Stardust Global Ventures

Anyone who uses Twitter is familiar with what happens each week on #FollowFriday. It’s that day when we all call out to those people we think merit special attention for following. The problem is, it’s turned into what often looks and feels like a grocery list of all our favorite people. Why is that? Well, everyone I follow is someone special who deserves attention.

This week, I’ve been hit hard with the idea of heroes. I’ll explain why, and you can laugh if you will. Sheryl and I watched three eposides of Extreme Makeover Home Edition with Ty Pennington (@iamreallyty). First, I’ll confess I am a bit of a sap. You can talk to Sheryl for any more details, but let’s just say I’m not ashamed to cry. Extreme Makeover is one of a very few TV shows I love, but 9 out of 10 episodes will make me cry. Ok 10 out of 10. It’s a show that from my view is heroes giving back to heroes. I’m very jealous of the job Ty has and would love to be part of that somehow, but it’s a different universe than I live in.

So this week rather than blurt a list for #FollowFriday, I’m going to introduce you to four of my heroes on Twitter. They add value to my daily life. And I started this blog post earl in the week as I gave it a lot of thought.

Jeff Pulver (@jeffpulver)
Sheryl and I share a very special friendship with Jeff. Part of it has to do with his being an inside confederate who helped in my proposal to her live on stage during a presentation at VON.x in San Jose. But we go back farther than that. Jeff and I share and overlapping passion for VoIP and emerging communications technologies that dates back several years. Our passion for social media is something shared and that’s a very personal part of who we are.

In our real life, Sheryl and I have spent time with Jeff at VON, done more than one of the world famous Breakfast with Jeff events. We even kidnapped him across the border from Seattle to Vancouver for a breakfast there. But it goes farther. We met Jeff in Minneapolis. And dragged him downtown to the famed intersection where Mary Tyler Moore did her famous hat toss for the show opening. Yes, we have pictures of Jeff doing the hat toss.

Jeff is a friend and a colleague. He’s also one of my heroes because even in times of personal crisis, identity crisis and self re-invention, he’s someone who always looks to the future, always reaches for more, and never quits. Jeff’s good humor and outlook on life and the future have been a positive influence on my life.

Jeff’s my hero because he shows us to never give up, never quit.

Lotay Yang (@lotay)
Lotay is a friend I’ve not yet met in person, but he’s touched my life in another heroic and positive way. He’s a young fella, a business man in financial services who’s made his way into spheres of business that I’ve never touched. And I don’t really expect I will. Our real day-to-day lives run in very different circles.

Lotay’s attention is focused on doing good through the Black Card Circle Foundation. It’s a network of people who through wealth, celebrity, connections and achievements have come together to make the world a better place by helping support noble causes. For example, the latest invitation I got from Lotay and BCCF is to an event providing support to stop human trafficking. That’s a big deal and even though it’s not something I have any personal experience with, Lotay’s work keeps me ever mindful of the plight of those less fortunate than I.

On top of that, he’s active on Twitter asking opinions, sharing thoughts, quoting wisdom from others and just adding value to the world every day. And he loves his Blackberry as much as we do ours.

Lotay’s my hero because he lights the way to each of us as people taking care of the people of our world.

Shambu Neil Vineberg (@nvineberg)
I met Shambu several years ago as Neil. He’s a PR and marketing advisor to some of the very coolest companies on the planet. You’d recognize many of the names. We spoke before the conference we met at, but I’d say we bonded as friends the first time we met in person. We’ve had the opportunity to work together several times since, and he’s one of the most consummate professionals I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with.

We count Shambu as a personal friend. Sheryl and I spent some time at his home last year where he played guitar for Sheryl. He even entrusted me with a few chords on one of his incredible guitars. Yes, Neil is a magnificent musician and has been a part of that industry for many more years than I’ve known him. He’s the one who introduced Sheryl and I to Narada Michael Walden.

But he’s my hero because he is forever optimistic and upbeat about our place in the world. He loves mankind…humanity. And it pours out in his thoughts and words constantly. Shambu is a friend who believes in the good of the world, the good of people, the power of simply doing the right things. He lives his life that way each day and is an outstanding example. He is a gentleman and a gentle man. A hero.

Shambu’s my hero because he lives a life of positive energy that shows us the power we each hold inside.

David Worley (@DavidWorley)
Last among my heroes for this week is someone you won’t find on Twitter a lot, although we keep prodding him to Tweet more, Sheryl’s 18 year old son David, or Bubba.

Sheryl can point you to stories of David growing up. He’s got ostegenesis imperfecta, or brittle bones. That means that while outwardly you might never notice anything, as a child he was very fragile. I’ve heard David and Sheryl talk about some of the experiences they’ve shared and I am awed at the bond between them and the life they’ve lived.

David is something of an old soul at his young age. He’s far more mature a teenager than anyone I’ve ever known, while remaining childlike in many ways. He’s deeply thoughtful, introspective and inquisitive. He wants answers and can be relentless in their pursuit.

He’s my hero because he personifies the hope of our next generation for me. He’s destined to greatness even though he isn’t really sure what he wants to do some days. His interests are many. He’s articulate and literate. If you think high school age teens are shallow, petty or unthinking, engage David in a meaningful conversation on some topic of substance – healthcare, common sense, politics, education, responsibility, ethics – and hang on for a ride. You’ll get both deep questions and original thoughts that will boggle your mind.

David’s my hero because he gives me hope for what lies ahead for all of us.

Who are your heroes?

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