Robert Herjavec, the Croatian millionaire who owns one of the biggest information technology security firms in Canada and star of ABC's "Shark Tank," has an estimated net worth of $100 million dollars. However, the life he had as a child is far from the one he enjoys now. He's had to overcome disappointment after disappointment, and Herjavec is the first one to admit that getting to where he is today has taken years of hard work.
Here is his advice to burgeoning entrepreneurs who want to achieve the same success that he has:
1) Have confidence in your business and yourself
During your quest for riches, hearing "no" is going to likely be more common than "yes," especially in the beginning. The secret is never to give up. "It's almost like the ancient general who took his troops to battle and when they got to the foreign shore, he burned all the ships so there would be no option of retreating," Herjavec told CBC/Radio-Canada.
2) Never stop looking
In the competitive world of business, you always have to keep your eyes and ears peeled for new opportunities. For example, when you have the chance to work with a local online marketing firm that can expand your customer base, take advantage of it.
3) Dedicate your life
When it comes to running your company, there's no room for substandard effort. It's all or nothing. He says that this is doubly true when your business isn't doing that well. You need to ask how much time you are willing to put in to be a success. "Would you sacrifice your time, your family, your friends, your golf game, your entire social life? I am not advocating that you should, but you have to ask yourself if you are prepared to."
4) Play to win
Come prepared to compete. If you're not going to do all you can to win, you may want to rethink what your goals are.