[Nick R]

Serial Entrepreneur: How Cowell Produced Success


When Cowell was once asked what the secret to success was, he replied, “Work hard, be patient, and be a sponge while learning your business. Learn how to take criticism. Follow your gut instinct and don’t compromise.” It is by following this recipe that Cowell has shot to fame and earned a reputation as not only a great record producer, music executive, and television personality, but also as an astute and successful entrepreneur.

He Never Backed Down: “I can't bear political correctness,” says Cowell. “I don't like a rule driven life and I hate the fact that you can't criticize a fat person.” Whatever Cowell wants to say, he says; whatever he wants to do, he does; and neither Paula Abdul nor the President of BMG can do anything about it. Cowell’s refusal to compromise or bend in the face of pressure is what has made him not only a character who people love to hate and can’t get enough of, but more importantly a successful force to be reckoned with.

He Never Stopped: Ambition is Cowell’s middle name. Despite expulsion from high school, two failed companies, and a failed reality show, Cowell’s ambition kept him working towards achieving his goals. After making his mark in the U.K., Cowell wanted to take America, and then he wanted the world. No success was ever good enough and it was to this end that he kept producing more.

He Accepted Failure: “Not everybody is perfect, and I don't think we should be looking for perfect people,” Cowell said in reference to the “American Idol” search for a new star. Similarly, Cowell never expected perfection from himself. He knew he would make mistakes and experience rejection along the way, but he accepted that, learned from his mistakes and moved on.

He Was Honest: “The object of this competition is not to be mean to the losers but to find a winner,” says Cowell of “American Idol.” “The process makes you mean because you get frustrated. Kids turn up unrehearsed, wearing the wrong clothes, singing out of tune and you can either say, ‘Good job,’ and patronize them or tell them the truth, and sometimes the truth is perceived as mean.” It was in being honest with both himself and others that Cowell was able to walk the path to success.

He Trusted His Instincts: From the Teletubbies to professional wrestlers to pop opera, Cowell dared to listen to his gut and produce albums that few others saw potential in. He was willing to follow his hunches even if it meant taking the road far less traveled. He wasn’t right 100% of the time, but he knew he would go wrong far fewer times if he trusted himself than not.

One quick glance around at the giant billboards advertising “American Idol” and “American Inventor” and the evidence of Cowell’s success is obvious. He recently signed on with Idol for another five years, and with his $100 million/yr salary, Cowell isn’t going anywhere.

[matt_au]

i have always liked this guy.

[deep_impression777]

Correction: We have always liked to watch the guy.

But with his achievements, he is really commendable.

[crackshot22]

I have always loved to watch this guy. He always seems to say the right thing like, "Don't sing because you can't."
Anyway I heard his books are really good.

[Woodcs82]

He's a smart guy and tells it like it is.

[entrep80]

work hard, be patient - I agree.

[NewMerchant]

I like Simon, he has produced some truly questionable records, but he is straight down the line.

[s2008aw]

Simon is great because hes honest and tells it like it is even if he becomes unpopular.

[Online Super Sale]

Originally Posted by s2008aw

Simon is great because hes honest and tells it like it is even if he becomes unpopular.

Actually he became popular that way. At least before I knew anything about American Idol even existing I learned about him in the newspaper as a so called "mean judge". He is very honest when it comes to commenting on people.

[jprichardson]

I don't really know what records he produces and I've always thought he was a prick, but I do admire that he has the cojones to tell it like it is.

[s2008aw]

Online super sale, actually he was unpopular. But he is what is classed as 'infamous' a person who has a bad reputation. Ive read his book and his honesty, in the hurtful things he says is more helpful in the music business than someone who says everything is great when its not. Honest feedback helps you, 'YES' people dont.

[mse]

I personally prefer Mr Cowell's mentor, there dosn't seem to be a thread for Mr Peter Waterman. Simon Cowell was once the guy who made cups of tea for Peter Waterman AKA Stock, Aitken & Waterman. Waterman dominated the pop record scene during the 1980's in the UK and still i beleive sold more records as a producer then Cowell has to date.

[Fadzuli]

Hi,

Thanks for the article. I didn't knew that he had several failed ventures..
Anyway what's the title of his book?

[Achiles-Teradali]

haha I love Simon Cowell. We need more people like him in this world that are honest and straightforward. To many people want to here something good, rather than be told the truth. In the business world people are usually straight up and will tell you how it is, not what you want to here.

[lupe123]

To me , he's a hero. People complain about his sloppy songs but let's be honest, they sold and made him rich. If you can sell guys dirty jeans and they pay designer jeans prices, then you are an entrepreneur.

But he needs to tone down his language a bit.