Wired's Chris Anderson talks about what he thinks is the 'sleeper' game changer today.

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1a) Father AKA Henry Garland  - I'm wired like my Dad.  Stubborn, constantly distracted, surprisingly sensitive at times, and a 100% entrepreneur at heart.  He set the bar high.  I have learned from his successes in business and as equally as important, his mistakes, and for that I'm incredibly grateful. 

1b) Mother AKA Roz Garland - (sidebar: I know, I know, parents are so cliche but it's true.) My mom and I have always had a strained relationship but I would say that is because we're so much alike. We're equally stubborn, a bit dramatic at times, and always striving for absolute perfection. My mom has taught tons of great things from my love of the arts, design, music, and doing the things that make you happy.

2) Michael Gerber (author of E-Myth) - I obviously don't know Michael but his book changed me when I read it.  It was the clarity that many people are looking for in regards to building a business.  Now with that said, I don't believe everything he says but I definitely think his organizational approach has effective be as a CEO.

3) Dr. Lori Byers AKA college professor - Lori was easily the most influential teacher of my life.  She was my Communications professor from UNT.  She was able to take us out of our selfish, holier-than-thou perspectives and made consider other options.  From demographics, to gender, to cultural and religious differences.  She always lead classes by getting out of the way and allowing us to find our own opinions instead of buying into hers.  She's a gem.

4) Courtney Treadaway - Court is an old old friend of mine.  He's also been a best friend/co-worker/roommate/employee too.  My parents originally didn't think Court was a good influence on me but turned out to be the most positive while growing up. Court has a pretty amazing story in his own right but his/our battles along the way have taught me the priority of things.

5) Al Gore - The vice-president? Well not really him specifically but what I really mean is what Al Gore helped get started.  The Internet has connected me with new insights and perspectives from people around the globe that without it, I would never have even consider.  People like Larry Lessig, Chris Anderson (Wired), Chris Anderson (TED curator), Clay Shirky, John Battelle, Tara Hunt, Ryan Carson, Jason Fried, Kevin Rose, Gary Vaynerchuk, Tim Ferriss, Malcolm Gladwell, Craig Newmark, Jeff Bezos, Jason Calacanis and so so SO many more.  They have all been influences in my life sorry that I cheated there but if you want to single one person out (jokingly), I'd say Al Gore.

We headed to Albuquerque this weekend for the international balloon fiesta they have there every October.  It's was a ton of fun and the girls had their heads on a swivel with all the balloons that were there.  We went Friday morning to one of the 'special shapes' launches.  It's an amazing feeling being in the middle of literally hundreds of ballonists launching their 'birds'.  We also spent the entire next day at the Albuquerque Zoo & Aquarium, another fun field trip. 

If you haven't been to Albuquerque sometime, I'd recommend it and definitely bring the kiddos.  Here's the pics from the weekend:

It's been a while since I've talked about gastric bypass.  It's only a few more months until my three year anniversary but I wanted to touch on something that consistently rears its head, almost daily.  The fear of before.  The fear that I will go back to what I once was. Overweight, unhappy, and in pain. I made this extreme choice at such a young age to not only to extend my life for me but also for my girls.  I can not go back to before...for them.  

I hear the stories of many of us that have had the weight loss surgeries "beat the surgery" and it just makes me sad because I can see how easy it can be done.  Since my lowest weight (~190) I have gained weight back (~205 now) and although some weight gain is supposed to happen I still fear falling back into my old ways.  And yes, I've been at or around this weight for about 18 months now but it's still a constant fear I deal with everyday.  Addiction is a scary thing and if anyone doesn't think that food is one of those then I suppose we will just agree to disagree but it's real for me.

Anyway, I didn't have an agenda here other than convincing myself its ok to be a little vulnerable at times and to talk about some of the things that keep me up at night.  For those in the same spot and need some people of like minds or situation, check out our GB network. Thanks for reading everybody.

In my last post I talked about family.  Today, I want to think about the entrepreneur herself.  It is often discussed in business books and in seminars on what it takes to be an entrepreneur and to succeed at starting a business.  Stories of 80-hour work weeks and late nights are the norm to be "successful".  Based on those readings, there appears to be a diametrically opposed sentiment stating that one that starts a business you either choose a successful business or successful family life but never the two shall meet.  Is that the case? Does someone, in today's connected world, have to sacrifice the time from the people that are the reason you try to build a successful business?

Can't wait to see your comments.  Sound off!  Success or family?