My friend, bestselling author and Prosperity Authority, Randy Gage has famously said:
“You don’t have a money problem. You have an idea problem.”
Randy’s premise is that if you can find a way to bring value to others (i.e., the marketplace) your money situation will be well taken care of. This, of course, ties into what John David Mann and I say in our Go-Giver Series which is:
“Money is an echo of value. It’s the thunder to value’s lightning.”
In Certified Go-Giver Speaker and Branding Authority, Bill Ellis’ recent Friday’s Fearless Brand Blog post he highlighted Enterprise Rent-A-Car Founder, Jack Taylor who came up with a new twist to an already-established idea and built his little company into an international powerhouse. It was a great idea.
A young entrepreneur by the name of Fred Smith looked at package delivery in a different way than anyone else did and saw his company, Federal Express dominate the marketplace. It was a great idea.
A native New Jersian turned Texas lawyer named Herb Kelleher teamed up with some people who felt they could “democratize the skies.” Despite having to fight through a whole lot of political beauracy and Cronyism to make it happen, they have soared from the get-go. In an industry in which practically all their competitors lose money, Southwest Airlines has been profitable for the over 40 years they have been in business.
From Bill Gates to Steve Jobs to Mary Kay; from Sara Blakely to Donald Trump to Tony Hsieh; From Debbie Fields to Amar Bose to Louise Hay…people who have ideas – and are willing to find a way to apply those ideas – are the ones who prosper. And, Free-Market Capitalism* being what it is (where no one can be forced to buy from you), they can ONLY prosper by finding ways to provide significant value to the lives of many, many others.
None of the above mentioned companies; none of the above people, started out big. But, they had an idea. And, they were willing to pursue it.
You can, too.
Most likely, no one is going to hand you the idea. You’ve got to find it. And, you do so by placing other peoples’ (the marketplace’s) interests first. Then you determine how to do it and keep doing it until the world embraces the value you have created.
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*I love the quote by my favorite economist, Professor Walter Williams:
“Prior to capitalism, the way people amassed great wealth was by looting, plundering and esnslaving their fellow man. Capitalism made it possible to become wealthy by serving your fellow man.”
Great post Bob. All of the examples you’ve given pursued some ideas that didn’t pan out before they found the one(s) that were so successful. Common to all is having provided a unique value proposition. Honored to be included in the post and humbled to have added a bit of inspiration to you.
Bill
Thank YOU, Bill. And, great point you make regarding what set them apart on the way to success (of course, being a Branding Authority, that would make sense) :-). Always grateful for your kindness and wisdom!