It’s easy to assume that famous entrepreneurs started out as successes. In reality, many of today’s most influential people spent years developing the skills needed to run businesses. Success rarely comes overnight, even for those who seem destined for greatness.
Sara Blakely, the creator of Spanx, is a good example of how perseverance plays a crucial role in success. After graduating from Florida State University, Blakely gained experience by working at several businesses, including a small stationery company. She even worked as a stand-up comedian, which has to be one of the best jobs for someone trying to improve her communication skills while getting used to disappointment.
Blakely had $5,000 in savings when she started developing Spanx. She saved money in every way possible. She wrote her own patent for Spanx, using a textbook as a guide. This approach saved her the $3,000 to $5,000 that it costs to have a lawyer do the job.
Determined to get her product to consumers, Blakely did her own marketing, designed the product’s packaging, and came up with the word “Spanx.” Blakely gained some early success by selling Spanx to popular department stores. She got a huge boost in 2000, though, when Oprah Winfrey called Spanx one of her favorite products.
So, the next time you feel discouraged in your career, give yourself a boost by thinking about the struggles that many billionaires lived through before finding success.
This infographic published by Villanova University online shows how eight famous entrepreneurs overcame challenges to build world-famous brands. Use it to find the inspiration that you need to focus on your career goals.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
