Sharon Lechter is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, international speaker, licensed CPA, Chartered Global Management Accountant and, most importantly a mother and grandmother. A life-long education advocate, she is the founder and CEO of Pay Your Family First, a financial education organization. Regarded as a global expert on financial literacy, Sharon has served as a national spokeswoman and Presidential Adviser on the topic. In 2016 Sharon was appointed by Junior Achievement as a JA University of Success Founding Chancellor and in 2017 as Arizona Chairman for the 2020 Women on Boards initiative. In 2019 Sharon was appointed by Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee to the Arizona Financial Literacy Task Force.
Sharon has been a pioneer in developing new technologies, programs and products to bring education into people’s lives in ways that are innovative, challenging and fun, and remains committed to education – particularly financial literacy and entrepreneurship. In 1989, she joined forces with the inventor of the first electronic 'talking book' and helped him expand the electronic book industry to a multi-million dollar international market. Since 1992, she has dedicated her professional life and directed her entrepreneurial efforts in the creation and distribution of financial and entrepreneurial education books, games and other experiential learning products.
In 1997 Sharon co-authored the international bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad, and has released 14 other books in the Rich Dad series. Over 10 years as co-Founder and CEO, she led the Rich Dad Company and brand into an international powerhouse. In 2008, she was asked by the Napoleon Hill Foundation to help re-energize the powerful teachings of Napoleon Hill just as the international economy was faltering. Sharon has released three bestselling books in cooperation with the Foundation, including Think and Grow Rich-Three Feet from Gold, Outwitting the Devil and her latest project, Think and Grow Rich for Women, released in June of 2014. She is also featured in the 2017 movie Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy and has released the book Save Wisely, Spend Happily in cooperation with the American Institute of CPAs.
Pay Your Family First’s financial literacy board game ThriveTime for Teens, an innovative, experiential and fun life and money reality game, has received coveted awards including a Mom’s Choice GOLD Award, Creative Child Magazine’s 2010 Game of The Year, Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Product and a five-star rating from WTS Toy Reviews. Sharon is the co-author of Your Financial Mastery, a financial education college curriculum and recipient of the 2015 Excellence in Financial Literacy Education “Book of the Year” award presented by the Financial Literacy Institute.
Sharon is recognized globally as an expert on the topics of financial education and entrepreneurship. In 2008 she was appointed to the first President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. The Council served both President Bush and President Obama advising them on the need for financial literacy education. In 2009 Sharon was appointed to the National CPA Financial Literacy Commission as a national spokesperson on the topic of financial literacy and was reappointed in 2014.
In 2012, Sharon suffered a devastating loss when her son unexpectedly passed away. While Sharon continued to work, something changed. She put herself on autopilot and stopped working to her fullest, stopped striving to be her best, stopped pursuing the excellence she knew she was capable of. It was in this realization that led Sharon to her next project, the Play Big Movement- a call to action, online course, and forthcoming book about rising above whatever is stopping you from thinking and acting as to your greatest potential. With the Play Big Movement, Sharon is back and teaching the world how to take control of their time and money, live their legacy and create maximum impact.
Interviews
Interview with the author of the new book Three Feet from Gold
by Kim McGrigg on 10/2/2009
The new book Three Feet from Gold will be released on Tuesday, October 6. Three Feet from Gold is based on the 1937 best-seller Think & Grow Rich and promises “practical wisdom and inspiration to help people find their own personal path to success.”
I had the opportunity to ask one of the book’s authors, Sharon L. Lechter some questions about the book. Ms. Lechter is also a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy and was co-author of the international best-seller Rich Dad, Poor Dad and 14 books in the Rich Dad series. Following is my question and answer session with Ms. Lechter.
This book is based on Napoleon Hill’s Think & Grow Rich. What do you think made this book such a huge success?
Ms. Lechter: It was the right message at the right time. Published during the Great Depression, Napoleon Hill revealed the keys to success. Think & Grow Rich provided a road map to success along with the inspiration for all who read it. Many of today’s greatest success stories attribute their success to reading Think & Grow Rich.
How did you come up with the title Three Feet from Gold?
Ms. Lechter: The title Three Feet from Gold comes from the first chapter in Think & Grow Rich. The story of R.U. Darby, a young man who went west during the Gold Rush to find his fortune in gold. After running out of gold in his mine, Darby gave up and returned east, selling his mine to the junkman. The junkman had studied mining for years and brought in the expertise of a mining engineer. He discovered one of the richest gold veins in history….just three feet from where Darby had started digging! It is the story of perseverance, finding the right advisors, and having faith that you are on the right path!
Think & Grow Rich came out in 1937. Why did you choose to publish Three Feet from Gold now, after all of these years?
Ms. Lechter: Think & Grow Rich came out during the Great Depression and is widely credited for helping people find the courage to create great success in their lives. Given the current economic downturn, we felt that Napoleon Hill’s initial messages of success and perseverance were even more imperative to help people through their current struggles. Three Feet from Gold highlights his teachings using leaders of today and shares their stories of how they persevered through rough times and turned their obstacles into opportunities.
What is just one of the many important messages, or key take-aways, that you’d like to share with our audience?
Ms. Lechter: When asked to co-author this book, I was dealing with my own struggles and I was at a cross-roads. I was considering giving up…even though I knew I should persevere. Hearing the stories of the people we interviewed gave me the courage to keep going and it was a tremendous gift. I hope our readers will find the same motivation and encouragement that I did from these incredible people.
Who will benefit most from reading it?
Ms. Lechter: Anyone who is facing difficulties. Anyone who wants to improve their lives and create a foundation of wealth and success for themselves and their families. AND most of all, anyone ready to seize the opportunities that are just three feet in front of them!
Could you please share one of your favorite Napoleon Hill quotes—one that really sticks with you?
Ms. Lechter: My personal favorite from one of our experts is “Replace your wishbone with a backbone,” by John St. Augustine. We have all heard of the power of attraction… the power of positive mental attitude and it is tremendously important. But as John so correctly points out, you must combine that positive mental attitude with ACTION if you truly want positive results. My favorite Napoleon Hill quote is, “Are you waiting for success to arrive, or are you going out to find where it is hiding?”
