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Thursday, July 26, 2018

Free College? Yes, Says Elizabeth Wallace

As the grandmother of a soon-to-be high school graduate, I am concerned about the ever-increasing cost of a college education.  So when I heard about a book titled "Free College" I was immediately intrigued.  And after reading it, I knew I had to share it and it's author with everyone.  If you have a college-bound teen in your family, you will be thrilled.  Meet Elizabeth Wallace!


1.      Elizabeth, please tell us about yourself.

I’m a California native, born and raised in Los Angeles. When I was a child, my family took summer trips all over the U.S. visiting National Parks, so I’ve seen much of the country. I began teaching in my neighbor’s backyard when I was only seven. I planned on becoming an English teacher, but after learning French and German, I realized teaching languages was my passion. After teaching for a few years, I started visiting Europe. Since then I’ve filled up three passports with my travels, even living in South Africa for two years.

2.       Tell us about your book.

Free College contains a step-by-step guide based on the lifetime habits and strategies of hundreds of successful high school graduates. All of these students were accepted at the college of their choice. They also earned a great deal of scholarship money. Those who mastered each of these tactics earned full-ride scholarships. Those who practiced fewer of them earned less free money for college. The book explains to the reader what was done, how it was done, and the results. Each chapter ends with an action plan and a place to record information to be used later when applying for college, scholarships and grants.

3.       Why did you write this book?

Once I realized college was no longer affordable, like it was when I attended, I started researching how students could pay for college without taking out student loans. I began sharing this information with my students. Then other students asked for my help. I started using my lunch break to explain what I had discovered. Soon we had to move these meetings from my classroom to the school theater, because the group was so large. When I told my sister what I was doing, she challenged me to write a book so families everywhere could learn what works when raising future college scholarship and grant applicants.

4.       How did you choose this particular subject?

I didn’t pick the subject of my book. It picked me. I’ve always tried to help students reach their goals. I know going to college is an important step for them. Once they’ve been accepted, however, they need a way to pay for it. After I figured out what families do to win large scholarships and grants, I knew my sister was right. I had to write the book.

5.       Why is free college for all such an important goal?

If you’ve ever been in debt, you know how it feels. Student loan debt is worse. It follows students throughout their lives and cannot be eliminated in bankruptcy. Over 40 million Americans suffer from these loans. When I went to college, states fully funded education. Therefore, my tuition was only $65 per semester. Even taking inflation into consideration, tuition now is outrageous. It’s impossible for students to do what I did. I found a job, lived at home with my parents, and paid for my education with money I earned from my job while going to college. I graduated debt free. I want students to have the future of their dreams, not one full of anxiety from the burden of student loans.

6.       What can students do to help them earn more money for college?

There are eighteen proven strategies listed in Free College. They are over and above taking “hard” classes, getting good grades, completing the A – G requirements, earning high scores on the ACT or SAT, and applying for scholarships and/or grants early and often.

7.       What has been the most difficult part of getting your message out?

The most difficult part of getting my message out has been doing it alone. But that’s true for any author. When I speak to individuals, and they learn they can avoid taking out college loans for their children, they’re thrilled. It’s impossible for me to spread the word person to person, of course, so my plan is to speak to groups of parents. But this too is self-limiting. I need to get the word out to parents of preschool through high school students everywhere.

8.       Do you have any resources that you would recommend for the college bound student or their families? 

The most important thing for parents to do is to start early, even before their kids are in preschool. Talk, read, sing, play, laugh, dine and travel with their children. Parents are the greatest resource for college bound students. In addition, adopt the habits of successful graduates. Again, start early. Winning scholarships and grants is a competition. Most people won’t do what it takes. Be the family that does, and reap the rewards.

9.       This is a business blog and while I love your book and think the topic is SOOO important – especially with a bevy of college bound grandchildren, I do have to ask a couple of business related questions.  So…you’ve been hard at work promoting your book.  And quite well, I might add.  Do you have any tips to share on promoting yourself?

The most important tip I was given in promoting my book was to figure out my niche. For me it’s parents or grandparents of preschool through high school students. Focus brings success. I know this. Even so, it’s sometimes difficult to stay on the right path, without being distracted. I’m on Twitter, @ElizaWallace27. My goal there is to compile information which will help students, and to spread the word. When I’m planning my marketing time in the real world, I try to optimize it by reaching individuals who are members of organizations in my niche, like the PTA, church groups, library groups, etc.

10.   What other advice would like to share with new authors? 

I listened to those who warned me I needed a traditional publisher because my topic is so important. The first one I met wanted to sign me to a contract immediately. He had a good reputation and contacts with several school districts. One school district bigwig had recently told him they needed a book on the topic covered in my work. After showing district leaders my book, they requested over 125K copies in the first printing. My publisher was overwhelmed. He didn’t have the financial resources needed, but was not upfront with me, even when I asked pointed questions. I wasted over a year waiting for him to perform as our contract demanded. My mistake. My advice to others, don’t listen to what publishers say. Look at what they do. If they violate your contract, cut bait.

11.   Where can we purchase your book? 

My book is on Amazon. Here’s the link.

12.   Is there anything else you would like to share?

If any of your followers live in south Orange County, California and would like me to speak about College & Scholarship Readiness, to their PTA, church group or other large gathering, they can reach me at freecollegeinfo@earthlink.net.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

I'm Unveiling the Secrets


It doesn't matter how old you are.  It doesn't matter what you currently do for a living.  It doesn't matter where you were born, or what race, religion, or nationality you identify with.  In fact, none of the ways we label ourselves matters.

We all have something in common.

We want to be successful in life.

Now, every person's definition of success is different.  What I call successful may not be important to you at all.  Some equate success fame or power or wealth.  Others say they are successful if they have a strong family.  And still others call it success if they are living life on their own terms, regardless of whether they have any of the fame, power, wealth, or family life others desire.

So the first step to becoming successful?  Define success and what it means to you.  You can't be successful if you don't know what that actually looks like for you.  Set your goals.  Make sure they are clear.  And try to be as realistic as possible.

Plan ahead and plan big

Next you need to have a plan.  Every journey starts with a plan or a map.  I'm leaving for California next week.  I'm not going to step out of my front door Thursday morning and suddenly decide how I'm going to get there.  I have a plan.  I know what flight I'm taking, when it departs, and when it arrives in California.  I know what hotel I'm staying in and have reserved my room.  I have my rental car reserved.  I know when my meetings and events are scheduled.  And I know when it's time to return home.
  
Likewise you need to plan ahead for the things you want to achieve in life.  Do you want to start a business?  Great!  What will your business be?  What products or services will you sell?  How will you market and advertise?  What equipment or supplies will you need to start?  How much will it cost?  Will you continue to work at a job while you build your business?

A plan for achieving your goals is essential.  Otherwise they are just a dream.

And while you're planning, plan BIG!  I'm traveling to California next week in an effort to expand my business.  But I could just as easily have said I'm traveling to the next town to work on my business.  But why settle for that when I can do something bigger?  Never underestimate your worth or your skills! 

Lean how to balance life

Balance is crucial.  All work and no play and you will soon burn out.  All play and no work and you will soon be out of business!  Neglect your family and you may lose them.  Same with your health.  Spend your money as fast as you make it and you may not have anything for later years.  Save it all and you may have a heck of a retirement fund - and no family or health to enjoy it with.

Balance in all areas of your life - faith, family, business, health, finances - is the only way to succeed.

Find your purpose

This is a bit different than your goals.  I knew I wanted a business of my own.  And I tried my hand at several.  But I didn't really have any success with them until I figured out my purpose.  Helping others who want more for themselves and their families is what is important to me.  Once I focused my business on what was true to my heart, the rest began to fall into place.

Doing what you love, knowing that this is your mission, will keep you going when the going gets a bit rough.

Stay away from distractions

I call it shiny object syndrome.  And it can come in many forms.  New business opportunities.  New systems or programs that are supposed to help you grow.  New toys.  New friends.  

We all love new things.  Bright shiny new things!  But sometimes these things can distract us from our mission, from our purpose.  They can move us away from plans we made to reach our goals.  Be careful not to let all those shiny new things throw you off course.  Always ask if this new thing, new experience, new person is in keeping with your overall plan, your values, and your purpose.  If not, banish them!

Accept things as they come

Life can be really unfair.  You can put all your time and effort into building your business and then the market changes.  Or your opportunity shuts down.  Despite your best efforts, you have a major health issue.  Family problems can happen to the best of families.  

My family laughs at me because I love watching those movies about people who had something catastrophic happen in their lives but overcame it to achieve something wonderful.  Why?  Because they remind me of what is possible if you don't give up.  

I've had some setbacks in my life.  Health problems.  Family problems.  Lost jobs when I really couldn't afford to.  Divorce.  I could focus on all that and wonder why me and wish it hadn't happened.  Instead I kept stepping out in faith that everything would work out as it was supposed to in the end.  And here I am today!  

How many people can you think of that have achieved great things in the face of adversity?  What would have happened if they had chosen to sit around complaining about their misfortune instead?

Say goodbye to all your fears

Easier said than done I know.  Maybe I should put it a bit differently.  I'm terribly shy (no really) and I still get stage fright when I have to speak in front of people.  But instead of focusing on my fear, I thing about why I'm here, and what I'm doing.  What's the worst that could happen?  I don't get my message across.  So?  I can start over and try to improve my speaking skills.  But what if one person needs to hear what I have to say and doesn't because I was too afraid to speak?  What if I reach that one person and say the thing she needs to hear to move forward with her dream?  Ridiculous you say?  I assure you it has happened.  And if I can change the life of even just one person, then I am fulfilling my purpose.  That is way more important than whether I'm afraid. 

Success comes from hard work.  There will be rejection.  There will be pain and disappointment.  But there will also be victories and celebrations!  You will feel pride in overcoming obstacles.  You will feel satisfaction at the end of a long day working on your dream.  You will feel elated when you start reaching your goals and seeing the rewards of your efforts.  So don't give up.  Stay true to your plan.  Dream BIG!  Find your purpose.  Maintain balance.  Avoid bright shiny objects.  Accept that life happens.  Face your fears.  Those are the real secrets.  The rest is just tricks and techniques that anyone can learn.

You really can have everything you want in your life.  Ready to learn more