Michael Phelps, Baltimore’s famed swimmer extraordinaire, recently signed a deal to be Mazda’s spokesperson in China. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons (my apologies to Mazda drivers)! After several huge endorsement deals in the US with companies such as AT&T, Visa, and Kellogg’s Cereal, Phelps is pursuing “a unique opportunity that is in line with (his) overall strategy of developing a relevant marketplace for (him) in China.”

I think we can all take a lesson from the one of Baltimore’s most storied and gifted athletes. Not that he needs the money, but with a huge opportunity in front of him, he has chosen to “ride the wave” of his fame where it makes the most sense. With the US sending so much of its business to China in the last 10 years, the Peoples Republic has seen economic growth beyond imagination. They have the resources to continue consuming at an increased rate. Mazda knows that and so does Michael. So, for those of us trying to either make ends meet or capitalize on business opportunities, be like Mike. Look outside your narrow world and find places where spending is still growing, or at least not drying up. For us, that means capitalizing on the availability of diamonds and fine jewelry from suppliers that are eager to move inventory, and then passing those great deals on to our customers. And remember, Michael Phelps didn’t win 8 Gold Medals by himself. It took teamwork. So use the networks and friends you have to find help and support in your business endeavors. Get on Facebook (if you aren’t already), send emails, whatever it takes to stay in touch and stay relevant. I wish you all the best of luck in these challenging times!