From Beaches to Boardrooms Former supermodel inspires readers with new book by Donna Lynne Erickson   At the age of four she sold hand painted rocks from her wagon. Today she is the CEO of her billion dollar private enterprise which began with a line of quality socks.   Somewhere between rocks and socks, Kathy Ireland discovered life lessons that gave her clarity and purpose. In her first book, Powerful Inspirations - Eight Lessons That Will Change Your Life (Doubleday), the former supermodel allows readers to take a peek into her private life.   Ireland traveled the globe and made it to the coveted cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. In the book, co-authored by Laura Morton, she shares her "journey from the beach to the boardroom." Says Ireland, "Whether you drive a bus, are a stay-at-home mom or run a company, you are the CEO and entrepreneur of your life."   As a gawky, tall, and skinny adolescent, her pants were always too short and her hair poufed up - not to mention the solid bushy eyebrow that caterpillared across her forehead. Her unlady-like habit of burping may be what launched her career.   At 16 her mother enrolled her in a modeling school, hoping to instill a more refined behaviour. This is where she was discovered by an representative from Elite - a worldwide modeling agency. Just out of high school she was offered a six month contract to model overseas. While her friends were off to Disneyland to enjoy their graduation party, Ireland was whisked off to Rome on her first international modeling job.   After 12 years with Elite, Kathy decided to leave the modeling industry all together. "I never felt good about earning my living from how other people perceived that I looked. Modeling usually represents an unattainable look. I have seen models starve themselves or have surgery to attain a certain type of look that they hoped would get them work."   Married to Greg, an emergency room physician, Ireland realized how unfulfilling her job was. At the end of the day, she could discuss the latest pose while he talked about a life he had saved.   Ireland learned how to make failures great learning experiences, when she ventured into several types of business opportunities. She wanted to invest her time into something that she could be passionate about. She needed the right partners and the right products.   Apparel design by models and actresses was becoming a trend - her first design choice was a line of socks. "Beginning a brand with swimsuits would have been too obvious a choice for me," she says. "I believed if women would embrace my socks we might have something here."   Today, the company, Kathy Ireland WorldWide, extends into furniture, lighting, outdoor living, food and entertainment, sewing patterns, accessories, apparel, television and publishing efforts. The mission of the company is: "Finding solutions for families - especially busy moms." A busy mom herself, Kathy and her husband Greg are expecting the birth of their third child in Santa Barbara, California.   Ireland's involvement with numerous organizations that help women and children is motivated by her desire to serve God. Her website, www.kathyireland.com, is not a place for her to sell her products, but rather a forum for women to communicate with her and each other.   The first life lesson she shares in her book is "Faith is the key to stability and the cornerstone to life." Kathy always believed that God existed out there somewhere; but it was at the age of 18 that she committed her life to Christ. She was in France doing a fashion shoot and felt bored, despite the fact she was surrounded by the excitement of the high fashion world.   During this lonely time in her life she began to read a Bible her mother packed in her suitcase. Ireland realized for the first time that God loved her so much that He sent His Son to die for her. As she grew in her faith over the years she developed a strength to stand tall for Christ. "I decided never to compromise my character to achieve any goal," she says.   "I know that a lot of you are going through changes in your life and there are many people who are grieving, losing jobs, getting divorced, experiencing health challenges or facing financial problems," writes Ireland. "This book will help you manage and navigate through any crisis."   She adds, "If you don't know Jesus Christ, take time to get to know Him - He will bless you more than you can imagine." Esteemed by God   A healthy sense of self-esteem can be a struggle even for a supermodel. Kathy Ireland has learned that feeling loved and worthwhile won't last if it's based on appearance.   While playing with her husband and son in their driveway, Ireland had a freak accident and landed face down on the asphalt. Her face was a bloodied mess with a flap of skin dangling from a broken nose, a split forehead, and several broken teeth.   During her six-week recovery she was reminded how important it is not to base personal worth on looks. "Placing your sense of self-worth on something that is temporary, such as your appearance, social situation, career and even your health, is really dangerous," says Ireland. "No one can guarantee that those things will still be in your life tomorrow."   Ireland, who has personally received Christ's acceptance and forgiveness, bases her self-worth on the fact that He died for her transgressions and that she belongs to Him.   Says co-author Laura Morton, "I couldn't understand why Kathy would be writing a book about anything other than fashion, modeling, health, home or beauty."   Working together, Morton could see there was more to Kathy than her outer beauty. "She is so solid in her beliefs. Rarely, if ever have I met someone who inspires me to be more, do more, expect more and give more of myself to others."   Readers of her book will be inspired to change their lives, discover the real meaning of self-worth, and come to experience Lesson Eight, "We are all capable to live our lives with great joy!" 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