10 People Entrepreneurs Owe Their Success To

Who do you owe your success to?

To help small business owners with long-lasting success, we asked entrepreneurs and business leaders this question for their best insights. From mothers to business partners, there are several key people these professionals attribute their success to.

Here are 10 people that these entrepreneurs owe their success to:

My Parents and Teacher

First and foremost, my parents 一 they worked hard to get me my first PC when I was five years old. Being a curious boy, I kept breaking it. Thankfully they were patient enough to call the technician again and again. Second, I’d also have to say my computer science teacher at school. They were very kind and guided me through challenging concepts that I failed to understand. As life went on, I was lucky to be surrounded by people that gave me room to fail while helping me learn how to grow from it.

The Team

One of my favorite quotes is, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” An entrepreneur owes everything to the teams around them. Without talented people executing on an entrepreneur’s vision, an entrepreneur simply won’t realize the extent of what they are looking to achieve. I’m incredibly thankful for not only the teams we have at Markitors and Terkel, but also to the teams of people outside of our organizations who support us.

My Mother

I owe my success to my mom. I was fortunate to grow up with a strong female figure in my life. My mom was someone who started their own practice in their 20s and has been a successful dentist for over 30 years. My mom taught me about being brave, getting involved in the community, being independent, doing the right thing, and working hard. Much of what I do and how I am is due to my upbringing and having the motivation to persevere.

Our Business Partners

As entrepreneurs, I think that we really owe our success to our business partners. Whether you’ve collaborated on multiple projects or this is your first business venture, there’s a reason you’re called “partners.” There’s always that golden moment when you realize that you just “click,” possess the same aspirations, and, often more importantly, work ethic. To have a partner during the big wins, the “aha” moments, and even the times when you realize you need to make a pivot can make all the difference when it comes to not just a positive outcome but a positive experience overall.

My Mentors

I owe much of my success to my business mentors. When I was younger, my mentors helped me understand the facets of business management. It has allowed me to be in the position that I’m in today.

The Army

The Army places a great deal of trust and confidence in young officers. In your early 20s, you are responsible for dozens of people and millions of dollars worth of equipment. You have a large organization at your back and the training to succeed. In business, I feel like I have been able to persevere in the face of obstacles and successfully build a business because of the skills and self-confidence I learned in the Army.

My Pet

I know this might sound a bit odd, but I owe my success to my dog. My dog has always been there for me through the good times and the bad. He has helped me get through a lot of hardships, both personally and professionally. He has always pushed me to persevere, and I owe a lot of my success to him.

My Spouse

I would not be successful without the support of my wife, Melissa. I know that sounds cliché, but I didn’t understand what it actually meant until I started my own business. I had a full-time corporate job with long hours and three boys under the age of seven. She helped me carve out time during the day and relieve me of other responsibilities so I could focus on growing the business. She found ways for me to increase our marketing budget, even though we were living very thin as it was, and kept me excited and motivated by talking about how happy she was for me. Looking back, I believe she made far more sacrifices than I did, so I can confidently say I owe my success entirely to her.

My Homeland

I always wanted to create a business that gave back to my home country in Nigeria. With my company, I am able to provide sustainable products to all homes and also give back by providing sanitary bathrooms and toilets. My home is what inspired me to build my dream and company.

My Grandmother

My grandmother had a gift in the kitchen, and she always made everyone happy with her culinary creations. Simply the act of taking that first bite had the ability to transport us to another time and place. I used to help my grandmother cook when I was younger, and it left a lasting impression on me. She used to bribe me to help her in the kitchen, and I fell in love with cooking. It certainly inspired me to become a chef.