Success Memoirs

In “The Trail to Success: A City Manager on Leadership, Management, and Civic Empowerment" Howard W. Brown Jr. shares his inspiring journey from a first generation college student to one of the youngest and few Black city managers in the nation. This memoir is not just a chronicle of Brown's rise, but also a candid account of the challenges he faced along the way. From a youthful marriage and subsequent divorce, raising two children, financial struggles, multiple relocations, to the relentless scrutiny of the media, Brown's journey was far from easy.

Three titans of finance predicted the current economic crisis several years ago, but their warnings went unheeded. A New York Times best-selling author distills the wisdom of all three.

Throughout the violent financial disruptions of the past several years, three men have stood out as beacons of judgment and wisdom: Warren Buffett, George Soros, and Paul Volcker.

In this book, Brandon Brown shares his journey of ups and downs, joy and trauma, and, most importantly, his unflinching faith in God, which helped him to surpass every obstacle and come out trumps.

Bernard Marks and Martha Alford met by chance. No real reason for it, just a series of fluky coincidences. The odds were long that they would hit it off. That wasn’t in the cards they’d been dealt at birth. “It’ll never last,” people whispered after they got engaged. “Poor probability of success” was the general consensus when they married. But Bernie and Martha ignored the naysayers. Gamblers in love, they rolled the dice.

In *The Butterfly Code*, D'Yanna Craighead shares her remarkable journey of personal transformation, drawing powerful parallels between the metamorphosis of a butterfly and the stages of human growth. Whether you're facing your own challenges or simply seeking inspiration, *The Butterfly Code* is a must-listen.

In the fast-moving industry of technology, many current and upcoming professionals are faced with decisions that affect their careers and by extension their livelihoods. Many believe that the advice given to them from their well-respected peers and higher-ups serves as a primary basis for attaining the seemingly unattainable. In this eye-opening and controversial memoir, an industry expert sheds light on why traditional career advice is often misguided by proving, with his experience, that there are more effective alternatives to professional growth than what you have been told.

The Other Side is a 100% honest and true story about Kim Cottrell. Kim’s childhood was horrific; she was abandoned, sexually molested from 5 to 10 years old, and suffered physical and psychological abuse. In the first few chapters, Kim talks about what happened to her in her childhood. Not for anyone to feel sorry or bad for her, but simply so you know what she went through. The middle chapters move into how she became as a result of the abandonment, molestation, physical, and psychological abuse.

In Never Hire a Skinny Chef, author Scott Kohno dives into a treasure trove of experiences and insights gathered over three decades in business. This book is more than just a collection of anecdotes; it’s a metaphorical guide to the rich lessons life has to offer. Why the intriguing title? It reflects a crucial truth discovered through years of experience: the best "chefs"—the most skilled and insightful individuals—are those who immerse themselves fully in their craft and in life itself.

Raj Sarma currently resides in the Bay Area with his spouse and two children. His life journey humbles him, and he aims to share his experiences to inspire those striving for a better life. Raj Sarma’s experiences, both positive and negative, have shaped his thought process and emotional state, emphasizing the connection between daily decisions and personal growth. He is motivated to share his story to help his children understand their father’s background and find their own identities as they navigate their journeys.

It's described as the greatest achievement the modern game has seen, and Ivan Cleary is the man behind it - the astonishing, historic benchmark of multiple back-to-back premiership wins by the Penrith Panthers in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In his own words, Cleary tells all about what he's learned and how he leads, informed by his decades as a player and coach—a playmaker, team builder, mentor and leader who understands that not everything counts, but everything matters.

In Welcome to the Jungle, proven corporate leader, senior executive, author and entrepreneur, Teena Hostovich, shares her journey from reception desk to the C-Suite in this entertaining and thorough guide to navigating a thriving career in corporate America. This book is the perfect place to learn from someone who has seen it all and come out on top. You'll walk away from this book feeling empowered and ready to take on the jungle and the adventure of a corporate career!

Success Reinvention will take you behind the scenes of one of the foremost thought leaders of our time. As an innovative entrepreneur, a brilliant medical doctor, and visionary leader, Dr. Castro's recipe for success will allow you to break through even the most difficult obstacles and setbacks in life. When you listen to this audiobook and take action, you will find that your dreams manifest into reality, and your success is always in your control to invent and reinvent at every stage of your life.

Are you a hustler? A side hustler that is. Do you want to be? This audiobook will give you five principles that will work with any business strategy. For those looking to put a little extra money in their pocket, to travel, pay off debt, or build savings, these principles will prepare you to be successful. The author, Sean Dalida, has owned a successful side business for years and would like to share his experience with you. This easy-to-listen-to, concise audiobook may just be perfect for the side hustler in you.

Many people - perhaps four out of five or more - are dissatisfied with their jobs. Why not pursue a dream? It’s up to you to create your custom-tailored career and define success your way. But how? Combine your burning passion with drive, determination, strategy, and commitment to pay it forward; find and nurture mentor support, stay steady on your path, and see the fireworks. Success on Your Own Terms will show you exactly how to do it.

In 1950 Gerald Frank, a determined Black man, arrived in Seattle at the age of eighteen. Fleeing the violence of Detroit and the suffocating grip of Jim Crow Laws, Gerald carried nothing but dreams and drumsticks in his heart. His unwavering belief that he could carve out a better life set the stage for an incredible journey. Today, over seventy years later, the real estate empire forged by Gerald and his wife, Theresa, continues to flourish under the guidance of the third generation of the Frank family. But theirs was not a journey paved with silver spoons.

All her life, a young girl was told she was pretty, which seemed like a good thing, but the warnings that came along with it when she was around other family members, even those her own age, made that pretty little girl feel unprotected. The warnings also sparked curiosities that sent that little girl on a rollercoaster of a life that has included teenage pregnancy and going to college a year early, successful grades and a diagnosis for her young son that could have changed everything, mental and emotional issues that caused her to struggle and a will to win that helped her to keep climbing higher.

Dr. Willie H. Clemons's inspiring book, This Is My Story: This Is My Song: One Man's Journey To Turning Oppositions Into Opportunities And Fulfilling His Unique Gifts, shares his personal experiences and insights on growing up in Alabama. Along the way, the author weaves a beautiful and inspiring story of his journey to fulfilling his childhood dreams of a life of service.

In this compelling and moving book, Viktoriya shares the stories from her personal life and the lessons she’s learned being a scientist, a public speaker and a mother. This is more than just a book. It is the inspiration you need to be who you are. As a woman, as a mother, as an educator, as a professional, you are no less than the men around you, and you need to know that.

A retired NFL player shares his story of achieving maximum success as a professional athlete, followed by notoriety in corporate America, then catastrophic failures that cost him everything he owned in just 90 days. But even in the face of crushing defeat, he identified and put into action the traits required to rise from the ashes and find success again. Now this inspiring, candidly written, and time-tested method of success is available to you!

Success Reimagined celebrates the inspiring stories of 28 local Lehigh Valley leaders. This book shares the advice and experiences of these business luminaries, including how they triumphed over adversity, pivoted to overcome challenges, and reinvented themselves to improve their lives, businesses, and community.