ABOUT #ChuckDodge

A few years ago a friend described me in one word, “connector”. I thought about it and he was right, I am the connector. I help people connect with others or resources that they may need. From this, I started my business, Making The Connection. It is important to connect in all areas of our lives.

We need to connect with our talents, abilities, resources, our purpose, and God. Recently, my choices have created undesirable circumstances.

However, I have had to re-connect with “Possibilities Beyond Circumstances.” What is possible for me, what is possible for you? It is creating a paradigm shift, seeing our life in a new way. Collaborating with others to create desired results.

It is through my speaking and training sessions that I help people change their perspective.

DREAM #ChuckDodge

My dream is to Ignite the Pioneering Spirit Within Us. It is the spirit of being an entrepreneur, a collaborator, a trailblazer, and creating your own brand. It is within this framework that we will create meaningful work for ourselves and the world. My business, Making The Connection is focused on helping individuals discover, develop, and display their talent and be more expressive with their talents, skills and abilities.

This is accomplished through my premier programs: Think On Your Feet workshops, the Disc personal profile and my presentation of Possibilities Beyond Circumstances. As a Toastmaster and Inspirational Speaker since 1995, I am committed to helping people create the abundant life they deserve in spirit, mind and body. Recently, I have branded myself as Mr. Enthusiasm.

It is through my speaking and training sessions that people change their perspective about their lives.

BIO #ChuckDodge

From the 3rd grade to 7th grade, my brothers and I were in and out of foster homes. My decisions started while in high school. In ninth grade, my Latin teacher, Vera Self told me I could be a teacher, specifically a Latin teacher. I ignored her valuable information. I was from a poor family and did not think I was smart enough to go to college. I told no one. After high school I entered the Air Force. I was very successful and was discharged (after 3 years/ 10 months) as a Staff Sergeant (E-5).

In 1980, after working for the State of Michigan for eight years as a computer operations supervisor (6 years) and a data systems analyst (2 years), I made a decision to leave my government job. I went from being an employee to being an entrepreneur – and failed miserably. For the next 10 years I had over 30 jobs and lived in seventeen different places.

I was searching and did not know what I was searching for. In 1982, I met my mentor, Walt Reynolds. Walt, introduced me to personal development, specifically READING. Throughout the next several years, he helped me discover my mission. Through the next several years, he helped me discover my mission.

On one particular day in 1992, traveling to Borders book store in Novi, we created my mission statement: To help people discover the truth about their extraordinary capabilities and create the abundant life they deserve in spirit, mind and body. That is it. We have the seeds of greatness, now let’s bloom where we are planted.

In the 90’s I began my career as a speaker. It is enjoyable to share ideas with others that can help them create what they want. In 1994 and 1995, I spoke in high schools.

CAREER #ChuckDodge

My speaking has included work with: All State, Taco Bell, Citizen’s Bank, Troy Public Library, Garrow Loftis Real Estate, Davenport University, ITT Technical Institute (Troy), Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimist Clubs, Career Alliance, Community Education and several other groups.

I am the promoter of three books: Think On Your Feet, Integrity, and The Vision of Habakkuk.

Holding a personal library of upwards of 1,300 books, his commitment to the excellence of audiences throughout the region keeps him on his toes, always ready to learn more.

It has been my discovery that people talk to their perceived weaknesses and not their strengths. When we focus on what is right and not what is wrong we are able to reinvent our lives. Reinvent yourself to create the life you desire and learn to “express yourself enthusiastically.”