We recently connected with Bill Goldstein and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bill , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism comes from the belief that anything is possible. That your hopes and dreams can turn into things you never thought possible. I’ve seen this theory prove true throughout my life. No better example than turning the amputation of my left leg into the best thing that ever happened to me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My story began growing up in the restaurant business and living in Merrick Long Island. My family owned a famous restaurant called Bill’s in the heart of the garment center in New York City. Bill’s was around for over 50 years and through its many chapters was a mainstay hangout for the fashion industry. Household name such as Calvin Klein, Perry Ellis, and Ralph Lauren to name a few would have lunch and after work cocktails on a daily basis at Bill’s. A white table cloth art deco space with mahogany booths, and coved ceilings Bill’s was like Cheers on steroids. Everyone knew everyone, the walls adorned black and white autographed photos of our famous clientele and they all had “house tabs”. Our guests had one thing in common in that they adored my grandfather Bill, his wife Sis, my mother Mary and my brother David. Each of whom had their respective runs managing the restaurant.
Upon my graduation from the University of Colorado, Boulder I returned to New York City and Bill’s was struggling. My name was on the door so to help out I started throwing private parties called “Bill’s Party’s” and thus my event planning career was born. My company Business & Pleasure Event Planning was an instant success. I packed Bill’s once a month hosting historic parties with lines around the block.
Eventually after the closing of the restaurant I took my show on the road and held similar events at the hottest spots in New York City. During that time I began a deep involvement with The University of Colorado Alumni Association’s New York Chapter. I served as its President and Special Event Coordinator for over 20 years. While I was having all this fun, I made my living as a commercial Real Estate broker with a firm called Williams Real Estate. Williams was a 100 year old firm and in that way similar to Bill’s. The combination created via my following from the parties, the Alumni Association and the networking component of my real estate career coalesced to make Business & Pleasure a lifestyle and centerpiece of what makes me – me.
As I approached my 50’s I moved back to Boulder Colorado, and entered a chapter that would change me forever.
After a 4 year struggle and 10 operations I lost my left leg to a diabetic infection. This setback lead me to an organization called Ignite Adaptive Sports. Ignite is a volunteer 501c3 that teaches skiing and snowboarding to individuals of all disabilities and Veterans at Eldora mountain. Starting as a student , I learned to ski on one leg (called 3 track skiing). From there I went on to be a senior instructor and ultimately their Special Event Coordinator. Ignite has been around for 50 years, yet this amazing organization (started by CU students) was still a relatively unknown group funded by a handful of passionate donors. That is until Ignite and I found each other. With the help of our great Executive Director Carrol Nickell and other volunteers I created the Ignite Gala. An annual fundraiser netting us over one million dollars over the course of 7 years, plus throwing the “ Party of the Year” each and every year in Boulder.
As a child, I enjoyed a modest career in acting and studying Magic at a renowned performing arts camp called Stagedoor Manor. That experience, combined with the many speaking engagements afforded me by the CU Alumni Association helped me hone my skills as a public speaker.
It’s truly been my honor to not only lead the Ignite Gala committee, but to be the emcee of the event and spokesman for the organization. Things have never been better for Ignite. We recently broke ground on a 15 million dollar adaptive ski facility at the base of Eldora which will be operational in the 2024/25 ski season.
This journey has proven to me that anything can be overcome. It has proven to me that being disabled does not define what you can’t do, but rather it gives you the opportunity to show the world that anything is possible.
It has proven to me that losing my leg turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me because it put me in position to help others, and that helping others is the key to happiness. I like to think that there is no one better than me at bringing people together and because of Ignite I have put that skill to good use.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Confidence, interpersonal skills, and leadership are the three skills I’ve utilized most on my journey.
The best way to develop confidence is to foster faith that things will work out, rarely the way you plan but certainly in the end.
Interpersonal skills are critical to fostering relationships and relationships make the world go round. Focus on finding common ground, staying in touch and going out of your way for people when the opportunity presents itself.
I think the most important part of leadership is the realization that leaders do most of the work, make sacrifices and compromise often. Leaders should always lead by example.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I’m overwhelmed, I think of this adage. Remember when you were studying for final exams? If you looked at all the books you needed to read at once you can get dizzy and fall down. I like to say “don’t stack your books”. In other words stop, focus on just one task and then move on.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://igniteadaptivesports.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Theshiftwithbillgolstein?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/bill.goldstein.587?mibextid=LQQJ4d
