The story of an entrepreneur from humble beginnings as a deck hand (laborer) on a fishing boat to landing this dream job, ships Captain, at the young age of nineteen, living his dream of being at sea. That was not to be his destiny. By chance, a newspaper advertisement for a car salesman was about to change his life forever. Starting anew at age 21, working his way from car salesman to owning his own Chevrolet Dealership and building a three dealership and commercial real estate empire. Making impossible deals, building a business, eventually becoming one of the largest Chevrolet dealers in the United States, just to see it all crumble in 2008 ultimately landing him in prison. Imprisoned for money he did not steal, nonetheless having made bad business decisions that lead to his loss of all things material and eventual incarceration. The untold story of state prison life from a white-collar inmate having never been in trouble with the law. This story includes fishing tales, car sales stories, accounts of the growth and collapse of a business empire, jailhouse tells and more. The Enlightenment that followed the rise and resurrection of an entrepreneur and his re-entrance into the business world this time as an author, consultant, and speaker. This book is his mission to share the journey with others. Follow this philanthropist, community leader and businessman on his vocation and journey of sharing, listening, and educating, seeing and speaking to those that wish to grow, overcome, succeed and be all they were intended to be, the entrepreneurship you thought was only a dream. While teaching the lessons learned, mistakes make, guardian angles provided, and how to reemerge a better yet stronger person with faith, family and friends. This book will give you a new insight to those deserving of a second chance. We all make mistakes, have losses in life even tragedy to ourselves and loved ones, you can and must learn while understanding those mistakes or tragedies were stepping stones, in the journey we call life, this is such a story of learning, surviving and sharing. Enjoy this read through the eyes of a fallen entrepreneur that survived to see the enlightenment and share the vision. By Cheryl Schmidt on December 28, 2014 Reading this book is like having a long, heartfelt conversation with Michael Holley. A man from humble beginnings, his north-Florida colloquialisms are still part of his speech and they add to the conversational tone. He recounts his rapid rise in the automobile business and gives credit to those who mentored and taught him business and life lessons. When he learns the hardest lesson and loses his fortune and freedom is when you really get to his core. His gentle heart and generous personality lift him and you to a satisfying ending.. . By: Gary White - TheLedger.com Despite its flaws, the book is an often revealing self-portrait of a man forced to confront his failings. After losing so much, Holley seems to have gained a certain enlightenment. - The Lakeland Ledger theledger.com/article/20150125/NEWS/150129566/0/ This is my first book and is written more from the heart than the brain. I have accomplished much in life and lost even more... this book is about the positive side of all of it. I have heard words like inspiring, uplifting, encouraging, and inspirational and many others. How do you lose everything, go to prison and have words like this used to describe that experience. How do you survive it all and become a stronger person dedicated to helping others avoid the same fate. Easy, Faith, Family and Friends, along with thousands of guardian angels. I hope you enjoy this book and the lessons that it teaches. This book will be helpful to anyone that has been down on their luck, an aspiring entrepreneur or a businessperson looking for ways to improve, grow or maybe on the verge of taking a wrong turn in their journey. I hope you enjoy the book and share it with others. I have told many this has been the hardest business project I have ever undertaken and I celebrate its completion. My next couple of books are already on the drawing board and I look to the future with anticipation and excitement. Michael R. Holley was born in Panama City, FL, on Dec. 26, 1960. He started from solid but humble beginnings, the son, grandson and nephew of boat captains in a small town where fishing and shipping were the dominant industries. Michael worked his way up from deckhand to captain - his dream job - by the time he was 19 years old. Staying in the family business was not to be his destiny. An advertisement for a car salesman's job would change his life forever. In 16 years he would go from salesman to owning his automobile dealerships, eventually accumulating three franchises in Lakeland and Bartow, Florida. During the financial crisis of 2008, it all came crumbling down, and Michael lost all his worldly possessions and, ultimately, his freedom. After pleading no contest and serving a 20-month prison se