What Has Oprah Taught You About Entrepreneurship?
Oprah Winfrey's success story has inspired many entrepreneurs, and we wanted to know what specific lessons they've learned from her. We asked seven founders, CEOs, and business leaders to share their insights, ranging from embracing and sharing your story to overcoming adversity with resilience. Read on to discover the valuable entrepreneurial lessons they've gleaned from Oprah's journey.
- Embrace and Share Your Story
- Ask Questions and Seek Expertise
- Stay Authentic and True to Values
- Prioritize Purpose Beyond Profit
- Start Somewhere and Persevere
- Diversify Your Income Sources
- Overcome Adversity With Resilience
Embrace and Share Your Story
The chief attraction we all have to Oprah and the products that her ventures produce is the story behind them. As a person, Oprah has defied all odds to get to where she is today, and I can see this unique story in everything she does, even in the entrepreneurial world. She does not shy away from telling her story, and neither should aspiring entrepreneurs and brands if they want to grow exponentially.
Liam Liu
Co-founder and CMO, ParcelPanel
Ask Questions and Seek Expertise
Who do I talk to when I don’t know? As much of a success as Oprah has been, she was open about what she needed to build a great team. Oprah made a career asking questions, so why not apply that skill to seeking the best experts in their field to help her achieve her vision?
Of course, there’s a certain amount of posturing with entrepreneurship. But Oprah understands that having a vision is a more important trait of a leader instead of attempting to prove you know everything. That’s unsustainable, so you might as well be great at asking questions!
Bridget Reed
Co-founder and VP of Content, The Word Counter
Stay Authentic and True to Values
As an entrepreneur, I have learned a great deal from Oprah Winfrey, one of the world's most successful businesswomen. One of the key lessons that I have taken away from Oprah's business philosophy is the importance of authenticity. Oprah has built her empire by staying true to her values, beliefs, and personality.
She has never tried to be someone she's not or compromise her integrity for financial gain. Instead, she has used her personal story, struggles, and triumphs to connect with her audience, build trust, and inspire millions around the world.
As an entrepreneur, it's important to stay true to yourself and let your personality shine through your brand. When you are passionate about your business and you authentically communicate your values, your audience will resonate with your message and your brand will flourish.
Basana Saha
Founder, KidsCareIdeas
Prioritize Purpose Beyond Profit
I believe Oprah Winfrey's entrepreneurship style teaches us the importance of having a purpose beyond profit.
Her unwavering commitment to empowering people, championing diversity and social issues, and creating content that inspires, educates, and entertains audiences shows entrepreneurship can be a vehicle for positive change in the world.
Her success is a testament to the fact that when you prioritize your values and goals, you can create a business that sustains you and also contributes to the betterment of society.
Shaun Connell
Founder, Writing Tips Institute
Start Somewhere and Persevere
A big lesson we can all take from Oprah is that you have to start somewhere. Oprah is the perfect example of how you don’t just wake up on top—you have to pay your dues. Before Oprah was a mega-famous talk show host, she worked at local television networks with much lower visibility. She persevered, followed her passion, and ultimately found the ultimate success.
Nabeel Abdullah
CEO, Sapphire
Diversify Your Income Sources
This was Oprah's number one piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. She often spoke about developing multiple streams of income and not relying too heavily on one company or industry. According to Oprah, it is important to invest in yourself and invest in different businesses so that when one does not work out; you have something else to fall back on.
Leo Vaisburg
Managing Partner, Amazon Suspension Lawyer
Overcome Adversity With Resilience
From Oprah, I have learned the importance of perseverance in entrepreneurship. Despite facing many challenges in her life, Oprah never gave up on her dreams and continued to work hard to achieve her goals. Her determination and resilience have inspired me to stay focused on my vision and to push through obstacles along the way. I have learned that success in entrepreneurship requires a strong work ethic and the willingness to overcome adversity.
Will Gill
Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, "What have you learned about entrepreneurship from Oprah?"