PayPal, Spanx, Drawbridge, Carnegie Steel, Young & Reckless… These are but a few companies that have gone from nothing to millions (and, in some cases, billions). Who are the entrepreneurs to watch out for? How did they get to where they are now? Is there something we can learn from them? Find this out and learn why you need to use a business name checker to get your business running smoothly.

1. Elon Musk

as reported by Rolling Stone, billionaire, Elon Musk is responsible for starting not one but four billion-dollar companies: PayPal, Tesla, Solar City, and SpaceX. Musk put himself through college, and started Zip2 with his brother. Using the profit he made from selling Zip2, he started X.com, which eventually became what we know as PayPal. And from there, the rest is history. Rolling Stone states that Musk’s ambitions are aimed at creating livable habitats on other planets (including the Moon). Accomplishment-wise, according to CNBC, Musk pegs his success on books—these include An American Life (by Benjamin Franklin, another noted entrepreneur) and Lord of the Flies (by William Golding).

What Can Be Learned?

Musk is not the only entrepreneur who looks to books; Bill Gates reads roughly a book a week. Perhaps there’s something to reading? Even if your ambition isn’t to start the next civilization on Mars, it doesn’t hurt to pick up a novel and let your mind roam. In fact, CNBC claims that reading fiction not only widens your vocabulary and language skills but improves your emotional intelligence (EQ)—something that commonly falls by the wayside but is just as equally important as the standard intelligence quotient (IQ).

2. Neil Patel

Neil Patel has founded KISSMetrics, Crazy Egg, And Quick Sprout. He is known for providing easy-to-read, research-driven articles on marketing, commonly incorporating practical advice, graphs, and a host of images.

What Can Be Learned?

Many bloggers follow Patel’s blogging strategy—because it works. Some of the tactics that he uses includes making the language readable, inserting an image every couple hundred words, and reducing paragraph size to 1-2 sentences. To drive your business, you may want to adopt these similar methods when promoting content. Remember, go for scan-able.

3. Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan

In an interview with Inc., Drawbridge Founder, Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan states she has always thought of herself more as a mathematician. As reported by Inc., Sivaramakrishnan received her MBA while working and then went on to get her PhD. After leaving AdMob, Sivaramakrishnan went on to start Drawbridge, a company that prides itself on helping companies connect with consumers via following users across desktops and cell phones to better provide a more personalized advertising experience.

What Can Be Learned?

Sivaramakrishnan reveals a trend that most likely will only grow as the world becomes more inundated with technology: the need to connect. While it is important to make sure your business is active on social platforms and has a company website, don’t forget the importance of human connection. Making your contact form more “human” or using images other than the traditional stock photos can create a more personalized experience.

4. Chris Pfaff

As reported by Forbes, Chris Pfaff, otherwise known as “Drama” on reality show, Fantasy Factory, created Young & Reckless from nothing. Moving from Ohio to LA with the dream of renting his own apartment and working at a skate shop, Pfaff realized he wanted to create a clothing line and build a brand. He used YouTube and his on-air time on MTV to gain publicity. From there, Young & Reckless was built on human condition stories and continues to grow.

What Can Be Learned?

Pfaff didn’t have a college education or a background in business and marketing, and yet Young & Reckless is making millions. Contrary to popular belief, there is not one way to getting your business up and running. Don’t let not having the “right type of education” hold you back. Do it anyways; worst case, you can get the training you need on the job.

5. Sara Blakely

Billionaire, Sara Blakely put her entire savings—of $5,000—into creating a garment that would help make people look and feel better. And so Spanx was born. Success-wise, Blakely has stated that each week her father would ask her what she failed at. By doing this, Blakely learned to not fear but value failure.

What Can Be Learned?

Embrace failure. Know that successful entrepreneurs—such as designer, Vera Wang and Hershey Founder, Milton Hershey—have failed in the past and that, through failure, you are one more step closer to success.

Bonus: A Tribute to The Past: Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie immigrated to the US from Scotland in the 1800s. Eventually, he made his fortune in the steel industry, founding the infamous Carnegie Steel Company. At the brink of the 20th century, Carnegie sold his company and devoted the rest of his years to giving away the fortune he created.

What Can Be Learned?

CNN Money ranks Carnegie as one of the richest men of all time. Yet, despite his fortune, Carnegie gave back—and continued to do so until his passing. What can be said is that while financial success should be celebrated, it isn’t everything. Strive for success but also remember to give back.

Final Thoughts

Starting a business takes ambition and courage. Remember to stay inspired by reading books (fiction included). Create content that is scan-able and easy-to-read. And, remember that there is no one right way to launch and run your business. Lastly, embrace failure, and, when you do become financially successful, remember to give back. What entrepreneurial advice do you have? What failures and successes has your business run into? What have you learned from them? Feel free to leave a comment.

You May Need a Business Name Checker

Thinking of conducting a New Jersey business name search? What about doing a District of Columbia entity search? Sec States can help you out with that. Using the database of secretary of state pages, you can easily navigate and access business searches on multiple pages.