Grant Cardone
For Grant Cardone, success is not a matter of chance but a personal obligation. His guiding principle, “Success is your duty, obligation, and responsibility, underscores his belief that achieving success requires unwavering commitment and relentless effort. Cardone emphasizes that success is not merely a goal but a duty that demands consistent action and dedication. This philosophy is central to his 10X Rule, which advocates for setting goals ten times higher than what one believes is achievable and taking actions that are ten times greater than what is considered necessary. By adopting this mindset, Cardone asserts that individuals can overcome mediocrity and achieve extraordinary results.
Cardone’s journey to success was shaped by personal adversity. Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, he faced significant challenges after the loss of his father at the age of 10. This early hardship instilled in him a profound understanding of financial insecurity and fueled his determination to attain financial freedom. After overcoming struggles with addiction in his early adulthood, Cardone channeled his experiences into building a career in sales and real estate. He founded Cardone Capital, a real estate investment firm that manages a portfolio worth over $5 billion, and became a renowned sales trainer and motivational speaker.
Cardone advises aspiring entrepreneurs to adopt a mindset of obsession with their goals. He believes that being intensely focused and committed to one’s objectives is crucial for success. In his book “Be Obsessed or Be Average,” he discusses how channeling one’s obsessions into productive endeavors can lead to significant achievements. Cardone encourages individuals to write down their goals daily, immerse themselves in learning, and surround themselves with like-minded, success-oriented people. By doing so, he asserts, individuals can maintain the motivation and clarity needed to reach their full potential.
He also emphasizes that true success involves not only financial prosperity but also the ability to make choices that align with one’s personal values and aspirations. Through his teachings and example, Cardone inspires others to pursue their goals with determination and to view success as a personal responsibility that requires consistent effort and dedication.
Elon Musk
For Elon Musk, success is rooted in relentless innovation and a willingness to tackle audacious goals. He believes in creating products that offer real value to customers, emphasizing that being better is key. Musk’s ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX, exemplify his commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging conventional thinking. He often underscores the importance of perseverance, stating that when something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.
Musk’s journey to success has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He has faced numerous challenges, including early near-collapses of Tesla and SpaceX. Despite these obstacles, Musk’s resilience and refusal to admit defeat have led to momentous achievements like the Falcon Heavy rocket launch. His motivations transcend monetary gains; he’s driven by a vision to save humanity through ventures like electric vehicles, sustainable energy, and space exploration.
Musk’s leadership style is characterized by an intense work ethic and a deep curiosity. He often works upwards of 90 hours a week and demands exceptional results from his teams. His approach has created a high-pressure work environment, but it has also driven his companies to achieve remarkable milestones. Musk’s vision for humanity includes extensive space travel, positioning SpaceX at the core of his ambition.
Christoffer Groves
For Christoffer Groves, success begins and ends with integrity. “Be a person of your word,” he says, a principle that’s not just a mantra but the cornerstone of how he lives and leads. In an age dominated by speed, scale, and short-term wins, Groves holds tight to an old-school ethic: a handshake still means something. “If I give you my word, I will do everything in my power to honor that commitment,” he adds. It’s this unwavering commitment to trust that has shaped both his personal brand and his company, Groves Capital.
Groves Capital wasn’t born in a boardroom, it started at home. When his wife repeatedly ran into issues with the industry’s offerings, Groves took notice. “There weren’t solutions that met our standards,” he explains. “So, we built one.” What began as a response to a personal frustration quickly evolved into a scalable company offering real solutions to thousands. For Groves, it was never just about launching a business, it was about creating momentum, purpose, and value for others.
Like any founder, Groves has had to navigate market turbulence, especially in the volatile, post-COVID economy. With interest rates rising and housing volume dropping, he didn’t wait for conditions to improve. He pivoted. By expanding Groves Capital into commercial lending and infrastructure finance, he opened new doors for growth. “Every market has hidden doors,” he says. “You just have to be willing to move fast enough to open them.” For Groves, success isn’t a destination, it’s a discipline. And integrity is the compass that keeps him on course.
Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, attributes her success to embracing failure and maintaining a clear sense of purpose. She believes that money magnifies who you already are, highlighting the importance of staying connected to one’s deeper motivations. Blakely encourages entrepreneurs to be authentic, take risks, and not let the fear of failure deter them from pursuing their ideas.
Blakely’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of inspiring. Before founding Spanx, she worked as a Disney World ride operator, door-to-door fax machine salesperson, and stand-up comedian. Recognizing a gap in the market for comfortable and effective shapewear, she invented Spanx in 2000, which has since become a household name. Despite facing numerous rejections and challenges, Blakely maintained her belief in her product and was determined to succeed.
Blakely’s commitment to owning 100% of Spanx has made her a billionaire, and she encourages women to embrace their potential for success without feeling guilty. As Spanx celebrates its 20th anniversary, Blakely shares her insights and experiences through MasterClass, aiming to inspire and guide others on their entrepreneurial paths.
Howard Schultz
Howard Schultz, the visionary behind Starbucks, emphasizes the significance of building a company with soul. He believes that businesses should not only focus on profits but also on creating a positive impact on society. Schultz advises aspiring entrepreneurs to lead with compassion and to build organizations that stand for something beyond financial success.
Schultz’s leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in putting people first. He recognized early on that Starbucks’ success depended on the passion and dedication of its employees. Schultz prioritized creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees felt valued, respected, and empowered to excel.
Under Schultz’s guidance, Starbucks has grown into a global brand known for its commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. He has consistently advocated for ethical business practices and has implemented initiatives aimed at fostering empathy and inclusivity. Schultz’s approach serves as a model for building a successful business that also contributes positively to society.
Barbara Corcoran
Barbara Corcoran, real estate mogul and ‘Shark Tank’ investor, champions the idea that failure is a stepping stone to success. She suggests that keeping an open mind and not letting fear hold you back are crucial principles. Corcoran’s journey from a $1,000 loan to building a multi-million-dollar business underscores her belief in resilience and adaptability.
Corcoran emphasizes the importance of storytelling in business. She believes that a compelling narrative can differentiate a brand and create a strong emotional connection with customers. By crafting and sharing her own story, Corcoran has built a personal brand that resonates with aspiring entrepreneurs.
In addition to her business acumen, Corcoran is known for her candid and straightforward advice. She encourages entrepreneurs to be themselves, not to undervalue their worth, and to take calculated risks. Her insights have inspired many to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams with confidence and determination.
Daymond John
Daymond John, founder of FUBU and ‘Shark Tank’ investor, advocates for the ‘Powershift’ principle—transforming any situation, closing any deal, and achieving any outcome. He emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals, doing thorough research, and being passionate about one’s work. John believes that understanding your brand and staying true to it are vital components of entrepreneurial success.
John’s rise to success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and innovative approach to business. From humble beginnings to becoming a shark on the popular TV show ‘Shark Tank,’ John has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his goals. His success principles offer a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs looking to replicate his achievements.
John emphasizes the importance of developing a strong work ethic, staying focused and disciplined, and being adaptable to change. He also highlights the significance of building a strong brand identity and leveraging social media and marketing to increase visibility. By following these principles, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of success and create new opportunities.
Reed Hastings
Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix, credits his success to being customer-centric and data-driven. He believes in creating a culture that encourages innovation and transparency. Hastings emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions based on data and fostering an environment where employees feel empowered to take initiative.
Hastings believes that happy and fulfilled employees are more productive and contribute to the success of the company. He has implemented policies that prioritize employee satisfaction and autonomy, recognizing that a motivated workforce is key to driving innovation and achieving business goals.
Under Hastings’ leadership, Netflix has become a global entertainment powerhouse. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of the industry, embracing new technologies and business models to stay ahead of the competition. Hastings’ commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has been instrumental in Netflix’s success.
Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins, co-founder and CEO of Canva, attributes her success to perseverance and visionary leadership. She believes in making complex things simple and accessible, which is reflected in Canva’s mission to democratize design. Perkins emphasizes the importance of staying focused on the problem you’re solving and being relentless in pursuing your vision.
Perkins’ leadership style is best described as transformational. She inspires her team through a clear vision and motivates change, encouraging innovation and fostering an inclusive work environment. Her approach involves driving significant industry transformation, all of which align with the core characteristics of transformational leadership.
Under Perkins’ guidance, Canva has grown from a startup to a global tech leader. Her commitment to solving real-world problems and making design accessible to everyone has resonated with users worldwide. Perkins’ success demonstrates the power of combining vision, innovation, and a user-centric approach.
Brian Chesky
For Brian Chesky, success is about staying obsessively close to the customer experience and designing solutions that feel personal, human, and scalable. As co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, Chesky has repeatedly emphasized that building trust—especially in a peer-to-peer marketplace—is not just important, it’s existential. “Build something 100 people love,” he once said, “not something 1 million people kind of like.” His design background deeply informs his leadership style: every product decision, every new feature, is filtered through a lens of empathy and user-centricity.
Airbnb’s journey began with a problem: Chesky and his roommate couldn’t afford rent in San Francisco. So, they rented out air mattresses in their apartment to conference attendees—an experiment that sparked a global revolution in travel and hospitality. What began as a scrappy side hustle turned into one of the most disruptive startups of the 21st century. Chesky’s rule for success centers around resourcefulness and grit. In the early days, the company famously sold custom cereal boxes (“Obama O’s” and “Cap’n McCain’s”) to stay afloat. “Don’t wait for permission to be great,” Chesky advises founders. “Start with what you have, and figure it out as you go.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Airbnb saw its business plummet virtually overnight. Chesky responded not by retreating, but by returning to the company’s roots—focusing on core hosts, simplifying offerings, and redefining travel for a post-pandemic world. His ability to adapt in real-time, while communicating with honesty and vision, earned him praise across the tech industry. For Chesky, the ultimate definition of success isn’t just valuation or growth—it’s building something that genuinely improves people’s lives. “Design is how you make people feel,” he often says. And for him, making people feel welcomed, seen, and safe, that’s the true measure of a successful business.
