It is an interesting phenomenon whenever a unique experience arrives when least expected and while brief in duration, may leave an indelible impression on an individual’s outlook regarding America’s love affair with a television sensation. The day may start off ordinary, but when in the moment you suddenly realize this day is not like any other. That is the private feeling of exception I have undergone while surrounded in a room of excitable strangers on line at an ordinary book signing for an extraordinary man I have never met, yet feel as if I have come to know.
The man is Mr. Donald J. Trump, known best as the premiere modern metropolis builder, magnate of real estate, master of the Art of the Deal and now prime time television’s golden new star. His name alone is intrinsically synonymous with success. But he has contributed much more to the reigning capital of enterprise, New York City than marvelous skyscraper’s and luxurious hotels, attracting commercial success to any financial endeavor that bears his name. He is also a fervent philanthropist, contributing and fundraising for such noble charities as the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Foundation amongst others. As a native New Yorker, I am proud of his contributions to our honored city. While his identifiable mark may be easily locatable all over on a New York City map, his influenced has been dispersed world wide by sharing his business and philosophical teachings in his bestselling books. We have come to know all this through the immeasurable success of his latest collaboration with NBC studios and Mark Burnett Productions, The Apprentice. Currently he is here to promote his latest best seller, Trump: How to Get Rich which teaches many of the principles he mentors to us on the NBC ratings smasher in greater comprehensive detail.
Donald Trump at the Barnes & Noble book signing for “Trump: How to Get Rich” located at 66th St. and Broadway held on March 24, 2004. (Photo – Anthony Mangini)
I found out about the book signing the night before from my brother, Alex, my idea of the perfect Apprentice 2 candidate, or applicant as Mr. Trump prefers, due to his outstanding academic achievement with a 4.0 GPA in his MBA and undergraduate studies, impeccable work ethic, and dynamic interesting live-life-to-the-fullest persona. He informed me of the event held at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on the Upper West Side, near to Lincoln Center on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 and suggested that I should attend to meet the subject of my many articles for Elites TV regarding The Apprentice. Seeing this as a serendipitous moment, I seized the opportunity. During the night before, I prepared a folder with copies of my published articles for Elites TV regarding the show and a letter of congratulations in the event I was able to present it to him. Armed with my body of work in my briefcase, wearing my best navy blue power suit, with inspiration in my heart I took the subway ride into the city early to purchase the book and get a good spot up front. My devotion paid off has I was significantly one of the first arrivals.
I was actually surprised that I was one of the first to arrive; given it was only a few hours before the scheduled appearance. I noticed the Barnes & Noble organizers chose to hold the autograph signing on the third floor, in a medium sized room reserved for such an occasion. It gave the book signing an exclusive and private air to it as opposed to a media circus should it have been held on ground level, with the lines snaking out into the crowded streets. To release some of the excitement caused by anticipation, I decided to talk to some of the other autograph seekers. I quickly made friends of those around me who eagerly exchanged ideas about the program and about the man, Donald Trump. I was impressed with the individuals I met. First I met Anthony Mangini with his co-worker, Susan Rogers visiting from Boston. Anthony is a terrific guy, personable, energetic and confident. Susan was warm and friendly, a joy to speak with. They told me they were initially at the Live with Regis and Kelly show on ABC where Donald Trump was the featured guest. Regis Philbin is a man Donald Trump greatly admires as is evident from their interaction and from numerous references in his book. Anthony regales me with the tale that the Donald made an open invitation to the studio audience to come and greet him at the book signing. Donald Trump was charming and rousing with Regis and the audience during the live talk show. Apparently, Mr. Trump was very persuasive as many of the studio audience willfully followed and purchased the maximum of four books each. I too purchased additional books in order to give them away as gifts. It was during this time that I discovered we were permitted to take pictures from the designated line area while Mr. Trump autographed his books for the recipients. Unaware of this option and inexperienced as a first time autograph seeker in New York, I did not bring a camera. Anthony was graciously kind enough to serve as an impromptu photojournalist providing the photos of my encounter with the Donald seen in this article.
Anthony Mangini with Regis Phibin at the Live with Regis and Kelly show. (Photo - Susan Rogers)
Donald Trump at the Live with Regis and Kelly show. (Photo - Anthony Mangini)
I also met three very charming charismatic women. There was the beautiful enchanting Leah who offered sage advice on interpersonal diplomacy. I didn’t learn much about her background other than she is Canadian and a lovely addition to New York. Then there was Donna, a firecracker personality who would be a welcomed counterpart to any topical discussion wherever ideas are exchanged. I learned she is physically fit, training daily and cultured in her ancestry, pop culture and current events. She was not one to refrain from expressing her opinion. Rounding up the three was Brenda, a cheerful soft spoken conversational lady who has an MBA degree but now pursues another line of work. It was through these three women that I discovered the event was not publicized with much advance notice and that it would only be held at three locations nationwide, perhaps further adding to the exclusivity of the event. It dawned on me that in our small microcosm, we had the ingredients of a candidate pool for another round of the Apprentice, a pool that would soon go before and meet The Donald. I wondered how each one of them and I would be received by The Donald given his initial impression of the variety of personality types that would soon be paraded before him.
I didn’t have to wait long for my answer. The staff informed us that Donald Trump was on his way, ahead of schedule! What a guy! I had the prior experience of wasting away in line to have a CD signed by a popular recording artist during the early 90’s (who shall remain nameless) wherein I had to wait an agonizing 5 hours for a brief glimpse and a squiggle on the CD jacket. The reward hardly seemed befitting the effort. Not so with Mr. Donald Trump, an honorable man who recognizes the importance of time and public image. To the credit of everyone involved with the organization of this event, the operation went very smoothly. He was greeted like a pop star! Standing room only, everyone was on their feet and gave him a roaring ovation. The media was juxtapositioned before Mr. Trump’s table, clamoring for his attention to get the best publicity shot. He addressed the entire congregation, welcoming everyone to what I heard was the 'largest assembly Barnes & Noble had for a book signing at this location.' I looked around and noticed that indeed the masses had swarmed to this event within the final hours, snaking the line out into the main bookstore, taking up much of the available area. After the brief introduction, the event immediately got under way. As I mentioned I was near the head of the line and so I did not have much time to prepare mentally, knowing to just be natural and whenever possible incorporate the guidelines of appropriate etiquette denoted by Japanese tradition, which The Donald holds in high regard.
I stood before him entranced by his dominant presence and disarmed by his engaging comfort in the spotlight. I immediately noticed that his hair looked a lighter shade of red, which to me on TV looked brown, and privately wondered if he recently dyed his hair. I will admit that his hair looked a lot better in person and did not appear to be a piece. What was even more stunning was how comfortable I felt in front of him. It was as if he became a familiar fixture in my life over the course of the past three months. Beside him stood an attractive and attentive young woman who enchanted me with a welcoming smile. I opened with “Hello, good afternoon Mr. Trump. I am a big fan of the show, which I have been writing commentary on for the reality show web site, Elites TV. I have some of my work available with me if you care to receive it.” As he signed my three books, he looked at me and my folder and said that he would accept my work and would like to read my point of view regarding the show. I was very pleased and offered them. I addressed my next question to the lady beside him, inquiring if she was Ms. Meredith McIver, the brilliant co-author of the book and Director of Media at Trump Organization, wanting to offer her my congratulations. Alas she was not but offered a sweet smile. Mr. Trump, pleased at the acknowledgement toward his close business associate and colleague, offered a smile. After he finished signing the books I thanked him and offered some closing pleasantries. He congratulated me on my endeavors and told me it was a pleasure to meet me. I repeated the sentiment and expressed my hope that he enjoyed the articles I have written about his show for Elites TV. Before I left, I was struck by how attentive he was toward the individual. There was a great deal of commotion going on around us, with my back towards them, a swarm of media calling out with flashing bulbs and video camera lights behind me. But he never broke eye contact when he spoke to me. It’s as if at that brief moment I had the undivided attention of the most sought after person in the media spotlight and his concentration could not be affected. It was real; I was experiencing an unforgettable private moment in time with Donald Trump in a very public forum.
Elites TV’s John Sotomayor with Donald Trump. Mr. Trump graciously accepts copies of John Sotomayor’s articles regarding The Apprentice written exclusively for Elites TV. (Photo - Anthony Mangini)
Elites TV’s John Sotomayor with copy of autographed book, “How to Get Rich” by Donald Trump and Meredith McIver. (Photos - Mirella Avalos-Louie)
Afterwards, the sudden rush of sound and sight reenters and I am back into the fray of my surroundings. I clasp my books and head toward a clearing to await the stories from my new comrades in arms. Soon I see Anthony who informed Donald Trump that he followed him back from the ABC studio audience where he taped the Live with Regis and Kelly show. Mr. Trump was so pleased that Anthony took him up at his request, that he rewarded him with a rare exclusive handshake! Donna arrived next and told me how she informed Mr. Trump that the best advice he gave during the series was to “believe in yourself”. He was pleased with her too and hinted at what she could look forward to in the upcoming episode. I saw Brenda outside and she shared that Donald Trump asked her how she was and how caring he was toward the comfort of those on line. Each one had a slightly different yet pleasant exchange with him and I could see that each one glowed with a transformed experience of greatness. I could assess with absolute confidence that he made each individual in line feel special during their intimate moment.
Donald Trump autographing book for Anthony Mangini. (Photo - Susan Rogers)
Within the time of the book signing until the time I submitted this article for publishing, I had an opportunity to read most of the book. I found it to be a marvelous literary achievement, a welcome addition to his stream of masterful autobiographies on the subject of his lessons learned and applied toward business. As the book jacket of “In Trump: How to Get Rich' summarizes , [Donald] Trump tells all – about the lessons taught by The Apprentice, about his real estate empire and his position as head of the 20,000 member Trump Organization, and about his most important role, as a father who has successfully taught his children the value of money and hard work.” Among many of his useful insights are how to invest wisely, impress your superiors in order to receive a pay raise, effective business management, negotiation skills, and maintaining the “quality of your brand.” The book is written in a very comprehensive format with direct and meaningful prose to get his point across effectively. It is divided into six parts, focusing on a specific function such as: business management, career advice, finances, negotiation, the Trump lifestyle and an inside look into The Apprentice. Expertly co-written with Meredith McIver, who is also the Director of Media at Trump Organization, the book is a triumph and a must read for any serious business entrepreneur who wishes to benefit from the business and philosophical experience of the ultimate success story. I offer my congratulations to Mr. Donald Trump and Ms. Meredith McIver for their accomplishments with the hit program and bestseller book.
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