Reported By Benson McCulloch/Photo: Shannon Tweed
Gene Simmons of KISS offers business and life lessons
Dressed in black, wearing sunglasses and a red poppy, Gene Simmons spoke to a crowd of a thousand people at Saskatoon's TCU Place.
The man behind the rock band KISS was invited to speak by the Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (SYPE).
Simmons spoke about the power of creativity and branding.
He also offered up some lessons on life and business.
They included: Don't do drugs, live everyday like its your last, diversify your interests, maximize your profit potential, and always listen to your mother.
"All these things that your mother kept telling you, you know, eat spinach, go to school, get plenty of rest, she's right," Simmons said.
Simmons, who speaks four languages and is working on a forth, also spoke about the importance of communication.
He told the crowd to live life they way they want.
"You can have it your own way, you really can," Simmons said. "Don't let, respectfully, church, government or anybody else tell you how you should lead your life."
Premier Brad Wall then moderated a question and answer session with Simmons. It led to this back and forth that left the crowd in stitches.
"The ultimate bottom line is, politicians should also be business men and woman. Would you say that's correct?" Simmons said to Wall.
"I would," Wall responded. "Would you like to buy some potash?"
Laughter from the crowd.
Wall went on to explain.
"Its a long story. We mine a third of the world's supply and we need to sell a bit more," said Wall.
"At what price?" Simmons asked.
"Less than last year," said Wall, to laughter from the crowd.
It was recently revealed that the government is predicting the province will officially be in a recession later this year. It will be due, in large part, to declining revenues from potash royalties.
The man behind the rock band KISS was invited to speak by the Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (SYPE).
Simmons spoke about the power of creativity and branding.
He also offered up some lessons on life and business.
They included: Don't do drugs, live everyday like its your last, diversify your interests, maximize your profit potential, and always listen to your mother.
"All these things that your mother kept telling you, you know, eat spinach, go to school, get plenty of rest, she's right," Simmons said.
Simmons, who speaks four languages and is working on a forth, also spoke about the importance of communication.
He told the crowd to live life they way they want.
"You can have it your own way, you really can," Simmons said. "Don't let, respectfully, church, government or anybody else tell you how you should lead your life."
Premier Brad Wall then moderated a question and answer session with Simmons. It led to this back and forth that left the crowd in stitches.
"The ultimate bottom line is, politicians should also be business men and woman. Would you say that's correct?" Simmons said to Wall.
"I would," Wall responded. "Would you like to buy some potash?"
Laughter from the crowd.
Wall went on to explain.
"Its a long story. We mine a third of the world's supply and we need to sell a bit more," said Wall.
"At what price?" Simmons asked.
"Less than last year," said Wall, to laughter from the crowd.
It was recently revealed that the government is predicting the province will officially be in a recession later this year. It will be due, in large part, to declining revenues from potash royalties.
