Get All Access for $5/mo

'Shark Tank' Judges Say Successful Entrepreneurs Share These 5 Traits We asked the judges to weigh in on which characteristics can lead to wealth.

By Jonathan Small

Rodin Eckenroth | Getty Images

Succesful entrepreneurs consider themselves mavericks and disruptors -- people who shatter the status quo. And it's true that most of them made their fortune by thinking differently.

But the truly successful may not be as unique as they'd like to think. According to the Shark Tank judges, they all share common characteristics, good and bad, that have made them very rich. Here's their take on millionaire-billionaire traits.

Related: The Biggest Risk 4 Judges on 'Shark Tank' Ever Took

They fail forward.

"The most succesful people I know bounce back, are resilient and use failure as a learning experience. They don't fail twice, and when they do fail, they fail fast! I also find that successful people have a passion to accomplish something bigger than themselves. Maybe it's for family, maybe for the community, maybe to change the world -- but they are driven by something other than themselves and money. Passion can fuel you through good times and bad as a business owner."

-- Robert Herjavec

They need attention.

"Successful people have a tremendous need for attention -- which means they were injured as a child, didn't get enough attention or something went awry. They also have a huge amount of energy. If you don't have the energy, you're not going to work an 80-hour week."

-- Barbara Corcoran

They don't take no for an answer.

"A no is a definite maybe. They will move on. They'll get up before everybody, they'll go to bed after everybody, and nobody can stop them, no matter what."

-- Daymond John

Related: The Motivating Morning Routines of 4 Successful Sharks

They're type-A.

"Everyone knows everything, everyone's an expert and everybody's aggressive."

-- Bettheny Frankel

They're visionary.

"Most successful people are very confident, driven, risk-takers, highly motivated, decisive and they don't take no for an answer. They see possibilities where others see obstacles and they're creative thinkers that think outside of the box. They tend to not follow a normal path but blaze their own trail."

--Lori Greiner

Jonathan Small

Entrepreneur Staff

Founder, Strike Fire Productions

Jonathan Small is a bestselling author, journalist, producer, and podcast host. For 25 years, he has worked as a sought-after storyteller for top media companies such as The New York Times, Hearst, Entrepreneur, and Condé Nast. He has held executive roles at Glamour, Fitness, and Entrepreneur and regularly contributes to The New York Times, TV Guide, Cosmo, Details, Maxim, and Good Housekeeping. He is the former “Jake” advice columnist for Glamour magazine and the “Guy Guru” at Cosmo.

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

Side Hustle

At Age 15, He Used Facebook Marketplace to Start a Side Hustle — Then It Became Something Much Bigger: 'Raised Over $1.6 Million'

Dylan Zajac, now a 21-year-old senior at Babson College, wanted to bridge the digital divide.

Side Hustle

'I Just Hustled': She Earned More Than $300,000 Wrapping Gifts Last Year — and It All Started With a Side Hustle

When Michelle Hensley lost her husband to cancer, she needed to figure out how to earn an income for her family.

Franchise

McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback

The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

OpenAI Just Released Its Text-to-Video Generator, Sora. Here's How the New AI Could Impact Small Businesses and Creators.

Sora has a variety of use cases for businesses, from social media campaigns to video creation.

Innovation

These Entrepreneurs Created a League That Turns Gamers Into Pro Race Car Drivers: 'We're Giving Drivers a Sustainable Career Path'

Racing Prodigy's innovative E2Real sports league is lowering the high-cost barrier to entry for drivers to take their passion to the track.