My Joe: That's What She Called Me
A Memoir
FROM ORPHAN … TO A CHILD OF THE KING
Given the tragic start to his life, including years spent in an orphanage and grueling, unpaid labor on a dairy farm, many in his position might have become bitter, defeated, or worse. But not Joe Baggarley.
In My Joe, you’ll read how God stood by him long before he accepted Jesus as his Savior at age twenty-two. Despite illiteracy in his earlier years, through self-determination and with the help of his wife, Joe went on to be a successful businessman, husband, father, caregiver, and a powerful, unapologetic witness for Jesus Christ.
In this forthright, unabashed account sprinkled with humor, Joe recounts a life that truly went from tragedy to triumph. Indeed, Joe personifies Psalm 92:12: “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon.”
Exiled
A Refugee's Story
Journey of a Pedro Pan
A Stolen Childhood
On the night of December 31, 1958, Fidel Castro and his band of revolutionaries swarmed down from the Sierra Maestra Mountains and overthrew the government of the military dictator, Fulgencio Batista. Four years later, Castro’s oppressive Communist agenda forced anguished parents to smuggle their children out of the country.
Between 1960 and 1962, over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban minors flew from Havana to Miami under the sponsorship of the Catholic Welfare Bureau. The children were called Pedro Pans, and Estrella Rodríguez Pereira is one of them.
In this candid and deeply heartfelt account, Ms. Pereira becomes the voice of those unable to articulate the depths of their pain as they were uprooted from their homes, thrust into a foreign land, culture, language, and way of life. She reveals the struggles, fears, and indomitable spirit that defines a generation of Cuban Americans who lost their childhood.
Built Different
Overcoming Challenges to Climb to Victory
In his first book, Built Different, Pete shares a lifetime of experiences, unique approaches, and practical tools that you can apply to your own path of life. As a sport-specific strength and conditioning coach, certified personal trainer, motivational speaker, father, and cancer survivor, Pete’s advice is tried and true. With over twenty-five years in the fitness and wellness industry, he has developed a teaching and training methodology for strength, speed, conditioning, and injury prevention that puts him ahead of the fitness specialty curve. Having worked with NBA, NHL, and MLB players, PGA golfers, Olympic athletes, and top collegiate and high school athletes, Pete has also developed a practical, user-friendly approach to successful living. It all leads to a bevy of advice for anyone seeking to make their life more than they ever dreamed.
Our Path to Chocolate
The Story of Whetstone Chocolates
Whetstone Chocolates has been a confectionary staple in St. Augustine since 1967, although it didn’t start that way. Henry has always been a “doer” rather than a “talker”. The classical male youth of the ‘30s and ‘40s, he built motorcycles, furniture, skeeters, machines and much more. That was his fun-loving personality. Esther was also a “doer” and equally committed to an adventurous life, but with a more feminine touch. Although they grew up in two different cultural lifestyles, their personalities meshed together like it was written in a book..
Most important was their individual commitment to God, their family and to the business which they were about to build together. As entrepreneurial partners, they walked away from the security found in the employment of others and entered into a business about which they knew nothing. Making and selling a consumer product was not something that either had knowledge, but their total commitment to succeed in building their own business proved to be their foundation.
They researched, studied, planned and constructed their path, in many cases not knowing what the economic future held. They immersed themselves into their new occupation, at the same time they were building their own family and concurrently taking responsibility for their parents’ businesses. Time was a precious commodity, but Esther provided the perfect attitude: “It was fun!”
A Matter of Life and Death
The Geary Bird Story
It really was a matter of life and death …
Growing up the firstborn son of fledgling cattle ranchers in the tough environs of northeast Oregon, Geary Bird knew all about hardship, hard work, and perseverance. But one night when he was told his unborn child was dead and that his wife could be soon, his self-reliance and grit were not enough. It took the prayer of a local minister, and a miraculous healing, to open the door to new life for Geary Bird.
Entrepreneurial and determined by nature, he became a successful businessman, garnering the attention of national suppliers, expanding his company, and flying his own plane between his enterprises. At the height of his personal and business success, God intervened again. With his wife and four young children, he left it all behind and began an odyssey he never expected, moving his family to the Midwest where great blessings — and new life and death experiences — waited.
This is the true account of a man, his family, his God, and a journey that will carry the reader to the brink of death and the joy of life. Ultimately, it is a powerful testimony of selfless love and personal dedication. Get ready for a fresh appreciation of how Divine intervention can change the life of anyone.
Living Water in a Parched Land
A Prisoners journey from rebellion to redemption
The Rebellious Dwell in a Parched Land …
The story of George and Patsy Holley could be the most refreshing story you’ll ever read. This is an account of how a good man can go wrong, experience the horror of prison, find joy in the midst of chaos, and meet and marry the love of his life while incarcerated.
More than a biographical work, it is an invitation to become acquainted with two authors who have crafted their life stories simply because they care. So, set aside all distractions and dive into these pages. You will laugh, you will learn, and if you dare, you will grow in your faith.
And be prepared to take stock of your own past, examine your present, and embody your truest and best life for the future that lies before you. When you’re done, you will have acquired two best friends: George and Patsy Holley.
… But Whoever Confesses and Forsakes Their Sins Will Have Mercy.
Sum, Ergo Cogito
I am, therefore I think.
Dave Wilson thinks because he is mortal. Whether awake or asleep, he’s thinking all the time, feeding on crossword puzzles, trivia contests, quizzes, or crafting buzzwords to make Arnold Palmer look even greater. It’s that kind of thinking that made Orlando’s Frailey & Wilson advertising agency an overwhelming success.
This is the account of a smart, creative, ad man who lived a remarkable life running one of Florida’s premier ad agencies with his best friend, Fred Frailey for over thirty years. It’s also a testament to being positive, in love with your calling, and getting by with a little help from your friends. Finally, it also shows that occasionally, nice guys really do finish first.
Get ready to be immersed in an informative reminiscence of advertising’s boom years, and a life that reveals how respect, creativity, fairness, and smart marketing can be both rewarding and enjoyable.
Still Desperate in the Promised Land
The story of Homes of Hope, a South Carolina ministry
Late one night in 1998, Tim Revis was awakened by a powerful vision that would change the lives of thousands. He obeyed God’s leading and founded Homes of Hope, with Don Oglesby as Executive Director. But when recession hit the economy, the mission’s $400,000 funding evaporated overnight, forcing Don to find some way to replace it..
Rather than lose the ministry, Don and his team saw every financial struggle as an opportunity—a faith adventure to trust God more. What followed was a 23-year journey that would shake the roots of their faith and demonstrate God’s ultimate faithfulness.
Still Desperate in the Promised Land is a powerful account of gut wrenching faith, high risk stakes, deep disappointment, profound lessons from God, and sublime redemption. Oglesby’s writing is guaranteed to keep you turning page after page.
You Can't Do Business From An Empty Wagon
The Real Story of Hughes Supply Inc.
– Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space
Hughes Supply was founded in 1928 by two young brothers, Russell and Harry Hughes, in Orlando, Florida. The firm expanded across Florida, into the Southeast, and eventually throughout the nation. In the 1970s, Hughes Supply went public and in 2006, the company was sold to The Home Depot for $3.5 billion.
While a huge success in financial terms, the sale devastated the company's culture, and indeed its very soul. This book tells the whole story of Hughes Supply and will keep the legacy of Hughes Supply alive forever.
The Four Continent Man
Surviving and Thriving Against the Odds: The Life and Legacy of Sushil Gupta.
– Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space and Ingram Spark
Born amidst humble beginnings in a rural town in British-ruled Kenya, Sushil Gupta went on to develop retail and distribution businesses in far-flung towns across Kenya, Tanzania, and England. When his father—a powerful motivator in Sushil’s life—retired from their trade, Sushil took his family to India and then the United Kingdom to start a new life.
In so doing he had literally traveled through, worked in, or started businesses in four continents: always against the odds and always with success. But it wasn’t always easy. The Four Continent Man is an intriguing account of a kind, intelligent, hard-working family man who never shrank from obstacles in his life’s calling. Whether steering through a herd of wild elephants or forging strategic partnerships to open new distribution channels, Sushil Gupta survived and thrived. However productive his life was, the reader will find his greatest legacy is his family. Expressed in vignettes and anecdotes throughout the book are testimonies of his absolute love and dedication to his extended family. Most notably are those who, like their father and grandfather, left the comfort of their homes to forge a new life in America. I so doing, the Gupta travel and adventure genes live on.
Wiring An American Dream
The Story of Buddy Eidel and Tri-City Electrical Contractors Inc.
Buddy Eidel – Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space and Ingram Spark
In 1958, a German immigrant and his young son determined to start a business. Armed with technical knowledge, a fierce determination to succeed, and an old AT&T service truck, Buddy Eidel and his father opened shop in a spare room of their house. Sixty years later, Tri-City Electrical Contractors has blossomed into the fifth-largest specialty contractor in the American Southeast.
It wasn’t easy. The fledgling company experienced tough competition, a market dominated by the unions, a recession, and growing pains inherent with expanding technology. Then in 1971 on the eve of Thanksgiving, a disgruntled competitor set Tri-City’s offices and warehouse on fire, reducing it to smoldering ashes. But the Eidels were not accustomed to failure, and four days later on Monday morning, Tri-City was open for business.
This is the account of a remarkable entrepreneur who with his wife, parents, and a dedicated, hard-working team changed the face of Florida’s electrical contracting business forever. Told through recollections of Buddy Eidel and many others, this is an inspirational account of innovation, integrity, and a lot of love. Aside from all the accolades, Wiring an American Dream also reveals how hard work, perseverance, and treating people like you want to be treated will produce great rewards.
Bucking the Trend
The Story of Buck Autrey and Miller Electric Company
Buck Autrey – Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space and Ingram Spark
Buck Autrey doesn’t believe in giving up. Nor does the word “failure” enter his vocabulary. That kind of thinking turned a nearly bankrupt business into one of the largest and most respected electrical contracting companies in America today.
Since 1966, Buck has navigated Miller Electric through major recessions, feisty unions, stiff competition, and a fast changing industry. As the electrical industry’s stabilizing force during a Justice Department investigation, he literally changed the way the industry does business. No small accomplishment for one starting out as an employee in a skating rink.
What are the ingredients of this man’s success? Trust, commitment, integrity, hard work. These, along with Buck’s genuine care for others and a deep knowledge of the business, are his legacy … universal ingredients for success. One might add he also had a lot of fun along the way..
Fields of Green
Triumphs and Trials of an American Business Pioneer
Howard W. Long – Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space and Ingram Spark
In 1973, Howard Long wrote the president of California-based Western Growers—a powerful association representing half of America’s produce suppliers—notifying them of his intent to sue because of restrictive lettuce shipping practices. Twelve months later, Long’s challenge literally changed the way the industry did business.
His victory marked the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship between McDonald’s Corporation and his company, Coronet Foods: one of the world’s largest suppliers of pre-cut produce to the fast-food industry. Fields of Green is the account of a man’s vision and entrepreneurial drive that took him from a small town on the banks of the Ohio River to the heights of a world-class business with plants in five countries and over 2,000 employees. It is a poignant account of victory in a tough industry, Long’s failing health, the demise of his life’s work, and his sustaining faith in God.
I, Radical
God’s Radical Business through an Ordinary Man
Buck Jacobs – Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space
“I knew it had to be God, because there was no way I could have done it myself!” Buck Jacobs is a pioneer and visionary who often expressed these words in the course of his life. And he is certain he’ll say it again, and again. I, Radical is the account of how God changed a headstrong, self-willed man into a servant dedicated to helping business leaders grow in the wisdom and stature of the Lord.
It is the story of a man who chose to listen and obey God through the many trials of life, and who went on to develop today’s influential C12 Group, LLC, America’s leader since 1992 in equipping Christian business owners and Chief Executives to “Build Great Business for a Greater Purpose.” Rich with examples of power and miracles, you will journey with Buck through his colorful career, starting as a successful entrepreneur living among Italy’s wealthiest, down to the brink of bankruptcy, and on to a miraculous salvation that changed the course of his life. But his new beginning was only the start. God led Buck through a series of faith-building circumstances that became the foundation of one of the most effective tools in developing businessmen and women of integrity. Whether you are a Christian owner, CEO, or President, this book will challenge and bless you. It is written with honesty, humor, and brims with practical wisdom for the business world.
One Man's Journey
The Life, Lessons, and Legacy of a World War II Fighter Pilot
Howard (Mike) Spencer - Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space
When young Mike Spencer gazed at the clouds above his grandfather’s farm in Pennsylvania, he knew he would fly someday. Right after Pearl Harbor, he joined the Army Air Corps and was assigned to a P-47 fighter group supporting General Patton’s European campaign. Leading his squadron through battles over Bastogne, Remagen, and the infamous Metz bunkers, Mike absorbed more than his share of flak.
Ninety-three missions later after fighting in the most difficult battles of the war, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. Like most returning service members, Mike faced the transition from war to peace, from active military service to civilian life. The lessons he learned growing up in the country and from wise mentors like his grandfather, helped Mike meet his new life head on. He married Casey, his wartime sweetheart whom he romanced through letters from the front. After taking advantage of the GI Bill to earn a degree at Wharton School of Business, Mike quickly rose to executive leadership in the chemical industry with companies in the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. One Man’s Journey is an inspiring, philosophical, often humorous perspective of life told by a man unfamiliar with discouragement. Not just an enjoyable read, you’ll also find useful tips on how to get the most out of life.
Out of the Woodwork
How to Achieve Real Success in Your Job and Life
Wendell Nordby - Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space
Wendell Nordby was a simple carpenter living in a small Northern California town when he heard the call of God to quit his job and enter a life of faith. A relatively new Christian, Wendell believed a life sold out to Christ required drastic measures to insure his time on earth is maximized for His purposes.
On a shoestring, he and his wife, Nancy, obeyed God and started their own contracting business. Their choice required hard work and prayer, and led to a thriving business which provided Wendell both freedom and finances to travel the globe sharing the love of Christ. Out of the Woodwork is a forthright, honest account of a willing servant who made himself available anywhere, anytime, to do the will of God. His journey takes him from a secure but limited existence, to a life filled with miracles, salvations, healings, and deliverance throughout the world. You’ll experience travels of faith through post-Communist Russia, the Ukraine, South Africa, Haiti, Mexico, Central America, and Scotland, to name a few. In all, God led Wendell to over 35 countries, where he served anyone willing to hear his story about life in Christ. Not a travelogue or memoir, Out of the Woodwork is a colorfully-written account of how far God can take an ordinary man to extraordinary heights when his heart has been turned completely over to Him. Readers will find excitement, insight, inspiration, and hopefully discover their own life of genuine purpose.
Fat Cats... Really?
Observations of a 44-Year Wall Street Executive – Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space
A decade after the ravages of the Great Recession, many Americans still believe Wall Street caused the economic meltdown ... that so-called “Fat Cats” were to blame. However, in his groundbreaking book Sam Peluso gives the vast majority of the well-meaning Wall Street employees the credit they deserve, and points out the real underlying causes of the debacle.
For 44 years with Merrill Lynch, Sam thrived through the often unpredictable currents of economic booms and busts. Whether on the frenetic government trading floor of Manhattan or traveling throughout the nation giving financial seminars, Sam placed both trade excellence and professional relationships before gain. His reputation as a successful trader, new product developer, valued mentor, coach, risk manager, and billion-dollar hedge guru, always preceded him. In short, “The Street” is in Sam’s DNA. With that kind of background, readers can trust Sam’s assertion that hard working Street people were not the Fat Cats that caused the recession. To the contrary, the blame rests on the broad, pervasive culture of the day.
The reader will also witness some of Wall Street’s historic moments including the loss of friends in the 9/11 tragedy, and Sam’s direct involvement with Michael Bloomberg’s new computer trading system. It all began on Sam’s trading desk where Mike and his team spent several months with Sam who insured the Bloomberg system was effective.
After reading this, your faith in Wall Street people and in our country’s economic future just might be restored.
The Patriarch
The Life and Legacy of Ziadeh (John) Hanna Farhat
His Family and Friends - Written by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space
There were many sides to John Farhat. His role as husband, father, grandfather, church leader, advisor, and faithful friend are only a few. They all point his nature as a deeply caring individual who lived for his family and others instead of himself. Another side was that of his hard work and entrepreneurial spirit that produced Green Acres Sporting Goods: an enterprise with 20,000 square feet of everything a sportsman could want.
Today, Green Acres is one of Northeast Florida’s largest privately held sporting goods retailers. Still another side of John’s life is his immigrant roots. In 1953, he and his new bride, Jeanette, travelled from Ramallah in Palestine, to Jacksonville, Florida, where they fulfilled the Great American Dream. John’s exemplary life that spanned 83 years is the account of a loving man who worked tirelessly overcome great obstacles, raise a successful family, and impart an enduring legacy. Such is the role of a true Patriarch.
A Christian Road Less Traveled
Seven Key Steps to Guide You on the Narrow Path to a Successful Christian Life
Buck Jacobs - Revised and Edited by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Create Space
How Do You Measure Success? For a Christian there are two very different definitions of success: one is earthly and the other is eternal. One is about “things,” while the other is about “fruit” … eternal fruit. Using tightly knit prose written in clear language, this book addresses the often overlooked fact of the Bema—the judgment seat of Christ—when our eternal lives will be determined by how we lived on earth as Christians (2 Corinthians 5:10).
The good news is that following these steps can guide the earnest seeker through a successful life today, on his or her journey to meet Christ face-to-face. A must-read for believers old and new, A Christian Road Less Traveled sheds a fresh light on God’s highest standard for Christians as He intended.
Expressions & Truisms
Enduring Thoughts through the Ages
Helena F. Powell - Revised and Edited by Kenneth R. Overman and Published Through Ingram Spark
“Why, that’s exactly what I needed to know!” Helena Powell’s Expressions & Truisms is a literary treat bursting with wise anecdotes and humorous witticisms gleaned from her long and fascinating life in the US and abroad. The wife of a globetrotting businessman-husband, when Helena wasn’t busy raising their two children, she presided over a Brazilian PTA, or volunteered at a local hospital. In the midst of her busyness, she kept her antennae up, ready to capture vignettes from the most unusual sources.
She preserved these gems of thought over the years, hoping to publish them someday. Well, here they are! Whether you’re in the mood for a literary break from the mundane, in need a dose of offbeat humour (that’s ‘humor’ written in British), or thirst for inspiring truth, you’ll find a plethora of treasures between these covers. You may recognize a few sage utterances penned by well-known philosophers or comedians. Their eternal wisdom should be told again and again. But mostly, you’ll find original thought that begs one to consider, or perhaps apply, to one’s own life. Brought to you by the author of the award-winning Glimpses and Reflections and Rabbits to Lita - A Hop Down Memory Lane, this refreshing immersion into timeless witticisms, lyrics, and good old down-to-earth advice, will lift your spirits and bring literary satisfaction to your day.
Driving Into Daylight
Navigating Life With Faith and Gratitude
An Overcoming Life of Purpose
She survived her father’s suicide, attended twelve schools by the age of sixteen, and overcame numerous life-threatening illnesses. After all that, Kerri Smith not only survived, but she has dedicated her life as an advocate for society’s underserved and underbanked through key positions in America’s credit union system. As an emerging face in public service, Kerri’s greatest desire is to enhance South Carolina’s stature and growing economy.
Written with her signature forthrightness, humor, and genuine love, Kerri’s book also brims with anecdotes about her faith in God and how to live a life of purpose.
The Perfect Handoff
Getting What You Want from Your Entire Organization
It takes a perfect handoff to succeed!
True leadership isn’t just about leading employees; it involves the art of coaching. The better you coach, the more prepared your team will be to achieve their goals and enable your company to unlock ever higher degrees of accomplishment. In The Perfect Handoff, renowned consultant Michael Trufant uses the metaphor of a four-by-four relay race to illustrate the process of successfully handing off the baton to each level of relay runners. The book outlines how a CEO’s vision, mission, and strategy can be a seamless transmission to every runner on the team, grow a strong, trusted organization, and carry the baton across the finish line of success.
Undone to Done
Accomplish Things You Could Never Accomplish Before
Embrace your transformative journey of accomplishment!
… and unlock the limitless successes in life. Experience the profound impact of personalized guidance, empowering insights, and unwavering support with Undone to Done. Discover your true potential, overcome obstacles, and cultivate resilience. With peer coaching, you’ll embrace personal growth, achieve extraordinary goals, and live a life of fulfillment and purpose. Empower yourself to create the extraordinary and unleash the boundless successes that await you.
Mamalis Island
When the Mamalis family accepts the strange gift of a small uninhabited Caribbean island from an eccentric benefactor, they embark on a series of amazing adventures. Like a twentieth century version of Swiss Family Robinson, they encounter wild animals, smugglers, thieves, and a hurricane. They also find a secret cave, and of course, treasure. Explore the magic of the Caribbean and their mysterious island with Nikos, Kathy, and their two brave sons, Panos and Alex. At age twelve and ten respectively, the curious boys are perfect for getting into lots of trouble and managing to solve a few mysteries in the process. You’ll experience turquoise waters, lush foliage, and explore hidden caverns as you journey through this beautifully written, wholesome adventure.
