Our view at Stack - ClickFunnels was founded by an online marketing legend Russell Brunson and it offers several benefits for online businesses and marketers:
- Time and Cost Savings: Efficiently create sales funnels without extensive development efforts.
- Maximized Conversions: Test offers, copy, and images to enhance conversions.
- Specific Landing Pages: Generate highly targeted landing pages.
- Predictable Pipeline: Create consistent, predictable sales paths.
- Increased Sales: On average, it boosts sales of lesser products by 15%
The post Lessons From Top Entrepreneurs appeared first on ClickFunnels.
Building a business is one of the hardest challenges in life.
But the good news is this: every successful entrepreneur out there has faced obstacles just like the ones you’re going through right now.
By studying their journey, you will find all the clues to success.
Let’s face it.
Trying to build a business without any outside help can be overwhelming. It’s totally normal to feel alone and isolated like you’re stuck in a cycle of mistakes.
But you’re not alone, and you won’t stay stuck.
In this blog post, we’ve gathered the single most important lessons from 10 of the most successful entrepreneurs in history.
Keep reading to skim through these lessons and find the one you need to take your business to the next level.
The Quickest Path to Business Success
Entrepreneurs face incredible challenges when trying to sustain their businesses.
In the United States, statistics show that:
- 20% of new businesses fail within their first year
- 50% of all businesses won’t make it to their fifth anniversary
- 70% of businesses will have closed their doors by the tenth year
The odds are stacked against entrepreneurs.
But there are ways to improve your chances of beating those odds.
Research from National Mentoring Day reveals that 70% of entrepreneurs who receive mentoring survive for five years or more – double the survival rate of those without guidance.
Mentorship can provide insights, strategies, and the kind of know-how that allows entrepreneurs to weather challenges and thrive.
“If I Have Seen Further, it is by Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”
The phrase “standing on the shoulders of giants” was popularized by Sir Isaac Newton in 1675.
He used it to acknowledge how his groundbreaking work in physics and mathematics built on the ideas of those who came before him.
Whether by study or mentorship, learning from others increases your chances of success.
This phrase has become a timeless reminder of the power of learning from others. You can’t figure everything out by yourself. Progress often comes not from starting from scratch but by building upon the wisdom and achievements of those who have already paved the way.
For entrepreneurs, this idea is just as relevant today as it was in Newton’s time.
Tony Robbins & “Modeling Success”
The concept of modeling success comes from Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
It teaches that you can replicate someone else’s achievements by understanding and imitating their behaviors, strategies, and thought patterns. Literally so.
Tony Robbins was an early teacher of NLP, and he continues to advise people to “find someone who has achieved the results you want and model what they do.”
This idea has helped countless individuals bypass trial and error by following proven paths to success.
For entrepreneurs, the concept of modeling success is another reminder that learning from others is a shortcut to achieving your goals.
10 Important Lessons You Must Know From Successful Entrepreneurs
The entrepreneurs below have achieved extraordinary success.
In each section below, we’ve identified the core idea the entrepreneur repeated most often or the lesson they are most famously associated with.
In other words…
These are the #1 insights from 10 of history’s most successful entrepreneurs, distilled to help you on your journey.
1. Elon Musk: Solve the Big Problems
The Lesson
Elon Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, were all founded with the mission of solving humanity’s biggest problems.
Tesla addresses climate change by accelerating the transition to sustainable energy with electric vehicles and renewable energy products.
SpaceX tackles the long-term survival of humanity by developing technologies to colonize Mars, ensuring life can exist beyond Earth.
Neuralink aims to merge human intelligence with AI to prepare for a future where artificial intelligence plays a dominant role.
Musk’s vision is always centered on addressing challenges that impact present and future generations.
The Backstory
At age 14, Musk faced an existential crisis, searching for purpose in life.
He read philosophers like Schopenhauer but found no answers.
But he revealed during a 2013 interview at the Computer History Museum that it was the book The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy that sparked a revelation.
The story of Arthur Dent, a man who hitches a ride into space after Earth’s impending destruction, resonated deeply with Musk. He realized the importance of working on problems that affect humanity on a grand scale – both now and in the future.
This philosophy of “longtermism” has shaped all of his ventures.
The Quote
“When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor.”
2. Jeff Bezos: Start With the Customer
The Lesson
Jeff Bezos built Amazon on a single guiding principle: the customer experience is everything.
He believes that offering low prices, a wide selection, ease of use, and great customer service creates the foundation for a successful business.
Everything Amazon does – its logistics, technology, and innovations – is designed to deliver an exceptional experience for the customer.
The Backstory
In a 1999 interview, Jeff Bezos laid out Amazon’s core philosophy.
When the interviewer suggested Amazon was more than an “internet company” because of its warehouses and growing team of employees, Bezos dismissed the label entirely.
“Internet schminternet,” he said.
What truly matters is how those warehouses and employees contribute to improving the customer experience – i.e. getting products to them faster and cheaper.
Bezos knew that no matter the platform, obsessing over the customer’s needs would lead to long-term success both for shareholders and the business itself.
The Quote
“We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with what the customer needs and we work backwards.”
3. Oprah Winfrey: Find Your Calling
The Lesson
Your business should align with what truly energizes and inspires you.
Oprah believes that if you’re dedicating your time and future to building something, it should be something you’re deeply passionate about.
That passion will fuel your work and connect with others in meaningful ways.
The Backstory
In the late 1970s, Oprah landed a reporter role at Baltimore’s WJZ station – a major career break.
But she soon discovered that she disliked the sensationalism of news reporting, which prioritized attention-grabbing over genuine storytelling.
She was eventually demoted to hosting a talk show, a move that felt like a failure at first.
However, during her first interview with Tom Carvel, the inventor of soft-serve ice cream, she realized something profound.
In her book The Path Made Clear, Oprah reflects: “That day my job ended and my calling began.”
In 1984, she relocated to Chicago to host a low-rated morning talk show.
Within months, her authentic approach turned it into the city’s highest-rated talk show and eventually led to the launch of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the #1 daytime talk show in America.
The Quote
“I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”
4. Richard Branson: Be a People Person
The Lesson
Richard Branson believes the cornerstone of successful entrepreneurship is being a people person.
He believes that genuinely caring for your team, inspiring them, and fostering a collaborative environment are essential from the very beginning.
Avoid self-centered leadership, and you’ll be well-equipped for business challenges.
The Backstory
Richard Branson’s leadership style is deeply rooted in his belief in the power of people.
From the inception of Virgin Records in 1972, he prioritized creating a company culture where employees felt valued and empowered. This approach extended across the Virgin Group’s diverse ventures, from airlines to space travel.
Branson’s commitment to his team was evident during crises, such as the early financial struggles of Virgin Atlantic, where he worked alongside his employees to keep the airline afloat.
He told the ILoveMarketing podcast in 2011 that being good with people is the “key to becoming an entrepreneur”.
He said that, when you’re a great leader, your team will work “day and night” to keep whatever it is you’re creating alive.
The Quote
“The absolute key to becoming an entrepreneur…is how good you are with people. If you genuinely care about people, if you can draw out the best in people, and not criticise people…They’ll work day and night to try to keep whatever it is that you’re creating alive, and make sure it survives.”
5. Warren Buffet: Invest in Yourself
The Lesson
Warren Buffett, the world’s most famous investor, believes the best investment you can make is in yourself.
By developing your skills, talents, and knowledge, you’re creating an asset that pays dividends for the rest of your life.
More specifically, Buffet advocates investing in your communication skills.
The Backstory
In a 2019 interview with Yahoo Finance, Buffett shared that achieving success comes down to three words: “Invest in yourself.”
He explained that growing your abilities and addressing your weaknesses is the surest way to increase your value.
Buffett himself took this advice early in life.
In a separate Forbes article, Buffer wrote that he was terrified of public speaking as a young man.
But he invested $100 in a Dale Carnegie course. It transformed his life.
The impact was immediate – he even proposed to his wife during the course, encouraged by his new skills.
That confidence helped him thrive in his career, selling stocks in Omaha at just 21 years old, despite looking even younger.
Buffett stresses that everyone has untapped potential and that the effort you put into improving yourself offers lifelong rewards.
The Quote
“The best investment you can make is in yourself.”
6. Reid Hoffman: Infinite Learning Curves
The Lesson
One of Reid Hoffman’s core beliefs is that entrepreneurship is about learning through iteration.
Instead of being paralyzed by inexperience, Hoffman encourages entrepreneurs to approach challenges with fresh perspectives and use every mistake as an opportunity to improve.
Success comes not from perfection but from an infinite learning curve that allows you to adapt, pivot, and scale quickly.
The Backstory
Hoffman’s entrepreneurial journey began when he was just 12 years old, advising the CEO of a gaming company on improving their product.
This early experience sparked his passion for entrepreneurship, but it wasn’t without failures.
He told Forbes that his first company, SocialNet, didn’t succeed due to a lack of understanding about how to grow a business in the emerging internet space.
Hoffman learned from these mistakes and applied his insights at LinkedIn, which he built by focusing on professional networking, a contrarian idea at the time.
Through these experiences, he developed the philosophy of learning and adapting quickly, a principle he also shared in his book Blitzscaling.
Hoffman believes that experimentation, even when it involves failure, is key to being successful.
The Quote
“You have to have a high willingness to make and survive mistakes, learn from them quickly, change your mind, and have an infinite learning curve.”
7. Sara Blakely: Understand Your Customer
The Lesson
Sara Blakely’s success with Spanx began with a deep understanding of her customers’ needs.
She identified a problem that many women faced – uncomfortable and unflattering hosiery – and developed a solution that resonated with her target audience.
Blakely went on to become the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world.
The Backstory
Before founding Spanx, Sara Blakely sold fax machines door-to-door in Florida.
She was required to wear pantyhose in the hot climate.
But she told Forbes that she hated the look of the seamed feet with open-toed shoes while appreciating how control-top pantyhose smoothed her figure.
This personal frustration inspired her to cut the feet off her pantyhose and experiment with creating a better product.
Determined to turn her idea into reality, she spent two years researching and developing her concept while working her day job.
When she pitched her idea to hosiery manufacturers in North Carolina, she faced repeated rejection.
That is, until one manufacturer’s daughters encouraged him to take her seriously.
Blakely’s unwavering belief in her idea and her customers’ needs ultimately turned her concept into a billion-dollar brand.
The Quote
“Differentiate yourself! Why are you different? What’s important about you? Why does the customer need you?”
8. Mark Cuban: Learn to Sell
The Lesson
Mark Cuban believes that learning to sell is one of the most essential skills for any entrepreneur.
No matter how great your product or service is, if you can’t sell it, you won’t succeed.
The Backstory
Mark Cuban shared his philosophy on selling in a video interview with GQ Sports.
After buying the Dallas Mavericks for $285 million, Cuban knew that improving sales was crucial to turning the struggling team around.
So the first thing he did was put his desk in the middle of the sales department.
He grabbed a phone, printed out a list of past customers, and began cold-calling people to sell $8 tickets to Mavericks games.
Cuban demonstrated that no task is beneath a leader and that learning to sell is a skill that can make or break a business.
By diving into the trenches and fixing the problem at its source, he transformed the Mavericks into one of the most valuable franchises in sports.
The Quote
“You have to be able to sell, because you don’t want to be in a position where you’re dependent on other people.”
9. Tim Ferriss: Automate and Delegate
The Lesson
Tim Ferriss revolutionized the way entrepreneurs approach time management.
To achieve success while maintaining freedom, entrepreneurs must master the art of automating and delegating tasks.
The Backstory
In 2007, Tim Ferriss published The 4-Hour Workweek, a groundbreaking book that changed how entrepreneurs think about work and success.
Ferriss talks about how he ran a successful supplements business – but burned himself out in the process.
The book became a manual for designing a lifestyle where work serves life, not the other way around. Ferriss outlined strategies to automate repetitive tasks, eliminate inefficiencies, and delegate effectively to maximize productivity and reduce working hours.
The book’s philosophy resonated with entrepreneurs worldwide, inspiring countless readers to rethink how they approach their businesses and lives.
The Quote
“Never automate something that can be eliminated, and never delegate something that can be automated or streamlined. Otherwise, you waste someone else’s time instead of your own, which now wastes your hard-earned cash. How’s that for incentive to be effective and efficient?”
10. Gary Vaynerchuk: Depth Matters More Than Width
The Lesson
Gary Vaynerchuk believes in the power of depth over width.
It’s a concept he introduced in his book #AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur’s Take on Leadership, Social Media & Self-Awareness.
The concept is based on the idea that meaningful connections with customers – even if it’s just one person – are the key to creating lasting impact and success.
The Backstory
Gary Vaynerchuk started late in entrepreneurship, initially running his father’s liquor store.
He transformed the small family business into an empire by launching Wine Library, a YouTube channel where he passionately helped viewers understand wine.
The show became a massive hit – not because of high-budget production or Gary’s encyclopedic wine knowledge, but because he focused on providing real value and connecting with his audience.
This philosophy carried over to his later ventures, including VaynerMedia, where Gary emphasized authentic, meaningful engagement with customers.
He believes that depth – genuine attention, effort, and care – is far more important than chasing numbers or popularity.
The Quote
“Depth matters more than width. The smallest meaningful, intentional act will mean much more than a huge one that lacks intent or substance.”
Building an Online Business? Here’s 1 More Crucial Lesson
The entrepreneurs we’ve explored offer timeless lessons for building and growing a business.
But in today’s world, making sales online is its own unique challenge.
If your goal is to sell effectively online, there’s one more lesson you need to know – from ClickFunnels co-founder Russell Brunson.
The Lesson
Russell Brunson discovered that sales funnels are the ultimate tool for converting readers into leads and leads into sales.
Unlike traditional websites, which overwhelm visitors and lead to low conversions, funnels guide customers step-by-step toward a purchase.
This is the core idea of ClickFunnels.
It’s the very same concept, that Russell applied to grow ClickFunnels as a business, which brought in $100 million in sales in the company’s first three years of existence.
The Backstory
Before founding ClickFunnels, Russell made his first serious money online selling DVDs teaching people how to make Potato Guns.
Initially, he relied on a traditional website to sell a $37 DVD.
But when Google Ads prices rose, his business became unprofitable overnight.
A friend suggested he use upsells – what we now call sales funnels – to increase revenue from each customer.
Russell added a $200 potato gun kit as an upsell. It made him profitable again.
This simple funnel allowed him to turn every $50 in ad spend into $102 in revenue.
That revelation became the foundation of ClickFunnels, helping entrepreneurs worldwide scale their businesses.
The Quote
“Funnels make me money. Websites make me broke.”
Try ClickFunnels Free For 14 Days!
Final Thoughts: 10 Lessons From Successful Entrepreneurs
In this article, we looked at how the world’s most successful entrepreneurs – Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, and others – have each picked up important business lessons that every entrepreneur should study.
But while their insights lay the foundation for success, making sales in today’s digital world requires a new level of strategy.
Russell Brunson’s approach to using sales funnels provides the missing piece of the puzzle.
Funnels streamline your customer journey, maximizing conversions and revenue in ways traditional websites can’t.
Whether you’re launching a new product, growing your audience, or scaling your business, ClickFunnels can help you turn visitors into leads and leads into loyal customers.
Success leaves clues, and now you have the blueprint.
Combined with the power of ClickFunnels, your business is ready to reach its full potential.
Try ClickFunnels Free For 14 Days!
Thanks for reading Lessons From Top Entrepreneurs which appeared first on ClickFunnels.
If Click Funnels is of interest and you'd like more information, please do make contact or take a look in more detail here.
Credit: Original article published here.