start and didn’t require that I spend lots of time working on it.
Well after alot of looking I found it… it’s called Monavie, it’s a wellness product, yes it’s been featured on Oprah’s show by Doctor Oz, he thinks its awesome.
If anyone reading your blog is looking for an opportunity that doesn’t require much to start up , that has great potential in an industry that is about to explode have them contact me at lptgolf@adelphia.net. My name is Vince
jeflin on May 25th, 2008 10:54 am
The thing about Oprah is that she has power to move, influence and motivate millions of people.
simplyRik on May 26th, 2008 10:35 am
Guess we can’t wait for Montel, Springer or Larry King to do this for the Men out there. :)
Trina on May 26th, 2008 10:49 am
That is so great I’m trying to get Oprah to help me out with my unique Idea that’s Patent Pending. I wrote a post about my dolls. I’m a mother in a volent neighborhood and want to do something with my life, live in a better neighborhood. The Lord has put this unique idea on my mind so that I can turn around and bless others. Does anyone know how can I contact her? My dolls are meant to inpire the plus size woman/young girl to love your curves. I feel like my dreams are starting to come true.
PJ on May 27th, 2008 7:48 am
Great blog. Inspirational story indeed. I recently decided to stop working, and go back to doing what I love…creating. In my blog http://www.YinVsYang.com I wrote about the exact same life changing feeling.
It’s amazing what the spirit can do once the mind has decided it is okay.
Hmmm on May 28th, 2008 7:30 am
This is really a wonderful blog since it gives opportunities to start up and small biz to showcase what they have. Anyway, just a question why is Oprah, Oprah? I mean just because i like her, doesn’t mean she can make me easily shift to other things.
Jenet on May 28th, 2008 9:04 am
It’s amazing to see someone “break out” so to speak and venture out on their own. Oprah is a big motivational boost that is great. What about keeping in contact with one another to keep up the
motivating “high” I would like to hear from anyone.
Chris on June 19th, 2008 10:31 pm
Thank you for the nice comments about my story. The workshop was life-changing and helped me begin the work of making a new career for myself. If you are interested in taking the video-taped version of the workshop I participated in, you can view it at: http://www2.oprah.com/money/career/marcus/course/marcus_course_main.jhtml
Best wishes on your journey!
Lisa Medina on November 15th, 2008 1:04 am
That’s great. I have been interested in Organic and Natural food and products for years now. I have 2 businesses with items like this, but mine are purely online. I always thought about having my own brick and mortar store, but the costs are so high for this. Online is inexpensive, there is just more competition.
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