You know, when I first started out, I was all about the tech, the buzz, and the innovation. I thought that being smart, being talented, being the next Einstein – that's what it took to succeed in business. But I've seen a few things now, gone through the ups and downs of crypto, AI, and all the rest. I've seen some smart folks, sure, but I've also seen them get rich, not because they were geniuses, but because they understood something more vital.
I've come to realize that the market, what people want and need, matters so much more than the entrepreneur. There's no shame in giving people what they're asking for. I mean, sure, there are markets for things like cigarettes and vapes that might be better off gone, but even that can be debated.
What's really important here is recognizing that everything we produce has a cost, but if you're a genuine entrepreneur, you should be proud that you're serving a need. Me, being independent and kind of doing my own thing, I can sometimes overlook what the market wants. But if you're in this to make money – and who isn't – nothing matters more than the market. That's the honest truth.
People might think business folks are selfish, but here's the irony: to make real money without tricking anyone, you've got to serve people. You have to understand their needs, not push them into wanting something they don't. It's about being tuned into what's already there.
For me, now, it's about looking into cities and technology companies that want to make a difference. Cities need young talents; tech companies need to prove they are as revolutionary as they claim. That's where my focus is going.
So, yeah, talent's great, but it's not everything. Understand the market, give people what they need, and the success might just follow. It's a lesson that's taken me some time to learn, but it's one that's reshaped the way I think about business. It's not about being the smartest person in the room; it's about being the one who listens the most to what people want and need. That's where the real opportunity lies.