Bill FitzPatrick

Bill FitzPatrick is a teacher. He enjoys a reputation as a leading martial arts master, small business expert and popular motivational speaker. Through his website, books, videos, speeches and seminars, Bill has brought the practical advice and positive spirit of the Action Principles to corporate meetings, professional groups and college audiences throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, North Africa and Central America.

Bill earned his tuition for Boston State College while working as the Assistant Customer Service Manager at Sears. In 1969, Bill won a teaching fellowship in Special Education to Boston College. After earning a Master's Degree in Special Education from Boston College, Bill spent the next fifteen years directing a program for young men with court related problems at the high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. From 1967 to 1973, Bill was a member of the United States Army Reserve rising to the rank of Infantry Sergeant (E5). During this time, Bill developed an interest in the martial arts, which continues today. Bill is a 5th degree Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate. As a Shaolin Master, Bill writes and conducts seminars on a variety of topics related to wellness, self-defense, motivation and positive living.

In addition to a full-time teaching schedule, from 1970 -1985, Bill spent afternoons, weekends and summers in the real estate brokerage business. At 23, Bill became one of the youngest Realtor members in the history of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. Bill first started Heritage Properties and later Advantage Properties. Both firms specialized in investment real estate and property management.

In 1985, Bill left public school teaching to devote full time to his real estate investment business and his writing career. At one point, Bill was the editor and principal writer for three nationally syndicated monthly newsletters making him among the most widely read real estate writers in the country.

In 1993, Bill and his wife Karen, a teacher, went on an educational trip to St. Petersburg, Russia. Bill started teaching history and ended up teaching basic finance. The Russian high school students were much more interested in learning about how Americans make money rather than American politics. Inspired by the enthusiasm of these students for small business, Bill returned home and over the course of the next two years founded the nonprofit American Success Institute (ASI) to teach entrepreneurship.

Over the last ten years, ASI has evolved into an educational publishing and philanthropic organization. ASI publishes a dozen books including several by Bill; Winning With Small Business, 101 Questions and Answers On Small Business, The Action Principles, Master Success, Creating A Positive Aura, Ask A Master and The Master's Meditation Mantas. Over two million people have already discovered the Action Principles which have now been translated into eighteen languages.

Each year, ASI donates thousands of motivational books and posters through schools, correctional facilities and social organizations. Bill is currently the Executive Director of the American Success Institute and travels extensively promoting the Action Principles and fundraising to aid ASI's philanthropic work.

Bill lives with his wife Karen in a Boston suburb. Bill and Karen are the proud uncle and aunt to many wonderful nieces and nephews.