Amway Co-Founder Rich DeVos Knows Power of Positivity in Tough Times

If life came down to a jump shot at the buzzer, Rich DeVos would be taking it from well outside the 3-point line.

The Amway Corp. co-founder and owner of the NBA’s Orlando Magic rarely does anything in a small way. His unbending faith and knack for finding the motivational bright spot in even the darkest of moments turned this gritty World War II veteran into a leading businessman, philanthropist, and motivational speaker. [Editor's Note: See the full Rich DeVos interview by going here now]

Since starting selling vitamins in 1959 with his partner, Jay Van Andel, he has become one of the wealthiest men in the world (Forbes tallied his net worth at $3.5 billion in 2007). His Amway empire, and parent company Alticor, spans 40 countries and generated more than $7 billion in revenues in 2007. Clearly, DeVos, 83, likes challenges. He’s not only an evangelist for his Christian faith but also for his country and its free-enterprise system.

Instead of hitting the golf links or sailing aboard his yacht, DeVos penned a new book, "Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People," which he says offers positive medicine for Americans during tough economic times. His phrases offer more than platitudes, he says. They are powerful thoughts that can change readers' lives.

He recently sat down with Newsmax.TV’s Ashley Martella to talk about his life’s work, his beloved basketball team, and his fervent hope that even those most negatively affected by the troubled economy can find hope in our great nation’s shared values. Asked the best advice for those struggling with lost jobs and a rough economy, DeVos stays decidedly upbeat.

“You are going to do just fine,” DeVos says he tells folks. “The Lord has a way of working in our lives, and sometimes he brings us down low to bring new values back to our life. A lot of the people who are unemployed today are going to take lower-level jobs, but because they have value and worth, they are going to rise very quickly. As we recover, there is going to be great need for these people and they are going find themselves in a new and better position.”

DeVos says the timing of his book is perfect, although unintentional, given today's economic circumstances.

“Don’t forget that when we started Amway, which is exactly 50 years ago, it is when Castro took over Cuba,” DeVos tells Newsmax. “It was when Russia was on the move around the world. They were establishing bases in Africa and other parts of the world and the word was that socialism was the wave of the future, if not communism.

“We decided to become a champion for free enterprise and extol its virtues when the world was beginning to question it. That’s why this book is appropriate for this time.”

Ultimately, he says, success comes down to faith: “Faith is my foundation because you work on a faith basis that you believe God has his hand on you. As business moves forward, you realize that God has his hand on the whole business and that he brought people to you who are like-minded. It starts with faith.”

DeVos, who relishes his role as owner of the Orlando Magic, tells Newsmax.TV’s Martella that he takes tat faith-based positivity right onto the court with his players.

“I have a wonderful relationship with my players,” he says. “I am always amazed at how many guys in the NBA have never met an owner much less ever been to an owner’s house. We bought the team so that we would be able to be a positive force, so that they in turn would be a positive force to young people everywhere. “

Editor's Notes:

See the full Rich DeVos interview by going here now.]

Get your copy of Rich DeVos' new book, "Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People" - Go Here.  -  In this most inspirational and compelling interview, Richard DeVos, who became a billionaire through faith, hard work and perseverance tells Newsmax TV how his father never gave up hope during the Great Depression even though his dad was unemployed for three years. He explains how that inspired him to start a small company he and his partner called Amway 50 years ago. He has encouraging words for victims of the current economic crisis and as a World War II veteran, for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also reveals how he's no stranger to the players of the NBA basketball team he owns.

Source:  Newsmax