Made A Stupid Mistake? Own it. Many people who make mistakes tend to skulk away in embarrassment and hide forever. But we all make mistakes, and this is precisely the wrong thing to do. That skulking could mean that others will forever judge you as weak. Is the smarter strategy not to show up immediately… Continue Reading

by James Kwantes, World of Mining “Murray Pezim lives somewhere beyond Outrageous. To get there, drive to Crazed, keep going toward Bonkers via Berserk, then slow at Around the Bend and look for signs.” Sports Illustrated’s Douglas S. Looney “Pezim had taken them on a ride to nowhere, but what fun they had had.” The Vancouver Sun’s… Continue Reading

My big bro Adam (pictured) has become a budding businessman after several years of thumbing his nose at commerce. This is a good thing as he’s very talented and competitive. Adam now has to deal with frustrating client emails, the way I used to in spades running the Pacific Website Co. I made a million… Continue Reading

One of the most common ways to become wealthy is to come up with an idea that requires capital (such as buying a building or a company) and pitch it to a sophisticated investor. If the investor wants to back the idea, the pitcher may get a piece of the action for coming up with… Continue Reading

“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” -Winston Churchill Lived from 1874 to 1965 British Conservative Politician and Statesman Prime Minister, 1940-45 and 1951-55

By James Kwantes, World of Mining Second in a series (Read Part 1 here) “Opportunity can go by in a day.” Norman Bell Keevil, Sr. Norman Bell Keevil was born on a Saskatchewan farm in 1910. In his first life, Keevil was an academic, studying math, chemistry and geology at the University of Saskatchewan before getting… Continue Reading

“I keep on repeating, I’ll say it for the last time—I’m not on some ego trip.”-Robert Maxwell Lived From 1923-1991 Publisher, Politician, Media Mogul Head of the “Daily Mirror” Publications >>Play 1987 Interview with Robert Maxwell & Desert Island Records (MP3) Memorable Quotes: “You are as safe with me as you would be in the… Continue Reading

“The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth—But Not Its Mineral Rights.” -J. Paul Getty Lived From 1892-1976 Billionaire Industrialist, Oil Magnate Founder of Getty Oil Memorable Quotes: “If you can count your money, you don’t have a billion dollars.” “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.” “There are one hundred men seeking security to… Continue Reading

Growing up my mother always told me, “You can be anything you want in life, just not a promoter.” She should have known her statement would have the reverse effect as I’ve been a proud promoter all my life. I’ve promoted ideas, products, services, sweatshops, stocks, websites and conferences, to name a few, but most… Continue Reading

Lived November 29, 1956 – August 23, 2002 #2 Man at Polygon Homes, British Columbia’s largest home builder Ten years ago today Polygon Homes Executive Vice President Rick Genest was tragically killed when a boulder fell on his car while driving to his summer home in Bridge Lake, BC. In the 45 years of his… Continue Reading

I’ve always felt listening to be a focused endurance activity. It’s different than a debate and different from a session of small talk. I further liken it to searching for something in the dark. We are looking around when we listen, getting to know the environment of the other person’s mind, drawing out as much information as… Continue Reading

Lived from 1862-1939 President of US Steel Corporation, Bethlehem Steel, Mr. Andrew Carnegie’s right hand man. * Not to be confused with Charles R. Schwab, the financial services entrepreneur born in 1937 (read his Wikipedia).  Memorable Quotes: “A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.” “I never criticize anyone. I believe… Continue Reading

Lived from 1809-1865 16th President of the United States Assassinated April 1865 —- Memorable Quotes: “I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come.” “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” —- -As a young boy, his dying mother called… Continue Reading

Originally published on TommyHumphreys.com, CEO.CA’s predecessor site, and republished by WSJ, Business Insider, among others. I had wanted to interview Kevin O’Leary ever since I attended a small presentation on his O’Leary family of mutual funds that he gave to money managers in Vancouver last spring. Before those financial gatekeepers, O’Leary was his usual fast… Continue Reading