What I Learned Working for a Billionaire
I was 19 years old, a freshman at the University of Texas, and looking for a fulfilling job when it hit me. I found myself watching hours of YouTube business related videos and reading countless articles on wealth when I came across a South by Southwest interview that would forever change my life. This quickly spiraled into a massive amount of information that showed me exactly how to end up on this person’s radar. These are some of the most valuable lessons working with Mark Cuban has taught me:
Research
The most important thing that secured my position to work under Mark directly was being able to understand how he communicated. I needed to know what his goals were and how I would go about exceeding his expectations to become a valuable asset to his companies. To get in touch with an influential billionaire, I realized quickly that researching that person meant scouring the internet for every piece of verified information available. Learning how he operated became a top priority for me.
Upon finding this SXSW interview and being so inspired by it, I noticed the number of views weren’t what I imagined they would be(Less than 100k). I immediately began to wonder how many viewers stayed for the whole conversation, which prompted me to watch the video again. And again. In the interview, Mark explained how he had recently launched his new project, a messaging platform called Cyber Dust(an app to communicate privately https://usedust.com/ ). Luckily for me, he mentioned his username and I knew I had to reach out to him. My message said:
“Mark, I believe I can help bring users to Cyber Dust with the influencers and managers that I have relationships with.”
I received a reply within 5 minutes with his contact information. I then constructed the perfect 6 hour email explaining how I would help bring users on board and detailing the process step by step. I didn’t expect a response for a few days, but surprisingly got one the same night mentioning, “Great, lets do it.” My first lesson that quickly caught on was to stop talking about it and get to work. And so my learning began.
Consistency
The word I hear the most working alongside Mark Cuban and many other CEOs is“consistency.” For me, that meant every single day, I had to find the same quality of results as the day before, or manage even better results (which is what I always strived for). It reminds me of the famous quote “Under promise and over deliver.” Learning to be consistent has given me a stronger work ethic and helped me perform at my best. This also leads to life long friendships that with your business partners.
Accountability
For any entrepreneur, it can be hard to admit when you’re wrong. There have been many times that I work hard on a proposal that makes perfect sense, but gets declined. I learned to take a step back, work with my available resources, and admit when I am uncertain or misunderstood. Being accountable also ties into being consistent because if you over promise and don’t deliver, you’re risking your reputation.
Time Utilization
A typical day for me starts at 6:00 am with a quick breakfast to look over the day’s meetings. I’ve learned it’s best to focus on the task at hand, eliminating any distractions (iPhone included). When certain entrepreneurs are extremely busy and always on the go, their 15 minutes of undivided attention is valuable. Meaning, always coming prepared is critical if you‘re seeking success. There is no time to waste.
Self Improvement
Sometimes, it can be difficult to find the drive to pursue new knowledge, but at the end of the day, you always have to invest in yourself. During college, I would attend my finance classes by day and learn to code by night. I was happy to experience two completely different sides of business that only made me better. My motivation ended up saving me not only time, but thousands of dollars in tuition.
If you have an opportunity to work for an influential business person, you want the ability to be able to produce great results, be straight to the point, and be focused on delivering your best efforts on a 24/7 basis. Through the experience of working under Mark Cuban, I have learned so much about myself and the world of business. I want to thank Mark personally for helping me reach goals I thought were far from reach. Don’t be afraid to approach anyone with your great ideas, they could potentially change your life!
If you have questions or want to get in touch I’d love to chat. Email me (anthony@anthonyjgaribay.com), follow me on Twitter (@anthonyjgaribay) or leave a comment below.
