At long last Barbara was on top of the mountain. The air was crisp and cold, the powder nearly perfect, and she couldn't remember a time when she'd felt so exhilarated. Her spirits rose even higher when she pushed off and began the run down that beautiful mountainside. After all, eight months earlier she wasn't sure if she'd ever ski again. But with hard work and an endlessly optimistic spirit, Barbara persevered-and she achieved her goal.

When you first meet Barbara, it's hard to imagine that this energetic and enthusiastic professional once faced a major challenge in her life. What you see is a woman who loves to laugh and who clearly enjoys living. Indeed, it's hard not to laugh and feel good right along with her. Barbara's positive spirit is truly infectious, and over the years it has touched many people. That warmth and optimism are the heart and soul of her success, both personally and professionally.

It's typical of Barbara to recount how the paramedics joked that she should ''stay off wheels'' when she suffered her second accident in one year (the first on roller-blades, the second on a bicycle). But for as long as she can remember, Barbara has always been determined to find the silver lining. In this case, the second accident ''forced me to slow down and take stock of my life,'' she says. ''I had a long recovery period, and it taught me how much we take for granted.'' The same positive determination that made Barbara a successful retail business owner enabled her recovery, and it's one she shares daily with her adult son.