Every Day Is a Gift: Paul Cummings’ Journey from Entrepreneur to Event Experiences

Paul Cummings, co-owner of The Valley Venues with his daughter Kobi Cummings, is a seasoned entrepreneur and motivational speaker with a legacy of inspiring transformation. As the President and CEO of Paul D. Cummings Worldwide Enterprises, his training and teaching company has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands, instilling in them the drive to create meaningful and lasting change. Paul’s journey to where he is today is nothing short of extraordinary. From humble beginnings in a rural Louisiana community to traveling all over the world to teach and make a difference in the lives of others, Paul is an uplifting example of resilience and perseverance. 

Growing Up

Raised in true southern Louisiana style, Paul grew up in the loving and lively home of George and Shirley Cummings. As he watched the honorable work ethic of his father, he learned the principles that made him successful and well-loved in the community.

Honesty, hard work, respect for others, and sincere friendliness marked how George carried himself and interacted with others. George inherited these traits from his father, George W. Cummings, Sr., who passed on the iron will work ethic and a constant desire to learn. Filled with wisdom, Paul’s grandfather spent a lot of time with him, skipping rocks and taking early morning walks along the fence on his Arkansas farm, making memories that Paul will always treasure and never forget. The words and wisdom of his grandfather led to Paul’s first book, Lessons at the Fence Post, many years later.

For the Love of the Game

George Cummings took the young Paul to a baseball game, and as they watched, Paul wanted to play. Mr. Cummings encouraged Paul to talk to the coach, and soon, he was playing on the team. Naturally athletic and supported by his parents, Paul excelled.

Mr. Cummings said, “Whatever ball was in season, that was what Paul wanted to play.” The work ethic inherited from previous generations pushed Paul to be the best he could be, and he was a great baseball and basketball player. It was the game of football, however, that captured his heart.

His high school football coach taught Paul drive, discipline, and determination, believing in Paul and pushing him intensely to find the best in himself. 

Finding a Passion for Entrepreneurship

As a high school student, Paul accepted an unusual summer job at the urging of one of his best friends and worked for the Southwestern Publishing Company out of Nashville, Tennessee, for three summers. At the age of 16, Paul was introduced to the business of sales. Over the next three summers, Paul knocked on 80 doors each day as a door-to-door salesperson for Southwestern.

Paul explains, “Southwestern taught me about the power of words and sales strategies.”

He was introduced to the world of possibility thinking and the power of passion and self-discipline. Little did he know that his decision to sell books door-to-door would affect not only his life but, ultimately, the lives of millions of people in the coming years.

With his hopes of playing football fading, Paul fell back on the lessons he learned during his experience with Southwestern. Sales became his new passion, and he threw himself into this exciting new adventure with all his energy and enthusiasm. 

Building a New Vision

Little by little, Paul had success after success, and his company grew because he genuinely cared about people and believed in his dream. Fueled by his personal and corporate desire to give to others, Paul developed skills in leadership, goal setting, and sales techniques, including his Grid Square Technology. His Level 10 philosophy has motivated countless others to live all out and not hold back.

Paul has been a featured speaker all over the world, written books that have touched people’s lives, and even used technology to advance further his dream of helping others. He developed PaulTVLive, his award-winning online video learning system utilized by thousands of students when no one else thought it would work. Now, as the founder of Woople, he has a tool to provide the education he has created to anyone and everyone who has a passion for learning and wants to succeed.

Every Day Is a Gift

“The last thing I remember is putting my coffee down, taking a seat, and the sensation of tears streaming down my face and the feeling of paralysis. I had a stroke at 6:30 a.m. on May 13, 2018,” says Paul.

Paul continues, “My memory of that day from there is vague and fuzzy. It wasn’t until the following day that I was fully conscious and aware of what had happened. My voice was gone. I was diagnosed with advanced aphasia and motor apraxia. My greatest journey was beginning to take root.”

He has posted daily videos on his YouTube channel documenting his journey with aphasia, a condition that affects one’s ability to communicate.

Following his diagnosis, Paul has dedicated himself to raising awareness about strokes, aphasia, and dementia, actively participating in organizations like the National Aphasia Association to make a difference in the lives of those facing similar challenges. Paul has founded Aphasia Together, a foundation to support those who are dealing with aphasia every day. He has brought many people together to share their stories and support each other through this challenge and continues to host workshops and online support. 

Reimagining a New Story

For years, The Valley Venues served as the headquarters for Paul’s speaking engagements and corporate events, where he inspired countless individuals to reach for their dreams. But after his stroke left Paul with aphasia, he needed a new plan.

This life-altering event could have led to despair, but instead, it became the catalyst for an inspiring new chapter in the Cummings family’s journey. Paul’s daughter, Kobi Cummings, proposed transforming the property into a wedding and event venue, combining their strengths and passions to create a remarkable destination for celebrations of all kinds.

The Valley Venues is a captivating wedding and event venue nestled right outside the heart of Chattanooga, TN. This extraordinary property, established in 2023, has a rich history as a cherished family estate before transforming into a haven for celebrations. 

Driven by a passion for crafting exceptional moments, The Valley Venues boasts a range of enchanting event spaces and lodging accommodations to cater to various preferences and styles. Embodying a welcoming and inclusive environment, The Valley Venues welcomes guests to experience a fairytale affair with comfort, romance, and ethereal beauty.

Paul Cummings knows the power of belief and that confidence and drive have brought him to where he is today. He says, “Through adversity and challenge after challenge, I never stopped believing in my dreams.”