After putting together 15 Secret Exposed books there are certain names that pop up again and again through peoples chapters as they talk about their ‘hero’ or ‘inspiration’.

As you would probably guess at the top of that list is Richard Branson, with people crediting part of their success to his rebel spirit that echoes through everything he does.

However, another hero at the top of the list to many, especially the contributors of the books Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed and Secrets of Inspiring Women Exposed, is Anita Roddick, founder of ‘The Body Shop’.

This morning I woke to the news that at the relative young age of 64. Anita Roddick passed away but not without leaving an indelible footprint on the world.

The daughter of Italian immigrants, Roddick saw her business ‘The Body Shop’ mushroom into an empire of more than 2,000 stores serving more than 77 million customers in 51 different markets.

But more so than her business and financial success, it was Roddick’s almost cult like following and her extremely loyal customer base that was the envy of every major corporation on the planet. With her mission statement being - “To dedicate our business to the pursuit of social and environmental change”, it was clear there was always a bigger purpose to everything she did.

When asked Roddick said it was her mother’s frugality during World War II that inspired her to being campaigning for environmental issues and question retail conventions.

“We reused everything, we refilled everything and we recycled all we could. The foundation of The Body Shop’s environmental activism was born out of ideas like these,” she wrote on her website. And this was all before recycling and environmental awareness was fashionable.

So for me, it was be her success off the business field that will become her real and lasting legacy. Roddick ‘walked her talk’ she campaigned against human rights abuses and was an environmental activist.

To read the full story of Anita Roddick, get a copy of ‘Business As Unusual’, which is available in all good bookstores and of course through ‘The Body Shop’.

A few days ago I was invited to speak for a good friend who is the President of the Surf Side chapter of Business SWAP. It is a global organisation for professionals and business owners, providing networking opportunities and access to personal development. Apart from the 6:00am wake up call (so I would be there bright and perky for a 7:00am start) the remainder of the morning was delightful.

After some brief pleasantries and the usual announcements, to kick the morning off each attendee stated a “Thought of the Day”. This was followed by a brief speech from one of the members and then it was onto me for the main event. It was great to have the opportunity to share some of the things that I have learnt by putting together the Secrets Exposed series and people seemed to really enjoy it. However, I was totally blown away when at the end of my presentation audience members one-by-one came up and presented me with these cards. Here is a couple of examples….

This was a touching experience and of course I was extremely grateful. But then on the drive home I started to think, when was the last time I wrote an “Applause Card”?�

There is an old saying that goes “Recognition - Babies cry for it and grown men die for it” and it so true.

Often we think good things about people but that is all we do - THINK. We don’t take that extra step and actually make the effort to say what we think and feel about a person. What I have realised is that no matter how big and successful you think a person is they probably need to hear what you have to say more than you know. Often times it may look as though they have it together, but in actual fact they are human just like you and even the smallest comment or gesture can go a really long way.

So that is the first challenge to speak up and SAY SOMETHING. The next challenge is to put pen to paper because as they say nothing is more powerful than the written word.

So now here is my challenge to you… Go ahead and make someone’s day!

Dale

Hi Everyone,

I just thought I would give you another update on how our pregnancy is going! Katherine is now at 29 weeks (as I am sure you can see from the photo below). Getting closer now! Below is a bit about where our baby is up to in terms of growth.

Thanks again for your support, will keep you updated!

Dale Beaumont

"Your baby is now developing a special layer of fat called brown adipose tissue (or BAT). BAT is your baby’s main source of heat production after birth (similar to the fat of hibernating animals). Newborns have a limited ability to shiver, sweat or move to regulate their own body temperature. By 40 weeks, BAT makes up 2 to 7 % of your baby’s total body weight. Premature babies have trouble keeping warm after birth because they lack BAT. This is why they are cared for with overhead heaters or humidicribs in intensive care nurseries."

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I would give you a quick update on how our baby is coming along! Below is some information that my wife got. Very Exciting! Again thanks for all of your support and kind wishes.

Dale

“Your baby is now developing their immune system, as natural antibodies pass from your blood stream to them through the placenta. Your baby is now capable of coordinating a suck and swallow action, needed to drink milk after being born. However, this reflex does not fully mature until about 34 to 36 weeks. Your baby may look around and is capable of distinguishing light from dark and tracking movement.”

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I just thought we would give you an update as we are now 25 weeks pregnant!!

Katherine has joined a website where they give you information about where your pregnancy is at. Below I have pasted some information and a photo. Thanks again for all of your support and kind wishes… as you can imagine we are getting VERY excited!

“You are now 25 weeks pregnant and at the beginning of week 26.

Your baby measures about 33 cm from head to toe (or 13.2 inches) and weighs about 800 grams (or 1lb 12 oz).

Your baby’s eyelids are no longer fused, so they can now open their eyes and blink! It is also possible for your baby to respond to bright light (such as shining a torch through your belly). Newborns have vision that is perfectly focussed from about 20 to 30 cm, usually as far away as the face of the person holding them!

Babies born between 24 and 26 weeks are regarded as extremely preterm, but have a 50 to 70% chance of surviving if they have access to a fully equipped intensive care nursery. Babies change position frequently during this phase of pregnancy and are quite often in abreech position (bottom down) or lying across your belly in a transverse position.”

Speak to you soon!

Dale

Today is the 26th June and it is actually “My 26th Birthday”. I have prepare a special video message to coincide with the launch of ‘Property Millionaires Live’, which is being is going to be held at the end of July. Please press play on the video box below and to find out more please go to http://www.SecretsExposedLive.com.au. Enjoy!

The other day, Katherine and I went to an all-day baby training. Without a doubt, it was the most eye-opening seminar I have ever been to, and I have been to A LOT of seminars.

I have a total new appreciation for women and especially those that have given birth…. total respect!

I won’t even begin to tell you the stuff that we actually spoke about or share the details of what we saw on video, but here are a couple of photos for you. If you want to leave a comment about your experience, please click on the comments section at the end of this post. Looking forward to hearing from you so I know what I’m in for

The other day I was at a friends house and I discovered this Scroll hanging on the wall. I thought it contained some really great thoughts and I wanted to share it with you.

Things are getting pretty exciting as my wife Katherine is now just on half way though the pregnancy of our first child.

Last week we had an ultra sound to make sure that everything is growing, as it should be. I must say that throughout the process I was completely in awe and amazed to see how much the baby had grown in such a short period of time.

We were able to see fingers, toes, the baby’s nose and mouth, and even its little legs kicking away. We even saw the baby doing a few somersaults, which we’re sure it gets from me. Here is a quick photo:

Hi Everyone, just wanted to wish everyone a happy Mothers Day! This is a poem I came across – hope you like it.

Super Mom

Mom, you’re a wonderful mother,
So gentle, yet so strong.
The many ways you show you care
Always make me feel I belong.

You’re patient when I’m foolish;
You give guidance when I ask;
It seems you can do most anything;
You’re the master of every task.

You’re a dependable source of comfort;
You’re my cushion when I fall.
You help in times of trouble;
You support me whenever I call.

I love you more than I can express;
You have my total respect.
If I had my choice of mothers,
You’d be the one I’d select!
By Joanna Fuchs