There are endless places an entrepreneur can turn to for advice. You could listen to podcasts, read books or follow business influencers online. Me? I went old-school and listened to my dad. Here I will share some of his tips that have made me successful and will hopefully inspire you to do the same.

1. Be You

My dad taught me to be myself, to be genuine and authentic. He taught me that it’s much better to be disliked for who you are than loved for who you are not. It’s like the Dr. Seuss quote, “Be who you are and say what you feel because the ones who mind don’t matter, and the ones who matter don’t mind.”

2. It All Starts With A Relationship

My dad taught me the importance of relationships. When you show employees that you are invested in their success, it strengthens that relationship, and, in turn, those employees will put out a higher quality of work. They will go that extra mile for you. When you show customers you value them as a person (not simply as a transaction) it will not only create loyalty for your business and brand but more word of mouth referrals as well. In a world where we are continuously connected to technology, and more so with every passing day, we all still crave that human-to-human connection.

3. Do What You Love Everyday

My dad taught me that if you truly love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life. I still remember it like it was yesterday when he told me those words. I was in middle school and it struck a chord with me and got deep into my bones. It’s something I do my best to live out daily. Warren Buffett echoed this mindset when he talked about the benefits of working with those you enjoy being around while doing something you are passionate about–a double-whammy cannot be beat.

4. Life Is SO Short

My dad taught me how precious and short this game of life is. In a mere 62 days he went from running his business day-to-day to passing away from a brain tumor. Life is way too short to be anything but happy. Be grateful each and every day for all that you have because it can be taken away in an instant.

5. Perseverance

My dad taught me to stay persistent and persevere through any setback. The closing of one door isn’t the ending–it’s simply the opening of another, much BETTER opportunity. On the outside, it may look to be a negative but that’s because it’s only halftime of your game, the second half hasn’t even started. Your story is still being written.

6. Be Around Those Who Lift You Up

My dad taught me to only work with those you enjoy being around. The ones that lift you up with their energy. Why can’t your clients be your best friends…and vice versa? My dad loved to golf, especially with his clients. It was a way to talk shop, talk about life, and talk about his faith in a fun and casual setting.

In Summary

My dad’s wisdom wasn’t from a bestselling business book or a viral TED talk – it was real-life, heartfelt advice. From being authentic to cherishing each day, to pushing through the hard times, and picking your crew wisely – these are the golden lessons from the school of Dad. Wherever you are in life, remember to listen to those close-to-home mentors. Sometimes, the best advice comes from the heart, not a headline. 🙌