TV Personality Rachael Ray Attends EO New York Function, Highlights EO in Her Blog

On 29 May, 2008, EO New York hosted a special event at the Jumeirah Essex House with media giant and TV personality Rachael Ray.

The evening started off with EO New York President Matthew Weiss using this showcase event to acknowledge and reward the outgoing board, and introduce the incoming board. Rachael was then introduced to a standing ovation. She discussed candidly here meteoric rise to fame, her brand (and how she guards it) and her business philosophies.

"My life has been a total accident – a very happy, wonderful accident that I didn't and couldn't have planned," said Ray.

Despite her growing celebrity, she is determined to stay grounded and hold on to her down-to-earth values. When asked what qualities make an entrepreneur successful, Ray responded:

“I think the entrepreneurial spirit is all about vision. You have to be able to envision whatever your goal is, whether it’s working with food or bringing people together in an affordable way. Also, you have to love your customer, and you have to love what you do. And I think it’s important to not to try and be all things to all people. You have to know what you do, and focus on that one thing, and don’t try be too much or too many different things.”

Rachael went on to discuss the importance of appreciating one's work, of being open to life's opportunities and to trusting one's instinct.

"I was raised to always appreciate any job I had, and to be very devoted to my customer. [To be successful] I think you have to be humble, you have to be hardworking. For me, it was smaller goals. You know, am I happy in my day-to-day life, did I put in a good day's work, does what I did make sense to me?

If it didn't feel good, could I get to a job that would make me a happier, more complete person? You have to keep in mind that opportunities are there for all of us. Also, you have to keep your mind open about what your next step can be. And you have to go with your gut."

Following the discussion, Rachael auctioned off VIP tickets to her show, which resulted in EO New York raising $17,500 for her charity Yum-O! Yum-o! empowers kids to develop healthy eating and cooking habits and feeds hungry kids.

Rachael wrote about the event and money raised in her blog. Click here to read what she had to say about her EO experience