Niall Ferguson greets Barbra Streisand and Lynda Resnick.

Every year, Stewart and I open our home to the speakers who appear at the Aspen Ideas Festival, an event thrown by the Aspen Institute as a forum for the world’s thought leaders to speak on global issues. At our dinner, I always give a little speech outlining what I have learned from the sessions I attended. (more…)

A Mother's Day art project from a school in California's Central Valley.

Whenever education budgets get tightened, art programs are the first to get cut. Like the enduring popularity of reality TV, this never ceases to amaze me. So much evidence points to art’s importance in a child’s development – and not just in the development of abstract thought. Art is a critical component in a well-rounded education. Art is the level playing field – no matter how rich or poor, tall or short, pretty or ugly to the bone, if you can draw, you can find personal fulfillment and build self-confidence.  Art is the highest achievement of mankind. (more…)

The following was originally published on December 25, 2009 on the Huffington Post, where it has generated considerable discussion over an individual’s responsibility in our society. My post was about empowering yourself to take control of your own future, rather than waiting for the government or someone else to bail you out. Such a strategy is not a panacea for all of society’s ills, but it’s certainly a better starting point than, as one commenter put it, “sitting on the couch, eating Doritos and cursing at the world.” I would love to hear your thoughts: How will you take control of your future in 2010? (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Rag & Bone Bindery
Why It’s a Gem: Proof that passion and a nontraditional education can be every bit as valuable as a college degree.

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Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: UsedCardboardBoxes.com
Why It’s a Gem: If at first you don’t succeed, try a leaner, greener business model.

When Marty Metro’s first business model to sell used cardboard boxes failed, it didn’t get him down. His passion for his idea kept him retinkering until he got it right. Today, UsedCardboardBoxes.com is a financial – and environmental – success story. (more…)

I’m proud to announce that last week in New York City at the annual Public Relations Week Awards, the Roll PR team was awarded “Best In-House PR Team of the Year,” beating out other semi-finalists McDonald’s, American Red Cross and Deloitte. More than 100 companies submitted entries for this award category, the most prestigious in the industry. (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Custom and Private
Why It’s a Gem: Founder Cliff Strome’s passion is all the fuel this small business needs

Ruby Tuesday: Custom and Private (MP3)

To be truly successful, you have to have passion. It’s essential. An entrepreneur without passion is like a New York City cab with a flat tire: It sits stuck in one place while the world passes it by.

Cliff Strome, Founder of Custom and Private Tours

Cliff Strome of New York’s Custom and Private tours is living proof that passion can drive success. After technology forced him into a new line of work, he finally heeded his “bliss” and struck out on his dream career: Giving clients a personalized view of the city he both loves and knows inside and out. The old nine-to-five job? Not for this entrepreneurial fellow. (more…)

One of my favorite parts of the 21st century is that for the first time in more than 2,000 years, since Julius Caesar addressed the citizens of Rome (sans women and slaves, of course) there is a two-way conversation between government and its citizens, corporations and their customers, and people around the globe, all talking to each other in real time. Thank G-d Al Gore invented the Internet.

I run several businesses, and it is through this kind of direct conversation that I can “hear” what my consumers have to say about my goods and services. It is a way that I can answer their concerns and give them more information about my brands

But blogging is actually more than that to me; it is a way to (more…)