Recently I did something that was totally out of character for me. I always talk about taking chances - whether in business or in life -- and this time I really took a big one. I agreed to take part in a huge WWE wrestling extravaganza, headed up by an amazing man named Vince McMahon. He can put on a show the likes of which I’ve never seen.

For this so-called Battle of the Billionaires, a record 81,000 people filled the football stadium where the Detroit Lions play. Vince and I handpicked wrestlers to represent us in the ring. If his guy, Umaga, lost the match, I would shave Vince’s head. If my guy, Bobby Lashley, lost the match, Vince would shave mine.

These two wrestlers really went at it and, at the end of the evening, my man won. In front of all these people and the millions watching pay-per-view, I got to shave Vince’s head. (Later, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin came up and whomped me good. Talk about not fighting fair!)

It was an unbelievable evening setting records in every way from pay-per-view to television ratings to stadium attendance. Even the New York Times did a major piece on the fact that it was so successful and the job that Vince and his crew do is so unbelievable.

I’m glad I took the chance and decided to be part of it. Oftentimes, the risks far outweigh the benefits and the outcome isn’t worth it. But to be successful in life, you have to be willing to take chances. Fortunately, this time around the risk paid off. The event generated a lot of buzz. It was a blast. And, most importantly, I got to keep my hair.



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