• Rules from the BABY’s Book on Becoming a Billionaire
  
  

  • Rule #2: Networking is a profession. Become a professional at it.

  • Rule #3: You must go to all meetings; in particular and especially, those meetings which you are sure will be a total waste of time.

  • Rule #199: Critical risk factors are learnable, but only by those who have the capacity and character to learn.

• Risky Business? Neil contends that being a successful entrepreneur is more about managing risks than taking risks.

• Eat your broccoli. Enjoy the BABY’s tips for satisfying your networking appetite during holiday parties.

• I’m not telling! In our Ask the Expert segment, Tom Jurgenson describes how disclosing your intellectual property too early can hurt your chances for success.

• Make a list and check it twice. Amy Wintersheimer suggests following the “do’s and don’ts” when hiring to avoid problems later.

• Ingredients for success: With passion fueling the fire, Sami Ladeki became a student of his business and credits the Small Business Administration for helping launch his restaurant startup.

Tom Jurgensen, CEO of Catalyst Law Group, has more than 17 years of experience in biotechnology, biomedical and pharmaceutical law. Prior to starting Catalyst, he served as general counsel and executive manager for a number of life science organizations including The Salk Institute, Molecular Biosystems and Ligand Pharmaceuticals. Most recently, he headed the intellectual property practice within the law firm of Blanchard Krasner & French, APC.

Sami Ladeki, owner and CEO of Ladeki Restaurant Group (owner of the Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza chain), started the first Sammy’s in La Jolla in 1989 after over 20 years of experience in food and beverage in the hotel industry. In addition to Sammy’s, the company also owns Roppongi, an Asian fusion restaurant in La Jolla. Sami is a prominent businessman and philanthropic leader in greater San Diego and a recipient of the prestigious Headliner Award, presented by the San Diego Press Club for recognition of outstanding achievement in the community. An immigrant from Lebanon, Sami studied in Germany and then moved to the United States where he first worked at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Amy Wintersheimer, an employment litigation partner at the law firm of Allen Matkins, specializes in employment issues including wage disputes, wrongful termination, harassment and discrimination lawsuits. She also frequently handles matters involving the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title 24 Access. She is a member of the board of directors of the San Diego Blood Bank, Big Brothers and the Big Sisters of San Diego County, and actively participates in the San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program and the American Board of Trial Lawyers.