Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Are you inspired by any famous entrepreneurs...if so, who and why?

Personally, I`m inspired by Steve Jobs of Apple. Here`s why...

In 1983, Jobs convinced John Scully -- the then-President and CEO of Pepsi -- to join the Apple. But by 1985 -- as a direct result of a power struggle between him and Scully -- Jobs was publicly sacked from the multi-billion dollar company he started with Steve Wozniak.

Not one to accept defeat, over the next five years Steve Jobs built a successful educational computing company called NeXT. He also purchased Lucas Films’ computer graphics division for $10 million and created Pixar, a new computer animation company that partnered with Disney to create the world’s first computer animated feature film, Toy Story.

Pixar has since won 20 Academy Awards, making it the most successful animation studio in the world.

Ironically, in 1996 Apple bought NeXT for $204 million and Jobs returned to the company he had originally founded. And now, the technology Jobs developed at NeXT has been behind the introduction of Apple products like the iPod, iTunes and iPhone.

In 2005, The Walt Disney Company purchased Pixar for $7.4 billion, making Steve Jobs the largest single Disney’s shareholder, with holdings of 7% of the company stock.

For me Steve Jobs story clearly demonstrates the importance of the quality I personally believe is essential to every entrepreneurs success...a quality that earned Jobs the nickname "The Come-Back Kid".

The quality of Persistence

Now, whenever I`m faced with a challenge, I ask myself..."What would Steve Jobs do?"

That`s my inspirational entrepreneur.

Who`s yours and why?

I like Hugh Hefner, mostly because he too is in the written word field, and he too had a lot of difficult times. Being flat broke, he had to think very fast on his feet, and when he saw the opportunity to buy the Marilyn Monroe picture, he gambled everything he had left in the world.

So I think what attracts me in terms of success stories is the single-handedness of the person. That, and the one piece of luck they encountered and then knew how to use to their best advantage. It comes down to the individual`s ability to affect the world directly, rather than accident, luck, or reacting to the world.

Larry Ellison inspires me mainly because he started his company with just 2000 dollars same as me and now is the third richest man in the world and makes no apologies for it

http://www.bobsonconsulting.com/

Just a few for me:

Bill Gates - I have always been so inspired by how a computer nerd was able to build a multi-billion dollar software empire and become the richest person in the world. All he started out with was creativity and intelligence. I admire Steve Jobs (and Woz) for the same reasons.

Tim Ferriss - he really revolutionized the way we look at work and make business decisions. Additionally, his ability to learn and learn quickly is something I greatly admire.

Michael Masterson - the author of "Ready, Fire, Aim" is a serial entrepreneur and writes on a great and replicatable strategy on how to create solid and profitable businesses quickly.


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Motivation for Entrepreneurs
Entre-Propel.com

I am inspired by innovative and progressive entrepreneurs who are pioneers in their area of expertise and are in the business of building a lasting legacy. There two outstanding people who have inspired me and I am very thankful to have as my mentors.
My business mentor and role model of inspiration is Cathy Liggins Hughes founder of Radio One. She had a vision and  did not let anything or anyone stop her from pursue it. It was through persistance and believing in herself and her vision that lead her to becoming the first African American woman to own several radio stations nationally which are traded on the stock exchange. What is most important about her accomplishment is that Radio One is a mother and son business entity.
I am also inspired by Sheila Johnson who was  co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and went on to become the first African American Billionaire. When she sold BET she was able to build many innovative businesses from real estate investments, supporting the the performing arts, owning a national female basketball team, saving her community by funding  needed  city projects for economic growth and development, a well known sought after philanthropist to many causes. These are the qualities and business attributes that inspire and motivate me on business success journey.

Njideka "Queen of StressFree Living" Olatunde
http://www.thehealthwealthconnection.com/





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http://www.thehealthwealthconnection.com
Economic Stimulus Plan
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Some intresting posts guys. Keep them coming!

So many inspirational entrepreneurs, each one with something to teach us.

I hope one day soon people will include our names in similar posts.

You know this is an interesting topic.  While there are quite a few people I can say inspired me : the HP founders, Ray Kroc, Sam Walton, I recently read a story that brings it down to the level of a small business.  And he is a guy I bet almost no one has heard of Markus Frind. 

Here`s a link to a story about him and how he turned his hobby into a $10 million dollar business.

Thanks John.

Very inspiring story.

It reminds me of this guy who can`t read, or write - yet recently sold his `hobby` works for 20 million dollars: http://www.biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=10248

I`ve always liked what Ben Franklin has done and he certainly turned his success and fortune into a social mission.  One of the greatest minds, with many inventions, writings, and a public servant and the inventer of the lightning rod who donated it to the world for free to save lifes.   And of course, he is the man on our one hundred dollar bill, and a non-president on our currency.