Get All Access for $5/mo

A 5-Time Founder Shares His Best Success Tips Godard Abel's sold businesses to Oracle and Salesforce, and these are the three biggest secrets to his success.

By Robert Tuchman Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • Surround yourself with people who inspire you.
  • Even the most successful people aren't immune to the highs and lows of life.
  • Every day is a new learning opportunity.

This week on How Success Happens, I spoke with Godard Abel, co-founder and CEO of B2B software marketplace G2. Before G2, Abel built cloud CPQ software pioneers BigMachines (acquired by Oracle) and SteelBrick (acquired by Salesforce). He has an incredible career full of trials and tribulations, and I was curious to find out more about his journey — both professionally and personally — as a five-time entrepreneur. You can listen to our full conversation below, and I've pulled out three key takeaways. I hope you're as inspired as I am by Abel.

1. Surround yourself with people who inspire you

Abel's father was instrumental in kindling his entrepreneurial spirit. One of his more notable childhood memories is seeing a computer for the first time — a novelty brought home by his dad, an early enthusiast of technology. This exposure to his father's business ambition and cutting-edge technology became the cornerstone of inspiration for his career.

Abel always understood the significance of collective wisdom and inspiration. Hence, he never wanted to found a company alone. Much of his team from his first startup BigMachines worked together at SteelBrick and again at G2. For him, it's less about ego and more about invaluable perspective, support and understanding. This ethos, combined with his father's influence, was key in shaping Abel's entrepreneurial journey.

Timestamp — 1:30 and 12:10

Related: How This MLB All-Star Turned a Baseball Career Into an Entrepreneurial Journey

2. The most successful people aren't immune to the highs and lows of life

Even successful entrepreneurs can wrestle with deep-seated anxieties and fears, and these feelings are a common part of the entrepreneurial journey. Abel recounts the persistent doubt and fear of failure he experiences as an entrepreneur, even amidst the celebration of company successes. Although the sale of BigMachines to Oracle was an important milestone in his career, it was also a difficult transition due to his deep personal connection to the company and his always-on mindset. Through conscious leadership and his spiritual journey, Abel now faces the lows head-on and celebrates the highs in a new way.

Timestamp — 10:00 and 24:30

Related: The Founder of CAA-Backed Celebrity Brands Discusses What Makes Companies Successful

3. Every day is a new learning opportunity

In the world of entrepreneurship, you're always doing a hundred things at once, so inspiration comes from everywhere. The most successful people are those who have a curiosity and passion for learning. Despite the substantial progress of G2, Abel still feels the journey is only halfway complete. The world of software is continuously evolving and expanding, requiring platforms like G2 to remain adaptable and forward-thinking. Entrepreneurs should always have a pulse on future trends and echo Jeff Bezos' "day one" mentality — the idea that a company treats every day like it's the first.

Timestamp — 30:25

Related: The Co-Founder of Casper Is Venturing Into Clean Energy With His New Company

Robert Tuchman

Entrepreneur Staff

Host of How Success Happens

Robert Tuchman is the host of Entrepreneur's How Success Happens podcast and founder of Amaze Media Labs the largest business creating podcasts for companies and brands. He built and sold two Inc. 500 companies: TSE Sports and Entertainment and Goviva acquired by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Franchise 500 Annual Ranking

50 Franchise CMOs Who Are Changing the Game

Get to know the industry's most influential marketing power players.

Thought Leaders

6 Tips From a Clean Beauty Entrepreneur

Sarah Biggers went from a newbie in the natural beauty space to a pro in just a few years. Here are six things she wishes she'd known at the beginning.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.