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Founded 05-05-05

You Gotta Make It Happen

Book Signing at The Crossnore School May 10

Graduates, career seekers and goal setters alike should plan now to attend a book signing on Thursday, May 10, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Miracle Grounds Coffee Shop on The Crossnore School campus. Retired furniture executive Fred Preddy will appear at the coffee shop to sign copies of his new book, You Gotta Make It Happen. Preddy will also appear that day as a special guest speaker at The Crossnore School’s weekly chapel service. Preddy wants people of all ages to benefit from lessons he learned during his life and his 45-year career.

Preddy, a native of Mount Airy, is no stranger to hard work. According to Preddy, his business career began the morning he graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology and joined the United States Marine Corps that afternoon. Preddy has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career in the furniture industry, including founder of Lane Venture in Hickory. He has served as president of Horizons Industries, a furniture manufacturing company, Sealy Connecticut Furniture and Hammary Furniture, a La-Z-Boy company.

Within the home furnishings industry, Preddy has served as co-chair of the Home Furnishings Council, president of the San Francisco Board of Governors and president and chair of the American Furniture Manufacturer’s Association. After retirement, Preddy established a furniture studies degree and curriculum at ASU.

Preddy’s message centers on the awareness of opportunities, especially those we have as Americans, and on “always putting something back.” As a means of “giving back,” Preddy has generously stipulated that all proceeds from the sale of You Gotta Make It Happen will benefit The Crossnore School. Copies of the book cost $10 each and are available at Miracle Grounds Coffee Shop and Book Store, Crossnore Weavers and Gallery: A Working Museum and at Crossnore Fine Arts Gallery.

Preddy’s book offers sound advice and motivational wisdom for everyone, but especially those embarking on a new phase in their lives, such as college or a new career. Preddy counsels an audience of all ages on how to get a job, set a course, start a company, expand horizons and take full advantage of opportunities. You Gotta Make It Happen illustrates many of Preddy’s favorite expressions, such as “Leave things better than you found them,” “Don’t quit,” “Never settle for less than your personal best,” and “Seize every opportunity.” Preddy’s distinctive voice is decidedly pragmatic and no-nonsense. He encourages his readers never to be victims; instead, he points out that they have choices and are makers and masters of their own futures.

For more info, call Laura Laughridge at The Crossnore School, 828-733-4305, ext. 24.

Want To Go?

Date: Thursday, May 10
Time: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Miracle Grounds Coffee Shop, The Crossnore School
Cost: Books are $10 each