Few people have had the courage to assess the immediate future of America with integrity. The Republican media chooses to bash the current president with assumptions and accusations that are unfit for children. Barack Obama walked into a giant mess, and while he cleans it, some people are chanting negatively in the background, proclaiming his inevitable doom, offering their opinion, telling him he can’t. Surely it will take more than the belief in his most simple statement, “Yes We Can!” in order for this modern-day success story to prosper.

The dark clouds of the recent past have begun to part. With each day, President Obama displays the transparency that is opening the public’s eyes to America’s and the world’s mountainous horizon of problems.

Obama has fought hard in the face of much adversity to reach this position of significance. It is quite an understatement to say that the title of president is a hefty one. It is still difficult to believe what this man has been able to achieve. His scrupulous nature shines through his genuine smile. His charm and dashing good looks have caused many to draw comparisons between him and former President John F. Kennedy, whose name is found all over the world on street signs, school fronts and statues erected in his honour. Obama is capable of the same kind of admiration that Kennedy received. Besides his imagination and assassination, it was Kennedy’s inspiration that impressed America and its children for a long time.

Unfortunately, President Obama faces far too much scrutiny to enjoy the activities that could take some of the pressure off being the Commander-in-Chief. Kennedy sailed in the Florida Keys with stars like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. and enjoyed the company of beauties like Marilyn Monroe. What’s more amazing is that the current president’s greatest luxury is the time he shares with his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha. He dedicates all of his free time to his family – that is, when he’s not playing basketball.

In his inaugural speech, Kennedy said, “Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.” President Obama seems to agree, which has caused an uproar and his strength has been questioned. To a background of Kennedy comparisons and Jimmy Carter references, Obama travelled all over the world creating new relationships with ‘unpopular’ individuals.

On Oct. 9, 2009, the voice of youth all around the world was amplified by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The same critics who had scolded Obama’s communication with foreign nations that harbour nuclear ambitions and terrorist ideologies were presented with breaking news that was difficult to accept. President Obama received a phone call at 6 a.m., telling him he had won the Nobel Peace Prize. It came as a shock to the 48-year-old president, who said he was “deeply humbled” by the news. Criticism oozed through the airways. The cynics were outspoken, calling the award premature and generally implying that Obama had not accomplished anything worthy of the prize.

The Nobel Committee recognized Obama for his success in revitalizing a “new climate in international politics.” Simply stated, in the years prior to his election, the leaders and citizens of the world had turned their back on America. President Obama was proactive in offering his ear to the international voice that was willing to negotiate peace. One of his first moves as president was to mend the bridges that his predecessors had burned. If the Nobel Prize was not earned, surely it was an incentive for the future, a reminder, a mirror in which the Nobel Committee hoped its laureate would be proud to see his reflection.

Of course, all this started a long time ago. It was Obama’s mother, the late Ann Dunham, who was responsible for guiding her son onto a righteous path. The single mom evoked a sense of empathy that resonates within her son. In the 2008 short film, “A Mother’s Promise: Barack’s Biography,” President Obama explains how his mother made him understand and absorb the innate human quality on a deep level.

“When she saw cruelty, when she saw somebody being bullied or somebody being treated differently because of who they were … she would say to me, ‘imagine standing in that person’s shoes, how would that make you feel?’”

Like a grain of sand among a beach of college hopefuls, Dunham’s son made his loving mother proud by truly becoming what she always knew he was capable of being. In 1991, he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from Harvard University. Instead of the immediate payout for which many of his Harvard Law peers opted, Obama chose the long road of service all the way to the summit. Two years later, the January 1993 issue of Chicago Magazine highlighted his “break-out performance,” described how the “little-known 31-year-old African American lawyer, community organizer, and writer” shocked Chicago with an unbelievable triumph called Project Vote. His mission was to discover unregistered voters and get them to the polls. He worked with churches, community groups and politicians. His reputation preceded him, as his efforts never seemed to go unnoticed. Grabbing the opportunity by the horns, Obama established a Chicago voting record as Project Vote registered 150,000 unregistered black voters. He instilled belief and pride into people who decided to break their silence and cast their vote in the November 1992 general election between George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Chicago’s political veterans were astounded by the young man behind Project Vote. With praise flowing through the Windy City, the relatively unknown and humbly eloquent Obama had reached a checkpoint along his incredible journey to the White House. The impressive booming noise Obama created with this non-profit organization echoed all the way to Washington D.C. His words bounced off the walls of the White House and returned with a message. By the time the sound got back to Chicago, all that was left was a whisper so faint only his conscience was able to hear it. It was Obama’s reward for all his hard work. An opportunity presented itself and the light at the end of the tunnel got a lot brighter.

Just as things seemed perfect, the star that was soaring through the stratosphere collided with its toughest obstacle yet and nearly lost sight of its goal, a most powerful piece of wisdom he pushed himself to gain. In 1995, Obama’s mother left his life forever. In the face of the most consuming emotional adversity, Obama overcame a hurdle greater than the colour of his skin, a stab that cut deeper than any insecurity-based insult towards his good name and his culturally diverse background, proving through his own journey of sacrifice, promise, and proficiency, even the loss of a mother can turn fear into fuel. “It was a reminder to me: life is short, you better seize the moment,” he said. Illinois failed in its attempt to shield itself from Obama’s radiant drive. In 1996, he became a senator.

From 1993, when it took 150,000 unregistered Illinois faithful to give him a voice, he gained speed and was able to repay the favour and say ‘thank you’ in his own way in 2003. That year, Senator Obama sponsored a bill that expanded KidCare and FamilyCare, enabling low-income families to be able to afford health insurance. A Kaiser Foundation study concluded that after the bill was passed, more than 150,000 Illinois citizens received health insurance that had been nearly impossible for them to obtain before Senator Obama made it happen.

Every great tale needs a love story. Once upon a time, Michelle Robinson, a first year associate at Sidley Austin, claims to have, “heard about this guy everyone was talking about,” probably because she was asking about him. As she travels back in time, the first thing she remembers about “Prince Charming” was his unusual name. Scrunching her face, she says, “Barack Obama? Who names their kid Barack Obama!” In response, the president explains with a coy smile, “It’s one thing if your name was Barack Smith or Barry Obama, but Barack Obama! That’s a killer, that’s just not gonna work.” The First Lady looks into her heart and remembers the first time he made it flutter: “He took me to a training that was going on in a church basement on the far south side of the city [Chicago]. Most of the folks in that basement were there because they had faced some point of hopelessness. We walk in and he takes off his suit jacket and launches into what I think was the most eloquent discussion about the world, as it is, and as it should be, and that was it … I was in love with him.”

Luckily, the United States seems to have elected one of the few good men left in American politics. The charming politician who is expected to be the angelic saviour will have to exceed expectations if he plans on making the change he so often talks about. President Obama is the head chef in charge of making sure that his country does not “boil over” and continue to make a mess in the kitchen, as well as the kitchens of other nations. President Obama’s country is in such hot water that approaching any of its myriad problems in the wrong way will simply just burn another unnecessary hole in the American fabric.

It is truly unfortunate that politicians exist under such skeptical scrutiny. That they do is due to the actions of so many for so long throughout the history of time, those who chose to lie, cheat, and steal from their nation. Like any criminal, they try to elude the public and evade condemnation.

Thankfully, some politicians never chose to join this lucrative high-stakes game, where the risks of getting caught are often low and the rewards are often high. Being a politician can open the door to the greatest test of character available. Do right and watch the spirit grow, do wrong and enjoy the money flow.

Obama has earned the trust of a nation – and much of the planet – through his words and, increasingly, his actions. A large part of this trust is based on his platform of change, a gradual but hopefully permanent shift in the mindset of politicians around the world. If President Obama can live up to his own high expectations and break down the decades of mistrust, corruption and self-interest that have spread through Washington like cancer, this may well be his greatest achievement.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHUCK KENNEDY, ANNIE LEIBOVITZ AND PETE SOUZA

Jim Williams is a man who has it all – he runs a top-of-the-line company, flashes a fleet of coveted cars, walks around in designer possessions and resides in a magical mansion, complete with an envious courtyard blooming with annuals on a landscape he designed himself. But these accomplishments hold minor importance for Williams, whose greatest treasure is his loved ones. “I have the perfect family,” says Williams, who has three teenage children with his wife of 20 years, Kim.

Williams is sitting with his legs crossed, casual in a brown corduroy blazer and jeans, on a dark leathered chair in a private, spacious office of his enterprise, Williams Telecommunications Corp., which is headquartered west of Toronto. The company is a global – and out-of-this-world – distributor of equipment, information and customer service in the telecommunications industry. Williams also owns the U.S.-based Frontrunner Network Systems. Before he delved into this industry, he was 19, working as a private gardener on the estate of mining magnate Stephen Roman. “I had winters off and one day a neighbour approached me and said he was looking for someone to help him start a company. I thought I was only going to be staying there a few weeks. In four years, it went from five guys to 2,500 employees, and zero to $150 million.” It may have been a case of being in the right place at the right time, but Williams’ work ethic – he plugs in 60 hours a week at the office – is the real reason he has catapulted towards success. “I’m running at 100 miles an hour all the time,” says Williams, who in the midst of his busy work schedule, car launches, family meals and entertaining guests, makes time for everyone. “There was this one kid who once sent me an e-mail saying, ‘Hey Mr. Williams, you don’t know me but I pass your office every day when I go to school. I see your beautiful cars and I love cars, and I was wondering if you could do me a favour. On the bus, we bet on what type of car you’re going to drive the next day. Could you let me know in advance what type of car you will drive so I can win?’” Williams didn’t hesitate to e-mail the young boy back, which helped him win the bet. “When that kid gets out of public school, he should send me his resumé.”

While Williams’ entrepreneurial feats paved the way for his charmed life, they have also heightened the importance of staying connected with those we cherish. Last year, a videoconference link was set up at Williams Telecommunications that allowed a Canadian astronaut floating in space speak to a friend. “We’ve installed phone systems for the Trump Organization, New York’s The Plaza Hotel and recently a system for the Olympics in Vancouver. The Fairmont Southhampton Hotel in Bermuda is also one of our clients,” says Williams, who put the hotel back in operation after it was damaged by a hurricane. “We put together a whole system, placed it in a limo, and in a matter of minutes, it was on a plane the very same day.”

Williams was raised in a poor neighbourhood, the second youngest of five children. Through hard work and determination he has achieved capitalist success while ticking off most of his bucket-list wishes. He coasted right by Mario Andretti during a car rally in Los Angeles. He has dined with Bill Clinton – “the coolest guy in the world.” He’s been a member of Donald Trump’s The Mar-a-Lago Club since 1995, a place where he formed a bond with the real estate mogul. “Jim  is a wonderful member of Mar-a-Lago Club and a great guy,” says Trump. “Donald is a big car guy – I’m not sure if you all know that,” explains Williams. “When we first met, I had a 1997 Lamborghini Roadster. We had the exact same car and I kept mine [at Mar-a-Lago Club] for the winter and because there weren’t a lot of members at the time, he would let me keep it in his garage. I think I had a Bentley there at the same time so through the car thing we kind of all bonded. It’s funny because he would be there and say, ‘Whose car is that?’ and people would say, ‘Oh, that’s Jim Williams’ car,’ and he would say, ‘Oh, I have an order on a car like that but they told me I had to wait three months and I’m a billionaire!’ One time, Regis Philbin was there and he walked up to Donald and said, ‘Hey, Donald, is this your new car?’ And Donald said, ‘No, it’s Jim Williams’ car.’ So he turned and said, ‘Jim, is this your car? And I said ‘yes’ and he turns to Donald and says: ‘I’m not hanging out with you anymore, I’m hanging out with Jim!’” recalls Williams with a laugh.

To Williams, thinking in the fast lane is like breathing, and his fleet of desirable cars symbolizes his insatiable need for speed. “Car manufacturers know me because I buy a lot of cars. I had the very first Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren convertible, the very first [Lamborghini] Murciélago – I usually get the cars when they first come out so I can try them.”

From stealthy Lamborghinis and Ferraris, to luxe Rolls-Royces, Mercedes-Benzes, including the exquisite SLR McLaren model – his most expensive treat, valued at $500,000 US – Williams’ collection is a documentary of his life, housed in a designer garage showroom with red-carpet ropes. His cars express his ever-evolving taste, his feelings and his moods. “At one point I had over 20 cars and for a time after that I had 13 or 14, so it fluctuates at times. I sometimes want something different so I’ll sell two to get the one I want,” says William frugally. “For a while I thought I wanted to collect exotics and muscle cars, so I bought a 1969 Firebird Convertible and a 1930 Hot Rod.” Next on his list? The Bugatti Veyron.

“My uncle Roy inspired me,” says Williams. “He was a successful guy and collected cars, so when I was a kid I always thought that to be like him I would have to do the same thing. He didn’t drink or smoke so I don’t. My guilty pleasures are cars, cars, cars.”

With that said, Williams keeps his seatbelt on in the fast lane of life. “This isn’t a dress rehearsal, this is the real thing. I wanted to make the most of it. I’ve done everything from hanging out at the Playboy Mansion to participating in race car rallies in Europe. I could go on; I’ve done things people only dream about. But when one of my children got sick, you realize you’re not invincible and you do have to live life to the fullest, but you also have to remember that life is precious,” says Williams, his glistening eyes showing the unconditional love of a father. “She’s well but it’s still one of the hardest times of my life.”

Another man who has influenced Williams is his friend Michael Milken, an American financier mostly known for inventing the junk bond. Williams admires his strength, not just in business but for conquering prostate cancer and devoting his life to helping others through his various charity initiatives. “Michael is a very wealthy man – monetarily and in family life,” says Williams, who is a fervent supporter of the SickKids Foundation, and charities founded by Milken and Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons. “I think you have to remember where you came from,” advises Williams. “And if there is one thing my parents taught me, it’s to stop and smell the roses. I’m a regular guy that became fortunate. Obviously this didn’t come for free, I worked at it, and didn’t let all of this get to my head.”

As the sun streams through the windows of Williams’ office, illuminating dozens of framed photos of him embracing world dignitaries, celebrities, athletes, politicians and philanthropists, it’s clear that Williams continues to reach for the finish line first. www.williamsglobal.com

Two talented designers stand out among the rest, showcasing refreshingly unique designs that radiate with sexy style. Former supermodel Angela Chittenden’s wildly popular Beach Bunny Swimwear takes the stage with racy beach lingerie, featuring scanty cut-outs and naughty waistbands. Cuban designer Luli Fama makes a splash with her bold spring collection, bursting with sizzling two-pieces in unique fabrics. Both lines turn up the heat, and raise the bar, with their trendy, figure-flattering suits.

From deep plunging V-necks to embellished bottoms, this isn’t your ordinary beachwear. With a celebrity following and top-notch quality, these pieces are meant to make a statement – whether it’s aboard an exclusive yacht, at a fabulous pool party or a Hawaiian luau.

We’ve selected the sexiest suits from both labels for a sultry forecast that promises to turn heads and make waves.

www.beachbunnyswimwear.com, www.lulifama.com

For the first time in almost 80 years, Porsche has finally plunged into the four-door luxury car market – a manoeuvre that some say is long overdue, especially for a vehicle that never strays from its traditional rounded back and smiling hood. Designed with comfort in mind, there’s enough room in the 4S to accommodate four adults and their baggage on a high-speed road trip, carried by 18-inch wheels and a sharp navigation system to get you through the beaten path.

Launched in late 2009, the famous 911 inspired design and the spacious styling of the Panamera 4S catches the eyes of bona fide Porsche lovers and first-time buyers alike. And, at 4,970 millimetres in length – 160 mm longer than its Cayenne counterpart – the 4S proves that size does matter. Zooming past its competitors, the 4S maintains an intriguing air of mystery and brilliant momentum, with the intelligence of the Porsche Traction Management, and a 4.8-litre, V-8 direct-injection engine, which roars through a seven-speed twin-clutch PDK gearbox. Admirers continue to glower with faces full of grime as it speeds through curving roads and the open freeway. Unencumbered by any fluctuations of temperature, this beauty cuts through the fog with bi-xenon headlights, coasts through storms with rain-sensing wipers, manages a hot day with a panoramic sunroof and warms up to a chilly night with eight-way power and heated seats.

Porsche devotees can expect nothing but the best when it comes to the 4S, as the low-sitting vehicle raises the bar in luxury automobiles. Rivalling the sumptuousness of a classic Rolls Royce, its elegant, modern design and top-of-the-line craftsmanship boasts a high-gloss luxury finished interior, leather door trim, a raised console and armrest panels.

With prominent fenders and extended foot room, the Panamera 4S gives new meaning to the five-door hatchback, all while reinventing Porsche’s status as a luxury sport car that goes the distance.

www.porsche.ca

Engine: 400-HP, 4.8-litre V-8, DOHC, 32 valves (twin turbo opt.)
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox
Drivetrain: Front engine/rear-wheel drive/all-wheel drive
Suspension: Independent front and rear, adaptive air suspension
Brakes: Aluminium monobloc calipers, internally vented discs with ABS
Starting Price: $120,300

The opening bell has just rung at the Toronto Stock Exchange, and for reasons unrelated to a volatile market, Lovett-Reid is slightly perturbed. This interview marks a first for the MoneyTalk host – who is much more comfortable discussing company shares than sharing her own story. “I’m a little anxious about this because all I do is talk about the markets and the economy. I don’t talk about me,” she says from the second floor of Toronto’s TD Waterhouse tower. Though in the past she’s deliberately kept personal matters off the record, her rationale for speaking out now is a motion of goodwill and good timing. “I think I’m finally at this stage in my life and in my career where it can help someone else who may have limiting beliefs in themselves to say, ‘You know what, I can do something.’”

Lovett-Reid did not go to university. Instead, she got a head start in the banking world by becoming a teller, days after tossing her high school convocation cap high in the air. Several years later she found herself as a single mom driving her two young kids around in an asset she gained from her divorce settlement – a wood-panelled station wagon. “That’s not exactly the science of a savvy person,” she laughs. Suddenly, she was balancing the books and negotiating the mortgage for the first time. The more questions she asked, the fewer straightforward answers she got. “I thought, ‘there has to be more people like me,’” she says. This notion sparked a search for more. It wasn’t long before Lovett-Reid developed a profound desire to one day act as a compass for other women in need of financial direction.

The ultimate revelation took place when Lovett-Reid met her current husband, Jim Reid. “I remember saying to him, ‘I can’t go any further because I don’t have a university degree.’” Shortly after that he blew up the Walt Disney quote, “If you can dream it, you can do it,” and put it in a frame. “He told me to put it on my desk and remind myself of this every single day. I actually started to believe that, and more importantly believe in myself.” That was the end of Lovett-Reid’s limiting beliefs. She began researching, writing books, speaking at conferences and went on to earn her Canadian Financial Planning certificate. When discussions of mortgages, mutual funds and household wealth management arose, Lovett-Reid was a household name. She became the littlest big shot at the Business News Network and was on an upwardly mobile pursuit at TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.

In 2007, she was recognized by the Women’s Executive Network with the Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ Award in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category.  According to Pamela Jeffery, founder of WXN, the award honours “women who strive for excellence in their careers.” To add to her diverse portfolio, in 2009 she became the first female to receive the Donald J. Johnston Award from the Financial Planners Standards Council, etching a huge chip in the infamous glass ceiling. “I believe that if you think you can make it to the top and everyone else in the room doesn’t believe in you, you can definitely still achieve that goal,” says Lovett-Reid, who measures her feats modestly. “If I only add value to one person to do something differently in the field that I’m in, then to me that’s an accomplishment.”

Though she’s far too humble to let it roll off her own tongue, Lovett-Reid has added value to many lives – whether it’s donating her national best-selling book royalties to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or setting up business strategies for her personal trainer in between sit-ups. “Pattie has totally changed my life and business for the better – without me even asking,” says Tamara Conway, fitness instructor and founder of Fully Functional. “She exudes an undeniably contagious and tenacious energy that you can’t help but be affected by. She doesn’t let life’s hurdles deflate her … I have always wanted to know someone like Patricia Lovett-Reid.”

There are five things that Lovett-Reid is passionate about: family, friends, fitness, finances and faith. She views her life as a 24-hour clock and never skips a beat. Her family swears that she’ll never retire and she makes no effort to object. Though she considers herself a catalyst for change, she loves what she does way too much to even entertain the thought of throwing in the towel. “I want to stay engaged in life. I want to be in the game; I want to keep adding value and giving back,” she says.

While some people see life as a mere chain of connected events, others see it as a cycle of growth and opportunity. “I think of my journey as a giant bicycle wheel – I’m sort of in the nucleus of it and each spoke represents an element of my life, and the more I do, the more traction and the more momentum I get.”

www.tdwaterhouse.ca
www.bnn.ca/moneytalk.aspx

Being an incurable enterpriser has certainly paid off handsomely for Robert Herjavec. But when you meet him – physically fit in bespoke couture – any preconceived notions of a man living the high life on Toronto’s Millionaire’s Row and jet-setting to New York’s bustling Times Square to ring the closing bell for the NASDAQ fall short. He’s charismatically funny, welcoming, adaptive. And he’s no stranger to Twitter. “When I first got it I would go on once every two or three weeks, then someone said, ‘Oh no, you can’t do that, you have to go on once a day,’” he smiles, while sitting in his sumptuous ballroom, fit for Fred Astaire. The classic voice of Frank Sinatra floats through the grand space, making it hard not to picture the star-studded charity benefits that Herjavec hosts here for Princess Margaret Hospital.

“We all start with and have different advantages – some of us are born poor, some rich, some handsome, some not, some tall, some short, but the only great equalizer in life is time. We all get the same 24 hours – it’s what you do with them that counts.” It comes as no surprise that Herjavec hasn’t slept much over the years.

By 5 a.m. he’s walking through the doors of his company The Herjavec Group, Canada’s top security integrator. “I’m very focused on building the best and largest security integrator; it’s my real job. I love to build stuff. Building a business from zero to $50 million and beyond is thrilling.” Herjavec stars in the Canadian television venture-capitalist series Dragon’s Den and was handpicked by Mark Burnett to be one of five multi-millionaire business tycoons to co-host the U.S. version, Shark Tank.

Both successful shows have Herjavec considering whether to invest his capital in the business proposals of aspiring entrepreneurs, which he does with steely business acumen. So far he’s most excited about his investment in Grease Monkey Wipes, founded by Tim Stansbury and Erin Whalen. “I hesitated at first but the girl, Erin, reminded me of my daughters. I looked at her and thought to myself: ‘That’s going to be my daughter one day.’” It’s a good thing he listened to his heart: Grease Monkey Wipes’ sales skyrocketed immediately after appearing on Shark Tank. “I have no problem saying no to people. The issue is having to crush people’s dreams,” says Herjavec, whose parents moved from Croatia to Canada in 1970 to give him, their only child, a better life. Once he realized he was far from living the North American dream, Herjavec overcame the tribulations of poverty by changing the course of his destiny. He worked for minimum wage as a waiter at a Yorkville restaurant and sold the power suits he wears today at Harry Rosen. Now he lives in a Shane Baghai-built home, vacations with his family at their stunning property in Miami, drives luxury cars like the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster, the latest Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the less daunting Smart Car, a baby blue limited edition. For Herjavec, these triumphs are trivial when it comes to the real value of life. “I think having the money to make me feel good about my accomplishments has made me a better person. I am really not that money-driven, but considering what so many people had to sacrifice for me to get here, I had an edge to me until I had ‘made it.’ Watching my mom pass away from cancer was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I would have given everything and started with nothing again if I could have saved her.”

Herjavec founded BRAK Systems in 1990, one of North America’s first security integrators, then sold it to AT&T for a tidy sum. He then stepped in as worldwide vice president of sales for RAMP Networks and founded The Herjavec Group three years later. “Nothing beats the feeling of success. And I don’t mean money or stuff, I mean there’s nothing better than having a goal that’s important to you and that feeling of self-accomplishment. I’m just a very driven guy and I’ll just keep going and going.”

Sorry ladies: Herjavec is married with three gorgeous children, and yes, his baby blues resemble the azure waters that lap upon Dubrovnik’s shores. “I do get that I’m the ‘good-looking’ guy on Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank. I say ‘thank you’ but it’s all relative. Look at who I’m competing with; it’s not much of a contest,” Herjavec says with a laugh as he coasts across glossy marbled floors towards a winding staircase, hidden behind a secret passageway. “This was recovered from a centuries-old fire hall in England,” he explains, before bounding with infectious energy up the flight of steps that leads to his personal office. “My wife says my study is my cave.” Next is his stunning indoor pool, complete with Grecian statues, 50-plus windows and stately columns. He holds a membership at the exclusive Granite Club on Bayview Avenue, where he boosts his self-esteem and maintains marathon-strength for his running relays. “I run like a maniac. I had lunch with Donovan Bailey the other day – he’s in great shape as you can imagine – and he was saying ‘Oh, you don’t have to run that much. Look at me, I never work out.’ Me, I look at food, and I gain weight; it’s incredible. So I run a lot, at least five times a week minimum.” This allows him the pleasure of slipping into the crème de la crème of designer duds: Tom Ford suits. “I love the cut and design,” he gushes, unveiling rows upon rows of his tailored dress shirts, pants and blazers, gracefully suspended in his mirrored armoire. “It’s an extreme suit; powerful and well-tailored, and just happens to fit my body – if I’m in shape! I gain a pound, and right back to the Canali.”

Herjavec isn’t shy to reveal that he has lost 15 pounds recently, a feat that seems pretentious on the surface but in actuality reflects the adversity he felt during his childhood. “It took me years to not feel inferior. It’s not a Freudian thing; it’s just that being a poor immigrant, everyone made fun of me, so it took me a long time to make myself feel that I was OK. I was a geeky looking chubby kid, which didn’t help.” He is also guilty of having played the accordion.

His early days aside, Herjavec possesses the wit and fortitude of a man who knows what he wants. “I love Bolívar cigars, potato chips and Scotch. Not all at the same time, by the way.”

www.herjavecgroup.com

No one understands this better than Joe Fabiani, founder of Fabspeed Motorsports, and bona fide car enthusiast. “Exotic cars are my passion,” he says. “They are simply beautiful pieces of artwork that you can actually drive and experience. They are fast and fun, and make you feel alive.”

A passion rooted deep in his childhood, Fabiani always knew on some level that cars would be part of his future. From a young age, the budding entrepreneur would visit his father, an orthopedic surgeon, at his office and flip through the pages of his auto magazines, dreaming that he would one day be driving the exotic cars that graced the gleaming pages. As he grew older, Fabiani’s childhood dream materialized when he realized that he was not satisfied with German-and-Italian-made exhaust systems, and wanted to create his own alternatives.

Using his background in racing and engineering to his advantage, the adrenaline junkie dove headfirst into his dream and never looked back. Founding Fabspeed Motorsports nearly 20 years ago in Ambler, Pennsylvania, Fabiani offered an exciting avenue to clients craving adventure.

An innovator in the industry, Fabiani has steered his business on the path to success, creating a brand recognized throughout the world and coveted by racing enthusiasts and celebrities alike. Catering to high-end vehicles like Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini, Fabiani’s skilled team improves the look and performance of these rides with state-of-the-art products – all personally designed and tested by Fabiani himself. “Since we engineer the products, we’ll make multiple revisions to ensure that we create parts that look great, while adding significant power and sound to your vehicle,” he says. Each of Fabspeed’s innovative parts promises to transform your car, giving it an edge that you won’t find anywhere on the road.

Although Fabiani’s business has taken off at mach speed, he has managed to remain grounded. True, he has been able to turn his passion into a lucrative livelihood, but this road warrior hasn’t lost sight of what’s most important. “Getting to do what I love is just wonderful and makes everyday a pleasure.”

So whether you’re headed for a checkered flag or the end of your driveway, enlisting the expertise of Fabspeed Motorsports promises to make it a smooth ride.

www.fabspeed.com

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT; TOP ROW: Janna Polzin, a.k.a Maria from The Sound of Music (Mirvish Productions); Singer Steven Page, actor/comedian Colin Mochrie, and singer Andy Kim; actor-comedian Eugene Levy with his wife, Deborah Devine ABOVE MIDDLE: Co-chairs Rick Muller and Fred Levy with comedian and evening host Russell Peters (centre). Photos by Aline Sandler/ Michelle Levy Productions.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Dina Pugliese and Kevin Frankish (hosts of Breakfast Television, Citytv); Michael Roach (president and CEO of CGI) and his wife, Deborah; Jan and Bill Hatanaka (chairman and CEO, TD Waterhouse) ABOVE, RIGHT: Ann Barnard Ball (executive director, Children’s Aid Foundation) and Peter H. Lee, (first vice president, CIBC Wood Gundy). Photos by Greig Reekie, Nick Turchiaro and Michelle Levy Productions.

1. Plastica
Dr. Martin Jugenburg
Revered for their impeccable results, unbelievable service and private accommodations, Plastica Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgery miraculously renders any limitations of the body, mind and soul. Personally meeting with each patient, Dr. Martin Jugenburg and the staff at Plastica ensure a safe and comfortable environment for remarkable results.  www.plastica.ca

2. Accista Spa at Hyatt
Reinvigorate your senses at the Accista Spa at the Hyatt in Montreal. Let your body melt into relaxation as you treat yourself to therapeutic massages and serene body wraps at this environmentally friendly getaway. Amidst the plush garden estate, Accista Spa offers a variety of treatments to help you detoxify and replenish your skin cells. This is just the retreat you need to rev up your energy and rejuvenate yourself. www.monterey.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas

3. CusinArt Spa
Overlooking the crystal waters of the Caribbean Sea, CuisinArt Spa is a great escape for summer sunshine. Located on a beautiful tropical island in Anguilla, CuisinArt’s exclusive beachfront and garden villas might be just what the doctor ordered. www.cuisinartresort.com

4. Spa Grande
Ranked among the top luxury spas in the United States, Spa Grande, located in the harmonious tropics of Maui, Hawaii is the ultimate dream come true. Amidst the white sand beaches and majestic blue waters, Spa Grande offers ancient Hawaiian treatments and melting massages. Delve into any of its five aromatic baths or enjoy a cascading waterfall massage to soothe your tired muscles. www.grandwailea.com/spa-grande

5. Dr. Stephen Miller
Blending comprehensive knowledge with technical experience, Dr. Stephen Miller is highly recognized for effective natural results and a nurturing approach to health and wellness. www.drstephenmiller.com

6. Hotel Del Coronado
Renowned as the crown jewel spa, the Hotel del Coronado in sunny San Diego features 21 ocean-view treatment rooms for an elite experience. Delve into its Ocean Hydrotherapy Massage, combined with a relaxing facial that will have both you and your skin glowing with vitality. www.hoteldel.com