Let's say, this is the second time I have heard this although this time it was said differently. While trying to make conversations about business with his granddaughter, Kang Han-na, the chairman of Woowon Group, Kim Woo-won explicitly chuckled while he made this statement;
Source
When you fail, you become a con artist, but if you succeed you become an inspiration. Life is all about results. Agency - TV Series - 2023
The last part may not have been present the first time I heard this statement but this time it made a lot of sense because of that addition. The truth is entrepreneurs face the pressure of making sure that their ideas sell, get off the ground, and finally become a success. With all of the money that VCs and investors will be handing over to them, the battle to win the game of business will be as important to them as the air they breathe.
If they don't think the business battle very seriously, they will end up in a spot where the air feels completely different from what they are accustomed to - *Prison Time".
It is always important then that they succeed at all costs. This could be one of the reasons they will do anything humanly possible to make the cut in society and the world of business at large. Messing with someone's hard earn money and throwing it all away in the name of failed businesses will put you in the bad book of a lot of people so it's always important to make sure you are seeing several steps ahead of your competition, the public, your team members, investors and everyone else included in the loop of your brand and business.
If you carelessly think you can get away by being the idea Bank in the room, you will have to rethink it once you find yourself facing a judge and listening to the counts of the crimes you've committed while you were on your way to change the world.
Kang Han-na had that innocent look and carefree lifestyle being an influencer and all. But she was also a fox on the inside. It was necessary that her grandpa allowed her to get her hands dirty by working in the company where she could practice her nature while bringing the company the spotlight it desired and improving sales and productivity. It did not matter how she was going to do this, her grandpa was convinced she had the intuition to make it work. She did not think with her head, she tried to understand what the public wanted and went ahead and gave that to them point blank. I feel it's the basis of influencing but she took it a step further because at some point it brought the company good media and publicity and of course, sales improved.
With these attributes, she had to succeed at all costs, I am sure a lot of people would think she had everything given to her on a platter but as it stands, she will win some respect by getting her hands dirty. Using the resources at her disposal to move the most needles in her family business and become a success instead of a con artist.
Entrepreneurs who make it to the top always become an inspiration to younger generations and older ones at large. So it's not completely out of place to meet someone who wants to succeed at all costs. Being an inspiration to someone is a big deal and you might even die knowing that you left a legacy behind or created an impact in people's lives.
Reference
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