Launch Pad - by Gracen Gonzalez & Ruben Gonzalez (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

How do you help your kids earn money as they learn how to be successful in life?

Ever since an early age Gracen loved building and flying planes-from ultralight competitive rubber-band-powered balsa planes that flew for over two minutes to self-designed and built-from-scratch remote control planes.

When Gracen was 10 years old, and needed a way to fund his hobby, his dad told him that every time he read a personal development book and wrote a list of the lessons he learned from it, he would pay Gracen $10.

Over the next couple of years Gracen read over 80 books.

He's been applying what he learned ever since. The principles in these books work if you work them. The results speak for themselves.

Gracen is a top student with a 4.21 GPAHe's a two-time Colorado State Judo Champion.He's wrestled in the Colorado State Championships.He owns and operates a 3D printing and design business that sells high-quality engineering models around the world.He teaches blacksmithing, metallurgy and blade-smithing at a trade shop school.He gives presentations on 3D printing and CAD to local STEM groups.He's been playing piano for 11 years and he leads a worship group at his church.Gracen serves in his church's children's ministry and he's a youth religious education student leader.

Gracen always wanted to write a book so we decided to take some of the things he learned from his favorite books and share them here, so that more people will start reading personal development books to better themselves.

Launch Pad is filled with tips from Gracen's favorite history, leadership, teamwork, success and free enterprise books.

We hope that some of the things you learn here will help you achieve your goals as well.

Review Quotes

"I have known Gracen since he was 8. I have never met a more driven, talented, and intelligent young man. He has a passion for a myriad of intellectual, artistic, and athletic pursuits and excels at all of them. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him grow into an exceptional young man and leader. His acceptance into the US Air Force Academy and subsequent service will make this country safer."

Brad Coughlin - Major US Army (Ret)

Army Ranger, Special Forces Medic, and Medical Officer

"Gracen is one of the very top students I've worked with in my decades-long education career. He has created many STEM projects, has the heart of an engineer, and is a young man of outstanding character."

Mark Hyatt - Colonel USAF (ret.), former Director of the USAFA Center for Character and Leadership Development

"Gracen is exactly the kind of high performing young man of character that we want at our Academy and as an officer in our Air Force."

Colonel Mickey Addison - Retired US Air Force

"Gracen is mentally rugged, physically strong, intellectually focused, and deeply passionate about his dreams of attending the USAFA and the contribution he'd like to make to the world. It's rare for a young person to possess such a clear, and consistent vision for themselves and then work towards that dream at such a high level and with such passion and consistency."

Bruce Babashan - USA Boxing & Pro Boxing Trainer

"There are certain people who you know are going to do big things in the world. They have a unique mixture of intelligence, character, personality, and grit. Gracen Gonzalez is one of those few."

Jim Harshaw Jr. - NCAA Division I Wrestling Coach and All American Wrestler

"Gracen is an outstanding young man. Focused, hard-working, multi-talented, mentally tough as nails and coachable. He will make a great Air Force Officer."

David Kimes, Olympian, 2X Shooting World Champion,

Navy Wounded Warriors Shooting Coach