I think if you're an entrepreneur, you've got to dream big - and then dream bigger.
Interpretation
Entrepreneurs should not only have big dreams but should continually expand their aspirations.
This quote emphasizes the importance of having grand visions as an entrepreneur. It suggests that to truly succeed in business and life, one must not only set ambitious goals but also push those boundaries further, always seeking to achieve even more than initially thought possible.
In practice
This quote would be great to share during a startup pitch meeting to inspire potential investors.
The rules of engagement around building a brand have changed significantly over the past 10 to 15 years. Where companies at one time could spread their message through traditional marketing, consumers now seek an enduring emotional connection with the companies they patronize. The foundation of that connection is the most important characteristic of building a world-class brand: trust. Trust with your people and trust with your customers.
The future of America is not an entitlement. We have been given a treasure chest of gifts and opportunities, but some people are being left behind, and success is not sustainable unless it is shared.
Starbucks is not an advertiser; people think we are a great marketing company, but in fact we spend very little money on marketing and more money on training our people than advertising.
While their service is ending, our responsibility is just beginning!
In life, you can blame a lot of people and you can wallow in self-pity or you can pick yourself up and say listen, I have to be responsible for myself.
When I first discovered in the early 1980s the Italian espresso bars in my trip to Italy, the vision was to re-create that for America - a third place that had not existed before. Starbucks re-created that in America in our own image; a place to go other than home or work. We also created an industry that did not exist: specialty coffee.
Rarely are opportunities presented to you in a perfect way. In a nice little box with a yellow bow on top. 'Here, open it, it's perfect. You'll love it.' Opportunities -- the good ones -- are messy, confusing and hard to recognize. They're risky. They challenge you.
Focus on where you want to go, not on what you fear.
What you persist in doing gets easier. The task hasn't changed, but your ability to do it has increased.
You gotta know that you're better than anybody, 'cause to me, if you don't go in like that, you're gonna lose! They're gonna punk you out! On any stage, court, business venture, on the anchor desk - whatever. You've got to go in believing, 'I can do this better than anybody.'
I wouldn't say I'm a ball hog. I'm a shooter.
There is no such thing as failure. Mistakes happen in your life to bring into focus more clearly who you really are.
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