Success Starts Now

ABOUT US

Success Starts Now!™ was created to offer an avenue for sales professionals worldwide to educate and motivate themselves to accelerated personal and professional achievement.

Whether you participate in our coaching programs or attend the one day high powered seminar, you will learn the proven principles, practices and tactics which have enabled The Southwestern Company to create generations of high performing sales professionals around the globe for the past 150 years.

The Southwestern Company was formed in 1855 and is comprised of 21 businesses in a diverse group of industries, offering B2B and B2C products and services through direct and indirect distribution channels. Currently, The Southwestern Company is privately held by more than 300 shareholders with hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue contributed by the family of companies from across the globe.

SSN! SPEAKERS

Gary Michels

President and Co-Founder of Success Starts
Now!™
Author of Gettin' In and Gettin' Out, "How to get in more doors and get out with a sale." (buy here)
Spent 19 years at Great American Opportunities, Inc. in sales and management, leading the company in sales 7 of the last 10 years, out of over 250 sales reps nationwide
Has had the opportunity through his career to speak to and motivate over 700,000 people across the country to excel in life and become better sales people.

Dustin Hillis

Co-Founder of Success Starts Now!™
Was making approximately $35K per month at age 22 as a record breaking Top Producer for the 150 year Southwestern Company.
Graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee.
Recently featured in the book Speaking of Success, with Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup for the Soul), Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People), and Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager) (buy here)
Is the current company sales record holder for the 150 year old Southwestern Company

Rory Vaden

Co-Founder of Success Starts Now!™
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with an MBA from The University of Denver
Is the 2007 World Champion of Public Speaking 1st Runner-Up
Author of the new book No Laughs to Know Laughs - "How to be Funny to Make More Money" (buy here) and the audio series "The Audience is NOT in their underwear - How to craft truly compelling presentations and deliver them like a champ". (buy here)
www.roryvaden.com

Paul Schween

Founder, PS Seminars.
26 years of sales experience, 15 speaking professionally, 4 in sales management, and has successfully run several sales organizations.
#1 Sales Rep in the Southwest Region for Fortune 500 company.
PS Seminars has represented 9 of the top 10 sales trainers and motivational speakers in the world including Tom Hopkins, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, and Tony Robbins.

Ron Marks

A Certified Speaking Professional - the highest ranking designation of The National Speakers Association
Has worked for 30 years in the professional development industry with Tom Hopkins, Ken Blanchard, Brian Tracy, Tony Robbins, and Jim Rohn.
Author of Managing for Sales Results
President of Results Seminars

Matthew Ferry

Known as the "Turnaround Coach" he has individually coached over 8000 people and created 356 millionaires in the process
Founder of Matthew Ferry International which is dedicated to the principles of prosperity, happiness and peace.
Extremely instrumental in building the largest Real Estate coaching company in the world - The Mike Ferry Organization
Author of "Creating Sales Velocity"
www.matthewferry.com

Dave Brown

Has trained thousands of salespeople from all across the globe on proven success methods for approaching and prospecting
Generated a monthly income of $27K through direct sales in 2005
Knocked on over 50,000 doors before the age of 25
Is a record breaking salesperson for the 150 year old Southwestern Company

SSN! PROFESSIONAL SALES TRAINERS

Amanda Johns

Graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Advertising and minors in Spanish and Business from the University of Tennessee
Licensed real estate agent in Tennessee
Trained hundreds of sales professionals in San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, Nashville TN, Atlanta, GA, and Los Angeles, CA
Her upcoming book is entitled: Selling to the Sexes: Everything You Need to Know About Selling to the Opposite Sex

Jeanine Perla

Graduate of Indiana University
2001-2004 - Top producer with The Southwestern Company in sales and management
2005-2006 - Top producer with Coldstream Financial Services
Trained hundreds of sales professionals in San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA, Atlanta GA, and Los Angeles, CA
Her upcoming book is entitled: Explosive Growth in Sales

Collin Tilbe

2003 - Top first year dealer with The Southwestern Company
2004-2005 - Recruited, managed and trained an organization while remaining in the top 1% of over 3,000 dealers
2006 - Worked with DHL as an account manager and managed a $3 million territory in Colorado
Trained hundreds of sales professionals in San Francisco, CA, Atlanta, GA, and Houston, TX

SSN! ADVISORS

Henry Bedford

Began his career with The Southwestern Company as a Student Dealer in 1972.
Achieved a B.A. in Economics from The University of the South and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.
More than 30 years in sales and business management with progressive promotions within the Company.
Named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in January 2006.

Cindy Johnstone

Achieved a B. S. in Business Administration from Tusculum College and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.
More than 25 years in business management with progressive promotions (more than 15 years within the Company).
Member of the Company's New Business Team.
Named Vice President and Treasurer of the Company in February 2006.

Dan Moore

President, The Southwestern Company
Graduated from Harvard, with honors, in three years. Also has an MBA from Vanderbilt University.
More than 30 years in sales leadership, sales training, and marketing management.
Has trained 62,000 people how to sell through Southwestern's sales and business entrepreneurship training program.
A principal in SBR Consulting, which does custom sales and sales leadership training in Europe.
www.sbrconsulting.com

Spencer Hays

Began his career with The Southwestern Company as a Student Dealer in 1956.
Achieved a B.S. in Commerce from Texas Christian University.
Progressed through sales management positions including Vice President of Sales in 1966 and Executive Vice President in 1971.
Attained the position of President in 1973, Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1980, and Executive Chairman of the Board in 1983.
Named to the Direct Selling Association's Hall of Fame in 1993.