Have you ever considered starting your own business?

Consider this scenario.
 
 You have this great idea!  You develop a plan and then implement your plan-- and it works!  People love it!  

You have been hired by an organization that sees the value of your business and they give you the freedom to develop it as long as they can take advantage of your product!
You feel lucky to have a job that supports your efforts to develop your new product!  They even provide a place for you to work and, in return, you help their cliental with your product. 

Wow!  Could it get any better?  You are sooo excited! 

 You begin to train staff to run the local business so that you can go to another city and create another office to promote your product.  You are hopeful your business will grow, and are (as hoped for)  transfered to a different city.
 
You begin by training new staff.  In the meantime you learn that your previous effort folded without your leadership and vision to guide it. That's okay, (you think) because your new location is doing so well and your efforts are equally, if not more, rewarding.

You receive another promotion and are excited to be transfer again! But, guess what? Just weeks after your transfer, the business you developed in that last location folds.
 
It is discouraging!  The people you trained seemed so capable and competent.  So what happened? 

It has been 10 years and you apply for another job promotion within your company and are hired to a new position.  You move 2000 miles to a new location!

You have been trying for 10 years to create a successful business and branch out on your own!  Year after year passes and now 15 years have passed! You keep at it and soon nearly 20 years have passed since you began trying to make a go of this business.

Is it time to reconsider?  You think of the time, effort and means you have invested.
You think this business should be successful!  But it hasn't been. 

Do you give up?  It is time to face reality. 

The business seems like a good idea, but how long do you hold onto your hope to get this business up and running?

What would your wife or husband say? What would your friends say?
 
What would you do?

 If you are Ralph Smedley, you continue,  persistently! 

After he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois  in 1903 he secured a Job with The YMCA as the Education Director. 

In 1904 , he began his first club (1904- that is a 105 years ago) and it was successful as long as he was there to lead it.  In fact his friend George Sutton came up with the name Toastmasters because "it sounded fun ! "
 
Between 1904 and 1923, he met with challenges regarding Toastmasters.  Everytime he was transferred, the club he had started -folded.  Year after year he worked to create a viable organization. And, after 20 years he was still holding fast to his vision. That year, in 1924 (nearly 20 years after his first effort),  the club he formed on October 22 took off, and continues successfully to this day!  Eventually, more clubs formed and competent leaders were developed!

Still, the business struggled and it wasn't until 1934 that the company Incorporated as a Non-profit Educational Organization- (75 years ago).
 
Most people don't remember that it took almost 30 years to get Toastmasters started!!!

So now you know, (and you heard it here first),  the beginning of Toastmasters International was 105 years ago.

Toastmasters International has a proud history and has touch the lives of millions of people.
 Some of the more famous Toastmasters, include-

Mrs.Fields- of Mrs. Fields Cookies

Cavat Roberts- National Speakers Association Founder

Harvey MacKay- Author of  "Swim With The Sharks"

Tim Allen- Television Star, Actor- Home Improvement

Napolean Hill- Author of "Think and Grow Rich" 

Leonard Nimoy- Actor- Star Trek

Astronauts, politicians and world leaders have been members of Toastmasters!