#1 - GRAND CHAMPION - IRA DeLynn Nedrow

“If I can do it, you can do it!” exclaimed Grand Champion, IRA DeLynn Nedrow. Describing himself as a “regular guy,” DeLynn has endured a long string of struggles and attempts to build a better life for himself and his family. A high school drop-out, he went into the military for two years before obtaining his GED and did “just about every dirty job there is” from farming to truck driving and beyond, all in an effort to provide for his family. As the Grand Champion of the 2007 Five Star Winners Circle, suffice it to say, DeLynn has finally come into his own. He admits “I never dreamed of being in this type of spotlight.” His claim to fame with Nouveau Riche: his focus isn’t on the money; it’s on getting people to College! Rediscovering his future with Nouveau Riche has enabled him to help other people see their futures again. After working in Corporate America for 19.5 years and making the same salary as when he started, DeLynn decided he’d had enough. When his son, INSA Jason Nedrow, tried to get him involved with Nouveau Riche, he shied away at first. Luckily, his nephew convinced him to see a live presentation on Nouveau Riche. Today, DeLynn boasts, “The first time I heard Jim [Piccolo] speak I knew I’d come home...This company is everything I ever dreamed about.”  

In DeLynn’s fifth month, he made $118,000 and didn’t even know it. While money is nice, DeLynn stays true to his heart and belief that “it’s not about self-gratification – it’s just to help people.” His goals aren’t set in money— they’re based on how many people he can get to College and help make their dreams come true.  He believes that by helping people become successful, you’ll become successful. “If you can change even one person’s life, then it’s worth it. I love to watch others grow personally, and improve their family and their prosperity…My goal is not to see how rich I can be, it’s how much I can enrich others’ lives…It’s to see how many more people I can get to College this year than last year. I’m just here to help people.” DeLynn has helped save families from bankruptcy, helped his disabled cousin get out of truck driving, assisted many in changing their lives for the better and focus on the people. He expresses his gratitude for those who have helped him along the way, including Nouveau Riche founders Jim and Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder, his son INSA Jason Nedrow, INSA Justin Yates, IRA Kendall Stock, his wife and family. He says, “I always wanted to be retired at 57. I turned 57 last month and I feel like I’ve retired because I’m doing what I love—making my own schedule and helping others.”

#2 - INSA Charles Hosea

Four and a half years ago when INSA Charles Hosea learned about Nouveau Riche, he admits he didn't have much. One thing that helped him then and continues to allow him to flourish: his big heart. Charles remembers coming to America as a young boy whose parents sought out greater opportunity for their family. Recognizing his parents' vision, Charles began to realize the extreme importance of holding tight to a strong vision.

When Charles came into the country, he didn't speak English, yet he had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the opportunities available to him. "I felt that same sense of gratitude when I joined Nouveau Riche. If I can succeed as an immigrant, with the challenges that I have, then I have a responsibility to help others." The startling fact that Hawaii is 78% above the national average cost of living in America and the ability to help others combat these odds is exactly why Charles accepted the opportunity to become a leader with Nouveau Riche.

He describes the impact of Nouveau Riche's leaders as "people with enough passion to light the rest of us on fire." The leaders of Nouveau Riche are people with a vision to bless other people's lives. Charles expresses his belief that keeping your passion alive, overcoming fear and serving enough people can help you reach greater heights in your life, enabling you to fulfill your life's dreams. He says, "One of my favorite quotes is 'When there is no vision, the people perish.'" He's learned that with Nouveau Riche "it's not a pipe dream, it's a reality, and others become the beneficiaries of your pursuit to reach a dream."

Over the last four and a half years, Charles has not only transformed his life, but the lives of many others. He thanks the visionaries of Nouveau Riche, founders Jim Piccolo, Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder, as well as INSA Cheri Tree and all of the great leaders for their belief in him. "A firm belief-that's what great leadership is." Today, he wonders "what if I chose not to participate.I could not imagine all of the people who would not have benefited." So, how does Charles give back? The only way he knows how: by paying it forward to someone else who can be inspired and will also pay it forward. Charles states, "Something becomes of great value only when it is shared..Others get to feel and enjoy what it is that you've come to enjoy. I am grateful for my family, and the association with Nouveau Riche and its leaders." He offers these words of reflection: "Think again about your person and why you're here. Think again about other people's lives and the opportunity [of Nouveau Riche that] you can use to bless other people's lives."

#3 - INSAs Heather and Ben Echevarria

This husband and wife team came out of nowhere, sprinting past some tough challengers to earn a spot in the 2007 Five Star Winners Circle. “These are the type of people who excel in everything they do,” stated Nouveau Riche CEO Jim Piccolo. Three months ago, knowing that they needed $100,000 per month to join the ranks of this group, they hit the ground running.

INSAs Heather and Ben Echevarria share a slightly different story than some of the other winners. “We started in marketing Nouveau Riche’s products and then took that money and got into real estate investing.” Possessing no prior real estate education, with the knowledge they obtained through Nouveau Riche, they managed to make a million dollars in the last year. In 2006, Heather and Ben built up their real estate portfolio by utilizing their new knowledge of  the short sale, foreclosure, wholesaling, rehabbing, and fix ‘n flip strategies, and created a company in Idaho that bought and sold over 100 homes in 1 year. Today, they whole-heartedly thank the founders for enabling them to learn and implement their knowledge to boost their success full speed ahead. They view their financial success as one of many feats. “We are very lucky to be able to work together as husband and wife.  Not only that, but we also get to teach our children the importance of business ownership and having a good work ethic.”  

In August of 2007, Heather and Ben focused even more energy on the marketing side of the business, armed with the power of their education. Continuing to build upon the momentum that they started in August, they decided this would be their year to make the Winners Circle. After missing the 2005 Winners Circle by one and coming in sixth place that year, for 2007 they decided “It was not a goal, we committed to it and we were ready to do whatever it took to make it happen.” Generating approximately $250,000 in personal income between October and December 2007—an incredible victory— they earned spot #3 in the contest.

Heather says, “Ben and I truly love this business and when you love what you do you can’t help but share it with others.”

#4 - IRAs Stephen and Jamie Gregg

“It is amazing how one year can absolutely change your life,” says IRA Jamie Gregg. She and her husband Stephen went from watching their friends and mentors, INSAs Tami and Andre Popa, earn a spot in the 2006 Five Star Winners Circle with dreams of  “that’s going to be us next year,” to making it a reality. It all starts with sharing the opportunity. “Great friends are there to lift you up when you need it the most,” states IRA Stephen Gregg. That’s exactly what Tami and Andre did for them.

“Last December we were at a totally different place. We were the $6 people. We would park across the street at the Hyatt because we couldn’t afford the $6 for parking...but we knew that if we preserved we would see the fruits of our labor,” Jamie states.

Testifying to the strong leadership and mentorship, this couple sees our leaders as people who believe in those around them and help others to grow. “There’s nothing worse than having incredible dreams and no way to attain them…This Company has given us back our dreams,” says Jamie.

They were $150,000 in debt due to their business mistakes and suffering through the “school of hard knocks” with no experience or role models.  They went to their first Nouveau Riche College with the intent that they would sleep in their car if they had to, but one thing was certain: they were going to that College. Stephen and Jamie thank INSA Justin Yates for believing in them and allowing them to do things they “haven’t been able to do in any other business.” They are also forever grateful to Nouveau Riche founders Jim Piccolo, Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder for this amazing Company. “You put together a company with the intent to make us millionaires….something very seldom found in a company”

Today their story has a happy ending and they constantly remind others that “success is a decision away.”

#5 - IRAs Chris Record and Vanessa Torchio

IRA Chris Record believes that with Nouveau Riche he’s found a home and “the leadership of founders Jim and Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder is worth following.”  As someone who knows what it’s like to be on Section 8 and living off of food stamps, he’s paved his own lot in life.

When IRAs Chris Record and Vanessa Torchio first took a look at Nouveau Riche, their bank account was negative and their credit score was in the 400's.  It would have been easy to walk away and justify that they couldn’t succeed in this company because of their situation, but instead of walking out of that first meeting saying "we can't,” they walked out saying "how can we?”  That one question has made a world of difference for them. 

Chris and Vanessa plugged into the training system that Nouveau Riche provides and “simply became products of the system.”  They began duplicating the actions of the successful leaders such as INSA Chad Wade, INSA Cheri Tree, IRA Steven Clegg and others. These leaders were the examples and inspirations that fueled Chris and Vanessa’s belief in themselves and their success.

Each day, they view the Nouveau Riche opportunity as a privilege and try hard not to take the opportunity for granted.  “We rolled up our sleeves and went to work on the marketing side of Nouveau Riche to generate some up-front income so that we would be in the right financial situation with the right education to properly invest in real estate.  The results that we have seen so far are beyond our wildest dreams.”  In their first 12 months with Nouveau Riche, the duo generated over $450,000 in commissions and partnered in their first 3 real estate deals!  Since then, they have helped several of their friends to create six figure incomes in their first year as well. “We now have control of our time and are truly experiencing financial abundance thanks to the amazing vision of Nouveau Riche founders Jim Piccolo, Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder.

Chris adopts the philosophy, “You can make money or make excuses, but you can’t make both…All we did to get to where we are today was to stop making excuses.” Just four years ago, the couple made $50,000 combined. The next year, Chris’ Internet business made $100,000, but he lost that business. In the last six months of that year, he and Vanessa joined Nouveau Riche and made $200,000. Last year with Nouveau Riche, they made $400,000. Chris encourages others that “If you want to make money, if you feel like you deserve it, take action in 2008.” Chris shares the quote he and his partner live by: “Take Massive Action.”