HODGEPODGE BLOG

One of my favorite things about life is that…good things happen when you least expect them!

About 6 months ago, I received a call from a California movie producer who said….”I read your book The Richest Man in Town a few weeks ago. I loved it and would like to make a movie about the story.” He said that he had 9 producer friends (14 Emmys between them) who had decided to focus on making movies that could make a difference in the world. This one, he said, had moved quickly to the top of their list!

Needless to say that we, along with the author, VJ Smith, were honored that they want to do a movie on The Richest Man in Town, and I must say, they’re moving very quickly to make it happen!

Today, however, I thought I’d share the story behind the story…. Enjoy!The Richest Man in Town .

It was a Wednesday afternoon in late July when my assistant came into my office. She said that one of our customers had been waiting on the phone for a while to talk with me. He said it was important.

I picked up the phone and the gentleman on the other end of the phone said, “My name is Pat Shaughnessy and I love your products, but that’s not why I’m calling. I’m calling because I just finished a book by VJ Smith titled: The Richest Man in Town. He then said, “Mac, you’ve got to read this book. I guarantee you that you’re not going to like it…you’re going to love it.”

Now, I’d be lying if I told you that this was the first time a customer had called with what they thought was a great book. And truthfully, they aren’t always so great! But there was something about this conversation that told me…this could be different. Pat’s enthusiasm was unwavering and when we hung up, I couldn’t get it out of my head.

A few days later I purchased a copy of the book. I shut my office door and read it, non-stop. When I finished I just sat there with tears running down my cheeks. Pat “nailed it”…I didn’t like it, I loved it!

I then picked up the phone to call the author, VJ Smith. If nothing else, I just wanted to thank him for writing a book that made a positive difference in the world. And the rest, as they say….is history! He was a fan of Simple Truths and said that he loved our products. VJ, who had self-published the book then said, “You’re not going to believe this, Mac, but just recently, I told my wife that someday I’d like to partner with a company like Simple Truths who could take my book to the rest of the world.”

I believe that some things are meant to be. The Richest Man in Town is a wonderful book. it’s a true story that will grab your heart and not let go! All I can say is that I’m honored to make it a part of the Simple Truths’ “family” of inspirational gift books.

I’d also like to share VJ Smith’s brief introduction to The Richest Man in Town.

“Introduction”
From The Richest Man in Town, by VJ Smith
I’m so glad I found you.
My friend, Aaron “Marty” Martinson, wrote those words in a note to me. On the pages that follow, you will discover that he didn’t find me. I found him. And, thanks to Marty, I remembered a few things about life that I hadn’t really thought about for a long time.

For years I had grand visions of writing a book about a leader who changed the course of history. I filled my personal library with biographies of presidents and statesmen. I wanted to understand what made their lives great – and what might be missing from mine.

In looking for answers I turned to books written by people who are successful in business and industry. For a while I searched for excellence, and then I compared my habits to those of highly effective people. More recently, I tried to figure out which mouse was in pursuit of the cheese. Like millions of people, I thought success equaled happiness.

The book I’ve written, though, is about a simple man who ran a cash register. He worked hard and was good to people. That, in turn, made him happy.

Can it be so simple – so free of complications? Marty thought so. He showed me how to be a better person, not one wealthier or more successful or more powerful.

He changed my life – forever.

Today I’m pleased to make a special of $12.00 per book, including the DVD that comes with each book. Regular price is $19.95, a savings of 40%. This little book makes a wonderful gift for any occasion…one that will keep on giving for a lifetime!

To learn more and to watch our inspirational 3 minute movie on The Richest Man in Town, just click here.

Note: This offer expires on 11:59PM CST on February 8, 2010.

All the Best,

Mac Anderson
Founder, Simple Truths

The Richest Man in Town with DVD and Audio CDs