What I Learned Interviewing Billionaire JP DeJoria

For those of you don't know, JP DeJoria is the founder of Paul Mitchell and also Patron Tequila. He was also the first billionaire to join the Handshakin Video Series. I've shot about 45 interviews and there's been some common conclusions from interviewing today's most successful entrepreneurs here at the Handshakin Video Series.

Today, I want to share with you everything we've learned thus far.  JP realllllly nailed some key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs...

He said pay it forward from day one. Do it before you even start your business. He really helped conclude what the video series has been eluding to for some time.  We typically ask Handshakin guests about three topics: community, feedback, and mentorship.  Here's what has been concluded after having 45 filmed, in person interviews, including venture capitalists, a member of congress, and a billionaire.

What startup entrepreneurs need to know about:

Community- Join a community of entrepreneurs. As your progress in your idea, find more elite communities to provide value to.  Communities are for YOU to help.  Not to help you (although that often happens).

Feedback-  Seek feedback from everyone you know (and haven't met yet) to make sure your startup idea is actually something real that provides specific value to future or current customers.

Mentorship-  Accelerate your entrepreneurial career by identifying key mentors in your community.  Find a way to get an in-person meeting with them (check out my book for more on this).  Help them and understand how they gain value from the relationship.  Know relevant questions to ask them about your startup.

Go and join your first community today by applying to the Handshakin Startup Pre-accelerator.

PS Two favorite quotes from John Paul DeJoria:
"Successful people do all the things unsuccessful people don't want to do."
"Success unshared is failure."