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Kevin O'Leary Says True Validation Comes From Paying Customers: 'You Do Not Start A Business Until…'
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-27 21:31
Core Insights - Kevin O'Leary advises aspiring entrepreneurs to avoid launching businesses out of pressure, emphasizing that success is contingent on strangers being willing to pay for a solution [1][2] Group 1: Business Launch Advice - O'Leary states that the worst reason to start a business is feeling obligated to do so, urging founders to wait until they have identified a genuine problem that people are willing to pay to solve [2][3] - He highlights that feedback from family and friends is not a reliable form of validation, asserting that a business is only legitimate when a stranger makes a purchase [3][4] Group 2: Entrepreneurial Mindset - O'Leary shares personal experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial journey, including advice from his stepfather that redirected him towards business and marketing [5] - He emphasizes the importance of aligning passion with ability and avoiding self-deception in the pursuit of entrepreneurial success [5]