These amazingly talented male and female entrepreneurs share their most valuable advice for achieving success. There seems to be a pattern of looking past your failures and pursuing your goals with relentless persistence to reach success.

Read on for some invaluable advice on how you can be successful in your business and in life.

Words Of Advice By Successful Entrepreneurs

Sara Blakely (Founder Of Spanx)

“When I was growing up, my dad would encourage my brother and I to fail. We would be sitting at the dinner table and he would ask, ‘So what did you guys fail at this week?’ If we didn’t have something to contribute, he would be disappointed. When I did fail at something, he’d high-five me. What I didn’t realize at the time was that he was completely reframing my definition of failure at a young age. To me, failure means not trying; failure isn’t the outcome. If I have to look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘I didn’t try that because I was scared,’ that is failure.” – Sara Blakely –  Founder of Spanx

Gurbaksh Chahal (Author & Serial Entrepreneur)

“People tend to think that in order to start a new business they have to come up with something new and dazzling, but that’s a myth – and it’s often propagated by venture capitalists. Find something you love and do it better than everyone else.” – Gurbaksh Chahal – Serial Entrepreneur, Net Worth $200 Million

Jeff Weiner (CEO of LinkedIn)

“As a child, I can’t recall a day that went by without my dad telling me I could do anything I set my mind to. He said it so often, I stopped hearing it. Along with lines like “eat your vegetables, I just assumed it was one of those bromides that parents repeated endlessly to their kids.
It wasn’t until decades later that I fully appreciated the importance of those words and the impact they had on me.” – Jeff Weiner – CEO of LinkedIn

Kevin Rose (Founder of Digg, Pownce & Milk)

“Go build it. If you really believe in something, you should just build it. If you love it, it won’t feel like work. It’s okay to drop out of college if you have an awesome idea.” – Kevin Rose – Founder of Digg, Pownce & Milk

Caterina Fake (Founder of Flickr & Hunch)

“Entrepreneurs need to start building today. The Internet has amazing powers of distribution. You can test your ideas. You can see if it works, if it doesn’t work, whether it’s fun, and whether you’re sufficiently motivated. People who go into entrepreneurship to get rich aren’t going to be happy. It’s the building of things that makes you happy. You have to enjoy the process whether you succeed or fail.” – Caterina Fake – Founder of Flickr & Hunch

Evan Williams (Founder of Blogger & Twitter)

“Surround yourself with great people, try hard things, say no to distractions and remember to care for yourself. Failure of your company is not failure in life. Failure in your relationships is.” – Evan Williams – Founder of Blogger & Twitter

Richard Branson (CEO of Virgin)

“My mother always taught me never to look back in regret but to move on to the next thing. The amount of time people waste dwelling on failures rather than putting that energy into another project, always amazes me. I have fun running ALL the Virgin businesses — so a setback is never a bad experience, just a learning curve.” – Richard Branson – CEO of Virgin

Eric Schmidt (Executive Chairman Of Google)

“Find a way to say yes to things. Say yes to invitations to a new country, say yes to meet new friends, say yes to learn something new. Yes is how you get your first job, and your next job, and your spouse, and even your kids.” – Eric Schmidt – Executive Chairman Of Google

Elon Musk (Founder Of PayPal, Tesla Motors & SpaceX)

“I always knew that there was a chance of failure in all my endeavors. But I felt that they were important enough that I had to try, even if I thought the probability of success was less than 50%. Try to get together a group of people to do something useful. This may seem like an obvious thing, but often people will organize into a company that doesn’t produce anything useful.” – Elon Musk – Founder Of PayPal, Tesla Motors & SpaceX

Guy Kawasaki (Venture Capitalist & Best Selling Author)

“There is only hard work and luck, which are really two sides of the same coin. The search for a secret sauce is a futile waste of time. Create something, sell it, make it better, sell it some more and then create something that obsoletes what you used to make.” – Guy Kawasaki – Venture Capitalist & Best Selling Author

Mark Cuban (Shark Tank Investor & Owner of the Dallas Mavericks)

“One thing we can all control is effort. Put in the time to become an expert in whatever you’re doing. It will give you an advantage because most people don’t do this. The beauty of success, whether it’s finding the girl of your dreams, the right job or financial success, is that it doesn’t matter how many times you have failed, you only have to be right once.” And, “then everyone can tell you how lucky you are.” – Mark Cuban - Billionaire Investor & Owner of the Dallas Mavericks

Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook)

“I don’t believe we have a professional self from Mondays through Fridays and a real self for the rest of the time. That kind of division probably never worked, but in today’s world … it makes even less sense. I’ve cried at work … I talk about my hopes and fears and ask people about theirs. I try to be myself–honest about my strengths and weaknesses.” – Sheryl Sandberg – COO of Facebook

Chad Hurley (Co-Founder Of YouTube)

“As you start building the product, don’t assume that you know all the answers. Surround yourself with great people. You need people you can trust to do their job and sometimes the product or idea can die if someone is too controlling. Be prepared to adapt. Also, being lean and mean helps you build something more efficient. You may have initial thoughts or ideas on how something will work but you need to observe how you and the community are using it. Don’t be afraid to change direction mid course.” - Chad Hurley – Co-Founder Of YouTube

J.K. Rowling (Author of the Harry Potter Series)

“So why do I talk about the benefits of failure? Simply because failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged. I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” – J.K. Rowling – Author of the Harry Potter series

Matt Barrie (CEO of Freelancer.com)

“Too many capable people limit their options because they think they don’t have enough experience or feel that they need to work their way up the corporate ladder by visiting every single rung on the way up. Too many people tell me that their dream is to leave their boring cog in the machine day job and start their own business, but they couldn’t possibly think of doing that because they’ve never had experience running one – well that’s a bit chicken and egg! Carpe diem! The time is now! Time and tide waits for no man. No one is going to hand you your future on a plate.” – Matt Barrie – CEO of Freelancer.com

Jordan Belfort (Best Selling Author & Motivational Speaker)

“In business you should always offer value first and then get the money afterwards. The mistake I made was that I focused so much on the creation of money without going out there and giving value first. Monetizing value is easy; it’s a matter of building that value first.” – Jordan Belfort – Best Selling Author & Motivational Speaker

 Daymond John (Founder of FUBU Clothing and Shark Tank Investor)

“Try to make all the mistakes with your own money and on a small level so that when you are responsible for a partner’s money or assets you’ve learned and you don’t make bigger mistakes. Try to go as far as you can without anybody else’s help first.” – Daymond John – Founder of FUBU Clothing and Shark Tank Investor

Arianna Huffington (Founder Of The Huffington Post)

“My mother told me failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a stepping stone to success. You’re going to fail, probably many times. But that’s okay — in fact, it’s essential. Very often, the difference between success and failure is simply perseverance. If we become so dependent on things always being a success, then we’re in a very vulnerable position — because we’re not in control of how the world is going to receive something.” – Arianna Huffington – Founder Of The Huffington Post

Ben Huh (CEO & Founder of Cheezburger)

“You need to put the fear of risk aside. Startups need leaders who are willing to persevere through the hard times. Failure is an option, and a real risk. Failure and risk are something entrepreneurs should understand well, and learn to manage. Don’t have a fear of talking about your failures. Don’t hide your mistakes.” – Ben Huh – CEO & Founder of Cheezburger

James Caan (BBC’s “Dragons Den” Investor)

“Never stop asking yourself whether you can do things better. Keep testing every aspect of your business to the nth degree, and challenge every one of your assumptions. The tougher you are on yourself now, the tougher your business will be out there in the real world.” - James Caan - BBC’s “Dragons Den” Investor

Article By: Joel Brown | Addicted2Success.com

This is the era of the “omnipresent” entrepreneur, with more selection, more novelty, more transformations, more opportunity, and more possibilities. What’s driving the rise of the entrepreneur today?

Many are beginning to realize that they cannot depend on companies to offer the necessities life requires, in order to subsist; they must get it for themselves.

A New Breed In Times Of Need

Many factors have contributed to the need for individuals to “go it alone,” and try to make ends meet. From December 2007 and June 2009, the US experienced its largest economic collapse since the Great Depression. Named the “Great Recession,” the economic retrenchment saw GDP decrease 4% and unemployment doubled from 4.9% to 10.1%.

Now, more than ever, individuals are being encouraged and motivated to start their own businesses and become self-employed. The world has already experienced the likes of the Eastman’s, the Ford’s, the Carnegie’s and the Westinghouse’s. These entrepreneurs became successful during a time much like today; however, they created jobs; therefore, jobs were plentiful. It’s not the same today. Jobs are being created but outsourced, leaving a whole group of people behind who must now learn to play “catch-up.”

Reports show that 70% of high school students aim to become entrepreneurs at some time in their careers. Becoming an entrepreneur today is widely regarded as the best move one can make because it adds new products and jobs to the populace. Unmatched throughout history, entrepreneurs are becoming a factor in the political fixture. According to the Kauffman Foundation, entrepreneurs create 60% of all new jobs in the economy.

From Nothing to Something

Everyone likes to think of an entrepreneur as someone who came from nothing and stumbled upon millions of dollars. Yes, there are many who came from nothing, but stumbling upon millions of dollars is rare, if it actually happens at all. In addition, studies show that women entrepreneurs are on the rise. For example, Sara Blakely has shown us “the proof is in the pudding”, she has just been labelled the Youngest female self-made billionaire with her panty hose line “Spanx“.

Lisa Hufford launched Simplicity Consulting after many years as an employee, Vicky Thompson established the Valuation Management Group, and Crystal Culbertson launched Crystal Clear Technologies. These businesses have a combined annual profit of more than $50 million!

Then again, you have Steve Jobs (R.I.P), founder of Apple Computers, Bill Gates founder of Microsoft, and the new kid on the block, Mark Zuckerberg who founded Facebook. The entrepreneurship of these individuals led to a revolution of software programs that we use today. Nevertheless, miracles aside, what happens to the average person? An entrepreneur can just as well be the person who sets up their own vegetable stand or one who sells handmade tablecloths at craft shows. If you have created a business around your passion then you are an Entrepreneur.

Becoming an Entrepreneur is an Inside Job

Many people today feel something extraordinary is about to take place in the world, in fact, it is taking place right now! The days of depending solely on companies for our livelihood as our parents and grandparents once did are over. The days of finding the “perfect” job with guaranteed employment for the next 30 years is extinct. Company and employee loyalty seems to be a thing of the past. Nonetheless, becoming an entrepreneur is not an elite occupation requiring credentials to join. Anyone can become an entrepreneur; the only requirement is an idea for a business. Your idea can be:

• Something totally new or an invention that resolves a difficulty
• A modification of an idea started by someone or from somewhere else that does not violate any patents, trademarks, or copyrights
• An existing concept catered to a new market
• Creating something customary like opening a shop

What is without doubt is that having an idea is not the only requirement to become an entrepreneur. Together with their idea, an entrepreneur must draw qualities from within while utilizing outside resources. Essential qualities include willpower, zeal, ambition, keen intelligence, good timing, and momentum of execution. External necessities include finance, exploration, and support.

Entrepreneurs need to recognize their potential market, or at least have an intuitive understanding of the market they are attracted to. In addition, they will need to know if their product or service has the possibility to accommodate the demands of a commensurate number of people in order for their idea to pay off.

With Computers, Smart phones & Apps out nowadays, this means that aspiring entrepreneurs have access to millions of tools and resources at their finger tips. Which means that becoming a well equipped entrepreneur, just got easier!

Social Media networks make it easier to link and network with like-minded people and have proven to help entrepreneurs and startups raise the funds they need to juice up their business.

Checkout a great crowd funding website by the name of Kickstarter if you are looking at acquiring some funding for that new great business idea.

Conclusion

Building a business does not happen overnight. It will require all the willpower, ambition, persistence, and zeal that you can muster. You will need to believe in yourself when it seems like the odds are against you but you must also have the keen intelligence to know when to modify your plan. There is a saying “failure will never overtake you if your determination to succeed is strong enough.” Being an entrepreneur is an “inside job,” with a few outer hurdles to cross along the way.

If your mind is made-up, you will jump over those hurdles and succeed!

What comes into mind when thinking about Bernie Ecclestone or Richard Branson? They are wealthy people, of course. Their name may not mean much to you, but taking a look at their life and achievements may inspire you. Going from rags to riches as an entrepreneur is something special and knowing how they did it is essential.

This list includes 10 European entrepreneurs who found success and saw a spectacular rise from humble beginnings to incredible wealth.

Europe’s Top 10 Self Made Billionaires

1. Armancio Ortega Gaona

Armancio Ortega Gaona is a Spanish entrepreneur who manages the popular fashion stores Zara, Massimo Dutti, Tempe and Pull and Bear and Bershka. Armancio Ortega Gaona’s net worth is $46.6 billion USD. He started out as a gofer for textile companies and in 1972 he founded his own company, named Confecciones Goa, which produced bathrobes.

Now, at 76, Armancio keeps a low profile, rarely appearing only at fashion shows, wearing jeans and t shirts.

2. Ingvar Kamprad

IKEA’s founder, Ingvar Kamprad started selling matches to his neighbors when he was only 14 in his hometown of Agunnaryd. He continued selling fish, Christmas decorations, pens, pencils and seeds. His breakthrough came at 17, when his father gave him a present for excellent academic achievements. Ingvar used this money to found IKEA, which is an acronym derived from his name, the name of the farm where he was born and the hometown (Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd, Agunnaryd).

This Swedish entrepreneur, Ingvar Kamprad has a net worth of $42.2 billion USD.

3. Karl and Theo Albrecht

Karl and Theo Albrecht are two entrepreneur brothers from Germany who were born in a middle class community in Essen. After the end of World War II, where they both served, they took over their mother’s business, a small convenience store. In 1961 they opened the first Aldi discount store. Now, the store operates in 9,221 locations and boasts an annual revenue exceeding $65 billion USD.

Karl and Theo Albrecht have a combined net worth of $16.7 billion USD.

4. Hasso Plattner

Co-founder of software company SAP AG, Hasso Plattner is a German entrepreneur who started as an engineer for a local company in Bavaria. In 2001, Time magazine listed Plattner as one of the most influential IT business persons. His portfolio of software products includes a wide range of communication and social services solutions.

Hasso Plattner’s current net worth is $7.3 billion USD.

5. Bernie Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone is known primarily for his involvement in F1 racing, known by his nickname “F1 Supremo”. He was born in a small hamlet near Suffolk in England, in a humble family and his father was a fisherman. At the age of 16 he quit school and worked as a motorcycle repairman. After the war he founded Compton&Ecclestone, a motorcycle parts dealer and started racing in the Formula 3 series. After an accident he was forced to retire, but his connection to the motor sports didn’t stop. He started investing in real estate and other lucrative endeavors, and in 1957 he became Stuart Lewis-Evans’ manager, a successful racing driver.

Bernie Ecclestone‘s entrepreneur career rose spectacularly, becoming CEO of various racing teams, and he founded F1 racing as part of Formula One Group, the governing body of the sport. Bernie Ecclestone’s net worth is $4.2 Billion USD.

6. Richard Branson

The founder of Virgin, Richard Branson, started out by selling records to his friends and acquaintances. He founded Virgin initially to sell his records for a low price, with the name being suggested by a friend, indicating that they were new to the entrepreneur business. His business model was simple: sell the records at the lowest price possible. Later, he created the Virgin record label and signed controversial bands such as The Sex Pistols and Can. He also founded Virgin Airlines and other business ventures bearing the same name. His business interests now include Virgin Health Bank, Virgin Racing and Virgin Media among many others.

Richard Branson is one of the richest entrepreneurs in Europe, with a net worth exceeding $4.2 billion USD.

7. Xavier Niel

Xavier Niel is a French technology entrepreneur known as the creator of Free, a French internet provider founded in 1999. Now, he is the majority shareholder of Iliad, a major internet provider in France. He also co-owns Le Monde, a major French newspaper. His business empire now spans 18 countries and is a major player in the communications market.

Xavier Niel’s net worth is estimated at over $4.2 billion USD, making him one of the richest people in France.

8. Andreas von Bechtolsheim

Andreas von Bechtolsheim is a German entrepreneur from Bavaria. He was born in a small village in the Alps, and because he had no television, he began to experiment with electrics and electronics. At only 16 he designed a controller for industrial operations which allowed him to finance his studies. He studied at the University of Technology in Munich and earned a Master’s Degree from Carnegie University. While studying for his PhD at Stanford, Andreas  designed the SUN workstation, which in 1988, after only 6 years on the market, was worth over $1 billion USD. He is also known as one of the first investors in Google, writing a check of $100,000 USD in 1998. Other investments include Tasmania Network Systems, Brightmail, Brocade and Mirapoint.

Andreas von Bechtolsheim net worth is listed at $2.3 billion USD.

9. Niklas Zennstrom

Niklas Zennstrom is the entrepreneur who created the legendary Kazaa, Joost and the well-known message service Skype. Born in a middle class family in Sweden, he started his career working for Tele2, a European communications operator. In 2001, Niklas together with a friend, created the peer-to-peer file sharing platform named Kazaa, which proved hugely successful. Niklas was CEO of Skype until 2007, when he became its chairman. Other investments include Atomico, Fon, Rovio, Klarna, Fab and Jawbone. Niklas Zennstrom‘s portfolio of businesses makes him one of the richest tech entrepreneurs in Europe, with a net worth of $1.3 billion USD.

10. Yuri Milner

Born in Moscow in 1961, Yuri Milner was influenced by his intellectual parents and studied physics at Moscow State University. He received a degree from Wharton School of Business in 1990. In 1999 he founded NetBridge and created companies such as Mail.ru, List.ru and a website based on ebay.com, named Molotok.ru. Yuri Milner’s investments also include stakes in Twitter, Airbnb, Alibaba and Spotify.

Yuri Milner’s net worth of over $1 billion USD, Yuri is one of the richest technology entrepreneurs in Russia.

Article By Joel Brown | Addicted2Success.com

It’s often frustrating for men to hear the popular sentiment that women make better entrepreneurs than men. It’s not fashionable to argue, but the truth is that the number of female-owned businesses are only growing at a faster rate because there were relatively few to begin with. Male-owned businesses are still growing more quickly in absolute terms.

In any case, while it may not be the most fashionable opinion we’d like to present the opposing argument, so here are 7 reasons why men make great entrepreneurs.

Do Men Make Great Entrepreneurs? Read On:

1. Men are more driven to make money

Studies have shown that women tend to be motivated to start their own businesses in order to strike a better balance between work and family life. For instance, many women start businesses from home in order to take care of their children while still generating an income.

Conversely, men tend to be more motivated by financial success in their ventures. They start companies with a view to becoming financially independent and, if all goes well, obscenely wealthy. While there’s nothing wrong with either approach it seems that men have the advantage in creating thriving businesses. Male entrepreneurs are willing to work longer hours and devote more of their energy to the venture, while women tend to be satisfied with modest success.

2. Men more readily seek investors

Perhaps due to the inherent differences in the types of businesses (small and home-based vs. large and ambitious), men are more willing to seek investment to help grow their business. While it may be the case that the obligations to repay investments and dividends down the line become onerous, in the short term this willingness to seek out finance helps male-owned businesses thrive much sooner, while female-owned businesses can only grow at the rate at which profits can be reinvested.

3. Men have more experience in business

Male entrepreneurs tend to start their businesses after a lifetime of work experience, and as such can draw on that experience to help their venture succeed. Women, on the other hand, often switch focus throughout their lives to make time for a family, abandoning work for several years until their children are no longer dependent on constant care before returning to continue their career.

While it may be unfair to hold a biological necessity against them, the fact is that women on average have less business experience than men.

4. Men are more willing to delegate

Many women find it difficult to break from the habit of doing everything for themselves, and when it comes to handling aspects of their business they can easily spread themselves too thin.

Men are much more ready to delegate, and happy to hire employees who can manage certain tasks with greater competence and efficiency. Men are more willing to hire accountants to deal with money matters, and for the simple reason that professional money managers are better at finding tax deductions than the layman that puts male entrepreneurs in a stronger financial position.

5. Men tend to be risk takers

Male entrepreneurs are more prone to impulsiveness and risk taking than women. While this may be a dangerous characteristic it’s also true that risk can pay dividends in many cases. The result of this is that male-owned businesses often grow at a much faster rate than businesses run by their female counterparts.

6. Men can be more decisive than women

While this many not be true for all men, male entrepreneurs can be more decisive and confident than women. Arrogance may not be an attractive trait, but in the world of business a certain amount of confidence in your abilities (or even over-confidence) can bring positive results.

7. Men can manage money more effectively

Finally, male entrepreneurs have the (dubious) advantage of societal sexism in their favor. Men have traditionally been breadwinners in charge of the family purse, while women were reduced to homemakers. Even in this generation the cultural hangover still persists, as today’s entrepreneurs were raised with the old ways.

While this benefit will no doubt vanish as today’s youth are raised with a fairer and less confining focus on gender roles it does, at least for this generation, mean that men tend to have more experience in financial matters than women, helping them make the best decisions to grow their business.

If you haven’t already, make sure you checkout ‘The 7 Reasons Why Women Make Great Entrepreneurs‘

Article By Keith Fitten | Addicted2Success.com

An award-winning sitcom might seem like the last place to get business advice for successful people, but it’s funny what every entrepreneur can learn from The Big Bang Theory.

For those who are unfamiliar with the series, it revolves around a group of socially challenged science geeks named Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Rajesh who differ greatly from Penny, an attractive and outgoing girl-next-door.

The hilarious situations the characters have been through have revealed the gang’s loveable qualities and serve as valuable lessons successful people can learn from.

#1: Don’t Hog All The Work

When Leonard comes up with an idea to develop a smartphone app with the gang, Sheldon tries to seize control of the project.  After appointing himself as the chief executive, financial, and operating officer, Sheldon gets himself fired for being a control freak.

In the business world, you can only do so much by yourself. While devoting long hours is a given, you need to figure out how to make the best possible use of your time.  Being hands-on is important, but learn how to entrust certain functions of your company to the other people in your team.  This way, you can focus on the other areas of your business.

#2: Don’t Overthink Everything

In one episode, Leonard was seriously considering what would happen if he asked Penny (who previously broke up with him) out on a date.  Although it seemed that it wouldn’t work out after all, it turns out that the date and the events that followed were all in Leonard’s head. Realizing that he thinks too much for his own good, Leonard actually asks Penny out and eventually start a new relationship.

To coin a phrase from a famous athletic brand, there will be a time when you need to “just do it”.  If you’re venturing into business without previous experience, don’t be afraid to learn from the mistakes you’re going to make along the way.

Although you can make an educated guess about what will happen after you launch your product or service, you can’t predict everything. Nonetheless, you need to get out there and give it your best shot after you’ve done the necessary groundwork, such as market research and discussing your sales strategy with your team.  Only then will you see the big picture.

#3: Technology Is Your Friend

To supplement her income, Penny gets the idea to start a home-based business by making handmade hair clips.  With the help of the guys, she gets her startup off the ground by launching a website (with Leonard’s help) and end up filling out a thousand orders.

What every entrepreneur can learn from the Big Bang Theory is that the internet can level the playing field for those in the business world.  With the right tools in place – such a well-developed sales website and viral marketing through social media – you can go up against the big players in your niche. Make sure to keep abreast of the latest technological trends in sales and marketing which you can use to your advantage.

#4:  Learn The Importance Of Being Organized

As a theoretical physicist with a number of degrees under his belt (Ph.D. and Sc.D to name a few), Sheldon has established himself as an authority in his field. He owes this to the fact that he’s highly organized and systematic with his work process and daily routine.

Although Sheldon’s love of being organized often borders on the obsessive (and is often a source of the show’s humor), successful people can extract real-life lessons from his characteristics.  Having a well-defined workflow that clearly maps out all the aspects of business will greatly help tighten up your operations and keep things from “slipping through the cracks.”

#5: Learn How To Be Flexible

On the other hand, Sheldon’s strict adherence to routine can be impractical at times and often clashes with Leonard (whom he shares an apartment with) because of his constant inflexibility.

Although it’s vital to have a system in place, what every entrepreneur can learn from the Big Bang Theory is that there will be times when you’ll need to improvise during unexpected difficulties.

As mentioned earlier, you can’t anticipate all the possible scenarios you’ll encounter, so you’ll have to think on your feet from time to time. That’s why it’s important to be adaptable because more often than not, your unique circumstances won’t be covered in the manual.

Mistakes made can be our greatest teacher, so the best startup advice comes from the first-hand knowledge of what not to do. We spoke to some business owners who shared their hard-earned experience and the insight they gained from their own lapses in judgment.

If you’re looking to get your business off the ground, consider these following pitfalls.

The 10 What Not To Do’s When Starting Your New Business

#1: Not Anticipating Your Customers’ Potential Needs

If you decided to open up a cake business, did you even consider that a good number of your future customers will also need to have the goods delivered to them as well?

Many businesses entail additional needs aside from their core product or service. If you can’t provide this yourself, coordinate with a third party to make your respective services a seamless package for your clients.

Taking the time to plan ahead will add to customer satisfaction and avoid headaches before they happen.

#2: Jumping The Gun

Although skimping on the essentials (e.g. a reliable computer) is a no-no, it’s dangerous to squander all of your resources at once. Allow yourself enough time to make the inevitable mistakes that will help you refine your business plan.

Give your business time to evolve organically and hold off on spending too much capital in the beginning. In the long run, you’ll need the financial leverage to make the necessary adjustments after you’ve experienced the hands-on feel of your business.

#3: Not Having A Unique Selling Point

Surprisingly, an alarming number of new business owners ignore this piece of startup advice. Everything starts with a vague idea, but you won’t get far if you haven’t refined exactly what you want your business to do.

To help you with this, think of the top three problems that your product or service solves. Being very specific about these fundamental goals adds clarity to your business goals and focuses your limited resources in the right direction.

#4 Starting Without An Online Presence

This one here could be the #1 mistake moving forward in the future of business. Nearly every company out there nowadays have some sort of an online presence whether it be a Facebook page, Twitter account, website or domain name & e-mail. If you have none of the before mentioned then you have made it incredibly hard to be found by the rest of the world.

We are in the age of silicon business, where most people shop online, google for company contacts and e-mail instead of picking up the phone. If you have not even considered being part of the online world, you will be left behind as most competition understands that the eye balls have shifted from hard copy Yellow Pages to search engines and mobile internet access.

Even if you have drummed up enough interest in your startup, you also need to be prepared when word gets around and people beyond your network start looking you up online.

#5: Relying On One Client

In a perfect world, every customer you acquire will remain loyal to the end, but everyone knows how fickle-minded they can be.

Are you prepared when your “cash cow” suddenly leaves you for greener pastures? Try to keep your eyes open for other clients who can bring in solid business.

#6: Believing The Flexible Hours Myth

When your business already has some considerable momentum going and you’ve gone past the growing pains, you’ll eventually be able to work less hours.

When you’re still starting out however, this really isn’t an option just yet. Remember, the amount of time you invest in your startup is just as valuable as the monetary capital needed to make the business grow.

The reality is that you’ll probably need to put in longer hours than your employees in the beginning. Until things have settled down a bit, you may want to hold off on your dreams of working four days a week.

#7: Being A Control Freak

Learn the importance of delegation. Although we said that you need to put in the hours to make your business grow, that doesn’t mean you should do all the work. In many ways, you need to see things from an eagle-eye perspective and appropriate the right staff to make whole machinery work.

Furthermore, don’t hog the decision-making process to yourself. Get your staff involved and collaborate ideas. Like they say, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

#8: Ignoring Your Customers

What kills most business startups is simple ignorance of consumer feedback. Bear in mind that one of the most basic goals of any business is to help your customers achieve their dream scenario.

So, it’s important to consider these questions: is my company moving towards or away from this goal? Am I asking my customers for feedback so I can improve potential parts of my business and am I engaging with the public to find out their needs and how we can best supply them with our service.

Setting up a system that helps you answer these question from time to time is the closest thing to having a crystal ball that will help you see a bright and potentially strong future.

#9: Not Having Enough Nerve

More than a few owners have claimed that the best way to build a startup is by using other people’s money and none of their own.

This startup advice might be too extreme for you, but you can apply this in a more realistic way. For instance, your web programmer cousin could build your website for free; maybe your best friend who happens to be a lawyer will be happy to lend a hand with the legal paperwork.

Don’t be afraid to pull some strings or call in some favors. Chances are, your family and friends will be more than happy to offer their support – and it doesn’t always have to be the monetary kind. But you’ll never know if you don’t ask!

#10: Not Knowing Your Market

Who exactly are you targeting? Tech-savvy computer users? Other business owners interested in results and not data? Web-challenged homeowners who need your caring guidance?

Zeroing in on your niche is a must because your marketing and all other business operations will depend on this key aspect. By having a crystal-clear idea of who you’re selling to, you can further sharpen your unique selling point (see # 3) and give your customers what they want.

Every business owner wants to be their own boss, so heeding sensible startup advice will help you enjoy the benefits of entrepreneurship and avoid the typical mistakes that will slow you down.

Article By Joel Brown | Addicted2Success.com

As an entrepreneur you need a very good grasp of the world’s current trends, and the possible route of events that are unfolding all around you. How does this impact your entrepreneurial pursuits? Well here we feature 8 crucial reasons why you should travel while you can, better yet, while you are still young.

Read on and share your comments on what you have learnt as an entrepreneur through your adventures around the globe.

 What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Travelling The World

1. See the world as it is

Richard Branson is one of the bravest living entrepreneurs today. One of his most interesting words of advice would be to “be watchful”. Watchful of what? Well travelling can open your eyes to many things. It gets you on the ground, you get a feel for the culture as it is, speak the native language, immerse in the societal elements of the very country you are in. Lurking behind these random experiences are business ideas. Be watchful.

2. Importing and Exporting Ideas

The human race might have countless ethnic origins, but they do have some very common needs. When you travel around you see these glaring differences in behavior, customs, ethics, and other things. But you can also see  common grounds where you can build your business model on. A business idea taken out of its original location where it has already reached a level of saturation can interact with a new market that finds it new and worth the try.

3. Cross Cultural Improvement

A travelling entrepreneur sees the world in a viewfinder. It allows him to enhance his business instincts and form interesting business ideas that go above and beyond what he sees every day. Travelling allows for new experiences, a new take on activities that are often taken for granted back home. An entrepreneur who travels a lot can also see a better way of doing things. This too can become a business framework for your business ventures later on.

4. Find Fulfillment and significance

Travelling can also motivate entrepreneurs to address a pressing social issue to places that they visit. Will and Chris Haughey where inspired with their toy company Tegu with Honduras’ staggering poverty. It pushed them to action and enabled them to create one of the most innovative wood block toy ideas to date. Their entrepreneurial success is complimented with a sense of fulfillment that knows no monetary value.

5. Learn New Things

A travelling entrepreneur must avail themselves to new ideas. The worst thing that they can do is to have a closed mind and just “sniff” around the local scene. Shunryu Suzuki once said “in a beginner’s mind there are a lot of possibilities; in an expert’s mind, there are few”. A budding entrepreneur must travel while they are still young or young at heart, a novice in his entrepreneurial journey. Being “young” can refer to one’s physical age, or it can also refer to your years of experience in the business world.

6. Create business value

Travelling the world is exciting. As an entrepreneur, this excitement has a unique dimension – seeing the world through a different lens. This can mean having a better perspective while handling your business, its processes and its selling points. Kenneth Cobonpue is a well traveled young entrepreneur. Through his education in the US and Germany, he was able to provide new value to local materials for his furniture business based in his home town Cebu, Philippines. He was able to redefine modern furniture by putting in new value to traditional furniture making and materials. This is just an example of what ideas where created by an entrepreneur while travelling and channeling his experiences into his business development.

7. Re-evaluation of business practices

As an entrepreneur, you already have instituted ways of managing your business. By travelling around the world, you will be able to reassess these practices objectively. This can be about your employee benefits program, organizational development interventions, leader succession programs, even advertising and marketing. By going around the world you pick up little inputs that can do a lot for your business back home. You really cannot improve things without any point of reference of what it could and should be.

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Right now I am in Bali, Indonesia. This country has opened my eyes to what is going on out here in the real world. This country is so beautiful yet so full of people just scraping by in life on the streets.

We barter with them over shoes and clothes, some shoes and watches sell for 20 USD, to them this is a lot of money. To us it is not much at all. Their average Cars cost $15,000 USD and they make around $50 a day at most, some not even $10 a day so buying a motorcycle for a family of 5 is all that they can afford in their lifetime. These people are living in bad conditions selling on the street and creating anything they can for a loose dollar or two in our money, yet they put their skills to work creating and replicating things that western companies create and sell for 100′s of dollars.

This shows you that no matter what situation you are in, if you are resourceful enough, you will find a way to make it through life.

Travel Quotes To Live By:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

“What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.” – William Least Heat Moon

Only one in four companies in the US are run by women. Does this mean that women aren’t cut out for the suits, ties and big decisions? This subject has been debatable for a long time so we are are here to clear the scene with 7 cold hard facts as to why women make great entrepreneurs.

We can see this comment section turning into battle of the sexes as we type this, haha. Enjoy this post and dont forget to chip in your 2 cents worth.

Do Women Make Great Entrepreneurs? Read On:

1. Women possess strong communication skills and social intelligence. The digital economy requires these skills, and women enjoy a slight edge over their male counterparts (according to numerous studies). A stronger network means they will be better resourced throughout the life of the venture. By leveraging their connections, they will have to reinvent the wheel less and learn fewer lessons the hard way.

2. Female-owned companies tend to offer family & friendly benefits. These include such perks as job sharing, parental leave and telecommuting. They argue that their more worker-friendly policies boost morale and lead to less turnover, less absenteeism and higher productivity.

3. Women also make good listeners. One study found that the collective intelligence of a group rose if the group included more women. They have open minds. They’re not autocratic.”

4. Women start companies to better balance their work and family lives. Wealth is not their primary focus, so most remain smaller. But there are exceptions, like Martha Stewart (Omnimedia), Ruth Furtel (Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse), and Lillian Vernon, which make big money.

5. Women collaborate. Women have worked well together since the earliest female enterprises, whether dividing grains in the village or working in quilting bees. Even some of today’s cultural stereotypes have legs, for instance, women’s joint trips to the restroom!

6. Female owners are more likely to have positive revenues. They prefer lower risk opportunities, and are willing to settle for lower returns. Some women feel that pushing profits is “not polite.” More women entrepreneurs are single person businesses, while men tend to have more employees. Researchers have begun focusing on the relationship between testosterone and excessive risk, thus evaluating whether groups of men spur each other toward reckless decisions.

7. Females aren’t afraid to ask for help. Many men (not all) have difficulty asking for help when it comes to something like their very own business. Pride can sometimes get in the way. But most women don’t have a problem admitting that they’re not sure how to accomplish a certain task or what needs to be done next in the building-a-business game. This can sometimes provide an advantage in a well-spring of knowledge from sources that help ground their business more quickly.

If you haven’t already, make sure you checkout “The 7 Reasons Why Men Make Great Entrepreneurs“

We have found it, the Entrepreneurs Bible! No not really but this is what it would look like if it was ever created. Here are the 20 Great Tips for the budding entrepreneur, taken straight out of the “would be” Entrepreneurs Bible.

25 Great Tips For Entrepreneurs

1.    It’s rare when someone is their word; treasure it in others, cultivate it in yourself
2.    Call AND email – the squeaky wheel gets the grease
3.    Hold yourself to a standard of behaviour and business
4.     Live & breathe your pitch – know your story, know your vision and preach it
5.    Pay attention to detail
6.    It truly is win/win – don’t work with folks who think about it any other way
7.    Find a mentor – Don’t be too proud to ask for advice from great ones when you really need it
8.    Don’t bang your head against the wall – go with what works and continue to innovate
9.    Be kind but firm
10.   Avoid isolation – Expand your network and never get caught in the corner.
11.   FEAR:  False Expectations Appearing Real
12.    You always have a choice
13.    Say it in 30 seconds or don’t say it at all. - Be clear on what you need.
14.    Perception is reality – you’re always creating an impression
15.    Everything is a negotiation, even if you don’t think it is
16.    People hear what they want to and usually only remember the negative
17.    Don’t be a victim of your own B.S. - Don’t talk the talk unless you can walk the walk
18.    Have the difficult conversations – they’re always worth it
19.    It goes by fast and your health is the most important thing – take care of it/make it a priority
20.    Those old business axioms are true, e.g., take time to hire and be fast to fire
21.    The path to hell really is paved with good intentions
22.    Learn under fire. - Pressure will mould you, don’t let it break you.
23.    Generosity looks good on
24.    Never point out your flaws but do admit to your mistakes
25.    Focus – Keep your eye on the prize!

Sponsored By:

Here are 10 pointers that show the positive signs of a true and real entrepreneur…

Entrepreneurs are a special breed of human. No economy thrives without them. They create jobs and provide solutions that take things to the next level. Are you part of this elite group of people?

10 Signs That You Are Becoming An Entrepreneur

1. You Take The Initiative

A lot of people will complain about a number of things and ask questions like, “When would someone deal with this problem?” You discover that you don’t fancy such questions but would rather ask questions like: “What can I do now to start changing things for the better? They create solutions to problems they encounter. They don’t wait for anyone to do it for them.

2. You Believe Your Visions Will Come Alive

Are you an incurable optimist who believes that his/her visions will be actualized no matter how high the odds are stacked against you? Do you walk around with the confidence of someone who knows that it’s just a matter of time before it finally clicks? Well then, this is a strong signal that you are cut out to be an entrepreneur.

3. You Don’t Just Work For The Money

Do you find yourself working longer than you are actually paid to do? Do you take special pride in always giving the best even when the employer doesn’t give a worthy remuneration? Are you willing to work for free if it means it would give you the opportunity to acquire an important skill or get connected to someone you’d like to network with?

If you answered “Yes” to all these questions then you are unlike most people. You have a strong trait of entrepreneurs. The truth is that many people will NOT do more than they are paid to do. Many folks will NOT work unless they are guaranteed financial reward.

4. You Know How To Sell Your Visions To Others

Entrepreneurs know how to articulate their visions in such a way that they are able to strongly convince others that their dreams are actually possible. Have you found yourself easily selling your goals to others and getting them committed to them? If you have this gift then you have one special ability that sets entrepreneurs apart.

5. You Are NOT Afraid To Leave Security For Something You Believe

Would you happily leave your well-paying job because you have an idea that you believe will make a big difference in a few years’ time? Do you wonder why other people are so concerned about having a secured employment when they can have a great life exploring the great ideas they have?

That’s something that makes you rare. That’s the spirit of the entrepreneur: Leaving the secure but mundane for the opportunities of a better tomorrow albeit fraught with challenges.

6. You Look For Ways To Make Things Better

Are you never satisfied with the way things are? Are you constantly looking for ways to sell more, deliver more value, improve customer service or make the sales process more profitable? Are you never happy to leave a good thing alone? Do you think of making the best even better? That’s something that entrepreneurs have in common.

7. You Don’t Like To Live By Predictable Patterns Of Work

If waking up by 5am every day, getting into a cubicle and working from 9am to 5pm makes you feel less human. Then the idea of entrepreneurship may appeal to you. If you are sure you are meant for much more than doing just what you are told to do at work then you have something that all great entrepreneurs have. They don’t like to live by the predictable patterns of the 9-5 rat race.

8. You See Opportunities Where Others Don’t

Do you see money where others only see problems? Do you see opportunities where others only see setbacks? Do you see the solutions (and the opportunities that come with them) where others only see challenges? Then it means you have the valuable eyes of an entrepreneur.

9. You Like To Play By Your Own Rules

Do you find it tiresome having to wear a necktie to work every day because you just want to make your boss happy? Do you really believe what you wear should be determined by how it helps you get the job done and NOT by predetermined conventions?

Do you find yourself questioning the rationale for established norms and practices in your place of work (That you actually see as counterproductive)? Do you find yourself introducing your own set of rules whenever and wherever you can (For improved performance and productivity)?

Then you are a game-changer. You have one of he most important characteristics of a great entrepreneur.

10. You Like Being In Charge Of Your Own Success/Failure

Would you prefer being the pilot in a turbulent flight than being a passenger in a boat going nowhere? Do you take ownership for success or failure? Would you prefer a situation where you are given the tools to work, given a free hand and then held accountable for the end result (Whether favorable or unfavorable)?

Then entrepreneurship is your true calling.

If you answered Yes! to all 10 points above, congratulations, you are a true entrepreneur.

Article By Joel Brown | Addicted2Success

Last night I came across this video, I have watched it 4 times since and have been inspired just as much as the first time I saw it, each time it plays. I wanna share this with you. It reminds all Entrepreneurs out there to stay positive and to take more risks. It reminds us that we forget too easy what it was like to be a kid and believe that you could have the world. Why do we become more cautious as we get older?

Add this to your daily playlist. Be Inspired!

(Video) Entrepreneurs Can Change The World

Stephen R. Covey’s got millions of fans who swear by his seminal book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I’m not one of them, but that’s because I’m different. In fact, most entrepreneurs I know – and I know lots of them – just don’t fit the mold of folks who can actually benefit from a cookie-cutter set of habits. Instead, they tend to carve their own paths through life … and they do it their own way. So, with all due respect to Covey, here’s an adaptation of his seven habits that I think fits innovators and entrepreneurs (You’ll find Covey’s in parenthesis at the end of each habit).

Habit 1: Be Passionate. Finding your passion is not only the key to happiness, but also the key to business success. As Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” (Be Proactive)

Habit 2: Do Something. You don’t always know where it’s going to lead, but it’s always better to do something than to suffer analysis paralysis. Legendary oil-man and entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens has a way of quickly sizing up a situation, coming up with a plan, and acting. There’s no sitting around or endless analysis and debate. It seems to have worked for him. (Begin with the End in Mind)

Habit 3: Put First Things First, Second, and Third. Covey says prioritize, but I’ll take it one step further. Whoever said, “don’t sweat the small stuff,” was right, and I’ll add, “don’t do or even think about the small stuff.” Every successful innovative person I know jumps on hot opportunities and critical issues like they’re the only things that matter on god’s green Earth. (Put First Things First)

Habit 4: Think Win. Former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner may have been a world-class a-hole, but he was a remarkably rich and successful world-class a-hole who let nothing stand in the way of the only thing that ever really mattered to him, winning. Bill Gates, Larry Ellison – show me a successful entrepreneur and I’ll show you someone who puts winning first. (Think Win/Win)

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to Innovate. The key to innovation is to first understand a big hairy problem that, to date, nobody’s been able to solve. Once you’ve got that, then, and only then, does it even begin to make sense to do something about it. Otherwise you’ll just end up with a great product nobody needs. (Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood)

Habit 6: Energize. With rare exception, successful innovators are high-energy people with a unique ability to stimulate and motivate others. That’s called leadership. Without it, you can have the most effective habits or the best ideas in the world, but nobody will ever know it, because nobody will care and nothing will actually get done. (Synergize)

Habit 7: Question the Status Quo. Andy Grove built semiconductor powerhouse Intel on several principles, two of which were “only the paranoid survive” and “constructive confrontation.” That means never rest on your laurels, continually challenge your own assumptions, and always question the status quo. That’s how Intel became a high-tech dynasty. (Sharpening the Saw)

Article By: Steve Tobak from Bnet.com

True happiness and success comes when you do what you are most passionate about! One of the biggest things that most of us lack is passion. Ask any successful person, entrepreneur, millionaire and they will all tell you the same thing; you must be passionate about what you do! A recent survey shows that 75% of the population do not know what their true passion is. Perhaps this is why there is so much unhappiness in our society for to be truly happy, you have to really love and be passionate about what you do.

Here is a list of 7 things you need to ask and answer for yourself to help you find and understand what you are passionate about.

What puts a smile on your face?

Following what makes you truly happy is a wonderful way to figuring out what you were put on Earth for. Think about something that you do or that perhaps you used to do that brings you total happiness!

What do you find easy?
What we find easy for us to do, will be related to what we are passionate about. It’s very hard to hate something that is very easy for us!

What sparks your creativity?
Think about something in your life where you seem to always expand its horizon, always coming up with new, fun, and exciting ideas relating to that subject. Whatever makes you creative is something that you are passionate about.

What would you do for free?
Think about something that you would just love to do, even if you were not getting paid. Think about something that you look forward to do, something that you wish you could do all the time

What do you like to talk about?
Most of the time, we aren’t aware of this. A good way to figure this out properly, is to ask your friends. Ask them what they believe you like to talk about the most, what topic makes your eyes brighten up, and changes your entire behaviour.

What makes you unafraid of failure?
When you do what you are passionate about, you have total confidence in your abilities. This makes you not worry about failing, because in your mind, how can you fail when you do what you love?

What would you regret not having tried?
If you were at the end of your life, what would you regret not having pursued? What would you have liked to do, that you didn’t get a chance to?

Watch this video below, a compilation of the greats sharing their advice on the importance of finding your Passion!

(Video) Follow Your Passion

Many people believe that good entrepreneurs are naturally born, rather than trained or experienced in the art of business. I believe there is a natural born component required. On the natural born side, some entrepreneurs seem to have a strong vision and the ability to inspirationally lead others. In this post we feature 7 skills that are needed by Entrepreneurs and must be learnt.

7 Skills That Entrepreneurs Are Not Born With & Need To Learn

• Ability to set priorities and focus on goals. Many people allow themselves to be driven by the crisis of the moment. Personal discipline is the key word here. Set yourself some priorities and goals, and live by them.

• Able to identify important issues. Some people call this common sense; others call it “street smarts.” In the normal startup environment, there are multiple forces competing for your attention every day, and you need to learn to delegate or ignore many. It relates back to experience and knowledge, more than genes.

• Conviction to be a passionate advocate. When you believe in something enough to turn your passion into action, you have become an advocate. That power and voice is then used to persuade others to make the correct decision. An effective advocate requires conviction, usually acquired during related first hand experience or training.

• Broad knowledge and experience. Experience allows one to tackle challenges with confidence in a given area. Broad knowledge facilitates the same success in other business areas. Entrepreneurs need this, because their challenges are across the spectrum from technical to legal, operational, financial, and organizational.

• Active listening skills. Above all, the ability to listen and understand the real meaning of what people are saying (and not saying) is paramount, because the most important information never arrives in reports or email. Some people pick this up from experience, and others find classroom courses most helpful in setting the focus.

• Sound judgment. I don’t think anyone is born with sound judgment; it has to be learned, but can be started at a very early age. Every entrepreneur must have the capacity to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly and to draw proper conclusions.

• Pleasant skepticism. Skepticism is not doubting, but applying reason and critical thinking to determine validity. It’s the process of searching for a supportable conclusion, as opposed to justifying a preconceived conclusion. It is a learned skill.

Article By: Marty Zwilling

Twitter is an excellent resource for learning, especially those who are building a business. You can learn about marketing, finance, and business lessons that you won’t learn in school, as well as see what other successful entrepreneurs are up to. Check out this list to find 100 awesome twitter accounts that every entrepreneur should be following on Twitter.

100 Awesome Accounts That Every Entrepreneur Should Be Following On Twitter

Groups

These groups on Twitter cater to young entrepreneurs.

1. Mediabistro: Mediabistro is a great community for news, opportunities, and more for media professionals.
2. @yeos: If you’re a young entrepreneur in Sweden, be sure to follow @yeos to learn about networking, inspiration, and idea exchanging.
3. @texasventures: Texas Ventures is an entrepreneur network and student organization for Texans.
4. @TheSuccessKing: A Group of Tweeters sharing quotes of Success & Inspiration for all aspiring Entrepreneurs out there.
5. the_pitch: You can learn a good deal about pitching from this contest for entrepreneurs.
6. @thestartupeu: @thestartupeu represents a group that supports startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, and more.

News & Advice

Follow these Twitter feeds to find news, advice, and more.

1. @Addictd2Success: We don’t do this too often but a little self promotion is needed now and then. This is the twitter page for Addicted2Success, followus now to keep in the loop with all things awesome =)
2. @guykawasaki: Check out Guy Kawasaki for news in business and more.
3. @digg_frontpage: Find out what’s on the Digg front page from this Twitter bot.
4. @smallbusiness: Follow @smallbusiness to get updates on small business news.
5. @entrepreneurpro: Follow Ben Lang’s Twitter to learn about teen entrepreneurs.
6. @JohnChow: John Chow is a great person to follow if you’re interested in learning how to make money blogging.
7. @WebWorkerDaily: Follow WebWorkerDaily, and you’ll learn about better using the web for work.
8. @ginatrapani: Gina Trapani is the founder of Lifehacker, and guru of all things productivity.
9. @JasonCalacanis: Jason Calacanis shares news and more about social media, blogs, and online entrepreneurship.
10. @StartupGuru: Brian Tsuchiya’s feed is full of useful startup news links.
11. @IncMagazine: Follow @IncMagazine, a magazine for entrepreneurs.
12. @College_Mogul: @College_Mogul reports on startups, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology.
13. @EntMagazine: Follow Entrepreneur Magazine on Twitter here.
14. @barefoot_exec: Carrie Wilkerson aims to educate, empower and encourage entrepreneurs young and old.
15. @wiredmag: Get the official news feed of Wired magazine here, especially useful if you’re a young entrepreneur into technology.
16. @onstartups: Read about startups from the founder and CTO of HubSpot.
17. @teenbizcoach: Check out Shonika Proctor’s feed to learn how to use your talents for business.

Marketing

If you’re interested in learning how to better market and brand your business, be sure to check out these Twitter feeds.

1. @zappos: Follow @zappos to learn a thing or a thousand about good customer service and marketing.
2. @missrogue: Tara Hunt is a great person to follow if you’d like to learn about marketing that works.
3. @mashable: @mashable will help you make sense of the social web.
4. @chrisbrogan: Chris Brogan is the president of New Marketing Labs, a social media agency and education company.
5. @adbroad: Helen Klein Ross shares information about social media and more.
6. @WillieCrawford: Willie Crawford is an excellent resource for learning about Internet marketing.
7. @eMarketing_Tips: Get tips for emarketing, social media, and more from @eMarketing_Tips.
8. @problogger: Follow Darren Rowse to learn how you can more effectively use your blog as an entrepreneur.
9. @nichelady: On @nichelady’s feed, you’ll learn how to make payday come every day.
10. @smmguide: Social Media Guide shares information about social media marketing.
11. @darrenmonroe: Darren Monroe shares lots of tweets about leadership and web marketing.
12. @marketingwizdom: Follow Robert Clay to learn about low risk/high return marketing strategies.
13. @adhustler: @adhustler is all about affiliate marketing.
14. @wbaustin: Bill Austin shares news from Internet marketing and beyond.
15. @oudiantebi: Oudi Antebi is a social marketing expert and entrepreneur.
16. @MrSocial: Mr. Social is a marketing guru and social media expert.
17. @ScottAllen: Scott is an expert in social media, and loves to help entrepreneurs.
18. @TYSONtheQUICK: Tyson is a marketing student and COO of Meisab Labs.
19. @Debbas: Check out Debbas to learn about promotional items and printing from a professor of marketing.
20. @brianadrian: Read Brian Adrian’s tweets to learn about social media and web 2.0 marketing.
21. @DiyanaAlcheva: Diyana is a marketing specialist and Internet network marketing business coach.
22. @danschawbel: Dan Schawbel of Personal Branding Blog will help you brand yourself and your business.
23. @BrandKarma: Check out @BrandKarma to learn about branding for your business.

Coaches

Follow these business and life coaches who can help you get a better handle on what you’re doing.

1. @sacca: Christ Sacca offers advisement to startups.
2. @mariaandeos: Check out Maria Anros to learn how to attract a following and new clients.
3. @socrates_soc: Socrates is an Internet marketing expert and coach.
4. @MariSmith: Mari Smith is a friendly social media trainer that loves to help others grow their business.
5. @RonDavies: Follow Ron Davies to get coached in making the most of Twitter.
6. @AndrewWindham: Andrew Windham is a professional speaker, entrepreneurial and business coach, and more.
7. @GabeStrom: GabeStrom is a coach inspired to help you reach your full potential.
8. @Rob_Moshe: Rob Moshe is a life success coach that can help you with attraction marketing.

Entrepreneurs

Get inspiration, ideas, and more from these entrepreneurs on Twitter.

1. @randfish: Rand Fishkin is the CEO of SEOmoz, a search optimization and Internet marketing firm.
2. @richardbranson: Chairman of Virgin Group, Richard Branson is one of the most recognizable and successful entrepreneurs on Twitter.
3. @boutiquegirl: Maiken Jepsen is a work at home mom, designer, and the owner of a boutique clothing shop.
4. @RobMcNealy: Rob McNealy is full of inspiration for new entrepreneurs.
5. @tferriss: Tim Ferriss is the author of #1 NY Times bestseller The 4-Hour Workweek.
6. @kevinrose: This founder of Digg is full of random ideas.
7. @r27: Rajesh Pancholi owns and operates the creative UK studio known as R27 Creativelab.
8. @TEDchris: Chris Anderson and his organization share ideas worth spreading.
9. @tonyrobbins: Get inspired by @tonyrobbins.
10. @teenceo: Patricio Quezarda shares the details of being an emerging teen CEO and digital media mogul.
11. @StaceyMonk: Stacey Monk is an entrepreneur and dogooder.
12. @calbucci: Marcelo Calbucci is the founder and CTO of Sampa.
13. @IncSpring: Wes Wilson’s IncSpring is a social marketplace for entrepreneurs.
14. @stanleytang: @stanleytang is a 16 year old internet entrepreneur and best-selling author.
15. @garyvee Gary Vaynerchuk is the Social Media King & Owner of Wine Library TV
16. @sumaya: @Sumaya is a founder of The Cultural Connect, and has been recognized by Business Week as a top young entrepreneur.
17. @nlw: Nathaniel Whitmore is the founder of Assetmap.org and a founding organizer of Change.org.
18. Jeremy Schooley: Jeremy Schooley is the COO at Digital Labz.
19. @gotmelik: Melik Yuksel is a 14 year old blogger, web and graphic designer, and entrepreneur.
20. @sundaycosmetics: Beverly Davis is the entrepreneur behind Sunday Cosmetics.
21. @rseanlindsay: Sean Lindsay wears the hats of entrepreneur, creator, connector, technologist, and builder.
22. @darbydarnit: Petri Darby is the “Chief Darn Officer.”
23. Joann Sondy: Joann is a seasoned entrepreneur and owner of Creative Aces.
24. @netgeek06: Thomson Chemmanoor is the founder of Digital Labz.
25. @chrispund: Chris Pund writes a blog for young entrepreneurs and even manages two web-based companies of his own.
26. @RickM: Rick Myers is the founder and CEO of Talent Zoo.

Finance & Venture Capital

These Twitter feeds will teach you the economics and finance lessons you weren’t taught in college.

1. @freakonomics: Get more of the goodness found in the Freakonomics blog from @freakonomics.
2. @mintdotcom: Learn about finance, money tips, and more from Mint.
3. @turbotax: Check out Turbo Tax to get the tax help every young entrepreneur needs.
4. @planetmoney: @planetmoney will help you get a handle on the global economy.
5. @vctips: Get a look into the minds of venture capitalists from @vctips.

Blogs & Writers

Check out these Twitter feeds to find excellent advice from bloggers and writers concerned with young entrepreneurs.

1. @YoungGoGetter: @YoungGoGetter will keep you up to date on the latest for young entrepreneurs.
2. @Retireat21: This blogger is all about helping young entrepreneurs make money online.
3. @TPEntrepreneur: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur will help you go from aspiring young entrepreneur to industry leader.
4. @socialentrprnr: If you’re an entrepreneur focused on social change, be sure to check out @socialentrprnr.
5. @yarostarak: Yaro is a professional blogger full of advice for bloggers and Internet marketers.
6. @garyvee: Check out @garyvee to see how social media can improve your business.
7. @shoemoney: Jeremy Schoemaker is a blogger that can help you learn how to make money with your blog.
8. @Gladwell: Malcolm Gladwell’s Twitter will have you always thinking about success.
9. @venturehacks: @venturehacks aims to be a business school for entrepreneurs.
10. @MattWilsontv: Matt Wilson supports entrepreneurs under 30.
11. @doshdosh: @doshdosh is a great resource for Internet marketing and making money online.
12. @copyblogger: Brian Clark will teach you about new media content.
13. @thebizguy: Find tweets from Adam, a cofounder of YoungEntrepreneur.com on @thebizguy.
14. @penelopetrunk: Follow Penelope to learn about the intersection of work and life.
15. @ramit: Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You to Be Rich and PBWiki is a goldmine of knowledge for young entrepreneurs.

Article By: By Tiffany Davis

If you happen to be sitting in Starbuck’s reading this article, there is a good chance that the aroma-filled space you’re enjoying belongs to Magic Johnson.  Yes, that Magic Johnson, former L.A. Lakers point guard and one of the sports world’s most famous players.

Basketball stars snatching up endorsement deals (or entering the rap game) seem to be par for the course these days.  But Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s success has taken a slightly different path. Who would have thought that several years after leaving the basketball courts behind, the 6’9″ former NBA star would have the world at his fingertips? Watch these Videos of advice from the man himself on how he made the transition from Basketball to Business and what it takes to be a Successful Entrepreneur.

Magic Johnson & Peter Guber Talk About Success on Winning Voices

Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnsons Winning Tips For Success

Quotes by Magic Johnson:

“If you want to be successful, you have to be willing to use every connection you’ve got.” – Magic Johnson

“If you want someone to be your mentor, you better be ready to listen and be humbled.” – Magic Johnson

I am a businessman. This is what I do each and every day. I love it. I love coming to work. I never have a bad day. – Magic Johnson

I wanted to do two things when I was growing up, about your age. I wanted to play in the NBA, and I wanted to be a businessman after my basketball career was over, and that is what I am doing now. – Magic Johnson

If you’re a competitive person, that stays with you. You don’t stop. You always look over your shoulder. -Magic Johnson

Research your idea. See if there’s a demand. A lot of people have great ideas, but they don’t know if there’s a need for it. You also have to research your competition. - Magic Johnson

Magic Johnsons Top 10 Tips To Live By:

1. Love Where you Live

2. Surround yourself with people smarter than you

3. Make friends, not enemies

4. Enjoy every moment of the climb

5. Believe in yourself

6. Know what you stand for

7. Have a good mentor

8. Strive for perfection

9. Engage your community

10. Do your homework

——————————————————

No.1 Love where you live

Magic is Los Angeles. “I love the people, I love the city, I love the palm trees, the water. I love that we have so many different options to dine. I love Sunset, I love what they’ve done downtown with the Staples Center and L.A. LIVE. I think L.A. is about all the options. It’s a place that you can be successful in. It’s a place that if you want to just relax you can get away and do that. If you want the action, that’s available for you. It gives you anything in life that you want, and that’s what I love about L.A.”

No.2 Surround yourself with people smarter than you

“You know, our dynasty was built because we had some unbelievable players. When you think about Kareem, you think about James Worthy, you think about Michael Cooper, and Byron Scott, and Kurt Rambis, and Michael Thompson, Norm Nixon — all the guys I played with — they were all about one thing, and that’s winning. And then when you have a flamboyant coach like Pat Riley — a guy who really knows his X’s and O’s, like Pat Riley — that really made us a team to watch Because our style was different from everybody else. ’Cause we loved to run and so that “Showtime” basketball was contagious to all the fans. And, yep, the same model [carried off the court]. You hire great executives, you hire smarter people than yourself, and you hire people who believe in you and in the brand. You hire people who have high integrity, values, and you go out and really go and build something unbelievable, and that’s what we’ve been able to do.”

No.3 Make friends, not enemies

Not all business leaders get rich by playing nice guy. But for Magic, being admired has definitely been a good thing. “I think it’s important for me [laughing]. I enjoy being liked. I enjoy what we built on the court with the Lakers and then what I built off the court in my company. And I think because I did things the right way, and the people of Los Angeles know who Magic is, what he stands for. That’s why I think they like me.”

No.4 Enjoy every moment of the climb

Of course, many things Magic learned as player, both in college and the NBA, can be applied to business ventures as well.

“When you think about the NCAA tournament, for instance, every game is a pressure game,” says Magic. But he reminds young athletes (and aspiring entrepreneurs) that when faced with pivotal games to “enjoy the moment… play like it’s your last game ever. But don’t tighten up, don’t be scared — just enjoy the moment and go forth.”

No.5 Believe in yourself

“Stay focused, stay on the journey, don’t get discouraged, don’t let nobody tell you can’t do it. Don’t wait on somebody else to motivate yourself. Believe in yourself because that’s what made me the man I am. Because I believe in me. I didn’t let HIV keep me down. I decided, OK, I know I have to deal with HIV, but I still have dreams and goals, and I’m gonna go after these dreams and goals. And, oh, yeah, there were a lot of people who had doubts that my business could be successful. But I didn’t worry about them. I knew the numbers, I knew information, I did my homework. I knew what I was getting into, and I’m happy that I decided to invest in urban America… way before it was fashionable like it is now!”

No.6 Know what you stand for

Magic recently became a spokesperson for Dove. We asked him how that came about. “Yeah, I was already the Dove man before Dove actually called me, because I was already using the Dove Men+Care products… I think that when they told me what the campaign was gonna be about — men feeling comfortable in their own skin — I was like, ‘Oh, wow. That’s me all the way!’ So, it was a natural for me.”

As for if he thinks other men will follow suit, Magic says: “I think that Dove is making it cool for men to talk about beauty products, and of being conscious of what they put on their body.”

But what Magic values more is the message of the ad campaign and the facets of his life he shares in it. “Yeah, it’s just who you are, and who I am as a man, as a husband, as a father, who I was as a basketball player, who I was as a son. The campaign covers every part of my life, and what made me comfortable as a man today, and that’s what I appreciate.”

No.7 Have a good mentor

“You have to have mentors, no question about it, because those people can get you started, show you the ropes, you know, teach you how to do things the right way. You can use them for sounding boards, ’cause I did that a lot. I was very fortunate to have Michael Ovitz; he created CAA [Creative Artists Agency]. I had guys like that who really helped me out a lot. Even today, a guy like Howard Schultz at Starbucks… It’s just good to have great mentors. That’s what it’s all about.”

No.8 Strive for perfection

“I think [my success] is first of all about my work ethic, my focus, my preparation, my discipline. And I think you definitely learn by doing. You know, my dad was definitely a worker — a hard worker. He showed me that every day, and he instilled that in me every single day. And he was a perfectionist, doing things the right way, and so that helped me become a perfectionist. And then playing for Pat Riley for the Lakers, he was a perfectionist, and so that rubbed off on me as well.”

No.9 Engage your community

“Think about the $2 trillion-dollar spending power of urban communities… and you think about, there are no retailers, no quality retailers in our communities. We love going to the movies. That’s why I started Magic Johnson Theaters. We want the best cup of coffee just like everybody else, and that’s why I approached Starbucks. So [Starbucks CEO] Howard Schultz believed in the business plan and business strategy. We knew that there was a demand there for Starbucks, and it showed. We still are under-served when it comes to quality retailers coming into our communities. We want shopping options just like everybody else.”

No.10 Do your homework

“If you want to own your own business, just make sure there’s a business there. Make sure there’s demand for your business there. Never open a business just because you like it. There has to be demand for it — the consumer is asking for it or they want it. So I think it’s about doing your research and your homework. It’s about making sure that you’re financially secure, that you can make sure that you can open the doors, and — because we know first-year businesses very rarely make money — be able to withstand that first year. These are the things that you have to think about. But, also, don’t be afraid of the economy, because a lot of times there’s opportunity there, too, when the economy is like this.”

Tips By: AskMen.com

Alot of people nowadays have amazing ideas, they have a business plan, a team of great minds and the will, courage and focus to run a Business but they just dont have the money or the seasoned mind set to take off in the right direction. There is enough things out there to worry about when starting a company and by every man and his dogs mix of opinions for you, it may seem like theres a trillion ways things MUST be done and your years away from the platform you need for take off.

We have a video interview here by the team at MASHABLE who spoke to a group of New York-based entrepreneurs and investors, asking them what it’s like to pitch, run and grow a company. Watch the Video after the jump for a little 101 on Business Start Ups!

Business Start Up Advice: Inside Tips From Expert CEOs & Entrepreneurs:

As a hard working entrepreneur you need some inspiring quotes that will make you work better and focus on your success. In this post we have some amazing quotes from the best entrepreneurs in the  industry!

Startupquote.com is an amazing niche website dedicated only to startup quotes. We have here, some of the most inspiring sayings on the website and decided to share them with you. We hope you enjoy this collection. I hope they Inspired you as much as they Inspired me!

50 StartUp Quotes From The Best To Help You To Run A Successful Company

We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes – understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success. – Arianna Huffington

Morten Lund is a Danish entrepreneur and seed investor. Also known as the superstar investor behind Skype and a number of other well known companies. Driven by the will to create new ventures, Morten Lund has co-founded more than 50 high-tech start-ups in the most varied industries, ranging from Internet, health and travel to alternative energy.

In 2003, he invested in his so far most successful project: the online communication software Skype which has over 600 million users today.
Not averse of taking risks, Morten Lund bought the heavily indebted Danish free daily newspaper Nyhedsavisen in 2006, with the ambitious goal of making it profitable again. Despite of the newspaper becoming the most read in Denmark, the project failed and he had to declare bankruptcy in early 2009. Morten Lund will teach you about the successes and failures of entrepreneurship and prepare you for the real world and what to avoid with investing real money in start-ups.

Morten Lund: The Life Of An Entrepreneur

Also, Checkout this speech by Morten Lund shortly after he went Bankrupt, it puts alot into perspective on how hard things can be as an Entrepreneur and the importance of never giving up:

Morten Lunds Bankrupt Speech:

Morten Lund lays down some advice to Entrepreneurs for 2012:

Dont Be Fooled By The Few Successes

Dear Highly Valued reader – and potential entrepreneurs of the 2011 class. I know that Im one of the most intensive promoters of entrepreneurial lifestyle in the techworld. Ups and Downs – Good and Bad – Fantastic and Horrible. I know a lot you highly valued readers are either entreprenuers – who reads my bullshit – just to get confirmed that there are people more crazy then you. Or you are wannabees who just flirt with the idea – or you are just about to jump into it…

Valuation Hysteria Is Coming

I feel that I have to state it AGAIN: It takes about 5 years and its seldomly without profit you can sell companies for sky high numbers – and get a chance to be called an over night succes…

Im working more then ever -
and I feel more successful then ever.
And I think the technology entrepreneurs are having a better time then ever.

But be careful – we are on a direct path to a new tech hysteria – Facebook and Groupon drives it  - these companies are historically growth monsters breaking all existing rules for generating growth and profits. And they inspire thousands of people to go into tech ventures*. AND ITS GREAT – the Kaufamann Foundation points at entrepreneurs and entreprenuership driving nearly all Jobs Creation in the US. We need Startups to create those jobs – to preserve the biggest luxury we dont remember on daily basis: Social Stability in many many countries. But.

But There Is A But

But Twitter (and Skype) is planting a dangerous virus in the new coming entrepreneurs heads.

But I have to warn all the startups who thinks HAVING NO REVENUE MODEL LIKE TWITTER is a way to build a company. A company has to make CASH – one way or the other…

Its VERY SELDOM that a company can be sold on promise, idea, user base or disruption alone. Write it on your laptop!

Thats it

I still recommend everyone who gets goosebumps – when they visualise a day where they have their own company – and decide themselves what to do – and work on exactly what they love to do! But remember its shit hard – and you still have to do a lot of household stuff – like taking out the garbage and deal with crazy good competitors from the whole world… Its not heaven – but its close – and I love it. LOVE IT. Its takes just in between 5years and a lifetime to make it. Just get used to it – you probably have to be a bit crazy – look who is writing.

*The Social Network (the movie) – is one big promotion and vocabulary on building a company and reaching the skies – of course also showing that capitalism is hardcore. But get used to it – its insanely competitive.

Source: Morten Lunds Website: www.lundxy.com

Aaron McGruder is a successful American cartoonist best known for writing and drawing the Controversial Comic Strips & TV Show “The Boondocks“, based on two young African American brothers from inner-city Chicago now living with their grandfather in a sedate suburb.

Aaron McGruder, started drawing in his teenage years. Through his own research, Aaron knew that most professional cartoonists are self-employed. So in some sense, Aaron knew what he was getting his self into. For example, he knew that professional cartoonists typically had their work disseminated through newspapers via syndicates. This allowed Aaron to focus his energies effectively.

In hopes of polishing his craft, Aaron began submitting his comic strips to the “The Hitlist Online” in 1996. There, he received tremendous feedback. He recalled receiving 100′s of emails with positive feedback. However, he does recall receiving one email that told him he was “wack.” He was able to get his comics into his University paper, which had a readership of 20,000 people. Unfortunately, Aaron’s comic was pulled within 2 months. However, later on in the same year, Aaron’s comic was featured in “The Source” magazine.

Aaron, later, successfully got a writer at “Editor & Publisher” to write a story on him. This got Aaron nation-wide attention. Aaron used this opportunity to get in contact with key people. He contacted these key people associated with syndicates (e.g., Universal Press Syndicate (UPS)) by mail and in person. He met some people from UPS at a National Association of Black Journalists convention.

The UPS expressed interest in Aaron’s work. Having done his research, Aaron knew that it would best he let the lawyers handle the negotiations (something that, from his research, he knew other African American cartoonists didn’t do). This allowed him to maintain rights over all of his characters. Aaron was quoted as saying that in his first year of syndication he would be pulling in a successful income in the “six-figure range.”

Aarons Advice: Get help when you need it. When you’re about to get into negotiations that has to do with your intellectual property, make sure you have lawyers on your side, because if you’re dealing with a large company, they DEFINITELY got lawyers on their side.

Inside the mind of Aaron McGruder – Boondocks Exclusive (Part 1)

Inside the mind of Aaron McGruder – Boondocks Exclusive (Part 2)

Primary Source: Entrepreneurial Small Business by Jerome Katz and Richard Green & Hard Knock TV.

At the age of 16 Gurbaksh Chahal was on his way to creating his 40 Million Dollar Advertising company which lead him later on to selling a second company at $300 Million to Yahoo.Gurbaksh Chahal is a Self Made Millionaire starting from a PC at home and a Risky Idea, you may have seen him on The Secret Millionaire, On The Oprah Show or even read his published book “The Dream”.

In this Video Gurbaksh shares his advice on taking big risks and making money work for you.

Gurbaksh Chahal The Youngest Self Made Multi-Millionaire

Also checkout Part 1 of Gurbaksh Chahal on The Secret Millionaire

These videos feature 11 of some of the top motivational speakers and entrepreneurs across the globe who give advice on what it takes to reach Success:

The Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Richard Branson, Russell Simmons, Stephen Covey, Jack Canfield, John Assaraf, Harv Eker, Marci Shimoff, Byron Katie and Wayne Muller.

The Quest For Success