Quotes from Famous Entrepreneurs

Businesses and people in general are feeling the economic restraints. Everyone is grasping for security and limitations are on the rise. Some entrepreneurs may even begin to lose their mind- that is okay. Here are some quotes for everyone:


“High expectations are the key to everything.”

-Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart


"When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity. You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. The choice is yours and yours alone. Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile that failures refuse to travel. It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure."

-Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics


“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that something is too competitive. Once you subtract the people who don’t work very hard, or the people who aren’t as good as you, your competition shrinks dramatically.”

-Maggie Mason, founder of Mighty Goods


“Nobody talks of entrepreneurship as survival, but that's exactly what it is.”

-Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop


“Capital isn't that important in business. Experience isn't that important. You can get both of these things. What is important is ideas.”

-Harvey Firestone, founder of Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.


"If you can dream it, you can do it."

-Walt Disney, founder of The Walt Disney Company

Financial Crisis- You're Not Alone- Walt Disney was there too

There are many entrepreneurs or businesses in search for an influx of cash, I urge you not to give up because if Walt Disney would have; then, the Walt Disney Company wouldn't be sitting on the Fortune 500 spot like they are today.

"As his [Walt Disney's] plans met resistance that spring and as the studio faced another financial crisis, he [Walt Disney] had become "psychologically fragile," in Frank Thomas's estimation (an animator working for Disney at the time). He had begun to lose his footing and his confidence..."
pg. 423, Walt Disney The Triumph of the American Imagination

Make Miracles Happen

Machiavelli

The Prince

"Men almost always walk in paths beaten by others and act by imitation. Though he cannot hold strictly to the ways of others or match the ability of those he imitates, a prudent man must always tread the path of great men and imitate those who have excelled, so that even if his ability does not match theirs, at least he will achieve some semblance of it.

I say, therefore, that the degree of difficulty which a newly risen prince in a newly founded state encounters will depend upon the degree of ability he possesses. And since his rise from private citizen to prince presupposes either ability or good fortune, it would appear that one or the other of these factors will in part reduce his difficulties." (Niccolo Machiavelli, "The Prince." ch. 6)

Make Miracles Happen

The Wasp & The Prince

An Indian Fable, for those seeking Wealth
Title: The Wasp & The Prince

A wasp named Pin Tail was long in quest of some deed that would make him forever famous. So one day he entered the King's palace & stung the prince, who was in bed. The prince awoke with loud cries. The King and his courtiers rushed in to see what had happened. The prince was yelling as the wasp stung him again & again. The courtiers tried to catch the wasp, and each in turn was stung. The whole royal household rushed in, the news soon spread, and people flocked to the palace. The city was in an uproar, all businesses were suspended. Said the wasp to itself before it expired from efforts,

"A name without fame is life a fire without flame. There is nothing like attracting notice at any cost."

Make Miracles Happen.

Superheroes

During the early years of life we often choose a "superhero" or an all-star baseball player, a basketball player, or barbie to emulate. The question I beg: Who do we emulate as adults? For any adult in the business world, any adult who is in the 'rat race' perhaps it is time to choose a new 'superhero'- a person who has been utterly successful. Why? To follow in the footsteps of the greats.

My team took a survey asking over 3,000 people throughout New York City 'who is your favorite baseball player?' (amongst other sports) and finally 'who is your favorite businessman (or woman)?'

When it came to the last question- only about 350 had an answer, some said their father. It makes me wonder what are we not teaching here. Throughout my life I lacked quite a bit of guidance and always read for my answers. Different success stories, philosophers, & historical wealthy figures shaped my mindset- these historical wealthy figures are who I emulate.

While growing-up, we are guided by our parents- slowly morphing into them. At the same token life's experience morphs us. The question I have: If you are to morph into someone or take-on traits of a historical wealthy figure, who would it be? Upon answering this question, I suggest reading about that person, finding whatever it is you can to replicate their mannerisms, etc. and in doing so you will find that you are surpassing yourself, being someone you wish you could be.

If life is always in flux or forever changing then we must adapt, thereby always improving ourselves to become or stay the 'fittest' (in a Darwinian sense). Noah Dietrich, long-time business associate to billionaire Howard Hughes once said to Howard after he inherited his family's fortune: "All great men have goals which are clearly and sharply defined." Millionaire at the time, Howard Hughes replied: "I intend to be the greatest golfer in the world, the finest film producer in Hollywood, the greatest pilot in the world, and the richest man in the world." With a grin he added, "But not in that order." (pg.40-41, Howard Hughes the Untold Story)

Notice Howard's goals weren't sharply defined in the aspect of 'how' he will go about doing it. Nevertheless, they were sharply defined in the aspect that he knew what he wanted to be. Who do you want to be? And what are your 'sharply defined' goals?

Make Miracles Happen.