SVC INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT DAY
Today is forever to be known as SVC International Entrepreneurial Spirit Day. This is our chance to commemorate the Achievements of those Entrepreneurs who have made enduring advancements and contributions to Humankind through Education, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Inspiration, Invention, Medicine, Science and their Compassion and Love for Humanity.
Michael Stratton Ford and Phillip Sutton Ford were born 12 Years ago today. I am very Proud of our Twin Grandsons, and they have their Mother's face. Alicia is the very image of her own Mother whom I married 45 years ago today!
The festivities started at 7:03:30 AM, the average time between the times Michael (7:00 AM) and Phillip (7:07 AM) were born with a 21-canon salute at the SVC International Complex.
On SVC International Entrepreneurial Spirit Day, the blue tassels of the current SVC International Spirit Celebration Flag change to Scarlet, the Academic Color of Divinity to represent Our Reverence for and Inspiration from Our Creator to be Entrepreneurs. The white tassels are transformed to aquamarine, the Academic Color of Foreign Affairs & Service, symbolizing Humankind's search for Peace and enduring hope for Prosperity for all. The red remains in all five SVC Special Celebration and SVC Logo Flags, representing continuity, commitment, courage and the red circle in the Olympic Flag representing all the Americas, which is particularly meaningful to Michael's and Phillip's Father Andrew, an Olympic Swimmer from Canada, who competed in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and London in 2012.
There have been many changes to the SVC Logo and the Flags that Represent SVC since the SVC International Complex Groundbreaking on 2003 SVC International Children's Day and have appeared in all of SVC's Corporate Flags: the three quasars in the middle of the triangular peaks modeled after Mount Lady Blackmore in Montana. (The logo has never been placed on the SVC Public Website because of Copyright concerns. That will soon no longer be the case.)
The quasar on the right has gold and silver slivers, representing the State of Montana's motto "Oro y Plata" - Latin for "Gold & Silver" and the Bozeman Public Schools and the University of Montana that Benefitted My Education.
The center peak's quasar red and maize represent the University of Oklahoma, the one Educational Institution that not only benefited My Education, but it greatly aided the launch of My Career with SVC and as an Educator, Author and Publisher.
The third quasar has been changed to Ivy Green, representing the honor of receiving of a Doctorate from the ultimate American University: Harvard, 19 years ago. This is especially meaningful for SVC because the Degree concerns PUBLIC POLICY & THE PRESIDENTS.
The traditional musical selections for SVC International Entrepreneurial Spirit Day are my "Liberty's Theme"; "Impossible Dream" by 86-year-old Jim Nabors at the SVC 2017 International, Seventeenth Annual Convention; "Endless Love" by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, which became the #1 song in the USA on Saturday, August 15, 1981, when Patti and I were Married; and the Trailblazing and Journey Themes from the movie, "The Secret."
The Trailblazing Theme, which was played during Nelson Mandela's Memorial Service Processional, inspired me to create the Group known as the SVC INTERNATIONAL DREAMWEAVER PLEXUS TRAILBLAZERS; and the Journey Theme is utilized to remind us all that Life is a journey, not a destination!
This Celebration was inaugurated at SVC 11 years ago at the very same time the International Community has made a Commitment to Democracy, Human Rights and Peace that will revolutionize Our Future as Human Beings and Our World. SVC looks forward to the analeptic Announcements from and Actions by The Hague, their U.S. Federal Court Partners and the United Nations!
The Breakfast Banquet is sponsored by the Ontario Tech University is the brand name used to refer to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, now Ontario Tech University where the proud Mother, Alicia, is a Professor and serves on King Charles III’s Privy Council in Canada.
Now, there are some characteristics in Work and Life that you just can't teach. They form from within and over time, they become part of who we are. One of those characteristics is the Entrepreneurial Spirit.
THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT
It develops in the Individuals who demonstrate a true passion for building something great from nothing and they are willing to push themselves to the limits to achieve enormous Goals.
As an Entrepreneur myself, I know all too well these are the people you want to hire yourself and work with us at SVC!!!!!!! I am a firm Believer that you don't need to own a multi-billion-dollar Business or start the next Microsoft to exhibit the qualities of Entrepreneurial Spirit. It's something you exhibit every day in how you approach your Public Life, Personal Life and Career.
There are at least seven indicators that demonstrate that the Entrepreneurial Spirit is alive and thriving in someone:
1) Entrepreneurials are In-Tune with their Passion(s)
Think of the last conversation you had with someone about something they were deeply passionate about. It doesn't matter if the topic is completely uninteresting to you, the conviction in their voice and the authentic enthusiasm they have for it is captivating.
Passionate People know what it's like to dive deep into a topic and completely understand it. When people are genuinely passionate about the problems that Our World is trying to solve, they will be energized and enthused rather than deterred by any challenge that stands in their way.
2) Entrepreneurials are always Questioning How It Can Be Done Better
Mark Twain once said, "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." A great quote for a Public Policy Advocacy & Education Organization like SVC.
The average person rarely considers how ordinary things can be made better or improved-but those with the Entrepreneurial Spirit can't help themselves from doing it. They are continually questioning why things are done the way they are and aren't afraid to go against the majority to make changes.
It's impressive in an interview when a candidate for a position with your organization or company has thoughtful questions for the Business and ideas on how existing Services and Products could be improved. When I recognize this in a candidate my instant impression is You’re Hired!
3) Entrepreneurials are Optimistic about All the Possibilities
One of my favorite Quotes is from George Bernard Shaw: "Some look at things that are and ask why. I Dream of things that never were and ask why not."
Fact is, to be Entrepreneurial by nature is to be optimistic. People with the Entrepreneurial Spirit don't spend time thinking about what they can't do, but instead ask themselves, "Why can't I?"
During his annual SVC Inspiration Day Presentation John Elway always reminds us to focus on what you are going to do, not what your opponent is going to do. John still holds the NFL record for fourth quarter comebacks by a quarterback. He set that record focusing on what he had to do to win, not worry about how it couldn’t be done!
When starting up, the odds of achieving your goals are strongly against you, so you really need People who are optimistic more than ever. Look for and engage with People that get excited by the idea of aggressive challenges and enormous, seemingly impossible Goals. They are the ones who will push the boundaries of what was once thought impossible!
Just look at what SVC has accomplished over the past 26 years. At the very first SVC Public Policy Forum at the Missoula Public Library, only one person attended. Now SVC averages over 75,000 per PPF. I know just a few professional sports teams who would love to see that many show up for their games! SUTTON VIEWPOINT CENTER INTRODUCES 21st CENTURY MARSHALL PLAN
4) Entrepreneurials Take Calculated Risks
In addition to optimism, Entrepreneurs are predisposed to a high tolerance for risk. But it doesn't mean they jump blindly into action; it's instead quite the opposite. Those with the Entrepreneurial Spirit make calculated moves while understanding that there are never any guarantees.
It's also the ability to work with self-reliance and be decisive. The playbook isn't always clear, so it's ideal to be able to stay agile and adapt within a situation with a high degree of ambiguity but have an attitude of certainty towards the outcome. As my Success Coach Tony Robbins puts it, make success your must! Don’t should all over yourself.
5) Entrepreneurials Focus on Planning and Love Problem-Solving
Know there is a solution for every problem you will encounter and persevere. Plan through and identify missing pieces of the puzzle and/or inefficiencies. Develop creative and innovative solutions. Build resilience to setbacks. Have a viewpoint concerning failures as constructive feedback and opportunities for growth.
Learn the difference between Good Competition and Bad Competition. Good Competition stretches you and focuses upon making you better while Bad Competition is destructive and a situation where no one wins. Have an appreciation for the former and actually work to draw good competition opportunities towards you and repel and eliminate the latter at all cost! Either way you must enjoy competing!
6) Entrepreneurials Network and Excel in Teamwork
Surround yourself with people who share a growth mindset and can support your initiatives. In my experience this is where most people fall short. No one can do it alone and you shouldn’t try. There is no substitute for having a solid, gelling team.
When Angelica and I were Newlyweds and began to do our PPF podcasts during the Encore University Book Tour in the Spring of 2003 for REVIVAL OF THE AMERICAN DREAM, we conducted a PPF at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Some folks showed up demanding that all funds for CU be for Education only and not any sports programs, etc. Morons.
I explained to them that for some reason it has never dawned on them that learning the lessons of good teamwork and the disciplines of sports training are an invaluable education in itself. You do not need to be in a classroom necessarily to attain a quality education! SVC has turned Education in Nontraditional Settings into an art form!
Brett, Jim, Les and I played basketball and baseball together since we were little boys and won championships along the way. The Dream Weaver nickname for me came from Brett and Les because my childhood nickname was “Brick”, my basketball shot lacked the proper touch. They believed Dream Weaver is a far more appropriate nickname for me because of my work at SVC. We are still teammates quite literally 50 and 60 years later with great effect!
Our Daughter, Marti, plays Division I Basketball and our Son, Jack, plays Division I Baseball, something Angelica and I never came close to doing. Some of their teammates who have become good friends have graduated and are playing in the WNBA and MLB. Whether or not they ever play their sports professionally themselves, they will have contacts that could be key in their careers as a Medical Doctor and as an Architect!
I highly recommend surrounding yourself with like-minded people and building your dreams together. That’s what we did at SVC. The Creator gave me a special talent for this. There is no question about that!
7) Above All, Entrepreneurials Execute
I can't count how many times I've had aspiring Entrepreneurs come up to me for advice on their untested ideas. My response is always to go out and act on your ideas first to get real feedback. That's because ideas are meaningless until they are acted upon. Those with the Entrepreneurial Spirit realize that execution is everything when it comes down to achievement. Engage and associate with the people that have the drive to always execute, no matter what the circumstances!
SVC has programs for personal and professional development as well writing and film and television production. https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/are-you-strategically-viable-in-the-market-place
https://www.svctrailblazerpublications.com/award-winning-business-coaching-copywriting
As part of the "101 Days of Summer" at SVC, the SVC International Entrepreneurial Spirit Day Flag will now be flown alone at the SVC International Complex for the rest of the day. All the rest of the Flags will be restored 24 hours from now.
I have always believed in Leading by example. Nine years ago, SVC International Business & Entrepreneurship Executive Director Kristine M. West, DBA, and SVC Economics, Foreign Policy & Trade Executive Director, Erica S. Masterson, DBA, wrote an Article regarding the contributions SVC has made as an International Contribution and they wrote the Article in Commemoration of SVC INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT DAY in 2017! Their Report will be made available in a separate Publication
What a Special Day! Just know your Life is Divinely Inspired & Guided!
PHIL SUTTON, DBA & PhD
SVC FOUNDER & PRESIDENT/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SVC INTERNATIONAL BOARD OF GOVERNORS
15 AUGUST 2026