Some secrets are so good that they can’t be kept under wraps. Every entrepreneur has been on a unique journey in business and life, and we think their insights are well worth knowing!
Here are the top success secrets from our favorite modern business leaders, so take notes.
Fully Commit
Business is not the place for half-baked ideas or tip-toeing around issues. The only way to succeed is to dive in headfirst and be ready to commit for the long haul.
“My favorite business quote is: ‘If you’ve ever had bacon and eggs for breakfast, the hen contributed, but the pig was committed!’” said Elias Janetis, CEO and Founder of Squeeze. “Entrepreneurs have to be committed to their companies in order for their business to be successful. Your idea will take more time and money than you anticipated, and you’ll encounter failures. But if you fail quickly and never give up on your company, you’ll keep pushing through until you finally find success. It’s all about that perseverance.”
If you’re not ready to make the commitment to your business, wait until you’ve made up your mind.
On a Mission
As a business gains traction and finds early success, there will be tension and disagreements among people within the organization – that’s just unavoidable. A cohesive mission will keep everyone on the same page and moving forward.
“Every successful business has a clear mission, vision, and set of values that are understood by its employees and upper management,” said Rachel Geicke, Founder and CEO of Snow Monkey. “Mission, vision, and values create the foundation of any organization and ultimately ensure everyone is on the same page, but they leave room for individuals to bring their own ideas to the table on how to move the business forward.”
If you’re uncertain about the mission of your company, figure it out and make it a priority.
Global Impact
We all need to think beyond ourselves, our communities, and our industries when launching a business or a product. That’s how great companies reach unreal levels of success.
“There are lots of bad reasons to start a company,” said Phil Libin, CEO of Evernote, “But there’s only one good, legitimate reason, and I think you know what it is: it’s to change the world.”
Are you confident that you have a world-changing idea, or do you need to go back to the drawing board?
Chilling Out
Business is a high-pressure game, especially when you’re calling the shots. Find ways to keep a level head and be ready to brush off mistakes when they happen.
“Meditation is a great tool to be less reactive and more proactive at work and in life,” said Yuvi Alpert, Founder, Creative Director, and CEO of Noémie. “Reactions are an instinct—they happen in the moment, in direct response to unexpected stimuli. If you meditate on your problems or concerns before taking action, you can develop a proactive response that presents a solution to your problem, rather than just a complaint.”
Negativity never solved anything, so always look for positive answers to tough questions.
Prep for Productivity
Ever been so burnt out that nothing seems to make sense? We can all relate to the feeling, and it’s not the frame of mind you want when starting a new business from scratch.
“If entrepreneurs want to make the most out of your day and be the most productive version of yourself, you need to get a full night’s sleep,” said Shaun Price, Head of Customer Acquisition at MitoQ. “It may be tempting to burn the midnight oil in an attempt to finish more work in a day, but if you wake up feeling groggy and poorly rested, you won’t be functioning to the best of your ability during the day.”
Be sure to get that full eight hours of sleep every night and fuel yourself with clean nutrition.
Partner Up
Even the most brilliant businesses need some help when it comes to getting the name out there and raising awareness. Relationships with influencers can help put together powerful marketing campaigns that accelerate progress.
“There isn’t just one activity that has helped my business, Outstanding Foods, thrive during this unprecedented year, but we have found a lot of success through influencer and celebrity partnerships,” said Bill Glaser, CEO of Outstanding Foods. “We introduced a partnership with investor Snoop Dogg in March 2020 that helped bring new customers to our brand, and we welcomed JaVale McGee of the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Outstanding Foods family later that year as well. These partnerships grow our brand authority, our name recognition, and our consumer base as we continue to expand our business and introduce new plant-based snack products.”
You don’t need rappers and pro athletes to make a splash – this can be done affordably as well.
Team Efforts
We like to think of the top CEOs as stoic figures who handle everything in their business from dusk to dawn, but the truth is that they are masters of delegation and team dynamics.
“The secret to CEO success is being collaborative and humble,” said Chris Vaughn, CEO of Emjay. “Leadership isn’t about hubris. It’s about the ability to inspire and motivate others. Too many people take leadership positions because they believe they’re special, which makes them unable to work within a team. The best CEOs see themselves as part of a greater whole, and they’re more likely to delegate tasks and get work done efficiently because they understand that each employee is uniquely valuable.”
Leadership is tough to teach, and can truly only be learned from experience.
Engaged Employees
What use is a team of talented employees if they aren’t engaged or ready to put forth strong efforts as a group? The best leaders bring out the best in their teams no matter the situation.
“To make sure your company succeeds, focus on what really matters: the people,” said Ashwinn Krishnaswamy, Co-Founder of Oklahoma Smokes. “It’s easy to get bogged down in data and trend forecasting, but at their core, successful businesses have happy employees and satisfied customers. Offer excellent customer service and social media outreach for your customers, so they feel connected to your brand and satisfied with their shopping experience. For employees, create a positive company culture that will inspire your workers to go the extra mile for your customers.”
Culture is hard to put your finger on, but you’ll know if it’s lacking by assessing engagement and production.
Healthy Habits
Zoom in on a week, a day, or an hour of your time. Those segments are defined by habits, good or bad. Analyze your habits and clean them up if they’re not serving you well.
“Good habits are the key to success in business and life,” said Vincent Bradley, CEO and Co-Founder of Proper Wild. “When you develop productive habits, they help reduce your daily chaos—which is the death of relationships, startups, and everything else worth pursuing in life! Personally, my favorite habit is going to bed early, so I can get a full night’s sleep and help my mind and body work efficiently.”
We all know which habits are holding us back, so it really comes down to being honest with ourselves and making the necessary changes.
Persistence and Drive
It’s not a question of whether obstacles will appear in your path toward success – that’s going to happen no matter what. The key is how you’ll overcome those barriers and achieve.
“For women of color, there’s a huge lack of funding and resources to help jump-start your business,” said Olamide Olowe, CEO of Topicals. “Over 100 different investors since I began reaching out back in August 2018 until I was able to secure the investors I have alongside me today. I feel fortunate though to have the group of people supporting us that we do. It was important to me to have strong, Black women on our cap table, and we were able to do that.”
It’s the open secret that everyone knows about business leaders – they just don’t give up.
Know the Audience
The second you forget about your customers, the second your business will stagnate and start to slip backward. Always keep customers at the fore, where they belong.
“To grow your business, especially in the digital world, you have to know your market,” said Omid Semino, CEO of Diamond Mansion. “Be aware and keep an eye on trends in your industry. Get a great marketing team that understands your vision and can execute it flawlessly. You also need a user-friendly website that won’t be driving traffic away. It is important to invest in someone who can build a website that is easy to navigate. Don’t be afraid to get creative!”
Learn everything there is to know about your audience, then apply your findings.
Survival Minded
High-performance people have a polished, professional exterior, but deep down they know that their fighting for their lives and trying to make their dreams come true.
“Nobody talks about entrepreneurship as survival, but that’s exactly what it is and what nurtures creative thinking,” said Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop. “Running that first shop taught me business is not financial science; it’s about trading: buying and selling.”
Some of the best ideas come in the most strenuous moments, so see them as a blessing.
Mission Critical
Every brand has a mission statement, but do they really follow through on those principles day by day? Top-tier companies don’t just talk about mission – they live it.
“The key to success for any entrepreneurs is to stay faithful to their mission statement,” said Kamron Kunce, Senior Marketing Manager at 4Patriots. “Your customers want to see that you are loyal to your morals and there is no better way to do this than to be truthful to your mission statement. Your statement should be more than just running a successful business, it should always speak to how your services or products will affect the community. Be transparent about what you wish to achieve and far more customers will flock to your business.”
Think beyond profit margins and your mission will be made clear.
Network Wisely
You’re only as good as your network in the age of the internet, so make allegiances, strengthen partnerships, and avoid burning bridges when you can.
“A not-so-secret to success is to have a great network,” said Chris Gadek, Head of Growth at AdQuick. “Those that you surround yourself with will help you achieve your goals far more efficiently than if you had a poor network. Reach out in the early stages of your business to expand on who you know in the industry so that you will have a solid foundation of people in your network. Once you create these bonds it is far easier to find avenues to success down the line.”
Not all business relationships will be fruitful, but the worst thing you can do is sit on the sidelines.
Like Family
What’s the difference between a regular old job and a workplace experience that employees love to be part of? It’s all about the connections between people and a bigger mission keeping them together.
“The key to success is creating bonds within your team so that your employees feel like family,” said Melissa South, SVP of the SwingTie. “No one wants to work somewhere that they do not feel valued or comfortable. If you can make strides to create a work environment that encourages collaboration and teamwork, you will find that high volumes of productivity follow. This takes time and patience.”
You’ve got to go through good times and bad times to make real bonds, so keep that in mind.
Listen Closely
Your team is always trying to tell you something, whether explicitly or through less subtle hints and suggestions. Always be looking for these signals and be flexible in your response.
“A great entrepreneur is always willing to listen and learn along with their team,” said Kaz Amor, Founder of VoCe Haircare. “Working in the beauty industry allows for so much creativity and innovation. There are new trends and ideas taking shape every single day. I love to hear out the new ideas we get from our employees and implement them into our operations. Doing so not only boosts the success of our business, but leaves our employees feeling accomplished and satisfied in their role.”
Some of the best ideas come from your staff, so keep them in the conversation.
Build Discipline
If everyone in the world had discipline, we’d all be fit, healthy, and happy in life. Maybe that’s an exaggeration, but the point is that discipline is exceedingly rare in our world.
“The most important thing that you can keep in mind to be successful is that discipline is vital,” said Ryan Solomon, CEO of Kissmetrics. “Discipline makes it so that you can make business decisions that no one would have the courage to make. Discipline drives you to be a better version of yourself because if you are true to the work that you do then you will not want to see any projects you work on fail. If you lack this then you will have no organization to your business.”
You don’t need to have the mind of Elon Musk to make a business work. Discipline is the true success factor in this day and age.
Stay Creative
Many entrepreneurs start off their careers with boundless creativity and a hunger to bring their ideas to life. Before long, that spark fades and they start to play it safe. Don’t let that be you!
“Creativity is what everyone needs to find success,” said Joshua Tatum, Co-Founder of Canvas Cultures. “Having a creative mind makes it so you can see different opportunities for success no matter the circumstances. Thinking outside the box is a tool that lets you make the world your canvas. You can truly create anything you want if you can look at situations through a different lens.”
Always push the limits of creativity, even when you’ve achieved some success.
Value Connections
As you make your way to the top of a company or start one of your own, you must remember to treat people with respect and kindness. You never know when you might need to rely on one of these folks if you end up in a jam.
“To be successful as an entrepreneur, you should learn from the very beginning to value the connections you make and the relationships that you build,” said Rachel Jones, Head of PR for Shop Hope. “Even if you can’t see the initial value or the possibility of mutual collaboration, things can change quickly. What started off as a brief introduction at a virtual conference could evolve into something much more beneficial down the road.”
Treating people well can help you in the long run, and besides, it’s just the right thing to do.
Learn to Pivot
It’s easy to get stuck in the mindset that there’s only one way to solve a problem. The truth is that there are infinite possible solutions, and it’s your job to find the best.
“One important secret to success is finding alternate ways to achieve your intended end result,” said Jordan Dwayne, CEO and Founder of 6 Ice. “A normal business day may include a number of pivots, so it’s important that you can see beyond the process, and be flexible and innovative enough to consider different strategies. This creative way of thinking will be useful your entire life, so try to learn and implement it early on in your career.”
From product launches to marketing and everything in between, stay flexible and creative with your approach to business.
Future Focused
Entrepreneurs never spend too much time looking in the rearview mirror. They internalize the lessons from the mistakes and victories of the past and look forward to the horizon, always.
“To be successful, I always stay focused on the future, and never on the past,” said Josh Stomel, Founder of Turbo Finance. “Particular strategies may not continue to work from year to year, so it’s important to be prepared to pivot and do what works for you in the present. While the past may be able to provide cautionary tales, what we learn from those experiences will illustrate just how successful we can be in years to come, but we shouldn’t stay attached to those ideas and processes.”
The ability to abandon old ideas in favor of new ones is a powerful business advantage.
Real-World Solutions
We only see the end result of a business once it has achieved success and made an impact on the world. The more we learn about the story behind these companies, the more relatable they become.
“Ultimately, my success came from identifying the need to make a pivot,” said Dr. Amir Yazdan, M.D., Founder of GroMD. “I created GroMD with a simple goal in mind: to help everyone keep their hair. While I’ve devoted my professional life to becoming a world-renowned hair surgeon, I realized that not everyone needed – or was ready for – a surgical solution. So, I created GroMD, enabling people from all walks of life to regrow and revitalize their hair.”
Perhaps your main business idea won’t be the one that takes off, so always have some backup plans and be prepared to pivot.
From Experience
So many business founders had prior experience in that industry and simply applied their knowledge towards something bigger and better.
“Co-founding Pocketbook Agency stemmed from my prior experiences working as a personal and executive assistant for high-profile families,” said Brittany Dolin, Co-Founder of Pocketbook Agency. “Having observed over time what works and what doesn’t work in terms of connecting assistants with corporate and family businesses, I was able to channel these insights into my own business where I could then learn to facilitate these connections successfully.”
If you see a gap in the market in your industry or see an opportunity of your own, why not step up to the plate and take it?
Go for It
On the topic of seizing opportunity, there’s really no wrong way to do it. The only way to truly fail is to wait around and let the chance pass by.
“There’s an old proverb I like that says ‘it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission,’” said Alex Keyan, CEO and Founder of goPure Beauty. “Whatever you want in life, whatever goal it is you want, do not let it be delayed or stopped because you waited for someone’s permission to do so. Just go for it. Life is short and the time you have is delicate so if you want something, you have to do it.”
If you have an idea and the drive to go after it, what are you waiting for?
Quick Adjustments
It’s one of the toughest parts of business and life in general: letting go of your perfect plan and pivoting to something else. That’s just what needs to be done when running a company and coming up against the unexpected.
“When faced with a challenge, adjust the plan,” said Aylon Steinhart, CEO and Founder of Eclipse Foods. “When the pandemic hit and we had the choice to adjust or quit. We adjusted. We partnered with food delivery apps so that people could order our ice cream and get it delivered to their house. We decided to go into retail with our ice cream instead of sticking with just food service. We adjusted to the ongoing situation and used it to help expand our product into another area.”
Before long, you’ll realize that no “perfect plan” existed in the first place, and you’ll have an easier time pivoting in the future.
Customers First
We have so many ways to do market research these days, many of which are free and automated thanks to advanced algorithms and analytics. Use these tools and technologies to learn about your customers and get a crucial advantage.
“One secret to success is to know your customer,” said Jay Shah, Founder and CEO of Auris, Inc. “Your customers’ wants and needs should be at the top of your priority list if you want to achieve success in your business. Focusing on customer service will help your business continue to grow. As it says in my favorite entrepreneurial book, Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight: ‘Life is growth. You grow or you die.’”
Never forget that your competition is working overtime to win over the customers you want!
Risk Ready
How much risk can you tolerate, and can you sustain that pressure for long periods of time? This is a defining feature of top entrepreneurs, and thankfully, it does get easier with time.
“Take risks because with great risk comes great rewards,” said Ben Cook, Jr., Esq., Vice President and General Counsel Cook Digital Corp and Printed Kicks. “Also, when it comes to your customers, relate to the person. Everyone has the same needs for food, shelter, etc. Customers are also smart and do not want to think they’re being sold to, simply provide the answer they’ve been searching for.”
Learn to live life with a certain amount of risk and don’t let it impact your internal well-being. That’s the secret that we all need to know.
Fit for the Job
As your company grows, you’ll need to surround yourself with employees who are on the same page with you and your goals. Of course, this is easier said than done!
“Hiring good people is one of the most important aspects to success that helps perpetuate company success,” said Louis Leidenfrost, CEO of Paint Your Numbers. “This lesson applies not only in life, but especially in business. You must keep good people around you. Conversely, once you find that a person doesn’t fit the company character and vision, nix them quickly. You can’t afford to wait for a person to bloom, nor can you afford to keep an employee who doesn’t support your mission. Purposely look for people who have a passion for what they do.”
You’re never going to make the perfect hire every time, but you can boost your chances by applying high standards and processes when recruiting.
Total Focus
An entrepreneur is constantly overloaded with ideas and potential solutions to problems. Some are hypothetical, others are imminent. Be focused on one thing at a time to maintain your sanity and productivity.
“As an entrepreneur, you’re excited to get out on the field and start developing all of your ideas,” said Michael Scott Cohen, CEO of Harper and Scott. “At all hours of the day and night, random great ideas pop into your mind. And from the outside, this would seem to be a great thing. At times, this can be considered a bad thing because your creative mind is constantly running, and can cause burn out even quicker. Instead, try learning how to focus on one big idea at a time and incorporate smaller ideas into the larger one.”
Being bombarded with good ideas isn’t the worst problem to have, so put those ideas to use in a sustainable way.
Trust Yourself
When you’re starting a business, the unsolicited advice just seems to start flowing from every conceivable source. Everyone has an opinion, and they all want to pitch in! It’s important to stay focused on your own goals and block out that unwanted noise.
“The one thing I’ve learned to be successful is that it requires trust in yourself, more than anything or anyone else,” said Sean O’Brien, CMO of Modloft. “But there is also no such thing as failure. In entrepreneurship, I’ve accepted sometimes you win and sometimes you learn. Don’t look at mistakes negatively. Whether it’s trying new business ideas until you find the right one, or ultimately going back to a more traditional job, the lessons from entrepreneurship will make you better wherever you end up.”
At the end of the day, you’re pursuing your mission and nobody else can really understand where you’re at on an emotional or mental level.
Anti-Comfort
You’ve heard once or twice about the dreaded comfort zone, where no progress is ever made. It’s okay to relax once in a while, but most of the time you’ve got to push yourself beyond those perceived limits to succeed.
“The biggest secret to success is discomfort,” said Artie Baxter, CEO of Paperclip. “If you feel uncomfortable doing something out of your comfort zone, it means you’re doing something right. Learn to look at things in a different light. Rather than getting out of your comfort zone, train yourself to expand it. This is probably going to feel uncomfortable in itself. However, I have found that putting yourself in an uncomfortable position is a skill you can master with practice.”
It won’t be long before that comfort zone expands and you need a new challenge to pursue.
Enjoy the Journey
As many great scholars have said, you only go around once. Building a business is a noble thing to do with your life, and there’s no way you’ll look back on it with regret. Enjoy everything that comes with it, good or bad.
“Embrace both the wins and the losses along the way,” said Sunny Mills, Design and Production Director at YogaClub. “When we fail, we get uncomfortable, and when we’re uncomfortable, we’re much more likely to grow. Welcome the mistakes along the way as invaluable teachers. Surround yourself with people who will challenge you to never shy away from the discomfort, but to take it as fuel for your next lesson, your next success. Enjoy the journey and continue growing.”
This isn’t always easy after a tough loss, but time heals and you’ll look back with pride.
Involve Everyone
A business goes far beyond the walls of the office or a domain name online. It’s about building connections with people all across your network and building something great that impacts as many lives as possible in a positive way.
“Build community,” said Eric Gist, CEO of Awesome OS. “It’s true when they say it takes a village. Having a positively strong community is important for everyone. Building a strong rapport with your community peers can make a positive impact on your business. Community is also about support. Whether that’s mentors, teachers, partners, or resources, building a community will help your great ideas turn into a success.”
Just remember – when you get to the top, don’t forget to thank the little guys!
Set Priorities
When you’re in the trenches of starting a business, your task list will be long and seemingly impossible to complete. This is normal, and all you can do is get your priorities straight.
“One piece of advice is to gain clarity over your blind spots, then surround yourself with people who can help cover them,” said Eric Kaye, CEO of Kayezen. “Regarding time management, the Eisenhower matrix, also known as the urgent-important matrix, is a time-tested method for increasing productivity. Using the matrix will help you delegate and/or eliminate certain tasks and allow you to spend your time on the urgent and important tasks that move the needle.
Once you’ve set systems in place and things start moving, you’ll have no problem making tough decisions in the moment and prioritizing the most critical tasks.
Keep it Original
Being influenced by industry pioneers and competitors can be healthy, but you don’t want these ideas to permeate throughout your business too much. Originality is one of your greatest virtues as a creator, so don’t lose it.
“What works for a peer or a competitor might not be the smartest course of action for you or your business,” said Michael Fischer, Founder of Elite HRT. “Remember to go with your gut and don’t just follow the crowd because it feels like a safe bet. Push forward with creativity and original ideas, always.”
Know the difference between following in footsteps versus blazing your own trail.
React to Feedback
As your business gets up to speed, the feedback will be flowing and it’s up to you how you’ll respond. This is often a make-or-break factor for small businesses, so take that feedback seriously.
“Your customers and employees are going to give you the feedback you need every time,” said Tyler Faux, Co-Founder and CEO of Supergreat. “The question is – are you going to listen and make the changes you need to push ahead? Being stubborn when it comes to feedback is not a good trait. That will put you in a strong position to succeed.”
Some feedback will be foolish or misleading, but it’s important to acknowledge and counter the real issues facing your business.
Plan Everything
We’ve mentioned that plans often turn to pivots, but that doesn’t mean you should go in without a clear and decisive strategy from day one. No, “winging it” isn’t going to cut it in the world of entrepreneurship, no matter what anyone says!
“Creating a business plan is an important tool to help guide your decisions,” said Lauren Bosworth, CEO of Love Wellness. “A business plan can be considered a roadmap to success, providing greater clarity on all aspects of your business, from marketing and finance to operations and product/service details.”
Every entrepreneur has a unique definition of success, and their secrets to achieving it are equally diverse and varied. Take these tips to heart, but remember to forge your own path and make success happen for yourself.
