Daniel Milstein is the Founder and CEO of the Gold Star Family of Companies, operating in over 40 offices worldwide, specializing in Financial Services, Sports Management, Publishing and Film Production. Under Dan’s visionary leadership, Gold Star has been named among Inc. magazine’s 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America.

Dan was born in the Soviet Union and just 16 when he narrowly escaped the turbulent aftermath of the Chernobyl Disaster, immigrating to the United States in 1991 in search of a better life. Arriving with only 17 cents in his pocket, but fueled by his determination to seize the American Dream, Dan first hurdled the challenges of immigration, then stormed every opportunity in his path, quickly rising to the rank of #1 Loan Officer in the country out of 550,000 lending industry professionals. He has routinely landed on America’s most notable lists of the youngest and most impressive entrepreneurs. He’s been included in the prestigious “40 Under 40” in Crain’s magazine, “30 in their Thirties” by dBusiness magazine and numerous rosters of Top Finance Professionals.

Demonstrating a decades-long ability to maximize opportunity for himself and others, Dan’s passion for mentoring led to the expansion and diversification of Gold Star and launched his writing career in 2010. Now the award-winning, international best-selling author of The ABC of Sales, 17 Cents and a Dream and Street Smart Selling, Dan adds the greatly anticipated Rule #1: Don’t Be #2 to his body of work. Consultant, speaker and member of the esteemed National Academy of Best-Selling Authors, Milstein is credited with motivating hundreds of thousands with his simple, yet powerful, brand of inspiration. Follow Milstein on Twitter @danmilstein