Hi everybody, this is Mark Victor Hansen, co-author and creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and the One Minute Millionaire series. I want to introduce you to one of my great friends, LuAn Mitchell, who has got a set of tapes here and CDs and audios that are going to change your life with The Eye of the Tiger. What happens is she not only has got a rags to riches story, she's got a tragic to magic story and what she's going to help you do is awaken the magic in your life so you bloom the full potential of the beingness that you are. When you hear LuAn, you're going to see that her inner radiance radiates without, and what she's going to do is ignite that inner radiance in you so it brings out the best, the highest and the most extraordinary that you've always wanted to and aspired to but now you're going to have the inspiration, dedication, perspiration to get to the destination of your heart's desire. So enjoy listening to my friend, LuAn.

- Mark Victor Hansen of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame

More Endorsements

LuAn and Steve Forbes, President, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine

"History has demonstrated that the most notable
winners usually encountered heartbreaking
obstacles before they triumphed. They won
because they refused to become discouraged
by their defeats."

B.C. Forbes said those words in 1917, shortly before founding Forbes magazine. Eighty-five years later his axiom rings especially true, as LuAn Mitchell would appreciate. She has been through a passel of troubles and has persevered, enjoying abundant success as measured by the essentials that most of us pursue: unyielding love, ample security, and sweet comfort.

Yet in Paper Doll LuAn spends little time dwelling solipsistically on these fevered events. Instead she focuses on learning and leveraging life's lessons to turn adversity into opportunity. It is what real leaders in business manage to do all the time. She seems most concerned with preaching these lessons to those who will listen-how to trust your instincts, build an inner circle of support, set new priorities and define your dreams so you can chase after the biggest ones.

- Dennis Kneale, Managing Editor for Forbes Magazine

"LuAn Mitchell-Halter's story is riveting. I have known LuAn for a long time and journeyed with her through many of the dramatic personal, family and corporate challenges she has survived. I have watched with admiration as she persevered, always found the seed for good and never lost faith, no matter how devastating the tragedy. This book is the true story of a remarkable woman, a remarkable life and incredible - and repeated - triumph. You will be inspired."

- Dr. Robert Schuller, The Hour of Power, Crystal Cathedral Ministries

"It is a daunting task, albeit such a pleasant one, and an extreme honor to have been asked to offer a few words about the extraordinary author of the book you are about to read. Actually, this is so much more than a book. It is an 'E-ticket' - for a ride - a journey along life's highway - with all its peaks and valleys, narrated by someone who, if you are fortunate enough to meet in person, let alone in the pages that follow, will send you soaring just by her very presence.

Consider that you have been given a timeless gift, to be forever cherished, by virtue of the fact that you are able to share the most intimate feelings of, and sagely (beyond her years) wisdom of one of the Leading Women of the World.

Fasten your seatbelts! Grab a hanky - and put a little extra moisturizer on those laugh lines. LuAn Mitchell-Halter - You Rock!"

- Bob Koff, Chairman, Private Resource Group

"LuAn Mitchell-Halter shares her journey from being called "Elly Mae" to being named Canada's Number One Female Entrepreneur for three successive years. She uses positive thinking as well as setting a plan, listening to her instincts, and looking for the good in each situation. She has overcome obstacles that would have set anyone back, and has given so much to her family, community, and to the world. I am proud to know her. This book is an inspiration for all."

- Dr. Beverly Whipple, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor Emerita, Rutgers, The State University of NJ and co-author of "The G-spot and Other Discoveries about Human Sexuality" and "Outwitting Osteoporosis"

"LuAn could be the poster child for resilience. She shares her life story as another way of reaching and helping those whose struggles sometimes obscure their belief that they can remain true to themselves and triumph over adversity. I appreciate her practical recipes for turning adversity and challenge into opportunity. Her sense of humor and her ability to maintain perspective when faced with potential trauma are a reminder to believe in love and in a spiritual connection as an ever-present source of strength."

- Claude M. Chemtob, Ph.D., clinical professor of psychiatry and pediatrics

"The balancing act for most women is kids, husband and a job. It usually doesn't include a dying husband in constant need of sophisticated medical care (ie: transplants), a family battle over corporate holdings necessitating a lifestyle shift (ie: moving children, husband and pets in the family van) and then becoming CEO of a food company that was built from a meatpacking business, fighting off banks, bankruptcy, vultures and predators while still raising a young family. Throw in having a high school education, being a former beauty queen and you have amazing fiction.except for one thing. It's not fiction. This is the story of a real woman, an award winning Canadian entrepreneur and now philanthropist, LuAn Mitchell-Halter. If you want to see how and what life lessons took Ms. Mitchell-Halter to the top despite horrendous odds, this book is a journey you must take. It is a life lesson for us all."

- Peter Dekom, entertainment attorney and co-author of "Not on My Watch"

"After reading your book yesterday evening, I was very happy. The feeling lingered into this morning. You have done a great job, and you should be very pleased. The structure of the book is excellent, with the plan to get closer to the dream, the instincts, and the seed for good. Your book is a very powerful force for good.

There are at least two important behaviors you share with the reader that I have practiced for years. First, my family like yours knows that I need my baths to think and meditate. It is a very powerful tool. I try to do it every day, and I feel bad when I do not. I actually prefer to shower than to wash, but I cannot think in a shower.

Then I also make my own movies in my head to look at the future. I can fill them in and change the scenario to fit different possibilities and outcome.

Many other details struck home. Your book is very personal, and also universal. I believe the forgiving paragraphs at the end are very important. You share your intense physical reaction to negative energy, and your need to keep the power to remain peaceful. Pages 117-118, and 125-126 are the most moving for me. Finally, on the business side, I can say you have a clear impact. I am in the middle of an increase in capital in my company that manages all the big chefs contracts I have, for instance international rights for El Bulli, the number one restaurant in the world, and several others, including Lea Linster, the only woman ever to win the Bocuse d'Or, who has two restaurants in Luxembourg, and should be included in the Leading Women of the World.

My company now has a capital of 3,250,000 Euros, of which I control 95%. I am raising outside my family over a million, mostly in Switzerland, while keeping control. Well, I have felt bad for 6 weeks about some potential investors. Thanks to your book, I have decided to follow my instincts, and change those investors. As a result, this morning I finally felt so good about it. Thank you! It is the kind of problem that is very difficult to share, but your book did it, it helped me resolve the issue.

As you say, all families have problems, but they do not all make headlines.

In our case, in 1989 we had the front page of the weekend edition of the Financial Times with the title, "Better than Dallas", describing our fights with our cousins, and the 70 lawsuits. We sold our shares in Remy Martin and Cointreau a year later. Fortunately, at my generation, it is mostly forgiven. For my parents, it is very much alive, and I am going to send them two or three pages from your book! It might help.

Thank you again. Your book had a major impact, both in an emotional way, making me very happy, and leading to a very practical decision to change my business life."

- Edouard Cointreau, Founder and President of Gourmand Books, and the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards

"LuAn is an inspiring speaker and author who motivates her audiences to face challenges head on, encouraging them to follow gut instinct in order to achieve success, fulfillment and happiness. With a gift for balancing family and the family business, LuAn has garnered worldwide recognition for her success in overcoming personal and financial obstacles."

- Canadian Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

About the Author

As entrepreneur, corporate executive, author, motivational speaker, philanthropist and mother, LuAn Mitchell has lived a life of wide experience, harsh reality, and repeated triumph.

Mitchell has reached the pinnacle of business success being named one of the 40 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World and has been honored by them annually since 2001. McGill University of Montreal has named LuAn as the 2003 recipient of the McGill Management Achievement Award for excellence of achievement in business and community service.

LuAn's business experience began with her own salon, spa, and modelling school, and included - as Chair of the Board of Directors - shepherding Mitchell's Gourmet Foods from the brink of bankruptcy to a very successful value-added food processor. Her life is a story of struggle and survival. From the country kid who was taunted as "Elly Mae" at her high school, to the confident mother of three young children who rose to command a large food processing company, she has always triumphed, although she has also endured much.

Children's literacy and environmental awareness are among LuAn's many interests. She has written several children's stories and visited many schools to give readings. From 1990 to 1994, she served as an advisor to "Kids for Saving Earth, North America." She also holds a patent on "Save the Planet," an environmental board game she invented.

Mitchell is an active community volunteer, having served on the Board of Directors of several charitable organizations, including the United Way, YWCA, and Junior Achievement.

Mitchell is President and CEO of Save The Planet Holdings, and led Mitchell's Gourmet Foods from 1998 to 2003 as Chair of the Board. She serves on several outside boards including The Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World, Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government Women's Leadership Board, and the University of Saskatchewan's Institute of Agricultural, Rural, and Environmental Health. LuAn is in constant demand as a motivational speaker, and she has appeared on the internationally acclaimed Hour of Power television broadcast as featured guest of Rev. Robert Schuller.

LuAn released her first book, Paper Doll. In addition to relating lessons learned at the helm of Mitchell's Gourmet Foods, the book provides insight and advice on setting and achieving goals while living a rewarding life. She will discuss balancing personal, family, and work obligations and share the skills required to successfully juggle a hectic life.

LuAn Mitchell believes a unified, happy family is life's greatest achievement. She recently remarried and with her husband, Dr. Reese Halter, and their three children, live between their dream homes in Palm Springs, California, and Banff, Alberta.

Book Summary

If you assumed that petite LuAn Mitchell is a beauty queen, you'd be right. She's also been a meatpacker, one of the world's top female entrepreneurs, been flat broke, a multi-millionaire, and survived the loss of her husband all before turning forty. Image isn't everything.

LuAn Mitchell has been fortunate to be able to cut through the public's image of her as a "paper doll"-someone who is only defined by the clothes they wear-and release the core of her being. She has now chosen who she is and what she decides to wear on life's journey based on her experience, instinct, and wisdom.

In Paper Doll, the first time this leading businesswoman and philanthropist shares her story, LuAn tells what happened behind the scenes of her public life and offers sage advice to readers about breaking the barriers that others can build around you. LuAn's simple principles will teach you how to look for the answers within yourself to achieve personal success, regardless if others think you are sure to fail. She has learned that it's usually the fear of losing it all-money, pride, and stature-that can stop us from believing in ourselves but the only genuine loss is when we fail to be authentic to our true selves.