Three Lessons in Success from Jay Z
It’s been nearly 10 years since Jay Z uttered, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.” What just seemed like one of Jay’s boastful double ent andres at the time, feels more like a warning today. Even after his success with Rocawear clothing and his 40/40 Clubs, how could a 2005 Jay Z know that in 2015 Shawn Carter would be an extraordinary example of success?
While he’s often let his work speak for itself, Jay Z’s master plan for success is a long coveted best kept secret. Any hard-working, aspiring entertainment mogul will tell you that all they need is a blueprint. There are a few things we can learn from Mr. Carter, and trail of breadcrumbs he left for those of us who are fixated on success.
Get Established
Even before the release of his debut album, Reasonable Doubt, Jay had established Roc-a-Fella Records and arranged distribution through Priority Records. According to the allmusic.com biography by Jason Birchmeier, Jay Z started off with a “risky strategy for cutting out the middleman and making money for himself.”
It seemed that he was focused on the bottom line from the very beginning. However, Jay Z has never abandoned the music that propelled him into the mainstream spotlight. Earning 21 GRAMMY awards since 1998, Jay Z has undoubtedly proved himself as a music monster above all else.
Diversify
There’s no need to mention his fashion endeavors. Fronting the check for the Brooklyn Nets is no secret. However, Jay Z is the king of diverse income streams. He has his hands in everything from Armand de Brignac champagne, to music streaming services.
Then, NBA and MLB certified Roc Nation announced its partnership with another management company, Three Six Group, to form the film and television management company, Three Six Zero Entertainment. After establishing himself through his own talent, Mr. Carter is using his wisdom to help other talented individuals while retaining his billions.
Have Fun
At 40+, it’s great to see that Mr. Carter isn’t so much of a businessman that he’s forgotten how to have a good time. Between music, vacations with Beyoncé and Blue Ivy, and Brooklyn Nets basketball games, you can always catch the forever-young mogul with a smile on his face.
When you grind as hard as Jay does, there’s no reason you shouldn’t play just as hard. Whether it’s a “leisurely” dinner with President Obama, or shopping in Paris, the hardest of workers deserve to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
In 2012, Forbes profiled Jay-Z and his entrepreneurial success. Taken from the forward to Zack O’Malley Greenburg’s book on Carter’s success, the profile is a great place for anyone looking to walk in the footsteps of the successful greats. No matter where you start, there are three simple things to remember. Master your craft, vary your investments, and have a blast doing it.
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