Who is one of your biggest role models that is an entrepreneur? Why are they a good entrepreneurial role model?

Although not an entrepreneur in the "startup" sense, Nassim has helped to define what it means to be an ethical entrepreneur and have "skin in the game," assuming both the upside and downside of any risks you take or create for others. He has also shown how to de-fragilize an organization, which is particularly useful for startups now, as interest rates rise and capital becomes more scarce.

Jack Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba Group. Ma started his career as an English teacher in China and had little technical background. Despite these challenges, he successfully built one of the world's largest e-commerce companies. Key lessons from Ma's journey include the power of resilience (he was rejected from many jobs, including KFC, before starting Alibaba), the importance of vision (he saw the potential of the internet to transform commerce before it was widely recognized), and the value of team-building and empowering others (he often speaks about hiring people smarter than himself and fostering a sense of purpose within his team).

My biggest entrepreneurial role models are somewhere in television, music, fashion, and the entertainment industry, and I say this because these are some of the few industries where people like myself can really thrive outside of sports and the cultural stigmas. One of my biggest entrepreneurial role models is Snoop Dogg. Snoop Dogg was a popular rapper during my time growing up in Long Beach, California. He has succeeded many business endeavors from music, to television, collectors’ items, to one of the biggest Superbowl performances, to deals with one of my favorite California fast food joints, Jack N’ the Box. Snoop has driven his impact by bringing kids affirmational cartoons and his cereal line that amplifies a passion for community and the culture. There are many ways to handle business but being able to watch the journeys of some of my biggest entrepreneurial role models and them accomplishing their projects is inspiration for me to keep going in all my business endeavors.

As Intuit’s former CEO, Brad Smith embodies what I think every leader should be. He prioritized his team with fun initiatives and isn’t afraid to make fun of himself along the way - even if it means wearing a Roman soldier costume as a part of his “300” inspired launch strategy. He’s shown that what really matters is empowering your team to make their own decisions and putting yourself in the customers’ shoes regularly, even going to customers’ homes to help understand exactly how they used the products. Smith shows that leaders should never lose sight of the importance of the customer and the team around them.

Bertalan Mesko is the "Medical Futurist." For me, he embodies what I'd hope most health entrepreneurs would have: a vision for the future. Bertalan centers his brand on covering the latest innovations in our industry. Many entrepreneurs create ideas that benefit them personally, but Bertalan focuses his business on sharing the innovations of others so that the medical community can grow as a whole. He portrays the self-less side of entrepreneurship in that he's determined to educate the public through his work. With so much media centered on the negatives of implementing artificial intelligence, we need more entrepreneurs like him pushing for more coverage on how technology can help our medical future.

As an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry I have to say Chef Marcus Samuelsson inspires me to no end! His restaurant group has achieved enormous success through his determination, creativity, and shrewd business sense. He is also a keen philanthropist, which I feel is an important aspect of entrepreneurship that many people overlook. Giving back to your community is essential to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs and talent. If you are a businessperson who forgets the people who helped you along the way, you may have money but you'll be lacking in personal relationships and a legacy beyond your wealth.

Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is not only a highly successful investor but also an inspirational figure for entrepreneurs. His focus is on understanding business fundamentals, identifying sustainable advantages, practicing patience, maintaining humility, and continuously learning to align with the principles of successful entrepreneurship. Through philanthropy, Buffett also demonstrates the importance of giving back and making a positive impact.

Elon Musk is my top role model as an entrepreneur. I mean, this guy founded Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company! Talk about an incredible innovator and risk-taker. What sets Elon apart is his fearlessness. He's not afraid to fail or face rejection, and he never gives up on his dreams. Seriously, his courage in pushing technology's boundaries is mind-blowing! Electric cars, reusable rockets, AI projects, and city tunnels - he's on a whole other level. But here's what really impresses me: Elon thinks long-term. He envisions a future with sustainable energy and solving society's problems. Decades, not just years. And he's doing it all through innovation. Man, talk about thinking bigger! And let's not forget the business side. Come on, who can ignore the incredible barriers he's broken? So many people doubted SpaceX at first, but now it's worth over $300 billion! And don't get me started on Tesla. They've become one of the biggest automakers since 2003!

As an entrepreneur, learning from other entrepreneurs who share their tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your entrepreneurial journey is essential. By listening to Angel Duckworth’s TED talks, there are so many insights, tips and insights that support and encourage entrepreneurs to build grit, determination and resilience in everything that you do and helps put entrepreneurs on the right track to success.

Brent is the founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, a holding company based in Columbia, Missouri. Brent founded Permanent Equity in 2007. The company takes a unique long-term orientation wherein they buy and intend to own their portfolio companies for as long as possible. He has been referred to as the Baby Buffet, and his model and midwestern orientation do mirror that of Warren Buffet in funny ways. Brent is an amazing role model because of his kindness and humility. I can think of few people in his position with his approachability and self-awareness.

"Thomas Brag, Ammar Kandil & Matt Dahlia are founders of Yes Theory, who have created a business from the simple belief of seeking discomfort, and a new way of approaching life. They grew through Youtube, but they also have a successful lifestyle clothing brand, have recently embarked on a partnership with Headspace, have released a feature length movie at global film festivals and are even about to publish their first book. They may seem like typical influencers, but there is something special about how they have built a brand from a community, instead of the more typical brand that builds customer loyalty, and that is where we can take inspiration from. They started by building a belief system that people fell in love with, and everything in their brand is now geared to keeping that community alive, thriving and growing. It is something that everybody aspiring to build a community within their business wants, and they have shown how this can be done in a new, authentic way."

Anita Roddick is an admirable entrepreneur. She founded The Body Shop, which emphasizes environmental consciousness in its cosmetics and skincare products. It is inspiring to see a woman build a successful business while also approaching it with well-meaning values that truly benefit everyone.

Howard Schultz was truly self-made, growing up in rough housing projects to bring Starbucks from a small coffee chain to an international giant. While growing a successful business is impressive, what really stands out is how he did it by breeding a culture of compassion. Schultz understood that his people were his greatest asset, sharing success directly to them and the communities they serve. He turned an industry with low wages and virtually no benefits into one that offers comprehensive health care and business equity for its team members. It’s important to remember that treating people well will ultimately lead to even better success.

Elon Musk is one of my biggest role models as an entrepreneur. He is a good entrepreneurial role model due to his visionary thinking, relentless pursuit of innovation, and ability to disrupt multiple industries. Musk co-founded companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and The Boring Company, each pushing the boundaries of their respective fields. His determination, risk-taking attitude, and willingness to challenge the status quo have inspired countless entrepreneurs. Musk's commitment to sustainability and his ambitious goals for a sustainable future also demonstrate the importance of aligning business endeavors with broader societal and environmental goals.

Peter Thiel is one of my greatest entrepreneurial role models. He has been named the most successful investor of the first decade of the 21st century by Forbes. Peter Thiel’s ventures include PayPal, which he co-founded and was the first outside investor in Facebook. Peter Thiel has taught me to have an innovative and creative mindset and to always follow my dreams. He has also taught me to never be afraid to take risks and to always be willing to take the first step. Peter Thiel has always been a big advocate of thinking outside the box and not being afraid to take risks. He believes that it is okay to fail as long as you learn from your mistakes and use that knowledge to make better decisions in the future. He also believes in the power of perseverance, which is why he has always been willing to take on new challenges even when others have told him that he can’t do it. It is these qualities, along with his creativity and drive, that have made him such a successful entrepreneur.

One of my biggest role models that is an entrepreneur would be Justin Welsh. His transparency and willingness to share his knowledge on becoming a successful "solopreneur" is top notch. He shares insights into his journey, lessons learned, and practical advice that fellow entreneurs can easily apply.

As the founder of Spanx, Sara Blakely has seen major financial success, but what really makes her stand out is her perseverance. She had very little money to invest herself and was rejected many times by investors. Still, she kept pushing until someone gave her a chance and her business began to grow. Another part of her story I love is that some of her initial success was thanks to compliments and endorsements from another female powerhouse - Oprah. It’s a great example of how great women that succeed can help pave the way and lift each other up.

Cindy Gallop serves as a remarkable entrepreneurial role model for me thanks to her exceptional qualities and achievements. Her fearless and pioneering approach to business is truly inspiring. But what really sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to challenging societal norms and promoting diversity and inclusion in her ventures. Her ability to disrupt industries while boldly advocating for change is something I believe we should all aspire to do.

Anyone in the cocktail industry knows of Frankie Solarik. He's one of the most successful mixologists and entrepreneurs in the world, and is a pioneer of the immersive cocktail experience we now know as mixology. I just admire any entrepreneur who has taken something incredibly specific that they love and have made it their key to success. In a world of crypto and SaaS companies, its encouraging to see that innovation in tangible, creative industries can still lead to overwhelming success.

One of my biggest entrepreneurial role models is Gary Vaynerchuk. He's well-known in the business world for his acumen and commitment to success. What makes him stand out, however, is his sheer passion for what he is trying to achieve - no matter how big or small the project may be. Gary understands that nothing great was ever achieved without dedication, hard work, and a positive attitude; all of which makes him an excellent model for aspiring entrepreneurs. His willingness to go above and beyond to inspire others through his written works, audio podcasts, and engaging speaking engagements not only influenced me personally but also has helped many others take action on their dreams.