words that describe me best passionate, driven, resourceful, loyal, tenacious, curious, confident, grateful, focused, adventurous, trustworthy, humorous, compassionate

my definition of success is I've had quite a bit of time to reflect on this question over the years. My definition seems to change as I mature and reflect on the mix of both exciting and humbling experiences that seem to occur each and every week! At this point in my life I believe success begins with first and foremost knowing who you really are as a person and then using your energy to pursue something you're deeply passionate about. From there, I believe success is about finding the best vehicle for you to manifest that passion in your daily life-personally and professionally. In the end, I believe others are successful if they truly do all they can to live up to their full potential, while positively contributing to the world and society as a whole.

currently, you could best describe me as an entrepreneur

awards / recognitions Co-authored a New York Times Bestselling book, Secrets of the Young & Successful®, a variety of media articles/coverage

Other awards and recognition coming soon...will keep you posted! (-:

about my career I've been an entrepreneur since 12 years old and have taken larger steps at creating bigger companies since then. I've gained experience through starting and running small to medium sized businesses in the following areas: youth marketing, professional services, strategic consulting (in the restaurant, retail and franchise industries), telecommunications, media/publishing... and now the internet/online software industries

people who've had the biggest impact on me my mother, Jennifer Kushell, my father, my family, my close friends and advisors

favorite movies A watch and love a million movies, but here are a few of my all time favorites:, Ocean's 11-13, Invincible, Failure to Launch, Accepted, 21, Goal! The Dream Begins, Cool Runnings, Glory Road, Boiler Room, Amistad, Old School, Wedding Crashers, The Holiday, 50 First Dates (especially because it's shot in Hawaii!), Music and Lyrics, Blades of Glory, Step Up, All James Bond Movies

favorite TV shows Almost everything on the Discovery Channel and History Channel, NUMBERS, Entourage, Weeds, The Big Bang Theory, Californication, Inside the Actors Studio, Project Runway, Ace of Cakes, Man vs. Wild, The Discovery Atlas Series

favorite sports I love most sports! My favorites to play: Tennis, Paddle Tennis, Basketball and Volleyball, To Watch: Tennis (all four majors + misc. matches throughout the year on the Tennis Channel, Soccer/Football - especially Europe's Premier League & World Cup, NHL hockey, Olympics, NBA Playoffs

favorite books Way too many to list, but here's a few all-time favorites: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, A Passion to Win, Pour Your Heart Into It, The World Is Flat, The Magic of Thinking Big, and...Secrets of the Young & Successful (-:

favorite magazines Fortune, Forbes, Business 2.0, Portfolio, Entrepreneur, Inc., Fast Company, Business Week, Men's Health, Tennis, Travel & Leisure, ISLANDS

radio / podcasts / blogs I subscribe to I don't listen to radio much these days, however I do listen to a wide variety of podcasts found via the Apple iTunes store and BusinessWeek.

indulgences / guilty pleasures Chocolate anything!, Pizza/Calzones, Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, taking off from work when I just don't have the energy to get up! (wish I could do this way more often at times!)

when I'm not working I enjoy reading, tennis, basketball, skateboarding in Venice Beach, traveling to new countries/cities, going to spas, spending time in person or on the phone with close friends, surfing the web, listening to a wide variety of music with my Bose Noise Cancellation Headsets (can't live without them!)

other interests I enjoy attending business or educational events/conferneces. My favorite event may be the Milken Global Conference in Beverly Hills, CA which takes place every April. It could be perhaps the most incredible gathering and interaction of brilliant people in the business, science and educational worlds next to the World Economic Forum. I highly recommend you attending one year if you haven't already!

I grew up in New York

as far as figuring out how my life goes, I am exactly where I want to be

I speak the following languages English, Spanish

defining moments / milestones Securing first paying customers & profits for businesses when I was young, meeting Jay (my first "adult" business partner) while attending college, representing my university at an international business case competition at EDS HQ in Texas, meeting Jennifer Kushell, being elected to the Board of the California Restaurant Association, sitting on the beach in Belize brainstorming what would be come YSN.com...

my travels have included North America (47 states + Canada & Mexico), Central America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia

the speed my life moves at 24/7