Need a little business and success inspiration today? Then check out the posts by public speaker Marc Randolph, co-founder of Netflix and LinkedIn thought leader. 

Marc offers insights into the long road to success and the journey of the entrepreneur, some of which you can also find in his Amazon #1 bestselling book, That Will Never Work.

Here are a few entrepreneur insights to start your day.

1) Nobody Knows Anything

According to Marc, “Nobody knows if your idea is good or bad. You don’t know if it’s good or bad. You need to test your idea, trial it and collide it with reality. That’s the only way to learn.”

So stop listening to the naysayers and try out your idea. That’s the only way you’ll know if it works. 

2) Appearance Is Not Reality

According to Marc, “When you look at social media, it seems like founders all live like rockstars. But this belies the reality. The truth is being a founder can be one of the toughest, loneliest tasks you’ll ever face.”

In fact, most entrepreneurs toil on an idea for a decade before they get a big reward. So remember that success is tough for a reason—and unicorns are rare.

3) You Can’t Predict What Will Be Successful

According to Marc, “You can’t predict a 100x moment, but you can try 100 times.”

Marc had a very successful post on LinkedIn that connected with over 300,000 people. But he’s not sure why. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop trying. So keep trying until your product, service, or insight connects with customers.

4) The Idea That Starts Your Business Often Changes

According to Marc, “ Every successful company I can think of started out doing something that bares only a passing resemblance to what they eventually became successful with. Twitter began life as Odeo, a podcasting platform. Airbnb was originally conceived as a solution for conference attendees. PayPal started as a way to beam money between handheld personal organizers.”

So be flexible and adapt to the feedback you get from customers.

5) The Path to Success Is Not Linear

Marc didn’t start his career in the tech or entertainment industry, yet he ended up co-founding Netflix. In fact, Marc says

“Before becoming an entrepreneur, I was:

• The worst realtor in the state of New York
• A gofer for the CEO of a sheet music company
• An aspiring brand manager for flea shampoo
• And the manager of a ski shop owned by a cotton magnate in—of all places—Memphis, Tennessee.”

Marc didn’t even become a tech entrepreneur until he was 32. He suggests you follow a passion, not a plan. So find yours and follow it.

If you like to learn to book Marc Randolph for your next event or learn more about entrepreneurship and innovation, contact BigSpeak Speakers Bureau today, a leading speaking agency.

For More on Startup Founders and Motivational Entrepreneurs

How the Co-Founder of Netflix Simultaneously Grew His Company and Strengthened His Family

Great Speakers Who Are Startup Founders

Game-Changing Technology Keynote Speakers