Greater Fortune: Essential Lessons from the Entrepreneur Who Bought the Company That Fired Her

by Marie Cosgrove

Overview

“Cosgrove’s story will resonate with readers looking for tips on conquering whatever obstacles they encounter.” —Publishers Weekly

When she refused to take a pay cut, Marie Cosgrove was cut loose. So she started her own business . . . and a few years later, she bought the company that had fired her.

She didn't give up—she became greater. And you can, too.

Whether it's everyday problems or seemingly insurmountable challenges, we all face hardships in our personal and professional lives. In Greater Fortune, business mastermind and motivational speaker Marie Cosgrove guides you in discovering how to use these hardships to propel you forward.

Born into poverty, Cosgrove persevered through a tumultuous upbringing and an abusive marriage; throughout it all, she raised four children on her own while struggling to make her way in the business world. Not only did she survive, she turned the lessons of adversity into advantage, becoming a multi-millionaire entrepreneur and innovator in the competitive field of medical devices. Now, she shares what she has learned—from both her successes and failures—with you.

Key lessons include valuable insights, tools, and techniques for:

Walking away without guilt from whatever might be holding you back and focusing on the future

Overcoming fears and responding to disappointment in a constructive way

Preparing for success and building upon it

Preparing for failure and learning from it

Stepping up your game by being bold and taking calculated risks after setbacks

Jumping on opportunities whenever they arise (especially in challenging times)

Dealing with toxic people, cutthroat competition, and bias in the business world

Embracing the future and giving back to others to cultivate continuous growth

Just as we all have disadvantages, we all have talents and resources we can tap. In this book, you will uncover your unique opportunities for greater accomplishment and fulfilment, as well as learn how to wield your perceived weaknesses as strengths and use them to achieve success.

Greater Fortune is both an inspirational story and a road map to a better life of your own, filled with hard-won wisdom and practical strategies that will help you make the most of the greatness that is within you already.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781950665389
Publisher:	BenBella Books
Publication date:	03/02/2021
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Twelve Years ago, Marie Cosgrove was a single mother of four children when she was fired from balanceback™ because she "made too much" in commissions. Instead of becoming bitter, vengeful, and angry, she started her own company developing a different product. Two years after she was fired, she bought balanceback ™, the company that fired her. Skeptics and competitors said she would bankrupt the company and herself within six months. Nearly a decade later, balanceback™ is the world’s leader in fall prevention, concussions, brain and balance disorder diagnostic and treatment devices for clients including Dartmouth, Yale, Vanderbilt, University of Miami, VA Hospitals, and Air Force Bases nationally, as well as major hospitals and universities worldwide.

Table of Contents

 
Contents

Introduction
Chapter One: A Chance at Life
Chapter One Lessons and Guides
Chapter Two: Know When to Walk Away
Chapter Two Lessons and Guides
Chapter Three: Stand Up
Chapter Three Lessons and Guides
Chapter Four: Jump!
Chapter Four Lessons and Guides
Chapter Five: Take Big, Bold, and Daring Risks
Chapter Five Lessons and Guides
Chapter Six: Be Better, Not Bitter
Chapter Six Lessons and Guides
Chapter Seven: Expect Challenges
Chapter Seven Lessons and Guides
Chapter Eight: Change . . . Count on It
Chapter Eight Lessons and Guides
Chapter Nine: Turn Your Weakness into a Superpower
Chapter Nine Lessons and Guides
Conclusion
Endnotes
Acknowledgments
About the Author

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Exceptionally well-written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, Greater Fortune is an extraordinary and invaluable read for aspiring entrepreneurs, business managers, and anyone having to deal with the general public as a part of their work day."
—Midwest Book Review

“The best thing about Greater Fortune is that it's written by a true inspiration to me. Marie Cosgrove knows what it's like to fail, over and over, and to get back up every time. Her book is more than just an inspiring read: it's a gift to the rest of us to be able to learn from her incredible experiences.”
—Nick Vujicic, evangelist, motivational speaker, and New York Times bestselling author

 “Marie Cosgrove embodies all the elements of a superhero. Her super powers are faith and relentlessness. She shows you the true meaning of allowing nothing or no one to stop you from living your best life. Marie’s journey is one that will make you laugh, cry, appreciate the small things in life, and recognize that anything is possible when you hold on.”
—Les Brown, international motivational speaker

“So many career guides make grand promises about the advice within, while glossing over the fact that we all have unique disadvantages, challenges, and hardships. What sets Greater Fortune apart is that Marie Cosgrove embraces these things as part of the journey, genuinely wanting to help EVERY reader succeed.” 
—Mirela Sula, founder of Global Woman Magazine

“Marie Cosgrove has mapped out the path it took me years of personal and professional pain and heartache to discover for myself. With this book as my guide, much of that pain would have been avoided and my own path to success and happiness would have been much shorter.”
—Barbara Allen, head writer for American Snippets

“Greater Fortune reveals the power and unwavering nature of the human spirit in its quest for survival and success. Not only is this book unputdownable but it sheds light on the journey rather than the destination, peeling back the curtain on what it means to keep going to get to where you want to be. An absolute must read for anyone navigating their own journey to success and a helpful companion to remind you that you are not alone on the path.”
—Dr. Michele Di Blasi, cardiologist

“An inspiring new book, Greater Fortune will motivate you and set workable guidelines and goals on how to be successful in one's personal and professional life. Marie Cosgrove shares her personal experiences of fighting the odds and finding success in a male-dominated industry . . . She will help you discover true values and unique individual talents in you that has not been known by you up-to-date. Her Greater Fortune is not a fantasy but a well perceived, logical strategy to achieve personal happiness and success.” 
—William R. Martin, MD, diagnostic and interventional radiologist

“If at times the challenges of livelihood and life overwhelm you, or if you are not sure your situation is what 'success' should look like, open this book. Marie Cosgrove knows firsthand what it's like to be born unwanted, grow up disadvantaged, be a single mom, survive an abusive marriage, and be fired. Never giving up—she turned everything around even to the point of buying the company that got rid of her. Greater Fortune shines a light on the path to lasting success.” 
—Mark Mackie, MA, JD, attorney at law for The Mackie Law Firm, PLLC and writer for RealClearPolitics

“Marie Cosgrove provides a compelling personal narrative as a demonstration of how the worst moments of one’s lifetime can create the greatest foundations for personal growth—if only one chooses for it to be so. It is not trite to say that ‘iron sharpens iron’ but it is truly Marie’s persistence that determines her success. At each crossroad, she chooses not to fail. Her choices cemented the principles in this book. They are principles anyone, in any situation and born of any circumstance, can choose to use.” 
—Andrew K. Meade, Esq, attorney at law for Meade & Neese LLP

Editorial Reviews

04/05/2021

Cosgrove offers inspiration and wisdom in her moving debut, an account of overcoming hardship and succeeding both personally and professionally. Cosgrove’s hope is to show readers that painful experiences do not determine one’s future, and to that end she outlines her childhood trauma: born “the child of a mentally handicapped mother and an unknown rapist,” she was ostracized by classmates and her own extended family. Much of her focus is on what she learned from her career as she rose through the ranks at an insurance and financial services company among personal tumults. Cosgrove offers plenty of advice: on the personal level, she encourages readers to seek professional help when life becomes overwhelming and write out a list of their personal strengths. As for the workplace, she advises that knowing when it’s time to leave a job is valuable, even if doing so is difficult. Throughout, tere’s no shortage of motivation: “The worst of circumstances and events in our lives can actually make us better, stronger, more confident,” she writes. Cosgrove’s story will resonate with readers looking for tips on conquering whatever obstacles they encounter. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

"
“The best thing about Greater Fortune is that it's written by a true inspiration to me. Marie Cosgrove knows what it's like to fail, over and over, and to get back up every time. Her book is more than just an inspiring read: it's a gift to the rest of us to be able to learn from her incredible experiences.”

—Nick Vujicic, evangelist, motivational speaker, and New York Times bestselling author

“Marie Cosgrove embodies all the elements of a superhero. Her super powers are faith and relentlessness. She shows you the true meaning of allowing nothing or no one to stop you from living your best life. Marie’s journey is one that will make you laugh, cry, appreciate the small things in life, and recognize that anything is possible when you hold on.”

—Les Brown, international motivational speaker

“So many career guides make grand promises about the advice within, while glossing over the fact that we all have unique disadvantages, challenges, and hardships. What sets Greater Fortune apart is that Marie Cosgrove embraces these things as part of the journey, genuinely wanting to help EVERY reader succeed. In the pages of her book, you’ll find the best mentor you've ever had.”

—Mirela Sula, founder of Global Woman Magazine

“Marie Cosgrove has mapped out the path it took me years of personal and professional pain and heartache to discover for myself. With this book as my guide, much of that pain would have been avoided and my own path to success and happiness would have been much shorter.”

—Barbara Allen, head writer for American Snippets

“Greater Fortune reveals the power and unwavering nature of the human spirit in its quest for survival and success. Not only is this book unputdownable but it sheds light on the journey rather than the destination, peeling back the curtain on what it means to keep going to get to where you want to be.”

—Dr. Michele Di Blasi, cardiologist

“Greater Fortune will motivate you and set workable guidelines and goals on how to be successful in one's personal and professional life. Marie Cosgrove shares her personal experiences of fighting the odds and finding success in a male-dominated industry . . . She will help you discover true values and unique individual talents.”

—William R. Martin, MD, diagnostic and interventional radiologist

“Marie Cosgrove knows firsthand what it's like to be born unwanted, grow up disadvantaged, be a single mom, survive an abusive marriage, and be fired. Never giving up—she turned everything around even to the point of buying the company that got rid of her. Greater Fortune shines a light on the path to lasting success.”

—Mark Mackie, MA, JD, attorney at law for The Mackie Law Firm, PLLC and writer for RealClearPolitics

“Marie Cosgrove provides a compelling personal narrative as a demonstration of how the worst moments of one’s lifetime can create the greatest foundations for personal growth—if only one chooses for it to be so . . . The advice she provides is clear, hard-earned, and true.”

—Andrew K. Meade, Esq, attorney at law for Meade & Neese LLP
"

""Exceptionally well-written and thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, Greater Fortune is an extraordinary and invaluable read for aspiring entrepreneurs, business managers, and anyone having to deal with the general public as a part of their work day."
—Midwest Book Review

"The best thing about Greater Fortune is that it's written by a true inspiration to me. Marie Cosgrove knows what it's like to fail, over and over, and to get back up every time. Her book is more than just an inspiring read: it's a gift to the rest of us to be able to learn from her incredible experiences."
—Nick Vujicic, evangelist, motivational speaker, and New York Times bestselling author

"Marie Cosgrove embodies all the elements of a superhero. Her super powers are faith and relentlessness. She shows you the true meaning of allowing nothing or no one to stop you from living your best life. Marie's journey is one that will make you laugh, cry, appreciate the small things in life, and recognize that anything is possible when you hold on."
—Les Brown, international motivational speaker

"So many career guides make grand promises about the advice within, while glossing over the fact that we all have unique disadvantages, challenges, and hardships. What sets Greater Fortune apart is that Marie Cosgrove embraces these things as part of the journey, genuinely wanting to help EVERY reader succeed."
—Mirela Sula, founder of Global Woman Magazine

"Marie Cosgrove has mapped out the path it took me years of personal and professional pain and heartache to discover for myself. With this book as my guide, much of that pain would have been avoided and my own path to success and happiness would have been much shorter."
—Barbara Allen, head writer for American Snippets

"Greater Fortune reveals the power and unwavering nature of the human spirit in its quest for survival and success. Not only is this book unputdownable but it sheds light on the journey rather than the destination, peeling back the curtain on what it means to keep going to get to where you want to be. An absolute must read for anyone navigating their own journey to success and a helpful companion to remind you that you are not alone on the path."
—Dr. Michele Di Blasi, cardiologist

"An inspiring new book, Greater Fortune will motivate you and set workable guidelines and goals on how to be successful in one's personal and professional life. Marie Cosgrove shares her personal experiences of fighting the odds and finding success in a male-dominated industry . . . She will help you discover true values and unique individual talents in you that has not been known by you up-to-date. Her Greater Fortune is not a fantasy but a well perceived, logical strategy to achieve personal happiness and success."
—William R. Martin, MD, diagnostic and interventional radiologist

"If at times the challenges of livelihood and life overwhelm you, or if you are not sure your situation is what 'success' should look like, open this book. Marie Cosgrove knows firsthand what it's like to be born unwanted, grow up disadvantaged, be a single mom, survive an abusive marriage, and be fired. Never giving up—she turned everything around even to the point of buying the company that got rid of her. Greater Fortune shines a light on the path to lasting success."
—Mark Mackie, MA, JD, attorney at law for The Mackie Law Firm, PLLC and writer for RealClearPolitics

"Marie Cosgrove provides a compelling personal narrative as a demonstration of how the worst moments of one's lifetime can create the greatest foundations for personal growth—if only one chooses for it to be so. It is not trite to say that ‘iron sharpens iron' but it is truly Marie's persistence that determines her success. At each crossroad, she chooses not to fail. Her choices cemented the principles in this book. They are principles anyone, in any situation and born of any circumstance, can choose to use."
—Andrew K. Meade, Esq, attorney at law for Meade & Neese LLP"

From the Publisher