It’s easy to find inspiration in the stories of others. Whether it’s the entrepreneur who built a billion-dollar company from scratch or the athlete who works hard every day to achieve their goals, the success of great leaders is always inspiring and can be used to channel your success. The people chosen for this list have all built successful businesses and have inspired many people along their journey. Here’s a look at a few leaders within the business world whom we can all learn from:
Bill Gates, Microsoft
Bill Gates started Microsoft in 1975 and is still the company’s co-founder. In addition to being a successful businessman, he is also known for his philanthropy. He founded The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his wife in 2000 and has since donated $26 billion of his wealth to charity. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provides opportunities for students pursuing higher education to earn generous scholarships that will carry them throughout their degree.
Gates’s net worth currently stands at $102.1 billion— and continues to grow yearly. He’s not just another tech billionaire who spends money on luxury items like cars or clothes: His philanthropic efforts have put him in touch with people worldwide who otherwise wouldn’t have access to technology or education.
Gates has been a significant influence in the tech world for decades. He was one of the first people to realize that computers could be more than just calculators and were capable of doing complex tasks—and he believed that they could change the world. He helped build Microsoft into what it is today: One of the largest companies in the world, employing over 150K people. Today, Microsoft products are widely used by remote companies, students, and many others who work and create online. Bill Gates has essential leadership and business savvy that all new entrepreneurs and leaders can take inspiration from.
Mark Cuban, Shark Tank
Mark Cuban is a billionaire entrepreneur and investor who owns the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA. He’s also the owner of AXS TV, an online streaming service that broadcasts live music performances.
Cuban rose to fame for his appearance on ABC’s reality show Shark Tank, where he critiques various business ideas and offers his input as an investor. The show has become wildly popular since its premiere in 2009, with celebrities such as Daymond John (of FUBU) and Kevin O’Leary (of Shark Tank) becoming household names—and millionaires—as a result of their appearances on it.
Mark Cuban is self-made; he went from rags to riches without help from family or friends. He started working odd jobs before founding MicroSolutions Inc., which was later sold for $6 million! Mark has not only created several successful ventures, but he is currently leading a pharmaceutical group that works to offer affordable prescription medications within the US for those without insurance. Mark Cuban has unique business savvy that today’s leaders can learn from and implement within their own ventures.
Sasan Goodarzi, Intuit
Sasan Goodarzi is an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He is the CEO of Intuit, a global technologies platform. Sasan Goodarzi took over as Intuit CEO in 2019 and has since successfully led the company in its endeavors to power prosperity around the world.
Sasan Goodarzi has an impressive professional history with leadership roles in the transportation, industrial automation, and technology industries. Sasan was also the “CEO and co-founder of a technology startup, Lazer Cables Inc.” Sasan’s extensive experience is part of what makes him a top leader within his industry.
Sasan was born in Tehran and came to the US as a child. He grew up in Florida and eventually graduated from the University of Central Florida and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. There are many things that can be learned from Goodarzi and his dedication to his profession, as well as his innovation, creativity, and leadership in every industry he joins.
Hopefully, this blog post has inspired you to keep working hard and achieve your goals. These entrepreneurs have shown us that it is possible to succeed in business with hard work and perseverance.