Page 196 - Midas Touch

Kim. Mark was selling T-shirts in Venice Beach, California, when he read
it. Robert and Kim were struggling when they read it because they were
just starting their new business. Both parties said it made a significant
impact on them and steered them towards success. Those are just three

examples of how one book can positively affect people.

In the fall of 2008, a citizen in Canada sent me a copy of her local
newspaper from Kamloops, British Columbia. There was a photograph of a
homeless man who was surrounded by his belongings, and he was reading
a copy of The Art of the Deal. The photo made me want to help him with
his immediate situation.

The homeless man had been told that I’d read his story, and he joked about
it, asking if “the cheque’s in the mail.” He didn’t know or believe I’d be

sending him one, which I had. When he was handed the check, he said,
“For once in my life, I’m speechless. I’m at a total loss for words. Usually
I’m so loquacious, but this? I don’t know what to say.”

My message to give to the homeless man was: “Give him my regards, and
tell him to work hard. I know it’s not easy out there.” To send him a check
was a small gesture on my part, but small things can mean a lot. The small
things matter.

Another example is when I was watching 60 Minutes one Sunday night and
there was a segment about Maytag moving their plant from Newton, Iowa,
to Mexico, and the devastating effect it had on this hardworking town.
Three individuals were interviewed and each of them impressed me in one
way or another. One was a war veteran, another owned a Domino’s Pizza
shop, and the third individual owned a product-advertising company. I was

impressed by their work ethic and their resolve to not let the economic
woes caused by Maytag’s departure break their spirit. Again, as a small
gesture, I sent two of them a check, one to be used for his daughter’s
college fund and the second to cover shortfalls at the pizza store. With the
third individual, I created an ongoing and continual business to provide me
with top-quality merchandise affixed with the Trump brand. It was a small

gesture on my part but, at that time in their lives, a positive impact was
made.

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