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Why Robert Herjavec Is So Successful

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Robert Herjavec started from the bottom and his worked his way to the top where he says he is ‘living the American Dream’.

Herjavec is a Croatian Born, Canadian businessman, TV personality, author and investor.

 

Robert Herjavec’s Early Life

robert herjavec shark tankAfter being born in Croatia (formerly Yugoslavia) Herjavec’s family emigrated to Canada when he was eight years old. He really did start from the bottom when the Herjavec family arrived to Canada aboard the Cristoforo Colombo in 1970 with only one, solitary suitcase. The family finally made a base in the basement of a family friends house in Toronto.

Herjavec obtained a degree in English Literature and Political Science from New College at the University of Toronto. In an effort to provide support to his mother and father, Herjavec took several low paid jobs including Newspaper delivery, waiting tables and working in retail.

Herjavec’s first career path was in film production, working in TV and Film as well as being the Field Producer for the Winter Olympics in Bosnia and Herzegovina where he was one of the youngest producers present.

 

Robert Herjavec’s estimated net worth is $100 Million.

 

Robert Herjavec’s Business Career

robert herjavec shark tankWhen Herjavec found himself in between production gigs he would always be looking for extra work. He became aware of an opening at Logiquest, a computer startup selling IBM mainframe emulation boards. Herjavec had to talk his way into getting the job because he was under-qualified for the position. He did this by offering to work for six months for free to prove his worth. To be able to make his rent during this period Herjavec worked evenings as a waiter.

After successfully earning the right to work full-time at Logiquest, Herjavec eventually became General Manager and left to found BRAK Systems, an Integrator of security software in the year 2000. He ran this business from the basement of his home and built it up to a point where it was sold to AT&T for $100 Million.

 

“What is great about entrepreneurship is that entrepreneurs create the tangible from the intangible.” – Robert Herjavec

After the sale of BRAK Systems, Herjavec took three years off to focus on bringing up his three children. Then, in 2003, he founded the Herjavec Group, a security solutions integrator, reseller and managed service provider.  The company has become one of Canada’s fastest growing tech companies, moving from 3 employees to 150 employees in ten years.  The Group’s sales in 2003 were $400,000, rising to more than $120 Million in less than a decade. These achievements mean that the Herjavec Group has been recognised with many awards Nationally and Internationally.

 

Robert Herjavec The TV Personality

robert herjavec net worthHerjavec has played a starring role in two versions of Dragons’ Den, one in Canada and the USA version called Shark Tank. Both shows feature budding entrepreneurs pitching for investment in their business. The Canadian version proved to be one of most watched, highest rated shows in the country and the USA version has estimated viewing figures in excess of 7 Million people.  Herjavec continues to build his personal brand through multiple TV appearances varying from The Queen Latifah Show, to Entertainment Tonight to MTV Cribs.

 

 

 

Robert Herjavec The Author

Herjavec has written two best-selling books; Driven: How to Succeed in Business and Life &The Will to Win: Leading, Competing, Succeeding.  In his first book, Driven, he outlines the business and life principles that made him successful. His second book, The Will To Win, offers life lessons that aim to guide the reader to a life of greater success and happiness.

 

“Successful businesspeople retain a quality most others not only lack but often fail to comprehend, and that’s the unrelenting drive to convert a vision into reality. They are driven to realize this goal in a manner that appears to defy logic among others who lack this drive.” – Robert Herjavec

 

Robert Herjavec’s Advice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo1VGEtHzK0

 

Conclusion

Robert Herjavec has a true rags to riches story that can inspire all of us. It is clear that he was prepared to work as much and as hard as possible to get to where he wanted to be in life. From humble beginnings he has been able to create a nine figure net worth.

Ask yourself, what could you achieve if you prepared to put in the necessary work?

Jermaine Harris is a Coach, Trader, Author and Speaker. He is passionate about human potential and empowering others to change their lives in the same way he did. Jermaine believes that the opposite of being 'stuck in a rut' is possible and explains how in his book, The Rut Buster. Get to know Jermaine better at: jermaine-harris.com

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The Entrepreneur’s Reading List That Transforms Ideas Into Empires

These must-read titles and writing insights reveal how entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into empire-level success.

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top entrepreneurship books for business growth
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Entrepreneurship is powered by stories—of accomplishment, failure, and decision moments that define businesses. Books are maps, providing insight from individuals who’ve traversed the road ahead. (more…)

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Entrepreneurs

The Leadership Shift Every Company Needs in 2025

Struggling to keep your team engaged? Here’s how leaders can turn frustrated employees into loyal advocates.

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Bridging the gap between employees and employers
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In workplaces around the world, there’s a growing gap between employers and employees and between superiors and their teams. It’s a common refrain: “People don’t leave companies, they leave bad bosses.”

While there are, of course, cases where management could do better, this isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. The relationship between leaders and employees is complex. Instead of assigning blame, we should explore practical solutions to build stronger, healthier workplaces where everyone thrives.

Why This Gap Exists

Every workplace needs someone to guide, supervise, and provide feedback. That’s essential for productivity and performance. But because there are usually far more employees than managers, dissatisfaction, fair or not, spreads quickly.

What if, instead of focusing on blame, we focused on building trust, empathy, and communication? This is where modern leadership and human-centered management can make a difference.

Tools and Techniques to Bridge the Gap

Here are proven strategies leaders and employees can use to foster stronger relationships and create a workplace where people actually want to stay.

1. Practice Mutual Empathy

Both managers and employees need to recognize they are ultimately on the same team. Leaders have to balance people and performance, and often face intense pressure to hit targets. Employees who understand this reality are more likely to cooperate and problem-solve collaboratively.

2. Maintain Professional Boundaries

Superiors should separate personal issues from professional decision-making. Consistency, fairness, and integrity build trust, and trust is the foundation of a motivated team.

3. Follow the Golden Rule

Treat people how you would like to be treated. This simple principle encourages compassion and respect, two qualities every effective leader must demonstrate.

4. Avoid Micromanagement

Micromanaging stifles creativity and damages morale. Great leaders see themselves as partners, not just bosses, and treat their teams as collaborators working toward a shared goal.

5. Empower Employees to Grow

Empowerment means giving employees responsibility that matches their capacity, and then trusting them to deliver. Encourage them to take calculated risks, learn from mistakes, and problem-solve independently. If something goes wrong, turn it into a learning opportunity, not a reprimand.

6. Communicate in All Directions

Communication shouldn’t just be top-down. Invite feedback, create open channels for suggestions, and genuinely listen to what your people have to say. Healthy upward communication closes gaps before they become conflicts.

7. Overcome Insecurities

Many leaders secretly fear being outshone by younger, more tech-savvy employees. Instead of resisting, embrace the chance to learn from them. Humility earns respect and helps the team innovate faster.

8. Invest in Coaching and Mentorship

True leaders grow other leaders. Provide mentorship, career guidance, and stretch opportunities so employees can develop new skills. Leadership is learned through experience, but guided experience is even more powerful.

9. Eliminate Favoritism

Avoid cliques and office politics. Decisions should be based on facts and fairness, not gossip. Objective, transparent decision-making builds credibility.

10. Recognize Efforts Promptly

Recognition often matters more than rewards. Publicly appreciate employees’ contributions and do so consistently and fairly. A timely “thank you” can be more motivating than a quarterly bonus.

11. Conduct Thoughtful Exit Interviews

When employees leave, treat it as an opportunity to learn. Keep interviews confidential and use the insights to improve management practices and culture.

12. Provide Leadership Development

Train managers to lead, not just supervise. Leadership development programs help shift mindsets from “command and control” to “coach and empower.” This transformation has a direct impact on morale and retention.

13. Adopt Soft Leadership Principles

Today’s workforce, largely millennials and Gen Z, value collaboration over hierarchy. Soft leadership focuses on partnership, mutual respect, and shared purpose, rather than rigid top-down control.

The Bigger Picture: HR’s Role

Mercer’s global research highlights five key priorities for organizations:

  • Build diverse talent pipelines

  • Embrace flexible work models

  • Design compelling career paths

  • Simplify HR processes

  • Redefine the value HR brings

The challenge? Employers and employees often view these priorities differently. Bridging that perception gap is just as important as bridging the relational gap between leaders and staff.

Treat Employees Like Associates, Not Just Staff

When you treat employees like partners, they bring their best selves to work. HR leaders must develop strategies to keep talent engaged, empowered, and prepared for the future.

Organizational success starts with people, always. Build the relationship with your team first, and the results will follow.

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Entrepreneurs

What Makes an Entrepreneurial Leader? Traits of the World’s Best Innovators

Inside the mindset of entrepreneurial leaders who transform risk, passion, and vision into world-changing results.

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When you think of Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Steve Jobs (Apple), Rupert Murdoch (News Corporation), and Ted Turner (CNN), one thing becomes clear: they are not just entrepreneurs, they are entrepreneurial leaders. (more…)

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Entrepreneurs

Building a Business Empire: Lessons from the World’s Boldest Entrepreneurs

Learn essential lessons, success strategies, and mindset shifts every aspiring entrepreneur needs to overcome challenges and build a thriving business.

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Back in July 2017, I attended a business seminar on entrepreneurship in India. With my appetite for learning and meeting new people, I wanted to explore the latest developments in the entrepreneurial world. (more…)

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