How to Become an Entrepreneurial Expert

Author: Zhou Jimin (Compiler)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-06-01
Features: In the long journey of life, everyone inevitably encounters two or three opportunities; relatively, there are also countless crises. To seize the favor of luck requires judgment, combined with opportunities, confidence, and focus during the business process—all of which are key to success. Most working-class people dream of escaping the wage slave life, aspiring to start their own businesses and become the protagonists of success stories. Others are tasked with creating businesses within companies, striving for success within a certain scope. While emerging business opportunities are abundant, the possibility of being due to changing times is also high. The 16 individuals selected in this book are all self-made entrepreneurs, and the following are their insights on entrepreneurship.
16 entrepreneurs, each with 16 different life paths, share a common point: they all grasp the key to success. Modern business is ever-changing. For example, a small retail store that started with "SEVEN-ELEVEN" was the only one in the late 1950s, but today, over 99% of people are aware of such convenience stores. The 24-hour service of convenience stores has also inspired many industries to follow suit. Book City's Chairman Kikuchi Kiyotaka changed his store's operating hours to 24/7. Others imitated Kikuchi's all-night bookstores, making fortunes by operating round-the-clock real estate businesses or baseball batting practice centers. In such a dynamic business environment, from another perspective, it is also an opportunity for emerging businesses to rise.
Many working-class people dream of escaping the wage slave life, hoping to start their own businesses and become the protagonists of success stories. Others are tasked with creating businesses within companies, striving for growth within a certain range. In the past, many relied on home delivery services like "Black Cat Taikatsu" or set up temporary stalls as their business locations. Today, pizza and bento delivery services, as well as small cars or van-based businesses selling bento boxes and sandwiches, have become extremely popular. While many start businesses on a whim and see them flourish after 5 or 10 years, many others, like the once-booming convenience stores, have been forced to merge with others or even go bankrupt due to operational difficulties.
Starting a new business offers many opportunities for success, but with changing times, the risk of being also increases. The 16 individuals featured in this book are all self-made entrepreneurs, and this book can be seen as their success stories of personal entrepreneurship aimed at escaping the wage class. Soma Bu company's owner Suzuki Kei, from failing the university entrance exam at 21, started a business and became an 8.4 million-yen-a-year millionaire by 28, driven by the belief that he would not lose to his university classmates. Asahi Company's Hayashi Takeshi discovered his potential after 30 and, through continuous effort, established a company with over 2 billion in annual revenue within just five years.
16 entrepreneurs, each with 16 different life paths, share a common point: they all act decisively and excel at turning the tide. In the long journey of life, everyone inevitably encounters two or three opportunities, but relatively, there are also risks of losing everything. In other words, to seize the favor of luck requires judgment, combined with opportunities, confidence, and focus during the business process—all of which are key to success. For example, Sakurada Kei, who trades stocks, resigned from his securities company, left the wage class, and partnered with friends to start a business. After a series of twists and turns, he now runs a hamburger and steak chain and is fully dedicated to his business.
Over 15 years as a journalist, I have interviewed hundreds of successful entrepreneurs. The conclusion shows that their common traits are: paying close attention to and researching social trends, coupled with an indomitable personality. By carefully observing social trends and seizing opportunities—even if it's just a small "sprout"—if you diligently water, fertilize, and take good care of it, you can nurture it into something great. Conversely, crises are also everywhere. During baseball broadcasts, journalists and commentators often say, "After a crisis comes a turning point." This also fully applies to business operations or life journeys. Most entrepreneurs can turn crises around at critical moments, turning danger into safety.
Each person only has one life. If you can accept challenges, make decisions between gain and loss, and seize opportunities, that is the basic condition for success. The 16 entrepreneurs featured in this book have firmly seized the favor of luck and have not let go until now. In their success stories, there are many lessons worth learning. However, how to choose depends on the readers' careful consideration. I hope this book will help you better grasp opportunities and find ways to overcome crises.