Doug Richard founder and chairman of Library House and a successful entrepreneur

Doug Richard is a compelling speaker who basically helps people by giving them speeches on how to start a successful business. He is part of the great entrepreneur stories but at the same time he is passionate about helping other budding entrepreneurs be successful in their chosen niches as well. In this particular video, Doug Richard puts his focus on getting investors believe in your business. As entrepreneurs, investors can become your life and blood especially if you are running with a very tight budget. He shares in his speech important steps you have to take in order to ensure a big “yes” from your prospect investors.

Sara Blakely of Spanx

Sara Blakely owner of the immensely popular women undergarment, Spanx, has one of the most successful entrepreneur stories and also became a great business speaker along the road. Aside from owning a highly successful business, Blakely is also passionate about helping out others in need through her foundation. She also passionate about empowering women and giving just recognition to those women leaders who have done so much for others or who have made  a significant contribution to humanity. As an entrepreneur, Blakely talks about how hard work is an essential part to making any business reach its maximum potential. She is where she is now, and part of the successful entrepreneur stories because she is values hard work and an innovator in her own right.

Kevin McNew of Cash Grain Bids

Kevin McNew may not have believed it before that he would be part of the successful entrepreneur stories of the modern days. But today, he is a part owner of the probably the one and only business that is geared towards helping farmers market there grains. He started out as a college professor who also gave advices to those who are in the agricultural department. It was then where he discovered a business idea that was mainly about helping out farmers market well their grains. He is also a believer that passion is an important factor surrounding a successful business. Entrepreneur stories such as this encourage people to always think outside of the box and always open our eyes for all kinds of business opportunities out there in the world today.

Toni Mascolo of Toni & Guy Salon

Toni Mascolo part owner of the highly successful Toni and Guy Salon shares in this video his own entrepreneur stories. He shares his humble beginnings and how he believes that passion is one of the main factors for making a business successful. We often hear a lot of entrepreneur stories that started great but ended quickly; this is usually because they work with only money in mind. Here in this video, Toni shares how being happy with what you are doing and treating your customers well is the best combination for a great entrepreneur story. Toni believes that when you work with passion and give the best service for your customers, money and success will naturally follow.

Entrepreneur Stories: Toni Mascolo of Toni & Guy Salon

Toni Mascolo part owner of the highly successful Toni and Guy Salon shares in this video his own entrepreneur stories. He shares his humble beginnings and how he believes that passion is one of the main factors for making a business successful. We often hear a lot of entrepreneur stories that started great but ended quickly; this is usually because they work with only money in mind. Here in this video, Toni shares how being happy with what you are doing and treating your customers well is the best combination for a great business. Toni believes that when you work with passion and give the best service for your customers, money and success will naturally follow.

South Africa Entrepreneurship Ranked LAST out of 54 Developing Countries

This is disappointing news to me...

South Africa is ranked last out of 54 developing countries with regards to entrepreneurship. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, a non-profit |academic research consortium, attributes this to a lack of networking, skills development and access to finance. To further aggravate this situation, 1 million jobs were lost in 2009 due to the recession.

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Out of a sample of 2 500 small, medium and micro enterprises participants, only 20 percent reported that they were profitable.

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Too many South Africans assume that any idea is an opportunity - but by entering a competition such as the Business Launchpad, entrepreneurs will hear the truth about business ideas and it may just save them from investing their life's savings into an idea that will never be a viable business.

http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=552&fArticleId=5664427

I used to believe that the entrepreneurial spirit in SA was thriving but it appears not. I really hope that changes and I hope to be a part of that change. I believe the future of our beautiful country (I'm proudly South African) depends on entrepreneurs. It's up to people like you and me to come up with ideas and change the market. For example, I offer a service where you can get a website for R350 for the whole year. That's dirt-cheap. The catch is you have to build it yourself but, you know what, that's better than nothing!

A designer contacted me saying that what I offer is rubbish but I beg to differ. He went on to say that people should save up (a site normally costs R6,000 at least) before they buy a site or not build one at all! I say that's rubbish. That's the mindset that keeps money in the hands of the few instead of empowering the many to create it for themselves. Screw that mentality! I'd rather be the guy changing the market than the guy supporting "old ideas". Just look at Henry Ford and the hell he went through when he made cars accesible to the masses. People said the same things to him and now look - most of us would hate to think of life without a car.

Reading entrepreneur stories to your kids can encourage them to take that leap of faith later on in life. Tell them about Richard Branson, Donald Trump and Steve Jobs. Teach them about perseverance, persistance and how to manage money. Encourage them to learn more so they can outdo you. I think we owe that much to our kids!

The bottom line is that SA has huge potential but if we're going to get "there", we need to start supporting our entrepreneurs. I truly hope that competitions like the Business Launchpad (see the quote) and business initiatives like mine (http://www.just1.co.za) will help us get there. It may take 10 years but it will be a very worthwhile 10 years! I'm excited and drooling with anticipation to see what this country can do!

Hugh Hefner - An Entrepreneur?

Is Hefner an entrepreneur or just a perve? You bet he's an entrepreneur! His business(es) may be centered around nudity and sex but don't let that fool you into thinking he isn't an astute and respectable business man!

Playboy is an international multimedia company with four income streams: publishing, licensing, online and TV. Playboy and Spice Television networks distribute programming of home video and DVD globally. Playboy.com is one of the leading male lifestyle web destinations providing entertaining articles and Playboy news, as well as subscription-based access to photos and videos. Playboy and Spice trademarks are licensed internationally for a range of consumer products such as clothing, toys, etc.

http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/famousentrepreneurs/p/hughhefner.htm

Read more about his rise to success here: Entrepreneur Stories