Barbara Winter

Barbara Winter is a Minneapolis-based entrepreneur, writer and speaker who has spent the past 19 years helping people discover their passions and turn them into profitable businesses. She is the author of the best-selling book, Making a Living Without a Job:
Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love (Bantam), now in its 17th printing. Her newest book is Jumpstart Your Entrepreneurial Spirit.

Barbara is also the publisher of Winning Ways, the longest running self-employment newsletter. In 2002, she and Nick Williams co-founded the Dreambuilders Community, an international organization for inspired entrepreneurship. She conducts seminars and retreats around the country, in Canada and Europe. In addition, she's an intrepid world traveler who is ferociously committed to lifelong learning.

Barbara Trivia

Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Family: One fabulous daughter, Jennifer

Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Speech and Library Science, Minnesota State University Mankato

Personal heroes: Abraham Maslow, Coco Chanel, Paul McCartney

Major accomplishments: Helping others discover the Joyfully Jobless life; writing a book with a long shelf life

Favorite books: The Amber Spyglass Trilogy, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Alchemist

Favorite movies: "Cinema Paradiso," "The English Patient," "About a Boy"

The one thing I can't stand is: Oblivious cell phone users who force me to listen to their conversations

People who knew me in high school thought I was: Talkative

Nobody would believe it if they saw me: Driving in Los Angeles

Favorite place: Venice, Italy

Idea of paradise: A well-stocked library

Most humbling experience: Going to the prom with my cousin

If I've learned one thing it is: There's always more to learn

Worst idea I ever had was: Trying to rescue people who didn't want to be rescued

I can talk for hours about: Creative self-employment and personal growth

My friends like me because: I laugh at their jokes

When I'm driving I listen to: Paul McCartney, Vivaldi, Handel, Andrea Bocelli

I'd like to see my picture: On a stamp

I've never been able to: Speak a foreign language

Favorite vice: My own homebaked cookies

If I wasn't doing what I'm doing I'd be: Running a retreat in Tuscany

I am passionate about: My family, my business, travel, needlepoint, and Baroque music