The suave life, larger than life persona, a modern, sophisticated office space, coverage over the international media and the lines of fancy cars; isn't it a dream that you wish to lead in the real life? Or most of your idols are living?
Well, indeed all of it is fascinating and anyone would hardly say no to such a lifestyle. But do you know the people living such a life has years of experience behind them. These years include a story which cites examples of their failures and how they have evolved over the years by drawing lifelong learnings from their mistakes. The business leaders who are idolized across the world have valued hard work over luck, and were adamant to make it big with their sheer perseverance and confidence in their work. Unlike the common belief, they did not have humble beginnings. However, they never allowed rejection and failure to get the best of them. They just failed SUCCESSFULLY!
Scroll further to find out who they are
Failure: Traf-O-Data
Success: Microsoft
The man who doesn't need an introduction didn't have much luck before he started Microsoft. Before Bill Gates reached the horizons of success, he had tasted failure with its first venture called Traf-O-Data, which went into oblivion and then Gates dropped out of the Ivy League institution, Harvard. Microsoft was a result of his unparalleled passion for computers and his vision to make use of every opportunity and accomplish the impossible! Read this article to know more about Microsoft's unsuccessfull invoations.
His Success Secret: “It’s fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”
Success: Twitter
William had previously done freelance work at Intel and Hewlett-Packard and had built Pyra Labs which was later acquired by Google. Then in October 2004, he left the Internet giant to co-found Odeo. But his second venture soon became obsolete after the tech giant, Apple, announced inclusion of a podcasting platform in the iTunes store. Even after his first two ventures couldn't make it big, Williams went on to co-found Twitter, which is a free social networking and micro-blogging service. He became the CEO of Twitter in October 2008. His success can be assessed by the fact that Twitter among the five most visited websites with a total number of 645,750,000 registered Twitter users. When the company announced IPO in 2013, it was believed that Williams has up to 35% stake in the company.
His Success Secret: "When I meet with the founders of a new company, my advice is almost always, 'Do fewer things.' It's true of partnerships, marketing opportunities, anything that's taking up your time. The vast majority of things are distractions, and very few really matter to your success."
Failure: A lamp manufacturing company and a rejected recipe
Success: KFC
Colonel Harland Sanders' famous secret chicken recipe didn't become a success in the first go. Before he started the popular food chain, KFC, Sanders had to face rejection from innumerable restaurants. In his struggling years, he started a small restaurant and began with cooking chicken. His recipe was loved by his customers. He went on to sell his restaurant to build a franchise of his secret recipe. Before he touched the skyline of success, he often slept in his car but his struggle was successful. In 1964, he sold his business for $2 million and became a global spokesperson for the company.
His Success Secret: "I've only had two rules: Do all you can and do it the best you can. It's the only way you ever get that feeling of accomplishing something."
Failure: Rejected as an engineer
Success: Honda Automaker
Who can believe that the founder of world's largest motorcycle manufacturing company, Honda, was rejected by Toyota for the post of engineer? This didn't dishearten him and he started manufacturing scooters at home and found customers in his neighbours and friends. With love and support from his near and dear ones, he founded Honda, which is one of the most profitable and successful automakers.
His Success Secret: “Success represents the 1% of your work which results from the 99% that is called failure."
Failure: Rejected over 5000 times!
Success: Dyson Vacuums
Even a heart-breaking number of rejections (5126 failures) over a span of 15 years didn't dampen the spirits of Dyson who made it a point to learn from his every mistake and failure. He kept on improving his vacuum cleaner and once he had got all of it right, his iconic product revolutionised the entire market. Dyson's personal worth is claimed to be worth US $5 billion and his brand, Dyson Vacuums, are the globally bestselling vacuum cleaners. Dyson's struggle is an example of undying determination and self-confidence.
His Success Secret: "Enjoy failure and learn from it. You can never learn from success."
Failure: A poor student often scolded for 'not being intelligent'
Success: The Light Bulb
Edison who has been labelled as one of the most successful inventors in the history of science was told by his school teacher that he can't learn anything and should try his hands at something which doesn't require intelligence. But Edison followed his heart and love for science and after an astonishing number of experiments (approximately 9000), he went on to manufacture his first successful invention- a light bulb. Also, he has more than 1000 U.S. patents to his name.
His Success Secret: "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.'
Failure: Animation Company
Success: The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney studios require no fancy introduction, it is known for its magnificent work but what many don't know is that the founder of the Disney World , Walt Disney, was first fired from his cartoonist job by an editor because "he lacked imagination and original ideas". Even as an animator, his first venture declared bankruptcy and thousands of banks rejected his proposal to finance his dream project, the Disney World. But nothing could weaken his love for animation. He went on to start 'The Walt Disney Company' which has now entered into five corporate segments- media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media, making an average revenue of U.S. $30 billion per year.
His Success Secret: "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."
Failure: The Detroit Automobile Company & Henry Ford Company
Success: The Ford Motor Company
Henry Ford is known all over the world for the car company he started. But many people don't know that Ford had to face failure twice before he touched lady luck. His first failed venture was the Detroit Automobile Company, which was into the manufacturing of horseless carts and its prototype. Despite the financial backing from three investors, Detroit failed miserably and after one and a half years, the financers had backed out citing losing faith in its founder's ability. The company was reorganised into the Henry Ford Company but with frequent interference from its investors, Ford left it within a year of its operations. Even then Ford was adamant on becoming big with his idea of the lightest automobile of that time which was also citied to be reliable and sturdy. With financial support from a non-meddling Scotsman, Ford created another assembly line which was entirely controlled by him and became a huge success within a short span of its launch. Today the world knows it as the ' The Ford Motor Company'.
His Success Secret: "Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward."
Failure: A rice cooker manufacturing company
Success: Sony Corporation
Today he is known as one of the leading men behind Sony Corporation, a multinational conglomerate, but Morita had to suffer through failures to taste the sweetness of success. Akio had launched a rice cooker, his first product. But the cooker burned the rice, making it a straight shot at failure. However, Akio didn't stop dreaming big and went on to his journey of co-founding one of the biggest corporations of the world, Sony. In 2014, Sony's consolidated sales and operating revenue was 8,215,900 million yen.
His Success Secret: "You could say that the only sure thing is that in business there are no sure things."
Failure: Thrown out of a job at a dry goods store
Success: Macy's
A popular large departmental store chain in the U.S., it was founded by R.H Macy. Before Macy could reach the zenith of success with his this venture, he had to face for seven times. He was even thrown out of the job at a departmental store by the manager because he apparently couldn't handle customers. But Macy believed himself and made it huge with his store opening in the city of New York. Since then he never looked back.
Due to the lack of strategical planning, most businesses fail. We hope these icons and their stories have motivated you enough to try till you succeed.