My daughter just returned from a recent trip to New Orleans to explore opportunities to continue her post-secondary training to become a pastry chef. Today I share some my text messages to her with the hope that you will share in the excitement of my wife and I as well as you may be inspired to dream and take actions to fulfill your goals.

1. The Excitement of Child’s Success
Call me a doting dad but I am very excited that my daughter, Marchelle, is coming to the end of the first
phase of her post-secondary training to become a Pastry Chef. Today I share with you some my recent
text messages sent to Marchelle. While it is my hope that you will share in the excitement of my wife,
Michelle and I, it is also my goal that you will also be inspired to dream and take actions to fulfill your
dreams.
As a bit of a background, when Marchelle was about 8 or 9 years old Michelle gave her a Barbie Bake
with Me Oven for her birthday. At the start of high school Marchelle started her kid’s business selling
cups to her friends. At the end of grade eleven she signed up for the co-op summer program and
worked as an intern with Bonnie Gordon in Toronto.
Below I transcribe some my recent text messages to Marchelle:
Hello Marchelle,
Are you back at school? I hope your trip to New Orleans was a success and your mission and goals were
accomplished. You have about six weeks remaining in school and I just want you to know that I am
proud of you. Eleanor Roosevelt said “ The future belong to those who believe in the beauty of their
dreams.” I believe in you because I know you believe in your dreams.
A dream is just a dream. Taking actions turns dream into reality. Taking a trip to New Orleans to explore
opportunities aimed at fulfilling your dreams is amazing! It is not something I would have had the
courage to do when I was 21 year olds. Looking back I never left home, that is Jamaica, until I was 31
years old. You have already done better than me when I was your age.
But…is that it? Is that all you want to accomplish, a trip to New Orleans to explore opportunities? I don’t
think so….I started late but today I have the experience of working in more than 20 countries around the
world.
Your mom and I don’t have more than love to offer you. Wealso have the presence of mind to dream
and to believe in you and your brother, Malcolm and what you can both accomplish in this world.
For all the consternation and sacrifices endured over this journey and challenges conquered your mom
and I are very proud of you.
Marchelle, you have done well. You were courageous to be different from your peers and compatriots.
From here we can only encourage you to continue to believe in yourself. Be patient…be humble…be
gracious..be thankful …and you will be fine!
Keep your chin up and remember we will always love and respect you.
Mark McKenzie is a leading Subject Matter Expert in financial services regulation and supervision as well
as a professional motivational speaker, corporate trainer and youth mentor. He can be contacted by

2. email mastbmckenzie@gmail.com or by telephone 647-406-4622. Read my blog
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